Category Archives: Youth

Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition

High school jazz musicians performed for the judges and audience.

On Jan. 22, in the Pavilion of the Pierpont Inn judges awarded cash prizes to outstanding Southern California’s best high school jazz musicians as the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) kicks off their new year.

This was 11th annual competition for students and was attended by over 100 who enjoyed some great jazz musicians and the rain.

Renowned musicians Bevan Manson, Eddie Arkin and Steve Marsh were the judges for the completion.

The 5 finalists that performed were Ben Farahi (guitar, 16 Hamilton Academy of Music Los Angeles), Jonah Goldstein (guitar, 16 Calabasas high School, Matthew Michalek (16, alto sax Thousand Oaks High School), Henry Urschel (also sax, 16 Dos Pueblos High School Santa Barbara) and Angelo Velasquez(drums, 18 Newbury Park High School). They were backed up by Bevan Manson on piano, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums.

All of the judges agreed that the students were all outstanding and how hard it was selecting the best but finally decided to award first place to drummer Angelo Velasquez who was the oldest of the students so we can expect several of them to be back next year.

They will be the performing for the public throughout the year, including on Feb. 21st when the VMF announces the 2017 July Festival program at City Hall. So be sure to attend to enjoy the music and be introduced to this year’s VMF.

 

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Provides Girls with STEM Activities Focusing on Conservation

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC), with the support of a $15,000 grant from the Amgen Foundation, has announced the launch of the 2017 Imagine Your STEM Future program, which will provide STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities to approximately 325 low-income girls, ages 5-18 in Ventura County.

“We are very excited to implement the Imagine program thanks to the continued generous support from the Amgen Foundation,” said Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast Interim CEO Jody Skenderian.

The goal of the Imagine program is to expand girls’ STEM skills as they enjoy hands-on experiments, explore STEM careers, and care for their environment with the help of a strong network of volunteers. Girl Scouts helps foster a life-long passion for STEM and inquiry-based learning as girls engage in cooperative partnerships—working together to solve problems, conduct experiments, and plan and implement STEM-based projects. Whether girls want to learn how to build a robot, a catapult, or participate in global conservation efforts, Girl Scout programs helps them imagine their STEM future with help from grantors such as the Amgen Foundation.

The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance excellence in science education to inspire the next generation of innovators, and invest in strengthening communities where Amgen staff members live and work.

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast serves over 10,400 girls across six counties and is committed to making the Girl Scout Leadership Experience available to girls in ways that impact their lives both in the moment and into the future. To join or volunteer in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura County, visit: http://www.girlscoutsccc.org.

Twenty-four teens with the Ventura Family YMCA were part of the team

The Ventura Family YMCA Youth and Government delegates at their second Training and Elections Conference in Fresno.

The Channel Islands YMCA Youth & Government delegation joined more than 3,500 youth from across the state in Fresno for their second Training & Elections conference held Jan. 14-16 at the Fresno Convention Center.

The Youth & Government program offered at YMCAs — including the Santa Barbara, Lompoc, Stuart C. Gildred, and Ventura branches of the Channel Islands YMCA — gives students a chance to learn about California’s legislative and judicial processes by writing bills, preparing briefs, and governmental role-play (lobbying, running for office, debating bills, voting on legislation).

“I’m always astonished by the amount I can learn in a three-day conference. Even after a semester of AP Government, in this particular conference, I learned more about the process of trial by jury than I had ever learned in class,” said Caitlin English, senior and fourth-year delegate at Ventura High School and delegation Vice President. “Being able to act out the democratic process and actively participate in trial is such a different experience and is extremely helpful in understanding how our government operates.”

Youth and Government is a six-month program offered by YMCAs across the nation that provides students the opportunity to experience government first-hand and learn how to solve community problems through the democratic process as well as debate and discuss issues with their peers.

“This program is amazing for teens,” said Julie O’Brien, Youth Program Director at the Ventura Family YMCA. “To see a group of high schoolers become so passionate about this type of program is an amazing experience for me, not to mention a life changing experience for them!”

In California, the experience culminates with Model Legislature & Court in Sacramento in February. The Channel Islands delegation will participate in the 69th Model Legislature & Court held Feb. 16-19 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Their first Training and Elections Conference was held in December. Both serve as opportunities for the students to prepare.

To support this program or to learn about how to participate, please contact Julie at 642.2131 ext. 23, or visit ciymca.org/ventura.

Established in 1887, the Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization of seven YMCA branches serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties including: Camarillo Family YMCA, Lompoc Family YMCA, Montecito Family YMCA, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez, Ventura Family YMCA, and Youth and Family Services YMCA which operates Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, the St. George Family Youth Center and My Home.

Scholarships available for community youth arts programs

Community youth program: free student art scholarships are available for youth 9- 12 years old. The scholarships are at no cost to needy families. The program is for visual arts, music, theatrical, dance, etc. call  479-4000 or nominate a student at www.MusicAndArtForYouth.org.

They are non-profit 501 (c) 3 for public benefit and education. Despite school district and government budget cuts, we are dedicated to help provide opportunities to nurture youth to achieve their artistic dreams and goals. We seek out young generation gifted kids with the desire and potential talent in music and art. These extraordinary individuals are financially unable to provide the means to nurture their goals.

Public invited to free 11th annual Ventura Music Festival Student Jazz Competition

2016 winner Blake Kasting performing with other finalists .

Judges will award cash prizes to three of Southern California’s best high school jazz musicians as the Ventura Music Festival (VMF) kicks off the new year with free competition performances open to the public on Sunday, January 22, from 2 to 3:30 pm, in the Pavilion of the Pierpont Inn, 550 Sanjon Road. No RSVP is required for audience members to attend this 11th annual competition for students.

Renowned musicians and judges Bevan Manson, Eddie Arkin and Steve Marsh will select up to a half dozen musicians to compete in performance after reviewing mp3 or m4a files that were submitted online by Southern California high school students featuring their improvised solos of original or classic jazz or blues tunes.

The students selected to perform for the judges and audience will be backed up by Bevan Manson on piano, Tom Etchart on bass and Charles Levin on drums.

Besides cash prizes, the winners will receive numerous opportunities to perform for the public throughout the year, including on February 21st when the VMF announces the 2017 July Festival program at City Hall. Student Jazz winners will also perform during the Rising Stars Concert in May and other events to be announced.

Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta will announce the 23rd Ventura Music Festival artist line-up in a special briefing at Ventura City Hall on Tuesday, February 21, from 5 to 6 pm. The public is warmly invited to attend this free admission event with refreshments and entertainment following the presentation. The nine-concert festival will take place on the weekends of July 14-16 and July 21-24.

Full Festival details will be posted on the VMF website after February 21: www.venturamusicfestival.org. The website posts all VMF events as calendared, including a Cabaret evening benefit on April 21 and free Rising Stars Concert in May and Music in the Schools programs for children in 3rd through 5th grades.

The Ventura Music Festival, founded in 1994, is one of Ventura County’s signature arts events, presenting world-class classical, jazz and contemporary performing artists to Southern California audiences throughout the year in one of our State’s most historic beach towns.

VMF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

 

 

 

 

Winter league flag football

Ventura’s growing youth sports league called FuturePro Flag Football is back again. Players of all kinds, including beginner, intermediate and advanced, boys and girls from kindergarten to 8th grade are welcome to join us again in our Winter season.

If you are curious about the game of football, then flag football is a safe, exciting and fun introduction to help your child get acquainted. Learn how to run plays, play as a team and make new friends. FuturePro Flag Football rules are no-contact and is the safest way to play football.

Games will again be played every Sunday at Saint Bonaventure High School football field with the first game played on February 12th and ending on April 9. The cost to play is $125 and includes a jersey. Sibling discounts are available. Interested players, coaches and volunteers are encouraged to register and/or contact us online.

Learn more about FuturePro Flag Football online: www.futureproflagfootball.com or call for more information 302-9809.

Teen Voice to collect essential items for homeless families

During the month of January the Teen Voice Leadership Club through its “Project Humankindness” is seeking community support to collect essential items for homeless adults and families.

Such winter accessories as new socks, scarves, gloves and beanies; such grooming items as nail clippers, disposable razors, combs and hair brushes; and such hygiene items as bars of soap, tooth brushes and unused travel sizes of hand sanitizer, lotion, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and deodorant may be donated at these locations:

  • Buena High School – Mrs. McGavren in Room 61
  • Cabrillo Middle School – Mrs. Knowles in the Counseling Office
  • Foothill Tech High School – Mr. Weldele in Room H-104
  • Ventura High School – Ms. Frias in the Guidance Center
  • Ventura City Hall – Mario Robinson, Room 226

The deadline for donations is January 30. A few days later the items collected will be delivered to two agencies: Catholic Charities in Ventura and the West County Winter Warming Shelter (serving Oxnard and Ventura families.)

“We welcome contributions by all our students, residents, city employees and businesses and thank them in advance for their support in helping Teen Voice meet its goal of helping Ventura’s homeless people,” said City of Ventura Youth Programs Supervisor Mario Robinson who is Teen Voice Advisor.

For more information contact: Mario Robinson, City of Ventura Youth Programs Supervisor, at 654-7807 or [email protected].

Joymaker challenge brings toys to local kids in need

The  Boys & Girls Club provides a positive place for all youth.

As a part of their Santa’s Workshop Holiday Party teens at the Boys and Girls Club taught younger club members about giving back. Teens helped younger members wrap gifts which were given to children at Casa Pacifica.

The teens have been working with Branch Director Lea Cobb, Teen Directors Abel and Katie and volunteer Madhu Bajaj of Fastsigns of Ventura who was selected as a Kindness Ambassador and Joymaker by “generationOn”.

“Engaging young people in service is a priority for my life’s work,” says Bajaj. “When we get involved in our community, no doubt the community is strengthened, but so are the lives of the people involved. From new skills, confidence, friendships, job opportunities and much more, service supports our teens in leading vibrant, meaningful lives.”

One teen provided insight into the importance of being kind to self. “It’s challenging being a teen. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. It’s important we remember to be kind to ourselves.” Other teens added in specifics on how to be kind to self such as eating well, exercising, managing stress, and avoiding peer pressure.

The teens also agreed on the importance of kindness and making time for others as a way of building relationships. For their kindness service project, they decided to create a kindness tree to capture ways to express kindness and share kindness stories. They invited younger club members to participate and taught them about kindness.

Additionally, they wrote letters to people important in their life like a parent, teacher, friend etc. and to community helpers. After learning about Standing Rock and #NoDAPL the teens decided to write letters of support to the water protectors.

For their participation in the Joymaker challenge, the teens researched local groups where they could give the toys donated by Hasbro and decided on Casa Pacifica. They helped younger club members wrap gifts and talked with them about the importance of helping others and giving back to your community.

Pattie Birmingham, CEO says “We were so pleased to participate in this program.  We strive to instill Good Character & Citizenship values with our youth in all that we do and this program was a perfect match!  These youth will be the future leaders of our community.  Learning to care about others will be pivotal to the direction that they take.”

The Joymaker Challenge is facilitated by “generationOn” and sponsored by Hasbro, details at www.generationOn.org/joymaker. Through Dec.23 for each kid or teen who engages in service, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots – up to 1 million dollars!

The  Boys & Girls Club Greater Ventura provides a positive place for all youth, especially those who need us most, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community. We provide critical youth development services to 1,200 members every year.  Your contribution provides Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyle programs to the youth of our community!  http://www.bgclubventura.org/