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    ‘Ugly Fish’ Search Marks 15 Years: Ventura County’s CAREGIVERS Fundraiser Oct. 23rd!

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     buy arial, there sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;”>Ugly Fish Fever is suspected in Ventura County.  Once again, store skippers from Santa Barbara to as far south as San Diego are blocking out time to participate in the  15thAnnual SAILATHON on Sunday, October 23, 2016.  This effort is not only in search for The Ugly Fish, it is the fall fundraiser, presented by Crucible Creativity, to benefit CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly
     
    The skippers are on a quest to get a glimpse of the mystical Ugly Fish, which has become the mascot of the event over the years.  Local Skipper Andy Killion, who founded the event 15 years ago, said he spotted this rare, unidentified species back at the turn of the century, in 1999, that is. 
     
    “The Ugly Fish tends to rear its head in Ventura County’s local waters in the fall,” Killion said.  “That’s why it made sense for us to schedule the annual SAILATHON around mid-October every year.  We may not spot the Ugly Fish, but I’m confident we’ll bring a lot of awareness and support for a great local charity.”
     
    At times, the “Ugly Fish” has been mistaken for the blue whale, which also has been spotted off the Channel Islands, but the distinct colors of the “Ugly Fish” give reason to believe that it is not part of the musculus species.   “The ‘Ugly Fish’ might not actually be endangered,” Retired Psychology Professor, Dr. Marty Kaplan, has speculated. “It’s more likely that the fish, which normally resides in deep waters, enjoys the attention it receives during the event.  This would, in fact, make the ‘Ugly Fish’ in reality a coy fish.” 
     
    While the origins of the “Ugly Fish” remain a mystery, locals can attest that this is no folklore.  Dale Morris, who owns The Ventura Boatyard, has been in the area for three generations, and recalls old tales of The Ugly Fish shared by his family.  “Rumor has it that The Ugly Fish is a very tasty, tender fish—if you can catch it,” Morris said.  “I’ve heard some excellent recipes are floating around and being tested at local restaurants.” 
     
    Competition for the best recipes is heating up.  Local restaurants are now vying for the best Ugly Fish Dish in town.  Danny’s Deli & Grill is serving up an Ugly Fish Bagel and Cream Cheese.  Visit The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood for the Ugly Fish Sandwich and Margarita Villa for Drunken Ugly Fish.   Joining this year are Victoria Pub & Grill’s Ugly Fish ‘n Chips,805 Bar & Grilled Cheese Ugly Fish BLAT, Copa Cubana’s Ugly Fish Paella, The Waterside Restaurant & Wine Bar’s Ugly Fish Sangria, and La Dolce Vita’s Ugly Fish (Ahi) Dinner.
     
    Multihull, monohull, paddleboats, power boats and canoes will assemble off the Ventura Pier in Pierpont Bay on Sunday, Oct. 23 for the 15th Annual SAILATHON vying for a glimpse of the “Ugly Fish.”  “The best way to have a chance at an ‘Ugly Fish’ sighting is to participate in the Oct. 23 SAILATHON to benefit CAREGIVERS,” Killion said.
     
    Sponsors include Union Bank, Bob & Ginny Camarillo, La Dolce Vita, ElderAdmin, SCAN Health Plan, MAR Consulting, Richard & Susan Countess, Ventura Harbor Boatyard, Sharon Breitling, Dignity Health, Channel Coast Marine, AAA Propane Service, and SoCalGas/Sempra Energy Utility.
     
    Since 1984, CAREGIVERS: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly has been serving Ventura County, California, which has one of the nation’s largest concentrations of seniors in the nation.  Today, the non-profit boasts close to 300 volunteers helping 500 homebound seniors in six cities throughout the county. 
     
    For more information, call (805) 658-8530 or visit www.vcCAREGIVERS.org

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