by Jerry Dannenberg

I am Jerry Dannenberg and I have recently been elected to the Ventura Unified Board of Education, Area 4.

First and foremost I would like to thank my family, friends and supporters who made it possible for me to run for the Ventura Unified Board of Education. I would also like to thank all those who helped me with my campaign. Finally thank you to those of you who voted for me. My commitment to all the voters and parents in the district is that I will be an advocate for all children.

This year marks a major transition for the district with the retirement of several district key leaders. The board has hired a very well-grounded Superintendent in Mr. David Creswell. Mr. Creswell has in turn hired a great administrative team in the district office to move the district forward in the years to come. It is my hope that I will be able to help the Board, Mr. Creswell and his team with some of the district history and with my 41 years of experience as an educator.

For those in the community that don’t know me, I have been a teacher, teacher’s union president, principal, district office administrator, Superintendent, and Adjunct Professor of Education for the three local universities. Sixteen of my 41 years in public education were spent in the Ventura Unified School District. I served as principal of Juanamaria Elementary School, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Assistant Superintendent of the Educational Services division of the School District.

My wife, Melinda, and our two children moved to Ventura 32 years ago. Both my children graduated from Ventura Schools and went on to graduate from the state university system. We have five grandchildren. One has graduated from Ventura and is presently attending college. The other four are presently attending Ventura Schools.

I hope that I can help the district address the following issues in my first four years on the Board:

1. An aggressive approach for dealing with problematic bullying and racism in our schools.
2. Equitable learning opportunities for all students including making sure that all high school students have the same number of class periods available to them. We also need to make sure they have the same opportunity for Advanced Placement Classes at all high schools.
3. Safe schools for all students.
4. Proactive fiscal management of district resources that insure balanced budgets that provide the best learning opportunities we afford.
5. A focus on academic rigor to help all students. I would also like us to work towards an International Baccalaureate Program in one or more of our high schools.
6. We need to make our employee salaries more competitive so that we are not losing our teachers and employees to other school districts or different careers.
7. We need to fully staff all of schools with counselors who can help our students deal with the pressures of today’s world.
8. We need to look at the feasibility of putting air conditioning in our classrooms to make them the best learning environment for our students and the best work environment for our employees. We also need to look into renewable energy source success solar energy to help reduce our future energy costs.

I am looking forward to being a member of the Governing Board and I can’t wait to get started. Once again I would like to thank everyone that supports me and voted for me. Thank you.

by Jennifer Tipton

Located at 1961 East Thompson Blvd., Casa de Soria has been spicing up Ventura since 1958, that’s 60 years of traditional Mexican cuisine! Originally owned by the Soria family, the restaurant has since changed hands, but the location remains the same. Until four years ago, the restaurant was quite small, but likely because the place was always packed with hungry patrons waiting to be seated, they expanded. The restaurant’s new addition joins the original and the décor is festive, complete with pinatas and sombreros. A large dining area holding many booths and tables covered with brightly colored tablecloths joins the original part of Casa that also got a facelift with all new booths and tables. A large enclosed patio seating about 100 hosts an open bar on Friday and Saturday nights and is available for private parties. The outside patio welcomes dog friendly diners and there’s now an adjoining parking area.

Our server, Roberto started us off with homemade tortilla chips, served warm along with fresh sweet and spicy salsa. The menu begins with a full page of Cantina selections offering a variety of margaritas. I had the Skinny Margarita made with Patron Tequila, Agave Nectar, fresh limes and oranges, so tasty, you would never guess it’s less than 125 calories! Imported beer and wine selections offered as well.

Menu specialties include a Taco Salad with choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, served with the house creamy cilantro dressing made with ranch, guacamole, cilantro and squeeze of an orange, or chicken enchiladas with a homemade mole sauce. All served with rice and beans. $9.95 – $14.95

Selections such as Carne Jalisco, a grilled steak with grilled tomato, onion, bell pepper and topped with jack cheese, or the Pollo De Baja, a half marinated grilled chicken are served with rice and beans and soup or salad for $11.95 – $17.95.

Seafood selections include Salmon topped with mango or pineapple salsa, served with rice, sliced avocado and sautéed veggies and with choices like Lobster and Crab Enchiladas or Ceviche tostadas, it’s every pescatarian’s dream at $13.95 – $16.95.

Traditional side orders such as Albondiga Soup and Menudo with homemade tortillas are $6.50 – $11.50.

Combination Dinners present selections such as a chile relleno (allowing you to choose from a pasilla chile stuffed with cotija cheese or an Ortega chile stuffed with jack cheese) and of course, crispy tacos, tamales, enchiladas, tostadas, burritos and taquitos – all served with rice and beans, add soup or salad for $1.99.

One item combo $10.95 Two item combo $12.95

Three item combo $14.95

The Enchiladas Suizas did not disappoint, the sweet and smoky flavor was as remarkable as the presentation!

Be sure to save room for desserts like Deep Fried Ice Cream, Gourmet Flan or Churros for $3 – $4.95.

Casa De Soria is open 11am to 9pm daily. Reservations not required and although there are no deliveries, orders can be placed to go. Lunch Specials are quite a deal at $10.95 (dine in only).

For more information visit: casadesoria.com

What does Ventura County author Ivor Davis and ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney have in common?

1. They are both worth $1.2 billon?

2. They both like baked beans on toast?

Or,

3. They both have written children’s books?

If you chose answer number three you are right.

Although Davis does like baked beans on toast, and Sir Paul prefers scrambled eggs on toast.

The good news, however, is that Davis will beat his Beatle mate to the punch. Paul’s children’s book is due out next year.

Ivor’s very first children’s book, “Ladies and Gentlemen…The Penguins!” will be published Dec. 1—just in time for holiday reading.

“Ladies and Gentlemen…The Penguins!” tells the fanciful fable about a Penguin rock group from the British Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic who grew up to become one of the most famous pop groups in the world. Even bigger—well, almost bigger—than the Beatles.

The critics are raving. “You’ll definitely want to hold their flippers” sang world renowned Penguin critic and musician Ringo Starfish.

You can pre-order the book on www.ivordavisbooks.com or on Amazon.

The book will be launched at a party, Dec. 1, at 3 pm. at the Pierpont Racquet Club, 500 Sanjon Road, Ventura. The public–particularly children–are invited to enjoy a book reading, nibbles, fun, prizes and music and songs by guitarist Alan Shapiro.

by Jim Freidman

I am thrilled and honored to have been elected to the Ventura City Council after a 15-year hiatus. Having previously served as mayor and council member from 1995-2003, I can say that this campaign was very different from previous ones where candidates ran for city council seats “at large.” I found that campaigning in a district required a more grass roots approach and resulted in a greater opportunity to meet with voters face-to-face.

My priorities were straight-forward; enhancing public safety, increasing city revenues through economic development (not higher taxes and fees), repairing our crumbling infrastructure and addressing our water and homeless issues. I rang doorbells in over 2,000 homes and spoke to hundreds of people. I was encouraged to find that my priorities we pretty much in line with that of the residents I spoke with. For the most part, people seemed genuinely appreciative that a city council candidate took the time to come to their front door. Sure, there were a few people who were bothered by the interruption, but that was a very small minority of the people I met.

The campaign is behind us and now the hard work begins. My main concern are the fiscal challenges we face as a city. Everything we want and need costs money. Just like your own household, we have to be able to pay our city bills. I do not believe we can tax and fee our city into prosperity, so we had better get very serious about enhanced economic (business) development. I will be pushing this agenda for the next four years and hope that my colleagues on the city council will see the merits of making economic development a top priority.

The benefits of economic development will not happen overnight, so it is possible that we will need to take a serious look at our budget priorities. I believe the city council should look into holding quarterly budget workshops where the council and public can roll up their sleeves and get an intimate understanding of how we are spending our money, and just as important, where our money is coming from. I sincerely hope that our residents will be engaged in this process. The more participation we have from our residents, the better and more transparent the budget process will be.

Campaigns are never easy. They can bring out the best and unfortunately, sometimes the worst in people. Now is the time to set aside our differences and work together to help make the city we love, the very best it can be. It’s not going to be easy but we should start working towards that goal right away. I want to thank all of my friends and supporters and all District 5 residents who took the time to vote in this, our first, district election.

This year Ventura Harbor Village has a dazzling array of holiday events, shopping and dining by the sea. Ventura Harbor is a one-stop destination for all things sparkling on the water:

Kids eyes are guaranteed to light up when they spot Santa cruising by on a paddle board! Old Saint Nick is temporarily trading in his sleigh for a paddle on Saturday, December 8 from 11 am-Noon in Ventura Harbor Village . The Santa Paddle is a family fun event that’s free to join in. If you are in need of rental equipment, it’s a good idea to arrive early to secure your rental needs. The starting point is Ventura Harbor Village bay, then on to the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and back (approximately 1 hour). A $40 Gift Card prize will be awarded to the most festive outfit. If paddling isn’t your thing, electric boats can be rented at Ventura Boat Rental to go alongside the paddle.

A burst of yuletide song captures the essence of the holidays aboard Island Packers Holiday Caroling Cruises. With a breeze in your hair and song on your lips (or not, feel free to just listen and enjoy), you’re sure to feel festive as the holidays are on their way! Invite friends and family for an evening on the water to view all the decorated homes along the water with a one hour Island Packers Caroling Cruise aboard a 64’ catamaran.

The 42nd Annual Parade of Lights and Fireworks on Friday and Saturday, December 14-15, sets the perfect mood for the holidays with brilliant displays of boat decorations and colorful lights sparkling at the seaside. This year’s 2018 theme is “Rocking on the DOCK Side of the Moon,” is a nautical play on words to the timeless Pink Floyd album, “Dark Side of the Moon.” The event will take your breath away with its spirit, beauty, and groovy vibes that pays homage to the 70’s. Anticipated schedule: 5pm – Kids Carnival Rides & Ferris Wheel, 6:30pm – Boat Parade of Lights, 8pm – Fireworks both Friday & Saturday evenings. Plus, Saturday only there will be a 70’s dance party in the Ventura Harbor Village at 5:15pm. Get your bellbottoms ready and get down to disco favorites before the closing night of the boat parade! Come early Saturday, December 15 for best parking and the Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace event from 1- 5 pm. Make your dinner reservations in the Harbor early.

This festive seaside event harks back to traditional celebrations with complimentary Santa and Mrs. Claus photos, Santa’s live reindeer, and faux snow fall, oh my! Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace at Ventura Harbor Village from 1-5pm on Saturday, December 15, 2018 offers all ages the perfect setting for shopping local this holiday season. Rediscover the joy of gift giving as you wander through the Harbor’s festive Village and visit more than a dozen boutiques. Every 15 minutes take a wintery selfie under the faux snowfall, visit with holiday characters, listen to Dickensian Carolers, participate in kid’s holiday crafts, reminisce with a Toy Soldier Band, and much more. The Annual 42nd Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks follows at 6:30 pm. Free entrance and parking. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com/events.

This holiday season, Island Packers in Ventura will be offering seasonal cruises for family and friends, as well as group functions. Ventura Harbor Holiday Cruises and Whale Watching trips are splendid ways to celebrate the winter season.

· One-hour Holiday Caroling Cruise in Ventura Harbor on select dates between 12/11 – 12/23. Cruises are December 11, 12, 13, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 & 23. The fare is $16 per adult, $13 per senior (55+), and $10 per child.

· Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights Cruise and Fireworks: 12/14 and 12/15. Cruises depart at 6:00, 6:20 & 6:40p.m. Cruises are approximately 2 ½ hrs, cruise to see the holiday lights and boat parade, and end with an onboard view of the fireworks display. Fare is $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $25 for children under 12. Group rates available.

· Private Group Holiday Party Cruises Great for company functions, group rates available.

· Winter Whale Watching starting 12/26 and runs through mid-April This annual event is best seen up close and personal aboard a comfortable catamaran.

by Velma Lomax, Trustee Ventura Unified School District

Your vote counts and I take the responsibility of voting and the responsibility of representing my constituents very seriously. And, thank you for placing your continued confidence in me as a Board Member. Having served as a Board Member for the past 25 years, it is exciting to continue for the next four years.

My planned focus for this next term is to make sure that educational opportunities are available and equitable to all students of our district. We are a Unified School District and we need to make sure that we remember that we represent all students regardless of which schools they attend. Bottom line, our job is to be the voice for all students.

I also intend to continue the focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE). As a retired CTE teacher, I know the importance of giving our students a skill and experience regardless of their future education pathway. I have seen students who would not otherwise attend college decide to go and graduate from college after being exposed to skills in CTE courses. I firmly believe that ALL students can learn given exciting, engaging and meaningful instruction.

Finally, I want to continue the important work of making sure that our employees are paid well. Funds are dwindling, but we can become creative to make sure that our employees are honored and valued for their hard work. It takes all the employees, certificated and classified to make education work – we need to honor that.

Again, thank you for re-electing me to the Ventura Unified School District Board of Education. I will use my passion and influence to work hard for all the students and families of our District.

Velma Lomax, Trustee Ventura Unified School District (805)216-0363