Local heroes honored, page 8! Vol. Vol. 3, 13, No. No. 11 3 Published Every Other Published Wednesday Every Other Established Wednesday 2007 November 6 – November March 10 19,- 23, 2019 2010 Members of Buena’s football and baseball teams made an altar in honor of late teammate Patrick Graham. Ventura High players celebrating their rivalry win. Buena’s Dia de los Muertos VHS football takes W in hometown brilliantly honors the departed rivalry game for tenth year in a row by Amy Brown by Maryssa Rillo It’s 7:00pm, on October 23 at Buena students created traditional altars, while The Ventura High School Cougars defeated the bulldogs the past nine High, and a young girl with skeleton and others created an interactive activity or took on the Buena High School Bulldogs years. After Friday night’s win with a flowered face paint runs through the game based on research that would teach on Friday, October 25th at Larrabee 49-28 score, Ventura High accumulat- crowd with her parents. They race past participants about Dia de los Muertos. Stadium in their annual rivalry football ed a decade worth of winning streaks a giant tree—vivid with colored paper Continued on page 14 game. The cougars have consistently against Buena. flowers from root to branch and dramatic “They’re very happy because they up-lights—on their way to the Aztec know there is a lot of tradition in beating dancing performance. It’s the annual Buena and they don’t want to let down Dia de los Muertos celebration at the the guys before them,” AB Marin, Ventura school, a huge community event for this High School’s Secondary Coach said. popular cultural celebration of life. The With slick handoffs by junior wide Day of the Dead is a truly vibrant festival receiver, Cade Ledesma to senior wide honoring those who have passed away, receiver, Zack Rodriguez and rushes for celebrating their time on the planet with touchdowns by senior half back, Jadon ornate and beautiful multi-level altars. Cline, the Cougars were able to set up a Hosted by Buena’s Spanish teachers and 14-0 lead against the Bulldogs. students, it featured student artwork “My personal performance was, I and projects, food, music and dancing know I could have done better, but other with participants from Oxnard High, De than that I felt very accomplished. I felt Anza, Anacapa, Cabrillo and many other The Rubicon’s Broadway Juniors entertained at the library. very happy and I couldn’t have done it schools and local organizations. without my guys,” Ventura wide receiver, “My number one favorite thing about Ventura Friends of the Library Zack Rodriguez said. the event is the students’ enthusiasm,” Though, Ventura came into the game said Emily Bradvica, a Buena Spanish celebrates 50 years of service ready to win, Buena came in hungry and teacher and Buena alum who has partic- ready to fight. The bulldogs were led by by Jill Forman ipated in each event since its inception their senior running back, Bruce Pow- seven years ago. “They blow me out of “Libraries were my salvation!” That ishing library system is vital to so many ell-Mathis who had two touchdowns the water with their altars and creativity, statement was made by local author and in the community, in 1969 a small against the cougars. and everything they come up with, it’s speaker Ivor Davis. group of Ventura citizens formed what “I think we gave up too many points remarkable.” Bradvica shared that some In that spirit, knowing that a flour- Continued on page 8 Continued on page 15 2 November 6 – November 19, 2019 Ventura BREEZE City News Everyone deserves a home. Help us raise $5 million by December 2019 to increase affordable housing options in Ventura County Housing Trust Fund Ventura County provides funding support, through its The Ventura Chamber held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new owner’s of Spice- Topia. revolving loan fund, for the development of affordable housing for very- The store specializes in fair-trade spices and teas, international salts, flavor-infused low to low-income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm sugars and other gourmet goodies. “My family is very into food. We love to cook and eat, workers, and the homeless. Proposition 1 matching fund program means . so we’ve been purchasing stuff from SpiceTopia for a long time,” said Anna-Marie Tan, co-owner and general manager. Every $1 donated equates to $2 for affordable housing in Ventura County. 576 E. Main St. 805-628-3267 Photo by Michael Gordon. tial landlord in the City of Ventura, In addition to the satisfaction of currently managing 295 public housing knowing you are making a difference units, 705 nonprofit affordable rental in the lives of many families in our units, and more than 1,500 Section 8 community, you and your guests will vouchers. The agency is actively working also watch the sunset overlooking the to increase the supply of affordable Pacific Ocean as you enjoy delicious food, The leading early-funding lender for developers housing and to improve the quality of wine, a silent and live auction and more. creating affordable housing options in Ventura County. life for hundreds more of the low-income With items including family travel residents of the City of Ventura. http:// and adventure experiences such as, a 805-384-1144 www.hacityventura.org/. Safari trip to Africa, weeklong deluxe housingtrustfundvc.org NAHRO, established in 1933, is motorhome adventure, day long private [email protected] a membership organization of nearly plane charter along the central coast, 20,000 housing and community de- and day long Disney park adventure. velopment agencies and professionals There will also be a short program and success in maintaining housing,” throughout the United States whose featuring testimonies from a few Housing said Denise Wise, CEO of HACSB. mission is to create affordable housing local adoptive families who they have “This initiative connects multiple and safe, viable communities that supported along the way; it will surely Authority of agencies to address a variety of needs in enhance the quality of life for all tug at your heartstrings. one place with one coordinated approach Americans, especially those of low- and For more information please visit: the City of San that benefits all involved. We are proud moderate-income. NAHRO’s member- https://www.kidsandfamilies.org/ to connect our residents with providers ship administers more than 3 million To purchase tickets: Buenaventura who can be a safety net of resources for housing units for 7.6 million people. http://igfn.us/f/2cxg/n people in need,” Wise said. Facebook: https://www.facebook. The VCAAA, under contract with com/events/718309298622513/ receives Award HACSB, provides short-term case man- A home for agement and referrals to other services of Merit and consults with HACSB staff to ensure the holidays NAWBO The National Association of residents can access the services they Housing and Redevelopment Officials need, such as mental health, nutrition, celebrating Ventura County (NAHRO) recently honored the Housing healthcare and crisis intervention. Authority of the City of San Buenaven- NAHRO President Carl S. Richie, adoption in gives you the tura (HACSB) with the 2019 Award of Jr. said, “Congratulations to our 2019 Merit in the Resident and Client Services Awards of Merit recipients. I am so proud Ventura County gift of time this category for the Housing Plus program of the great work they’re doing for their Kids & Families Together (K&FT) is partnership with the Ventura County clients and their communities.” a nonprofit that has been serving foster, holiday season Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA). The NAHRO Awards of Merit adoptive, kinship, and birth families Does the thought of overbooking Housing Plus provides case manage- program was created 20 years ago to throughout Ventura County since 2000. your December calendar with holiday ment services to older adults, veterans recognize agencies who found innova- K&FT works with children who have parties make you feel a bit stressed? The and individuals with disabilities who tive ways of making a difference in their experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, Ventura County chapter of the National reside in properties owned or managed communities and in the lives of the and multiple placements. Also, working Association of Women Business Owners by HACSB, comprising about 60 percent people they serve by creating affordable with caregivers who need specialized (NAWBO VC) is giving you the gift of of HACSB residents. “We serve a vulner- housing, revitalizing their neighbor- education, support, and strategies to time this holiday season! No NAWBO VC able population. This program helps to hoods and developing initiatives such help raise safe, healthy, nurtured children holiday party to add to your already over- ensure that these residents receive assis- as job readiness programs, public-pri- that thrive. K&FT supported and guided flowing December calendar. tance to mitigate issues that may lead to vate partnerships, disaster prevention the following family on their adoption Instead, relax with us on Wednesday, eviction. It also helps residents connect projects and more. journey. November 13th for a festive Pre-Holiday to vital services that support well-being HACSB is the largest residen- We are happy to invite you to partic- Mix & Mingle and ring in the holidays at ipate in a new and exciting benefit event Four Brix Winery in Ventura over light for Kids & Families Together, called, “A snacks, wine and WINGO (women net- Home for the Holidays.” A Home for the working over bingo). Admission is just $10 Out and About? Holidays will take place on Saturday, for members and $15 for guests if you grab Pick up copies of “GINNY” at November 23rd from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m.