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Vol. 9, No. 15 – April 27 – May 10, 2016 – City classes

City of Ventura Imagination 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/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston St. unless otherwise noted

Basic Dog Obedience 14 years-Adult
$70 + $5 Supply Fee
4/30-5/21         Saturday           9-9:50 am         Dogs under one year    #5555
4/30-5/21         Saturday           11-11:50 am     Dogs over one year      #5556
Covers: name recognition, sit, down, basic stay, leave it, watch me, find it, and basic come commands. Problem solving/socialization as time permits. An adult must accompany handlers under 18. Proof of vaccinations required (Rabies/DHPP). No retractable leashes, please. Participation is at the discretion of instructor.

The ABCs of Estate Planning  18 years-adult
4/30     Saturday           1-3 pm                         $25      #5719
Learn about wills, living trusts, planning for incapacity, the probate process and common pitfalls. Instructor Attorney Jef Coyner.

Belly Boot Camp  18 years-adult
5/2-6/13           Monday                        6-7 pm                         $65      #5525
Lose weight and feel great with a fun cardio workout as we shimmy, twist and tone to the beat. Dress comfortably in workout attire and optional hip sash. Bring 2 or 3 lb hand weights and a towel or mat. Included: brief diet discussions. Instructor Anja Christy. No class 5/30.

Simple Machines using LEGO®  5-10 years
5/7       Saturday           10 am-12 pm   $30      #5731
Build racing cars, launching catapults, lifting cranes and more as we explore Simple Machines in Lego.® Students will learn about how the Six Simple Machines (Lever, Pulley, Wedge, Screw, Inclined Plane, Wheel & Axle) help engineers get the job done

Ballroom Dancing  16 years-adult
5/10-6/14         Tuesday           7:30-8:30 pm   $55      #5657
Enjoy the magic of smoothly moving across the floor with the waltz, fox trot, swing and rumba! Price includes a free dance-step DVD so you can practice at home. No partner needed.

Heat Up the Night Latin Dance Workshops  16 years-adult
5/10-6/14         Tuesday           8:30-9:30 pm   $55      #5682
Learn sensuous and steamy Latin dances in six weeks. Price includes a free dance-step DVD so you can practice at home. No partner needed.

Don’t miss the first of our FREE Fairytales in the park performances the second Saturday of each month May ~ September 4:00pm Barranca Vista Park 7050 Ralston street, in Ventura

May 14 show is Cinderella meets the Avengers. Bring a blanket or a low lawn chair and a picnic! Performances are for all ages out on the lawn. www.fairytalesinthepark.com

Westpark celebrates its new fitness facility

Members of the public are invited to join Westpark Community Center youth, parents, staff, sponsors and dignitaries at 450 W. Harrison Ave. on Tuesday, May 3, 4-5 pm, to celebrate the new fitness opportunities now available to the Westside community thanks to the completion and installation of the center’s new fitness facility, flooring and equipment.

The new fitness facility will host a variety of programs such as boxing, exercise fitness, martial arts, step classes and Zumba. Westpark serves 120 youths daily, ages 6-17, and more than 1,100 children annually through free and low-fee, scheduled and drop-in programs for fitness, enrichment and homework.

The mission of Westpark Community Center is to provide a variety of safe, educational and affordable youth programs and services that develop self-esteem, leadership, character development, sportsmanship, and health and physical fitness to the Westside. The building hosts a computer lab, arts and music studios, game and teen rooms and fully equipment kitchen that serves Westpark-registered children a free snack and dinner funded by a USDA food grant.’

“It has been a dream and an amazing journey to see all the growth, changes and improvements at Westpark,” says Youth Programs Coordinator Anita Diaz who has been center director for more than a decade and a half. “As a teen I attended games here with my dad who was a sports official at WP. It has been very gratifying to partner with so many generous community organizations and city departments to make Westpark a true community center creating a legacy that we all can be proud of.”

Aera Energy sponsored the facility’s new flooring. The business has actively supported the center’s youth academic and physical fitness programs for many years, especially through startup seed money for the Ventura Police Activities League (PAL).

 

YMCA holding a free community event

On Saturday, April 30th from 10am-2am, the Ventura Family YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This year marks the 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.  The day-long event features activities such as a football clinic, the Major League Baseball’s Pitch, Hit & Run skills competition, performance by PB & Jam from the hit TV show “The Dancetime Boys,” raffles, a 1K Fun Run, climbing wall, inflatables and CPR classes and a lost child fingerprinting provided by the Community Police Foundation and the Ventura Police Department.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long, which is a critical time for kids’ health. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder to not let children idle away their summer days.

 

Visit ciymca.org/ventura for more information.

Lilac Festival in Pine Mountain Club

by Mark Bailey, President PMCCPOA

One of the best kept secrets in California remains the quaint “Aspen like” village of Pine Mountain Club (PMC).  Located in the Los Padres National Forest at a little over one mile above sea level and nestled between Mt. Pinos and San Emegdio Mountain, Pine Mountain Club is remarkably easy to get to.  Just a comfortable and scenic 90 minute drive from Ventura, about 50 minutes north of Magic Mountain.  Those in the know often refer to PMC as “the nearby faraway place”.

The Villagers of PMC are already busy preparing for their 34th annual Lilac Festival set for the weekend of May 14th and 15th.  It has been estimated that around five thousand visitors join the approximately three thousand locals for a weekend of arts, music, food, fun and family play.  About 100 artisan vendors will begin displaying their unique works of art and creations both days starting at 10am.  This is followed on Saturday by acrobatic skydiving daredevils due to land at 11:00 am.  This kicks off our yearly parade through the village center after the singing of our National Anthem by guest talented artists.

Throughout the weekend there will be entertainment for all ages including live music, plays, kiddie shows, helicopter rides (conditions permitting) golf and horseshoe tournaments, great food, and a large children’s play area with state of the art slides, inflatables, bouncy houses, wall climbing etc.  Most restaurants will be featuring live music on their outdoor patios.

Climatology wise, as with anyplace the weather in PMC can vary.  Typically, in late spring, we can expect blue sunny skies during the day with temperatures in the mid 70’s and crisp clear star filled nights with temperatures in the 40’s.

To get to PMC, take the 126 east to Interstate 5 north and exit at Frazier Park.  Go west 18 miles following the signs to the Pine Mountain Club Village.  For further information, including vendor applications, please go to our website at www.pmclilacfestival.com.

For fine wine enthusiasts considering visiting PMC, please visit our wine website www.wineinthepines.com  for details on our world class wine tasting event taking place this June 11.

Jazz and classical music to be presented at the VMF concert

Kaytlyn Becker will perform at the Rising Stars concert
Kaytlyn Becker will perform at the Rising Stars concert

The Ventura Music Festival is proud to present its most diverse Rising Stars concert ever, at 8 pm, Friday, May 6th, at the First United Methodist Church in Ventura (1338 E. Santa Clara).  Admission is free and audience members of all ages are invited to turn out for an exciting 75-minute program featuring young award-winning musicians: a 30-member high school choir; seven classical musicians ranging in age from middle school to college; and a jazz quartet.

The choir is the Camerata high school group of the distinguished Los Robles Children’s Choir, performing four songs under the direction of Edward Rouse, accompanied by Christine DeKlotz.

The classical musicians will be Grace Chen, Kaytlyn Becker, Dalton Hayse, David, James Gatchel and Kallen Meyer  who will perform selections by Saint-Saëns, Liszt, Brahms and Debussy.

The  jazz quartet, led by Blake Kasting on guitar, with Alex Smith on drums, Chris Seagraves on bass and Rachel Flowers on piano ,closes the evening with selections from Wayne Shorter and John Coltrane.  Each young musician is a past winner in the VMF Student Jazz Competition.

While admission is free, VMF encourages reservations via FB, or venturamusicfestival.org, by email [email protected] or by phone 648-3146.

“Fraud in the Community” presentation at Ventura Townehouse

senior fraud
Photo by Bernie Goldstein

On Thursday, April 21 Volunteer Action for Aging hosted a “Fraud in the Community” presentation at the Ventura Townehouse. Employees from SCAN’s Special Investigations Unit shared with seniors how to recognize a fraud scam and how to avoid being a victim. The two most common fraud scams targeting seniors are healthcare fraud and telemarketing fraud. This particular presentation was timed to coincide with tax season since fraudulent activities are more prevalent now.

Rachel DeMaree, Investigator-Special Investigations Unit at SCAN Health Plan made the presentation while Sandhi Ton handled the graphics.

 

 

 

Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

On April 13 the  Ventura Parkinson's Support Group was delighted to host Aurora Soriano, Assistant State Director of the Parkinson’s Action Network at their meeting held at  Lexington Assisted Living. She updated the support group on the latest efforts of the Parkinson's Action Network.
On April 13 the Ventura Parkinson’s Support Group was delighted to host Aurora Soriano, Assistant State Director of the Parkinson’s Action Network at their meeting held at  Lexington Assisted Living. She updated the support group on the latest efforts of the Parkinson’s Action Network.

by Phil Chandler, Owner of Right at Home of Ventura County, Home Care Agency

Many individuals with serious chronic illnesses find that meeting and discussing their illness at support groups provides comfort and tips in dealing with the disease. The Breeze will be highlighting local support groups for several different conditions in the coming issues.

Parkinson’s disease affects about one million Americans and 60,000 people are diagnosed annually. Parkinson’s disease is actually a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. There are four primary symptoms of PD: tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. Parkinson’s is chronic (it lasts a long time) and progressive (it gets worse with time). There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but there are medications that can alleviate some of the symptoms.

A local Parkinson’s  support group meets at The Lexington Assisted Living, located at 5440 Ralston Street, in Ventura on the second Wednesday of each month, from 1:00 to 3:00. The group is led by Patti Jenkins, and typically has between 30 and 40 attendees. Caregivers, their loved one with Parkinson’s, and other family members are welcome. They usually have a speaker that discusses issues of interest to the group. Recent speakers include a local Physical Therapist specializing in movement disorder.

Patti Jenkins’ husband Robert was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about eight years ago, but has had symptoms for at least 10 years. “Being able to learn about medications to treat Parkinson’s led us to ask the doctor to review and change Roberts’ meds, and we found that he was over medicated.”

Some of their meetings are in a roundtable format, where caregivers and patients share stories and the challenges they face. One long time participant, Barbara Lindquist, said “My husband Sam was diagnosed about ten years ago. We learned about the group at the SCAN exercise class we attended, and find it comforting to share our experience with others going through the same challenges.”

The next meeting will be held on May 11 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and Jocelyn Scherr, Advancement Officer of the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research will be presenting. The Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.

There are over five Parkinson’s support groups throughout the county, so there is likely one near where you live. There is even a call-in support group for the home bound so you can participate from the privacy of your home.

For more information, call Patty at 766-6070 or go to www.neurocommunity.org.

 

 

 

 

VCAAA award-winning Fall Prevention Program “A Matter of Balance”

Increase your  mobility and balance at a “A Matter of Balance”.
Increase your  mobility and balance at a “A Matter of Balance”.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s award-winning Fall Prevention Program has opened registration for A Matter of Balance, a series of evidence-based classes that focus on increased mobility and balance. The course is free to all participants.

A Matter of Balance emphasizes practical strategies to manage and prevent 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 balance and strength.

Nationally recognized research shows that one in three adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. Of those individuals, half will die within a year from complications and injuries sustained from the fall.

A Matter of Balance welcomes all individuals concerned about falls, as well as those who are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength. Individuals who have recently experienced a fall, or who have restricted activity due to the fear of falling, are encouraged to participate.

Classes will be held at Chapel Lane Senior Apartments, 11230 Snapdragon St, in Ventura, on May 3.

To learn more about the program, or to register, please contact the VCAAA Fall Prevention Coordinator, Dina Ontiveras, at 477-7343.

 

 

Become a volunteer

Become a tutor to a homeless child for an hour each week at VAAC! School on Wheels provides tutoring

for children living in shelters, motels and foster group homes. No experience is necessary to become a volunteer tutor, just your love of learning. They provide your training and support. Touch a child’s life and he or she will touch yours! For more information, please contact Linda Huddle at 641.1678.

Join the Senior Nutrition Volunteer Corps. They are looking for volunteers to help in their Senior Nutrition Kitchen and to drive meals out to homebound seniors. Interested? Please contact Hans at 648-3035.

Call 658.4728 to join the weekend training programs to become an Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters  docent. Dress in period costumes and share the history of this landmark site. www.cityoventura.net/olivasadobe.