Downtown Ventura and Darvik Productions are presenting the new Summer Movie Series on every last Friday in June, July, August and September to enjoy a free outdoor movie screening at 7pm right at California and Main streets. The first film is Back to the Future on Friday, June 29 at 7pm. July 27 is Home Alone for Christmas in July, August 31 is The Goonies and September 28 is Raiders of the Lost Ark.

by Kevin O’Connor

One of the strangest “pest control” stories I ever heard happened recently. I think this is a pretty weird tale. Let’s see what you think. Here it is, mostly in the lady’s own words.

A Florida woman, Katie Holley, lived through a real-life nightmare and described the gruesome tale of removing a roach that lived in her ear for 9 days. This is how she found out that a cockroach crawled into her ear while she was sleeping. Maybe the bug was drunk and thought he was going to bed at home to sleep it off!

Well, turns out that Katie and her husband recently purchased a new home. They had been quite responsible about obtaining the services of a pest control company, such as pest control Des Moines, to spray around their property every three months to keep the cockroach population down. That’s a good thing.

Unfortunately, one night Katie woke up with this odd feeling “like someone had placed a chip of ice in my left earhole — but it was something way worse.” That’s a bad thing. Maybe the pest control hadn’t got rid of all the cockroaches!?

In an article published in Self Magazine, Katie Holley said she went to the bathroom and took a cotton swab to her ear when, to her disgust, she felt something move.

“When I pulled the cotton swab out, there were two dark brown, skinny pieces stuck to the tip. Moments later, I came to the realization that they were legs. Legs that could only belong to an adventurous palmetto bug exploring my ear canal,” she said in the article. Mrs. Holley thought it best to consult her doctor.

“As the doctor administered Lidocaine, the roach began to…react,” she wrote. “Feeling a roach in the throes of death, lodged in a very sensitive part of your body, is unlike anything I can adequately explain.”

The doctor removed three pieces of what he thought was the entire cockroach. Also, he gave Katie a prescription for antibiotics.

Nine days later, still experiencing pain, she returned to the doctor, and a physician’s assistant flushed her ear four times, discovering what they thought might be another leg.

“She ended up pulling out six more pieces of the roach’s carcass — nine days after the incident took place.”

Her doctor sent her to a specialist.

“Using a tool that looked like very large scissors, the Ear, Nose & Throat physician (ENT) extracted the entire head, upper torso, more limbs and an antennae.”

If you were to ask me what we may glean from Katie Holley’s story—especially since it is a true story and not a parable—I’d have to say one thing is for sure, you can’t be too careful. And that is why it is always best to consult professionals pest control companies just like termite control los angeles ASAP to get advice on how to deal with the pests before they become a real problem.

After Katie Holley’s ear problem was solved, she and her husband established a responsible contract with on-going pest control services. O’Connor Pest Control, (800)284-7985. www.oconnorpest.com.

As the school year ends, another group of elementary school children has once again completed free swim lessons at the Kimball Aquatic Center in Ventura, thanks to an annual grant that funds Kaiser Permanente’s regional Operation Splash program.

Kaiser Permanente’s Operation Splash program’s mission is to support aquatic facilities and swim programs that help increase physical activity in low-income areas, diminish the risk of chronic disease, and build strong bodies. The program encourages all participants to become water-safe in a fun and healthy environment.

Operation Splash is run as an after-school program serving children from the Ventura Unified School District who are part of the PEAK program, a partnership between the School District and the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department.

The mission of the PEAK program is to provide low-income, underserved and at-risk children attending seven local elementary schools in some of Ventura’s most impoverished neighborhoods a safe environment after school and provide recreational, cultural and academic enrichment.

Each year the program serves around 400 children ranging in age from 8 to 13, with most in the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, who are transported to the Aquatic Center by bus for 30-minute swimming lessons twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. After their lesson they are transported back to their PEAK after school center in time for parent pick up.

“They are so excited when they get to board that bus going to the Aquatic Center,” said Judy Devine, Community Recreation Manager for the City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department. “It is like they are heading to Disneyland.”

Devine points out that the obvious benefit of the program is that children who would likely never have access to swimming lessons get the chance to become water safe and learn to swim.

“Many of these kids live just miles from the beach and go often with their families, but are at high risk if not able to be safe in the water,” she added. But there are other less apparent benefits, Devine points out, such as the confidence they build as they learn to swim. “Kaiser Permanente should feel very proud to know that this investment in the children of Ventura literally changes their lives.”

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of Kaiser Permanente’s Operation Splash program in Ventura and since its inception it has helped thousands of local children learn to swim. Many of the children who started in the program during the early years have gone on to become excellent swimmers, participate in competitive swimming and water polo and become junior lifeguards. Some of them have even become employees of the Aquatic Center.

Ventura Outrigger Challenge 2018 was held at the Harbor Cove Beach on June 9.
This year has been challenging for Ventura and the surrounding area. “The Thomas Fire, the subsequent mudslides in Montecito and their collective effects deeply affected our ohana and aina, our land. In the sky, we have hokuloa, the north star, as our guide. The Hawaiian word for strong “Ikaika” reminds us of what we’ve overcome this year. When paddlers join hope they can appreciate not only the beauty of our area but also the aloha we have for each other and the land.”

Photo by Murray Robertson

Mermaids, pirates and a lady with wings with cute little girl all enjoyed Ventura Harbor Pirate Days by reading the Ventura Breeze. Several of the mermaids took the Breeze back in the water with them when the sun went down and couldn’t understand why it fell apart. We are working on waterproof issues for next year’s Pirate Days, we don’t want mermaids to be mad at us.

Pirate Days is one of Ventura’s most popular public festivals that attracts “pirates” of all ages for buccaneering and other piratey pursuits. Pirates Day 2018 offered guests an unforgettable voyage around the Ventura Harbor with pirate characters, entertainment, activities, and photo opportunities around every corner. Folks dressed up to win prizes! All the action took place in various courtyards near the Village’s shops and restaurants.

On June 3, Aloha Ranch Day was presented by Aloha Dog Grooming at the AB Ranch in Santa Paula on Wheeler Canyon. At the event, Diane Brown got to brush Sheldon the pig (yes, there are at least two Sheldon’s in the world).

by Jennifer Tipton

Located at 550 Sanjon Road in Ventura, Austen’s sits at the top of the hill beside the Pierpont Inn and offers an enclosed outdoor dining area along with tables inside. We had lunch in the outdoor area where the view began with lush green gardens and ended with the vast blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. The ambience is truly spectacular!

These beautiful grounds are normally reserved for weddings and banquets, but while the main building of the Pierpont Inn is undergoing renovation, Austen’s is open to the public for breakfast 6:30am – 11:30am, lunch 11:30am – 5pm, Dinner 5pm – 10pm and a happy hour Monday through Sunday 4pm – 7pm.

The lunch menu begins with appetizers such as Kung Pao Calamari which consists of calamari prepared with peanuts, red bell pepper, chile de arbol, scallions and a sweet spicy sauce or Soft Pretzels served with Italian sausage, butter pickle chips, caramelized onions and a mustard sauce amongst others. Appetizers $4 – $12

There are a variety of salads to choose from such as Shrimp Nectarine, Grilled Steak or Cauliflower Falafel (for our vegetarian friends). I almost opted for the Salmon Salad with grilled salmon accompanied by Aleppo pepper gremolata, Peruvian potatoes, English peas, asparagus, baby arugula all tossed in a lemon dill vinaigrette. Salads range $6 – $14

On the next page there are sandwiches, burgers, tacos (including salmon tacos), pastas and clam linguini. Sandwiches and burgers come with a choice of French fries, sweet potato fries, homemade chips or a “small” salad and again, there are vegetarian selections available. Prices $10 – $12 except for the pastas and linguini at $15 – $16 (the fettuccini is homemade)

I had the Chile Lime Shrimp Tacos with a roasted tomatillo salsa, tomato and house coleslaw for $12, the shrimp was plump and juicy, the sweet and spicy flavors were tantalizing and each taco was packed so full, they were challenging to eat gracefully! My discretionary dining companion ordered the Pierpont Naan Chicken Sandwich that consisted of a grilled chicken breast with pesto, tomato, red onion, avocado, mozzarella cheese, bacon and butter lettuce snuggled into naan bread with a side salad for $10. The chicken breast was moist and tender and at least ½ inch thick, the warm gooey mozzarella embraced the crisp salty bacon and the “small” side of fresh chilled greens was not so small, each plate tasted as perfect as it looked and while my tacos were divine, have you ever had one of those “I wish I’d ordered that!” moments …?

The service was outstanding, our server, Martin refilled ice tea without us having to ask and checked on us routinely. A full bar is available and when we asked if Austen’s was dog friendly and the response was “sometimes”. I guess it depends on the dog, one of those cute little fur balls peeking out of your purse – ok, but a big Rottweiler named “Brutus” – not so much.

We asked to see a dinner menu and for starters there are selections such as Crispy Artichoke Hearts served with goat cheese aioli or Tuna Poke with a mango papaya relish, sea weed, Thai sweet chili and sesame sauce with wonton chips. Prices $10 – $14

Enticing soups and salads are listed for $5 – $10

A BBQ Tri Tip sandwich and an Ahi Tuna Burger with a choice of a side are offered along with that same Pierpont Naan Chicken Sandwich still priced at $10. There are pasta selections and taking it up a notch are the many entrees to choose from including Pan Seared Scallops with a roasted corn succotash and green mojo sauce, Filet Mignon with baby potatoes, grilled seasonal vegetable and a madeira wine sauce and Rack of Lamb with spring vegetables and carrot puree. They offer halibut, seabass and other steaks as well. Prices $10 – $32

Can you imagine dinner accompanied by the view of a beautiful Ventura sunset?

Does (did) this bike belong to any of you? If stolen, maybe this photo would help the police identify the thief. If this was a homeless guy, likely the police know who he is.