Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Confidence expressed for achieving Ventura County Museum goals

by Paul Peterson

On August 7th, 2017 the City Council authorized $125,000 in funding for the Museum of Ventura County. The county also approved another $125,000 in funding as well. There were a number of contingencies that were attached to the funding, requiring hiring of key personnel to develop museum goals, fundraising and plans for better use of the museum’s collections and archives over the next six months. The Breeze wanted to follow up on the progress. “City staff will be holding monthly meetings with the museum employees to get a report on milestones”, according to city manager Mark Watkins, who adds “the public purpose of the appropriation is to protect city resources, support the arts and promote economic and cultural tourism.” Watkins expressed confidence that all the goals would be met within the six months.

When the Breeze queried interim museum director Elena Brokaw, she also expressed her confidence that the goals would be met. “I am extremely confident that we will be able to meet the requirements. They are ambitious and will demand a great and concerted effort, but the community has already shown its support for the museum’s reinvention through the formation of an Endowment Committee, new board members, funding and increased attendance.

A team has begun to meet to work on all elements of the Museum reinvention plan: collections, programs, governance, endowment, outreach, partnerships and Museum identity and vision. Of the 23 specific tasks to be completed in the first 6 months, we have already completed five, and have made significant progress on five more,” Brokaw reports.

Council member Christy Weir is also confident that the museum will meet its goals. “They have an ambitious action plan, but with city and county funding and new leadership, this year we will see substantial changes. They have already made progress in board development and fundraising. We will soon see physical improvements to the interior and exterior, and continued emphasis on engaging exhibits and special events.”

The plan first calls for hiring an endowment consultant by August 30. That person would be responsible for major fundraising. Brokaw states “We have selected a consultant. The board will approve the contract on August 28”. So far so good.

When asked if a much needed curator has been selected she replied,

“There are a number of new positions identified (Ag Museum Manager for the Santa Paula Museum, Collections Manager, Events Coordinator, etc.) but a curator is not one of them. The recruitments are in development.”

For Ventura citizens wondering when the public can expect to see results at the museum itself, “Six months” was Brokaw’s quick response.

When asked what happens if some but not all the goals are met by this term’s end, City Manager Watkins says, ” We will have to assess that if the situation arises.”.”

Ventura Swim Around the Pier event

Rick Jeffery and Brie Young completed the Swim Around the Pier event that took place Friday, August 18th at the pier. This well attended event was sponsored by the Junior Lifeguards of Ventura. Rick Jeffrey, a member of the YMCA Board of Managers learned to swim just a year ago at the Y. This was the second year for Jeffrey, and he swam with staff from the Ventura YMCA.

Photos by Richard Lieberman

Vol. 10, No. 24 – Aug 30 – Sept 12, 2017 – Person to Person

by Jennifer Tipton

I asked 6 Ventura residents familiar with the old Harbor Village entrance what they think of the new design …

Holly Hancock
age 61
retired manager at Target
“I don’t like it! I loved the stage and the grassy area, it was a good avenue to welcome people into the harbor. This just doesn’t “pop” – they were supposed to spray wash the ground with a blue resin. If you see the pictorial of how it was supposed to be, this doesn’t do it justice. At least plant King palms instead of these cheap ones!”

Havana Snyder
age 20
works at “Lost in Socks” in the harbor
“I think it’s really, really nice! It makes a big difference; all the improvements are bringing people in but it also helps that there’s no more construction!”

 

Chuck Russell
age 82
retired from television
“I think it looks really nice but I think they had to do it because of laws regarding the handicapped for entries and that type of thing. I think that’s why they did concrete work.”

 

Matthew Ficarelli
age 19
works at Copa Cubana in the harbor
“I think it brings more people in and makes it more accessible to the restaurants and shops. I like the decorations in the flooring, it’s more thematic for the area we’re in.”

 

David Wheat
age 65
retired handy man
“I’m disappointed because they played it off as some big beautification project and it’s fallen far short. Both my wife and I think it was a waste of money … and the amount of time it took!”

 

Cindy Cook
age 57
health program representative
“I really like the island layout but I miss the grass and the bandstand! It was welcoming to see people gathered around the live music on a beautiful afternoon. I do think this stuff (the kelp) will look much nicer with Christmas ornaments hung on it!”

Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Throw Down

Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Throw Down took place from Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. Friday’s activities included live music provided by popular local band Rey Fresco.

Now in its 8th year, the Cornhole Throw Down has continued to grow into a national event, hosting incredibly skilled players of all ages from states across the country. This year’s competition included teams from: Alabama; Arizona; Florida; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Michigan; Nevada; North Carolina; Ohio; Kentucky; Texas and Virginia – and of course, California.

This California-classic multi-day party also featured the eatery’s award-winning food, ice cold drinks and craft beer, and a free concert with rockin’ local bands on Saturday evening, as well as DJs spinning great music throughout the tournament for players and spectators alike.

Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Throw Down

Ventura Chamber members compete for a great cause

“Hand me a towel”

The Ventura Chamber’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) and Ambassadors recently participated in the 4th annual YPG Challenge – a contest in which members compete to collect donations for local non-profits. This year’s “Pillow Fight” challenge directed thousands of linen donations to temporary and transitional housing organizations and crowned YPG as the winning team.

The Young Professionals Group is comprised of members between the ages of 21- 40 who are interested in creating positive changes in self and the community. As part of their commitment to giving back, the YPG challenge was created to encourage friendly competitions between the chamber members in the name of charity.

“The YPG challenge is a great way to give back to our community and bring people together for some fun competition,” said Shelby Bishop, Chair of the Young Professionals Group. “Events like these spice up the efforts and motivate us to make a difference where we live and work.”

Chamber members surveyed local non-profits and determined the most need was for linens in the form of bedding, pillows, pillowcases and towels. Support from various local hoteliers was crucial in the success of the challenge. DKN hotels, parent company of Ventura’s Pierpont Inn, donated thousands of linens and pillows. Comfort Inn Ventura Beach and Crowne Plaza also donated items to the challenge.

Thousands of linen items were collected and delivered to local non-profits including Turning Point Foundation, The City Center, Project Understanding and Tender Life Maternity Home, Ventura Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Casa Pacifica, Lighthouse for Women and Children, and Family Promise. The linens will be used at these facilities and will be given to families as they exit the programs and transition to permanent housing.

A benefit for Notes for Notes™

A benefit for Notes for Notes™ (N4N™) – Music Making for our Youth – this coming Friday at the Squashed Grapes:

Support a remarkable organization that brings music making to youth: Notes for Notes™ (N4N™) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that designs, equips, and staffs after-school recording studios inside Boys & Girls Clubs offering youth the opportunity to explore, create, and record music for FREE. N4N Studios are packed with professional instruments – guitars, basses, drums, keyboards/synths – and equipment – DJ gear, digital music workstations – and full recording facilities. Beyond providing access to equipment and resources, N4N educates youth about careers both on the stage and behind the scenes and is expanding throughout the country.

And we now have a Notes for Notes studio right here in Ventura as we continue to position ourselves in the forefront of music making! As they have done for years now – Adam Randall and Josh McNutt at the Squashed Grapes are making it happen. This time it’s partnering with Notes for Notes to bring this concept to Ventura and making a Notes for Notes studio a reality here.

So, join us at the Squashed Grapes for a benefit ($20 cover and more if you feel moved to do so) for a fun evening of good music to support this marvelous cause: It’s  Friday, August 25 at 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Music by Jazz Villains and Hans Ottsen Quartet.

Squashed Grapes 2351 E Main St. 643-7300

Kick off Step Up

A ribbon cutting ceremony by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce will kick off Step Up Ventura’s open house on Saturday, August 26 from 3pm-5 pm at 1767 E. Main St. In collaboration with Magic Carousel Preschool and Academy, Step Up Ventura’s program will offer supportive serves to homeless children 18 months to five years who will be attending Magic Carousel as preschool students.

As Magic Carousel provides full-time childcare and preschool to homeless children, Step Up Ventura’s attachment focused, trauma-informed services will help these children be successful academically, emotionally and socially.

Step Up Ventura’s program for the homeless students at Magic Carousel includes services rich with one-on-one time, expressive arts, pre-literacy, self-management and problem solving. Parent coaching and parent-child relationship building will give children and their families a safe, nurturing place to connect, heal and learn.

There are about 3,000 homeless children aged zero to five in Ventura County. This includes children living in temporary/transitional housing, shelters, over-crowded/uninhabitable places, and on the street.

By age five, many of these children are emotionally stressed, developmentally delayed and/or unready for kindergarten. They are at risk for acute illnesses, mental health difficulties and learning problems. These high risk factors can lead to unstable relationships, school failure and other problems. Step Up Ventura’s therapeutic program coordinated with Magic Carousel’s preschool hopes to change that.

Applications for Step Up Ventura’s program at Magic Carousel began August 14. These all day, year round services are made possible with funding from private donors, grants, faith-based organizations, businesses and the City of Ventura. People interested in donating, volunteering or having a child attend Magic Carousel and participate in Step Up Ventura’s program can contact Step Up Ventura at [email protected] or 665-3385.

Step Up Ventura is a local non-profit whose mission is to promote family stability and school success by providing accessible therapeutic services to homeless children ages zero to five.

Environmental activists groups Stand Together to save our national heritage

Activists in Ventura County are standing together to support the end of the current administration’s policies on National Monuments, the environment, and climate change. The demonstration will take place at the Ventura County Government Center located at the corner of Victoria Avenue and Telephone Road on Friday, August 18, at 6pm.

The Stand Together has been planned jointly by a number of local environmental groups, foremost among them. the Los Padres Chapter of Sierra Club. In commenting about the reason for the event, Jim Hines, Chapter Chair and member of the Sierra Club National Public Lands Team stated, “An attack by the Trump Administration on America’s national public lands is an attack on America itself.”

Local groups also joining in the Stand Together include Ventura Climate Hub/Ventura 350, the Justice for All Coalition, Indivisible Ventura, CFROG (Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas), and GrassrootsVentura.

The event is in reaction to the presidential order which would shrink or rescind National Monuments to. Only five of the monuments under review have been declared safe, and those five do not have resources which can be exploited. The Trump administration’s move to dismantle and degrade our public lands is hugely unpopular. Not only are National Monuments, public lands, ocean shelters and wildlife threatened — the very agencies charged with protecting our environment are being shunted aside so that clean air and water regulations will be negated.

Organizers invite the public to stand together to support the preservation of this country’s natural heritage, the environment, and also to protect the climate which allows for the natural world to be maintained. Participants should bring their signs and flags, wear comfortable shoes, and park legally parking lots or side streets adjacent to the Ventura County Government Center. America is in danger of losing our country’s wild places, and this event is a time to show voice your dissent to this trend.

The Democratic Club of Ventura’s first “KEEP IT BLUE” fundraiser a success

Diane Underhill, Carol Lindberg and Steve Bennett accepting Social Justice Award.

The Democratic Club of Ventura’s inaugural summer fundraiser Sunday, July 30, sold out with more than 200 guests in attendance. The fundraiser will support Democratic candidates and causes now and leading up to the 2018 election. Club campaign funds increased by thousands of dollars due to impressive ticket sales and sponsors whose support will help the Democratic Club of Ventura (DCV) promote good candidates.

Attendees filled the Historic Ventura City Hall’s Atrium with energy and enthusiasm as community members and elected representatives met and discussed important issues while attendees enjoyed great music and food prior to the start of the program.

Following opening remarks by DCV 2nd Vice Chair & Fundraising Chair Diana Sparagna, DCV President Matty Park introduced the master of ceremonies, California State Democratic Party Chairman, Eric C. Bauman. Speakers included Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko, Ventura Councilmembers Cheryl Heitmann and Matt LaVere, Ventura County Supervisors Steve Bennett and John Zaragoza.

DCV Awards Chair Carol Lindberg presented the Social Justice Award to Maricela Morales, Executive Director of Central Coast Alliance United for A Sustainable Economy (CA– USE) and the Environmental Award to co-recipients Diane Underhill, Ventura Citizens for Hillside Preservation (VCHP) and Steve Bennett, Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources (SOAR).

The afternoon wrapped up with photo opportunities and more discussions on issues of importance by those in attendance.

Watch for events to come from the Democratic Club of Ventura at venturademocrats.org or look for Democratic Club of Ventura on Facebook.