Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation appoints Billy Hughes as New Director of Real Estate Development

Hughes offers extensive experience in real estate to help ensure access to quality, affordable housing.

Billy Hughes has joined Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation (CEDC), the largest developer of affordable homes in Ventura County, as Director of Real Estate Development. Utilizing over 30 years of experience in the real estate industry as a developer, investor and lender, Hughes will manage and oversee CEDC’s affordable housing activities, and train and supervise project management staff. He will be taking charge of project development and ensuring successful transitions of CEDC’s projects from construction to operation. Hughes has demonstrated experience with affordable housing resources and programs and an ability to work effectively with groups in the community to listen and respond to questions and concerns.

“I am delighted and honored to be joining the Cabrillo EDC Executive Management team,” said Hughes. “After 3 decades of learning and working in the real estate industry, I intend to bring my expertise and knowledge to the development of affordable housing communities that are vital to so many members of the Ventura County community.”

Before joining CEDC, Hughes was the Managing Member of Black Point Investments, LLC (BPI), where he directed the acquisition and renovation of over 3 million square feet and nearly $1 billion in historic renovations including the re-purposing of several textile mills and historic schools. Hughes was the former president at Bi-Coastal Communities which developed affordable multifamily housing throughout the southeast. Hughes successfully developed over 2000 units totaling over $300 million in affordable housing and senior housing. His work with housing and developing authorities was recognized when he was named “Developer of Choice” by the Fulton County Housing Authority.

“Cabrillo EDC was looking for someone who is committed to our values and our mission of meeting housing needs of lower income families and individuals,” said Margarita H. de Escontrias, CEO of Cabrillo EDC. “We believe that Billy Hughes’ vast experience and breadth of knowledge together with the dedication he possesses, will help us continue carrying out our meaningful and strategic work to benefit the communities we serve.”

Meet the Ventura County Leadership Academy Journey to Leadership 2023 Non-Profit Leader of the Year

Elena Brokaw has devoted her career to creating stronger communities.

Elena Brokaw earned her bachelor’s degree in art history at Harvard University. She has worked extensively as a cultural consultant for communities as well as organizations. As a lead consultant for the firm Jerry Allen and Associates, she completed cultural plans for the cities of Reno, Nevada, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Capitola, California. She has also facilitated public art planning processes for San Diego, California, Reno, and Minneapolis.

In her professional career, she has served as fundraising and development director for multiple organizations including the American Film Institute, was the director of the Parks and Recreation Department in Ventura, California for over a decade, and currently serves as The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director at the Museum of Ventura County.

Elena has served on many regional boards, including Women’s Economic Ventures, Ventura County Social Justice Fund, and the Ventura College Community Foundation. She is a member of the Harvard Selection Committee and is on the faculty of the Cal Lutheran University Center for Nonprofit Leadership, providing instruction in organizational development and leadership.

Channel Islands National Park announces award to provide year-round boat transportation service

Island Packers to continue service to the islands. Photo by Kevon Bailey

The National Park Service (NPS) announced today a 10-year concession contract award to Island Packers to provide year-round boat transportation service from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island, Anacapa Island, Santa Rosa Island, San Miguel Island, and Santa Barbara Island within Channel Islands National Park.

Island Packers is a new company that will be formed from the merger of the current concession, Island Packers Corporation and Superboat Incorporated. The Island Packers Corporation has held the current concession contract since 2011. The new contract will begin on January 1, 2024.

“We are pleased to announce that Island Packers will continue to provide transportation services for park visitors to Channel Islands National Park,” said Superintendent Ethan McKinley. “Island Packers has provided excellent service to the public for over 50 years, and we look forward to another decade of safe and enjoyable visitor access to Channel Islands National Park.”

The new contract will usher in service and sustainability improvements for the concession operation. Visitors will have access to a greater variety of convenience items for sale onboard the vessels, including hats, sunscreen, lip balm, water, and pre-packaged food items, and will have the option to purchase a pre-made boxed lunch when purchasing their boat transportation ticket in advance. Under the new contract, the concessioner will be making several environmentally sustainable upgrades to vessels, including conversion of the fleet to diesel/electric hybrid transmissions with solar charged batteries.

More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube

The skies were gray, but nothing could rain on St. Patrick’s Day Parade fun.

A slight drizzle didn’t stop the parade from entertaining hundreds that lined Main St. Photos by Breeze staff

With a little luck of the Irish and huge community support, the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade went off spectacularly.

Braving cloudy skies and light showers, thousands of smiling faces showed up on the morning of Saturday, March 11, to line the parade route on Main Street in midtown Ventura. After the event, the parade planning committee wrote a letter to express their great gratitude and relief at the strong turnout despite the questionable weather.

“The theme was ‘Let’s Celebrate,’ and we did!” committee co-chairs Nan Drake, Jim Monahan and Brian Brennan said.

“We were overwhelmed that, despite the threat of rain and a wee bit of drizzle, this community event roared back in full force with families sitting under umbrellas to watch one of our best parades,” they wrote. “Yes, there was a bit of a drizzle, but we would like to personally and publicly thank every single person and family who came out to enjoy truly Irish weather on Main Street in Ventura for the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade. … It was simply sublime.”

All rejoiced as the 60-plus parade entries made their way down Main from Lincoln to Fir, with spectators cheering and basking in the diversity of a parade that included everyone from elected officials and historic local families to marching bands, dance troupes and youth groups.

The parade grand marshal this year was Ventura Elks Lodge No. 1430, celebrating its 100th anniversary! A wonderful community organization, the Elks Lodge supports local programs for veterans, youths and many others and has been the lead sponsor of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade since it began in 1984!

Parade entrants compete for awards presented by a panel of judges led this year by St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee member James Lockwood. This year’s other judges were Elks Lodge representative Rhonda Catron; Dr. Richard Rush, retired president of California State University Channel Islands; Celina Zacarias, CSUCI’s director of community and government relations; and Clint Garman, representing Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere.

The following are the winners of the 2023 County Ventura St. Patrick’s Day Parade:

Color Guard: Blue Knights CA XVII.

Bands: Oxnard High School Marching Swarm (high school); Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band (junior high school); and Gold Coast Pipe Band (adult).

Families: The McGrath Family.

Clubs and Organizations: Ventura Elks Lodge No. 1430 (adult); Claddagh School of Irish Dancing (youth); and Totally Local VC and the Local Love Project (nonprofit).

Vehicles: Ventura County Model “A” Ford Club (antique); Southern California Corvairs (classic cars 1950s or later); Ventura County Corvette Club (special interest auto); Topa Topa Fly Wheelers (tractors); Bunnin Chevrolet of Santa Paula and Fillmore (individual vehicle); and J.W. Enterprises (fire truck).

Commercial/Retail: The Grape Ventura “House of Jazz and Spirits” featuring the Phoenix Big Band.

Media: Drastic by Design Productions.

Novelty: Ventura Yacht Club.

Walking Entries: Unique Diamonds Competitive Cheerleaders.

Most Irish: John and Sally McNally with Flags of Ireland.

Environmental: Agromin.

Restaurants and Pubs: Santa Cruz Market.

Government Agencies: United Stated Coast Guard.

Mayor’s Trophy: Surf Rodeo.

Best in Parade (Arnold Hubbard Perpetual Trophy): Cabrillo Middle School Jazz Band.

Rubicon Theatre Company continues commitment to new works

Rubicon Theatre continues the company’s commitment to the creation of new works with the organization’s 46th mainstage world premiere – a developmental musical production based on Dark of the Moon, the 1945 Broadway play by Howard Richardson and William Berney.

The story of Dark of the Moon: A New Musical follows John, a witch boy from the Smoky Mountains, who falls in love with Barbara Allen, a beautiful and rebellious mortal girl who longs for more life than she finds in the fictitious Appalachian town of Buck Creek. John is willing to give up anything to be with Barbara Allen, and makes a deal with the conjur people to give up his immortality and become mortal if Barbara and he can stay true to each other for a year. Based on the classic stage play of the same name, this new musical adaptation is the sexy, soulful tale of young lovers torn apartby prejudice and fear – a modern melding of “Twilight” and Romeo and Juliet loosely based on a centuries-old ballad. Heart wrenchingly beautiful, and profoundly poetic, Dark of the Moon: A New Musical features a dual score by an award-winning songwriting team with a bluegrass/folk sound voiced by the humans juxtaposed with a rock/soul sound from the witches.

The original play version of Dark of the Moon was originally written by Howard Richardson in 1939 as a dramatization of the centuries-old European folk song “The Ballad of Barbara Allen” and was first performed under a different title at the University of Iowa in 1942. After a rewrite by William Berney who was Richardson’s cousin, the pay opened in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where it was seen by The Shuberts. They transferred the show to Broadway in March 14 of 1945 with the new title. The show premiered in London in 1948 as an early success of then-rising star Peter Brook. The show opened Circle in the Square Theatre in 1951. A national tour was followed by numerous high school and college productions and revivals. Notably Paul Newman and Richard Hart each played the role of John.

The production opens April 1 and continues through April 16, with low-priced previews March 29-31. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Prices are $30 to $69.50 with special discounts for students, seniors, military and Equity members. For a complete schedule, or to purchase tickets, visit www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

Dark of the Moon features a 29-member cast including an onstage bluegrass band (Whole Hog of Ventura County), and a rock-and-roll pit band.

Barbara Allen is played by newcomer Ava Delaney, Jake David Smith, plays the character of John. Jennifer Leigh Warren portrays Conjur Woman, Conjur Man, played by Timothy Warmen, Olivier Award-winner Lesli Margheritaplays Raven. She is joined by Juliette Redden as Arwen, the curious light witch, and Dylan Goike as Devin.

An Olivas Discovery

Today’s herb garden.

by Richard Senate

When the Herb Garden of the historic Olivas Adobe  was restored and expanded years ago it was decided that a rustic wooden fence be placed around it to protect the plants and set it apart from the rest of the grassy patch on the east lawn.

John Whyman, the go to it guy the rec department used at the time, was hired to dig the post holes for this split rail fence. It was hot work that summer day and as site manager he checked on his labors over the hours it took him to scoop out the post holes. In his work, several feet down, he started to come up with strange things. They were long, some almost a whitish color, shaped like a Baby Ruth candy bar.

Being trained in archaeology, he knew what they were at first glance. Corpalites! Human droppings. These were remains left here from the Olivas Family. This told him that the Olivas Herb Garden grows on the former location of the Olivas Privy.

Now we know why the plants grow so well. If we had done more chemical analysts, we might even know what they consumed over a century and a half ago.

They were divided into two privies. One for men and one for women. As most could not read—they were delineated by a hole cut in the door to resemble a sun (for men) and a half moon (for women). As the women took better care of their units—they tend to survive, giving the false impression that all privies had a half moon.

Vol. 16, No. 13 – Mar 22 – Apr 4, 2023 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

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 of each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820
Do you want a 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.

March 31-April 2: This hilarious and heartrending new play comes from a multi-award-winning writer and director, Kieron Barry, just four performances before its London premiere. “Spy for Spy, love, shuffled” at NAMBA Performing Arts Space, 47 S Oak St. Spy for Spy asks if our lives make more sense in the wrong order and if love is enough to fuse two radically different spirits. Spy for Spy is a romantic comedy with a difference; a drama performed like a playlist with scenes shuffled in random order. Funny, moving, and profound, Spy for Spy explores the limits of the body, the weight of the soul, and the burden of love. Tickets are $30/$25 for students and seniors and can be bought online at www.NambaArts.com or at the door on the performance day.

April 1: Sespe Fly Fishers of Ventura will be conducting our monthly “First Saturday” introductory Fly Rod Casting and Intro to Fly Fishing clinic. is on. 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.
Also coming Up in April – Special Clinic – “Casting on the River!”
Sespe Fly Fishers in collaboration with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy
is planning to set up a special casting clinic at the Ventura Steelhead Preserve in April to take advantage of the current Ventura River Flows.

Ventura Steelhead Preserve
9458 Santa Ana Rd, Ventura
Date: To be determined
For more information: Casting Program Coordinator Thomas Hall
[email protected]
(805) 377-5249 www.sespeflyfishers.org

April 2: Open house tours of the 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will take place on Sunday from 1- 4 p.m. Admission is free. The museum is at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood). For information, please call (805) 642-3345 or visit the website at dudleyhouse.org.

April 2: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Sunday 2-4 p.m.
At the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Live Music on stage. Jamming in the Canada Room. Free Admission. Free Parking. Open to the Public. Current Ventura County Covid regulations will apply. For more information, call 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA.

April 4: Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomer’s speaker is Marsha McHenry Carol moved to Ventura from Dana Point five years ago. She has a degree in Communications from Cal State, Fullerton, and is a freelance journalist, writing for many of California’s lifestyle magazines. She splits her time between Laguna and Ventura. She bought Charles of Laguna, Charles Wigs, in 2010 when the business was 45 years old. She recently opened a private room, a wig boutique in Salon Pancho off Harbor Bl in Ventura. Wednesday 9:30-11:15 a.m. at Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Dr.

April 8: Saturday 8 – 2 p.m., our monthly plant and collectibles sale continues on the grounds at the Dudley House. Bromeliads, orchids, and succulents will be on sale, along with various collectibles. Vendors, please call Charlie at 805-746-4317 for details. The museum is at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood Streets (197 N. Ashwood). Free.

April 12: The Ondulando Firewise Community will hold its first community-wide meeting from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. All residents of Ondulando are invited to come and learn about the benefits of a Firewise Community: How to harden your home against wildfires, how our neighborhood can be more fire resilient, and how the cost of home insurance can be reduced for Firewise Communities.

Our local Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council has been helping us start our Firewise Community using the FIREWISE USA framework. “The Firewise USA program encourages local solutions for safety by involving homeowners in taking individual responsibility for preparing their homes for the risk of wildfire. The program provides resources to help homeowners learn how to adapt to living with wildfire and encourages neighbors to work together to act now to prevent losses.” (VRFSC, Feb 2023). For more information, search Firewise USA.

April 15: Step Up Ventura, a 501(c)(3) organization that provides academic, social, emotional, and behavioral skills to children experiencing homelessness under the age of 5, is hosting a Local Youth Artist Showcase on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave. Our Inspire to Aspire event will feature the talent of local VUSD students through choral and jazz music, crafted desserts by Ventura High School culinary students, and a silent auction. For more information, please visit our website to purchase tickets or to become a sponsor at www.stepupventura.org

April 28: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG)
Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, and social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo. Online and live at our temporary location Ventura County Computers, 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117. Events begin on Friday at 9:30 a.m. 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 before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: <ahref=http://www.cipcug.org>cipcug club website. (805) 289-3960

Geoffrey William Tudor July 2, 1956 – December 22, 2022

Geoff lived an adventurous and unconventional life.

Born in Newhall, CA and the third and youngest child of Daniel Hubbard Tudor (of Massachusetts) and Jeanice Eddy (of Michigan).

Geoff lived an adventurous and unconventional life. He served in the US Coast Guard as a Cadet for a year and received a National Defense Service Medal.  He also served in the US Forest service helping to fight fires. He helped take care of his elderly parents for many years in Washington State and then moved back to California in the early 2000s.

He loved cooking, camping, fishing, music, animals, colorful clothing and had a passion for all things cycling. He spent much of his time in Ventura, doing construction work, boat maintenance in Ventura harbor and you could often see him out late at night collecting recyclables. He enjoyed deep conversation with friends and strangers alike.  

He lived outside for a period and was able to get into housing at El Patio in Ventura the last decade before he passed at Community Memorial Hospital due to existing conditions and complications of the flu virus.

He leaves behind an estranged older brother and sister but kept up relations with his cousins including Annette Alexander of Santa Barbara, CA. He especially leaves behind many dear friends who enjoyed his intellectual conversation, larger-than-life presence, loud laughter and generous compassionate huge heart.

Veterans’ affairs provided all his end-of-life services. His ashes were spread at sea off the coast of Ventura, CA earlier this year.

A party will be held in Geoff’s honor at the home of Shayna Metzner & Scott Hahn on Ventura’s Westside, Saturday March 25 @ Noon to 4pm. Reach us on Facebook for more details

The Bookmark About Librairies and Friends

by Mary Olson
Ventura County Library is offering a series of family-friendly sustainability-themed programs.
English/Spanish interpretation services and children’s activities will be available for all the programs at the Piru Library, Saticoy Library, and Soliz Library branches. The upcoming topic is:

Home Weatherization 101
Thursday, March 30, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Soliz Library
(2820 Jourdan Street, Oxnard) 805 485-4515
Thursday, April 6, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Piru Library
(3811 Center Street, Piru) 805 521-1753
Thursday, May 4, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Saticoy Library
(1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura) 805 671-5148

These programs are made available through a Sustainable California Libraries Grant from the California State Library, and in collaboration with the County Executive Office’s Sustainability Division. To learn more about the Sustainable California Libraries grant, visit their website at www.library.ca.gov/services/to-libraries/sustainable/.

E.P. Foster Library is offering a new book club – Foster’s Young Reader Book Club will meet on the fourth Saturday of each month, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm, for children ages 9-12 (4th or 5th grade reading level). The selection to be discussed at the March 25 meeting is The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Despereaux Tilling is a mouse who sets out on a quest to rescue a beautiful human princess from the rats. The book won the 2004 Newbery Medal award and has been adapted into a film, a video game, and a stage musical.

Micaela Ellis, teen author, will visit E.P. Foster Library on Saturday, April 8, 11:00 am to noon to present her book, Autism Over The Years and share her perspective on life as a child with autism. She hopes to educate others on the challenges that people with autism face and the many opportunities for growth and learning that are available to children like her when they are respected and understood.

The Hill Road Library Book Club will discuss Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver on
Tuesday, March 28, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The April book club selection is Bird Brother: A Falconer’s Journey
and the Healing Power of Wildlife by Rodney Stotts.

Hill Road Library also offers a quarterly Wise Owls Book Club for adults who enjoy reading children’s literature. The Spring meeting takes place on Tuesday, April 11, 5:00 to 6:00 pm. The book selection is : The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. This middle-grade dystopian novel follows Petra Peña who, along with her family and a few hundred others, leaves Earth to continue the human race after a comet strikes the planet.

To join the mailing list for Hill Road Library book clubs, please email [email protected] . Visit
Hill Road Library to pick up the latest book club selections.

The Ventura County Library Foundation has announced its second Rising from the Ashes home tour to take place on Saturday, April 22, 12:00 to 4:00 pm.

The Thomas Fire of 2017 caused devastation, but not defeat. The Ventura County Library Foundation invites you to witness the resilience of Ventura as you tour some of the beautifully rebuilt homes and hear the stories of rebirth.

Proceeds will help fund important literacy programs, the Mobile Library, broader access to the internet and computers to close the digital divide, homework tutoring, STEAM initiatives, and much more.
For more information and to buy tickets, go to: https://www.vclibraryfoundation.org/events/