Raechel Santos speaks with Our Ventura TV host, Monique Nowlin, about why play is essential.

Understanding Purposeful Play

Purposeful play is defined as child-led, stress-free, and highly engaging. Instead of just observing a child play passively, caregivers “level up” the experience by asking open-ended questions, sparking imagination, and encouraging creativity.

Leveraging Everyday Household Items

Caregivers do not need to purchase expensive toys to foster development. Common household objects can be transformed through a child’s imagination into open-ended play tools:

• Colanders: Help babies practice their grip and fine motor skills while exploring textures.
• Shoeboxes: Great for practicing object permanence and introducing expressive language (e.g., playing hide-and-seek with objects).
• Cloth or Scarves: Simple tools that can become anything a child imagines.

The Science Behind Brain Architecture

Play is an essential foundation for early infant brain development, rather than an optional activity. Repetitive tasks that adults might view as making a mess (like repeatedly dumping items) are actually crucial learning moments where children explore cause and effect. This responsive interaction—known as “serve and return”—fires off neurons and strengthens the pathways of a child’s brain architecture.

Structure vs. Freedom in Play Environments

While safety boundaries are necessary, parents are encouraged to provide large open areas for exploration rather than strictly confining a child to a specific table or mat. Giving children the freedom to move builds early confidence.

Purposeful Play vs. Screen Time

The primary difference between active purposeful play and passive activities like screen time is the “serve and return” feedback loop. While educational videos have catchy songs, a screen cannot mirror a child’s expressions, return their giggles, or respond to their immediate mannerisms the way a present caregiver can.

Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

In a busy world, caregivers can achieve quality playtime by practicing “hang up and hang out.” This means temporarily setting aside phones, to-do lists, and other distractions to get down on the child’s physical level. Fully committing to a play mindset reduces stress for both the adult and the child.

Debunking Play Myths

A common myth is that play is a waste of time or that a quiet child is bored. In reality, quiet children are often observing, listening, and absorbing their surroundings. Additionally, caregivers should resist the urge to instantly intervene when a child struggles with a toy; minor struggles are vital problem-solving opportunities that build resilience in a safe space.

Core Advice for Caregivers

The most important takeaway is to get down to a child’s eye level—or bring them up to yours—and explicitly narrate daily activities. Whether gardening, baking, or running errands, talking through the day helps children navigate a world that is fundamentally built for adults.

TV broadcast week beginning 06/07/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Casey Comstock-Mills speaks with George Alger about TOArts.

About TOArts

TOArts is the presenting and programming nonprofit partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. In addition to presenting live shows, the organization hosts a wide range of community support initiatives, arts education, and career development programs.

The Arts Workforce Pipeline

TOArts features a “first five to first job” pipeline designed to provide arts exposure, creative interaction, and career development from elementary school all the way through to adult working professionals. Their core programs include:

• Kids in the Arts: Brings over 7,000 elementary students into the theaters for free performances.
• Junior Conservatory: A newly launched summer program for middle schoolers (grades 6–8) to engage creatively with the arts.
• Creators Conservatory: A 2.5-week summer program celebrating its fourth year, where high school students learn theater production and mount their own shows.
• Youth Arts Leadership Academy: A school-year program for high school and college students that culminates in a student-designed event, such as a recent film festival.
• Artist Incubator: A year-long professional development program for adult, working artists to advance their specific creative discipline.

Success Story

To illustrate the pipeline in action, Comstock-Mills shares the story of a student named Chris Coly. He initially entered the Creators Conservatory for acting, but the program’s requirement to learn all elements of production led him to discover a passion for behind-the-scenes work. After participating in the Leadership Academy for two years, he was hired as a stagehand at the Performing Arts Center and joined the inaugural Artist Incubator cohort to jumpstart his professional career.

Eligibility and Inclusivity

The programs are open via an application process to any student with a vested interest in the arts, regardless of prior performing experience. TOArts also offers a wide range of scholarships to ensure financial needs do not act as a barrier to participation.

Developing Multi-Hyphenate Skills

When addressing the economic challenges of pursuing an artistic career, Comstock-Mills emphasizes the value of cultivating “multi-hyphenate” artists. Rather than hyper-fixating on a single skill, students are encouraged to explore multiple facets—such as writing, directing, and design—to expand their employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the program values how arts education translates to other fields. Many students utilize these critical creative skill sets to transition into unrelated majors like pre-med, psychology, or engineering tailored for themed entertainment.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/31/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Brandon Nakamoto speaks with Gary Butterworth about Toastmasters.

Brandon explains that he joined after coworkers recommended the group, and he was immediately drawn in by the supportive, highly encouraging, and warm environment during his first meeting.

Stepping Onto the Stage

Despite being a relative beginner, Brandon volunteered to give a keynote speech at a public open house event, earning significant praise. Reflecting on the experience, Brandon mentions he felt no nerves because he knew the audience wanted him to succeed.

Rather than viewing the presentation as a test, he approached it as a story to share and inspire others, feeding off the positive energy and smiles in the room.

Constructive Feedback Over Judgment

Addressing the social anxiety and fear of judgment common in a highly digitized world, Brandon emphasizes that Toastmasters frames evaluations as opportunities for growth rather than criticism.

The group tracks filler words and pauses constructively, and members are paired with mentors who guide them through roles at their own pace.

This structured feedback helps speakers expand their stage presence and refine their physical gestures.

Building Human and Professional Connections

Toastmasters provides a global framework for real-world, face-to-face interactions that technology cannot replace. Brandon recalls a recent conference where speaking directly with award winners and the international president profoundly changed how he viewed himself.

He also shares how these soft skills translate to his workplace. By learning to slow down, listen actively, and speak concisely, Brandon has significantly improved his communication with corporate managers and directors.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/31/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

“Between the ‘no longer’ and the ‘not yet,’ there’s a story.” https://LiminalStories.org

Magdalena Rodriguez speaks with Sandra Siepak about VC Heal.

Overview of the VC Heal Program

The Ventura County Heal (VC Heal) Healthcare Careers program is an initiative led by the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County in partnership with Career Team. It serves as a pipeline to train, certify, and employ individuals in the healthcare sector. The program was created in response to the 2017–2018 Southern California wildfires, which resulted in lost homes, jobs, and a local hospital.

Funded by a Community Development Block Grant for disaster recovery, it aims to fill the high demand for healthcare workers in the region, where there are approximately 5,000 job openings annually.

Eligibility and Program Structure

The program is entirely free of cost for participants. To qualify, applicants must be:

• At least 18 years old
• A high school graduate or equivalent
• A resident of Ventura County
• Authorized to work in the United States

Because it is a no-cost program, participants are expected to demonstrate high dedication to the training, coursework, and testing. Training lengths vary depending on the chosen career path, ranging from short six-week courses (such as Certified Nursing Assistant) to longer 12-week programs (such as Alcohol and Drug Counseling). Other mid-level and entry-level career paths include medical assistants, front/back office staff, billing and coding specialists, pharmacy technicians, and phlebotomy technicians.

Support Systems and Timeline

Participants receive robust support throughout their journey. They immediately work with a Career Navigator to enroll and select a training path, a Life Coach to guide them through personal development, and a Business Service Representative toward the end of the program to handle job placement and employment needs.

After completing training, participants take their respective state certification exams and complete an externship before entering the workforce.

Because this is a limited-run grant program, it is scheduled to end in June of the upcoming year, with an overall goal of enrolling and certifying 250 individuals.

The WOW Bus (Workforce on Wheels)

A major milestone of the funding is the “WOW Bus,” a state-of-the-art, cutting-edge mobile classroom and training lab. The exterior features a prominent QR code linking directly to the workforce website.

It travels weekly to local libraries, job fairs, and remote areas of the county to eliminate transportation barriers for residents who cannot easily visit a physical office.

The bus operates as a walk-in service equipped with computers and workstations where a Career Navigator can help residents look for jobs, practice mock interviews using the “Career Edge” platform, and enroll directly in training programs. The WOW bus will continue operating even after the specific VC Heal grant concludes.

Additional Workforce Development Programs

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County—which recently won a nationwide trailblazing award ranking number one out of 570 boards—offers several other programs outside of VC Heal. These include VC Works and NextGen (a program tailored for youth aged 16 to 24).

TV broadcast week beginning 05/31/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Mark Fischer speaks with Gary Butterworth about the Camarillo Community Band.

They discuss the history, structure, and cultural importance of community concerts in Ventura County.

Defining a Community Band

A community band is distinct from a symphonic orchestra primarily because it consists entirely of woodwind instruments (such as saxophones, flutes, and clarinets) and brass instruments (like french horns and trumpets), completely excluding stringed instruments. While they do not have strings, they often perform the same type of music as an orchestra, alongside a much wider variety of genres.

Longevity and Impact

The Camarillo Community Band serves as a vital piece of local cultural life, providing roughly 60 adult musicians an outlet to maintain their skills and share their love of performing with the public. Founded in 1986 by Kirk Raymond, the band owes its longevity to highly consistent leadership—notably band manager Dan Rimes, who has been with the group since its inception as a charter member.

Repertoire and Guest Conductors

The band maintains a library of about 300 musical pieces. Their most popular performance throughout the years is a selection medley from the hit musical Les Misérables. They also frequently play traditional marches, movie scores, and classic rock medleys featuring music from groups like the Beatles, Elton John, and Chicago.

The band coordinates 15 rehearsals ahead of their major performance seasons. Each of their concert series features a different volunteer guest conductor chosen from resident musicians who previously served as local high school band directors.

Summer Concerts and Community Engagement

Presented by the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, the band offers a series of four free concerts held on Thursday evenings in July. These events take place at Constitution Park in the city of Camarillo. The concerts are designed as interactive, community-based experiences where attendees are encouraged to bring blankets, set up picnics on the grass, and playfully engage with the performers and conductors.

Joining the Band

The group operates as an all-volunteer organization. Rather than enforcing strict professional benchmarks, the group relies on the self-assessment of the adult musicians to maintain performance quality.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/24/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Marie Lakin speaks with MB Hanrahan about the Ventura Dudley House Museum.

The Dudley House is a historic gem in Ventura, California, built in 1892 by Benjamin Wells Dudley, a progressive figure who served as a justice of the peace and county supervisor. Originally situated on Telegraph Road, the Queen Anne-style home was gifted to the city by the family in 1978 and later moved to its current location at the corner of North Ashwood and Loma Vista. A dedicated volunteer group emerged immediately to preserve the landmark, adding a modern basement to serve as a community room.

Historical Significance and Interior

The museum is beautifully maintained in the East Lake architectural style—a decorative detailing applied to Queen Anne and other homes, popular during the late 19th century.

Inside, it features original furniture returned by the Dudley family, historical knickknacks of daily life (like toothpowder and a vintage Victrola), and progressive elements for its time—such as pre-electrical wiring installed by Benjamin Dudley in anticipation of electricity, and the first telephone in the area. The house is full of family stories, including a secret pass-through closet in the master bedroom used by the Dudley children to play games.

Tours and Living History

Volunteer guides dress in period costumes to give regular tours, especially focusing on educational experiences for families. The tours detail the hardships and realities of Victorian daily life, explaining things like chamber pots, outhouses, tight corsets, and what it was like to handle household chores 130 years ago before modern technology like televisions and smartphones existed.

Annual Events and Fundraising

As a nonprofit organization operating a city-owned property, the Dudley House relies entirely on donations and community fundraising to maintain the aging structure.

• Public Tours: Open to the public every first Sunday of the month from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (excluding Easter).
• Holiday Boutique: A 30-year community tradition starting the Friday after Thanksgiving and running for three weekends. The house’s furniture is cleared to showcase goods from local crafters, artisans, and antique dealers, while hot cider and cookies are served in the basement.
• Grounds & Facility Rentals: The large, picturesque outdoor grounds and the community room are rented out for private events such as weddings, baby showers, and gender reveals.

Ghost Hunts and Paranormal Interest

The property has caught the attention of paranormal investigators, including local ghost hunter Richard Senate. High-tech ghost hunts take place late at night using laser grids across the attic, and volunteers have reported witnessing mysterious phenomena, including a glowing blue orb in the kitchen.

Call for Volunteers and “New Blood”

A major challenge facing the Dudley House, along with other cultural organizations in Ventura, is an aging board of directors, many of whom have served since the late 1970s. The museum is actively seeking a new generation of volunteers to keep the history alive. Opportunities include joining the board, serving as costume-wearing tour guides, assisting with the holiday boutique, or providing specialized expertise in historic home restoration.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/24/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Cameron DeJong speaks with George Alger about the Ventura Football Network.

The Ventura Football Network is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2024. Its core mission is to make football (soccer) more accessible to local players, parents, and families. The organization aims to ensure that any player can access higher-level opportunities and reach their full potential regardless of their financial background or personal connections.

The Problem with the “Pay-to-Play” System

Founder Cameron Dang drew inspiration from his own journey playing local club, high school, and college soccer, as well as playing professionally overseas in Australia and Finland. He observed that the American soccer system relies heavily on a “pay-to-play” model.

In this structure, families often pay thousands of dollars a year for their children to secure the most visibility. Dang notes that success in this system is frequently determined by the size of a family’s pocketbook rather than the player’s actual skill. Meaning many talented athletes are priced out of tryouts, travel, and exposure.

Demystifying the Recruiting Process

To bridge this gap, the Ventura Football Network hosts local showcase events in areas like Ventura and Los Angeles. They actively counteract the typical “paywall” of high-end showcases. When players attend, the organization ensures they receive:

• High-quality game footage and live streams.
• Professional photography.
• Assistance with building college recruiting profiles, resumes, CVs, and highlight videos.

The network provides access to over 400 collegiate programs (ranging from Division 3 to Division 1) and more than 200 professional scouts spanning the United States, Europe, and Australia.

Affordable and Player-Centric Showcase Events

While commercial showcase events can easily cost upwards of $500 (excluding travel, food, and lodging), the Ventura Football Network recently hosted an event at Anacapa Middle School for just $20. This event brought in local junior college, men’s, and women’s professional scouts, allowing athletes to interact directly with coaches and ask questions.

Dang emphasizes that their $20 fee strictly covers basic overhead, and the organization is willing to waive it for players who cannot afford it, keeping the focus entirely on supporting the athlete rather than exploiting them for profit.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/17/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Angela May speaks with Sandra Siepak about the Ojai Wine Festival.

Event Overview and Fundraising

The Ojai Wine Festival is celebrating its 38th year in 2026. This annual event takes place on the third Saturday of every June from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. It is hosted at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area on a beautiful lakefront event site.

Organized by the Rotary Club of Ojai West Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the festival serves as the club’s primary fundraiser.

The proceeds support both local and international grants, including local scholarship programs, with over $60,000 granted locally and $80,000 in total funds distributed.

Attractions and Activities

The festival is a family-friendly, relaxed event where attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to set up along the lakefront. Key attractions include:

• Beverage Tastings: Featured selections from 30 to 40 curated, smaller wineries that typically lack grocery store distribution, alongside roughly 20 breweries, cideries, spirit companies, and various non-alcoholic options.
• Commemorative Glass: Attendees receive an updated, large crystal wine glass for tastings.
• Wine Judging: A serious wine-judging competition is held in partnership with the Sommeliers of the American Riviera (STAR).
• Free Boat Rides: Guests can take a complimentary trip on the Rotary Floating Classroom, a science-based educational boat program funded directly by the festival’s proceeds.
• Silent Auction: Wineries and partners donate premium items for attendees to bid on.
• Artisan Village: Features craft vendors selling unique items like jewelry, clothing, wood crafts (such as custom cutting boards), and goods made from wine barrels.

Entertainment

Live music and dancing are central to the festival experience. This year’s featured entertainment is Area 51, voted the number one dance band in Santa Barbara. They specialize in a wide range of upbeat dance music from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as current Top 40 hits.

Logistics and Attendance

The event typically draws an enthusiastic crowd of 1,500 to 2,000 people. Children under 12 are admitted for free when accompanied by a paying adult.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/17/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com

Mara Rodriguez speaks with Our Ventura TV host, Gary Butterworth, about the Moorpark Teaching Zoo.

Located at Moorpark College, this unique facility serves as a hands-on laboratory for students pursuing careers in animal care and training.

A Rare Educational Institution

The Moorpark Teaching Zoo is one of only two community college programs in the United States that features a fully functioning zoo on campus (the other is in Gainesville, Florida). Rodriguez, who began as a student in 1990 and never left, explains that the program allows students to gain direct experience in animal husbandry, training, and educational programming.

“The Creatures are the Teachers”

The zoo operates under the philosophy that the animals themselves are the primary educators. Students don’t just study from books; they build relationships with the animals by feeding, training, and caring for them 365 days a year. This holistic approach prepares students for professional roles in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries worldwide.

Addressing Animal Welfare

Rodriguez addresses common concerns about animals in captivity, noting that many of the zoo’s residents are rescues from the illegal pet trade or are non-releasable due to injuries. She emphasizes that staff and students spend hundreds of hours observing the animals’ behaviors to ensure their well-being. She encourages visitors to talk to staff about an animal’s history and personality rather than assuming they are “sad” based on a brief observation.

Clarence the Centenarian

One of the zoo’s most famous residents is Clarence, a 103-year-old Galapagos tortoise. Clarence has a storied history, having lived at the Dallas State Fair and the LA Zoo before moving to Moorpark 26 years ago. He was moved to the teaching zoo because he was being bullied by other tortoises and preferred a more individual setting, highlighting the importance of understanding each animal’s unique history.

Community Events and Involvement

• Wild Lights: An annual holiday event where the zoo is decorated with lights. Rodriguez notes that surprisingly, the tigers particularly enjoy the evening programming and remain active at their viewing windows throughout the event.
• Volunteer Program: The zoo maintains a highly trained volunteer team that assists with food preparation, animal handling for educational “meet and greets,” and hosting school field trips.

TV broadcast week beginning 05/10/26

Producer: George Alger

Sponsor: NONPROFIT FIRE, Google Ad Grants Community Building NonProfitFire.org

Sponsor: SKYWORKS MARKETING, Performance Advertising SkyworksMarketing.com