Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Bill Kelley, a retired senior is nine years post cancer

Bill “warming up” with Beth Baumer owner of Neuroboxing.

by Patricia Schallert

Bill is a retired 67-year-old gentleman, originally from the San Fernando Valley. He used to vacation in Ventura with his sons and fell in love with Ventura and the cool weather. While living in Northridge, he operated a successful food truck called Smokin’ Willies BBQ. He also worked for Warner Bros. for 26 years, real estate for 6 years and Smokin’ Willies BBQ for 6 years. Upon moving to Ventura, Bill worked for the Parks and Recreation program and in a school cafeteria until the Pandemic in 2020.

Bill was diagnosed with cancer after going to the ER for not feeling “right”. He thought he was having a stroke but was diagnosed instead, with cancer and the doctors discovered a lymphoma tumor. Bill had thoracic surgery and the tumor was removed  but left him with 13 screws, 2 rods and 73 staples in his back. He continued to receive treatment for his leukemia by having two bone marrow  transplants. Currently he is nine years post cancer. When he was released from treatments in 2021, he and his wife of 41 years vacationed in Italy.

Being retired and knowing he will have cancer treatments for the rest of his life, Bill says, retirement means that “Every day is Saturday and it feels like freedom”

Regarding attending Neuroboxing I asked Bill “How long have you been involved with Neuroboxing? “About one-year” he answered.

What do you enjoy most about it? “The good friendships among the members of the group.”

Museum of Ventura County announces changes in admission policy

The Museum of Ventura County extends heartfelt gratitude to our vibrant community for its unwavering generosity, allowing us to offer free admission throughout 2023. As we look ahead to the new year, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura location, will undergo a transition in its admission policy beginning February 1, 2024. The grant that has sustained free admission will conclude, necessitating a shift to a sustainable funding model.

Starting February 1, 2024, the Museum of Ventura County, Downtown Ventura, will implement the following admission fees: • $10 for adults • $5 for students & seniors • Free for individuals under 18 years old This change marks a new chapter for our Downtown Ventura location. We understand the importance of making cultural experiences accessible to all, and to that end, we invite you to consider becoming a member of the Museum of Ventura County. Membership not only grants you free admission to all Museum locations, but also provides exclusive access to a range of programs and events.

“As we transition back to reinstated admission fees, our heartfelt gratitude goes to those who made free admission possible in 2023. We now encourage the community to consider affordable membership options. Your support not only preserves our history, art, and culture but also unlocks exciting new benefits at every membership level.” – Elena Brokaw, Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Museum Membership Benefits:

• Free admission to all MVC locations

• Entrance to member-only events

• Exclusive merchandise offerings

Explore the various membership tiers available, each designed to enhance your connection with the Museum and its vibrant cultural offerings. Your support ensures the continued success of Museum of Ventura County and contributes to the preservation and celebration of our shared heritage. To learn more about membership options or to join the Museum of Ventura County community, visit https://venturamuseum.org/membership/. We are pleased to announce that the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula will continue to provide free admission. Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to welcoming you to the Museum as we embark on this exciting new chapter together.

Supporting the Ventura Downtown Lions Club’s

Over $1300 was raised.

On Friday, February 2, the Ventura Downtown Lions hosted a Friday Night Social at the Portside Ventura Harbor community that realized their vision for an enjoyable evening, evolving into a larger community gathering with a noble cause – supporting the Ventura Downtown Lions Club’s Admin Account.

The event featured dance lessons from Jay Bayam, showcasing Swing and Bachata, as well as a Silent Auction with items and services contributed by small businesses like Ambitious Beauty Studio, Art Is Passion, Harbor Mart, CRAVE Gelato Kofi Bar, Mystic Relics, FOCUS Sup & Boards, Vasquez Float Reiki, Portside Ventura Harbor, Portside Ventura Electric Boat Rental, Neuroboxing, Portside Yoga, Portside Ventura Harbor Marina, Top This Chocolate, VC Balloons, For Your Home Furniture, KO Tacos, and TapTruck 805.

Their combined efforts successfully raised over $1300, greatly benefiting the Lions Club and embodying the spirit of “When there’s a need, there’s a Lion” – uniting for community service with the mantra “We Serve.”

Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters held their annual celebration

DA Erik Nasarenko installed the new officers.

On January 20, the Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters held their annual celebration and installation of officers dinner at the Ventura Marina Park Clubhouse. Appetizers, drinks and dinner prepared by the docents was served.

Prior to the installation A Steal That Gift Game and an auction for fine art and gift bags was held. The hundreds attending heard County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko install the new officers. They are Bob Sandler President, Mary Thompson Vice President, Marsha Brumana Secretary and Glenda Jackson Treasurer.

“It was an honor to swear in the newly elected Olivas Adobe board members,” said Erik Nasarenko.  “The Olivas Adobe is a cultural and civic touchstone, which connects people from all over the world to California’s only remaining Monterey style adobe from the Rancho era.  The board members will serve as historic interpreters for the Olivas Adobe, ensuring that the past is protected and the site’s many special events are accompanied by these wonderful docents.   Congratulations, and thank you for volunteering your time, talent and passion to the Adobe and the public it serves!”

Vice President Mary Thompson thanked Erik “A big thank you to Erik Nasarenko for officially swearing us in. We are looking forward to serving our community in 2024.  Our agenda is jam packed with family fun events to keep the history of the Olivas Adobe alive.”

A new sign was erected at the entrance to the Skyline Community

Barbara Brown and Doug Halter pose in front of the newly erected sign. Photos by Richard Lieberman

by Richard Lieberman

The wall at the entrance of the Skyline Community before the painting.

Barbara Brown, a neighbor in the Skyline community and Chair of the College Area Community Council led the effort to replace a sign at the entrance of the Skyline community. A prior attempt started in 2020 but was unable to complete the replacement of the sign. Renewing the project and involving the non-profit College Area Community College group was key in being able to bring the project to completion. “We got all the neighbors to pitch in and help fund raise for it and then all the neighbors pitched in to paint,” said Brown. In choosing the design and the font for the sign they kept in mind the age of the development. They also had security in mind when they chose the letters to be one single piece rather than single separate letters.

The community is located just off Foothill, near Arroyo Verde Park. Attending the event were attendees that included Ventura’s District two Councilmember Doug Halter, College Area Community Council (CACC) and the neighbors of Skyline.

Barbara Brown, Doug Halter and a crowd of volunteers and neighbors gather for the completion of a new sign.

The original sign was removed around 1990 and never replaced. The removal left the entrance bare and over the years the city’s maintenance crews covering up graffiti painted over the entrance with varying shades of beige. Neighbors and the local community funded the grassroots project. “Lots of volunteers helped paint the wall, and the project took about four months to complete,” added Brown.

Doug Halter councilmember commented “I think this sign is important because it defines the neighborhood,” he said. “So just seeing this makes it feel like the neighborhood is coming back together again,” he added.

Spiking to success in the sand

Beach volleyball at Portside Ventura Harbor courts top row Greg, Holly, Chi, Eli, Josh, Kelly, Jason. Bottom row Jeanine, Kristen, Ashley, Andrew. And the dog is Drake!

by Patricia Schallert

Volleyball is an exciting sport that is enjoyed by people of all ages. It requires teamwork, coordination, and skill. The object of the game is to hit the ball over the net and into the opponent’s court without letting it touch the ground. With its fast-paced action and strategic plays, volleyball offers a thrilling experience for both players and spectators alike.

Beach volleyball and court volleyball are two popular variations of the same sport, each possessing unique characteristics.

While beach volleyball and court volleyball share similar rules and objectives, their differences in playing surface, number of players per team, strategy/tactics employed, scoring systems used, and equipment requirements make each version distinct. Both types offer their unique challenges and require specific skill sets from athletes who participate. Whether it’s the thrill of jumping high for a spike on the court or diving into sand to save a ball during beach play – both forms provide an exciting experience for those passionate about this globally beloved sport.

Starting in February, 2023, a small private group of friends have been playing beach volleyball regularly. Prior to that, several of members of the team played at East Beach in Santa Barbara, while others had played pickup at the San Pedro courts in Ventura. When one team member moved to Portside Harbor Ventura, a small contingent started playing at the Portside courts and it has since grown! Kristen Brown, one of the members of the team, said “they typically like to play 3 vs 3, but with the limited (2) courts at Portside lately, they’ve been having full courts of 6 vs 6 or 5 vs 5, which isn’t ideal ,but they make it work.” There are no ‘sign ups’ per se as they are a privately organized group of friends who have a private messaging platform that they use.

Kristen further related, that the players range in age from 20’s to 60’s, but average age is mid-thirties. “They enjoy each other’s company and though food is not part of the game, sometimes they will have a BBQ or a potluck usually to celebrate a birthday of some event within their group.”

The team is mostly beginner to intermediate players, all improving their skills together! Some members have been playing volleyball since high school, others are just learning. “We’re out there to have fun and get better together!”

For this team, sides are picked informally. They are all close friends. If one team looks a little stacked, they might do some rearranging, but for the most part they just divide up naturally.

The courts are located at the very end of Navigator Dr.

Congratulating the Success of New Ventures at Portside Ventura Harbor

The arrival of Crave Gelato Kofi Bar last year enchanted locals with delicious drinks, gelato, pastries, and focaccia bread. Harbor Mart also became a local favorite with their extensive wine collection, impressive deli, and diverse snacks from around the world.

Upcoming Community Events:
As we step into the new year, Portside Ventura Harbor embraces a vibrant lineup of community events. Live jazz music every Sunday at Crave sets the tone for a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. The community can anticipate monthly highlights, including Movie Night Under the Stars every third Friday and the Pop-Up Market every first and third Saturday. These events bring the Ventura community together, fostering memorable experiences for both residents and visitors.

Join us Sundays for Live Jazz at Crave and The Pop-Up’s Sweetheart Market on February 3rd at 10 am in the Portside Plaza!

CoverlyPro unveils fresh new looks

CoverlyPro has lent its voice to elevate brands throughout Ventura County and the region since 2010, and today unveils a fresh new look and revitalized website for itself. The project was completed with collaboration from the entire CoverlyPro team, resulting in a new logo, vibrant color palette, refreshed website, and guiding philosophy, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” The rebranding supports the company’s upward momentum which is furthered with the addition of its newest members, Communications Specialist Chase Woodard and Social Media Specialist Andrea Mora. These efforts reflect an era of growth for the company, displaying an evolution in its visual identity and core values and demonstrating that in the world of marketing, nobody says it quite like CoverlyPro.

“We are excited to usher in a new era of CoverlyPro to the region.” said CEO Lynnette Coverly, “I am confident that our new branding and additions to our team demonstrate a clear message of who we are and where we are headed.”

This rebrand affirms the company’s dedication to the community and its clients by highlighting their ever-present creative and innovative spirit, which has driven CoverlyPro’s continued success. The project produced a reimagined position statement which aligns the company with its commitment to vibrant collaboration with clients and to elevating client stories by creating actionable and measurable marketing programs.

CoverlyPro also announces the addition of two new team members, growing in their mission to create stories that speak to clients and the public alike. Chase Woodard joins the CoverlyPro team as a Communications Specialist and is a creative thinker who brings experience crafting engaging messaging for client marketing campaigns and formulating inventive ways to engage audiences. Andrea Mora joins the team as a Social Media Specialist, bringing years of experience creating exciting and informational social media posts along with fresh and effective ecommerce content. With its new rebrand, refreshed website, and expanded team, CoverlyPro is looking to leverage this momentum to expand their client roster and amplify their impact.

Founded in 2010 by Lynnette Coverly, Coverly Professional Services (CoverlyPro) is a full-service marketing and public relations project management firm based in Ventura, California. With a varied portfolio of clients, CoverlyPro creates and implements branding and marketing strategies for the “service” industry from non-profits, to professional services, public transit, veterinary, and other industries. To learn more visit www.CoverlyPro.com.