THEY'LL TAKE YOU THERE

Goleta: Home of Photographers Henry O. Ventura and Aliz Ruvalcaba-Ventura

Sunday, May 15, 2011

I recently attended the photography exhibit called "The Art of Making Tequila" at the Casa Dolores Museum, 1023 Bath Street, in Santa Barbara. It simply took my breath away, not for its size, but for its quality. Since I love photography, I try to go to exhibits to see what I can learn, but I mostly just stare at the pictures in awe of their beauty and the artistry involved.

This time, not only did the photographs attract me to the museum, but also the topic. Because I enjoy tequila so much, it would have been an unforgivable sin not to show up and at least acquire a little knowledge about the complicated and arduous process of making it. This exhibit will be open to the public until June 15.

I’m not going to try and explain the process to you, because that’s something that you can learn on your own when you go to Casa Dolores by looking at the pictures. Instead, and because these photographers live right here in Goleta, I decided to interview Henry O. Ventura and Aliz Ruvalcaba-Ventura, and ask them a few questions about their love for bringing images to life. Not only for telling a story, but about their efforts to — as Aliz described it — bring “those who observe our pictures as close to the experience as possible.”

I asked when they started taking such artistic pictures. In an alternating, animated manner they explained that they founded R&V Photography in 2009. For a long time, they both had photography as a hobby in common, and at some point decided to take it more seriously by creating a business venture.

Their initial idea was to offer a professional photography service for low-income families at a reduced price, and in that way give something back to the community. They were constantly called on to fix other people's jobs—blurry pictures, and so on—and felt that it was simply not right that people were paying so much for such poor service. After all, the Venturas pointed out, these are very special, treasured moments for families.

Now they have expanded from that original impetus, but they "will always continue to serve low-income families," they said together, with warm smiles on their faces. But after awhile, they started to get called to take pictures at bigger events, and for journalistic assignments, and of course they didn’t say no. And, because traveling is another one of their passions, they also "share the world as we see it, from our own perspective, and through our pictures." They have done so with their travels in China and Cuba; the tequila exhibit came about from a trip to Mexico, specifically this region called Tequila, Jalisco.

A picture of a man working on an agave caught my attention, and I asked what the man was doing. He is a jimador, they answered, the person who peels the leaves from the jima, as the heart of the agave is called. The man is wearing the traditional white cotton attire used to do this job, they explained. Jimadores peel those leaves off in order to be able to extract the agave’s juices, and that’s how the whole process of tequila making starts.

While looking at this picture, my mind immediately transported me to the Mexican campiña and I felt like I was there, next to the jimador, hearing the sound of his tools, feeling the intense heat, and enjoying the openness of the field. This picture also evoked the dramatic skies in Gone with the Wind and the exhausting labor of those who work in agricultural fields. Aliz and Henry’s work truly allowed me to immerse myself in the experience of this captured moment.

At the exhibition, people will also see pictures showing the old fábrica, where they used to do the tequila distillation, for a better idea of the whole process.

I asked what kinds of technical things people might want to be aware of when they look at the photographs. They said to look at the paper: It is a metallic paper that makes the photos more dramatic, with more vibrant colors, and it has a distinctive texture. Also, the lighting: "We tried using natural light, as well as the original electric light – yellow bulbs - inside the fábrica, and the result was really spectacular, we think, but it is up to the public to decide."

People can buy their pictures via their Web site, as well as to seek their photography services for an event, and for a sneak peek at their greater collection of pictures, called “The World Through Our Eyes.” Before we said good-bye, Henry and Aliz promised they will let us know first when the public will be able to view this collection in an exhibit.

WHO'S “GOOD MARRIAGE MATERIAL?”

By Silvia Uribe.

No one argues that there’s no such thing as “what women like”, when it comes to men. Some are attracted to dark- skinned men, or rich men, or funny guys, or dreamers, or romantics. But, whatever they look like, or they do, it is difficult to find the right person. The same exact thing can be said about men. Women, and men, of all ages, have problems finding what I call good prospects. Abi, my grandma, used to define them as “good marriage material.”

We understand what she meant, but what was she really talking about? Well, a person who is “good marriage material” has the necessary traits that would make him/her a good husband or wife. This of course doesn’t assure that the person you consider good marriage material will propose to you. That, only time will tell. But, if your love interest has these characteristics it will be an indicator that you’re not wasting your time hopelessly, risking to fall in love with someone that you really don’t want in your life, for the long run. It basically gives you a safer place to start.

“Heart and brain should work together and not at an alternating rhythm” Abi used to say.

According to her, these main things are: that the person comes from a family that enjoys spending time together – meaning he/she already knows the value of a family; that the person has no vices – or the money will be devoted to pay for them. The person was brought up in a religion – so they have good moral values, and that the person is financially independent – simply to avoid undesirable “leaches.”

I can almost hear Abi’s decided tone: “you should also be able to have long conversations with that person about something other than sex, drinks, or any sort of imaginary, virtual adventures. During those conversations, find out about which accomplishments make that person most proud, about goals for the future in general (not related to you), and what is she/he is doing to accomplish those goals. These conversations will show you how determined this person is. Plus, if your communication is good, you’re ahead in the game”. Abi always said: “those who can talk and laugh together, can live together.”

And, for your own safety, of course, never forget to make sure that this person is respectful of you physically, verbally, and emotionally.

Abi’s “marriage material” characteristics are things that you cannot request, create, nor change. Either they are there or they aren’t. So, don’t fool yourself thinking that the person will change.”

A close friend of mine, Maru, didn’t count on Abi’s advice. She met a man who was handsome and funny but whose only real interest was money. He had no moral values, he played cards and bet on horse races. He was disrespectful to her, and physically aggressive. Maru now accepts that she saw these warning signs, but chose to ignore them, hoping that he would change once they tied the nut. After a few agonizing years of marriage due to his constant abuses and cheating tendencies, he left her with a bruised body, and a broken soul. On top of everything, and using his financial power, he also made good on his threat of taking her son and her daughter away from her.

Unfortunately, Maru’s story is not that uncommon.

I never heard Abi talk about intuition. But in my experience, this is crucial in love affairs. On intuition, I have one thing to say: Trust yourself. There are many times that people feel that something is not right with their significant other, and ignore it. They easily disregard the signs in their stubbornness to go on with the relationship. However, they later realize – usually the hard way – that their intuition was right.

We know that no one is perfect, and will never be. So, once you find someone who’s “good marriage material” be ready to make some concessions from your list (I assume you have one already) of additional requirements that may not be as important in the big scheme of things.

Remember, no one has the recipe for happiness, but if you start with “good marriage material” your chances increase considerably.

Only Words?

by Silvia Uribe

Words are never only words. Words, although very common, are also like magic tools to communicate thoughts that have no color, no form, no smell, and transform these into something concrete, something that we can imagine, and almost touch.

We also use words to dress our feelings. Sometimes we dress them up with distinction and elegance, and other times with rather simple, everyday attire. Words allow us to reveal what’s in our heart, and by doing this, they assist us in understanding, and in bringing us close to one another.

Words are also like a double-edged sword. They can hurt when we are careless, but when used with tenderness, they work like unexpected healers. They can make us laugh or cry. They can surprise us or make us bored. They can open our mind to imagine great things, or they can make it very narrow. They are the golden key to open other people’s heart, inviting them to share their dreams, and their fears. Words are so powerful that even when unspoken, their mere absence may reveal what we’re trying to hide.

As with any other tool, we should be handling them with care, always taking responsibility for how we use them.

We shouldn’t make another person feel bad and then pretend that we were only joking. We should not lie, and try to make the other person responsible for not knowing the truth. By the same token, we should not give ill intended advice, or invite violence and declare, when violence erupts, that we were not its source.

Our words, then, should be used with care. Our family and our friends, as well as our acquaintances, just like any other person, deserve that we consider the way we use words particularly, when our racing emotions attempt to get the best of us. Although it may seem extremely difficult, it is in these situations when we should take greater control of our words, considering that once they come out of our mouth, their effect is irreversible. We can apologize, and we can be forgiven, but hurtful words will never be forgotten. In fact, words will stay in our minds as perpetual reminders of love or hate, happiness or pain, violence or peace.

Following this advice will bring immediate benefits to our everyday life. By extension, the words we choose along our journey, will determine whether we will end our days in the company of those whom we love, or in excruciating solitude.

The choice is ours.

The Debate Over A Deadly Bridge

By Silvia Uribe

This is the story of a bridge over which a huge dispute has erupted and continued for years now. The yeast of the argument is not that uncommon, if you think about it: beauty vs. practicality.


Some, don’t want to disrupt the beautiful view that we can enjoy while traveling through the bridge, while others emphatically argue that the benefit of the barrier surpasses anything else.


I’ve heard all sorts of well thought-out reasons on both sides, interesting points all of them, but the question remains: should the Cold Springs bridge barrier be finished?


As true as it is that many desperate souls have made the decision to take their own life by jumping off the bridge, it is a fact that if they don’t jump off the bridge, they could probably find another door knob to turn, and take the false gate to solving their problems. The key word here is “probably” keep that in mind.


However, being the practical woman that I am, I completely support the barrier. Here is why.


a) Nature has already been disrupted by the mere construction of the bridge that’s already there, but because it serves many of us to go through the pass, we didn’t oppose it. Many were benefitted by it, and that was a practical decision.


b) The barrier in dispute will be translucent and won’t stop our view of the valley, and


c) With the barrier, the bridge won’t represent such an easy path for those who want to end their lives, and by obstructing and delaying their intention, the barrier might just save those lives.


I’ve worn and still wear many hats in life. Working with victims of crime is one thing that has taught me a lot. Many of these victims, had great difficulties in dealing with the consequences of such crimes, and several - more than one would like to think- consider suicide. From them I’ve learned that it only took someone listening to them, or making a verbal contract for them to snap out of the moment, and realize that there are other alternatives.

Not because someone tries, or thinks about committing suicide they are condemned to do so. So, not everyone who considers jumping off the bridge will look for an alternative to accomplishing the same purpose.


To me, natural beauty and life are one and the same. We cannot care and preserve the former if we don’t care and preserve the latter. If someone is not there to enjoy nature, what’s the value of its beauty? By the same token, enjoyment should not fly in the face of life preservation.


Consider this: If your loved one were at risk of committing suicide – and we know that the bridge is a magnet in those cases – would you choose the practical solution of the barrier, or would you choose to preserve the view instead?