Category Archives: Youth

New West Symphony Harmony Project receives California Arts Council “Artists in Schools” Grant

The New West Symphony announced that it has received a $7,500 grant from the California Arts Council to help underwrite the costs for the Symphony’s Harmony Project for incoming elementary school students. The funding will help defray the costs of salaries for the professional musicians who teach in the program as well as of instruments and supplies which are provided to the students at no charge.

This first-time grant is part of the California Arts Council’s Artists in Schools program which supports projects that integrate community resources, such as artists and professional arts organizations, into standards-based arts learning projects for students.

“We are thrilled to receive this generous support from the California Arts Council, who share our passion for music and the arts” said New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County Director Andrea Landin. “Harmony Project depends on our local arts community to support, sustain, and run this program. Without the Ventura arts community, we would not be able to have such a positive impact on these students and their families.”

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County is a youth development program that uses music as a tool for social change. It does this by providing tuition-free after school music lessons to children from Title I schools in Ventura, including Sheridan Way, EP Foster, and Will Rogers Elementary Schools, and DeAnza and Cabrillo Middle Schools. As a partner of the Ventura Unified School District, the program currently has 140 students in grades 3-8, with a waitlist of 40 students, and 10 professional Teaching Artists. It is affiliated with Harmony Project Los Angeles and was founded in Ventura by local philanthropists Sandra and Jordan Laby.

“California Arts Council grants provide vital support for projects in diverse communities across our state,” said Craig Watson, director of the California Arts Council. “This was an historic year of state arts support. We are proud to invest more than $8.5 million in funding 712 grant projects that will stimulate local growth and prosperity, and meet the needs of our communities through deep engagement with culture and creative expression.”

This year, the California Arts Council’s Artist in Schools program will allow 144 arts organizations to hire 580 teaching artists that will serve a total of more than 43,000 students in 323 schools across California.

Kids’ Art offers a free art program for children ages 5-14 taught by local artists

This surf board was painted by the young artists from “Kids’ Art (Growing Young Artists Since 1992). Kids’ Art offers a free, comprehensive art program for children ages 5-14 taught by local artists. Located in the Arc of Ventura’s Art Room. 295 S. Arcade Dr., Ventura. 628-9150. This surfboard was raffled off at Surf Rodeo to raise money for Kids’ Art.

Kudos to the ECTV crew

Grace Johnson-Glick and Ethan Messecar working in the control room at CAPS Media.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

Congratulations to the ECTV Crew from El Camino High School and their mentor/guru Phil Taggart and Assistant Manny Reynoso, whose program ECTV has won a national award for Best Informational Talk Show Series in the Student Category at the Alliance for Community Media National Conference. The award will be presented at the ACM conference in Boston in August.

The ECTV students, Sumaya, Ethan, Grace, Zayan, Josh, Katerina, Gabriella, Cherika, Kianah, Jade, Fernando, Kali, Kalin and Nathan worked diligently, learning the ropes of video journalism.

Instructor Phil Taggart said ”the students are a delight to work with. Their enthusiasm, intelligence and desire makes this class what it is.” This program offers “a way to present the world, their world, and all the joy and sadness that is a part of it.” Phil is looking forward to the start of the new year when last year’s students return to share their talents with new ones.

Grace Johnson-Glick took last year’s class to gain experience and she embraced the opportunity to learn. “I got to meet a lot of like-minded people that helped me become a better filmmaker, to be honest, it helped me become a better everything-maker because of all the skills I learned.”

Ethan Messecar shares that he has always loved filmmaking but “I lacked the knowledge of how to actually make films. Now through my training I have improved on my technical know-how. Most of all, I appreciate the people I now call my friends”.

Grace’s mom says “the internship program was an eye and mind opening experience for Grace. Her participation allowed her to merge her love of storytelling and film with her abilities in organization and leadership.” The program has inspired her to continue filmmaking in college.

It is not just about the filmmaking and storytelling skills that the students acquire but, as Grace and her mom share, their organization and leadership skills are honed as well.

The program has been so successful that, with the help of a grant, El Camino and CAPS Media will again work together to share knowledge and encourage ideas to be spread through visual media. It’s really wonderful when the students work together and realize that their voices matter. The ECTV series is currently broadcast on channel 15, CAPS educational and government channel, Sunday & Saturday at 9:30AM. Sunday & Tuesdays at 6:30pm.

Go to our website for more information. We always appreciate more likes on all social media including Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube. View it all on our frequently updated website. Don’t forget the training classes and professional gear we offer. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25. Go to www.capsmedia.org or call 658-0500 for more information.

Ventura County Fair Poster Contest winners

A formal presentation was made to the Ventura County Fair Poster Contest winners at the Fair offices. The contest was open to County youth in grades 5 – 12.

Pictured are first place winner Madison Lomis, 16 years old Ventura, Barbara Quaid CEO Ventura County Fairgrounds, second place winner Anna Sorensen, 12 years old Simi Valley, James Lockwood Fairgrounds Public Relations and Marketing Director and third place winner Carys Garvey, 13 years old Ventura.

The Contest was held in the spring and the winners were chosen from an entry pool of 38 works of art. All of the Poster Contest entries will be displayed in the Youth Expo at the 2016 Ventura County Fair. All of the children who entered the contest received 2 tickets to the fair and will be invited to ride on a float in the Ventura County Fair Parade on Saturday, August 6.

Ventura nonprofit happy to find new home on the avenue with Catholic Charities

Members of the Seabees, Catherine Meek, Executive Director, Lisa Olmstead, Office Manager and Bookkeeper and Sinead Chilton, Marketing Director helped to move School on Wheels.

School on Wheels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by a retired teacher, who saw firsthand how homeless children struggled to stay focused in school.

In 2008, School on Wheels was looking for an administrative office in Ventura and local developer Jim Dearkland, heard about the nonprofit and their mission to help children and offered them space in the recently purchased American Legion Building on the corner of Santa Clara and Palm.

The building is being taken over by Brooks Institute as part of its new ‘Urban Campus’ and although School on Wheels is sad to leave they are very grateful to Jim and OFI Property Management for all that they have done for them.

For the last eight years School on Wheels had been operating from his building rent free! In that time, the organization has grown to 2,223 volunteers strong and in 2015 alone, provided one on one tutoring to 3,491 homeless students throughout Southern California.

On Friday, June 9, with the help of its many friends School on Wheels moved to its new location at 303 N Ventura Ave. which is part of the Catholic Charities suite of buildings.

“School on Wheels is very lucky to have found a new friend in Catholic Charities and we are looking forward to a closer partnership. It’s such a great feeling when nonprofits work together. Being neighbors means we will able to provide the homeless families they serve with a ‘one stop shop’ when it comes to school supplies and tutoring services.” said Sinead Chilton, Marketing Director.

For more information about School on Wheels you can visit their website www.schoolonwheels.org or call 641 1678.

Foster kids received their own laptop computer and printer

On July 15 and 16 twenty local transitional-aged foster youth participated in a digital literacy computer training seminar, held at the County of Ventura Human Services Agency.

A powerful collaboration between the Ventura County Office of Education, Children’s Services Auxiliary, and Foster VC Kids made this once in a lifetime opportunity available for foster youth as they prepare to transition to college life and adulthood.

The hands-on workshop introduced foster youth to the skills necessary to use computer technology in everyday life to enhance their educational, social, and employment oriented opportunities. Many foster youth lack the financial resources and support necessary to develop in this area on their own.

“We are so excited to see the community come together to provide this opportunity to our transitional-aged foster youth,” says Angelina McCormick Soll, Resource Family Recruitment, Development, & Support Coordinator with Foster VC Kids, a program of Ventura County Children and Family Services.

While 90% of United States teens and 79% of low-income U.S. teens have access to computer technology in their homes, only 20% of foster youth have comparable access. A recent study by the iFoster network reports that foster youth who received laptops improved their grades, missed less time in school, maintained better contact with supportive friends and family, and experienced enhanced levels of self-esteem.

In addition to invaluable digital literacy skills such as social media safety, connectivity and integration knowledge, and software training, each of the 20 participating foster youth received their own laptop computer, printer, and suite of Microsoft programs.

Ventura County Human Services Agency (VCHSA) strengthens families, supports self-sufficiency and promotes safety, health, and well-being. All of their service areas operate and perform at the highest level to meet the needs of individuals, families, and the community by providing assistance, aid, and protection for foster youth and beyond. VCHSA demonstrates the ability to work in multicultural environments and ensures that policies, programs, and actions communicate respect for the dignity of all people. Visit www.fostervckids.org for more information.

If you are interested in partnering with Foster VC Kids to provide support for youth in care, please call 654-3220.

HACSB celebrates second annual scholarship program recipients

stuff HACSB — Brad Hudson of Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s office, Luz Ruiz, Mikaela McCowan, Daisy Sumaya and Michael McDonald of CA Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson’s office celebrating scholarship program.

The Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is pleased to announce the award of scholarships to Section 8 tenants or tenants of rental properties owned or affiliated with the Housing Authority through its second Annual Scholarship Program competition. The HACSB Annual Scholarship Program is the result of a partnership with Pacific Western Bank, awarding two $2,000 scholarships for students attending four year institutions and two $750 scholarships for students attending two year institutions. HACSB received and evaluated scholarship applications from among the HACSB’s Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher participants in an open, competitive selection process. The selected recipients are currently attending area institutions or are recent graduates of local schools with plans to continue their studies.

The HACSB hosted its second Annual Scholarship event at the Crown Plaza Hotel on Tuesday, June 21 with this year’s recipients Luz Ruiz, Bridget Mayanez, Mikaela McCowan, and Daisy Sumaya.

The event brought together the scholarship recipients and their families along with a few of their school teachers, counselors, and mentors to celebrate educational goals with HACSB staff, partner agency representatives, and representatives of local legislators.

“Education creates a path to change the world and it is an honor to celebrate the commitment these young women have made to furthering their future,” said Denise Wise, the HACSB CEO. “Education is the key to success, and the Housing Authority, its employees, and partners are extremely proud to support them in achieving their goals.”

In order to continue the Annual Scholarship program into future years, the HACSB is hosting its first Scholarship Fundraiser, the HACSB 2016 Haunted Housing Run. This year’s inaugural Haunted Housing Run event features a 5k, 10k and Kid’s 1 mile fun run on Saturday, October 29th at the Ventura Pier. All donations and proceeds from the Haunted Housing Run directly support the Scholarship Program. To sign up, volunteer, or donate, visit the event website at www.hauntedhousingrun.com.

The HACSB is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, with 471 public housing units, more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers, and over 350 non-profit affordable rental units. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents throughout the City of Ventura.

The CAPS Media Center

Students from CAPS Digital Storytelling producing one of their shows.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

CAPS, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, is seeking nominees for CAPS Media Board of Directors. This year there are three–at large seats available; two seats for two (2) year terms and one seat for a one (1) year term. Elections will be held in October 2016.

We encourage the community at-large and all our members to become involved with the election process by becoming a candidate, encouraging a nominee, and by voting. Contact CAPS for more information.

Enjoy the summer and send your now-bored kids to CAPS for our youth program. There are a few spaces remaining in the final week which begins August 1^st. Phil, Nick, Ethan and Grace are ready to teach the finer aspects of three camera production in our studio. Location filming is soon to follow. Take a look at past Digital Storytelling shows to see the range of creations.

CAPS Media Center is proud to have so many enthusiastic members. Our members embrace the educational courses we provide every month and use our top of the line camera and lighting equipment. The edit bays featuring Mac Pros and Final Cut X are getting a workout but there is always space for you. The studio is getting a lot of use by series producers and performers from all walks of life as well as by our ECTV and Digital Storytelling students. Let us know if you are interested in a particular aspect of filmmaking and we will look for ways to support your interests. Always check our schedule online to see what series are playing.

Is your business interested in learning about and using CAPS Media to provide media training and services? Please contact us. Our executive director, Patrick Davidson, will be happy to come to your office or attend your meeting and share the CAPS story. We have a lot to offer the non-profit and business communities.

Keep an eye out for more information on CAPS Radio. We have a lot of people who are prepping their shows and tapping their toes waiting for the station to be built. We can not build it without your help. Please share what ever you can to help make CAPS radio great.

Knowledge Bowl 2016

Creator of the Knowledge Bowl Suz Montgomery coaches her senior team Clint Jacobs, Don Haskell, Terry McCoy and Mary Ayers. Photo by John Hankins.

The seventh annual Knowledge Bowl between seniors versus teens was truly a “Battle of the Ages” on June 6, but they proved to be so evenly sharp that the end was a proverbial tie that binds younger and older citizens.

The teen team from Buena High School were Anna Rajala, Samantha Scampone, Ali Hemmatyar and Brady Yarbrough. Buena Librarian Joel Levin crafted the questions. Photo by John Hankins

Out of 50 questions, each team of four got 21 right and a last tie breaker – full names of the four Beatles – was a “Come Together” moment when both nailed the Fab Four.

“This is awesome,” said Suz Montgomery, “everybody wins.” Montgomery, who created the event, is part of the Ventura Adult and Continuing Education division (VACE) of the Ventura Unified School District. Over the last six years, seniors and teens tied at three matches apiece, so this 2016 version could’ve been a tie breaker.

The public event is similar to a Jeopardy show and was filmed by CAPS-TV to be repeated soon (see schedule at www.capsmedia.org). The live audience made it lively with enthusiastic applause and sometimes a lot of whispering of answers while each team had 30 seconds to answer, read by Buena High School Principal Bobbi Powers.

The questions were created by Buena’s librarian, Joel Levin, and covered Literature, Current Events, History, Geography and Potpourri. Two questions that stumped both teams included: Nairobi is the capital of what country (Kenya) and what was the gorilla’s name (Harambe) who was recently shot in a zoo when a child fell into its enclosure? Mary Ayers of the senior team broke up the audience when she quipped the name was, “Dead Meat.”

“The Knowledge Bowl is an extension of my idea to unite our community by building bridges between the ages,” Montgomery said. It was held at Aegis Living of Ventura, which went all out in providing the venue and enthusiastic staff support.

The event drew many dignitaries, including Ventura Schools Superintendent Michael Babb, School Board member John Walker, Ventura City Council member Cheryl Heitmann and VACE Principal-Director Carolyn Vang-Walker.

“The Knowledge Bowl has become one of the most anticipated events in the community, with both sides excited to show how much they know,” Montgomery said.

$10,000 in Ojai Studio Artist Art Scholarships awarded in city hall reception

Scholarship recipients Hugo Castillo, Marissa Gonzales, Lizbeth Zamora, Logan Werner, Leah Kopp, Ashley Konzmann, Jonathan Weiser, Bailey Huerta, Amber Talbot, and Kayla Petrucci. Not pictured are Reiko Heartland and Audrey Hernandez.

Audrey Hernandez of Nordhoff High School was presented the top Ojai Studio Artists’ 2016 art scholarship at a celebratory reception at the Ojai City Hall.

OSA Scholarship Committee Chair Richard Franklin presented the promising art student the “Ojai Award” of $2000. In all, Franklin awarded over $10,000 in scholarships to nineteen Ventura County art students.

Three runner-ups for the award received $1000 each. They are Marissa Gonzales of Adolfo Camarillo High School in Camarillo and Hugo Castillo, California State University of Channel Islands, and Lizabeth Zamora from Nordhoff High School.

Three students received $800 scholarships. The Rotary Ojai West Award of $500 was awarded to Kayla Petrucci of Ojai, a student at Ventura College. Three other artists were awarded $500 scholarships and smaller amounts to other students..

In OSA’s 23 year-old scholarship program, the art organization has awarded over $210,000 in scholarships. This year’s $10,000 total marked a new high in scholarship fundraising. The prestigious Beatrice Wood and Otto and Vivika Heino awards honor the legacy of these important Ojai artists and past OSA members. The Ojai and Rotary West Ojai awards go specifically to local students.

Selected works by the scholarship winners will be shown at a two-month exhibition at City Gallery, located at 410 S. Ventura St. The Ojai Arts Commission generously hosted and installed the show throughout City Hall for the benefit of the public.

On Saturday, July 23, at 2 p.m. join international artist M. Nicole van Dam at the Ojai Art Center, for smiles and a spirited blend of art, humor, poetry and prose, based on Nicole’s book “Tempo – The Rhythm and Rhyme of the Artist.” Nicole’s artwork and writings are licensed internationally, creating lovely products, and Nicole’s work has been publicly exhibited for many years, including at Santa Barbara City Hall and Community Memorial Hospital. One of Nicole’s solo exhibitions was recorded by the Montecito History Committee, and Nicole has been named an artist to watch by the “Montecito Journal.” For a sneak peek at Nicole’s unique blend of art and writing please visit www.ArtSanctuary.us. Ojai Art Center 113 S. Montgomery St. Suggested Donation $5.

“Annie Get Your Gun” is the rough riding, exciting fictionalized love story of sharpshooters Annie Oakley and Frank Butler in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show, composed to the beloved songs of Irving Berlin. This Tony Award winning musical runs from July 1 – 31 at Ojai ACT, 113 S. Montgomery St.; at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are only $20 general, $18 for seniors and Art Center members and $15 for students. Reserve your seat at 640-8797 or online: www.OjaiACT.org.

There will be a special Opening Weekend Gala for “Annie Get Your Gun” on Sunday, July 3 featuring a Prosecco Reception a half hour before the 2 p.m. matinee. It also includes reserved priority seating and a cocktail party after the show with the cast at a private home in Ojai. Only 50 tickets are available at $50 per person for the Sunday Special, available at http://tinyurl.com/AnnieCelebration

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