She should have been 46 next week. We all miss her dearly.
Category Archives: This ‘n’ That
Vol. 16, No. 20 – June 28 – July 11, 2023 – On Vacation
Bill and Diana Kelley keeping track on what’s going on at home from the Colosseum in Rome!
Justice For All Ventura County Awards Essay Finalists
Justice For all Ventura County was proud to offer an inaugural Young Activists Essay contest this spring, handing out three awards totaling $600 at Ventura High School’s graduation ceremony on Monday, June 5, 2023. The contest was open to all Ventura High School and Fillmore High School seniors. The three winners personified activism, volunteerism and community service.
Ava H. was awarded first place for her efforts in environmental justice. Abigail B, who received second place, wrote passionately about the need for immigration reform. Brooke R, was awarded the third place prize. She focused her essay on her volunteer work on behalf of the Key Club’s sponsored charity, the Pediatric Trauma Program.
Abigail’s summarization of her motivation, “By actively supporting efforts to create a more just and equitable immigration system, I hope to contribute to a more compassionate, inclusive, and equitable society,” perfectly embodies the spirit of Justice For All Ventura County.
The mission of Justice For All Ventura County is to motivate, educate, connect, and mobilize people to actively engage in their government and future in support of social justice. https://justiceforallvc.org/
Vol. 16, No. 20 – June 28 – July 11, 2023 – Community Events
The Ventura County Philatelic Societys meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30pm. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org
The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcomed to stop in to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820
Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL sanctioned duplicate bridge games
every Tues., Wed., and Thurs. at 12:30. 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].
Livingston Memorial- Healing Grief Through Poetry
This group will provide an opportunity for those seeking a creative and inspirational way to express feelings of grief through poetry. This grief support group meets every Monday from 6:00 to 7:00 PM and will start on July 10th and end on July 31st. Registration is required.
All support groups are free for the community. For reservations contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief.
June 28: Updates on the improvements to the Ventura River Parkway Trail will be provided at the next meeting of The College Area Community Council. The meeting will be held on Zoom at 7pm. 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.
July 1: Plant & collectibles sale at the Dudley House Museum, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Orchids and succulents will be on sale along with a variety of collectibles.
Vendors please call Charlie at 805/746-4317 for details. At the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood).
July 2: Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place
on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. including a special visit by “Mrs. Dudley”.
Admission is free. For information please call (805) 642-3345 or
visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.
July 2: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc.
2:00-4:00 pm. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd.
Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free parking
Open to the Public. For more information
call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA
July 8: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. There is no charge and all are welcome.
Whether you are an experienced fly fisher or a complete novice we want to help you improve your casting and learn to enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have a fly rod, don’t worry, just come and use one of ours.
Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, 9:00 to 11:00 am.
For more information:
Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall [email protected] (805) 377-5249
www.sespeflyfishers.org
July 8:10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale
at the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria (6040 Telegraph Rd.)
Books priced from $.25 to $5.00.
Large selection of children’s books, CD’s and DVD’s!
July 9: Sunday, 11am-3 pm Olivas Adobe Historic Park ~ 4200 Olivas Park Drive-Ventura Free Join us as we Salute our Veterans , representatives from every military branch will be on hand .At noon, a welcome speech commemorating all our Veterans will take place, followed by a color guard and the singing of the national anthem.
The Rancho home is open for tours as well as the grounds and small adobe art gallery.
wwwcityofventura.ca.gov/Events
July 13, 25,: Wildlife Presentation with Saving Wildlife International
Thursday, July 13th at Saticoy Library, 1:30 pm
Thursday, July 13th at Avenue Library, 4:00 pm
Tuesday, July 25th at Hill Road Library, 2:00 pm
Tuesday, July 25th at E.P. Foster Library, 11:00 am
Saving Wildlife International brings their special wildlife presentation to Ventura County Libraries
Explore, discover, and learn about the natural world through Saving Wildlife International’s unique live animal presentation. This free event is sponsored by the Ventura Friends of the Library and is open to the public. For additional information, contact Sienna Sydlaske, Youth Librarian Specialist, at (805) 648-2716.
July 22: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Location: Online and Live at Ventura County
Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-3960
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email
and the Internet, social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn,
Google, and Yahoo. Events begin at 9:30AM.
All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space live
attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online
events are emailed prior to the event.
Museum of Ventura County celebrates 150th anniversary
On June 23, a kickoff event was held at the Museum of Ventura County to celebrate Ventura County’s 150th anniversary. In 1873, Ventura County separated from Santa Barbara County creating a unique community in charge of its own destiny. In the 150 years since, Ventura County has become known for its agriculture, industry and innovation all the while cultivating a charming and laid-back cultural atmosphere.
As this year marks the significant distinction of celebrating 150 years, five groups have come together to honor our community, history and diversity. County of Ventura, Museum of Ventura County, Ventura County Community Foundation, Pacific Coast Business Times and Economic Development Collaborative present 150 days of celebration.
Visitors enjoyed 3 exciting new exhibits, food trucks, live music, guest speakers, a specially crafted 150th cocktail and more!
Please stay tuned for many more exciting events, programs, festivals and interactive experiences over the following 150 days.
The museum is located at 100 E Main Street.
Rose Garden at the Olivas Adobe
Thanks to the winter rains and the hard work of docents, the Rose Garden at the Olivas Adobe is in full bloom! Be sure to stop by the historic park and smell the roses! Located at 4200 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura.
Teen earns four AA degrees a month before graduating from high school at 17
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Kampton Carter graduated from Ventura College on May 19, 2023, earning four Associate of Art degrees. She’s acquired an Associate of Art degree in Liberal Studies, Associate of Art degree in Arts and Humanities, Associate of Art degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and an Associate of Art degree in Natural Sciences and Mathematics along with an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Certification.
She attained Highest Honors with a 4.0 GPA after completing a total of 76 college credits as a part-time college student over the last four years while attending high school full-time. What makes this so unique is that she did this at the young age of 17 years old and before ever graduating from high school! On June 16, 2023, she completed her studies at El Camino High School with a 4.4 GPA and graduated summa cum laude as well.
Kampton has had a history of challenging herself from a very early age. Her second-grade year at Olivelands Elementary School, she began competing in spelling bees and placed third without studying the word list. It was then she discovered her orthographic skills and developed a love for words. In her pastime she would enjoy studying word origins, definitions and their parts of speech. By fourth grade she won her school’s spelling bee and advanced to the SAGE Ventura County Spelling Bee for the first time. For five consecutive years she was undefeated at the school level. During her 8th grade year, Kampton won the 2019 SAGE Ventura County Spelling Bee at the age of 13 for her final year of competition and advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. where she competed with other finalists. Two weeks after the competition Kampton graduated from Briggs School as a valedictorian.
Kampton attended El Camino High School (ECHS) for all four years. ECHS has had a humble reputation for their exceptional independent studies program. The program enables students a dual-enrollment opportunity by allowing students to take a maximum of 11 units per semester at local community colleges while concurrently attending high school.
She has enjoyed many extracurricular activities throughout high school despite the restrictions of the pandemic and rigorous schedule. She competed in Poetry Out Loud, Ventura County Poetry Project, Optimist Club Essay Contests, Lions Club Speech Contests, Knowledge Bowl Competitions, Geo Challenge Competitions, completed a Pre-Engineering Program at the Port Hueneme Naval Base, participated in Journalism Club as well as Political Discourse Club at ECHS, took equestrian lessons, violin lessons, played soccer for AYSO for the first time her senior year, and interned at Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura (CAPS Media) where she learned the skills to conduct interviews, use video editing software, and operate camera/studio equipment. In fact, Kampton along with her peers and mentor Phil Taggart recently won four Western Access Video Excellence (WAVE) awards for interviews at Ventura’s only local broadcasting station.
Kampton will be attending Pepperdine University in the fall and plans to double major for Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications as well as International Studies. She will be part of Pepperdine’s selective Regent Scholars Program.
A homeless man defies the odds and embraces entrepreneurship
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by Ross Williams
Every morning, Marcus Aldrich wakes up at 5am and starts his day with a trip to the gym. Afterward, he manages his various business ventures. From Kayak rentals, Vinyl sticker decals, party photo booths, Uber Eats and DoorDash, Marcus has carved out a niche for himself as a versatile entrepreneur. Marcus stands out for his kindhearted nature, quiet demeanor, quirky personality and for the fact that for the last few years he has lived out of his car.
During the pandemic, Marcus made a bold decision to come to California with his brother in search of better opportunities and to distance himself from the negative influences that had held him back at home in Peoria Illinois. Shortly after, circumstances took an unexpected turn when his brother decided to return home leaving Marcus alone in a new and unfamiliar environment. Despite this, Marcus chose to stay and persevere, determined to gain personal clarity and forge his own path towards a brighter future.
Marcus has demonstrated an unparalleled level of resourcefulness. With his creative talent and entrepreneurial mindset, he finds immense joy in the diverse range of ventures he engages in and the variety that they bring to his life. Whether he’s playing the harmonica or cooking meals for his friends, Marcus enjoys all of his creative outlets and they bring him fulfillment. Yet, he also seeks validation. A sign or spark that reassures him that he is on the right path. The harmonica is an extension of his voice and can’t be used for money and cooking is an expression of love, generosity and friendship. Marcus, like all of us yearns for a sign. Some signal that his efforts are resonating and hopes to make a meaningful impact in his own unique way.
An Unexpected Companion: Dale the Quail:
Amidst the challenges Marcus may face on a daily basis, a heartwarming tale unfolds with the presence of his pet quail, Dale. Marcus’ compassionate nature led him to rescue Dale from an uncertain fate; becoming someone’s dinner. The companionship they share adds another layer of depth and joy to Marcus’ life as Dale hops around with his adorable feathery fluff bouncing this way and that.
Marcus’ story serves as a powerful reminder of the indomitable human spirit and the potential that lies within each individual, regardless of their circumstances. While Marcus may be facing adversity, his spirit remains unyielding. His quest for personal growth serves as a reminder that circumstances do not define a person’s potential. His unwavering determination and entrepreneurial endeavors deserve recognition and support from the community.
By embracing success and extending kindness, we can play a role in uplifting individuals like Marcus, who strive to overcome adversity and create a better future for themselves and those around them.
Despite Marcus being in a position where he can now afford a place to live, he grapples with deep-seated fears of not being able to sustain it and the looming possibility of eviction. As someone with Asperger’s syndrome, Marcus faces unique challenges in making decisions, whether it pertains to choosing between different business opportunities or selecting a place to call home. The inherent nature of this condition can cause someone to overanalyze and experience anxiety over potential outcomes. These fears, combined with the inherent unpredictability of life, intensify his apprehension about securing a stable living situation.
Ventura County Greek Festival celebrates 44 years
On June 23, 24 & 25 the Ventura County Greek Festival celebrated its 44th year. The Ventura County Greek Festival is one of the longest-running cultural festivals in Ventura County. The Festival attracts thousands of guests from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles Counties showcasing the Greek culture through food, music, dance, and storytelling.
Business Profile: Somis Nut House
The Somis Nut House opened in 1959 as the Ventura Walnut Shelling Co., a walnut processing plant. Morris and Annette Resnik, and their son, Stephen Resnik, arrived in the area from Los Angeles and quickly made connections with local walnut farmers. They hand built the machinery required to crack, sort and pack them for sale to wholesale nut distributors all over the USA.
Soon after the walnut business began, they opened a small retail store in front of the plant and sold freshly cracked walnuts to the public. The retail store grew as more products were added at the request of family and friends. The expansion included all types of nuts, dried fruit, and candy. In the mid 1980’s most of the walnut orchards were replaced with lemons, avocados, row crops and housing development. This led to the gradual fading out of the walnut processing business here in Ventura County.
The store became a popular place to visit for residents of the local area and the surrounding counties. Customers would refer to us as “the nut house in Somis” which led us to change our store name to The Somis Nut House. Two of Stephen’s three children, Jeremy Resnik and Rebecca Pecsok are third generation co-owners of the store and are proud to carry on the traditions learned from their father and grandparents.
The store stocks a full array of nuts, including almonds, walnuts, cashews, peanuts, Brazil nuts, filberts, and pistachios. There is also a wide selection of dried fruits, including apricots, peaches, pears, papaya, mango, pineapple, apples, dates, and figs. Many delicious chocolate candies are available, including nut clusters, chocolate creams, honeycomb, malt balls, and more! In addition, there is a wide variety of old fashion candies, jams and jellies, salsas, olives, local honey, soup mixes and novelty items. make Gift boxes and gift baskets of many sizes are perfect for birthdays, graduations, teacher gifts, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Christmas, client gifts and employee gifts. Gifts and other products can be shipped directly anywhere within the USA.
We are open from 9:00am to 5:00pm seven days a week (closed on Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Day).
Website: www.somisnuthouse.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 805-386-1211