The ARTLIFE Foundation presents SPONTANEOUS INSPIRATION the 2022 Mail Art project at the Crowne Plaza. Mail Art is art sent through the mail. It was started in the 1960’s by artists who wanted to move their art out of formal galleries and make their original work available to people for little costs. Since then it has become a world-wide movement.
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Beach Dunes by Bonny Butler
At Studio 99 @ The Bell Arts Factory
Coming Up:
Plein Air Open Competition
Original artwork by local artists, both Buenaventura Art Association Members and Non-Members. Awards Given!
Exhibit runs thru February 25, 2023
Reception on First Friday, February 3, 6 – 9pm
Awards announcements at approximately 7pm
As I See It
The federal omnibus bill includes $28.9 million for 17 different projects in Ventura County, including. $750,000 to bring air conditioning to E.P. Foster Library. Foster is the only library without air conditioning in the county library system. Now, at least people will go to the library to cool down, and maybe they’ll even pick up a book.
The City Manager is the most influential job in Ventura’s city government. He controls millions of dollars and impacts Ventura for years to come. He (so far only males) does this with little oversight from a part-time City Council. A search is now under way to replace Alex McIntyre. Previously, the Council voted unanimously without debate to accept a separation agreement with McIntyre and a general release with a settlement payment of $150,000 in exchange for a waiver of any claims against the city. He could have received a much higher settlement during litigation.
When I was young (A long time ago), I thought there was a country named Panavision because movies always stated “Filmed in Panavision.”
Bill Gates has given $5 billion to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to back the grant maker’s work in global health, development, policy and advocacy, and U.S. education. Wonderful that he does this and isn’t focused about developing Mars to make it into Gatesville.
William Singer, the college admission consultant who bribed coaches and rigged exams to get children of his wealthy clients into universities, has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison. It is rumored that he asked the judge to give him four years which would give him time to obtain a BA degree in license plate manufacturing. He also tried to bribe the warden to put him on the prison water polo team.
Just when we think we have enough laws, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 997 of them in 2022. This is not new as hundreds of new laws are created every year. Here’s a couple of my favorites to make life safer and better for all of us are:
Creates a new state holiday, The Lunar New Year, under which state workers can receive 8 hours of holiday credit for that day.
Repeals a misdemeanor law against loitering in public for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. I support this. Prostitutes should have the same right to loiter as do people standing outside their work places smoking.
Creative expression from music to books are restricted from being used as evidence in criminal proceedings. After it was found that many men of color were being prosecuted using their lyrics as evidence. On the other hand, it was found that singers who sing God Bless America were much more likely to be found innocent of crimes.
I went spear fishing and caught 4 spears, but they were too small so I had to throw them back. in.
There is a 988 hotline to help people who are experiencing a mental health emergency. The nationwide helpline is staffed with mental health counselors. Since its launch in July it has fielded approximately 8,000 phone calls a day from those seeking help. With so many of our youths, and adults, struggling with mental health issues, it is important that they know about this service.
Dabster Arts Inc. presents Starman solo exhibition of photographs from Markus Klinko
Dabster Arts Inc. is pleased to present Starman. A solo exhibition of photographs from Markus Klinko on view at H Gallery in Ventura at 1793 E. Main. Klinko has shot some of the world’s most memorable photographs featuring the world’s most recognized stars. Our exhibit includes large scale, high impact portraits including Pharrell, JLO, Pam Anderson and of course David Bowie. Markus Klinko is an award-winning, international fashion/celebrity photographer and director, who has worked with many of today’s most iconic stars of film, music, and fashion.
Ride Ready 2023 Bicycle Training
The City of Ventura, BikeVentura, and Trek Ventura are offering a free public bike safety training.
This one-day (4 hour) skill course is your chance to learn safety, maintenance, lane position, and bike handling. Skilled instructors, certified by the League of American Bicyclists, will help you gain greater confidence and more fun on your bike rides.
This class is for adults, who can ride a bike, or adult-accompanied children. The program includes classroom session, outdoor skills training, and a group ride on carefully selected city streets.
Even the most experienced bicyclists are going to learn important skills, such as:
● Proper Bike and Helmet Fit
● Riding safely, visibly and predictably with traffic
● Communicating with car drivers
● Your rights & responsibilities on the road
● Emergency Maneuvers
● Across-Town Route Selection
● What to bring on every ride
● Fix a flat, maintain your bike and more!
By successfully completing this course Trek will give each participant a chance to win a new bicycle, a $20 store coupon, and $50 off a bike tune-up.
During the class, Trek will provide a free safety check to make sure your bike is shifting smoothly and the brakes work properly. In addition, enjoy coffee, snacks and excellent safety training.
A working bicycle and helmet are required. If you have questions? Please contact [email protected]
Link to register – https://bikeventura.org/events/
City of Ventura to host coastal walk during upcoming King Tides
Community members are invited to join the City of Ventura and local environmental partners for a walk along the Beach Promenade to learn about King Tides and how sea level rise could impact our local coastline. The walk will take place on Saturday, January 21, 2023, starting at 8:30 a.m.
Participants will meet at Promenade Park, located off Shoreline Drive near Surfers Point. The one-way walk is a half-mile and should last for approximately 10 minutes.
“The high surf this week is an example of how powerful our ocean is,” shared Mayor Joe Schroeder. “In a few weeks, our annual King Tides will return to our coast, and I hope our residents take advantage of this year’s event by seeing them first-hand.”
The term “King Tide” is used to describe an especially high tide event when there is an alignment of the gravitational pull between the sun and moon. When King Tides occur during floods or storms, water levels can rise higher and have the potential to cause great damage to the coastline and coastal property.
“Ventura boasts seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and valuable shoreline,” said Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “These yearly tides are a humble reminder that our coastline is vulnerable and highlights the innovative measures the City and many community partners have taken to combat erosion to help preserve our shoreline.”
The King Tides are expected along the Ventura coastline on Saturday, January 21, at 8:16 a.m., and Sunday, January 22, at 9:04 a.m.
One type of exercise or activity may not be enough
Most people tend to focus on one type of exercise or activity and think they’re doing enough. Research has shown that it’s important to get all four types of exercise: endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Each one has different benefits. Doing one kind also can improve your ability to do the others, and variety helps reduce boredom and risk of injury. No matter your age, you can find activities that meet your fitness level and needs!
Endurance activities, often referred to as aerobic, increase your breathing and heart rates. These activities help keep you healthy, improve your fitness, and help you perform the tasks you need to do every day. Endurance exercises improve the health of your heart, lungs, and circulatory system. They also can delay or prevent many diseases that are common in older adults such as diabetes, colon and breast cancers, heart disease, and others. Physical activities that build endurance include:
Brisk walking or jogging
Yard work (mowing, raking)
Dancing
Swimming
Biking
Climbing stairs or hills
Playing tennis or basketball
Increase your endurance or “staying power” to help keep up with your grandchildren during a trip to the park, dance to your favorite songs at a family wedding, and rake the yard and bag up leaves. Build up to at least 150 minutes of activity a week that makes you breathe hard. Try to be active throughout your day to reach this goal and avoid sitting for long periods of time.
Your muscular strength can make a big difference. Strong muscles help you stay independent and make everyday activities feel easier, like getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, and carrying groceries. Keeping your muscles strong can help with your balance and prevent falls and fall-related injuries. You are less likely to fall when your leg and hip muscles are strong. Some people call using weight to improve your muscle strength “strength training” or “resistance training.”
Some people choose to use weights to help improve their strength. If you do, start by using light weights at first, then gradually add more. Other people use resistance bands, stretchy elastic bands that come in varying strengths. If you are a beginner, try exercising without the band or use a light band until you are comfortable. Add a band or move on to a stronger band (or more weight) when you can do two sets of 10 to 15 repetitions easily. Try to do strength exercises for all of your major muscle groups at least 2 days per week, but don’t exercise the same muscle group on any 2 days in a row.
Balance exercises help prevent falls, a common problem in older adults that can have serious consequences. Many lower-body strength exercises also will improve your balance.
Balance exercises include:
Tai Chi, a “moving meditation” that involves shifting the body slowly, gently, and precisely, while breathing deeply.
Standing on one foot.
The heel-to-toe walk.
The balance walk.
Standing from a seated position.
Flexibility exercises include:
The back stretch exercise
The inner thigh stretch
The ankle stretch
The back of leg stretch
Safety tips
Stretch when your muscles are warmed up.
Stretch after endurance or strength exercises.
Don’t stretch so far that it hurts.
Always remember to breathe normally while holding a stretch.
Talk with your doctor if you are unsure about a particular exercise.
New Ventura City Councilmembers sworn into office
Front row – Jim Friedman, Jeanette Sanchez-Palacios, Sofia Rubalcava, Jim Duran, and Liz Campos. Back row – Lorrie Brown, Joe Schroeder, Mike Johnson, Doug Halter, and Bill McReynolds.
The City of Ventura has sworn in four newly elected Councilmembers at the City Council reorganization meeting hosted on Monday, December 12, 2022.
The oaths of office for council districts were taken for Liz Campos (District 1), Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios (District 4), Bill McReynolds (District 5), and Jim Duran (District 6). The new members join the seven-seat Council, which includes Councilmembers Joe Schroeder (District 7), Doug Halter (District 2), and Mike Johnson (District 3).
The Council also held nominations for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s elections. Joe Schroeder was selected as Mayor, and Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios was selected as Deputy Mayor.
The Council selects both titles of Mayor and Deputy Mayor among its members every two years. The mayor’s duties are to preside over the sessions of the Council, sign official documents, and act as the official head of the City. The mayor has the power to administer oaths and affirmations but has no power of veto. The Deputy Mayor shall act as Mayor in the absence or disability of the mayor.
During the meeting, the Council, City staff, and community members also recognized and thanked outgoing members, including Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, who served from 2018-2022; Councilmember Jim Friedman, who served from 1995-2003 and again from 2018-2022; and Councilmember Lorrie Brown, who served from 2018-2022.
The City Council meeting and oath of office ceremony are available on the City of Ventura’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/CityofVentura.
To learn more about the Ventura City Council, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/CityCouncil.
Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation help Ventura teens explore STEAM
The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura makes positive and lasting impacts on the lives of Ventura teens.
Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation are helping get middle and high school teens at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura (BGCGV) excited about STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics). STEAM weaves in critical thinking with experimental and dynamic learning at its core. Each organization donated $25,000 — for a total of $50,000 — to elevate STEAM programming at each of the club’s four locations in Ventura, Saticoy and Oak View.
The expanded programming will begin in 2023 and continue thereafter. The club will be adding a STEAM programs manager, who will focus on middle and high school STEAM programs at all four club sites: Harrison, LeFevre, West End Teen Center and Oak View Teen Center.
“Our clubs offer a nurturing environment where youth can thrive,” said Patti Birmingham, chief executive officer, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura. “Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation are making it possible for our teens to explore careers in STEAM and have hands on practical experience, which can translate to great paying jobs for them. Most of our youth do not realize how many local careers are within their reach.”
This gift from Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation will also provide BGCGV with funding to purchase 3D printing and robotic supplies, tinkering and circuit-building kits. The club will also be able to enhance its existing coding and engineering programs and start a cybertechnology program, enabling the club to connect with and inspire more teens to reach their fullest potential.
BGCGV is also providing career exploration programming to its teens, with both virtual and inperson tours of local businesses — recognizing that there are many paths to STEAM careers. It’s also providing teens access to a variety of careers that can be attained right after high school, through technical training or through institutions of higher learning.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura makes positive and lasting impacts on the lives of Ventura teens,” said Erin Larner, manager of operations for Aera-Ventura. “We’re excited to help amplify their work to help teens learn about science, technology, engineering, arts and math fields, explore potential careers, and help them realize their full potential. This is one of the ways we at Aera are working to improve the lives of residents in the communities where our employees live and work!”
“The Gene Haas Foundation is proud to support all of the clubs of Greater Ventura,” said Joanne Haas, Director of Community Grants California and Nevada. “We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that goes into providing a nurturing environment and educating the kids of our community.”
The California Highway Patrol provided each child with a toy
There were approximately 70 volunteers throughout the day.
On December 17, over 500 people attended the holiday event for west end families, including 347 children. The event was hosted by the Rotary Club of Ventura, Coats for Kids (which distributed over 347 coats), Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura, Chick-fil-A (which gave away breakfast entree gift cards), Arise Ventura, and Food Share (which gave away food boxes).
The California Highway Patrol provided each child with a toy. Kids selected earrings to give to their moms which were made and donated by Rotary member Mary Saputo. Participants enjoyed taking photos with Santa and his Elf. Some teens will receive Vans shoes in January if the donated sizes fit them.
There were approximately 70 volunteers throughout the day made up of Arise Ventura, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura staff & teens, Rotary Club of Ventura, Interact volunteers from Foothill Technology & Pacific High Schools, and the CHP.
The event was sponsored by a generous donation from SoCalGas. “SoCalGas is proud to support the Rotary Club of Ventura’s “Coats for Kids” program which distributed over 347 coats this weekend to children and their families. The work the Rotary does to serve our neighbors in need is truly inspiring and we are proud to support their efforts. “SoCalGas is committed to supporting local organizations that are working to bring holiday cheer,” said Maria Ventura, SoCalGas Senior Public Affairs Manager.