The nation’s largest cash cornhole tournament will take place as part of Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Block Party. This California-classic multi-day party will feature 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.

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 includes teams from: Alabama; Arizona; Florida; Illinois; Indiana; Iowa; Michigan; Nevada; North Carolina; Ohio; Kentucky; Texas and Virginia – and of course, California. Additionally, notable Cornhole Leagues/Teams from across the nation are sending some of their best players: 702 Cornhole (Las Vegas, NV); TCL (Texas); Original Cornhole (Arizona) and KB Games (Arizona) are all sending players to join the games.

Not to be outdone, California is putting its best foot forward as well, with teams from across the state coming to Ventura in droves.

This competition is unique because it is accessible to players from all walks of life – and due to the size of this tournament, the competition is fierce.

Spencer Makenzie’s 8th annual End of Summer Throw Down will take place from Friday, August 25 through Sunday, August 27. Friday’s activities are from 6 to 10 pm and include check in for players, a D.J. and live music provided by popular local band Rey Fresco.

Saturday and Sunday are devoted to the tournament and free play, accompanied by a D.J., with food and drink available for purchase. Saturday night features live bands. There is no charge to attend the all-ages End of Summer Block Party and Throw Down. Spectators and participants are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. The Throw Down will take place at Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Co., located at 806 East Thompson Blvd. For more information, please visit www.spencermakenzies.com or call 643-8226.

by Jennifer Tipton

I asked 20 Venturans that read the Ventura Breeze:
What are your other sources for news?
And -do you think the Breeze should have a column for international news, state or government?

Lucy Maddux
age 55
also reads the VC Reporter.
I don’t think that’s why people pick up the Breeze, they just want to see what’s going on locally, I like to look for new businesses or things to try out.”

Boni Howery
age 59
also gets news from the internet and the VC Star.
“No, I personally don’t think it’s necessary. There are a multitude of news outlets readily available, community news is about what is going on in our own backyard. I enjoy reading about my hometown, a place I feel connected to. I learn something new about Ventura every time I read a Ventura Breeze issue – leave all the world weariness to another news source.”

Ashley Pope
age 27 gets her other news from Facebook, KTVA and the VC Star Sunday edition.
“No, I think people read the Breeze because they want to know what’s happening in Ventura. Maybe ok to do some statewide news but definitely wouldn’t go international, I’d skip that page.”

Bob Emerick
age 58 also watches CBS news.
“I think it should stay local.”

Frank Boross
age 64
gets other news from KTVA and online. “I don’t think it would hurt. It’s a good idea, everybody seems to be a news junkie.”

C.J. Barnett
age 35 also reads the LA Times, BBC, NPR, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal – all on her phone she says. (Did someone just say news junkie?)
“Yes, it should, how else do you know what’s going on in Sacramento?”

David Glaser
age 57 gets news as well from the internet.
“Maybe some, but that’s not why I look at the Breeze.”

L.B. Tempkin
age 56
gets other news from radio, KCLU and KRW.
“I like local news, there’s enough of the other stuff going on.”

Boid Goodman
age 56
says he only gets other news when he hears about it, then he looks it up on his phone.
“I think local events are fine.”

Alex Guertler
age 54
gets all other news on his phone and says his wife can’t believe how many news apps he has.
“I like the Breeze just the way it is.”

Barry Pillard
age 66 also gets his news from the internet, telephone and word of mouth.
“If they’ve got the space, fine. It would give people a chance to see what they might not see anywhere else.”

Danny Blanco
age 46
gets other news from the internet – online news.
“Of course! It’s very important, I was a political science major.”

Jack Doughty
age 68
also reads the VC Star, the VC Reporter and Ventana.
“Everybody’s getting news on their device and it changes every minute (shows me CNN on his phone). If it has a direct effect on Ventura then yes, it makes sense.”

Melinda Escalante
age 41
catches her other news on channel 3.
“No, because if you want the extras, pick up the LA Times or watch another channel.”

Jim Molina
age 58
also gets news from the internet, the VC Star and TV.
“Probably a little bit, but I read the Breeze because it’s about what’s going on around here.”

Teresa Ramirez
age 45
gets other news on the TV (15 minutes in the morning while she gets ready for work).
“No, I like just our stuff.”

Kristy Campos
age 30
also checks the Independent, an online news source.
“No, I like the local news in the Breeze.”

Colleen Russell
age 60
acquires other news from the VC Star and TV.
“No, I like the local stuff, everything in there is light and breezy.” (gotta love this answer!)

Marshall Culver
age 32
only reads the Breeze.
“I think so, it’s always helpful.”

Edie Fowkes
age 75 also reads the VC Star, the LA Times and the Wall Street Journal.
“Well, for people that only read the Breeze – yes!”

And there you have it!

The ongoing dispute between Ventura Realty & Investment Company and the City of Ventura continues regarding the commercial building located at 51 Oak Street. The reasons include a writ of mandate, a demolition permit , appeals, Ventura Building Official , the Historic Preservation Committee, the San Buenaventura Conservancy, City Community Developments Director Jeff lambert and Sid White partner at Ventura Realty. In the meantime the building sits there vacant and deteriorating .

The City and Ventura Realty have had other problems in the past . The ironic part is that Sid White is the former Ventura economic development director. The issue is not getting immediately addressed while City staff and the property owner discuss mutually acceptable next steps.. Hopefully this can be resolved so that this mess is taken care of soon.

by Maryann Ridini Spencer

In October 2014 I learned the devastating news that my mother was suffering from a massive brain tumor. Doctors gave her six to eight months to live. As it turned out, we celebrated for six weeks with family and friends, enjoying dinners and the most beautiful moments together. She died on November 25, 2014.

Although she lived a long life — she was in her 80s — I was deeply affected. As I discovered, no one knows what it’s like to lose a parent until they have that personal experience. You can sympathize with people, but until it happens to you, there are no words to describe the depth of what you feel. Thankfully, there were no words of love that weren’t shared over and over again with my mother.

To help heal, I turned to reading books of a spiritual nature, an activity that kicked into full swing a few days after my Mom’s funeral. Books such as Proof of Heaven by Dr. Eben Alexander, Raymond Moody’s Life After Life, Judith Marshall’s My Conversations with Angels, Theresa Caputo’s You Can’t Make This Stuff Up, and There’s More to Life Than This, and the Bible, have provided me with comfort and affirmation beyond words.

I was in the midst of writing “Lady in the Window,” a novel about family and healing when my dear mother passed. I poured my heart into my work, drawing from some of my experiences and observations, and family home in Hawaii. In the book, my main character Kate experiences a series of events that turn her life upside down.

When she retreats to Hawaii to welcome the land and its beauty into her healing process, angelic and other worldly occurrences transpire that are too poignant to ignore, which ultimately lead her to her destiny and provide proof that our loved ones live in spirit and surround and guide us. A belief I hold to be true.

To this day, in addition to finding great comfort in reading and praying, I also find solace in life’s synchronicities or “signs.”

Shortly after my Mom passed, my sister and I decided to dine out for breakfast. Driving around looking for a venue and busy in conversation about Mom, we turned into the parking lot of what looked like might be an eatery without even taking note of the name. When we finally looked up at the sign, we turned to each other at the same time in complete awe. “Sweet Momma’s Good Kitchen” was the name and the sweet retro-looking woman with a short dark bob pictured on the logo was an absolute cartoon version of our mom if there ever was one! We both felt chills. Sweet Momma was a name we often called our Mom. It was no accident that we just happened to land at Sweet Momma’s; it was our sweet Momma letting us know that she was with us and that she would be with us always.

Maryann Ridini Spencer is a local author of the Lady in the Window (SelectBooks), a new novel sold at Barnes & Noble and Amazon, which captures Aloha Magic, Hope, Healing & the Infinite Mother-Daughter Bond. Please visit her website at MaryannRidiniSpencer.com.

Realty Watch
by Patricia Fasen

In a sign that consumers may be shifting preferences from renting to homeownership, an analysis by TransUnion found that 55 percent of those who shopped for a mortgage in Q1 2017 were non-homeowners – most of whom are renters. This is a significant rise from Q1 2016 (50 percent) and Q1 2015 (45 percent).

TransUnion’s report found that millennials’ interest in homeownership is growing steadily over time. In 2017, three in 10 (29 percent) non-homeowners who shopped for mortgages were millennials, up slightly from 28 percent in 2016 and 27 percent in 2015.

In addition, 34 million renters between ages 25 and 44 – typically a prime age range for homeownership – were credit eligible for a mortgage. Just 36 percent of renters under 44 years old had a VantageScore 3.0 credit score below 580, a common benchmark used by some institutions to determine whether a borrower qualifies for a low down payment loan. However, many renters prefer keeping their rental status until they are at a good place financially before considering home buying. Doing this helps them financially, saving them money in the long run and allows them to work on improving their credit score. In the meantime, they can maintain their lives and build their credit, through rent, small monthly payment services, and renters insurance offered by companies like Insured ASAP.

A prior TransUnion survey of renters found that more than half (51%) would be more likely to choose a property if they knew their landlord would report their rental payments to credit bureaus. Nearly eight in ten (79 percent) survey respondents said they prioritize rental payments above all other monthly bills.

Property managers use TransUnion Resident Credit to report the amount and timeliness of a monthly rental payment, or any balanced owed for a payment. Renters’ payments appear on their credit report along with other financial obligations. Some consumers, especially subprime consumers, may experience an increase in their credit score as a result of on-time payments being reported.