VCAAA extends call to action to local schools for holiday greetings campaign

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is extending a call to action to local schools for a Holiday Greetings Campaign aimed to reach older adults and people with disabilities who are living in Ventura County. The VCAAA is seeking greeting cards that are handmade or premade by local students of all ages with a short holiday greeting written inside. Cards will be distributed as part of the VCAAA’s COVID-19 meal service programs. The first phase of the campaign will focus on Thanksgiving, with the possibility of an extension into the winter holiday season. 

More than 30,000 older adults in Ventura County are living alone, and the isolation, loneliness, and depression many of them are experiencing during the COVID-19 has become as much of a threat to their overall health as the virus itself. With the holiday season quickly approaching, the VCAAA recognizes that this is the most critical time to extend not only our services to these populations, but also our care and support. 

Those interested in participating should send completed Thanksgiving greeting cards to the VCAAA through the month of November. Greeting cards may be mailed to, or dropped off at, 646 County Square Drive, Suite 100, Ventura, Ca. 93003. Please notate VCAAA Holiday Greetings Campaign on the envelope. All cards will be reviewed and then delivered with food boxes from the VCAAA’s COVID-19 pantry for the month of November. 

The VCAAA continues to encourage family members and neighbors to safely connect with loved ones who may benefit from similar holiday greetings, and from support with grocery shopping or other errands. It is extremely important to keep open lines of communication to help minimize the isolation so many Ventura County residents are experiencing.  

Parents, educators, or school administrators interested in participating in this program may e-mail [email protected] for more information, or call (805) 477-7306.

Video games show potential in improving key aspects of memory in older adults

” I think that we are almost ready to challenge the grandkids.”

by Clinical Research Cognitive Health

Being exposed to an environment filled with novel stimuli can benefit cognition, including memory. Studies have shown that rodents placed in enriched environments, compared to sparse environments, experience increased generation of nerve cells in brain regions that are critical for memory encoding and retrieval. Humans may also experience similar neurological benefits from novel environments. However, this exposure can be hindered by those who remain indoors, potentially due to viral pandemics or mobility impairments.

The good news is that novel environments can be delivered, virtually, to the homebound, according to NIA-supported researchers who recently discovered that video games may be used to enhance cognitive health in older adults. These findings were recently published in Behavioural Brain Research. For this study, individuals 60 to 80 years of age were recruited. The researchers hypothesized that the novel and three-dimensional environment of Super Mario™ would confer more cognitive benefits upon individuals than those conferred by a familiar two-dimensional game (i.e., Solitaire). Despite being two-dimensional in nature, Angry Birds™ gameplay was also poised to confer cognitive benefits due to its novelty for this older population. Study participants in each of these three video game conditions played 30 to 45 minutes per day for four weeks. During this time, and four weeks after daily gameplay ended, researchers conducted a series of memory tests.

While memory performance was equivalent across groups prior to engaging in video game play, two weeks of Angry Birds™ or Super Mario™ gameplay resulted in improved recognition memory. Memory continued to improve after an additional two weeks for the Super Mario™ players compared to the Solitaire players and these improvements persisted after daily gameplay ended. No additional memory improvements were found in Angry Birds™ players.

These findings suggest that both novel experiences and exposure to rich three-dimensional environments may work together to improve cognition. Interventions for improving cognition are particularly important for older individuals because they are at risk for cognitive decline. In addition, video game interventions may be beneficial for individuals at any age and particularly for those who are homebound, thus unable to experience a wide variety of new environments. Although video games may not be an ideal substitute for real-world experiences, they may serve as an additional (and entertaining) method to improve cognitive health.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants R01AG034613, R21AG056145, and P50AG016573.

Reference: Clemenson G, et al. Enriching hippocampal memory function in older adults through video games. Behavioural Brain Research. 2020;390:112667. doi: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112667.

Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2021-22 school year

The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications to support awardees in the 2021-22 school year. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2021.

More than 400 scholarships will be awarded to Ventura College students. Students who are currently enrolled at Ventura College and who have successfully completed at least 12 units at the college are eligible. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 and can be used toward educational expenses incurred while attending Ventura College or a four-year institution, depending on the student’s 2021-22 enrollment.

“More than ever, students are under financial strain,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Students and their families have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. This leaves little money for school expenses. These scholarships can enable students to continue their education.”

The foundation offers a variety of scholarships including special ones for students who have taken a break from education but then returned to Ventura College to continue their schooling. Phoenix Scholarships are designed to assist re-entering students who have little or no funds to pay for the cost of their education.

Sarah Hamm, 40, received the Stan Weisel Phoenix Scholarship and the James V. and Idah W. Iliff Memorial Scholarship. A single mother, Hamm graduated from Ventura College in spring 2020 and transferred to UC Santa Barbara. She’s majoring in political science.

“Once I became a mother, my protection instinct kicked in,” says Hamm. “When I read about the Sandy Hook shooting, I knew I had to work to do everything in my power to help create a safer society for my son and all children. I chose political science to gain knowledge about how our government and society work in order to advance my goal of influencing public policy.”

\Marco Pretelin, 27, also received Phoenix scholarships: the Ventura College Foundation Phoenix Scholarship and the Bill and Elise Kearney Phoenix Scholarship. Pretelin will graduate after the current semester with an architecture certificate and an associate of science degree.

Most scholarships are available for any type of study focus. Others are for students enrolled in specific programs such as the school’s Paramedic, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Nursing Studies.

Scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2021. Last academic year, the Ventura College Foundation awarded 427 scholarships totaling $699,971, the largest annual scholarship distribution in the foundation’s history.

For more about Ventura College Foundation scholarships and other financial assistance, application dates, scholarship workshops and application forms, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/scholarships/

Community Memorial Health System Hosts presentations

Cancer doesn’t stop for COVID-19. It’s still important to maintain healthy habits to reduce your risk of cancer even if you spend more time at home to prevent transmitting or catching the coronavirus.

Whether or not you’ve previously faced a cancer diagnosis, it’s important to pay attention to changes in your body and symptoms that may indicate a need for medical intervention.

“The risk today to go to a doctor’s office or diagnostic center for a cancer screening is very low,” said Dr. Thomas Fogel, a radiation oncology specialist and member of the CMH staff. Dr. Fogel advises people to talk to their doctor to learn which screenings they are due or overdue for, which screenings they need now, and which screenings can wait. Routine screenings include mammograms, pap smears, colon cancer screenings, PSA tests, general physical exams, blood tests and annual skin cancer exams.

“The bottom line is engaging with the health system is safe,” Dr. Fogel said. “Everyone is taking the necessary precautions. In addition to screening the patients, we are screening the staff. The best thing to do is have a consultation with your doctor which can be done through telemedicine in a phone call or video conference.”

To share the latest clinical recommendations for preventing cancer during the pandemic, Community Memorial Health System is hosting a free virtual presentation at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 11. Medical experts leading this free virtual presentation on Zoom will share:

Whether routine cancer screenings should be continued or postponed during the pandemic.
The importance of early detection.
Alternative testing options that may be available.
Screening done safely, such as wearing a mask and asking the screening facility about precautions they have taken to protect patients.
The role of diet and physical activity in cancer prevention.

This virtual presentation is free but registration is requested. Please register at this link: cmhshealth.org/rsvp. The event is sponsored by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, https://www.cmhfventura.org/.

With flu season in full swing and COVID-19 continuing to threaten our health and way of life, vaccines have become a hot topic. Are vaccines safe? Can you get sick from getting one? Are they guaranteed to work, and who should get vaccinated?

Community Memorial Healthcare System seeks to inform the public about vaccines at this crucial time. Join CMHS for a free virtual seminar that will separate fact from fiction, explain the science behind vaccines, and give you the knowledge you need to stay healthy.

CMHS is hosting a free public seminar at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18, called, “Should You Trust Vaccines? Understanding the Science of Prevention.” The seminar, moderated by Dr. James Hornstein, CMHS’s chair of the Bioethics Committee, and featuring expert physicians, is part of CMHS’s 2020 Ethics in Healthcare Speaker Series Online. To RSVP for this free online seminar hosted by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Ventura Music Scene

I guess it was bound to happen, and it finally did on Halloween when the first Concerts in Your Car was cancelled with a notice going out. “Aaron and Sully have made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of their American Drive-in Tour. We know you are disappointed, and understand the challenges in touring nationally during a pandemic. We hope to have all of this behind us soon.” Of course, all tickets holders should receive full refunds within 5-7 business days. I have to admit my heart skipped a beat and a cold sweat hit me when I drove by that evening on my way home from a friend’s house in Ojai. The parking lot was empty and dark, and I thought to myself, “Did I get it wrong?” Did I list the wrong day on VenturaRocks.com??? It’s hard enough running a venue and booking artists let alone trying to do that during a pandemic. So, hats off to the crew behind the scenes. By the way, there are still a number of concerts and movies up until they’ll be offering “Holidays in Your Car” through the end of the year with just a handful of dates dark. No live music as far as I can tell, but it should be quite the visual sight with over a million animated lights for the whole family to enjoy. Meanwhile, they still 311 with two shows on Saturday, November 14, the sold out Kaskade show on Friday, November 20, and Bush on Saturday, November 21.

The next New West Symphony online concert, A Tour of India, takes place on Sunday, November 15, which will include a live Q&A with Maestro Michael Christie. The musical program will explore the influences that Indian and western classical musical traditions have upon each other. More information and tickets can be found at www.NewWestSymphony.org.

The Ventura Music Festival is celebrating Beethoven’s Birthday with two admission-free online shows, Sundays, November 15 and 22 at 4 pm with pre-recorded live performances by pianist Adam Golka. Remarks by Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta accompany each program and an interview with Golka is planned. To reserve your spot, go to www.VenturaMusicFestival.org.

Namba Arts will be hosting another live-streaming event out of their studios on Sunday, November 8. This one features Kris Simeon, Delta by the Beach, Richard Aufrichtig, Power2thePeople, Aaron Burch Band and Fred Kaplan & Rob Kyle. These events help keep Namba alive with a cover of $10 per performance which are hosted by Doc Ventura. You can look them up on Facebook or go to www.NambaAarts.com for details.

Quick Notes: Caffrodite Community Collective is now offering live acoustic music with limited seating; Ken Devoe plays Copa Cubana Saturday and Sunday afternoons; and Winchester’s is expanding their music to include both Thursdays and Sundays. Artists who have released new music include Colette Lovejoy’s self-titled debut and Alastair Greene’s “The New World Blues” produced by Tab Benoit.

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows (online or live) you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Music Calendar

For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com
All Venues Ventura, unless otherwise noted.

Caffrodite Community Collective
1987 E. Main Street
Sat 11/7: Déjà vu Too

The Canyon at Oxnard PACC
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
Parking Lot Drive in style concerts
Fri 11/6: Mirage, One Hundred Paces
Sat 11/7: 4NR
Fri 11/13: Wanted
Sat 11/14: Bruno & the Holligans
Fri 11/20: Scot Bruce as Elvis
Fri 11/27: Kenny Metcalf (Elton John early years)

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Music 5:30 – 8:30
Fridays: Warren Takahashi

Concerts in Your Car
Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd.
Sat 11/14: 311 (two shows)
Fri 11/20: Kaskade (sold out)
Sat 11/21: Bush
Fri 11/27: Yachtley Crew

Downtown Ventura
Main Street – Pop-Up Art show
Fri 11/6: John Bardi and Band

Prime Steakhouse
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Music 6-9 pm
Tues & Thurs: Danny D – “Dinner with Frank”

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
Thursday 6 pm: Open Mic

Winchesters
632 E. Main Street
Music 3-6 pm
Thur 11/5: Frank Barajas
Sun 11/8: Medicine Hat Duo
Sun 11/15: Big Adventure Duo

Community Memorial Health System welcomes two new trustees 

Community Memorial Healthcare System is proud to welcome two new members to the Board of Trustees, Celina L. Zacarias and Miranda Margetts. Both women bring extensive professional experience in healthcare, business, and the law to the CMHS Board.

Clina Zacarias

Zacarias, of Oxnard, is the Senior Director of Community and Government Relations for California State University Channel Islands. The daughter of migrant farmworkers, Zacarias was born in Mexico and came to the United States when she was three years old. She graduated from UCSB with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Spanish Literature and Hispanic Civilization.

Zacarias has 25 years of business experience having previously worked for GMAC Mortgage, Wells Fargo and the Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation in Ventura. Zacarias has been a keynote speaker locally and nationally on topics such as homeownership and real estate fraud. She is active in all the Ventura County Chambers of Commerce and has been honored with numerous local leadership awards. In 2011, Zacarias was one of 40 participants selected from throughout the United States by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to participate in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference which allowed her to engage with top senior leaders at the Pentagon and at military commands throughout the country.

Miranda Margetts

Margetts, of Ojai, works for Montana State University, primarily remotely, as a Public and Environmental Health Research Associate and an online Instructor. She also hold a Research Affiliate appointment with the Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at Yale School of Medicine. Margetts earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science earlier this year from Montana State University, where she also previously earned a Master’s degree in Health and Human Development. She further holds a law degree from the Australian National University in Australia.

Previously, Margetts worked for the Australian Digital Health Agency in Sydney, as a lawyer and policy advisor. She briefed the agency’s management team on in-house legal corporate and health privacy and compliance matters, as well as helped to identify and manage medical-legal risks related to the implementation of an electronic health record system. Margetts also engaged with Australian medical care insurers, health care regulators and professional medical colleges’ clinical advisory boards, to manage clinical legal risks. Prior to that, as an attorney and policy advisor for the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, Margetts managed the development of Australia’s National Consensus Framework for Rural Maternity Services to support quality maternity services in rural areas.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Centers for Family Health, and various outpatient centers serving communities located within Ventura County, California.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Ojai News & Events

The theme “Enriching the Human Spirit through Film” continues to guide the Ojai Film Festival. At a time when people’s spirits need uplifting more than ever before the global pandemic makes it unsafe to invite film lovers to come together in a physical space. To give their audience a necessary boost the Ojai Film Festival (OFF) plans to go virtual this year, November 6 through 15.

This year’s OFF consists of 77 films, selected from 302 entries from 42 countries. A series of 12 Gold Coast films celebrates southern California filmmakers.

Film blocks will screen for the first six days of the Festival, November 6 through 11. Viewers may purchase individual blocks for $10, or a Festival pass for the six days for $50. The other four days, November 12-15, festival films are available as Video on Demand.

Guaranteed access to 25 programs of your choice! Choose between our programming blocks, special events, and a la carte shorts and features (a $250 value). The festival pass (25 “clicks”) is valid only Nov. 6-11.

Individual Video on Demand tickets to single Festival Films are available: Feature Films for $5, short films for $3.

Pass added to your Eventive account (no physical pass)

A la carte purchase for programming blocks, special events, and individual films available soon.

On October 14, the Ojai Unified School Board approved an Agreement with the Ventura County Library to operate a joint-use library on the campus of the Meiners Oaks Elementary School. The Agreement will now go to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors for approval.

With an anticipated opening in late 2021 or 2022, a new library location is being planned for Meiners Oaks Library, currently at 114 North Padre Juan in Ojai.

The new, larger, library will be furnished and equipped to meet the 21st century needs of students and Meiners Oaks community members. The Ventura County Library operates two other public/school joint-use library branches in Piru and Oak Park. “It’s always wonderful to see two local governments collaborate to better serve the public, says Supervisor Steve Bennet. “This partnership will be great for students, the community, and taxpayers and bring a large modern library to Meiners Oaks.” Ventura County Library has plans to provide library services in the existing library’s location in Meiners Oaks until construction of the new building is complete.

It will feature two rooms, one each for children and adults, which can be separated. Plans call for it to be open and staffed for public access 24 hours per week and the school and public will enjoy access to the Library’s vast collection, including both print and electronic resources.

It will also feature a new student computer lab along with 15 hours of staffed homework help per week. The Library’s broadband connection to the CENIC high-speed network via CalREN will be moved to the new site.

All of the library’s vast array of programs for students, youth, and families, including STEAM activities and the very popular Summer Reading program that helps students retain reading skills during the months when school is not in session, will be conveniently available from the new location at the school campus.

The Ojai Film Festival (OFF) will honor former American Society of Cinematographer’s (ASC) President Steven Poster with the 2020 Distinguished Artist Award for Cinematography at a virtual ceremony on Thursday, November 12 at 7 pm.

On Saturday, November 7 at 1 pm, OFF invites anyone interested in cinematography to join Poster for a discussion of what it takes to achieve his cinematic vision. Poster will share highlights of his career and delve into his methods of achieving special images and effects. This seminar includes clips of selected works, and a live Zoom Q&A will follow.

“I’m very excited the Ojai Film Festival considered me for this honor,” Poster said. “Being recognized for my body of work is the highest kind of praise for an artist.”

Poster has worked on the feature films “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Blade Runner,” as Second Unit Director of Photography. In 1989 he shot the iconic music video to Madonna’s “Like a Prayer.” Many people know Poster by his seminal work on Ridley Scott’s “Someone to Watch Over Me” and Richard Kelly’s “Donnie Darko.”

He currently lives in Los Angeles.

Ghost Dogs of California

by Richard Senate

The historic Olivas Adobe is now a museum dedicated to telling the story of the Latino pioneers who first established Ventura in the 19th Century. The two-story hacienda was the main house of the Rancho San Miguel, one of the richest in Ventura County. The old adobe home is also one of the most haunted around with stories of ghost ladies, phantom children and a wandering monk.

One tale is found in the pages of my newest book, Ghost Dogs of California; haunting hounds of the Golden West. If the stories are true, a large ghost dog haunts the old house. Years back a ghost hunting team staked out the house seeking evidence of paranormal activity. On member of the team went to the parking lot to retrieve some equipment and passed close to the white picket fence. He heard a heavy chain drag on the wooded porch, then a loud, deep bark, so unexpected he believed that a snarling hound would attack him. But when he looked there was nothing there. Later that night a large black dog was seen in the old dining room of the house! Others have seen and heard the large dog that proves to be a phantom!

Yes, by all accounts dog can be ghosts. Years later in an attempt to communicate with the ghosts of the house, contact was made with the oldest son, Nicholas, who said it was his dog, named “zapateos” (shoes) because it had distinctive white forepaws. The animal was his pet. Maybe that’s why it still haunts the old house. Records say that they always had many dogs here so such a story could well be true. If you visit the Old Adobe on Olivas Park Drive, look for the ghost lady and maybe the phantom hound.

This story and many others California ghostly dogs fill the pages of my new book, Ghost Dogs of California now on Amazon.com ($8.99) Paperback and to download on Kindle (2.99).

Board of Supervisors approves $10 Million COVID-19 Hospitals Assistance Program

The County of Ventura Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a COVID-19 Hospitals Assistance Program for local not-for-profit hospitals, in the amount of $10 million to be funded by the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund, to provide financial support to local hospitals for COVID-19 costs. 

During this extraordinary event, local hospitals have experienced economic hardships and unreimbursed costs due to surge preparation, the assistance for COVID patients and loss of business from decreases in elective surgeries and emergency room visits,” said County Executive Officer, Mike Powers. “The hospitals have also partnered in our effort to care for COVID positive non-acute Long-Term Care Facility residents. These efforts have helped our entire community slow the spread of COVID-19. They have saved lives and worked tirelessly to serve the community. We hope that this assistance will provide relief for their dedicated service.” 

In order to mitigate the devastating economic impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Board of Supervisors has approved programs for businesses, renters, seniors and homeless persons by utilizing a portion of the $147 million in funding the County received from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund under the CARES Act. The not-for-profit hospital industry is another sector that is in need of financial support. These hospitals have been vital partners with the County in addressing the pandemic by providing beds and health care for COVID-19 patients. 

I have seen firsthand how State and County governments have worked in harmony with health care providers throughout the State. We have together successfully curtailed the spread of COVID more than other State’s our size. We have also witnessed unprecedented cooperation,” said Gary Wilde, President and CEO of Community Memorial Health System and Chair of the California Hospital Association. “Locally, the coordination has been incredible. The assistance program will certainly help our local hospitals.” 

The funding will be distributed to Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, St. John’s Regional Medical Center, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital and Adventist Health Simi Valley. 

This has been a truly remarkable event in how we have worked together in partnership to support one another. We appreciate the coordinated efforts and ongoing support,” said Darren Lee, President & CEO, St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital, Dignity Health.