Santa Barbara Adventure Company has been selected to receive a new 10-year concessions contract to operate guided sea kayak tours, limited convenience item sales, snorkel equipment rentals, and guided snorkel tours at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island.

Santa Barbara Adventure Company, doing business as Channel Islands Adventure Company, has provided guided sea kayak services for more than 18 years, and has operated in Channel Islands National Park since 2007.

The park’s 2015 General Management Plan directed the transition of the Scorpion Area Kayak Guide Service from a limited, Commercial Use Authorization opportunity to management under a Concessions Contract. The contract contains additional authorized services, including snorkel equipment rental, guided snorkel tours, and the sale of limited convenience merchandise.

“This is a significant step towards improving visitor access and enjoyment,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau. “The contract will, for the first time in the park’s history, afford visitors the opportunity for guided kayak and snorkel tours on the island, with no prior reservations needed.”

The new guided sea kayak tours concession contract at Channel Islands National Park will take effect on March 1. The new contract resulted from a bidding process, in which concession contract proposals for Channel Islands National Park were solicited by the National Park Service from May 19, 2016, through August 23, 2016.

Kim Pagano Host of the Kim Pagano Show “the brighter side of life in the 805” on 1590 KVTA teamed up with Hometown Buffet Restaurants, to share the brighter side of the 805 by giving back to The City Center Transitional Living by providing an incredible Christmas Dinner for 50. Another special thank you to Teaching Life Choices who donated to the  Kim Pagano Show to give Christmas gift certificates to Interface children and Family Services. Kim wants to say “thank you” for letting my show be a great platform of hope and inspiration for so many.

The Board of Directors of the 31st District Agricultural Association, better known as the Ventura County Fairgrounds, has elected Daniel Long to the office of President for the 2017 term. The Board elected Director Leslie Cornejo to the office of Vice-President. Their term will include the Fairgrounds’ annual signature events: the Ventura County Spring Fair and the 142nd annual Ventura County Fair.

Long, of Ventura, has served on the Fair Board since 2014, having served the 2016 term as Vice President.  He is a founding Board member on The Midtown Ventura Community Council and The San Buenaventura Conservancy and has been a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties for over twenty years. He has volunteered at the Ventura County Fair since 1989 and has served since 2007 on the City of Ventura Planning Commission. He is owner of Daniel Long Painting.

Pat traces his first inkling of an African Dream back to a darkened theater when at age 12 he watched Hemmingway’s “The Snows of Kilimanjaro”.

The African Dream is the true story of the Patterson’s unassisted bicycle tour of Africa. They pedaled 265 days, 4,918 miles, through 17 African countries. Dangers, yes. Trepidation, yes. Run ins with thieves and pickpockets, yes. Big game animals on the road, yes. However they both agree there is no better way to immerse oneself into the lives, lifestyles and cultures of the peoples of the world than on bicycles. The book is 336 pages and contains more than 400 photos.

The Patterson’s sold their successful real estate firm, cycled off into the world and never looked back. Pat says he is now a has been, he has been Chairperson of the Ventura County Business Outlook Conference and is past President of VCEDA, Ventura County Economic Development Association. He also has been President of VCCAR, Ventura County Association of Realtors. He counts among his and Cat’s highest achievements, chairing and working together to stabilize and build The Coalition to End Domestic Violence. (Now known as The Coalition to End Family Violence.) Cat was also active in several charities, on the Board of the VCCAR Foundation and was an active member in the Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club, PCYC, and Saticoy Country Club.

Pat and Cat will be presenting and signing their book at Ventura Bike Depot on Sunday February 19,  1:00-4:00 pm.

Come hear their stories and views on Africa. You may not be interested in cycling in Africa however, the Patterson’s believe that everyone should travel, whether by bike, boat, train or plane. If  you dream to visit Africa, have been or just want an armchair view of the continent you will find plenty of interesting stories and photos in their book. As Cat always says, “The most dangerous moments make the best memories!”

The African Dream is now on sale at The Bank of Books, 748 E. Main St.

On Sunday , January 29th the Ventura County Concert Band presented “International Harmony” at Ventura high school. The free concert featured the 60 member orchestra under the direction of Dr. Julie Judd. They played a variety of music from the Star Spangled Banner, Sainit-Saens to Fiddler On The Roof to the cheering audience. Featured soloists were Patrick Ingram, clarinet, Cathy Sanders, trombone and Randy Jones, trumpet. E-mail [email protected] to be put on their mailing list for future concerts.

Pier into the Future, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier has elected their 2017 slate of officers David Fukutomi – President, Kathy McAden – Vice President, Doug McAden- Chief Financial Officer and Ronda Holden – Secretary.

“With the wonderful support from the community and the leadership on the board of directors, 2017 is looking to be a great year for our beloved Ventura Pier”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar.

The organization was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $700,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 23 years to enhance the Pier. And an endowment fund continues to provide earnings to support the Pier each year.

At the core of its fundraising efforts is the opportunity to have your name or the name of a loved one engraved in granite at the Pier. In addition, the organization produces two signature community events: Sunset Dinner on the Pier in the Spring and Pier Under  the Stars to be held October 7, 2017.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org for more information about Pier into the Future or how you can volunteer to help to raise funds for the Pier.

Project Understanding requests the honor of your presence at the Shining Star Awards: Volunteer Appreciation Event at 6pm Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Poinsettia Pavilion. The Master of Ceremonies will be Ventura City Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann.

Community transformation occurs through great volunteers and community partners. Individuals and organizations will be honored for their community service, including these pre-announced winners:

Volunteer of the Year for each program:

• Tutoring-David Ensminger
• Food Pantry-Joanna Norstedt
• Tender Life Maternity Home-Karen Collier and Carolyn Tabor
• First Step Center-Nita Perkins
• Administration-Meg Perry and Gina Norstedt.

Business of the Year: MortgageCouch

Collaborating Partner of the Year: CAPS Media

House of Worship: Ventura Seventh-Day Adventist Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Philanthropists of the Year: Oxnard Monday Club

Community Partner of the Year: Richard H. Bejune Memorial Foundation

Other Awards are secret until the presentation.

Project Understanding transforms lives and community by…
Housing the homeless, 100 last year
Feeding the hungry, 900 per month
Tutoring children, 325 each week in Oxnard, El Rio, Santa Paula, Saticoy, Ventura

Dress will be semi-formal/business attire. There will be appetizers and refreshments served. Please RSVP to [email protected] or by phone at 652-1326 ext. 301.

Photos by Richard Lieberman

The USS San Diego, is a US Navy amphibious transport dock ship. It was open to the press on media day at Naval Base Ventura County. This 684-foot-long ship can accommodate four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, and two LCAC’s (air cushioned landing boats), it can also carry two MV-22 Ospreys that land and takeoff like a helicopter. The ship’s crew is 380 Sailors (29 officers, 351 enlisted) and 3 Marines. The embarked landing force is 699 and a medical ward with 24 beds. The ship is designed to land service personel and equipment ashore for various missions. During combat it would be in a group of warships. The ship was at Naval Base Ventura County for a few days to accomplish crew training exercises.