Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre Company generates an impact of over $5 million to the economy of Ventura County each year according to a comprehensive economic analysis. This impact is equivalent to 160 full time jobs. The study was conducted by a team of top graduating economics students from California State University Channel Islands led by Tom Kozlowski and under the supervision of Professor Claudio Paiva, Professor and Chair of Economics.

The economic team based their estimate on detailed data of expenditures of Rubicon, its employees, and its audience. The estimate reflects both the direct expenditures of these groups and what economists call a “multiplier effect,” the way in which spending in one area influences spending in others. The research team compared results using different economic multiplier models, all of which reached a very similar conclusion—Rubicon spending has a significant impact on the local economy.

The analysis also notes important non-monetary impacts of Rubicon on the community. These include an active volunteer force of over 300 people, a strong youth educational program, and increased happiness for those who experience the theatre. The authors cite research that links these activities with better mental and physical health, benefits that cannot be captured by the data on expenditures.

Now entering its 20th season, Rubicon has presented more than 130 diverse main stage productions to more than 440,000 audience members and served more than 45,000 student attendees or participants. The company has received widespread acclaim for the quality of its productions, including the Los Angeles Drama Critics Margaret Harford Award for “Sustained Excellence” (2010), the Ventura Chamber of Commerce’s Poinsettia Award for Non-Profit Organization of the Year (2012), the New York Drama Desk Award for “Outstanding Musical Review” (2012), 14 Ovation Awards, a NAACP Award, and multiple Indy, Garland, and Robby Awards. Numerous stars of stage, screen, and television have appeared at Rubicon. Each year it presents five to eight main stage shows plus a Broadway Concert Series for the general public.

For further information about Rubicon Theatre Company, please visit www.rubicontheatre.org or call 667-2900.

by Jennifer Tipton

Ventura High

Located at Two North Catalina Street, Ventura High School is Ventura’s pioneer high school – it’s been around since 1889! Just think students that went here fought in WW1! Currently about 2,155 students in grades 9 – 12 are enrolled and Ventura High is recognized as a California Distinguished School. Students must apply to attend and I’m told that there is a waiting list every year.

Ventura High is the only school to have 3 students selected for the air force and naval academies with scholarships of over $500,000 provided to each. Many alumni go on to Cal State Berkeley, UCLA, LMU and other big-name universities.

In his 3rd year as principal, Carlos Cohen states, “I’m proud to be the principal at Ventura’s namesake high school, I feel like a Starfleet captain!” He is very proud of his students and shares that the VHS students donated the most blood in the entire county to The American Red Cross two years consecutively. According to principal Cohen, “our students are incredible community servants!”

The school’s mascot is the cougar and every Venturan knows it’s been the dogs (Buena’s bulldogs) against the cats for years but principal Carlos emphasized, “it’s a wholesome rivalry…”

VHS had 2 CIF championships last year and 7 Channel League championships. Several athletes have had “full ride” scholarships to college and many have gone on to become professional athletes.

There are eight career educational pathways including advanced computer science, automotive design and hospitality/culinary courses which are rigorous, yet well attended.

The music department is quite diverse with everything from a jazz band to a wind ensemble and the symphony orchestra competes at a collegiate level with a record of beating colleges!

Notable alumni include Mike Larrabee the double gold medalist in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Tyler Ebell and Chris Thomas the professional football players, Karen Grassle the actress (played Caroline Ingalls on Little House on the Prairie) and Bill Payne the founding member of the band Little Feat. And several City council members over the years.

When asked about the amount of homework the students are given, principal Cohen states, “it depends on the level of courses they’re taking and grade level, we provide students with many opportunities to be successful.” There are even online credit recovery classes (for when that homework didn’t get done?).

For more information venturausd.org/ventura/home.aspx.

Shopping gets personal when the Ventura Harvest Festival Original Art & Craft Show comes to the Ventura County Fairgrounds October 6-8 featuring over 24,000 handmade original creations.

Close to three hundred artisans join in the 28th annual Ventura showcase that combines shopping and entertainment for limitless fun with live entertainment, contests, strolling performers, demonstrations, and a Kidzone with a pumpkin patch.

Treasures range from stunning jewelry, ceramics, and blown glass, to hand-turned wood, leather goods, clothing, specialty foods, eclectic art pieces, seasonal décor, ornaments and more. While crafting demonstrations inspire DIYers, many artists can also personalize items for the perfect gift. As the largest and most prestigious indoor showcase on the west coast, the Harvest Festival features artists and crafters who push the boundaries of creativity to spark excitement and new trends.

“We work year-round to create the quintessential shopping encounter that engages our patrons at every level,” says Harvest Festival owner Nancy Glenn. “It’s a feast for all the senses, whether you’re an avid art collector, a DIY devotee, or on a quest for that special handmade gift you won’t find anywhere else.”

The celebration gives back to the community by partnering with FOOD Share and the Boys & Girls Club of greater Ventura. Patrons who bring canned goods for donation receive $2 off general admission. Macaroni Kid and My Gym host the Kidzone complete with make “n” take crafting and a pumpkin patch for romping, courtesy of Green Thumb Nursery. Lowe’s of Ventura hosts an interactive “build it” area.

The outdoor stage comes alive with performances from Southern California’s favorite party band, HyJinx, and comedy entertainer John Park, featuring his funny waiter antics with audience participation.

Harvest Festival general admission tickets are $9, while seniors (62+) and military are $7, youths ages 13-17 are $4, and kids 12 and under are free. Tickets are good for the entire weekend and return visits. Information is available at www.harvestfestival.com or by calling 925/ 392-7300.

Festival Hours: October 6-8

Friday: 10:00am to 5:00pm; Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm; Sunday: 10:00am to 5:00pm

Ventura County Fairgrounds

A Scottish/Celtic Festival called the Seaside Highland Games is about to invade the Ventura County Fairgrounds once again as they have done for each of the past fourteen years! On one magical weekend—this year on October 14 & 15—the entire seaside Fairgrounds becomes the re-creation of a giant Scottish village with all the activities going on just as they would have in times of old. And the entertainment to be experienced is endless! And you may participate to the level that suits you. Come in full Highland dress—kilts and hose for the gentlemen and kilted skirts and tartan sashes for the ladies—all the way down to shorts and flip-flops if the weather permits. It doesn’t matter!

Those vying for prize money in one of the judged competitions will be properly outfitted for the occasion. Kilts are a must for the giant Scottish athletes, whether laddies or ladies, and Highland and Scottish Country Dancers will look every inch the part as they would have before the dukes and duchesses of old. The Seaside Games is well known for their generous purses and scholarships assisting students of the Celtic arts to further their education toward professional prowess. Observing these young competitors as they strive for excellence is a special privilege reserved for those who attend the Festival.

Festivities begin Friday evening at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel with a grand Single Malt Scotch Tasting at 5pm followed by a fine buffet supper and an elegant Scottish Fashion Show.

Gates open Saturday and Sunday at 9am for your enjoyment of all venues on the field. Four entertainment stages with great local and long distant talent, bagpipers and drummers, of course, alone and in the many bands marching and competing. Fiddles and harps—an actual Harp Glen with Harp Petting Zoo—the amazing herding dogs demonstrating their sheep-herding skills and an endless array of Clan and Societies stretching along Clan Row where you will be welcomed and feted by the tent you choose to visit.

Beautiful Scottish and Celtic products displayed for sale at a wide array of top vendors for your consideration (excellent for Christmas/Holiday giving) and a fine selection of authentic British food and beverage when you are ready to take a welcome break. The two days will fly by so quickly that you will want to take in both so as not to miss anything. Beautiful Opening Ceremonies on Saturday and a fine and emotional Closing Ceremony Sunday as well-deserved prizes are granted. A solid two days of culture and camaraderie. Make plans now to be there on that special weekend in October. www.seaside-games.com

October 1, 8:30 a.m. Laguna Tams – Linda Easter 818-519-2833

The tamarisk trees at Laguna Rd are a migrant hot spot. Migrating birds mostly warblers are attracted to the insects in the trees and a number of uncommon to rare birds often show up at this location. Call Linda Easter if this location is unknown to you.

October 7, 8:00 a.m. Work Day Hedrick Ranch Nature Area.- Sandy Hedrick 805-340-0478.

Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

October 14, 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga- Neil Zeigler 805-983-7207

We will walk and drive the canyon. Always a great walk! Some birds we may see are Western Bluebirds, Road-runners, sparrows, swallows, Phainopepla, Red-tailed Hawks & perhaps a barn owl.

October 16, 8:30 a.m. Ventura Settling Ponds- Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304.

Enjoy a morning of mostly waterfowl birding. Spotting scopes are always welcome.

October 21, 8:30 a.m. Lake Casitas Joint trip with CVAS.- Kay Regester 805-258-1025 Co-Leader: Dee Lyons

Join us for a walk by the lake. We will be looking for hummingbirds, grosbeaks, gnatcatchers as well as ducks, geese and waterfowl. Target birds will include the resident Bald Eagles, Green Heron, Chipping and Lark Sparrows, Common Merganser and Spotted Sandpiper. Park out front of the Lake entrance and we will walk into the park.

October 28, 8:00 a.m. Carpinteria Salt Marsh- Rob Denholtz will be our guide. There will be a limit of 25 people.

This is a joint CVAS/VAS field trip to the restricted part of the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Reserve and approved by UCSB. This is a unique opportunity to have a guided tour of the private part of the salt marsh that is used by UCSB and affiliates to study the ecology of one of the last coastal salt marshes in Southern California. Please contact Linda Easter at 818-519-2833 or [email protected].

CAPS Media is offering a series of great opportunities to get a first-hand look inside CAPS Media with special tours, open houses and on site demonstrations over the next few weeks. The opportunities start on Wednesday, October 4 at 6pm when CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) hosts a community wide Open House at the CAPS Media Center at 65 Day Road. Everyone interested in, or even curious about, community radio is invited to tour the center and join the exchange of creative programming ideas and direction for the new radio station.

Art Walk on Saturday, October 7 provides a second opportunity to learn about CAPS Media. The CAPS Media Production Truck will be part of the Art Walk demonstrations. Set up at the corner of California and Santa Clara, the CAPS Crew will offer tours of the truck and front row seats to watch El Camino High School students produce segments for ECTV to air on CAPS Television and CAPS Radio – KPPQ 104.1FM. Drop by, take a tour of the production truck and see El Camino High School students in action.

On Tuesday, October 10 the tours continue at the CAPS Media Center at 65 Day Road, when CAPS Media welcomes Ventura College students and faculty for a special open house and tour of the facility starting at 6pm. The tour includes the studio, control room, editing suites, meeting rooms, production truck, the new KPPQ 104.1FM radio station and more. This is a chance to see the complete range of equipment, facilities and resources at the center and to meet the knowledgeable staff to explore media training opportunities offered at the CAPS Media Center next to the campus of Ventura College.

If you have ever thought about checking out CAPS Media to be part of the fun, these events offer great opportunities. Now that everyone is settling into the new school year, this is a terrific time for community members to become CAPS Media Member/Producers. CAPS Media offers new member orientation meetings on the first Thursday of every month. HD videography/camera classes are held on the 2nd Thursday, and Final Cut postproduction editing classes are on the 3rd Thursday. CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) holds training classes on the 4th week – Wednesday and Thursday evenings. In every training session Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. All classes begin at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road. Once trained member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s video cameras, tripods, audio gear and other production equipment to record their story and then book postproduction editing suites to craft the story they want to tell.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Go to capsmedia.org to see programming schedules, search the archives for past programs, get general info and sign up for classes. Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura may become a Member/Producer. Annual fees are only $25 for an individual and $75 for a non-profit organization. CAPS Radio DJs require an additional annual fee of $50. For complete information go to capsmedia.org.