A Forgotten Ventura Founder

by Richard Senate

Angel Escandon, born in Spain and a resident of Peru before arriving in California in 1854, settled in what was then a cluster of adobe buildings around the Old Mission Church. Trained as a lawyer, he quickly became a prominent figure in the burgeoning community of Ventura. He married Francesca Sanchez, and as part of her dowry, he acquired a large adobe on Main Street near the Mission. During the Gold Rush era, when demand for cattle enriched ranch owners, Angel seized the opportunity and opened a saloon catering to local cowboys. It distinguished itself with amenities like a billiard table, the town’s first. He also produced wines and brandies from grapes grown on his land along the Ventura River.

The saloon, strategically located next to the polling place, likely thrived during the pivotal presidential election of 1860, where all voters at the location cast their ballots for Abraham Lincoln, contrasting with the rest of Santa Barbara County’s support for Stephen Douglas. In 1863, Angel Escandon was elected to the State Assembly. He championed the cause of Ventura’s incorporation as a city, which was granted in April 1866. In 1870, he introduced AB 442 to establish Ventura County as an independent entity from Santa Barbara County. The bill passed, and Ventura County was officially formed on January 1, 1873. Angel played a pivotal role in organizing the county’s first government.

After his tenure in the Assembly, Angel Escandon served as mayor of Ventura in 1875, when it was still known as San Buenaventura. He continued to serve the community as a member of the city council. Tragically, he passed away suddenly on Thanksgiving Day in 1884, at the age of 51, shortly after playing cards at the Tico Adobe, located where the Burger King now stands on Ventura Avenue.

Perhaps our community should consider erecting a statue or plaque in honor of this overlooked founder, Angel Escandon.

X Games and Visit Ventura Partner with Food Share of Ventura County to “X Out Hunger”

In an inspiring display of community collaboration, X Games and Visit Ventura have partnered with Food Share of Ventura County to donate 11,000 lbs of unused, nutritious food and fresh produce from the recent X Games Ventura Presented by SONIC. This generous donation is equivalent to providing over 9,000 meals to local residents in need.

“This partnership came about just a few weeks before the event — I am thrilled that we were able to rally together to make this happen! Not only did X Games Ventura showcase the beauty of our beach town to a national audience, but we also had the privilege of giving back to our local neighbors,” said Visit Ventura’s President & CEO Marlyss Auster.

Jennifer Caldwell, Chief Development Officer of Food Share, shared her gratitude stating, “We are incredibly appreciative to Marlyss Auster and Visit Ventura for making the connection with X Games. This donation will provide nutritious food to our local community, helping to ensure Ventura remains a vibrant place to live and work. Nearly 17% of Ventura’s population sought food assistance from Food Share last year, and this contribution comes at a crucial time.”

The nationally televised X Games Ventura not only highlighted the beautiful beach coastline and vibrant culture of Ventura but also brought attention to the pressing issue of food insecurity in the area. The 11,000 lbs of donated food will significantly aid Food Share’s mission to combat hunger and support the well-being of Ventura County residents. This partnership exemplifies the power of community and the positive impact that can be achieved when organizations come together for a common cause.

X Games also partnered with Ventura Land Trust and the Ventura Chapter of Surfrider Foundation to host two community clean ups at Willoughby Preserve and C-Street, where 81 pounds of trash was collected between C-Street and the Ventura Pier.

“X Games Sustainability has always prioritized the phrase ‘leave it better than we found it’,” said Jeremy Frees, sustainability consultant to X Games. “This year we had a unique opportunity to do just that: leave a positive, lasting impact on our host community and the surrounding environment by partnering with Visit Ventura, the City of Ventura, Ventura Land Trust, the Ventura Chapter of Surfrider Foundation, and Food Share Ventura County.”

Bill Hahn’s Automotive: Service Since 1974

At the end of Transport Street, behind the old Target near the DMV, sits Bill Hahn’s Automotive. For decades, Bill Hahn could be found there six days a week in his signature smock, hand-writing invoices, talking to customers, and pacing around the packed parking lot with a phone to his ear. His customers truly meant everything to him.

When Bill retired, he sought someone to carry forward his values, work ethic, and care for the community. In 2016, husband and wife Josh and Amber, along with Joel (Josh’s brother and Bill’s master mechanic for years), were hand-picked to helm the ship that Bill built. Ventura natives with deep love and appreciation for their extraordinary hometown—and with garage roots dating back to their grandfather’s 1950s-era mechanic shop at 5-Points—they take the responsibility of providing great service to heart. Their customers mean everything to them.

At Bill Hahn’s Automotive, they believe that maintenance shouldn’t be burdensome. They know that unexpected car repairs are a total bummer. They understand that having a local mechanic you can trust to give the honest truth about what a vehicle needs (or what can wait) will help avoid the biggest catastrophes of ownership. Car care is personal, and there is rarely one single right answer when it comes to repairs. Bill Hahn’s Automotive offers advice on the best course of action for the overall safety and longevity of a vehicle,
often differing from that given by dealerships or brand-name chain automotive centers.

Today, the parking lot is less congested, and hand-written invoices are a thing of the past. Bill Hahn’s Automotive has embraced technology with computers, tablets, digital inspections, text messaging, email, and
phone calls as available communication methods. They work on most makes and models, including late model and select vintage vehicles, from carbureted to computer-controlled.

Some constants remain unchanged across the years: professional standards, operational integrity, expert mechanics providing quality car repairs, best practices, thoughtful big-picture advice, great service experiences, clear communication, and good value.
Because customers mean everything

City Request Phone Numbers

  • Pothole Hotline:  805-652-4590
  • Streetlights/SCE Outages: 800-655-4555
  • Graffiti Hotline: 805-654-7805
  • Report tree limb obstructing a sidewalk, traffic sign, streetlight, or public right of way: 805-677-6519
  • Replace the garbage can or recycling bins: Contact E.J. Harrison & Sons at 805-647-1414.
  • Report illegal dumping: 805-677-3999
  • Report an abandoned vehicle: 805-339-4432
  • Report an abandoned shopping cart: 888-992-4778

Vol. 17, No. 21 – July 10 – July 23, 2024 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F – Netflix

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

After pursuing robbers on motorcycles in a snow plow through the streets of Detroit, Axel Foley’s (Eddie Murphy) antics finally forced his boss Jeffery to retire to protect Axel. Axel’s friend Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold), former Beverly Hills Police Officer turned P.I. was working on a case with Axel’s daughter Jane Saunders (Taylour Paige) who was serving as a defense attorney in LA.

The same day Jane accused a prominent police officer of being dirty in court, her car was hooked by a chain and dropped over the side of the building, leaving her hanging 50ft above the ground.

Billy called Axel to let him know Jane was in trouble, so Axel headed to L.A. Billy never showed to pick up Axel, and when Axel got to Billy’s office he found two guys inside searching the place. Axel escaped by a stealing a parking meter cart, but crashed it, was arrested and turned over to Beverly Hills Detective Bobby Abbott (Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Axel called his Jane, who promptly hung up on him, so he called back and agreed to tell Jane what Billy said if she helped him.

It was immediately evident that Bobby and Jane had been in a relationship. Axel got called to Taggart’s office where he met Captain Cade Grant (Kevin Bacon) who ran the interdepartmental narcotics task force. Grant said that Jane was representing a cop killer that killed a member of his team named Copeland. Upon leaving the station, Jane said the last time she heard from Billy he was down at the impound checking something out, so they both went to the impound together.

The car had been broken into the night before and they found a hidden camera in car vent, but the SD card was missing. Jane said her client Enriquez was framed and the camera would have video of Copeland’s death. Axel realized they were being followed by the same thugs from Billy’s office and followed them to an elite club where they found the two thugs hanging out with Grant.

Bobby talked to Taggart at the station and when he left ended up in a shoot out to protect Axel and Jane, while Axel tried to flee crashing into multiple cars. Taggart reamed Axel and Bobby, and when Axel questioned if Taggart was involved with Grant, so he kicked Axel out of his office and suspended Bobby. Bobby and Axel decided it would be good to talk to Enriquez’s uncle Chalino who told them that Grant was the top dog using dirty cops to protect the cartel’s drug interests.

When they left they were surrounded by Grant’s men who had planted drugs in Bobby’s trunk and took them to jail. Axel got out of his handcuffs, freed Bobby and heading to the roof to escape where a police helicopter was parked. Bobby was a helicopter pilot, but lacked confidence due to previously crashing a helicopter. They crashed on a golf course and stole a golf cart, then stole a car and after went to the port and saw a delivery truck from the cartel mansion and Billy’s car.

They found Billy and fled in the delivery truck that was packed with drug filled statues. When Axel tried to call Jane, Grant answered and told Axel he had Jane and needed the SD card. Axel called Jeffery to track Jane’s phone and found she was at the cartel mansion, so he crashed through the gate and into the front of the mansion. Taggart headed to the scene and joined the gun fight.

Jane shot a man trying to sneak up on Axel, but then Grant fired at Jane, so Axel jumped in front of her and got shot in the shoulder. At the same time, Bobby came around the corner and shot Grant in the head. When Jane went to visit Axel in the hospital, she found him in his hospital gown at the diner across the street. Jane told Axel Grant’s men all went to jail and her client was released due to the evidence on the SD card.

Runtime: 1h 55m

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Award-winning author Ivor Davis visits E.P. Foster Library to discuss his latest book, The Devil in My Friend: The Inside Story of a Malibu Murder. This book, written with his late wife, Sally Ogle Davis, chronicles their long investigation and the shocking revelation about a friend and neighbor who committed an unthinkable crime. Beyond the account of crime and investigation, this book examines the human condition, the complexities of the heart, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Mr. Davis will read from his book, answer questions and sign copies. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Karen Cruze, Librarian Specialist, Adult Services, at [email protected]

E.P. Foster Library Topping Room, Saturday, July 13, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

BOOK SALE
Ventura Friends of the Library Book Sale at the Vons grocery at Telegraph & Victoria, Ventura.
Saturday, July 13, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s books, Puzzles
DVDs and CDs $1.00 each; Books on CD $1.50-$2.00 each

We have a nice collection of well cared for CDs: Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton, John Hiatt, Joni Hendrix, Herbie Hancock, Wynton Marsalis , Van Morrison, to name a few. All proceeds benefit Ventura libraries.

Summer Reading Program: Read, Renew, Repeat is well underway at Ventura County Library. Kids, teens and adults can register at vencolibrary.beanstack.org and record their reading for opportunities to win prizes for reaching reading goals. Youth may visit their local branch to choose a free new book to add to their personal collection when signing up, with additional prizes for completing 500 minutes and 1000 minutes of reading.

Learn all about bees with Ventura Bee Rescue
E.P. Foster Library: Thursday, July 11, 11:00 AM
Hill Road Library: Thursday, July 11, 3:00 PM

Christopher T. Magician performs magical feats inspired by and based upon popular children’s books, bringing each book to life with wacky, interactive, and hysterical magic.
Avenue Library: Monday, July 15, 3:00 PM
Hill Road Library: Friday, August 2, 10:30 AM

The Party Puppet Show – Laugh, sing and dance along with a fun assortment of music genres and characters.
Avenue Library: Monday, July 22, 3:00 PM
Foster Library: Wednesday, July 24, 11:00 AM
Saticoy Library: Wednesday, July 24, 3:00 PM
Hill Road Library: Tuesday, August 6, 3:00 PM

Summer STEAM at the Library (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math)

Innovations Lab at E.P. Foster Library. Tuesdays, 2 to 3:30 PM. Unleash your imagination in a world of hands-on exploration. Each week offers an exciting opportunity to learn, discover and invent.

Little Lab at Hill Road Library. Tuesdays, 10:30 to 11:30 AM. Children, ages 3 to 7, side-by-side with caregivers as co-learners, explore and experiment with sensory play, art, and constructive play outdoors on the patio.

Hill Road Library Maker Lab. Thursday, July 18, 3:30 PM: Lego Challenge

Avenue Library – Available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

  • Make Puzzle Art; Tuesday, July 16, 12 to 1 PM
  • Create a Wind Catcher; Tuesday, July 23, 12 to 1 PM
  • Discover the science behind a Levitating Ball; Tuesday, July 23, 12 to 1 PM

Ventura County HomeShare

The Ventura County HomeShare program is an alternative way of meeting housing needs that benefits renters and homeowners alike. There are many reasons why people choose to live in shared accommodations, including a need for companionship, help with chores and light housekeeping, or financial assistance with covering taxes, utilities, and maintenance. Ventura County HomeShare pre-screens participants and identifies potential matches based on rent, desired location, and other criteria. Home providers may be living in a house too large due to life changes (empty nest or loss of a spouse), or they may be a one-parent family finding it difficult to cope with maintaining a household alone.

Home seekers may be seniors, college students, newly single persons, professionals recently moved to the area or traveling, or anyone in need of lower-cost housing who enjoys living with others. Simply put, HomeSharing is an arrangement where two or more unrelated people share a dwelling, each having their own private space and sharing certain common areas. Homesharers may arrange a regular rental payment or exchange services to offset a portion or all of the rent. No two HomeSharing situations are alike; each is tailored to the needs and desires of the individual people involved.

Different Types of HomeShare

In a rental arrangement, the home provider will rent out a spare bedroom for extra income. In a service exchange arrangement, the home provider may offer a rent-free room in exchange for services such as transportation, cooking, housekeeping, laundry, running errands, yard work, handyperson tasks, companionship, or pet care. In a mixed arrangement, the home provider will offer a reduced rent to be offset by services.

Ventura County HomeShare is not a home care agency and does not provide a private duty registry of licensed caregivers. HomeShare is not meant to be a home health service, and home seekers are not expected to provide personal care services, such as bathing or assistance with bathing, dressing, bathroom assistance, turning or lifting, or any service which brings the housemate in contact with bodily fluids.

Limited Facilitation Services

The staff of Ventura County HomeShare acts only as a facilitator, providing the opportunity for parties involved to come together and work out their own housing arrangements. HomeShare makes no promises, guarantees, warranties, or claims regarding seekers or providers of housing. Background checks are limited in nature and only provide information on federal arrests or criminal records within the last five to seven years. HomeShare does not perform credit checks, verify income or ability to pay, and does not verify physical and mental health status. It is the responsibility of the participants to determine whether referred individuals are compatible. HomeShare recommends that any housing arrangements should be set forth in a written agreement and makes samples and templates available for participants to use.

Is HomeShare the Right Program for Me?

Successful homesharers must have a degree of emotional stability, which allows them to be interested in and involved in the welfare of others. This program is not appropriate for someone who may have problems that would create additional stress in a home living arrangement. Participants should be able to advocate for themselves and assume full responsibility for every step of the HomeShare application process. HomeShare does not provide home health care. If an applicant needs a great deal of personal care or cannot be left unattended, this program is not appropriate. Homesharers can provide companionship and household help, but it should be expected that seekers will have activities of their own, independent of the home provider. HomeShare cannot provide emergency housing. The process of matching is a careful and somewhat time-consuming one and is not a “quick fix.” It can take time to find suitable matches and for applicants to make careful decisions. People in need of short-term housing may apply, but many providers prefer a longer-term commitment and referral opportunities may be limited. Persons with convictions for felony or misdemeanor crimes involving bodily injury, assault, elder abuse, sexual offense, possession or distribution of an illegal substance, or theft or damage of personal property are not eligible for the program.

To learn more, visit www.vcaaa.org/our-services/housing, call (805) 477-7300, or email [email protected].

Vol. 17, No. 21 – July 10 – July 23, 2024 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Though Tequila & Taco Music Festival has been reduced to one day, it is a spectacular one day packed with everything you need: tequila, tacos and tunes! Plus, it’s quite the bang for your buck as they’re offering one of the best party bands around, Ozomatli, along with the outrageous Outlaw Mariachi, Yang Yang Twins and Upstream. This one will be held at Surfers Point Live, aka Ventura County Fairgrounds front parking lot, on Saturday, July 13.

If you go online and look up “Nardfest,” you will learn that it’s an annual punk rock festival which started in 2013 as a way to honor punk rock history, and all the great bands coming out of the 805. This year it falls on Friday, July 12, at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center with music inside and out featuring the Dickies, Final Conflict, Stalag 13, iDecline, Narthex Structure and more.

Heritage Days returns to Old Town Camarillo (July 10 – 14) which is free to the public (carnival rides require tickets), and will feature lots of live music Friday through Sunday from such bands as D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, Red Hot Cholo Peppers, SkaDaddyz, Caught Red Handed, No Class and Famdamly. See listings for line up.

Enegren Brewing, independently owned craft brewery in Moorpark, will be celebrating their 13th anniversary with live music on Saturday, July 13, featuring Singular Nature, Bombafiya, Branden Lee Waiters, Kris-David & Drue Trio, and Might Lion.

Namba Arts Studio welcomes indie rock artist, Russian-Persian soprano Roksana Zeinapur and British guitarist and film composer, David Labovitch to town. If opera is your thing, or you just appreciate creative collaborations, then don’t miss this one on Saturday, July 13.

Quick Notes: The Twist on Main now offers a full band open mic called the 805 Shakedown on Tuesdays; Fausto Cuevas y Moderna will be featured at Vaquero y Mar’s Salsa night on Thursday, July 11; Goldpine plays the Ojai Underground on Friday, July 12; Margarita Villa has added live music for what “Taco Tuesdays” throughout the summer with Bobby Campbell on July 16 and Two Tossers on July 23; Birdbrain takes over Seaward Brewing on Saturday, July 20; The Happy Together Tour lands at Libbey Bowl on Thursday, July 18 featuring acts such as The Turtles, Badfinger, The Cowsills, Jay & the Americans, The Classics IV, and The Association; Bombay will host the Monsters of Pop, Ronda Ray and Duncan & the Dragonslayers starting at 6 pm on Saturday, July 20; Music Under the Stars series kicks off on Saturday evenings with Identity Theft on July 13 and Smooth Sounds of Santana on July 20;

and don’t forget the Ventura County Fair opens on Wednesday, July 31 and will run through August 11.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.