Category Archives: Web Exclusive

Ventura launches its 150th anniversary celebrations on November 8

A special reception, free and open to the public, officially launches the city’s 150th anniversary celebration on Sunday, November 8, from 2 to 4 pm at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 East Main Street.

Attendees are invited to enjoy refreshments and special limited edition 150th anniversary souvenirs as they take part in a rich menu of festive activities: stories by a panel of descendants of historic families (Chaffee, Harrison, Smith-Hobson, and Tumamait), a presentation on our local history and performances courtesy of the Ventura Music Festival.

A video created by (CAPS-TV) Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura will introduce the Ventura Legacy project. Also on display will be simulations of the 1860 census, finalists in the poster contest presented by the Boys and Girls Club, Friends of the Library and the Ventura Unified School District and the museum’s current “Portraits” exhibit featuring local historic photos.

Guests are encouraged to bring copies of family photos from past decades to post on special  photo boards which will travel to various events and be on display at the Pacific View Mall. The sesquicentennial finale on April 2 will be a free community fair and picnic in downtown Ventura, followed by a concert in Mission Park by “hometown boys made good,” Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a partnership between the City and the Ventura Education Partnership to benefit arts in our schools.

The City’s 150th anniversary is made possible by the generous donations of the Ventura Auto Center Dealers and Ventura Townehouse; and this inaugural event is supported by EJ Harrison and Sons.

The City of Ventura turns 150 on April 2, 2016. To observe this milestone the city is working with community partners to present a series of special events, programs and activities over five months (150 days) celebrating the amazing span of Ventura history and culture reaching before and after the California State Senate approved “An Act to Incorporate the Town of San Buenaventura” on March 10, 1866 that took effect on April 2 – from the indigenous Chumash to the waves of Spanish, Mexican, Chinese, European, Yankee and today’s international immigrants who have enriched our city over the years.

Ventura Fire Department responds to another fire in Ventura River bottom

Photo by Breezy Gledhill

On Nov.3, at 8:30am Ventura City Fire Department was dispatched to a reported fire in the Ventura River bottom adjacent to the Ventura Fair Grounds. First arriving fire crews discovered a 50’ x 50’ fire burning 20’ tall brush and arundo directly adjacent to a railroad trestle. Train service was halted while crews from both Ventura City Fire and Ventura County Fire extinguished the fire. As crews were finishing operations and exiting the area an additional fire was started 100 yards south of the initial start. Fire crews extinguished the second fire within 30 minutes.

Fire investigation revealed an intentional start in the second location and also a third location where burning material was placed on top of a debris pile. Ventura Police department assisted with a search of the area; however, no suspect was located.

 

School students clean up Ventura in Trash-A-Thon Nov. 10th

SCHOOL STUDENTS CLEAN UP VENTURA IN TRASH-A-THON
Environmental Fundraiser to be held November 10, 2015

Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education will hold its eighth annual Trash-a-Thon on November 10th. Kindergarten through eighth grade students will collect pledges, and in cooperation with the City of Ventura’s Environmental Services division, work to clean up several litter “hot spots” throughout Ventura, chosen on the basis of need, student accessibility, and safety.

“Volunteer Ventura! is excited to celebrate the 8th anniversary of this unique fundraiser and City partnership. The Ventura Charter School Trash-a-Thon transforms a traditional fundraising concept by raising awareness of our impact on the environment and beautifying it at the same time. It’s a win-win for the School, the City, and the community at large!” said Rosie Ornelas, Volunteer Ventura! Coordinator.

For the event on Nov. 10th, the City will provide gloves, bags, litter sticks, rakes, and shovels. After the clean-up, the students will assemble back at the school campus to assess the amount of litter collected and to celebrate the efforts of everyone involved.

Ventura Charter School is a progressive, K-8 public school that created this unique fundraiser to promote the development of a strong sense of responsibility for protecting, preserving, and restoring the earth for future generations. Ventura Charter School provides an innovative curriculum which encourages students to think critically, collaborate, and to make connections between their classroom learning and the larger world around them.

Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that are allowed to be more innovative and are held accountable for improved student achievement. For more information, contact: Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education,(805)648-5503 or visit www.venturacharterschool.org

Firefighters respond to fire in the Ventura River bottom

On Oct.30, at 9:36am the Ventura City Fire Department received a report of a fire burning in the Ventura River bottom between the 101 freeway and a railroad trestle. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a 100’ x 200’ fire burning in the aforementioned location. Access to the fire was hampered by heavy Arundel and brush. California Department of Forestry hand crews were requested to cut fire lines into and around the fire.

Firefighters extinguished and overhauled the fire with hand tools and water achieving full containment 4 hours after the initial report. The cause of the fire remains under investigation; however, several homeless encampments were noted in and around the origin of the fire. No firefighters were injured as a result of this incident.

Veterans Day at Government Center Nov. 11th

November 11: Veterans Day at the Government Center this year commences at 11:00 AM. The location is outdoors at the corner of Telephone and Victoria Avenue in Ventura, near the flags that represent every branch of the military. Wreaths will be laid by friends and family members , one at each flag.  This annual event is provided by the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation and a collaboration of city officials. Held or shine! In the event of rain it move indoors.

There is plenty of parking and we suggest arrival between 10:15-10:30 AM as we begin promptly at 11:00. The 11 o’clock hour represents the exact time the War ended.

Mayor Heitmann and many other dignitaries will attend.  Lyn Fairly is  Master of Ceremonies.

Community invited to important Ventura Water Stakeholder Meeting Nov. 3rd

Community members invited to attend important Ventura Water Stakeholder Meeting, November3 at 11am

Santa Clara River Estuary Stakeholder Meeting
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 11am
Community Meeting Room at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Room 202
Who should attend:  Community members who are interested in learning about how the City plans to provide a sustainable water future for Ventura residents while addressing the complex interests and opinions surrounding the Santa Clara River Estuary.

In December of 2011, the Ventura City Council voted on a final settlement agreement and consent decree with Heal the Bay, and Wishtoyo Foundation/Ventura Coastkeeper to resolve legal actions associated with the City’s Reclamation Facility discharges of tertiary treated water into the Santa Clara River Estuary.  In this agreement, the City agreed to further investigate and determine how best to utilize this water resource for the future, while preserving the natural habitat of the Santa Clara River Estuary.

By the end of December 2015, the City must propose a project or projects that would eliminate 100 percent of the discharge from the existing Reclamation Facility to the estuary.  The City is hosting a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday November 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall to discuss proposed solutions and to clarify what 100 percent diversion represents.

For more information contact Craig Jones at Ventura Water, 223-4378

 

2015 Color Run comes to Ventura Saturday, October 17 – Street closure info

2015 Color Run – Street Closures, No Parking, and Traffic Impacts
Run Begins and Ends at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Traffic to be Impacted Within the Surrounding Area. Details Listed Below.

Saturday, October 17, 2015 at 8:00 a.m.
Road closures: Saturday, October 17, 2015 beginning at 6:00 a.m. All roads opened by approximately 1:30 p.m. Details below.

On Saturday, October 17, 2015, beginning at 8:00 a.m., the 2015 Color Run will take place in Ventura. The run begins and ends at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

We want to inform the community of street closures, no parking within designated areas, and potentially congested roadways in and around the area of the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Harbor Blvd, San Jon Rd., Hemlock St., Thompson Blvd., and portions of the downtown corridor.

Street closures will take place on Saturday the 17th beginning at 6:00 a.m. As runners circulate through the route roads will be reopened along the way with all roads anticipated to be reopened by 1:30 p.m.

Street Closures and No Parking Areas:

• Hemlock St. between Thompson Blvd. and Main St.

• Harbor Blvd. from the Fairgrounds to San Jon Rd.

• Main St., between Hemlock St. and Garden St.

• Thompson Blvd. between San Jon Rd. and Hemlock

Color Run Path:

• Runners will begin from northbound Figueroa St. (from Shoreline Dr)

• Proceed eastbound onto Harbor Blvd.

• Left turn (northbound) onto San Jon

• Westbound onto Thompson Blvd.

• Right turn (northbound) on Hemlock

• Left (westbound) on Main Street

• Left (southbound) to Garden and enter the Garden Street Fairgrounds gate

The Color Run is a unique race that that involves biodegradable colored cornstarch powder to be thrown at the participants along the route. The Color Run celebrates healthiness, happiness and individuality. To learn more about the event please visit the following link: http://thecolorrun.com/ventura/

Reel Anglers Guppy Outdoor Program Launch

Reel Anglers Fishing Show invites to all to attend the launch of their “Reel Guppy Outdoor Program” launch and program presentation on Thursday, October 29 from 6:00pm – 9:00pm at Pizza Man Dan’s located at 1601 Victoria Ave. in Oxnard.

Throughout the evening, an informational presentation about the new and upcoming program will be given by Kevin Brannon, Founder and TV Host of the Reel Anglers Fishing Show. This new program will include organized outdoor programs for youths of all ages including fishing trips, educational workshops to learn about the history of the Channel Islands, a “Dream and Visions” component, and more.

“Whenever I would go out fishing with my kids, a lot of other children in my apartment complex started asking me if they could tag-along”, say Brannon. “A lot of these children are raised by single parents who are tied up with work and hardly have time to take their kids on these outings.” Brannon began taking a few of the youth in his complex out which then led to a few other projects he coordinated including “Hooked on Fishing” with the local Girl Scouts Chapter, a Lake Casitas Kids Fishing Day in partnership with the West Coast Christian Anglers, a “Fish in the City” program with the Long Beach State Parks, and Friends of ROLLO – a day of deep sea fishing with children from the Oxnard Police Activities League and children from homeless families of The City CenterTransitional Living.

The purpose of the program launch is to inform any community partners about the mission as well as act as a fundraiser to raise money to cover costs in programming materials, marketing, and securing a space to house the program.

The event is free to attend. Pizza Man Dan’s will be donating a portion of the proceeds from any pizza purchased the evening off at all locations.

Climate Geeks Solution – Art & Tech Expo!!

Climate Geeks Solution – Art & Tech Expo!!
Sunday, Oct 11th 2015 at
The WAV Gallery – West Ventura
Noon to 6pm

FREE & AIR-CONDITIONED!
175 S. Ventura Avenue x Thompson
805.641.0400   /   http://www.wavartists.com
**Parking & Refreshment details at bottom

FBook Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/837570999675062/

Hosted by:  Arts for Earth Foundation / http://www.artsforearth.org
As a part of October’s Earth Spirit Art Exhibit
https://www.facebook.com/events/166472650361236/

Exhibitors and Program (Subject to Change)
NOON: Meet ‘n’ Greet
1:00: Welcome, Ron Whitehurst
1: 05 Arts for Earth! Michelle Nosco: “A Walk Through the Earth Spirit Exhibit”
1:30  VCCOOL, Ventura Climate Care Options Organized Locally, Rachel Morris: “Spirituality – At the Heart of Climate Protection”.
1:45 Transition Ventura County, Kendra Gonzales: “The Transition Towns Movement Talk & Playshop”.
2:15 Urban Planner Evan Evangelopoulos:  “Sustainable Communities & Urban Policies”.
2:30 Solar Ovens and Solar Cookery, Pat Browne
2:45 Channel Islands Energy Choice -TBA
3:00 Clean Energy Century, Dan Karpf: “Sustainable Social Evolution”.
3:30 Co-Founder VCCool & consultant to So.Cal Edison, John Howard:

“Lighting & Moving our Way into a Bright Green Future”
3:45 Local Climate Activism–Policy and Protest, Tomás Rebecchi, VC Climate HUB, Food & Water Watch, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Citizens for Responsible Oil and Gas (CFROG), LULAC, Stewards of the Earth, and more
4:15 Ground Operations, Rob Barnett: “Responding to the Climate With Our Food Shed”
4:45 Greywater -TBA
5:00 Green Transit -TBA
5:15 Home Efficiency / emPower -TBA
5:30 Green Building -TBA

Parking:
Lot across the street – but usually full, or behind / west of The WAV – Garden St. under the 101, or lot at Thompson & Juniper just east of The WAV, or Museum lot just off Santa Clara & Ventura Ave.

Refreshments:

We are not allowed food, but Food Truck at Topa Topa 1 block east on Thompson. We are working on being allowed cold drinks…you may want to bring your own.

There will most likely be a “smoothies truck” cruising around.

Plz call Kendra at 805-628-3198 with questions

Breeze Reader Poetry

The Universe
Joshua Henry Jones Jr.

Count o’er the million leagues from here to yonder star.
On then. On to the next count of a million more.
Sum up the myriad gleams that light the night;
Add too, the orbit where the cold bright moon doth soar.
That done, return to earth and with thy mind outline
That huge expanse called space; and then out from our Hearse
Of changing dust dream out the words-The Universe.

 

Ode to an Encyclopedia
James Arthur

O hefty hardcover on the built-in shelf in my parents’ living room,
O authority stamped on linen paper, molted from your dust jacket,
Questing Beast of blue and gold, you were my companion

on beige afternoons that came slanting through the curtains
behind the rough upholstered chair. You knew how to trim a sail
and how the hornet builds a hive. You had a topographical map

of the mountain ranges on the far side of the moon
and could name the man who shot down the man
who murdered Jesse James. At forty, I tell myself

that boyhood was all enchantment: hanging around the railway,
getting plastered on cartoons; I see my best friend’s father
marinating in a lawn chair, smiling benignly at his son and me

from above a gin and tonic, or sitting astride his roof
with carpentry nails and hammer, going at some problem
that kept resisting all his mending. O my tome, my paper brother,

my narrative without an ending, you had a diagram of a cow
broken down into the major cuts of beef, and an image
of the Trevi Fountain. The boarding house,

the church on the corner: all that stuff is gone.
In winter in Toronto, people say, a man goes outside
and shovels snow mostly so that his neighbors know

just how much snow he is displacing. I’m writing this
in Baltimore. For such a long time, the boy wants
to grow up and be at large, but posture becomes bearing;

bearing becomes shape. A man can make a choice
between two countries, believing all the while
that he will never have to choose.