Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Business Profile: Canine Adoption and Rescue League

Canine Adoption and Rescue League , (CARL) is a non-profit, 501C)3 organization in Ventura County since 1996.  We exist to improve and save the lives of companion animals. (primarily dogs).   We have rescued and placed thousands of unwanted, sick, abandoned and homeless dogs. 

Dogs in our adoption program are placed in pre-screened loving and secure homes.  We always make a lifetime commitment to our dogs.   We always welcome good foster homes and allow volunteers to foster to adopt.   

We operate with an all volunteer Board of Directors and volunteer staff and many generous donors.  In addition we have a Thrift Store in Ventura city on Main Street next door to Smart and Final and a Boarding facility, with paid staff (we accept dogs and some cats)  on 901 Mission Rock Road in Santa Paula.   

We have a website with all available dogs listed at Carldogs.org and you can look us up on Guidestar which describes our budget,  high- reliability shelter status, and length of service.  We are dedicated to Ventura County and always keep our promise of lifetime commitment to dogs in our program.

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CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387

Rubicon Theatre Company celebrates 25 Years of Award-Winning Theatre

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Rubicon Theatre Company, Ventura County’s leading not-for-profit theatrical organization committed to entertaining, engaging and enriching the community through live performance, is thrilled to unveil its highly anticipated 25th Anniversary “Silver Season” in Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District, entitled “Truly Yours.”

According to Board President Doug Halter, also a member of Ventura’s City Council, “For 25 years, Rubicon has been an integral part of Ventura’s cultural life, and now is preparing to usher in an unparalleled season, one that will both honor its legacy and reaffirm its commitment to delivering exceptional theatre experiences to the Ventura community.”

Rubicon’s milestone season kicks off in October with the West Coast Premiere of The Lifespan Of A Fact, based on the book by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal which was named “Best of the Year” by the Huffington Post. This fast-paced, thought-provoking play explores the narrow line between fact and fiction. The show had a successful run on Broadway in 2019 with Daniel Radcliffe (“Harry Potter”). During the holidays, audiences will enjoy the Drama Desk Award-Winning musical revue The World Goes ‘Round, an exuberant celebration of the songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb, the creators of Broadway hits like Chicago and Cabaret. In February, the season continues with Eisenhower: This Piece Of Ground starring Tony Award-Winner John Rubinstein, and directed by Richard Ellenstein. Fresh from Off-Broadway, this timely masterpiece tells the story of the “simple country boy” who became our 34th President. Rubicon’s fourth production, opening in the spring of 2024, is the World Premiere run of “A” TRAIN. Directed by Risa Brainin, “A” Train is a funny, surprising and insightful story about one mom’s journey on the autism train. The production stars Broadway veteran Annie Torsiglieri (Top Girls, Parade and Miss Saigon). The TRULY YOURS Season closes in September of 2024 with the Tony Award-Winning musical ONCE, book by Enda Walsh and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová. Set in Ireland, the story follows a street busker who rediscovers his passion for music and his faith in love. The production includes songs from the critically acclaimed film, including the Academy Award-winning song “Falling Slowly.”

To purchase individual tickets or subscribe to Rubicon’s 2023 – 2024 Season, visit www.rubicontheatre.org or call Rubicon Guest Services at (805) 667-2900. Those who order before October 7 save 15%.

Vol. 16, No. 25 – Sept 6 – Sept 19, 2023 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

Do you want to Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Sept. 8, 9,10: The Footlighters Theater Company presents Come Sail Away, a lip-synch musical at the Ventura Marina. The Community Performance is on Friday the 8th at 7 p.m., Saturday the 9th at 7 p.m., and Sunday the 10th at 2 p.m. matinee in the clubhouse theater. Captain Max, crew, and passengers will sail on his final cruise before retirement. Joyous, wacky, and poignant times await him on this voyage. Join crew members and passengers in songs that will give Captain Max some ideas that could make him happy in his retirement years.

Join your friends and neighbors at this special event aboard the Marina Star and Come Sail Away. Ventura Marina Community 1215 Anchors Way Drive.
Sept. 10: Olivas Adobe Sunday 10th,11-3 p.m. Rancho Day free admission.

Join us as we celebrate what life may have been like on the Rancho San Miguel.  Try roping, laundry, Chumash rock painting, quilting, gold panning, and more.  Entertainment by Youth Mariachi, Old Time Fiddlers, and Folklorico dancers ~ educational activities by Frontier Gunfighters, the Historic Dudley House, and Channel Islands Woodcarvers. This event celebrates the more than 150 years that Olivas Adobe has been a part of Ventura County’s Cultural heritage.  For more information, www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Events.

Sept. 14: You’ve heard of the famous Avenue Taco District – now get a taste and see it! Folks on the Westside of Ventura proudly announce the Second Annual Avenue Taco Week, held from September 14 – 17th. Over a dozen restaurants and taco trucks along Ventura Avenue participated in the event. You can find out about participating restaurants and their tacos at avetacoweek.blogspot.com. Businesses interested in sponsoring Avenue Taco Week can email WCDC Director Kendra Gonzalez at [email protected] or call 805-628-3869.

Sept. 16: In conjunction with Avenue Taco Week is the first Westside Fiesta at Kellogg Park from 4 – 10 p.m., featuring food trucks, vendors, a raffle, live music, and bounce houses.

WCDC also encourages participants to take the self-guided Avenue Mural Tour, a walking exploration of over twenty unique murals on and around Ventura Avenue. A map is available at: https://westsideventura.org/mural-tour/.

Sept. 16: To provide an artistic way to support disaster recovery for Maui, the Ventura Center for Spiritual Living (VCSL) will be hosting The Soundtrack to the Evolution Revolution concert and a silent auction on Saturday at 7 p.m. The show will feature singer/songwriter Ray Davis. Concert attendees will be asked to provide a donation for admission. The concert is paired with a Silent Auction fundraiser featuring fun and valuable items from local merchants and our community. The auction will extend until noon on Sunday, September 17. VCSL is located at 101 S. Laurel Street. For more information about VCSL, please call (805) 643-1933 or visit http://venturacsl.org.

Sept. 16, 17: | Join us for Rosh Hashanah Services at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach 10 – 2 p.m. At Chabad of Ventura, our services are designed to make everyone feel welcome and at home. There is no charge for seats; your donation is greatly appreciated. Reservations are suggested to secure your seat. Reservations can be made online or over the phone. 805-658-7441.
www.ChabadVentura.com/HighHolidays

Sept. 17: Join Chabad of Ventura this Rosh Hashanah Sunday at the Ventura Promenade Beach Playground for “Shofar in the Park.” Return to a simpler, more essential state with fellow community members. Hear the stirring, unadulterated blasts of the Shofar as we celebrate the New Year!

Sept. 19: Please join the Ventura Senior Men’s Group (VSMG) on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road.All men 55+ are welcome. All topics except religion or politics are on the table.
Our meeting agenda is:
12:00-12:45 p.m. Lunch Food Affair by Stacy $25 but FREE to first-time visitors,
12:45-1 p.m. Business Meeting
1:00-1:30 p.m. Speaker (local organizations and information)

Bob Harris from the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation speaks on the needs and services of veterans. Need transportation? Call Lyle Hotzler 805-341-9820

Sept. 23: Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the World’s Largest Event Dedicated

to Alzheimer’s Care, Support, and Research. The Alzheimer’s Association invites Ventura County residents to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard.

On Walk Day, participants honor those affected by Alzheimer’s with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony — a mission-focused experience that signifies our solidarity in the fight against the disease. The colors of the Promise Garden flowers represent people’s connection to Alzheimer’s — their reasons to end the disease.

Sept. 24, 25: Join us for Yom Kippur Services at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach! At Chabad of Ventura, our services are designed to make everyone feel welcome and at home. The prayers, conducted with Hebrew/English prayer books, are lively and engaging.

There is no charge for seats; your donation is greatly appreciated. Reservations are suggested to secure your seat. Reservations can be made online or over the phone.
September 24 | 6:30 p.m.
September 25 | 10 – 2 p.m. ,5:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: The College Area Community Council will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

Ruby And Lonely

We organized the books by month.

A book by Bestselling Author Patrice Karst with pictures by Award-Winning Illustrator Kayla Harren

“Ruby And Lonely is a gentle reminder to young readers everywhere that they are not alone in their feelings of loneliness. Patrice Karst once again delivers a tender, thoughtful guide for children on how to cope and manage emotions that can often feel overwhelming

Ruby’s got a problem. At school and at home, everyone is so busy all the time, and no one seems to notice her at all. Ruby finds herself feeling kind of…lonely. It’s a big problem! But one day, while walking home alone after school, she decides to look at her problem from a new angle. She even gives it a name―Lonely―a seemingly small but significant decision that transforms her problem, and entire life, in the most surprising and extraordinary way. Join Ruby as she discovers her inner best friend in this relatable and heartwarming story.

Patrice Karst is the bestselling author of The Invisible String, which has sold more than a million copies and been translated into fifteen languages, and its companion titles, The Invisible Leash, The Invisible Web, You Are Never Alone: She lives in Ventura. Learn more at www.patricekarst.com.

Kayla Harren is an award-winning illustrator of children’s books. Learn more at www.kaylaharren.com.

Two Lions, an Imprint of Amazon Publishing
On-Sale: September 12, 2023 | 9781662508042 | $17.99

The Guns of Ventura

The cannons were to defend the city.

by Richard Senate

On December 7, 1941 Ventura learned on the radio that the Japanese Empire had attacked our naval base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. We were in peace talks at the time with Japan and everything looked to be going smoothly. The war was raging in Europe but America was not directly involved. Many believed it was only a question of time before America would be pulled into the war, a draft was set up and the military expanded.

Still, after the horrors of World War I, no American wanted to get involved in the fighting in Europe.  When the attack came, it was a complete surprise. It caught America  flat footed.  Following Pearl Harbor, came Japanese victories in the Philippines and Dutch East Indies.  Fear gripped the West Coast and the newspapers said air attacks were impending.  Japanese submarines began to sink coastal steamers and even attacking an oil facility in Santa Barbara.  In response the 2nd Battalion of the 144st Artillery of the California National Guard set up a “masked battery” of two 105 MM on mounts at what was called “Hobo Jungle,” renamed “Camp Seaward.”

The battery had an underground bunker for shells, a small railroad track to carry the shells to the guns, barracks, a mess hall, firing range and a parade grounds.  Spotters were set up at the cross above the city and at  the Rincon Bluff connected by telephone lines. The cannons were to defend the city and her strategic oil reserves from Japanese raiders or possible Japanese suicide squads landed by submarines to blow up oil wells and facilities.   The guns were tested and rattled windows in the city, breaking a few. The war progressed, but the expected enemy never came.  As the Japanese Navy was not seen as a local threat in 1944, the base was dismantled and the gunners sent to the fighting in the Philippine Islands. Now all that is left are the two concrete round gun mounts at the beach as Seaside Park. In a disturbing note, the mounts are round, so that they could be turned on the city if it should fall to the Japanese!

Douglas Penfield School library

We organized the books by month.

by Juliette Nasarenko Ventura High School Senior

When I first came to the Douglas Penfield School to volunteer I was told that they were working to transform one of the classrooms into a library. I first walked into the classroom and I saw thousands of children’s books scattered throughout several boxes on the floor. I felt relieved that I would not have to organize these books alone.

Natalie McGranahan had just started organizing the books. I remember thinking that this was going to be a long project. Both Natalie and I are members of the National Charity League which is a Mother-Daughter Volunteer Organization that is located throughout the country.

The Douglas Penfield School is a preschool and elementary school for kids with severe disabilities and has been around since 1980 and has never had its own library. So, we decided to organize the books by month. For example, the February shelf has Valentine’s Day, Firefighters/Police books, and doctor/staying safe books. We also have an animal section, a transportation section, a fairytale section, etc.

When all the books finally were put on the shelves we were excited to finally decorate the library. Sydney Traub who is also a volunteer at the Penfield Library helped us with this endeavor. We made a Giving Tree, designed a house for the students where they could read, and decorated the walls. The employees and teachers at the Douglas Penfield School were so excited about the opening of their first library that we wanted to share this with the Ventura Community.

Wings Over Camarillo Air Show

Visitors got to witness breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers. Photos by Daniel Jackson and Janie Tran

Wings Over Camarillo Air Show, the premier air show on the Central Coast of California.

Took place on August 19. This year’s event was filled with captivating performances, static aircraft displays, family-friendly activities, and a touch of history.

Visitors got to witness breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers as skilled stunt pilots take to the skies, showcasing an array of thrilling moves such as loops, rolls, spins, hammerheads, and stalls. But that’s not all – the event was more than just high-flying entertainment. Attendees explored a diverse collection of static aircraft models, offering an up-close look at aviation history and innovation.

Families got to enjoy hands-on experiences that cater to all ages, from watching drones and UAVs take flight to participating in interactive STEM activities that shed light on aviation, aerospace, and STEM fields.

History buffs found a highlight in the 82nd Airborne Division 505th Reenactment Camp, a unit recognized by the California Historical Group. This camp pays tribute to World War II combat soldiers, and this year’s event proudly features their historical reenactments.

Adding to the excitement was the inclusion of a motorcycle and classic car show, offering a dynamic blend of aviation and automotive enthusiasts. As the day unfolded, an impressive lineup of performances takes center stage, including the USAF Wings of Blue Parachute Team, P-51 Mustang Fly-B, and the Ventura Sheriff HH-60L Helicopter Water Drop.

Amidst the action, the event paid homage to the C-46, the largest operational twin-engine aircraft in American service during WWII. The C-46 made history by ferrying crucial supplies over the treacherous Himalayan Mountains, a feat known as “Flying the Hump.” The iconic China Doll aircraft, built in 1945, stands as a rare survivor from that era.

With a blend of heart-pounding aerobatics, historical reenactments, engaging STEM displays, and a nod to aviation history, the Wings Over Camarillo Air Show delivered an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this thrilling and educational event that celebrates the wonders of flight and the spirit of exploration again next year!

Art & Street Painting Festival Harbor

The festival gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy street painting.

The 15th Annual Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival returns to picturesque Ventura Harbor Village on September 9th & 10th, 2023 from 10 AM to 5 PM. www.venturaartfestival.com.

Presented by Ventura County Art Events, Inc., the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival boosts 30 curated artist vendors showcasing their art in Ventura Harbor Village. Works of art include paintings, pottery, photography, and jewelry — all available for purchase.  Additionally, the sidewalks along the Ventura Harbor Village promenade and Fisherman’s Memorial will be the canvas for more than 20 talented and colorful chalk artists, creating murals ranging from 10×5 ft. to 10×10 ft. in size.  Well known chalk artists, Clif Gold, Julio Jimenez and Rod Tryon, plan to attend.

The festival gives visitors an opportunity to enjoy art, street painting, and the beauty of the Ventura County coast.  Admission & parking are free.

Said Barbara Hinton, Executive Director of the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival “The street painters are working in real time right before your very eyes.”

The Ventura Art & Street Painting festival weekend at Ventura Harbor Village highlights live seaside music on the Village Promenade Stage all weekend long including versatile entertainer, Preston Smith, a legend in the Southern California music scene, on September 9, 2023 from noon-3 PM. Visitors can also take in a performance by reggae favorite Tony Lee and Forbidden Fruit, who plan to bring their pop reggae style, that is both infectious and fun for the entire family, from Noon-3 PM on September 10.

A benefit for FOOD Share of Ventura County, Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival has raised over $60,000 for FOOD Share of Ventura County over the years according to Ventura County Art Events, Inc. For more festival details or to get involved visit www.venturaartfestival.com.

The destination is the picture-perfect weekend getaway for couples, friends, and families. While at the festival, visit Ventura Harbor Village art galleries and even more unique maker spaces, eateries and a new wine tasting room. For additional information regarding Village galleries art demonstrations and activities, visit VenturaHarborVillage.com.

Tickets on Sale for “Pier Under the Stars”

Raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened. Photo by Michael Gordon

Tickets are now on sale for Pier Under the Stars—the 28th annual benefit for the historic Ventura Pier on Saturday, October 7th, from 4-7pm. Each year more than 500 residents and visitors attend this beachfront culinary event adjacent to the pier to sample the county’s best food, wine and spirits provided by over 25 area businesses. This year the event is needed more than ever to raise funds to get the historic Ventura Pier reopened.

Restaurants, cafes, wineries and breweries serve their signature dishes and beverages from tented booths along the seaside Promenade while guests enjoy live music and dancing under the stars and an amazing silent auction.

The sell-out event hosted by Pier into the Future–-a non-profit organization-

“is a much anticipated community gathering of friends that raises funds for our beloved Pier”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez. 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 $1,128,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 30 years to enhance the Pier.

General admission tickets are $95 and include food and beverage tasting and a commemorative Pier wine glass. A limited number of VIP tickets are offered at $185. VIP tickets include all of the benefits associated with General Admission, plus a reserved seat at a VIP table along the promenade and a special wine tasting in the VIP area.

Tickets are available on line at www.eventbrite.com.

Visit www.pierintothefuture.org for more information.