The moment I set eyes on Pizza Man Tony I knew I wanted to paint him for my Face of Ventura Project which continues with The Ventura Breeze newspaper. Not only does he make the best pizza in town and has done for some 40 odd years, he has one of THOSE faces that us artists love. He turned up in his baking apron and shirt full of pizazz. We had the best time together, chatting and singing along to Frank Sinatra while I painted him.
To read Full Breeze go here: http://www.venturabreeze.com/ Thanks as always to publisher Sheldon Brown.
Tony Barrios
Portrait by Johanna Spinks
Tony Barrios is indeed a Face Of Ventura.
Born and raised in Ventura in a home about one block from his res- taurant, Tony’s Pizzeria located at 186 Thompson Boulevard, he has had an exciting, rewarding and suc- cessful life.
While at Ventura High School he was a 16-year-old exercise boy and rider at several race tracks including Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. In fact (at 102 pounds) he was grooming to become a jockey when World War II interrupted his plans when he went into the Army at 17.
World War II also presented him with something that he didn’t want – a Purple Heart. While in action in France, with the 106 Cavalry Recon Squadron he was wounded when a land mine blew up a few feet from him. He was 19 at the time. He has been with wife Jerrie for 30 years and has 3 sons, 3 daughters and 11 grand kids.
Among the many things that he has done: for 10 years he was a rodeo clown, in 1955 he was the Ventura County hard pitch softball batting champ, he was a Kempo black belt, and he once raced Jesse Owens except that he was on a horse (he won).
He also plays the guitar and sings just like Frank Sinatra. But he says, “The difference is when Sinatra sings it’s sad and when I sing it’s pitiful”.
But he is best known as the creator of Tony’s Pizzeria which he opened first where the present Knights of Columbus is located, and in 1968 he moved to his present loca- tion on Thompson. His mentor was a New York pizza man.
Today he still works part time and his 2 sons, Tony Jr. and Johnny, run the place most of the time with occa- sional help from daughter Linda who comes in from Visalia.
He still loves being with his cus-
tomers and socializing with them, some of whom have been eating his pizzas for over 50 years, and playing the Keno machines at local casinos.
The next time that you drive by the Tortilla Flats Murals (right next to the Pizzeria) you will find him be- tween the two images of Jesse Owens and do stop and say hi.
We asked him what he likes most about liv- ing in Ventura?
We have so much to enjoy here, especially along our south-facing shoreline.
Surfing, fishing, cycling, strolling along the promenade and pier, and often the thrill of spectacular sunsets, Seaside Park, Ventura Harbor, Grant Park all with backgrounds of rolling green hills and distant mountains. We are truly blessed.
Over the years the people of Ven- tura have been so good to me, and those who visit from out of town of- ten express a wish of wanting to live here--notsurprising, as most would agree, our weather is hard to beat. To me, its 100% enjoyable!
And how was the experience of having your portrait painted by Johanna?
One day I walked into my business and waiting for me was a lady by the name of Johanna Spinks who told me she was an artist, and wanted to paint my portrait.
The experience was such a pleasure because of the way she paints. She asked me what kind of music I liked, and I told her I loved to listen to Frank Sinatra. She turns on her tape player, takes her long handled brush, and starts to paint at her easel in rhythm with the music, showing signs of real happiness! It’s a great pleasure to know her. Also while in her studio I met Sheldon Brown, publisher of the Breeze, an- other great person.
To READ THE FULL BREEZE Go here
SITTER NUMBER 4 OF 52!
My name is Jolene McBee
I am the owner and operator of
The Vagabond Restaurant located on
Thompson.
I came to Ventura in December of
1971 and absolutely fell in love with
this most beautiful city. I started working
as waitress at the Vagabond Restaurant
in February 1975. I was hired
as temporary help until such time as
the manager, Mr. Mac McBee, could
hire someone full
time. As it turned
out, he never
hired anyone to
take my place. I
loved the work
and the place
and Mr. McBee
seemed happy
with me. So happy
in fact that
we were married
four years later in 1979. And I never left
the business. My husband and I bought
the restaurant from the original owner
in 1985 and then it really became our
life and our love.
We have raised our children, grandchildren,
and now great-grandchildren
in this most wonderful, homey and
comfortable place full of love, laughter,
and so many, many, cherished memories.
After my husband passed away in
2003, I met with all my employees and
we all agreed to stick together and to
carry on the business just as Mac had
done all those years before. We became
even more determined than ever to do
the best we could with the legacy he had
left us. I think he would be proud of all
of us.
My passions include spending time
at the restaurant with my family, my
employees, my friends and customers
and especially with my 2 1/2 year
old great-grandson, Zack. I never have
enough time with him.
We asked her what she likes most about living
in Ventura?
The things I love about living in
Ventura are absolutely too many to
mention here. I love the fact that Ventura
has a “small town feel”. The people
here are some of the most warm, caring,
loving people that I have ever met. I am
originally from Texas and I know about
Southern hospitality
and I can
tell you that the
citizens of Ventura
(and Ventura
County) show
just about as
much hospitality
and friendship
towards others
as anybody in
Texas. Of course,
the climate, the beach, the ocean, the
mountains, are probably the biggest
draw for most people, but ,as for me,...
it’s the PEOPLE.
And how was the experience of having your
portrait painted by Johanna?
I have never in my life sat for a professional
photographer or had a portrait
done of me. When Johanna and Sheldon
first approached me to sit for her, I
really thought she was joking. I couldn’t
believe that anyone would want to paint
me. When she explained her project to
me, and I really understood what she
wanted, I was surprised and felt very
honored that she had asked me.
My time with Johanna was fun
and entertaining and something I may
never experience again and I am so glad
to have had the opportunity to get to
know her and witness what a wonderful
person and extremely talented artist she is.
Gracious thanks to The Ventura Breeze and especially publisher Sheldon Brown. To read full article and The Breeze go here:
http://www.venturabreeze.com/
Rachel Morris
Portrait by Johanna Spinks
Rachel Morris believes talking is fine, as long it leads to action. She’s worked on issues that range from af- fordable health care, to fair elections. From freedom of radio airwaves, to Native American rights. From gro- cery strikes to international peace. From natural childbirth, to natural building. Her passion now is climate change. She is the executive director and cofounder of VCCool, a non- profit organization that takes on global warming by promoting green living and green business in Ventura. Some friends think that she lives at #350 because of the big, sunny mural painted across her garage. Smil- ing she says – “Ac- tually it’s a re- minder of the safe upper limit of CO2 in our atmo- sphere, measured by parts per mil- lion. But you can find me by that. ”
Rachel is also a musician and song-writer. She is a retired dancer, farmer, and software designer. She has lived on the Avenue for six years. She has two daughters and two granddaughters. Rachel grows much of her own food, bicycles, and uses an African designed non- electric “refrigerator” to keep her food cool. She is also learning to take a day off now and then. One day she hopes to help start, and live in, an intention- al eco-community within Ventura. What do you like most about living in Ventura?
of potential. The people are involved and passionate. The City seems en- gaged and available. We have fantas- tic surf, with a freeway cutting us off. The Avenue Neighborhood is full of culture and history and great food, yet it doesn’t even have a lighted crosswalk on its busiest street in front of an elementary school. The weather is fantastic, the town is fairly level for the most part, yet streets haven’t been designed for safe bicycling. So much
to do, so much opportunity, and so many fantastic and gifted people working to polish the jewel in their own way.
And how was the ex- perience of having your portrait paint- ed by Johanna?:
I come from a family of artists, so being in a studio un- der an artist’s eye, the quick brush work, the blending of colors; really brought me back to my childhood. Johanna’s idea of a community portrait is such a beautiful one. It gave me a warm feeling be part of that, and to have my essence brought out in tones of orange and turquoise. Being surrounded by her other beautiful works, with the an- tique easel and oil smell, I felt like I had stepped into another world for a moment. It was also nice to see the camaraderie and support be- tween Sheldon and Johanna. I look forward to seeing her emerging cast
of paintings.
...being in a studio under an artist’s eye, the quick brush work, the blend- ing of colors; really brought me back to my childhood.
