Housing Authority awarded $19 million, page 9! Vol. 3,Vol. No. 12, 11 No. 22 Published Every Published Other Wednesday Every Other Wednesday Established 2007 July 31 – August March 13, 10 2019 - 23, 2010 Twenty-four Ventura youths were honored at Thrill-seekers will enjoy this ride at the Fair. awards dinner. Photo by Aaron Kajumba. Photo by Richard Lieberman. Mirth, Police Activity Before Ennis was drafted to the NBA he played for Ventura High and Ventura College. League honors Merriment NBA superstar James Ennis III and Memory students and gives back to Ventura Youth supporters by Maryssa Rillo Making at the by Sheli Ellsworth On Saturday, July 27th, NBA Ennis was a phenomenal opportunity superstar and Ventura local, James for any kid but especially for the kids A strong police presence is usually 144th Ventura Ennis III, returned to his old stomping from the westside, because they are pre- associated with sirens, handcuffs and grounds and organized a basketball dominantly low income kids and so they arrests. But on July 12, Ventura Police County Fair camp for the westside Ventura youth at don’t get to see someone like this every along with parents, sponsors and The Ventura County Fair returns the Westpark Community Center. day,” Diaz said. students crowded into the Ventura July 31 – August 11 with twelve days of “One of the biggest reasons I put on The children had the opportunity to Beach Marriott for pasta, pizza and fun, excitement and entertainment. this camp today is my dad had mentioned participate in different basketball drills plaques. “We wanted to honor everyone This year’s fair, themed “A Country Fair to me probably two years ago when I did from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. who participates to make our Police with Ocean Air” is a celebration of one a camp at Ventura College, he told me to Eight-year-old Adrian Watts had the Activity League(PAL) possible,” says Sal of Ventura County’s oldest and most do one where I am from and this is where opportunity to attend the Ennis Elite Flores who has worked hands-on with beloved traditions. The Fair will feature I grew up at. This is where I used to come Camp. the afterschool boxing program for eight unique exhibits, exciting contests, and every day after school, always here. We “I played games and we did defensive years. Flores also serves on the P.A.L. top-of-the line Grandstand Entertain- didn’t really have nothing else to do so I drills and stuff like that,” Watts said. “I committee along with Omar Zapata, J. ment performances, free with Fair just stayed in this gym,” Ennis said. think it was really cool that I got to meet R. Luna, Ben Schuck, Joseph Hoss, Della admission. Before Ennis was drafted to the an NBA player.” Dowler, Jeanette Sanchez and Annette The Ventura County Fair carries out NBA, he played for Ventura High According to Ennis, the motivation Garcia. the tradition of great values. Special School, Ventura College, Long Beach behind coordinating this camp was to Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney was admission days offer opportunities to State and internationally in Australia. give back to the community and to show one of the founders of the P.A.L. program enter the Fair free or at low prices. Throughout his NBA career, Ennis the children of westside Ventura that which was launched in 1998 and works Thrill-seekers will enjoy Carnival has played for Miami Heat, Memphis they can accomplish anything they set to “ promote involvement between the Wristband Days again this year. On Grizzlies and the Houston Rockets. He their mind to. youth, the police and the citizens of August 1, 5, 6, and 8, purchase a $35 is currently a shooting guard for the James’ younger sister, Demetra the City of Ventura by providing mean- wristband, good for unlimited carnival Philadelphia 76ers. Ennis, assisted with the camp and ingful programs in the areas of sports, rides until 7:00 pm. The camp was funded by Ennis’s worked the different basketball stations academics, education, and recreation,” The Fair offers a unique way for foundation, Ennis Elite Camp, therefore during the day. according to their mission statement. visitors to have fun while giving to the it was free to all participants. According “The main goal behind this camp Corney says he recalls arresting Flores community at the “Feed the Need” to Westpark’s Youth Coordinator, Anita was to teach children that you can be and few other P.A.L. supporters back Food Drive, presented by FOOD Share Diaz, James wanted to make sure that anything you want to be in life if you when he was a beat cop. Flores now on Thursday, August 1. Bring 5 cans of the camp participants were predomi- just work hard and stay focused,” said sings praises for Corney, “You might food to donate to FOOD Share. For this, nantly from westside Ventura. To ac- Demetra. “I believe it’s very motivational have thought we couldn’t be friends, you’ll receive a free return ticket good for complish this, there wasn’t any outside because James comes from a very low but he eventually became my friend and August 5-8. advertising. poverty background and a lot of these mentor. The whole board has the utmost Grandstand concerts are a Fair “First of all he’s a celebrity and he’s a children that attended our camp come respect for him.” favorite, visitors can see wonderful NBA player so the idea of meeting James from the same background so I believe Youth who participated in the Continued on page 2 Ennis and then learning from James Continued on page 17 Continued on page 2 2 July 31 – August 13, 2019 Ventura BREEZE Business On July 26, A Secret Garden Coffee and Flowers held a Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting at their new downtown location at 677 E. Main. Owner Gloria Gonzalez stated “We are family owned and operated. We are committed to providing the highest quality flowers, plants and gifts available at the fairest price possible. Every customer is very important to us and we strive to give our utmost professional attention to every single order. Our entire staff is dedicated to de- livering the highest level of customer service and creativity.” Whether you need to pick up flowers or have them delivered they are there to help. Or to just relax and have wonderful drinks and deserts this is the place to do it. (805) 667-8330 asecretgardenflowershop.com Photo by Michael Gordon. Police Activity League honors to get these kids off the streets and open Continued from page 1 to a more productive way of life. When boxing program and have entered high- you’re a kid with nothing to do, gang er-education programs were awarded affiliation becomes a substitute for real plaques for their perseverance and ac- purpose.” Many of the youth spoke about complishments. Twenty-four Ventura how important it was just to have a place youths were honored including: Isabel to go after school and have someone Alvarez, Aldahair Benitez, Jackie Pinedo, to talk to. “Sometimes you just need Recently vomFASS Ventura, located at 451 E. Main Street had their Ventura Steve Pinedo, Fenix Valle, Lesley Alfaro, someone to cry with you after a bad day,” Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting. Gezell Contreras, Rosa Soto, Luis Grano, one of the honorees said. They all agreed They feature fruity balsamic vinegars, high-quality cooking oils, finest wines, Kim Grano, Angelica Hernandez, Shayla that the boxing program increased their exquisite spirits, such as whiskey, grappa or cognac as well as delicatessen specialties Ortega, Julian Narvaez, Jacob Flores, confidence and self-worth. online. Martha Lopez, Samantha Lopez, Max Officers Eric Jackson and Misti (805) 641-1900 Rocha, Brenda Marcelino, Adriana Henderson were also honored for par- Store Hours Cardodo, Lisandra Hernandez, Veronica ticipating as mentors/coaches. The Monday-Thursday: 11:00am to 7:00 pm Ortega and Hugo Enrique. Several of the ceremony clearly touched Chief Corney’s Friday and Saturday: 11:00am to 9:00pm youth are already in four-year university emotions when he too received an ap- Sunday 12:00pm to 6:00pm programs, a few are starting local junior preciation plaque from Flores. Corney Photo by Michael Gordon. colleges. Enrique plans to become a says, “I’m inspired by Sal’s accomplish- policeman. ments and his passion for the youth of our Flores, who found his own youth community and by officers like Jackson support P.A.L. programs.” Corney has opens and bring visitors to the Fair’s challenging, says, “Boxing is just a tool and Henderson who give their time to served the department for 33 years and front gate. No traffic hassles, no parking been the police chief for the last 10 years. problems, free parking and free shuttle bus service to the Fair is available from 10:30 am until 11:00 pm at these Mirth, Merriement and Memory locations: Oxnard Performing Arts Continued from page 1 Center (on Hobson Way in Oxnard) musicals acts and rodeos free with paid County Government Center (Lots E admission. Rodeo Days are a sure way & F, off Telephone Rd. in Ventura) to Cowboy Up and experience great Pacific View Mall (off Mills Rd. in P.R.C.A. Pro Rodeo action and adventure Ventura, near Sears Auto) Ventura with your family and friends! High School (Larrabee lots off Poli St. HEY! Everywhere you look you will see in Ventura) Parking lot at Schooner & We have a new someone singing, dancing, playing Harbor Blvd.