like a snail

While everyone is awfully merry this time of the year, business is about as slow as it gets for a freelance writer. That compounded with a "rebounding" economy (notice the hopeful wording) has made for a really slow year.

My usual end-of-the year blip of business around October/November when folks are trying to use up what's left of their annual budget was pretty small this year.

By now everyone has pretty much wrapped things up until January.

My Christmas wish: For Barack to turn the economy around by the time my littlest one goes to Kindergarten plumping marketing and publishing budgets enough for freelance writers like me to get some substantial work.

A girl can wish, right?

The hillsides were alive with the sound of music

By Rebecca Wicks

Oct. 6, 2010

Ventura Breeze

I have to admit, my husband and I became members of the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy in 2007 for the not-so-noble cause of purchasing tickets to see Jack Johnson at their annual concert. We are big Jack Johnson fans (no joke: my two-year old can sing the chorus from the song “Breakdown”) and, apparently we are not alone, the concert sold out that year. While we had not been back to another concert, we have remained members.

While the group organizes a multitude of activities and events throughout the year it has a singular cause – to acquire land in order to preserve the hillsides, canyons and open space that contribute to the character and natural environment of Ventura.

With this mission at their forefront, the group also coordinates regular beach and river basin clean ups as well as a number of educational outreach events.

While the group has been in existence since April 2003 they acquired their first parcel of land in December 2007. The group stewards a total of three parcels of land today.

Despite all this, the group is probably best known for one of the largest events in the area – the annual Ventura Hillsides Music Festival. Thanks to this group and its efforts, Ventura has played host to a number of well-known music names the from the likes of Jack Johnson and Los Lobos to Jackson Browne and The Neville Brothers. This year was no different with headliner and 12-time Grammy winner Emmy Lou Harris the famed American singer-songwriter followed by Colbie Caillat, the Gin Blossoms and WPA.

If you haven’t been to a Hillsides event, let me tell you, it’s not your average concert. Two parts music, one part festival and one part education, the event is beyond mellow and mostly family-appropriate. So, armed with sippy cups and kettle corn from the farmer’s market, the family and I headed to Ventura College to catch the shuttle to the eighth annual concert.

We arrived in time to see the last half of WPA’s set. An amalgamation of bands including members of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Nickel Creek and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to name a few, the band sounded a little more blue grass than the early 90s rock and roll roots many in the group came from. Upbeat and fun, I always love the sound of Glen Phillips voice and the addition of the fiddles made their sound unique.

We spent the better part of the Gin Blossoms set in the kids area located in a shielded area almost behind the stage meaning we mostly listened to without seeing the band. Going into the concert my husband didn’t think he knew any Gin Blossoms songs beyond the well known hit “Jealousy.” At least four times – while helping my daughter color – he proclaimed, “Hey I know this song,” which tells you how big some of their hits were seeing he was a hip-hop listener back in his high school and college days. Jesse Valenzuela’s voice sounded strong and the band crisp reminding me that they were one of the better live performing bands amongst their peer set in the 90s.

Next up was Colbie Caillat, a local Newbury Park girl who has found recent fame with songs like “Bubbly” and “Realize.” Younger girls streamed down to the dance area to get a glimpse of the fresh-faced girl with a guitar singing mostly about love. She talked about the origins of some of her songs and seemed genuinely happy to be performing that day.

Last up was Emmylou Harris who I have to admit I knew little about prior to the announcement of her headlining the concert. She more than pleased the crowd with her melodic voice which has been sought after by greats such as Linda Ronstadt, Elvis Costello and Dolly Parton to name a few.

In the end more than 2,500 attended the event according to Stephen Svete a trustee for the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy.

“It went fantastic,” said Svete. “We were competing with a lot of events that weekend and we were still able to fill the hall.”

Svete gave much of the credit to the event’s success to the many volunteers who dedicate countless hours to the organization and the annual concert. He pointed out the event is headed up by volunteer Lynn Bartosh whom he called “phenomenal.”

Bartosh, who has no background in planning events, has learned as the event has grown how to put on one of the biggest events in Ventura.

“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lynn,” said Svete. “In the end our organization doesn’t work without volunteers – and we have great ones.”

From the land of fried and frozen food

By Rebecca Wicks

Ventura Breeze, Aug. 11, 2010

My four-year old went to the fair for the first time two years ago. She has been a ride junkie ever since. Last summer she proclaimed she was going to get married at the fair. This year, armed with our pre-purchased ride tickets we headed out to the fair on opening day – because that is what serious fair goers like ourselves do.

We met some friends because while rides are fun, rides with other giggling four-year old girls are just that much more exciting. The girls rode cars, airplanes, helicopters, boats, swings…you get the idea. We snacked on cotton candy and ice cream. We saw animals. We perused exhibits. All in all, the fair did not disappoint.

Here are some of the highlights – in order – according my four-year old.

1. The caterpillar ride was good, but not as fast and missing what she thought should have been a bigger drop than she would have liked.
2. She was ecstatic to learn she was 42 inches (measured officially by the auspicious carnie manning the carousel) clearing her for solo non-adult accompanied missions on rides.
3. She won a panda bear playing a water gun game which she promptly named Pandy.
4. Getting ice cream with mommy. How much did I love that I made the list?
5. The four-day old baby pigs. “Mama, were they born for the fair?”

Now, from a mommy’s perspective here are some highlights and observations.

1. Fair food is a beast of its own. With no place on the U.S.D.A.’s food pyramid, virtually everything at the fair is fried, frozen, yellow or contains more than your daily allowance of sugar. You know it’s bad when the fair Website actually recommends you bring antacids. By the way, fried Twinkies are so yesterday. Go for chocolate dipped bacon instead.
2. All fair rides are designed to make you dizzy and nauseous. They all spin. Some spin in a straightforward manner, for example the carousel, while others are more like poorly weighted tops spinning awkwardly from one side to the other.
3. Carnies are as aggressive as ever. My favorite was the gal trying to convince me that giving my four-year darts to throw wasn’t going to end poorly.
4. If you love rabbits, pigs or cows the fair is the place to go. In their respective areas for example you will see rabbit after rabbit after rabbit in numbers upwards of 100.
5. No one was happier than me when the carnie measured my daughter at 42 inches. That spinning dragon ride looked like bad news to me.

Lastly, here are some tips for a speedier, thriftier trip to the fair with young children.

1. Get there early. This seems like common sense, but there are nearly no lines for rides from 11 a.m. to noon.
2. Don’t park in the fairgrounds parking lot. Not only will you save yourself $10, but the line to get into the parking lot generally stretches down Harbor to C Street and beyond. If you get there early exit Sanjon Rd. head for downtown and look for street parking near Figueroa, Santa Clara and Juniper Streets. Or, avoid the crowds and park at any of the fairground shuttle sites.
3. Consider going on Aug. 12 when a ride wristband costs only $25. With smaller rides averaging $2.50 each, if you go on more than 10 rides (which a four-year old can do in less than an hour) you’ll easily make your money back.
4. Pack a lunch and beverages. Save your money for treats and rides.
5. If your kids are old enough, enjoy the fair during the day, get your hand stamped and come back in the evening for fireworks at 10 p.m.

dan schorr

The news industry lost a great today. Perhaps not as well known as Cronkite or Rathers, but in many ways just as if not more important.

Schorr found his final home with NPR where I always looked forward to his commentary on current events and figures.

(photo via NPR)

the industry nicknamed it "Mel" cute, right?

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has proposed to register methyl iodide -- a chemical used mostly in strawberry crops. Virtually all scientists believe the chemical to be in a word: deadly. Laboratory animals exposed to methyl iodide have developed cancer, neurological damage and birth defects.

The State Senate Food and Agriculture Committee is "looking into" the DPR's proposal. Once the approval is given, it is not subject to appeal. The company manufacturing the chemical expects their product to be approved and used on California strawberry crops next April.

The director of DPR has admitted the "material is highly toxic and we need to respect it."

Most farmers currently use methyl bromide, which is destined to be banned by federal regulators by 2015.

There may or may not be a way to stop the "okaying" of this chemical.

Drop an email to your state representatives, senators or to the Governor.

Check here to see who your state representatives are.

Click here to send the Governor an email.

Here is some proposed language to use in your email via Pesticide Action Network (PAN). Don't forget to include your full name and address at the end of the email.

I am emailing you to ask [Assemblymember/ Senator X] to ensure that methyl iodide is not registered for agricultural use in California. .

As a resident of California who lives among agricultural fields, I am extremely concerned about the health and environmental effects of this toxic chemical and believe it is the responsibility of the Senate and DPR to protect me and my family from such poisonous substances. Although I support the decision to phase out methyl bromide, I don’t think replacing one dangerous chemical with another upholds this responsibility in any way, especially when alternatives exist. From farms like Swanton Berry to strawberry giants like Driscoll, farmers know how to grow strawberries and other fruits and vegetables without toxic fumigants.

I am so concerned about methyl iodide because:

» Methyl Iodide is a known carcinogen, a thyroid disrupter, a neurotoxin and may cause miscarriages.

» It is used in laboratories to create cancer cells for scientific research.

» Methyl Iodide will contaminate our groundwater.

Big words, jargon, not just my pet peeve

I was listening to a BP executive talking on the radio about how BP is committed to mitigating the situation in the Gulf and it reminded me of a cardinal rule I used to teach when media training: Use simple layman terms.

As some would say – speak English!

I’m sure this executive is a highly educated individual. And, perhaps in places such as a boardroom or shareholder meeting the use of big words work to impress his audience and maybe even garner him respect, placing him in a superior position in the room.

But, when you’re talking to America – big words make people feel like they are being talked down to.

It reminds Americans that rich, highly-educated people tend to run their lives. Most people don’t run around “mitigating” problems. If you ask a harried mom with multiple kids she “does everything in her power to stop the problem.” If you ask a foreman on a manufacturing line he simply put, “fixes it.”

Straight honest talk is the best way to speak to people – in a crisis situation and not.

Both big words and jargon in the end come off as patronizing.

I spent a fair number of years working in technology (second only the legal industry when it comes to big words and jargon offenders) sifting through terms like core competency, robust solution, platforms, and enterprises. Most of the time what I was writing was meant to be consumed by insiders in the industry like trade media or middle-men who sold to consumer outlets. The terms got used so much they fooled people into thinking they were real words, and meant – well, something real.

In the real world, those types of terms mean very little if anything at all, and generally leave a bad taste in most listener mouths.

So remember spokespeople stay away from big and lots of words as well as jargon.

Keep it simple.

corporate madness

I've lived in a handful of cities in my life, but traveled quite a bit and I've never come across a series of events quite like these.

I think they are fun and in good-spirit which is nice to see. I'm glad this event has seemed to survive so far in our less-than-stellar economy. Hope I just didn't jinx them.

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No stuffiness about these Corporate Games

By Rebecca Wicks

Apr. 21, 2010

Ventura Breeze

This year, more than 66 companies are facing off at the 21^st annual Corporate Games. Put on by the City of Ventura, events range from the traditional softball and 5K run to those sports less covered by ESPN including dominos, Texas Hold’em and Frisbee golf.

According to city event planners the six-week competition which ends May 15 is designed for companies to get outside and to get to know each other.

This year’s games include 29 different sports. Rowing is this year’s demonstration event.

“We had 16 companies compete [in rowing] this year with four other companies on a waiting list,” said Chip Tarleton a supervisor for the City of Ventura. “It will probably be a full event next year.”

Scott Powers, a four-year veteran of the Games will be competing in tennis, badminton and table tennis.

“The games are very well organized by the City and allow for a respectable level of competition without going overboard,” said Powers a budget analyst for the County of Ventura. “The atmosphere created allows for people to partake in a sport that may not be in one’s comfort zone but seems fun and entertaining to try.”

Powers who considers himself a novice at tennis will, in his first match, play one of the finalists who competed in the gold medal match last year.

“I am completely overmatched,” said Powers who was able to keep a sense of humor about the impending match. “The game starts at 8 a.m. and I plan on being home for breakfast that morning.”

The Games opening event reception took place earlier this month at the Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo where a mix of sponsors, city officials and some participants mingled.

While sports like basketball, soccer and surfing are all part of the Games, the most popular games may better reflect the prevailing attitude of having fun. According to Tarleton, the most popular sport this year is bowling with 75 teams entered followed by miniature golf where 59 teams are registered. The next three most popular sports: board games including spades, dominos and Texas Hold’em; billiards and finally bocce ball which was last year’s demonstration sport.

Competition is divided into divisions based on the size of each company. After the first week of competition in the Division A category Naval Base Ventura County was in the lead with the County of Ventura in second and Amgen in third. In Division B Nusil Technology edged out Patagonia for the number one spot by one point, with Proctor & Gamble in third.

In Division C Northrop Grumman stood in first place with Dairy Farmers of America and Dako following. In Division D Limoneria was in the lead with Crescendo Interactive in second and Calavo Growers in third.

Tammy Butterworth, a management assistant for the watershed protection district has been competing in volleyball since 2002. She says meeting new people and the memories are both great aspects about the Games.

“My best memory is when our women’s beach volleyball team won first place against the Navy one year,” said Butterworth. “It was a great feeling.”

On Apr. 17 participants joined an Earth day beach cleanup event which also honored Jacob Dole Prosbasco, a former city of Ventura employee who competed in the games and passed away in 2008.

The Games conclude on May 15 with closing ceremonies events at San Buenaventura State Beach. Events for the day include the mandatory tug-of-war contest, live music, a sandcastle contest and award ceremonies.