Starting on July 1, 2023, Ventura Water customers will see water and wastewater rate adjustments reflected on their monthly billing cycles. These forthcoming rate adjustments signify year three of the five-year increases that were approved by the City Council on May 17, 2021.
Rate increases support both daily operation and maintenance of the City’s existing water and wastewater systems, along with approximately 36 planned capital improvement projects, including the long-anticipated State Water Interconnection Project and VenturaWaterPure Program.
City staff collaborated with the Water Commission and a third-party financial consultant to conduct an exhaustive water and wastewater rate to assess the City’s water rate tiers, water shortage rates, wastewater rate structure, and financing alternatives for significant projects.
The study’s findings revealed the necessity for an average annual rate increase of seven percent for water service and six percent for wastewater service. These rate adjustments are essential to maintain the ongoing operation and maintenance of the systems, address infrastructure concerns, ensure a secure water supply, improve water quality, and meet necessary legal and environmental regulations.
Leading up to City Council’s decision, Ventura Water conducted over 20 community presentations and hosted several virtual town hall meetings where information about anticipated rate impacts was shared with community members, neighborhood groups, clubs, businesses, and economic development stakeholders.
For more information, or to see a comparison between old and new rates, please visit www.venturawaterrates.net.
This is in response to the latest article in the May 31 to June 13 Ventura Breeze written by the current President, Patrick D.Pothier. This being the 100th Birthday, I’d like to help fill in some important and missing information about the history of civic service and service to the community.
Long before women were included as members in Lions, the Ventura County Star printed an article on September 2, 1937. The Headline was “Lions’ Wives Choose I-Da-Ka As Name For New Club”. I-da-ka (an Indian word meaning “to serve”) was formally chartered in 1937 and continued to serve Ventura County until 2008. Local families raised in Ventura remember all the women behind the men who served and all the assistance they augmented to those in need.
It would be an honor for the 100th President, Maya Zumaya to take up this missing history and congratulated those who helped make the Ventura Downtown Lions Club a success from it’s inception.
I have inherited all of the historical records of the group and would like to make the records available to complete the rich history of civic service to Ventura.
Karen L. Brown, PhD
P.O. Box 3551
Ventura 93006
Dear Breeze:
I can’t imagine Ventura without the Breeze!! I am so grateful for your excellent publication.
Thank you
Cheryl Dunlap
Cheryl: And we are grateful for our wonderful readers (and advertisers) that make it all possible.
If only God would give me some clear sign!
Like making a deposit in my name in a Swiss bank account.
~ Woody Allen
Doctors may ask questions about health, conduct cognitive tests, and carry out standard medical tests to determine whether to diagnose a person with Alzheimer’s disease. If a doctor thinks a person may have Alzheimer’s, they may refer the person to a specialist, such as a neurologist, for further assessment. Specialists may conduct additional tests, such as brain scans or lab tests of spinal fluid, to help make a diagnosis. These tests measure signs of the disease, such as changes in brain size or levels of certain proteins.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, though there are several medicines approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that can help manage some symptoms of the disease along with coping strategies to manage behavioral symptoms. In 2021, FDA provided accelerated approval for a new medication, aducanumab, that targets the protein beta-amyloid, which accumulates abnormally in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. The new medication helps to reduce amyloid deposits but has not yet been shown to affect clinical symptoms or outcomes, such as progression of cognitive decline or dementia.
Most medicines work best for people in the early or middle stages of Alzheimer’s. Researchers are exploring other drug therapies and nondrug interventions to delay or prevent the disease as well as treat its symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease slowly gets worse over time. People with this disease progress at different rates and in several stages. Symptoms may get worse and then improve, but until an effective treatment for the disease itself is found, the person’s ability will continue to decline over the course of the disease.
Early-stage Alzheimer’s is when a person begins to experience memory loss and other cognitive difficulties, though the symptoms appear gradual to the person and their family. Alzheimer’s disease is often diagnosed at this stage.
During middle-stage Alzheimer’s, damage occurs in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought. People at this stage may have more confusion and trouble recognizing family and friends.
In late-stage Alzheimer’s, a person cannot communicate, is completely dependent on others for care, and may be in bed most or all the time as the body shuts down.
How long a person can live with Alzheimer’s disease varies. A person may live as few as three or four years if he or she is older than 80 when diagnosed, to as long as 10 or more years if the person is younger. Older adults with Alzheimer’s disease need to know their end-of-life care options and express their wishes to caregivers as early as possible after a diagnosis, before their thinking and speaking abilities fail.
Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, is a condition in which people have more memory problems than normal for their age but are still able to carry out their normal daily activities. A doctor can do thinking, memory, and language tests to see if a person has MCI. People with MCI are at a greater risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease, so it’s important to see a doctor or specialist regularly if you have this condition.
If you are concerned about memory problems or other symptoms, call your doctor. If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed, explore the resources on this website and linked below to find out more about the disease, care, support, and research.
On June 6, I gave an enthralling talk to the Ventura Retired Men’s Group at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Luckily no one left – probably because they didn’t want to miss lunch.
In this issue there is information regarding events at Portside Ventura Harbor. This is where we live. A wonderful place to live and the tennis court is right next to the building we live in so a 2-minute walk for me to go play.
In 2022, two city staff members formally complained to Human Resources that
Councilmember Mike Johnson had acted unprofessionally and in a hostile and bullying manner during city council meetings.
The city attorney retained an independent, third-party law firm to investigate the two complaints. After conducting a thorough investigation (which cost the City approximately $75,000), the law firm determined that Councilmember Johnson did act unprofessionally toward one of the employees in a hostile and bullying manner.
The Ventura City Council has voted (5-1) to admonish rather than censure Mike Johnson. This is less harsh than previously recommended at a closed door meeting where the council approved a recommendation to censure Johnson and remove him from his committee assignments.
The Strawberry Festival, held at the Fairgrounds, surpassed expectations by drawing an estimated 55,000 visitors to the event. While being successful, it also drew much criticism from locals for what seemed to be the lack of a comprehensive traffic management plan. I’m sure there were lessons learned, which will be enacted next year. Great to keep the Festival in Ventura.
The next large event at the Fairgrounds will be the X Games in July. To avoid some of the traffic issues encountered by the Strawberry Festival, the city will be much more involved in the X Games. Coordination between the City and the Fairgrounds is ongoing, and associated costs are included within not-to-exceed amounts. The total cost will not exceed $250,000, as presented to City Council in previous budget workshops. This includes all personnel costs for the Ventura Police Department, Ventura City Fire, and other city staff required to support the event.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture, provides oversight for the Fairgrounds that sits on state owned property.
Ventura’s clothing company, Patagonia, has been rated the number one most loved company in the United States one more time.
Seven people were shot, two fatally, when gunfire rang out outside a downtown theater in Richmond where a high school graduation ceremony had recently concluded, causing attendees to flee in panic, weep and clutch their children.
A South Carolina gas station owner was charged with murder on Monday after allegedly shooting and killing a 14-year-old boy he falsely believed was shoplifting bottles of water.
The gunman who killed three people and wounded six others while roaming through his northwestern New Mexico neighborhood, was apparently firing at random targets. He was a local 18-year-old high school student.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave final approval to a red flag law that aims to keep firearms away from those at risk of harming themselves or others as the state grapples with ways to slow gun violence in the wake of its second mass school shooting.
Michigan joined Minnesota to implement a red flag law after Democrats in both states won control of both chambers and the governor’s office in November. New Mexico previously was the last state to pass a red flag law in 2020. Something needs to be tried to stop the gun violence in this country. Everyone owning guns is certainly not doing it.
Nevada’s Joe Lombardo became one of the first Republican governors to enshrine protections for out-of-state abortion patients and in-state providers, adding the western swing state to the list of those passing new laws to solidify their status as safe havens for abortion patients. A Republican hero.
I find this to be absolutely disgusting. Former president Donald Trump commemorated Memorial Day by comparing his battles against “fascist ‘pigs’” and “lunatic thugs” to the more than one million US soldiers that died on the battlefield. Trump took to his Truth Social platform to deliver a maniacal all-caps rant. Families of veterans killed in battle should feel the same way.
Avoid busy places like shopping malls and other busy areas.
For over 700,000 people in California living with Alzheimer’s disease, wandering is a very common symptom that can be dangerous — even life-threatening — and the stress of this risk weighs heavily on caregivers and family.
It is estimated that 60% of people with dementia will wander and become lost at some point, and many do so repeatedly. If not found within 24 hours, up to half of wandering individuals will suffer serious injury or death.
There are several warning signs that lead to wandering, including forgetting how to get to familiar places or talking about fulfilling former obligations, such as going to work and wanting to ‘go home’ even when at home.
“Individuals who wander often have a specific intention,” said Kathryn Westland, Director of Programs for the Alzheimer’s Association California Central Coast Chapter. “They may have a personal need such as going to the bathroom. But if they become disoriented, even in a familiar place, this simple task can become a challenge and may prompt them to leave the house.”
While preventative measures cannot guarantee that a person living with dementia won’t wander, there are certain tips to help reduce the risk of wandering.
Identify the time of day the person is most likely to wander. Plan things to do during this time, including exercise, to help reduce anxiety and restlessness.
Ensure all basic needs are met, including toileting, nutrition and hydration.
Create a daily plan and involve the person in daily activities and chores.
Consider using a GPS device, a tracking app or other technology if the person is still safely driving,or remove access to any car keys if the person is no longer driving.
Avoid busy places like shopping malls and other busy areas, which can be confusing and cause disorientation.
Assess the person’s response to new surroundings and do not leave them, providing reassurance if they feel lost or abandoned.
If a family member does wander and get lost, begin your search immediately. Start by searching the immediate vicinity, including “less-traveled” areas in your home. Outside the home, search the yard and nearby surroundings. Most wanderers are found within a half mile of their homes or starting location.
If, after 15 minutes, the person is not located, call 911 to file a missing person’s report. California has implemented a Silver Alert, which is activated when an elderly, developmentally, or cognitively-impaired person has gone missing and is determined to be at-risk.
For more information and free support services, visit the Alzheimer’s Association online at alz.org/cacentral. Their Ventura office is located at 2580 E Main Street #201, and their 24/7 Helpline is 800.272.3900 for around-the-clock support and information in English and Spanish.
Neurodegenerative diseases can damage different parts of the nervous system, including the brain. This may lead to problems with thinking, memory, and/or movement. Examples include Alzheimer’s disease (AD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). These diseases tend to happen late in life. There are few effective treatments.
Previous findings have suggested that viruses may play a role in certain neurodegenerative diseases. For example, a recent study found a link between Epstein-Barr virus infection and the risk of MS. There are also concerns about cognitive impacts from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
A research team led by Drs. Mike Nalls, Kristin Levine, and Hampton Leonard of NIH’s Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias examined links between viruses and neurodegenerative diseases more generally. To do so, they analyzed data from the FinnGen project. This is a repository of biomedical data, or biobank, from more than 300,000 people in Finland.
The team searched the biobank for people who had been diagnosed with one of six different conditions: AD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, generalized dementia, vascular dementia, PD, and MS. They then checked how many had been hospitalized for a viral illness before. To confirm their findings, they looked for the same associations in the UK Biobank, which contains data from almost 500,000 people in the United Kingdom. Results appeared in Neuron on Jan. 19, 2023.
The researchers found 45 associations between viruses and neurodegenerative diseases in FinnGen. Of these, 22 also appeared in the UK Biobank. The strongest association was between viral encephalitis — brain inflammation caused by a virus — and AD. A person with viral encephalitis in the FinnGen database was 30 times as likely to be diagnosed with AD as someone without encephalitis. Results were similar in the UK Biobank; people with viral encephalitis were 22 times as likely to develop AD as those without.
The team also found, in FinnGen, the association between Epstein-Barr virus and MS that was described before. The association wasn’t seen in the UK Biobank, but this may reflect how the different biobanks use hospital diagnostic codes; Epstein-Barr viruses are common and so often not noted.
Influenza with pneumonia was associated with all the neurodegenerative diseases except MS. The researchers only included cases of influenza severe enough to need hospitalization in the study. Thus, these associations only apply to the most severe cases of influenza.
FinnGen contains data on the same people over time. The team used this to examine how the associations depended on the time since infection. They found that some viral infections were associated with increased risk of neurodegenerative disease as much as 15 years later.
The researchers note that vaccines exist for some of the viruses they identified. These include influenza, varicella zoster (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and certain pneumonia-causing viruses. Vaccination might thus reduce some of the risk of the conditions they examined.
Reference: Levine KS, et al. Virus exposure and neurodegenerative disease risk across national biobanks. Neuron. 2023. Epub Jan 11. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.12.029.
Hi: I’m Connor, a sweet 1 1/2 year old Dachshund X in need of a new home. I’ve been isolated inside a house for most of my life. I get very nervous sometimes and will shake. I’ll need someone who can help me build up my confidence.
I’m good with small dogs, but I’m not quite sure what to do around larger breeds.
I’m amazing with children and would love a human sister or brother. I love all people that I meet.
I’m thankful to my sponsor which enabled me to come into CARL’s program. Hopefully it’s not long before I’m in my forever home. Please fill out an online application to meet me. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L.
https://carldogs.org/
CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.
I don’t have a name yet I’m Animal ID: A825586
10 Years old, a male Maltese. I’m sooo cute.
Adoptable Date: Saturday June 17, 2023
Kennel: 121 City Found: Oxnard
Shelter: Camarillo Animal Shelter
VCAS- Ventura County Animal Services
Might this person be eligible to be a Legacy Award winner?
by Carol Leish, MA
Consider nominating an exceptional business, organization, or individual that exemplifies commitment to service for: 1) Older Adults; 2) People with Disabilities; and/or, 3) Caregivers. Nominations are now being accepted by the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging between June 1st-September 1st, 2023. Award recipients will be announced in November, 2023.
The 2023 VC Area Agency on Aging Legacy Award Categories include: 1) Business/Organization; 2) Dementia-Friendly Business/Organization; and/or, 3) Community Member (Volunteer Based). The Legacy Awards are designed to recognize businesses, organizations, and community volunteers who have excelled in their roles to help improve the lives of older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers.
To nominate an individual, business, or organization, or faith-based organization for this award, the business must meet these requirements: 1) Must be doing business and serving clients within Ventura County: 2) Must be providing services for individuals 60 and older; and 3) Mus bet providing business to individuals with disabilities, and/or caregivers.
Nominating a Dementia Friendly Business/Organization must meet the criteria of: 1) Doing business and serving clients in Ventura County; 2) Exemplifying the Dementia Friendly Ventura County movement; and, 3) Making strides to better the customer service experience for individuals with dementia and their caregivers. The business or organization must also be providing services for individuals 60 and older, individuals with disabilities and/or caregivers.
In order to nominate a Community Member (Volunteer Based), the person nominated or selected to receive the Legacy Award must be living within Ventura County and must be working solely as a volunteer. This individual cannot be receiving pay for work performed on behalf of their fellow Ventura County residents. This person being nominated for this award mut be 60 years old or older and must be providing services for individuals 60 and older, individuals with disabilities, and/or caregivers.
For more information, such as the nominating form, or to learn about past winners of the Legacy Awards, visit https//vcaaa.org/legacy. Or, call: (805) 477-7306. And, submit your nomination form to [email protected].
It’s a life-changing ride—not a race—through some of California’s most beautiful countryside. Co-produced by San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center, AIDS/LifeCycle advances these agencies’ shared interest in reducing new HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
They ride the 545 miles from SF to LA and fundraise a minimum of $3,500.
Besides the riders Roadies are the hardworking individuals who volunteer their time for the full week of AIDS/LifeCycle.
Day 6 was spent at the San Buenaventura State Beach.