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Local Ventura author teaches self-acceptance and courage in new children’s picture book
A recently released new children’s picture book from Tate Publishing is titled, ‘Rory The Little ‘Dragon’ Lizard’, by a local Ventura author L.D. Lewis. It is a fun children’s story with guiding and teaching morals. The book also teaches our young children to be careful with slang in their speech, to accept who they are, and to tell the truth even if they are scared. More importantly, Rory The Little ‘Dragon’ Lizard teaches children to find courage in themselves.
Lewis believes that learning should be fun and has created lesson filled stories for her own child, who dearly loved them and always begged for more.
Lewis who has already done several book signings is once again extending a personal invitation for a ‘special story time’ reading and book signing event on Saturday, Nov.21 at the Bank of Books Bookstore located downtown Ventura at 748 E. Main street. The event will start at 3p.m., so put it on your calendar.
2015 Adoption and Foster Care Fair at Pacific View Mall
by Veronica Johnson
On National Adoption Day, which is Saturday November 14th, the Ventura Superior Court is sponsoring the 2015 Adoption and Foster Care Information Fair with the goal of educating the public and providing interaction with families who are interested in adopting or becoming foster parents. Foster VC Kids, a division of the County of Ventura’s Children and Family Services will be on hand to provide information on county-wide foster and adoption processes. The Fair is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall.
Foster VC Kids is a division of Children and Family Services, Ventura County Human Services Agency (VCHSA). The agency strengthens families, supports self-sufficiency and promotes safety, health, and well-being. All of their service areas operate and perform at the highest level to meet the needs of individuals, families, and the community by providing assistance, aid, and protection for foster youth and beyond. VCHSA demonstrates the ability to work in multicultural environments and ensures that policies, programs, and actions communicate respect for the dignity of all people. Visit www.fostervckids.org for more information.
For more information on the event, contact Patti Morua-Widdows at 289-8827.
Learn how to use your iPad
Trying to figure out how to use your new iPad? Need help navigating the many applications and features of your tablet? The SCAN Health & Wellness Center is offering a free “iPad Basics for Seniors” class Wednesday, November 18 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 SCAN Health & Wellness Center is located at 6633 Telephone Road. 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 as space is limited.
Girl Scout Troop 60385 make surprise visit to Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura
Members of local Girl Scout Troop 60385 make a surprise visit to Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura to drop off suitcases they collected for “Suitcases For Kids”, a fundraiser the senior community is holding for local foster children. Also pictured are Cypress Place residents Pat Weaver (far left) and Neal McKaye (far right).
Trolley offers residents and visitors the chance to win prizes
Celebrating the kick off month for the City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary, the complimentary Downtown-Harbor Trolley offers residents and visitors the chance to win prizes for riding in November. Every 150th rider wins a $20, $25, or $30 gift certificate to Ventura Harbor restaurants, shops or Ventura Harbor Comedy Club, or a chance to win a pair of Whale Watching tickets with Island Packers, plus more prizes!
Catch the free Downtown – Harbor Trolley in the month of November, Wednesday – Sunday every 55 minutes from 11 am – 11 pm to explore, shop and dine in downtown Ventura or Ventura Harbor Village. This scenic route is a true community asset. Prizes for the 150th Rider in November include Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, Barefoot Boutique, Boatyard Cafe, Custom Embroidery in Ventura Harbor, Island Packers, Margarita Villa, The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, Ventura Harbor Comedy Club, Ventura Visitors Center, and more. For schedule and pick up information visit venturatrolley.com and #venturatrolley for more details.
Vol. 9, No. 3 – November 11 – November 24, 2015 – A Tender Touch Senior Placement
How ombudsmen make a difference
By Connie De La Rosa
Did you ever wonder what the Ombudsmen Program is and how they help? Many families are not aware of this free service that can help resolve and investigate issues that your loved one may be facing while in a residential care facility. The Ombudsman Program of Ventura is a non-profit program mandated by the Federal Older Americans Act, that relies heavily on volunteer Ombudsmen to carry out the responsibilities of regularly weekly visits to the facilities and investigate complaints according to Sylvia Taylor Stein Executive Director of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program of Ventura County.
When a family calls the Ombudsmen program, the initial investigation process begins. Depending on the severity of the complaint, it can take one day to one week for the volunteer Ombudsman to make the visit. At that time, the Ombudsman will ask questions to the related complaint with the resident in which at that time, it is up to the resident to give consent to the Ombudsman to follow through the complaint at the State level. If the resident does not wish to pursue to the State level, the complaint is closed at that time. “ Many families are unaware that if their loved one is able to speak on their behalf, the Ombudsman must respect that resident’s wishes regardless of family involvement “ according to Sylvia Taylor Stein. The program also provides awareness with educational informational presentations in communities such as Skilled Nursing Facilities or Residential Care Facilities, provides referrals for information regarding Health Care Counseling and Advocacy Program , Medi-Cal and Medi-Care.
For more information about the Ombudsman Program or how to become a volunteer please call 656-1986 or go on-line to www.OmbudsmanVentura.org.
Robocalls are more than annoying
By Matilda Charles
We’ve all experienced it: We rush to answer the phone, and it’s a robocall, a computer-generated message trying to sell us something or tell us a lie. We’ve won a free cruise. We’ve won a big lottery prize. Our “warranty” is about to expire.
There are any number of reasons to hate robocalls, but for seniors there are two serious ones. We could fall as we dash to the phone. And we might get caught up in whatever scam is involved in the call.
If you pick up the phone and press a number to ask to be removed from the list, no one will answer, and you’ve only verified that your number works.
If you select another number to press to talk to someone to ask to be taken off the list, you get added to a special list of people who actually answer the phone and are immediately transferred to someone who gives you the sales pitch. If you hesitate even for a second in saying no, you go on a list of people are not only answer the phone, but press buttons to talk to people and who can likely be sold whatever they’re selling.
Do you see where this is going? The answer is: Do not answer the phone if you don’t recognize the number.
One difficulty in combatting robocalls is that the scammers behind them are hard for authorities to trace. They could be anywhere in the world, and they ignore the Do Not Call registry.
If you’re particularly annoyed by these robocalls, go online to the government site at www.consumer.ftc.gov and search for robocalls. Or look at Consumer Reports robocall information at consumersunion.org/end-robocalls and consider signing the petition. You also can call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-888-225-5322.
(c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.