Ventana November 2022

and Early Detection is Key

Feel Great in your own Skin Prevention

There are a variety of environmental factors that affect our health. One of the most commonly neglected aspects is proper sun protection. Despite the fact that sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, most of us forget to apply sunscreen daily and take other necessary steps to care for our skin.

Dr. Kaplan specializes in MOHS Microscopic surgery, a unique process which allows for the total removal of skin cancer by using superior technology, providing the ability to pinpoint areas of cancer that would otherwise be invisible to the eye.

Ross Kaplan, M.D.

FEATURES

Editor’s NotE 6 Getting By With a Little Help From Our Friends

About towN 10 Sharing the Love

CONTENTS ventana

The Local Love Project is a community lifeline. NoNprofit showcAsE 17 Spotlight on local organizations and charities.

covEr story 22 Friends in Need

Friends of the Santa Clara River provide education and restoration for this precious ecosystem.

profilE 30 Promising Start Safe Passage Youth Foundation turns “at risk” to “at promise.”

COVER STORY: Jim Danza and Diana Rodriguez of the Friends of the Santa Clara River at the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area. Photo by Viktor Budnik

PHOTO COURTESY OF TIMOTHY HAGEL

Get up close to sunbaked beaches and sparkling Pacific waters. Explore more of Mexico than ever before on a weeklong Navigator of the Seas ® adventure. Unwind on the golden sands of Cabo San Lucas.

Get up close to sunbaked beaches and sparkling Pacific waters. Explore more of Mexico than ever before on a weeklong Navigator of the Seas ® adventure. Unwind on the golden sands of Cabo San Lucas. Wander cobblestone streets in Old Mazatlán. And ride horseback through Puerto Vallarta’s jungles. Along the way, soak up splashier fun at the resort-style pool deck. Savor dining that satisfies every craving. And make your own legendary plays at Playmakers SM Sports Bar & Arcade. Sail 3, 4 and 7-night cruises from our home port in Los Angeles for the best memory-making in the Mexican Riviera.

up close to sunbaked beaches and sparkling Pacific waters. Explore more of Mexico than ever before on a weeklong Navigator of the Seas ® adventure. Unwind on the golden sands of Cabo San Lucas. Wander cobblestone streets in Old Mazatlán. And ride horseback through Puerto Vallarta’s jungles. Along the way, soak up splashier fun at the resort-style pool deck. Savor dining that satisfies every craving. And make your own legendary plays at Playmakers SM Sports Bar & Arcade. Sail 3, 4 and 7-night cruises from our home port in Los Angeles for the best memory-making in the Mexican Riviera.

Wander cobblestone streets in Old Mazatlán. And ride horseback through Puerto Vallarta’s jungles. Along the way, soak up splashier fun at the resort-style pool deck. Savor dining that satisfies every craving. And make your own legendary plays at Playmakers SM Sports Bar & Arcade. Sail 3, 4 and 7-night cruises from our home port in Los Angeles for the best memory-making in the Mexican Riviera.

GETTING BY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS

Afriend in need is a friend indeed. It takes a village. Many hands make light work. No human is an island. If you want to go far, go together.

These age-old bits of wisdom endure because de spite the cliche…they remain true. People need people, and even the most introverted among us isn’t going to get through this thing called Life alone.

Our November issue, focused on nonprofits, is a powerful reminder of that. And the stories this month demonstrate the strength and potential of friendship, community and coming together.

On our cover we have Jim Danza and Diana Rodriguez, both Friends of the Santa Clara River. This river, and its watershed the size of Delaware, is one of our most precious local resources, providing most of the water in Ventura County, sustaining its agriculture and feeding its water table. Danza, Rodriguez and their cohorts seek to protect and restore this riparian environ ment, and make it sustainably accessible so that every one can explore and enjoy its beauty. They’re not just friends of the river, but to the entire ecosystem . . . and the organisms (human and otherwise) who live near it, depend on it and appreciate it.

Kat Merrick (pictured above, in the hat) learned the importance of community and friendship at a young age, growing up in Key West where helping each other in the face of disaster (hurricanes in particular) was a way of life. After moving to Ventura County, she found herself desperately in need of friends when her home burned down in the Thomas Fire. So inspired was she by the

helping hands reaching out to her at that critical time, she paid it forward, establishing the Local Love Project which has and continues to help people affected by fires, the pandemic and other life-altering situations.

This month we also profile Timothy Hagel and Safe Passage Youth Foundation, which he founded in 2012. The one-time Chief of Police saw first hand how gang involvement and violence impacted communities and families . . . and how young people at risk of joining gangs needed real, comprehensive, respectful alterna tives. His solution hinges on partnerships with other local organizations, schools and the residents themselves to offer a full spectrum of services that reach kids where they are at, offering support, security, and a sense of belonging . . . which extends to the entire family. The result: Safer communities with less crime and, just as importantly, individuals who see futures full of promise and opportunity, not violence and incarceration.

The people showcased this month have been friends indeed to those in need. And all have found their en deavors as rewarding as they are necessary. Because, as Kat Merrick explains, “You say you’re helping, but what you’re really doing is you’re giving back to yourself every time you volunteer.”

Getting by with a little help from our friends isn’t just a song lyric (thanks, John and Paul!): It’s a necessity, especially if we seek a better, safer, more just world. Let’s come together, right now, to work towards that.

– Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nshaffer@timespublications.com

ventana

PHOTO BY VIKTOR BUDNIK

PRESIDENT Steve Strickbine VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt

SHARING THE

The Local Love Project is a community lifeline when disaster strikes.

KBY ALEX WILSON | PHOTOS BY VIKTOR BUDNIK

at Merrick grew up on the tiny island of Key West, Florida, the south ernmost tip of the continental United States and a town where the locals all know and rely on each other.

Merrick said it was a hometown where community was critical, and inspired the charity she founded that aims to forge connections between people and reach out with help during times of emergency.

“It was magical. You know, it was flip flops or barefoot to school. Fishing and swimming every single day. It was an amazing life,” she said. “Although, you know, disaster hits there, too. So growing up in hurricane central and seeing it, too, was another part of how all of this came about.”

Merrick surfed competitively and “fell in love” with Ventura when she came to the area for a surf contest at the age of 18. She recalled borrowing a bike to ride around downtown, seeing bands play and watching the surf rolling onto shore.

“I want to say it was around December and it was a heat wave and it was gorgeous. And you could literally trunk it in the water. And I went, ‘Oh, this place is amazing. And even in December, it’s gorgeous, and this is where I want to live,’” she recalled.

Merrick was hired to run a surf shop in Simi Valley and later spent years in the surf apparel business, even starting her own brand called Surf Chick that she ran for seven years. But when she decided she needed a career change about 16 years ago, Merrick decided to launch a charity promoting Ventura County’s agricultural industry and eating locally pro duced food. She and her family enjoyed spending summers and weekends on a friend’s family farm and learning more about agriculture, so she wanted to share that experience with others.

“My kids will tell you I’ve always had this soapbox about how we should support local and understand the importance of agriculture,” Mer rick said about the creation of Totally Local VC.

CONNECTING CONSUMERS WITH GROWERS

The organization’s activities include in-classroom education and mentoring programs for the agriculture, food science and culinary arts industries. Other signature events include the annual Taste of Local Fes tival, held in September at the Ven tura County Credit Union corporate office’s expansive ocean-view lawn on Vista Del Mar Drive. The 2022 event included over 60 area chefs, farmers, and brewers along with dancing to live music by Spencer the Gardener and competitions for the best homebrewed beer and craft cocktails.

Another mainstay fundraiser is the Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series where lavishly decorated tables are set in scenic outdoors locations (in June, for example, a dinner took place at Harmon Canyon Preserve). Food is prepared by noted local chefs high lighting local farms and ranches, and served up family style. 8

SUPPORT LOCAL “I’ve always had this soapbox about how we should support local and understand the importance of agriculture,” says Kat Merrick, founder of Totally Local VC

THE LOVE ABOUT TOWN

“Our mission statement is to educate, advo cate and celebrate, from field to fork and field to career,” Merrick said. “If you eat and you wear clothes, you’re involved in agriculture. So it’s kind of understanding all of that, the aspects of it, and local small businesses, and the role they play in all of this.”

Before launching the charity, Merrick said she visited several cities that had shop local pro grams to meet their economic development de partments and saw lots of advertising campaigns but very little community involvement. That’s what led to the idea of hosting outdoor fundrais ing dinners where people could really experience locally grown food.

“I had thought the best way to do this is to create ways to engage with your community so that they really feel connected and they really get to experience what you’re talking about. Support ing local, eating local, doing what we do. So that’s where Totally Local VC came from and developed and grew organically into what it is.”

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Totally Local VC is powered by a team of devoted volunteers who number over 300, while there are a handful of paid workers at larger events.

Alyson Warner was in the catering industry for many years and was brought on to help orga nize the first-ever Field-to-Fork dinner about 12 years ago on the lawn outside Ventura City Hall.

Warner said she and Merrick have operated as a team ever since.

“I remember Kat and I, the two of us, went to city hall and said, okay, the table is going to be out front, the kitchen is going to be inside. And the two of us locked arms and counted out the number of steps that it would

be to get from the kitchen to the table. And it really felt like a partnership in doing that first event,” Warner said.

In addition to sharing Merrick’s vision for the presentation of the dishes, Warner also believes in the cause of promoting eating locally produced food.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Totally Local VC and Local Love Project Founder Kat Merrick (center) with Mary Campbell (left) and Alyson Warner. From the first, Warner said working with Merrick “really felt like a partnership.”

Financial Planning:

SHOULD YOU PAY OFF A MORTGAGE BEFORE YOU RETIRE?

LAINE MILLER Certified Financial Planner™ with Integrity Wealth Advisors

hether it makes financial sense to pay off your mortgage depends on your individual situation. Here are some things to consider.

If you’re like most people, paying off your mortgage and entering retirement debt-free sounds pretty appealing. It’s a significant accomplishment and the end of a major monthly expense. However, some homeowners’ financial situation and goals might call for attending to other priorities while chipping away at their home loan.

Let’s look at why you might—or might not—decide to pay off a mortgage before you retire.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY IF …

You’re trying to reduce your baseline expenses: If your monthly mortgage payment represents a substantial chunk of your expenses, you’ll be able to live on a lot less once the payment goes away. This can be particularly helpful if you have a limited income.

You want to save on interest payments: Depending on a home loan’s size and term, the interest can cost tens of thousands of dollars over the long haul. Paying off your mortgage early frees up that future money for other uses. While it’s true you may lose the tax deduction on mortgage interest, you’ll have to reckon with a decreasing deduction anyway, as more of each monthly payment applies to the principal, should you decide to keep your mortgage. Your mortgage rate is higher than the rate of riskfree returns: Paying off a debt that charges interest can be like earning a risk-free return equivalent to that interest rate. Compare your mortgage rate to the aftertax rate of return on a low-risk investment with a similar term—such as a high-quality, tax-free municipal bond issued by your home state. If your mortgage rate is higher than the interest rate on an investment asset, you’d be better off paying down the mortgage.

You prioritize peace of mind: Paying off a mortgage can create one less worry and increase flexibility in retirement.

YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO PAY OFF YOUR MORTGAGE EARLY IF …

You need to catch up on retirement savings: If you completed a retirement plan and find you aren’t

contributing enough to your 401(k), IRA, or other retirement accounts, increasing those contributions should probably be your top priority. Savings in these accounts grow tax-deferred until you withdraw them. Your cash reserves are low: You want to avoid ending up house rich and cash-poor by paying off your home loan at the expense of your reserves.

You carry higher-interest debt: Before paying off your mortgage, close out any higher-interest loans—especially nondeductible debt like that from credit cards. Create a habit of paying off nondeductible debt monthly rather than allowing the balance to build so that you’ll have fewer expenses when you retire.

You might miss out on investment returns: If your mortgage rate is lower than what you’d earn on a moderate-risk investment, consider keeping the mortgage and investing what extra cash you can.

A MIDDLE GROUND

If your mortgage has no prepayment penalty, an alternative to paying it off entirely is to chip away at the principal. You can make an extra principal payment each month or send in a partial lump sum. This tactic can save a significant amount of interest and shorten the life of the loan while maintaining diversification and liquidity. But avoid being too aggressive about it—lest you compromise your other saving and spending priorities.

The decision to pay off your mortgage is irrevocable and should be consulted beforehand with a financial advisor. We can help you project this decision’s impact on your portfolio. If you decide that paying off your mortgage is the path you want to take, the source of funds is another decision that should not be taken lightly. Taxes and penalties, as well as investment returns, should be considered.

DREAM. PLAN. ENJOY.

IT ALL STARTS WITH A DREAM.

At Integrity Wealth Advisors, we are committed to helping individuals, families and businesses grow, preserve, and distribute wealth.

An old adage states that THERE IS ACCOMPLISHMENT THROUGH MANY ADVISORS. Today’s complex and ever-changing financial planning and investment management world requires a process that is overseen by a team of experienced professionals. As fiduciaries we are bound both legally and ethically to act in our client’s best interest with a duty to preserve good faith and trust.

18+ audiences only

GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir

GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir

GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir

GENRE: Magical Realism

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly.

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly.

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly.

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words-read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the story when the protagonist is beginning to collect such essences of primal bliss.

GENRE: Magical Realism Fictional Memoir

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Wordsread by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly. As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the story when the protagonist is beginning to collect such essences of primal bliss.

As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the story when the protagonist is beginning to collect such essences of primal bliss.

Memoir

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between two art forms: painting and writing. The protagonist of this tale, through the mystic art of surfing, slowly develops the ability to fly.

Excerpts from this novel--The Pollinator In His Own Words--read by the author, exemplify the intimate relationship between

As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by the paintings of Edward Hopper, occur in the

As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered clairvoyance, accumulate and store internally essential love; eventually he is able to bestow this love. The following excerpts, inspired by

As the story evolves, he discovers that he can, during flight, by way of olfactory engendered

“There’s a few different layers to it. I mean, if you’re just looking at it from a nutrition standpoint, literally a piece of produce that has traveled less miles to get to your plate is going to be more delicious. It’s going to be fresher, it’s sweeter, there’s actually going to be more nutrients in it,” she explained. “But from an economic standpoint, when you’re supporting the local farmer, when you’re supporting a local CSA or farmers’ market, that money stays in the community in a way that doesn’t happen when something’s being imported.”

“Ventura County is a special little gem. We have incredible agriculture here and we can keep the agriculture here and we can support farmers. That just means more delicious food for everybody,” Warner added.

THOMAS FIRE: A CALL TO ACTION

Merrick got a taste of the farming life herself after purchasing an avo cado ranch in the West Ventura area a few years ago. Wicked Wire Ranch is about 20 acres situated on a rugged hillside east of the Pepsi bottling plant and just outside Ventura city limits. Merrick installed a demonstra tion garden for Totally Local VC on the property.

But Merrick had only been living there for about two years when disaster struck.

On the night of Dec. 4, 2017, the Thomas Fire roared through the hillsides from Santa Paula to Ventura. The fire razed the ranch, burning down everything including a main house, three rental properties and over 280 avocado trees. No one knew at the time that it would go on to be one of the biggest fires in California history, burning over 280,000 acres and destroying more than 1,000 structures.

Merrick safely evacuated her tenants and pets, and watched the ranch buildings become consumed by flames from a nearby neighbor hood down the hill.

“It’s still surreal,” Merrick said. “You know, you still have flashbacks of what it’s like.”

She saw the value of a caring community when friends showed up

IN THE BAG Food and supplies (left) ready to go to people impacted by COVID shutdowns.

to help put out the lingering flames over several days. As the scope of the disaster became apparent, Merrick and her friends realized there were untold numbers of people in similar need.

“We as a team stood up here talking about, ‘How can we help? We’ve got to do something,’” said Merrick.

Which is how the Local Love Project came about.

Clothing companies including Patagonia and Nike donated new ap parel to fire victims, and the charity started counseling fire victims directly about their immediate needs. Members of the Masonic Lodge in Ventura offered space for disaster victims to pick up donations and receive other assistance. In the months that followed, relief efforts were also staged at San Buenaventura Mission.

The Local Love Project also helped with recovery efforts involving the November 2018 Woolsey Fire that burned between Oak Park and Malibu, using donated space at The Oaks shopping center in Thousand Oaks. In addition, the charity has provided help and expertise to faraway commu nities impacted by wildfires in Northern California and even Oregon.

CARE DURING COVID

The Local Love Project again sprang to action when the pandemic caused massive disruptions to people’s lives after March 2020, especially for workers in the restaurant, entertainment and hospitality industries who unexpectedly lost their jobs. Agricultural and food companies donated millions of dollars’ worth products to help people in immediate need, Merrick said.

Ventura County Fairgrounds officials allowed the Agricultural Building to be turned into a makeshift factory for packing boxes and bags of food and supplies, since holding a fair in the summer of 2020 was just a strangely impossible dream. The parking lot at shuttered Winchester’s Grill and Saloon in Downtown Ventura became a drivethrough distribution point.

This COVID relief effort was a massive operation, with trucks drop

WINCHESTER’S GRILL AND SALOON in downtown Ventura (above) became a Local Love distribution point during COVID.

RIGHT

ping off produce, forklifts carrying pallets through the cavernous fair grounds building, and long tables of hard-working volunteers sorting food and packing relief boxes and bags.

And it wasn’t just agriculture companies that stepped up to the plate with donations. Procter & Gamble donated toilet paper, which was in un usually high demand due to hoarding, as well as other products; Merrick said they had a combined value of over $1.3 million. Trader Joe’s donated tons of items with torn labels or slightly dented cans, so recipients were likely to get a few fun products or interesting sauces along with staples like produce and pasta.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Participating in this relief operation had a big personal impact on many volunteers, Warner said, since it was a time when people were sud denly isolated due to pandemic restrictions. Some volunteers were out of work for the first time in their adult lives, and Warner said it was reward ing for her to help coordinate the volunteer response.

“You felt helpful when there was a time when everyone felt helpless,” Warner described. “Everybody’s in this daze, and to have that opportunity to feel like you’re making a difference, see other people, be part of some thing that is helping others. You’re kind of giving that gift of volunteering, that experience. It made me cry every day.”

Mary Campbell said she’s known Merrick “forever” because she’s best friends with Merrick’s daughter, and has worked with Totally Local VC on numerous events, including warehouse management and distribution roles at the fairgrounds.

Campbell worked at a hair salon before the COVID shutdowns and said it was a shock to find her once-reliable livelihood on hold.

“As a hairdresser, all you do is sit and talk to people all day long. And so to then be stuck at home and have no one to talk to, I was los ing my mind,” she recalled. “So being able to go [to Local Love Project relief efforts] was wonderful. Because the interaction between people, and strangers you’ve never met, you’re just so excited to be like, ‘Hi, how are you? What are you here for? Where do you live? What’s your favorite color?’ You know, it didn’t matter what you were talking about. It was just so nice to be around people.”

Campbell was also happy to help people who were in the same boat as her, suddenly out of work in a totally unanticipated manner. “It was nice to be able to offer these great produce boxes and get some toilet paper and paper towels. Now you don’t have to worry about taking what little money you have and buying stuff, and then maybe you get to eat a little better than just Top Ramen.”

“YOU’RE GIVING BACK TO YOURSELF EVERY TIME YOU VOLUNTEER”

A new goal for the Local Love Project is disaster preparedness, target ing low-income families with kits including flashlights and first-aid kits. Plans are in the works for emergency response clinics to teach people to turn off utilities in an earthquake or other disaster.

“Because how many people know how to do that? They don’t,” Mer rick said. “We’re looking at grant programs to keep the preparedness ready because it’s not if a disaster happens, it’s when something will happen again. And we just all need to be prepared.”

The Local Love Project also continues to assist people still dealing with the impacts of losing their homes and belongings in the Thomas Fire, Merrick said.

“Actually this week I’ve been working on a project to get some fund ing to help several with some of the issues that they’re still dealing with. So it’s what we do. We’re problem solvers,” she said.

Merrick’s own recovery from the Thomas Fire is still ongoing because permit issues have led to delays rebuilding the main house on Wicked Wire Ranch. The site remains vacant, but progress is being made. An RV served as her primary residence for more than two years after the fire and was replaced by a modular building Merrick lives in currently.

Through all her own disaster recovery and helping others, Merrick said it’s all reinforced her belief in the value of community.

“Because I know what it’s like to have loss and to not know where to go,” Merrick said. “What we do with Totally Local VC is special. What we did with Thomas Fire and COVID and how we were able to help our community on that level, to me, that was my therapy. You know, it helped me get through it. And, you know, you say you’re helping, but what you’re really doing is you’re giving back to yourself every time you volunteer.” v Totally Local VC 805.222.6542 info@totallylocalvc.com totallylocalvc.com

NEAR RIGHT Kat Merrick (left) and volunteer Julie Kaneko Hall (far right) distribute household goods and clothing to individuals impacted by the 2018 Woolsey Fire.

FAR

Volunteers help with donation sorting and packing at the Agricultural Building of the Ventura County Fairgrounds during the pandemic.

MARY CAMPBELL, shown here with bags of donated supplies (including toilet paper) at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, often helps with warehouse management and distribution.

SHOWCASE NONPROFIT

Ventura County is a land of plenty in many ways, but not everyone has equal access to its riches. Homelessness, food insecurity, poverty, ill health, addiction and other difficulties continue to be a reality for many. These issues don’t have easy solutions, and require thoughtful, consistent and dedicated efforts to overcome them.

The organizations featured in this year’s Nonprofit Showcase vary in their focus and missions, but they all share a commitment to improving the lives of the people they serve. But they can’t do it alone. All are in need of donations and volunteer work from people like you and me.

This November, while we give thanks for the people and things that make our lives better, let us remember those in need of a helping hand, and the nonprofits offering it. Our fellow Ventura County residents will benefit from any aid you can provide, and our entire community will as well.

Because while individuals survive when their basic needs are met, a community truly thrives when all individuals enjoy safety and security. This year, let’s aim to do what we can to make that a reality for all of us.

THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY.

Consider

We are all worthy of safe and affordable housing.

NAMBA Performing Arts Space is a 50l(c)3 non-profit venue serving touring acts, showcases, community and cultural events, workshops, and educational programs related to performing arts.

Home to: Ventura lmprov Co., Unity Theatre Collective, 805 Flamenco, and Women's Voices Festival; now offering classes in dance, improv and songwriting.

Our mission: nurturing new projects, fostering collaboration and supporting a community where all people can experience culture through music, theatre and dance.

Supported by: community involvement, t he Namba family, the City of Ventura and the Smith-Hobson Foundation.

FRIENDS IN

Friends of the Santa Clara River provide education and restoration for a precious ecosystem.

WBY TIM POMPEY | PHOTOS BY VIKTOR BUDNIK

HERE IS THE SANTA CLARA RIVER?

Your answer to this question might depend on where in Ventura County or Los Angeles County you live and how often you might en counter the river, whether driving across it on the 101 freeway, watching it snake along Highway 126 or following its tidal march at the Harbor Boulevard bridge in Ventura.

The river has a long and varied geography, starting on the north slope of the San Gabriel Mountains above Highway 14 and Acton and emptying into the ocean just south of Spinnaker Drive near the Ventura Harbor.

Part of it even flows underground. You won’t see the actual river until

the area gets heavy rains. Occasionally, like in 1969, it will spill its banks and widely overflow. Then it will shrink back into its usual quiet existence.

The influence of the Santa Clara River in Ventura County is immense, and its survival is equally important to our environment and economy.

“The Santa Clara River is one of the last rivers in Southern California that is still in a mostly natural condition,” said Ron Bottorff, the founder of Friends of the Santa Clara River (FSCR). “It has a watershed area of about 1,600 square miles, roughly the size of the state of Delaware.”

It’s essential to local agriculture. It’s also a critical home to region al habitat — birds, fish and, in times past, even elk and beaver. And for some lucky Ventura residents, it provides a wonderful outlet for relaxing outdoor walks.

FAST FRIENDS Jim Danza (left), board chair of the Friends of the Santa Clara River, and Diana Rodriguez, secretary to the board.

NEED

A FRIENDLY START

Someone who did notice is the aforemen tioned Bottorff from Newbury Park.

Bottorff is a retired aeronautical engineer and a past activist with the Sierra Club. In 1993, his interest was piqued after reading an article in the paper about the formation of a steering group to study the river.

“I got involved when I learned that the state Fish and Wildlife Service was starting up a plan for the Santa Clara River called the Santa Clara River Enhancement and Management Plan,” he recalled. “ I discovered that the steering commit tee of about 30 individuals didn’t have a single environmental representative.”

Bottorff was determined to change that. He talked and tussled with a member of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors. As a result, he founded FSCR and took his place on the steering committee. The committee ran for 10 years, finished its report, and retired. But FSCR is still ongoing and highly active.

Despite the usual government bureaucracy, Bottorff was happy he participated. “It was a fan tastic way to learn about the river and have some effect on the outcome,” he concluded.

RAISING A PROFILE

For Jim Danza, a geography instructor at Oxnard College and the current chair of FSCR, the work to support and enhance the river’s profile remains essential.

Danza became interested in river life when he was in college. He eventually became active with the Friends of the Los Angeles River, where he served as chair of their advisory board. Now living near the Santa Clara River, he has transferred his previous experience to FSCR, where he has served as board chair since 2017.

His primary goals are to provide a more extensive profile for the Santa Clara River and expand the group’s land restoration and education

outreach to local schools and colleges. For Danza, the Santa Clara River’s importance can’t be overstated.

“Many people live along the Santa Clara River,” he explained. “Most of the water from the county comes from this river. This is the river that feeds the groundwater table and its surrounding cities. It’s the river that provides water to agriculture and industry.”

Diana Rodriguez, secretary to the board of FSCR, learned about the Santa Clara River while attending Oxnard College.

“Honestly,” she admitted, “I lived near the river for years and did not

THE SANTA CLARA RIVER BASIN stretches far and wide, providing most of the county’s water and feeding its groundwater table.

Written by Wheelhouse Staff

What is Nano?

Cannabis extract nanoemulsions (nano-cannabinoids) provide exceptionally high bioavailability with therapeutic effect, absorbed by the body, either orally or through the skin rapidly. Unlike traditional edibles, nano absorbs into the bloodstream very, very quickly. Since they are already broken down and small, they pass through the diges tive system and are delivered directly into the bloodstream.

Water-soluble cannabinoids are an innovative invention, particularly when you think of how far the cannabis industry has come to be able to create them. This advancement yields a wide range of benefits, including:

Benefits:

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If you want to buy Nano Products, we always recommend purchasing them from a licensed dis pensary that offers high-quality cannabis products, such as Wheelhouse. We currently carry a variety of premium Nano products and have knowledgeable budtenders who can help provide the best tips on how to achieve the effect you are seeking. You can order in-store or online by visiting wheelhouseph.com.

Wheelhouse is an award-winning dispensary in Port Hueneme, CA. We are a minorityowned business that is focused on revitalizing and reinvesting in our community. Since our grand opening in 2019, we have given an estimated $170,000 to local charities in Ventura County, CA.

realize there was a river here.”

“And that’s our challenge,” Danza added, “and one good reason we want to put in bike trails, because we envision exhibits to teach people about the river.”

RESTORATION AND EDUCATION

True to its mission, FSCR is expanding its educational and resto ration projects.

With the help of the California Coastal Conservancy, FSCR owns property south of Santa Paula called the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, a 220-acre spread that FSCR continues to rehabilitate. Holly Wright, FSCR Stewardship Coordinator, said that the property also provides educational tools for local students in Santa Paula and from Oxnard College.

Another opportunity for Piru, Fillmore and Santa Paula students to dive deep into FSCR’s work with habitat restoration is near the Fillmore Fish Hatchery.

“There’s a trail at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery based on a few grants to establish an interpretive center and a botanical garden along a restored trail,” said Wright. “It’s very much community-based in terms of our volunteers who help. While that grant money ran out, volunteers and students kept it running for four years. It ran on pure love from the com munity. We managed to keep it going until the Ventura County Resources District was able to win a state grant to continue the dream to create an outdoor classroom.”

Finally, through a grant from the California Coastal Conservancy several years ago, FSCR has taken many students to the river’s estuary

through the Explore the Coast Program.

“We created a program where kindergarten through ninth graders would go to the Ventura Wastewater settling ponds and do bird walks,” explained Wright. “Then the kids would go for a walk along the surround ing estuary. It’s an incredible view of the water and a wonderful place for kids to see the wildlife.”

Rodriguez views the Explore the Coast program as a chance to allow students from the El Rio School District to integrate education with a day at the beach. “We do tours for kids out there. We take them with binocu lars. We teach them everything from the types of native plants to nesting birds and other animals. They get so excited when they go out there. Some kids have never been to the beach. We give them lessons about the envi ronment, climate change, and what they can do to contribute.”

Explore the Coast has so far served more than 1,000, and the program was recently renewed for another three years.

Overall, Wright thinks it’s crucial to integrate local environmental ed ucation with a regular school curriculum: “We’ve created a bridge between the school, scientific research agencies, and other conservation folks.”

CREATING PATHS FORWARD

Danza dreams of a walkway from Fillmore, Santa Paula and Ventura all the way to the ocean. It’s called the Santa Paula Branch Line Trail, and would follow the tracks of the former Fillmore & Western Railway.

“It’s been supported and planned by the county,” he said. “Recently, the county supervisors voted to get grants to start the trail.”

He would also like to see walkways on both sides of the river. Cur 8

BUILDING BRIDGES between schools, scientists and other conservation agencies is one goal of the Friends of the Santa Clara River.

rently, a walking path exists in Ventura. On the Oxnard side, he’s hopeful to eventually get a trail that travels all the way to the beach.

And he adds, “We also would like to build the loop trail in East Ventura and Oxnard to include both sides of the river. The Ventura part is done. In Oxnard, it would go from Highway 126 to the 101 freeway. We received a grant from the National Park Service to do a plan for that.”

Board members are looking for new volunteers to help push these plans forward. To encourage that, they are hosting volunteer days to give people a chance to get acquainted with FSCR.

“We’re hosting our volunteer days now at both the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area and the Fillmore Fish Hatchery trail,” said Rodriguez. “An essential part is just bringing the community out to see the benefit of being outdoors.”

The problem, as it stands, is the low profile of the river itself. Danza emphasized that people need to realize a large river flows both above and below ground right through the heart of Ventura County. But Danza admitted that people need places to visit to connect them to the river.

“We need more places for people to go,” he reiterated. “I teach geog

raphy at Oxnard College. I want to bring my students to the river. My only options right now are to go to the beach or to go to other private organiza tions and ask for permission to actually go in the river.”

He hopes in the next decade or so, that changes.

For now, FSCR works to make this vision possible. It might be slow growth, but that’s the way nature works. Steadily, sometimes in out-ofthe-way places, until people suddenly start to notice that there’s a river out there. A wide river. Take a walk. Get in your car. Visit FSCR’s website to discover access points. Trust me. The river is there. Go find it! v

Friends of the Santa Clara River P.O. Box 7713, Ventura contact@fscr.org fscr.org

HEDRICK RANCH NATURE AREA is 220 acres of beautiful riparian ecosystem upstream from Santa Paula.

PROMISING START

SBY MADELINE NATHAUS

afe Passage Youth Foundation, Thousand Oaks’ 2021 nonprofit of the year, is keeping Ventura County kids out of gangs and turn ing “at risk youth” to “at promise youth” through the protection of a supportive community.

“Safe Passage is not a program that comes or goes,” said Timothy Hagel, Safe Passage Youth Director. “It’s a way of life that provides a safety net for children from early education into adulthood through security, joy, self-worth and literacy.”

“The first four thousand days of a child’s life matter” is Safe Passage Youth Foundation’s guiding philosophy. That’s why the organization makes it their goal to start working with the community’s youth as early

as kindergarten to keep them out of crime by providing resources and an alternative future.

“Our whole function is to remove barriers,” Hagel said. “And to do it in a way that preserves dignity for the families.”

ENDING THE CYCLE THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Hagel, who served as the Thousand Oaks Chief of Police from 2014 to 2020 and worked a total of 38 years in law enforcement, recognized

Safe Passage Youth Foundation turns “at risk” to “at promise.”

GREAT OUTDOORS Cookouts are some of the outings Safe Passage participants get to enjoy. All photos courtesy of Timothy Hagel

how the traditional way of dealing with gangs wasn’t working. He saw how incarcerating gang members without any attention to the reason why youths join gangs only prolonged the problem. When one gang leader was arrested, another rose up from the community and the cycle continued.

He also found that attempting to deter a youth from gang life is nearly ineffective once they’ve reached their teen years and later.

Enter Safe Passage Youth.

“We reach out to kids at a younger age and provide the same things that a gang does — safety, comfort, affirmation, finances and a sense of community,” Hagel said.

The organization started roughly around 2014 as a grassroots move ment but quickly gained momentum — and the results have been effec tive. Safe Passage’s biggest center is currently the Newbury Park location, with two smaller centers in Thousand Oaks that are expected to expand.

HELPING THE WHOLE FAMILY

A weekday for the families in Newbury Park’s program begins with bilingual outreach interventionists greeting 150 to 200 kids before they load onto their school buses. First thing in the morning, the intervention ists work individually with each child and family and evaluate on a dayby-day basis what unique needs the foundation can help meet.

“I am committed to this community and I have seen that more ben efit has come from more resources shared,” said Dr. Renee McDonough, M.D., lead bilingual outreach interventionist.

These interventionists, along with specially trained Spanish-speaking mothers from the neighborhood known as promotoras workers, help dis tribute immunizations and other medical requirements these families may have and check in on their general wellness. These people help more than just the kids: Their medical outreach extends to all 3,000 people living in these micro-communities.

After morning check ins, one of these interventionists then follows the largest set of children to school and operates as the yard duty through out the day, tracking how they’re doing. Once the school day is done, the children are bussed back and meet once again with interventionists as well as Conejo Recreation and Park District staff at the Safe Passage center. The kids are provided with nutritious afterschool snacks, Internet access, crafts, outdoor activities and a homework club.

The local partners that help fund and support the foundation are

numerous. The foundation works with Kiwanis, Art Trek, the school dis trict, Adelante, Feeding America, Los Robles Hospital, local colleges and restaurants, the police department and the Oaks Mall, just to name a few.

“We have so many partners,” Hagel said. “We couldn’t do it with out them.”

“My hope for Safe Passage Youth is that the organization continues to have the generous support of many other groups and individuals so that we may continue this work,” said McDonough. “Together we can keep helping families access the many resources in this community that allow them to thrive and ultimately contribute more themselves.”

In addition, Safe Passage has an average of 45 to 70 workers and interns who participate on a completely volunteer basis, including Hagel. Only one interventionist is paid and just 7% of overhead goes to insur ance. Aside from this, all money goes back to the community. Grants and fundraising account for 98% of these funds.

With this aid, the foundation prides itself on its ability to offer resources that are completely free to the people they are serving. No appli cation process is necessary, families seeking aid need only to reach out and Safe Passage will be there.

LIFELINE DURING COVID

Even when COVID struck, Safe Passage became a full-blown emer gency services organization. When schools shut down, it expanded its outreach from 127 kids to nearly 600 kids almost overnight. It offered schooling, testing, immunization clinics and food to those most affected. The organization also covered funeral costs of loved ones that passed.

“The most important impact I’ve seen is that families feel safer in the community, not fearing the outside,” said Wilbert Ac, Safe Passage youth counselor and Hagel’s right-hand man. “They feel like they have people

LOCAL POLICE participate in numerous Safe Passage programs, building trust and understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

always around them and looking out for them no matter what happens.”

Ac has himself been supported by the foundation in hard times of his life through receiving school supplies, emotional support and even a car. Ac said he attributes his work with Safe Passage for making him the person he is today.

He also received the first-ever Thousand Oaks Community Com mitment Award from former Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña for his relentless work on the front lines during the strictest of COVID’s lockdowns.

“Peña was amazed by my work ethic and everything else that I was able to do at a young age,” Ac said. “Once I started working with Safe Pas sage, it helped me do everything I could to help people and become a hero in the community.”

PUTTING THE FUN IN FUNDAMENTALS

The foundation’s youth are also taken on five to six field trips a year to locations like the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, zoos and farms. Beyond this, they have the option to participate in summer camp, swim lessons, medical classes and much more.

This community engagement discourages gang violence against one another and encourages peaceful reactions with their neighbors through out their lives.

As Hagel explained, “These kids all know it’s pretty hard to go do violence against someone you took swim lessons or a field trip with.”

While the bulk of the foundation’s focus is on elementary schoolers, they also provide a teen club on Tuesday nights. And once kids reach the age of 15, they are welcome to start gaining job experience, and get paid while doing so, by joining the Conejo Youth Conservation Corps.

Families are further provided for as well. On Fridays, women can receive feminine products and diapers. On the second Saturday of every month, a farmers’ market is held in the Newbury Park loca tion’s micro-community with food completely free for the families.

PROTECT AND SERVE

According to Hagel, thanks to Safe Passage and its outreach, the crime rate has dropped over 40 percent. And they’ve achieved this by creating a healthier rela tionship with the local police force, too.

“Tim understood that many underserved commu nities around the nation had a difficult, and at times tumultuous relationship with their police agencies,” said Damian Alvarez, Ventura County Sheriff and Safe Pas sage board member. “It’s important that these tradition ally underserved communities not view the police as an occupying force in their neighborhoods, but moreover as true public servants.”

Alvarez said the police presence with Safe Passage is mostly non-law enforcement engagement with the youths. A deputy sheriff or representa tive of the Ventura County police are present at nearly every Safe Passage event to spread open communication and safety.

“Our goal is to show these communities that the police are not only there to ensure their safety, but to show our support and build bridges to encompass and accept all cultures,” Alvarez said.

The Safe Passage Foundation is always open to accepting new volun teers and donations. Currently, they are looking for clothing donations for clothing exchanges held during the monthly farmers’ market.

“This is a blueprint, it can work in any neighborhood,” Hagel said. “It takes a partnership between the police department, the school district, the park district and an organization such as Safe Passage to bring all those services together. We can get things done.” v

For more information on how to aid Safe Passage Youth or for help seeking support visit safepassageyouth.org.

SO HAPPY TOGETHER A member of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office (bottom center, seated) with Safe Passage kids.

THE CONEJO YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS gives Safe Passage teens an opportunity to earn money and gain job experience.

396 Baker Avenue, Ventura

First time on the market since being built in 1963. This home has been lovingly cared for by a single family for almost 60 years. A brick lined walkway surrounds you as you walk into this 3 bed + 2 bath home located in a serene neighborhood. Located close to shopping, parks and freeway access, this home features both a living room & family room in between the kitchen & dining area. $735,000

172

E. Lewis Street, Ventura

TWO UNITS - 2+1 front house and 1+1 ADU in rear. Located on a zoned R-2 street, this property offers endless possi bilities for the new owner. Extended fam ily, multi-family, surf-shack, live in one and rent the other? Front house has a covered front porch, mostly dual-paned windows, fireplace in living room, & laundry hook ups in kitchen. 2-car carport. ADU is a 1+1, with an attached 1 car garage and laundry hookups in garage. $675,000

“Best

Uncompromising standards in service.

HOLIDAYS AT THE COLLECTION

NOV. 16 – DEC. 24 | OXNARD

HOLIDAYS AT THE COLLECTION

Nov. 16 – Dec. 24 | Oxnard

The Collection at RiverPark has more than a month of festive activities planned for the holiday season. It all begins on Wednesday, Nov. 16, with the Tree Lighting Celebration at Collection Park. Other “gifts” for the community to enjoy include arts and crafts with holiday characters at the Peppermint Kids Club, a Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt, Letters to Santa, photo opportunities with Ol’ St. Nick for children, families and even pets and plenty of delightful decorations to enjoy all around. And of course, you’ll have no trouble scratching off your shopping list at The Collection’s many fine stores, and re-energizing at eateries of all kinds to satisfy every appetite. Enjoy this feast for the eyes, ears and senses all season long at The Collection. 2751 Park View Court, Oxnard, 805.278.9500, thecollectionrp.com.

SPEAKING MOVEMENT DANCE CONCERT

Nov. 18-19 | Moorpark

Speaking Movement celebrates the continued navigation of our human experience through the medium of movement. Proudly presented to you by the Moorpark College Dance Department under the direction of Beth Megill, this evening of dance showcases the creative voices of our MC dance students and faculty in a visceral performance that is guaranteed to move you. Performances on Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $12-15. Main stage of the Performing Arts Center on the Moorpark College campus, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark, 805.378.1485 or moorparkcollege.edu/pac.

SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE Nov. 19 | Westlake Village

One of Ventura County’s longest running fashion charity events returns to the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village as the Casa Pa cifica Angels and hosts Susan and Ken Bauer present the 21st annual Casa Pacifica Angels Spotlight on Style Fashion Show on Sat urday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A chic midday affair, Spotlight on Style will feature a runway fashion show showcasing selections from the collections of top designers, lunch and unique boutique shopping experiences to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Proceeds support Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families’ programs and services that give hope to children and youth struggling with mental and behavioral health challenges. Philanthropists and Casa Pacifica Angels Lori Silvey and Maureen Turley-Gutierrez will return as the 2022 event co-chairs. Spotlight on Style opens with a champagne reception as guests peruse a variety of boutiques offering unique accessories, clothing and gifts. A specially curated online auction, opening Nov. 16, will feature an array of entertainment packages and personal pampering offerings. Tickets start at $175. Four Seasons Westlake Village, 2 Dole Drive, Westlake Village. For tickets and more information, visit www.casapacifica.org/news/events/spotlight_on_style.

NEW WEST SYMPHONY:

SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE

NOV. 19 | WESTLAKE VILLAGE

ODE TO JOY

Nov. 19-20 | Camarillo and Thousand Oaks

Long known as a work calling for humanity to unite as “brothers,” Beethoven’s mighty Ninth Symphony has stirred whole societies to lofty ideals since its premiere in 1824. Los Angeles-based composer Reena Esmail epitomizes the many facets of being and having a sister in her radiant work that joins Western Classical Music and Hindustani Classical Music traditions, bringing to the fore the talents of Hindustani soprano Saili Oak. The California Lutheran University Choir and Pepperdine University Concert Choir join Oak and other leading vocal soloists under the direction of Michael Christie for this program included Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Esmail’s Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice). Tickets $30-$120. Saturday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Fred Kavli Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. Sunday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. at the Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center, Camarillo. Tickets and more information by calling 805.497.5800 or visiting newwestsymphony.org

ELF THE MUSICAL Nov. 25 – Dec. 18 | Ojai

Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa’s permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. To spread Christmas cheer among those in need, Ojai ACT invites audience members to bring canned goods to donate to Help of Ojai. $10-$25. Ojai ACT, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, 805.640.8797, ojaiact.org.

2022

VENTURA BODYSURFING CLASSIC

Nov. 26 | Ventura

The Ventura Bodysurfing Classic is the flagship event for the South Jetty Swells Bodysurfing Association. This event will be held at the south jetty of the Ventura Harbor. The Ventura Bodysurfing Classic will be the final event of the California Bodysurf Tour. The event is well known for providing powerful north west winter swells and cold water. The event takes place 7 a.m.-3 p.m. with check in at 6:30 a.m. An awards dinner will follow the event after it ends at 3 p.m.; location to be determined. $20-$80. 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, www.southjettyswells.com

AIN’T

MISBEHAVIN’

Nov. 30 – Dec. 18 | Ventura It’s 1930s Harlem, and the joint is jumpin’! Nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom are the playgrounds of high society, and dive bars on Lenox Avenue pulse with piano players banging out new tunes that are a wild mix of raucous, rowdy and mournful. At home on the keyboard is Thomas “Fats” Waller – the big-hearted, bigger-than-life impresario and international jazz pianist who helped create and define American swing. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical tribute to Waller’s passion for pleasure and play. The revue features a five-person, triple-threat cast performing hit songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “Black and Blue,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter,” “The Jitterbug Waltz” and the title song. Tickets start at $39.50. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 East Main Street, Ventura, 805.667.2900, www.rubicontheatre.org.

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

NOV. 25 – DEC. 24 |

MOORPARK

SIERRA NORTHERN HOLIDAY TRAIN

NOV. 26 | VENTURA COUNTY

CHRISTMAS ON THE FARM

Nov. 25 – Dec. 24 |

Moorpark

Underwood Family Farm’s autumn celebrations give way to winter delights with a variety of holiday decor and activities to make the season bright. Lights, ornaments, presents and other trimmings deck the animal center, playgrounds and farmstand, to enchant attendees of all ages and provide ample opportunities for festive photos. Holiday arts and crafts, fun games like the cookie toss and ring a tree, duck racing, sleigh rides with draft horses and even a decorated train will help put everyone in the holiday spirit. Find a Christmas tree to take home while picking your own fresh produce in the fields. Kids can enjoy visits with Santa on weekends through Dec. 18, and his reindeer will make special appearances Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18. There’s even more in store, so dash away to this family-friendly, farm-fresh festival of Yuletide cheer this season! $10-$14; free for children under 2. Discounts for military, veterans, emergency first responders and seniors. 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark and 5696 East Los Angeles Avenue, Somis. underwoodfamilyfarms.com.

SIERRA NORTHERN HOLIDAY TRAIN

Nov. 26 | Ventura County

The Sunburst Train and Sierra Northern Railway, in partnership with our community, will continue the tradition of traveling through the Santa Clara River Valley making stops during the night to collect unwrapped toys for donation. Our friend Santa will ride the train and get off at each stop and, with assistance from his helpers, pass out goodies to the kids. The train’s first stop will be in Ventura at the pedestrian crossing 2,000 feet east of Montgomery Avenue at 6:20 p.m., then arrive at Saticoy Depot at 7 p.m. Stops at the Santa Paula Depot and Fillmore across from the Fire Station will follow. Each stop lasts approximately 30 minutes. Greet Kris Kringle during his journey by rail through Ventura County…and make spirits brighter for others by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for him to deliver where it’s needed most. For full schedule and locations, please visit www.sunbursttrain.com/spirit-of-the-holidays

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS

Through Dec. 18 | Santa Paula

All aboard! The exotic Orient Express is hurtling down the tracks… to a murder! Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express hits SPTC’s stage with a train full of suspects and an alibi for each one. Just after midnight, a snowdrift stops the Orient Express in its tracks. The luxurious train is filled to capacity, but by the morning it is one passenger fewer. Isolated, with a killer on the loose, Detective Hercule Poirot must identify the murderer – before he or she decides to strike again. Ken Ludwig’s clever adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic murder mystery boasts all the glamour, intrigue, and suspense of Dame Agatha’s celebrated novel, with a healthy dose of humor to quicken the pace. SPTC audiences are in for a suspenseful, thrilling ride aboard the legendary Orient Express! Don’t go off the rails – hop on board today! $22-$24. Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 South Seventh Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.4645, www.santapaulatheatercenter.org

RESILIENCE: ART OF THE CHANNEL ISLANDS

Through Dec. 19 | Oxnard This exhibition will explore how creatives are inspired by the natural world. Five award-winning local artists, Joe Adams, Holly Wo olson, Linda Legman, Genie Thomsen, and Christina Altfeld, will use unique mediums to explore the flora and fauna of the Channel Islands. Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands will be the CIMM’s largest temporary exhibition to date. Through printmaking, paint ing, drawing, and ceramics, artists will capture the extraordinary diversity of the many species that call the Channel Islands home. Reflecting on the unique conditions and challenges of island life, this exhibit will also provide a special educational opportunity for guests of all ages. By exploring natural history and stunning biodiversity, from the ancient pygmy mammoth to the Channel Islands Fox, Resilience: Art of the Channel Islands strives to express the true miracles of these legendary islands. Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, 805.984.6260, cimmvc.org.

14TH ANNUAL ART ABOUT AGRICULTURE

Through March 5 | Santa Paula

The 14th Annual Art About Agriculture exhibition features 62 fresh works of art by 60 exceptional artists. Art About Agriculture is a group show presented annually by the Ag Art Alliance, a collective formed in 2007 by Santa Paula artists John Nichols and Gail Pid duck. The purpose of the exhibit is to promote awareness of agriculture by exploring its many facets through art — from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that goes on our plates. In addition, John Galan’s Remedios (Remedies), combining the universal archetypes of the lungs, brain and heart with symbolic imagery from contemporary Chicanx culture and cuisine, continues through Jan. 8. Two great exhibits not to be missed! Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

ON THE HORIZON

CHRISTMAS MAGIC! Dec. 2-11 | Moorpark A joyful holiday celebration with music and theater, filled with the sounds and stories of the season! High Street Arts Center’s annual show features teen and adult cast members from seasons and productions past returning to the stage to sing your favorite holiday songs and share the stories behind them. Performances take place at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. $23-$25. High Street Arts Center, 45 East High Street, Moorpark, 805.529.8700, highstreetartscenter.com.

WINTER FAIRE Dec. 3-4 | Thousand Oaks

A group of people are stranded in an airport during the holidays. Will they complain or will they summon up their holiday spirit? They will gather together and give the gift of stories to each other while the weather calms down and the flight crews find a way to make their visit more comfortable. And the Winter Faire is a menu, not only of the snacks - but of the stories - they’re sharing. Tuck in to a fine feast! $18. All performances take place at 1 p.m. Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks, 805.381.2747, www.hillcrestarts.com

Photo by Sierra Northern Railway

Ideal Homes ideal HOMES

396 BAKER AVENUE, VENTURA

First time on the market since being built in 1963. This home has been lovingly cared for by a single family for almost 60 years. A brick lined walkway surrounds you as you walk into this 3 bed + 2 bath home located in a serene

neighborhood. Located close to shopping, parks and freeway access, this home features both a living room & family room in between the kitchen & dining area. Listed by Coastlands Group. Contact Eric Baucom at

Private and quiet end unit in the high ly desirable Cape Weston Regatta condos!Beautifully upgraded with kitchen counters, backsplash, stainless appliances and wood or woodlike floors thru-out. Featuring 3 generous bedrooms and 2.5

baths, the primary suite also has a large walkin closet, high ceilings and an en-suite bath. In this must-see condo you’ll also enjoy mul tiple living spaces; one with a lovely fireplace and mantle which opens to your gener ous private patio area! Call Laurie Rutledge

Spacious beach home ideal for entertaining and less than 15 lots from the beach! Enjoy cool ocean breezes from the two balconies on the sec ond level and the roof deck on the third level, with a peek-a-boo view of the ocean. The entire second level is an open concept living space with a living room, dining room, kitchen, family room, and a large bar with seat ing for six. The kitchen and baths have been remodeled. All three bedrooms are on the first level. The primary

bedroom opens to a low maintenance entertaining backyard with gated access to a pathway that leads to the beach. Three-car garage with enough room for vehicles, surf boards, and beach toys. The exterior has been freshly painted. This beach home is close to the sandy beaches of Mandalay Shores and the nearby Oxnard Beach Park, with daily Yoga By the Sea classes. Enjoy the beach and harbor lifestyle, including the Sunday Farmer’s Market and the Channel Islands

Harbor with restaurants, water sports and other activi ties. Approx. 3013 square feet. $1,799,000. Presented by Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. Ariel Palmieri & Karen Stein 805-746-2070.

This custom-built, three-story, A-frame home sits on a highly desirable lot in the private and scenic Painted Cave neighbor hood of Santa Barbara. The main level offers an open floor plan, volume ceilings, and French doors that open to a wraparound deck. This level also includes the kitchen, a bedroom with a private patio, and a large bathroom with a modern vessel sink and a spa cious shower. The top level boasts two bedrooms and a bathroom, including the size able primary suite with its own balcony, plus ocean and island views. Downstairs includes an additional room (or bed

room) with a private entrance, bathroom, laundry area, and garage access, perfect for a flexible floor plan. The garage includes a custom-built work bench along its entirety and built-in shelving throughout. The layout of the almost completely flat lot allows for raising your own garden or orchard, enter taining friends and family, or finding quiet solitude in nature. Other perks include a detached 100-sq-ft finished office space (or craft room, workshop, she shed, man cave, yoga room) in the front yard; storage shed in the back yard, room for RV parking, exceptional hik ing/biking options from the

neighborhood, and an in credibly welcoming commu nity. Located within the coveted Mountain View Elementary boundary, this hidden gem is only a 15-minute scenic com mute from the city limits of San ta Barbara and Goleta.

BEDROOMS:

5Bedroom+6Bath-Waterfront!

This ocean front home with unbelievable views is a Modern Cape Cod nestled on the water’s edge in Faria Beach. On the coastline between Ventura and Montecito, this idyllic spot allows for its residents to surf, kayak, swim, fish, sunbathe, take in the sunset, and stargaze. Enjoy phenomenal views from the family room, dining room, kitchen, wine-tasting room, and primary suite. The many windows, decks and balconies provide incredible vistas of blue waves, marine life, white water, and the surfers’ paradise known as Mondo’s Beach. Approx. 4,700 Square Feet, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms. Listed for $8,700,000

5118 Sealane Way, Mandalay Shores

Ideal for entertaining! Spacious home down the block from the beach. More than 3000 square feet with 3 bedrooms and 3 bath rooms. Open concept living makes this a great getaway to host fam ily and friends or full-time home to enjoy casual coastal living and incredible weather. Roof deck with peek a boo ocean view! Great outdoor space and a 3-car garage too.

Listed for $345,000

Listed for $749,000

Listed for $1,799,000 380 N. Brent Street, Ventura

Sought-after Midtown location between Loma Vista and Poli. 1920s Spanish-style bungalow. Interior features include hardwood floors, coved ceilings, built-ins, a lovely fireplace and an updated kitchen. There are 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and approximately 1,100 sq ft of living space. The large backyard is home to the detached garage and an additional shed perfect for an office, art studio, or reading nook. Sold for $925,000

Karen Stein Juliet

Palmieri

382 Kern Street, Ventura

Spacious and light-filled manufactured home built in 2004, located in Imperial Mobile Home Estates Family Park. Corner lot location with open floor plan, three beds, two baths plus a bonus room. Large kitchen with an island. Great central Ventura locale. Current space rent is approx. $800/mo.

Sara Carlson

2957 Harbor Blvd, Hollywood Beach Designer condo in Hollywood Beach fully renovated with stunning features. Community has pools, spas and tennis. Nestled where the sandy shores meet the thriving marina in Channel Islands Harbor. Local highlights include Sunday farmers market, surfing, sailing and incredible sunsets.

3692 Pacific Coast Highway, Faria Beach - Ventura –Nearly Complete New Construction with 40 feet of Ocean Frontage!