Feast of Lots, a joyous Jewish festival commemorating the survival of the Jews who, in the 5th century BCE, were marked for death by their Persian rulers. The story is related in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim is celebrated on Thursday, March 17, 2022.

Haman, chief minister of King Ahasuerus, incensed that Mordecai, a Jew, held him in disdain and refused obeisance, convinced the king that the Jews living under Persian rule were rebellious and should be slaughtered. With the king’s consent, Haman set a date for the execution (the 13th day of the month of Adar) by casting lots and built a gallows for Mordecai.

When word of the planned massacre reached Esther, beloved Jewish queen of Ahasuerus and adopted daughter of Mordecai, she risked her life by going uninvited to the king to suggest a banquet that Haman would attend. At the meal she pleaded for the Jews and accused “this wicked Haman” of plotting the annihilation of her people.

Upset, the king stepped out into the palace gardens. On returning, he found Haman “falling on the couch where Esther was.” The king mistook Haman’s frantic pleas for mercy as an attack upon the queen. The outraged king ordered that Haman be hanged and that Mordecai be named to his position. Esther and Mordecai then obtained a royal edict allowing Jews throughout the empire to attack their enemies on Adar 13. After an exhilarating victory, they declared the following day a holiday and (alluding to the lots Haman had cast) named it Purim.

by Richard Senate

Once a terrible gunfighter walked the streets of old Ventra. He was a violent, temperamental man with few redeemable qualities. His name was Joseph Franklin Dye and his murderous reputation still echoes in the legends of Ventura County. Born in Kentucky in 1831 he traveled to Texas where he held several jobs before coming west to California. As he matured his dark inner demons began to show themselves. When the nation was plunged into the grim and terrible Civil War Joe’s sentiments were  with the Confederacy but, unlike many who held such views, he didn’t make the long journey east to join the fight.

He joined the Beal Gang of highway men who told their victims the robberies were done to support the South but really to line their own pockets.  When the war ended, Joe left them and took a job as a deputy in El Monte where he achieved some note running down and arresting a local gang. This attention got him a job as a marshal in Los Angeles. He was given the worst section of the city–Chinatown. Then a crime infested red light district. Here Joe shined as he brought his own brand of harsh justice to the quarter as well as lining his own pockets with bribes and award monies. He got into an argument with his boss, City Marshall William Warren. There was a gunfight and Warren was shot dead! As the Marshall was dying in the street–Joe when to him and bit off his ear! Witnesses said Warren had fired first and Joe Dye was released.

He left LA and moved to Ventura County, buying a ranch in Sespi and marrying his girl friend and mother of his daughter, Lorena Grace.  In the 1870s Ventura County was experiencing an oil boom and Joe had an easy time finding work as a guard at the oil fields. He got into oil exploration, wheeling and dealing he made a lot of money, both legally and illegally. Most say that Joe Dye had only one redeeming quality, the love he had for his wife that bordered on obsession. When he discovered she was having an affair with one of his oil partners he snapped. Wisely, his wife quickly left the state.  She was mixed up with a merchant in Santa Paula named Herman Haines. Joe called him out and on the dusty streets of Santa Paula they had a classic western gunfight. Haines drew first but Joe’s bullet was more accurate and dropped him in the street, dead. Joe was arrested and the trial held in Ventura at the Santa Clara Street red brick courthouse.

With his money, Joe hired a “dream team ” of lawyers and was released. Joe terrorized the local people, making his detractors grovel on hands and knees and bark like a dog–at gunpoint, on Main Street, Ventura.  His end came when joe partnered with a cousin named Mason Bradfield in another oil lease deal that was shady. When Bradfield wanted  out,Joe beat him badly.  In Los Angeles to cut yet another oil deal, May 14, 1891, Bradfield got his revenge firing both barrels of a shotgun into Joe Dye.  Mason Bradfield was released saying he felt that his life was endangered by Joe. The jury, who knew Dye, believed him and he was released.  People in Ventura and Santa Paula breathed a sign of relief that  Joe Dye was no longer walking the streets.  He rests in a Los Angeles unmarked grave, a grim footnote in local history.

by Christy Weir

Arbor Day is a nationally celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. California celebrates Arbor Day between March 7-14, this year on Saturday, March 12.

The city of Ventura has a fascinating tree history. One of the oldest trees in town is a designated historic landmark. The Moreton Bay Fig tree in downtown’s Plaza Park was planted in 1874 and, with a span of 150 feet, is one of the largest of its species. At 148 years of age, it is older than most of our buildings.

The two great Norfolk Island pines next to the Mission are estimated to be well over 100 years old. They reputedly were planted by a sailing captain in the hope that they would eventually provide a supply of ship masts.

In the 18th century, many species were introduced to Ventura, notably palms, eucalyptus and citrus. In 1898, thirteen Big Blue Gum Eucalyptus saplings were planted on a hilltop above Ventura. Over time, all have been lost to vandalism, fire, drought and disease. Two Trees, the much-loved symbol of our city, have not survived and replacements have been planted.

In 1922, several tall palm trees near the Mission were the inspiration for the name and logo of Las Palmas brand enchilada sauce, created by a talented Ventura cook named Rosa Ramirez. You’ll still see the Las Palmas label with distinctive Ventura palms on store shelves worldwide.

Thousands of acres of fertile land east of Seaward Avenue flourished with walnut, citrus and avocado orchards for most of the twentieth century, growing Ventura’s economy and enhancing the postcard-perfect landscape.

Ventura’s urban forest of over 30,000 trees is one of the most vital pieces of our city’s infrastructure, providing numerous benefits for our residents. Tree-lined streets retain large volumes of rainfall, reducing and cleansing runoff. They also increase property values, encourage shopping and business, reduce air pollution, calm traffic and lower noise levels. And trees reduce erosion and stabilize our hilly terrain. There are currently over 10,000 empty tree wells in Ventura, where street trees have been lost to drought, wind, fire and disease. Recently, the Ventura Tree Alliance non-profit organization was formed to help replace those street trees.

You can celebrate Arbor Day by planting a tree in your own yard, a living and lasting gift to our community.

by Jill Forman

Just scheduled – Friends of the Library Book Sale!

Saturday March 19 at Vons, corner of Telegraph and Victoria.

Times and details to be determined. Information: venturafriendsofthelibrary.org.

Libraries are open!

Not everyone is aware of this. They are open, same hours as pre-closure. Library activities are transitioning to in-person or possible a combination of Zoom and in-person. Check your branch’s website for schedules and formats, or talk to the staff.

Foster Library Bookstore is open!

Tuesdays through Saturdays 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Every genre, hundreds of good-quality books, very reasonable prices. Staffed by Friends volunteers who love to talk about books and libraries.

Hill Road book sale shelves are open!

Have been completely restocked. Adults, kids, CD’s and DVD’s also. Available whenever the branch is open, honor payment system.

Online Bookstore is always open! With a sale!

Children’s books, Youth Fiction and Youth Non-Fiction on sale in March for $1. Venturafriendsoftheibrary.org, tab for “Online Store.” Pick-up will be at the Foster bookstore; purchasers will get an email when their order is ready.

Support your libraries with Amazon Smile

Every purchase you make with Amazon Smile goes to the charity of your choice. To set up, go to smile.amazon.com; there is an option to set up your recipient. Of course, we encourage you to pick “San Buenaventura Friends of the Library.”

Goodbye to Dolly Knight, Ventura Senior City Librarian

Dolly has brought enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the libraries. She will be missed.

Book Groups

Foster Library Saturday morning book group is on hold until April.

Hill Road book group meets the last Tuesday of each month at 5 p.m. March’s book is The Rose Code by Kate Quinn.

New book group at Hill Road: Linda Cherry, Librarian at Hill, is starting a group focusing on children’s books for adults. The group will be called The Wise Owls Book Club (Little Books for Big People); the first meeting will be Tuesday, April 12 at 5:00 p.m., to discuss When the Sea Turned To Silver by Grace Lin. To be added to the mailing list, find out about forthcoming title selections and meeting dates, email [email protected].

New members wanted for a Friends of the Library book group. Not your everyday book group, this one does not discuss one book a month. Every member describes and discusses books they have read in the past month. We frequently exchange books also. Members enjoy learning about books they might never have been exposed to. We have been meeting via Zoom for the past couple of years, but anticipate in-person monthly meetings soon. For information, contact [email protected].

What Else is Going on?

So many things! Here’s a sample:

Zip Books – Request books you’d like the library to buy.

Brainfuse HelpNow – eLearning for all ages and levels.

Minecraft Mondays – Every Monday 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Storytimes – In person and on Facebook.

Bilingual Bedtime Stories – Tuesdays, 7:00 to 7:30 pm on Facebook.

Discover Science – Talk to library staff for schedule.

Your libraries offer activities and help for everyone.

Outgoing treasurer, Norma Taylor, presented a check from the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary to Gary Wilde, who accepted on behalf of the hospital. The money was raised from donations, bequests, and fund-raising activities by Auxiliary members and will be used toward future needs of the hospital.

Fund-raising is just one facet to the activities of the CMH Auxiliary. From the front desk to the emergency room, the gift shop, and most other areas of the hospital, members may be seen in their navy and white uniforms, lending a hand to patients and staff alike. These volunteers assist in many ways and contribute to the smooth running of the various departments.

Question: On our daily walk, we walk the square around Ventura College. Both Loma Vista and Telegraph Rd have potholes and chunks of asphalt that fly into the gutters and even onto the sidewalk caused by vehicles traveling at 40 to 50 mph.

I live on Johnson Drive in Ventura where road repairs were made awhile back. I couldn’t be more pleased to see how nice and clean and safe our neighborhood is after years of ugly, falling apart streets.

Now back to Loma Vista and Telegraph, a very nice area where property values are important. Too bad about their ugly, falling apart streets. A pretty simple plea.

Sincerely, Diane Ryan

Answer: We turned to Ventura City for an answer.

We are pleased to hear you are enjoying the recent repair of Johnson Drive. Thank you for inquiring about those sections on Loma Vista Road and Telegraph Road.

Loma Vista Road between Day Road and Ashwood Avenue will receive repairs via slurry seal anticipated for this summer. Road repairs typically are completed in summer months as fair-weather conditions are needed for effective asphalt pavement applications. Both those stretches of road were repaired sometime between 2009-2011, according to our Pavement Management Plan, which was completed in July 2016. The section of Telegraph Road, however, has a planned pipeline project that is currently being designed and will have to wait until the pipeline is in place prior to the paving repair.

The City of Ventura has over 700 lane miles and our Public Works Department repairs 40 miles on average each year with current funding availability. To view the nearly $200M in streets and infrastructure capital improvement projects planned in the next five years, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/Construction to view the FY 2023-27 Capital Improvement Program.

To report pothole repair needs, call the City hotline at (805) 652-4590.

Barry Wolfman has been appointed President and CEO of Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) in Oxnard, Calif. and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo in Camarillo, Calif. Wolfman, has been serving as interim president since November 1.

“It gives me great pleasure to share that Barry will continue to lead St. John’s Hospitals,” says Julie J. Sprengel, President and CEO of Dignity Health’s Southern California Division. “In his interim role, Barry has been instrumental in facing staffing challenges and navigating the most recent surge of COVID cases while prioritizing the well-being of our St. John’s team at both campuses. I am confident that Barry’s commitment coupled with his invaluable experience, will be instrumental to the growth and success of both hospitals.”

Wolfman brings more than 30 years of hospital operations and healthcare management experience. He has worked in academic, for-profit, and faith-based, non-profit health systems, giving him unique leadership qualities. Additionally, Wolfman has provided leadership development and exploration of two joint ventures for personalized genomic medicine as an international consultant with Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.

“I am excited for the opportunity to continue leading St. John’s Hospitals,” said Barry Wolfman, President and CEO of Dignity Health-St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo. “Both hospitals have wonderful and skilled people doing exceptional work, day in and day out. I am humbled by the opportunity to lead and create a vision for both hospitals that enhances the delivery of care in communities we serve, well into the future.”

Wolfman is known for creating cohesive teams by engaging employees and collaborating with board members and key stakeholders. He has a strong commitment to building physician relationships that align with growth opportunities and strategic organizational goals.

Hospital to operate more effectively in the competitive market of Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. While serving as CEO, he initiated a collaboration with the medical school for physician relationships, obtained Level 1 trauma designation, opened the GW Cancer Institute, and started kidney and liver transplant programs. He previously held regional senior executive roles for Kaiser Permanente and Tenet Healthcare and served as CEO for Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank.

Dignity Health-St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo in Camarillo comprise the largest non-profit acute care provider in Ventura County. Founded more than 100 years ago, St. John’s Hospitals are nationally recognized for quality care, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to support new programs and services, as well as to advance the community’s access to health care. Learn more at

DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional or DignityHealth.org/StJohnsHospitalCamarillo.

Calling all Mermaids and Mermen…Mermaid Month has officially returned to Ventura Harbor Village! It’s the perfect time to head seaside as these mystical aquatic creatures take center stage all month long. Special themed events and live mermaid sightings are scheduled for select Sundays, March 13th and March 20th from 1-4 PM.

Locals and visitors across all oceans are encouraged to make a splash and delve into a myriad of mermaid activities. Kicking off Mermaid Month is a Kid’s Free Scavenger Hunt, which runs from March 5th to March 31st. Pick up the scavenger hunt sheets at the Mermaid Gallery in Ventura Harbor Village and return for prizes. On Saturdays in March, bask in the sunshine with sounds of the steel drum (March 12th, 19th and 26th from 1 – 4 PM) along the Village’s Seaside Promenade.

Lovers of the sea can meet a live mermaid at the Harbor’s “Mermaid Meet & Greet” on two Sundays, March 13th and March 20th from 1 – 4 PM (weather permitting). Festivities feature photos with a live mermaid, entertainment, colorful face paintings, spectacular exotic birds, scavenger hunts, and mermaid fashion.

On Sunday, March 13th extra activities are a live mermaid chalk art demonstration by artist Lysa Ashley, free craft stations courtesy of Macaroni Kid, and new this year- a Mer-mazing Dance Party with DJ Darla. Come dressed up for a family-fun dance party featuring music from under the sea, bubbles, wands, and flowers galore!

On Sunday, March 20th festivities will feature a new Pop-Up Mermaid Market from 12 – 4 PM in the Channel Islands Courtyard in the Harbor Village. The Harbor’s own talented artisans and makers will display their handmade nautical treasures and treats!

All month long, visitors can also engage in seaside selfie stations, including large mermaid shells and the 20-foot plus sign feature that reads “I Love the SEA” on Ventura Harbor Village’s Promenade.

Enjoy complimentary giveaways and month-long special savings by select Ventura Harbor Village retailers all month long including: Mermaid Gallery artisan Tina O’Brien is giving a free starfish or bag of shells with every $25+ purchase. PLUS, get a free shell bracelet if you come in and say “I’m really a mermaid” (while supplies last); Top This Chocolate has chocolate mermaid pops, chocolate mermaid tails, chocolate seashell pops and $1 chocolate seashells. Ventura Swimwear is offering a free gift with $50 purchase (while supplies last); Sugar Lab Bake Shop has discounted the reusable Mermaid Straws, mermaid drinks, and much more.

Shoppers can purchase a dazzling array of more than 100 mermaid-themed items that include artwork, soaps, jewelry, pottery, nautical finds, coastal décor, ocean-inspired apparel, and mermaid-themed accessories. What’s more. Ventura Harbor Village’s bars and restaurants are serving up “sea-sonal” themed cocktails, sweat mermaid treats, and delicious freshly caught seafood and Ventura Harbor Village welcomes locals and visitors from across all oceans!

Those seeking to get on the water with ease can rent a kayak, SUP paddle board, electric boats or popular themed swan, duck or dragon peddle boats daily with Ventura Boat Rentals. And to catch a real live mermaid or just a large fish (bragging rights included), they can aboard a vessel from Ventura Sportfishing or get a possible glimpse of the illusive mermaid swimming with the whales on an Island Packers Winter Whale Watch excursion.

To learn more about Ventura Harbor Village Mermaid Month, visit venturaharborvillage.com/mermaidmonth-2022