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Women’s Economic Ventures welcomes entrepreneurs to the WEV Family

WEV’s Ventura County Self-Employment Training graduates proudly display their certificates during ceremony.

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) recently celebrated the accomplishments of 86 women and men who have successfully completed WEV’s Self-Employment Training program during a ceremony held at Montecito County Club.  Twenty-seven of the graduates are from Ventura County and three from Los Angeles County.

After 14 months of training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, and how to write a business plan, these graduates emerged with the necessary tools and support needed to expand or start their own business.

Graduates range from first-time business owners to those who have turned to WEV to help expand their existing businesses. Some businesses and business concepts include a natural skin care line, a craft store and a vintage pinball arcade.

During the ceremony, each graduate shared their new business venture through an “elevator pitch” that they have crafted and perfected through the course. The ceremony concluded with a reception and “business expo” where graduates showcased their businesses and shared their products with family and friends.

“After 14 weeks of commitment and hard work, these graduates emerge with the tools needed to turn their entrepreneurial dreams into reality, from brand new ventures to strategic growth of an established business, “said Marsha Bailey, CEO/Founder of WEV.  “We are honored to welcome them to the WEV family and look forwarding to seeing where their accomplishments take them.”

WEV’s 14-week Self-Employment Training course provides guidance on how to start, operate or expand a business. The program provides week-by-week training on topics including finances, marketing and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, record keeping, and how to write a business plan.

The next Self-Employment Training (SET) course begins in February in Ventura County.  Orientation required to enroll. The next orientations will take place:

  • Wednesday, January 7 from 6-7 p.m. in Oxnard
  • Thursday, January 14 from 6-7 p.m. in Ventura
  • Thursday, January 21 from 12 -1 p.m. in Oxnard

Location will be given at time of RSVP and is subject to change. For more information or to register for the free orientation, call 456-2355 or visit the website at http://wevonline.org/orientations.

Howard Boroughs revisited

Former biochemist, Howard Boroughs, came to Ventura in 1979 with his beloved wife Evelyn and their canine companion, Daisy. Thanks to their generosity, we have The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Library at Ventura College and the dog park at Camino Real Park that allows canines and their human companions to romp unleashed.

Behind the Museum of Ventura County is the Evelyn and Howard Boroughs Children’s Garden with a 4 foot bronze turtle for the children to play on that Howard commissioned.

KODAK Digital Still Camera
KODAK Digital Still Camera

Howard Boroughs was the second Venturan painted by Johanna Spinks as part of the two year project “The Face Of Ventura” featured in the Ventura Breeze.

Johanna decided that he was so important to her that she would paint him again at the Ventura Townehouse where he is now living.

Regarding painting Howard one more time Johanna stated “ I was lucky enough to paint Howard for The Face of Ventura portrait project in the Ventura  Breeze. Howard was in fact my second sitter of 58. We became friends and kept in touch. His conversation is always stimulating and he is a very kind man. We had talked over the last few years of doing a larger portrait. When I saw Howard at the unveiling of his garden at the Museum of Ventura County (the inset photo), in his 102nd year, I knew it was time to paint the larger portrait. So that is what we did. It was painted in five life sittings of about 90 minutes each, via palette knife, at Howard’s home. A lovely time indeed. Thank you Howard.”

Tall ships return to Ventura Harbor

Photo of  by John Ferritto

A movie star tall ship and her companion return to Ventura this winter for more than three weeks of sailing adventures, cannon battles, and educational programs for young people. The brig Lady Washington and the topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain are scheduled to sail into Ventura Harbor Village January 15 and stay until  February 8.

New this year are three Evening Sails on Wednesday January 20, January 27, and February 3. These 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. excursions are opportunities for individuals and families – who are unable to sail on the weekends – to enjoy an educational and relaxing experience on an authentic tall ship. Passengers are encouraged to help raise a sail, learn a sea shanty, or just soak up an ocean sunset. Tickets are $35 each.

The Ventura stop also includes the popular Battle Sails, which are three hour recreations of a typical 18th century cannon duel between two tall ships using real cannons, and gunpowder, but no cannon balls. Tickets are $75 for adults, and $67 for seniors (62+). Students with ID, active military, and children 12 and under are $39.

 

Vol. 9, No. 7 – January 6 – January 19, 2016 – Professor Scamp

scamp scamp savana

“Who said dogs are smarter than cats? Savana

•  Q. My rabbit friend is putting on weight. Is this something she needs to worry about?

•  A. A rabbit that is overweight can have multiple problems. Being overweight increases the risk of having digestive problems, respiratory problems, and can increase the risk of arthritis as they get older.  It is important for your friend to get daily, regular exercise and to eat a healthy diet.  A rabbit’s diet should consist of free choice, good quality timothy or orchard hay, a small amount of good quality rabbit pellets (the amount of pellets depends on the breed of the rabbit) and a balanced selection of healthy greens daily.  Nuts and a lot of fruit should be avoided.
Elaine Fowell, D.V.M.
East Ventura Animal Hospital

•  By Victoria Usher

We are all constantly in awe of how much technology has continued to help us more and more in every aspect of our lives. Now here is something else that technology is helping do. Pet owners can now look for their lost dogs with the Finding Rover app. In order for the app to work properly dog owners must upload a picture of their lost animal to Finding Rover. Once they’ve done that then their dog’s picture will be compared with all other pictures of found dogs, and the facial recognition software will try to make a match. Finding Rover uses the same software that the FBI and other law enforcement agencies uses when they’re looking for missing people or criminals. The Finding Rover app has managed to reunite hundreds of owners with their lost dogs. “We’re encouraging everyone to register their dog on Finding Rover now,” Randy Friedman, marketing manager of Animal Service’s said.

It’s true that an app such as this is something that every pet owner should have on his or her mobile device. Company officials have said that that they will soon add cats to the app as well (cats usually manage to find their way home though).

•  Traveling with a pet can make things a lot more difficult. But having options is a huge help. Some people prefer to travel by ground instead of by air, but until recently, taking an Amtrak train was off limits to people with pets. Now, Amtrak is changing that policy thanks to a bill that requires Amtrak to accept dogs and cats as passengers on their trains.

The bill sets up a pilot program that requires Amtrak to allow pets in at least one train car as carry-on baggage. That means that your dog or cat has to be able to fit in a kennel or tote that you can carry with you, and it must meet Amtrak’s carry-on requirements. Any dog that is too large will not be allowed to ride. Does this mean that I will need to go on a diet to ride?

There are still plenty of regulations and requirements that you can find on Amtrak’s website, and the program is only available on certain lines. But it’s a step in the right direction that is especially helpful for certain dog breeds like French Bulldogs or Pugs who have short muzzles and find it more difficult to breathe on planes (I bet you didn’t know that?).

•  More than 13,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year. Many of these kids have to endure painful treatments that trigger stress, anxiety and depression. Researchers are studying a drug-free and inexpensive way to help the kids feel better. And it only costs dog treats.

Bryce Greenwell is no stranger to tests or hospitals. He has leukemia and will undergo treatments for the next three years or more.

A little pup named Swoosh is making Bryce’s hospital visits much more bearable. “It gives us something to talk about. He gets excited to come see Swoosh,” said Jenny his mother.

Bryce and Swoosh are participating in a study to determine if dogs can help pediatric cancer patients.

Mary Jo Gilmer, PhD, Director of Palliative Care Research at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing understands the impact the disease has on lives and is excited to see how the dogs can help.

“We know that the disease takes a terrible emotional toll on families. “It’s very obvious to me, just anecdotally, that those dogs are making a difference; that interaction is making a difference.”

Studies in adult patients have shown interaction with man’s (and woman’s)best friend can lower blood pressure, reduce anxiety and improve lung function. This is the first pilot study to test animal therapy in kids with cancer.

The dogs spend about 15 minutes with patients before treatments. The kids have their pulse and blood pressure checked before and after, along with a questionnaire.

The dogs even have their saliva checked to determine if they experience stress, but Swoosh’s owner Michelle Thompson says she doesn’t think that’s the case.”He loves to work. He loves to get his vest on, and he’s excited to go.”

It’s therapy that any kid (and adult)would love!

Researchers at five sites across the country will enroll a total of 120 families for this study.

They are still collecting data and cannot report on results, but they have noticed children who interact with the dogs require less anti-anxiety medications than they did before the pet therapy.

For more information on this report, please contact:

Ashleigh Ruehrdanz, MPH
Research and Evaluation Specialist & IRB Administrator
Humane Research and Policy
American Humane Association
Phone: (303) 630-9480
[email protected]

Town Hall Meeting  for Our County, Our Kids

As a foster parent, families can become a link in a lifelong chain. Loving homes can provide the unconditional healing, support and guidance that can help a child and siblings thrive and grow as every child needs. With over 1,000 youth still in need in Ventura County, foster youth from birth to teens especially need a loving parent who will support them as if they were their own.

On Saturday, Jan. 23 from 9-11 a.m., Foster VC Kids, a division of Ventura County Children and Family Services, will host a Town Hall Meeting in which aspiring families can learn more about what it takes and how amazing it is to become a home for VC foster children.

“Our own youth are inspiring us on the radio, at panels and especially at this very special Town Hall meeting, in which we will hear from those involved in foster care who will address and hopefully inspire the need for more quality homes as resources for our youth,” says Elizabeth Thasiah of Foster VC Kids.

Joining the event and showing their support will be Supervisor Steve Bennett – a huge advocate supporting foster care. “One of the great drawbacks to this process has been the lack of awareness and information available to educate potential parents on why they should consider this inspirational avocation – helping children in need,” explained Bennett. “This is your chance to find out how meaningful it is to open your life to a child and family.”

Other outreach includes the VC Fire Department, police/sheriff and health care industries, faith communities and current foster families. In addition, Foster VC Kids is inviting local FFA’s (foster family agencies), Casa Pacifica and experts of foster care to answer any questions. It’s an event for all, and Foster VC Kids is encouraging the county to spread the word to bring awareness to this important event.

Help Foster VC Kids in our mission to find more Homes with Heart.

Join us for an Informative Town Hall Meeting. Bringing together local citizens, community leaders, educators and County employees to talk about innovative ways to uplift our local youth.

Ventura County Human Service Agency

855 Partridge Drive, Ventura

 

 

CMHS promotes Cynthia Fahey to VP of Patient Care Services

 Fahey joined CMHS in 2012 as Clinical Quality Coordinator.

Cynthia Fahey, R.N., interim Chief Nursing Officer at Community Memorial Health System, has been promoted to Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer.

Fahey joined CMHS in 2012 as the Clinical Quality Coordinator, then as Director of Quality, before serving CMHS as Interim Chief Nursing Officer. She came to CMHS after serving six years as Executive Director of the Perinatal Advisory Council in Tarzana, where she was responsible for the organization’s operating plan and services for 44 hospitals in Ventura, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles counties, where 54 percent of births occur in California.

“Cynthia has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the nursing field having served in many leadership, auditing and advisory council roles,” said Gary Wilde, President & CEO of CMHS. “Equally important, she is a problem solver, a listener and an effective collaborator among clinicians.”

Before coming to CMHS, Fahey began her extensive nursing career as a registered nurse at local hospitals in Ventura County. In 1982 she began employment at Ventura County Medical Center and worked in various positions in both inpatient and outpatient departments. In 2000 Fahey transferred to the Public Health Department eventually serving as the Maternal Child Health Coordinator, before accepting the position at the Perinatal Advisory Council.

Fahey received her nursing diploma from the Los Angeles County/USC School of Nursing and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

 

 

PGA Tour pre-qualifying tournaments to be held in Ventura

Olivas Links is an award-winning 18-hole golf facility.

The Olivas Links will play host to pre-qualifying tournaments for both of the upcoming PGA Tour tournaments in the Southern California region, the Farmers Insurance Open and the Northern Trust Open.  Pre-qualifiers provide an opportunity for professionals and amateurs to earn a spot in the Monday qualifier preceding each PGA Tour tournament.  The pre-qualifying round at Olivas Links for the Farmers Insurance Open will be held Wednesday, January 20th and the pre-qualifying round for the Northern Trust Open will be held Wednesday, February 10th.  Registration and more information for these tournaments is available through the SCPGA at www.scpga.com.

“We are thrilled to host the SCPGA for these pre-qualifier events and look forward to letting Olivas Links showcase itself as a top-tier tournament venue,” said Carl-Van Vallier, General Manager of Olivas Links.

For more information about the golf course, visit www.olivaslinks.com