“Up, Down & All Around”, is photographer Gail Lansbury’s unique black-and-white photographic reflections: a vertical-horizontal vision of the world depicted through her camera lens. The exhibit runs from August 19 – Sept 13, 2008 with an artist reception on Saturday, August 23 from 4 – 7 pm.

Lansbury’s hands-on construction and building background has clarified a linear vision of light and shadow, enabling her to experience the freedom of movement and curves not only through her eye, but also in her relationship with the camera.

The last several years her camera has taken her to Africa and China, the European capitals and much of the U.S. “I need to move! I have a tremendous appetite for experience and a yen for adventure,” she says. “From brilliant color photos to the purest of black and white, I see the world as it stands still for me!”

No surprise that this past year has been a busy one for Lansbury. Beginning with a solo event for the premiere opening of 643 A Project Space, she contributed to shows at the Civic Center as part of Celebrate the Earth festivities, multiple showings at the Buenaventura Santa Clara Gallery and the Harbor Gallery. She had a major showing in Upstairs at Diane Loring’s Historic Love House, along with contributing to the Ventura Art Walk, Photo Ventura, 94 Seaward and SCIART, on the campus of California State University Channel Islands.

The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 E Santa Clara St. in downtown Ventura. Hours are Tues – Friday from noon – 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

The California State Old Time Fiddlers Association, District 8, meet Sunday, August 10th, at 1:30 p.m., at the Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road, Oak View. Admission is free.
All ages are encouraged to join the Fiddlers for an afternoon of family–oriented fun, old time music, and dancing. Refreshments are available.
For further information call 517-1131.

The Ojai Valley Museum’s first juried art show, OJAI CELEBRATES ART, is open to artists 18 years of age and older working in any gallery media. Cash awards will be given for first, second, and third place winners in the amounts of $300, $200 and $100. Awards sponsor, Shari Skinner, President of Ojai Community Bank, will present prizes at the opening reception on October 18. Entries must demonstrate some connection to the Ojai Valley, its people, history, or natural environment. The exhibit will run from October 18 to November 16, 2008. The selections for the exhibit will be made from prints, slides or digital media mailed to the museum by September 15.

Go to www.ojaivalleymuseum.org and click on “Exhibits” for more information, submission instructions and the entry form. For questions contact this e-mail: ojaivalleymusem@ojai.net or telephone (805) 640-1390.

The City of Ventura has asked us to help spread the word about a grant program they have this year for artists, including musicians.

The city of Ventura is offering a $2,000 fellowship for "emerging" artists and $5,000 for "established" artists who either live or work within the city of Ventura. The Fellowship, or Grant, can be used anyway you deem necessary to advance your musical cause (buying a new instrument, paying rent, putting gas in the car, etc.)

The City has $40,000 allocated for this fellowship program and all who either work or live in Ventura are not only welcome, but encouraged to apply. There is no fee.

Where do you find an application, you ask? Well, we've placed an easily downloadable copy of both the guidelines and the application on our website at www.MAVRIC-Awards.com - you will find the info as part as our Breaking News on the Main Page as well as on the News page.

This is a great opportunity for any musician who works or lives in Ventura County to receive what could be much needed funding to continue their music endeavors. I can't tell you how proud we are of the City of Ventura for reaching out to its artistic community in this and so many more great ways!

Hurry, the deadline to have your applications in is by Monday, August 15th at 5:00pm.

Good luck to all who are eligible to apply!

Kathryn Karson Frey’s exhibit, Salvaged From Life: An Exhibit Under Glass will be at the Discovery Gallery from August 1 – September 3, 2008 with an opening reception during First Friday Gallery Crawl on Friday, August 1 from 5 – 7 pm.
Traveling through the powerful tableaus “Salvaged From Life” is a journey through the human condition: our joys, pain, hopes and desires. Kathryn Frey’s meticulous constructed boxes are in the words of the artist “glimpsing into someone’s life.” The viewer isn’t a casual observer – the viewer is asked to engage, think and observe. Says Frey “I combine common and unique items with different art mediums to invent my own private view with the intent to document societal influences, reality, human interaction, egos and emotion “salvaged from life.”
Frey has always considered the title “artist” to be a singular term for a wide variety of individuals who create. Although many artists have a “known style,” an attempt to place her work into any one specific category cannot be done. Her works range from conventional art with recognizable images and proper usage of space, color and form to raw artistry with personal content, people’s throw-a-ways, found materials and acquired objects. Frey uses “women’s symbology” to connect her ideas and thoughts. For example, a thread symbolized “fate” among some cultures -- how Frey uses that thread can be fascinating as well as thought-provoking. She has also used skulls in the past, even though not as much now. Says Frey, “I wanted to show that we are all the same under our skin and skulls seemed to symbolize that very well.”
Frey is a thirteen year resident of Ventura County and a native California from the Bay area. Her natural desire to create, sculpt, paint and draw was formed from her creative parents…even though she was told not to pursue arts because artists were a dime a dozen. She is mainly self-taught even though she took a couple of classes at Ventura College. The process of creating through artistic emotion is an absolute necessity in her life. Her work has been extensively accepted and shown at the Ojai Art Center and Ventura County galleries. She has won several awards for her pieces.
The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

The Santa Paula Society of the Arts will be premiering an exemplary collection of paintings depicting the picturesque landscapes and stunning life forms of the Santa Clara Valley at the California Oil Museum (1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula, 805-933-0076, $4 Adults, $3 Seniors, $1 Children). The exhibit, entitled, “Heritage Valley Flora & and Fauna: 40th Anniversary”, offers an artist’s perception of the empyrean complexity of the natural world that flourishes in this quaint and edenic setting. Featuring the beautiful plants and animals of the area, the collection will remind you of why the Heritage Valley has been so highly regarded for centuries. Come enjoy the work of local artists as they take you to a singular time and place, far removed from the encroachment of modern society. The Santa Paula Society of the Arts was founded in 1968 with the intent of encouraging artistic growth and appreciation of art in all phases and furthering the development of artistry in the community. The opening reception for this exhibit will be held on Friday, August 1st from 4-6 pm at the California Oil Museum and will be accompanied by refreshments and fine art for sale.

What: “Heritage Valley Flora & Fauna: 40th Anniversary”
Where: California Oil Museum, 1001 East Main Street, Santa Paula
Exhibit Dates: August 1st, 2008.
Museum Hours: Wednesday through Sunday from 10 to 4
Admission: $4 Adults, $3 Seniors and $1 Youth, Free for Members
Museum Phone: 805-933-0076
Museum Website: www.oilmuseum.net

Griffith Observatory will hold another exciting “All Space Considered” free public lecture on Friday, August 1, at 7:30 p.m., in the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater. This month, join the Observatory curatorial staff as they examine these top stories making headlines:

· The total solar eclipse taking place in the early morning hours (Pacific Daylight Time) of Friday, August 1, 2008. The total solar eclipse will not be visible from Los Angeles or anywhere in the United States.

· Latest results from the Mars Phoenix mission that landed on Mars on May 25

· NASA’s Voyager 2 spacecraft reaches the edge of the solar system

· Changes in the giant storm on Jupiter (the “Red Spot”)

· New Hubble Space Telescope images.

“All Space Considered” is a monthly program, launched last May that provides the public with an inside look at the most-talked-about subjects in astronomy, space science, and space exploration. The lectures are held on the first Friday of the month.

WHEN: August’s “All Space Considered” will be held on Friday, August 1, at 7:30 p.m., P.D.T.

WHERE: Griffith Observatory’s Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon theater (2800 East Observatory Road, Los Angeles, California 90027).

TICKETS: The event is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served, up to the capacity of the theater. For more information, please visit www.GriffithObservatory.org or call (213) 473-0800.

CONTACT:
Erin Scharf / Bonnie Winings
SWPR Group
(818) 760-7131
escharf@swprgroup.com
bwinings@swprgroup.com

Griffith Observatory is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks. The Observatory is located on the slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park. The building is open to the public six days a week, with free parking and free admission. Free public telescope viewing is available every evening the Observatory is open and the sky is clear.

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The Goleta Valley Historical Society kicked off "Music at the Ranch" this past Tuesday, July 15TH. The free concerts series is held Tuesday evenings from 5:30 until 7:00ish , July 15Th -August 19Th in the gardens of Rancho La Patera and Stow House.

The community is encouraged to bring a picnic and dine alfresco. Wine and other beverages will be available for purchase. Tony Ybarra and Sonido Moreno started off the series entertained a few hundred guests with romantic
melodies, invigorating rhythms, and virtuosic guitar performances. This Tuesday, July 22, the Zydeco Zippers will perform their New Orleans style jazz..

The second annual "Music at the Ranch" series follows the cancellation of the Goleta Valley Historical Society's largest fundraiser, "Old Fashioned 4TH of July." The disappointing cancellation was due to the growing GAP
Fire.. We are excited to be open up to a wonderful free event following the fire that affected so many in Goleta . We hope the community will gather and celebrate the summer we are enjoying in this beautifully preserved landmark," says Dacia Harwood, event organizer.

Music at the Ranch will feature some of the best local bands in Santa Barbara . Music will include Latin jazz, zydeco, bluegrass, reggae and rock. Prepared to be entertained by the Zydeco Zippers on July 22ND, Salt Martians on July 29Th, 5 Alarm on August 5Th, the Henderson Brothers on August 12Th, and Hot Lava: Rock Music For Kids and their parents on August 19Th.

Sponsors for the free series include presenting sponsor ATK Space Systems with support from the beautiful City of Goleta , SBParent.com, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara News Press, and The Towbes Group. Earl
McCutcheon of ATK Space systems was in attendendance at the first concert to announce the band and to say, "We are proud to support Goleta in this beautiful place with the great unifier- music!"

Rancho La Patera & Stow House are located at 304 N Los Carneros in Goleta. Goleta Valley Historical Society is committed to the education and preservation local and California ranch history. Our events reflect our purpose, "to become a unique historic gathering place for the community."

Gerri Johnson-McMillan’s installation, “Medusae (the jellies)” will be at the Harbor Village Gallery from July23 to August 24, 2008. The opening reception is on Friday, July 25 from 5 – 7 pm.
Welcome to the deep ocean, where colored free forms of life float above you like spirits from another world. When entering the “room” Johnson-McMillan has created to view the Medusae, a scientific name for most jellyfish, you meander among her transparent and luminous forms hovering above you. Inspired by a snorkeling trip in the Sea of Cortez, Johnson-McMillan departed from her well known and equally intriguing fish bone vessels or baskets. After witnessing a school of jellyfish so dense she couldn’t swim through for fear of getting stung, she pondered how something so beautiful could be so painful. Johnson- McMillian’s Medusas (the jellies) offer an imaginary swim through the jellies with out getting stung.
Inspired from nature, Johnson-McMillan has enjoyed the fiber arts since her youth and took her first basketry class at age 25. Today the ocean and what lies beneath is her inspiration. Well known for her intricate Fishbone Vessels, which will also be on display adjacent to the Jellyfish instillation, she weaves a second life back into the fish she and her husband have caught by combining bones and fishing line into small basket-like creations.
She has pieces in the permanent collections of the Long Beach Museum of Art as well as the Museum of Ventura County. Since 1999 Gerri has been an Artist-in-Residence at Studio Channel Islands Art Center in Camarillo, CA and in 2005 was President of SCIART. She was instrumental in developing the Fiber Art Studio at the Center.
The Harbor Village Gallery is the second Gallery operated by the Buenaventura Art Association which is operating in its third year of business. This will be the Harbor Village Gallery’s first instillation.
The Harbor Village Gallery is located at 1591 Spinnaker Dr. Suite 117C in the Ventura Harbor Village. Hours: Mon, Wed and Thurs 12 – 5pm and Fri thru Sun 11am -6pm. For more information, call the gallery at 805-644-2750 or visit the website at www.harborvillagegallery.com

Miniature Stoneware Pots by Pete Gerard.
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Suede Handbag with beaded embellishment by Gloria Rupio.
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The Buenaventura Art Association’s popular exhibit space, the Harbor Village Gallery, is expanding to include a select collection of artisan-crafted items in its new Artisan Store. All items are individually crafted by local artists and artisans and include ceramics, art glass, exceptional jewelry, one-of-a-kind apparel and accessories, home décor and limited edition digital art prints.

Since 1954, the BAA has been an integral part of the Ventura County art scene. From the beginning, it has been a non-profit artist cooperative, offering venues for local artists of all stages of development to exhibit and sell art. It offers the viewing public monthly exhibits featuring individual solo artists, student artists, member group shows, and special events and fundraisers. The very popular “Who Got Framed?” fundraising event, which will be held in November, raises money for scholarships for local art students.

BAA’s executive director, Christine Beirne, says “The Artisan Store, at the Harbor Village Gallery, offers our member artists an opportunity to showcase their versatility. Our multi-talented members often enjoy creating functional art, useful things that can truly enhance your dining table, decor or wardrobe.” In conjunction with this new space, the Harbor Village Gallery will be sponsoring a “Grand Re-Opening Event” on July 25-27, with very appealing discounts on unique merchandise, plus refreshments and drawings to win original creations. In addition, the event will feature “Art In Action”, on-site creation of pottery, charcoal portraits, jewelry and more.

The Harbor Village Gallery and Artisan Store is located at 1591 Spinnaker Drive Suite 117C in Ventura’s Harbor Village shopping complex. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12-5 pm and Friday thru Sunday 11-6 pm (closed Tuesdays). For more information, call the gallery at 805-644-2750 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

(Ventura, CA) “Kids, Cameras, and Crops” Youth Photography Contest is now accepting entries. The contest, in its second year, is run by Ventura County 4-H and the Ventura County Fair and is looking forward to more great entries this year. The contest is open to Ventura County youth ages 9-18.

“Kids, Cameras, and Crops” encourages youth to look at the agriculture around them in new and interesting ways. All entries will be showcased at this year’s Ventura County Fair, July 30-August 10.

Each entrant may submit one entry for each of 4 categories: Agriculture Products, Agriculture Equipment, Agriculture Places, and Agriculture People. The same image may not be entered in more than one category. Detailed rules and instructions are available on the Fair’s website: www.venturacountyfair.org

Entries must be received by July 18, 2008. Mail entries to “Kids, Cameras, and Crops” Photo Contest, Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura, CA 93001 or hand-deliver entries to Ventura County 4-H Office, 669 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, CA 93003.

For more information, please contact the Ventura County 4-H Office at (805) 662-6943.

Soon the Ventura County Fairgrounds will be full of pies, jams, table settings, photographs, homegrown fruits and vegetables, sculptures, homemade wines and beers, aquariums, gem & mineral exhibits, rabbits, sheep, and many, many other Fair entries. Make sure the fruits of your labor are on display during the 133rd Annual Ventura County Fair by bringing your entries to the Fairgrounds on the upcoming Entry Weekend.

On July 18, 19, 20 from 10am to 5pm, many departments will be accepting entries for the 2008 Ventura County Fair. Departments accepting entries include Amateur Fine Arts; Hobbies, Models & Collections; Home Arts (Arts & Crafts, Clothing & Textiles, Preserved Foods, and Special Exhibits); Professional Arts; Uncle Leo’s Barn Ag Contest; and Youth Expo & 4-H/Grange. Further information regarding entry dates for other departments can be found at the Fair’s website: www.venturacountyfair.org

With over 5,000 competitive exhibit categories, you are bound to find an exhibit to showcase your talents. There are trophies, ribbons, and over $175,000.00 in cash awards available. Make sure you check out the entry date for the Agriculture Dept.’s new scarecrow contest—cash prizes available in each class for a unique scarecrow. Don’t miss out on your chance to show Ventura County what you can do!

For more detailed information, please see the 2008 Ventura County Fair Entry Guide available at many convenient locations throughout Ventura County and online at www.venturacountyfair.org

Make sure to tell all your friends to “Meet you at the Fair” where they can oooh and aaah over your wonderful entries. For more information, please call (805) 648-3376.

The deadline for Ventura County Visual Artists to enter the 5th Annual Thousand Oaks Arts Festival is July 28 at 5 p.m. The Festival is set for September 20 and 21, 2008, at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Mary and Richard Carpenter Plaza Park, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., and will feature more than 70 visual arts exhibitors, live performances through-out both days, art demonstrations, and children’s interactive hands-on exhibits.

Artist prospectus and application are available on the Festival website, www.toartsfestival.com or call the Festival’s Visual Arts Chair Craig Morton, 818-991-6158 to have one mailed or for more information.

Artists who mail their applications by July 18 will pay only a $25 application fee and $225 booth fee. After July 18th, the fees increase to $40 for the application fee and $250 for booth space. Tables, chairs and canopy are provided for each booth. Festival admission is free for the public and hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Artists are encouraged to set up on Friday, September 19th, between 1 and 4 p.m. Overnight security is provided.

“Stay, and Breathe awhile…”

WHAT: The Mountain Shakespeare Festival, performs under the sky and stars
in scenic Pine Mountain Club in the Frazier Park area, launches its third
full season on July 5, 2008 through July 27, bringing top-notch
entertainment to Southern California.

The company motto is “Stay, and Breathe Awhile…” and this year’s
Shakespeare offering is the ever-delightful A Comedy of Errors.
For the first time, MSF will produce, in rotating repertory, a non-
Shakespearean play, You Can’t Take it With You.

Only a one-hour pleasurable drive from downtown Los Angeles, day and
weekend visitors can enjoy two shows in the outdoor theatre and a host
of outdoor activities in clean air, surrounded by the beauty of the pristine
mountains.

WHEN: Shows begin at 8:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, 2:00 pm Sundays
July 5, 2008 through July 27, 2008. Tickets cost $5.00

WHERE: To get to Frazier Park and the Pine Mountain Club area, simply go North
on I-5 to the Frazier Mountain Park Road Exit (Exit 236), follow the
canyon for 15 miles until you reach the village of Pine Mountain Club.
When you’ve reached paradise, you’ve arrived.

INFO: For tickets, please visit www.Mountainshakes.org or call 661-242-6904

Festival weekend get-a-way packages via Mountainshakes.org include:

Package A - couple - $275 (tax included)
One-night stay in Pine Mountain Club for two people
2 tickets to two shows (4 show tickets total)
2 tickets to dinner
A massage and a round of golf

Package B - couple - $475 (tax included)
Two-night stay in Pine Mountain Club for two people
2 tickets to two shows (4 show tickets total)
4 tickets to dinner
A massage and a round of golf
Horseback ride for two

Package C - family/two couples - $475
Two-night stay in Pine Mountain Club for four people
4 tickets to two shows (8 show tickets total)
4 tickets to dinner

For Custom Packages please call for your selection on accommodations and activities, including but not limited to: Cabins, B&B, Hotel, horseback riding, tennis, swimming, golf, spa services, jeep adventures, restaurants, and other clubhouse activities.

Other General activities include: hiking trails, sightseeing, bird watching, star gazing & shopping.

Robert Munns, Fillmore Artist, has once again been accepted in a National Juried Art Exhibition with his drawing entitled “Macrophage Study #7.” The Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences 2008 Competition: Works of Art on Paper, held in Loveladies, New Jersey, opened June 21 and runs to July 14. Juror for the show is Charlotte Kotik, Curator Emerita of Contemporary Art, Brooklyn Museum of Art. http://www.lbifoundation.org/.

“Painting Joy”, Orvel A. Jones solo exhibit will be from July 22 – August 16 with an opening reception Saturday, July 22 from 4 – 7 pm at the Buenaventura Gallery.
To see an Orvel A. Jones painting is to share in his joy of painting: his energetic brushstrokes along with his keen observation of nature infuse the viewer with a deep appreciation of his subjects. Born in San Diego and raised in California, Orvel finds that the energy and light of our beautiful state contribute to a quality of plein air painting that is quite unique to California. Orvel gives “credit to God for his direction. The two words ‘Paint Joy’ have a lot of meaning to me and I can only hope that this collection of paintings will stir the emotions of joy in others.
Jones received his B.A. in Fine Art from the California State University, Northridge and a Masters from California Lutheran University. His studies under the guidance of Hans Burkhardt helped to develop a passion for expressing his emotions with bold brushwork and a loose, impressionistic style. Early works were quite contemporary and abstract that garnered numerous first place awards in the Forum of the Arts, Buenaventura Art Association and the Olivia Hathaway competitions for Ventura County.
Jones taught elementary school for years before he became an administrator. He participated in a teacher exchange program that was part of the Fulbright scholarship program: his assignment took place New Zealand. The countryside in New Zealand provided Jones with many plein air opportunities in addition to teaching.
His work has been exhibited at the Rose gallery, E.P. foster Library and Wright Library, in Ventura California. One man shows include the Fine Arts Gallery at California State University, Northridge, La Mirada Exposition, and a sell-out show at the Rayburn house Gallery in Whangari New Zealand.
While he tends to favor California Landscapes his travels help him to develop paintings from sketches and photos from these trips. Over 40 years of experience with various mediums has helped to perfect his ability to play with the effects of light, shadow, color and texture to evoke an emotional response from his paintings.
Orvel particularly enjoys painting en plein air and feels that some of his quick location paintings are among his best works. He prefers the rough, spontaneous approach to his paintings with further refinement happening in his home studio.
"My loving family, God, good friends, a glass of fine wine, and painting come first in my life. I truly hope that a collector of my paintings can have the privilege of feeling and enjoying, not just the visual effects, but the warm emotions of a lifetime commitment to PAINTING JOY.
The Buenaventura Gallery is located at 700 E Santa Clara St. in downtown Ventura. Hours are Tues – Friday from noon – 5 pm and Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. For more information, visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.

OXNARD, Calif.—Channel Islands Harbor is holding Concerts by the Sea each Saturday from July 5 – Aug. 30. The free summer concert series from 4 – 6 p.m. is held at Peninsula Park at Channel Islands Harbor, next to the Casa Sirena Hotel and the Hampton Inn. Parking is free.

Visitors can enjoy a wide array of musical styles including Jazz, Rock, R&B, Cajun, Zydeco, Folk and Oldies.

Summer Concert Lineup:

July 5 Judy Wexler Jazz

July 12 Drivematics Classic Rock

July 19 Randy Rich & the Ravens R&B

July 26 Acadiana Cajun/Zydeco

Aug. 2 Folk Collection 60s Folk Era Music

Aug. 9 Cadillac Angels 50s Surf Music

Aug. 16 Unkle Monkey Tropical Rock

Aug. 23 Ashford Gordon Jazz

Aug. 30 Teresa Russell & Coco Billi Rock/R&B

For more information on Concerts by the Sea or the Channel Islands Harbor, visit www.channelislandsharbor.org or call 805-985-4852.

Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and water sports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Ventura County Maritime Museum. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, the museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach.

OXNARD, Calif.—Tall ships from around the world will converge on Channel Islands Harbor Aug. 7-10. A total of eight tall ships will weigh anchor at the harbor as part of the American Sail Training Association’s Tall Ships Challenge race series. These majestic ships will be open for visitors to explore Aug. 8 - 10. One of the ships, the HMS Bounty, was built in 1960 for the movie “Mutiny on the Bounty” and recently used in “Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man's Chest.”

The Tall Ships Challenge begins in Canada and races along the Pacific Coast to end in San Diego. Channel Islands Harbor is the only stop between San Francisco and San Pedro.

While at the Channel Islands Harbor, people of all ages can climb aboard the decks and relive the ships’ colorful history through docent stories. Battle re-enactment sails, a pirate camp, tours and educational programs are also part of the festivities. Visitors additionally can wander through the Ventura County Maritime Museum and enjoy food and beverages from the many vendors.

Some ships visitors can explore include the Californian, the Official Tall Ship Ambassador for the state of California. Built in 1984, it is a replica of the speedy 1847 Revenue Cutter, the C.W. Lawrence. The ship is 145 feet long, 101 feet tall and with all nine sails flying, carries 7,000 square feet of sail.

The Spirit of Dana Point is a traditionally built replica of a 1770s privateer employed during the American Revolution. The ship is classified as a 118-foot topsail schooner, with a sparred length of 118 feet and 5,000 square feet of sail.

Cash ticket sales will be available at the festival. Credit card purchases can be made online at www.tallshipschannelislands.com and through Ticketmaster. For more information on the Tall Ships Challenge call the Channel Islands Harbor Visitor Information Line at 805-985-4852 or visit their Web site.

Channel Islands Harbor serves as a center of recreation, boating, shopping and watersports activities. The harbor is home to three yacht clubs and nine full-service marinas that provide berths for 2,150 boats. It also hosts the Ventura County Maritime Museum. Located at Fisherman’s Wharf, the museum is a cultural center dedicated to the interpretation of maritime history through interactive exhibits and educational outreach. For more information on the Channel Islands Harbor, visit the Web site at www.channelislandsharbor.org or call 805-985-4852.

The 2008 Ventura County Fair Parade is scheduled to march down Main Street in downtown Ventura to celebrate the 133rd Ventura County Fair.
The Parade date is Saturday, August 2, beginning at 10 AM. The parade will march from Catalina Street past the Reviewing Stand on Ash Street and end at Palm Street.
The Ventura County Fair Parade is a great way to herald the Fair and it is also a great way for community organizations to get public recognition. This year’s parade will be broadcast on CAPS television and on Time Warner Cable.
Deadline for parade entries is July 15. Parade applications can be picked up at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and on line at www.venturacountyfair.org. Please call 805-648-3376 for more information, James Lockwood, Ventura County Fairgrounds, (805), 648-3376 X 110, FAX (805) 648-1012, www.venturacountyfair.org, "Meet me at the Fair", 2008 Ventura County Fair, July 30 - August 10, 2008.

Paula Castillo’s exhibit, Illumination will be at the Discovery Gallery from July 3 – July 31, 2008 with an opening reception on Friday, July 11 from 5 – 7 pm. “Illuminations” is Buenaventura Art Association’s first stained glass exhibit. Castillo includes lamps, mirrors and whimsical figures all rendered in varying colors and glass.
Castillo has always been fascinated by how glass distorts light: the color, textures and variations are endless. Her interest in functional art forms combined with her interest in stained glass led her to begin a series of lamps and mirrors. Taking her idea for a lamp from paper through the labor of construction is one of imagination as the end product is not evident until it is complete. After the last solder joint has been done and the polishing rag is put down, it is only when a light bulb is inserted and the switch is turned on that she can see the results. The true colors of the glass are rich with ambient hues and prisms of light dance on the ceiling.
The vibrancy and contrast of the desert skies and colorful mountains in Castillo’s native Albuquerque are reflected in her work: the multi-cultural and ever-present art of her native New Mexico continue to inspire new ideas in glass.
Castillo has explored various mediums including watercolor, acrylics and has spent much time doing intricate embroidery works. She took her first stained glass class in Los Angeles while living in Topanga and was immediately immersed. She began with the Tiffany foiled method of construction and has since begun using the leaded method of construction. Larger constructed pieces are generally made in the later method, however Castillo feels comfortable with both.
She has helped numerous clients see a vision of art in glass deigns through her custom installations in many Southern California homes and businesses. Virtually all of her installations are original works of art created for the client. These include windows, doors, skylights, transoms and other decorative arts for the home.
She has a particular affinity for modern design that is sometimes flavored with Native American and/or Art Deco elements. “I feel most inspired while designing abstract forms utilizing both the linear and curvilinear and inter-mixing them to create a journey for the eye”, says Castillo. “Because I have so many designs that are just waiting to come out, I rarely replicate a design, however I could easily make the same piece to look vastly different in other choices in glass. Glass can be opaque, translucent, semi-translucent, wispy, wavy, bumpy, bevel or multi-colored”.
Castillo has shown her work at street fairs and demonstrations from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles and has shown locally at various art galleries including: Café on A, Harbor Village Gallery, Camarillo Old Town Studio and Buenaventura Gallery. She is a member of the Buenaventura Art Association and is enthusiastically involved in many Ventura County cultural events.
Castillo earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico. She is currently the Office Manager at Buenaventura Art Association. Paula currently resides in Santa Paula, California.
The Discovery Gallery is located at the Ventura Visitor’s Bureau, 101 S. California St in downtown Ventura. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information, call the Buenaventura Art Association at 805-648-1235 or visit their website at www.BuenaventuraGallery.org.