Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Vol. 10, No. 18 – June 7 – June 20, 2017 – Restaurant Review

Food is fresh and flavorful at sushi restaurant.

Kibo Sushi – Who knew?
by Jennifer Tipton

Located in midtown on Thompson Blvd. lies a modest little sushi restaurant called Kibo Sushi whose appearance is not especially extraordinary, so it would be easy to drive by without giving it a second thought.

However, once you walk into Kibo Sushi this humble little establishment becomes quite impressive with a very clean and charming interior. There are booths, tables or you can sit at the bar and watch the sushi chef work his craft. There is also outdoor patio seating(dogs are welcome), plenty of parking and the dress is very casual.

The menu is quite extensive, offering much more than sushi. There are appetizers hot or cold, salads, soups and noodles, sushi and sashimi (of course), a large variety of rolls, tempura, specialty bowls and even vegetarian entrees… whew! The problem lies in making a selection, but the server was kind enough to give us his personal recommendation which narrowed it down somewhat.

Amidst this vast menu lies lunch and dinner specials which for the price are an unbelievable deal with the lunch special running around $10, and it includes soup and salad with your choice of entrée. Dinner specials are slightly more, but again offering so much more than just the fishy stuff with entrees like chicken, steak or ribs prepared several different ways – too many to mention.

Kibo also offers a free VIP members card where a percent of every tab is tallied until it results in the amount taken off a future dining experience, and they deliver through 805TOGO.COM.

With food that fresh and flavorful, service that is outstanding, late hours and even a Happy Hour Monday through Saturday – Kibo has everybody covered!

My only concern is that they don’t offer left handed chopsticks…

A dream in the making

Photographer took “little camera box” with him everywhere.

by Jennifer Tipton

Stuart Goldman’s love of photography was greatly influenced by his grandfather when he was still quite young. Stuart’s grandfather spent greater than 20 years teaching in China and Japan pre-war era and was later taken prisoner of war in Japan during the war, he was in the first exchange of prisoners.

The stories and paintings done by Stuart’s grandfather to tell his story greatly inspired young Stuart to capture memories as well by taking his very own “little camera box” with him everywhere, that is when he could mow enough lawns to buy the film he says. Stuart accounts this for awakening his love for photography, video and writing as well, he sees it as a technique to communicate these stories and goes on to say that “communication is so vital to understanding and growth.”

Initially hired as one of the Directors of Admissions in 2003, Stuart Goldman was promoted to the first Dean (Director of Academic Affairs) at The Brooks Institute, Ventura Campus (since shuttered). During his tenure as Dean, he would constantly receive calls from students from other colleges, professionals in the industry, and from amateurs interested in short courses, seminars and workshops. With each call, he would have to tell them no, Brooks didn’t offer these types of courses. This started the process of Stuart creating a school designed to fill the void.

Stuart left Brooks in 2006, and in 2007 after much research, developing a business plan, establishing a faculty base and formulating financial projections, he created the beginnings of his own school. He says he knows that much has changed in the field of technology since that time.

Stuart believes that now the best way to reach a large volume of potential students is through an online approach and has amassed over 1,200 contributing faculty from around the world in the media arts to include photography, film, visual journalism, networking, employment, competitive festivals and psychology of communication.

The business model is a subscription based online program and he reports he’s working with a network that has the capability of streaming to over 2 billion mobile devices around the world at any one time.

He’s calling it “Masters Institute of Media Arts” and he’s seeking those “who understand the benefits of knowledge and the ability of creating the opportunity to bring cultures together by communicating and understanding more effectively through knowledge, and creating a more global vision.”

For more information contact Stuart at [email protected].

 

 

 

 

Local activists promote diversity, equality at Sunset Coffee event

Co-chairs Ana Maria Enke and Christine Burke lead members of the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force through a series of “perspective” activities.

by Jared Brewer

What began on a single day with a single march has since evolved into a full-fledged coalition consisting of nine distinct task forces, each with a particular issue at its focal point. The grassroots organization Justice for All was formed after the resounding success of January’s March for Justice, which assembled an estimated 2,500 people to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington. As a whole, the organization aims to “mobilize a positive and peaceful movement in West Ventura County that supports an inclusive America that upholds human rights and equality for all.” For more information, including ways to get involved, visit Facebook.com/justiceforallventura.

On Wednesday, May 17th, the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force convened at A Secret Garden Florist Café to celebrate diversity and equality through communal discussion, poetry, and music. The event, which lasted from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., included original performance art provided by members of the task force and inspired by personal experiences or encounters with discrimination and inequality.

Tino Garcia, professor of English at Antelope Valley College, kicked off the festivities with his song, “Sankofa.” The title, an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana, literally translates as “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” Garcia, who is originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, said he was drawn to the Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Equity task force largely because of his personal background and celebration of diversity as an educator.

Ana Maria Enke, co-chair of the task force, recited a poem from her native Colombia, which she translated to English. For her, activism was not always a viable option. “Growing up in Colombia we were told to be quiet because it was too dangerous to speak,” she said. “There were so many people that were killed when they were just trying to defend what was right. So we were always told to just be safe and to not ruffle any feathers. But now that I’m older I’ve decided that I’m not going to let anyone else tell me to not ruffle the feathers. This matters to me and it matters to my daughter, and I just couldn’t stand by and be quiet.” She and her family immigrated to the United States in 1989.

The evening drew to a close with a series of activities designed to identify implicit biases and help group members empathize with those from unique backgrounds and perspectives. In one activity, co-chair Christine Burke invited participants to count the number of “f’s” in a portion of text. Many failed to detect those in the word “of,” which Burke described as “just one example of how our brains go in the direction they are taught.”

Kathleen Shore, co-founder of Justice for All and doctor at Ventura County Medical Center, underscored the importance of unity in times of increasing division and intolerance. “The mission of Justice for All is really to bring people together and to stand up for one another,” she said. “People are being put down and attacked, and we want to empower people to stand up for whoever and whatever is being attacked. And that’s our grand vision of this organization, to create avenues for people to do that. I think this movement is critical for learning to make more bridges between each other rather than walls. As a doctor, I believe that all humans are created equal, and that’s a big part of why I’m a doctor and part of how I live out that vision.”

Leo Robbins Sailing Center summer Sailing and Kayaking Camp

Attend the City of Ventura’s Parks Recreation and Community Partnerships (PRCP) Department, Leo Robbins Sailing Center summer Sailing and Kayaking Camp.  Each day holds a new adventure and different water activities: sailing, kayaking, SUP, beach trips, swimming and much more. Returning campers improve skill levels and take on more advanced sailing challenges. The Leo Robbins Sailing Center is located at Marina Park. Children must be between the ages of 9 – 13 years old (volunteer opportunities for 14 – 17 YO). $165 per one week session/per child.

From June 19 until August 14. For more information and to register, go to www.cityofventura.ca.gov/sail or call 658-4726.

Gold Coast Transit District public input sessions June 7

Gold Coast Transit District has planned two information sessions to gather public input on the service changes planned for July 31st. Through several interactive stations and activities, the public will also have an opportunity to share their own transit needs and ideas for future transit improvements, and provide feedback on the design of new bus stop signs.

“Through the use of planning software and on-board passenger counting technology, our planning staff has the ability to analyze the efficiency of the entire system and make adjustments that ensure buses are on time. However, bringing that information to the public and incorporating passenger feedback is critical to the success of any change”, said Vanessa Rauschenberger, GCTD Planning and Marketing Director.

Wednesday, June 7, 2017
5:00 – 7:00pm
E.P. Foster Library
Topping Room

There will be no formal presentation so the public is welcome to attend at any time during the times listed. Transit planners will be available to answer questions and take suggestions.

Gold Coast Transit District provides safe, responsive, convenient, efficient, and environmentally responsible fixed-route bus and paratransit public transportation that serves the diverse needs of the cities of Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura, and in the unincorporated County areas between the cities. Utilizing a fleet of 56 clean natural gas-fueled buses, and 26 paratransit buses and vans, GCTD carries nearly 4 million passengers annually on its 20 bus routes. GCTD is the largest provider of public transit in Ventura County and is governed by a Board of Directors made up of an elected official from each member jurisdiction. For more information or to plan your trip, visit www.GoldCoastTransit.org.

Sistership Crew goes for a new record

Stephanie York, Capt. Michelle Boroski, Johanna Gabbard and Stephanie (Scout) Maheu taking up this year’s challenge.

by Gail Field

Setting a world record isn’t for the faint of heart. Michelle Boroski can attest to that, as she is the Captain of Team Sistership, an all-woman crew that finished the Race2Alaska boating contest last year as the first all-woman team to do so.

Taking up this year’s challenge, the team sets sail again on June 8 for the 750 mile boat race, also known as the R2AK, from Port Townsend, Washington to Ketchikan Alaska.

Members of the Team Sistership crew, including three from Ventura, are Michelle Boroski, Johanna Gabbard, Stephanie York, and Stephanie Maheu, all over the age of 50.

‘We want to set an example for women and girls by showing that they can accomplish great things with determination and skill,” says Michelle Boroski.   “This is what has empowered me to accept the challenge of this very special race.”

The R2AK is a unique race with few rules.  Any boat qualifies but must remove the motor and must have some type of human power mechanism. The Sistership is a Corsair F-27 trimaran, owned and refurbished by Boroski, and has 2 custom sliding seat rowing stations on each side of the boat.

The team will face many challenges in the R2AK.  Some of what they face has to do with weather, such as changing tides, currents and wind direction, all of which factor into the speed of the boat.  When the winds die down, the crew has to row the 3.000 pound boat, and that takes time and muscle power.  In last year’s race they spent about 70 hours rowing and lost time having to recover by sleeping off exhaustion.  It took the team eleven days to arrive at the Ketchikan destination. In spite of the many obstacles last year, the team came in 15th in a field that began with 45 boats, with only 26 completing the race.

Team members are not daunted by the obstacles, but rather see them as part of their message.  “We want to do the race again this year to keep alive the inspiration for women to engage in adventurous sports and being more active,” says Johanna Gabbard.

“As women in our 50s, we want to dismantle the age and gender stereotypes we face,” adds Boroski.  “Because we are primarily healthcare providers, we recognize that sometimes people’s concept of aging and what that means can be a barrier to staying active.”

Last year the crew was able to raise $8,000 for scholarships for women and girls in education and to provide on-the-water opportunities at the Northwest Maritime Center in Washington. This year they have also joined with the Ventura Community Partners Foundation to offer scholarships for local women and girls so they may participate in active, healthy programs in sports, sailing, aquatics and fitness.

This is a hugely popular race to watch, and this year the public can follow real time tracking by logging on to their website. In addition, donations to the cause are gratefully accepted at www.sistership.org.  Their motto describes their mission in just a few words:  “Active Women: Aging Proud, Growing Bold.”

Family-friendly event held at the Aquatic Center

Board President Ed Wehan addressing the crowd at the launch of VCPF. Photo by Bernie Goldstein.

On May 17 a celebration was held for  the launching of the Ventura Community Partners Foundation (VCPF) at Ventura Community Park and Aquatic Center, 901 S. Kimball Road.  The family-friendly event will be held at the entrance to the Aquatic Center and included remarks by Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko, as well as refreshments, games and prizes.

The VCPF is a new non-profit established to build community and enhance the livability of Ventura by developing and maintaining parks, recreation and cultural opportunities through partnerships and sustainable, diverse funding.  For more information, including ways to get involved, visit VenturaFoundation.org  or  Facebook.com/VenturaFoundation.

David De Candia

At the event VCPF members thanked  Board Member David De Candia for his $5,000 gift to provide local youth with Ventura youth basketball programs and swimming scholarship opportunities.  As the first donor supporting the new Ventura Plays Scholarship program, the De Candia family name will be engraved on the Donor Wall at the front entrance of the Aquatic Center.

VCPF Board Members   Ed Wehan (President), Kevin Clerici (Secretary), Patrick Davidson (CFO), David De Candia, Paul Drevenstedt, Michele Newell, Berta Steele and Norbert Tan were all there to celebrate the day.

In the US, the majority of children enter sports and other recreation classes around six years old.  Families with low income, single mothers and minorities start their children in recreation classes almost two years later on average, with available funds being the limiting factor in early action.

“The new recreation scholarship program, Ventura Plays, increases opportunities for all children to engage in community sports, art and cultural activities.  Through scholarships the Foundation provides, we level the playing field so more of Ventura’s children can play and develop the social and health skills and habits they will rely on for the remainder of their life,” stated Mayor Erik Nasarenko.

A Beatles tribute in song and story

Harmonix kids:  Nico Wicklin, Gus Graham, Daniel Brackett, Riley Conrad, Cassidy Craig, Jesse Graham, (concert-master:) Miriam Arichea , Maddie Gambon. The kid on the lower row left is Ivor Davis.

Rubicon Theatre’s much acclaimed Harmonix singers are teaming up with local author Ivor Davis for the first ever concert of its kind in America. The Harmonix will appear with Davis in a concert collaboration to benefit Rubicon Theatre. The concert will be held at 5:30 pm on Saturday, May 27.

Entitled “Ticket to Ride: A Beatles Tribute in Song and Story,” the performance will showcase the Rubicon Harmonix singing familiar Beatles melodies, interspersed with inside stories about the Beatles from Davis, who was assigned to cover the Beatles as a reporter for London’s Daily Express and traveled with the group on their first history-making tour to America.

Also featured will be the newly formed Rubicon Broadway Juniors (youth age 9-13), who will join the Harmonix on a few iconic songs such as In My Life and Imagine.

The event will include a Beatles trivia game, with three winners bringing home a signed copy of Davis’ award-winning book, The Beatles and Me On Tour.

The concert is a fundraiser to benefit Rubicon Theatre’s scholarship program, which provides financial assistance to nearly 70% of the students who participate in Rubicon’s summer performance camps.  Tickets range from $50 for show only to $250, which includes a three-course dinner with wine.   Purchase of a VIP table for $2000 includes dinner for 8 plus a signed copy of Davis’ book.

The event will be held at the gardens of a private residence in Ventura.  Tickets must be reserved in advance via the Rubicon Theatre box office:  rubicontheatre.org or  667-2912, x234.

The Rubicon Harmonix, founded in 2011 and directed by local concert pianist and attorney Miriam Arichea, is an 8-person youth performing ensemble of 16-18 year olds who have performed extensively in diverse community events.