by Mary Haffner
GUEST COLUMNIST

On June 23, at 5:30 a.m., my family was awakened by a sickening smell.  A pipeline I did not know existed next to our back yard spilled 45,000 gallons of crude oil into the Prince Barranca.  Since that morning, our neighborhood has learned that much of the oil cannot be removed.  To do so would create too much instability in the canyon and homes would be compromised.  This oil has left behind permanent and long-term injury to this wildlife corridor.  To justify this damage, the “Unified Command” has asked our neighborhood to accept a new definition of “clean.”

After two community meetings, a neighborhood meeting with Crimson’s president, and countless hours of research, I have no confidence in the integrity of Crimson or in the 75 year old pipeline that still pumps hazardous and flammable liquids through our city, criss-crossing under streets, near homes and schools.  Crimson Pipeline was established in 2005 to transport crude in “legacy” pipelines.  Their record of spills reflects the problems commonly found with these aging lines.  Many of their pipes are too old to be tested with the latest technology.  A 2014 audit by the Office of the Inspector General found that the federal agency charged with regulating pipelines, “lacks effective management and oversight of hazardous liquid pipelines.”  The CA agency charged with regulating these lines doesn’t conduct their own independent inspections, they are stretched too thin.  Instead, they sign off on inspection plans provided by pipeline companies which allow these companies to do their own testing, or hire their own private company to inspect their lines.  Ventura is left sitting atop an ancient line operated by a company with a dismal record of spills.  Oil spills are a just a cost of doing business and their business model is to keep these old lines running instead of replacing them.  Maintenance over replacement means more spills, leaks, and ruptures.

Another cause for concern is the secretive nature of the industry and its lack of transparency. An April 2016 report by the Ventura County Grand Jury that found that “no single government entity [in Ventura County] has a complete grasp of critical information such as [pipeline] test history, test validity, and risks associated with the total pipeline array in the County . . . and the county does not have a thorough understanding of the state of the total crude oil pipeline array within the County.”

We are fortunate to have two State representatives, Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assembly member Das Williams, who acted swiftly in calling a hearing on this matter. This spill should be a wake-up call to Ventura.  With all that we know, much more action should be taken to ensure that our residents and environment are safe.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) announced the hiring of Ginny Claborn, who joins the staff as Fundraising Administrator. Her role will be to coordinate and manage a full range of fundraising elements for the Gardens including events and donor cultivation.

Prior to this, Ginny worked for nearly fifteen years for Habitat for Humanity in both the field as an Operations Manager and in Development as a consultant. She also has a great deal of experience working with volunteers for community projects.

Ms. Claborn has been in a leadership capacity for local, state and national programs.  She first served as a volunteer with Ventura Botanical Gardens coordinating the annual CAST event, an international event drawing horticulturists and growers from all over the world. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Business and Management from Azusa Pacific University.

Joe Cahill, Executive Director for the Ventura Botanical Gardens, commented “We are very excited to welcome Ginny to our team at VBG. She will bring an added dimension with the goals of more fully engaging our vast volunteer community as well as securing a tighter focus on fundraising events, donor relationships and donor outreach.”

“I was attracted by the both the organization’s grassroots appeal and their vision for the future,” Claborn said. “I believe that engaging the community in creating sustainable non-profits, especially those that are so beneficial to the community are in the best interest of the community.”

by Arijit Basu Lecturer-CSU-Bakersfield
GUEST COLUMNIST

When you think of Ventura, California, picture a poetic coast, and a wide 70 mm cinemascope vision of flora and fauna that sweeps up on you when you drive into town. One of the most sought after vacation spots in Southern California, Ventura has the charm, striking looks and genial personality to ensure any visit to its township becomes a treasured moment in your life.

Ventura lies nestled side by side to Oxnard in cozy Ventura county. Ventura lies along U.S. Route 101 between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara which was one of the original U.S. Routes. The highway is now the Ventura Freeway but the original route through town along Main Street has been designated El Camino Real, the historic pathway connecting the California missions.

There’s tons of things to see and do in Ventura for the entire family. The nook of Surfer’s Point, the haven of many avid surfers and surf enthusiasts alike will give you a bird’s eye view of the balletic elegance of these aquatic artists, leaving your spirit elated.

Drive further south, and you’ll hit beautiful San Buenaventura State Beach, with its crisp white sands and lots of squirrels and birds. Further south, with ample space for children to play in and grills available for yummy cookouts, Marina Park makes for a great picnic spot. You might have to ward off uninvited guests, like the seagulls and squirrels, or you could just give in and invite them to share some juicy tidbits from your lunch. They’ll thank you for your hospitality with some cute photo ops, which are guaranteed to lead to fun social media chatter with your friends.

The historical impact of one of the oldest Missions in California are on full display in downtown Ventura. The beautiful Spanish Mission is a lovely piece of architecture and has tours and handicrafts for sale. Shop at some of the quaint thrift stores. You mingle with shoppers and tourists on Main street, sniffing out quality bargains. The lively music of mariachis put you in a mood to kick up your heels and dance, and even join a wedding underway at the Mission plaza. Weekends offer plenty of activity at the Ventura farmer’s market.

As you head back, aim to drive through Santa Paula. This town proudly calls itself the “citrus capital of the world”. Many a Hollywood movie production has taken full advantage of its ravishing picture perfect landscape.

The proximity to central Cali and southern Cali alike make Ventura a prized destination to make regular and repeat visits to. So what are you waiting for? Go venture forth in Ventura and ace that serene vacation you’re craving!

Once again Ventura Breeze contributing photographers John Ferritto and Michael Gordon have won best of show at the Ventura County Fair in their categories.

End of summer
by Elizabeth Rodeno

The CAPS Media staff and volunteers completed live coverage of the 2016 Ventura County Fair Parade with style. Thanks to the Elks for running a great parade and to Tim O’Neil and Jerry Breiner for their excellent play by play. See you next year.

Our Business of the Month program, hosted by the City of Ventura and the Ventura Chamber, is garnering great feedback  on the CAPS Media website and the Chambers’ site too. Check out our web page for the entire catalogue of Ventura’s Business of the Month.  You will meet interesting people and learn about the causes they support. Watch for them Monday through Friday at 11:30am on Channel 15.

It is not long before the start up of this school years’ Mayor for a Moment where a fifth grader from each elementary school gets to be Mayor for a Moment and bang the gavel to start the meeting and share their essay. We spend some time with the student on campus and learn about them. You are sure to enjoy their stories at 7:30pm on channel 15.

Ventura Legacies is going strong with 5 epsiodes running and more to come. This program will educate you about the history of the people and places of Ventura. We will be adding more fascinating stories every month. Stay tuned.

There is going to be lots of action here at the media center where Evan will be a busy bee working on the build out of both the new radio station and the upgraded studio. Come the New Year, we will be an even more exceptional media center, the only one in Ventura. You will be able to share your story and your voice right here at 65 Day Road.

2016 is an important year for politics in this town, county and country. As your hyper local information hub, we will present our Video Voter program where you can learn about the candidates for City Council and Ventura Unified School District’s board. We will cover a variety of candidate forums to meet the candidates together and listen to the audience’s questions. Several important initiatives will be on the ballot and we will keep you in the know.

We are all over the web so check out social media pages including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. View it all on our frequently updated website. Don’t forget about the training classes and professional gear we offer. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25, a best bargain for you media types, students and organizations to share your story.  Go to www.capsmedia.org or call 658-0500 for more information.