EPIC Leadership Center, a non-profit organization, is starting its Summer Program in Westview Village, Ventura.

Founded by Christine Wood, DMin about 15 years ago, the EPIC Leadership Center embarked on a mission to transform the lives of families in low income, higher risk neighborhoods in Ventura. Using the golden rule, “Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them”, as a guide to create “everyday leadership” regardless of age, education or ethnicity, EPIC created programs that offer children and youth activities that are coupled with character training that has and will transform their lives – one day at a time. In turn, transformed lives empower people to transform neighborhoods.

This summer, EPIC plans to provide summer programs to Westview Village three times a week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The programming includes activities such as art, fieldtrips, sports, character and leadership training, and games. EPIC plans to offer parenting classes and summer tutoring or educational activities so students can stay fresh over the summer. EPIC would like to offer surf camp, bike club and style camp, activities that were on-going prior to the COVID pandemic. To meet their goals, volunteers are needed to augment the current volunteers and operational staff through the summer and beyond. EPIC has opportunities for Spanish speakers and translators, drivers, high school mentors and volunteers, with a passion to help transform lives. EPIC anticipates 8-30 kids will attend the summer programming.

In 2023, Chris Wood stepped down as President of the EPIC Board of Directors. Dar Rosario, Ventura, is now the President and plans to work with the board of directors to continue what Chris started, “I am truly amazed at the impact that EPIC has had in Ventura.  I am convinced that EPIC can do more with exposure and more financial support.”   Funding comes primarily through private donations from individual donors. Grants come from local banks and foundations such as Pacific Western Bank, Bank of Sierra, The Haskell fund, the Ventura Downtown Lions Club, and the Rotary Club of Ventura.

EPIC is moving forward and is looking for you; the summer program will truly be transformative. If you want to be part of transforming lives and neighborhoods right here in Ventura, visit epicleadershipcenter.org. for more information, volunteer opportunities, and to donate.

Focus on the Masters Arts Archive & Library (FOTM) is proud to announce their participation in the 150th Anniversary Celebration of the incorporation of the County of Ventura.  FOTM will present History Is Now, 2023 an extensive selection of photographic portraits, by FOTM Founder Donna Granata, featuring artists from the organization’s extensive archives over the summer and fall of 2023.

History Is Now, 2023 will celebrate 150 artists who have made an impact in Ventura County over the past 150 years. From the cutting-edge work of Ojai artist Cassandra C. Jones to the emotionally charged abstracts of Gerd Koch.  Each image was created after in-depth documentation and study of the artist and their work as part of the Focus on the Masters Arts Archive & Library’s mission and educational programming.

Opening on July 10, 2023, 150 artists portraits will be on display at the Ventura County Government Center, along with a select number of artworks by FOTM documented master artists.  The exhibition will travel to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in September 2023 and remain through the fall. Both shows will include an extensive program of artist talks, gallery walks and school visits.

History Is Now, 2023 will include a comprehensive look behind the scenes of the FOTM Arts Archive & Library’s 30-year history.  A selection of unique objects from the FOTM archive will be on display offering the public a rare look at items collected and preserved for posterity.  Additionally, artwork from the FOTM’s Learning to See award-winning, in-school, cross-curricular program will be included in the exhibition allowing the public to see first-hand how FOTM integrates its research into lesson plans that emphasize critical thinking, innovation, and diversity.

The FOTM Portrait Series is part of a much larger collection of cultural artifacts relating to each artist on display.  Established in 1994, Focus on the Masters (FOTM) Arts Archive & Library is a non-profit, 501(c)(3), art appreciation program that documents, preserves, and presents the works and lives of accomplished contemporary artists. The archive includes oral histories, videotaped interviews, photographic portraits, and examples of the artists’ work.

Much admired for her penetrating interviews of artists, Donna Granata will give a special talk and discuss her development as an artist and historian, as well as address the growth and future of Focus on the Masters with her successor Chelsea Cody.

Guided tours of the exhibition are available by appointment, with priority given to youth groups. For exhibition dates and other information go to https://focusonthemasters.com.

by Richard Senate

The Chamber of Commerce will tell you that the city of San Buenaventura is really the city of good fortune. That is a direct translation of the Spanish word Buenaventura. But in truth, that is not true. The city is named after a man, a very unique man who lived in 13th Century Italy.

His name was Giovanni di Fidanza, born in Bagnaren, Italy in 1221, the son of John Fidanza and Marra Fitel.  At the age of four he became sick and lapsed into  a coma.  His father was a doctor but all he tried to save his son failed, medical knowledge was limited at the time. His mother insisted that the child should be taken to St. Francis who lived not far away. At the time the pious Francis was seen by all as a living saint and it was believed he could cure the boy.  They took the infant to the saintly man to restore the child’s health.

The saintly Francis told them he couldn’t work miracles, and that only God could do such things.  The mother begged him to at least  give her son a blessing.  He took the boy in his arms and pronounced a blessing. The instant he did, the child woke out of his coma with a cry.  The surprised Francis let out the words; “O bona ventura!”  (What good fortune).  From that day on that became the boy’s nickname.

At the age of twenty-two he joined the Franciscan Order where he proved an adept scholar and was sent to Paris to study.There he became good friends with Thomas Aquinas and earned a degree as a Doctor of Divinity and took the position of teacher.

In 1256 he became the head of the Franciscan Order, over time rising to the rank of Cardinal of Albano.  His writings were so popular that in 1274 he was commissioned by Pope Gregory X  with the task of re-uniting the Greek Orthodox and Roman Catholic churched that had split.  In Rome he labored long and hard at his task, working himself to death, but failed in the end. He died on July 14th 1274, he was fifty -three.  In his life he penned many papers and books.  So many miracles happened at his tomb in the Vatican that he was named a saint. His symbol is the feather, a pen he used to write his many works.

Fr. Serra read his books and was impressed, naming the ninth Mission San Buneaventura in 1782 in his honor. St. Bonaventure is the patron saint of Ventura. A fitting man to represent all that is good in our community.

by Mary Olson

Ventura County Library encourages families to “Find Your Voice” and participate in Summer Reading!

The Ventura County Library (VCL) Summer Reading Challenge is underway, including a range of free activities for children, teens, and adults throughout the summer.

Participants may register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org and record their reading with opportunities to win prizes for reaching reading goals. Registration continues through August 4th. Youth may visit their local branch to choose a free new book to add to their personal collections, once they log 500 minutes of reading.

Summer Reading Program Special Event: Drum Musician, Chazz, brings his Jungle Drum Circle performance to four Ventura County Libraries. Discover the Universal Rhythm! Chazz guides you through an imaginary safari playing 26 African Djembe drums. You’ll create Jungle Sounds, play simple rhythms, and sing silly songs!

• Monday, June 26th at Saticoy Library, 1:30 pm
• Monday, June 26th at Avenue Library, 4:00 pm
• Tuesday, June 27th at E.P. Foster Library, 11:00 am
• Tuesday, June 27th at Hill Road Library, 3:00 pm

Find Your Voice! Family Musicals Film Fest and Coloring at Hill Road Library offers fun family musicals, drawing, and coloring for all ages.

• Tuesday, June 20, 3:00 to 5:00 pm: The Lego Movie Part 2: The Second Part
• Tuesday, July 11, 3:00 to 5:00 pm:  Soul

Foster Library’s Young Readers Book Club

Saturday, June 24 @ 1 pm – 2 pm: Discuss One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia & create a summer journal.

Wildfire-Ready Workshops – presented by Natasha Saxena, Ventura Fire Safe Council. The Council is a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to reduce wildfire threats to farms, ranches, urban neighborhoods, and infrastructure through an aggressive program of action, education, and collaboration. Based on the latest science from the Insurance Institute for Home & Safety (IBHS), the structure and vegetation modification recommendations given by their team may reduce your home’s wildfire risk up to 75%.

Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Wednesday, June 28, 2023; 5pm (E.P. Foster Library)

The Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council offers no-cost home wildfire assessments to anyone in Ventura County to educate on the latest fire science. The assessment only takes 1 hour, to make an appointment, go to VenturaFireSafe.org or call (805) 746-7365.

Another Book Sale!

Ventura Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, July 8, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Vons at Telegraph & Victoria

Books priced from $.25 to $5.00
Large selection of children’s books!
Large inventory of CDs and DVDs!