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Want to make a difference at our local beaches?

The Ventura Audubon Society will be conducting a volunteer Beach Naturalist training workshop on Saturday June 3rd from 9am to 1:30pm at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard. Become a beach naturalist volunteer and help educate visitors on western snowy plovers and California least terns as part of the Shorebird Recovery Program. Attend this free half-day workshop where you’ll learn about beach ecology, plover/tern nesting and chick rearing, rules and regulations, and data collection.

After lunch ( included in the training) you will join our Biologists and Outreach Coordinator to practice what you have learned in the field. After finishing the training, volunteers will be asked to complete two beach shifts per month through September to share your knowledge with beach goers.

Funding for this grant program is made possible by sales of the WHALE TAIL® License Plate, donations to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund on the California state tax return, and funds from the State of California. To register go to www.venturaaudubon.org/beach-naturalists or email [email protected]. Register by June 2nd.

Small business owners graduated from WEV’S Emprendimiento Program

Graduates of WEV’s Emprendimiento Program in Santa Paula, May 11, 2023. Photo by WEV

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)’s Emprendimiento Program increases opportunities for historically marginalized individuals by providing entrepreneurial training and access to capital for limited English proficient (LEP) and Hispanic community members.

Graduation ceremonies were held May 2 – 11 in Oxnard and Santa Paula to celebrate 90 small business owners who completed Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV’s) Emprendimiento Program for entrepreneurial Hispanic and Indigenous Ventura County community members.

The 90 participants successfully completed WEV’s free, 8-week business training program taught in Spanish and are now each eligible to apply for a $7,500 microgrant award to grow their existing small business.

Emprendimiento is a unique program developed by WEV for low-English proficiency individuals and is funded by the state of California’s Employment Training Panel’s (ETP), Social Entrepreneurs for Economic Development (SEED) initiative. Launched in 2021, WEV’s Emprendimiento program provides entrepreneurial training, technical assistance, and microgrants for small business owners to grow their enterprise in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. To date, 330 people have participated in WEV’s Emprendimiento Program, 261 have graduated, and $600,000 in microgrants have been awarded to entrepreneurs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. This summer $337,500 in grants will be awarded to the recent Ventura County graduates.

Emprendimiento Program information, including enrollment for the fall 2023 Santa Barbara County cohort, visit www.wevonline.org/classes-resources/emprendimiento/ .

Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to the economic empowerment of women. WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start a business, grow a local business, or improve their business skills. WEV provides a full range of small business support – including classes, consulting, and funding – as well as financial literacy programs in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities into the WEV community. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.

A Day in the Life of a Fire Chief

Chief Endaya welcomes the latest batch of fire academy graduates. 

by Mira Reverente

Some people just seem to know what they want early on in life.

As a second grader, David Endaya knew he wanted to be a firefighter paramedic. His inspiration was a neighbor across the street, a real-life LA city firefighter. “He was my first vision of a firefighter in the flesh and what a firefighter did, aside from being just a really great person,” says Endaya. “There were many after him but he was the one that definitely left a mark.”

His parents, both immigrants, had instilled in Endaya and his older sister the value of education and hard work, so he attended college at UC Santa Barbara, while also taking paramedic classes at Santa Barbara City College.

Community outreach is a huge part of the chief’s responsibilities.

He became a paramedic back in 1994, with the City of Ventura, when the city still had ambulances. While most firefighters now get hired straight out of the fire academy, Endaya received some great advice when he was starting out. “I was advised to get my bachelor’s first then earn my paramedic license,” he says, recalling how stiff the competition was back then when the number of applicants far outnumbered the number of vacancies. “There were people ahead of me who had been testing for about a year or two so I had to learn how to test well and just be persistent and patient.”

The best part of the job, as cliche as it sounds, is really the ability to help people on a daily basis. He remembers a horrible accident as a kid, not too far from his childhood home in Arleta, where the firefighters arrived and calmly worked the scene. Young David thought, “What a cool job that is to have the ability to work a scene calmly and know what to do.”

It is humbling to realize that someone’s best fighting chance at survival in a very dire situation is sometimes just you, according to the 52-year-old Endaya.. “You’re almost never off-duty. You could be on vacation with your family or on a flight and you’ll still be called to jump in if there’s an emergency. It goes with the territory, in or out of uniform,” he adds.

While most of us usually have pleasant thoughts and happy associations with holidays, Endaya associates some holidays with emergencies that transpired that day. They got seared in his mind and the memories have stayed with him through the years from his days as a paramedic to becoming fire chief in 2014.

In the past few years, he hasn’t gone out on calls as much as he used to, until something large like the Thomas Fire happened in 2017. “I had to head out and help,” he recalls that period. “It was all hands on deck but organized chaos. I’m really proud of how our county and the various agencies responded during that time.”

About 70 to 85% of calls are medical emergencies. For example, a car crash is a separate type of call, but it often has a medical component. Another example is a structural fire. It has a medical component as well due to possible smoke inhalation. A majority of the calls are bonafide medical emergencies like trauma, seizures, childbirth and the like.

Also, the Safe Surrender program is still in place in most fire stations around California. Under this program, parents can safely surrender their newborns without any questions asked.

Endaya with the fire station’s therapy dog in training Hope.

Looking forward, Endaya says a seventh fire station is being considered. The sixth and last one was built in 1988. Part of a five-year strategic plan is looking for potential locations and designs for number seven. Also looking at increasing gender diversity within the ranks and hiring more female firefighters. According to Endaya, there is no shortage of female applicants but the job market has become so competitive that prospects find themselves sifting through multiple job offers.

If he weren’t fighting fires and attending to emergencies, he thinks he would still be in a job which allows him to make a difference. He says, “I’ve thought of becoming a helicopter or jet pilot maybe, but I know I just have to be around people and solving problems. I would be happiest doing that.”

X Games California 2023 lands in Ventura

by Visit Ventura

Visit Ventura has announced that in partnership with the City, Ventura County Coast, and Visit California, X Games is coming back to California. This summer marks three years since X Games fans have been able to watch Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X competitions in a large event format in person together. This summer, fans will be able to watch athletes soar to new heights with the Ventura coastline as the backdrop to the world’s most elite action sports event.

Fans will gather at the Ventura County Fairgrounds from July 21 to July 23 to watch more than 150 Skateboard, BMX, and Moto X Athletes compete at featured events including skateboarding park, street, street best trick, vert, and vert best trick; BMX park, park best trick, street, dirt, and dirt best trick; and Motocross quarterpipe high air, best trick, and best whip. The weekend will also feature an interactive festival and live music over the course of three days.

“For decades, California has been the epicenter of action sports, producing some of the most talented athletes in the world. It’s only fitting the X Games make their way back to the ultimate state for play to celebrate the culture that inspired these incredible events,” said Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta. “We’re honored to host the X Games in Ventura and can’t wait to see the next generation of extreme athletes take the stage.”

Ventura City Mayor Joe Schroeder, X Games CEO Steve Flisler, X Games Vice President of Fan Experiences & Hospitality Valerie Ryan, Beteta, Ventura County Supervisor Matt LaVere, Professional Skateboarder Curren Caples, and LOSSAN Managing Director Jason Jewel spoke at an in-person press conference to announce that X Games California 2023 is coming to Ventura.

“Ventura offers the ultimate playground for extreme sports enthusiasts. Our surf and skate culture is a key part of our community’s ethos and naturally compliments the energy and excitement of an international competition like this,” said Schroeder at the press conference. “We look forward to welcoming thousands of athletes and fans to our community and showing the world all the unforgettable things Ventura has to offer.”

Visit Ventura’s relationship with the X Games goes as far back as 2019. Conversations around X Games coming to Ventura in 2020 were shut down when the global pandemic changed the way people gathered in person. “This has been a vision of mine, the Visit Ventura team, and Ventura partners to build relationships to bring an internationally recognized event to Ventura. The brand alignment is spot on and I am thrilled that the X Games will be a part of the fabric of our community,” said Visit Ventura President & CEO Marlyss Auster. “Needless to say, this is the result of an enormous amount of support, collaboration, and passion. We can’t wait for the X Games athletes, media, sponsors, and enthusiastic spectators to meet our Ventura. It really is happening, and it is going to be amazing!”

Professional skateboarder and Ventura resident Curren Caples also spoke during the press conference.

X Games California 2023 will be the largest event in Ventura’s history, with a record-breaking economic impact on the community. In 2019 —X Games’s last fully in-person summer event— the games brought $53 million into the city of Minneapolis. In 2023, the economic impact is anticipated to be even larger.

Around 17.5 hours of live television broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC and live streaming contributes to the media value of X Games California 2023 in Ventura.

A sustainable way to travel to Ventura should be at the forefront of fans’ minds: X Games, Visit Ventura, Visit California, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner are partnering for a summer campaign to provide a sustainable way to travel up the coast. X Games fans will be dropped off at the Ventura train station, located at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and a few feet away from the action.

“Ventura is excited to have the X Games as part of its community. X Games embodies the adventuresome spirit and inherent love of outdoor activities that we’re known for,” said Visit Ventura Board of Directors Chair Ed Wehan.

Tickets went on sale on Wednesday, May 10.

The Importance of Caregivers

Martha Shapiro, LCSW, Director of Programs at Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks.

by Carol Leish, MA

“Between 2012 and 2050, our county will experience considerable growth in its older population, projected to be 83.7 million,” according to, Martha Shapiro, LCSW, Director of Programs at Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks. “According to the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, there are now more people living in Ventura County who are age 60+ than who are under the age of 18.

“Most Americans over the age of 65 live in the community, not in nursing homes or other institutions. Only 4.5 percent (about 1.5 million) of older adults live in nursing homes and 2 percent (1 million) in assisted living facilities. This means that there will continue to be a greater reliance on community-based services, such as those offered by Senior Concerns.

“According to the Alzheimer’s Association, between 2020 and 2025 the number of people age 65+ with Alzheimer’s disease is estimated to increase 21.7% and most will be care for at home by a family member, who themselves may experience a variety of physical, emotional, financial, and social burdens associated with the caregiving role.”

Caregivers in the home may provide hands on assistance with dressing, bathing, feeding and more. Or, they may only provide verbal assistance and guidance while also providing emotional support. Each person’s needs are different, and may change over time.

Caregiver burnout can happen for various reasons, according to Shapiro. “Caregivers are often tasked with providing difficult, sometimes medical in nature, physical and emotional help. They may be on guard 24/7, having to be aware of their loved ones’ needs. This can take a toll emotionally and physically. If they do not have proper support and breaks, they can feel physical and mental exhaustion.”

Providing caregivers, the community’s support and caring is essential since caregivers are the backbone of the long-term care system in America. Shapiro said, “I encourage people to reach out to those in caregiving roles and offer concrete help. Rather than asking, ‘What can I do to help?’ suggest something clear and specific. Considering to offer dropping off a meal once a week, or picking up groceries or prescriptions every Saturday, or sitting with their loved ones for two hours a week so that the caregiver can take a break. Be clear about what you can offer so that it will be easy for the caregiver to accept the help.

“Senior Concerns has a Caregiver Resource Center to support and empower family caregivers,” according to Shapiro. “Anyone caring for an aging loved one can schedule a free care consultation to understand the resources available to them, and create a plan of care to help them in their caregiving role. Several caregiver support groups are also offered to facilitate caregivers coming together and supporting each other. Senior Concerns also offers seminars over Zoom that our open to the public that provide education and information on a variety of topics pertinent to older adults and family caregivers.

Contact Martha Shapiro, LCSW, at Senior Concerns at: [email protected], or by calling: (805) 497-0189. Also, look at their website at: www.seniorconcerns.org.

Other information that can help caregivers caring for family members or others can be found by calling the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging at: (805) 477-7342. For further information website at: www.vcaaa.org. For those who are caregivers, or need caregivers, realize that Ventura County has services to offer support and encouragement.

Plantopia Earth Day Event

Plants were distributed to families during Plantopia.

Over 1,800 vegetable plants were distributed at Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture’s (SEEAG) first annual Plantopia U Pick Transplant Fundraiser on Earth Day. The fundraiser raised over $5,000 to help with SEEAG’s agricultural education programs that teach students about the farm origins of their food, water resources, soil health, entomology and locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Plantopia was held at SEEAG’s Farm Lab at Petty Ranch in Ventura and Plantel Nurseries in Santa Maria. In addition to tomatoes, zucchini, squash, basil and pepper seedlings, SEEAG provided 500 bags of potting soil donated by Agromin in Ventura County and Engel and Gray in Santa Barbara County to give plants a healthy start.

“We plan to make Plantopia an annual event,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG’s founder and CEO. “It’s a great way to kick off planting season, remind people of the importance of our farmers and celebrate Earth Day.”

Other annual SEEAG events include Santa Barbara County Farm Day in September and Ventura County Farm Day in November.

For more about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org.

 

Students from VUSD will present proposals

2022 finalists in the annual EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony.

For the 8th year in a row, students from Ventura Unified School District will present proposals to reduce their schools’ environmental footprint and receive awards.

On Monday, May 22nd, the MERITO Foundation and Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) will host the 8th annual EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony. At this event, 7th-12th-grade student finalists will present their environmental business proposals to either reduce the carbon footprint of their school or advocate for the removal of the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The primary sponsor of this year’s EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony is Clean Power Alliance.

For the EECCOA Challenge, students had the option of choosing a project theme from 4 categories: water conservation, energy efficiency, or waste reduction at their school campuses, or outreach about the ecological benefits of dam removal. This multi-disciplinary competition is an opportunity for our youth to combine environmental science with business ideas, and practice environmental entrepreneurship. School administrators also benefit by hearing from students on how to improve their schools’ infrastructure and reduce utility costs.

The event will take place at the Poinsettia Pavilion, in Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Anna Cummins, Co-Founder & Executive Director of 5 Gyres, a leading organization in the global movement against plastic pollution, with more than 10 years of expertise in scientific research, engagement, and education. Representatives from the offices of Senator Monique Limón, and Congressman Salud Carbajal will be present to congratulate the students.

There are currently 86 teams competing in the EECCOA Challenge, from students attending Buena High School, Ventura High School, Foothill Technology High School, Anacapa Middle School, Balboa Middle School, or DATA Middle School. After two rounds of judging, the top 16 finalists will present their projects in person before judges at the May 22nd event. After presentations, the MERITO Foundation and VUSD will award cash or in-kind prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention in each category. All participating students have been immersed since September 2022 in MERITO Foundation’s Ventura Action Network (V-RAN) Program or “From the Avenue to Channel Islands (ATCI) program in partnership with the VUSD.

The V-RAN program provides professional development, field training, and curriculum to science teachers, as well as hands-on field experience for ~700 middle and high school students throughout the Ventura River watershed and coast. Through the ATCI program, 660 students from DATA Middle School enjoy outdoor experiences at the Ventura River, State Beaches, and the Channel Islands. In addition to environmental education, students also participate in biking, hiking, kayaking, camping, snorkeling, sailing, and surfing, and learn leadership skills that they put into practice at outdoor community events.

Sponsors for the V-RAN Program include NOAA B-WET Grant, Ventura Water, and UC Davis Center for Community and Citizen Science. The ‘From the Avenue to the Channel Islands’ (ATCI) Program of the MERITO Foundation is funded by the Outdoors Equity Grant, created through AB 209 and administered by California State Parks, Office of Grants, and Local Services.

The MERITO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura, CA, dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating environmental education, conservation, and scientific research opportunities for multicultural youth and their communities.

Ventura Triathlon

Photos by Patricia Schallert

Carol Humphrey

On May 7, a triathlon was held in Ventura. It was the perfect Ventura weekend for the event. The race had 14 separate events and 2 different starting points.  Every event that included a swim discipline started at the beach. finish line.  Many of the athletes familiarized themselves with the bike and run course by driving or riding it prior to the race.

It included 7 Olympic distance events and 7 Sprint distance events. Typically, the swim and run distances are standard but the bike distance varies from race to race.

Several seniors participated including Carol Humphrey. She’s 83 years old and she loves the 5k races.

 

Ventura Triathlon

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Quality Versus Quantity

If you are starting a new exercise program, begin slowly and be as efficient as you can.

by Leslie Sokol

When it comes to exercise, you might be struggling to figure out which is more important – quality or quantity of your workouts? No matter what age you are, both of these factors come into play when creating a fitness routine. Of course, as one might expect, quality exercise will always be better than a half-hearted workout. And some quantity of exercise is important to maintain general consistency that produces real and long-lasting results.

If you are starting a new exercise program, begin slowly and be as efficient as you can. Consistency (aka “quantity”) is important, but the quality of your workouts is crucial, especially in the beginning. As the saying goes, “Variety is the spice of life,” and this is especially true when it comes to designing your fitness routine. How each of these factors fit into your routine will depend on your specific fitness goals. Let’s dig a little deeper to see what this means to you!

Why Quality Exercise is Important

Quality exercise means a few things: first, it means to move well and exercise with proper form and technique. Take your time and focus on the movement you are performing. For example, when stretching, do not force or move the muscles too abruptly. Hold your stretch, relax, and ease into it. Keep your back flat, shoulders down, chest out and stomach pulled in to promote good posture. This will prevent injury, improve flexibility and increase mobility.

Second, quality exercise means putting your best effort into your workouts. You might feel lazy some days, thinking you can get away with having one foot in and one foot out of your workout session. Make sure you keep both feet in!

Third, more reps of a particular exercise or exercising more frequently isn’t always better. You want to be doing a variety of exercises that works the entire body and utilizes all of your muscles.

Why Quantity of Exercise is Important

While quality exercise is extremely important, quantity should have a place in your exercise routine as well. Without consistency, progress is difficult, if not impossible. Schedule regular workout sessions to build your fitness and ensure those results keep racking up.

Both quality and quantity complement each other. They are essential elements that need to be in everyone’s exercise program. So make sure to incorporate both and enjoy your workouts!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com