There are stories all around us

stuff CAPSCAPS is working with teacher Suz Montgomery and her class of seniors.

By Elizabeth Rodeno

It’s back to school, whether it be Ventura College, Foothill High School or El Camino High, our neighbors here on Day Road. We invite those students, in fact all Ventura’s students, to come by, sign up to volunteer and learn to make movies.  These skills will help you to create powerful and impactful reports and projects. After all, we live in the world of media, why not integrate it into your class work?  It’s an opportunity for anyone, young or old to share their story.

Our staff spent last Saturday at the Camarillo Airshow. It brought home how valuable these planes are to our history. Even more important were those servicemen and women who contributed to these historical events. Their history and their stories will be gone before we know it and we can’t let that go. That is where the students, and all of us, come into the picture. Why not help tell their stories? Share it with Ventura and beyond and chronical it for their families. There are so many great stories to be told; budding artists, musicians, technicians and those committed to community service. We provide the tools and you provide with subjects and together we honor them.

We have begun working with teacher Suz Montgomery and her class of seniors, generously funded through a grant, to share their stories and train students to record and curate there legacy.  It’s the team work and shared commitment that educators and employers look for.

There are stories all around us. This is why CAPS Media is so important to the community. Our staff only wishes we could cover every event and record every story. Our mission is to teach you to do it, to teach you to film. It’s rewarding for you and rewarding for us.

CAPS Media is the non-profit membership organization that is here to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25 and includes training, equipment, use of our studio and edit suites. Share our history with over 20,000 Ventura residents on channel 6 and 15. Share it with your teachers, your friends and share it for history. Go to our website, www.CAPSTV.org or stop by CAPS Media Center on 65 Day Road and schedule a tour.

Ventura County Fair closes with attendance increase

stuff fairThe Unforgettables Big Band had the standing room only crowd dancing the afternoon away.

The Ventura County Fair’s Board of Directors, management, and staff are proud to report a successful 2015 Fair. Celebrating the best of the best from throughout Ventura County, the 140th edition closed with strong numbers in all categories. Visitors came from near and far to enjoy “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” during the 12-day run, August 5 through August 16.

More than 2000 volunteers and a workforce of hundreds opened the gates with tremendous teamwork in the days leading up to the Fair.

The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County, this was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits and baking contests, Adding to the attraction were exciting carnival rides, tasty food concessions, and diverse entertainment. There was something for everyone, capturing the hearts of visitors and making lasting memories that will last forever. Fairgoers were greeted with an abundance of new attractions, which included the Fair’s first-ever chicken obstacle course, fresh new talents on the Station Stage, the latest in summer fad fair foods, baby Emus on display in the small livestock area and the first-ever stick pony barrel racing contest.

“We strive to bring a top quality fair to the community,” said CEO Barbara Quaid. “For us the focus is not so much about the numbers of people coming through the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have at the Fair. “

The overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of the sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2015 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2016 Fair.

Final numbers are:

Total Attendance                 2015   318,113                      2014  303,847                  increae    4.70%

The Ventura County Fairgrounds consists of a 62.5-acre parcel and operates as a multi-purpose, multi-functional, year-round facility accommodating a variety of events.  Regarded as a premier rental facility, the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center attracts some of the most popular shows and attractions in the county throughout the year, including livestock shows, dog shows, horse shows, home and recreation shows, concerts, dances, business expos, weddings and receptions, motorcycle and automobile shows, camping groups, and much more.

The Ventura County Fair entertained thousands of guests and employs up to 700 seasonal staff during the annual 12-day event. The Fair brings economic, social, educational, and cultural resources and provides lasting impressions on Fairgoers. While agriculture is the heart of the Fair, it’s the diverse entertainment that typically draws Fairgoers through the gates. Known for free top name concerts, we take pride in the overall dynamics and diversity of the entertainment, the esthetics and cleanliness of the grounds, as well as the vast educational and innovative exhibits that are showcased throughout the Fair each year.

The Board of Directors, management, and staff are very proud of our facility and the resources generated and contributed to the economic impact to Ventura County.

 

Restock your bookshelves

On Saturday, September 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Buck-a-Bag Book Sale at the Haggen Grocery (previously Albertsons) at 7800 Telegraph Road at Kimball Road

Restock your bookshelves along with your groceries.
They will provide the bags — fill a plastic bag and take home a bag of books for just $1.00.
Fill a larger paper bag and take it home for $2.00.
We’ll even provide a box which you can fill for $4.00.

All funds raised are used to benefit Ventura’s libraries.

3-D printing limitless possibilities and available for free

stuff 3D printingArticle and photo by Richard Lieberman

The spotlight is on 3-D printing, a technology that has been emerging since engineers in the 1980’s produced working models, and since then the printers have undergone refinements and technological improvements that have brought the devices to the general public. Schools are getting 3-D printers, Small businesses are putting the devices to work, Libraries have discovered 3-D printers, there are even 3-D printer models designed for home use at affordable prices.

Ron Solorzano, Library Technician I at the E.P Foster Library, 651 E. Main Street, Ventura, has embraced the technology with a fervor that began nearly 2 years ago when the Library acquired its first 3-D printers. One of Mr. Solórzano’s goals is to introduce 3-D printing to schools, and school age children “it’s moving so fast, and the technology is getting better” said Solorzano. Solórzano added “We are giving the tools the community needs to effectively use, and embrace this technology.”

The library is offering workshops, every Wednesday to acquaint the public with 3-D printing techniques, use of the software needed, and the tools to accomplish 3-D modeling. The public is also welcome to find and share the modeling work of others. There are several websites for 3-D modelers that share work already done. Many of the models can be downloaded and brought to the library and printed.

3-D printing has enormous potential, and has been used to create things as small as a human cell and as large as a bridge.

The first steps in creating a 3-D image is to create an image of the item the user is attempting to create using various software suites. After designing and creating the image it is then sent to the printer. Production begins with a platform where the model will be built. The printer then lays down a very thin layer of material. The library lab is using PLA Filament as the basic material, and offers it to the public at 10 cents per gram.  Then the printer lays down layer after layer, until the designed item is built, building from the ground up.

The printers and the process is popular among manufacturers, and production facilities giving the facilities a solid 3-D prototype to examine. This process gives an advantage to many manufacturers by allowing the manufacturer to skip the costly, and intensive process of casting aluminum or other metals to create tooling. The 3-D printing process gives a manufacturer the opportunity to efficiently and inexpensively create castings and skip the long-term casting process.

Fully functional items are rarely produced. Items are made with many pieces that need to be assembled after coming off the printers. Some people believe that 3-D printers will ultimately change the way the world does business. Some believe that manufacturing will no longer be the province of large corporations with elaborate factories. Instead they will be replaced by rows of functioning 3-D printers printing anything from buttons to chocolate concoctions already being used by the Hershey Corporation.

Currently Solórzano has been promoted and will be leaving the E.P. Foster library to join the main library in Ojai. “We are currently cross training 4 staff members to take over the 3-D printer operations .” Added Solórzano.

An opportunity to try your hand at designing and using 3-D printing is available at the library. Call the library for the training schedule and to enroll in one of the offered classes (805) 648-3696.

Homeless Prevention Fund Part 2……..What About You?

By Jill Forman

Five hundred and thirty-six dollars.  Think about that amount; many folks spend that monthly on the payment for a nice car, or going out to eat every week, or spending a modest weekend away.  Five hundred and thirty-six dollars.

For other families, that amount stands between them and homelessness.  That is the average amount the Homeless Prevention Fund gives to families to keep them in their home.  For some families it is as little as $200.  Think about how close such families are to the edge of financial disaster at any time.  Imagine living like that every day.

Our article in the Breeze generated over 10 calls, as more people became aware of the services offered.  Desperate people, with maybe a “three day notice” saying, essentially, pay your back rent or lose your home.  Due to lack of financial resources, the Fund was able to keep only 8 of these families housed.  We referred the others to alternative sources in hopes they might be able to help.

What the article didn’t generate was donations.  The Fund is 100% dependent on individual and faith community contributions.  Six local congregations donate frequently and generously, but there are over 90 houses of worship in the city.  The Fund is currently in the red, a frequent occurrence as there is so much need.

Keeping a person or family in their home is the most economical way to keep homelessness from spreading.  Once the home is lost, it can take thousands of dollars to rehouse them: first and last month’s rent, security deposit, and other fees.  And then many landlords won’t rent to them because they have an eviction on their record.  So they end up in motels, or on the street.  Those are not safe ways to live, and it ends up costing the taxpayers for law enforcement, 911 calls, ambulance transport and ER visits, and other services.

One of our donors, not a wealthy person, gave up his daily cup(s) of expensive coffee for Lent, and donated the amount saved to the Fund.  And then just kept it as a monthly donation and keeps the fancy stuff for an occasional treat.  Another one gives donations as wedding and baby gifts, feeling that a safer and more just world is the best gift a new couple or new baby can have. me.

Donations can be made at vhpf.net.  Five dollars.  Ten dollars a month.  100% of all contributions go directly to keeping people housed.

Five hundred and thirty-six dollars — often much less –keeps a family housed.

What about you? Will you help?

“Cotton” Rosser rides again

stuff RosserEighty seven year old  “Cotton” Rosser is the production manager for the rodeos held at the Fair Grounds. He is the owner of the Flying U Rodeo, the oldest rodeo company in the world and the major supplier of livestock to the  PRCA Rodeo held as part of The Ventura County Fair.  Cotton actively participates in rounding up the animals after each event. He is shown on his horse talking with fair children. By John Ferritto

Ventura Family YMCA announces outdoor sports court expansion and English as a Second Language classes

stuff ymcaThe YMCA would like to thank Mike Regan from the Gwendelyn Sexton Foundation, Wood Claeyssens Foundation, David Staples from Staples Construction, Mica Beving of Beving Architecture, Jensen Design & Survey, Inc., and Hampton Fitness for their new facilty.

After a year and a half in planning, the Ventura Family YMCA will start building an outdoor multi-purpose Sports Court, with the second week of October as the anticipated completion date.  This space will include 4,000 sq. ft. full-size basketball court, 1,700 sq. ft. outdoor workout area with Hampton Fitness equipment, and a 1,000 sq. ft. play space for their Children’s Corner.  The area will be made complete with state-of the art synthetic flooring, which will allow group exercise classes, programs, and open hours so that everyone may enjoy their time outdoors.

Since 1887 the Ventura Family YMCA has been a leading non-profit in Ventura.  The next step in the Y’s cause is the outdoor multi-purpose sports court.  The Y’s Marketing Director, Alicia Cattoni, sums it up as stating, “This immense project is amazing because the Y listened to the needs of our community and said we hear you and this is what we’re doing about it.”

The Ventura Family YMCA is preparing for another session of free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes at their facility.  The classes run from September 12th through October 17th and coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month.  The Y’s ESL classes are intended for beginner and intermediate participants.  Child care is also provided on site and at no cost, while the classes are being taught by a certified ESL instructor, complete with educational booklets.

Brian Stevens, the Y’s Membership Director and Mayra DeLeon the Y’s Member Relations Coordinator, are both leading this initiative.

Brian  states, “I wish more people knew about this program.  I mean, it’s FREE!” He adds, “If transportation is a concern, we have two bus stops within a block of us and the main hub over at the Pacific View Mall.”  Brian wants everyone in the community to know that we are here to help and that the Y is a resource to make these changes.

For more information about the Y’s ESL Program, please contact Mayra DeLeon by email at [email protected] or by calling 642.2131 ext. 12.  To learn more about donating to the Y, please contact Executive Director, Amy Bailey Jurewicz by email at [email protected] or by calling 642.2131, ext. 24.

 

Parkinson’s Support Group meeting at Lexington

On Wednesday September 9, from 1PM to 3PM, the Ventura Parkinson’s Support Group is hosting Tamara Backer, LSVT Loud Certified Speech Language Pathologist and Christina Malone, LSVT Big Certified Physical Therapist from Two Trees Physical Therapy and Wellness of Ventura. Reservations are not required.

The meeting will be held at The Lexington Assisted Living at 5440 Ralston Street on the third floor. Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required.