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Love VC

Acts of service helping Ventura. Photos by Patricia Schallert

Love VC (Ventura County) is a county-wide event in partnership with hundreds of churches, businesses, agencies, and schools that brings acts of service to communities in need. They celebrated their 17th annual Love VC in 2022 by bringing hope, healing, and transformation across our cities with our new vision to move away from a one-day service event. A summer filled with opportunities to give back, including both at-home and in-person community projects!

Adele Beardsley, Lisa Sparrow, DebrA Riedell and Geo Jones

It started at 8am om Saturday, Oct. 1, with a rally at Plaza Park. Participants received a free Love Ventura Shirt and a chance to meet other volunteers and partners for the day! Then traveled to the project sites where work began.

All hosted by non-profit Love VC with the purpose of inspiring our community to love each other through connecting, giving and serving.

Love VC’s Team is made up of 100% volunteers working to make our community a more vibrant and unified place to live, work and play.

General Plan: Guiding the vision and future of Ventura for the next 30 years!

The General Plan provides the City with a comprehensive framework of guiding policies for land use, housing, roads, recreation, historical and natural resources, balance of adequate water supply infrastructure, public safety services, and serves as a basis for decisions that affect all aspects of our everyday lives from where we live and work to how we move about. 

In November 2020, the City launched the General Plan update process, and formed a 22-member advisory committee, known as the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which serves as a sounding board for the process. The GPAC is comprised of residents, business owners, educators, students, and other Ventura residents who represent a diverse cross-section of our community. 

To date, extensive outreach in English and Spanish along with a variety of tools and platforms helped to spread the word and get the community involved. Thousands of community members have shared input through workshops, surveys, and pop-up events, which have shaped where we are now – which is the Land Use Alternatives Phase.

The Land Use Alternatives were developed based on public input from thousands of residents and discussions that has been gathered up until this point sharing feedback that ranges from needing more housing, jobs, growth and preservations in our community, and everything in between. 

The land use alternatives try to balance these differing views by providing several options to consider and as discussion points of how the City could evolve over time. The goal is to hear all the feedback on the ideas presented and try to develop an option that best represents the community’s desires. The survey, which is open through the end of October, is divided up by the different areas of the City along with an overall Citywide survey.

Everyone’s participation is critical to the process. Please don’t miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity to be involved. Visit the General Plan website at www.PlanVentura.com to take the survey, see upcoming events, or sign up for the mailing list to stay informed. 

Open spaces continue to expand in Ventura hills

In 2020, the land trust bought the property for approximately $4 million.

On September 21, the Ventura Land Trust (VLT) held an official ceremony on the Mariano Rancho Preserve. At the ceremony they received a $7.2 million check to fund purchase of the ranch property and establish an endowment for improvements, restoration and maintenance. The new Mariano Rancho preserve will go from the Ventura Botanical Gardens to Two Trees in the Ventura hills. A major addition to Ventura’s open spaces.

In 2020, the land trust bought the property for approximately $4 million with plans to preserve even more miles of public trails forever.

In July, Ventura Land Trust was awarded $7.2 million from the State of California to complete the acquisition and permanent conservation of the 1,645-acre Ventura hillsides property
that will allow the organization to pay off the loan and provide funds to open the 1,645 acres to the public. The land trust hopes to open the preserve publicly in two to three years.

The funding was spearheaded by Ventura’s own Assemblyman Steve Bennett, D-Ventura and State Sen. Monique Limón, D-Santa Barbara who joined in the celebration State Sen. Monique Limón and Bennett presented the check for $7.2 million to the Ventura Land Trust.

Ventura Land Trust Executive Director Melissa Baffa spoke about the future community meetings that will take place that will seek input from the public on Mariano Rancho Preserve’s goals and public access.

Since 2003, Ventura Land Trust has conserved and stewarded open spaces in Ventura County. Ventura Land Trust protects over 3,800 acres of land in the Ventura hillsides, Ventura River, and coastal estuary. Outdoor education programs for children foster a connection to the natural world. More information about the preserve is available at venturaland trust.org.

Ventura Firefighters don pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Limited-edition t-shirts are available for purchase.

For the 12th consecutive year, the Ventura Fire Department has partnered with the Ventura City Firefighters Association and various Downtown Ventura businesses to support and promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month by selling pink, embossed department t-shirts.

“We are supporting breast cancer awareness and prevention so no breast cancer patient or family goes without life-saving treatment and support,” said Fire Chief David Endaya. “We have donated over $15,000 to date, and only hope to continue this effort for years to come.”

Limited-edition t-shirts are available for purchase during the month of October, while supplies last. Additionally, Ventura firefighters will wear pink t-shirts from October 1-15, to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment in the battle against breast cancer.

This year, funds raised through t-shirt sales will be donated to Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit and independent grassroots organization that helps women and families affected by breast cancer by providing education, advocacy, and emotional and social support.

Residents can purchase pink shirts or donate to the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at the following participating local businesses:

Anacapa Brewing Company, 472 E. Main Street
Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack, 533 E, Main Street
Tiki Girl, 434 E. Main Street
Ventura Visitors Center, 100 S. California Street
Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery, 540 E. Main Street

T-shirts will not be available for sale at any Ventura Fire stations

To learn more about the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, please visit www.RibbonsVentura.org.

Homelessness takes center stage at the Ventura City Council Candidates Forum

Foto: Homelessness is a confusing issue with many layers.

by Ross Williams

On September 28th the Ventura City Council candidates for district 1, 4 and 6 met at the Church of the Foothills to discuss the homeless population in Ventura. Our unhoused population in the city currently sits at 713 people. Providing shelter, necessary services and assistance is a major concern for the city council members once elected.

City council members are elected to represent their districts and work together with the city manager in order to legislate and set the policies of the city. Ventura, along with many other areas of our state has seen an increase in the homeless population over the years. As the homeless population has grown, so has concern for the safety of our residents including the unhoused.

There are several issues at hand when it comes to our homeless population. There’s the difference between mental health issues, financial issues and drug issues. Fears of separation from family or pets, confusing and overwhelming red tape as well as the want and need for personal space and privacy. Not to mention the overarching housing affordability problem that may make an individual or family that falls on hard times homeless. These issues all require a different set of tools and tact.

Homelessness is a confusing issue with many layers. At its surface are the obvious issues of sanitation and safety. But when dealing with these issues we must think beyond the baseline and understand that these are people. People who may have fallen on hard times, people that may have mental issues and people that may be struggling with addiction. Being able to provide the necessary services to these people needs to be a part of the city’s structure and ensure that residents and tourists alike feel safe here in our city and those in need of help are in fact getting it.

These are the candidates that spoke:

District 1
Helen Eloyan, Marco Cuevas, Liz Campos

District 5
Bill McReynolds, Marie Larkin

District 6
Lorrie Brown, Danny Carillo, Jim Duran

The candidates touched on many valuable points when discussing these issues during the two-and-a-half-hour forum.

Due to the jail being located in Ventura, up to 27% of unsheltered individuals in the city were once living elsewhere in the county, but once released stayed here in Ventura as there is no program in place to send these individuals back to where they came from, or find them the necessary assistance needed to start the recovery process.
Of the 713 unhoused people, 331 are currently sheltered in various programs throughout the city such as the ARCH Shelter and River Haven.
Private and public services are robust, but wrap around services are needed to guide people from one program to the other.
The city of Ventura has 40% of the shelter beds in the county. Other cities should be working to step up their programs.
Education and understanding is key. Criminal vagrancy and homelessness are two completely different things and ⅓ of 911 calls at any given time are in regards to vagrancy. This puts a large strain on our police and fire department.

Each council member candidate present at the forum was thoughtful in regards to the issues at hand and seemed to truly understand how important the topic of homelessness is to our city and the impact that they can have. The election for District Council Candidates is being held on November 8th.

At Ventura’s Board of Education meeting passion and intensity took center stage

The voices were loud and at times raucous throughout the passion filled meeting.

Part 2 of 2 .Continued from September 21 issue
by Ross Williams

The beauty of small learning communities such as DTech and Bioscience Academies is that we can truly connect with students, bond with them, guide them, provide them with sustained and deep memorable experiences over three years (not just a one-time speaker or a one-time field trip). Our small cohorts are intimate. We know our kids. We know when they need to be pushed, when we need to hold back… we know what to say when they are hurt, when they are struggling. We know how to build them up and know when they need tough love. We guide them with precision. Bioscience Academy is my legacy, MY gift to this community. All I ask is for the time needed to make the magic happen for my students.” Mika Anderson

VESPA (Ventura Education Support Professionals Association) and VUEA (Ventura Unified Education Association) were there to show their frustration and anger over the compensation plan that had been proposed by VUSD. VUSD had proposed a 1% increase in total salary compensation with a 4% one-time bonus. While the district had received an ongoing raise in funding of approximately 12.84%. Meetings were in no way final, but the offer felt like a slap in the face of teachers who one after the other went up to the podium to declare that they could not live off of current wages due to inflation, health care cost increases and other costs of living increases.

Over and over again each speaker reiterated that they are committed, love the community, the students and that they don’t want to go anywhere. But other districts in neighboring cities offer more compensation and at some point tough decisions will need to be made.

“The students and families of Ventura deserve the best we can give them. A 1% on going salary increase isn’t enough. It doesn’t keep up with inflation, it doesn’t close our gap with neighboring districts, and it is demoralizing for our educators. Ventura Unified received much more than 1% in new funds this year but they choose to not to compensate the employees fairly. Other districts in our area, Santa Paula and Las Virgenes, have settled for 7.9% and 8% respectively. VUSD can do better because the families of Ventura deserve better. We can’t keep excellent teachers with bottom-barrel salaries.” stated VUEA President Dan Nelson. With sentiments repeated by VESPA President Carol Peak.

The voices were loud and at times raucous throughout the passion filled meeting with the occasional clang of a tambourine, toot of the jug and cheering heard throughout the room and parking lot.

What is understood is that this meeting was all about the voice of community. Teachers, students and parents alike all standing together to make sure that they were heard and supported. On the backs of many of those present read a quote by Nelson Madela “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” And everyone there was ready to fight for what was best for our students and their education.

Ventura Unified opens organic farm

A one-of-a-kind facility in Ventura County.

Mayor Sofia Rubalcava and the VUSD Board of Education joined VUSD staff for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, August 29, 2022, to officially mark the opening of Sa’aliyas Ranch to Ventura Unified School District students. This certified organic farm facility will prepare high school students for agricultural science, business, and technology career opportunities and engage Kindergarten through 8th-grade students in STEM-related projects and activities as they learn about Ventura County’s agriculture industry.

Dr. Rebecca Chandler, VUSD Assistant Superintendent of Business Services, shared, “Sa’aliyas Ranch (Chumash for “on the path”) has five acres of avocados, lemons, row crops, a state-of-the-art greenhouse with an aquaponics system, and indoor and outdoor learning spaces developed for K-12 students. Designed to be self-sustaining and teach students about agriculture, science, business, and technology in one of the largest industries in Ventura County, the ranch allows students to see science in action. We are thrilled to offer this exciting opportunity.”

Local industry and community partners were invited to the ceremony to recognize their time and input throughout the planning and development process. Students will be involved in the marketing and selling of produce to local businesses, and their partnership is essential.

Mike Etchart, Sa’aliyas Ranch Farm Manager and CTE Agriculture & Natural Resources teacher, explained, “The agriculture industry is one of the biggest employers in our county, with many different career opportunities that pay living wages in our region. This facility will not only provide students with an opportunity to learn about the science of agriculture but also gain valuable job skills in high school that would lead to careers with any number of local employers in the sector.”

We look forward to introducing the community to this immersive learning space; watch for public farm visit opportunities coming later this fall! For more information, visit our website at www.saaliyasranch.com.

$2,500,000 predevelopment loan approved

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) announces a $2,500,000 predevelopment loan approved for funding to AMCAL Multi-Housing, Inc. (AMCAL) for the Terra Campagna Apartments set to begin construction in November in Somis.

The need for affordable housing is felt throughout Ventura County, especially among our most essential workers. The Terra Campagna Apartments will serve the county’s large community of farmworkers and their families with 160 affordable housing units in Somis. This represents the second phase of the Somis Ranch Farmworkers Community development. Phase one consists of 200 units and is currently under construction with an anticipated completion date in the spring of 2024. Both developments will include community centers, social services, outdoor community spaces and play areas for all ages.

The Terra Campagna Apartments will provide high-quality affordable housing utilizing state-of-the-art design, providing modern amenities and on-site services to farmworker households with incomes at 30, 50, and 60 percent of AMI (Area Median Income). The site will include social gathering spaces designed to foster community including a resident garden and computer room. Tenants will coordinate with an on-site Social Service provider to determine programs which best serve the community. With a mind toward sustainability, the development will include energy efficient construction, solar PV generation, sustainable irrigation, and a non-smoking policy. “These apartments will not only provide affordable housing to one of our County’s hardest-working communities, it will also provide important resources families need to build their future,” said Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund VC and Housing Land Trust VC. “Affordable housing is about more than building structures, it’s about creating a strong and stable foundation for our residents, which in turn helps our community to thrive as a more inclusive environment in which we all work, raise our children, and live.”

This development is funded in part by Housing Trust Fund VC’s Everyone Deserves a Home Revolving Loan Fund, which provides below-market interest rate loans for the development of affordable housing in Ventura County. This spring, Housing Trust Fund VC received a Community Impact Note (at below market interest rate) from CBC Federal Credit Union for $250,000. This Note is combined with funds from other public and private investors and donors to provide lending capital in support of Housing Trust Fund VC’s promise of building safe and equitable homes in Ventura County.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County – Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2011, Housing Trust Fund VC is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of June 2022, Housing Trust Fund VC has committed to investing $26 million through its Revolving Loan Fund, creating 1,166 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle-income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

New developments being proposed, approved or under construction in Ventura

Hemlock Apartments (PROJ-1126)

Location: 264 Hemlock Street (District 2)
Description: Construction of a new, partial 3-story, 23-unit residential courtyard apartment building.
Status: Under Construction
Hearing Info:
Design Review Committee: 05/11/11
City Contact: Jared Rosengren, Senior Planner [email protected]

Kellogg Apartments (PROJ 11817)

Location: 58 Kellogg Street (District 1)
Description: 23 unit, 2-story, multifamily development on a 0.9-acre site.
Status: Under Construction
Hearing Info:
Design Review Committee and Planning Commission 8/21/19
City Contact: Jamie Peltier, Senior Planner, [email protected]

Colony Parc II (PROJ 15409)

Location: 915 Goodman Ave. (District 7)
Description: A new three-story residential development with 71 units on a 2-acre site.
Status: Scheduled for Hearing
Resubmitted 7/12/22
Hearing Info:
Design Review Committee: 10/19/22
Planning Commission: TBD
City Contact: Jamie Peltier, Principal Planner, [email protected]

In a previous issue we featured this proposed project at Front and Kalorama. The Planning Commissioners determined that this project was inappropriate as designed for that location and it was unanimously denied by the commission.

Takin’ FLAT to the Streets for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

by Marissa Holzer, Stand Tall AFC Ambassador in Ventura

The going flat movement offers a fresh take on Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) 2022 through Stand Tall AFC! I am proud to be an ambassador for this body positive campaign and unite women with less than two breasts to be visible at public BCAM events. My team will be walking at the Making Strides of Greater Ventura County walk in Ventura Harbor on October 8. Our teams wear shirts with an emblem of the flat movement.

When faced with mastectomy, I rejected the idea that people would see my one-breasted self as shameful, ugly, “not finished” with treatment, or less feminine. I am none of those. In fact, I feel proud, smokin’ hot, and whole” stated walker Dr. Wendy Sage of The Simpsons

Like Dr. Sage, my teammates and I will be normalizing AFC, embracing survivorship and Takin’ FLAT to the Streets! For many people at Pinktober BCAM events, walking alongside a Stand Tall AFC team might be their first time seeing someone openly flat after mastectomy.

“Visibility makes the choice to go flat real and available to folks in a concrete way that empowers them to make the best choice for themselves’ said patient advocate Kimberly Bowles, who worked with the National Cancer Institute to define AFC in 2020.

Stand Tall AFC teams are currently in over 40 cities across the U.S. and Europe with over 400 breast cancer sisters and brothers, family, and friends uniting to empower others and celebrate body positivity!

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