Ventana Monthly - January/February 2022 by Times Media Group

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VOL.16 NO. 1

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

FEA TU R ES Editor’s Note

Set Sail for Adventure

About Town 10 Lessons in (S)TEAMwork Eighth grade science projects utilized in outer space.

Culture 16 History Ahoy! New England tall ship Mystic Cruzar arrives in Channel Islands Harbor. Cover 26 Protecting Land, Protecting Us The value of local land conservancies.

Travel 35 High Desert Realm he arid splendor of Joshua Tree T National Park.

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DEPARTMENTS COMMUNITY 8

The Otherworld Artists’ Reception at CLU

SHORT LIST 44

A preview of coming attractions

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COVER STORY: Deputy Director Tania Parker and Executive Director Tom Maloney of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. Photo by Viktor Budnik

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SET SAIL FOR ADVENTURE

anuary is traditionally a time for a fresh start, and for myself, that feels especially true right now. After a joyful and relaxing holiday season, I find myself eager to hit the ground running once again, and those blue skies overhead — following on the heels of some much-appreciated rainfall — are giving me a sense of optimism. It seems like a good time to embark upon new adventures. And in these parts, you don’t have to look far to find one. For one thing, there are miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails to be explored. And many of them exist thanks to the efforts of local land conservancies. These organizations fill a vital role in protecting open spaces from development, ensuring that they can be enjoyed for generations to come. We take a look at three land conservancies operating in Ventura County and their approaches to conservation and restoration in this issue’s Cover Story. Channel Islands Harbor began its new year with a brand new resource that literally sailed into port. This month, a replica of a New England tall ship completed its long journey from the East Coast to its new home on California’s Central Coast, bringing with her a bit of living history and the opportunity to explore first-hand what life was like aboard a 19th-century cargo schooner. Read about the journey and promise of Mystic Cruzar in Culture.

While fans of maritime history can examine the past through the newly arrived tall ship, a group of eighth grade students are looking toward the future with projects that are out of this world (About Town). Ventura Missionary School science teacher Alane Woods has teamed up with the Quest Institute to help students develop experiments designed to study heat transfer in outer space. The students learn invaluable lessons in teamwork while they enjoy hands-on exposure to electrical and mechanical engineering, coding and more. Even more impressive, some of the students’ work has been sent to the International Space Station for further study by NASA. Not everyone will have the opportunity to go to space…or have their work sent there, either…but an earthly adventure awaits anyone who visits Joshua Tree National Park (Travel). There’s more to this landscape than that dramatic, unusual plant that gives it its name. Look a little more closely and you’ll see it is teeming with life, flora and fauna both, and surprisingly diverse thanks to a variety of microbiomes. A few hours south of Ventura County, and a world all its own. I hope 2022 is filled with fresh starts, exciting adventures and good times for everyone. If these pages nourish your imagination, even better. Happy New Year, Ventura County!

– Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer nancy@ventanamonthly.com

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EDITOR IN CHIEF Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer CONTRIBUTORS Viktor Budnik Chuck Graham Madeline Nathaus Mike Nelson Kimberly Rivers GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Bret Hooper Nathalie Proulx ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Warren Barrett ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Barbara Kroon

C O N TA C T U S

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THE OTHERWORLD ARTISTS’ RECEPTION CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY

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S 4

tudents, faculty, patrons and other art lovers came to the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art at California Lutheran University on Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, for the Artists’ Reception for The Otherworld, an exhibit of psychedelic art pulled from the California hippie movement, science fiction and fantasy, and spiritual visions. From a Japanese woodblock print of the 1800s to 1970s album cover art to a 2016 collaborative painting, the exhibit featured extraordinary and diverse works depicting alternate realities. Reception attendees were enthusiastic and engaged, and the gallery hummed with activity and conversation. The exhibit was curated by CLU art professor Dr. Michael Pearce and co-sponsored by the Carnegie Art Cornerstones, HomeLight, CLU’s Artists and Speakers Series and the Visual Arts Department. rollandgallery.callutheran.edu www.carnegieartcornerstones.com www.callutheran.edu

1. Carnegie board member Joseph Rund (right) and husband Alfonse Reta in front of “Great Paper Dragon” by Guy Kinnear. 2. Local artist Hüicho Lé with “Study for Net of Being” by Alex Grey. 3. Attendees take a selfie with “Blue Desert” by Roger Dean. 4. The integration of cultural iconography and Christian symbols with visionary painting can be seen in works by John August Swanson. 5. Artist Tim Hengst (left, next to two pieces of his art) with Cornerstone board member Kerry Roscoe and her husband, Stacy.

5 8

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(S)TEAMWORK

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LESSONS IN

Ventura Missionary School 8th graders team up to devise heat transfer projects utilized in outer space. BY MIKE NELSON | PHOTOS BY ALANE WOODS

e all know that radiation heat transfer is a process by which heat waves emitted from one source — like the human body — may be absorbed, reflected or transmitted through another, colder source. Okay, maybe we all don’t know that, or maybe we used to know it and long ago left it on the pile of “stuff we’ll never use in life,” along with Tudor dynasties and binomial coefficients. Chances are that when we were in the eighth grade, very, very few of us heat-transfering beings were involved in projects that were being utilized 250 miles above the earth. But for the past six years, eighth graders at Ventura Missionary School (VMS) have actively and enthusiastically participated in science projects that involve the study of heat transfer — from building robots and wiring circuits to devising coding and collecting data produced by their self-designed experiments. Their work has been shipped to the International Space Station (ISS) for utilization and further study by NASA, which provides students the chance to see how their data has been utilized. The ongoing effort is part of a program developed by the San Jose-based Quest Institute, an educational nonprofit whose ISS Partner Program has trained students from all grade levels to create heat transfer experiments, conduct tests, compile data and send it to NASA, which forwards it to the ISS. There, experiments are conducted to contrast what happens in space, where temperatures are much colder than on Earth. Students then receive feedback on how their work was utilized.

F RO M ST E M TO ST E A M

Quest’s mission is “to introduce, intrigue, inspire and ultimately engage students to understand what it means to pursue STEMbased careers.” Or, in VMS’ case, “STEAM-based,” adding arts to

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GIA OTANI (left) and Isabella Kilpatrick. science, technology, engineering and math. “There is an artistic component to programming and building robots,” asserts Dr. Tammy Ennis, dean of academic affairs at VMS. “And it helps as they design their projects; it broadens their horizons.” As a pilot participant in the Quest program (and still one of the few schools in California to participate in it), VMS has wrapped its eighth grade science curriculum around it. “It’s been a fantastic asset to us,” says Ennis. “And Alane Woods is an amazing teacher who has connected with the program extremely well.” Middle school teacher Woods, in her sixth year of leading the Quest/ISS program at VMS, oversees 54 eighth graders — twice the number of student-participants at most schools — who explore the world of heat transfer. Since last fall, students working in teams have guided several different experiments involving heat transfer by way of conduction,

TAYLER HUNSAKER (left), Jake Lewis-Abriol and Ava Nebroski.

ROOK JOHNSON

convection and radiation, the latter method for which data is being sent to the ISS. Each student team includes an electrical engineer, coder, building engineer and scientist. “And each member,” says Woods, “needs to do his or her job in order for the entire experiment to work.” As part of the process, students receive a fundamental foundation of electricity. Their study includes: —how to make complete circuits; —how to wire through a breadboard to complete a circuit using ground wiring and 5-volt electrical current; —how to put LED in to light up when certain parts of the experiment are working to know if the entire experiment is working, or what part of it isn’t; —how to code the experiment to activate; —and how to collect temperature samples at specified time intervals. In the radiation heat transfer model, a light bulb is utilized as a source to heat the temperature sensors. Once the correct coding is in place, the breadboard is “activated” to begin the experiment. “The light bulb will turn on and heat up for three minutes,” explains Woods, “taking the temperature every three seconds, turning off for three minutes and continuously taking temperature every three seconds for a set number of minutes.” The data is collected on a secure digital (SD) card which is then put into a SD reader and attached to the computer, where a designated team member analyzes and graphs the data. The data is sent to the ISS through Quest, and NASA uses the data to help ISS experiments. “The students see the work they’ve done and the data that comes back,” says Ennis. “And it’s exciting to see the data return.”

B E YO N D T H E S C I E N C E

Besides increasing their knowledge of heat transfer, VMS eighth graders have learned something about themselves and each other that is equally important. “They’ve learned how important each job is to the entire group, how they depend on each other to do their specific job, and how to do other jobs when a teammate is absent,” says Woods. “And together they experience the feeling of joy when the job comes together, and the experiment works.” Taylor Stoddart, who served as scientist on her team, admits that prior to this project, she liked working “more independently. So doing this took me out of my comfort zone. “But I discovered that I liked learning to share the responsibility, to rely on others to do their part. Working together in a group, with others who are different than you, is important to achieve the best results. I’d like to be a doctor or an optometrist, where working

Continued on page 13

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with others is necessary, so this was very good training.” Isabella Kilpatrick, the coder on her team, also came into the project a little wary of working as a team member. “I like control, and I know my abilities,” she says. “But in this project, I learned you can’t always do it on your own. In the process of building the experiment, it took a lot of work and collaboration to find parts and assemble them correctly, because if one element was out of place, it would require starting the process over. “So it was a benefit to be on a team, where we worked together to make sure all the elements were in the correct place. I’m hoping to become a veterinarian, and the teamwork that I experienced here will help.” Jake Lewis-Abriol, on the other hand, was already on board with the collaborative concept prior to starting the project as his team’s software engineer. “I prefer working as a team, because I find it more efficient and enjoyable to connect with my peers,” he explains. “I enjoyed the process of getting different people’s input on how to run and construct experiments. “There were times, for example, when we’d have to decide which components were necessary, when or how or why to integrate them into the experiment, and when or why to do some steps. I discovered that I was more of a leader than I thought I was.” His assignment — which included checking the codes for the

REMA ALBAWAB (in the black shirt) and Sienna Huckestein.

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experiments to be run and collecting data — was the first time he’d been involved in a project of this scale. “I’m thinking of becoming an aerospace engineer,” he says, “and I’m sure this kind of process will be a benefit later in my work.” Indeed, both the process and the team concept, as much as the scientific knowledge itself, will stay with the students long after they’ve graduated. “Working as a team is a lifeskill,” says Ennis. “The social aspect of teamwork, problem-solving in a group, is a challenge for teens, and we love that our students are able to do it. It’s a real-life application that is very important to their growth, and they will remember this eighth grade science project for many years.” v

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HISTORY AHOY! A piece of U.S. seagoing past sails into Channel Islands Harbor with the arrival of New England tall ship Mystic Cruzar. BY MADELINE NATHAUS

arly on the beautiful, sunny morning of Sunday, Jan. 9, at Channel Islands Harbor, Maritime Museum Executive Director Adri Howe waited out on the dock anticipating the arrival of the New England tall ship, the Mystic Whaler. With nautical bundt cakes and champagne ready for the crew, Howe excitedly watched the ship approach as other spectators gathered. “To see those tall masts — that’s what we could see first — you almost feel like a little kid on Christmas,” Howe said. “As she kept getting closer, really seeing her in person was such a different experience. The beauty of the crew and how they were working together was like a beautiful ballet. It’s a neat experience to have right here at the museum.” By 8 a.m. the ship coasted up to the dock of the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, completing its long journey all the way from the East Coast. The schooner will be the first tall ship to remain docked in the Channel Islands Harbor for the majority of the year, rather than just a week or two (as has been the case with visiting vessels, such as the San Salvador, in the past).

W E L L T R AV E L E D

The 83-foot-long, 110-foot-tall Mystic Cruzar was built in Florida in 1967 as a replica of a late-19th century coastal cargo schooner and underwent a rebuild in 1993. This modern replica has GPS, 3,000 square feet of sail and a diesel engine. The ship, which called Connecticut its home for the past 40 years, began its journey to the west in mid-October of last year. Storms caused a bit of delay as it traveled down the coast to Florida, but soon after it made its way to the Panama Canal where it was loaded on a ship carrier and offloaded in Ensenada, Mexico in late December. A crew assembled and captained by Christine Healey then sailed it to San Diego, where it waited until weather conditions were appropriate to sail the rest of the way up the coast. On the evening of Jan. 8, the crew sailed through the night and arrived at the harbor the following morning to an enthusiastic crowd. 8

INCOMING The Mystic Whaler completed its final journey, which began in Connecticut in October 2021, into Channel Islands Harbor on Jan. 9. It will be renamed Mystic Cruzar. Photo by Jed Chernabaeff/Channel Islands Harbor

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E D U C AT I O N A B OA R D

The ship was obtained by the harbor thanks to the generosity of

CULTURE

“You are facing a very unpredictable world when you set sail,” Howe said. “But watching them bring her in was beautiful and seamless, they made it look easy.”

Roger and Sarah Chrisman of Montecito, who had been looking to acquire a tall ship for their programs. The Chrismans’ nonprofit, Central Coast Ocean Adventures, will build a program using the ship to create an ocean-based classroom. Michael Tripp, the Channel Islands Harbor Director, said this experience will offer an immersive environment where visitors can learn about the history of sailing and sea trade. “I was very excited to hear that the Chrismans had chosen Channel Islands Harbor as the ship’s new home,” Tripp said via email. “It will be a great draw for locals and tourists alike and a great opportunity for young people to learn about our country’s seagoing past.” The Chrismans’ will be renaming the ship the Mystic Cruzar as a nod to Santa Cruz Island. Howe said this will make the ship feel more personable to its new home on the West Coast. “The Chrismans are very dedicated to education, which I think is tremendous and very needed,” Howe said. “What I like about this opportunity is it’s experiential. You can show people paintings and ship models or they can read a book, but it’s not the same. When these kids grow up, those experiential activities are going to be more hardcoded into them.” One of the activities they’re considering is administering groups of kids to simulate the crew of the ship. She hopes this will aid in team-building and give a more hands-on approach to how these ships are operated. It also offers the chance to take students into the past and show them a more lifelike experience of how hard conditions would’ve been aboard ships of the 1800s. “I think it’s a wonderful way to teach cooperation,” Howe said. “It’s putting you in a different situation than you’re in everyday and putting you in a new circumstance that maybe you know nothing about. That’s how it would’ve been for anyone, no matter when it was, the first time they stepped onto a ship.”

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WEST COAST BOUND The Mystic Whaler on board the ship that brought her through the Panama Canal in late 2021. Photo submitted

“SHE BRINGS SO MANY P O S I T I V E T H I N G S W I T H H E R”

Although it is not known when exactly the Mystic Cruzar will be done with maintenance, Howe said they’re hoping the ship will be prepared and activities will be readily organized for visitors within the next couple months or so. Bob Nahm, the managing owner at Seacoast Yachts, said the temporary use permits allows the vessel to stay in its current location until June 30. “Once the programs have been developed and the requirements for access and parking have been determined, we will be working with the harbor to determine an appropriate location for the vessel,” Nahm said via email. “The vessel still has its regular United States Coast Guard inspections and certifications to complete this spring before we start any programs.” Howe said the ship also offers an opportunity for a greater partnership between the Channel Islands and Santa Barbara maritime museums. The Mystic Cruzar will be traveling between the two museums to offer tours and a chance to learn about life aboard 19th century vessels in both Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. AT THE HELM Captain Christine Healy (shown here with her canine “co-captain” Emma) assembled a crew to sail the Mystic Whaler/Cruzar from Ensenada, Mexico, to Oxnard. Photo by Kimberly Rivers

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LIVING HISTORY: “For better or for worse, we’ve always sought to voyage, and maybe folks can get on the ship and get a little bit of that sensation,” says Adri Howe, Executive Director of Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Photo by Kimberly Rivers

“She brings so many positive things with her,” Howe said. “It’s not just the ship, it’s people working in partnership, and the mission for her is going to be that she can educate people.” Tripp said that during the Mystic Cruzar’s previous life, it offered one- to five-day sailing cruises along with brunch, lunch, dinner and sunset cruises out of Mystic, Connecticut, likely where it gets its name. The ship is also no stranger to educating its passengers, as it was used in environmental education programs during its time in Mystic. In 2006, the schooner was relocated to City Pier, Connecticut where it participated in various maritime festivals. Tripp added that the ship historically carried 3,000 to 4,000 passengers each year from May to October. In 2018, both Connecticut Magazine and Yankee Magazine named it the best coastal cruise in Connecticut. “I’m hoping that it will offer a fun and engaging learning experience,” Tripp said. “While people are here, they should also visit the Channel Islands Maritime Museum, which is located next to the Mystic Cruzar, and

Channel Islands Harbor www.channelislandsharbor.org Channel Islands Maritime Museum 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard 805.984.6260

cimmvc.org

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has a lot of great exhibits.” “I think ships like this and the stories we can share about them help to bridge the past to the present,” Howe said. “There’s something so magical about being able to take ourselves back. For better or for worse, we’ve always sought to voyage, and maybe folks can get on the ship and get a little bit of that sensation.” v PUG’S LIFE: Christine Healy’s “co-captain,” Emma, keeping watch on the Mystic Cruzar. Photo by Kimberly Rivers

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COVER STORY

PROTECTING LAND, PROTECTING US Local land conservancies build climate resilience while safeguarding our outdoor spaces.

BY KIMBERLY RIVERS

BEAUTY IN THE MIST The fog-enshrouded hills of Harmon Canyon. Photo by Larry Graves, courtesy of Ventura Land Trust

hen you hear the term “land conservation,” what comes to mind?

You might think about state and national parks and forests we have access to, the local city or county park, or even your favorite hiking trail. In Ventura County we have thousands of acres to access for hiking, walking, bike riding and getting out into nature. Many of these lands are owned and managed by private nonprofit land conservancy organizations. These organizations are devoting millions of dollars (obtained through fundraising efforts) to prevent open space land from being developed in the future. Then, they restore the land, wetlands and oak canopies that have been degraded. To really understand why resources are being devoted to conserving land, we all have to understand that it’s about more than just taking a hike. Setting aside natural places with an eye for rewilding is quickly becoming a key part of adapting and responding to climate change,

and something that is already underway. These land conservation organizations seek to preserve and restore land with the goals of protecting habitat for endangered and threatened wildlife, building connectivity between protected areas and, in light of climate change and all that comes with it, creating places where both people and wildlife can find cooler air, shade, healthy soil and, in some cases, flowing water. It may just save our lives someday. In October 2020, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order titled Nature Based Solutions, declaring that natural and agricultural lands are a key part of fighting climate change and promoting biodiversity conservation. The order included a goal called 30x30: protecting 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030. As the climate changes, temperatures warm and wildfires return year after year, land conservancy organizations are in a race against time to identify, acquire, restore and preserve key areas of land that benefit the flora and fauna, but also protect the health of humans as well.

Continued on page 28 26

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CROSSING STREAMS Oso Trail at the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Ventura River Preserve (left) is popular with both equestrians and hikers. Photo by Viktor Budnik VENTURA RIVER at Big Rock Preserve (below). Photo courtesy Ventura Land Trust

“The long term vision is survival of all biodiversity on earth,” said E.J. Remson, senior program manager with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), at the organization’s Ventura office. He pointed to the stressors for living things from climate change, habitat changes, fires, challenges of maintaining genetic diversity, and how all species today in urban areas “rely on a network of green islands or wildlife linkages.” “We are in a sense racing against the clock to identify and describe species even as our actions (as a species) are wiping them out,” said Melissa Baffa, executive director of the Ventura Land Trust (VLT). “By preserving open space, we are buying time.” Tom Maloney, executive director of the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, shared a similar view. “The biggest challenge right now is accelerating our work to meet the challenge of climate resilience.”

V E N T U R A C O U N T Y- B A S E D L A N D C O N S E RVAT I O N Today, 11,477 acres in Ventura County are held by land conservancy nonprofit organizations. The public is granted access to a portion of that land to varying degrees. The Nature Conservancy owns the most conserved acreage in the county, with 4,500 acres permanently protected. These 37

properties are primarily in the area along the Santa Clara River, and provide protection for 21 miles of riverfront land. “We are the largest non profit environmental organization in the world,” said E.J. Remson, adding that the organization has protected over 125 million acres of land globally. The Ventura Land Trust owns 2,300 acres. “In total, we have seven preserves that we own in Ventura County,” said Baffa, explaining the organization owns “many individual parcels, some of which are stitched together to form preserves such as Big Rock and Harmon Canyon.” The VLT area of focus has mainly been along the Ventura River, below Foster Park and the hillsides north of the city of Ventura, but the organization also has land in Lockwood and near Piru. In addition to the properties owned by the organization, VLT has contracts to remove trash from local watersheds, helping to keep those areas clean. Continued on page 30

FOR THE BIRDS Endangered western snowy plovers at Ormand Beach. Photo by Mark Seton, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy

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MAJESTIC OAKS offer shade, habitat and beauty at Harmon Canyon. Photo courtesy of Ventura Land Trust

Dan Hulst, preserve director with the Ventura Land Trust, explained that the organization has three trash Monitoring and Reporting contracts with “key stakeholders, including the county of Ventura. Under these contracts, VLT documents and collects trash per guidelines set by the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board.” The properties are in the Ventura River and Calleguas Creek watersheds, and at Malibu Creek. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy owns 2,300 acres, mostly in the Ojai Valley, although working with the VLT and the Trust for Public Land, the organization has just taken on a property that will be part of the Ventura River Parkway project aimed at linking 15 miles of riverside riparian habitat. A new organization on the scene, with 1,612 acres in the Ventura Foothills, is Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust. The property includes a working cattle ranch and the area popularly known as “Two Trees,” located in the hillsides above the city of Ventura.

P L A N N I N G TO C O N S E RV E

Land conservation done in a haphazard way can create islands of conserved land cut off from other green spaces, resulting in fewer benefits. “When we are very deliberate about preserving open space with a high conservation value, and ensuring that there are linkages between these habitats, we are giving the organisms that live there, or just pass through there, an opportunity to have more fluidity within their gene pools,” said Baffa. She pointed to the “effects of inbreeding among our large predators, such as mountain lions,” as an example. “When we preserve habitat, but then surround it 8

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with urban sprawl, we have just created a genetic island for the organisms within that habitat. Connectivity between open spaces is as important as the preservation of the open space itself.” TNC’s Remson, in discussing a parcel of land called Alamos Canyon, said, “it is part of the linkage from the Los Padres [National Forest] and the Sierra Madres to the Santa Monica Mountains.” The parcel is a piece of land abutting a “huge undercrossing” underneath the 118 freeway and completes the wildlife corridor being finalized by the 101 wildlife overpass, a project beginning this year. Without that swatch of land at Alamos Canyon, animals may get over the 101 overcrossing, but then they’d have to brave the 118, a stretch of road that claims the lives of mountain lions on a regular basis. Land conservation organizations most of the time must still purchase the land they own. Occasionally, as has happened with some parcels in Ventura County, an owner might opt to donate the parcel. But when a property must be purchased, increasing property values can make acquiring land for protection more of a challenge. These private nonprofit organizations are primarily funded through donations from the public. “A lot of people think we are like the forest service,” and are government funded, explained Tania Parker, deputy director with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy. “It’s a challenge.” She said while raising funds for a particular acquisition can see an “abundance” of support, “it’s the community support that gets us through each year.” A good amount of the land that OVLC has protected has used mechanisms like trail and conservation easements. Some of these areas are not open to the public but are monitored by OVLC. “It is still land we watch over,” said Parker. Those easements are also purchased.

ABOVE Two- and four-footed friends having a grand time at the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy’s Valley View Preserve. From left: Lulu, OVLC Deputy Director Tania Parker (with Topa), Deepa Pulipati and Brittany Sanders. LEFT OVLC’s Riverview Preserve trailhead. Photos by Viktor Budnik

Organizations frequently get creative in protecting key areas. Mahoney explained that conservation easements can be very general or extremely detailed. One property along the west side of the Ventura River, where OVLC purchased a conservation easement, did not involve the full interest in the land; it simply restricts development to two buildings on 160 acres. On another 43-acre property, OVLC owns just the development rights. The property owner “can never do anything with it,” said Mahoney, although the property owner still technically owns the land. Remson also referred to a common concern of property owners with land that borders parcels obtained for conservation. He said the conservation of land does not impact land use on neighboring parcels in any way. Mahoney said there are tax benefits to selling a conservation easement, or donating land outright, and there is the “assurity of knowing” it will never be developed.

Continued on page 33

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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SANTA CLARA RIVER Photo by M. Kelley, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy.

C A N C O N S E RVAT I O N C O M B AT C L I M AT E C H A N G E ?

P U B L I C AC C E S S TO C O N S E RV E D L A N D Each organization determines how it manages its land. This includes whether or not the public has access to it. As privately held land, the organizations are not required to make any of their land or easement areas open to the public. Location, accessibility and weather conditions are all factors taken into account when deciding whether or not to open conserved land to public use. For example, rain events lead to the closure of some canyon trails to mountain bikers and equestrian trail users to prevent trail damage when muddy. Another issue is the impact of public use. During the pandemic, when public parks and beaches were closed, an unprecedented number of people took to the hillsides for recreation. The OVLC’s Ventura River Preserve, in particular, saw tremendous overuse, and many of its new visitors failed to adhere to the rules. OVLC first paid staff to monitor the parking lots, and ultimately had to close the preserve altogether. Ventura Land Trust has Big Rock Preserve along the Ventura River and Harmon Canyon open to the public on a regular basis. “We close Harmon Canyon several times a year due to extreme weather…heavy rainfall… sometimes frustrating users. But we do so to protect people and to protect the preserves,” explained Baffa. Properties might also be closed due to high fire danger. “Most recently, heavy December rains caused heavy erosion and hazards at Harmon Canyon, including sinkholes, washed-out and deeply rutted roads and trails, and landslides. Making repairs and the preserve safe again takes time, money and manpower.” TNC “properties are not open to the public,” Remson said, adding that “a lot of people don’t abide by that.” But “a huge amount of research” takes place on TNC lands. “We do have a lot of public access that is supervised, or managed access.” School groups frequent the Santa Clara River access areas owned by TNC and twice a month there are staff led walks and hikes.

What is the canary in the coal mine for a particular species? For humans? Researchers are still uncovering the importance of living in a biologically diverse environment, and as species are lost on a compounding basis, land conservation can help put the cork back in the bottle of the characteristics of climate change. Baffa acknowledged the 30x30 effort, but said “biologists suggest that we go even further, to preserve 50% of our open space. Biodiversity is, in a simplistic analogy, like the party game Jenga. You can only take away so many pieces before the whole thing crumbles. And sometimes the piece that brings it all down surprises you.” She points out that when viewing land conservation through the lens of climate change, one can immediately see the compounding benefits. “Concrete and asphalt absorb energy all day, radiating it back at night when things ought to be cooling off.” This leads to more energy use where we live and work to keep comfortable. On the flip side, “Open space absorbs rain, recharging groundwater basins and reducing urban runoff (something our surfing community will appreciate). It can serve as a buffer against wildfire…Open spaces don’t trap heat like our cities do.” Mahoney also described a shift in conservation thinking from just “setting aside” protected land, but looking at the land as a “refuge…in a hotter and drier world.” This means they become interested in lands with north sloping hills, and are “rebounding our efforts in restoring rivers and streams.” He pointed to all the pieces being thrown together today: Climate change and drought, impacts to biodiversity, together creating “a unique context for land and water conservation.” “A set of circumstances,” Mahoney concluded, “that enhance the need for conservation.” v

The Nature Conservancy

532 East Main Street, Suite 200, Ventura 805.642.0345 www.nature.org /en-us/

Ojai Valley Land Conservancy

370 Baldwin Road, Building 44, Ojai 805.649.6852 www.ovlc.org

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3451 Foothill Road, #201, Ventura 805.643.8044 www.venturalandtrust.org

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HIGH DESERT REALM The arid splendor of Joshua Tree National Park

STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHUCK GRAHAM

It sounded like loud cannon blasts hidden away, echoing ahead in massive clusters of boulders somewhere in Joshua Tree National Park. I scrambled up towards the direction of those deafening booms. In the pre-dawn light, in a natural cathedral of granite spires, cliffs and rock, I finally spied two desert bighorn sheep rams. They were in the rut, battling like gladiators over ewes and their high desert realm. How a victor was determined, I will never know. After the colossal butting of heads, with thick, curled horns remaining intact, each combatant sauntered off in opposite directions, melding into the vastness of the desert. There seemed to be an agreement reached, a natural moment in mystical, idyllic Joshua Tree.

D E S E RT S C O N V E RG E California is the most biodiverse state in the U.S., and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Joshua Tree is a fine example of that biodiversity. It’s almost otherworldly, this spot where the Mojave and Colorado deserts converge and spindly Joshua trees, Yucca brevifolia, stand over the expanse of creosote bush, cholla cactus, yelping coyotes and the chuckwalla. The only place remotely comparable to Joshua Tree in appearance is the Alabama Hills in the Eastern Sierra. Those high plains lack any Joshua trees, but the stacks of gritty granite slabs are a suitable distant cousin. The Joshua Tree National Park website describes the gangly trees’ “grotesque appearance.” I would describe them as utterly unique, one of a kind, a fine representative of the agave family. Continued on page 36

THE JOSHUA TREE (actually a member of the agave family) lends this high desert national park its name. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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COYOTES (below), are familiar denizens of Joshua Tree.

Sunrises and sunsets are especially incredible here, with the Joshua tree’s rangy limbs making it seem as though it’s in a desert trance, worshipping the abrasive monzogranite contours that bound for 800,000 acres across this high desert biome. Yet, the Joshua tree doesn’t stand alone. Despite its seemingly barren landscapes, life abounds throughout this national park. From its brittlebush and cacti-choked veldts to its six stark mountain ranges majestically surging throughout the ecosphere, there’s much to explore in Joshua Tree National Park. In fact, much of the park’s landscape hovers above 4,000 feet, and occasionally receives snow. And even though Joshua Tree looms desolate and parched, it boasts nearly 800 species of desert flora. Documented are 145 species of lichen and 15 species of cacti that thrive in this “desertscape.” If it rains just enough and the temperatures remain mild, springtime wildflowers are just the right contrast against the gritty granite, a natural wonder of fleeting colors splashed across the desert for a few brief weeks.

DWELLERS OF T H E D E S E RT S P H E R E Joshua Tree National Park is dominated by rock, but there’s a lot of life thriving in and around all those crags. Coveys, alcoves, cracks and fissures are dwellings for 46 species of reptilians, and 25

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of those are of the serpentine variety. One of my favorites to see and photograph is the stocky, 16-inch-long common chuckwalla. A member of the iguana family, these lizards are slightly menacing in appearance, with loose folds of skin covered in coarse granular scales. However, they are not a threat to humans. Getting a good look at them requires moving slowly and gradually around their arid habitat. They don’t venture far from their craggy lairs and are easily spooked at any inkling of a threat as they scurry for cover. When chuckwallas feel threatened, they’ll squeeze back as far as they can go within their lairs, into which they can wedge themselves tight, thanks to the ability to inflate their lungs. Chuckwallas made a reliable food source for the Cahuilla people who once 8

WHEN THREATENED, chuckwallas (above) will burrow into rock crevices and inflate their lungs to squeeze in tight.

L I F E B LO O D O F T H E BARRENS

inhabited the region. Of course, the desert wouldn’t be the desert without the desert tortoise. Seeing one is another matter, though. The shy creatures spend 95 percent of their lives in burrows, where they dig out a shelter and keep cool when ground temperatures can reach as high as 140 degrees. Native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts, desert tortoises can sometimes be found clambering over rocky habitat and sandy washes of Joshua Tree. These herbivores require grasses in their diets – a resource that is tough to come by in Joshua Tree. However, it’s a food source they search for during the very limited time they spend above their burrows.

There are several year-round sanctuaries found throughout Joshua Tree that offer respite in the harsh desert environment. The California fan palm tree is the only native palm tree in the Western U.S., and there are 158 fan palm oases in North America. Five of those stand tall in Joshua Tree National Park. Two of those oases are in plain view; one at the visitor’s center, and the other at Cottonwood Springs near the west entrance to the park off Highway 10. Two others are found on two of the best trails in the national park. The short, three-mile, out-and-back Fortynine Palms Oasis Trail is highly concentrated in granite, barrel cactus, creosote bush, brittlebush and collared lizards. It ends at a narrow canyon that feeds a fan palm oasis. Whether there are 49 palms at this tranquil spot, I don’t know, but when you’re in the desert, it does indeed beckon hikers to soak in the solitude a wellspring offers. There’s only 300 feet of elevation gain on this easy hike. The maintained route meanders through boulder-choked canyons filled with migrating birdsong, like the melodious, black-throated sparrow seen and heard throughout the hike. The other hike is out to Lost Palms Oasis, a 7.4-mile, out-andback route rambling over rolling, sandy hills and washes. Continued on page 41

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ABOVE: Craggy rocks and dramatic foliage make for in impressive sunset silhouette. BELOW: A California fan palm oasis.

Continued on page 42

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP let their horns do the talking as they battle it out for mates and territory.

A DESERT TORTOISE (below) ventures from its underground burrow to seek out grass and other foliage. Eventually, hikers will look down into a boulder-choked canyon full of at least 100 verdant fan palms. Many of these oases thrive out of fault lines in narrow canyons where they can suck up available groundwater. Ironically, though, as much as an oasis breathes life into the desert and offers wildlife a water source, a flash flood in the desert can wipe out a whole stand of fan palms. Each healthy, mature fan palm can weigh three tons and produce approximately 350,000 seeds. Birds, insects and mammals enjoy eating the palm fruit, and as they do, they spread the seeds around to germinate, promoting future fan palms to grow elsewhere in the desert. One of the desert’s mainstays, the coyote is especially adept at spreading seeds around. They eat the fruit at one location and deposit their seeds elsewhere as they lope throughout Joshua Tree, a Southeastern California haven for flora, fauna and hikers, too. v

Joshua Tree National Park

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SHORT LIST 13TH ANNUAL ART ABOUT AGRICULTURE THROUGH MARCH 6

IT’S MY HOUSE!

Through March 2021 | Ojai Humans have collected objects throughout our existence as functional apparatus, for the pursuit of knowledge, as status symbols, and to surround ourselves with beauty, but also as sentimental mementos and to feel a part of the wider human experience through the creative skill of others. The objects in our homes reflect our personality, interests and storytelling about our lives, selected and positioned with intent. It’s My House! reflects a new era of collecting with purpose, with an emphasis on preserving artistic legacy. Contemporary pieces by leading artists working in both the U.S. and UK are placed among modern furniture in a display that encourages you to sit, enjoy and reflect. Undertaken in collaboration with CURA Art. Porch Gallery, 310 East Matilija Street, Ojai, 805.620.7589, porchgalleryojai.com.

Gray whales make their annual migration through the waters near Channel Islands National Park, and the boat concessionaire will be offering numerous trips to see them. Passengers may also see sea birds, sea lions, dolphins and other local wildlife while cruising the channel. Whale watching trips are 3-3.5 hours, suitable for all ages, and a fantastic way to explore the ocean environment in winter and spring. All ticket sales follow California COVID-19 protocols and procedures. Trips start at $29. 3550 Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard; 1691 Spinnaker Drive, #105B, Ventura; 805.642.1393; islandpackers.com.

EVENTS AT MEDITATION MOUNT Through Feb. 27 | Ojai

The Sanctuary at Meditation Mount offers several opportunities to focus your intentions while communing with nature.

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THROUGH FEB. 27

13TH ANNUAL ART ABOUT AGRICULTURE

Through March 6 | Santa Paula The Ag Art Alliance was formed in 2007 by Santa Paula artists Gail Pidduck and John Nichols. The purpose of the annual Art About Agriculture exhibit is to promote awareness of agriculture by using art to explore its many facets — from workers to water, from machinery to fields, to the food that goes on our plates. Since 2010, the juried show, which features the work of several artists, has been exhibited at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Also on view through May 8: En Plein Air: An Exploration of Malibu and Ventura County, featuring California Art Club. The museum is open Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays, 12-4 p.m. Santa Paula Art Museum, 117 North 10th Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.5554, www.santapaulaartmuseum.org.

ONE MAN-ONE WOMAN/PAUL WHITEHEAD-TRISHA VAN CLEEF

WILD SPECTACLE: AN EVENING WITH JANISSE RAY JAN. 28

Through March 3 | Ojai Paul Whitehead will share space with his alter ego Trisha Van Cleef for a very special two-month exhibit. Paul’s work had always been idea driven, complicated images that required lots of drawing and laborious technique, the use of perspective and surrealistic mind bending visual tricks that took months to complete. Trisha’s work was a reaction to this way of working. She was spontaneous, noncerebral and emotional, her works rarely taking more than half an hour to complete. Paul’s exhibit will run through Feb. 3. Trisha will exhibit Feb. 4-March 3 with a reception on Saturday, Feb. 26, 7– 9 p.m. Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, 805.646.0117, www.ojaiartcenter.org.

WINTER WHALE WATCHING EXCURSIONS WITH ISLAND PACKERS Through April 15 | Ventura, Oxnard Island Packers will be offering winter whale watching excursions off the coast in the beautiful Santa Barbara Channel.

Photo by Nancy Marshall 44

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| JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Self-guided meditation sessions are offered in the morning (11 a.m.-1 p.m.) and afternoon (3:30-5:30 p.m.) every Wednesday and Saturday, with sound meditation on Fridays (3:305:30 p.m.) and Sundays (10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and sunset yoga every Tuesday (4-5 p.m.). In February, enjoy “Signs of Hope: New Stories Shaping a Better World” (Feb. 13) and a concert by Phillip Graulty (Feb. 19). All experiences take place outside. Attendance is limited and registration is required. $10$65. 10340 Reeves Road, Ojai. For full schedule of events, registration and more, visit meditationmount.org.

WILD SPECTACLE: AN EVENING WITH JANISSE RAY

Jan. 28 | Camarillo/Online Janisse Ray, the bestselling author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood is back with a new memoir, Wild Spectacle. Looking for adventure and self-discovery, Janisse Ray has repeatedly immersed herself in wildness. Ray documents experiences that are rare in an age of increasingly virtual, urban life, alongside disappearing habitat, declining biodiversity and climate change. From Alaska to Central America, she questions what it means to travel as a woman, speculates on the impacts of ecotourism, and wonders if future generations will make substantive change. An online conservation seminar series presented by the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology. Event is free or by donation and takes place on Friday, Jan. 28, 6-7:30 p.m. via Zoom. www.wfvz.org.

ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA: THE MUSICAL

Through Feb. 27 | Moorpark High Street Arts Center’s delightful musical kicks of its 2022 theatrical season. Bright, spirited and magical Matilda rises above her difficult circumstances with a family that doesn’t understand her to find joy and friendship through her school friends and a kindred spirit and mother figure in her beloved teacher, Miss Honey. Tickets: $23-$25. High Street Arts Center, 45 East High Street, Moorpark, 805.529.8700, highstreetartscenter.com.

READY TO BUY?! CONSIDERING SELLING??? SOLD & WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

JUST LISTED!

199 S. CATALINA ST., VENTURA

3185 PREBLE AVE., VENTURA

2 bedrooms, 1 bath, 996 SF

3 bedrooms, 1 bath, 1293 SF

Offered at $865,000

SOLD AT $800,000

SOLD & WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

8134 MEDFORD ST., VENTURA

3157 MOSS LANDING, OXNARD

4 beds 3 baths 2,448 SF

3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1908 SF

SOLD & WE CAN SELL YOURS, TOO!

SOLD at $975,000

SOLD at $660,000

HOMES SOLD

AVERAGE PRICE

➡

VENTANA HOME SALES INDEX

-40.1%

2030 DEL REY PL., OXNARD

1273-74 RICE RD., OJAI

3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 1893 SF

3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 1032 SF

SOLD at $695,000

+9.8%

Your Home Advertised Here!

JANUARY 2022 VS. 2021

CAMARILLO

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

2021

2022

76 $743,300

51 $884,200

7 $874,400

10 $661,100

FILLMORE

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

39 $850,300

17 $990,900

22 $782,700

18 $1,122,900

14 $540,100

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

9 $636,500

13 $998,900

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

104 $690,000

60 $886,700

59 $890,900

37 $1,079,100

82 $790,200

39 $867,900

531

318

CALL NOW!

HONESTY • INTEGRITY • COMMITMENT • RESULTS

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE VENTURA

159 $1,803,900

11 $1,287,200

96 $723,500

48 $827,300

OXNARD

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

2022

22 $449,200

THOUSAND OAKS

OJAI

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

2021

SIMI VALLEY

MOORPARK

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE SANTA PAULA

NEWBURY PARK

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

PORT HUENEME

SOLD at $325,000

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE TOTAL # OF SALES

Ventana Monthly Home Sales Index is presented each month as part of the real estate section. The figures are sourced from sales reported to MLS for the period of 01/25/22. Ventana Monthly Home Sales Index © Ventana Monthly, 2022.

CALL TODAY!

805-856-9350

www.BlakeMashburn.com DRE# 01065624

Everest

All info deemed accurate, but not guaranteed. If your property is currently listed for sale, please disregard our active marketing.

805-836-4321

www.BuyandSellwithZell.com DRE# 01995643

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

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Now May Be The Best Time To Sell Your Home SOLD!

SOLD!

Tina Comden 805 218 5926

Bob Ridgway 805 320 1811 Homes in this sought after neighborhood don’t come on the market often. Now is your chance! 4 BR, 2 BTH bath ranch style home w/pool. Just in time for the holidays! $975,000 Call Tina Comden (805) 218-5926

Highly desirable single story in one of Ventura’s favorite neighborhoods. 3 BR, 2.5 BTH plus den, remodeled kitchen with granite counters, plantations shutters throughout. $975,000 Call Tina Comden (805) 218-5926

Sophisticated industrial showcase in the heart of Downtown across from City Hall. $879,000 Call Albert Barosso (805) 901-3654

Coastlands Real Estate Group is proud to give back to our community on behalf of every real estate transaction.

We are a local real estate group with a passion for giving back to our community. For every home bought or sold through us, we will “give back” a portion of our commission to one of our local partner charities who are helping to change the world!

Y EA

DRE#01060428

Cha nge hom e s , Cha nge Live s TI LIS

Office: 805-351-3500

CRB

831 High Point Drive, Ventura

4 beds, 3 baths, 2,449 sq ft. This is the life! Prepare to be impressed by the magnificent ocean, island & city light views. Rare opportunity to purchase a contemporary Craftsman style home with unobstructed panoramic views from Point Mugu to Santa Cruz Island. With over 2400 square feet and 4 bedrooms plus 3 bathrooms, this dream home has gorgeous new finishes throughout and GE Café Professional appliances in the cook’s kitchen. This enviable and exclusive property is sure to impress the most discerning buyer. $1,895,000

Eric & Janet Baucom

DRE #01253080 / DRE #02045585

COMING SOON! 3+2 River Park Condo Coming Late Feburary!

(805) 795-2001 • eric@coastlandsgroup.com • www.coastlandsgroup.com 46

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Albert Barosso 805 901 3654

M M U NI T

CRBRealEstate.com

VING OUR ER CO

EXCELLENCE IN REAL ESTATE

RS OF

Inventory is at an all-time low. Time may be now to get top dollar!

| JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

HOMES Ideal Homes ideal

NEW LISTING ~ THIS IS THE LIFE!

Prepare to be impressed by the magnificent ocean, island & city light views. Rare opportunity to purchase a contemporary Craftsman style home with unobstructed panoramic views from Point Mugu to Santa Cruz Island. With over 2400 square feet and 4 bedrooms plus 3

bathrooms, this dream home has gorgeous new finishes throughout and GE Café Professional appliances in the cook’s kitchen. This enviable and exclusive property is sure to impress the most discerning buyer. Contact Eric & Janet Baucom with Coastlands Group at 805-795-2001.

BEDROOMS:

BATHROOMS:

SQ FT:

2,449

PRICE:

$1,895,000

RARE OPPORTUNITY ON AGNUS DRIVE!

Nestled along the old growth canopy of sought after and rarely available Agnus Drive, is this masterfully reconfigured 1950s abode featuring refinished original hardwood floors, a warm wood burning fireplace

and an abundance of light emitting from the prolific garden! Presented by Laurie Rutledge & Derek Berthold, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury. Visit LaurieRutledge.com today! 805.340.4854

DREAMY MANDALAY SHORES BEACH HOME

Dreamy Mandalay Shores beach home with incredible usable outdoor space! With parking for at least six vehicles in the large driveway and garage, vinyl fencing and gates, newer concrete, a welcoming courtyard, a large backyard with turf, concrete, landscape, a fire pit and a hot tub, and a spacious deck, this home provides the backdrop for the ultimate in indooroutdoor coastal living! Only a block from Mandalay Beach Road, and two blocks from the beach, this well-located property can serve as a full-time residence or beach getaway. Extensively updated in 2017, the home features Santa Barbara smooth stucco, updated light fixtures, wood-look tile in the main living spaces, a beautiful open kitchen with high ceilings and stone counters and a flexible floorplan. As a traditional home, the primary suite is downstairs with a large walk-in closet, gor-

geous bath and garden access via a bonus room or downstairs family room, which could also make a great home office! This entire level could also serve as a guest suite offering total privacy from the upstairs. The second level features the open-concept kitchen and great room, deck, spacious bathroom and two bedrooms. Storage is plentiful throughout the home. Newer appliances are included. Mandalay Shores is an idyllic beach community with so much to offer. Local hallmarks include the pristine Channel Islands Harbor for boating, stand-up paddle boarding, fishing and other water sports; the sandy beaches of the Shores and Hollywood Beach; incredible surfing in SilverStrand; plus dining, shopping and fantastic walking paths in Seabridge. Enjoy the Sunday farmers’ market in the harbor, as well as dining al fresco at the variety of waterside restaurants,

including some with live entertainment! The Mandalay Shores community is less than 9 miles to either The Collection in RiverPark or Downtown Ventura, both of which offer dining, retail and entertainment. If buying a beach home is one of your resolutions, hurry on this one! Move in today, entertain tonight! 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, Approx. 1695 SF. For additional information, contact Ariel Palmieri, Coldwell Banker Global Luxury, 805-746-2070.

BEDROOMS:

BATHROOMS:

SQ FT:

1,695

PRICE:

$1,500,000

HERE IT IS! SPANISH STYLE HOME IN MID-TOWN VENTURA

BEDROOMS:

BATHROOMS:

PRICE:

Your Guide To Luxury Living Throughout Ventura County

$975,000

HERE IT IS! THAT 1920’s SPANISH STYLE HOME IN MID-TOWN VENTURA, YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! Cherished. Charming. Sunny. Well Maintained. Well Located. YUP! And It’s almost all original, just as you’d wished for! Hardwood floors in the living room, dining room & bedrooms. Fireplace

in the living room. Formal dining room. Kitchen with breakfast nook. Bathroom with most all original features. Interior laundry. Detached patio room/office/guest room. Detached garage. Concrete driveway. Alley access. Refrigerator, washer, dryer negotiable. Walking distance to the beach, restaurants,

coffee houses & more! HURRY! Blake Mashburn, DRE #01065624, Century 21 Everest, 805368-0202

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

BEDROOMS:

BATHROOMS:

SQ FT:

996

PRICE:

$865,000

ventana

SHORT LIST OTTMAR LIEBERT AND LUNA NEGRA

FEB. 10

VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

Through Feb. 13 | Ojai Winner of the 2013 Tony Award for Best Play, this playful Chekhov parody from the offbeat mind of Christopher Durang offers siblings who bicker and dicker, drink liquor and snicker in an old farmhouse on a Buck County, Pennsylvania cherry orchard. Movie-star sister Masha dresses up as Spike dresses down to the delight of (almost) everyone! Directed by Taylor Kasch. Ojai Art Center, 113 South Montgomery Street, Ojai, 805.640.8797, ojaiact.org.

LOS FEST AND NATIVE PLANT FEST

ROCKAPELLA

Feb. 5-12 | Oxnard The Oxnard Performing Arts Center invites one and all to two great community events. Los Fest on Saturday, Feb. 5, will feature live music, art, food, speakers, interactive activities and more. An all-ages, family-friendly event. More details to be announced soon. The following weekend, on Feb. 12, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., join other gardeners for the venue’s first-ever Native Plant Fest, bringing together plant-inspired culture, traditions and creativity, with a special performance by Sage Against the Machine. 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard, 805.388.8147, www.oxnardperformingarts.com.

FEB. 11

OTTMAR LIEBERT AND LUNA NEGRA

Feb. 10 | Agoura Hills Ottmar Liebert is one of the most successful instrumental artists of the past decade, thrilling audiences throughout the world and releasing a catalog of classic recordings. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, all of his albums have attained gold and/or platinum status, and he continues to tour the world extensively, to the delight of audiences in the United States, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. $28-$44. The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills, wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com.

NEW WEST SYMPHONY: OUR AMERICAN ROOTS

ROCKAPELLA FEB. 26-27

Feb. 11 | Thousand Oaks Rockapella has become one of the world’s most sophisticated, lasting and imitated vocal groups around today. Since the early 1990s when they first achieved national television fame on PBS, they’ve toured the globe and provided a funky, powerful soundtrack to several generations of vocal music fans. With buckets of catchy original pop songs and complete contemporary revisions of sparkling Motown, pop and soul classics, this group has always been one to watch. Scherr Forum Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805.449.2787, bapacthousandoaks.com.

Led by vivacious cross-over cellist, Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello is cello like you’ve never heard before. From down home blues with a wailing cello to virtuosic stompin’ bluegrass, Dirty Cello is a band that gets your heart thumping and your toes tapping! $20. NAMBA Performing Arts Space, 47 S. Oak Street, Ventura, 805.628.9250, www.nambaarts.com.

THINGS I KNOW TO BE TRUE

Feb. 25-April 3 | Santa Paula Bob and Fran Price have been together for over 30 years. It should be time for them to slow down and smell the roses – until the lives of their four adult children come crashing through the back door. Set over the course of one year, the grown children try to redefine their lives separately from the hopes and dreams of their parents. Darkly funny with elements of drama, the production is presented by Santa Paula Theater Center and directed by Jessi May Stevenson. $22-24. 125 South Seventh Street, Santa Paula, 805.525.4645, www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.

NEW WEST SYMPHONY: OUR AMERICAN ROOTS

Feb. 26-27 | Thousand Oaks, Camarillo Be it Hollywood’s “Silver Screen” or its majestic mountains, rivers and vast plains, America inspires great music and art! Czech-born composer Antonín Dvořák traveled our bustling urban centers and spacious rural landscapes at the end of the 19th century and wove a beautiful tapestry of American traditional styles with Western European symphonic traditions, leading to the work of Aaron Copland and Joan Tower. John Williams and Erich Korngold took that inspiration and created epic scores that have become the soundtracks of our lives. Violin superstar Elena Urioste takes to the stage with Michael Christie and the New West Symphony for this kaleidoscopic event celebrating America’s musical heritage. Performances at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks on Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. and Rancho Campana Performing Arts Center in Camarillo on Jan. 30 at 3 p.m. newwestsymphony.org.

ON THE HORIZON SPAMILTON: AN AMERICAN PARODY March 1-6 | Thousand Oaks

Don’t miss this “convulsively funny” (NY Times) parody from the comic mastermind behind the long-running hit Forbidden Broadway?. After tearing it up in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Spamilton: An American Parody will stage a singing, dancing, comedy revolution in Thousand Oaks for a limited time only. The Huffington Post raves “you don’t have to see

DIRTY CELLO

Feb. 19 | Ventura From China to Italy, and all over the U.S., Dirty Cello brings the world a high energy and unique spin on blues and bluegrass.

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| JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022

Hamilton to have side-splitting fun at Spamilton.” $54-$70. Scherr Forum Theatre, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, 2100 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 805.449.2787, bapacthousandoaks.com.

Rutledge Results

From the Eastside to the Westside, And the Hillside to the Seaside

LAURIE RUTLEDGE

DEREK BERTHOLD

CalRE#01156115

CalRE#02038434

REALTOR® / B.S. Industrial Design

REALTOR / M.B.A. ®

805.340.4854

805.869.8005

RANKED TOP 500 AGENT

Derek@VenturaRE.com

Laurie4Homes@aol.com

www.VenturaRE.com

www.LaurieRutledge.com

We’d LOVE to be your Realtors! 216AGNUS.COM

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-4

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OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1-4

NESTLED ALONG THE OLD GROWTH CANOPY OF SOUGHT AFTER AGNUS DRIVE

216 AGNUS DRIVE, VENTURA | $975,000 Masterfully reconfigured 1950s abode. 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with approx. 1,414 sq.ft. Beautifully refinished original hardwood floors, wood burning fireplace, custom gourmet kitchen, and remodeled baths. French doors lead into the private backyard and patio surrounded by bountiful fruit trees and succulents.

ST I

1738ORCHARD.COM

WELCOME TO THIS QUIRKY GATED OJAI SHANGRI-LA!

1738 ORCHARD DRIVE, OJAI | $825,000

Approx. 1/2 acre gently sloping lot studded with oak, pine, citrus and fruit trees, your opportunities are boundless. Original 1 bedroom, 1 bath house built in 1953, plus a 2-story structure w/ artists studio, laundry room, 3/4 bath, 2 multi-purpose rooms and a detached 2-car garage/carport. garage/carport. LI ST IN G

679 ADIRONDACK AVENUE

600MONTEVISTA.COM

NE W

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DREAM HOME AWAITS!

MAGICAL VIEWS OVERLOOKING THE HERITAGE VALLEY TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN

VENTURA | $479,900 Spectacular Skyline lot with fabulous ocean, mountain and city light views. Build your custom dream home!

SANTA PAULA | $2,155,000 Two acre parcel with a resort style pool, grotto spa, sports courts and more!

The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service, and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Realty are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2020 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Banker® System is comprised of company owned offices which are owned by a subsidiary of Realogy Brokerage Group LLC and franchised offices which are independently owned and operated. The Coldwell Banker System fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

Uncompromising in service. service. Uncompromising standards standards in

High service standards aren’t just a philosophy — they are non-negotiable, High service standards aren’t just a philosophy — they are non-negotiable, define who we are, and how we fulfill our greater purpose. define who we are, and how we fulfill our greater purpose. We understand both the massive financial and intimate personal impact buying and selling a home has on every We understand massive financial intimate impact buying a home has onthat every client. It’s why weboth live the by the highest serviceand standards in personal our industry, ensuring youand getselling a quality experience client. It’s to why wepersonal live by the highest in every our industry, you get quality is tailored your needs. It’s service why ‘we standards do more’ for client noensuring matter what, anda why ourexperience approach isthat is tailored to every your personal needs. why ‘we do more’ for every client no matter what, and why our approach is to always do possible thing weIt’s can. to always do every possible thing we can. To learn more visit villagesite.com or reach out to one of our local Ventura agents at 805.969.8900. To learn more visit villagesite.com or reach out to one of our local Ventura agents at 805.969.8900. LO CA L LY OW N E D | G LO BA L LY C O N N ECT E D | V I L L AG ES I T E .C O M | 8 0 5 . 9 6 9 . 8 9 0 0 | D RE 0 12 0 6 7 3 4 All hasLnot verified we E doD not guarantee We recommend that own LOinformation CA L LYprovided OW isNdeemed E D |reliable, G LObutBA LYbeen CO N Nand ECT | V I L Lit.AG ES I T E .C Obuyers M | make 8 0their 5.9 6 inquiries. 9 . 8 9 0 0 | D RE 0 12 0 6 7 3 4 All information provided is deemed reliable, but has not been verified and we do not guarantee it. We recommend that buyers make their own inquiries.

Welcome Home

Ariel Palmieri CalDRE #01501968

Karen Stein

CalDRE #01505059

Juliet Esquibias CalDRE #01831073

Exceptional Real Estate within Ventura, Santa Barbara & Los Angeles counties! ArielandKaren.com www.ArielandKaren.com SALE PENDING

JulietReviews.com www.JulietReviews.com

NEW LISTING

5113 Whitecap Street, Mandalay Shores

Well-located Mandalay Shores beach home with a 3-car garage including an extra-tall bay for a recreational vehicle, boat, truck or van. A large deck off one of the bedrooms offers the ideal vantagepoint for incredible mountain views. One downstairs bedroom and two upstairs bedrooms offer flexible living space. There is a very large great room with plentiful windows overlooking the front yard. Approx. 1,695 SF Listed for $1,149,000

SOLD

4906 Marlin Way, Mandalay Shores

Dreamy Mandalay Shores beach home with incredible indoor/outdoor space for living your beach house dream! Extensively upgraded in 2017, this home offers a one bedroom suite downstairs and two bedrooms upstairs. The living space with the kitchen and great room is on the second floor with a deck with gorgeous sunset views. Hot tub, yard with turf, covered patio plus a gated courtyard entry. Approx. 1,695 SF Listed for $1,500,000

SOLD

5151 Sealane Way, Mandalay Shores

Incredible ocean, island and sunset views! With more than 2000 SF, this home features a large living room, a spacious family room with views, plus a loft that can make a great ocean view office or reading space! Very flexible floorplan with main level kitchen. Private entry courtyard with fountain and pretty backyard too! 14 lots from the beach! Listed for $1,550,000

SOLD

160 Ojai Road, Oak View

Located within the Ojai Valley, this custom-built, gated “artist’s cottage” hideaway is nestled in Oak View 5 miles from Downtown Ojai and only 10 miles from Downtown Ventura, the beach and pier. On almost ¾ of an acre, this unique home is cabin-like and is perched at the top of a driveway allowing for breathtaking views. Incredible light with lots of windows, high wood-beam ceilings and oak trees all around. Multiple decks for entertaining and relaxing. Sold for $1,030,000

SOLD

70 N. Ann Street, Ventura

Seeking a project with incredible potential? Vintage home near Downtown in need of renovation. Built in 1893 on a deep lot, the Victorian home has a traditional floorplan with high ceilings, a grand foyer, an oversized parlor, and a downstairs bedroom. Upstairs, four bedrooms all have walk-in closets, and one bedroom features sweeping ocean views. Bring your imagination and your contractor to restore, or explore possibilities for an ADU. Sold for $856,000

10796 Sunflower Street, Ventura

Turn-key, single-story home in East Ventura awaits you! Built in 1998, this home features 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and an open floor plan. Jigh ceilings, plantation shutters, and a dining area big enough for a sizeable table for entertaining. The large kitchen has plenty of cabinets, a center island, and a convenient breakfast bar. It leads to a den with cozy fireplace, room for more seating, and recessed lighting. The primary bedroom has an en-suite, walk-in closet, and a beautiful slider to the large private backyard, patio, and a useful shed. Sold for $743,000

SOLD

1511 Mandalay Beach Road, Mandalay Shores

Stunning beachfront contemporary! This award-winning custom home is on a large lot on a deep, sandy beach. High ceilings, huge windows, skylights and an open floor plan create a bright modern home with dramatic ocean and island views. Approximately 4,000 square feet, with 3+3 in the main residence and a 1+1 guest apartment. Sold for $4,491,000

SOLD

317 Homer Avenue, Ventura

Incredible architectural home nestled between Loma Vista and Foothill. Approx. 2488 SF with three bedrooms, three bathrooms, and extensive living and entertaining space. Dramatic style with high ceilings, large windows, and beautiful stone flooring. Sold for $1,250,000

SOLD

3705 Islander Walk, Oxnard

Gorgeous townhome style condo. No Mello Roos! 3 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, more than 1800 SF. Park views, spacious patio and balcony, immaculate condition. Across Victoria from Seabridge! Two-car attached garage. Sold for $672,000

(805) 616-4040 • (805) 746-2070 • (805) 824-2004

Juliet Esquibias

Ariel Palmieri

Karen Stein

Lynn’s Jewelry Studio ‘I love thee with a love that shall not die, till the sun grows cold and the stars grow old.’ Bayard Taylor

4572 Telephone Road, #906, Ventura Lynnsjewelry.com

805.642.5500

Quality Repairs • Professional Restorations • Custom Design • Appraisals • Gold, Silver & Estate Purchasing All our custom designs have been made from 100% recycled gold for more than 40 years. Respect for the earth is not a new idea at Lynns.

Jewelry Classes are Back! Call to reserve your spot!

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