All posts by admin

Chair massage for older adults and caregivers

senior SCAN“This feels better than my chair getting a massage”

The SCAN Health & Wellness Center in Ventura is offering 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 a Wednesday in September (9/9, 9/16, 9/23 & 9/30) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seated, fully-clothed neck, shoulder and back massages cost $15 per session, and can help you feel refreshed, relaxed and rejuvenated. The SCAN Health & Wellness Center is located at 6633 Telephone Rd., Suite 100. To make an appointment 658-0365.

First responders honored

senior the palmsVentura Firefighters  Andres Espinosa and Ben Davis were honored and enjoyed the BBQ with guests and employees at the Palms at Bonaventure
Photo by John Ferritto

The Palms at Bonaventure along with Assisted Home Hospice and Home Health hosted their 3rd annual First Responders Barbeque August 27th. This is a wonderful event that they hold annually to not only thank our first responders but to also allow the community to thank them. This year they  had a wonderful community presence and many local firefighters and emergency services personnel were able to join in. The Palms at Bonaventure Executive Chef, Michael Callahan, barbequed chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs along with many wonderful sides. Tom Weaver provided the entertainment to keep the afternoon fun. Many of the local firefighters danced with guests and residents. The Palms at Bonaventure and Assisted Hospice and Home Health presented Ventura Fire Department Station #6 with a plaque during the event to thank them for all that they do for our local community. The Palms appreciated the community and local first responders for making this event so successful.

 

 

 

 

 

Local teen completes jungle trek in Costa Rica

youth Romera“Are you sure this is the way to the Ventura Harbor?”

Sienna Romero, a 17-year-old teen Foothill Technology High School student from Ventura, recently completed a Summer Expedition with Outward Bound Costa Rica. On the four-week course, she trekked through the remote rainforest of Costa Rica and traveled to Panama to volunteer in sea turtle conservation efforts and learn to scuba dive.

“I enjoyed the service projects the most,” Sienna said. “It went beyond my expectations.”

Sienna and her course mates hiked and camped their way through untouched rainforest to the remote village of Piedras Blancas, passing waterfalls and dense cloud forests. In the village, the group stayed with local families, practicing their Spanish skills and learning about traditions through hands-on activities such as harvesting sugar cane and making it into candy. The group also tested their tenacity by rappelling an 80-foot waterfall.

After a rich cultural experience, the group headed to the famed Manuel Antonio National Park, where they learned about the local wildlife and had up-close encounters with capuchin monkeys on the picturesque beach. Costa Rica is an incredible place to visit, whether you fancy an authentic experience like the one Sienna had, or something a bit more luxurious for which we’d recommend this nice beach hotel in Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. Either way, you’re going to see some amazing sights and areas of natural beauty.

In Panama, Sienna completed a multi-day service project in the San Pond Sak wetlands located on the Caribbean coast, protecting the endangered leatherback sea turtle population by building habitats, cataloging nests and performing night patrols.

On the island of Solarte in the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Sienna completed NAUI Open Water Certification training. After passing her scuba certification, Sienna participated in a once and a lifetime night dive through bioluminescent waters. The group also sea kayaked to a nearby indigenous island to learn about ecology.

“It will change your life whether you want it to or not,” Sienna added.

“Outward Bound Costa Rica’s programs, like the one Sienna participated in, create environments that allow for personal and leadership development through challenges, group effort and cross-cultural understanding,” said Jim Rowe, Executive Director of Outward Bound Costa Rica.

 

 

Elder abuse

We would normally put this police report in our crime section but thought it important enough to include in our senior section as a warning and in case Saide Cruz may have worked for you.

On 8/13/15 at about 1700hrs, a patrol officer was dispatched to the 5000 Block of Hollings Street reference a late reported fraud. The victim 74-year old male) discovered fraudulent activity on his checking account dating back to the first part of July 2015. The fraudulent activity included several thousand dollars missing from the victim’s checking account and forged checks written out to Saide Cruz (24 from Oxnard). Cruz had been working as the victim’s care giver from April 2015, and was let go in July 2015.

Major Crime Detectives began investigating the case and discovered that over the past few years, Cruz has worked for several different privately owned businesses in Ventura County that provide care to the elderly.   Cruz was currently working for a care facility in the City of Oxnard.

On 8/27/15 at about 1300hrs, Detectives arrested Cruz without incident. A search of her residence revealed additional checks that did not belong to her. Cruz was booked at the Ventura County Jail for elder abuse, residential burglary and possession of stolen property.

This investigation is ongoing, any additional victims or anyone with information related to this incident is urged to call Det. Cpl. Hixson at (805) 339-4478.                  

 

A no-cost, one-stop shop where seniors can access it all

For a variety of reasons, it becomes increasingly difficult for aging individuals to manage daily tasks, such as getting to the grocery store, cleaning house, and keeping up with paying the bills. Even more arduous to navigate are the arenas beyond the everyday, such as estate planning, identity theft protection, and healthcare.

Seniors constitute a significant portion of our community here in Ventura County. In fact, the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging reports residents over the age of 60 will constitute 24% of the county’s population by 2020. The vision to create a one-stop shop to assist seniors with finding help for any given issue is not only philanthropic, it is vital to the well-being of the seniors who live in this community.

All-Care Senior Support Center connects seniors to services in an interesting way. The founders of the organization have created a network of local senior-serving organizations that come to the center on a rotating basis to offer free consultations to seniors who are interested in a particular service, whether it be financial services, legal advice, or veterans services. The center posts an updated schedule each month indicating which businesses and agencies will be providing consultations at the center in the following weeks. Seniors can then make appointments to meet with a representative who can provide guidance for a particular issue.

The center also offers fun activities such as a matchmaking service, bingo, exercise training, and gardening.

All-Care Senior Center is the brainchild of three individuals who have worked in varying capacities to serve the senior population.

Rosa Gasparian always saw the need for a better solution when it came to quality senior care. Working at a medical supply retail store allowed Rosa to see how confused seniors were when it came to understanding their options for obtaining support for their everyday needs.

Connie De La Rosa is a former social worker for the County of Ventura. In recent years she has overseen A Tender Touch Senior Placement, where she works to place seniors in proper care facilities.

Brian Campbell is a former pharmaceutical sales representative who was looking for a new venture. Inspired by his friend, Rosa, and her work with the senior community.

Additionally, the center provides referral services to home health care and hospice care facilities that provide excellent quality of care.

These are only a portion of the services All-Care provides at no cost to seniors. Learn more about the center at www.all-careservice.com. They are located at 2991 Loma Vista.

 

 

Vol. 8, No. 24 – September 2 – September 15, 2015 – Police Reports

Robbery

On Wednesday, August 12th, at 12:13 a.m., the VPD received a call from a victim claiming to be stabbed.

Officers arrived and learned that Christopher Cabrey and Sean Wachman were leaving the Circle K store at the corner of Main Street and Laurel Street when two male suspects confronted them. The suspects demanded the victim’s money and property. Unprovoked, the suspects began to attack Cabrey and Wachman. The suspects fled the area in a red sedan with one of the victim’s property. During the attack, Cabrey was stabbed. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

Cabrey was transported to the VCMC and received treatment for a serious, but non-life threatening stab wound. Wachman was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Detectives conducted follow-up and identified Jose Ruiz as one of the suspects. On August 15th at 7:30 p.m., a patrol officer located Ruiz on Main Street in downtown Ventura and arrested him without incident. Ruiz was booked at the VC Jail. The second suspect is still outstanding.

Possession of a Loaded Firearm

On Sunday, August 16th, at 12:10 a.m., a patrol officer observed a vehicle driving in the area of Kimball Road and Highway 126 overpass. The officer conducted a vehicle stop for an equipment violation and contacted the driver, later identified as Salvador Gutierrez. There was also a female passenger in the vehicle.

The officer developed information to conduct a search of the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle, a loaded handgun with an extended magazine was found concealed underneath the driver’s seat.

Gutierrez was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested and booked into the VC Jail. The female passenger was released from the scene.

Battery of an Officer

On Tuesday, August 18th, at 5:41 p.m., patrol officers responded to a reported domestic in the 100 block of South California Street. As the first patrol officer arrived on scene and attempted to contact the involved people, Anthony Mosqueda, who was an involved person, fled from the officer. The officer chased after him and the foot pursuit led the officer onto the Promenade area of the beach. As the officer pursued Mosqueda, a female who was later identified as Anthony’s sister, Kathleen Mosqueda, shoved the officer in an attempt to stop the officer’s pursuit of her brother.

As the officer stopped to contact Kathleen and determine why she had pushed him, her boyfriend Juan Loaza, kicked the officer from behind. At that point, the officer realized the contact wasn’t accidental, and he attempted to detain both Loaza and Kathleen Mosqueda.  Both of them became combative with him. As he attempted to handcuff Loaza, Kathleen continued to attack him. Once Loaza was in custody, the officer arrested Kathleen and placed her in handcuffs. As he did this, Loaza who was handcuffed, ran away from the officer, and the officer caught him.

As this was occurring, other officers who were also in the area captured the original outstanding suspect, Anthony Mosqueda. He was treated at VCMC and later booked at VC Jail. Kathleen Mosqueda and Juan Loaza were both arrested and booked at VC Jail.

The officer was also treated at VCMC for minor injuries he received during the incident.

Armed Robbery

On Wednesday, August 19th, at 1:50 a.m., the VPD received a call from the two victims reporting they had been robbed at gunpoint in the 800 block of Caliente Street.

Officers learned the victims were sitting in their parked vehicle when the suspect approached them. The suspect demanded the victims’ wallets and cell phone. The victim hesitated, and the suspect pointed a gun at one of the victims. The victim gave the suspect their belongings and the suspect fled the area in a light colored sedan that was waiting nearby.

Later, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for a mechanical violation near the intersection of Inyo Street and Sacramento Street. Officers determined that the driver, Vincent Hernandez, was a Parolee at large with an active warrant. Officers took Hernandez into custody and searched the vehicle, where they located a replica handgun under the driver’s seat and noticed that Hernandez closely matched the description of the suspect in the robbery from earlier.

Resisting Officers

On Thursday, August 20th, at 4:54 p.m., patrol officers responded to an apartment in the 1200 block of South Petit regarding David Latida, making threats at his ex-girlfriend’s family’s residence. As officers arrived at the residence and began their investigation, Latida walked out of the apartment. When officers attempted to talk with him, he fled from them and ran back inside. The officers pursued him into the residence, and as they caught him, he continued to resist the officers. During the struggle, a loaded firearm fell from the Latida’s possession. Latida was taken into custody.

Residential Burglary Arrest

On Saturday, August 22nd, at 6:09 p.m., the VPD received several calls from numerous homeowners in the 400 block of Seaward Avenue, reporting that neighbors were physically detaining a subject found inside of a residence. Officers arrived on scene and took custody of the subject, later identified as the suspect, Matthew Scott.

During the investigation officers learned that the victim homeowner had exited his residence and went into his backyard, leaving the front door unlocked. While in the backyard, Scott entered the residence through the front door, then leaned out from inside a back bedroom window and looked at the victim. The victim went back into his residence and physically forced Scott out to the front yard. Several neighbors came to the aid of the victim and helped him detain Scott until officers arrived on scene.

While being detained, Scott struck his head on a wall and sustained a minor injury to his head. He was arrested and transported by AMR ambulance to VCMC for treatment of his injuries. After being medically cleared, Scott will be booked into the VC Jail.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On Monday, August 24th, at 11:49 p.m., the victim contacted the VPD to report his vehicle had been stolen from in front of his downtown residence sometime during the night. Later that night, just before midnight, a patrol officer observed the vehicle travelling eastbound on Telephone Road with no headlights. The Officer conducted a traffic stop and learned the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day.

Officers contacted the suspect, and 3 juveniles in the stolen vehicle.  During the investigation officers learned that the suspect, Brandon Costanza, had picked up the three juveniles in the stolen vehicle earlier in the day.

Costanza was booked at the VC Jail.  The 3 juveniles were issued citations for curfew violations and released to their parents.

The vehicle was returned to the owner at the scene with only minor damage.

Armed Robbery Arrest

On Tuesday, August 18th, at 1:44 a.m., the VPD received a call referencing an armed robbery that had just occurred at the Victoria Motel, located at 2350 South Victoria Avenue. Patrol officers responded and met with three victims. The victims reported that they were all sharing a room when they were awoken by somebody knocking on their hotel room door. One of the victims got up and as he answered the door, all three suspects forced their way in to the room. Once inside the room, one of the suspects had a gun, and while he held all three victims at gunpoint, the other two suspects took the victim’s property.

At the conclusion of the robbery, the suspects exited the room with the victim’s property, got in to separate vehicles and then fled. The responding officers reviewed surveillance video and identified Charles Barnum as one of the suspects. A few hours later, a patrol officer spotted Barnum driving on Victoria Ave. and he was arrested without incident.

Major Crimes and Street Crimes Detectives assisted with the investigation and identified Joshua Solorzano and John Sevillano as the other two suspects. Officers located both of the outstanding suspects in Ventura and arrested them without incident. All three suspects were booked at the VC Jail for robbery. Nobody was injured as

Ojai News & Events

It’s not too late to submit an art grant proposal to the City of Ojai for 2016.
The deadline for submission for the City of Ojai Arts Commission’s 2016 Art Grants
program is 5 p.m. on September 14. Proposals may be submitted at Ojai City Hall. This
year the Commission has been allotted $20,000 for the 2016 grant cycle; visual and
performing artists are encouraged to submit projects for City funding that promote the
arts in Ojai.

“We want artists and arts organizations to know the process works and we are happy to
have more funding available to promote their work this year than ever before,” said
Michael Addison, Art Commission Chair. “We strongly encourage all artists and art
organizations to find out if their project or program qualifies and apply for this valuable
support.”

The City will be accepting completed grant applications until 5 p.m. September 14,
for the 2016 calendar year. The applications are available online at the city website,
www.ojaicity.org or the Arts Commission website, www.artsojai.org. For questions
contact Deputy City Manager Steve McClary at 646-5581 x101.

The Ojai Photography Club welcomes Ojai based photographer David Baker to their September 15 meeting. The program begins at 7:00 PM, at Kent Hall, located at Help of Ojai’s Little House, 111 Santa Ana St.

Baker will speak on “Seeing in Black & White.” This will be a highly informative presentation for anyone interested in branching out of digital color into the dramatic world of black and white photography. Using his own award-winning photographs as examples, Baker will demonstrate how to select color images and convert them into black and white artwork. Presented in an interactive setting, the talk will provide the audience with many opportunities to ask questions and receive answers from the expert.

In the early 1970s, Baker worked as a professional photographer for the Monterey Park Progress newspaper. In 1980 he left the photography profession to become a successful software engineer and graphic designer.

Visit his website for images and extended information: http://www.ojaiimages.com

After his presentation, Baker will review images submitted by club members. Monthly presentations are part of the Ojai Photography Club’s community service outreach and visitors are welcome to attend.

The Ojai Photography Club, which is devoted to education, inspiration, and camaraderie, meets on the third Tuesday of each month, February – November. Only members may submit images for review. For additional information please visit: www.ojaiphotoclub.com/.

Course 3 of the Ojai Valley Green Coalition Food Preparation Series is a dehydration and solar cooking class on Saturday, September 5, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Instructors Michelle Dohrn and Mikhael Collins will share the fun of making Chard chips, flaxseed crackers and culinary salts; along with demonstrating solar cooking.

There is a suggested donation of $35 for OVGC supporting members and $40 for non-members. Reservations are required and the class is limited to 12 participants. Visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org for full details or call 669-8445.

Join the County of Ventura emPower program and the Ventura County Regional Energy Alliance (VCREA) for an Energy Education Seminar hosted by the Ojai Valley Green Coalition. The seminar, Energy: The New Frontier, will explore efficiency and renewable energy choices, financing tools, information on building a cleaner, local energy portfolio and ways to improve the comfort and indoor air quality of your home.

Lunch will be provided. Visit http://ojaivalleygreencoalition.com/selections.shtml to make your lunch selection. The event will be on September 12th, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Ojai Valley Women’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Avenue. Tickets are $10, but the first 25 people to register through emPower will receive FREE admission.

To register, visit http://www.empowersbc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=167.
For more information on the emPower program, call 654-3834 or email [email protected].

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is hosting an energy education seminar – Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. The seminar cost is $10.00 and runs 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with an organic lunch included.

Seminar topics include available energy and water efficiency upgrade financial tools, our homes as an energy ecosystem, why renewable energy and rooftop solar is so important, how electric vehicles play into the equation and a new model for community based clean energy.

For more information about the Seminar and to register, visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org/ees.shtml.

 

 

EP Foster Library events

Special Events for Adults
Saturday September 12th – Local Author Event – Focus on Fiction & Focus on Nonfiction 2-4pm Topping Room
Wednesday September 23rd – Collage Workshop 6 pm in the Topping Room

Ongoing Events
Children & Teens
Early Literacy Class – Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30 to 11:30
PAWS for Reading (kids read to dogs) – Saturdays at noon
Lego Lab- September 1st, 15th, & 29th at 3 pm
Library LAB Open Workshop – Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm
Homework Center for kids and teens – Tuesdays & Thursdays 3-5 pm
Youth Chess Club – Mondays 3-5
TAG (Teen Advisory Group) — 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 4-5 pm

Adults
Library LAB Open Workshop – Wednesdays 4:30-6:30 pm
Poetry Open Mic Night – Thursdays at 7:30 in the Topping Room
Ukulele Jam Session- 2nd and 4th Monday at 7 pm in the Topping Room