Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Reinventing funeral service in Ventura one Memory at a Time

With arms wide open, Michael Boyko invites all of greater Ventura County to stop by and visit the Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Road Mortuary & Cremation at 15 Teloma Drive to say hello and maybe have that important talk about your lifetime.

Boyko finds working with grieving families a calling and being of support to them comes naturally.

In December of 2019, Boyko of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service on Main Street in Ventura acquired the mortuary property at 15 Teloma Drive. Also in Ventura, this site has been comforting the public since the 1960’s. And, so began the Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Road Mortuary & Cremation nestled at the corner of Telegraph Road and Teloma Drive. The addition of the location furthers their enhanced ability to continue to serve our community at two distinctly different sites: the original funeral home at 757 E. Main Street and 15 Teloma Drive. Residents of our community want convenience, affordability, and a high degree of professionalism and they proudly provide service and fine facilities on each side of the City.

Continuing at this historic site at the former “Candy Cane Lane”, this landmark of a building in Ventura houses a spacious in-house chapel that can accommodate over 250 guests as well as spacious family meeting rooms, parlors, and a celebration reception room. They have upgraded with modern and sleek amenities like contemporary audiovisual equipment, sound systems, and comfortable furnishings to provide peace and a home-like surrounding. The warm decor gives a feeling of comfort that falls just short of opulence. You’ll be greeted by offices and halls painting in comforting beiges, tans, and maroon accents coupled with the smell of a freshly cut bouquet.

Michael already known for the funeral home on Main Street said the decision simply made sense, “Ventura is basically all the same people yet having the facility at 15 Teloma Drive just lets me give people what they want, affordable excellence and either of our fine facilities.”

Boyko finds working with grieving families a calling and being of support to them comes naturally. You can find him locally giving talks, volunteering, and supporting churches, temples, and even hosting community events. Boyko proudly serves on the Board of Directors of the Ventura Music Festival and has hosted concert events in the Funeral Home’s Chapel. The owner shares, “As gatherings resume, I am excited at the possibility of doing more of these types of events bringing in friends for live performances.”

“We find the meaning in life in service and helping others. Navigating the path of loss isn’t something to be taken lightly. No matter the scenario my staff takes time to support our families served in their hour of need and thereafter. Sometimes it’s not what you say, its being there for someone and just lending a should to lean on and an ear to listen to.”

Michael is overcoming the stereotype of the typical undertaker. At 45, Boyko is president of both funeral homes and considers it an honor to be the fourth generation to carry on the tradition of funeral directing, operating one of the state’s oldest funeral homes which recently turned 111.

Constantly, Michael remains vanguard with alternative funeral/cremation/memorial options. He’s known for programs like green burials, whole-body burials of caskets at sea, free grief-counseling seminars, and a reputation for throwing some of the best parties in the City. Boyko does as much as he can to breathe life into the death business. Boyko who is an eager host is quick to answer questions and stress the profound responsibility he has as a funeral director. “People want options and I’ve got an array of numerous distinct options for traditional and non-traditional funerals, themed memorial services, final toasts, paddle out to sea scatterings, beach party tributes, or keeping one’s services private. Within these options, you well know we have caskets, urns, burial vaults, livery, memorial products etc. but what we really sell here is ‘trust’.”

Rather than wait for people to walk through the door, Michael and his staff reach out to our community to offer seminars and talk in regards to the funeral home’s offerings and pre-planning arrangements.

Each day Michael opens his doors and urges all of greater Ventura County to stop by for a visit and have that all important conversation.

Exotic Treasures

by Richard Senate

Ventura County has some exotic treasure yarns that implies that treasures still are to be found here. These include the lost padre’s gold mine (at the headwaters of Piru Creek) to the lost Olivas Gold (buried on Red Mountain) But few realize that some treasures exist within the city limits of Ventura! This is a partial list of the lost gold rumored hidden beneath our feet. Now are these just stories or could they really exist? You be the judge. Have they been found but not reported? Perhaps but still they are worth examination.

The Lost Mission Vault. The story is that the padre’s of Mission San Buenaventura operated a gold mine and formed the gold into crude ingots. They were taken down the Santa Clara River Valley and stored in a hidden vault at the mission Church. Once a year a black painted galleon of the Jesuit Order would come and take away the gold for the use of his Holiness the Pope in Rome. The galleons stopped coming with the Mexican War for Independence and the gold is still there! Some say it was within the thick walls of the church, others say it was under the Mission Padre’s Quarters, still others believe it is located in an underground room in the hill behind the church.

The iron bound chest at the Cross. In 1818 a pirate threatened California so the mission treasures were hidden and the settlement abandoned for several weeks. They saw the pirates as godless men who would be repelled by the cross–so they buried the contents at the foot of the cross on the hill. Native people saw them and curious dug up the goods, only to re-bury them on the hill. When they padres returned the treasure chest had vanished. The present site of the cross was not the original location. Maybe the rusted chest could be found with a metal detector?

The gangster’s loot. In prohibition times gangsters smuggled Canadian Whiskey into LA though Ventura. The ships would carry in the booze and fast boats would take it ashore, all the while avoiding the Coast Guard Cutters. The ship captains demanded to be paid in cash. So the gangsters brought cash in suitcases to pay them. This was hidden in a tunnel under the city. But, before the ship came, an earthquake caved in the tunnel and buried the bag of cash. Those gold certificates would be worth a fortune today!

The Bookmark About Librairies and Friends

by Mary Olson

Save the Date! Hill Road Library is turning 5!

Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road, has been a spectacular success since its opening in 2017. It is now the 2nd
most utilized branch in the Ventura County Library System. In addition to books and programs, it offers the
innovative express hours service, wifi, a laptop kiosk, wireless color printing and a study room. Programs offered at this branch include storytime, book clubs, Paws for Reading, Little Lab, Maker Club and Minecraft Club. As Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director, said at the opening celebration, “It’s a wonderful example of how the County, City, and community came together to provide funding and support so that we can reach more people with library services and ultimately improve lives and enrich the entire community.” This project was realized through the efforts of Ventura County Library System, Ventura County Board of Supervisors, who approved ongoing funds in the amount of $250,000 to operate the new library; the City of Ventura, who provided $25,000 for one-time capital expenditures and approved $50,000 annually and Ventura Friends of the Library who raised and contributed $200,000.

Hill Road Library’s 5th Birthday Party will take place at the library on Saturday, December 3.

The celebration will begin at 10:30 am with arts and crafts. A Magic Show with Zany Zoe begins at 11:00 am. Her
one of a kind magic show is bilingual with engaging music and humor.

Whenever you visit Hill Road Library, be sure to take a look at the Ventura Friends of the Library sales shelves. The shelves have been restocked with holiday selections! The cash you drop in the box helps add up to good things like the Hill Road library.

And, news from Fillmore Library–
Fillmore Library, which has been closed for renovations, reopens Saturday, November 19, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The community is invited to visit their newly renovated and expanded library, 502 2nd Street, Fillmore. Storytime
for the children at noon and 3:00 pm. STEAM Activities. Get a library card!

The Friends Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library will be open for some extra shifts in November and December.
The store will be open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. and, the store will be open Sundays, 1:30
to 4:00 pm.

We also invite you to visit our online bookstore for local sales https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop. When
you make a purchase there, you will receive an email letting you know when your order will be ready for pickup at
the bookstore in E.P. Foster.

If you have a large donation of books for us, please email: [email protected]
As always, we welcome new volunteers. We could particularly use someone who could help with the sale of comic books and manga through eBay. Please leave your information at the bookstore if you would like to help or email at the address above.

Meet the Christmas Train at Stops in Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore

Enjoy Hot Chocolate and Treats as Santa and his Elves Collect Toys for Disadvantaged Children on November 26

One and all are invited to meet up with the Christmas Train on Saturday evening, November 26 as Santa and his elves makes stops in Ventura, Santa Paula and Fillmore to collect toys for underprivileged children. The Christmas Train is a collaboration between the Sierra Northern Railway and the Sunburst train, created for a “Spirit of the Holidays Train Toy Drive.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped, new toy that will be loaded onto the train and later shared with a child in need. Free to all, the “Spirit of the Holidays Train Toy Drive” will offer a festive atmosphere including hot chocolate and candy canes, as well as the chance to mingle with Santa and his elves.

The train’s first stop is at 6:20 p.m. at the pedestrian crossing near Montgomery Avenue and North Bank Drive in Ventura. Here, families may bring their toys for drop-off; watch Santa’s train chug into sight; and enjoy treats and the excitement of the season.

Next, the train stops at 7 p.m. at the Saticoy Depot (11220 Azahar St,) in Ventura; then at 8 p.m. at the Santa Paula Depot (200 N. 10th St.) in Santa Paula; and, finally, at 9:15 p.m. near the intersection of Sespe Avenue and Old Telegraph Road in Fillmore (across the street from the fire station).

Each location will conjure up a joyful community gathering as local businesses and organizations come together to support this special cause.

For more information, please visit: sunbursttrain.com/spirit-of-the-holidays/

Recent CMH Auxiliary events

An annual event was held at the Camarillo Air Museum.

With the lifting of prohibitions against in-person meetings, some delayed events have been reinstated. Recently, an awards luncheon was held at the Sheraton Four Points to honor CMH Auxiliary members who have contributed many hours of service as well as those who have been volunteering for years. Members were recognized for their service of 100 hours, 500 hours, 1000 hours and more.

Members were also recognized for their years of service. Sandra Frandsen and Julie Kaplan have volunteered for 20 years, and Rosalee Asbell, Frank Cavallero, and Iris Schulman have contributed for 25 years. JoAnn Bowen was recognized for her 30 years of service, and Frances Reed has been a CMH Auxiliary volunteer for 35 years!

The Auxiliary provides valuable assistance in most areas of the hospital, providing information at the front desk, working in the gift shop, transporting patients throughout the hospital, and supporting the medical staff in any way possible.

Another event that has resumed with the easing of Covid restrictions is the Benefactor’s Ball, formerly an annual event supporting Community Memorial Hospital. Held at the Camarillo Air Museum, members of the CMH Auxiliary served as “Flight Crew” to assist with greeting guests, and later with the fund-raising auction. Major donors and supporters of the hospital were recognized, and outgoing CEO Gary Wilde was acknowledged for his leadership.

If you are interested in participating in the Auxiliary, information and applications are available at the front desk of CMH. You may also call 805-948-4299 and leave a message with your contact information requesting that an application be mailed to you.

Former European champs taking on 2022 USL League 2 champs as part of its HSV ROUTE 87 tour

Fresh off its second USL League 2 Championship, the Ventura County Fusion will take on historic German side Hamburger SV Friday November 18th at Ventura College. The stadium opens at 6pm and the game starts at 7 pm. Tickets are on sale now for $15 via ticketleap.com and also be purchased for $20 in person on the day of the game.

“This friendly will be a great test for our team,” said Fusion USL 2 Head Coach Mike Elias“ We had a terrific run during the summer against really good USL competition and playing against one of the great clubs in the world will be a great test for us as well as a really fun night for our fans.”

The Fusion has a long history of playing top international clubs including River Plate (Argentina), Atlético Morelia (Mexico), AIK, GAIS, and Hammarby (Sweden). The Fusion have gone up against a who’s who of English Premier League sides including Manchester City, Everton, Burnley, Swansea and West Bromwich Albion FC. The Fusion captured a historic win in July 2014, defeating Rangers F.C. from the Scottish Premiership 3-1 in a friendly match at Ventura College.

This match, however, will be the first time the Fusion has gone up against a team from Germany. Hamburger SV is one of the oldest clubs in Germany and is known for traditionally playing in red shorts, leading to the nickname die Rothosen (the Red Pants). It has won league titles in both the amateur and pro eras, including three Bundesliga championships. They’ve also won three domestic cups, as well as the European Cup Winners Cup, in 1977, and the European Cup, predecessor to the current UEFA Champions League, in 1983. This season, playing in Bundesliga 2, Hamburg currently sits in second place with a record of 10-1-4.

In addition to the Fusion, Hamburger SV will play defending USL Champions Orange County FC on November 15 at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine. The club’s dinosaur mascot, “Dino Hermann” will travel with the team and will be on hand in Irvine and in Ventura to interact with fans.

For more information about the Ventura County Fusion, please visit vcfusion.com.

Vol. 16, No. 04 – Nov 16 – Nov 30, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

Ojai ACT brings you all the “trimmin’s” for a special holiday season with an intergenerational production of Elf The Musical running weekends from Friday, November 25 through Sunday, December 18. Performance times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Special Saturday matinees have been added to the schedule, November 26—December 17.

Elf The Musical is directed by Gai Laing Jones, Ojai’s preeminent theater educator, master teacher, and inspirational speaker. “No one likes putting together intergenerational shows more than Gai,” Tracey Williams Sutton, Ojai ACT’s Artistic Director, said. “And no one is better at it. We’re lucky to have her here in Ojai.”

Based on the 2003 critically and commercially successful film, Elf, starring Will Ferrell, the stage musical has become a holiday staple for both professional and community theaters nationwide. Elf follows the

Tickets are on sale now. General admission is $25, $20 for students, seniors, and Art Center members, and $10 for children age 12 and under. For Ticket information and group sales call 805-640-8797.

Vol. 16, No. 04 – Nov 16 – Nov 30, 2022 – 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 on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820 or Rick Follenweider at 650-520-1098 can supply details.

Do you want a Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge gamesevery 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.

Nov. 22, etc.: Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice’s free grief and bereavement program are committed to providing free bereavement services to the community in the open, accepting, confidential atmosphere. The groups provide support, connections, and validation that they are not alone. Good Grief Club, Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. starting from November 22, 2022, through January 17, 2023 (RSVP required) Young Teen Groups, Thursdays from 6 to 7 p.m. beginning December 1, 2022, through January 19, 2023 (RSVP required). We’ve also added an in-person group for Survivors of a Suicide Loss beginning December 7. It meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Registration required). To register or for additional information on our wide range of grief and bereavement support, please contact Stacia Sickle, Director of the Grief Program, at (805) 389-6870 x452 or [email protected].

Nov. 25, 26, 27; Dec. 3 & 4; 10 & 11: Dudley House Holiday Boutique. The 28th annual fundraiser for the 1892 historic house museum is back. Come celebrate the spirit of holidays past, where you’ll find quality crafts, home décor, antiques and collectibles, a silent auction, and a bargain “basement.” New hours are 11 to 5 p.m. with a flea market added 8 to 4 p.m. outside on Sundays. Located at 197 N. Ashwood in Ventura. (805) 642-3345. Free.

Nov.26: Local rising star Olivia Willhite is playing an all ages show at Bombay’s from 5pm-7pm, to celebrate several important milestones. A big one is her runaway hit song Runaway Man, which is poised to surpass 6 million streams on Spotify that same week.

The singer-songwriter and musician will also be taking the opportunity at the show to thank her fans and the local surf community who have embraced her from when her career first began. She’ll also be releasing her first album in the spring–so bring your whole family–there’s a lot to celebrate!

Dec.1: A Christmas Carol previews on Thursday, December 1 at 7:30 pm, opens on Saturday, December 3 at 8 p.m., and runs through Sunday, December 18 at The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria Street in Santa Barbara. Performances are Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., with added performances on Sunday, December 4 at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 10 at 4 p.m.

Ticket prices range from $40 – $84. Single tickets are available through the ETC box office at (805) 965-5400 or online at etcsb.org. Prices are subject to change.

Dec.11: The Compassionate Friends of West Ventura County invites you to join us in remembering and honoring the bright shining stars we love and miss so much in the 2022 Worldwide Candle Lighting from 6-8 p.m. Remembering through photos and music, creating decorations for a memorial tree sharing food and conversation with others lighting a candle for your child. All are welcome to attend. Call for location information and to RSVP Laura (914) 610-8918

Dec.10: International Human Rights Day Open House Saturday 1 to 3 p.m. Join us for a day to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a milestone document that proclaims the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to. Guest speakers include Imam Muhammed Shoayb Mehtar, Religious and Interfaith Director of the Islamic Center of Conejo Valley, Venerable Thepo Tulku Rinpoche, Co-Founder of the Tibetan Association of Southern California, Buddhist Lama, Human Rights Activists. Church of Scientology of Ventura 2151 Alessandro Dr.

Dec.11: The First Annual Holiday Parade on Wheels takes place at Ventura Community Park (Telephone & Kimball Road) Saturday at 4 p.m. Decorated bikes, and any other wheeled zero-emission mobility, will parade on the Class 1 recreation path inside. The event benefits and is hosted by Bike VC. Proceeds from Holiday Parade on Wheels contribute to Bike VC operations and programs. Registration is limited to the first 250 entries. Parade Guidelines and required registration details are available at https://bikeventura.org/holiday-parade-on-wheels-2022/ or Evenbrite.com.

Dec. 11: Patchwork Show on California & Main 11 to 5 p.m. Patchwork Show featuring 60+ local makers, crafters, junior entrepreneurs, designers, and food artisans alongside crafting stations. Family and dog-friendly, a vibrant downtown street location surrounded by shops and restaurants, and Free to attend.

Dec.18: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) will have a discussion, tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around computers, email, and the Internet, social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members. Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Location: Online and now live at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura. (805) 289-3960 To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: <ahref=http://www.cipcug.org>cipcug club website</a>.