All posts by admin

Ventura’s Active Transportation Plan reaches the final phase

The City of Ventura is excited to announce the final phase of the Active Transportation Plan (ATP). This comprehensive roadmap aims to enhance the City’s transportation landscape, providing increased accessibility and appeal for walking, biking, and transit across the community.

The City is seeking public input to prioritize projects and programs proposed in the ATP. To review and share your information, please visit the City’s website. The deadline for providing feedback is Sunday, August 20.

“In the last two years, we’ve seen active involvement from more than 4,000 community members who played a vital role in shaping the proposed Active Transportation Plan recommendations,” stated Mayor Joe Schroeder. “As we move into the next phase, we invite all community members to provide feedback on the identified priorities and projects created to establish a safer and more sustainable active transportation system for Ventura.”

In June 2021, this community-driven initiative gained significant engagement, with input from the Active Transportation Focus Group (ATFG), which provided valuable insight into City needs, shaped plan goals, and amplified outreach efforts. This group comprised various stakeholders from the City’s Public Works Department, Police Department, Environmental Sustainability Department, Community Outreach, Bicycle Advisory Committee, all seven Community Councils, and Bike Ventura. Additionally, the City of Ventura has been actively engaged with the Ventura Unified School District to update the city’s Safe Routes to School Plan. This collaboration further ensures the safety and accessibility of walking and biking routes for students and families in the community.

Throughout the planning process, the City has been dedicated to engaging with diverse groups, including low-income and minority households, homebound seniors, youth, young parents, and individuals with direct experience in walking and biking in Ventura. This inclusive approach has allowed the plan to address the unique needs of all community members.

“The City of Ventura invites residents to share their diverse perspectives to ensure the Active Transportation Plan reflects the community’s needs.

Whether you choose to participate online or in person, your input will play a crucial role in shaping a safer and better use for all road users,” stated Public Works Director Phil Nelson.

For more information and to submit your feedback, please visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/atp.

Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Ruby, a sweet Pit Bull X who came to CARL from VCAS where I was desperately needing a change of scenery. I’m newly a senior (about 8 years old) and I’m looking for a foster or forever home. I absolutely love meeting new friends to wiggle. I love going for walks and lizard hunting but I also will not pass up a good couch. If you are looking for a loving companion, consider me! Please fill out an online application to meet me.
Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L
https://carldogs.org/
CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Meet Lancelot, a 2-year-old shorthaired rabbit! He is a handsome boy who adores attention and cuddles. He’s ready to hop right into your home and your heart as an indoor, litterbox trained house bunny! If you’d like to meet Lancelot, email [email protected] and one of our Bunny Brigade volunteers will reach out to you soon!

Pet Link: www.vcas.us/viewan-2/?ida=A823343

Ventura Water General Manager’s Message

During this past school year we hosted over 300 students from local public and private schools.

by Gina Dorrington

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” As a child, we get asked this question all the time and as we get older, we use this question to start a conversation with a child. Not many, if any, say “I want to be a water/wastewater operator when I grow up!”, but they should. A career in water is awesome and rewarding. We get to work outside, provide water for health and safety, protect the environment, and restore a critical resource to the community. And there is so much you can do; I started in this industry working in a water and wastewater lab, then performed food facility inspections for stormwater and grease compliance, moved on to cleaning and inspecting sewer lines, became an operator-in-training, and earned certification in water treatment, distribution, wastewater, and advanced treatment. This month we highlight one of our operators, Sol Clements, who has also worked in many areas of the wastewater industry and radiates her love of what she does for our city.

At Ventura Water we love to share what we do and help to spark interest in our youth about water. We highlight not only how water is treated and how important conservation is, but also how this could be a career for them. Our team works with local schools and environmental groups to outreach and educate. We’re proud to report that during this past school year we hosted over 300 students from local public and private schools for tours of the wastewater treatment plant, (see photo above). If your group is interested in a tour, please email us at: [email protected].

And if you, or someone you know may be interested in a career in water, see the current jobs at the City website.

Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – As I See It

Ventura College President Kim Hoffmans will retire at the end of the school year, leaving the 10,000 student community college after five years at the helm. This leaves plenty time to find a permanent replacement. She has done a wonderful job leading the college.

California’s community colleges (116) offer a great opportunity for all graduates to continue their education and decide what they want their future to be, while also saving some money.

Before attending USC, I attended LACC. This not only saved me a lot of money but they also had an excellent architecture program which made my transition to SC much easier.

The XGames were very successful. So the question now is are they interested in returning next year. I certainly think we should we try to get the X Games back next year? It was a win for all involved. The $250,000 the City Council agreed to spend was money well spent.

A slight problem was the event ran so close to the start of the fair. The short turnaround time put a lot of pressure on fair venders and participants to be ready for their opening.

A repeat performance would be due to the vision of Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau, who began promoting the idea to X Games officials 2019

X Games officials said more than 51,143 people attended the three-day finals with a sellout crowd of about 23,000 on Saturday.

Football player Aaron Rodgers has a new deal with the New York Jets and he’s taking a pay cut. Rodgers agreed to a new two-year, $75 million guaranteed contract with the Jets.

Poor guy is only going to make $37.5 million per year to play football. Hope he has saved for his future.

Three military veterans, and others, testified in Congress hearings on UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) the military’s term for UFOs. One claimed the U.S. government has operated a secret “multi-decade” reverse engineering program of recovered vessels. He also said the U.S. has recovered non-human “biologics”(whatever that is) from alleged crash sites.

Much of the discussion centered on improving processes for reporting referring to “anomalous” rather than “aerial” phenomena, to account for sightings in both air and water.

Personally, it would be very exciting if UFOs did come here for a visit. I’m not sure why the government would hide it. If they had plans to destroy us they certainly could have done that many times over.

“Kids, today we are going for a ride to look at the earth. I know it’s a long 5-minute ride so you can take your brainphones with you. We won’t visit because there’s too much shooting and wars which might upset you. Daddy, daddy are we there yet?”

The surface ocean temperature around the Florida Keys soared to 101.19F (38.43C) in what could be a global record as ocean heat around the state reaches unprecedented extremes. I’d bring soap and take a bath.

The Santa Barbara News-Press, one of California’s oldest newspapers, has ceased publishing after its owner declared the 150-year-old publication bankrupt. The newspaper was online only since April. I hate to see this as local papers might be the last hope for the survival of newspapers.

A professional butcher whose bloody, wild-eyed face became one of the most memorable images of the U.S. Capitol riot was sentenced to more than seven years in prison for hurling a bow like a spear at police and attacking several other officers. At least he has his job set-up in prison.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito accepted a 2008 trip to a luxury fishing lodge in Alaska from two wealthy Republican donors, one of whom repeatedly had interests before the court, and he did not disclose the trips on his financial disclosure for that year. It seems Supreme Court Justice’s are exempt from any disclosure rules. It seems to me Justices should have the most restrictive laws governing them. Their decisions are the most important that can be made.

A few tips for handling extreme heat with dementia

Prepare for behavioral challenges. Try to remove behavioral triggers by addressing the person’s physical needs related to the heat, then tending to their emotional needs.

Stay hydrated. Increased water intake is essential to maintaining good hydration and health during extreme heat. Know the signs of heat exhaustion to avoid heat stroke. Dehydration may be difficult to notice in a person living with dementia, as signs like increased fatigue, dry mouth and headache may be difficult to detect. People taking diuretics, sedatives, or certain heart medication may not sweat as much as others, but this does not mean that they are not hot.

Stay indoors and out of the sun. If air conditioning is unavailable at home, arrange alternative plans for cooler spaces in public, such as a senior center or shopping mall. Dress appropriately in loose, light clothing, and wear a hat and apply sunscreen when outside.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s treatments and free support services, visit the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org/cacentral. Their Ventura office is located at 2580 E Main Street #201, and their 24/7 Helpline is 800.272.3900 for around-the-clock support and information in English and Spanish.

Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Murder at the Manor in Conejo’s the Mousetrap

Some classics never get old. Agatha Christie’s quintessential who-done-it The Mousetrap is one of them. Hailed as the longest running play in London’s West End, Mousetrap finally closed in 2020, earning a 68-year continuous run. That’s quite an achievement.

Conejo Players in Thousand Oaks is offering local enthusiasts an opportunity to see what the fuss has been and continues to be about, now through August 12.

A solid cast directed by seasoned Conejo stalwart Jim Diderrich embodies the quirky characters that have given this play its success. The twisty, intricate plot has been the victim of countless iterations since its inception in 1952 but remains the gold standard of murder mysteries everywhere.

Monkswell Manor is newly reopened by a young, inexperienced couple who have no staff. The inn’s rooms are full and the boarders straggle in, finding themselves stuck there by a fierce blizzard. Chaos ensues as a murder is committed and everyone immediately becomes a suspect. A Detective arrives to sort out the situation. As the interviews are conducted, we learn about each of the characters and some of the secrets they are hiding. Along the way are many hints, twists and turns and still a surprising ending.

The Ralston couple, played by Paula Smiech and Andrew Costello, are suitably alternately confident and confused as they do their best to stay on top of the many needs of their guests. They have much to learn about running an inn business, and about each other.

Matt Hudacs as the flighty Christopher Wren is a bundle of nervous energy. He fairly bounces across the stage as he tries hard to fit in., to no avail. The staid, criticize everything Mrs. Boyle is played to perfection by Judy Diderrich. Andy Brasted as Major Metcalf gives a sterling performance of controlled restraint, as a British Major should. Character Miss Casewell, well played by Elisha DeVillier, adds further elements of surprise in many ways.

Unexpected guest Mr. Paravicini is delightfully ebullient in the form of Dale Alpert. Detective Sergeant Trotter, played by Alex Greene, is a conundrum in himself, raising more questions than answers throughout.

The pace is quick. The British accents are well done. The characters are cheeky and fun. In all, even if you’ve seen it before (or many like it), the result is an evening well spent. Rediscover why The Mousetrap enjoyed such a long run in London, and still enjoys performances around the world.

The Mousetrap runs Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. There will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, August 12. www.conejoplayers.org, (805) 495-3715

The following weekend offers the Conejo Improv Festival. Begins at 7 p.m. on Friday August 18 and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 19. Two FREE workshops are offered on Saturday the 19th. 1 p.m., scene work for adults, and 3 p.m. Introduction to improv for youth ages 6-17. See website www.conejoplayers.org for complete run-down and tickets.

What Is Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy

by National Institute on Aging

Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) is a recently characterized type of dementia. Similar to other forms of brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, LATE causes problems with memory and thinking but has different underlying causes.

Dementia is the result of changes in certain brain regions that cause nerve cells (also known as neurons) and their connections to stop working properly. Researchers have connected changes in the brain to certain forms of dementia. For example, the hallmark brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s are the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles.

Researchers identified LATE based on results of autopsy studies that revealed abnormal clusters of a protein called TDP-43. TDP-43 is involved in other brain disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. In LATE, it exhibits a different pattern of brain changes and tends to affect people over the age of 80.

The TDP-43 protein normally helps to regulate gene expression in the brain and other tissues. Deposits of this protein have been associated with deterioration of parts of the brain involved in memory, such as the hippocampus, resulting in cognitive impairment.

Recent autopsy studies examining tissue from donated brains found that certain patterns of misfolded TDP-43 proteins may be common in older adults. Researchers characterized this pattern of misfolded protein deposits as LATE.

For example, results from autopsy studies of more than 6,000 people with an average age at death of 88 years found that 40% had TDP-43 protein deposits associated with LATE and that LATE was associated with deficits in memory and thinking in approximately 25% of the donors. Those same studies also suggest that LATE can contribute to cognitive decline alone or in combination with other types of dementia. Just over half of those with signs of LATE also had evidence of Alzheimer’s-related proteins, suggesting that having more than one of these brain disorders may contribute to more rapid decline than either disease alone.

The symptoms of LATE are similar to those of Alzheimer’s. These include:

Problems with memory

Difficulty thinking and making decisions

Trouble finding the right words

Wandering or getting lost

How is LATE diagnosed?

Currently, there is no way to diagnose LATE in living people. It can only be diagnosed after death through autopsy.

If you are concerned about memory problems or other symptoms of dementia, talk with a doctor. You may be referred to a neurologist, a doctor specializing in disorders of the brain and nervous system.

Researchers continue to investigate the causes of and risk factors for LATE and ways to diagnose this disease in living people. For example, researchers are currently examining data to explore whether LATE has a unique pattern of brain degeneration and memory loss that could help further distinguish it from Alzheimer’s. They are also exploring whether there are unique molecular signatures for LATE that might be used to create a blood or spinal fluid diagnostic test.

Research into LATE and the underlying causes of dementia would not be possible without volunteers who donate their brains after death. If you’re interested in participating in research that involves brain donation, read Brain Donation: A Gift for Future Generations.

Additional information about participating in research to discover new ways to potentially diagnose, treat, and prevent dementia can be found through NIA-funded Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers and by visiting the Alzheimers.gov clinical trials finder.

Life Story Volunteer Program

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice is bringing back their beloved Life Story program. This program is designed to provide both community members and hospice patients the opportunity to record their personal memoirs. Helping one share their personal story, which might be lost if not passed along to the next generation, is a valuable gift that our Life Story volunteer provides. Volunteers will get the opportunity to record and edit these stories.

To become a volunteer, call Life Stories Coordinator at (805) 389-6870 or visit lmvna.org/lifestoriesform to register.

Free Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group meetings

A community-based support group focusing on sharing relevant information and education about all things Parkinson’s.

Meetings are held monthly on the third Tuesday, 10-11am, at Crosspointe Church (5415 Ralston Ave.) Next meeting: Tuesday, Aug. 18.

Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group gets together every month with skilled, experienced professionals who present significant breakthroughs, strategies and related issues surrounding Parkinson’s. The group’s mission is for participants to better understand and talk about how this information impacts their own lives and affects immediate family members. In addition to those diagnosed with PD, caregivers, family members and friends are ALL welcome to attend FREE of charge.

More than just a meeting, all discussions/presentations offer interactive, compassionate, relevant education on PD. Topics range from “How to get up off the floor when you’ve fallen,” to “Nutrition and Parkinson’s” to “The benefits of deep brain stimulation and assessing if you’re a good candidate for DBS.”

Jon Everhart, retired accountant, US Marine and regular group attendee said, “It’s nice comparing treatments, symptoms, and the challenges we all face living with Parkinson’s.”

This caring group empowers people like Jon to be more proactive and to participate in deciding the direction of his treatment, complemented by his team of doctors’ suggestions.

This unique group gives everyone a great opportunity to learn more about current PD research, to gain more awareness about local help and resources, to share relevant experiences with others — and to have fun along the way.

The Ventura County Parkinson’s Support Group was recently resurrected (post-Covid) by Dr. Vanessa White, owner of Ventura County Neurofitness (a local fitness program designed specifically for those with Parkinson’s and other neurological degenerative diseases). The impetus for her assuming this responsibility was after her mother-in-law, Toy White, was diagnosed several years ago with PD. This important, special group was born upon her passing.