by Karen Leslie, writer with heart

The heart behind the sign

What is in the mind and hearts of the homeless and why the choices to live day to day off the grid of society?

A fascinating story of the road less traveled told by, homeless by choice Stuart W. Smeltzer known as “Bear” will inspire and open up a fresh understanding into why living homeless is not necessarily a way of living in hopelessness.“Bear’s” journey started when he was born on January 23, 1965 at 7:23 am to father Charles Eugen and mother Patsy Ann Crow at Navarro County Hospital in Corsicana, Texas.

The voice behind the sign, Stuart “Bear” shares, “I don’t remember most of my childhood before the age of 6 or 7 so I am going to start my story from there. I remember living most of my life in Oklahoma and Texas. I lived with my mom and dad until then and shortly after that I lived with my dad in Tulsa. I was 12 when I moved back with my mom until I was 17. My mom passed away in 2008 and my father passed away in 2014.

My grandfather made wicker lawn furniture and one summer day when I was 7, my cousin and I went out on his 100 acres to cut the trees he used, and while I was walking down the aisle between the trees, I walked into a sickle my cousin was swinging back and it took my eyelet out. I am still blind in that eye.

I graduated from high school at 17 and started traveling the US at 19. I got a job as dishwasher at the Pire House in Key West, FL. They put me through college to be a cook which I helped pay with what I made. I worked for them until I was 26 when I lost my voice to cancer in 1996.

In 2000 I moved to Ventura. I have been homeless the whole time. In the last 8 years I have not been in any trouble and have traveled from San Diego to San Francisco to Oklahoma and more.

I enjoy the way I live because it is the way I like to live. I don’t steal or take things that are not mine. I work for a few people and have many friends. I have done artwork and written a book with all my poems in it and I find a way to earn my way doing part time work when I can find it or get it. Some of the reasons for living the way I do are because of the cost of living, so I live simply in a tent because I like being outside and sleeping outside and only keep the things I need one day at a time. I use what little money I earn to live on and have found this is the best way to be and stay happy.

But, just because I am homeless does not mean I have to act or look homeless. I do my best to stay clean and I treat people with respect. I don’t fly a sign that says, “Homeless and hungry” and when I do it says, “Willing to work”.

I have a saying, live by treating others the way you want to be treated and show the same respect you want others to show you. Life is what we make of it. It can be good or bad and it is up to us to decide what makes us happy. I “choose” to be happy with my life and the way I live it makes me the happiest.”

Avoid weed waste: Native regrowth is best, not planted rye

by David Goldstein, PWA, IWMD and Jessica Craven Goldstein, Master Gardener, UC Cooperative Extension

The brief, hard rain two weeks ago caused calamities to the north, but local hillsides are now sprouting hopeful shoots of green. You may be tempted to help nature’s process by spreading seeds on hillsides stripped bare of vegetation, but erosion, flooding, fire danger and weed removal are the possible price to pay for planting incorrectly.

Whether on your own slopes or in the hills above local cities, lessons learned from past good-intentioned mistakes should apply. A recent email with warnings and instructions from two non-profit groups summarize these lessons.

According to the California Native Plant Society and Channel Islands Restoration, botanists, ecologists, and other professionals have found past efforts to quickly spread non-native seeds on denuded hillsides appeared successful in the short term, but caused more problems than they solved.

For example, a standard practice of the past was to plant ryegrass, which grows rapidly with little water; however, “after agencies called it a success and moved on to the next project, it would dry out…, resulting in greater fuel for fires” according to the two non-profits. Worse, these non-natives displaced perennial bunchgrasses, which send down deeper roots and are therefore more resistant to drought.

The good news is our hillsides, at least the ones left in a natural state, usually store seed banks of native grasses which respond quickly to fire. Dense, old-growth chaparral burns quickly in fires, opening space for seeds in the soil to sprout following stimulation by the fire. Even the bigger species can benefit from fire. Roots and stumps can sprout, and acorns may germinate and grow with less competition and better access to soil nutrients. Eventually, “a complex interweaving of different root types can stabilize the soil better than any artificial seeding mix that could be devised,” according to the groups.

For erosion control on more developed landscapes, these experts recommend wattles (such as straw-stuffed tubes of netting) and biodegradable mats made from material such as coconut fiber or jute. Choose a wide weave so plants can sprout through it. Aqua Flow in Ventura and Coastal Pipco in Oxnard are the two largest local farm and landscape supply stores carrying these products. Home Depot in Oxnard also has wattles ($29.95), as does Green Thumb in Ventura ($34.99), but neither has mats or landscape nets in stock as of last week.

On March 10th, the National Charity League, Inc., (NCL) Ventura County Chapter Juniors, will host “Puttin on the Ritz,” a 20’s-inspired gala featuring both a silent and live auction offering a wide variety of desired experiences, travel adventures, and original works by local
artists. For 14 consecutive years, NCLJ Ventura Chapter has devoted their philanthropic efforts to support the Children’s Cancer & Blood Diseases Program at Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC), collectively raising over $1.3 million. The funds raised have been used for critical needs of the program such as medical staff salaries, equipment, training and social service support for families in crisis. More specifically, NCLJ Ventura has financed the construction of a child-friendly infusion room, play room, and a resource library for patients and their families. A portion of their fundraising efforts are also going toward establishing a Ronald McDonald Family Room at Ventura County Medical Center.

Given the recent destruction of the Thomas Fires, this year’s will additionally fundraise for Thomas Fire Relief and the reconstruction of the Ventura Botanical Gardens. In addition the silent and live auction bidding, guests will enjoy an open bar reception, live entertainment, a gourmet dinner, live entertainment and dancing. Sponsors of this year’s Gala will be welcomed early at a private cocktail reception and escorted to the theatre.

Last year’s gala themed “Encante de Mision,” was held at the San Buenaventura Mission, raising over $160,000 for the Children’s Cancer for Blood Diseases at VCMC.

Majestic Ventura Theater – Tickets $195. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities available online at ncljuniorsventura.org.

The Sushi House
by Jennifer Tipton

Living here in our little seaside town we have many sushi restaurants accessible to us, but at this location The Sushi House brings more to the table than just great food.

Located at 1127 S. Seaward Avenue, this modest little eatery is just a short walk to the beach. Along with the customary sushi bar and tables inside, there are two outdoor patios. The back patio is only set up for seating when a private party is scheduled and can accommodate 28 guests.

The large menu includes a full page of appetizers such as an Avocado Bomb, Baked Mussels or “Ganja” which consists of a savory mix of minced garlic, jalapeno and spicy tuna wrapped in a Japanese mint leaf, then dipped in tempura and served with a garlic jalapeno sauce – (bring breath mints).

Prices range from $5 – $13.

The next page is devoted to salads and extras. One can choose from the traditional house salad with a house made dressing or for the more adventuresome there’s the Anacapa Tako and Eel Salad which contains marinated octopus. Prices range $6 – $15.

Extras include Wasabi root imported from Japan for $3.

Next is an entire page for special rolls with resident names like “Pierpont”, “Surfer’s Point” and “Rincon”. Prices $13 – $17.

Then come more specialties! A full page of them at $8 – $16.

The page for entrees includes a dish called “Japanese Dynamite” made with lobster and scallops, several noodle dishes and combination bowls for $8 – $16.

Lastly the Bento Sushi and Sashimi page. The Bento Box Combo is served with soup, salad, rice, 4 pieces California roll – plus two more choices! This one is nice because you can do the lunch or dinner portion. Other selections are the Premium Sushi Dinner at $21 and the Tsunami Sashimi at $24.

“We” had the Bento Sushi Box lunch at $11 each.

The food was excellent and the service outstanding – extra napkins showed up and drinks were freshened up without asking. The Sushi House is dog friendly and there are heaters in the patio for when it’s chilly. Parking at the end of Seaward can be a challenge but we both had no problem.

Good food, nice ambiance and a walk on the beach – doesn’t get much better than that.

Open for lunch and dinner Sun.-Tue. 12-3pm and 5-9pm and Wed.-Sat. 12-3pm and 5-10pm .