by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

“This is the greatest venue no one’s ever been to,” said Gary Bednorz, chairman of the Ventura Land Trust’s popular SYRCL Wild & Scenic® Film Festival now in its ninth year in Ventura.

The festival, which serves as a fundraiser for the Ventura Land Trust (formerly Ventura Hillsides Conservancy), celebrated in a laid back, galvanizing fashion this year on the campus of the Ventura County Credit Union located at 2575 Vista Del Mar. On August 18, doors opened at 5:00 pm and VLT served up an evening that fostered community connection, rousing entertainment, and engaging films with sustainable themes.

“We outgrew our home at the Poinsettia Pavilion and felt that holding an outdoor festival under the stars would be a wonderful blend of our film festival, and the music festivals we held in previous years,” continued Bednorz.

“The Wild & Scenic Film Festival started in Nevada City, California, and while the flagship event takes place there annually, communities like Ventura custom pick from a variety of films to showcase at their festivals,” said Derek Poultney, Executive Director, Ventura Land Trust. “For the Land Trust, we select films in line with our mission to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. We hope that the festival inspires the community to get and stay connected to the land and to the work of the Ventura Land Trust.”

Surrounded by trees and perched on a hillside with peek-a-boo coastline views, the evening’s family-friendly festival drew in the neighborhood of nearly 1000 attendees who enjoyed delicious eats from a variety of food trucks, libations from local beer and wine vendors, community partner information booths, outdoor games, and a raffle featuring such items as original artwork, outdoor gear, and dining-out certificates.

Cool breezes were a welcome respite from the hot summer temperatures as guests strolled by the vendor booths and food trucks and chatted with friends. Others laid out their blankets (and chairs), on the expansive green lawn and; listened and danced) to acoustic guitar music by Bill Jones and J. Peter Boles, and the rock cover band Mid Life Crisis until the screening of films commenced at 8:00 p.m.

“Our circle of friends expanded this year,” added Adrienne Stephens, Development and Marketing Director, Ventura Land Trust. “The mix of being able to spread out and kick back with friends and family, while enjoying great music, food, and drink, followed by inspiring films was a great recipe for a relaxing, memorable evening.”

The eleven films showcased at the event commenced with an 8-minute movie shown at the April 2018 Water: Take 1 Film Festival “Ventura Land Trust” highlighting the Land Trust’s important community programs and endeavors.

Other films included were “Imagination: Tom Wallisch” where a young boy’s skiing day dreams come magically to life; “Brothers of Climbing,” a poignant short about a small group of black climbers that create a new community. In “Blind Sushi” a blind travel writer meets the world’s first sustainable sushi chef. Together, the two cook up experiences that enlighten them both. In “Dragging 235 lbs. Uphill Bothways,” a mother of four decides to turn off her children’s electronics in exchange for lessons in nature. “The Nature of Maps” roams some of the world’s last remaining wildlands with two modern-day pioneers who map these distant places for all to enjoy. “Where Wild Things Play,” a jaw-dropping ode to“badass” female athletes. “Lost in Light,” is a mesmerizing view of how light pollution impacts the night sky. “Love of Place” delves into one park ranger’s mission to rid a beautiful desert river of an invasive plant species. “Grandad” takes the viewer on a morning meditation row around a serene lake. “A Letter to Congress” features Wallace Stegner’s 1960 letter to Congress about how our unified voice can help prevent the transfer of our most valuable heritage— our public lands— to private and corporate interests.”

Visit venturalandtrust.org for more information.

The Ventura County Writers Club is celebrating its 85th anniversary. The club, founded in 1933 by authors in Ojai, has thrived while many clubs and organizations are folding. President Connie Mukherjee says, “The VCWC has survived because we welcome writers of all genres and abilities. We have also kept dues low. A new member pays only $45 the first year and $40 for annual renewals.”

The club hosts monthly speakers including agents, publishers, editors and others in the writing and publishing industry. It covers everything from how to market a book to how to find an illustrator for the book’s cover – if you want to get better at writing and learn more about publishing works, this is definitely the club for you. “We host contests, critique groups and publish a bi-annual anthology. We are a not-for-profit run completely by volunteers.” The club’s membership is usually between 100-200 people. “Our monthly attendance runs between 25-60 people depending on the speaker. Some speakers appeal to fiction writers and some draw poets.” The club supports writers who self-publish as well as authors writing personal memoirs just for their families.

On September 11, at 7:00 p.m., the club will host Mark Sarvas is a novelist, book reviewer, and blogger. He is the host of the literary blog The Elegant Variation and author of the novels Harry, Revised and Memento Park. A finalist for the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association’s 2008 Fiction Award and a Denver Post 2008 Good Read, Harry, Revised has been called “A remarkable debut” by Booker Prize winner John Banville, and was compared to John Updike and Philip Roth by the Chicago Tribune. He teaches advanced novel writing in the UCLA Extension Writers Program and is an MFA candidate at the Bennington Writing Seminars.

“Anyone who is interested is invited to join us,” says incoming president Rhonda Noda. “We will also have readings by club members who have recently published. There is no charge for non-members to drop in and join us for the celebration.” The group meets at 1605 Burnley Street in Camarillo at the Pleasant Valley Park and Recreation Center.

Ventura Breeze contributing writer, and member Sheli Ellsworth stated, “My first fiction won a prize in the VCWC annual short story contest. Before then I’d never thought about writing fiction. Now, I have six books to my credit. One is a kid’s book that I wrote with Breeze publisher Brown.” Call Sheli at 805.300.1365 for more information.

As this summer’s record-breaking heat wave sent many residents reaching for their thermostats, a new air conditioning unit may have felt like a smart buy. But before homeowners take the plunge, there are a number of items to consider that will help an A/C unit work even better, save energy and make their living spaces more comfortable year-round. Finding the right ac installation service that fulfills all these requirements, you may have to visit your local air conditioning company. If you’ve had an A/C system fitted in your home a while ago, but has recently stopped working, it may be best to use the services of companies like Morevent Services to get it back to working order. When summer arrives, you’ll be happy to have a comfortable and cool place to relax.

Operated by the County, emPower Ventura County has been working with homeowners to address common home energy efficiency troubles, such as wasteful air conditioners. Available for free home consultations, emPower Energy Coaches help identify these troubles, find solutions and connect homeowners with the right resources, such as qualified local contractors. Here are some items to discuss with an Energy Coach before pursuing an A/C upgrade.

For our climate, make sure the attic or crawlspace are properly air sealed and insulated to at least R44 levels or R19 for a crawlspace (the energy coach can help you understand the R-value and what insulation materials to consider). This will help ensure your treated air – heated and cooled — stays where you want it.

Once your air conditioning unit is fitted, it’s important to get your system cleaned regularly to prevent a build of dust and debris. A new HVAC system is not a small purchase so you’ll want to do everything you can to Reduce your AC Costs. No one wants a broken AC unit!! Since AC systems aren’t cheap, it’s vital that you look after it and regularly service it to keep it in good working order. Specialist companies such as Willard Power Vac offer a variety of air duct cleaning solutions to ensure your A/C unit is working at its best.

A/C contractors should design and size HVAC Systems according to Manual J, D, S standards. These high standards ensure that the System will perform according to the required cooling and heating load of the home, keeping you comfortable all year.

Investigate whether an already installed furnace can accommodate a cooling add-on. Dual systems provide the best efficiency.

Contractors should calculate the proper A/C unit size for a home. Otherwise, homeowners are stuck paying for larger systems than they need.

For more information, to schedule a free Energy Coach visit or to access a list of qualified contractors, call emPower at (805) 654-3834 or visit www.empowersbc.org.

The emPower program offers voluntary incentives, financing and other services to help single-family homeowners in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties make home energy upgrades easier and more affordable. emPower was established by the County of Santa Barbara to help the community preserve the environment by helping to lower energy consumption and stimulate the economy by creating jobs through innovative, voluntary solutions to support a sustainable building performance market.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

Over the next few weeks CAPS Media will work with city officials and election organizations throughout the community to encourage voter participation, provide voter information on ballot initiatives and help explain the district election process for electing City Council members and Ventura Unified School board members.

CAPS will offer candidates the chance to share their campaign platforms with the community via our Video Voter program. CAPS has been producing Video Voter for over 10 years and we continue to fulfill for mission to create an informed and educated community through electronic media

The candidate statements for Ventura City Council and VUSD board will be recorded and broadcast on CAPS Channel 6 and streaming online at capsmedia.org. CAPS Media continues its coverage of various candidate forums held by the League of Women throughout the city. CAPS Media is also producing informative videos for the County of Ventura on election related issues.  Look for us out in the community in our big white truck with CAPS Media on the side and our enthusiastic volunteers and students bringing all of this to the community. The programs will be found on Channel 6 in the City of Ventura and online at capsmedia.org.

For details on the City district elections go to the City of Ventura website for comprehensive information at cityofventura.gov. For information on the new school district areas go to VenturaUSD.org. Log in to the County of Ventura’s website and go to the County Clerk’s webpage for all the information on how the election process works and to register to vote.

The award winning ECTV program, the collaboration between CAPS Media and El Camino High School, returns for its 3rd year.

Former students have honed their skills with many off to college, pursuing their dreams. Returning and new students are looking forward to exploring new issues, meeting interesting people and using their skills to create thoughtful and engaging video journalism. Last year ECTV featured stories about The Thomas Fires, the Peace Corp, Chicano music, filmmakers and women’s rights to name a few. We can’t wait to see what topics they discuss this year.

CAPS is proud to be part of Michael O’Kelly’s mural beautifully crafted with glazed tile. It’s great to see all the folks, locations, businesses and organizations included in this work of love to the community of Ventura. Planning began in 2015 and it was unveiled earlier this year. If you haven’t seen it, it’s worth a visit. It’s just outside the mission on Main Street. What a great addition to city of Ventura and big thanks to the city and community members who made it happen.

View our ongoing series Thomas Fire Story projects every Friday at 6pm, get your election information on Channel 6 and get orientation and training class information on CAPSMedia.org. Get engaged, share your story on TV or Radio and become a member of CAPS Media Center.

Early in his career, when Jerry Dannenberg presided as President of the Escondido Teacher’s Association, he never imagined he would someday rise through the ranks to become a school district superintendent. He would like to take it a step further now by announcing his candidacy for the Ventura USD Board of Education, Area 4.

When asked why he would wish to jump from recent retirement to the school board, Dr. Dannenberg says “I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve the community that my family has lived in since 1986. Not only did this district employ me in several senior management positions but educated my children and now my grandchildren. I want to give back to the community that has been such a big part of our lives.”

He knows the distinct difference between being a superintendent and a board member and where the line is drawn. “I will not cross that line” he says. Jerry believes he has a lot to offer our local school board, most notably the experience gained in guiding the Hueneme School District nine years ago when the district went through a horrendous on-campus murder of a student at E.O. Green Middle School. Dr. Dannenberg recounts the shock and reality of what was to quickly become national news. “Within a day or two I felt it was very important to call the community together, meeting in the Hueneme HS auditorium. Along with the press, there were parents, community leaders and staff. That day marked the beginning of a long healing process.” Since then, Dr. Dannenberg has been a frequent speaker at community and education groups on lessons learned.

Because of the impact that event had on the district, a focus by Dr. Dannenberg on campus violence was launched. Last year Dr. Dannenberg was pleased to hear that E.O. Middle School received the 2017 GLSEN Respect Award in NYC for the school’s efforts to eradicate campus hatred and violence. “With this experience comes a responsibility to share what we learned. Bullying and hatred have become too much a part of our society. We must do more,” Jerry says.

In his quest for a seat on the school board, Dr. Dannenberg will focus on an aggressive approach to campus bullying, equitable learning opportunities, academic rigor, fully staffing school counselors and employee salaries to attract and retain the best.

The Ventura Community Partners Foundation announced it will host its inaugural “Fairways & Fiesta” event on Saturday, September 8. The event, which is expected to raise thousands for Ventura’s youth, will begin with a golf tournament at 3:30 pm at the Olivas Links Golf Course, located at 3750 Olivas Park Dr. The tournament will be followed by a 5:30 pm dinner event at the historic Olivas Adobe, located at 4200 Olivas Park Dr. Ticket prices are $65/golf tournament, $50/dinner or $100/golf and dinner. Proceeds will be used to support youth recreation scholarships, which provide scholarships to children from Ventura, whose families cannot afford activity fees. To purchase tickets visit http://www.venturafoundation.org or call 805-658-4775.

The event will feature a 9-hole scramble golf tournament at the naturally beautiful Olivas Links Golf Course, followed by dinner, live music by Sound Effect, and a silent auction at the Olivas Adobe. The Ventura Community Partners Foundation is an independent non-profit created to build community and enhance the livability of Ventura by developing and maintaining parks, recreation, and cultural opportunities through partnerships and sustainable, diverse funding.

Board President Kevin Clerici said, “This event provides a fun opportunity for our community to come together and better a child’s life by providing them with scholarships for art and music classes, after-school programs, swim programs, summer camps, youth sports and so much more.”

For more information visit http://www.venturafoundation.org, email [email protected] or call 805-658-4775.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. Jewish Year 5777 this year at sunset on Sept.9. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American New Year.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in temple, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

On sunset on Sept.18, Yom Kippur also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Some Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) that commences with Rosh Hashanah.

An open house reception was held at the Four Points Sheraton Ventura on Thursday, August 9th for this year’s Kickoff Celebration “Younited For a Cure”. The evening’s festivities included pink themed appetizers, raffle prizes, socializing, and informational speakers.

Event Chair Brenda Dearborn opened with the event overview, followed by Kickoff Chair Kerri Berntsen with sponsor thank yous going out to the National Presenting Sponsor, Avon, 2018 Presenting Sponsor UCLA Health, the National Survivor Ambassador Zeta Tau Alpha, as well as to our Platinum Sponsors, $2,500 Sponsors, and Media Sponsors. A very special thanks, along with an award of appreciation, was given to Tim and Kathy Mayeda with the U.S. Bowling Congress for 10 years of support in the fight against breast cancer.

Guest speakers included Camilla Conaway with Avon; Becky Fielder, Making Strides Survivor Tent Chair and 5 year Breast Cancer Survivor; and Bill Harris of Thousand Oaks, who spoke of his own battle with breast cancer and breast cancer survivorship.

Matthew Shrope spoke about where the money raised by Making Strides is used within Ventura County. He then introduced one of the highlights of the evening, the Three Pink Musketeers: Dr. Ronald Atanay, DDS, Josh Damigo and Paul Hardy. Dr. Atanay led the audience in a chant of “All for One, and One for All!” They were joined on stage by Dr. Shawn Steen and Oxnard Police Department Sargent Jeff McGreevy. These dedicated men have each committed to wearing the color Pink every day in October and raise $2,500+ for the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

Bernie Glenn and Tammy Bauer spoke of their experiences with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) and the importance of lobbying for critically needed funding for programs and cancer research. Ric Maddox, ACS Community Development Manager, closed out the presentation with information about signing up as a team leader, Social Media, the fundraising app, and event info.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Harbor Cove Beach, 1878 Spinnaker Dr. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the walk is at 9:00 am. Sign up your team at makingstrideswalk.org/Ventura and walk with us!

The Museum of Ventura County has multiple events coming up, including:

Opening Reception for “At Table: The Business of Food and Community” –Celebrate and explore Ventura County’s rich history of cultural diversity, agricultural bounty and how the influx of immigrants has shaped our recipes, food traditions and eating experiences at the opening reception, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Aug. 30, for the Museum of Ventura County’s newest exhibit, “At Table: The Business of Food and Community.” Tickets for the opening reception are $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers with tickets available at the door. The opening is in conjunction with the Ventura Chamber’s TASTE event which includes free admission to the Museum opening. TASTE tickets are available by calling 805-643-7222 or visiting venturachamber.com/taste2018. Museum members purchasing tickets for TASTE can use promo code Museum18 to receive the chamber member discount.

Museum’s Free First Sunday Features Food as Paint – Focus on the Masters ‘Learning to See’ Outreach invites museum-goers to “play with their food” as part of a free art activity, noon to 2 p.m. on Free First Sunday, Sept. 2, at the Museum of Ventura County. Kids and adults learn about natural pigments by using a variety of fruits, vegetables, leaves and flowers as paint to create lively, colorful still-life artwork. While Free First Sunday offers free admission at both the Ventura and Santa Paula museum locations, the free art activities will take place only at the Ventura museum location. Free First Sunday is sponsored by museum donor Mimi Allin and the TOLD Corporation. For more information visit venturamuseum.org  or call 805-653-0323. Museum locations: The Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula. The Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura.

The 6th annual Vintage Tractor Fair and Kids’ Fun Zone – The fair at the Agriculture Museum immediately follows the Santa Paula’s Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Get close-up and personal with the Topa Topa Flywheelers club members’ rare and unique vintage tractors. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, food trucks, petting zoo, tractor and fair-themed activities and crafts for all ages. Admission is free for the Vintage Tractor Fair and to the museum, $5 for Kids’ Fun Zone (parents are free). The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula.

“Speaking of” Water Resources with local author – Florencia Ramirez, author of Eat Less Water, will be the featured speaker for the next Speaking of Ventura County Speaker Series, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept.11, at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Ramirez will share stories of America’s food producers who grow food with less water from her book Eat Less Water. Ramirez sheds light on the seldom-seen connection between dwindling water resources and the choices we make when shopping for groceries for our families and offers a solution that begins in the kitchen. Cost is free with general admission; members free. The Agriculture Museum of Ventura County is located at 926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula. For more information call (805) 525-3100 or email [email protected].