VENTURA

Lifeguards keep busy with eight rescues

Ventura Harbor's half-mile stretch of beach was packed with people over the weekend, keeping Harbor Patrol officers and state park lifeguards busy with rescues.

Rip currents and 5-foot waves caught several swimmers and body boarders, dragging them out to sea, said Tim Burrows, Harbor Patrol officer.

On Saturday, one swimmer almost drowned off Surfers Knoll before a bystander jumped into the water from a rock groin and pulled her out, Burrows said.

The Harbor Patrol responded, and the girl was taken to a local hospital.

Using a boat and four-wheel-drive vehicles, the patrol of four officers responded to eight rescues over the weekend, each involving several victims.

"It was as crowded as I've ever seen this weekend, and the conditions were dangerous for swimmers," Burrows said. "The beach has no lifeguard, so we sent the boat out and just patrolled and waited."

The rough waves and windy conditions are predicted to last through Wednesday, the Fourth of July holiday, when even more people are expected on the unprotected beach, Burrows said.

The Harbor Patrol and state park lifeguards are urging people to swim only at beaches with lifeguards. Those beaches include Harbor Cove within Ventura Harbor, Pierpont, the state parks, Hollywood Beach, Silver Strand and Port Hueneme Beach Park.

Police arrest pair in Saturday shooting

Two people were arrested after a shooting in Ventura, officials said Sunday.

Cesar Gonzales, 27, and Lorraine Bausa, 26, both of Santa Paula, were booked into the Ventura County Jail on Saturday evening on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, negligent discharge of a firearm and possession of a concealed weapon.

About 5:45 p.m. Saturday, the Ventura Police Department received a 911 call about a shooting near Saticoy Avenue and Peony Street. Witnesses said a group of juvenile and adult males approached a vehicle parked in the area and were involved in an argument with the vehicle's occupants, according to a report.

The vehicle sped away, and witnesses reported hearing gunshots.

The other group fled from the scene, and patrol officers stopped the vehicle nearby, police said.

Police identified Gonzales and Bausa as occupants of the vehicle.

Anyone with information about the shooting should call Ventura police detectives at 339-4394.

Appraisals offered for home treasures

Every home has them — pieces of furniture, framed art, prints, photographs, jewelry, books and other things that just might be valuable.

Now the Museum of Ventura County is going to help people find the value of those items.

On July 23 the museum is inviting people to bring their treasures to Ventura, where auctioneers and appraisers from Bonhams & Butterfields will be on hand to give verbal auction estimates of the value of the pieces. The price is $10 per item for guests and $5 per item for museum members. There will be a limit of five items.

No appointments are being taken, and the appraisals are available on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m.

The museum is at 100 E. Main St. in downtown Ventura. For information, call 653-6715 or visit http://www.venturamuseum.org. All proceeds will benefit museum programs.

Nature painter reveals techniques

Noted contemporary California impressionist and Thousand Oaks resident David C. Gallup will hold a free demonstration and discussion of techniques from 1 to 3 p.m. July 14.

The event will be at the Museum of Ventura County's Thousand Oaks location in The Oaks shopping center.

Gallup, known for his light-infused landscapes and seascapes, is working on a series of oil paintings about the Channel Islands.

He is vice president of the California Art Club, established in 1909 by California impressionists.

Gallup also serves on the International Advisory Committee of the Natural World Museum in San Francisco.

Those who attend the demonstration also can see the museum's exhibit, Nature Observed: Painting, Sculpture & Photography, running through Labor Day.

It features different visions of the environment, ranging from those of 19th century artist Henry Chapman Ford and early 20th century California impressionist Paul Lauritz, to contemporary painters, photographers and sculptors.

The Museum of Ventura County satellite at The Oaks shopping center in Thousand Oaks is open from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free.

The museum is located on the upper level, northeast end, across from Anthropologie.

For more information, call 496-7460 or visit http://www.venturamuseum.org.

OXNARD

High school to host dance show

"Feathers," an original dance production, will premiere at Oxnard High School at 7 p.m. July 20 and 21.

This show will be presented by the Buenaventura Ballet and Dance Academy, which has featured Ventura County children and adults for the past 37 years.

The show features children as well as adults from all over the county and is professionally costumed and choreographed.

Selections include whimsical portrayals of many birds, from magical canaries to tap-dancing penguins.

Tickets are $16 and will be sold at the door on show nights. Oxnard High School is located at 3400 W. Gonzales Road. Call 650-1819 for more information.

Rescue Mission plans picnic for homeless

The Ventura County Rescue Mission will host a Fourth of July picnic for homeless and low-income people in Oxnard.

The event will be held at 234 E. Sixth St. at noon today to honor those who have served in the past and to pray for those now in the armed forces.

The traditional picnic will include a ceremony to honor veterans. Hot dogs, hamburgers and potato salad will be served.

The picnic has been hosted by the Rescue Mission for about 18 years, and up to 350 people attend, said Carol Roberg, director of the Ventura County Rescue Mission.

About one in five homeless men in the United States is a veteran, Roberg said. "I think we should especially honor them for their service to this country."

The Rescue Mission has served homeless and low-income people since 1972. Last year, more than 320,000 meals were provided, and 51 men graduated from the organization's nine-month live-in drug and alcohol recovery program.

The Rescue Mission does not receive government funds and is supported by private contributions.

For information or to make contributions, call 487-1234, ext. 3200.

VENTURA COUNTY

Oxnard woman dies from crash injuries

An Oxnard woman died Sunday from injuries she received in a crash more than a week ago.

Marie Richlewski-Schmidt, 86, died at 2:30 a.m. at Ventura County Medical Center, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner-Coroner's Office. An official cause of death had not been determined Sunday afternoon.

The accident happened at 10:45 a.m. June 24 in Ventura at Telephone Road and Johnson Drive, said James Baroni, chief deputy medical examiner.

Richlewski-Schmidt was the backseat passenger in a car that was rear-ended by a minivan at a stop light, Baroni said.

The Ventura Police Department is investigating the crash.

Richlewski-Schmidt's husband and a 16-year-old boy who was a passenger in the other car also were injured in the accident, officials said.

— From staff reports