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Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – News at CAPS

By Elizabeth Rodeno

Ventura’s public channel 6 is the place for the citizens of Ventura to share their news.  Our bulletin boards feature information about upcoming events, classes and programs. We broadcast public service announcements about newsworthy issues and events, including useful tips on preparation for El Nino and motorcycle safety.   Shows from our members in the community share newsworthy and noteworthy information with viewers all day. Programs addressing the issues including homelessness, the drought, and social justice. On the lighter side, we also broadcast cooking, health, travel, and the latest in the arts and poetry scene.

On channel 15, our education and government channel provides the community with some great news programming also. Above all, are the broadcasts of the City Council meetings. You can’t get more up-to-date information than the Monday night meetings in this city. Other broadcasted city meetings from the Planning Commission, Design Review and Historic Preservation Committee, provide even more city related news on development in the area.  Ventura County Board of Supervisor’s meetings are also hosted on 15. Check them out Thursday evenings. Don’t forget to check out CAPS’ Business of the Month and Mayor for a Moment shorts shared at the Council meetings.

The staff is proud to be working on the Ventura County News Channel with Bill Nash. We are learning a lot about what county services are out there and how they affect us. Do you know what it takes to rescue a horse who fell into a ravine? The place to find out is on the VCNC channel, hosted on Ventura County’s website.

Channel 15 is also the outlet for Ventura’s educational institutions.  Every other Tuesday night you can get a glimpse of how the VUSD works and what news they have to tell. We have spent a lot of time on the Ventura College campus bringing you stories about the students from the varied certificate programs such as Water Sciences, Welding and Manufacturing.

Our closest neighbor is the unique El Camino High School at Ventura College. We have close to a dozen of their enthusiastic students learning the ropes of news making. With thoughtful investigation and a lot of hard work, these students are producing news, pure and simple. Their news program, ECTV, addresses current issues that affect young people. After watching their shows, it is pretty clear these are issues that affect us all.

CAPS is one of the several news outlets in Ventura. We thank the Breeze for bringing pertinent news to the people and working with us to keep you current. Go to our website, capstv.org for more information and links to newsworthy programming. Call us at 805-658-0500 for information on how to produce your own news.

 

Community members and church leaders came together for “Life Worth Living” breakfast

Community members and church leaders came together Thursday morning, January 29th, at the River Community Church to support the “Life Worth Living” breakfast and information meeting of The City Center Transitional Living. The breakfast was planned and presented by Executive Director Pastor Jim Duran. Some of those in attendance were Stephanie Caldwell, President and CEO of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce; Steve Bennett, Ventura County Supervisor; Christy Weir and Carl Morehouse, Ventura City Council members and Cheryl Heitmann, former mayor and council member, who all pledged to help address the homelessness issue. Current residents brought some members of the audience to tears with stories of their struggles and success. The City Center currently houses about a dozen adults and their children, who are in transition. During the 12 to 18-month program, the residents work on two main goals: gainful employment and permanent housing. The City Center is located at 837 E. Thompson. www.theciitycenter.org

California Attorney General Kamala Harris guest of honor at Ventura County Women’s Political Council meeting

stuff HarrisCalifornia Attorney General Kamala Harris (center) was the guest of honor at the recent annual meeting and board election of the Ventura County Women’s Political Council held at the Pierpont Inn. Harris just announced that she’s running for Barbara Boxer’s US Senate seat. Flanking her are Solair Kargodorian (left) and Thousand Oaks City Council candidate Angie Simpson (right).

Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – Hollywood

Arnold Schwarzenegger has completed his next film, the revenge thriller “478,” in which he plays a man whose wife and child died in a plane crash caused by an air traffic controllers screw-up. When Arnold makes it known he wants vengeance, the controller is placed in protective custody. You can guess the rest.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has overtaken “Jurassic World’s” $1.6 billion box office, and by the time you read this will have knocked “Titanic” out of the No. 2 spot, even with its impressive $2.2 billion gross. However, “The Force” will have to stay awake nights to pass “Avatar” with its $2.8 billion take. When that happens, “Avatar” will unleash “Avatar 2” in December 2017, followed by “3” in 2018 and “4” in 2019.

The City Center: A place for second chances

Unfortunately, Meghan’s journey at the center did not have a happy ending.
Unfortunately, Meghan’s journey at the center did not have a happy ending.

by Mira Reverente

When it rains, it pours. Blessings, that is. That pretty much sums up the past year for Meghan Long, a single mom of twin young boys.

Divorced, broke and in treatment for substance abuse, the 32-year-old’s future was uncertain for a while. One step at a time, she tackled her issues, starting with a detox program, at Prototypes. “The program provided me with some much-needed structure,” says Long of her four-month stint at the women’s treatment center off of Victoria Avenue.

“We got up at the same time every day, completed our chores and attended classes, meetings or counseling sessions regularly,” she says. “We had to ‘act’ like we were getting ready to go to work every day.”

Upon “graduation” from the program, Long tackled her housing situation next and was fortunate to land a spot at The City Center, a transitional living center for families, along Thompson Boulevard.

“It’s a working program for families in transition,” says Jim Duran, executive director of the center. “It’s for adults with children and the adults are required to get a job within 30 days.”

That is exactly what Long accomplished in the first month of her stay. As a server at a local restaurant, she works Monday to Friday, while the boys are in pre-school. Occasionally, she’ll pick up an evening or weekend shift, if her mom or dad can watch the boys.

For some of them with little or no financial literacy training, a few concepts like savings, budgeting and bill-paying are new. “The residents are required to allocate 30% of their pay for rent, 20% for savings and the remainder for groceries and other day-to-day expenses,” says Duran. “We help them come up with a budget and we teach them the concept of interest – how their savings can grow in interest-bearing accounts.”

The young mom appreciates all the new life skills she’s picking up, including time management and personal accountability. She says, “We rotate through chores. This week, I’m supposed to sweep the laundry room.”

“We also have to be home by 9 pm every day,” she says of the curfew. “I don’t mind because it’s so peaceful and safe in here.”

For anything and everything, the residents get support from the staff. Olga Hamra is a case manager who screens and interviews potential residents and helps them get settled once they’re in.

“We talk about anything and I help them process whatever issues they’re facing,” she says. “In situations like Meghan’s, stress and anxiety are fairly common.”

Unfortunately, Long’s journey at the center did not have the much-anticipated happy ending. She was evicted right around the holidays for breaking the rules.

“She had just earned a weekend pass,” says Duran, explaining that residents earn weekend passes by completing assigned chores, achieving set goals – a reward for good behavior basically.

Long was given a second chance but had to make some amends by attending a couple of meetings. “She dragged her feet with the process,” says Duran. “So we had to let her go.”

He says, “We’re all about chances and we’re in it for people to win, but they need to do their part. They also need to learn that there are consequences to their actions.”

Meantime, another resident has taken Long’s place, joining many others on the journey to independence, full of promise and potential. Good wishes and high hopes abound at the center.

For more information on The City Center, visit thecitycenter.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violin and viola competition

Applications are now being accepted for the 8th annual Henry Schwab Ventura
County Violin/Viola Competition. The contest is open to Ventura County residents up to the age of 22.  This competition is sponsored by a grant from the Henry Schwab Charitable Fund and encourages young musicians and also furthers their musical education.

The preliminary audition will be held March 19 at the Ventura College Recital Hall. Three candidates will be selected who will compete on June 18

at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, accompanied by the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra. The competitions are open to the public. Free admission to the preliminary competition; for the final competition there will be a charge of $15.00 general, $5.00 for seniors/staff/students.

First prize is $1,500, second prize $1,000 and third prize $500.00. Questions can be addressed to Connie Hood at 323-610-7704 or Ann Kosinski at 658-8180.

 

Vol. 9, No. 9 – February 3 – February 16, 2016 – Opinion/Editorial

• The Ventura City Council has voted against (7-0) medical marijuana businesses and the delivery of medical marijuana in Ventura. This is in keeping with other county cities. Cities have until March 1 to set their own laws before State regulations take effect.

Neal Andrews and Carl Morehouse were part of the 7-0 vote but still expressed their concerns about not allowing medical marijuana delivery (such as for products like blackberry cheesequake, to name an example) that was included in the action. I certainly agree with their concerns.

The City of Moorpark City Council has wisely removed the mobile delivery portion of their ordinance banning the selling of marijuana there. They will allow the delivery of medical marijuana and other beneficial medicine such as various private label cbd oil products and likewise, to qualified patients by a primary caregiver (now they need to figure who is a primary caregiver).

To deny delivery is “cruel and unusual punishment.” Isn’t that against the constitution? Hopefully the Ventura City Council will revisit this in the future and will allow delivery, just as those who get evaluated online for an Arkansas MMJ card are able to get such deliveries.

In fact, the entire opposition to marijuana bothers me. The harmful effects that marijuana has on society do not begin to compare to those of alcohol.

• Have I mentioned that I hate the California Coastal Commission? I voted in favor of their creation years ago thinking that their job would be to provide assurances of beach and to protect our beaches and oceans. Their “concerns” have gone so much further than that charter. I think they interfere with the rights of citizens and cities to make decisions regarding projects that have absolutely nothing at all to do with the coast.

• Since its original construction in 1872, the Ventura Pier has been a popular attraction in the County. In December, the Ventura Pier sustained extensive damage caused by 20-foot high surf.

The John S. Meek, Inc. cost proposal to repair the Pier is $1,173,990 and is based on the existing contract’s schedule of compensation. The Option to Extend the contract for good performance has been executed by the City Council and the current term of the agreement will expire June 30, 2016. The Council felt that it is in the best interest of the City to negotiate an extension without competitive bidding based upon satisfactory performance by Meek and their emergency response during this year’s El Nino. The council felt that the negotiated prices are fair and reasonable.

It is anticipated all repair and maintenance work will be completed by the end of February at which time the Pier can be reopened to the public. We shall see.

The Ventura Pier has Wave Wash Property Insurance with a $100,000 deductible per event. Staff met with the insurance adjuster to inspect the damage to the Pier, and the City was authorized to proceed with the stabilization and repairs. It is anticipated that the Wave Wash insurance will cover the entire costs of the emergency repairs, less the deductible.

• The newly remodeled NOW Ventura Italian and Seafood Restaurant is open at 185 Santa Clara St. This site has been the location of several restaurants over the years. Breezy Gledhill, our senior account exec, and I recently had dinner there. The food, service and ambiance were excellent. The owners did a wonderful job of remodeling the interior which includes a lovely outdoor patio and a large room that can be used for special events.

• Under the Charter adopted by the citizens of Ventura in 1934, the City Manager is “the administrative head of the City government . . . responsible to the City Council for the administration of all City affairs” including hiring and firing department heads, preparing the annual budget and ensuring the effective implementation of the City Council’s policies and priorities. The City Manager advises Council on strategic direction for the City and responding to changing community needs. The City Manager is hired (and fired) by the City Council. Most of all, the City Manager provides overall organizational leadership to ensure the effective daily delivery of services, projects and programs, guided by the City’s 2005 General Plan.” In other words Mark Watkins is the boss. His compensation is in keeping with other city managers in Ventura County. I think that he is an excellent city manager.

Moorpark $261,000
Thousand Oaks $261,000
Camarillo $255,000
Ventura $228,000
Simi Valley $227,000
Ojai $193,000
Fillmore $187,000
Santa Paula $183,000

• You will be happy to know you can now sing “Happy Birthday to You” without feeling guilty because, now, you don’t have to pay royalties. Judge George King recently ruled that none of the companies that have been collecting royalties for the last 80 years were entitled to do so.

• There is not an updated status regarding the proposed opening of the full nude “gentleman’s club” planned by Hala Enterprises LLC. Since the City Council set rigid conditions for this proposed use, the applicant has not contacted the city departments required to proceed with the project.

I don’t know if Hala felt that the conditions were too difficult to make the business profitable, just changed their mind or have just not submitted the required documentations yet to the City.

• We are not the only city with financial problems. In order to have sufficient funds to repair infrastructure, Thousand Oaks is considering selling city property, increasing city fees, and sales tax by a half cent along with other measures (these actions would generate $14 million but need voter’s approval). Venturans may be asked to approve a sales tax increase in November.

• For whatever reason, 2015 was Earth’s hottest year on record and it appears that this trend will continue in 2016. If it does, this will be the first time that this trend has continued for 3 straight years.

Ventura College hosts Financial Aid Super Saturday

Ventura College will host free hands-on workshops to assist students with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and California Dream Applications.

The workshop event dates and locations are:
Saturday, February 6, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Ventura College Santa Paula, 957 Faulkner Road.
Saturday, February 27,  8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Ventura College main campus, MCE-341 & MCE-343, 4667 Telegraph Road.

Applications for FAFSA or California Dream may be submitted through March 2. Please visit www.fafsa.gov, www.caldreamact.org, and www.venturacollege.edu/finaid for the financial aid checklist of required documents to bring to the workshop. For additional details, you can also call the Ventura College Financial Aid Office at 289-6369 or email [email protected].

 

Ventura College to host fundraiser

The Ventura College Men’s and Women’s basketball teams, along with the Ventura Breakers Youth Basketball Club, will host its 17th annual barbecue fundraiser dinner and games on Saturday, Feb.6.

Adult tickets are $15.00. A child ticket (12 and under) is $12.00. Barbecue dinner at the Ventura College Sportsplex will be served from 4:00 to 7 p.m., and includes beef tri-tip and or chicken, chili, salad, bread and drink choice.

Ventura College will play Pierce College, with the Women’s game at 5 p.m. and the Men playing at 7 p.m. Ticket prices include dinner and admission to both games.

Proceeds benefit VC men’s and women’s basketball and the Ventura Breakers Basketball Club.  Information and tickets 289-6118, and www.vcweplayhard.com