Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

The Ventura creature

After Pope Francis announced that he would canonize Father Junipero Serra it turned out that Serra is a very controversial person and there are many who object to him becoming a Saint.
In order for this not to become a controversy in Ventura the City Council has replaced his statue, located across from City Hall with this statue of Ventress The Ventura Pier Creature . This sea creature was first reported and named in the Ventura Breeze.

stuff monster statueThe Ventura creature

By Tanner and Kai

An amazing sight was to be seen
The most exciting, indeed, of the whole year
A sea creature who sometimes is seen
In the waters near the Ventura Pier

Came out of the sea, ashore, as you can see
In the fabulous photo of the two in the Breeze
To have her baby did this creature dear
Sweet Sea Monster Dee

A wonder I’m sure to never see again I fear
For soon back out to sea she will be
Sweet Sea Monster Dee
And her baby boy Driftwood Lee

 

 

Ventura Film Society Season 7

Please join the Ventura Film Society on Thursday September 10 @ 7:15pm at the Century 10 Downtown Ventura for “The Salt Of The Earth”. German director Wim Wenders (Buena Vista Social Club, Pina, Paris Texas, Wings of Desire) confirms his mastery of the documentary form in this stunning visual ode to the great Brazilian photographer Sebastião Salgado. Long recognized as one of the camera’s great artists, Sebastiao’s sculptural use of light and space is combined with a deep empathy for the human condition, resulting in richly complex black-and-white images that capture the dignity within every subject. For the last 40 years, Sebastiao has been travelling across continents, in the footsteps of an ever-changing humanity. Sebastião Salgado’s life and work are revealed to us by Wenders and by the photographer’s son, co-director Juliano Ribeiro Salgado. The VFS is proud to present “The Salt Of The Earth”, the 8th of 12 films in our 2015 season. Advance tickets strongly suggested, available at www.venturafilmsociety.com/tickets.html and at the VFS Will Call table one hour before the screening.

Visit www.venturafilmsociety.com for more screening information, to see the film’s trailer, and for VFS 2015 Membership information. VFS Info Line 628-2299. Special thanks to all of our donors, volunteers, patrons, and supporters, especially the Ventura Breeze. The Ventura Film Society – We bring people together in the dark.

 

Homeless Prevention Fund Part 2……..What About You?

By Jill Forman

Five hundred and thirty-six dollars.  Think about that amount; many folks spend that monthly on the payment for a nice car, or going out to eat every week, or spending a modest weekend away.  Five hundred and thirty-six dollars.

For other families, that amount stands between them and homelessness.  That is the average amount the Homeless Prevention Fund gives to families to keep them in their home.  For some families it is as little as $200.  Think about how close such families are to the edge of financial disaster at any time.  Imagine living like that every day.

Our article in the Breeze generated over 10 calls, as more people became aware of the services offered.  Desperate people, with maybe a “three day notice” saying, essentially, pay your back rent or lose your home.  Due to lack of financial resources, the Fund was able to keep only 8 of these families housed.  We referred the others to alternative sources in hopes they might be able to help.

What the article didn’t generate was donations.  The Fund is 100% dependent on individual and faith community contributions.  Six local congregations donate frequently and generously, but there are over 90 houses of worship in the city.  The Fund is currently in the red, a frequent occurrence as there is so much need.

Keeping a person or family in their home is the most economical way to keep homelessness from spreading.  Once the home is lost, it can take thousands of dollars to rehouse them: first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and other fees.  And then many landlords won’t rent to them because they have an eviction on their record.  So they end up in motels, or on the street.  Those are not safe ways to live, and it ends up costing the taxpayers for law enforcement, 911 calls, ambulance transport and ER visits, and other services.

One of our donors, not a wealthy person, gave up his daily cup(s) of expensive coffee for Lent, and donated the amount saved to the Fund.  And then just kept it as a monthly donation and keeps the fancy stuff for an occasional treat.  Another one gives donations as wedding and baby gifts, feeling that a safer and more just world is the best gift a new couple or new baby can have. me.

Donations can be made at vhpf.net.  Five dollars.  Ten dollars a month.  100% of all contributions go directly to keeping people housed.

Five hundred and thirty-six dollars — often much less –keeps a family housed.

What about you? Will you help?

“Cotton” Rosser rides again

stuff RosserEighty seven year old  “Cotton” Rosser is the production manager for the rodeos held at the Fair Grounds. He is the owner of the Flying U Rodeo, the oldest rodeo company in the world and the major supplier of livestock to the  PRCA Rodeo held as part of The Ventura County Fair.  Cotton actively participates in rounding up the animals after each event. He is shown on his horse talking with fair children. By John Ferritto

Ventura Family YMCA announces outdoor sports court expansion and English as a Second Language classes

stuff ymcaThe YMCA would like to thank Mike Regan from the Gwendelyn Sexton Foundation, Wood Claeyssens Foundation, David Staples from Staples Construction, Mica Beving of Beving Architecture, Jensen Design & Survey, Inc., and Hampton Fitness for their new facilty.

After a year and a half in planning, the Ventura Family YMCA will start building an outdoor multi-purpose Sports Court, with the second week of October as the anticipated completion date.  This space will include 4,000 sq. ft. full-size basketball court, 1,700 sq. ft. outdoor workout area with Hampton Fitness equipment, and a 1,000 sq. ft. play space for their Children’s Corner.  The area will be made complete with state-of the art synthetic flooring, which will allow group exercise classes, programs, and open hours so that everyone may enjoy their time outdoors.

Since 1887 the Ventura Family YMCA has been a leading non-profit in Ventura.  The next step in the Y’s cause is the outdoor multi-purpose sports court.  The Y’s Marketing Director, Alicia Cattoni, sums it up as stating, “This immense project is amazing because the Y listened to the needs of our community and said we hear you and this is what we’re doing about it.”

The Ventura Family YMCA is preparing for another session of free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at their facility.  The classes run from September 12th through October 17th and coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month.  The Y’s ESL classes are intended for beginner and intermediate participants.  Child care is also provided on site and at no cost, while the classes are being taught by a certified ESL instructor, complete with educational booklets.

Brian Stevens, the Y’s Membership Director and Mayra DeLeon the Y’s Member Relations Coordinator, are both leading this initiative.

Brian  states, “I wish more people knew about this program.  I mean, it’s FREE!” He adds, “If transportation is a concern, we have two bus stops within a block of us and the main hub over at the Pacific View Mall.”  Brian wants everyone in the community to know that we are here to help and that the Y is a resource to make these changes.

For more information about the Y’s ESL Program, please contact Mayra DeLeon by email at [email protected] or by calling 642.2131 ext. 12.  To learn more about donating to the Y, please contact Executive Director, Amy Bailey Jurewicz by email at [email protected] or by calling 642.2131, ext. 24.