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Open space usage debate – Part one

What’s a voter to do?
by Sheli Ellsworth

In November, Ventura County voters will decide how they want to promulgate their open space kingdom. Is NIMBY-ism a bad thing? Should Ventura County become an extension of the San Fernando Valley? Depends on whom you ask.

In the VC Star, Columnist Joe Mathews espouses that the princes and princesses of Ventura County are immature about questions of growth. “If a county wants to protect open space from development, great. But it must be compelled to open gates in its walls wide enough to bring more progressive development into the Kingdom.” Mathews claims that open space initiatives “. . . drive dense, multifamily development into urban cores . . .” He blames SOAR for Ventura County’s choking traffic, high housing prices and economic slump. He is supported by a governor who wants to, “exempt many urban housing developments from local review.” Mathews also seems to think that San Fernando Valley’s housing and traffic problems are caused by Ventura County’s SOAR, and without SOAR all of the valley could live like______. Voters must fill in the blank.

Assistant professor of economics at CSU, Jared Barton is also against both SOAR and SUSTAIN VC’s Measure F. Barton writes that geography alone protects Ventura County from overcrowding. From the VCS, “ . . . 80 percent of the land in this county isn’t buildable. Open space will still be there.” Barton doesn’t think that Ventura County Voters (many of whom are property owners) should get to vote on how the land is used. “It’s like if all the grocery store owners in a town got to vote on whether a new grocery store could go into business, of course everyone would vote ‘no,’”  he said in an interview.

Barton feels that healthy economics should decide on the best use of the land, and that because farming in Ventura County is subsidized by lower water rates, it is not the best use of the resource or the land. Barton writes that if voters are worried about housing and environmental issues without SOAR then the answer is, “. . . pricing the use of water and roads at the true cost to society (charging all water users the same, scarcity-based price and charging drivers for the traffic and air pollution to which they contribute), not restricting housing.”

Neither Mathews nor Barton own property in Ventura County.

Part two in Oct.26 issue

 

 

A Matter of Balance Class – Award winning program coming to EP Foster Library

I’ve always wanted to do this.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Ventura County Public Library are partnering to bring a practical, award-winning, and free of cost fall prevention course to Ventura residents starting in October. Many older adults experience concerns about falling and restrict their activities. This program is designed to help you manage falls and increase activity levels. Emphasizing practical strategies to manage falls, participants will learn to view falls as controllable, set goals for increasing activity, make changes to reduce fall risks at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance.

Victoria Jump, Director of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging says, “Falls are not a natural part of aging. Evidence Based Exercise programs like Matter of Balance and others we offer can help a senior learn exercises and strategies to prevent falling.”

Anyone concerned about falls, interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength, or who has fallen in the past or anyone who has restricted activities because of falling concerns should contact the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging for more information and to register.

This free course will be held once per week for 8 weeks at EP Foster Library’s Topping Room. Classes will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. starting Thursday, Oct. 13 through Thursday, Dec. For more information and to register, please contact the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at 477-7343 or 800-510-2020.

Ventura County Library System:Inspiring our community to explore, discover and connect.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

Four ways to support your community’s fight against elder financial exploitation

“How do I make sure that no one steals my money?”
“How do I make sure that no one steals my money?”

Financial exploitation robs millions of older people of their money and property every year. To prevent and respond to the crisis of elder financial exploitation, people are working together in hundreds of communities across our nation.

These networks of people bring together, among others, community volunteers, local law enforcement, social workers, health care and legal professionals, banks and credit unions, government agencies, and accountants. Networks combat financial exploitation through different activities. Many are educating their community, training professionals, coordinating efforts between agencies, and reviewing cases of financial exploitation.

Here are four ways you can help to protect older people in your community from financial exploitation:

Find a local network and attend their meetings and activities. Many networks conduct meetings to raise awareness about safety and common frauds and scams. Find out if there is a network in your community and when it meets by contacting your local sheriff, police department, or local Area Agency on Aging.

Share what you learn with others.  You can help your networks’ educational and prevention work by sharing the information  with your family, friends, and neighbors. Check out this resource that others are passing on.

Lend a hand.  Many networks depend on volunteers to carry out their activities. Retired lawyers, bankers, teachers, police officers, and others serve as leaders and train others to detect, prevent, and respond to financial exploitation. Many volunteers also support their network’s educational work by reaching out to community and faith-based groups.  Many are serving as trainers for educational programs, such as Money Smart for Older Adults . Ask your local network if they need an extra hand.

Build a network. If you live in one of the nearly 2,300 counties without a network, create a network in your community. Learn more about existing networks and get some tips on how to start a network in your community.

Together we can build communities that support the safety and independence of older people by protecting them from financial predators.

The Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS) is designed to provide a forum to discuss issues and initiatives and  to develop recommendations for City Council consideration. The VCS is designated by the Ventura City  Council as the representative organization of all seniors in the City of Ventura. The group meets at the  Ventura Avenue Adult Center (550 N. Ventura Ave. 648-3035) on the third Wednesday of every month from 9:30-11am.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (477-7300), an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency  in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a  comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals and their caregivers to live in a  community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the  county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the  delivery of services.

 

Vol. 10, No. 1 – October 12 – October 25, 2016 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12, first time dancers are free. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Audubon Events

  • Oct. 15: 8:30 a.m.  Ventura Settling Ponds.  Leader:  Linda Easter  482-7537
    Enjoy a morning of mostly waterfowl birding. Spotting scopes are always welcome.
  • Oct. 16: 8 a.m.  Wheeler Canyon.  Leader:  Gary Tuttle  525-2327
    This canyon provides good birding opportunities. We will be looking for raptors, ground doves, Western bluebirds and maybe a lewis wood-pecker.
  • Oct. 22: 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga.  Leader : John Pavelko  798-2571
    We will walk and drive the canyon. Always a great walk! Some birds we may see are Western Bluebirds, Road-runners, sparrows, swallows, Red-tailed Hawks & perhaps a Ferruginous Hawk.
  • Oct. 29: Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island.  A special trip with the boat leaving Ventura at 9 a.m. and heading directly to Prisoners Harbor.   Leader:  Joel Barrett.  Questions please contact Adele Ferguson at 415-4304

Oct.13:   The Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN is hosting their monthly dinner meeting 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. at the Wedgewood Banquet Center.  This month’s speaker will be Tracy Williams.    She will teach the science behind the power of our thoughts and how we can apply the knowledge to create a life we love. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m. $28 for members who register early and $33 for www.vcpwn.org/dinner-meeting, or at the door.  www.vcpwn.org.

Oct. 14: Opera Santa Barbara to hold Noontime Concert at the EP Foster Library.
Spend your lunch hour listening to members of the Mosher Studio Artist Program, who will perform a selection of popular opera arias and duets as well as some musical theatre pieces. The concert will also offer a “preview” of Opera Santa Barbara’s upcoming production of Carmen. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience great opera in a room with great acoustics.

Oct.15: Saturday, Ventura Singles Roundtable discussion, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to talk about life, love, family, friends, work, fun, spirituality. Discussion led by Dr.Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Group guided imagery/hypnosis included. Ventura E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room.  For more information go to https://www.meetup.com/Ventura-Singles-Roundtable-Discussions/events/

Oct. 15: The Color Run will take place in local Ventura neighborhoods on Saturday, from 8 am to 12 pm, and may cause some traffic delays and/or parking issues.

The race begins in Downtown Ventura at Surfer’s Point Park and the finish line is at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The Color Run, also known as the Happiest 5k on the Planet, is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality. Now the single largest event series in the world, The Color Run has exploded hosting more than 225 events in 35+ countries in 2015.

Oct. 15: Thousands of free stamps will be available to those attending the 26th annual Youth Stamp Fair, sponsored by the Ventura County Philatelic Society and the Anacapa Middle School Stamp Club. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Dudley House Museum.

Despite the event’s name, it is open to people of all ages who want to learn more about stamp collecting. In addition to being able to pick stamps for their collections from thousands of choices, the visitors will get a swag bag. Door prizes will be given throughout the event.

More information at 485-7121 or [email protected], or http://www.vcphilatelic.com.

Oct. 16: Sunday, Live Your Best Life Hypnosis Meetup, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Hypnotherapist for, “What Would You Like to Attract into Your Life?” Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis included. E.P. Foster Library, Topping Room. For more information go to www.meetup.com/live-your-best-life-hypnosis/events/

Oct.17: CA Zeta Chi parliamentarians will meet at 7 p.m. and will feature a lesson by President Bruce Rick titled “Incidents.”  The located at the Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main St.  Those wishing to eat should arrive at 6 p.m.  Non-members are welcome.  Membership is $25 per year.  For information, contact Sharon Hillbrant, 479-6738.

Oct.20: The East Ventura Community Council will hear from several candidates running for Ventura School Board during its monthly meeting. Those scheduled to appear are Steve Offerman, Sabrena Rodriguez, Ed Summers and Don Wood.

Erika Ruiz, Central California Outreach Manager for Compassion and Choices, will review strategies for having conversations with your doctor on options for end of life care. Tobie Mitchell from the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Office will explain a new community cleanup program offered by the City and E. J. Harrison. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information call 804-7558 or visit the group’s Facebook page.

Oct.22: On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a  Book Sale at 11251 Riverbank Dr. This sale will be held on the grounds of the location of the warehouse where the Friends process book donations, allowing us to offer shoppers a very large selection of affordable quality used books, audiobooks, music and movies.

Oct.23: On Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will be holding their Annual Membership Meeting: Libraries Growing with Technology at E.P. Foster Library’s Topping Room. Antonio Apodaca, Makerspace Librarian, and Deya Terrafranca, City Librarian, will explain all that library tech has to offer and what will soon be available at a library near you.

Bring a friend to see the library’s 3D printer in action and discover the new dimensions of the library.  Admission is free.

Nov. 1:12 noon Mended Hearts of Ventura.
Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday at 12 noon at Carrows restaurant on Harbor Blvd. Excellent speakers – leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area.
Contact Richard Hatcher 644-2733

 

Know your Medicare rights

by Cate Kortzeborn

As a person with Medicare, you have important rights. One of them is the right to appeal.

An appeal is the action you can take if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision by Medicare or your Medicare health plan. For example, you can appeal if Medicare or your plan denies:

■ A request for a health care service, supply, item, or prescription drug that you think you should get.

■ A request for payment of a health care service, supply, item, or prescription drug you already got.

■ A request to reduce the amount you must pay for a health care service, supply, item, or prescription drug.

You can also appeal if Medicare or your Medicare Advantage plan stops providing or paying for all or part of a health care service, supply, item, or prescription drug you think you still need.

If you decide to file an appeal, you can ask your doctor, supplier, or other health care provider for any information that may help your case. Keep a copy of everything you send to Medicare or your health plan as part of your appeal!

How you file an appeal depends on the type of Medicare coverage you have.

You must file the appeal within 120 days of the date you get the MSN in the mail. You’ll generally get a decision from the Medicare Administrative Contractor within 60 days after they receive your request. If Medicare will cover the item(s) or service(s), they’ll be listed on your next MSN.

If you have a Medicare Advantage or other health plan, read the materials your plan sends you, call your plan, or visit www.Medicare.gov/appeals. In some cases, you can file an expedited, or fast appeal.

If you have a Medicare prescription drug plan, even before you pay for a given drug, you have the right to:

■ Get a written explanation (called a “coverage determination”) from your Medicare drug plan. A coverage determination is the initial decision made by your Medicare drug plan (not the pharmacy) about your benefits, including whether a certain drug is covered, whether you’ve met the requirements to get a requested drug, how much you pay for a drug, and whether to make an exception to a plan rule when you request it.

■ Ask for an exception if you or your prescriber (your doctor or other health care provider who’s legally allowed to write prescriptions) believe you need a drug that isn’t on your plan’s formulary.

■ Ask for an exception if you or your prescriber believe that a coverage rule (like prior authorization) should be waived.

■ Ask for an exception if you think you should pay less for a higher tier (more expensive) drug because you or your prescriber believe you can’t take any of the lower tier (less expensive) drugs for the same condition.

For more information on exceptions and your other Medicare rights, read the “Medicare & You 2016” handbook, at https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf.

Cate Kortzeborn is Medicare’s acting regional administrator for Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and the Pacific Territories. You can always get answers to your Medicare questions by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

 

City of Ventura offers variety of programs for seniors

The City of Ventura cares about its seniors. Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko wishing Bonaventure resident Sara Flournoy a Happy 103rd Birthday!

Ventura’s older population is growing. More than 13% of our population is age 65 years and older, higher than the statewide count of 11.4%.  This should come as no surprise, because the weather, recreational opportunities and quality health care facilities make Ventura a great place to live, and retire.  One of the most important service needs is to keep seniors independent–and with a little help this can be achieved.

Each year, the Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC) provides services and programs for nearly 19,000 seniors and adults.  In fiscal year 2015-16, the VAAC served more than 6,300 nutritious meals at their 550 N. Ventura Avenue location and provided 15,500 home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in need.  Meal delivery services provide a healthy, well-balanced meal along with the opportunity for social contact and a wellness check for homebound older adults.

In addition to the Senior Nutrition program, the VAAC also offers healthy fitness and recreational activities (such as Bocce ball, Tai Chi, yoga, and Zumba), educational classes and social opportunities (technology workshops, arts, and gardening), and ways to get involved with advocacy issues through the Ventura Council for Seniors.

New community partnerships have emerged to support the City’s efforts and expand programs including senior billiards at Stiix Billiards in Midtown Ventura, BBQ lunches provided by the Downtown Rotary, legal advice and tax preparation workshops by AARP and Grey Law, as well as educational forums with Ventura Adult Continuing Education. In addition, the City’s Volunteer Ventura! Program utilizes seniors to assist with meal preparation, bingo games, FOOD Share Brown Bag program, and special events.

Maintaining and growing services for seniors is dependent upon additional revenue, grants, donations and sponsorships.  With a recent $89,150 grant from the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging , the Senior Nutrition Program was able to expand its congregate meal program by establishing the new Eastside Café (located at The Salvation Army/Silvercrest Senior Residence, 750 S. Petit Avenue) and  reach more seniors through additional home-delivered meals.  Both the Westside Café and the new Eastside Café are open Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. serving hot, nutritious meals. Since its opening in August, the new Eastside Café has served 492 meals to residents who may not have otherwise received a nutritious hot meal that day.  While on the Westside, residents enjoyed 484 meals at the VAAC and 1,325 meals were delivered to homebound seniors in Ventura. With increased funding resources, the current senior center hours of 9am to 3pm could be expanded by ten hours each week (8am to 4pm) to help keep up with services and provide important programs for our growing senior population.

Older adults need opportunities to keep learning and to be stimulated by new experiences.  Ensuring our senior population has access to services they depend on and feel they are connected to the community is vital to their health and social well-being.

 

 

 

Darlene Roker’s “101: A Highway Odyssey” at Buenaventura Gallery Oct. 18

Solo show of photographs by artist Darlene Roker titled “101: A Highway Odyssey”

At the Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St. from Oct. 18-Nov.

Opening reception on Saturday, October 22, 5 – 7pm.

Fine art photographer Darlene Roker presents an exhibition of works “taken from Ventura to Atascadero along the 101,” Roker concentrates on landscapes and seascapes, and is influenced by plein-air, impressionist style paintings. Her favorite aspect of her photography is “creating a piece that evokes a ‘wow’ from viewers.”

She concentrates on landscapes and seascapes, she said, is influenced by plein-air, impressionist style, and works “to create artistic impact, a sense of connection with the subject.”

Her show will feature more than two dozen photos on canvas, gallery-wrapped, ranging in size from 12 by 16 inches to 20 by 30 inches.

Senior health events at SCAN

Brain Gym is a program of physical movements that enhance learning and performance by developing the brain’s neural pathways. Brain Gym will increase the ability to remember and be organized, increase physical coordination, reduce stress and improve memory. The SCAN Health & Wellness Center is hosting weekly Brain Gym classes starting Tuesday, October 25. Seniors aged 55 and older are invited to register for Brain Gym, set for October 25 – November 15, every Tuesday from 10 – 11:30 a.m. The cost is $20.00 for four classes (including materials). To register please call 658-0365 as space is limited.

Join a free session on the latest innovations in breast cancer treatment from Dr. Melody Benjamin, on Thursday, October 27 from 10 a.m. – 12 noon at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center. Dr. Benjamin, who specializes in Hematology & Oncology for UCLA Health, is a firm believer in exploring the biology of cancer to find new approaches to care. She will share her insights on cancer prevention, inclusive of reducing risk of recurrence. To register please call 658-0365 as space is limited.