Cliff Walker will once again push his personal limits by donning full firefighter gear at the Ventura Half-Marathon.

by Mira Reverente

Crossing the finish line of any race is considered a feat by many. Add some bulky gear and it’s double the challenge.

Federal firefighter Cliff Walker is not new to challenges. He will once again push his personal limits by donning full firefighter gear when he toes the start line of the Ventura Half-Marathon on October 20. “Imagine running with an extra 70 to 80 lbs. of gear on top of my body weight of 185 lbs.,” says Walker of Huntington Beach.

Walker’s mission is to break the current Guinness World Record of 3 hours and 30 minutes in finishing a half-marathon with all his gear including his helmet, fire-retardant hood and pants, boots and breathing apparatus, which in itself already weighs a whopping 45 lbs.

Call it a contradiction of sorts, but according to the 52-year-old Walker, “the same gear that keeps us from getting burned, that protects us from the elements is also the same gear that isn’t allowing heat to escape. So it could be fatal too since there’s nowhere for sweat to go.”

He won’t be alone in his world record quest. Ventura resident Dan Cicileo, a fellow Ironman finisher, will be pacing him. Fellow firefighter Kirk Tanner, will also be part of his support crew, making sure Walker eats and hydrates at regular intervals. Austen Alexander, from an active duty Navy Boat Patrol unit in Seal Beach, will be filming the trio.

This will be Walker’s second time running the race in Ventura, although it’s the half-marathon this time. When he ran the marathon in 2016 on 9/11, it was to honor the fallen first responders. This coastal town is near and dear to his heart. “I lived in Ventura before joining the Navy,” he says. “It’s also a beautiful and relatively flat course – perfect for breaking world records.”

The fitness fanatic is not new to breaking records, personal or otherwise. He ran 12 marathons in 12 months back in 2016, including Ventura. He has completed several full and half Ironman triathlons under his belt, plus over 30 marathons, a dozen half-marathons and many other fitness challenges completed in between.

He also manages a mobile fitness outfit called California Fire Fit which trains individuals and groups wherever they are. “Online training is really popular right now, plus we train them in the mental aspect of fitness too,” he says.

Always on-the-go, the father of three claims that fitness is also his decompression secret. He bikes, swims, runs, lifts weights, practices Jujitsu, trains other people and runs after his kids literally and figuratively. He says, “Fitness is a way of life for me. I incorporate it in my daily life, even in being a dad or being a businessman.”

Three days after his potential world record feat in Ventura, Walker will take his place in a competitive five-man relay team. His team hopes to shatter the world record in the Firefighter Combat Challenge in Montgomery, Alabama. The challenge involves typical firefighter everyday “stunts” like climbing up and down flights of stairs and rappelling in full gear.

Walker believes that one must be physically and mentally ready for anything in life. He says, “There’s really no excuse not to do something that will help you when the time comes. Train uncomfortable to be comfortable when it matters most.”

Leslie Snipes, Michele Foster, Marlyss Auster, Mike Laan and Michele Gilmour are proud of Ventura.

California Travel Association kindly recognizes what Visit Ventura knows: we’re a special place to work

Visit Ventura was kindly honored once again as a great place to work, this time by the California Travel Association (CalTravel). The California Travel Association is the united voice of the travel and tourism industry in California, advocating on issues and legislation that affect the tourism industry.

Visit Ventura was presented with CalTravel’s Great Workplace Award for 2019 at a gala awards dinner September 12th at the JW Marriott at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. Some 350 tourism leaders throughout California attended the awards dinner.

The CalTravel award continues an ongoing string of awards for Visit Ventura, among them back to back (2018 and 2019) awards as one of the best places to work on California’s Central Coast, and Adrian golds, three years running, from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). The Adrian award is one of the most prestigious awards in the tourism industry.

CalTravel’s Great Workplace Award for 2019, while an honor, was no surprise to those who work in an office that has fun (recognizing the fine work of our colleagues with SpongeBob memes) while getting things done. Through creative thinking and various award-winning campaigns, Visit Ventura helps spearhead a tourism effort that generates close to $300 million in annual visitor spending and, equally important, creates roughly 2,600 jobs in Ventura.

Work can be play, and both can be elevated to an art.

“Success is about working hard, but life is also about having fun,” said Marlyss Auster, Visit Ventura President & CEO. “Our team has mastered the art of blending work and fun. So much great work gets done here. But there’s so much laughter too. I look forward to coming to work every day.”
Find out how Visit Ventura contributes to driving Ventura’s economy through tourism and meet the team.

Kids at Mound Elementary participated with enthusiasm in learning about many of the foods grown in the community. Photos by Bernie Goldstein

As part of its new Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative, Students for Eco-Education & Agriculture (SEEAG) is hitting the road in its new “Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom,” visiting schools throughout Ventura County this school year and bringing its message of healthy eating, proper nutrition and daily exercise.

The 30-foot-long cargo van made its debut on Friday, September 13 at Mound Elementary School in Ventura. Third graders learned about locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities. They prepared healthy snacks and received recipes that they can make at home as well as nutritional information to share with family members. The van will visit 120 schools and reach 10,000 Ventura County students by 2021.

As part of the van’s debut, five students created dishes from locally grown produce for judging.

“We want kids to get excited whenever they see our brightly colored van pull up at their school,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG founder and CEO. “Our goal is to cultivate a deeper appreciation for our local agriculture, and healthy eating and wellness practices that will stay with these young students throughout their life,”

Mobile Classroom Sponsors are Sprouts Community Foundation, Gills Onions, AGQ Lab, YCE Engineering, Pyramid Flowers. Wells Fargo, Montecito Bank & Trust and Crimson Pipeline.

For more about SEEAG’s Farm Fresh Mobile Classroom, visit www.SEEAG.org

Founded in 2008, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students understand the origins of their food by bridging the gap between agriculture and consumption through its agricultural education programming. SEEAG’s “The Farm Lab” program based in Ventura County teaches schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland by providing schools with classroom agricultural education and free field trips to farms. Through this program, over 25,000 elementary school students in Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey. SEEAG also hosts annual Farm Days—Santa Barbara County Farm Day, September 28, 2019 and Ventura County Farm Day, November 9, 2019. For more information, visit www.seeag.org.

Ashley Bautista selected by the International Association of Police Chiefs for the 40 Under 40 Award.

Ashley Bautista has been recognized by the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the California Peace Officers’ Association for her community outreach efforts with the Ventura Police Department. Ashley is a Senior Community Outreach Specialist with the department. She is also the

police liaison for the Ventura Police Community Foundation spearheading fundraising efforts for police equipment and community crime prevention programs. In June 2019, she took on an additional role as the Acting Communications Manager for the City of Ventura.

In August, she was selected by the International Association of Police Chiefs for the 40 Under 40 Award. The award recognizes 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership and exemplify commitment to their profession. The award will be presented in Chicago in October. In August, she was the recipient of the California Peace Officers’ Association’s (CPOA) Inaugural 12 under 12 Award. She was selected for Region VII which covers San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. The award recognizes 12 individuals from the 12 CPOA regions with 12 or less years of service who represent the future of the law enforcement profession.

“In a time where the national narrative of policing in America is challenged, new and innovative approaches to bring together communities and law enforcement are as important as they have ever been. Ashley Bautista has transformed this narrative in our community,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.

Ashley joined the Ventura Police Department in July 2014. She previously served as an Associate at Paladin Principal, LLC a regional public affairs firm. She represented the Gold Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the World Affairs Council Central Coast Chapter as the Executive Director of both organizations. She also assisted in crisis communication for a variety of government, nonprofit and business clients during her time with Paladin.

“As the owner of Cole Pro Media, one of the leading firms across the country in helping law

enforcement tell their own stories using social media, there is no better partner than Ashley in this

process. She gets it, she cares, and she’s the real deal. She gives her life every day to the community of Ventura and to this great profession that protects all of us 365 days a year,” said Laura Cole, Cole Pro Media President. Since her time with the Police Department she has increased the following on social media to over 80,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Nextdoor combined. Her innovative social media campaigns have been featured on the national level. She provides presentations to community groups and high school groups on crime prevention, traffic safety and cyber safety. She also hosts the police department’s annual citizen’s academy providing an opportunity for residents to learn about police operations. She has become a resource for governmental agencies in providing community outreach strategies. She is passionate in her efforts to create a strong sense of connectivity between the police department and the community.

“I appreciate Ashley’s hard work, dedication, passion and responsiveness. She is a significant part of the

heart, compassion and devotion of our police force,” said Ventura community member Lori Steinhauer.

She was awarded the Ventura Police Support Crime Fighter of the Year in December 2016. She was nominated for employee of the year for the City of Ventura in January 2017 and January 2019. She was selected for the cover of the Ventana magazine as a “Woman of Substance” in March 2016. She has also been recognized by the Pacific Coast Business Times, a tri-county central coast publication, as the “Top 50 Women in Business”, “Top 40 under 40” and “Who’s Who in Civic Leadership”. She holds a bachelor’s degree of Political Science from the University of San Diego a minor in Media Studies and her master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. She is also a graduate of the 2019 Ventura County Leadership Academy. The academy brings leaders together from various professions to address complex issues county-wide.

“I have put my heart into what I do because I am motivated to make Ventura a better place for my four sons. I am motivated to prevent crime; motivated to help apprehend suspects, who continue to victimize the most vulnerable; and motivated to change the negative perceptions about police officers. The men and women who serve our community are remarkable people and it’s an honor to be their advocate. Building the bridge between the police and the community has been an incredible

experience,” said Community Outreach Specialist Bautista.

California Coast Classic coming to Ventura.

The Arthritis Foundation’s largest fundraising ride, the 19th Annual California Coast Classic presented by Amgen, a 525-mile eight-day bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles will be rolling into Ventura on September 27.

One in every four Americans is living with arthritis — that’s more than breast cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and autism combined. It’s the number one cause of disability and a growing health crisis affecting more than 54 million adults and 300,000 children. The Arthritis Foundation is leading the fight to conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections.

250 bicyclists, both with and without arthritis, from California, other parts of the United States and internationally ranging in age from 18 to 70-plus. Each rider is required to raise a minimum of $3,500 to participate in the CCC.

A 525-mile eight-day bicycle tour from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise $1 million for the Arthritis Foundation. Funds raised help to bring life-changing tools and resources to those with arthritis, their family and friends; provides support to the 300,000 kids and teens with arthritis through the national Juvenile Arthritis Conference, JA Camps, and other educational activities; to accelerate the path to better treatments and a cure; and to break down barriers to optimal arthritis care.

The route follows California’s beautiful coastline from San Francisco to Los Angeles. During the 8-day ride, participants will overnight in Santa Cruz, Monterey, Big Sur, Cambria, Oceano, Buellton, Ventura, and finish in Los Angeles. At each overnight stop, the majority of the riders camp out, some will stay at a hotel, and at the campground a hearty meal is served and riders share memories from the day, participate in a raffle for donated prizes, and honor a different person each night who is living with and surviving arthritis.

The Arthritis Foundation is the Champion of Yes. Leading the fight for the arthritis community, the Foundation helps conquer everyday battles through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science, and community connections. The Arthritis Foundation’s goal is to chart a winning course, guiding families in developing personalized plans for living a full life – and making each day another stride towards a cure (arthritis.org).

The California Coast Classic Bike Tour is the winner of the 2019 Best Charity Bike Tour Award by Gran Fondo Guide. It began in 2001 and is the flagship fundraising bike tour of the Arthritis Foundation, raising over $1 million dollars annually. The money provides educational resources for adults and children, supports advocacy, funds kids’ camps, and much more. Beginner and experienced cyclists are welcome and encouraged to join the journey down the coast of California.

The Tour will arrive in Ventura on Friday afternoon around 2-3 p.m., September 27, Day 7 of the 8-day tour. The riders will be staying at the San Buenaventura State Beach.

Here’s the schedule for that Friday night

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm        CCC Social Hour

6:00 pm                         Daily Announcements

6:30 pm                         Dinner

Here’s the schedule for that Saturday morning before they start to trickle out on their way to Los Angeles.

6:30 am – 8:30 am        Breakfast

Ventura City Fire Department receives a pickup and a sports utility vehicle.

Santa Barbara based Direct Relief, a humanitarian aid organization, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by emergencies, is equipping many of California’s first responder agencies to help save lives. After the devastation of the Thomas Fire and Montecito mud & debris flows, the organization recognized the need of local agencies for additional emergency response vehicles and equipment. The organization has since donated life-saving equipment to several Southern California emergency service providers, including Ventura City Fire Department.

“Given the overwhelming scale and tragedies of debris flow and fires in California, Direct Relief was looking to help in anyway it could both in the immediate aftermath and for the future, and while outside our normal course of support, the benefit of being in a position to help our local Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) first responders with a purpose built vehicle was clear,” said Andrew MacCalla, Vice President Direct Relief, Emergency Response.

Direct Relief recently donated both a pickup and a sports utility vehicle to Ventura City Fire Department to help support emergency response efforts in Ventura, and for the greater operational response area of Ventura County. The Ford F-150 4×4 pickup will be used for surf & ocean rescues, as well as supporting wildland fire, flooding, and urban search & rescue operations. The pickup has been outfitted with storage compartments, overhead racks, an air compressor system, Opticom traffic preemption (to change traffic signals during emergency response), a mobile data computer (for GPS location/regional dispatching), dual sirens, LED response & scene lighting, and two-way mobile & portable radios. The Ford Explorer SUV is outfitted as an additional command vehicle. It will be used by the Training Battalion Chief as a secondary mobile incident command post to respond when the primary on-duty Battalion Chief is already committed to another incident, or when an incident is so large that it requires multiple chief officers to be in place to take command of various geographic local areas, as occurred during both the Thomas & Woolsey Fires.

“We appreciate the generous support of Direct Relief in supporting our first responders and our community. This specialized equipment is critical for protecting life during a serious disaster,” said Mayor Matt LaVere.