Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Ventura County Fairgrounds appoints Stacy Rianda as New CEO

An experienced leader, Rianda will succeed Barbara Quaid.

The Ventura County Fairgrounds, otherwise known as the 31stDistrict Agricultural Association announced today that Stacy Rianda has been appointed new CEO. 

An experienced leader, Rianda will succeed Barbara Quaid and assume responsibilities on July 6.  Quaid has maintained leadership of the Fairgrounds through 17 successful years of fairs, numerous community emergencies and most recently the Covid pandemic. Quaid will continue working through the 2022 Fair alongside Rianda. “I have known Stacy for at least 25 years,” she said, “I can’t think of a better person to lead this beloved institution.” 

Rianda served the Western Fairs Association on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee, she also served as Vice President and Membership Chair of California Women for Agriculture, and for 19 years has been a member of the Fig Garden Rotary where she served as district chair and is a Past President. 

“I am confident that Stacy possesses the skills and experience needed to lead a complex organization such as the Fairgrounds,” said Leah Lacayo, President of the Ventura County Fairgrounds Board of Directors, adding “I am sure that the Fairgrounds will maintain excellent leadership and will move forward with the momentum that has continued since 1875.”  

Rianda began her fair career at the Tulare County Fair where she spent 8 years doing everything from renting buildings to running the satellite wagering facility.  Rianda then moved on to help lead the Big Fresno Fair for the last 21 years as the Deputy Manager where she implemented their highly successful Youth and Admissions policies, brought home 5 Merrill Awards, the highest honor in the fair industry recognizing innovation in fair management, helped grow the fair to the 4thlargest in the state and worked to bring the fair budget back to pre-pandemic levels.     

“As the Ventura County Fairgrounds moves forward, serving new generations, Stacy is equipped to work with the community in the manner they expect and deserve,” said Lacayo, “during good times and times of crisis, she has the ability to rise to new occasions as they present themselves.” 

Rianda attended California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and transferred to California State University, Fresno where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business. Prior to graduation, she was actively working at fairs throughout the state in the livestock departments. 

Farm-to-Fork has returned

Guests enjoyed the great food in the beautiful Harmon Canyon.

The Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series returned to Ventura on June 2 at Harmon Canyon.

The Totally Local VC Dinner Series has been getting to the root of great taste since 2006. It presents farm-to-fork dining events at iconic Ventura County locations with some of the area’s top-line chefs, purveyors, wines and brews, preparing seasonal selections harvested from the region’s most celebrated farms.

The Dinner Series is the brainchild of longtime Ventura resident and Totally Local VC founder Kat Merrick, who explains, “The goal is to draw attention not only to our local Agriculture community, but also to our outstanding local chefs and local businesses that have helped to make Ventura County such an amazing place to live. At the same time, we are bringing awareness to and deepening people’s appreciation of historic Ventura County locations.”

At the sold out dinner guests enjoyed food (small bites to dinner and dessert) served al fresco in a communal, family style in an elegant but unusual setting at Ventura Land Trust’s Harmon Canyon Preserve. The location is a virtual treasure trove of beauty with its meandering trails, scenic views, wildlife, and majestic oak groves.

Guests had the opportunity to talk with local farmers from whose land the food derived. As with the wine and beer, the producers will offer insight and context on the consumables.

The mission of Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Founded in 2003, Ventura Land Trust is the largest accredited land trust in Ventura County.

Proceeds from the dinners go toward programs offered by the Totally Local VC Agricultural Education Foundation, a 501(c)3) not-for-profit organization. These programs help students to connect the dots from field-to-fork and field-to-career. A percentage of the proceeds from the dinner event also went to the Ventura Land Trust to help with their conservation efforts.

See “Monsters” at the Sea shore in Ventura

Art calls his little pocket of Ventura, “Freedom Memorial Park”

by Patricia Schallert and Yana Khiyod

Arthur Hurts, called Art by most, started his beach sculptors during the Covid shutdown 2 1/2 years ago. Prior to the pandemic lockdown, he could be found writing screenplays and composing music at Starbucks on Main Street in downtown Ventura. The lock down changed that and with it, motivated Art to find another place to do his work without worrying about the pandemic.  He discovered a little pocket of quiet, where sounds of the crashing waves and flying birds overhead were inviting him to sit and let his creative juices flow.  

He calls his little pocket of Ventura, “Freedom Memorial Park” where he broke all of his familiar routines including giving up his WIFI, computer devices and ear plugs. He stopped drinking coffee and only once in a while, he will respond to an email. When he first found this spot, he began by moving rocks and stones out of the way, creating a path to walk around  and used a large piece of driftwood to use as a place to sit and write. It grew from there as Covid kept everything closed up. From this small spot, he has written a screen play and composed several pieces of music.

Art presents himself as a minimalist, well groomed with a full white beard and seems to enjoy talking about his vision, his writings and his music. And what initially appears to be stacks of driftwood and the typical rocks found on the beach in Ventura, upon closer look, dinosaurs, snakes, birds and sea monsters, emerge from the driftwood, kelp, shells and anything found on the beach that is “nature furnished”.. 

“Freedom Memorial Park” can be found on the beach between the Ventura pier and Sanjon Rd.

When the end of the pier went down it went into the drink

This was to look like something out of Captain Nemo’s Submarine.

by Richard Senate

For those who do not recall, Ventura spent a peck of money for a San Francisco artist to make a “Wavespout” statue that was to look like something out of Captain Nemo’s Submarine but looked like pluming.  It never really spouted water right and when the end of the pier went down–it went into the drink. They recovered it and it sits in a City Yard.  A twist bit of metal we could make it into a fountain, where Serra once stood as a monument to the city’s folly. Who could be against waves? Not in surf friendly Ventura. We would need a good interpretive sign to tell the story of wave spout otherwise this “Modern Art” might not be seen by the uneducated as really worth the price we paid.

The Copper Pluming like “sculpture” was installed at the end of the pier in 1993 at a coast of $80,000. It never worked right–and was damaged when 420 feet of the pier fell into the sea in the storms of 1996. So, it only had a 3-year life. It washed ashore and was salvaged to be re-installed after repairs–it wisely, never was and now sits in the City Yard. It would spit water out when the waves went by.  $80,000 to a San Francisco “Artist” that could have been used for any number of useful things.

What Art City means to me

Paul is trying to save Art City.

by Paul Lindhard

I have been an artist, painter, sculptor, public art, and multimedia collaborator for over fifty years. I moved to Ventura in 1985 from Santa Barbara with a vast and varied range of art materials and studio parts. Art City Studios did not become what it is overnight but has constantly been evolving over the past thirty-seven years.

Recycling and repurposing are the stock-in-trade of what we do here. Cobbling together a studio is usually the first step in the artistic practice. Whether it is personalizing a space in a warehouse or other commercial structure, or sheltering projects from the elements, the environment you create can greatly enhance the scope of the work that is achieved.

Creating a viable space often costs more than a single artist can afford, whereas a collective studio can amalgamate compounded resources and energy. This becomes a community itself and, in turn, we were a great fit for the community of Ventura, remarkable synergies evolved. A Cultural Affairs Department offered grants and other self-perpetuating opportunities for a very productive partnership, making visionary Arts & Culture collaborations the cornerstone of an inspired and sustainable future.

I am grateful to have had this decades-long creative experience in Ventura. The Arts, Culture, and good work we have done with this community are the cornerstones of a sustainable and inspiring future. What we have developed here cannot be sanitized, confined to a box, or thrive from formulaic regulations.

Creating something from nothing is actually a messy process. Here at Art City, we celebrate innovation in an organic way. Like Nature itself, the grand design embraces a healthy diversity and learned respect for all the aspects of a dynamic evolution.

Art City has grown through all these years into an enduring manifestation of these principles. Our collective investment and commitment to the City of Ventura, indeed to the entire Central Coast of California, stands tall despite the many obstacles that we have faced. Our history here stands as a proud and tangible legacy for the future, whatever it may bring.

Art City Studios
197 Dubbers St., Ventura, CA. 93001
805 653-6380 / 805-648-1690
[email protected]
www.artcitystudios.com

Editor: The one-acre lot at 197 Dubbers St. has been sold for $1.75 million which means Art City might be closed.

The sold-out Festival has returned

Thousands come to support and enjoy Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival. Photos by Ana Baker

Sunday, June 5th, Casa Pacifica hosted its 29th Annual Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival. The sold-out Festival has established itself as Ventura County’s premiere Wine & Food event recently winning Best Wine and Food Event and Best Charity Event for the tenth year in a row. The Festival raises critical funds for Casa Pacifica Centers for Children & Families which must raise 15% of its operating budget annually, about $5 million this year.

As always, the Festival offered an unbeatable array of exhibitors offering delicious food samples, sips of fine wines, and smooth brews. This year’s “Best in Fest” brew – RX Pils by Institution Ale Co. was on hand and available for attendees to sample. “Best in Fest” honorable mentions: Topa Topa Brewing Company and Enegren Brewing Company were also in attendance. The Festival main stage, emceed by DJ Bruce Barrios, featured live music throughout the day by Benise’s Band of Gypsies and Wes Quave Live 61, which kept the dance floor packed.

VIP guests enjoyed a champagne reception and a bite from Mastro’s Restaurant before entering the event at noon. The Sponsor VIP Lounge featured Magnavino Cellars, Plated Events by Chef Jason, The Beer Garden featured Stella Artois, and M on High who poured craft cocktails featuring Bombay Sapphire, St Germain, and Martini & Rossi. Happy Place was also on hand to provide additional libations. The ever-popular Mission Avocado bar was also a highlight. Guests danced the afternoon away to music by Sound Effect and enjoyed photobooth fun by Conejo Photobooth.

Supervisor Matt Levere served as the emcee of the 13th Annual Yummie Culinary Competition, which showcased participating Festival exhibiting chefs’ dishes. The battle for the top prize was a delicious one! Judges eventually crowned winners for the best “Savory” and the best “Sweet” chef’s masterpiece based on flavor, presentation, innovation, and quality. The panel of esteemed Yummie Culinary Competition judges included: Executive Chef Eric Kopelow, Vice President CedarLane Foods, Inc.; Chef Nic Manocchio, University Auxiliary Services at CSU Channel Islands; Tami Chu, Publisher and Editor of Edible Ojai & Ventura County; Kevan Lee, Chef and Owner of CKL Events; Actress Denise Boutte, Co-Author of Southern Modified and CEO of Weeziana Girl Creole Cuisine; and Michelle Hernandez of Chefs on a Mission.

Casa Pacifica and the Angels want to extend their gratitude to their generous Hosts: The Van Huisen Family; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; Conico Oil/MacValley Oil; Mission Produce; and SDI/TransPro Logistic. And a huge thank you to everyone who attended, we appreciate your support – and because of you, we are able to help change the trajectory of children’s lives!
For more information about Casa Pacifica, please visit www.casapacifica.org or check out the Festival’s website for pictures and more information at www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

Assistance League® Of Ventura County awards the 2022 Vivian Johnson Scholarship

Joan Oliva, Pam Gorman, Jo Spence, Cherie Bouchard, Benet Bouchard, Lori Nasatir, and Sue Root at the award presentation.

On Monday May 23rd Assistance League® of Ventura County President Lori Nasatir and Scholarship Committee Chairman Jo Spence were honored to present the 2022 Vivian Johnson Scholarship Award to Benet Bouchard for the second year in a row. This scholarship of $1500 is made possible by the late Vivian Johnson, and its purpose is to support an Assistance League Girls Club alumni in furthering their education after graduating high school. Benet is going into her second year at Santa Barbara City College, where she is majoring in Theater. In the past year she has taken on the stage manager role for several productions with the Pacific Conservatory Theater, as well as for “The Wolves” at the SBCC. The Assistance League® members that were present were all excited to hear about Bouchard’s accomplishments and are looking forward to attending one of her future productions. This award is just one of the many ways that this nonprofit has been supporting the community with its services since 1950, continuing its mission to enrich the lives of children and adults for the betterment of their future.

For more information about Assistance League® of Ventura County, please contact us at 805-643-2458 or email [email protected]. You can find them at www.assistanceleagueventuracounty.org as well as on Facebook and Instagram.

Vol. 15, No. 19 – June 15 – June 28, 2022 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

The historic Olivas Adobe is now open to the public.  Sundays 11-3 p.m. for rancho home and grounds tours, bring a picnic and enjoy the rose garden. While you are on site be sure to step into the small adobe to view the Flora & local landscapes exhibit by artists Laura J Jespersen and Lisa Mahony.   The Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters gift shop is open and full of eclectic options to purchase for all ages. Interested in volunteering?  Join us on Sunday July 10 at 1 p.m. for a volunteer open house. For more information about the adobe or the volunteer opportunities www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OlivasAdobe

June 16: The East Ventura Community Council virtual meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m., Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water’s new General Manager, will speak about the crucially important subject of water supply. Rob Davidson, Ventura County’s Assistant Sheriff of Detention Services, will talk about the new mental health jail ward and services and facilities redesigned for mentally ill-disabled detainees. Commander Weeks of the Ventura Police Department will share the Area Crime statistics. The Zoom link is also accessible at the website, www.eastventura.org. Meeting ID: 823 8169 5027, Passcode: 287431, Join by phone: +1 669 900 6833

June 18: The Museum of Ventura County welcomes guests to a free opening reception from 3 – 5 p.m. at its Main Street campus. The Museum will debut of three new exhibitions: All That Glitters Is Not Gold, Chromatic: The Museum in Six Colors and, Always Keep Creating, the Resiliency of Carol Rosenak. Early arrivals are invited to enjoy a Bee’s Knees, Prohibition-era cocktail provided by Ventura Spirits (while supplies last). The Museum’s transformation leads visitors on a historical journey, from the 1920s as lived by residents of Ventura County, through 100 years of collected County artifacts.

June 21: On Tuesday, 6:00 to 7:30pm, Ventura Land Trust will host a summer solstice drum circle at Harmon Canyon Preserve as a fundraiser to benefit the Harmon Canyon Campaign. The drum circle, facilitated by John Lacques of Ventura-based company Drumtime, will encourage guests to connect with nature and honor their relationship to the seasons. The solstice marks the astronomical start of summer in the northern hemisphere, and the longest day of the year.

Funds raised from drum circle ticket purchases will benefit the campaign. Members of the public are invited to donate to the Harmon Canyon Campaign for the benefit of the preserve, its wild inhabitants, and all people who need and enjoy open spaces (www.venturalandtrust.org/harmoncanyoncampaign).
Guests can purchase a ticket to the drum circle that includes a reservation for a drum provided by Drumtime for $50; “bring your own drum” tickets are available for $25. Tickets can be purchased at www.venturalandtrust.org/drumcircle.

June 22: The College Area Community Council will hold a meeting on Zoom on Wednesday at 7 pm. Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ caccVentura.com to learn more, added to the mailing list or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

June 24, 25, 26: Ventura County 43rd Annual Greek Festival will be held at the Camarillo Airport Freedom Park 501 Eubanks. Friday, June 24th Opening Ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. until midnight, Saturday, 25th from 11a.m.-Midnight, and Sunday 26th from 11-7p.m. Church Services at 10 am at Festival. Admission: $5 (Free with $5 Drawing Ticket Purchase) Free for Kids 12 and under and Active-Duty Military VCGreekFestival.org

July 3: 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 located 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.

July 23: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) event is held on Saturday,
online and in person at our temporary location Ventura County
Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117. Due to limited space in person,
attendance is reserved for members. Discussion, tutorial, and Q&A sessions is centered on computers, email, the Internet, and social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo.  Events begin at 9:30 a.m.
Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at
http://www.cipcug.org or call (805) 289-3960