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Social Security scams

“Hello, this is Charlie from Social Security”

We give you the tools to recognize Social Security-related scams and stop scammers from stealing your money and personal information. Share scam information with your loved ones. Slam the Scam!

Recognize the four basic signs of a scam:

Scammers pretend to be from a familiar organization or agency, like the Social Security Administration. They may email attachments with official-looking logos, seals, signatures, or pictures of employee credentials.

Scammers mention a problem or a prize. They may say your Social Security number was involved in a crime or ask for personal information to process a benefit increase.

Scammers pressure you to act immediately. They may threaten you with arrest or legal action.

Scammers tell you to pay using a gift card, prepaid debit card, cryptocurrency, wire or money transfer, or by mailing cash. They may also tell you to transfer your money to a “safe” account.

Ignore scammers and report criminal behavior. Report Social Security-related scams to the SSA Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

Visit www.ssa.gov/scam for more information and follow SSA OIG on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest scam tactics. Repost #SlamtheScam information on social media to keep your friends and family safe.

With your free and secure my Social Security account, you can receive personal estimates of future benefits based on your real earnings, see your latest Social Security Statement, and review your earnings history. It even makes it easy to request a replacement Social Security Card, check the status of an application online, and much more, from anywhere!

Editor: I received an email that looked exactly as if it was from social security (logo, etc.). Informing me that I needed to up-date information. I recognized it as a scam so didn’t open it or respond. Be very careful.
Sheldon

VCAAA fall prevention programs

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition’s award-winning Fall Prevention Program has a new set of classes beginning soon around the county.

Oxnard

Stepping On – Oxnard Performing Arts Center – Tuesdays – March 21 through May 2 – 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance – Oxnard Performing Arts Center – Tuesdays & Thursdays – April 11 through June 29 – 9 a.m to 10:30 a.m. OR 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Ventura

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance – County of Ventura California Room – Wednesdays & Fridays – April 12 through June 30 – 9 a.m to 10:30 a.m. OR 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance – Community Presbyterian Church – Wednesdays & Fridays – April 12 through June 30 – 10 a.m to 11:30 a.m.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance – Ventura Church of Christ – Wednesdays & Fridays – April 12 through June 30 – 10:45 a.m to 12:15 p.m.

Classes, which are free, are designed for individuals 60 and up. Please click on the PDF for additional information, or visit vcaaa.org/falls. To register for most classes, call the VCAAA at (805) 477-7300, option 6, or email [email protected]. For the Tai Chi class being hosted by HELP of Ojai, call (805) 646-5122. For A Matter of Balance being hosted by the Simi Valley Senior Center, call (805) 583-6363.

A Matter of Balance is designed for those 60 and older who are inactive with poor balance, who have fallen, and who may have developed a fear of falling. Participants should expect to begin an easy-to-do regimen to improve balance, strength, flexibility and self-confidence. This class is held once a week for eight weeks and includes chair-based exercises.

Stepping On is designed for individuals who have fallen or who are fearful of falling. Participants have access to a physical therapist who teaches strength and balance exercises, a vision expert, a public safety expert, and a pharmacist who will discuss fall risks associated with certain medications.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is an exercise program developed especially for older adults using modified practices designed to improve and strengthen balance and mobility. Classes are intended for beginners. Canes and walkers are welcome. This class is proven to reduce falls by 55 percent.

Individuals concerned about falls or those who have recently experienced a fall, as well as those who are interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength, are encouraged to participate. Nationally recognized research shows that one in four adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. One out of every five falls results in a serious injury, and about three million older people are treated at emergency departments for fall injuries each year. Approximately 32,000 older adults die each year as a result of falls.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is charged with the responsibility of promoting, developing, and implementing a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Happenings at Olivas Adobe

On March 12, three events took place at the Olivas Adobe. A birthday celebration for Raymundo (Don) Olivas, photos and meeting with artists from the Thousand Oaks Photo Group and a Volunteer Orientation to learn about the many volunteer opportunities at the Olivas.

Don Raymundo Olivas and his friend Felipe Lorenzana were granted 4,670 acres of land by Mexican Governor Juan B. Alvarado as compensation for their service to the State. Don Raymundo began ranching his land, known as Rancho San Miguel, in 1847.

Spring Has Sprung, Let’s Make Your Workouts Fun!

by Leslie Sokol

No matter your age, it’s never too late to start an exercise program. As we age, our muscle function can decline, our energy can decrease, and our attention span can become limited. The best way to counteract these things and build up your confidence and enthusiasm is to be active both physically and mentally.

Want a healthy and fun way to do that? Join a group dance or fitness class. It’s fun to be with your peers and it’s a great opportunity to be active and social. You will feel like you belong to something and are with people who enjoy similar interests. Workout classes help build your confidence and self-esteem, create a positive attitude, and keep you motivated. As I say to my students, “We are all in this together”.

You will want to find a class that incorporates the three essential components of total fitness — stretching, strengthening and aerobics. However, you don’t need to wait for a class to get started! Here are some sample exercises for each component:

  • Stretching: Warm-up and cool down exercises help reduce muscle soreness and lessen your risk of injury. A simple way to get started is to begin by either standing or sitting in a chair and bending your waist side to side along with moving your arms side to side. Do this for 1 to 2 minutes.
  • Strengthening: There are many simple exercises that can help you build muscle mass and firm and tone your body. One of the easiest exercises is simple bicep curls. Use light dumbbells or fill up two water bottles and hold one in each hand. While standing or seated, extend both arms along your side with a slight bend in your elbow, keeping your wrists straight and your palms facing toward you. Keeping your arms at your sides, slowly curly the weights up and exhale as you bring them up. Then inhale as you slower lower the weights back down. That is considered one rep. Try to complete 8-12 reps, rest for 1 minutes and then do a second set.
  • Aerobic: This refers to any type of exercise that utilizes your heart and lungs. Walking is the most basic example of this. If you’re just getting started, concentrate on walking for a few minutes, gradually increasing your distance and speed as you grow stronger. Other forms of aerobic exercise include hiking, dancing, jogging, jumping jacks, and marching. Don’t be afraid to mix it up!

Keep in mind that the best exercise is the one you enjoy most! Be healthy and happy and always remember – age is just a number!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. 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

Ventura Seaside Basketball Tournament returns for 2023 season

The East Ventura Optimist Club is happy to announce the return of the Ventura Seaside Basketball Tournament. After a 3-year hiatus, the club is excited to welcome teams back for an exciting new year. Teams from Ventura County and beyond are invited to come out and be a part of this weekend long tournament. The tournament will feature a four-game guarantee for all teams.

All proceeds from the tournament benefit kids in our local community through the East Ventura Optimist Club’s various programs. Games will be played April 22 and 23 in various gyms around Ventura. For many teams, the regular season is coming to an end, but the excitement does not have to stop just yet. Visit our tournament website for more information and to register your team today. Basketball Clubs wanting to sign-up multiple teams will receive a $25 discount per team. (VSBB23 – Coupon Code). Register today as space is limited. For more information contact Tournament Director Eric Burton at [email protected] or (805)701-8122.

Museum of Ventura County presents Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Malcolm McDowell

He is a long-time Ojai resident.

The Museum of Ventura County presents Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal with Malcolm McDowell. This exciting event takes place on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Guests are welcomed both in-person at the Museum’s Ventura campus at 100 E Main Street, and virtually via Zoom. For more information, and to register, please visit: venturamuseum.org.

Joining Davis is the legendary actor and raconteur extraordinaire Malcolm McDowell, winner of Ojai Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award. McDowell’s impressive career puts him in the pantheon of the all-time great British-born actors from Laurence Olivier to Michael Caine to Anthony Hopkins.

McDowell’s dazzling career has spanned more than 50 years, where he has starred in scores of movies, including Stanley Kubrick’s iconic “Clockwork Orange,” Lindsay Anderson’s “O Lucky Man!,” “Caligula,” “Bombshell,” “Time After Time,” and “The Artist.” His vast television credits include “Entourage,” the animated series “South Park” and “Mozart in the Jungle.”

Now in its third year with the Museum of Ventura County, the popular series, Ivor Davis: Up Close and Personal, is the creation of author, journalist, and investigative reporter Ivor Davis. Over the last two years, Mr. Davis has given the residents of Ventura County a front row seat in an intimate conversation with some of our region’s most talented individuals. He kicks off 2023 returning to one of his first guests in this series, Mr. Malcolm McDowell, who he last interviewed in February 2021.

“When he first visited us in 2021, we heard so many wonderfully interesting stories from Mr. McDowell about his 50-year film career,” said the Museum’s Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director Elena Brokaw. “We are sure to be entertained once again as we catch up with him in 2023.”

Saturday, March 25th, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 100 E Main Street in Ventura and via Zoom.

Tickets are free for non-members, $10 for non-members in person (Zoom: Free for members, $5 for non-members)

Vol. 16, No. 13 – Mar 22 – Apr 4, 2023 – Forever Homes Wanted

Zander (male), Trinity (female) and Leia (female) are all still searching for their forever homes! These three are the last of the Terrier mix litter that we saved from Kern County thanks to the generous donations we received from our rescue community. They are 10 weeks old and we think they’ll end up being medium sized dogs. All three enjoy being in a puppy pile, chasing around their foster siblings, and exuding maximum cuteness with zero effort. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. https://carldogs.org/
CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Meet Joey & Shiela, two playful Husky Shepherd mixes looking for forever homes. Joey & Shiela are about 2-3 years old and came in together as strays. They both have done well in pack playgroups with dogs of varying energy levels, but especially love attention from humans! They’re great with commands like sit and down. Joey & Shiela are just as happy individually and do not necessarily need to be adopted together!

 

 

If you’d like to meet Joey or Shiela, schedule an appointment at https://www.vcas.us/adopt or come down to the shelter during normal Adoption Hours of 1:00pm – 6:00pm Tuesday – Sunday. If you have questions, please contact us at (805) 388-4341 or [email protected]. We are located at 600 Aviation Drive Camarillo, CA 93010.

NAMBA Performing Arts Space to present two award winning shows

Written and performed by award-winning composer/performer Amy Engelhardt (Grammy nominees The Bobs, Harry Shearer & Judith Owen’s Christmas Without Tears), brings her one-woman show, IMPACT, to Ventura. The show features soul-stirring original songs that deepen the experience of Engelhardt’s unique story.

After a series of magical “follow-signs” a bucket-list pilgrimage unexpectedly turns into an exploration of compassion and the power of kindness. This compelling solo tale is told through the lenses of music, multimedia and memory.

“I don’t like most one-person shows and I don’t go for the woowoo stuff. I mean HELLO, I’m from New Jersey. But in 2019, a series of ‘follow-signs’ started pointing to a major world event 30 years ago. I followed these prompts to Lockerbie, Scotland. I expected a somber solo trip, but found the true meaning of “community.” IMPACT heads to Edinburgh’s International Fringe Festival in August 2023.

There are two shows this Saturday, March 25 at 3PM and 7PM. Tickets are $20 and can be bought online at www.NambaArts.com or at the door the day of the performance.

The second play is “Spy for Spy, love, shuffled”, from multi-award-winning writer and director Kieron Barry. Funny, moving and profound, this hilarious and heartrending new play explores the limits of the body, the weight of the soul and the burden of love. Spy for Spy asks if our lives make more sense in the wrong order, and if love is enough to fuse together two radically different spirits. Sarah and Molly love each other – and that’s all they have in common. As the uptight lawyer and the free-spirited dreamer strive to make their improbable relationship work, we see them break up, meet the parents, move in together and fall in love – all in a completely random sequence.

Shows are Friday March, 31; Saturday, April, 1 and Sunday, April 2 at 2:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets are $30/$25 for students and seniors and can be bought online at www.NambaArts.com or at the door the day of the performance. NAMBA Performing Arts Space, 47 S Oak Street, Ventura, CA. (805) 746-5567.

Ventura County marketing firm announces Dawn Megli as new communications specialist

Mustang Marketing adds award-winning journalist to its public relations team.

Mustang Marketing, Ventura County’s premier full-service marketing agency, has hired award-winning journalist Dawn Megli to join its public relations team, the agency announced on Wednesday, Feb. 15.

In her new role as communications specialist, Megli will be responsible for working with the director of marketing to implement public relations strategies for clients, developing media and county relationships, and writing content to support clients’ communications goals.

“Dawn has an impressive, well-earned reputation in Ventura County for her investigative reporting skills, ability to develop relationships with people from all backgrounds, and unique storytelling expertise,” said Mustang Marketing President Dianne McKay. “We are thrilled to have her join the Mustang team and know that her well-rounded skillset will serve our clients well in reaching their marketing and PR goals.”

Megli, who — prior to joining Mustang Marketing — worked as an investigative and watchdog reporter for the Ventura County Star, and as a senior reporter before that for the Thousand Oaks Acorn, has earned numerous accolades for her journalism work including a Golden Quill Award from the California School Boards Association, the John Swett Award from the California Teachers Association, 1st and 2nd place in-depth reporting California Journalism Awards for her “Surviving Borderline” and “Borderline – One Year Later” features, and beyond. Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and Poynter, among others. She is also a member of Moorpark College’s Media Advisory Board.

Before entering the journalism field, Megli obtained her bachelor’s degree in English from California Lutheran University, followed by a master’s in journalism from the University of Southern California. Her work experience includes former roles as an art director designing multimedia content and as marketing consultant developing communications and publicity strategies for local city council campaigns.

Mustang Marketing’s client list is comprised of local businesses, city and county agencies, school districts and nonprofits throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, including the County of Ventura’s Human Services Agency, the City of Ventura, the City of Thousand Oaks, Conejo Valley Unified School District, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, Conejo Recreation and Park District, American Medical Response (Ventura, Santa Barbara and Yolo counties), Ventura County Credit Union, Casa Pacifica, The Collection at Riverpark, the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, United Way of Santa Barbara County, New Horizons, Pindler, PSSI Global Services, Warner Pacific, California Community Reinvestment Corporation and Klein Products Inc., among others.

Ventura County-based Mustang Marketing is a woman-owned full-service marketing, advertising and communications company that has served Southern California businesses since 1986. Mustang offers strategic planning, branding programs, print/electronic ad campaigns, social media campaigns, corporate identities, and public, community and government relations. Visit mustangmktg.com for more information.