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 E.P. Foster Library events

Themed Early Literacy Class- For the month of January Early Literacy Class at all Ventura Libraries will be themed around things you find in Ventura in celebration of the city turning 150 this year.

Early Literacy Class – The Beach & Ocean – January 12 & 13 @10:30am

Early Literacy Class – Gardens – January 19 & 20 @10:30am

Early Literacy Class – Cars – January 26 & 27 @10:30am

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) Workshops will teach young folks about the STEAM of Ventura!

150th Themed STEAM Workshop – January 6 @4pm

Adult Programs/Special Events

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation – January 6 @12pm  Join Audrey Walzer to learn about the stress reducing practice of mindfulness meditation and how it can help you be more effective in daily life.

Adult Coloring Book Break – January 20 @12pm   Join us in the library for some stress relieving coloring. Coloring sheets and pencils provided. Available from 12pm to 2pm so stop by a minute or ten!

Library LAB Open Workshop TBD 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 January 7, 14, 21 & 28 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.

Ukulele Jam Session January 11 & 25 Mondays 7-10pm  Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month.

Teens Teaching Tech 1/9 Saturday Noon – 1pm  Need help with technology? Bring your device to the library to get help from local teens.

Early Literacy Class  January 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 & 27                                                                                              Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30am   A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library.

Homework Center January  7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26 & 28                                                                                                  Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5pm   Homework Helpers will be available to help students in grades K through 12 with their homework assignments.

Paws for Reading  January  9, 16, 23, 30 Saturdays noon- 1pm Read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required).

TAG Teen Advisory Group  January 6 & 20 Wednesdays 4pm                                                                                                             Active members will get credit towards School Community Services Hours. TAG meetings are in the Young Adult area on the 2nd floor.

Youth Chess Club   January  11 & 25 Mondays 3pm                                                                                                            Learn to play chess or improve your current ability! Assisted by Class A tournament player Jack Cashman.

Dance Party!  January 16 & 21 Friday 10:00-11:00am                                                                                               Enjoy non-stop music and movement for children ages 2-5 and their grownups in the Topping Room!

Lego LAB: Build, Learn, and Play!  January 19 Tuesdays 3pm                                                                                                           January 9 Saturday 10am Exciting challenges every meeting. Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs.

The Library will be holding its third annual Foster Con Mini Comic Festival on Saturday, February 27, 2016, from 10am to 4pm. For comic lovers of all ages, there will be many activities, including a comic workshop for kids, vendor tables, raffle prizes, and special guests, including True Thomas the Storyteller, and the Mandalorian Mercs, a very special Star Wars cosplay group.

For information about Foster Con, contact Heather Seaton, Library Technician I, at (805) 641-4413.

 

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – Ojai News & Events

On Friday, January 8, from 3 to 4 p.m., Park Ranger David Begun of Channel Islands National Park will visit the Ojai Library to deliver a special talk entitled Find Your Park. David will share general information about the islands that make up Channel Islands National Park and discuss the many recreational opportunities that the park has to offer. David has years of experience sailing, kayaking, diving, and hiking the islands.

Channel Islands National Park encompasses five remarkable islands and their ocean environment, preserving and protecting a wealth of natural and cultural resources. Isolation over thousands of years has created unique animals, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on Earth and helped preserve a place where visitors can experience coastal southern California as it once was.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at  218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.

The Ojai Art Center Literary Branch is proud to host Composer John Biggs’ who will describe how he sets words to music. John Biggs is an award-winning, honored composer of orchestral music, chamber music, choral, and operatic music, who lives in Ojai. A sampling of reviews: from the San Francisco Examiner:  “… but it (voice of soprano Beverly Hoch) served her well last night through a pair of Handel arias, several of Brahms, and most especially through John Biggs’ compelling ‘Soliloquy from Planet Earth’…” From the Los Angeles Times: “Biggs conveys a flowing, sophisticated musical language that savors witty wordplay, a sly irreverence and an underlying tenderness – the innate hallmarks of Wilde’s piece…” opera Ernest Worthing based on Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Ernest.” There will be a wine reception. The event will take place at the Ojai Art Center, 113 S. Montgomery Street, on January 11th, at 7:00 p.m.  For more information, call  816-4099.

The Ojai Film Society’s 4-week mini-series begins Sunday, January 10 with a screening of The End of the Tour, an engaging drama about Rolling Stone magazine reporter David Lipsky’s interview with author David Foster Wallace. Jason Segel, who plays Wallace in the film, will make a guest appearance and will be on hand for a Q&A.

On Sunday, January 17 the documentary Heart of a Dog will be shown. The film is an impressionistic meditation on artist/musician Laurie Anderson’s beloved, but departed, dog Lolabelle. The film is on the short list for this year’s Oscar nominations for feature documentary.

Films are shown at 4:30 pm, at the Matilija Auditorium, located at 703 El Paseo.

Charter Review Committee recommendations

These recommendations are the outcome of monthly meetings of the Charter Review Committee (CRC) as formed by the San Buenaventura City Council in October 2014.  The CRC was formed for the purpose of reviewing the existing city charter and determining if changes were needed to address specific issues raised by the City Council and suggesting improvements for greater voter participation in local governance.

The following are summary recommendations for consideration by the City Council.

  1. Compensation should be increased to $1500 per month for the Mayor and $1200 per month for Council Members with an annual regional CPI adjustment.
  1. Terms for Council Members should not exceed three terms of four years for a total of 12 years.
  1. The Board of Education should be removed from the charter.
  1. No change should be made to the election of the Mayor from the Council.
  1. Council Members should be individually elected from districts.
  1. The City Charter should reflect gender neutrality.
  1. The title of Deputy Mayor should be changed to Mayor Pro Tem.
  1. Should the Mayor’s position be vacated before the end of a two year term, the Mayor Pro Tem should automatically assume the position. If the remaining term of office is more than 12 months and one (1) day, it shall be considered as a full term for the purposes of succession in the office.
  1. The residency requirement for running as a candidate for membership on the City Council should be 30 days.
  1. There should be no residency requirement for the position of City Manager.

With regard to the major issue of whether to move to district elections, it should be noted that the Council’s decision to not provide funding in order to retain outside consultant expertise limited the CRC’s scope and resources regarding discussion of the characteristics and details concerning district elections. Since the Council declined to provide funding for the Committee to have access to one or more experts, the analysis on districting was not as broad or in-depth as some committee members would have liked.

It was the consensus of the committee that specific language for charter changes is the purview of the City Council and the City Attorney and, therefore, this report does not recommend specific language for charter change.

 

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – A Tender Touch Senior Placement

How to help your elderly loved ones set goals for 2016
By Connie De La Rosa

People set goals all the time. Sometimes they succeed in achieving those goals, sometimes they don’t. Regardless of what your elderly loved ones  goals are, they have to be realistic about them. It is therefore important to ensure the goals your elderly loved one sets are achievable. Here is how to set achievable goals:

Set every goal positively
Plan out every detail
Decide on your priorities
Keep an eye on your goals
Divide large goals into smaller pieces
Set reasonable goals
Be realistic about your goals

Helping Seniors Achieve Their Goals: Ask and discuss. “What was in  your elderly parent(s) goals that  lacked the ability to reach  a previous goal? How is my parent going to pursue this goal with the difficulty  they may have had previously? If my parent(s) achieved the previous goals easily, discover together what made it easier than the other goals and can we focus on the strengths from the achieved goals  to help my parent(s) achieve their next goals?

How to Achieve and Expand on Goals: If there is more than one goal or there are side goals, a elderly person should never lose sight of their priorities. Keep an eye on your elderly persons goals so you know what needs  doing and when it needs to be done. People who never lose sight of their goals have a greater likelihood of achieving them. If goals seems too big to achieve, consider dividing them in smaller pieces.  Make a to do list so you know when each smaller goal is completed and gradually help them make their way towards the ultimate goal. This is a great way for your elderly loved one to have a fulfilling life and continue to live happily.

 

City of Ventura’s photovoltaic ordinance helps residents go solar

In September 2015, the City of Ventura adopted an expedited, streamlined solar permitting process to help homeowners achieve timely and cost-effective installations of small residential rooftop solar energy systems.  The ordinance encourages the use of solar systems by establishing prescriptive guidelines and minimizing costs to property owners and the City Ventura.  In the two months since the ordinance took effect, 27 new solar energy systems have been electronically submitted and approved in Ventura.

The City’s Building and Safety Division accepts electronic plan submittal for small residential (single family and/or duplex) rooftop solar systems, with a plan check turnaround of three business days. Over the past two years, the City has reviewed, approved and inspected more than 1250 photovoltaic systems in our community.

The benefits of solar are well known, providing increased property values, lowering operating costs, saving on electricity bills, reducing dependence on grid electricity and protecting the environment.

For more information contact the City of Ventura’s Building and Safety Division at 654-7869 or visit www.cityofventura.net/page/photovoltaic-information.

Heartfelt Remembrance at Cypress Place Senior Living

On Wednesday December 9, 2015, Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura held their third annual Candlelight Memorial Service.    The touching event was in loving memory of those who are no longer with us but are forever present in our hearts.

The candlelight service was led by Pastor Leonard DeWitt, Pastor to Senior Adults at Ventura Baptist Church.  “The goal is not to get over our grief, rather the goal is to reconcile with it, and move forward in life without the physical presence of the person who has died,” said Pastor DeWitt.   Tears are not a sign of weakness, rather they release internal tension in the body and help us feel better, he explained.

During the memorial service attendees were able to come forward and light a candle in honor of their loved one.  Many broke down in tears.

“It was incredibly emotional,” said Mike Macke, one of the marketing directors at Cypress Place.  I lit a candle in honor of my father who passed away a number of years ago.  It was hard not to get choked up,” Macke said.

The free memorial service was open to the public.   Vocalist April Davis led the gathering in “Oh Holy Night” to close the service.   Light refreshments were served afterwards.

“We wanted people to be able to share their grief and at the same time be comforted,” said Yvonne Knepper, one of the marketing directors at Cypress Place.  “Luckily we had a lot of tissues on hand.”

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County.   The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.

To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, please call 650-8000, or www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Take a free bus ride for lunch in Ojai

If you might have to ride the bus soon due to not renewing your driver’s license or other aging issues, please join and learn about transportation programs as we ride the bus up to Ojai – and enjoy lunch on the City! On Jan. 19 and 21. Call 648-3035 to RSVP.

Also the Senior Volunteer Core needs you: they are looking for some folks to volunteer in their Senior Nutrition Kitchen and drive meals out to home bound seniors. Please contact Hans Hormann M-F 9-3 at 654-7554 or [email protected].

Hospice volunteer training begins in January

Join Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s remarkable core of volunteers; community heroes that give special gifts of time and compassion to patients and their families at the end of life.  We will provide you with training that gives you the confidence to enter the homes and lives of others to support them as a part of the Livingston Hospice Team.  What you receive back is as priceless as what you give.  For more information contact Maddy Hazard at  642-0239 x775 or [email protected].

 

SCAN classes for seniors are wonderful

“GERD, IBS, Crohn’s Disease and Colitis: What You Need to Know” will be discussed at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center on Friday, January 15th, at 11 a.m. The one-hour discussion will be led by Ventura physician Bruce Woodling, M.D., as part of a monthly health series called “Taking Charge.” Dr. Woodling will talk about reflux, diet, and Barrett’s Esophagaus, IBS facts, symptoms and treatments; as well as symptoms and treatments of Crohn’s Disease and Colitis. The program is free to seniors 55 and older and their caregivers. Seating is limited to those new to the center and reservations are required. Call 658-0365 to register.

Trying to figure out how to use your new iPad? The SCAN Health & Wellness Center is offering a free “iPad Basics for Seniors” class Wednesday, January 27 at 9 a.m. at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center. During this two-hour, entry-level class, seniors will learn basic tablet terminology, initial set-up procedures, the features and gestures of their iPad, and more. The iPad Basics class is open to seniors 55+ who are new to the center. Please bring your iPad. To register for this class, please call 658-0365 (space is limited).

It’s possible to live with diabetes – learn how at a Diabetes Management Workshop at the SCAN Health & Wellness Center. On Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 22, Health Educator Mary Arevalo will share how to live well with diabetes, how to create a meal plan, how to add activity to your life and how to manage your medications. Each class is from 9:30 a.m. – 12 noon. This workshop is sponsored by the Gold Coast Health Plan Health Education Department. For more information, call 437-5606.

A 15-minute chair massage for seniors 55 and older and their caregivers. Certified Massage Therapist Linda Mac Dougall has many years of experience in treating older adults with chronic and acute conditions with therapeutic massage. Schedule your appointment for an upcoming Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seated, fully-clothed neck, shoulder and back massages cost $15 per session, and can help get rid of those knots and stress in your upper back, shoulders and neck. To make an appointment, call 658-0365.

SCAN Health and Wellness Center, 6633 Telephone Road, Suite 100 in Ventura.

Advanced Healthcare Directives

For the fourth year of Lawyers at the Library, the first presentation will be with attorney Michael Williams of Grey Law, discussing Advanced Healthcare Directives and other End of Life Plans. Join him on  January 13, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, for this informative subject.

The Ventura County Law Library is located in the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria. Further information at  vencolawlib.org or 642-8982.