Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

“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.

Save the dates: Free Outdoor Summer Movie Series at California and Main

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.

A Bizarre Tale of an Adventurous Bug

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.

Ventura Operation Splash

Free swim lessons at the Kimball Aquatic Center.

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.