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Ventura Firefighters don pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Limited-edition t-shirts are available for purchase.

For the 12th consecutive year, the Ventura Fire Department has partnered with the Ventura City Firefighters Association and various Downtown Ventura businesses to support and promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month by selling pink, embossed department t-shirts.

“We are supporting breast cancer awareness and prevention so no breast cancer patient or family goes without life-saving treatment and support,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We have donated over $15,000 to date, and only hope to continue this effort for years to come.”

Limited-edition t-shirts are available for purchase during the month of October, while supplies last. Additionally, Ventura firefighters will wear pink t-shirts from October 1-15, to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment in the battle against breast cancer.

This year, funds raised through t-shirt sales will be donated to Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit and independent grassroots organization that helps women and families affected by breast cancer by providing education, advocacy, and emotional and social support.

Residents can purchase pink shirts or donate to the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at the following participating local businesses:

  • Anacapa Brewing Company, 472 E. Main Street
  • Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack, 533 E, Main Street
  • Tiki Girl, 434 E. Main Street
  • Ventura Visitors Center, 100 S. California Street
  • Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery, 540 E. Main Street

T-shirts will not be available for sale at any Ventura Fire stations

To learn more about the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, please visit www.RibbonsVentura.org.

Homelessness takes center stage at the Ventura City Council Candidates Forum

Foto: Homelessness is a confusing issue with many layers.

by Ross Williams

On September 28th the Ventura City Council candidates for district 1, 4 and 6 met at the Church of the Foothills to discuss the homeless population in Ventura. Our unhoused population in the city currently sits at 713 people. Providing shelter, necessary services and assistance is a major concern for the city council members once elected.

City council members are elected to represent their districts and work together with the city manager in order to legislate and set the policies of the city. Ventura, along with many other areas of our state has seen an increase in the homeless population over the years. As the homeless population has grown, so has concern for the safety of our residents including the unhoused.

There are several issues at hand when it comes to our homeless population. There’s the difference between mental health issues, financial issues and drug issues. Fears of separation from family or pets, confusing and overwhelming red tape as well as the want and need for personal space and privacy. Not to mention the overarching housing affordability problem that may make an individual or family that falls on hard times homeless. These issues all require a different set of tools and tact.

Homelessness is a confusing issue with many layers. At its surface are the obvious issues of sanitation and safety. But when dealing with these issues we must think beyond the baseline and understand that these are people. People who may have fallen on hard times, people that may have mental issues and people that may be struggling with addiction. Being able to provide the necessary services to these people needs to be a part of the city’s structure and ensure that residents and tourists alike feel safe here in our city and those in need of help are in fact getting it.

These are the candidates that spoke:

District 1
Helen Eloyan, Marco Cuevas, Liz Campos

District 5
Bill McReynolds, Marie Larkin

District 6
Lorrie Brown, Danny Carillo, Jim Duran

The candidates touched on many valuable points when discussing these issues during the two-and-a-half-hour forum.

  1. Due to the jail being located in Ventura, up to 27% of unsheltered individuals in the city were once living elsewhere in the county, but once released stayed here in Ventura as there is no program in place to send these individuals back to where they came from, or find them the necessary assistance needed to start the recovery process.
  2. Of the 713 unhoused people, 331 are currently sheltered in various programs throughout the city such as the ARCH Shelter and River Haven.
  3. Private and public services are robust, but wrap around services are needed to guide people from one program to the other.
  4. The city of Ventura has 40% of the shelter beds in the county. Other cities should be working to step up their programs.
  5. Education and understanding is key. Criminal vagrancy and homelessness are two completely different things and ⅓ of 911 calls at any given time are in regards to vagrancy. This puts a large strain on our police and fire department.

Each council member candidate present at the forum was thoughtful in regards to the issues at hand and seemed to truly understand how important the topic of homelessness is to our city and the impact that they can have. The election for District Council Candidates is being held on November 8th.

At Ventura’s Board of Education meeting passion and intensity took center stage

The voices were loud and at times raucous throughout the passion filled meeting.

Part 2 of 2 .Continued from September 21 issue
by Ross Williams

The beauty of small learning communities such as DTech and Bioscience Academies is that we can truly connect with students, bond with them, guide them, provide them with sustained and deep memorable experiences over three years (not just a one-time speaker or a one-time field trip). Our small cohorts are intimate. We know our kids. We know when they need to be pushed, when we need to hold back… we know what to say when they are hurt, when they are struggling. We know how to build them up and know when they need tough love. We guide them with precision. Bioscience Academy is my legacy, MY gift to this community. All I ask is for the time needed to make the magic happen for my students.” Mika Anderson

VESPA (Ventura Education Support Professionals Association) and VUEA (Ventura Unified Education Association) were there to show their frustration and anger over the compensation plan that had been proposed by VUSD. VUSD had proposed a 1% increase in total salary compensation with a 4% one-time bonus. While the district had received an ongoing raise in funding of approximately 12.84%. Meetings were in no way final, but the offer felt like a slap in the face of teachers who one after the other went up to the podium to declare that they could not live off of current wages due to inflation, health care cost increases and other costs of living increases.

Over and over again each speaker reiterated that they are committed, love the community, the students and that they don’t want to go anywhere. But other districts in neighboring cities offer more compensation and at some point tough decisions will need to be made.

“The students and families of Ventura deserve the best we can give them. A 1% on going salary increase isn’t enough. It doesn’t keep up with inflation, it doesn’t close our gap with neighboring districts, and it is demoralizing for our educators. Ventura Unified received much more than 1% in new funds this year but they choose to not to compensate the employees fairly. Other districts in our area, Santa Paula and Las Virgenes, have settled for 7.9% and 8% respectively. VUSD can do better because the families of Ventura deserve better. We can’t keep excellent teachers with bottom-barrel salaries.” stated VUEA President Dan Nelson. With sentiments repeated by VESPA President Carol Peak.

The voices were loud and at times raucous throughout the passion filled meeting with the occasional clang of a tambourine, toot of the jug and cheering heard throughout the room and parking lot.

What is understood is that this meeting was all about the voice of community. Teachers, students and parents alike all standing together to make sure that they were heard and supported. On the backs of many of those present read a quote by Nelson Madela “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And everyone there was ready to fight for what was best for our students and their education.

Ventura Unified opens organic farm

A one-of-a-kind facility in Ventura County.

Mayor Sofia Rubalcava and the VUSD Board of Education joined VUSD staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 29, 2022, to officially mark the opening of Sa’aliyas Ranch to Ventura Unified School District students. This certified organic farm facility will prepare high school students for agricultural science, business, and technology career opportunities and engage Kindergarten through 8th-grade students in STEM-related projects and activities as they learn about Ventura County’s agriculture industry.

Dr. Rebecca Chandler, VUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, shared, “Sa’aliyas Ranch (Chumash for “on the path”) has five acres of avocados, lemons, row crops, a state-of-the-art greenhouse with an aquaponics system, and indoor and outdoor learning spaces developed for K-12 students. Designed to be self-sustaining and teach students about agriculture, science, business, and technology in one of the largest industries in Ventura County, the ranch allows students to see science in action. We are thrilled to offer this exciting opportunity.”

Local industry and community partners were invited to the ceremony to recognize their time and input throughout the planning and development process. Students will be involved in the marketing and selling of produce to local businesses, and their partnership is essential.

Mike Etchart, Sa’aliyas Ranch Farm Manager and CTE Agriculture & Natural Resources teacher, explained, “The agriculture industry is one of the biggest employers in our county, with many different career opportunities that pay living wages in our region. This facility will not only provide students with an opportunity to learn about the science of agriculture but also gain valuable job skills in high school that would lead to careers with any number of local employers in the sector.”

We look forward to introducing the community to this immersive learning space; watch for public farm visit opportunities coming later this fall! For more information, visit our website at www.saaliyasranch.com.

The elementary school transformed into a K-8 based on community needs

Stephanie Caldwell, Calvin Peterson, Amy Callahan,Dr. Antonio Castro, Jeannette Sanchez- Palacios, Brooklynn Hall, Ms. Anna Winslow, Dr. Jerry Dannenberg and Sabrena Rodriguez at the ribbon cutting event.

Ventura City Council Member Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, and the Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Education joined VUSD staff and families for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, to officially mark the opening of VUSD’s newest K-8 school. The Academy of Technology & Leadership at Saticoy (ATLAS) joins two other schools in the district, serving students in a K-8 environment.

Before COVID, families in the Ventura Unified School District requested that VUSD look into transitioning some of its elementary school sites into K-8 options, allowing for a smaller learning community compared to more traditional middle school options. The Board and VUSD staff conducted research, received feedback from staff, students, and families, and decided to transition two of its elementary schools into K-8 options. These schools joined Sunset K-8 School, located in Oak View, which has been in place for many years. Lemon Grove School transitioned to a K-8 last August 2021. ATLAS will begin with a 6th-grade class this year, add a 7th-grade class for the 2023-24 school year, and complete its transition in 2024-25 by graduating its first 8th-grade class.

“This District has a long history of providing as many options as possible for families because we understand every student is different and what they need is unique. We try very hard to offer a wide array of opportunities to really see what your child is interested in and meet them there,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez.

ATLAS is a Leader in Me school. The Leader in Me program is an evidence-based, comprehensive model that builds leadership and life skills in students, creates a high-trust school culture, and lays the foundation for sustained academic achievement.

“We became a Leader in Me school in 2013. We then became a Leader in Me Lighthouse School in 2017. Being a Lighthouse School means we are in the top 10% of all Leader in Me schools in the world. There is over 5,000 Leader in Me schools in all 50 states and over 50 countries,” stated ATLAS 6th-grade student Brooklynn Hall. “I am so excited to be in 6th grade; this is a whole new start. We at ATLAS have come so far. If you think about it, we might not be standing here if Ms. Winslow weren’t our principal; we are so lucky to have her, this school, and all of the people that support us.”

Volunteers needed to train as instructors for senior exercise programs

Trained instructors make a difference in the lives of those enrolled in classes.

Volunteer leaders are needed to teach with RSVP’s two popular senior exercise programs. No experience is necessary to become an instructor for RSVP Bone Builders and Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance. The first training step is to attend a class and observe. Interested volunteers then attend a free training session to learn the program and prepare for teaching.

Trained instructors make a difference in the lives of those enrolled in classes, as well as contribute to their own well-being by engaging in a regular exercise program. Both RSVP exercise programs are free and open to the public. Classes operate in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme. Call 805-385-8019 for more information about trainings.

Training Schedule

RSVP Bone Builders This is an osteoporosis exercise and education program in

which participants use light weights to build bones while also improving their balance and making new friends. There are currently 21 classes scheduled in RSVP’s four-city area, but several have lengthy wait lists. By training more instructors we will be able to add more classes and accommodate the community’s interest in this program. Volunteer instructor trainings are scheduled for:

Tuesday, September 27 Tuesday, November 15 Tuesday, February 14 Tuesday, May 16

Volunteers attend one day of training before being paired with an experienced instructor to practice and ready for leading their own class. All trainings run from 9:00am to 3:00pm in Oxnard. Lunch is provided.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance (TCMBB)

TCMBB is an evidence-based program. This simplified tai chi for seniors helps reduce repeat falls by 55% among participants and teaches proper body alignment and balance. Training is scheduled for:

Saturday, October 1, 9am-3pm (lunch is provided) Monday, October 3, 1pm-4pm

Monday, October 10, 1pm-4pm Monday, October 17, 1pm-4pm

One must complete all four training days and document 30 hours of practice before being considered for certification as an instructor. All training sessions will be held in Oxnard.

RSVP is a volunteer engagement program, helping people age 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent, and available time. It both recruits and places volunteers with nonprofit partner agencies as well as overseeing the two distinct exercise programs designed for seniors. Volunteer positions are available in RSVP’s four-city service area of Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme.

Oxnard RSVP has about 350 members and is locally sponsored by the City of Oxnard with grant funding from the federal AmeriCorps. To learn more about the benefits of being an RSVP member, for help finding a volunteer position or more information about the trainings, call 805-385-8019.

A big hello from CAPS MEDIA

CAPS Media crews covered the fire department open houses.

Fall is in the air. School is open. Election season is here. CAPS and KPPQ are rockin’.

CAPS Media crews have stayed busy throughout the summer covering events and producing productions for the City, County and the community at large. In August CAPS was InThe House for Ventura Fire Department’s Community Meetings and Workshops.

At City Hall, every week CAPS directs coverage of multiple meetings, many in a hybrid format, providing access and information for the entire citizenry. Meetings include City Council, Planning Commission and others. Many are live on CAPS Channel 15 and livestreamed on the City site.

CAPS crews also documented the recent City General Plan and Design Review Committee meetings held at the Museum of Ventura County and the Poinsettia Pavilion on August 30 & 31.  Both meetings are posted on the City YouTube page.

Currently CAPS’ focus is assisting the City Public Information team with the production of Mayor Rubalcava’s 2022 State of the City presentation which will be shown on Thursday, September 22 at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast at the Crowne Plaza.

CAPS crews have been busy producing videos updates on the relocation of the Downtown Farmers Market to Main Street, the opening of the new, 2nd entrance to Community Park and other projects.  Currently in the works are video projects for VPD and other City divisions.

CAPS is also working with Ventura County on their production of the 2022 State of the County presentation scheduled for November 2. At the same time CAPS continues working with the County Registrar’s office on materials for the upcoming election, County Public Works on a training video and County Fire on a training video.

With the school year starting the newest class of ECTV students have begun their training at the CAPS Media Center.  Every Friday the ECTV teenagers take over the center under the guidance of master mentor Phil Taggart. Along with the training and ongoing productions, CAPS and ECTV are collaborating on a unique project this election season.  All candidates for City Council and VUSD board seats are invited to record a campaign message and be interviewed by ECTV students in the CAPS Studio. These videos will be given to the candidates for their use. In addition, CAPS will include various election forums on Channel 6 as part of the regular election programming.

Longstanding CAPS and KPPQ member Kathleen Good, an outstanding radio DJs, was featured in the Breeze in the last issue. Check it out. KPPQ continues to fill the radio airwaves with terrific local programs including Kathleen’s “In the Women’s Room” featuring interviews with local experts, historians and more. Pam Baumgardner’s “The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour” features the many talented local artists. Pam and Kathy are also valued members of the CAPS Media Board of Directors. Mark’s “The Pure Rock” brings rock to all and has developed an international following. Nadine Piche produces Ventura Vibe! featuring many local treasures of the community. Doc Ventura brings the best of blues to the KPPQ audience. Tune in to 104.1 FM, the CAPS Media Radio page and the myTuner app. Check out the podcast page located on the radio page of CAPSMedia.org.

The CAPS Media Executive Board continues to play it safe and has decided to hold off on reopening the CAPS Media Center to the public. The CAPS team misses the collaboration and comradery of being together in the center and working directly with the public. However, for now, everyone accepts the trade off and will remain closed and revisit this issue at the end of the year.

 

Are sea lions protected in California?

Sea lions enjoying a cool day at the docks at Ventura Harbor. Photos by Patricia Schallert

As sea lions are taking over some of our docks with their loud barking and poop the question is what can be done to remove them? Not much.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 provides federal protection not only to harbor seals, but also to northern elephant seals, California and Steller sea lions, whales, porpoises, sea otters and other marine mammals. This law prohibits killing or harassing these shy creatures in any manner. It’s illegal to harass, feed, hunt, capture, collect or kill these animals.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in recent years the populations of these animals have increased dramatically and are now considered healthy and robust.

City Center held an open house event for current and past residents

Jim Duran welcomed all and was ready to serve food with the residents.

by Richard Lieberman

August 18, 2022, an open house event was held at the City Center in Ventura. Jim Duran the lead pastor of the River Community Church founded by Duran and his team in 2004 is the Executive Director of the City Center.

The City Center is a transitional living facility for homeless individuals and families giving them the needed skills and tools to rebuild their lives and gets them on the road to self-sufficiency and healing. The event held at the City Center, 837 East Thompson Blvd. iwas attended by several Ventura dignitaries including Sabrena Rodriguez, Ventura Unified School District, School Board, Doug Halter Ventura City Council Member, Alex McIntyre, Ventura City Manager and Sergeant Michael Anselmo, Ventura Police Department.

To be considered for the City Center program individuals or families must complete an application process. “We ask pretty simple questions there are only about nine questions we require,” Duran said. “We ask them how long they have been free from drugs and alcohol and if they say less than six months then we do another program with them.” Added Duran. “They have to be willing to work that is really the bottom line, they have to be willing to get out of the situation they are in, get their kids out of the situation, “he added. Some of the requirements include the potential resident’s willingness to get out of debt and be alcohol and drug free in order to be considered for the program. The center helps by working out programs that will help the potential resident get off government funding, and programs that help with drug or alcohol addiction.

“We have a curfew we do random drug testing unlike our shelter here in Ventura which is called a low barrier shelter so if I get in the shelter, I can eat a few meals then I can go out and get wasted and as long as I am back by curfew, I am good.” Duran added. “How is that helping anyone.” He spoke. The Center in the last eight years has helped 108 families and 304 individuals to get permanent housing and of all the graduates of the program 95% have never gone back into homelessness.

The Center also offers help by having several classes for resident’s that range from how to build a resume to financial coaching. Several businesses in our area have been willing to give the Center’s residents an opportunity at gainful employment.

City Council Member Doug Halter was in attendance. “The City Center is probably the most successful model of how to get people off the streets.” Halter said. “City Center is essential for this city.” He added.

Sponsorship for housing a family costs $7,500 and covers the cost of housing for up to a year.

Aloha Beach Festival gives back to the community

On Sept. 3 & 4, the 14th annual Aloha Beach Festival was held at Promenade Park Surfers Point in Ventura. The event featured live entertainment, surfing, arts & crafts, food and beer, Hawaiian dancers and the C-Street Classic surf competition.

John Brooks and Chipper Bell are all smiles at the Festival. Photos by Patricia Schallert

It is the brainchild of Chipper “Bro” Bell, a 12-time world Frisbee champion. The Aloha Beach Festival was designed to give back to our local social and environmental organizations. Chipper and his family each year choose a charity organization and they volunteer for them for one year. Each
year the Festival has grown in size and scope and brings the community together to share the aloha spirit. This year’s proceeds went to benefit the Merito Foundation.