Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

A Summer Winemaker’s Dinner to benefit Rubicon Theatre Company

Rubicon Theatre is thrilled to announce “Dine & Delight” a private Winemaker’s Dinner hosted by Water’s Edge Restaurant on the Ventura Harbor featuring a 5-course menu created by award-winning Executive Chef Alex Montoya, with wine pairings from Caymus Vineyards.

Guests will enjoy a live musical performance by Broadway veteran and Rubicon artist Jennifer Leigh Warren during the main course. Plus, there will be a live auction at the end of the evening for a chance to win a trip for two to the wine country.

The event takes place on Tuesday, July 25th at 5:30 pm. This exceptional culinary event promises an evening of exquisite flavors, delightful wine pairings, live musical entertainment, and an opportunity to support the artistic and educational programs of Rubicon.

Tickets are $225 per person, which includes a $70 tax-deductible donation to Rubicon Theatre, and proceeds benefit Rubicon Theatre Company’s upcoming 25th Anniversary Season. Limited seats are available. For tickets, more information and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.rubicontheatre.org/dine-delight-2023 or contact Rubicon Development Coordinator Araceli Aggarwal by email [email protected] or phone (805) 667-2912, ext. 246.

By attending “Dine & Delight,” guests are directly contributing to the growth and success of Rubicon’s artistic and educational initiatives, enabling the theatre to continue inspiring and enriching the Ventura County community through the transformative power of theatre.

Says Rubicon Board President Doug Halter, “Guests will not only savor the local culinary delights, but also enjoy musical entertainment, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the intersection of gourmet cuisine, exceptional wines, and the arts.”

Patagonia held event to build community awareness to build Tomals

Alan Salazar: Chumash Tribal Elder, Mike Murray: Deputy Superintendent for Programs Channel Islands, Robert Schwemmer: Maritine Heritage Program Regional Coordinator, Harry Rabin: Field Advisor “Heal the Ocean”

by Patricia Schallert

Tomol Paddlers

A free event was presented at Patagonia on June 15. Patagonia served food and drinks and their main focus was on building community awareness with a plan to build two Tomal canoes, and what that means to the Tataviam and Chumash Communities in Ventura. Patagonia also held a screening of the documentary “Chumash Powered” along with a fundraiser around the Tomol canoe builds.

Chumash tribal Elder Alan Salazar presented his life as a storyteller. As a Chumash Elder Alan Salazar, tells stories about his Chumash and Tataviam ancestors to anyone who will listen. He spoke about traditional plank boat building techniques to guests of Patagonia.

In his stories, Salazar, echoes words spoken by his Native American ancestors: tales of a grandmother oak, and the Sky Coyote, a rainbow bridge and how his Chumash and Tataviam tribes came to be. He presented his family story of the Tataviam and Chumash families who were brought to the San Fernando Mission around 1803 and he presented a lively explanation on the close extension of Indian tribes and Tomol paddlers crossing the channel to Santa Cruz Island.

Alan Salazar Chumash Tribal Elder blessing the audience

In his stories about the Tomol paddlers he reflects: “The Tomol comes to life in the dark of night and she helps connect her paddlers to one another, sensing energy even in pitch black waters as it crosses the channel to Santa Cruz Island.” A Tomol canoe is a “Plank Ocean canoe” and two will be built in Ventura. The Tomol is traditionally made of redwood logs, large enough to build a canoe. Using traditional tools, it will be hollowed out carefully by removing the inner wood, leaving the outer layers intact to form the canoe. The exterior of the hull will be carved into a shape that will be streamlined and seaworthy with the crossbeams providing support and strength. Finishing touches of smooth sanding on the Tomol canoe surfaces will seal it and make it waterproof for crossing the channel. Traditionally Chumash people used natural materials like tar and pine pitch to seal the canoe and make it watertight.

Hundreds of years ago, the native island Chumash traveled these ancient waters for hunting, fishing, and trading.

Pregnant sea lion found on the Portside Promenade returns to the water

Just doing what she’s told and staying on the walkway.

Ron Barrett tried to coax her back into the harbor.

On June 17, a pregnant sea lion decided she would rather spend time on the promenade at Portside Ventura Harbor. When it became obvious, she wasn’t going back in the water the volunteer folks from the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute Rescue (CIMWI) came out to try to get her back into the water but she refused to budge.

Volunteer Seri McClendon, who was on-site, stated “Marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can result in a civil penalty up to $11,000 as well as criminal penalties up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to a year or both. It is important to keep both people and pets away from stranded animals. If pets are around the area, make sure they are on a leash.”

She went on “Not all animals that seem stranded need human intervention. It is normal for seals and sea lions to come out of the water to rest, digest and sun themselves and mothers often leave their pups onshore while they are foraging at sea. It is in the best interest of these wild animals to have the least amount of human interaction as possible.”

19-year-old Venturan Kiana Casey hardly left for 2-days trying to get help for the sea lion.

After lots of people trying to get her back in the water she just decided it was time to get back in so she just got up and went back in. A happy ending.

CIMWI is a part of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program under the direction of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. Dedicated to positively impacting conservation through marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, research and education to promote ocean and human health. CIMWI serves Santa Barbara & Ventura counties in Southern California.

CIMWI has responded to over 500 live sea lions exhibiting signs of domoic acid and over 100 dead sea lions in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. There have been over 20 live common dolphin strandings which succumb quickly to the neuro toxin. The toll for dead dolphins is up to 100. The numbers for live and dead stranded marine mammals suspected of having domoic acid rises by the hour.

It is important to keep both people and pets away from the stranded animal. If pets are around the area, make sure they are on a leash. These animals are easily stressed by humans and pets.

Do not touch, feed, harass, cover, pour water on, coax/drag/push into the water or out of the surf zone, allow dogs near or take selfies with the animal. These are wild animals and they may bite!

Observe the animal from a minimum of 50 feet (the length of a school bus). Keep people and pets away from the stranded animal. Note the animal’s physical characteristics and condition.
Determine the exact location of the animal. Be as accurate as possible and note any landmarks so CIMWI’s rescue team can easily find the animal.

Call the CIMWI Rescue Hotline at (805) 567-1505. Provide your name, phone number, specific information about the animal and its location.

Marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Violations can result in a civil penalty up to 11,000 as well as criminal penalties up to $100,000 and imprisonment of up to a year or both.

Please consider volunteering or donating to CIMWI to help with the rescue program. https://www.cimwi.org/

Have you noticed a change in our skyline?

The value of these trees ranges from $95,000 to $130,000 for all four.

The four dramatic Canary Island palms piercing the horizon at the Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) were recently moved from Ventura College to the skyline at Grant Park. These large specimens were donated by the college, which is in the process of new construction and had to remove the trees. Rather than destroy these two-story specimens, they were given to the Gardens. Laurence Nicklin and his team at Plantasia Landscaping and Design dug, transported, and planted them.

Nancy Kettner chose the location along the ridge line of the upper gardens. This location chosen is the highest point in the Gardens and provides a perfect silhouette on the hillside. The trees can be seen from Hwy 33 and many other locations around Ventura. The VBG staff will be caring and maintaining them.

The Canary Islands are one of the four locations in the Mediterranean floristic region with an exact climate match to Ventura. At some point, VBG will have a Canary Islands plant collection and this is the beginning of that. The market value of the four trees, if they were to be purchased through a commercial nursery, ranges from about $95,000 to $130,000 for all four. Acquiring these large trees provides a unique opportunity; Canary Island palms can carry diseases and because of that, it is illegal to transport them across county lines in California, creating an even greater challenge in acquiring large specimens.

Ventura Veterans Home celebrates 248th U.S. Army Birthday

The Ventura Veterans Home celebrated the 248th U.S. Army Birthday. Cake cutting was performed by our senior U.S. Army Veteran First Sergeant Mack Edwards, US Army (WW2 Veteran) and our youngest Army Veteran Samuel Tussey (US Army 2017 – 2019), Ventura Veterans Home staff member. 

The Ventura Downtown Lions Club provided a scrumptious BBQ with cowboy burgers and side dishes for the residents and staff.  Colonel Julian Bond, US Army (Retired), Ventura Veterans Home Administrator was the master of ceremonies for the annual event.

Ventura Yacht Club celebrated the Summer Solstice

Have a Wet Wednesday in the Harbor.

What better way to welcome summer than another great week of Wet Wednesday racing? The summer solstice, on Wednesday, June 21, marked the first day of summer. On that day, the sun reached its highest point in the sky on the longest day of the year. That day, Ventura Yacht Club also ended their Wave 1 and the counters reset for another wave of racing. It was a super fun evening on the water and a great night of racing! 11 more weeks of Wet Wednesdays to come!

Currently, Wet Wednesdays at the Ventura Yacht Club have about 15 boats registered and racing even though not everyone races every week. After each race there’s a dinner and trophy presentation at Ventura Yacht Club and all skippers, crew, and guests are welcome.

Ventura Yacht Club is a full-service facility located on the west side of Ventura Harbor. Their mission: To support and promote the safe enjoyment of recreational boating, and teach boating skills to the young people in our community.

Summer sailing camp is in full swing for the next 8 weeks and anyone’s welcome. You do not need to be a member. The junior program also runs a Sunday Funday for kids around sailing and games.

1755 Spinnaker Dr. (805) 642-0426

Lars Yahr rode the Cannonball

Lars successfully completed the Scooter Cannonball from San Clemente California to Hilton head South  Carolina.

The 2023 Scooter Cannonball began in San Clemente on June 18, 2023, and conclude eight days later at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on June 25th. The total distance of the recommended riding course is estimated to be approximately 3,170 miles.

The route is planned by the event’s organizers and is preferred, but riders are not required to strictly follow it. Each day’s route has a total of five control checkpoints, including a starting control checkpoint, three interim control checkpoints, and a final finish control checkpoint. The control checkpoints together create a total of four route segments.

Lars Yahr stated “ I have lived in Ventura for the past 22 years. I currently work at Patagonia.

I got my first Vespa scooter when I was 15. (35 years ago and I still own and ride it) I’m currently a member of the Ventura Vespa Club and the Ventura Vesparado’s. I rode on a 2010 Vespa 300 Grand Tourismo Sport.”

“I registered for the scooter cannonball soon after a major motorcycle crash in which I was badly injured and thought I was done riding. I wasn’t ready to hang up the helmet yet. I figured I could continue to ride my scooter with permission of my loved ones and luckily, they gave me the green light! I know some day I’ll have to quit scootering but I have more life to live and many miles to go.”