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Apply for City Council Advisory Board and Committee positions

Residents of Ventura are encouraged to apply for volunteer City Council Advisory Board and Committee positions that advise the City Council on various issues. Applications are available online at www.cityofventura.net/involved/advisory or from the City Clerk’s Office, Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Room 204. The application deadline is 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016.

There are three open positions on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee and one open position on the Mobile Home Rent Review Board; these positions require special qualifications. Interested City residents for the Mobile Home Rent Review Board must be persons who are not connected with the real estate or rental housing industry and shall not reside in or have any financial interest in any mobile home park. Open positions on the Downtown Parking Advisory Committee must be filled with two members who are owners of commercial property situated with the Downtown Parking District area, and one member who is a business owner, operator or manager of a business within the Downtown Parking District Area.

Members shall be residents of the City at the time of their appointment and during their term of office, and volunteers must be willing to serve two to four-year terms. All eligible applicants will undergo interviews with the City Council Appointments Recommendation Committee in September.

Applications may be submitted by e-mail to [email protected], or by fax to the City Clerk’s Office at 641-1046, by mail to the City Clerk’s office P.O. Box 99, Ventura, CA 93002, or hand-delivered to the City Clerk’s Office at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli Street, Room 204.

For more information call the City Clerk’s Office at 658-4787.

Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – City Classes

Fun and informative City classes

City of Ventura Barranca Vista Imagination Center classes check out hundreds more on our web-site
Call 658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an ACTIVENET account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Classes and events held at the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted

Fairytales in the Park free performances for Families
9/10 Saturday 4pm
Fairytales in the Park is celebrating its 22nd season! Join us at Barranca Vista Park for a production of The Boy Wizard in the Land of Oz. Performances are the 2nd Saturday of every month. Bring a blanket, picnic and low lawn chairs.. For more information call 654-7553

Morning Zumba 18 years-Adult
$40/$65 for both days
9/12-10/17 M 8:45-9:45 am #7379
9/14-10/19 W 8:45-9:45 am #7380
Start your day with the Latin dance workout Zumba®! This is a dynamic, exciting and effective fitness system. Bring water and towel and dress comfortably. Walk in fee $7 due at start of class. Certified Zumba® Instructor Dala Sondors.

Beyond Paint Night 16 years-adult
9/13-10/18 Tu 6:30-8:30 pm $95 #7152
In this studio class, you will complete your own unique work of art or multiple works with daily demonstrations and one-on-one guidance from instructor Gail Weissman. Learn traditional and not so traditional basic techniques of acrylic painting as you capture atmosphere color diversity
and contrast.

Beginning Bagpipes 9 years-adult
9/14-11/2 W 7:30-8:45 pm $40 + $85 instrument fee #7089
Learn to play bagpipes, their history and the player’s uniform with traditional Scottish piping instructors Steve Busch and Joseph Thayer using the Scottish College of Piping Tutor Book curriculum. Students must bring $85 to the first class to purchase a practice chanter, the double reed woodwind instrument used to learn how to play the bagpipes themselves.

Improvisation for Youth 8-12 years
9/14-10/12 W 3-3:45 pm $50 #7091
Gain self-confidence, team building skills and theater knowledge as you create theater in the moment from what is on hand with an end of session showcase for family & friends. Instructor Jackie Ringhof. Classes held at the Bible Fellowship Church, 6950 E Ralston St.

Explore with Me 2.5-5 years
$65/adult & child
9/14-10/19 W 5:15-6 pm #6771
9/16-10/21 F 10:30-11:15 am #6772
Discover the world of art through the eyes of your child with such hands-on activities as sculpture, painting, collage, drawing and gardening. Instructor Jennifer Benitez.

E.P. Foster Library- September Events

Will be closed September 5th in observance of Labor Day

Spocabulary
9/7, 14, 21, & 28 Wednesdays @ 6:30pm
This poetry performance and writing workshop with an open mic is geared towards high school and college students but all are welcome. Specific emphasis is on SLAM Poetry. Presented by Phil Taggart and Aaron Gardner.

Altered Book Workshop
9/21 Wednesday @ 6pm
Repurpose an old book into a new piece of art. Bring an old book and your imagination. Local artist Ron Smith will be leading this workshop. Some materials will be supplied but feel free to bring special items for your altered book.

Spanish Conversation Group
9/24 Saturday @ 10:30am in the Rentfrow Room
Are you learning Spanish but need some practice speaking?

Adult Coloring Book Break
9/7, 14, 21, & 28 Wednesdays @ 12-2pm.
Join us in the library for some stress relieving coloring. Coloring sheets and pencils provided.

Library LAB Open Workshop
9/7, 14, 21, & 28 Wednesdays @ 4:30-6:30pm
Come by the library on alternating Wednesday evenings to learn more about our 3D printer and laser cutter—or to use them yourself!

Poetry Open Mic Night
9/1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 Thursdays @ 7:30-9pm
On these Thursday nights, come join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work.

Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month. 9/12 & 26 Mondays @ 7-10pm

Calling all chess players! Keep your skills sharp with this one-hour, drop-in session of free play. Boards will be set up and ready to go. Bring your best moves! 9/3, 10, 17, & 24 Saturdays @ 1pm

Saturday Family Coloring Fun!
9/3, 10, 17, &24 Saturdays @10:30am – 12pm

Early Literacy Class
9/6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, & 28
Tuesdays & Wednesdays @10:30am
A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Lego Play
9/13, 27 Tuesday @3pm & 9/17 Saturday @10am
Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs. Children of all ages welcome!

Paws for Reading
9/3, 10, 17, & 24 Saturdays @12- 1pm
Read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required)

TAG: Teen Advisory Group
9/7 & 21 Wednesday @5pm
If you want to share ideas, meet new people and have a great time shaping the library teen program join TAG! This is for 13+ and grades 8+ and counts toward community service requirements.

MakerBox: Create with Squishy Circuits
9/15 Thursday @3:30pm
Use LED lights and squishy dough to make your creations!

Spocabulary
9/7, 14, 21, & 28 Wednesdays @6:30pm
This poetry performance and writing workshop with an open mic is geared towards high school and college students but all are welcome. Presented by Phil Taggart and Aaron Gardner.

Youth Chess Club
9/5, 12, 19, & 26 Mondays @3pm
Learn to play chess or improve your current ability! Assisted by Class A tournament player Jack Cashman.

The Be the DD and Win campaign had its final night on July 15, 2016 in Ventura

The Be the DD and Win campaign will continue its message at large weekend festivals and holiday weekends.

In July 2011, Ventura County Behavioral Health, Project Safer and the Ventura Police Department collaborated to develop and implement a campaign to recognize and reward designated drivers. The campaign was known as, “Be the DD and Win”. The “DD” acronym is short for Designated Driver. During the campaign, local alcohol establishments in Downtown Ventura would provide wristbands for designated drivers and provide them with prizes.

Project Safer, a local prevention provider, spearheaded the campaign. According to Project Safer’s records, over $77,000 in prizes have been given away to designated drivers in Ventura County; all of which was donated by local businesses. Over 6,200 designated drivers were identified during the nights of the campaign. Over 16,000 people were driven home safely by the designated drivers .

The Be the DD and Win campaign not only set out to identify and reward designated drivers but to also change the perception that being the designated driver was “cool” and “important”. Over the last five years thousands upon thousands have been reminded about the importance of the designated driver and not driving while impaired.

Although the campaign will not continue on a monthly basis, Project Safer and the Ventura Police Department will continue to encourage the public to plan ahead and have a safe ride when deciding to drink alcohol..

With summer in full swing and festivals each weekend throughout the county, it is important to remember, that although there are still folks who make the wrong decision to drink and drive, you still have time to make the right decision. You can be a designated driver.

The Ventura Police Department thanks all of the Downtown businesses that participated in the Be the DD and Win campaign over the last five years. Additional thanks to Ventura County Behavioral Health and Project Safer for their funding and commitment to the campaign.

Ribbon cutting to be held to celebrate opening of new graduate housing for the homeless

Executive Director Jim Duran and Dee Cox the onsite manager will welcome you to the ribbon cutting.

Graduates of The City Center’s transitional housing program now have a new place to call home. To celebrate and unveil the newly retrofitted graduate housing, a ribbon cutting event will be held on Friday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 to 7pm at The City Center, 837 East Thompson Boulevard.

“After months of construction and generous contributions from the community, we are so very pleased to offer this extension of our transitional housing program,” states Jim Duran, Executive Director of The City Center. “I am personally so proud of these graduates, all of whom have worked extremely hard to rebuild their lives and qualify for graduate housing. They are all employed, own a vehicle, have substantial savings and are no longer receiving government funding.”

Guests will have the opportunity to meet the program graduates, tour the Center, and meet additional residents, staff, board members and local dignitaries. Guests of honor will include the graduate housing sponsors: Trinity Lutheran Church, LOWE’S Ventura, Bill & Elise Kearney, Coast Water Solutions/Brian & Kathy Meyer, Pacific Western Bank, Shonda & Eric Vielbig, Diane Mancinni (In Honor of Paulino Romero), Lorie & Andre Nintcheff, Wendy Lawson-Leach (In Honor of Anna Laura Sann), and Home Depot.

Refreshments are being provided by Main Street Meats and Missy’s Cupcake Creations.

The City Center helps homeless families by providing a temporary, safe place to call home. During their residency, clients find stability so they can focus on getting their life under control and obtaining the help and necessary skills they need to get back on their feet.

The City Center’s transitional housing program includes a high level of accountability with the goal of transitioning clients into long-term housing within one year. Clients contribute 30% of their income for housing and services while 20% is saved for future financial stability. Clients must also be employed or actively engaged in seeking employment. Services include comprehensive professional case management, spiritual and life mentoring, job placement services, and other critical needs.

Guests can RSVP online at http://eightmorerooms.eventbrite.com.

For more information, please email [email protected].

Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary Presents their Annual Maria Cavallow Scholarship Awards

Gary Wilde, CEO CMH, Delyla Rivera, Casey O'Neil and Edie Marshall, Junior Coordinator at scholarship awards. — Gary Wilde, CEO CMH, Delyla Rivera, Casey O’Neil and Edie Marshall, Junior Coordinator at scholarship awards.

On June 13, two $2000.00 Maria Cavallo Scholarship awards were presented. This awards one or more graduating high school seniors who has served at least 100 hours in the auxiliary, has maintained a 3.50 GPA or better, and who will be attending an accredited college or university and taking courses in the healthcare field.

Delyla Rivera joined the program in July, 2013, and has worked 362.5 hours in the Gift Shop. While attending Buena High School she had a 3.77 cumulative GPA. At Buena, she has played on the varsity tennis team, receiving the most valuable player award in 2015. Additionally, she has been a member of the mock trial team as well as a Red Cross volunteer and a math tutor. Delyla has been accepted at the University of California at Santa Barbara as a biology major. Her career goal is to become a clinical pathologist.

Casey O’Neil became a Junior Volunteer in September 2013 and served 241 hours as a Desk Receptionist/Flyer. She has been active at Foothill High School as a member of the Bioscience Academy, and has been on its leadership team which coordinates several bioscience events. She has been a Renaissance student every semester. She is a member of the National Honors Society and the Society of Women Engineers. She will graduate with a 3.8 cumulative GPA. While active in her church, she gone on a mission to an orphanage in Nicaragua and served as a volunteer at Vacation Bible School every summer. Casey has had the unique experience of working at Coastal Marine Biolabs, which is a graduate level research facility. She has been accepted at the University of Portland in Oregon where she will major in biology. Upon the completion of her education, she plans to become an Occupational Therapist.

On July 11 Ameet Rahane received his $2000.00 award. He joined the Junior program in July 2013. Ameet has served over 417 hours both in the Critical Care Unit and as a Desk Receptionist/Flyer. He attended Foothill High School where he has a 3.9 cumulative GPA. As member of the Bioscience Academy he served on its leadership team. He is the founder and president of the school’s programming club. Ameet has volunteered in the school library, has played in the jazz band, and participated on the swimming and water polo teams. He is a member of the California Scholarship Foundation and is a member of the National Honor Society. Ameet speaks four languages and has trained himself in multiple programming languages. he has held a Navy engineering internship and has worked at the Ventura County Medical Center, Ventura County Library and Abednego Book Shoppe Ameet will attend the University of California Berkeley where he will major in molecular and cellular biology. He plans to become a neurosurgeon.

Facts on the City-owned building and Brooks Institute

From the Brooks website “After considerable discussion and deliberation, the difficult decision has been made to close Brooks Institute.” Where does that leave their students?

by City staff

Last year, the City was approached with an idea by downtown property owners, represented by the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP), to facilitate the relocation of Brooks Institute to the Downtown Area. Brooks presented a plan to re-energize their institution and move into three locations downtown. In order for Brooks to find and occupy other permanent facilities, they needed a temporary location to assist in their transition. With the Trade Desk just having vacated a City-owned building downtown and their lease expiring in February, the City had the ability to make short-term space available to Brooks.

To make more efficient use of rentable space in the building downtown, the City consolidated the non-profit tenants with other tenants; no tenants were evicted. Subsequently, the City entered into a short-term lease with Brooks through December 2016, with the option of four, 1-year extensions to help facilitate their move.

As part of the City’s due diligence in determining the viability of the lease, the City was provided access to Brooks’ and its parent company’s (GPHomestay) confidential financial information. Based on that review it was determined that Brooks was solvent. As a longtime partner and contributor to Ventura’s thriving art scene, the City saw this as a business retention opportunity to retain 80 faculty jobs, 80 support jobs, and a campus for 350 students by facilitating Brooks’ move to the downtown.

On August 12, Brooks Institute announced it was closing and construction came to a halt. The loss of this tenant pointed out some weaknesses in the City’s internal process, namely that the security deposit of $27,572 and $32,038 in rent had not been collected in a timely manner within the deadlines of the lease. The City is conducting a through process review to determine what caused the delay to collect the amount due from Brooks. We will also be developing a better administrative process to prevent this from happening in the future. The City takes this issue seriously and we strive to promote transparency at the highest level.

The City did not contribute any funds to Brooks’ improvements. The contract with Brooks requires them to pay the full amount of the lease and complete renovations, and protects the City from default and any damages associated. Public property, unlike private property, cannot be liened. Additionally, since lien rights cannot be filed on public property, the City is not liable for the improvements that were made and the contractor cannot successfully file a lien against public property.

The City empathizes with all who have been affected by the decision of GPHomestay to close Brooks Institute. The closure has impacted students who must relocate to other schools, the faculty who have lost their jobs and the local contractors that were left unpaid. The City will assert its rights per the lease agreement and will aggressively pursue recouping owed funds from this project.

Media gather for good news

Channel Island foxes are no longer endangered. Photos by Richard Lieberman
(for more photos visit www.venturabreeze.com)

by Sheli Ellsworth

On a pristine Southern California morning, August 11, blue skies and calm waters welcomed dozens of invited guests to the Channel Islands National Park to celebrate.

Joining the press conference were members of the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservatory and the media. What was the big event? An endangered species, once numbering as low as 70, is now back in full force. The Channel Island fox population was officially removed from the endangered species list and in record time.

The Channel Island foxes are the only carnivore unique to California. Their decline was chronicled in the 2011 T. C. Boyle novel, When the Killing’s Done. First the black rats came, then the non-native feral pigs and finally the golden eagles that preyed on the baby pigs and the foxes. The subspecies of fox on Santa Catalina, decimated by an outbreak of canine distemper, remains threatened.

Removing the invasive species became a controversial issue. In 2001 and 2002, the National Park Service poisoned Anacapa Island’s non-native black rats. In March of 2004, four of the Channel Islands’ subspecies were placed on the federal endangered species list. Then the park service and other government agencies collaborated with the Nature Conservancy to eradicate (shoot) the feral pigs, relocate the golden eagles and reintroduce the native bald eagles wiped-out by the use of DDT. The agencies spent $20 million donated by public and private sources on the environmental project. Through captive breeding and rearing, native foxes number in the thousands as of 2015. There are 700 on San Miguel; 1,200 on Santa Rosa and 2,100 on Santa Cruz.

A National Park Service boat ferried the group to Prisoner’s Harbor on Santa Cruz Island to observe the routine health checks that insure the population’s survival and to hear welcoming speeches. Collar monitoring for some foxes and vaccines for canine distemper will continue.

Smaller than a housecat, the reddish foxes that eat certain plants, deer mice, crickets, grasshoppers and ground nesting birds may be descendants of the gray fox that was brought to the islands by man about 6,000 years ago. The 4-5 pound foxes inhabit six of the eight Channel Islands and live up to 15 years. They mate in the spring and usually have litters that number from 1-5.

The three species of Channel Island fox are in a list of 37 species removed from the endangered species list since the Endangered Species Act passed in 1973. California currently has 119 animals on the endangered species list according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s website.

Channel Island foxes

Chamber supports raising of sales tax

Chamber CEO Stephanie Caldwell supports the Board’s decision.

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce Board voted to support the City of Ventura’s proposed ½ cent sales tax increase during their Board Meeting on August 17. The 24-member board represents the Chamber’s 680 members who employ more than 25,000 employees.

“We felt it was prudent to support the City and support the modest tax increase that will allow critical funds to be collected for future operations,” states Stephanie Caldwell, the Chamber’s President and CEO, in a letter delivered to Mayor Erik Nasarenko, Ventura City Council and to all Ventura Chamber members. “The Chamber believes public safety is integral to our prosperity as a community, which means funding additional police officers, restoring the gang unit, and continuing to provide for the homeless task force. Additionally, it is important to secure long-term funding for Fire Station 4 which serves businesses and residents on the East End of Ventura.”

“The Chamber is committed to business growth, job creation, and new capital investments in the City,” says Caldwell. “With this in mind, the Chamber will continue to work with the City to improve our development process so that those willing to invest in Ventura have a smoother, faster, more welcoming experience. A smart approach to development creates jobs and generates tax revenue to support the City services we all care so much about.”

In particular, the Chamber intends to engage with the City on creating three revenue opportunities:

Focus Area 1. Expanding the Ventura Auto Center and attracting destination retail.

Housing solutions. Addressing the low vacancy rate and limited, high-cost housing.

Continued access. Increased opportunities for the Chamber to engage with City leaders and elected officials to enhance transparency and allow for continuous process improvement.

“The Chamber expects the City to faithfully steward these potential additional resources pursuant to its expressed plan for their use, regardless the individuals entrusted with the leadership of our City,” Caldwell adds. “The Chamber, which has been advocating for Ventura for nearly 100 years, will stay engaged with the City to ensure that the City spends any new tax revenues in the manner proposed.”

2016 Fair closed with record numbers of attendees in all categories

2016 Ventura County Fair closes with brilliance. Photo by John Ferritto

The Ventura County Fair’s Board of Directors, management, and staff are proud to report that the 2016 Fair was a success. Celebrating the finest from throughout Ventura County, the 141st edition closed with record numbers in all categories. Visitors came from near and far to enjoy “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” during the 12-day run, August 3 through August 14.

The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County, this was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits and baking contests. Fairgoers were greeted with an abundance of new attractions, which included Star Child Stilt Circus, who delighted young and old as they strolled through the Fair. Adding to the attraction were exciting new carnival rides, including the Flipper and the F-80. Tasty new food offerings like Deep Fried Peanut Butter and Jelly and Birthday Cake Crepes pleased the taste for summer treats.

Total Attendance for 2016 was a record 332,262; up 4.5% from 2015’s attendance of 318,113. The previous record Fair attendance was set in 2013 with 329,061 Fair visitors.

“We go all out to bring Ventura County a better Fair every year,” said CEO Barbara Quaid. “For us the focus is not about the numbers of people coming through the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have at the Fair. We are committed to offering a clean, safe and fun experience that will create cherished memories”

As is the case every year, overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of the sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2016 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2017 Fair.

The Ventura County Fairgrounds consists of a 62.5-acre parcel and operates as a multi-purpose, multi-functional, year-round facility accommodating a variety of events. Regarded as a premier rental facility, the Ventura County Fairgrounds and Event Center attracts some of the most popular shows and attractions in the county throughout the year, including livestock shows, dog shows, horse shows, home and recreation shows, concerts, dances, business expos, weddings and receptions, motorcycle and automobile shows, camping groups, swap meets and much more.

The Ventura County Fair entertained thousands of guests and employs up to 700 seasonal staff during the annual 12-day event. With annual attendance of over 300,000 visitors to the Fair, the communities throughout Ventura County share in the economic vitality derived from the Ventura County Fair. The Fair brings economic, social, educational, and cultural resources and provides lasting impressions on Fairgoers. While agriculture is the heart of the Fair, it’s the diverse entertainment that typically draws Fairgoers through the gates. Known for free top name concerts, we take pride in the overall dynamics and diversity of the entertainment, the esthetics and cleanliness of the grounds, as well as the vast educational and innovative exhibits that are showcased throughout the Fair each year.

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