Category Archives: City News

City of Ventura classes and camps

Check out hundreds more on web-site. Call 658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

To see a whole menu of summer offerings visit cityofventura.net.  To have a summer camp brochure mailed to you call 658-4726. Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St in Ventura unless noted.

Friday Night Tap
5/12-6/9               F              6:30-7:30 pm      $40         #8018
Learn basic steps, combinations and routines to upbeat rhythms and music. Classes are progressive but designed for the beginner. Instructor Elli Busch. No class 5/26. Classes held at Billy Clower Dance Studio, 75 MacMillian Ave. in Ventura.

Painting Landscapes Big and Small  7-12 years
5/17-6/14            M            4-5:30 pm            $50+$10 materials fee    #7973
Paint landscapes with trees, mountains, waves, waterfalls and other details using many techniques. Join artist Jen Livia at 4601 Telephone Rd #112 each week to explore new subjects and paint them in a variety of styles to discover our own unique style. All supplies provided.

Preventing Separation Anxiety  18 years-adult
5/20       Sa           10 am-12 pm                      $20         #7700
Learn how to help if your dog barks or whines, destroys things and has potty accidents while you are away from home. Led by Registered Veterinary Technician/Certified Professional Dog Trainer Shannon Coyner. Please leave your dog at home for this seminar. Classes held at 3521Arundel Circle #B.

AM Zumba®  18 years-adult
5/22-6/28            M/W     7:45-8:45 am      $65 or $7 drop in fee       #8966
Start your day with an exciting and effective Latin dance Zumba® workout. Bring water, towel and mat and dress comfortably. Walk-in fees are due at start of class. Certified Zumba® Instructor Dala Sondors. No class 5/29.

Ballroom Dancing  16 years-adult
5/23-6/27            Tu           7:30-8:30 pm      $55         #9030
Enjoy the magic of smoothly moving across the floor with the waltz, fox trot, swing and rumba!

Swing and Nightclub Dancing  16 years-adult
5/23-6/27            Tu           8:30-9:30 pm      $55         #9033
Swing the night away, East & West Coast style! No partner needed.

Arbor Day tree planting held at Westpark Community Center

Students from assisted in planting three different species of trees. Photo by Richard Lieberman

In celebration of National Arbor Day, the City of Ventura Parks Division invited the public to a tree planting event Wednesday, April 26 at the Westpark Community Center.

Students from PEAK (Program Enrichment for After-school Kids) assisted the City’s Urban Forestry staff in planting three different species of trees.  Each year, more than 500 elementary and middle school children participate in PEAK activities where they receive safe and supervised after-school homework assistance, nutritional snacks, art, music, computer science, fitness and sports programs.  PEAK is a partnership between the City of Ventura, the Ventura Unified School District and the Police Activities League (PAL).

The City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry Division is responsible for approximately 30,000 City trees, and regulates all planting, pruning and removal of trees in the public right-of-way.  City trees are an important part of our community – they produce oxygen, help reduce air pollution, cool our streets by lowering temperatures in the shade, provide sound dampening and wind buffers, provide a habitat for animals and improve the aesthetic quality of life.

According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, Arbor Day started in April 1872 when more than one million trees were planted in Nebraska at the urging of J. Sterling Morton who first proposed the tree-planting holiday at a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.

For more information about the City of Ventura’s Urban Forestry Division, visit www.cityofventura.net/urbanforestry or call the Tree Hotline at 667-6519.

Joe McDermott has worked for the City of Ventura since 2002

Dear Valued Customer,

With great pleasure and enthusiasm, I would like to introduce myself as Ventura Water’s Acting General Manager. I am a registered engineer with over 20 years of experience in the Civil Engineering profession with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.

I have had the pleasure of working for the City of Ventura since 2002.  Some of my most accomplished achievements as Assistant General Manager for Ventura Water include the development and implementation of the VenturaWaterPure Demonstration Facility and launching demand management initiatives such as Ventura’s Water Wise Turf Removal Incentive Program and the Water Shortage Event Contingency Plan.

I have been working diligently with staff to plan and set the stage for constructing new water supply projects. These include potable reused water under the VenturaWaterPure Program, and a pipeline that will finally give Ventura access to the State Water Project.

With many great projects and challenges ahead, I am honored to serve Ventura Water as we continue to work toward a safe and sustainable future.

Sincerely,

Joe McDermott,
Ventura Water Acting General Manager

City of Ventura classes and camps

Check out hundreds more on web-site

Call  658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

Registration open now for The City of Ventura’s Summer full and half day camps in cooking, theatre, dance, circus, rock & roll, fine arts, Legos, science and so much more. To see a whole menu of summer offerings visit cityofventura.net.  To have a summer camp brochure mailed to you call 658-4726

5/13       Saturday              4pm                       FREE
Fairytales in the Park is celebrating its 23nd season! Join us at Barranca Vista Park for a production of Peter Pan 3: The Switcheree.  Performances are the 2nd Saturday of every month through September. Bring a blanket, picnic and low lawn chairs. 7050 Ralston St.

Murals & Roses Annual Art and Garden Exhibit
5/14       Sunday                 11am-3pm          FREE
Come visit the historic Olivas Adobe for a wonderful exhibit featuring Marguerite Hardman’s stunning, enormous murals and the Olivas Adobe’s own spectacular rose garden in full bloom. Admission is free.

Line Dance with a Twist  18 years-adult
5/1-6/5                 M/W                     1-2 pm                  $60         #8010
Experienced line dancers enjoy exercise fun with a twist of salsa, ballroom and jazz. Instructor Jackie Ringhof. No class 5/29. Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St.

Social Ballroom  16 years-Adult
5/1-6/12               M            7:30-8:30pm       $70         #9058
Beginners get on the floor after just a few lessons. The 6 week session includes Foxtrot, Swing, and Cha Cha. Leather or Suede bottom shoes required. No sneakers of flip flops. No partner needed. No class 5/29. Classes held at The House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen #E in Ventura.

Beach Yoga  16 years-Adult
5/2-5/25               Tu/Th                    9:00-10:10 am                    $85         #8947
Increase flexibility, tone the lungs and instill peace with classic Hatha-style breathing and postures, for all levels. Park on Martha’s Vineyard Ct. by Pierpont School. Bring large towel, yoga mat, sunglasses and/or hat. Please wear sunscreen. Instructor Nisahna Engel.

Courage in the Kitchen  16 year-adult
5/2 & 5/16           Tu           6-8 pm                  $80+$20 monthly supply fee       #8055
Get processed foods out of the pantry and learn to cook with fresh, seasonal and budget-friendly ingredients. We’ll meet to study recipes, learn new techniques and create meals that include vegan and vegetarian options. For view each month’s menus visit www.chefjudy.net. The $20 supply fee is due to instructor at first class. Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center.

LEGO® Wheeled Wonders  5-10 years
5/6         Sa           10 am-12 pm      $30         #7704
Build and reengineer such motorized vehicles as massive monster trucks, record setting race cars and luxurious RVs. please register by the Wednesday before class. Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center.

Basic Guitar  9 years-adult
5/9-6/13               Tu           7-8:30 pm            $55         #8041
Bring your own acoustic or electric guitar to learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. At Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St. Instructor Randy Covington.

Construction to begin on Kellogg Park Project

The City in conjunction with Trust for Public Land, will begin construction this month on Ventura’s newest park located on N. Ventura Ave. transforming a vacant lot to a neighborhood space for all residents to enjoy and engage in physical activity.  As envisioned through the community plan, the 2.41 acre park will feature community gathering spaces, an amphitheater, playground area, outdoor exercise equipment, and a perimeter walking path. Completion of the park is slated for April 2018.

As the park construction gets under way, residents will see initial improvements including site grading and installation of water-efficient irrigation and drainage infrastructure. Once the major infrastructure is completed, California native trees, shrubs and other sustainable landscape will be planted to convert the lot into a green space.

Project construction cost for the park is $4.5M, which includes $1M from California Natural Resources Agency, Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program grant, $815,650 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing and Related Parks Program grant, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund awarded the City a $1.5M grant.

Donor naming opportunities are available and contributions to Kellogg Park are considered tax deductible under state and federal law and are administered by the Ventura Community Partners Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. To make a donation, contact Katrina Maksimuk at  658-4775 or [email protected].

For more information visit http://www.cityofventura.net/kelloggpark.stuff kellog park

Friendly business competition to start on April 1

Athletes and dignitaries  kicked-off the 2017 Corporate Games at Ventura Community Park. Photo by Michael Gordon

To kick-off the 2017 Corporate Games, company employees, families and friends attended an opening ceremony at Ventura Community Park on Saturday, March 25.

The festivities included a business and health fair, music, demonstrations, jolly jumpers and interactive games, arts and crafts, food trucks and more.

To help, the celebration the Aquatics Center was open to the public for free.

Nearly 80 businesses throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties are preparing for the five weeks of friendly competition, which begins Saturday, April 1 with beach volleyball, surfing, MB2 Racing, and soccer. Teams compete in four different divisions – based on company size – for gold, silver and bronze medals and a chance to be crowned Overall Team Champion during the Closing Ceremonies at Ventura Harbor on May 6.

Corporate Games is a fun way to develop team-building, plus it provides great health benefits. This year’s theme is “Play for the Fun of It!”  With a proven track record of building camaraderie through teamwork and lasting relationships among company employees, the games offer a wide variety of events so companies can tailor participation based on staff interests.

Corporate Games is hosted by the City of Ventura and many wonderful sponsors.

Schedule and information is available at www.cityofventura.net/corporategames or call 658-4738.

City Council mulls homeless shelter

Will a homeless shelter reduce the amount of homeless in Ventura? Photo by George Robertson

by Randal Beeman

Advocates who have spent upwards of two decades lobbying the City of Ventura for a permanent emergency homeless shelter will have to wait another month for a final vote authorizing the project. After making several small changes Council members will reconsider the revised ordinance at their April 20th meeting.

At their Monday, March 20th meeting, Council members heard from a number of local advocates for the homeless, including representatives of the faith community and social service providers who explained that a full time shelter would save the City money in addition to being an ethical imperative. Several audience members related personal testimonies on the plight of our homeless population.

While there is no proposal, site, or operator for the potential shelter, the City has designated a non-residential area – the Arundell neighborhood – for the facility. Council members discussed the language for an Emergency Shelter Zoning Ordinance and Map Amendment to shape the eventual size, scope, and operational guidelines. Councilmember Matt LaVere thanked audience members for their diligence on the issue, which has been a major humanitarian and quality of life concern in the community for many years.

Presently, the proposed law calls for a shelter with a capacity of 55 beds, and any potential operator would have to conform to a number of requirements including having a plan to provide security, to offering a variety of social services on site. There seemed to be a consensus among council members that this facility is needed and is long overdue, noting that any operator would be functioning under a conditional permit that would be periodically reviewed by the Council. The shelter is intended for short-term emergencies and will serve as a conduit for social services intended to keep people from returning to the streets.

Audience members who addressed the Council were overwhelmingly supportive of the idea. Stephanie Caldwell, President and CEO of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and member of the Stakeholders Task Force on the homeless, presented a power point on the homeless problem, noting “it is more costly to keep the status quo than to house people.”

Other speakers lamented the high rental rates in the City that exacerbate the homelessness problem. John Jones, advocate for farmworker housing, noted that affordable housing had become the biggest issue in the state with some 130 bills on the issue currently being considered in Sacramento.

Other speakers implored the City to consider allowing space for pets. Cappi Patterson, representing Buddy Nation, promised that if pets would be allowed her organization would cover the cost of feeding and caring for the animals, including veterinary care. Patterson enjoined that pet ownership promotes “reliability, responsibility, and dignity.”

Another speaker spoke of innovative “Navigation Centers” that focus on getting people into housing first, then addressing issues like substance abuse and a lack of state issued ID cards after getting folks off the street, an idea that has seen success in other cities and countries.

Councilmember Christy Weir admonished that any shelter should offer some sense of privacy and dignity, instead of warehousing people in large rooms full of cots and bunk beds. After making several changes in the language and scope of the ordinance, Council members delayed taking a vote on the ordinance until the April 20th meeting in order for the public to review the changes.

In other Council business, the City accepted a grant from the National Police Dog Foundation, with Police Chief Ken Corney offering thanks to Suzanna Underwood for initiating the process along with assistance from the Wood-Claeyssen Foundation.

There was also a budget workshop presented by City of Ventura Finance and Technology Director Gilbert Garcia and staff. Garcia provided a summary of the City’s financial picture and the potential problems with pension costs and maintaining a City-owned golf course. While discussing potential use of Measure O money, (Measure O was passed by voters last November to raise the sales tax in Ventura), Councilmember Mike Tracy suggested that discussion of how that money is budgeted should be guided by the citizens advisory panel, which has yet been appointed.

 

Vol. 10, No. 13 – March 29 – April 11, 2017 – City of Ventura classes

Check out hundreds more on web-site.

Call  658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St in Ventura unless noted.

Registration begins on April 3rd for The City of Ventura’s Summer full and half day camps in cooking, theatre, dance, circus, Rock & Roll, fine arts, Legos, science and so much more. To see a whole menu of summer offerings visit cityofventura.net.  To have a summer camp brochure mailed to you call 658-4726

City of Ventura classes. Check out hundreds more on web-site.
Call 658-4726 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Classes held at the Barranca Vista Center, 7050 E Ralston St in Ventura unless noted.
Registration begins on April 3rd for The City of Ventura’s Summer full and half day camps in cooking, theatre, dance, circus, Rock & Roll, fine arts, Legos, science and so much more. To see a whole menu of summer offerings visit cityofventura.net. To have a summer camp brochure mailed to you call 658-4726

Cartooning 8-12 years
4/10-5/15 M 4-5 pm $50

Draw wonderful characters with Mr. Scott, a cartoon master. Mr. Scott’s Chess Club 8-12 years
4/10-5/15 M 5-6 pm $50

Improve skills and gain new strategies with a National Championship Coach. Family Clay Fun 5-11 years and adult
4/10-5/15 M 6:15-7:30 pm $75

Parent and child work together to create hand-built projects in clay. $35 for additional child or adult. Parent & Me Creative Dance 2.5-4 years with adult
4/12-5/31 W 10-10:45 am $60

Explore all the ways you can partner and move with your child using imaginative play, music and props. Wear comfortable clothes for easy moves. Big City Inspirations 18 years-adult
4/12-5/10 W 10-11:30 am $85
Use wood, paint, fabric and found objects to create skylines, people and interiors inspired by the world’s big cities.

Adult Ballet 18 years-adult
4/12-5/31 W 7:30-8:30 pm $60
Release stress as you tone, strengthen and increase flexibility. Wear comfortable clothes for easy movement.

Flamenco Dance 18 years-adult
4/12-5/3 W 7:30-8:30 pm $75
Learn Spain’s passionate gypsy dance form and its cultural significance as you build up your flexibility, grace, fitness and confidence. Classes held at Namba, 47 S Oak St. in Ventura.