The community is invited to come together with Ventura Police Officers in a friendly, informal environment to discuss community issues, build relationships and enjoy a good cup of coffee for National Coffee with a Cop which will be held at Palermo, located at 321 E. Main Street in Ventura, on October 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Most contacts police officers have with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street or during the course of their duties. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows time for relaxed one-on-one interaction.

Engaging the community in public safety efforts is a top priority of the Ventura Police Department. We share the community’s concerns and make every effort to address them. We offer monthly opportunities at Community Council meetings to learn about crime trends and crime prevention. We also provide regular community meetings and neighborhood meetings upon request. Coffee with a Cop is an additional opportunity for residents to get to know the officers that serve Ventura.

The Coffee with a Cop effort is a national initiative supported by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Similar events are being held across the country as police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time. Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s service. There is no formal agenda, just a casual opportunity to voice concerns and share ideas. This is a no host event.

by Oscar Peña, General Manager

On September 12, at 7:00PM the Ventura Port District Board of Port Commissioners will convene in Open Session at the Four Point Sheraton Ballroom, 1050 Schooner Drive, for its Regular Meeting.

One of the items on the agenda of special interest to the public is the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise (VSE) Site Selection Process. The Board of Port Commissioners will receive an Informational Report on the proposed site in federal waters approximately 3.53 miles from shore, northwest of the Ventura Harbor in the Santa Barbara Channel.

District staff and Seth J. Theuerkauf, Ph.D. with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide the Board of Port Commissioners with information about two alternatives for site selection in federal waters. This agenda item is on the District’s website for your review at www.venturaharbor.com.

The public is invited to receive information on the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise site selection process and provide public comment.

The project consists of twenty 100-acre plots (total of 2,000 acres) located in open federal waters of the Santa Barbara Channel northwest of Ventura Harbor. The closest distance from the growing area to the City of Ventura city limit is 4.5 miles and approximately 4 miles from the Ventura Harbor. The sites will be used for growing the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) via submerged long lines.

VSE Site Selection

The project was initially proposed to be located in waters of the State of California, i.e., within the 3-mile limit. The Ventura Port District, in collaboration with its key participants undertook extensive site selection public outreach that culminated in the decision to instead locate the project in federal waters so as to minimize conflicts with commercial halibut trawlers based in Ventura and Santa Barbara Harbors. NOAA’s National Ocean Service staff undertook a second siting study focused on federal waters proximate to Ventura Harbor.

The siting analysis represents an objective, data-driven approach to identify the locations within federal waters with the highest compatibility with the proposed project. The results of this siting analysis identify two alternative sites proximate to Ventura Harbor given equal consideration of existing use conflicts, including:

On Wednesday, Sept. 26, Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection District will hold a community meeting to share the latest developments and anticipated path for the Ventura River Levee (VR-1) Rehabilitation Project.

The Ventura River Levee (VCWPD VR-1, FEMA ID No. 53) consists of bank protection and other improvements intended to provide flood protection for areas along the river such as residential and recreational properties in low-lying areas behind the levee structure within the floodplain of the Ventura River in the City of San Buenaventura in Ventura County.  The VR-1 levee system will ultimately protect 759 homes and structures in Ventura County. The project begins at its downstream end at the Pacific Ocean and extends upstream along the Ventura River to its upstream end downstream of Caňada de San Joaquin. The overall length of the levee is approximately 2.65 miles, with an embankment height up to 10 feet above natural ground on the landward side

Designed by the U.S Army Corp of Engineers in 1949, the VR-1 levee system is now owned and maintained by Ventura County Watershed Protection District. As of 2009, it was determined that the VR-1 levee system does not meet FEMA Levee Certification standards, and requires rehabilitation to repair VR-1 levee deficiencies.

VR-1 requires bank protection and other improvements designed to provide flood protection for approximately 2.65 miles along the Ventura River that will ultimately protect 759 homes and structures in Ventura County.

“The VR-1 community meeting serves to educate the general public of the current rehabilitation project, and offers a platform for our community members to ask questions and provide valuable feedback about project’s direct impact on Ventura County residents,” said Glenn Shephard, Director of Ventura County Watershed Protection District.

Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Bell Arts Factory-Janet Addison Community Room
432 North Ventura Ave.

Showcasing a colossal collection of handmade creations, the Harvest Festival® Original Art & Craft Show, comes to the Ventura County Fairgrounds Friday through Sunday October 5-7 with more than 24,000 original works from hundreds of exhibitors nationwide. As an “all you can eat” gourmet buffet for the senses, the artful celebration boasts live entertainment, strolling performers, a Kidzone with pumpkin patch, demonstrations, contests, and more.

This marks the 46th season for the Harvest Festival, a treasured fall tradition recognized as the largest and most prestigious indoor showcase on the west coast. Multi-talented artists & crafters will showcase their originals of stunning jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, photography, oils, hand-turned wood, ceramics, eclectic art pieces, seasonal décor, ornaments, and blown glass, among others. Patrons know with confidence that each of the works is made by hand and selected only after meeting criteria for excellence. Many of the artists can personalize items for that extra special holiday gift.

“We’ve been working for decades to create the quintessential shopping encounter that engages our patrons on every level,” says Nancy Glenn, owner of the Harvest Festival. “It’s all about sharing in an immersive experience you can’t get anywhere else. Whether you’re a DIY devotee, or an avid art collector, our presentation brings together emerging artists whose passions spark excitement and new trends.”

The Festival collaborates with local non-profits to give back to the community. Patrons who bring non-perishables for donation to Food Share receive $2 off admission.  Last year, close to 2,000 pounds were collected to help feed locals in need.

The Ventura Boys & Girls Club hosts the parcel check, while Kidstream and Macaroni Kid serve up fun in the Kidzone. The Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust will present a nature interactive in conjunction with the pumpkin patch, sponsored by Green Thumb Nursery.

Ventura Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show October 5-7. For more information

harvestfestival.com or call 925-392-7300.

Friday 10am-5pm; Saturday 10am-6pm; Sunday 10am-5pm

Ventura County Fairgrounds; 10 West Harbor Blvd, Ventura

• $9 for General admission tickets
• $7 for Seniors (62+) and military
• $4 for Youths ages 13-17. Kids 12 and under are free.

Donate cans to Food Share for $2 off tickets. Tickets are good for the entire weekend.

Irene V. Henry has announced her candidacy for Ventura City Council – District 1. Ventura’s Westside resident and civic volunteer since 1990, Irene Henry vows to be the voice for her District.

Irene Henry is a hardworking citizen with a proven track record.  She has volunteered extensively as President of Ventura Downtown Rotary; two-year President of Boys & Girls Club, leading a $1million capital campaign fund; a ten-year High School Volleyball Coach; and Ventura College Foundation Scholarship donor. She currently serves as the Ventura High School Rotary Interact Advisor and volunteers at the City Center.

As an engaged community member, Irene is committed to bringing Accountability, Balanced Growth (environmental sensitivity paramount) and Cohesiveness to the district and the city. Working towards solutions to the city’s vagrancy issues, making sure that we have a sound plan for our future water needs and making sure that we as a city maintain a cohesive focus in light of our first district- based election, are some of the issues that she’s ready to tackle.

“This is our first City District election and I will look to be the voice for District 1. At the same time, I will bear in mind that I will be working for the good of all of Ventura. Though we are Districts, we are still one, ‘Ventura Strong,’ ” remarks Henry.

For more information please visit https://bit.ly/2ME7GZV.

by Jennifer Tipton

Serving as a family restaurant since the 1980s, the Hill Street Cafe is located at 1050 South Hill Road.

The ambience is festive; the staff wears Hawaiian print shirts, there is garland strung with lights and foil birds and pineapples hang from the ceiling.

The booths are private with a little lace curtain along the top of the cushy vinyl seats, separating them from the next and there are more tables toward the back. Although there is a large outdoor patio, Hill Street Cafe is not dog friendly. Because of the location, parking is never an issue.

The menu at Hill Street reminds me of a little diner my father used to take me to on the east coast when I was small, sensibly called, “The Little Diner”. The meals there had a home cooked quality, but at Hill Street, they’ve also added some more distinguished selections.

The “Hillstreet Breakfast” menu has the traditional selections such as Bacon and Eggs, Steak and Eggs, Corned Beef Hash and Eggs … there are twelve of them and each is served with home fries, hash browns or fresh fruit and freshly baked biscuit, muffin or toast. Prices $7.75 to $12.95.

The eleven omelets offered include the “Hillstreet Special” with bacon, tomato and cheddar cheese topped with sour cream and guacamole. Omelet’s come with the same sides as the traditional breakfasts. Prices $9.25 to $10.45

From the griddle come pancakes (buttermilk or blueberry), short stack or full, Country French Toast and three different Belgian waffle selections. Prices $6.25 to $9.25

Two of the more distinguished breakfast selections are Eggs Benedict or Huevos Rancheros for $10.95.

A full page of sandwiches varies between the classic Rueben to a Fresh Garden Pita stuffed with vegies. There are eighteen sandwiches to choose from and each comes with your choice of Curly Fries, Steak Fries, Fruit, Coleslaw or Potato Salad. All from $9.75 to $10.75

The light lunches have a couple of those “not found at your average diner” choices like the BBQ Salmon or Grilled Orange Roughy and as the menu goes on there are the “typically found at the average diner” choices such as chicken fried steak or the always popular grilled liver & onions … well, you decide.

Salads and burgers galore and a dinner menu that offers Southern Fried Chicken and Old-Fashioned Pot Roast along with many, many others. Dinners come with homestyle soup or salad, baked or mashed potatoes, a variety of breads, rolls or a muffin and vegetable of the day. Dinners range $12.95 to $15.95

Service was outstanding, our server’s name was “Brigett”.

Hill Street Cafe serves beer, wine, champagne and has loads of specials from the weekend brunch with all you can drink mimosas to kids eat free all-day Saturday! Seniors always get 5% off and dinner specials change daily. We were there August 29th, our server, Brigett was outstanding and the special was Turkey and Stuffing. (Thanksgiving in August?)

Dan Hulst recently joined the VLT(Ventura Land Trust) team as the new Stewardship Manager. He will work closely with Kate Furlong, VLT’s Stewardship Director, on open space restoration and stewardship projects, VLT’s outdoor environmental education program and social media outreach.

Dan, the youngest of 9 siblings, grew up in Northern California, in the small town of Waterford. (pop. 8,000). He attended Central Catholic High School in Modesto and went on to graduate from San Diego State University in 2014 with a B.S. in Business Administration, with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship.

In 2016, Dan moved to Ventura and began volunteering with Ventura Land Trust. He has donated his time and talents over the past two years and has served as active member of stewardship committee for the past year.

Dan is passionate about land conservation and the preservation of land for public use. He enjoys spending time in the ocean, the mountains, and just generally being outside. He hiked the 210 mile John Muir trail each of the past two years. Dan is thrilled to finally align his employment with his passion, and hopes to make a difference for a community he deeply cares for.  Welcome Dan! Say hello to Dan at [email protected].

Craig R. Carey and Bryan Conant, two wanderers of our local hills, valleys and forests are teaming up with the Ventura Land Trust for a fast-paced, informative and often hilarious lecture “Amazing Backcountry Adventures” highlighting their outdoor adventures at 7pm Thursday, Sept. 13 at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd.

“Amazing Backcountry Adventures” features outdoor author Craig R. Carey and Bryan Conant, cartographer and director of Los Padres Forest Association (LPFA), sharing adventurous tales gathered from more than 60 combined years of hiking in our local backcountry. They have experienced mountain lion encounters “as cool as you please,” close encounters with backcountry raptors, being stuck in a tent for 14 hours awaiting better weather, to-die-for sunrises and sunsets, miles of mapping trails with only canines for company and working to create the proposed Condor Trail.

Carey credits his kids for bolstering his passion for the great outdoors because, “they allow me to view the wilderness and its gifts through fresh eyes and remind me to not see it as a project, but rather as a refuge and a place full of wonder.” Carey shares that passion by taking youth outdoors, many of whom have never been on a trail. His book, Hiking and Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura, has been updated with GPS coordinates designed to help hikers customize their own adventure.

After taking years to create updated maps of the Matilija, Dick Smith and San Rafael wilderness areas, Conant became the executive director of the LPFA, the official non-profit partner of the U.S. Los Padres National Forest whose focus is to educate forest-users and ensure the Los Padres stays open for people to enjoy.

Conant started his “love affair” with our local backcountry after some friends took him to the swimming holes at Red Rock in Santa Barbara County. Realizing existing maps of the local wilderness areas were not good enough; he decided to create his own. “It was the perfect opportunity to blend two of my passions: backpacking and cartography,” he said in an interview.

The community lecture, Ventura Land Trust’s third installment in their 2018 Environmental Speaker Series, is one of many ways VLT works to educate the public about important environmental topics. A suggested donation of $10 per person will be collected at the door to go toward fire restoration work at Big Rock Preserve.

Reservations are highly encouraged. RSVP at: www.venturalandtrust.org/events

The Ventura Land Trust (formerly the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy) is dedicated to permanently preserving and protecting the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, the 501(C)(3) non-profit organization is supported by over 600 members, local businesses and government partners. The land trust manages 90 acres of land along the Ventura River and is negotiating the purchase of its first hillside property. VLT’s office is located in the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd, Ventura, CA 93003. For more information, visit:

www.venturalandtrust.org

Bryan Conant has devoted much of his life to exploring, learning and protecting the Los Padres Forest since the 1990s.  During that time, he created two trail maps of the Los Padres National Forest within Santa Barbara and Ventura counties and worked to develop a non-profit focused on promoting the 421-mile Condor Trail (Lake Piru to Monterey). More info at: www.condortrail.com. He is currently Executive Director of the Los Padres Forest Association focusing much of his time on providing education for forest users and working to keep the trails open. Go to: www.LPFA.org

Craig R. Carey gives credit for his backcountry roots to his parents, “college sweethearts in the Bruins Mountaineering Club” who strapped him onto a Kelty pack when he was only 6 years old. He’s still doing it as an LPFA Volunteer Wilderness Ranger, active Scouter, and author of Hiking & Backpacking Santa Barbara and Ventura (Wilderness Press, 2012). You can read his idle musings at: www.CraigRCarey.net