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Interested in running for Ventura City Council?

Be prepared for long meetings when dealing with controversial agenda items.

The Ventura City Council election is months away, but potential candidates who reside in Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6 can start getting ready for the seats up for grabs in the November election by attending a Candidate Orientation Meeting. The meetings will kick-off the Nomination Period of July 16 through August 10, 2018 and will be hosted by the City Clerk’s Office. Two meetings will be held on Monday, July 16, 2018 at City Hall, the first will be at 8:30 am in Council Chambers and the second meeting will be at 4pm in the Community Meeting Room. Candidates only need to attend one meeting, the same information being presented at both meetings.

Eligible candidates running for Ventura City Council must be at least 18 years of age, a registered voter and a resident of their respective District.

One of the first steps for potential candidates is paperwork. Citizens wanting to run for office must pull nominations papers and then return them to the City Clerk’s Office for verification and signature during the nomination period, or by August 10th. Pulling nomination papers can be completed during the Candidates Orientation Meeting. Other required forms include Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement, and Campaign Finance Disclosure Statements (to track campaign contributions, or your own funds, spent for your campaign as established by the Fair Political Practices Commission).

As a reminder, the City of Ventura transitioned to district-based elections in January 2018 after broad outreach and citizen input. Changing to district-based elections resulted in the City being divided into seven geographic districts. Each District will have one City Councilmember who resides in the district and is chosen only by the voters residing in that district. Residents in Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6 will be voting for a Councilmember in their district in the November 6, 2018 election; and residents in Districts 2, 3, and 7 will be voting for a Councilmember in their district in the November 2020 election. All registered voters will vote on all local, state and federal ballot measures and candidates for county, state, federal and special districts.

Serving as a Councilmember provides the opportunity to make a real difference in our community. Individuals interested in becoming a candidate are highly encouraged to attend the Orientation Meeting or schedule a one-hour appointment with the City Clerk’s Office by calling 805-658-4787.

Several candidates have already announced that they are running.

Vista del Mar where every day matters

Carol Ramirez, Jenifer Nyhuis, Jetta Zellner and Debbie English are all smiles at the opening of the outpatient facility.

by Jennifer Tipton

Before that fateful night when the Thomas Fire destroyed most of the Behavioral Health Hospital located at the top of the hill on Seneca Street, Vista del Mar provided ¾ of the total psychiatric inpatient beds in Ventura County and was the only facility to provide adolescent beds in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura County.

After the fire, reports of adolescent suicides were trending upward, “this is what was driving us, so twelve of us stayed together”, said Carol Ramirez Business Office Director for Vista del Mar. She added, “that AND our leadership – she fought for us!” referring to Chief Executive Officer Jenifer Nyhuis. CEO Nyhuis acknowledged, “because every day matters”.

The very afternoon the Thomas Fire struck, Carol Ramirez was able to secure a location for them to meet. “The Residence Inn by Marriott in Oxnard opened up a room and gave it to us for the entire month of December for free, we met there a couple times a week”, she said. Fact is, since the Thomas Fire, they never stopped meeting, after Residence Inn, they moved to the home of Jetta Zellner Director of Clinical Services.

And on the evening of June 19th, Vista Del Mar held an open house for their new outpatient services facility located at 801 South Victoria Avenue, Suite 301. “The outpatient services here will include adolescents, the services are for someone needing help greater than what traditional therapy provides”, informed Jetta.

The 5days/week program is called the Adult Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) focusing on active treatment for individuals with acute mental illness and/or addiction issues. Attendance is Monday through Friday 9:00am – 3:00pm for one to two weeks with opportunity for step-down and continued care with the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP). Patients participate in group therapy as well as educational and family group sessions. Treatment team includes psychiatrist, psychiatric nurses and licensed therapists. Transportation is provided at no cost within Ventura County and there’s a contract with Hill Street Café to provide lunch!

The 3days/week program (IOP) meets 3hours/day and provides extensive short treatment with flexible scheduling with program completion within two to four weeks. Groups focus on tools for symptom management and sustained recovery.

Both programs include medication consultation and management, and aftercare referrals.

In the past, our ladies each had their own office, now there are 4 desks squeezed into one small room. Carol showed me her “filing cabinet”, it was a box with her name on it. There is talk of expanding into the space next door and once the inpatient hospital is open, administrative offices will return there.

While at the open house, Debbie English RN Chief Nursing Officer teased, “don’t ever put a nurse at the switchboard!”, but as she took a crisis call, she did not hang up until the problem was resolved. “We just really want to get back into the community – there’s such a need”, she told me. Debbie has been with Vista del Mar for 11 years.

While the outpatient facility is currently open, the inpatient facility (back on Seneca), is under its final construction phase to correct the damage caused by the fire. Utilities are being restored which includes the pump house that was destroyed and extensive electrical work. It is expected to re-open in August. The ladies give special thanks to Assemblywoman Monique Limon who co-sponsored the bill allowing them to open the outpatient facility while the inpatient facility was still closed.

To learn more, or refer a patient Please call: (805) 653-6434 Or visit: www.vistadelmarhospital.com

Dawn Dyer named 2018 California Woman Business Owner of the Year

The award is bestowed annually upon one outstanding woman-owned, California-based business.

This past April, in Sacramento the National Association of Women Business Owners, California (NAWBO-CA) named Dawn Dyer of Dyer Sheehan Group as its 2018 California Woman Business Owner of the Year. Just a few days prior, Dyer received NAWBO Ventura County’s (NAWBO VC) local Woman Business Owner of the Year award during the organization’s annual BRAVO luncheon.

The California award is bestowed annually upon one outstanding woman-owned, California-based business in recognition of excellent leadership and business acumen, which makes the honoree an inspirational role model to other women business owners throughout the state. The California Woman Business Owner of the Year award is quite an honor considering that NAWBO-CA represents the issues and interests of more than 1.3 million women business owners in California.

“Dawn believes in building strong relationships with women business owners that are based on mutual respect, mentoring and professional support,” said Elaine Hollifield, NAWBO VC President. “She is a wonderful role model for our chapter and our state.” Dyer is in the running for the 2018 NAWBO National Women Business Owner of the Year award being presented in September in Spokane, Washington.

Dawn Dyer has over 30 years’ experience as a land use expert, market analyst, and real estate consultant to public agencies, major corporations and private investors throughout Southern California. Dyer is the founder of the Ventura County Housing Trust Fund, a 501c3 multi-million dollar revolving loan fund that addresses affordable housing needs of the Homeless, Veterans, Farmworkers and Emancipated Foster Youth. As a California Delegate to Drexel University’s Vision 2020, Dawn is excited about working on the Centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

“I believe in the inherent value of real estate, and the importance of good land use planning. I am passionate about the critical role of housing stability to the health of communities, and I love helping create quality homes for families, our workforce, and those in need.”

The local Ventura County chapter of NAWBO is committed to strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members while promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial Ventura County community. Additionally the local chapter focuses on creating innovative and effective change in the business culture, building strategic alliances and transforming public policy for the benefit of its members. Membership is open to women sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners as well as those businesses that support women owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.

Ventura Family YMCA gearing up for the best summer ever

On June 21, the YMCA hosted the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson, an event that seeks to break the record for largest Swim Lesson Worldwide. Photos by Michael Gordon

At the end of the summer, families want to hear their child had “the best summer ever.” To help make that happen, the Ventura Family YMCA is offering Sports camps, Specialty camps, and Day camps for campers of all ages.

This summer there will be a variety of sports camps including Splash camp, Hoops camp, Junior Sluggers camp, Soccer camp, and Sports of All Sorts camp. Sports camp will keep campers in grades 2-5 physically active and engaged, and also foster character development in the form of teamwork and sportsmanship. Sports camps are offered through August 17 at rates of $170 to $175 depending on facility member or program member status.

Specialty camps at Ventura Family YMCA will feature topics including Arts & Crafts, Cooking, and Dance. No matter each child’s interest, there is something for everyone. Specialty camps for campers in grades 2-5 will run from July 9 through July 27 at rates of $170 to $175 depending on facility member or program member status.

Day camp is also available for campers in Kindergarten through Eighth grade. Day camp will include Rainbow Camp, Voyager Camp, and Adventure Camp. In each camp, participants will have the opportunity to engage in learning experiences, and take day trips to destinations such as the MOXI Wolf Museum of Exploration and Mothers Beach. Prices for Day camp range from $160-$175 depending on facility member or program member status. Dates for Day camp are offered through August 17. For more information about Ventura Family YMCA summer camps please visit ciymca.org/camp.

Summer is the ideal time for kids to get up, get out and explore. But for some kids, summer means no access to recreational and educational activities to help them learn, grow and thrive during out-of-school time. As a result, some kids can experience learning loss and gain weight twice as fast than during the school year. Attending Ventura Family YMCA summer camp is a wonderful opportunity for kids to keep their minds and bodies active.

“It’s imperative that kids stay engaged socially, physically and academically throughout the summer. Summer camp is a wonderful way to ensure that,” says Julie O’Brien, Youth Programs Director for the Ventura Family YMCA.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Channel Islands YMCA serves over 46,000 individuals and provides over $1.3 million in financial assistance to families in need for child care, YMCA memberships, away and day camps, youth sports, and teen after-school programs. For more information about the Ventura YMCA, visit https://www.ciymca.org/ventura or call 805.642.2131.

Surfrider’s strawless challenge: no single use plastic straws

Plastic items littering Ventura beaches must go.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer

This year on Earth Day (April 22), Surfrider launched Ventura’s Plastic Free Beaches campaign as a proactive response to the increasing amounts of plastic straws, expanded polystyrene foam (aka Styrofoam), and other plastic items littering Ventura beaches.

With that ongoing mission to reduce plastics in mind, in June Surfrider announced “The Strawless Challenge,” targeted at reducing the amount of single-use plastic in the ocean. The challenge, which runs through Labor Day, requires that local restaurants abstain from providing drinking straws unless customers specifically request them. This will all contribute to the ongoing mission to save the turtles. People looking to stop using plastic straws could turn to reusable metal ones instead.

The timing of the challenge comes on the heels of AB-1884, a proposed straws upon request law for restaurants that is aimed at plastic pollution prevention, which was approved by the Assembly in May, and is now being considered by the state Senate.

“The Strawless Challenge is a great opportunity to raise awareness about single-use plastic and its impact on marine life,” said Bill Hickman, Southern California Regional Manager, Surfrider. “Scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean unless we start to act now. The current amount of plastics in our waterways is a serious matter. In 2017, Ventura Surfrider found over 2550 plastic straws on the Downtown Promenade area alone.”

“The major problem with plastics is that they’re not biodegradable in our lifetime,” continued Hickman. “So, when they break up into smaller pieces, marine and wildlife can mistake them for food. After these toxins are ingested, they wind up working their way up the food chain, and that’s harmful not only to other marine life but you and me.”

“The statistics for plastics in the ocean is staggering,” said Hickman. “The 1980s were a time when scientists first identified a global plastic crisis after discovering that marine life was ingesting and getting entangled in this plastic.

“Then, in the late 1990’s, Captain Charles Moore brought to light a huge garbage patch in an area of the Pacific Ocean strewn with plastic debris that was claimed to be twice the size of Texas. This finding led to more research and discoveries that all five ocean gyres (Indian Ocean, North Atlantic, North Pacific, South Atlantic, and South Pacific) are collecting massive amounts of plastic pollution.”

An avid surfer, Hickman began to volunteer for Surfrider after he read a 2003 National Geographic article about the discovery of 200 plastic pieces in an albatross’ stomach.

“That article hit home for me,” said Hickman who eventually took a full-time position with the non-profit. “I realized marine life doesn’t have a voice, and they need our help.”

To get restaurants on board, Surfrider has volunteers making the rounds to local restaurants to share more details about the program. As an alternative to plastic straws, Surfrider is advocating offering such options as glass, straw, stainless steel, and bamboo. Participating restaurants are promoted and listed in a special section on Surfrider’s website.

“Another main goal with the challenge is to gather information that Surfrider will be able to include in a case study to present to the Ventura City Council,” continued Hickman. Many cities have bans on plastic, and we’re hoping the information we can provide will help support Ventura’s plastic reduction ordinance.”

Visit: ventura.surfrider.org/plasticfreebeaches.

Ventura City Council Adopts Fireworks Social Host Ordinance

The Ventura City Council adopted a Fireworks Social Host Ordinance during its regular meeting on June 18, 2018.  Under the new ordinance, any homeowner, renter, or person in charge of a residence or other private property who knows or should know of the sale, use, and/or possession of any fireworks on private property are subject to a civil penalty levied by the City of Ventura.

The Social Host is responsible for the sale, use, and/or possession of fireworks on their property by anyone on their property. The ordinance pertains to any person who hosts, organizes, supervises, officiates, conducts, or accepts responsibility for a gathering on private property.

Violators in the city of Ventura can be reported online, by emailing video of the alleged use of fireworks to the Ventura Police Department.  The Ventura Police will be sending out more information on the reporting process in the next week.

“Illegal fireworks are a safety issue,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.  “The new ordinance provides another disincentive to use illegal fireworks.” Ventura police and fire departments will be patrolling neighborhoods throughout the city of Ventura on July 4th to keep citizens and their property safe and enforce the City’s ordinances.

“Put the community first,” said Fire Chief David Endaya.  “Extreme drought conditions and tinder-dry brush are dangerous. I am asking every resident and visitor in Ventura to keep our city safe and be considerate of your neighbors. Do not use fireworks.”

For more information visit https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1345/Celebrate-July-4th-Safely.

Island packers’ summer schedule to include special trips and summer whale watching

Island Packers is expanding its Summer Whale Watching excursions.

With summer upon us, Island Packers is proud to announce the addition of specialty trips on selective dates to their already full schedule of summer excursions. Visitors to Ventura and locals alike can now explore select, seldom-visited destinations. In addition to these landing excursions, Island Packers is also expanding its Summer Whale Watching excursions for the viewing of some extraordinary summertime visitors.

Whale Watching has become a hugely popular thing recently, no matter where you are it would seem that you could easily find a whale watching experience. You could be in America and you would just have to go to something like this san diego whale watching place. Before, people use to think that it was a boring experience, but now they realise how special it can be. If you’ve never been then you really need to come and give it ago. We are having so many new summer excursions put in place just so you can have an experience of a life time.

Summer Whale Watching – Passengers aboard non-landing whale watch trips can view several seasonal species currently being sighted in the Santa Barbara Channel. Summer species include Blue Whales, Fin Whales and Humpbacks, as well as year-round residents such as Common Dolphin, seals and sea lions.

Historically, over 28 species of whales and dolphins have been identified within the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. A day spent on the ocean in the company of these creatures can be awe-inspiring and truly memorable.

While whale watching trips do not offer time ashore, they include a brief, narrated cruise along the shoreline of one of the Channel Islands. The boat departs at 10:00 a.m. and returns approximately 4 p.m. This trip provides further opportunities to view and photograph sea birds, seals and sea lions along with other characteristics unique to the islands.

Specialty Trips – On designated trips this summer, visitors to Prisoner’s Harbor will have an option to take advantage of direct service to this popular destination. On designated days, visitors may disembark for a naturalist-led hike and maximum time ashore or, for a nominal fee, remain on the boat for a coastal tour of the island culminating with an “in the island experience” at Painted Cave. Following their visit to Painted Cave, passengers will go ashore at Prisoner’s for a brief opportunity to picnic, hike, snorkel or lounge.

On the Pelagic Birding trips, visitors will spend several hours offshore, well beyond the reach of most day trips. Routes and destinations are determined after reviewing oceanographic conditions at the time of the trip, offering a chance to search for sought after species like Red-billed Tropicbird, Least Storm Petrel, Leach’s Storm-Petrel, Townsend Storm-Petrel, Guadalupe Murrelet and Craveri’s Murrelet.

As the official concessionaire to Channel Islands National Park, Island Packers has been providing island transportation and wildlife viewing in the Santa Barbara Channel for over 50 years. Captains and crews aboard all trips have many years of experience finding and viewing wildlife. Their thoughtful narration informs guests about the history, human impact, and unique characteristics of the channel and wildlife encountered.

Summer Whale Watching: Adults: $68.00, senior $ 62 and children age 3-12 $55.00.

Day Trip to Prisoner’s Harbor and the Painted Cave: Adults $ 72.00, senior $66.00 and children age 3-12 $ 52.00.

For more information and a complete schedule of these excursions, interested persons can contact Island Packers online www.islandpackers.com or (805) 642-1393.

The shed from River Haven

Proudly standing in front of the shed that they built is the gang from the NAWIC. Photo by Michael Gordon

The shed that is now at River Haven was built at the Career Education Center (CEC) at the Camarillo Airport by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Ventura County Chapter. It was loaded and hauled to River Haven by McCarty and Sons Towing, who generously donated their time.

Even though some material was donated and privately funded NAWIC is hoping to continue to receive monetary donations to the Ventura NAWIC chapter to help reimburse for the cost of the materials. The entire camp costs, including tool kits, safety supplies, and camp t-shirts (all for the girls keep) as well as materials and equipment was around $7,000.

The Ventura County Chapter organizes and sponsors a girl’s construction camp one week during the summer each year to teach young ladies the basics of construction, including safety, material handling, hand and power tool operation and heavy equipment operation. They learn other important life lessons along the way such as responsibility, team work and self confidence among others.

The past three camps have included middle school aged girls, while the original camps were for high school ages only. This year 21 girls participated, 8 of them being 12 year old middle schoolers, about 6 being of high school ages and the balance being 13 and 14 year olds. They were mentored by five full time adult instructors and three camp administrators.

The lead instructor, Daniel Bell, is the Construction Technology teacher at Thousand Oaks High School and is also a general building contractor. They were fortunate enough to have Yvan Jose of Oxnard, who just graduated from ACE Charter High School this year, be a mentor for most of the week. He was leaving to compete in the national competition of Skills USA in Louisville, KY, as the California state Skills USA champ. This young man, right here in our own backyard, was representing not just Ventura County but all of California in this prestigious construction skills competition.

NAWIC Ventura has been running the camps since 2010. Each year the curriculum or project has been different. This is there second tiny home, the first being a fancy custom trailer mounted unit that ended up being a tiny home movement teaching model that travels the US.

NAWIC, established in 1955 by a group of women in the Fort Worth, TX area, is a non-profit organization whose core purpose is to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.

Vol. 11, No. 20 – July 4 – July 17, 2018 – The Pet Page

Friday, June 22, marked the 20th annual celebration of Take Your Dog To Work Day®. The annual event, created by Pet Sitters International (PSI) and first celebrated in 1999, was established to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to promote their adoptions from local shelters, rescue groups and humane societies.

Locally the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura celebrated with their dogs at work and lunch of hot dogs of course. The dogs were very well behaved and waited their turn for a hot dog.

Foto: On June 30, a summer benefit concert Paws for the Cause was held at the Poinsettia Pavilion to salute and honor the Ventura K9 Police Officers. Besides the K9’s it featured live performances by Alex Nester, Mark Masson and COSO Live and games for kids, food and vendors. The event was presented by the Herman Bennett Foundation “Making A Difference”. Save-A-Life Thrift Store, Camarillo. www.hermanbennettfoundation.org. Officers Ortega and Miles and Officers Rodriguez and Rover were there (with other K9 officers) to greet the guests and Miles and Rover let people pet them.

•Canine Companions for Independence is a national non-profit organization that provides highly trained assistance dogs, free of charge, to people with physical and developmental challenges. The local Valley To Sea Chapter is sponsoring an evening fundraiser of Canines & Comedy on July 12th at Levity Live in the Collection in Oxnard. Come laugh, pet some dogs, win some gifts, and get to know this wonderful organization that improves the lives of those with special challenges in our local communities. Contact [email protected] or call Alan Howell at 206-954-9433 for more information.

This donation is a result of a group of women from Sandusky, Ohio

The Women of Jewelia presented a check to Turning Point. Photo by Bill Green

At the ribbon-cutting for the new metal shed/homes, that replaced the original domes at River Haven some of The Women of Jewelia (WOJ) Jone Pence, Dale Muegenburg, Tina Osborne, Roz Warner, and Patti Channer presented a check to Jason Meeks from Turning Point for money that was donated by Jenny & Bruce Zembra from Sandusky,Ohio. They also recognized Island Packers for donating trips to the Islands for the Sandusky 6.

The Women of Jewelia were first on board over 10 years ago to donate a dome when River Haven was created. As one of the original sponsors of a dome they chose to contribute to the new Tuff Sheds because “What we do matters, What we share grows.”

This donation is a result of a group of women from Sandusky, Ohio the Best Cellars Book Club, who in 2015 replicated the Women of Jewelia’s NY Times best-selling book, The Necklace: Thirteen Women and the Experiment that Transformed their Lives.

A chain of events in Sandusky followed when last September (2017) two of the Women of Jewelia, Jone Pence and Dale Muegenburg were invited to represent all of the WOJ at a gala fund raiser “Diamonds for Hope” benefiting the Firelands Regional Medical Center-Seidman Cancer Research. The WOJ donated an auction item to the fund raiser, 5 nights at an ocean front house, golfing at the Saticoy Country Club, day trip to Anacapa Island by Island Packers and dinner at home served by them.