Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Plaza Park gets sculpture from John Mahoney self-taught chainsaw sculptor

A dead tree turns into a beautiful bird. Photos by Michael Gordon

by Richard Lieberman

In August 2018, a very large pine tree in Plaza Park, 651 E. Thompson Blvd. (across from post office)had to be almost completely removed due to disease. John Mahoney from West Coast Arborist transformed the 20-foot high remaining tree into a beautiful sculptured art piece with a chainsaw. John also carved the two eagle sculptures at Arroyo Verde Park and the owl and bear at Camino Real Park. John is a true Michelangelo with a chainsaw.

The sculpting is part of the service from West Coast Arborist for removal and milling of the trees and will not require any extra cost from the City. The City of Ventura contracts with West Coast Arborist for tree maintenance. The company is environmentally conscious and reuses wood and trees that are cut down. John Mahoney came all the way from Laguna Beach to perform his art.

Years of drought have taken a toll on trees in and around Ventura. The city contracted with long time contractor West Coast Arborists to take out dead trees in Plaza Park. This is something many countries suffer from and so do many homeowners, leaving their garden and landscapes dull, which is why many will get in contact with services like these or other lawn care services to help bring a bit of life back to their gardens. And this is just what John Mahoney did. During an evaluation one of the company’s owners had an idea. Why not let John Mahoney, a self-taught chainsaw artist turn one of the trees into a lasting tribute to the fallen due to our long term draught conditions, which have killed hundreds of trees throughout the city.

Mohoney sent to the city samples of his work and offered an unbeatable price -free to the city.

This sculptor began the unusual career 45 years ago, when his then 18-year-old dad started West Coast Arbiters in Orange County. He followed his dad into the family business and many years later, drew inspiration while watching a TV show about chainsaw artists.

He got to thinking “There is only so many pieces of firewood you can make. “he said. “At the intersection of power tolls and creativity. I found my path in life.”

The next time that you are in the park , or at the post office be sure to admire this wonderful sculpture (and the others that he has done for Ventura).

Chainsaw Sculpture

Thomas Fire documentary premieres at Museum of Ventura County

by CAPS Media

Over the past year, CAPS Media in collaboration with the Museum of Ventura County went into the community and spoke to many who were affected by the Thomas Fire. We interviewed over 70 people and let them share their stories. Neighbors, friends and First Responders were invited to various locations throughout the county and into the CAPS Media studio to record their stories. From these powerful stories we created a 90-minute documentary.

The Perfect Firestorm is our documentary film that chronicles these personal stories of survival and healing during and following the devastating Thomas Fire. Screenings of the film are free and open to the public with an RSVP required on Sunday, December 16 at 12pm and 3pm at the museum’s pavilion at 100 East Main Street in Ventura. Due to limited seating, reservations are required. Email [email protected] and indicate the time of the screening you wish to attend.

The Perfect Firestorm was produced in cooperation with Ventura City Fire and Police, Ventura County Fire, Sheriff’s, Office of Emergency Services and other agencies. The year-long project is based on dozens of first-person interviews with fire fighters, first responders, residents and others impacted by the tragedy. In addition to sharing their heartfelt, inspiring and at times tragic stories, the citizens of Ventura County provided CAPS Media with hundreds of photos and videos recorded during and after the fire to help tell the story.

The Perfect Firestorm is a companion production to CAPS Media’s Thomas Fire Stories Project, the series of half-hour, first-person stories that airs every Friday night on CAPS Media. All the interviews conducted for the series and documentary air as stand-along stories on CAPS Media and on KPPQ-LP at 104.1fm.

“CAPS Media is privileged to produce the series and film,” said Patrick Davidson, Executive Director of CAPS. “and extremely fortunate to have the tremendous cooperation and unprecedented access to remarkable stories and supporting material for the project. We have county and city media including video, photos and dispatch calls. The Ventura community responded rapidly by sending us hundreds of personal photos and video of their first-hand experiences. And, as this is a collaborative with the Museum of Ventura County, we have an equally special agreement with television affiliate stations to utilize news coverage of the fire.”

Storytellers recounting personal stories include Ventura County Fire officers Chad Cook, Dustin Gardner, Vaughn Miller, John Spykerman, as well as County CEO Mike Powers, OES Director Kevin McGowan, City Fire Chief David Endaya, City Police officers Mike Brown and true citizen-heroes including Debbie Brokaw, Kat Merrick and her Local Love project, Jake and Jenny Dilbeck, Trevor Quirk and Upper Ojai Relief, Jason Collis and Dr. Susanne Lammot’s World Kitchen/Chef Relief Project, Lance Korthals, Clark Tulberg of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Sean Anderson and many more inspiring storytellers.

All of us at CAPS Media offer our heartfelt thoughts and best wishes to everyone throughout Ventura County who suffered personal tragedy caused by the devastating fires of the last two years. We celebrate the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and other first responders who tirelessly battled the devastating fires.

The Perfect Firestorm is a tribute to our entire community of heroes who, in the face of an overwhelming crisis, responded with astonishing calm and then opened their hearts, hands and homes to rescue neighbors and strangers and together rebuild their lives. We also thanks those in the media and support services who helped provide vital information to all of us in the community. Our community came together. Please contact CAPS Media at capsmedia.org or at 805.658.0500 for information about the screenings and about how to join and become a member. Our mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.

Residents Anxious to Return to Ventura

REMEMBERING

by Sheli Ellsworth

Michael O’Brien and his adult son were asleep at midnight on December 4, 2017. Thirty minutes later, Mr. O’Brien’s son woke him after hearing the blare of police sirens. The two fled the home on Hillcrest Drive they had lived in since 1982. They left with the family dog and nothing else. “It was very windy. I could smell smoke, but I didn’t see any flames.” Mr. O’Brien says he had an ominous feeling about the fire but it wasn’t until the next morning that he knew the extent of its devastation. “We spent the night at my brother’s in Faria Beach. We went back the next morning about 8:00. All we could see were ashes, chimneys and fireplaces. There was nothing to salvage.” The O’Brien’s lost everything. “The whole street looked like a war zone.”

Mr. O’Brien immediately contacted the insurance company who had a finder service to help with temporary housing. Mr. O’Brien eventually found his own place that the insurance company pays the rent on. “Our insurance company was quick to react. They set up a tent at the mall and assigned an adjuster who come out a couple of weeks later.”

Mr. O’Brien says that not only did he lose all his worldly possessions, but the home itself held so many family memories. “We are living in Camarillo right now. The dog has adjusted, but my son and I are looking forward to moving back to Ventura.” The O’Briens are in the process of rebuilding. “We hope to have a home by 2020. Hopefully, the contractor will start building soon. The building permit is ready to be picked up at city hall.” O’Brien says that if he had to do it over, he would have bought more insurance. “There just wasn’t enough to rebuild a house that size.”

“When You’re Singing, Everything Else Goes Away” (Ellen, GCCC member)

GCCC is as much a community as it is a group of singers.

by Jill Forman

They enter the room gradually, a group of 80-90 everyday men and women, and take their places in a U-shaped arrangements of seats. Their leader steps on a podium, a few announcements, some preliminary chords from the pianist, they open their mouths to sing, and they are transformed.

The Gold Coast Concert Chorus’ holiday concert is soon; they have been working on this program since the Monday after Labor Day. It is sounding good, and every singer is beaming with the joy of making music. Artistic Director Elizabeth Helms looks pleased.

Starting its 31st season, the GCCC is as much a community as it is a group of singers. Three members, Sylvia, Carol and Mary have been singing since its beginning; Mary has never missed a concert. The group has traveled to Italy, France, Great Britain, Eastern Europe…and Carnegie Hall, twice!

Rehearsal is well under way; they are running through everything tonight. Next week they rehearse in the actual venue with the bluegrass musicians. There are corrections, reminders, “Let’s try it this way…” Lots of teasing and laughter. Jessica the accompanist, who is a choral director herself, chimes in with ideas. It is a collaborative effort.

The affection and respect the director and singers feel for each other is apparent. “The talent in this room is amazing,” says Helms, bragging about two of her professionals who have arranged music for the group. And the members: “We can sing anything with the proper director,” says Rose. “She keeps us challenged musically,” from Scott. “We have a great conductor,” says Dave.

Members are reminded about posture and proper breathing. “Singing is healthy,” they tell me; their heartbeats will sync up and endorphins kick in. Ivan, 85 years old, says the chorus “Keeps me singing, it’s good for the brain and body.”

“We support each other.” Helms talks about last year when the concert was scheduled the week of the Thomas Fire and they had to decide what to do. They went ahead with it; even singers who had lost everything took part, though they had to go out and buy the proper clothes. ”So happy to be doing something positive. It makes everything better being together.”

Singers are clear as to why they participate. “I love to sing,” from Dave and numerous others. “I was always told I couldn’t sing, but I can here,” says Donna.

At the end of rehearsal Helms, a no-nonsense woman who is not effusive, takes a deep breath, smiles broadly, and says, “My friends…you are ready.”

GCCC does three concerts a year: a holiday concert in December, a classical show in March or April, and a pop performance in June. They would like more singers, especially tenors and basses. The male to female ratio is about 1:4. They rehearse every Monday at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center. To register to sing with them, check their website at www.goldcoastchorus.org.

Gold Coast Concert Chorus Schedule

A Down Home Bluegrass Christmas with the Tom Corbett Band

Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Road, Ventura

[email protected] (805)616-7269

Thomas Fire one year later

REMEMBERING

by Doug Halter Halter-Encinas Enterprises and Landscape

As a professional landscaper, hillside resident and passionate Ventura resident, the Thomas Fire will always be major heartbreaking and unbelievable experience in my lifetime. To see the fire come over the hill and into mine and our neighbors’ yards, then spread from house to house until it hit the heart of downtown left many of us speechless and in shock that still brings tears and emotions to many of us as the City that we love and our homes and memories were threatened by this horrific event. Many lessons were learned as we watched the flames leap from trees to house eaves, and our wood fences became highways of flames only to devour the next unsuspecting home owner and sanctuary.

As a landscaper, over the next several months, I had appointments with many of the people who lost their homes or some of the thousands that had damage and each day brought tears and memories of that horrifying night. Everyone had a story that needed to be shared if for no other reason than to help heal and know the horror we all experienced that night.

Now, a year later, I see many things that I would hope we can all do to prevent or minimize the impact of another wildfire.

First, I would make sure that vines, shrubs and trees are at least 10 ft from the house and not growing on or over it. Second, I would serious consider block walls and not wood fencing as many people called to thank me for the walls we created as they saved their house from being destroyed as my own saved our house. Third, we should consider solar power with battery backups to run sprinklers in our yard, and for some of us to, to run sprinklers that we can install on our rooftops.

From a City perspective I would hope that we would be better prepared with more redundancy on our water system so that our fire fighters have a chance at saving our neighborhoods. And lastly, I believe that we were allowed to grow our neighborhoods up the sloping hillsides without any consideration of a firebreak, green space or orchards that can help slow the fire.

Our persistent drought also added to the spread of the fire as many of our once manicured and green yards lay barren with dead weeds or grass. Many plants like Eucalyptus, Pine trees and Mexican sage exploded with flames and I would keep these specimens far from any house; still the embers may still blow into homes many blocks away. Perhaps part of the plan should be to use reclaimed water to keep the first 200 ft behind our neighborhoods green as a buffer.

Now, let’s rebuild our neighbors, use smart yet water wise plantings and together make our community better than ever!

Protect what you love: Surfrider engages and salutes community volunteers

Surfrider engages community volunteers to participate in beach cleanups.Photo provided by Surfrider

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

“Protect what you love,” is one of Surfrider Foundation’s mottos underscoring the need for every individual to take a proactive stance to preserve and protect our ocean, waves, and beaches.

Putting that motto into action, Surfrider, through a powerful activist network, engages community volunteers to participate in monthly beach cleanups to help stop contributing to the now over approximately 5.25 trillion deadly pieces of plastic in the ocean. Their Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) program, which teaches CPR — conservation, permeability, and retention, is also a vital, growing contribution to aid in the health of our watersheds.

Other programs include a Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-run water testing, education, and advocacy program that alerts citizens and officials about water quality programs whereby they can work together toward solutions. The Smartfin project allows surfers to become citizen scientists, turning wave sets into data when surfers wear a fin with sensors that measure important ocean properties.

“Ocean Friendly Restaurants, is one of our newer programs that is focused on reducing our plastic and water footprint,” said Bill Hickman, Southern California Regional Manager, Surfrider. “Volunteers help assist in educating restaurant owners how to make more sustainable choices by eliminating expanded polystyrene use (Styrofoam), recycling practices, using reusable tableware, no plastic bags offered for takeout or to-go orders, and providing straws and utensils for takeout only upon request.”

To promote community engagement and rally support, Surfrider holds monthly chapter meetings open to anyone who wishes to attend. “We listen to guest speakers who are experts in their fields talk about subjects vital to our mission as well as discuss chapter news,” said Hickman. “It’s a casual, social atmosphere and we provide light snacks and drinks.

At Surfrider’s December 4th Chapter meeting, the foundation held their second annual “Volunteer Appreciation” Recognition Ceremony where they presented 40 volunteers with certificates and a personalized thank you gift.

“Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we felt it important to honor those that go above and beyond,” said Hickman. “Our coast always needs protection. Our volunteers are the protectors. They are also essential in getting our voice and mission heard. More volunteers translate into more voice, and that voice is needed, especially when it comes to making a difference by crafting legislation to protect what we love.”

Surfrider holds Monthly Chapter meetings in Patagonia’s retail store, 235 W Santa Clara Street in Downtown Ventura the first Tuesday of most months from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For more information on Surfrider and our calendar of events, visit: https://ventura.surfrider.org/

New discovery in the story of the Lone Woman

During a special lecture on Thursday, December 13, a panel of researchers will reveal new information about why the Lone Woman remained on San Nicolas Island after others in her community left for the mainland.

Depicted in the best-selling children’s novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, the story of the Lone Woman is based on the true story of a Native American woman who was left alone on San Nicolas Island from 1835 to 1853.

Steven Schwartz, Dr. John Johnson, Susan Morris and Carol Peterson have examined new evidence revealing that the Lone Woman stayed on the island to take care of her son, who had remained behind. She lived with him for a number of years before he was tragically killed in a boating accident, after which she was truly alone.

Contrary to previous belief, it is now understood that when the Lone Woman was brought to the mainland there were native speakers in Santa Barbara who were able to effectively communicate with her through spoken word. She shared with them why she chose to stay on the island as the others left.

Steven J. Schwartz, recently retired, was the Navy’s senior archaeologist on San Nicolas Island for 25 years. Due to this unique position, he has become one of the leading experts on the Lone Woman’s story, publishing and speaking on this topic at numerous venues.

Dr. John R. Johnson has served as Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History for thirty years. He obtained his Ph.D. at UCSB where he holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor of Anthropology. His written contributions include more than 80 studies of the culture and history of California’s native peoples, especially emphasizing the Chumash Indians of the Santa Barbara region.

Susan L. Morris is an independent historical researcher and writer. She has worked on 7 of the 8 Channel Islands (including San Nicolas Island) on archaeology, paleontology, geology, and biology projects. For the past eight years, Morris has focused her research on the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, contributing content to the new National Park Service Island of the Blue Dolphins website.

Carol Peterson was the education coordinator at Channel Islands National Park for 16 years and was the main project coordinator for the Island of the Blue Dolphins website. Since her retirement, she has continued to coordinate this project as a volunteer and is responsible for posting all content on the website.

The talk is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding marine waters. The lecture will take place at 7:00 pm at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, in Ventura Harbor. The program is free and open to the public.

This lecture can also be viewed live online, at: Shore to Sea lecture series.

Lectures are recorded and posted at: http://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/photosmultimedia/from-shore-to-sea-lecture-videos.htm

The Island of the Blue Dolphins website is located at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/islandofthebluedolphins

REMEMBERING ~ Flames of Compassion

Remember the Fire ~ Flames of Compassion

by Karen Leslie, writer with heart

The fire and brimstone atmosphere that raged through California scorched not only land but has wreaked havoc with our psyches and emotional state of being. The aftermath and collective mourning of precious lives lost, houses and earthscapes are palatable. Venturian’s memories not long passed have re-kindled in the air thick as smoke.

On November 8, 2018 three fires broke out. The Hill Fire, Woolsey and Camp Fires combined scorching nearly 250,000 acres, displaced thousands, claimed more than 80 lives, destroyed 14,000 structures, 993 people are unaccounted for and it took 6,400 firefighters round the clock to slay the beasts. The 18-day Woolsey Fire alone impacted Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Chatsworth, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Malibu, torching 96, 949 acres.

Barely holding back tears, Paradise Town Council Member Melissa Schuster shares, “The entire town of Paradise is a toxic wasteland right now.” Paradise Hero, Kevin McKay drove 22 stranded elementary school students to safety

Affected was the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills known as “Western Town” where hundreds of movies and television shows, including HBO’s Westworld have been filmed. Amidst the devastation and tragedy heroes have emerged.

Hollywood Stuntman Ardeshir Radpour saved 300 horses from the Woolsey wildfires, but he doesn’t consider himself a hero. Radpour shares, “The horses feel what we feel and have a heightened sense of awareness. They don’t understand the noise and don’t have a voice for themselves. It’s just what we need to do as human beings to help each other out.”

Hearts are swollen with despair and aching from the abundant suffering in our own back yards, neighboring counties and globally. Yet, all walks of life are united and ignited with the flame of compassion! We have walked in their shoes, lost what they have lost and felt what they have felt.

From the many caring residents, business owners and heroes, their light of empathy burns brightly, snuffing out the fear with their generous optimism, support and helping hands of service so ultimately we can find healing within the unimaginable loss.

Local intuitive artist Sharon Camphell shares, “One candle can light up a whole room. It costs nothing to smile, say hello and make amends with people you love. We do adapt and we are stronger than we think.”

Tim Callaghan, founder and owner of No Limit Fitness, well-traveled and Veteran shares, “As a one year resident of Ventura, I have noticed in the wake of disaster, the hearts of this area are connected in a way where strangers are neighbors and neighbors are family.”

“Mo” owner of Silver Trends says, “We will never forget. With help comes change. Consoling with one another helps make our lives a little better. Our mentality and perspective needs to change from me me me, to we we we. “

Owner of Inner Soulstice Wellness Ayn Devera quotes, “When our energies are aligned we can produce anything. We must connect, share how we feel, lean in towards the discomfort, then we can empathize and from that space of commonality that we are the same creates change.”

Tina Thayer owner of Paradise Pantry shares her feelings and people that arrived devastated and disheveled into the hearth and home vibe café, “I am trying to process the sadness and feel heartbroken for all the loss and happy to serve the weary travelers so they may rest, drop their shoulders and eat a meal.”

Anna Bermudez, Ventura Museum curator quotes, “Preserve the history of Now” “Along with our exhibits, the museum has come to be so much more, a public community gathering place where people feel safe to reflect, remember and heal ”

Musician and icon Neil Young who lost his home speaks out, “Hopefully we can come together as a people to take climate change on!”

Each of us has value in the lives around us! Shine on!

REMEMBERING ~

The Thomas Fire

by Patrick J. Treacy

The Thomas Fire started on the Fourth of December two thousand seventeen. It became the largest Venturans ever had seen.

The Santa Ana winds were hot and strong, and swiftly moved the fire along.

Soon the canyons roared as trees buckled and swayed, houses were burning and crashing down and soon in piles of rubble lay.

Embers and cinders were flying hundreds of feet in the air, then raining down like thunder, showers of red hail, spreading the fire at a speed that was rare.

One lady died in her haste to get away, as thousands were ordered to evacuate and were rushing to centers where they would be safe.

The famous Poinsettia Pavilion was about to succumb to the flames. Its caretakers Hector Andrade, Joanna Bondina, and Hector Junior, their son, decided to stay. They battled all night and all of next day, ignoring the burns and the blisters. They battled with hoses and shovels and spades, as the soles of their shoes partly melted away.

And that is the stuff of which heroes are made. The prize for their efforts-the Poinsettia Pavilion was ready for business next day.

The inferno on the mountain was a ferocious sight,

It looked more like a day time invasion of bombs and smoke

than a mountain fire on a winter’s night.

The billowing smoke was a crazy red,

And nerves were shaken with fear and dread.

Animals were seen on the city streets hopping with pain on tender feet.

It was a challenging night for the elder, the weak and the frail. Their young caregivers seemed anxious, nervous and pale.

Years of collections were lost on that night, Like old photos of grandparents holding their kids. Some lost photos of ancestors returning triumphant from war, While others lost photos of loved ones returning in caskets draped with old glory after giving their all.

Firefighter Cory Iverson died doing what he and all firefighters and police officers

do every day, risking their lives, others to save.

This young patriot died for the love of his family and commitments in life

He conquered his fear and died while on duty fighting the fire.

The Thomas Fire burned for forty days.

It caused death and destruction along the way. Property worth billions of dollars were lost to the flames.

The brush and the fuel will grow back again. The Santa Ana winds will always return. Without new regulation, when conditions are right, more houses will burn.

Keep it simple- remove all the brush, dead wood and dry fuel

a safe distance from homes then the fire cannot feed.

Update the homes in the forest to be resistant to heat,

then all wildfire tragedies in Ventura and California will all disappear.

With all of the agencies working as one,

soon Ventura will all be restored, this beautiful city between mountains and shores.

Many Thomas Fire survivors lost all their priceless belongings.

They have all disappeared like the smoke in the air and the glow in the sky.

Leaving an ache in their heart until the day they will die.

REMEMBERING ~ Serra Cross Park

On a beautiful Sunday, Dec.2 a dedication was held at Serra Cross Park located in Grant Park to celebrate the repairs made after the Thomas Fire destroyed the area. It featured great jazz by the Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band and welcomes by Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere, Chief of Police Ken Corney, Fire Chief David Endaya and others. Citycouncil Member Christy Weir was the moderator and Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann was there to greet those attending as were other dignitaries. Fr. Tom Elewaut from the Mission San Buenaventura gave a blessing to the Park. Several painting by local artists were bid on at the silent auction to raise money for upkeep. New landscaping, and grass made the area look as good as it did prior to the Thomas Fire. Even though the area is now usable Grant Park remains closed, but, by reservation Serra Cross is available for private events.

The Serra Cross Conservancy encourages everyone to enjoy the park and welcomes events ranging from family picnics to educational field trips to weddings and memorial services. The site, with its unique character and spectacular views, is very popular for private events. If you are interested in holding your event at the Cross contact Amber Weir at [email protected].

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