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Winner of Tony, Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards for Best Musical!

It’s 1930’s Harlem, and the joint is jumpin.

Ain’t Misbehavin at the Rubicon Theatre Company closes on December 18.

It’s 1930’s Harlem, and the joint is jumpin’! Nightclubs like the Cotton Club and the Savoy Ballroom are the playgrounds of high society, and dive bars on Lenox Avenue pulse with piano players banging out new tunes that are a wild mix of raucous, rowdy, and mournful. At home on the keyboard is Thomas “Fats” Waller – the big-hearted, bigger-than-life impresario and international jazz pianist who helped create and define American swing. Ain’t Misbehavin’ is a musical tribute to Waller’s passion for pleasure and play. The revue features a five-person, triple-threat cast performing hit songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “Black and Blue,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Right Myself a Letter,” “The Jitterbug Waltz,” and the title song.

“The high-stepping swing music tickles and teases, taunts and tantalizes.”

– L.A. Times

Realtor group raises $7,900 to give to Boys and Girls Club

YPN members solicited donations from local merchants to give to the Boys and Girls Club.

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura provides comprehensive after-school and summer-break services to hundreds of low-income children for just a small fee that is a fraction of the actual costs to pay for staff and facilities. As Executive Director Patti Birmingham puts it, the club couldn’t exist without generous community support.

Which is why the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors (VCCAR) selected the club as its designated charity for the annual YPN Month of Giving this year, said YPN Chair Vanessa Rice, a sales executive with Fidelity Home Warranty.

“We wanted to choose a local organization and one that helped children,” she explained. So the group of younger real estate professionals – Realtors and affiliated members who work for title companies, lenders, escrow companies and others involved in residential real estate transactions – hosted a fundraiser at Peirano’s restaurant in downtown Ventura which raised $7,900 for the Boys and Girls Club.

YPN members solicited donations from local merchants to be auctioned off at the event, and Peirano’s generously offered the space for the event at no charge.

“That was huge,” Rice noted. “If you have to pay for the venue, that takes a lot out of what you can give back.”

Birmingham said the clubs only charge a $25 a year membership fee for after-school programs and $50 a week for summer programs, while it costs about $2,400 per child for after-school programs and $3,600 for year-round participation.

“Donations like this mean everything for us. They make all the difference in serving these kids, and they are families who need support,” she said.

Ashley Anderson, VCCAR’s 2022 president, said the Association is proud to support community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club.

“Realtors know their communities and their needs well and believe in strengthening those communities,” Anderson said. “Realtors and their companies give back in many ways throughout the year, and as an Association we are proud to contribute as well.”

The California Association of Realtors launched the Young Professional Network Month of Giving program in 2015 to give back to local communities. Each local chapter selects its charity of choice and plans fundraising efforts.

Ventura College’s Veterinary Technology Program accredited

Students receive a veterinary assistant Certificate of Achievement.

Ventura College’s veterinary technology program is less than two years old and already has been granted initial accreditation by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This recognition signifies the success and rigor of the young program, as graduates will now be qualified to sit for the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become Registered Veterinary Technicians.

The accreditation process involves detailed evaluations by the AVMA’s Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities (CVTEA) and is designed to ensure veterinary technology programs produce practice-ready graduates. Students are required to demonstrate competency in over 300 essential skills that span all sectors of veterinary medicine and involve hands-on skills working with over 10 species of domestic animals.

Ventura College’s two-year vet tech program, launched February 2021, is a partnership with Ohana Pet Hospital. Classes are held at Ventura College East Campus in Santa Paula with students getting practical experience working with animals at off-campus animal care facilities throughout Ventura County. Students also participate in clinical externships at veterinary hospitals and clinics, where they gain valuable field experience. Upon completing their first year in the program, students receive a veterinary assistant Certificate of Achievement, which enables them to seek entry-level employment in the field of veterinary technology. Graduating students receive an Associate of Science degree in veterinary technology.

“In 2021, Ventura College’s East Campus welcomed its first cohort of 26 students in the program. We were the first in the Tri-County region to have a vet tech program, so receiving the AVMA Committee on Veterinary Technician Education and Activities stamp of approval is important for the program’s longevity and our students’ futures,” said Kim Hoffmans, president of Ventura College.

For more information about the vet tech program, visit https://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/academic/veterinary-technician

Vitamins and minerals for older adults

by National Institute on Aging

Vitamins and minerals are two of the main types of nutrients that your body needs to survive and stay healthy. Find information on some of the essential vitamins recommended for older adults and how to get the recommended amount within your diet.

Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 essential vitamins — vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).

Vitamins have different jobs to help keep the body working properly. Some vitamins help you resist infections and keep your nerves healthy, while others may help your body get energy from food or help your blood clot properly. By following the Dietary Guidelines, you will get enough of most of these vitamins from food.

Like vitamins, minerals also help your body function. Minerals are elements that our bodies need to function that can be found on the earth and in foods. Some minerals, like iodine and fluoride, are only needed in very small quantities. Others, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are needed in larger amounts. As with vitamins, if you eat a varied diet, you will probably get enough of most minerals.

It is usually better to get the nutrients you need from food, rather than a pill. That’s because nutrient-dense foods contain other things that are good for you, like fiber.

Most older adults can get all the nutrients they need from foods. But if you aren’t sure, always talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out if you are missing any important vitamins or minerals. Your doctor or dietitian may recommend a vitamin or dietary supplement.

It’s important to be aware that some supplements can have side effects, such as increasing the risk of bleeding after an injury or changing your response to anesthesia during surgery. Supplements can also interact with some medicines in ways that might cause problems. For example, vitamin K can reduce the ability of the common blood thinner warfarin to prevent blood from clotting. If you do need to supplement your diet, your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what supplements and doses are safe for you.

When looking for supplements to buy, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of choices at the pharmacy or grocery store. Look for a supplement that contains the vitamin or mineral you need without a lot of other unnecessary ingredients. Read the label to make sure the dose is not too large. Avoid supplements with megadoses. Too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful, and you might be paying for supplements you don’t need. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend brands that fit your needs.

Different foods in each food group have different nutrients. Picking an assortment within every food group throughout the week will help you get many nutrients. For example, choose seafood instead of meat twice a week. The variety of foods will make your meals more interesting, too.

Sodium is another important mineral. In most Americans’ diets, sodium primarily comes from salt (sodium chloride). Whenever you add salt to your food, you’re adding sodium. But the Dietary Guidelines shows that most of the sodium we eat doesn’t come from our saltshakers — it’s added to many foods during processing or preparation. We all need some sodium, but too much over time can lead to high blood pressure, which can raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke.

How much sodium is okay? People 51 and older should reduce their sodium intake to 2,300 mg each day. That is about one teaspoon of salt and includes sodium added during manufacturing or cooking as well as at the table when eating. If you have high blood pressure or prehypertension, limiting sodium intake to 1,500 mg per day, about 2/3 teaspoon of salt, may be helpful. Preparing your own meals at home without using a lot of processed foods or salt will allow you to control how much sodium you get. Try using less salt when cooking, and don’t add salt before you take the first bite. If you make this change slowly, you will get used to the difference in taste. Also look for grocery products marked “low sodium,” “unsalted,” “no salt added,” “sodium free,” or “salt free.” Also check the Nutrition Facts Label to see how much sodium is in a serving.

Eating more fresh vegetables and fruit also helps — they are naturally low in sodium and provide more potassium. Get your sauce and dressing on the side and use only as much as you need for taste.

Vol. 16, No. 06 – Dec 14 – Dec 27, 2022 – Horoscope

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Restless Rams and Ewes might want to let others finish a current project while they start something new. But if you do, you could risk losing out on a future opportunity.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The Bovine’s creative forces start revving up as you plan for the upcoming holidays. Some practical aspects also emerge, especially where money is involved.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Moments of doubt disrupt your otherwise clear sense of purpose. Don’t ignore them. They could be telling you not to rush into anything until you know more about it.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) A planned trip might have to be delayed. Plan to use this new free time to update your skills and your resume so you’ll be ready when a new job opportunity opens.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) A flood of holiday party bids from business contacts allows you to mix work and pleasure. Your knowledge, plus your Leonine charm, wins you a new slew of admirers.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) An unexpected act by a colleague complicates an agreement, causing delays in implementing it. Check out the motive for this move: It’s not what you might suspect.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might want to cut ties with an ingrate who seems to have forgotten your past generosity. But there might be a reason for this behavior that you should be in the know about. Ask.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Be careful not to set things in stone. Much could happen over the next several days that will make you rethink some decisions, and maybe change them.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Your plans to help provide holiday cheer for the less fortunate inspire others to follow your generous example. Expect welcome news by week’s end.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) You’re in your glory as you start planning for the holiday season ahead. But leave time to deal with a problem that needs a quick and fair resolution.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) The upcoming holiday season provides a perfect setting for strengthening relationships with kin and others. A new contact has important information.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Instead of fretting over a cutting remark by a co-worker, chalk it up to an outburst of envy of your well-respected status among both your colleagues and superiors.

BORN THIS WEEK: You instinctively know when to be serious and when to be humorous — attributes everyone finds endearing.

(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.

Ventura Harbor Wetlands Ecological Reserve “The Ponds”.

Birds of all species can be seen while walking at the beautiful Ventura Harbor Wetlands Ecological Reserve “The Ponds”. Although this area is manmade for water treatment by the Ventura Water Treatment Plant, it is very important to both resident and migratory birds. The Ventura Water Reclamation Facility is a tertiary treatment plant, located in the Ventura Harbor area near the mouth of the Santa Clara River, where the river meets the Pacific Ocean. If you haven’t walked The Ponds let us know and we will organize a walk. [email protected].

Vision to Marketplace pilot program with Ventura Unified School District

Several Downtown Ventura businesses have partnered with Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) in the second year of the Vision to Marketplace pilot program, which matches local merchants with VUSD Career Technical Education (CTE) students.

This pilot program introduces and teaches students about entrepreneurship, product design, development, and delivering products to market. Career Technical Education students go through the process of evaluating market demand, visioning, prototyping, manufacturing, marketing, and selling wholesale products to participating Downtown businesses for December holiday sales. Funds from the wholesale purchases go back into the participating CTE programs.

Dr. Rene Rickard, VUSD’s Chief Innovation Officer, shared that “the goal of this collaboration is to provide authentic opportunities for students to pursue their passion in Career Technical Education. We are grateful to the business owners who have been so generous with their time and expertise as they provide students with real-world experiences. We look forward to continuing to expand this program in future years.”

Students met with Downtown business owners to determine viable products for sale in their shops. Participating businesses then provided mentoring and feedback on prototyped manufactured products and placed orders. Students produced and delivered products to the stores at the end of November in time for holiday sales.

To help facilitate production, participating students were provided access to the new IDEA Center manufacturing lab in the heart of Ventura’s Westside. The IDEA center is a dedicated community center for Innovation, Design, Entrepreneurship and Art, created by the non-profit organization STEMbassadors. The center provides training and access to industry-standard equipment such as laser cutters, CNC routers, direct-to-garment printers, 3D printers, and other advanced machinery.

Angela Rosales, owner of Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery, has helped bring this program to life. “As entrepreneurs ourselves, we enjoy the opportunity to give back to our community by sharing our experience and knowledge with students. While it is a learning process for all of us, it’s been impressive to see the creativity and initiative the students have put into their designs. We are excited to be selling their locally crafted products in our stores, and the customer response has been great too.”

Student-made products created through the Vision to Marketplace program are available at several downtown businesses, including Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery, Betty Belts, Ecugreen, Plum Gift Boutique, and Sea Things Ventura.

Businesses interested in participating in Vision to Marketplace may contact Joe Bova, VUSD’s CTE Administrator, at [email protected].

City of Ventura awarded grant for Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program

The City of Ventura’s Public Works Department received a $52,588 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) that will fund activities emphasizing the safety of bicyclists and pedestrians.

“Active modes of transportation like biking and walking are great ways to explore our beautiful community,” shared Public Works Director Phil Nelson. “We are grateful for the support from the Office of Traffic Safety to help continue enhancing the safety and comfortability for those using our streets and sidewalks outside of cars.”

Grant funds will support a variety of activities focused on bicycle and pedestrian safety:

Bicycle training courses that educate youth on safe riding behaviors.

Helmet fitting inspections and distribution of helmets to those in need.

Community and school education presentations.

Community bike rides that encourage and teach riders safe riding skills.

Pop-up events that promote road visibility with safety equipment such as reflective armbands/leg bands and bicycle headlights/taillights.

“Every bicyclist and pedestrian should feel safe on the road,” OTS Director Barbara Rooney said. “Education is one of many important tools that collectively work to ensure everyone reaches their destination safely, regardless of how they travel.”

The grant program will run through September 2023.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For more information about active transportation in the City of Ventura, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ActiveTransportation.

Taking the Reins to change lives

The program is a highly specialized form of experiential therapy. And at ROH 5: Clinical Director Lynn Dorgan and “Sister” connect at Reins of Hope.

by Amy Brown

Horses are magnificent creatures, and their appearance in movies and art depict their strength, beauty and grace. What you don’t see as often is their portrayal in a powerful form of therapy. However, non-profit Reins of Hope in Ojai has been providing Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas with these intuitive animals for those with physical, mental and emotional challenges since 2006. What started with three horses and two humans has grown to be a full stable of ten horses and a full team of therapists and supporters. The team is certified by the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA), and provides services onsite and at various locations with a grant for veterans struggling with PTSD, as well as cancer survivors, and serving at-risk groups like trafficked children and survivors of domestic abuse.

The program does not involve riding the horses—it’s a highly specialized form of experiential therapy in which the horses and individuals interact directly to build self-esteem, self-worth and heal trauma. They are committed to a collaborative approach between the client, mental health professional, equine specialist, and horse. According to Lynn Dorgan, original team member and current Clinical Director, it’s not about horsemanship, it’s about building relationships. “They say ‘don’t show a horse you’re nervous’, but we say exactly the opposite: show a horse you’re nervous! Our participants need to walk into the arena and have their insides match their outsides.”

Dorgan shared some examples of therapeutic approaches with the horses when they visit the Ventura County Juvenile Center. The team sets up powerful guided experiences to help the children work on goals, identify issues and enact solutions and plan for life outside of their detention there. “We will ask the kids what kind of negative self-talk they have. You’ll hear the most horrendous things, but when we have them say it directly to a horse, face to face, as if looking into a mirror, they can barely say them to the horse, and then they realize how damaging that self-talk can be.” said Dorgan. According to Dorgan, the program is also very successful in helping sexually trafficked children. “The number one thing is to help them build what is for many of them the very first relationship they’ve ever had that is safe, and that is with the horse.”

The program supports the needs of adults with a range of solutions as well. A female navy veteran after eight weeks of sessions with Reins of Hope shared, “My experience here was needed to continue on my path to wellness. I feel much better, mentally, physically, and emotionally. Working with horses is a dream come true. This program has enhanced my life in many ways.”

According to Executive Director Kristan Adams, the mental health crisis is at an all-time high. “Suicide is the number two cause of death for veterans under the age of 45 and the number one most preventable. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, Equine Assisted Learning, life coaching, the tools we humans need to find our own safety, relationship building, and mindfulness, are available through our programs,” said Adams. “Our team (four legged therapists included) are in the arena for a reason and a purpose—each one of them actively cares deeply about each client.”

A 25 year old Veteran shared, “This was such an amazing experience which is hard to put into words. I cannot be more thankful for the opportunity. It was awkward at first but I learned to love it and be comfortable with asking for help and sharing my experience.”

The non-profit would welcome donations and volunteers to help with the horses’ care in support of their mission of cost-free mental health services to underserved communities.

A Vietnam veteran after completing the program said, “This is the first time I’ve felt welcomed home.”

http://reinsofhopevc.org/ https://988lifeline.org/