Photo by: Ken Karagozian
Photo by: Ken Karagozian
Take action during National Preparedness Month to get ready for emergencies
The American Red Cross of Central California is encouraging everyone to take critical actions during National Preparedness Month this September to be ready for worsening disasters. Deadly storms and floods, raging fires and extreme heat are becoming more frequent and intense due to the climate crisis and families are experiencing the effects.
“Disasters can happen at any time, often without warning, changing lives forever in just minutes,” said Tony Briggs, executive director of the Pacific Coast Chapter. “As our climate changes, it’s critical to help protect your loved ones and National Preparedness Month is the ideal time to get your household ready for emergencies.”
HOW TO PREPARE: Get ready for disasters by making a plan to stay safe, gathering important supplies and knowing how you’ll stay connected. Follow these steps to prepare for emergencies:
CLIMATE CRISIS EFFECTS: This year, experts forecasted active wildfires and hurricanes — predictions that are proving to be true. In July, Hurricane Beryl broke records as the earliest Category 5 storm ever recorded and in early August, Hurricane Debby brought widespread flooding to much of the East Coast. So far in 2024, 2.7 million more acres of land have been burned by wildfires compared to all of 2023. Plus, 2024 is on track to be the hottest year on record according to experts. Halfway through the 2024 hurricane and wildfire season, the U.S has experienced 19 climate disasters, each with losses of over a billion dollars — more than double the average from the last 40 years.
When these disasters happen, the Red Cross is there providing food, shelter and comfort to ensure no one faces such a difficult time alone. To help families better cope with this worsening climate crisis, the Red Cross is also enhancing our support for those who need it most and increasing our capacity to respond to non-stop disasters.
“The best defense during an emergency is to be prepared, and that’s true for both our individual families and our entire community,” said Briggs. “During National Preparedness Month, consider donating to help people affected by disasters big and small, or making an appointment to give blood. If you have the time, take a first aid class or put on a red vest and join us as a volunteer.”
Visit redcross.org/prepare or download the Red Cross Emergency App to learn more today.
EPA Launches Updated AirNow Fire and Smoke Map with Enhanced Features
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released an updated version of its AirNow Fire and Smoke map, now available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. This new version is designed to load faster and offers enhanced features, including data on coarse particle pollution and ozone levels. It also provides detailed information on individual wildfires and guidance on how to protect yourself from smoke exposure.
Users can access the map directly through the AirNow website or by selecting the smoke icon in the lower-right corner of the AirNow smartphone app. For Spanish-language users or those requiring an adjusted AQI color scale due to color vision challenges, the settings icon in the top-right corner of the map allows for customization.
This update ensures easier access to vital air quality information, helping people stay informed and safe during wildfire events.
A well-rounded exercise program offers numerous benefits, delivering the healthy results you need as you age. There are four types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Research shows it’s important to include all four in your workout routine, as doing one type also improves your abilities in the other three areas.
The Four Types of Exercise
Improving Your Quality of Life
Physical exercise is only part of the equation but has a tremendous impact on reducing the adverse effects of aging. Regular movement can keep your mind sharp and youthful. As you age, there are many reasons people tend to slow down and become sedentary—health problems, weight gain, pain, fear of falling, or simply the belief that exercise isn’t for them. Whatever the case, try your best to stay active. Physical activity contributes to longevity and happiness, adding not just years to your life but life to your years. Let’s get moving and have fun—so you can enjoy every day to the fullest!
Healthy Tips for Seniors
Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the “For the Young at Heart” TV show and program.
Join the fun and subscribe today to our membership program, featuring dozens of fun and active dance and fitness videos to choose from. In-person dance and fitness classes are also available, geared toward individuals aged 55 to 105.
Contact Leslie at: LeslieSokolsdance.com
September is National Preparedness Month, making it a perfect time to plan and prepare for what you and your loved ones will do in an emergency. California faces various risks, including wildfires, floods, extreme heat, earthquakes, and landslides. These risks vary depending on where you live, but every community in California is vulnerable. You can learn more about the risks in your area by visiting MyHazards.caloes.ca.gov, a resource from the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. By planning ahead, you empower yourself and your loved ones to navigate these challenges with resilience and preparedness.
Do you and your loved ones have an emergency plan?
California offers a wealth of resources to help older adults prepare for disasters. The California Department of Aging recently released an Emergency Preparedness Guide, available for viewing or download at Aging.ca.gov. This guide helps older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people with access and functional needs prepare for emergencies while considering their unique circumstances. California’s network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging, along with community partners and emergency services managers, is actively developing and revising disaster preparation and response plans to help all Californians be ready in the event of a disaster.
Individuals can take steps to prepare themselves, their families, and their homes. Anchored in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, ListosCalifornia.org promotes a five-point approach to disaster readiness:
Five Readiness Actions
Building trusted connections with family, friends, caregivers, and healthcare providers is critical to ensuring the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities are met during emergencies. Important considerations include:
What Should Older Adults Put in a Go-Bag?
Additional items for a go-bag might include hand sanitizer, clothing, a blanket, and pet food. Keep emergency kits in an easily accessible location near your main exit route in case you need to leave quickly.
Listos California also offers a Disaster Recovery Resources Guide in English and Spanish, which includes information on housing assistance, replacing vital documents, help replacing prescriptions, accessing food, and more. A variety of safety and disaster preparedness flyers are available, covering topics such as severe storm safety and a Disaster Ready Card in 14 languages.
Preparing for emergencies is easier than you think. From low- or no-cost preparedness actions to ready-made kits, there are numerous resources available to help you and your loved ones stay safe.
Visit aging.ca.gov for more information.
by Nella Nelson
Are there any sharks bigger than ‘Jaws’ off the California coast? was the question asked by a recent Desert Sun article. The answer came during an Island Packers cruise from Ventura to Santa Cruz Island is February of this year. Two basking sharks were spotted, feeding in the Santa Barbara Channel. Basking sharks can grow up to 30-plus feet, making them the world’s second largest fish, next to the whale shark at 60 feet.
As alarming as these facts may sound, shark attacks are not a major problem off the California coast, but when they happen, the killers are great whites. A report by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife documented shark attacks from 1950 – 2024. The report revealed that the most common attacks were by great whites with an occasional hammerhead. In the earlier years, the sharks attacked swimmers and free divers. In the more recent years, as paddle boards and kayaks became more popular, the attacks drew more sharks to these items. This data leads to the next question: What exactly are sharks drawn to, or repelled by, in the water?
According to a CBS news report, an Australian company developed a Rpela, a device which attaches to surfboards to emit underwater pulses to deter sharks. A Shark Banz bracelet can also be worn on the wrist or ankle. It uses magnets and never needs to be charged.
In theory, the scents that repel sharks are: eucalyptus, chili, cloves, cayenne pepper, neem, tea tree oil, citronella, and beeswax. When applied to a board, these may deter sharks. Chillax Wax is a product that combines all of these scents, though it may be more difficult to purchase as it is produced by a one-man operation in Queensland, Australia.
What if you’re already in the water and a shark is approaching you? A current CNN article suggested the following:
To lessen your chances of encountering a shark attack:
In 1989, a young female’s body was found floating in the ocean near Ventura, reported the LA Times in January of that year, stating that she may have been the victim of an extremely rare shark attack while kayaking.
Stay safe in our cool Pacific waters. Have fun, yet be aware of what you can do if an imminent shark attack happens to occur.
Sources:
Jacobson, Seth & Ward, James. How Big Are the Sharks off California’s Coast? And Are the Sharks Man Eaters? Palm Springs Desert Sun. July 15, 2024. https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/nation/california/2024/07/15/how-many-fatal-shark-attacks-off-california-coast-have-there-been/74395087007/
Brooks, Kristopher. Can Shark Repellants Avoid Your Becoming Shark Food? CBS: Moneywatch. July 7, 2023. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-shark-repellent-swimmers-divers-surfers/
Brown, Forrest & Thompson, Nick. How to Survive a Shark Attack—Or Better Yet, Avoid One Entirely. CNN. July 16, 2024. https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/20/travel/shark-attack-how-to-survive/index.html
California Shark Incidents (report) 1950-2024. California Department of Fish & Wildlife. https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx?DocumentID=203224&inline
NOAA Fisheries – noaa.gov. Outreach-and-Education.
Evin and Vivi Brown – Bergen, Norway
Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
Rebel Ridge – Netflix
Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) was riding a bike to Shelby Springs to post bail for his cousin when he was hit by a police car. Officer Marston said that he had been following Terry for two miles trying to pull him over, but Terry had headphones on and had no idea. Officer Marston handcuffed Terry saying he fled, then searched his backpack and found $36,000 cash which was confiscated.
Terry explained he sold his vehicle because he needed to get $10,000 bail for his cousin to the courthouse by 5pm to and the rest was for them to start a new life together. Officer Marston said that he would let Terry off with a warning, but they would keep the cash, stating they concluded it was drug currency and Terry would have to appear in court to get it back. Terry explained it was legally obtained through the sale of his vehicle and cashing out his share in a restaurant.
Terry went to the courthouse to explain the situation to a public defender, who said he couldn’t help but the conversation was overheard by Summer (AnnaSophia Robb), a woman who worked in the courthouse. She took Terry to the local diner to explain what was happening and that he most likely would never get the money back. Terry explained that his cousin was a witness in a capital murder case and that if he was not bailed out and transferred, that his life was at risk.
Terry went to report the money stolen, but was met by Police Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson) who told Terry he needed to leave. Terry felt his only option was to ask Chief Burnne to use $10,000 for his cousin’s bail and they could keep the rest. He agreed and told Terry to come back Monday to see his cousin. Terry showed, but Chief Burnne said he was late so Terry chased the transfer bus on his bike and told his cousin they were on to him and to seek protective custody.
Terry contacted his ex-business partner to loan him the $10,000 for the bail, but he said the police were searching his restaurant and took his safe. Terry went to ask Summer for help, but she was concerned about her job and asked him to leave, though met him outside saying she had found some cases similar to Terry’s cousin that didn’t seem right. Back at the station, Chief Burnne was investigating Terry’s background and learned he had been a Marine Corps martial arts specialist.
It was at that moment that Terry arrived at the police station and Chief Burnne met him outside, followed shortly by Officer Lann which both pulled guns on him. Terry quickly disarmed them both and grabbed Chief Burnne to make his way into the station. Inside he cuffed Chief Burnne and Officer Lann together, then asked Officer Sims (Zsané Jhé) to retrieve his money from the evidence locker, telling her to seperate $10,000 for the bail and left the rest to honor his deal.
Terry returned to the courthouse to post the bail and Summer tried to help when numerous police officers showed up to arrest him, with his hope of ending up where his cousin was held. Officer Marston put Terry in a police car and picked up Chief Burnne who explained to Terry that all the guns and cash he saw at the station was legal. He gave Terry his $26,000 back and explained that they were at a hospital where his cousin was being medivaced after being attacked.
Chief Burnne apologized telling Terry he bought his truck for him but he had to leave town permanently and unfortunately his cousin also passed away. Summer showed Terry proof of the chief’s corruption and helped him to leave town, but helping Terry would cost Summer in being drugged to frame her. She was able to call Terry who came back to rescue her, but his return would bring a world of trouble to both of them that only Terry’s special skills could resolve.
Runtime: 2h 11m
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Looking back for just a moment, congratulations to Army of Freshmen who performed at the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, September 14, to commemorate their 25th anniversary; their high energy show is always a crowd pleaser. I sat across from two women who traveled from Texas to catch the concert buying a pile of merch including the band’s entire catalog; now that’s dedication! During the opening act’s set, Nerfherder helped to facilitate a wedding proposal asking for a couple of people in the audience to help start their next song and of course they just happened to choose “a random couple.” After howling like wolves, the band started a fake song while he got down on one knee with a ring taking her by surprise. After jumping up and down, she said yes! I’ll admit it made me tear up as the audience cheered them on!
On a downer note, the 7th annual Oxnard Jazz Festival which was scheduled for September 14 – 15, was postponed just days before the event. According to their website it was due to “unexpected challenges…” but of course that could translate to low ticket sales. Hope that wasn’t the case and it will be back before long.
Now looking forward, I don’t know why, but I’m sure there is a reason breweries celebrate Oktoberfest in September. Poseidon Brewing Company’s will fall on Saturday, September 21, with Linda’s Polka Party Band, and Enegren Brewing in Moorpark will celebrate Oktoberfest the following weekend, Saturday, September 28, with Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts, Der Matterhorns, Hazelnuss Das Music and Ladyhosen. My theory is that these specialty bands book up years in advance and you get ‘em while you can. Just a theory.
The 11th annual Banana Festival returns to the Port of Hueneme on Saturday, September 28, with several live bands including Caliente 805, Upstream, House Arrest and One People. This free event is family friendly and a fun way to see and appreciate the Port and learn about its economic contribution to Ventura County while indulging in some sort of banana concoction.
Quick Notes: Ventura Theater added two Social Distortion shows with night one selling out almost immediately, but at press time, tickets were still available for December 4; tickets are on sale now for Letters to Cleo for November 15 at the Ventura Music Hall; Karl Hunter’s Jazz Hates Johnny plays the Grape on Friday, September 20; it’s a Grateful Dead tribute weekend at the Crowne Plaza’s Aqua Bar with Reckoning on Saturday, September 21 and Peoples Dead on Sunday, September 22; Brasscals (Santa Barbara’s one and only street brass band) and Ventura’s own, Casual Business, play Leashless on Sunday, September 22; and the final Rock the Collection free concert falls on Thursday, September 26 with The King of Queens.
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.
For more listings, additional times and genres go to VenturaRocks.com
Aqua Beachfront Bar (Crowne Plaza)
450 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura
Wed 9/18: Big Adventure Duo
Sat 9/21: Reckoning
Sun 9/22: Peoples Dead
Wed 9/25: Jerry Breiner
Banana Festival
105 E. Port Hueneme Rd., Port of Hueneme
Sat 9/28: Caliente 805, Upstream, House Arrest, One People
Boatyard Pub
1583 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Music 6-9; except Thurs 4-9
Wednesdays: Frank Barajas
Thursdays: Jim Friery (4 pm ); Bluegrass Jam (6:30 pm)
Fri 9/20: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 9/21: Déjà vu Three
Fri 9/27: Mack and D
Sat 9/28: Karen Eden and the Bad Apples
Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St., Ventura
Thursdays: Ventura Blues Night
Fri 9/20: Von’s Island, Dedfones, 5th Street Saints, Sadden
Sun 9/22: Petty ‘Round the Campfire’
Café Fiore
66 California St., Ventura
Wed 9/18: Donna Butler
Fri 9/20: Otis Hayes
Wed 9/25: Fabulous Hangovers
Fri9/27: Heathers on Fire
Cantara Cellars
126 N. Wood Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/20: Heart and Soul
Sat 9/21: Ignition
Sun 9/22: Natalie Wattre
Fri 9/27: Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps
Sat 9/28: 805 Social Club
The Collection
2751 Park View Ct., Oxnard
Thurs 9/26: The King of Queens
Deer Lodge
2261 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai
Fri 9/20: James Damigo, Fistful of Leaves
Sun 9/22: High Times
Fri 9/27: Leroy Mornin’
Duke’s Beach Grill
1124 S. Seaward Ave., Ventura
Sat 9/21: One People
Sat 9/28: 4 On the Floor
Enegren Brewing Co.
444 Zachary St., Moorpark
Sat 9/28: Festmeister Hans und Die Sauerkrauts, Der Matterhorns, more…
Four Brix
2290 Eastman Ave., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 9/22: Smokey & Friends
Fri 9/27: Caught Red Handed
Sun 9/29: Big Adventure
Garage
1091 Scandia Ave., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 9/21: Memberz Only
Fri 9/27: Brittney & the B-Sides
Sat 9/28: Courtney Hope
The Grape
2733 E. Main St., Ventura
Tues: The Gratitude Jazz Jam
Wed 9/18: Adam Hersh Trio
Thurs 9/19: Tony Maddox & Shannon Pearson
Fri 9/20: Jazz Hates Johnny
Sat 9/21: RJ Mischo (2p); Clayton Cameron Du U Project (8p)
Wed 9/25: Bruce Forman Red Guitar feat. Teresa James
Thurs 9/26: Josh Nelson Trio
Fri 9/27: Ed Smith Group
Sat 9/28: Debbie Davies (2p); Doug Webb Group (8p)
Keynote
10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Pull the Trigger
Sat 9/28: Ventu Park Band
Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Sat 9/21: The Obrama
Sun 9/22: Casual Business, The Brascals
Fri 9/27: Mark Masson and Jam Grass
Sat 9/28: Top Shelf
Sun 9/29: Chris Murray Ska Session
Libbey Bowl
210 S. Signal St., Ojai
Sun 9/22: Ojai Pops: Los Padres Sound Horn Quartet
Sat 9/28: Dave Mason’s Traffic Jam
Magnavino Cellars
961 Rice Ave., Oxnard
Fri 9/20: CRV
Sat 9/21: Elekric Love In
Sun 9/22: Cary Park
Sat 9/28: Strummed Down
Sun 9/29: Natalie Wattre
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Sat 9/28: Definitely Dead
Sun 9/29: Panteon Rococo
Manhattan
5800 Santa Rosa Rd., Camarillo
Thursdays: Tom McMorran
Wed 9/18: Monte Montgomery
Fri 9/20: Pam and Hollywood
Sat 9/21: Jeanne Tatum Trio
Sun 9/22: Warren Takahashi
Wed 9/25: Robert Van
Fri 9/27: Tour Support
Sat 9/28: Michael Falcone Trio
Sun 9/29: Robert Van
Margarita Villa
1567 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Brittney & the B-sides
Sat 9/21: Operation 90s
Sun 9/22: Los Amigos
Tues 9/24: Two Tossers
Fri 9/27: The Riffs
Sat 9/28: Crosscut 805
Sun 9/29: CRV
Ojai Underground Exchange
616 Pearl St., Ojai
Fri 9/20: Jim Kimo West & Brian Gore
Sun 9/22: Will Thomas
Fri 9/27: Ranchers for Peace
Sat 9/28: Susie Glaze w/ Severin Browne
Sun 9/29: Paul Durham with Tod Weidner
Ojai Valley Brewing
307 Bryant St., Ojai
Fri 9/20: Kyle Swan
Sat 9/21: D.on Darox & the Melody Joy Bakers
Sat 9/28: Damaged Goods
Onyx Bistro
2390 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo
Fri 9/20: Natalie Wattre
Sat 9/21: Brenda Carsey
Fri 9/27: Vinny Berry
Sat 9/28: Sliya Frantz
Peirano’s
204 E. Main St., Ventura
Thursdays: Bobby Campbell
Fri 9/20: Braids & Dreads
Sat 9/21: Mack and D
Sun 9/22: Vinny Berry
Sat 9/28: Mack and D
Poseidon Brewing Co.
5777 Olivas Park Dr., Ventura
Sat 9/21: Linda’s Polka Party Band
The Raven Tavern
1651 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard
Fri & Sat 8 pm; Sundays 2 pm
Fri 9/20: Breaking Bored
Sat 9/21: NDR CVR SPR GRP
Sun 9/22: Doc Rogers acoustic
Fri 9/27: Vinyl Gypsies
Sat 9/28: Duke Fame Band
Sun 9/29: Colin Kyffin
Rock the Collection
2751 Park View St., Oxnard
Thurs 9/26: The King of Kings
Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut St., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Lowered Expectations
The Shores
1031 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard
Wednesdays: Jake McClelland
Fri 9/20: Whiskey Stone
Sat 9/21: We are the 80s
Fri 9/27: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 9/28: Adrian Floy and THC
The Sportsman
4426 Central Ave., Camarillo
Sun 9/22: Swing Shift
Strey Cellars
951 N. Rice Ave., Oxnard
Sun 9/22: Caught Red Handed
Sun 9/29: Doc Rogers Band
Tony’s Pizzeria
186 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Thurs 9/19: Jah Standards
Sun 9/22: Soul Machine
Thurs 9/26: Heavy Hitters
Fri 9/27: Lowered Expectations
Sun 9/29: Heart & Soul
Topa Topa Brewing
4880 Colt St., Ventura
Sun 9/29: The Trivle Omdobble
Twist on Main
454 E. Main St., Ventura
Tuesdays: 805 The Shakedown
Wed 9/18: Dueling Pianos
Sat 9/21: Jocky Jord, Jay
Sun 9/22: Joe Delia, Hot Roux
Sat 9/28: Charlotte Dickson
Sun 9/29: Will Dickerson, Mark Masson
Vaquero y Mar
435 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Tuesdays: The Sea Hunter, Lowered Expectations
Sat 9/21: Caught Red Handed
Ventura Harbor Village
1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura
Sat 9/21: Tony Lee & Forbidden Fruit
Sat 9/28: Bobby Hart Band
Ventura Music Hall
1888 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura
Fri 9/20: Nikka Costa
Sat 9/21: Julian Lage
Sun 9/22: MC Magic, Baby Bash, Lil Rob, Jay Roxxx & more…
Sat 9/28: Ziggy Alberts
Sun 9/29: Strung Out, Adolescents, A Wilhelm Scream
Winchesters
632 E. Main St., Ventura
Music Fri 7 pm; Sat 3 pm; Sun 3 pm
Fri 9/20: Ray Jaurique Trio
Sat 9/21: Milo Sledge
Sun 9/22: Mocha Chai
Fri 9/27: Nick & the Old Souls
Sat 9/28: Milo Sledge & Rob Rio
Sun 9/29: The James Broz Band
1901 Speakeasy
740 S. B Street, Oxnard
Sat 9/21: Dos Cats
Fri 9/27: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 9/28: Dianne Miller Trio