Ventana October 2015 by Ventana Monthly Magazine

ROLLING FORWARD CATHERINE MEEK AND THE UPSURGE OF SCHOOL ON WHEELS

OCTOBER 2015 700 E. MAIN ST., VENTURA, CA 93001

MAGIC IN THE AIR From Ojai to Broadway—and back SHOOT FIRST The art and business of image creation STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

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THE FINAL COUNTDOWN A Camarillo museum prepares for liftoff

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CONTENTS

FIRST IN VENTURA COUNTY

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editor’s note

OCTOBER 2015

6 Fishing for a Brighter Future

FE ATUR E S 11 The Final Countdown

about town

A newly expanded museum prepares to take flight

23 Magic in the Air

profile

From Ojai to Broadway—and back

35 Shoot First

conversation

Chris Zsarnay on the business of image creation giving back 41 Rolling Forward School on Wheels ED Catherine Meek

D E PAR TME NTS

community

8 Green Living Expo

Focus on Water Conservation

short list

46 A preview of local happenings

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COVER: Catherine Meek, the executive director of School on Wheels, at her home in Ojai. Photo by Michael Moore

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v EDITOR’S NOTE

MICHAEL MOORE

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FISHING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

he first hook was set when I learned that Catherine Meek (cover + p. 41), executive director of School on Wheels, doesn’t draw a salary. There are loads of nonprofits in the Tri-Counties area, but I don’t know of any other whose ED forgoes a paycheck in order to better fulfill the mission statement. What ultimately reeled me in, though, was that Catherine got her start with School on Wheels by volunteering in Skid Row. In fact, she was the organization’s first volunteer in that Downtown LA netherworld. Skid Row is no joke. This is a place that makes the Ventura River bottom look like a Ritz-Carlton, a 54-block apocalyptic vision of Los Angeles where thousands of inhabitants sleep beneath tarps, in urine-soaked cardboard boxes, wherever they can. The makeshift camp now represents our nation’s largest concentration of homeless people. You don’t volunteer in Skid Row for a pat on the back. There are no tax benefits. You do it guilelessly, with purity of intent, because you’re passionate about a cause—in this case, education for homeless children, which Meek considers an inalienable right as well as an economic imperative for our society. The fact that Catherine eschews a salary is more than admirable: it’s an indication that School on Wheels is everything it claims to be. In terms of nonprofit leadership, she represents the highest standard, the sort of authenticity that all charitable nonprofits, as tax-exempt “public benefit” corporations, should have as a matter of ethical guidance, not to mention legal compliance. Our Conversation article, featuring commercial photographer Chris Zsarnay (p. 35), diverges from the typical path in that we generally feature artists rather than professionals who’ve

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pursued the business side of an art form. Chris is a rare breed: the non-starving artist. He pulls it off by tempering his artistic appetite with his clients’ needs, and this seemed like a good opportunity for us to balance our own art-oriented skew by focusing on a decidedly practical form of photography. We also visit Laura Dekkers (p. 23), an Ojai native who pursued her dream to the neon lights of Broadway. The difference between Laura and most of the starry-eyed legions who preceded her is that she actually realized her dream. She had every intention of staying in NYC, too, until she had kids and came to see the familial value of her hometown. The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (p. 11), located in Camarillo, is a place we’ve wanted to cover for quite a while, although it doesn’t have the flesh-andblood editorial hook we typically lean toward. With a $10 million expansion of its museum in the works, this local “secret” is poised to become the largest branch of the CAF in California. I’m all for preserving the past, but I do admit to mixed feelings about the glorification of fighter planes. In spite of that, my wife and I recently took our kids to the Point Mugu Air Show. Strange how little has changed (swap Russians for terrorists) since I was a kid watching the Blue Angels scream back and forth between ruler-straight crop rows and the familiar silhouette of Sandstone Peak. It is a distinctly Ventura County scene. And I’ve come to see hope in those technological marvels. For all our foibles, we are an astonishingly capable species. It makes me wonder just how much more we could accomplish if we were to dedicate a similar amount of energy and resources to domestic issues like homelessness, education, healthcare, and the welfare of our nation’s children. – Matt Katz mattk@ventanamonthly.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF Matt Katz ART DIRECTOR T Christian Gapen ASSISTANT EDITOR Maxine Hurt CONTRIBUTORS T Christian Gapen Susan Lewis Rudy Loupias Michael Montano Michael Moore Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer Ryan A. Smith Mark Storer Leslie A. Westbrook GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Bret Hooper Tim Twaddle ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Warren Barrett Marni Howe Barbara Kroon Diane Newman Dave Stephens CIRCULATION Teresa Wann-Davis HUMAN RESOURCES Andrea Baker BUSINESS MANAGER Linda Lam ACCOUNTING Sharon Huie VP OF FINANCE Michael Nagami PUBLISHER David Comden

ADVERTISING sales@ventanamonthly.com EDITORIAL mattk@ventanamonthly.com PHONE 805.648.2244 FAX 805.648.2245 MAILING ADDRESS 700 East Main Street Ventura, CA 93001 Ventana Monthly is direct mailed to 25,000 select homeowners and distributed at over 600 business locations each month. Total circulation is 33,000. ©2015 Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

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COMMUNITY

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PHOTO BY SUSAN LEWIS PHOTO BY SUSAN LEWIS

GREEN LIVING EXPO FOCUS ON WATER CONSERVATION Ventura’s Fox Fine Jewelry recently hosted a Green Living Expo with a focus on water conservation. With sponsorship from the Downtown Ventura Organization and Cumulus Broadcasting, the event featured conservation-themed vendors, a live remote broadcast, wine and beer tasting, and free desserts. The Expo was the closing event for Fox Fine Jewelry’s Golden Lawn $1,000 Shopping Spree contest.

1. Representing Ten Dash One Hair Studio: (bottom to top) Kristi Estes, Kristi Rodgers, Heidi Nelson, Lesley White, Brittany Smith, and Kayla Phipps. 2. Kristi Rodgers and Brittany Smith confer with newly transplanted residents from Portland, Oregon. 3. Golden Lawn $1,000 Shopping Spree Contest Winners

(l. to r.) Brandi Bassler, Bailey Bassler, Cheryl von Chmielewski, and Wolfgang von Chmielewski with Fox Fine Jewelry’s Debbie and George Fox. 4. Steve Perez and Steve Marshall of Cumulus Broadcasting. 5. Debbie Fox with Meredith Hart of the Downtown Ventura Organization, Kelly-marie Jones of Cumulus Broadcasting, and Molly Ensminger of M&M Event Planning. 6. Edward “Iggy” Sharp and Collin Boys of Ventura Water.

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PHOTO BY SUSAN LEWIS

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ABOUT TOWN

“China Doll,” the C-46 that launched the Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force.

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN In Camarillo, a newly expanded museum prepares to take flight. BY MARK STORER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL MONTANO

EING A BEST-KEPT SECRET IS GOOD FOR SOME THINGS. A local corner restaurant with your favorite table comes to mind. Or perhaps a little-known hiking path shared with just a few people. But when it comes to museums, they’re not meant to be secret. And word about the one located smack in the middle of the Camarillo airport is getting out… fast. The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, or CAF, has been housing and rehabilitating WWII era aircraft since 1981, when the wing opened with one plane: a C-46 transport at Van Nuys Airport. In less than a year, the wing moved to Camarillo and set up two hangars, one for the museum and one for aircraft maintenance and repair. The members are part of the Commemorative Air Force, which recently moved its headquarters from Midland to Dallas, Texas and has a global reach of committed pilots, mechanics, historians, aficionados, and others whose motto is, “We keep ‘em flying.” At the CAF museum in Camarillo, visitors now pay a $7 donation

for a tour of the facility and up close and personal views of 12 different airplanes, including one of only four Japanese Mitsubishi Zeros still flying in the world. There’s a British Spitfire, rebuilt in part by mechanics from England, that served in WWII. There are also an American P-51 Mustang, an F6F Hellcat, and F8F Bearcat fighter planes, along with the C-46. There is also a rare Marine Corps PBJ bomber that was meticulously researched and renovated over the course of more than 20 years. Now, the So. Cal. Wing is expanding to nearly three times its size, with current construction more than doubling the 30,000-squarefoot two-hangar facility. According to the wing’s commander, the aptly named Ron Missildine, the new hangar should be finished by November and will also house the Camarillo airport headquarters of the Experimental Aircraft Association. The two organizations share some members, and the facility will help turn the CAF’s So. Cal Wing into the largest branch of the CAF in California, where there are currently seven }} wings. OCTOBER 2015

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“Within the next year, we’ll not only have this new hangar, but after that we’ll also build to the east of the current hangars for a $10 million expansion of the museum,” said Pat Brown, public information officer for the So. Cal. Wing. “The new construction, when its finished, will more than triple its current size and have a number of exhibits and flying aircraft,” she said. The current construction to the west of the hangars cost $1.3 million and was funded by donations from Si and Betty Robin, owners of Sensor Systems, Inc., and a $375,000 grant by the Texas headquarters of CAF. “The Texas headquarters is interested in us becoming a base,” said Brown. “CAF airplanes are either flyable or they’re being made flyable. That was the intent from the start of CAF in the 1950s.” The So. Cal. Wing’s purpose is to keep the planes in the air. A base, by contrast, is a larger operation, according to Brown, that allows the CAF to house not only flyable planes but also non-flyable ones that have historic value. “Sooner or later, a time

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will come when many of these planes aren’t flyable anymore,” Brown said. “But we’ll want to have a place for them to be seen.” For now and well into the foreseeable future, there is enough equipment and parts to keep the low thrum and rattle of prop-driven engines hurtling through the sky. On any day over Ventura County, the familiar low, guttural sound of the WWII era fighters is a sharp contrast to the smaller, modern private planes or the roar of modern supersonic jets flying in and out of Pt. Mugu Naval Air Station. In a small office across from the CAF hangars, Brown keeps a notebook tracing the history of the organization and its roots that include such practices as giving every member the rank of Colonel; there are also humorous letters from the organization’s fictitious founder, Colonel Jethro E. Culpepper. “I wanted to make sure that this history is known here, in case something happens to me or the others that know these things,” Brown said,

echoing for the So. Cal Wing the larger mission of the CAF as a whole. The CAF started in the 1950s as the Confederate Air Force. The popular myth is that the organization changed its name because the word “Confederate” was too polarizing. In fact, the Confederate name got started as a joke when Lloyd Nolen, the founder of CAF, had a P-51 Mustang he wanted to preserve in Texas near his home. One morning, he came out to find his brother had painted “Confederate Air Force” across the plane to mock the tribute. The name stuck. But commemorative was always a better choice for a grass roots group who went from a semi-serious hobby of flying the old airplanes to what it now says is “an urgent mission to preserve history,” and in 2002, the name changed. Steve Barber is the So. Cal. Wing’s executive officer and a pilot who is licensed to fly all of the aircraft the organization owns. As a pilot and self-professed history nut, Barber, who works as a

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stockbroker by day, said that working with the CAF is an honor. “I pinch myself sometimes because I can’t believe I get to fly these planes,” Barber said. “You have to remember that the people who were sent to fly these planes in serious combat conditions were nothing more than kids. They were 19 and 20 years old, and had a total of maybe 250 hours of flying time when they were introduced to combat.” Barber, who is heading up efforts to raise the $10 million needed to expand the museum, has had a few close calls of his own. In one instance flying the F8F Bearcat, the engine froze, leaving Barber with few options other than an emergency call to Burbank Airport, the closest runway he could find. The tower shut down operations and Barber brought the plane down “deadstick”—without any power. It took weeks of repair to get the plane back out to Camarillo again. Pilots like Barber fly air show circuits around the U.S., and occasionally pack up the planes on ships to go to overseas air shows. Along with a number of other fundraisers, the air shows are the bread and

ABOVE: “Executive Sweet,” a privately owned B-25 Mitchell WWII bomber. TOP: The museum hangar, with a good portion of the CAF’s WWII fighter craft (and other planes) in view.

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butter of the organization, keeping them visible to the public and bringing in dollars. The So. Cal Wing also rents out its facility to various groups to hold what both Brown and Barber refer to as a unique entertainment venue. Barber’s wife, LaTanya, serves as the hangar’s event coordinator, and everything from weddings to corporate parties to small concerts are staged there. In one instance, Ventura’s Foothill Technology High School held its prom at the museum’s hangar. Between the roar of high-lead aviation fuel engines and the constant drone of building equipment cutting concrete and putting up metal walls for the new expansion, it’s hard to believe that the CAF museum is a secret. But perhaps all of that noise is not just sound and fury as the members of the So. Cal. Wing prepare for the future of preserving the past. v The CAF Museum is open six days a week (closed Mondays and certain holidays) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and houses some of the world’s rarest WWII aircraft. Docent-led tours take between one and two hours. School and group tours are available. For detailed information, visit cafsocal.com or call 805.482.0064.

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ABOVE: The WWI aviation exhibit in the newly expanded museum. LEFT: Pat Brown in front of the CAF museum hangar.

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PROFILE

MAGIC in the air From small-town Ojai to the neon lights of Broadway—and back— with voice coach Laura Dekkers.

BY LESLIE A. WESTBROOK PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY RUDY LOUPIAS

here is a wonderful saying attributed to Rabindranath Tagore that I often quote, with a caveat: “God respects me when I work, but he loves me when I sing.” I add that he (or she) hasn’t heard me sing! Recently, a respected musician heard me scatting along to a jazz CD featuring my dad on piano. He suggested that I should not only sing, but also perform at one of the Tuesday night open mic/jam nights at Squashed Grapes in Midtown Ventura. “Are you nuts?” I replied, knowing full well that although I can occasionally carry a tune, I am miles away from subjecting anyone outside of my shower or car to my vocal strains. }}

ALMOST BROADWAY: Laura Dekkers onstage at the Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio (OYES) Theatre. See ojaiyes.org

Then I thought, what the heck? Something new and different to try. Enter Laura Dekkers, voice coach. Laura teaches vocal instruction to share her passion with others. She helps singers belt out a tune Broadway style, or “Sock it to them!” in a pop song. Could she help a gal who loves jazz and ballads, I wondered? Laura has performed on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theaters across the United States and Europe, but left the lights and glamour of New York City to return to her native Ojai three years ago to raise her darling trio of young daughters in the small town’s rural atmosphere. Her credits include performing in the original Broadway cast of the Tony-nominated musical The Woman in White, by Andrew Lloyd Webber, and playing the role of Anna in Bachelor Pad at the York Theater in New York City. She also took on the role of the original Bonnie Rockne in the musical Rockne, by Laurence O’Keefe (of Legally Blonde). In addition to teaching voice and caring for Olivia, 7, Hope, 5, and Fiona, 2, Laura puts together off-the-grid weekend retreats for women who want to connect with themselves and each other “on a deep level that often includes lots of digging and even crying.” “I feel very strongly about that work as well,” she noted. “And it really is the same work: helping women find their voice and tell their story.” Laura began her singing studies at age 12 in Ventura with vocal teacher Linda Ottsen. She earned her BA in theater at Roosevelt University in Chicago, and then studied voice privately in Los Angeles with Edward Sayegh from 1998 until 2001, and in New York City with Liz Caplan from 2002 until 2012. The list of Tony Award winners and nominees she has worked with on stage includes theater luminaries Hal Prince, Susan Stroman, Diane Paulus, Kelli O’Hara, and many others who, she says, “haven’t been up for a Tony yet… but they will.” And then there was me. Even though I’m a rookie who will never see the neon lights of Broadway, Laura kindly agreed to take me through the paces of one of her lessons for this article. She had just moved into her newly remodeled home a few days before we met, and had me take off my shoes before leading me through some physical exercises. We stood in the living room and did a few stretches. Soon enough, she had me blowing up a yellow balloon. “The whole body is involved,” explained Laura. “Singing is a full-body athletic experience. The process of singing is about controlling the release of air through your vocal cords.” Hence, the balloon exercises. She was showing me how to “support my sound” in the same way she helps real singers find their own voices. She then sat at the piano and ran me through some singing exercises consisting of scales, first using the word “he,” then “la,” followed by some “laga-las” that were combined with sticking out my tongue (to relax the back of my tongue) and holding my face so my jaw

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didn’t move. I was hoping we were going to sing a song, but that wouldn’t come for some time. “I build on my students’ authentic, natural sound, and strengthen and grow that voice into one that can sing rock, pop, or classical for hours,” she says. A reluctant vocal coach, Laura had her first taste of teaching in 2005 when she taught as a Liz Caplan Vocal Studios associate in New York City and loved it. She never thought she’d leave New York—until she had children. Although Laura specializes in teaching singers who already have a foundation of vocal technique, she also loves working with talented young people who have the singing and acting bug. Her own children follow suit, and are especially fond of The King and I and The Sound of Music. Her goal is to teach singers about their own voices and provide them with the tools to keep those voices healthy and strong, since she can’t be with them in auditions, rehearsals, or in the studio. “It’s my job to not only teach people to sing correctly, but also to know what to do when it isn’t working.” Due to the intense nature of the work, she only takes on a handful of students at a time. Granted, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so my chances of being able to sing and perform a song after just one session were pretty slim. But it did give me a newfound respect for singers and the paces they need to run through on their instruments. We did sit at the piano at the end of my lesson and flip through the pages of a Broadway show tunes songbook. Most of the songs were too difficult for me. When I asked Laura if she’d sing, she reluctantly agreed, choosing a song from Showboat. The person who introduced us, Spencer Westbrook (no relation), and I are trying to convince Laura to perform a one-woman cabaret of her favorite tunes in Ventura or Ojai. Her excuse is that she’s looking for an accompanist. Is there a piano player in the house? As Laura noted at the end of our wonderful post-lesson conversation about life, birth, and other matters of the heart, “Just like athletes don’t get a six-pack after one workout, singing takes being present and grounded, focused and dedicated.” Are you going to hear me sing at an open mic night anytime soon? Don’t count on it. But if you do, it probably means I had a little too much wine—or that I took a few more lessons from the lovely Laura. As for me, I think I’ll stick to my day job. If you want to hear me sing, I’ll see ya in the shower! v So you want to sing at Carnegie Hall? It begins with a 90-minute “vocal consultation” ($150) to assess your abilities. If you pass muster, continue with individual 30-minute or one-hour sessions ($75-$150), available at a savings in a package of six. Group master classes, offered monthly, are great for beginners and new students. For more information, visit lauradekkers.com or call 310.383.4219.

ABOVE: Dekkers returned to her native Ojai to raise her daughters in a small-town atmosphere. From left: Olivia, Laura, Fiona, and Hope. Photo by Shell Dransart, Wildflower Studio Photography LEFT: Tickling the ivories and helping writer Leslie Westbrook find her voice.

OCTOBER 2015

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Adjustable beds are a specially designed mattress on top of a motorized efully_and_indicate_all_corrections_clearly.__You_will_have_a_“1st_Proof”,_“2nd_Proof”,_and_“Final_Proof”.__If_we_receive_no_proof_after_the_1st_or_2nd_ __If_we_receive_no_proof_after_the_1st_or_2nd_ base. Adjustable beds come in all sizes and are designed to fit your life_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. IssuE: oCt 2015 d_sign_at_the_bottom. ISSuE: oCt 2015 style. 1806 Goodyear Ave., Ventura (805) 658-2866 www.spencersventuramattress.com

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Providing residential and commercial window coverings in Southern California since 1975. We specialize in designing high quality Client: Spencer’sAd Mattress Ad Executive: Warren Ba Executive: Dave Stephens (805) 648-2244 treatment that bring beauty, privacy and improved comfort and Please_check_this_proof_over_carefully_and_indicate_all_corrections_clearly.__You_will_have_a_“1st_Proof”,_“2nd_Proof”,_and_“Final_Proof”.__If_we_ ly_and_indicate_all_corrections_clearly.__You_will_have_a_“1st_Proof”,_“2nd_Proof”,_and_“Final_Proof”.__If_we_receive_no_proof_after_the_1st_or_2nd_ energy efficiency to windows by installing blinds, shutters, and Proofs,_ad WIll ruN as Is.__If_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_a s_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. ISSuE: oCt 2015 custom draperies. 5917 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura (805) 642-2300 www.arjayswf.com

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There_seems_to_be_a_lot_of_confusion_ about_adjustable_beds_and_what_they_ can_do_for_you._Here’s_the_lowdown. _ adjustable_ beds_ are_ a_ specially_ designed_ mattress_ on_ top_ of_ a_ motorized_ base._ This_ base_ allows_ the_ user_ to_ elevate_ the_ head_ and_ foot_ sections_ of_ the_ bed._ Generally,_ the_ head_ up_ position_ is_ for_ reflux_ and_ snoring._The_foot_area_raises_for_better_ blood_ flow_ and_ circulation._ The_ Zero_ Gravity_Position_allows_for_no_pressure_ on_the_lower_lumbar_spinal_region. _ are_ adjustable_ beds_ the_ same_ as_ hospital_ beds?_ Definitely_ not!_ Hospital_ beds_ are_ used_ for_ raising_ and_lowering_the_patient’s_body_out_ of_the_bed;_and_they_have_permanent_ retaining_ rails._adjustable_ beds_ come_in_all_sizes,_including_a_range_ of_basic_to_deluxe_models._They_are_ designed_to_fit_YoUr_lifestyle.

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NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO Date:________ This_proof_is_to_check_for_accuracy_and_is_not_ is_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. Proofs,_ad WIll ruN as Is.__If_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sig IssuE: oCt 2015 Signature:____ (805) 648-2245 asaP keenansupplyventura.com intended_to_show_quality_of_reproduction. 1580 Saratoga Ave. Unit C, Ventura • (805) 650-1468

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NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO Date:_______________________________ NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO This_proof_is_to_check_for_accuracy_and_is_not_ Signature:___________________________ (805) 648-2245 asaP (805) 648-2245 asaP intended_to_show_quality_of_reproduction.

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For reservations Call 805-933-3444 134 North Mill St., Santa Paula www.glentavern.com

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NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO

Date:_______________________________

CONVERSATION A long exposure and a pair of strobes fired at intervals reveal two sides of photographer Chris Zsarnay, seen here in his Ventura studio. (No, the image wasn’t photoshopped.)

SHOOT FIRST Commercial photographer Chris Zsarnay on the business of “creating images.” INTERVIEW BY RYAN A. SMITH | PORTRAIT BY T CHRISTIAN GAPEN

hris Zsarnay moved to Ventura 30 years ago to become a photographer. Since then, a degree from Brooks Institute and a natural sense for the business have combined with a lot of hard work and a flash of good fortune to make him one of Ventura County’s go-to studio magicians, a shooter known for his solid eye and razor-sharp technique. We recently asked Zsarnay to share his unique path into the ultra-competitive trade of commercial photography. How did you go from an Air Force cook to a commercial photographer? I was in the Air Force in Ohio, where I met my wife. I always dreamed of being a photographer, and after we got out my wife asked me what it takes to become one. ‘I guess going to photography school,’ I said. Well, this was around 1984; there was no Internet, so I looked for leads in photography magazines. What were your options at that point? There were the Art Centers, but I really didn’t want to go there. I considered RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) and Brooks Institute. My wife is from New York, and she told

me, ‘We’re not going to Rochester, let’s go to California.’ So you packed up, moved to Ventura, and have never left? We really fell in love with Ventura. I went to Brooks from 1985-’88. We had no real plans to stay in California. We came here with no money, no place to live, just our cars. But we figured we’d give it a try. Now it’s 30 years later. What was Brooks like in the mid-’80s? Fun! (Laughs.) Fun, hard, it was great. Ernie Brooks was still there. It was before the big corporation came in and took it all over. It was very family-oriented back then. }}

OCTOBER 2015

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How many students were in your class? There were 60 of us at the beginning. There were maybe 300 or so running around the entire school. Out of 60, 20 of us graduated. As of today, I know maybe four or five of us who are still in the business. In school, what was your plan, your dream, your goal? When I entered Brooks, I had no plan, no dream, no goal. I just wanted to be a working photographer of some sort. I didn’t know if I was going to shoot weddings, or work for a magazine… What turned your focus to the commercial side? Actually, my wife met a Brooks graduate, Bill Hendricks, who was opening a studio in Ventura. He said he hired part-time assistants, and she told him I was at Brooks. I went by, spoke to Bill, and, in early ’86, started working as a commercial studio assistant. At that time, I had no idea what commercial photography was; I just wanted to help as much as I could. I ended up working for Bill full-time all the way through school, and after I graduated, I worked for him for two more years. Soon thereafter, he decided to sell the business, and that was my opportunity to take over his studio. The funny thing was, it took me about four months to convince myself that’s what I wanted to do, because I discovered commercial photography isn’t about photography. It is about business and marketing and advertising. The business side is 80 percent of it, photography 20. What is unique about your commercial photography style? I’ve always specialized in lighting: interesting, inventive ways to make products look really good. In the early days, people hired me because I lit things so much differently than anybody else in the area. I try to differentiate myself. I don’t say that we ‘take pictures,’ I say we ‘create images.’ Anybody can take a picture. When we give an image to a client, it’s something they hired us to produce because they know they can’t do it themselves. We want to give them something exceptional. What’s your favorite subject to shoot? It used to be my daughter. She was a professional skateboarder, so I traveled with her for about five years. I loved photographing her. If I had to do something creative on my own, I’d do more abstracts of something really old, something simple. But I really like to shoot things that pay us money (laughs). Those are the most fun.

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ABOVE: Zsarnay shot this restored 1966 VW Beetle Cabriolet in Santa Paula at dusk, using multiple exposures and lighting techniques. The photo was then composited and light painted in Photoshop to obtain the desired effect. OPPOSITE, FROM TOP: An advertising image for Seminis Seed Company, this deceptively simple shot required just the right amount of glow and edge lighting to make it pop. Shortduration high-speed strobes capture a lime and soda splash in an image created for a Brooks Institute photography and lighting demo.

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If money wasn’t a factor, what would you shoot? I would have loved to shoot professional golf in the mid-1980s. Ideally, would you shoot digital or film? Digital. It’s just so much easier. It’s funny, when we used to shoot film we really had to know what we were doing. It’s unfortunate that, over the years now, almost anybody can pick up a digital camera and get something decent. Before, you really needed to have the know-how, especially when shooting transparency film. You didn’t have latitude. You had to know the situation you were going into, which ISO film to use, if you had to push it or pull it, how to light and execute to create a really good image. What’s good about working in Ventura? Smaller town. The weather. I like the environment here. One of the reasons I love Ventura is because it isn’t LA, but we are close enough to go down there if necessary. Nowadays, you can work anywhere. I have clients in New York, Texas, LA… Some I never meet or see. Is it harder to get clients because you’re in a smaller market than New York, LA, or San Francisco? Maybe. But I’ve never had a problem. I have clients come up from LA and fly in from out of state. When they get here, they love it. They say, ‘Wow, you can actually work up here and make a living, and you don’t have to live in the city.’ v

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ABOVE: Z Studios collaborated with Ventura’s Ray Hennessy, the former creative director of a successful ad agency, to create this image for Workrite Uniforms in Oxnard. TOP: Working for Dan Glassman Professional Window Washing in Ventura, Zsarnay and his team captured this look by using the sun as a back light and filling the front with a strobe.

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GIVING BACK

ROLLING FORWARD How a locally based nonprofit and its executive director aim to break the cycle of homelessness. BY NANCY D. LACKEY SHAFFER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL MOORE MORE THAN TWO MILLION CHILDREN IN THE United States are homeless. Providing these individuals and their families with food, shelter, and some degree of safety is a challenging enough task, and, sadly, in the face of more pressing needs, education is often the least of anyone’s worries. It may be an understandable trade-off, but it’s a tragic one; education is tremendously important for the empowerment and future success of all kids, but especially homeless ones. That’s where School on Wheels and its executive director, Catherine Meek, come in. The nonprofit organization does for learning what homeless shelters do for the basic necessities. It provides tutoring, backpacks, school supplies, assistance with school enrollment, and more—anything to help fill the gaps in education that result from not having a permanent, stable living situation. As Meek explains, homelessness creates several barriers between

STEP 1: EDUCATION School on Wheels distributes over 6,000 backpacks, as well as books and other school supplies, to students every year. The items are donated by individuals, organizations, and companies including Sage Publications, Patagonia, and the Westlake branch of Costco. Buried in backpacks: (l. to r.) Andrea Aguinaldo, curriculum outcome specialist; Lisa Olmstead, bookkeeper; Catherine Meek, executive director; and Sinead Chilton, marketing director.

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children and their opportunity to learn. “The constant fear and anxiety—it’s very detrimental to young brains. The constant moving, not having friends. It’s very difficult for a child to focus on school if they are hungry or living in a shelter.” Moving frequently means switching schools (sometimes three or four times a year), and some parents, not knowing how long they’ll stay or where they’ll end up next, may not even bother enrolling their children. Falling further and further behind, year after year, is all too common. School on Wheels was founded by Agnes Stevens, a retired schoolteacher, and originally served students in downtown Los Angeles, which has one of the highest concentrations of homeless children in the United States. Meek came on as a volunteer tutor in 1999. “I was looking to do something that wouldn’t take up too much time,” the former entrepreneur remembers. “There was a PSA on television that said something about ‘one hour a week could change a life.’ I’d always been interested in education and homelessness, so it was the perfect fit.” Meek understands firsthand the challenges of the impoverished. “I grew up very poor,” she says of her childhood in Scotland. “I lived in a community where everyone was poor. There was no indoor plumbing; we shared a lavatory with other families. I know the fear and dread that can come over you.” Her mother, Catherine McAuley, whom Meek describes as a very intelligent woman, had to leave school at age 14. McAuley insisted that her own children study and work hard in school, in the hope that they could achieve a better life. “Education for her was always the way out,” Meek recalls. McAuley’s efforts paid off: all of her children went on to college, and all built successful lives. This helped shape Meek’s own perspective. “I truly believe education is one way for a lot of students to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.” Meek’s personal experience with poverty inspired her to help others, even after emigrating to Los Angeles and founding a successful consulting company. Meek and Associates donated ten percent of its profits to homeless charities, and the entrepreneur volunteered in various women’s centers near her offices in downtown Los Angeles. But getting involved with School on Wheels was a life-changing experience. She started out as a tutor, helping a six-year-old homeless boy named John. Meek recalls an overwhelming sense of chaos when she walked into the shelter to meet with him. “I had never been in a homeless center. It was scary. Lots of noise. Lots of kids. People who didn’t know what they were doing. There was no quiet spot.” That encouraged her to get involved in a more integral way, and Meek worked closely with Stevens for several years, helping to grow the program and expand beyond Los Angeles. By 2001, she had moved to Ojai and started

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OCTOBER 2015

establishing School on Wheels in Ventura County; the nonprofit’s administrative office was founded around 2004 in downtown Ventura. Eventually, Meek retired from her consulting firm to work full time for School on Wheels, and was elected executive director in 2009. Under Meek’s guidance, the nonprofit has grown dramatically. Once focused exclusively on Los Angeles County, the program now reaches throughout six counties in Southern California, helping homeless students from Santa Barbara to Long Beach. There were just a few hundred volunteers in 1999; today over 1800 tutors serve more than 3000 children. The Skid Row Learning Center in downtown LA opened in 2001 and has expanded through the years, most recently with the addition of a Digital Learning Center this past March. The B.U.S. (Believe, Understand, Succeed) Program helps junior high and high school students make a plan for postgraduation, including college—and yes, many do go on to university. To help them get there, and to honor her mother’s belief in education, Meek established the Catherine McAuley Scholarship in 2004. And she’s done it all without taking so much as a dime in salary. “I provide my services pro bono,” Meek admits. “I do get compensation; just not in dollars and cents. I’m fortunate that I can do that.” With a large mission always needing more and more funding, she simply didn’t see where School on Wheels had the money to pay her. Helping students succeed and break out of poverty and homelessness is more than enough compensation for Meek. “I know this sounds Pollyanna-ish, but I get rewarded every single day.” The assistance School on Wheels provides won’t become unnecessary anytime soon. Meek estimates that there are 350,000 homeless students just in the districts the nonprofit serves. And it frustrates the executive director that there isn’t more being done at the institutional level. “This is a national crisis—and we aren’t talking about that. If you look at the statistics, you find that homeless students have lower achievement in reading and math, are four times more likely to drop out, and nine times more likely to repeat a grade. Around 25 percent don’t even go to school consistently. They keep falling further and further behind. … If we as a society don’t try to do something about that, then who are we?” Meek will continue to advocate for greater awareness and more services for the homeless students School on Wheels tries to help—and, more importantly, the thousands more they can’t reach. In the meantime, she continues to be the change she wishes to see in the world. No matter what else befalls these kids, Meek intends to make sure School on Wheels is always there for them. As she puts it, “We provide stability in an unstable life.” v

WALKING THE WALK Executive Director Catherine Meek, seen here at her home in Ojai, was School on Wheelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; first volunteer in Skid Row and has helped grow the organization from a small, local nonprofit to one that works with over 1,800 volunteers tutoring 3,100 students in six counties. She was named one of 10 Women of Worth in the U.S. in 2012 and has received the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Volunteer Service Award at the Gold Level for the past five years.

SCHOOL ON WHEELS is the only organization in Southern California dedicated exclusively to the educational needs of homeless students. For volunteer opportunities and more information, log on to schoolonwheels.org or call 805.641.1678.

OCTOBER 2015

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® Realtors Exceptional Real Estate from the Beaches to the Hillside

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Thank you for voting us among the Best Realtors in Ventura County for the sixth consecutive year!

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Luxury Kapalua Resort, Maui Residence

3561 Ocean Drive, Hollywood Beach

Aloha! One of the most exclusive gated communities on Maui in Pineapple Hill Estates. This single story 4081 square foot home is situated on a 20,541 SQ FT Ocean View lot right on the front line of the Kapalua Bay Golf Course. Huge great room with expansive pocket doors leading out to the hot tub and pool. 4 Bd 4.5 Ba Enjoy clubhouse pavilion privileges. Shuttle Service. Two tennis courts. $3, 475,000

1920s beach cottage with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and superb views. Beachfront location plus permanent beach access to the North means open space and more view! Extra large oceanfront deck, spacious living room with high coved ceilings and fireplace. Rare opportunity in Hollywood Beach! $2, 500,000

New Pr

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5131 Breakwater Way, Oxnard Shores

3140 Sunset Lane, Hollywood Beach

Santa Barbara style! Tropical yard, bubbling fountain, newer kitchen, flooring, decks, appliances. Brand-new furnace. 3+2.5. All bedrooms on ground floor, two with sliders leading to the lush backyard. Second floor has gourmet kitchen, dining area, living and family rooms, and large fireplace. Listed for $824,000

Two-level Hollywood Beach condo with some ocean views. The first level has the kitchen, dining space, family room w/ fireplace, bedroom, retreat, office and a bathroom. Upstairs, there is another bedroom and bathroom. HarborWalk has pools, spas and tennis. Walk to the beach or the Farmer’s Market in Channel Islands Harbor. More than 1200 sq. ft. $490,000

sold!

in escrow

128 San Roque Avenue, Midtown Ventura

89 Los Altos Street, Hollywood Beach

Delightful 1950s home with many lovely upgrades. 3+2. Open, light-filled kitchen with modern touches, hardwood floors, charming garden and detached garage. Corner location provides for ample light. Idyllic Ventura neighborhood walking distance to Loma Vista Elementary, Anacapa Middle School, Trader Joe’s, the Pacific View Mall and dining and retail nearby; quick access to Ventura College or the Ventura County Medical Center too. $585,000

Beachfront! Spectacular views from this renovated 2-story townhome with attached garage on the SAND in Hollywood Beach. Decorator colors, crown moulding, wainscoting, gorgeous kitchen with ocean views. 3+3, more than 1600 sq. ft. and move-in ready! Listed for 1,499,000

www.ArielandKaren.com (805) 746-2070 • (805) 824-2004 Ariel Palmieri CalBre #01501968

Karen Stein CalBre #01505059

Full Service Real Estate From The Coast To The Hillside

Judy Bob

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993 e. santa Clara st., Ventura

266 Roosevelt, Ventura

This jewel of a Craftsman by Harry S. Valentine is considered the last of its kind. Perfect for entertaining. Expansive billiard room, a chef’s kitchen, and classic living areas make this perfect for artists, business, or a large clan. $1,100,000

Built by Cherry Construction, this Presidential Estates home boasts 5 large bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, and beautiful pool. $939,000

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180 Viewpoint Circle, Ventura

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10876 Galvin st., Ventura

extensive Remodel. Ondulando Split-level masterpiece boasting nearly 2,600 sq. ft. of exquisite luxury. 4 BR, 3 BA situated on a 10,000+ sq. ft. lot. Visit 180Viewpoint.com for more details. $899,000

Enjoy this entertainer’s dream. Great-room style kitchen, open floor plan, fireplace, large bedrooms, master and junior suites, and a quiet backyard perfect for parties, pets and gardening. $532,000

Bob Ridgway

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october 2015

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SHORT LIST CARTOLANDIA: PAINTINGS, SCULPTURES AND INSTALLATION BY OLGUIN TAPIA H.

Through October | Cam Studio Gallery, Oxnard Cartolandia is inspired by the neighborhood of the same name in Olguin Tapia H.’s hometown in Michoacán, Mexico. He got the exhibit idea during one of his many commutes down PCH while completing his bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts. Realizing houses, whether rich or humble, were a common human denominator, he decided to create a home-based series on his original neighborhood. 329 N. 5th St., Oxnard. For more information, visit carnegieam.org/cam-studio-gallery.

A CATALOGUE OF UNNATURAL WORKS

October 1 – November 15 | Porch Gallery, Ojai Jeff Mann’s exhibition at the Porch Gallery will feature a series of original drawings, along with editions of carbon ink prints (a process that uses carbon based inks on acid-free archival paper to create long-lasting powerfully detailed prints). During his 25-year tenure at George Lucas’s Industrial Light & Magic, Mann created characters and scenery for many iconic films. Since his retirement five years ago, Mann has simplified his tools. Gone are the computers, the cameras, and the team of model-makers. His newest works are produced in the solitude of his studio with a simple, albeit specific, pencil (Staedlar Mars Lumograph 2B) and eraser. 310 E. Matilija St., Ojai. For more information, visit porchgalleryojai.com.

RENT

October 2–25 | Ojai Youth Entertainers Studio Set in New York City’s gritty East Village, RENT tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices, and living for today. “Measuring their lives in love,” they strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness, and the AIDS epidemic. RENT is Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical, and the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history. OYES has coordinated with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids organization for this event to raise funds and join in an effort to spread awareness. Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Sundays at 3 p.m. $20. 316 E. Matilija Ave., Ojai. For more information, visit ojaiyes.org.

SEASIDE HIGHLAND GAMES

October 9–11 | Ventura County Fairgrounds The Games, held under the sponsorships of kings and clan chiefs, uphold a Scottish tradition dating back more than a thousand years. This year’s event will include whisky tasting and a Scottish evening at the Four Points from 5 p.m to 10 p.m. on October 9. On October 10, the games start at 9 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. and will include large men throwing stuff, massed pipebands, a fiddling competition, Scottish entertainers, clan tents, a children’s glen, Highland reenactments, and more. Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura. For more information, visit seaside-games.com.

MEN ARE FROM MARS WOMEN ARE FROM VENUS

October 10 | Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza A one man fusion of theatre and stand-up, this is a light-hearted comedy based on the New York Times #1 best-selling book of the last decade by John Gray. Moving swiftly through a series of vignettes, the show covers everything from dating and marriage to the bedroom. This hysterical show will have couples elbowing each other all evening long as they see themselves on stage. $59. 8 p.m. Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. For more information, visit civicartsplaza.com.

WATERSHED WISE TRAINING WORKSHOP

October 17 | Ventura County Government Center Come to the Sheet Mulching & Grading for Rainwater Capture Workshop to learn how to remove your lawn without the use of chemicals. Discover how to build rich, healthy soil, the foundation for all ocean friendly gardens, using the sheet mulching method. Free. 9 a.m. to noon. Workshop will be held at the Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura Pacific Conference Room (next to the

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OCTOBER 2015

Hall of Justice cafeteria). For more information, visit watershedwisetraining.com.

THROUGH OCTOBER

CAM STUDIO GALLERY

ADOLFO CAMARILLO’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION October 25 | Camarillo Ranch

Celebrate Adolfo Camarillo’s 151st birthday at the Camarillo Ranch. Bring your family to meet descendants of Adolfo’s family. See the legendary Camarillo White Horses and listen to the sounds of the Camarillo H.S. Band and other entertainers. Stroll the grounds and play games. Enjoy great food and complimentary birthday cake. Take in the exhibits in the Red Barn, listen to chats by family members and long-time residents of Camarillo. Stop in to the Country Store and the Sweet Shoppe for lots of fun items. Free. Noon to 4 p.m. 201 Camarillo Ranch Rd., Camarillo. For more information, visit camarilloranch.org.

OJAI RAPTOR CENTER OPEN HOUSE October 25 | Ojai Raptor Center

Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is hosting their Fall Open House, “Raptors of the Ojai Valley,” offering the public a rare and close-up view of raptors including hawks, eagle, vultures, falcons, and owls. During the event, the public will have a rare opportunity to tour the largest flight aviary in California and meet ORC education ambassadors like Miki the Mississippi Kite, Red the Red-Shouldered Hawk, and Drifter the Broad-Winged Hawk. The open house will also feature fun activities for kids, Chumash stories, a silent auction, and a chance to win a raptor release with the ORC staff. $5 for adults, children under 10 are free. Noon to 4 p.m. 370 Baldwin Rd., Ojai. For more information, visit ojairaptorcenter.org.

OCT 1 - NOV 15

PORCH GALLERY

15TH ANNUAL TASTE OF OJAI October 25 | Ojai Valley Inn & Spa

Considered the premier culinary event of the year, the Rotary Club of Ojai will proudly present its 15th Annual Taste of Ojai, a showcase of delicious creations from local restaurants, caterers, wineries, and culinary specialists, all with that signature Ojai touch. Patrons can sample, sip, and savor delicious food, wine, and beverages while enjoying live entertainment, dancing, and a silent auction with special gourmet items, unique local art, and Ojai adventures. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (1:30 entry for sponsors). 905 Country Club Rd., Ojai. For more information, visit tasteofojai.com.

#TBT FOOD TRUCK FEST: HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR October 29 | Camarillo Ranch

Bring the family to Camarillo Ranch’s last food truck fest of the year. At 6 p.m., “Hotel Transylvania,” an animated children’s film, will play in the Red Barn. The Tempo Cats will perform live on the Main Lawn, and beer and wine will be available. Expect some sweet Halloween surprises too. 201 Camarillo Ranch Rd., Camarillo. For more information, visit camarilloranch.org.

ON THE HORIZON

19TH HOLIDAY HOME LOOK IN November 14 & 15 | Ojai

The Ojai Festival Women’s Committee invites guests on a tour of four distinctive Ojai Valley homes. The Holiday Home Look In is known for highlighting architectural contrasts within the Ojai Valley, with homes featuring exceptional landscapes and art collections. Live entertainment from Ojai-based professional and student musicians will be provided throughout the weekend. There will also be a Holiday Marketplace at Matilija Junior High School Gymnasium (701 El Paseo Rd.), with a curated collection featuring the work of more than 40 artisans. Admission to the marketplace is free. The tour and marketplace benefit the Ojai Music Festival and its BRAVO! education and community programs, which offer free music workshops to the Ojai Valley public schools and the community. For more information, visit ojaifestival.org.

OCT 25

OJAI RAPTOR CENTER

VENTANA HOME SALES INDEX

+22.1%

+4.4%

➡

AVERAGE PRICE

➡

HOMES SOLD

SEPTEMBER 2014 VS. 2015 TREND

CAMARILLO

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

SEPTEMBER ‘14

SEPTEMBER ‘15

81 $619,700

94 $616,400

8 $361,500

12 $367,700

31 $634,000

45 $646,500

38 $640,500

45 $677,300

20 $693,500

20 $845,500

92 $513,500

137 $592,900

22 $291,200

18 $311,200

7 $522,000

25 $334,900

125 $505,000

133 $554,100

69 $622,800

96 $646,000

90 $497,900

87 $571,000

583

712

FILLMORE

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE NEWBURY PARK

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE MOORPARK

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE OJAI

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE OXNARD

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE PORT HUENEME

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE SANTA PAULA

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE SIMI VALLEY

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE THOUSAND OAKS

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE VENTURA

# HOMES SOLD AVERAGE PRICE

TOTAL HOMES SOLD

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 9/1/15 to 9/30/15. Ventana Monthly Home Sales Index © Ventana Monthly, 2015.

october 2015

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Better Call Blake! “I’ve used Blake on 2 properties now, and of all the Realtors that I have used in So Cal, he is TOPS on my list. He knows where the market is trending and knows how to work with other Realtors and appraisers for his clients’ best interest. No neckties and no fancy BS promises! Just an honest man who knows his profession - quite a breath of fresh air in todays society. As a home owner and residential contractor, I rarely will recommend ANYBODY in the housing industry these days, but I DO recommend this man”. - Bill O.

One of ventura’s most sought-after neighborhoods This 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home boasts some 2000+/- square feet of living space on 1 floor, while the flexible floor plan also works well as a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom ‘lock-out’ guest-quarters with private entry, perfect for guests, a roommate, extended family or the adult child that just won’t leave the nest! This move-in ready home is ideally situated on a quiet, tree-canopied street in one of Ventura’s most sought-after neighborhoods and features recent improvements, including an updated kitchen, tiled floors, skylights, owned, not leased solar system for super-low electrical bills, tank-less water-heater, auto-attic fan, auto E.Q. gas-meter turn-off, water-softener, newer copper plumbing, newer main water-line, newer 30-year roof, newer paint in & out! Plus, you’re sure to enjoy the expanded, open-concept floor plan including the cheerful living room with fireplace & sky-lite, the cozy family room that opens to the covered patio and rear yard, the ample dining area, as well as the spacious master-suite with en suite master bathroom! All this and walking distance to some of Ventura’s very best, award-winning schools - Poinsettia, Anacapa, Buena, Foothill Tech & V.C. College! Also conveniently located near Ventura County’s Government Center, local shopping and eateries, easy freeway access & close proximity to Ventura’s beach & downtown area! Offered at the improved price of $635,000

Real Estate

Lori Stern

CalB.R.E. #01513542 CalB.R.E. #01065624

Jane Robertson Loan Officer

805-701-5232

NMLS# 242474

805-368-0202

BetterCallBlake2Buy.com

BetterCallBlake2Sell.com

Your #1 Choice for Ventura County Real Estate... since 1990!

Move-In Ready, Flexible Floor Plan

Walking Distance to award winning schools Luxury Kapalua Resort

Maui Residence In Pineapple hill estates Aloha! Located at the Kapalua Resort in one of the most exclusive gated communities on Maui in Pineapple Hill Estates. This single story 4081 square foot home is situated on a 20,541 square foot Ocean View lot right on the front line of the Kapalua Bay Golf Course. This peaceful, casually elegant, fully-furnished tropical home boasts unrivaled privacy. There is a huge great room with expansive pocket doors leading

out to the hot tub and pool. The custom design features tropical indoor/outdoor living at its best. There are four bedrooms with en-suite baths and a powder room off the great room. The Master Bedroom boasts superb views of the ocean and the Kapalua Bay Golf Course. In the distance is a commanding view of the Island of Molokai. Owners in Pineapple Hill enjoy clubhouse pavilion privileges for enter-

taining, an oversized lap pool, Shuttle Service throughout the Kapalua Resort, Pineapple Hill Security and two tennis courts. Contact Ariel & Karen, Coldwell Banker Previews, 805-746-2070. Bedrooms:

Bathrooms: Price:

4.5

$3,475,000

Ideally situated on a quiet, tree-canopied street in one of Ventura’s most soughtafter neighborhoods and features recent improvements, this home home boasts some 2000+/- square feet of living space on 1 floor, while the flexible floor plan also works well as a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom with a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom ‘lock-out’ guest-quarters with private entry, perfect for guests, a roommate, extended family or the adult child that just won’t leave the nest! It includes an updated kitchen tiled floors, sky-lights, owned, not leased solar system for super-low electrical bills, tankless water-heater, auto-attic fan, auto E.Q. gas-meter turn-off, water-softener, newer copper plumbing, newer main water-line, newer 30-year roof, newer paint in & out! Plus, you’re sure to enjoy the expanded,

open-concept floor plan including the cheerful living room with fireplace & skylite, the cozy family room that opens to the covered patio and rear yard, the ample dining area, as well as the spacious master-suite with en suite master bathroom! Also conveniently located near Ventura County’s Government Center, local shopping and eateries, easy freeway access & close proximity to Ventura’s beach & downtown area! Contact Blake Mashburn, Troop Real Estate ,805-368-0202. Bedrooms:

Bathrooms:

Price:

$635,000

new construction in ventura 1920’s Spanish Revival

Santa Paula Prestigious McKevett Heights

This fabulous hillside view estate was designed by famous architect Roy Wilson for the pioneer Harding Family in Santa Paula. Classic 1920’s Spanish Revival. You will not believe the quality and character of this fabulously restored and upgraded mini mansion. Randolph Hearst could have moved this to his hilltop ranch as one of his guest casitas.

It features a billiard room & media room, and a charming old world gourmet kitchen including Viking appliances. With over 3 thousand square feet of living space, the estate has a beautifully landscaped patio and the yard has 40 avocado trees. This corner, street to street lot has over 16,000 square feet with room for a pool. Newer Air Conditioning. One of

a kind property! Too many features to describe and it must be seen to be appreciated. Contact Fred Evans, RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors, 805-339-3502. Bedrooms:

Bathrooms: Price:

3.5

$939,000

Two Blocks from historic mission district The Cannery offers versatile floor plans ranging from 548 to 1,233 square feet in studio, loft, and 1 to 3 bedroom configurations. Units feature mountain, city, and partial ocean views with full amenities, high ceilings, generous private outdoor space, dual-paned windows, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, hardwood flooring, walk in closets,and much more. Beautiful courtyards featuring outdoor

fireplaces, BBQs and fountains. Fully gated building with secure subterreanean parking, and walking distance to downtown shops, bars and the Ventura Beach Pier. Contact Tina Comden, 805-218-5926 bedrooms: Bathrooms: Price:

october 2015

1 to 3 VARIES

HIGH $200,000 to LOW $500,000 |

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Proofs,_ad WIll ruN as Is.__If_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_si is_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. ISSuE: oCt 2015

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Sydney Malkin Client: The Cannery Ad Executive: David Comden (805) 648-2244 Sydney@MalkinPropertiesInc.com Please_check_this_proof_over_carefully_and_indicate_all_corrections_clearly._ You_will_have_a_“1st_Proof”,_“2nd_Proof”,_and_“Final_Proof”._ If_we_receive_no_proof_after_the_1st_or_2nd_ Please_check_this_proof_over_carefully_and_indicate_all_corrections_clearly.__You_will_have_a_“1st_Proof”,_“2nd_Proof”,_and_“Final_Proof”.__If_we_receive_no_proof_after_the_1st_or_2nd_ www.MalkinPropertiesInc.com Proofs,_ad WIll ruN as Is. If_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. IssuE: july Is.__If_this_proof_meets_your_approval_on_the_1st_proof,_check_off_“FInal_ProoF_(aPProveD)”_box,_date_and_sign_at_the_bottom. 2015 oCT 2015 RSVP: MalkinProperties.EventBrite.com

F I N E

L I V I N G

I N

V E N T U R A

C O U N T Y

m o n t h l y

CA BRE#01957507

78 New CoNdo’s

NOTICE: PlEasE ThIs PrOOF TO Date:______ BRANd NewFax CONSTRUCTION Date:_______________________________ NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO This_proof_is_to_check_for_accuracy_and_is_not_ Signature:__ (805) 648-2245 asaP intended_to_show_quality_of_reproduction. Signature:___________________________ (805) 648-2245 asaP

2 Blocks From downtown Ventura Open Escrow Today, Close in 30 Days! wednesday through sunday, from 11AM - 4PM

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PRiCes FRoM $299,000 - $525,000

The Cannery offers versatile floor plans ranging from 548 to 1,233 square feet in studio, loft, and 1 to 3 bedroom configurations. Units feature 78 condominiums • Prices from mid 200,000s to low 500,000s mountain, city, and partial ocean views with full amenities, Nowhigh Open! Wednesday through Sunday, from 11AM-4PM ceilings, generous private www.VenturaCannery.com outdoor space, dual-paned Join us for windows, a Tour, Snacks, and Refreshments • Move-Ins Starting in July! stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, www.VenturaCannery.com custom cabinetry, hardwood flooring, walk in closet s, and much more. he Cannery offers versatile floor plans ranging outdoor from 548fireplaces, to 1,233 square Beautiful courtyards featuring BBQsfeet andin studio, loft, and 1 3 bedroom configurations. Units feature mountain, city, and partial views with full fountains. Fully gated building with secure subterranean ocean parking, menities, high bike ceilings, generous private outdoor space, dual-paned windows, stainless steel racks, and walking distance to downtown shops, restaurants, ppliances, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, hardwood flooring, walk-in closets, and much bars, and the Ventura Beach Pier. Buy today and lock in a ore. Beautiful courtyards featuring outdoor fireplaces, BBQs and fountains. Fully gated building historically low 30-year interest rate with as little as 3.5% down! FHA th secure subterreanean parking, and walking distance to downtown shops, bars and the and VA about Seller and Lender incentives. entura Beach Pier. Buyapproved. today, lockInquire in a historically low 30-year interest rate, and put as little as Represented by Cape Holdings, Inc.,#01890071 BRE #01890071 5% down! Represented by Cape WestWest Holdings, Inc., BRE | ( 8 0 5 ) Ventura 5 7 4 - 9 7 7 9Ca 130 North Garden Street,

130 North Garden Street, Ventura, Ca

ventana

(805) 574-9779 I sales@venturacannery.com

october 2015

NOTICE: PlEasE Fax ThIs PrOOF TO

Date:_______________________________

EXPERIENCE THE FRED EVANS TEAM Fred has been selected as one of the Top 250 teams in the U.S. and has been in the top 100 RE/MAX teams in the country for the past 16 consecutive years. st d ju te s li

Faria Beach Ocean Fron Cottage. First time on the market. A 2+2 w/ loft or storage area above the garage. Approx. 1342 Sq. ft. per seller. Oversized ocean front lot ~ 4166 sq. ft. Expansive viewing deck. Brick fireplace. Originally built in 1928 but has been remodeled and upgraded over the years. Well maintained. www.FredEvans.com Offered at $1,950,000

1894 queen anne (victorian) home in downtown ventura. Beautiful 2.5 story. Designated “City of Ventura Historic Landmark”. Featuring 5 BR., fine woodwork, covered portico, & 2nd-floor porch with ocean views. Detached office over the 2 car garage. Street to street lot with over 18,000 sq. ft., possible lot split, or built a second unit. Listed for $1,750,000 www.605poli.com

Classic 1927 Spanish Ocean View Single-Story Home. 1/4 acre+ with ocean views from nearly every room. 3+3, about 2295 sq ft, with detached garage. Views of Channel Islands, harbor & pier. Formal dining, patio deck with fireplace, & private courtyard with pergola & fountain. Listed for $1,695,000 www.329Lupine.com

Ventura Mediterranean Coastline View Villa. Breathtaking ocean & city views from approx. 4000 SQ FT, 3+3 ½ home. Located in Historic Downtown San Buenaventura. Close to all amenities such as restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, beach & pier. Large lot approx. 14,000 SQ FT. www.334Ferro.com Offered at $1,695,000

Ventura Heights Ocean & Island view home. Quality kitchen & baths. Charming 3+2 with wood flooring in living room. Large master bedroom with fabulous view. Interior laundry area, & large viewing deck with coastline view. Alarm system. Private terrace in rear yard. listed for $1,050,000 www.2345Sunset.com

Santa Paula Prestigious McKevett Hights 1920’s Spanish Revival. Hillside view estate w/ 3+3 ½, billiard & a media room. Over 3100 sq. ft. Old world kitchen w/ Viking appliances. Wood floors. Beautiful landscaped patio. Corner, street to street lot, w/ ~16,000 sq. ft. Offered at $939,000 www.512N8th.com

Ventura Hidden Valley Home. Corner lot featuring 4+3 built in 1971. Updated kitchen & baths. Mahogany flooring, fireplace, ocean view from master bedroom. Possible RV parking on about 8842 square feet lot. Covered patio with outdoor kitchen. New Price at $820,000 www.668Victoria.com

Beautiful ventura hidden valley hillside home. Desirable 4+2 single level homes on over ½ acre lot with ocean/island views at top of lot. Updated baths & kitchen. Peaceful and private backyard. new price at $799,000 www.710Viewcrest.com

Largest Model in citrus hills ventura. 2 story east Ventura with 4+3 ½ & about 2879 square feet. Upgraded, vaulted ceilings with bonus loft. Master suite with walk-in closet, bath with separate shower & soaking tub. 3 car garage. Mountain views from upstairs. Listed for $719,900 www.8257Calaveras.com

Ventura Pierpont Beach. This 2+1 w/ fireplace, just steps to the sand. Upgraded kitchen & potential ocean views w/ a 2nd story. Only 2 lots from San Buenaventura State Beach. Tremendous potential. Listed for $699,000 www.fredevans.com

Ventura Midtown Beautiful Refurbished Throughout. Chef’s kitchen with high line appliances. 3 BR, large den (could easily be made 4th BR.) 2 newly remodeled BA’s. RV parking 25x60 with 20” wide gates, Oversized 2 car garage. Owner is relocating.... “Time To Sell” bring offer now! new price at $699,000 www.3745LomaVista.com

attractive east ventura california windcrest. 2 story home on a quiet cul-de-sac. Light & bright 4 bedroom/3 bath with a large loft. Large, attractive kitchen. 3 car garage. Private useable yard. Listed for $659,900 www.7628vanburen.com

Fred Evans - Bringing a world of Real Estate knowledge & experience to Ventura County for 30 years! Over 2,900 families served.

For 30 Years! RE/MAX Gold Coast Realtors

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Buying or Selling? Call The Fred Evans Team: 805.339.3502

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LJ S

Lynn’s

Jewelry Studio

STARLIT S

4572 Telephone Road, #906 Ventura, CA 93003

805.642.5500 www.lynnsjewelry.com

The other evening I looked to the Northern sky and saw the stars that make up Cassiopeia. Astronomy depicts the constellations with severe straight lines, but nature never seems to work in a straight line. So I recreated Cassiopeia's pattern of stars in diamonds and set them on a softer path. This is the first in a series of pieces based on astronomy that will be available in affordable price ranges because they are made both in Silver and in Gold with Silver. The series will include pendants and earrings.

“I don’t copy what’s new... I create what’s next!” -- Bob Lynn

STARLIT CASSIOPEIA is built with my signature swivels attached to the chains so the pendant doesn't flip over while wearing.

STARLIT CASSIOPEIA is approximately 40 mm (1 5/8”) from

CASSIOPEIA

end to end, plus the chain. With Diamonds as shown: all Silver $740, 14K Gold and Silver $975.

For the complete story on this series, please see “This Month in Ventana” on our website All of our custom designs have been made from 100% recycled gold for more than 35 years. Respect for the Earth is not a new idea at Lynn’s.