by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

Many people love keeping their garden maintained and seeing all their different plants and flowers bloom in the summer months. It can take some time but with the right equipment, it can be something everyone can do. If you’re wanting to take up gardening then going to your local garden center will help you find all the equipment you need. And as for electric mowers – greengrassmower has got you covered with a great comparison of all the best mowers on the market. Be sure you take a look before you buy anything! However, when you live in hotter regions, it can be hard to create a garden that fits in with the water-use regulations.

“When most people think of a stunning landscape, they tend to think of expansive, sprawling green lawns. However, these types of landscapes also consume a lot of water, negatively impacting our low reserves during the ongoing drought,” said Cari Vega, owner of A Smart Garden in Downtown Ventura. Vega taught the well-attended July 14th free gardening class, “Plant Selection for Water Wise Landscapes,” presented in partnership with Ventura Water. Gardening is beautiful as people can digest the fresh air and admire the beauty of the flowers, if you want some help with your gardening then you can check out some affordable landscape construction in Geelong, if this is where you require gardening services.

“Our city falls into the Mediterranean climate and enjoys a similar eco-climate to the West Coasts of Australia, Europe, the West tip of South Africa, and the West Coast of Chile,” continued Vega. “We’re fortunate that the variety of low-water Mediterranean and California native-plants that thrive in this environment offer quite a beautiful, bold and lush color palette.”

During the class, Vega stressed that one of the first things a homeowner should identify is their yard’s soil type. “In Ventura, we’ve got clay, sand or the ideal loam,” said Vega. “What works in mid-town Ventura, might not work closer to the ocean. Knowing what kind of soil you’re working with will help you determine the best plants to use and may even influence design elements in the garden like raised beds.”

Vega suggested that homeowners study up on the many varieties of low-water plants and “what plant goes where” at VenturaCountyGardening.com, talk to a local landscape design professional. Additionally, if anyone is looking to redesign their whole garden, after consulting with a landscape designer, they may have to look at what equipment services are available to make the dream garden come true. If the garden is going to have lots of trees or deep-rooted plants, perhaps heavy machinery should be used to create the space required for said plants.

Vega stresses creating a plan starting with the tallest planting – trees, followed by shrubs, perennials, and ground cover to ensure proper spacing so that the landscape can thrive.

To help direct water where it will be of most use, Vega suggests digging a small trench around the perimeter of the landscape as well as digging 4″ trenches around trees and filling them with mulch. If at any point, you find that you have trees that are getting in your way, or you would just like someone to take better care of the trees in your garden, then you might want to consider getting a tree surgeon to help you maintain your garden so that it looks perfect all year round.

Some suggested low-water trees that work well in Ventura: Peppermint Willow, Pink Melaleuca, Australian Willow, and Pink Mimosa.

Examples of low-water shrubs that provide a colorful backdrop include Texas Ranger, Neon Pink Callistemon, Pink Breath of Heaven, Buddleia, Protea & Grevillea.

Perennials: “Dusty Miller is a member of the daisy family and has silvery gray leaves that make for a dynamic backdrop. Everything looks terrific in front of it. Other colorful choices include Monkey Flower, Penstemon, Yarrow, Salvia, Lavender, Ivy Geranium, even herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

Ground cover: “To get the green lushness without the maintenance and water required, opt for green varieties like Korean Grass or Thyme; neither requires mowing.”

Find out about other gardening classes, visit: venturawater.net and asmartgarden.com

As a reminder that there have been times when modesty, humility and the idea that the power of the patriarch must be limited both by the written and the oral law, Congregation Am HaYam has selected for its Book Club discussion Rabbi Akiva, Sage of the Talmud, by Barry W. Holtz

The book recounts the life and teachings of Judaism’s first great rabbi who lived during the time of the destruction of the Second Temple and fought the Romans in 135 CE. Even those who have not read the book are invited to the discussion which will occur at the conclusion of the regular Sabbath Service Saturday, August 4t,h which begins at 10 am.

Congregation Am HaYam is located at 4839 Market Street, Suite C, Ventura. There is no fee, but visitors are asked to call 805 644-2899 to make a reservation.

The residents living on Vista Del Mar wish to thank the City for the tremendous tree trimming that has been done. Trees hanging over the street and dead ones have been removed by WCA contracted by the City.

Marla Daily, President of the Santa Cruz Island Foundation, will share images and stories of the history of Anacapa Island from her new book, Images of America: Anacapa Island, during a special lecture on Thursday, August 23.

Beginning in the mid-1800s, the island served as a home for transient otter and seal hunters, Chinese and Japanese abalone fishermen and a series of ranchers. The buildings seen today on the island were built in 1932, part of the last light station constructed on the West Coast. In 1938, President Roosevelt declared Anacapa Island a national monument and in 1980, it became one of the five islands in Channel Islands National Park.

Only eleven nautical miles from the mainland, Anacapa Island consists of three rocky islets that support essential breeding and roosting habitat for seabirds, land birds, harbor seals, and California sea lions. The island serves as habitat for only one land mammal, the endemic island deer mouse, two species of reptiles, one species of amphibian, and 265 species of plants.

Daily, a University of California at Santa Barbara graduate in cultural anthropology, has spent nearly 40 years researching the history of all eight of the Channel Islands. For the past 30 years she has served as president of the nonprofit Santa Cruz Island Foundation. Her efforts in preserving Channel Islands history earned her the California Historical Society’s Distinguished Service Award.

The talk is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding marine waters. The lecture will take place at 7:00 pm at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, in Ventura Harbor. The program is free and open to the public.

To learn more about Anacapa (in words and historical photos) attend the lecture and read “Anacapa Island” by Marla Daily. ISBN: 978-1-4671-2901-5 $23.99| 128 pp. | paperback

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!