There are three generations of family here in this picture. All three generations are reading the Breeze and loving it, high in the High Sierras. Because there were only 3 issues they had to extend their vacation so all of them could read it.
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VCAAA earns two National Mature Media Awards
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, a department of the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, was honored twice in the 32nd annual National Mature Media Awards.
The 2022 edition of LIVEWell received Gold honors in the magazine category. It’s the fourth consecutive year that the publication has been recognized, but the first time it has received Gold status after being Bronze in 2021 and 2022 and Silver in 2020. LIVEWell, an annual publication that provides articles and resource listings, is the premier resource guide in Ventura County for individuals 60 and older, caregivers, and people with disabilities.
Additionally, the agency’s Seminars on Brain Health and Wellness that were held in 2022 received Silver honors in the Online/Digital Resource category. The online video series were informative presentations designed to provide critical resources for Ventura County residents living with a dementia-related diagnosis and their caregivers.
The National Mature Media Awards honors the nation’s best marketing, communications, educational materials, and programs produced for older adults. The awards program is presented by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national clearinghouse for the older adult market.
Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – Ojai News & Events
Trio Manise will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Sunday, August 20, 2023, to deliver a special afternoon performance. The members of Trio Manise are David Singer (clarinet), Ann Erwin (flute), and Fred Beerstein (oboe). These talented musicians will play music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Villa-Lobos, Malcolm Arnold, and Benjamin Britten. The performance will take place in the main library space, and is sponsored by the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai, CA. Hours of service are 10am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 12pm to 5pm Friday through Sunday.
The Ojai Storytelling Festival returns October 26 – 29, 2023! Naughty Tales, Story Slam, Ghost Stories, Music – There’s something for everyone! Entries accepted till September 15th at ojaistoryfest.org/storyslam. Taking place at the historic Libbey Bowl and Ojai Art Center, Tim Lowry will be our Master of Ceremonies with featured storytellers Niall de Burca, Carmen Agra-Deedy, Noa Baum, Rev. Robert Jones, Vijai Nathan, and Peter Cook! Musical performances by Dan Navarro, Ted Lennon, and the Salty Suites. Experience the magic and joy of a good story. Get your weekend pass now. More info: [email protected]
Tickets & Volunteering: ojaistoryfest.org
A special program coming up at the Ojai Library. Popular storyteller, speaker, and author Bee Bloeser will visit the Ojai Library at 2pm on Saturday, August 26, 2023, to talk about her book, Vaccines & Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War.
Bee Bloeser has lived in Africa, the Middle East, and Native American nations. A retired speech-language pathologist, she is a member of Toastmasters International and PEO, a philanthropic education organization that funds education for women and girls.
Her historical memoir, Vaccines & Bayonets, has been praised by Foreign Policy magazine’s deputy editor and by The Economist’s Midwest correspondent and former bureau chief in Johannesburg and Delhi. A percentage of net proceeds from Vaccines & Bayonets supports water wells for Africa.
Exploring San Buenaventura State Beach
This was one of the best days I have had in a long time.
by Amannda DeBoef
This was one of the best days I have had in a long time. My cousin, Steve, chauffeured my great-aunt, Ruth, my mother, Gail, and his girlfriend, Lea, on the most gorgeous drive from Granada Hills, just outside of Los Angeles to the San Buenaventura State Beach located in Ventura, California. The very locale Tom Petty wrote about in his classic rock song, ‘Free Fallin’. (My absolute favorite).
Being from southwest Missouri with fair skin and blue eyes, I am admittedly, more of a mountain girl than a beach girl (one day later and my beet red shoulders and chest will attest to that). However, the Southern California landscape is positively breathtaking. There are trees and flowers in every color imaginable. Just when I thought I had seen it all, another version of a colorful California native tree, bush, plant, flower, or succulent would ‘WOW’ me more than those I had seen previously.
The walk along the beach at San Buenaventura was at least 20 degrees cooler than in the city. The fresh, breezy air smelled of salt water and sunscreen. Kids played in the ocean waves. Children dug sandcastles and completed works of art on the sandy beaches. Adults rode bikes and jogged on the boardwalk that runs along the beachfront. There were dogs of every shape, size, and breed enjoying this picture-perfect summer day.
My mother made friends with two very social St. Bernard’s we met while walking the clean and tidy sidewalks next to the beach. The younger of the two dogs practically knocked my mother over when she invited them to come say, ‘Hello’. The owner was nearly as friendly as his two large companions.
We ate at a tasty ocean-side restaurant called Social House. I had a lavender lemon-drop that was positively divine, along with a fish sandwich that certainly satisfied my fully grown appetite.
I think I get it now. The wet sand. The calming sound of the waves rolling onto the shore. The distant laughter of children with not a care in the world. The sights and sounds that only a beachfront view can afford.
I saw a young girl lounging on a bench on the pier, reading a novel. I wanted to be that girl.
I saw several people biking down the boardwalk, taking in the entertaining sights and sounds of what can only be described as, ‘A Happy Place’. I wanted to be those cyclists.
I saw a friendly man walking his two large dogs. Stopping for nearly every passer-by to let them pet said dogs and engage in at least a 20-minute conversation. (That man must have a ton of friends).
I loved it all. I understand now. Why people move from the only home they have ever known. Why folks battle ridiculous city traffic day in and day out. Why young adults decide to ‘head west’ to see what the fuss is all about. While this western life may not be for me, those few minutes of beachfront, ocean wave, seagull-cawing time in the sand was truly invigorating, relaxing, therapeutic, and downright blissful. I get it now. I really do.
The mountains may call to my soul, but the beach. It truly has a magic all its own. I will be back. I cannot bear to say a final goodbye to such a timeless, faithful friend. The tides will one day lure me back to the shore. And I will come armed with a book, a bike, a dog, or simply a hat to shield my face, and a great appreciation for one of God’s most beautiful gifts this side of Heaven.
Art Walk at the Shores
Summer visitors, residents, first time art buyers, collectors, friends and neighbors can explore the beautiful beach community of Oxnard Shores while discovering the many works from talented professional and amateur artists.
With over 40 resident and local artists displaying their works for purchase, there is sure be something to please every shoppers’ taste! A wide variety of mediums are available each year such as sculpture, watercolor, acrylic, oil on canvas, beach art, photography, jewelry and much more.
Art Walk at the Shores began as a grassroots movement in 2017 by a small group of residents in the Shores as an effort to foster a strong sense of community through art awareness and inclusivity. Since then it has flourished and grown into a non-profit organization that strives to provide a platform for artists in the Oxnard area. Helping young artists find mentorship is also a strong desire for the Art Walk.
Come out and enjoy a wonderful day supporting the arts on August 26, from 11am-3pm. The walk begins at the corner of Harbor and Wooley in Oxnard. If you are an artist interested in showing at Art Walk at the Shores please contact us on our website artwalkoxnardshores.com or find us on Facebook and Instagram. Inquiries can also be emailed to [email protected].
Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk’s “The Shut it Down Tour” falls over the weekend of August 19 and 20 at the Santa Paula Theater Center. Phil Salazar was interviewed by Mary Z Wilson during her segment, Americana in the 805, on the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing on KPPQ 104.1 FM here in Ventura. Phil clarified that there was no falling out, the band members all get along just fine, he is just shutting down the “Salazar booking agency” aspect of having a band. Whew! Phil took up the fiddle when he was 16 playing with various bands since around 1972. You might remember The Rincon Ramblers or the Phil Salazar Band around these parts over the past couple of decades. Phil has played with artists such as Bob Weir, Jon McEuen, Steve Miller, Jimmy Buffet, Zac Brown, Dwight Yoakam over the years either performing with or just jamming with them. I was pleased to learn that Phil will be playing in the future with Tom Corbett at the Ojai Underground Exchange and at Namba Performing Arts.
The Rubicon Theatre’s Kids for Kids Benefit Concert is Saturday, August 19. The program is called, “What the World Needs Now…” The Music of Burt Bacharach and is conceived, directed, choreographed and produced by the students themselves with coaching support from Carolanne Marano and musical direction by Miriam Arichea. Funds raised will go towards scholarships for young people who might not otherwise be able to afford to participate in Rubicon’s education program, they call it “paying it forward.” Find out more at Rubicontheatre.org.
High Street Arts Center in Moorpark starts their summer concert series of tribute band starting with Journey USA on Friday, August 11, Raymond Michael’s Elvis tribute on Saturday, August 12, and LA Sound Machine on Sunday August 13. The following weekend it’s So Petty on Friday, August 18, and Raymond Michael returns with a tribute to Engelbert Humperdink and Tom Jones.
Harbor View Park 2023 Concerts by the Sea series continues with shows 4-6 pm on Saturday afternoons. Soul Machine plays August 12, and Los Cool Arrows on August 19. The park is located at 3850 Harbor Blvd. in Oxnard, where you’re welcomed to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.
Quick Notes: The final Grandstand Stage act at the Ventura County Fair will be on Wednesday, August , featuring Tesla; Doc Strange plays Madewest on Saturday,
August 12; Music Under the Stars Saturday evening concerts continue through August with Kings of 88 on August 12 and Soul Infusion on August 19; Dielectric, Casual Business and Birdbrain play an early show on Saturday, August 12 at Bombay’s; Brett Dennen has a sold-out show at the Deer Lodge on Thursday, August 17; and Wild Child, a tribute to The Doors, will be at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center on Saturday, August 19.
Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.
Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – Music Calendar
For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com
Angry Ferret Brewery
11990 Hertz St., Moorpark
Fri 8/18: Whole Hog
Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Sat 8/12: Bombafiya
Sat 8/19: Jacob Marquez and the Good Vibes
Bellringer Brewing Company
472 E. Main St., Ventura
Fri 8/11: Katie Leigh
Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Sundays 4-7
Mondays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery; Bluegrass Jam
Fri 8/11: Finhead Dave
Sat 8/12: Guy and Dave
Sun 8/13: Ken Devoe
Tues 8/15: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Fri 8/18: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 8/19: Déjà vu Three
Sun 8/20: Epitome of Dreams
Tues 8/22: Noah Thoresen
Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Sat 8/12: Dielectric, Casual Business, Birdbrain
Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 8/11: The Jukes
Sat 8/12: Decadent Decades
Fri 8/18: Ignition
Sat 8/19: Bad Habit
The Cave
4435 McGrath St., Ventura
Wed & Thurs: Bobby Apostol
Fri & Sat: Warren Takahashi
Tues 8/15: Benjamin Hillel
Copper Blues
591 Collection Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 8/11: On Tap
Sun 8/13: Red Rhythm
Fri 8/18: The Mixxers Band
Sat 8/19: Corazon de Mana
Sun 8/20: Class X
Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Glenn Bennett
Tuesdays: Blues Tuesdays
Sun 8/13: Heart and Soul
Sun 8/20: The House Arrest Band
Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Thurs 8/10: Beau Red and the Tailor Maide
Thurs 8/17: Brett Dennen
Sun 8/20: Angel Black-Orchid
Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark, CA
Thursdays: Glenn Bennett
Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
(Fridays 6-8:30; Sundays 1-3:30)
Fri 8/11: Heathers on Fire
Sun 8/13: Epitome of Dreams
Sun 8/20: Clear Sky Trio
Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Sat 8/12: VIP
The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 8/9: Charles Ruggiero Quartet
Thurs 8/10: Will Kjeer Trio
Fri 8/11: Dennis Mitcheltree
Sat 8/12: West Coast Blues Allstars (2 pm); Groove Legacy (8 pm)
Wed 8/16: The Jacob Wendt Quintet
Thurs 8/17: Will Brahm Trio
Fri 8/18: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers
Sat 8/19: Jen Staves & the Bluzfish (2 pm); Dirk K All Star Band (8 pm)
The Hangar Bar and Grill
824 E. Santa Maria St., Santa Paula
Sun 8/20: the Petty Lovers Band
Harbor Cove Café
1867 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Saturdays 10 am: The Cool Hand Ukes
Fri 8/11: What the Funk
Sat 8/12: Jill Martini & the Shrunken Heads
Fri 8/18: Jason Ho
Harbor View Park: Concerts by the Sea
3850 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard (4-6 pm)
Sat 8/12: Soul Machine
Sat 8/19: Los Cool Arrows
Heritage Square Summer Concert Series
715 S. A St., Oxnard
Fri 8/11: The Renegades Band
Fri 8/18: Caliente Band 805
High Street Arts Center
45 E. High St., Moorpark
Fri 8/11: Journey USA
Sat 8/12: Raymond Michael Elvis Tribute
Sun 8/13: LA Sound Machine
Fri 8/18: So Petty
Sat 8/19: Raymond Michael tribute to Engelbert Humperdink & Tom Jones
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Thursdays: Open Mic
Fri 8/11: Heart & Soul
Sat 8/12: Vinyl Gypsies
Fri 8/18: Pull the Trigger
Sat 8/19: Breaking Bored
Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 8/10: Singer/Songwriter Open Mic Night
Fri 8/11: Singular Nature
Sat 8/12: Dan Greer (2 pm); Aaron Wolf (6 pm)
Sun 8/13: Man Like Devin Band
Tues 8/15: Spring Loaded Band
Fri 8/18: Keyth G and the Universouls
Sat 8/19: VIP
Sun 8/20: Kimo Moya
Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Wed 8/9: Ojai Summer Band Concert
Sat 8/12: Ojai Pops Orchestra w/ Sophie Holt
Fri 8/18: Queen Nation
Sun 8/20: Judy Collins & Sophie B. Hawkins
Lucas Sellers Wine
330 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 8/12: Frank Barajas
Sat 8/19: Bill Rotella
Madewest
1744 Donlon St., Ventura
Sat 8/12: Doc Strange
Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Wed 8/9: Robert Van
Fri 8/11: Tour Support
Sat 8/12: Jeanne Tatum
Fri 8/18: Mark and Jim duo
Sat 8/19: Tour Support
Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri & Sat 7-10; Sundays 5-8 pm
Fri 8/11: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sat 8/12: We are the 80s
Sun 8/13: Corsican Brothers
Tues 8/15: Bobby Campbell
Fri 8/18: Sounds like Fun
Sat 8/19: Cinnamon Whiskey
Sun 8/20: Smokey & Friends
Mrs. Olson’s
2800 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 8/11: Boilerman, Carnal Deity, Black Knife, Ritual Moon, Chain Wolf
Music Under the Stars
Olivas Adobe, 4200 Olvias Park Dr., Ventura
Sat 8/12: Kings of 88
Sat 8/19: Soul Infusion
Oceanview Pavilion Performing Arts Theater
575 E. Surfside Dr., Port Hueneme
Sat 8/12: Baila la Cumbia
Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 8/11: Jacob and the Good Vibes
Sat 8/12: The Lindsey Brothers
Sun 8/13: The Deltaz
Fri 8/18: Shay Moulder
Sat 8/19: San Antonio Creek Band
Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Road, Camarillo
Fri 8/11: Smokey & Friends
Sat 8/12: Ray Jaurique
Fri 8/18: Natalie Wattre
Sun 8/19: Jake Needham
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Sat 8/19: Wild Child
Peirano’s
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Fridays: Bobby Campbell
Saturdays: Frank Barajas
Thurs 8/10: Mack and D
Sun 8/13: Vinny Berry
Thurs 8/17: Toni Jannotta Trio
The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sunday 2 pm
Fri 8/11: Jayden Secor Band
Sat 8/12: Holgers Heroes
Sun 8/13: Katie Shorey
Fri 8/18: Jayden Secor Band
Sat 8/19: Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 8/20: Doc Rogers Band
The Rubicon Theatre
1006 E. Main St., Ventura
Sat 8/19: Kids for Kids Benefit Concert
Sam’s Place
308 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai
Fri 8/11: Toni Jannotta Jazz Trio
San Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 8/18: Stellar Ruins, NoSilence
Santa Paula Theater Center
125 S. 7th St., Santa Paula
Sat 8/19: Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk
Sun 8/20: Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk
The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Fri 8/11: Joe Delia, Nuestro
Sat 8/12: Tommy Foytek Band
Sun 8/13: Brandon Ragan Project
Fri 8/18: Jake McClelland
Sat 8/19: Sin Chonies
Sun 8/20: Robert Heft Band
The Six
419 W. Main St., Ventura
Mon 7/31: Stuuuu’s Open Mic
Sat 8/12: SkaDaddyz
Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 8/13: NDR CVR SPR GRP
Sat 8/19: Bar Fly
Sun 8/20: Pull the Trigger
Taqueria Jalisco
4275 Tierra Rejada Rd., Moorpark
Tuesdays & Fridays: Jim Friery
Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Wed 8/9: Los Amigos
Thurs 8/10: Keith G, Ska Daddyz
Fri 8/11: The Trivle Omdobble
Sun 8/13: Caliente 805
Wed 8/16: Whiskey Business
Thurs 8/17: Bombafiya
Fri 8/18: Johnny Knows No One
Sat 8/19: Dork
Sun 8/20: Heathers on Fire
Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sundays: Mariachi
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter
Wednesdays: Tribal Me
Fridays: Conjunto Zacamandu
Sat 8/12: Heart of Blues
Ventura County Fair
10 W. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Grandstand Stage
Wed 8/9: Tesla
Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 8/11: Makena Tate w/ Bedweater
Sat 8/19: Yung Pinch
Sun 8/20: M. Ward
Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Thurs 5:30; Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 8/10: Brandon Ragan
Fri 8/11: Doc Rogers Trio
Sat 8/12: The James Broz Band
Sun 8/13: Pull the Trigger
Tues 8/15: Open mic with Jenna Rose
Fri 8/18: Déjà vu Three
Sat 8/19: Mark Masson
Sun 8/20: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends
by Mary Olson
Summer Reading Program End of Summer Party
You completed the Summer Reading Challenge, so visit the library for an end of summer celebration with Kona Ice! Free for kids and teens! Tuesday, August 15th at E.P. Foster Library, 4:00 pm
Foster Library’s Young Readers Book Club
For children ages 9-12 (4th or 5th grade reading level). E.P. Foster Library, Saturday, Aug. 26, 1:00 to 2:00 pm Discuss The Human Kaboom by Adam Rubin & create a character sheet (DND style)
Filmmakers Robin Rosenthal and Bill Yahraus will visit the Albert H. Soliz Library (2820 Jourdan Street in Oxnard) at 7:30 pm on Saturday, August 12, for a screening of their film Mariposas del Campo. The film will be shown outdoors in the library’s parking lot; limited seating available and attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating if they wish. Mariposas del Campo shares the stories of indigenous Mixtec, Zapotec, and Purépecha teenagers from Mexico striving to change their families’ destinies in the strawberry fields of Oxnard. This screening is being put on as part of Ventura County’s celebration of its 150th Anniversary. This event is free and open to the public.
Trio Manise will visit the Ojai Library at 2 pm on Sunday, August 20, for a special afternoon of music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Villa-Lobos, Malcolm Arnold, and Benjamin Britten. The members of Trio Manise are David Singer (clarinet), Ann Erwin (flute), and Fred Beerstein (oboe).
David Singer’s reputation as one of the most highly-respected clarinetists in the U.S. has been established through performances and recordings as principal clarinetist of the Grammy Award-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, two separate performances at the White House and in chamber music performances with some of the greatest musicians of our time, including Yo-Yo Ma, Yehudi Menuhin, and Rudolf Serkin.
Ann Erwin has performed with the San Diego Symphony and Opera Orchestras, Santa Barbara Symphony Orchestra, New Hampshire Music Festival and Santa Barbara Chamber Music Festival. She is currently principal flute of San Diego’s Classics Philharmonic and a member of the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra.
Fredric Beerstein, oboe instructor at California Lutheran University, is a member of the New West Symphony, as well as the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic and the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the LA Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra on tour and the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
The performance will take place in the main library space, and is sponsored by the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation. This event is free and open to the public.
For additional information on these special events, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected]
Ventura Friends of the Library invite you to visit our Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 to 4:00 pm
We have rows and rows of fiction, from $.25 paperbacks to current bestsellers and a comprehensive children’s section. We have a variety of nonfiction from history, memoirs, current events to true crime. We have DVDs and CDs to entertain you. Come and browse!
We also invite you to browse anytime at our Online Bookstore for local sales.
https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop Volunteers have been busy adding lots of exciting new inventory, so come take a look. In August, Notable Books for Youth are 10% off! Just order and pick up at the bookstore in E.P. Foster in as few as two days.
Vol. 16, No. 23 – Aug 9 – Aug 22, 2023 – Community Events
by Ana Baker
Do you want a Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.
The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.
Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month. Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family. Supplies provided BYO water.
The loss of a loved one can be a difficult time. Bereavement counseling can offer the support you need to help you through your grief. Livingston’s Grief and Bereavement Program offers individual (one-on-one) counseling for up to 1 year with trained bereavement counselors/therapists and group counseling. All support groups are free for the community. For more information, contact 805-389-6870 or online at lmvna.org/grief.
Aug 15: The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Men of all descriptions are always welcome to sample our shenanigans.
11:30 a.m. socialize, buffet lunch, general meeting, guest speaker, a joker, raffle drawing, and dismissal. The speaker will be attorney Crista Hermance. She has experience in estate planning, personal injury, and bankruptcy cases, but now her practice is confined solely to estate planning. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820
Aug. 17: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report from Commander Brown and a presentation from the Outreach Director of the Ventura Land Trust, Ms. Leslie Velez.
The mission of the Ventura Land Trust (VLT) is to acquire, manage and protect open space lands for public access. Leslie Velez, Outreach Director, will update us on upper Harmon Canyon, closed since this winter’s rains, and VLT’s fall events.
The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura’s problems, needs, and expectations and to recommend, initiate and participate in developing and implementing programs or solutions. The EVCC facilitates communications between the community and the government or other service agencies.
Aug. 20: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic. Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation. 11am, Sunday, Dudley House Museum 197 N Ashwood Ave,
Aug. 26: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Saturday at 9:30 a.m. online and Live at our temporary site at Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960. Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, social media brokers such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Google, and Yahoo. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live
attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to the online events are emailed before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at http://www.cipcug.org
Sept. 9: Relay for Life of Ventura. 10-10 p.m. at the Ventura County Credit Union, 2575 Vista Del Mar. The largest, most inspiring, and supportive cancer fundraising event on the planet. www.facebook.com/relayforlifeofventura
Community Memorial Hospital earns highest quality distinction
Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura has earned a five-star rating, the highest ranking possible, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This five-star designation places Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura among the top 15 percent of hospitals in the nation. It is also the only hospital in Ventura County to receive five stars.
This is the first time Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura has achieved a five-star rating on this report. The new figures are based on data collected in 2021 and 2022, during the height of the pandemic and an especially stressful time for healthcare providers and hospital staff.
“This five-star rating demonstrates the dedication and commitment of our physicians and staff to provide the highest quality healthcare — even under the most difficult circumstances. I am proud of our team for earning this prestigious recognition,” said Mick Zdeblick, President & CEO, Community Memorial Healthcare.
As part of its commitment to continuous improvement, Community Memorial physicians, staff, and leaders are constantly measuring and monitoring care and seeking feedback from patients.
“This score represents thousands of people going the extra mile every day for our patients,” said Maureen Archambault, Vice President, Quality and Risk Management, Community Memorial Healthcare. “Everybody is working together toward consistency of practice. We are looking for, and implementing, the most evidence-based practices in healthcare.”
The Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating summarizes 47 different measures in five quality- of-healthcare categories: mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timely and effective care. Hospitals are then assigned a single star rating based on their combined performance in each category. Hospitals report data to CMS through the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program, Hospital Readmission Reduction Program, Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, and Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program.
The overall hospital rating ranges from 1 to 5 stars; the more stars, the better a hospital performed on the five measures of mortality, safety of care, readmission, patient experience, and timeliness and effectiveness of care.
The CMS Stars program helps the public understand how healthcare is measured and also helps hospitals learn about areas where they can improve the quality of the care they provide. The ratings offer consumers an easy way to compare hospitals’ quality and performance. The complete CMS report can be found online here https://data.cms.gov/provider-data/dataset/xubh-q36u
Community Memorial Healthcare is a nonprofit, independent health system serving the needs of Ventura County, California. It is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura, Community Memorial Hospital – Ojai, and a network of primary and specialty care health centers across its service area. The organization is supported by the Community Memorial Foundation and the Ojai Valley Hospital Foundation. Visit mycmh.org for more information.