San Diego State University Associate Professor of Anthropology Todd Braje will use the northern Channel Islands as a case study to explore the history of Chinese abalone fishing in Southern California during the February From Shore to Sea lecture.

In nineteenth-century California, a small group of Chinese immigrants, who came from a traditional fishing province in China, founded the first commercial California abalone fishery. Over the next several decades, the multimillion-dollar abalone industry would rise and fall. Disease and overfishing eventually caused the collapse of the fishery, with several species driven to the brink of extinction.

Braje’s talk, which is a culmination of over a decade of field, archival, and laboratory work, will explore new research into the reasons for the decline of this industry. He will use the lessons learned from this case study as lenses through which to view both the broader history of Chinese immigrants .

Braje is an Associate Professor of Anthropology and has worked on the northern Channel Islands for over a decade. Braje, whose studies focus on the archaeology of maritime societies, has conducted research on a variety of archaeological sites, ranging from 12,000-year-old shell middens and stone tool scatters to nineteenth-century fishing camps. Braje’s most recent book was published in 2016 by the University of Utah Press.

The talk will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9. The From Shore to Sea lecture series is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding marine waters. The lecture series will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, January through December, at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor. The programs are free and open to the public.

This lecture can also be viewed live online at: Shore to Sea lecture series.

Lectures are recorded and posted at:http://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/photosmultimedia/from-shore-to-sea-lecture-videos.htm

Ventura County residents have an opportunity to provide a valuable community service while learning about local government by serving on the Ventura County Grand Jury.  Applications are now available for the 2017/2018 Grand Jury at: www.ventura.org/grand-jury.

The Grand Jury is a civil, investigative panel of 19 volunteers.  The watchdog group investigates issues and citizen complaints and then makes recommendations to improve the operation of local government.

The Grand Jury may examine all aspects of Ventura County government, its 10 city governments as well as special districts and other agencies funded by tax dollars.

To become a Grand Juror, you must be 18 years or older, a U.S. citizen and a Ventura County resident for at least a year.

Applications may also be requested by telephone at  477-1600.  Applications will be accepted until April 7, 2017.

Applications are now being accepted for the 9^th annual Henry Schwab Violin/Viola Competition. This exciting competition is open to Ventura County residents up to the age of 22.  Sponsored by a grant  from the Henry Schwab Charitable Fund, this competition encourages young musicians and also furthers their musical education.

A total of  $3,000 in prize money: 1st place – $1,500; 2^nd place $1,000 and 3^rd place $500 will be awarded to contestants who compete in two events taking place as follows:

The preliminary audition will be held March 25 at the Ventura College Recital Hall

(PAC 139). Three candidates will be selected, who will compete on June 10 at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, accompanied by the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra.

Both competitions are open to the public; free admission to the preliminary competition; for the final competition  will be a charge of $10.00 general, $5.00 for seniors/staff/students.Questions can be addressed to Connie Hood at 653-6150 or to Ann Kosinski at 658-8180

New and improved CAPSTV

By Elizabeth Rodeno

Peoples’ voices are never more important than today. Our manadate is to support the first amendment and ensure everyone can have a voice. Our voices are varied and many. Watch channel 6 to hear what the public has to say and watch channel 15 to experience the city’s vision to provide the best and clearest information for all. As we now stream through our website, our reach is much greater. We invite you to share your stories and voice on KPPQ-LP 104.1 FM as well.

Ventura community councils and schools, teachers, girl scouts, churches and youth groups come for tours and think this place is really cool. There is always the opportunity to visit the media center and learn how our equipment, training and facilities can support media creation and increase your organization’s visibility throughout Ventura County.

We are working on so many improvements here at CAPS as we begin transformation of the studio and completion radio station.  The  studio will receive upgrades including cameras and switcher which will improve capabilities and production values on your next project.  CAPS Radio, KPPQ-LP 104.1FM is destined to become an integral part of the community. As with our television channels, CAPS Radio will provide top notch facilities, training and opportunities to share stories. This is also a perfect way for the youth to expand their venues and offer those who speak different languages a place on the airwaves. Contact us at [email protected] for more information on membership and training.

CAPS Media Center’s staff and board encourage and support everyone in the community to share their voice. The community’s citizen’s voices must be heard. You have a tremendous opportunity many cities do not have to share your voices and talk about issues that affect you. With CAPS Media center’s public access television channels 6 and 15, and soon our low power FM station, the opportunity is clear and available for small membership fees.  As always, go to capsmedia.org to view our local programming.

Employment Development Department (EDD) invites you to attend at no charge an Employee or Independent Contractor Seminar

March 2, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the EDD Tax OfficeTraining Room
4820 McGrath Street, Suite 200

To make reservations, visit the EDD website at www.edd.ca.gov/Payroll_Tax_Seminars/ or call 866-873-6083.

The EDD is an equal opportunity employer/program.  Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.  Requests for services, aids, and/or alternate formats need to be made prior to the event by calling 866-873-6083 (voice) or TTY 888-547-9565.

The New West Symphony will present its second annual Harmony Project of Ventura County Celebration Brunch on Feb. 12 at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Perla Batalla will headline the event which will raise funds to support the New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County, a youth development program that uses music education as a tool for social transformation among underserved students in Ventura. The New West Symphony will honor Bona and Larry Press as Supporters of the Year, the City of Ventura as Community Partner of the Year, and Montecito Bank and Trust as Business of the year.

The Celebration Brunch will also include a special video produced in collaboration with The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. The Lennon Bus is a non-profit mobile recording studio dedicated to providing students of all ages with free hands-on opportunities to make music and produce video projects. The Lennon Bus team will work with 8 Harmony Project students to produce this video in their fully equipped professional music and video studio, now they might be able to start taking on ICMP, the leading music school in London.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County is a tuition-free after school program that provides quality music instruction to children from low-income families who would not otherwise have access to a music education. The program currently serves 160 students in Ventura from third grade through their high school graduation.

Tickets for the Harmony Project Celebration Brunch are $150 per person and can be purchased online at www.newwestsymphony.org or by calling 497-5800.

Founded in 1995, the New West Symphony is a professional orchestra that draws its players from the rich talent pool of professional Los Angeles-area musicians. The Symphony is the resident company of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, and Barnum Hall in Santa Monica.