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Chillin’ with VPD Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

stuff VPDMembers of the Ventura Police Department SWAT unit explain some of the equipment they use. Photo by Daniel Ingram.

On Saturday, January 9 the Ventura Police Department, Ventura Police Community Foundation and McConnell’s Ice Cream invited the community to come “Chill with VPD”. The community event was held in the south west parking lot of the Pacific View Mall nearest to McConnell’s. Community members had the opportunity to view a K9 demonstration, SWAT, Motors, Patrol and more. Children attending were given a “VPD Passport” and after they filled their passport with stamps from VPD Officers they submitted  the passport for a free ice cream. Community members got to know their Ventura Police Department and the officers.

 

 

Julie Maechler will be on display at Very Ventura

Gallery V in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers, welcomes 2016 with the “New Beginnings” art show.  Artist reception will be held on Jan.23 from 6pm-9pm. The exhibit features the creative and inspirational artistry of Julie Maechler, Mark Tovar, Margery Spielman and Gerald Zwers. Gallery V is located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop @ 540 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura.   Exhibit runs through Feb 28.

Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

The Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS) will host the first educational forum of the year focusing on Emergency Preparedness for Adults and Seniors on Friday, January 29. at the Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE) Center, 5200 Valentine Rd. The forum will take place from 10:30 am to noon. A catered barbeque lunch will be served from noon to 1 pm, compliments of the Downtown Rotary, for those who RSVP by Monday, January 25. Please call 648-3035 to make reservations.

How prepared are you for the next earthquake, power outage or flood? Has the recent storm system got you on high alert? Most importantly, have you packed your Go Bag? This educational forum will help you prepare yourself in the event of an unexpected disaster. The featured presentation will be made by Mr. Darryl Smith, Emergency Manager with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. Mr. Smith will provide important information that all citizens should be aware of in case of an emergency.

Additional speakers will include Dr. Thomas Duncan, Head of Trauma from the Ventura County Medical Center, Commander Tom Higgins from the Ventura Police Department, Assistant Chief Matthew Brock from the Ventura Fire Department, Teri Helton from Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association and John Davis from the American Red Cross.

The Ventura Council for Seniors is an advisory body that meets monthly to discuss issues important to seniors, caregivers and older adults. The meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the month at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC, 550 N. Ventura Ave.) and at the Silvercrest Senior Residence (750 S. Petit Ave.) in Ventura. Meetings alternate each month between the west and eastside locations. For more information about this organization please go to www.cityofventura.net/adult or call 648-3035.

 

 

 

Teacher of deaf and hard-ofhearing students recognized

Attendees at the presentation honoring Hewer included several members of Hewer’s family as well as friends and dignitaries.

 

On Jan. 6, the Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF) designated Heather Hewer, instructor for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) students at Cabrillo Middle School in Ventura, California, as January’s Teacher of the Month.

Hewer is responsible for providing language arts, social studies, math and science instruction for DHH students in grades six through eight at Cabrillo Middle School. She also spearheads a variety of other activities and programs for her students, including the school’s Laurent Clerc Club — an on-campus organization that aims to bring DHH students and other students closer together through cultural events and learning experiences — and an annual trip to the California School for the Deaf, Riverside.

“Heather does everything she can to encourage her students to believe in themselves and to empower them to achieve their goals,” said Cabrillo Middle School’s principal, Lorelle Dawes. “She works incredibly hard and is constantly planning experiences to make learning more meaningful for her students, from preparing international foods to supplement her geography lessons to coordinating science-related field trips.”

Teacher of the Month nominees must be credentialed teachers and display certain qualities, such as outstanding commitment to students, service to school or district committees, involvement in projects on their own time and/or participation in youth-focused activities in the community. All principals and parent-teacher organizations from schools within the Ventura Unified School District are eligible to submit nominations. For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committee with the VCEF, at [email protected] or 477-4052.

 

A poignant love story set in 1940’s

Last year’s “Last Train To Nibroc” starring Erik Odom and Lily Nicksay who return in See Rock City. Photo by Christopher Brown

Rubicon Theatre Company presents See Rock City by Arlene Hutton, a poignant love story set in 1940’s Appalachia about young newlyweds trying to find their footing in a world on the brink of great change. May (played by Lily Nicksay “Boy Meets World”/”The Client”) is a principal at the local school, and Raleigh (Erik Odom “Twilight: Breaking Dawn”/Sons of the Prophet), is an aspiring writer.

The play begins with the couple returning to their home in Corbin, Kentucky after plans to honeymoon in Rock City are derailed. There they grapple with domestic realities and the desire for approval from community and family, especially their very different mothers (played by Clarinda Ross and Sharon Sharth).

When victory overseas results in unexpected consequences on the home front, the couple must confront hidden truths and May must consider a difficult sacrifice. The sequel to last year’s critically acclaimed hit Last Train to Nibroc, See Rock City stands alone as a funny, touching and universal portrayal of a devoted young couple grappling with change in the advent of a new, post-war America.

Katharine Farmer returns from London to helm See Rock City having directed the first play in the Nibroc Series last season to critical and popular acclaim. The production was nominated for an Ovation Award for “Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre,” and was a part of Rubicon’s “Best Season” nomination. Farmer was also the recipient of an Indy Award for her direction (collecting her statue on her 22nd birthday). She has since made her West End directing debut with Pig Farm by Greg Kotsis. Mike Billings designs sets, lights and projections; Marcy Froehlich is Costume Designer, and Austin Quan is Sound Designer.

Low-Priced Previews: Wed., Jan. 27 at 7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. and Fri., Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.

Opening Night: Sat., Jan. 30, 2016 at 7 p.m. with post-show party with cast hosted by Busy Bee Cafe

Closing: Sun., Feb. 14, 2016 at 2 p.m.

Box Office (for single and group tickets)667.2900

Website www.rubicontheatre.org

Rubicon Theatre Company has been described as, “the rising star of the Southern California cultural constellation.” A not-for-profit professional regional theatre, Rubicon serves area residents and visitors with innovative productions of classic and contemporary plays, as well as a wide array of educational programs and events. Founded in 1998, Rubicon’s work has been lauded by critics and industry professionals.

 

NAWBO Ventura County announces BRAVO 2016 Winners

The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Ventura County Chapter is pleased to announce the 2016 winners of the 17th Annual Bravo Awards. The awards were presented at a gala luncheon at the beautiful Serra Center in Camarillo. Mimi Donaldson, internationally renowned speaker and speech coach, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.

2016 Awardees:

  1. Woman Business Owner of the Year – Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, Westlake Village
  1. Lifetime Achievement Award – Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, State District 19
  1. Innovator of the Year – Andrea Gallagher, Senior Advisor and President of Senior Concerns, Thousand Oaks
  1. Visionary of the Year – Maryann Ridini Spencer, President of Ridini Entertainment Corporation, Thousand Oaks
  1. NAWBO-Adriana Perez
    Adriana Perez is Ventura BRAVO 2016 awardee.

    Rising Star of the Year – Adriana Perez, Owner of Skincare by Adriana. Adriana Perez, is the Founder and CEO of Skincare by Adriana located in Ventura. She is an advanced, certified NovaLash eyelash extensionist and a California Licensed Esthetician. In just two short years, Adriana has grown her business from a rented booth in a beauty salon, to owning her own professional esthetics studio. Adriana is a Women’s Economic Venture (WEV) graduate. After completing the WEV Self-Employment Training program, she used her business plan to better organize her goals and the logistics of her business. She has given life to her vision of helping women look and feel confident and beautiful.

  1. Community Advocate of the Year – Lisa Rule, Publisher, Acorn Newspaper, Agoura Hills
  1. Education Advocate of the Year – Dianne McKay, Vice President of Mustang Marketing, Thousand Oaks
  1. Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year – Allie Anderson, Owner of Allie Anderson Designs and Co-Owner of Presh Events, Ventura County
  1. NAWBO Ventura County Member of the Year – Maura Raffensperger, Owner, YourChiefSimplicityOfficer.com, Oxnard
  1. Corporate Leader of the Year – Pacific Coast Business Times, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties

 

 

 

Sports car rescued from storm flooded street

stuff Flood RescueOn Jan.6 at 10:36am, Ventura City Fire personnel responded to a report of flooding in the intersection of Main/Mills. Upon arrival they found a sports car partially submerged in the street. The vehicle stalled in the deep water, also disabling the electric windows, leaving them stranded next to a curb storm drain that was creating a large whirlpool on the passenger side of the vehicle due to the volume of rain water present. Fire personnel removed the T-top from the vehicle, and the two people inside were extricated through the driver’s side roof, then walked to high-ground on the center median.

Healthy Women’s Program receives funds

Back row: Michael Ellingson, Lydia Hopps, Lynn Jacobs and Mel Sheeler.
Front row: Judie Sweet, Karen Portlock and Patty Jimenez at fundraising tournament.

The Saticoy Regional Women’s Golf Club recently held its “Tee Off 4 the Cure” fundraising tournament, with proceeds going to the Community Memorial Health System “Healthy Women’s Program.”

Saticoy Country Club has a long tradition of raising money in support of finding a cure for cancer. The CMHS Healthy Women’s Program offers breast cancer screening and treatment, and cervical cancer screening and vaccine to women in our community who lack access to pay for these life-saving exams.

Judie Sweet, Saticoy Club President and Karen Portlock, Tournament Chair, presented members of the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation with a check for $6,700 for the Healthy Women’s Program. The donation is in addition to the $4,200 the SRWGC raised at its 2014 fundraiser.

For more information about the CMHS Healthy Women’s Program, visit http://www.cmhshealth.org/distinction/healthywomen or call 651-2661.