To editor:

With regard to the fire dept. response to the fire, the local fire trucks have no mechanism ie. pumps to replenish their trucks with water other than to fill the trucks from fire hydrants. Multiple trucks left the fire when their water tanks were empty, driving by multiple swimming pools that they could have used to fill the trucks if they had had proper pumps to fill the trucks. Apparently the County fire trucks have this capability. This should certainly be corrected before the next fire.

John Edison

Mr. Edison:

You are correct that the Ventura City Fire Department does not readily have the ability to “draft” or suction water from remote water sources including swimming pools. Certainly during the devastating Thomas Fire this would have seemed like a tragic shortcoming by the fire department. Unfortunately we are only able to carry so much equipment on our fire engines and for over 30 years the decision has been that the option of drafting from remote water sources did not outweigh the benefit of carrying other equipment aboard the truck.

There are many factors that weighed in on the decision including the availability of appropriate water sources, the ability to actually even access those sources and the risk vs. gain factor regarding human safety and structure defense. That being said and in light of the increasing frequency of significant wildfires in our area such as the Thomas fire, our department is actively evaluating the situation and looking into purchasing portable pump systems that can be placed at remote water sources such as a reservoir or swimming pool if available, and help supply water to fire engines during emergency firefighting operations.

As always all homeowners are encourages to maintain required brush clearance and fire resistive landscaping and building materials at their home to help combat the threat of wildfire. Additionally here are some recommended websites to help homeowners get more information to help.

http://www.readyforwildfire.org/.

http://vcfd.org/Ready-Set-Go

https://www.vcemergency.com/

Matt Brock – Assistant Fire Chief, Ventura City Fire Department

1425 Dowell Dr.805-797-8828

Do you have a question? Send it to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer.

Did you know that CAPS Media Center has a radio station – KPPQ-LP, now just a bit over a year old. KPPQ broadcasts at 104.1 FM, streams online at capsmedia.org and on the myTuner app. KPPQ is a community run radio station broadcasting throughout the city of Ventura, into Port Hueneme, parts of Oxnard and Camarillo. We provide the opportunity to the community to share their voice whether it be through music, talk or a little bit of both. There is a wide range of programming on the station 24 hours a day. There have been some talented folks come through the small studio’s doors producing entertaining content of great value. Talk shows such as The Face of Ventura, Around America’s Table, Ventura Legacies as well as entertaining music shows covering a range of sounds including pop, punk, local funk, jazz, punk and spoken word featuring new and old from here and afar.

Training to become a show producer is easy – attend two classes, get in the studio and we will mentor you through the process. Community outreach is crucial to our success and we look to the community to support us by volunteering to produce a show and spread the word. What are you waiting for?

CAPS Media’s Thomas Fire Stories series of extraordinary first-person storytelling continues every Friday at 6pm with Debbie Brokaw Jackson and Jose Alcarez of the Brokaw Ranch’s story on August 17th. On August 10th Captain Steve Swindle of the Ventura County Fire talks about the fire from his perspective. On August 17th we will meet Ventura resident Kat Merrick as she shares her powerful and heartfelt story of her family, friends and the Thomas Fire. Tune in to CAPS channel 6, KPPQ-LP at 104.1fm and online at capsmedia.org. These shows repeat throughout the week.

CAPS Digital Storytelling workshop was a big success with the engaged group of students creating a video inspired by an Edgar Allen Poe poem. These students received a year membership and are already planning their next show. Go to the CAPS website to view it. Learn how you can utilize CAPS Media’s extensive television and radio resources. Check the website for information on training classes where you’ll receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more.

Creating an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media is the CAPS Media’s mission. For more information, go to capsmedia.org or call 805.658.0500.

The Community Garden at Westpark (450 W. Harrison) provides a wonderful opportunity to grow your own plants and vegetables and to learn about environmental sustainability. You can also find information about rain water collection and composting. To learn more, and become a community gardner, contact Anita Diaz at [email protected].

Are you ready to become an entrepreneur, or expand your existing small business? Afraid to “go it alone,” or unsure how to proceed? WEV’s training programs guide you in taking the next step. Attend a free 1-hour orientation, where you’ll meet a WEV representative that will help you determine if SET, EXPLORE, or another WEV program is right for you!

WEV’s business training classes are offered in English and Spanish throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. Free orientations are held throughout the year and are required for enrollment in a training program.

Exact locations given at registration

Cost: free, but registration is required

· Tuesday 8/7/2018 6 – 7pm Ventura

· Thursday 8/9/2018 12 – 1pm Ventura

· Wednesday 8/15/2018 6-7 PM Ventura

Orientation locations are subject to change. For more information, and to register for an upcoming orientation, visit WEV’s Web site at http://www.wevonline.org/orientations.

Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. While WEV targets its services toward women, it serves men as well, and provides many services in English and Spanish.

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to over 14,000 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, and made more than $4 million in loans, assisting over 4,000 local businesses. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

A pioneer in the field, WEV was founded by Marsha Bailey, a nationally recognized advocate for women business owners. Marsha is the board president of the national Association of Women’s Business Centers, and sits on the National Women’s Business Council.

To learn more, visit the web site at www.wevonline.org.

The Ventura Music Festival presented a free, open-to-all concert in the park with Jarabe Mexicano on July 18 at Mission Park. Folks brought, low chairs, blankets and picnics to enjoy the great event. It was preceded by the presentation of an award of recognition from Consul Jonathan Alvarez of the Consulate of Mexico in Oxnard for Jarabe Mexicano’s work in bringing Mexican music to the region. The presentation took place in the Pavilion of the Museum of Ventura County, before the concert in the park.

by Jennifer Tipton

On July 24th, during another heat wave, I asked 6 Venturans –
“What do you like to do when the weather warms up in Ventura?”

Lisa Hawk
age 54
works at Salon Panache
“I like to go to work where it’s air-conditioned and hope for a little ocean breeze when I’m at home!”

Dale Fitzpatrick
age 62
retired clerical worker
“I like to go for a walk near the ocean or go see a movie where it’s air-conditioned, actually, I like to do as little as possible!”

Brian Fitzpatrick
age 65
retired lawyer
“Yes, we go to air-conditioned places, but it never gets that bad in Ventura. If we really want to bake, we could just drive 15 minutes to Ojai!”

Shane Winton
age 28
fisherman, carpenter, tree trimmer
“Surf! I’ve been surfing my whole life, I grew up on Pierpont. And on the side, me and my dad build custom slabs (boards). My favorite place to surf is the Dredge at Marina Park, no wait – make that Mondos!”

Justin Shelton
age 46
works at Lowe’s
“I like to take my 4-year old son, Vincent to the mall where it’s air-conditioned. We walk around, and I let him play in the little play area there and hopefully he falls asleep on the way home. I try to time it to where it’s nap time!”

Dalia Padilla
age 25
works with life insurance company
“I like to go to the beach right by the Pier, it’s my 4-year old daughter Natalie’s favorite beach because it’s got a playground there. We try to go twice a week if possible, but not so much lately, I could go into labor any minute! I’m overdue, my due date was July 16th … “

Writer’s note: By the time the next issue of the Ventura Breeze comes out on August 1st, we wish Dalia and her family all the best as Natalie’s baby sister has surely arrived by then!

Adding to recent international awards, the radio drama broadcast “Houdini’s Secret Life” has now picked up national awards. Every Now and Then Theatre and Conejo Players Theatre’s joint presentation, celebrity hosted by actor-producer-writer Joe Mantegna, aired over Halloween 2017 on Ventura County’s NewsTalk 1590 KVTA. “Houdini” dramatized lesser known aspects of America’s first super hero, including WWI spy, fraud buster, humanitarian, government witness, and possible murder victim.

Recently the broadcast won the International M– USE Gold Creative Award and the International COMMUNICATOR Silver Award of Distinction.

“Our all-volunteer Every Now and Then Theatre is in our 28th year, now with 47 total awards,” said the troupe’s National Representative Maria Laing. “Locally, our productions help benefit children by providing broadcast copies to cast in exchange for their donations to KVTA radio’s drive for Children’s Services Auxiliary of Ventura County. And now nationally, were helping children by offering a selection of previous broadcasts for Christmas and Halloween, including ‘Houdini,’ to radio stations nationwide in exchange for their donations to the Conejo Valley Kiwanis Foundation.

These donations benefit both the local effort and the Kiwanis International Children’s Fund programs including backpacks with school supplies, holiday gifts, college scholarships, the Bumblebee Foundation, Kiwanis International Project to Eliminate Maternal/Neonatal Tetanus, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer, as well as the Children’s Services Auxiliary of Ventura County.

“Houdini” Celebrity Host and cast member Joe Mantegna is perhaps best recognized by TV viewers as David Rossi in the hit series, “Criminal Minds.”

Among “Houdini” participating radio drama actors are members and graduates of Hollywood’s famed Magic Castle. At the breaks, Merlin Pharmacy’s Paul Dwork challenges listeners with mind reading. Magic Castle member and Houdini enthusiast Bob Lynn served on the script review committee and provided magic spinner coins for the cast. Lynn donated his broadcast copy to the Magic Castle library. Musician Michael Masley provided atmospheric cymbalom music for the séance sequences. Every Now and Then Theatre selects top local actors countywide and mixes them with promising beginners. The troupe can be found by name on Facebook and on the web at www.everynowandthentheatre.com.