Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Passover

Passover or Pesach is an important, biblically derived Jewish holiday. The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. It commemorates the story of the Exodus in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Passover commences on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan (Passover 2017 will start the evening of

Monday, April 10 and will end the evening of Tuesday, April 18) and lasts for either seven

days (in Israel and for Reform Jews and other progressive Jews around the world who adhere to the Biblical commandment) or eight days for Orthodox, Hasidic, and most Conservative Jews.

A day commences at dusk and lasts until the following dusk, thus the first day of Passover begins after dusk. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

The rituals unique to the Passover celebrations commence with the Passover Seder.

In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God helped the Children of Israel escape from their slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the ancient Egyptians before the Pharaoh would release his Israelite slaves; the tenth and worst of the plagues was the death of the Egyptian first-born.

The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a slaughtered spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord knew to pass over the first-born in these homes, hence the English name of the holiday.

When the Pharaoh freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). In commemoration, for the duration of Passover no leavened bread is eaten.

 

Vol. 10, No. 13 – March 29 – April 11, 2017 – Book review

by Randal Beeman

Exile on Front Street: My Life As A Hells Angel by George Christie

After World War II California became the wealthiest and most populated state in the nation, soaked with Cold War defense money, endowed with a world class educational system, and celebrated as a place where “the new, new thing” seemed to always be happening. Youth enjoyed enviable status and freedom, but they began to reject the conformity of the Eisenhower era by forming a variety of counter-cultures including beatniks, hippies, dopers, surfers, and bikers.

While a few good books have emerged from that period, such as actor Peter Coyote’s Sleeping Where I Fall: A Chronicle of the Counter-Culture, no definitive history of the California counter-culture has appeared to date, we only have some outstanding topical treatments and memoirs. A welcome addition to the genre of postwar California rebellion is Ventura native George Christie’s Exile on Front Street: My LIfe as a Hells Angel.

Christie was in many respects a typical California kid in the 1950s, enjoying family life, cars, and girls growing up in his working class household in Ventura’s Greek community. A shy youth, Christie ended up in the embrace of the Cold War military-industrial complex as both a Marine and an employee of the Defense Department in a period when Ventura was growing from a sleepy beach town to a thriving community with a strong US Navy presence nearby.

As a kid Christie was enamored with the sight and sound of a Harley Davidson one day in the Los Angeles area. He began to learn how to work on bikes and eventually build his own. Christie first began running with “outlaw” motorcycle clubs in LA, but eventually became part of the most notorious one of all – the Hells Angels. In the 1980s the Ventura Chapter of Hells Angels became very visible in town, with Christie even running a leg of the Olympic Torch procession in 1984.

Exile on Front Street details the author’s life as a leader in the Hells Angels up to his problems with the group and his falling out with longtime leader Ralph “Sonny” Barger. Even if you don’t approve of his lifestyle choices, the book is full of interesting, funny, and sometimes sad and cautionary stories. Christie is generally not a fan of law enforcement, but he did enjoy some levity and mutual respect with certain cops, our present Police Chief not included.

Ventura is a fairly tame city today, described in the national press as “quaint,” “sleepy,” and the “off ramp to paradise.” Historically the town was fairly working class in nature and perhaps more reflective of the Wild Wild West than it is today. George Christie, whether you like him or not, is an outstanding storyteller and he has some very interesting stories to tell. A fascinating read.

Thomas Dunne Books 272 pages.

Twelve young women are presented at 60th Annual Debutante Ball

Front row left Audrey Shinsky, Rebecca Belleville, Madison Jaffe, Carissa Christianson. Middle row Tatiana Anderson, Elizabeth Fedde, Sidney Shinsky, Gianna Lo Presti, Sydney Clevenger. Top row left Julia Cote, Grace Resnik, Samantha Walsh

Twelve local young women made their debut as debutantes at the 60th Annual Las Patronas Presentation Ball at the Ventura Beach Marriott.  The Debutantes were presented by their fathers and celebrated with family and friends at the white-tie fundraiser gala.  The guests were welcomed by Las Patronas Chairman, Marila Cook and Ball Chairman, Michele Borchard. Jeff Cook presided as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

It was a magical evening, the ballroom design filled with exquisite floral arrangements and the use of the Las Patronas fan; a time honored tradition.  The Debutantes dressed in traditional white gowns and carried a white lace fan adorned with pastel flowers.  The girls also wore a small gold and pearl fan necklace as a gift from the Las Patronas Auxiliary.

All high school seniors, the 2017 Debutantes represent 5 cities and 8 high schools in Ventura County.  In their high school careers, they have distinguished themselves in academics, school government, community service, performing arts, and athletics.

Proceeds from the ball are used to benefit Assistance League philanthropies, including the Assistance League School, the Girls Club/Teen Club , B.U.F.F.Y. Bear Program, and Operation School Bell. The Vision for Assistance League is “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children”

 

Eagle Scouts honored by Mayor Nasarenko

Photo by Bernie Goldstein

On March 20 at a packed City Council meeting scout leaders, scouts and family members were all there to honor the scouts who received the highest rank of Eagle Scout that only a very small percentage of scouts achieve. Mayor Nasarenko and scout leaders honored each Eagle Scout.

Proud mother Ana Baker (Assistant to the Breeze publisher)was there to honor her 2 sons who are Eagle Scouts and stated ” I couldn’t be prouder of my two boys Devin and Diego  for their amazing achievements.” Diego was at college and couldn’t attend. That’s Devin in the front row on the  left.

First Annual Ventura County Ag Weeks Awards Luncheon

by Randal Beeman

Representatives of the Ventura County agricultural community gathered on March 21st at the headquarters of the Limoneira Company in Santa Paula to celebrate the significance of agriculture in the life of Ventura County and the nation. Held in conjunction with National Agriculture Day, the event was hosted by Kat Merrick, founder and president of the Totally Local Ventura County Agricultural Education Foundation.

Merrick and other speakers, including Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzalez and Limoneira CEO Harold Edwards, addressed the significance of farming and ranching currently and historically in Ventura County. Merrick also spoke of the dynamic nature of the industry, and how the recent “food revolution” emphasizing sustainable agriculture and the “farm to fork” approach has been embraced by local growers like Phil McGrath.

Gonzalez noted Ventura County is one of the leading farm counties in the United States and has the most expensive row crop land in the country. Deep, rich soil and access to relatively stable water supplies have propelled Ventura County agriculture to new heights, even though farmers face ongoing challenges from intensive regulatory regimes and pest control to urban sprawl and a lack of public understanding of where food originates.

Edwards discussed Limoneira’s sustainability program and their recent partnership with the Tesla Corporation to install solar power storage batteries at Limoneira, which will produce about half of its energy needs from renewable sources.

Edwards accepted the Sustainability Award on behalf of Limoneira. Pat Doler won Educator of the Year, and Chef Tim Kilcoyne of Scratch won Chef of the Year. Rich Atmore of RA Atmore and Sons won the Rancher of the Year Award, and Phil McGrath, of McGrath Family Farms (a family farm in Ventura County since the 1870s) was named Farmer of the Year.

Ventura County Ag Week March 20-26

Take a morning trip through the farmers market with Kat Merrick of Totally LocalVC. From the Face Of Ventura by Johanna Spinks.

Ventura County Ag Week is a time to reflect on the importance of Ventura County farmers and ranchers and the county’s agriculture industry. It will take place March 20th -26.

Ventura County farmers and ranchers are truly stewards of the land; they are raising more on fewer acres and competing in a challenging global marketplace.  While also working to protect Ventura Counties precious soil and water resources.

The agriculture industry is essential to our economy and the way of life in Ventura County. Agriculture has been attracting farmers since the 1800’s and continues to be the number one employer in our county. Many of our founding farm families still remain today with the current generations carrying on their families’ legacy.

Ventura County students will have an opportunity to hear firsthand from local farmers, and chefs as they visit schools throughout the county during Ventura County Ag week.

Ventura County Ag Weeks goal is to highlight the important role agriculture plays not only to our county but the world.

Many events are planned:

March 21, Ventura County Ag Week Awards Luncheon and National Ag Day celebration.  Farmers, ranchers, chefs and ag educators will be honored at the 2017 Ventura County Ag Day Awards Luncheon, held at the Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula. The festivities will kick off with an opening speech by Henry Gonzales our Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner.

Thursday March 23rd – 5:30pm- 8:00pm- Free event.

Grapes and Hops 454 E Main St. There will be a free Meet the Farmer Mixer.  Close Des Amis, Ojai Vineyards, Surf Brewery and Topa Topa Brewing  will be on hand providing samplings of their locally produced libations. Come out and mix mingle with local farmers and taste the flavors of Ventura County.

Farm to Fork Cooking Class. Take a morning trip through the farmers market with a local Chef and our very own Kat Merrick of Totally Local. As they walk you through all the in’s and out of local sourcing. Saturday March 25th 9:30am – 11:30. $65 per person .

Guests will experience first-hand the connection from farm to fork at the Totally Local Ventura County Ag Week Farm Tour.

March 26th – 9:00 am – 2pm
Cost $85 includes lunch and tasting

Eat Local ~ Hug a farmer all week long

Local restaurants, wineries, brewers and purveyors will be highlighting their locally created weeklong specials.

Further information at TotallyLocalVC.com or [email protected].

 

Ventura College state champions inducted into hall of fame

Fifteen of the original alumnae attended the event

The Ventura College 1996 and 1997 women’s basketball state champions were formally inducted into the Ventura College Athletics Hall of Fame during a ceremony recently held at the Athletic Event Center at Ventura College. As part of their 20th anniversary reunion, the teams were the first in school history to be inducted into the Ventura College Athletics Hall of Fame.

The honorees travelled from around the world, including Washington, Tennessee and Paris, France, to return to the campus and proudly accept their honors.  Out of the 17 team members, 15 of the original alumnae attended the event.  The 1996 and 1997 women’s basketball teams earned the first two state championships for the Ventura College women’s basketball program.

Leading to the state championships between 1995 and 1997, the Ventura College women’s basketball team was nearly undefeated winning 71 out of 72 games. They outscored their opponents by an average margin of 35.7 points. “To look back at the accomplishments of these young women is very inspiring,” remarked VCCCD Trustee Stephen Blum.  “We will forever cherish the memory of their success and the pride of team spirit they contributed to the campus environment at Ventura College during that era,” added Blum.

The 1995-96 team finished 35-0, beating all opponents accept three by double figures, while the 1996-97 team finished 36-1, ferociously responding to an 81-75 loss to San Jose City in the final of the Gilcrest Invitational at College of the Sequoias; snapping a 42-game winning streak. Thereafter they didn’t just win their final 29 games, they put up 100 or more points a school-record seven times.

“The legacy that these women have left on sports at Ventura College is monumental. The team’s spirit of excellence and dedication exemplifies Ventura College athletics” shared Coach Ned Mircetic. The team members were presented awards by Ventura College President Greg Gillespie, Ventura County Community College District Trustee Stephen Blum, retired Ventura College assistant coach and team mentor David Breslin and coaching staff from 20 years ago, including head coach Ned Mircetic and assistants Tara McLean Emery and Maria Christine.

Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Award

Alex Brunk was a 2015 scholarship winner who received $3,500 from the VPOA.

The Ventura Police Officers Association (VPOA) is accepting applications for the 14th annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships will be presented in May to honor Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell, who was shot and killed on August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the only officer in Ventura’s history to die in the line of duty.

In selecting scholarship recipients, the VPOA will consider academic achievement, school and community service, and financial needs. Applications must contain all required information and be returned no later than April 14. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Awards:

  • 1st Place $5,000
  • 2nd Place $3,500
  • 3rd Place $2,000
  • Honorable Mention(s) $500

Applicants must:

  • Be entering his/her freshman through senior year in college;
  • Plan a course of study related to the field of public service;
  • Be a Ventura resident or have graduated from a high school in Ventura within the past three years, or a Ventura Police Department employee or employee’s child.
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system);
  • Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better if selected as a recipient;
  • Submit a resume of school and community activities, including a copy of transcripts through the most recent semester;
  • Submit a typed essay of 1,000 words or less on “Service, what it means to me”;
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from a public servant.

For additional information, please contact Cpl. Cameron Goettsche at 339-4400 or email at [email protected].  Applications are available at the front desk of the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Dr. – named after Sergeant Dowell.

Ventura County’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Ventura County’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held on March 11 on Main St.

The large crowd lining the street enjoyed a gorgeous Ventura day. The Parade is sponsored by Elks Lodge No. 1430 and featured marching bands, horses, music, wonderful cars and much more.

Judges for the parade were Connie Stahl, Elks Lodge #1430; Richard Rush, California State University Channel Islands; Erika Beck, California State University Channel Islands; Sue Georgino, Georgino Development and James Lockwood, Ventura County Fairgrounds.

Ventura County’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2017