Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Vol. 15, No. 18 – June 1 – June 14, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

Ojai happenings

Sixteen-year-old author Micaela Ellis will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, June 4, 2022, to speak about her book, Autism over the Years: A Twelve Year Old’s Memoir. During this talk Micaela will share her perspectives on life as a young adult with autism.

She was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half and has spent over a decade learning, growing, and working to overcome the many challenges associated with this disorder. She is currently finishing up high school, learning to drive, and making travel plans with her family. As she writes in her book:

Begin your summer celebration in Libbey Park in beautiful Ojai during the Music Festival, June 11th and 12th and experience Ventura Potters’ Guild Open Air Pottery Market. Over 30 clay artists will display their unique, handmade pottery.  Students from the Ventura College Clay Club will provide wheel throwing demonstrations throughout both days of the event.

Come shop for mugs and goblets, bowls and casseroles, plates and platters, earrings and necklaces, tiles and planters, sculptures and teapots, and much more, all fashioned by the local Guild clay artists. Visit with the makers and learn how they create their pieces, from hand building a garden sculpture to throwing a dinner plate on the wheel. This event is free, child-friendly and will be open to the public 10 to 6 on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday.

The Ventura Potters’ Guild is a non-profit organization committed to stimulating public interest in the ceramic  arts. It provides education, sales opportunities, and networking in an inclusive environment for all levels and interests. Find out more at www.venturapottersguild.org

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

Summer Reading Program!

The theme of the Reading Challenge this summer is “Read Beyond the Beaten Path.” The dates are May 14- August 14. There is a category for adults and one for children up to 18. Go to venco.beanstack.org, register, log reading minutes or books, complete activities, earn badges, and become eligible for prizes. What a great addition to a family’s summer activities!

Final Bookmark Column

Your intrepid reporter is taking a break. This has been fun to write, and of course I love publicizing our wonderful library system and the devoted Friends group that works so hard to support Ventura’s libraries.

Time to remind you of how you too can help make the libraries a stronger part of the community:

Join the Friends of the Library. Every penny they make goes straight to library supplies and books, events and programs.

Volunteer. Both the libraries and the Friends of the Library can use volunteers. Whatever your skills or interests, there is something for you to do.

Find out what is happening at your local library, attend events and lectures. From reading to dogs, craft projects, Minecraft, poetry groups, book groups, concerts, author talks, story times – something for everyone, open to the public, and FREE. Check your local newspapers, talk to your library staff, or go to vencolibrary.org and check on the Events tab.

Get involved. Let your local politicians and leaders know that you care about libraries and want them supported.

Closing words

Written not by me, but by some great thinkers who are fans of libraries:

Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore and achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life. Libraries change lives for the better. —Sidney Sheldon

Libraries are a cornerstone of democracy—where information is free and equally available to everyone. People tend to take that for granted, and they don’t realize what is at stake when that is put at risk.—Carla Hayden

Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. —Walter Cronkite

My real education…I got out of the public library. For an impoverished child whose family could not afford to buy books, the library was the open door to wonder and achievement, and I can never be sufficiently grateful that I had the wit to charge through that door and make the most of it. Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself. —Isaac Asimov

Libraries are a pillar of any society. I believe our lack of attention to funding and caring for them properly in the United States has a direct bearing on problems of literacy, productivity, and our inability to compete in today’s world. Libraries are everyman’s free university. —John Jakes

Public libraries are the sole community centers left in America. The degree to which a branch of the local library is connected to the larger culture is a reflection of the degree to which the community itself is connected to the larger culture. —Russell Banks

Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Haole Boy’s Memorial Rock Garden’s

Matsumoto, Murphy and Loy at Haole’s Memorial Garden remembering Haole Boy’s one year anniversary. 

by Amy Brown

If you walk along the iconic Ventura promenade near Surfer’s Point, you’ll encounter a beautiful tribute to another major Ventura icon: Haole Boy, the city’s late surfing Ambassadog. Haole had been surfing C Street and traveling the country for seven years as a surf therapist with the non-profit A Walk On Water for children and adults with special needs. He helped hundreds of aspiring surfers feel comfortable catching waves, riding right on the board with them—and he always made it look easy.

Photo of Haole Boy by Sebastian De Schepper

Haole passed away after a long battle with cancer in May of 2020, and was mourned by folks from across the country in person at his memorial and through ongoing worldwide outpourings of love and support. His mom, Kim Murphy and her friends Cris Loy and Dorianne Matsumoto decided to create a rock garden memorial to honor his beautiful surfing stoke and spirit on the one-year anniversary of Haole’s passing. It started with just a few brightly painted rocks, and now, at the one-year anniversary of the garden itself, it’s a beautiful kaleidoscopic tribute that grows every week.

It started with someone painting a single special memorial rock for Haole, and the idea for the garden germinated from there, according to Loy. “We said ‘we should start a rock garden with this rock, and it should really be overlooking Haole’s surf break,’” said Loy. “We all went home and started painting rocks like crazy.” The garden started from that group of friends with about 40 memorial rocks, with a kindness rock section soon added. “I kind of wanted both memorial and kindness rocks, since Haole was all about kindness, and we wanted this to be about kindness too,” said Loy.

The Kindness Rock Project started a few years ago, and is now a viral trend—people paint inspirational messages or images on rocks and leave them out for strangers to find and be inspired by. The distinction between memorial rocks and kindness rocks is that memorial rocks are to be left in place, honoring a lost loved one, human or pet, while kindness rocks are to be shared, in a ‘take a rock, leave a rock’ philosophy. Haole’s garden has a section for both. “Nothing fills my heart quite like the love and support we still receive. I feel as if the spirit of Haole is still so present in Ventura by the community continuing to support us, and cherish the memories that Haole made for all of them,” said Murphy. “We still often hear stories of Haole, and how he continues to touch people’s hearts.”

You don’t have to be an artist to participate, but you might just become one. “I first thought, I am not artistic. Art is not my thing!” said Matsumoto. Then, “I could paint a few rocks.” However, she is now one of the most prolific contributors, having since created nearly 100 rocks, beautifully painted with many time-consuming coats of resin, to the garden. She shared that she is always moved by the sentiments expressed in rocks created by others. “You see the rocks made by little kids for their pets, or others made for lost loved ones, and it’s clear they’ve all been made with love,” said Matsumoto.

One particularly talented artist who regularly contributes to the memorial garden creates photorealistic paintings on rocks of people’s pets, while others are more simple, but all are powerful. Murphy and her husband John share that anyone is invited to visit the memorial, and leave a rock for a loved one, but ask that if visitors would like a memento to take a kindness rock, while leaving the memorial rocks in place, as they are meaningful and meant to be permanent. “This garden has brought much healing and happiness to us, and we absolutely love that Haole is still bringing people together,” said Murphy.

Gentry Eagle’s final days

Photos by Patricia Schallert and Yana Khiyod.

In a previous issue we had an article about the Gentry Eagle that was stored in the Ventura Harbor boat yard. It was once the fastest luxury yacht in the world. This yacht has been berthed and idled in the Ventura Harbor for over 15 years.

The Gentry Eagle was built in 1988 and on July 26th, 1989 she crossed the Atlantic to win a race, at an average speed of 73 miles per hour in one of the biggest Transatlantic
races in maritime history.

Even though there were many rumors about its future the Eagle has now been demolished by a huge mechanical “hand.” It was carefully pulled apart piece by piece so that the aluminum (and other valuable parts) could be salvaged. Her ghost will always remain in the harbor.

Students from VUSD presented proposals to reduce their schools’ environmental footprint

The event began with the 16 finalist teams presenting to a panel of judges.

On Thursday May 5th, forty-five 7th-12th-grade students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) presented their environmental business proposals to a panel of judges. Students chose their project from 4 categories: Water Conservation, Energy Efficiency, Waste Reduction at their school campuses, or to inform their communities about the benefits of removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The event took place at the Museum of Ventura County, in downtown Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event was Chipper Bro, Environmental Advocate, Professional Surfer, and 13-time Frisbee World Champion.

The event began with the 16 finalist teams presenting to a panel of judges who ranked the proposals based on merit and cost effectiveness. First place in the Energy Efficiency category was awarded to the “Electric Warriors” Team from Ventura High School, Ms. Miyata’s class. In the Water Conservation category, top prize went to “Project Motion Sensor” team from Ms. Mendez’s class at Anacapa Middle School. In the Waste Reduction category, the first-place prize went to “Recycling at Buena” team from Mr. Yorke’s class at Buena High School. In the last category, Matilija Dam removal, the top team was “Give a Dam” from Mr. Yorke’s class at Buena High School.

The EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony is the culmination of the 9 month-long Ventura Action Network (V-RAN) Program administered by VUSD in partnership with the MERITO Foundation. The following schools participated in the 2021-2022 V-RAN program: Buena High School, Anacapa Middle School, Ventura High School, Foothill High School; Balboa Middle School, Cabrillo Middle School; and Sunset K-8.

In addition to the EECCOA Challenge, the Ventura Action Network (V-RAN) Program provides professional development field training, webinars, science curriculum and stipends to science teachers, as well as, environmental monitoring experiences for their 600-750 middle and high school students each year at Ventura River watershed and the coast.

The MERITO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura, CA, dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation and scientific research opportunities to multicultural youth and their communities. The EECCOA Challenge empowers students to be environmental entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools to understand climate change, ocean acidification, drought and wildfires and address these issues with money saving project proposals for their school campuses. Students are also given the option to develop awareness campaigns that inform and involve their communities.

Happy 13th Anniversary to The Ladies Luncheon

by Laurie Ann Meyer

The Ladies Luncheon began as a women’s networking group in 2009. Over the past 13 years, it has transformed into an opportunity for women to experience connection, community, and support.

Together we have/continue to foster a safe space for achieving common goals and developing lifelong friendships.

Whether you own a business and want to network or you attend to be a part of a warm group, we always have fun, laugh a lot, and raffle great prizes!

I will share how/why I started The Ladies Luncheon in order to help ladies, and to meet at a convenient lunchtime hour. Please join us to celebrate 13 years of creating connections, community and empowering women in business. Thank you!

Come join us at on June 2nd, 2022, at The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood Restaurant at the Ventura Harbor from 11:30am-1:00pm. Please go to: www.theladiesluncheon.com to register! See you all very soon!

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

Friends Online Bookstore Update

We invite you to continue to visit our online store for local sales.
Special for May:  Audiobooks $2.00!
During the most recent library closure, inventory on the online store has expanded — many more great non-fiction, classics, fiction and vintage are available.

Books purchased at the online store will be available for pick up at the bookstore in E. P. Foster. You will receive an email letting you know when your purchase will be available for pick up.  Any questions?  Please email [email protected]

LIBRARY EVENTS

Paws for Reading is back!

The Paws for Reading Program brings together young readers and affectionate, canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers.

Hill Road Library — Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5 pm
E.P. Foster Library — Thursdays, 4 to 6 pm

Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch.  Children of all ages are welcome.

INCA, the Peruvian Music & Dance Ensemble

Hill Road Library, Saturday, May 21, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

INCA presents music and dances from the native Incas of Peru, the Criollo coastal communities, the Amazon jungle natives, and the Afro-Peruvian communities from towns south of Lima. The musicians play Andean ethnic instruments, which include woodwinds, percussion and strings. This program is made possible in part with a grant from the California Arts Council.

Lyrical Literature
E.P. Foster Library

Saturday, May 21, 2 to 4 pm

Enjoy a free concert of the music of Ventura composer Ross Care in the Topping Room. Care has worked extensively in theater music and is also a published author.  The program will emphasize his music’s literary association, including song settings of poetry by Shakespeare, Emily Dickinson, and Lewis Carroll, and instrumental excerpts from his theater music for plays such as The Glass Menagerie and his original musical, (Alice)Through the Looking Glass.

The music will be performed by an ensemble of well-known singers from the Ventura area with guest instrumentalists on harp and flute from Los Angeles. Tyler Carlisle will serve as pianist and musical director. The composer will moderate.

Ukulele Jam
is back in the Topping Room
E.P. Foster Library
every 1st and 3rd Monday at 7 pm, hosted by Alan Ferentz.

Open Mic Night hosted by Phil Taggart  

returns to the Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library and via Zoom.  Thursdays, 6:30 to 10:00 pm

Enjoy a featured poet, then share your own work with the group. All are welcome to just sit and listen as well.
Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9607501600

Meeting ID: 960 750 1600

Family Storytime
E.P. Foster Library
Mondays, 10:30 to 11 am
Stories, poems, music, movement, & fun!  This event takes place on Main Street in front of the Topping Room. If there is inclement weather, the storytime will be held in the Topping Room. This event has a limit of 30 people.  If the limit is reached, another storytime will be held at 11:00 AM.  Ages birth to 5.

Hill Road Library
Wednesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 am,
This event takes place on the patio, so remember to bring a sweater or a cozy blanket!

Vol. 15, No. 17 – May 18 – May 31, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

Renowned quartet Gov’t Mule – led by GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist, songwriter, guitar legend, and producer Warren Haynes – will be heading out on a U.S. summer tour supporting their critically acclaimed, chart-topping blues album, Heavy Load Blues. The cross-country outing, incorporating a mix of headlining shows, festival appearances and select multi-band/support dates, will be stopping locally in Ojai on Sunday, June 19 at Libby Bowl. Tickets are on sale now.

The Ojai Art Center is kicking off its 45th annual Art in the Park celebration Memorial weekend on May 28 and May 29, 2022. Unlike last year’s socially distant Art in the Park, 2022, Walking through downtown Ojai’s Libbey Park where over 80 artists will showcase their recent works. 

Last year’s Best of Show, Lungala Nzalamba, returns to Art in the Park. He uses a wax resistant fabric dying technique called batik to create vibrant and relatable images.  

Enjoy the Memorial weekend in Libbey Park. Free admission. Call 805-646-0117 for further information or visit www.ojaiartcenter.org

For 34 years, the Ojai Wine Festival has served as the primary non-profit fundraising effort of the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation and its numerous philanthropic endeavors. This year, proceeds from the Ojai Wine Festival will benefit local charities including HELP of Ojai, Secure Beginnings, Ojai Unified School District, and support the free Ojai Community Band concerts in Libbey Bowl in July and August. Historically, proceeds from the Ojai Wine Festival have donated more than $1,400,000 to Rotary’s charity efforts around the world. 

This year, event participants of the 34th Annual Ojai Wine Festival can taste wines from all of California’s unique growing regions in one beautiful lakeside location.

For additional information or to purchase tickets for the 34th Annual Ojai Wine Festival, please visit www.ojaiwinefestival.com   

Saturday, June 18th from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

$85 in advance, $105 at the door

Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11093 Santa Ana Road