Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Vol. 11, No. 20 – July 4 – July 17, 2018 – Person to Person

by Jennifer Tipton

What’s your fondest 4th of July memory in Ventura?

Karson Fish
age 18
works at The Wharf
“Probably when I was little, going to the college and watching fireworks with my family. We picnicked and barbequed, and I especially liked the barbequed burgers because burgers always taste better on the 4th of July!”

Victoria Beelik
age 50
presents seminars for large animal evacuation planning and author
“My fondest memory is sitting on Hollywood Beach, in front of the Rudder Room watching the Quad Police (police that ride quad motorcycles on the beach) busting people that had “over celebrated”. We did that for years, it was hysterical!”

Savannah Benton
age 23
works at Iron and Resin
“Just being on the beach with my friends and my dog Buddy, surfing and hanging out.”
I asked, “Do you do any fireworks?”
“Aren’t fireworks illegal?”, she whispered. “Well, we do, but don’t say we do…it’s pretty simple to get them in Fillmore. I like the ones that look like weeping willows, or sparklers – I love sparklers! Wait! Roman Candles – those are my favorite!”

Louise Bailey
age 80
worked as a waitress at Vagabond
“Going to my son, Kenny’s when he lived on a ranch off Casitas Vista Road and we’d set off fireworks there. And of course, all those years going to the Pier to see the fireworks. It’s a shame they’re taking away fireworks but it’s not the fireworks that are the problem, it’s the people that are not responsible. But it’s ok cause I’ve got faith, the future generation’s gonna get it right!”

Dan Weidler
age 68
retired Navy / works at the base in Port Hueneme
“We moved here in 1978 and we like going to the fireworks at Ventura College. My wife, Debbie likes to go to the street fair too, but I usually have to work in the morning even on the 4th.”

John Christie
age 65 (but looks 50)
retired Sheriff / works as a Park Officer at Lake Casitas
“In the late 70’s, I took my girlfriend and several of my friends with their girlfriends in my dad’s boat and anchored about 500 yards off the end of the Pier, we could see all of Ventura and the fireworks from there, to see it all – that was my favorite! Now, I get to drive a patrol truck around Lake Casitas and many of the campers barbequing offer me food, they’ll ask, “hey John – want a burger? or hey John – wanna try these ribs?” I love my job!”

Writer’s note: living in Ventura for over 50 years, and I have many fond memories of July 4ths past … in my teens when I didn’t let go of a cherry bomb soon enough and my ears rang for days! In my mid-twenties when the City did the firework show off the Pier and we’d all pack up the kids and go to the beach. But it wasn’t enough for some folks to just watch, they began to bring their own arsenal and Pierpont beach became Armageddon. My fondest memories are in my forties with the block parties we used to have, neighbors came together, we pulled the Webers to the street, everyone brought side dishes and the kids would decorate their bikes and wagons and have a parade. At dusk, although we could see the fireworks from the college, we had our own, smaller show (thanks to Fillmore). Those kids are all grown now, some have kids of their own and I hope they are creating memories. For me now, it’s all about that street fair!

Happy 4th of July Venturans and stay safe out there!

Kids ages 4 -10 years old to immerse themselves in new sea themed activities

Members of the Seaside Kid’s Club will enjoy their summer at the Harbor.

Leading the pack in what’s hot for kids summertime fun in Ventura, Ventura Harbor Village is a sure bet for children with the announcement of the return of its 3rd Annual seasonal Seaside Kids Club to be held Thursdays from July 5 – August 9, from 11 a.m. – noon on the waterfront. Keep children busy all summer long with a seaside sojourn where they can explore beyond the classroom.

Ventura Harbor Village allows kids ages 4 -10 years old to immerse themselves in new sea themed activities, entertainment and crafts. Cost is $3 per child. Sign-in begins at 10:30 AM at the Kelp Corridor directly across from Coffee Dock & Post and outside the Village Carousel & Arcade.

For those kids who want to keep busy all summer long, they can become a Seaside Kids Club member, where for just $12, they receive a Club stamp card good for a complimentary stuffed animal after three visits, a wooden nickel discount for the entire family at Coastal Cone, special goodies each week, and a guaranteed spot on the Seaside Kids Club list (space is limited weekly).

All participants receive a Seaside Kids Club sticker and experience a different theme each week including “Red, White Sand & Blue Ocean,” “Piratey Fun & Puppets Too,” “Fit & Fun in the Sun,” “Jellyfish Jam – All Things Squishy” and more. This is a great learning opportunity alongside other mediums, such as these fun videos here. Get your kids involved, and they’ll learn, have fun, and make some new friends!

Here’s a glimpse of the Seaside Kids Club schedule, complete with free parking, bubbles and endless summer fun. www.VenturaHarborVillage.com

July 5, 2018: Red, White Sand & Blue Ocean

Take to the ocean and get kids to make their own ocean in a bottle, learn to put on a life vest with Captain Cooper from Ventura Boat Rentals, visit with Ventura Harbor Patrol, and receive a booklet on Water Safety.

July 12, 2018: Seals & Sea Lions Are Pinnipeds– Oh Wow!

Get up close and learn all about our pinnipeds in the Harbor and at the Islands from a Channel Islands National Park Ranger. As part of this summertime afternoon of fun, decorate a sea horse to take home (craft sponsored by Lakeshore Learning).

July 19, 2018: Jellyfish Jam – All Things Squishy!

Search for sea creatures in squishy sensory ocean water beads, attend a show and tell with Ventura Harbor’s Squid experts, and create your own jelly fish craft!

July 26, 2018 – Yo Ho! Piratey Fun & Puppets Too!

Witness a professional marionette pirate puppet show, visit with a mermaid and pirate, play in a pirate ship, walk the plank, and create a Mermaid or Pirate Puppet!

August 2, 2018 – Fit & Fun in the Sun!

Strike a pose at sea with themed yoga led by yoga guru Pam Griffin. As part of this fun filled afternoon, partake in an obstacle course & relay races, and make a shell mobile to hang in the sun.

For visitor information, contact Ventura Harbor Village at 805-477-0470, online at www.VenturaHarborVillage.com. Ventura Harbor Village is located at 1583 Spinnaker Dr. Post, share, and like #VenturaHarbor

Michael O’Kelly the man behind the mural / part 2

by Jennifer Tipton

Michael O’Kelly’s artistic vision turned to ceramics sometime around the year 2000 when he became interested in architectural design. “That’s the oldest archeological art you can dig up, you’re gonna find bones and you’re gonna find clay!”, he laughed. Starting with “a little mural here and a little fountain there”, it went well until the year 2008 when he lost everything due to the recession.

Michael’s work can be seen at the Camarillo library, the Santa Barbara Zoo and 65% of the ceramic tile on the front of Watermark (now Limon y Sal), along with “stuff all over town and throughout California”. He did the facade of the Star Lounge for Mark Hartley and the work at Café du Suro on Main Street, “people think it’s been there since 1903, but we did it in 2006”.

In 2016 when Ventura celebrated its 150th anniversary, it was Christy Weir that encouraged Michael O’Kelly to design a mural that would represent the history of Ventura. “It began with an idea that produced a work of art that would bring the community together, a consensus was then formed to trust an artist to perform those goals”, he told me. Once they decided to go through with the project, they had to go after funding and Michael proudly stated, “the beauty of it is, 99.9% of the mural was paid for by people in the community and those that donated materials and time, I think it’s quite extraordinary to have this all put together by the public”.

It was Cynthia Thompson, “a very sophisticated historian in town” that put together the spread sheet and created the chronology, “I couldn’t have done it without her”, he said.

“Since I started the mural 3 years ago, five sponsors and people depicted in the mural have passed away, including my son, Devin.” It was Devin’s shared passion for the arts that inspired Michael to keep going. “There were a lot of delays, holding me up as an artist, and now I’m grateful”, he said.

I asked, “because now you are able to dedicate it to your son?” With tears he whispered, “yes”.

“If the mural had been done on time, I would have walked past it every day and wished my son was in there, now he’s in there 5 times”, he smiled. This includes Devin with his mother, Gisele looking back across the entire mural.

“It’s almost like the mural itself is a publication, as it was being done, things were happening in the city and as they were happening, they found their way into the mural, including the Thomas Fire.”

In the mural, a Norman Rockwell paperboy can be seen holding the Star, “why not the Breeze?”, I asked.

“I don’t think the Breeze was around in 1930-1940”, he grinned.

After the completion of the mural, Michael O’Kelly has plans to do film, he’s already done a documentary on Ray Bradbury and plans another on the history of Ventura. He’s started a company called “Dirt and Fire” (website up soon) and confided, “I’ve got another community project, a monumental bronze sculpture to be done here in Ventura but can’t give details”.

“You are not forgotten”

The Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County is proud to announce the hosting of the Moving Wall.

Two memorials honoring fallen members of the U.S. military branches will be on display at the Ventura County Government Center. The Remembering Our Fallen photo display will be located on the Main Plaza inside the Hall of Administration, and The Moving Wall, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica, will be on display on the large lawn along Victoria Avenue.

The Remembering Our Fallen California Memorial is a traveling display honoring military personnel from California who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. The display is one of 20 state and one national displays that tour the country as a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by service personnel who were killed in the war against terrorism. The California memorial recognizes almost 750 service men and women.

An opening ceremony was held on Tuesday, June 19, in the Lower Plaza Assembly Room in the Hall of Administration.

The Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County Inc. (VVVC) is proud to announce the hosting of the “original Moving Wall” from June 21 through June 25, at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave.

The Wall will be available for viewing 24 hours a day for the duration of its stay here in Ventura.

“The Moving Wall” is a half-scale mobile replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall located in Washington DC.

“The Moving Wall” was founded by Vietnam Veterans John Devitt, Gerry Haver and Norris Shears, and first placed on public display at Tyler, Texas in 1984.

There will be a Memorial Ceremony commencing on Saturday, June 23, at
11:00a at the Veterans Memorial at the corner of Victoria Ave and Telephone Rd. honoring those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

The focus is to pay homage to the 111 casualties from Ventura County.
There will be a separate display honoring those 111 Vietnam Veterans from Ventura County whose names are etched on the Wall.
Volunteers will be present to assist those who need help finding names and provide rubbings for those who have friends or loved ones listed.

For those people who wish donate or volunteer please visit lzventura.org or lzventura.com or vvvc.com.

Michael O’Kelly-the man behind the mural / part 1

Michael O’ Kelly in his studio with tile of son Devin.

by Jennifer Tipton

Michael O’Kelly has been making art for nearly 5 decades. Growing up in South Ireland and Wales, he is half Irish and half Welsh – “pure Celtic”, he says. He comes from a family of artists, his father, great uncle and great aunt were all artists, his mother was a classical violinist and aunt a classical pianist. “My sister, Jane was a great painter and I, a musician, they called us child prodigies.”

He sold his first piece of art at age nine while vacationing with his family in a little village called St. Ives. He was up earlier than the rest of his family, drawing a king fisher diving into the river to catch a fish. A lady was sitting next to him watching, and said, “that’s beautiful, how much do you want for it?” That piece brought in ½ crown (2 shillings and 6 pence) and he bought himself breakfast.

Still drawing, he also studied winds and clarinet until age 13, when he sold his coin collection and bought a guitar. His family moved to London and, “terrible at school” he started studying classical guitar and found his way to a music school at Chiswick Polytechnics in London from age 15 – 17. He went on to The Royal College of Music and started performing classical guitar with the Omega Guitar Quartet. “We toured all over Europe, New Zealand, Australia and Canada and I loved playing, but I didn’t like the lifestyle”.

Moving to Mexico City, he joined a friend that had a dream to build a ferro-cement boat and sail the world. The project was started, but his friend became involved with politics and lost interest. Michael didn’t want to go back to England, so he got a scholarship to the National University of Mexico to study pre-Colombian music and dance.

The Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City needed someone that could draw artifacts and record them as they came out of the ground. “I did that for a couple years and in 1977 decided to start dealing Central and South American art and exporting it to Europe, that’s how I started collecting”, he said. His collections were exhibited all over Europe and in 1982 went to the Santa Barbara museum where it was “the longest running show they’ve ever had”.

After being in Latin America for 10 years, “I met the woman who would become my wife, Gisele. We stayed here in Ventura to open a gallery in Santa Barbara on State Street, but unfortunately when they started to build the Paseo Nuevo mall, it shut down State Street, and that was the end of that”.

“In the late 80’s, we moved back to Mexico City because I had the opportunity to work with Rufino Tamayo”. This was a huge pivotal point for his career. Tamayo was 88 years old when Michael joined him. “He was a legend, teaching me about honesty and integrity, it was about the intellectual aspects of being a painter, not the technical aspects”. Tamayo died in 1991.

“We came back to Ventura and it was during that time we lost our baby girl, Juliette, and then my sister… it drove me to delve into my painting”.

In 1995 Michael and Gisele welcomed their son, Devin, “which was a huge, wonderful thing!”

Devin passed during the making of the mural, see part 2 in next issue

Beverage and food vendors for Pier Under the Stars

Diane Brown, Staci Brown and Pam Baumgardner enjoying a previous Pier Under the Stars.

Beverage and food vendors for Pier Under the Stars—the 25th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier on Saturday, October 6th, from 5-8pm are needed.

Each year more than 800 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary fair adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food and spirits provided by over 40 area businesses. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Ventura’s premier wine, beverage and food event.

Restaurants, cafes, wineries and breweries serve their signature dishes and beverages from tented booths along the seaside Promenade while guests enjoy live music & dancing under the stars and an amazing silent auction. It’s a community celebration to honor the City’s 145 year old pier.

Vendors do not have to pay a fee to participate and it provides a great way for them to market their food and beverages to over 800 community members. Please contact [email protected] or call 805.804.7735 for details.

YMCA will host the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

The YMCA has always been America’s Number One Swim Instructor.

On June 21, at 2pm, Ventura Family YMCA will host the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an event that seeks to break the record for largest Swim Lesson Worldwide. The 2017 WLSL event included 41,068 participants from 26 countries.

Tens of thousands of kids and adults at aquatic facilities around the world will unite for the ninth year in a row to make noise that Swimming Lessons Save Lives.™ A global event, The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson™ (WLSL), will take place over the course of 24 hours at an estimated 600 locations in more than 20 countries with the goal of generating 1 billion media impressions by 2019.

Participants can sign up for free online at ciymca.org/ventura or they can sign up at the YMCA at 3760 Telegraph Road. Registration is also available at the door.

“The YMCA has always been America’s Number One Swim Instructor. It’s our duty to participate in World’s Largest Swimming Lesson and tell the world the Swimming Lessons Save Lives,” Vanessa Tooch, Programs Director at the Ventura Family YMCA.
Since its inception, more than 235,000 children and adults have participated in WLSL lessons generating more than half a billion media impressions about the vital importance of learning to swim.

Tragically, in the U.S. drowning remains the leading cause of unintended, injury related death for children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of accidental death for children under 14. Research shows participation in formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children aged 1 to 4, yet many kids do not receive formal swimming or water safety training. This is in the best interest of your child’s safety. Private Swimming lessons may be worth looking into, if you and your child are discussing the idea of going swimming regularly. This way, they’ll feel a lot more confident in the water if they swim with other kids. Plus, they will have more fun when they know how to swim properly.

“Drowning is an epidemic for children under 14, especially during the summer time. Over two thirds of drowning incidents occur between May and August. These drownings are preventable. With the proper water safety training, children can learn how to swim and avoid dangerous situations in the water. World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is a critical opportunity that no parent should ignore,” Tooch explains.

Ventura Family YMCA will serve as an official Host Location Facility for the WLSL 2018 event. Parents are invited to learn more about this phenomenal event by visiting WLSL.org or ciymca.org/ventura. For more information about the Ventura Family YMCA, visit http://www.ciymca.org/Ventura or call 805.642.2131.

Water saving tips for your smart garden

Toro’s Scott Donoho teaches a free City Gardening Class at A Smart Garden in Downtown

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer

Every year, one Saturday morning a month except for December, the City of Ventura and Ventura Water hold free Gardening Classes offering informative lectures and Q&As, practical water-wise tips, and fun, hands-on experience. Classes cover everything from smart controllers to the benefits of permeable surfaces, how to install an ocean-friendly landscape and everything from A to Z about designing and maintaining water-wise landscapes and balanced garden eco-systems.

At a recent Drip Irrigation Workshop that took place at A Smart Garden in Downtown Ventura, I spoke to Toro Company’s Scott Donoho about irrigation best practices for residents. Here are some of his top tips.

The Most Important Thing You Can Do To Eliminate Water Waste – Check Your Irrigation System For Leaks

Outdoor water use accounts for upwards of 30-60% of the total household water use. As much as 50% of the water used outdoors can be lost to wind, evaporation, and runoff. One of the most important things you can do to eliminate water waste is to observe your irrigated areas after watering to see what you are losing to the sidewalk, driveway, or street. Make adjustments to the clock by adjusting the run times. Instead of having one long run time break them up into two run times to allow the water to be absorbed instead of trailing off onto impervious surfaces.

Adjust Your Irrigation Schedule So You’re Not Watering Your Hard Surfaces

If you discover that the hard surfaces around your yard (your driveway, sidewalk, patio) are saturated, or that water is flowing from your yard into the street, check your irrigation system to make sure water is directed into your landscape. Additionally, adjust your irrigation clock and make any necessary adjustments.

Repair and Design Your Landscape Before Making Irrigation Changes

Find out what isn’t working with your irrigation and make the appropriate repairs. Then, think about the changes you may want to make in your landscape and the uses you’ll require. If you’ll be making small changes and feel confident about making them, do it yourself. However, if you decided to remove your turf, or make other significant changes like cutting down big trees with the help of professionals like The Local Tree Experts, consult with a C-27 Licensed California Contractor to discuss your ideas and to plan out what type of an irrigation system will work best for your needs. It might require you to get a new shed from places similar to easyshed.com.au if you have to have a drastic redesign but it is well worth it.

Eliminate Plant Stress and Over-Watering

Since Ventura has a mandatory limitation allowing residents to water only twice per week, if you start to see stress in your plants (i.e., they are turning brown or look wilted), it may be that you are watering too little.

If you see that the top layer of your soil is always saturated, it may be that you’re watering too much.

As a reminder, the City of Ventura remains in a stage 3 water shortage event. The following activities are prohibited and are considered a violation of the City’s Water Waste Ordinance.

Be mindful to:

  • Never allow water to run and be wasted during outdoor use
  • Limit the use of potable water irrigation to two days per week
  • Fix water leaks (Don’t allow water leaks to persist for more than 48 hours)
  • When using a handheld hose, use an automatic shutoff nozzle
  • Don’t operate fountains unless the water is recirculating
  • Never hose down hardscape surfaces such as driveways and sidewalks
  • Don’t irrigate your outdoor landscape during (and within) 48 hours of measureable rainfall.

Sustainability Now News is a new column in the Breeze by Award-Winning Screenwriter, Author, Producer, TV and Print Lifestyle Journalist Maryann Ridini Spencer with a focus on the environmental, social, economic, and cultural pillars of sustainability covering green practices, programs, news and events, industry leaders, green business, and healthy living ideas.

Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co. celebrates summer with world’s largest cornhole tournament

The nation’s largest cash cornhole tournament will take place in beautiful beachside Ventura as part of Spencer Makenzie’s 9th annual End of Summer Block Party. This California-classic multi-day party will feature the coast’s best food, cold drinks & craft beer, and a free concert with the best local bands on Saturday evening, as well as DJs spinning great music throughout the tournament for players and spectators alike.

Cornhole team registry for the tournament will open [date needed]. Registration is $190 per two-person team, with over $36,000 in guaranteed cash payouts going to winning teams over the course of the weekend. Early signup is encouraged, as space is limited to 192 teams and will sell out. There are no age restrictions. Ventura County residents will compete for an additional $2,500 in prize money. The Throw Down Tournament is sanctioned and hosted by the California Cornhole Association.

For those who want to play cornhole just for fun, an open-to-the-public court will be on site, in the midst of the excitement but without the high stakes. Spectators are encouraged to visit the recreational courts to see who will become 2018’s unofficial “King of the Court”.

Spencer Makenzie’s 9th annual End of Summer Throw Down will take place from Friday, August 24 through Sunday, August 26, 2018. There is no charge to attend the all-ages End of Summer Block Party and Throw Down. The Throw Down will take place at Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co., located at 806 East Thompson. For more information, please visit www.spencermakenzies.com or call (805) 643-8226.

Originally founded in 2007 by John Karayan and his wife Jennifer as a festival concession, the Karayan’s named their award-winning restaurant after their two children – their son Spencer and their daughter Makenzie. With the goal of offering fresh, healthful food at consumer friendly prices, its reputation was quickly established at such popular Ventura events as the Ventura County Fair, the Aloha Festival and the C Street Long Board Classic.

Thought to have originated in Germany in the 14th Century, the game surfaced in the Ohio Valley in the 19th Century. Also known as corn toss, bean toss, dummy boards, doghouse, soft horseshoes and Baggo, cornhole became widely played at tailgate events, contributing to its nationwide popularity.