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Aging & Disability Resource Center partners with the Independent Living Resource Center

by Carol Leish, MA

“The Ventura County Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) provides a coordinated point of entry to ensure that older adults (over age 60), people with disabilities (of all ages), and caregivers have access to the services and supports needed to remain independent in the community,” according to, Denise Noguera-Valenzuela, MSG, Call Center Manager, Area Agency on Aging.  “The ADRC is comprised of a partnership between the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging and the Independent Living Resource Center, Inc. (ILRC).”

“The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) became part of the Human Services Agency (HSA) on July 1, 2023. The VCAAA’s programs (such as the Aging & Disability Resource Center partnership with the Independent Living Resource Center), are devoted to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. The new structure has been designed to create a more streamlined process to serve these populations.” (Roger Horne, ‘LiveWell,’ 2024, pg. 4)

Core service areas provided by the ADRC include: 1) Enhanced information and referral 2) Options counseling 3) Short-term services coordination and 4) Transition services. “We use the ‘No Wrong Door’ approach, in which long-term services are streamlined,” according to Noguera-Valenzuela. “This happens through ADRC transition advocates who facilitate transitions for individuals from hospitals, nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, or any other institutional settings back to their homes. Living in the community is significantly more cost effective compared to institutional living. More importantly, it increases quality of life and improves overall health outcomes.  People are happier to live independently, with added support in their home.  Added support that individuals can get from us include:  1) Caregiving support 2) Nutrition services (home delivered meals), and 3) Home Modifications (grab bars/ramps, etc.)”

Information and referral are enhanced through person centered care and screening.  Noguera-Valenzuela said, “Every contact we receive is handled in a way that is tailored to the person’s needs.  And, with the ‘No Wrong Door’ philosophy, we see what the person wants, or what they are looking for and coordinate and connect them to the service that best supports their needs. Through ‘warm referrals,’ we are better able to remove barriers and provide coordinated systems of care. Our short-term (90 days or less) or one-time services may deal with transportation; meals; or bridging the gap for someone to avoid long term institution.”

Through a warm hand off to Transition Services for example, the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) helps facilitate the change from hospital to home or care facility.  People can get back into the community with the help of ILRC.

ILRC promotes independent living and full access for people with disabilities. Visit https://ilrc-trico.org, call 805-650-5993 or contact the Deputy Director, Alexa Martin at 805-650-5993 ext. 202 or email her at [email protected].

The Aging & Disability Resource Center does provide both public and private help that deals with both medical and nonmedical concerns. There are different eligibility criteria for different programs and services. For more information, contact Denise Noguera-Valenzuela at [email protected] or [email protected] or call 805-477-7300.

Vol. 17, No. 24 – Aug 21 – Sept 3, 2024 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Prom – An Uplifting Experience

Remember the excitement of going to the high school prom? Did you miss going to the prom? Never been to a prom? In any case, The Speakeasy Prom event, an underground evening of new theater and live music, put on by the Fractured Actors Theater Company is now yours to enjoy, reminisce and revel in.

Donning my prom-best, complete with glitter ball earrings, I and a friend entered the hallowed halls of the 2024 prom. The room was decked with strings of lights and set for the arrival of the live band. Excitement hung in the air as the glitter ball on the ceiling spread its magic across the room. The band, Class Action, provided the tone via vintage pop and modern rock with energy that translated easily to both the attendees and the actors.

Fractured Actors has once again brought forth short, original vignettes that delve into familiar and explore more obtuse topics that may or could affect the event’s success in this day and age. The writing keeps up with the prevalence of technology as well as social stereotypes showing how much has changed since some of us were in high school. Traditional this evening ‘s prom was not. It was, however, filled with fun, hilarity and unexpected twists. It provided not only a look back, but also a glimpse into what the present and future may hold.

Between each vignette, while the minimal stage settings were being changed, the attendees’ focus was drawn to the band which got everyone moving to the beats. The band is even comprised of characters in the show – the principal, the librarian, the coach, the professor and the driving instructor. A clever way to incorporate them seamlessly. Vocals by Mrs. Paige Turner, librarian, (Shelby Figueroa) are smoky and solid. In one song she is joined on vocals by the youngest member of the cast, Harper Rose Ham. Very nice harmonies. The band itself is delightful to watch as well as being musically talented.

Periodic appearances made by actors playing chaperones, staff and school support people became a source of continual laughter throughout the evening with their progression of well-played antics.

The large, diverse cast, including a mascot of the fictional school, the fruit bat, assured that the action was crisp and moving swiftly. Everyone was clearly having a blast, including the audience.

Producers Erica Connell, Jeff Ham and Shannon McNally Ham encourage attendees to dress in keeping with the theme, adding to the overall ambiance.

The company performs in a black box area adjacent to the Liminal Church in Ventura’s industrial section on Palma Drive.

Although it has been a few years since I went to the prom, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Need an excuse to dress up? Do it and go to the prom. Space is limited so reservations are highly recommended.

Playing Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through August 31. For more information, visit www.fracturedactors.com

City Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers play an important role in the City of Ventura. By contributing their time, energy, and talents, volunteers support a wide variety of programs and services. From beach clean-ups, to coaching, to leading historical tours, and delivering meals to seniors, volunteers make a huge difference in our community!

Promenade Beachfront Cleanup with Surfrider Foundation – Aug 24.

The Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation hosts events on the 4th Saturday every month from 9 am – 11 am at the Ventura Promenade beachfront to help clean up one of our most prominent beaches. This event is open to all ages, people under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All adult participants and parent/guardians of minors must sign a City of Ventura Volunteer Release Agreement.

Location: 529 E Harbor Blvd. Check in on the Promenade at California St next to the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Look for the blue Surfrider canopy. Work gloves and buckets will be provided. For questions, contact Tom Musgrove, Recreation Coordinator, [email protected]. 805-654-7706

Upcoming event dates:

  1. September 28, 2024
  2. October 26, 2024
  3. November 16, 2024
  4. December 14, 2024

Volunteers in Policing (VIP) Program:

Volunteers are an essential component to the Ventura Police Department’s community problem-oriented policing efforts. Volunteers have an opportunity to learn about law enforcement and help improve law enforcement services. The program increases community pride by allowing volunteers to serve as role models and most importantly, be part of a community program concerned with the common good and well-being of the city we all love.

“Here at the Ventura Police Department, our volunteers are valuable members of our crime fighting team. The work done by our volunteers contributes to the safety of our community and the success of our department,” said Police Chief Darin Schindler. “We value the dedicated service of those who volunteer their time with us, and we strive to provide opportunities that fit everyone’s abilities, allowing for increased participation and fulfillment in public service.”

There exists a large, untapped pool for support staff, resources, and expertise in the form of citizen volunteers that can provide a valuable service to the Department and the community.

Note: Residents who volunteer with the Ventura Police Department must be in good health, undergo a background investigation, and are carefully screened as to judgement, maturity, and the ability to work as part of a team.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1682/16760/VIP or contact Police Services Officer Natalie Wilkes at 805-477-3747, email [email protected].

Vol. 17, No. 24 – Aug 21 – Sept 3, 2024 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Thursday 8/8
8:21am, received report of a vehicle running at the launch ramp and no
one around. Officers investigated, found vehicle as reported. Turned it off, secured it, left a note. Presuming owner was excited to go to islands, forgot to turn it off.

4:20pm, dispatched to 32ft sailboat aground at power plant. Officers
responded in Fireboat and Rescue Boat 19. The one POB was assisted off the vessel without injuries and Tow Boat US contacted to salvage the sailboat.

8:45pm, received request to assist Tow Boat US with monitoring the sailboat that went aground so it doesn’t sink as they tow it back to the harbor. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 19 to assist with the tow, monitor towed vessel.

Friday 8/9
8:25am, received a call from the skipper of a 90ft sailboat in Santa Barbara anchorage taking heavy hurricane swell, seeking a slip in the harbor.

9:30am, while on patrol in the Truck, observing strong hurricane swell from tropical storms Fabio/Emilia at South Beach and the New Jetty.

4:26pm, officers monitoring small sailboat race in the main channel on the Fireboat. No issues with obstructing navigable channel.

Saturday 8/10
11:45pm, observed an injured sea bird walking on the promenade. Officers captured the bird and contacted rescue volunteers to pick up and care for it.

4:15pm, while on patrol in Rescue Boat 19, observed an inflatable in violation of speed and wake ordinance in the Pierpont Basin. Issued warning to the skipper.

7:10pm, received a call for assistance accessing the marina gate at VIM for a transient boater. Officers were able to open the gate for the mariners.

Sunday 8/11
10:30am, while on patrol in the truck, officers observed an unlicensed unpermitted vendor at Harbor Cove selling fruit. Issued warning and suspended the operation for the day, removing the vendor from the parking lot.

11:45am, new officers training with practicing tying knots and officers
training on replacing polyolefin tow line on Fireboat and on Rescue Boat 19.

6:45pm, receiving multiple reports of a sick or injured sea lion at Harbor
Cove. Officers investigated and found the mammal as reported. Contacted CIMWI.

Monday 8/12
9:43am, dispatched to a fall victim near Marina Park. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to assist the patient with treatment and transport prep.

3:30pm, received request for a beach wheelchair at Harbor Cove. Officers responded and provided the beach wheelchair for a patron to utilize.

Tuesday 8/13
11:15am, officers transporting Rescue Boat 19 to Derektor boatyard for
haul-out and bottom cleaning. Also inspecting bottom for any damage.

11:50am, received report of a petroleum sheen near VIM A-dock. Officers responded, found a sheen and investigated the area for a source, but were unable to find one. The sheen was unretrievable and beginning to break down.

Business Profile: A Business Broker?  What’s That?

In 2011, I used a business broker to sell my business. After the transaction was completed, I realized the value of a broker and wanted to do the same to help other small business owners maximize the value of their businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their dreams through acquiring businesses.

After working for other brokerages for six years, I decided to take the plunge and start my own Real Estate and Business Brokerage firm, The Lashley Group/ TLG Business Broker. My wife, Jamie, works closely with me and we love the boutique style brokerage we have created. We both have the hearts and patience necessary to help others understand the intricate process of buying and selling a home or a business.

How do I sell my business? Where do I start?

There are a lot of moving parts in a business sale transaction and a few different types of business sales, mainly being an Asset Sale or Stock sale. There are also a lot of different types of Sellers.  Some Sellers are ready for retirement, and some Sellers have set up the business for a strategic sale to a competitor or group in the form of an acquisition.  Other Sellers experience some business issues and need to move on or exit a lease, and some just are ready to sell and do something new and different.

I have clients that may be a few years off from wanting to sell, which is the best time to start the process. I advise business owners on what it will take to prepare a business for sale to understanding when the business might be ready to list. Most importantly, to strategically price a business to get its highest purchase price.

I can walk you through how a business sale transaction works from start to finish, and answer any of your questions. Feel free to email or call me anytime for a free consultation. Mobile: (805) 535-3693. Email: [email protected]. Website: TLGbusinessbroker.com

Instagram: @TLGbusinessbroker. The Lashley Group, Ian Lashley CBB, IBBA Broker Cal DRE #01912181

A Perfect Summer Day: Wildlife and Wonder at the Painted Cave, Santa Cruz Island

Image by Janie Tran

by Janie Tran

August 11, 2024, was one of those perfect summer days made for adventure. We set out to explore the Painted Cave, and it turned out to be nothing short of magical. The ocean was teeming with life—cormorants, seals, and dolphins all feeding together like a scene straight out of a nature documentary. Watching the dolphins gracefully glide alongside our boat was pure joy.

The Painted Cave is a hidden gem on Santa Cruz Island, part of Channel Islands National Park. It’s one of the most incredible sea caves in the world, stretching over 1,200 feet long with a towering entrance more than 130 feet high. The fact that such a remarkable spot is practically in our backyard feels special.

When the weather is good, this is a trip you don’t want to miss. The cave is accessible only by water, with Island Packers offering select trips to Prisoner’s Harbor or via the Santa Rosa route back to the harbor. The crossing takes about 1.5 hours, but you never know what wildlife you might encounter along the way—each trip is unique. And seeing the cave’s entrance for the first time? It’s a breathtaking moment.

Inside, the cave walls are splashed with vibrant colors. If you’re adventurous, you can take a smaller boat or kayak even further inside, though it does get quite dark. There’s no landing at the cave, but trust me, the photos and memories you’ll capture are unforgettable.

After exploring the cave, we headed back to Prisoner’s Harbor, where we had three hours to hike, picnic, and soak in the beauty. The newly restored wetlands, thanks to the National Park and The Nature Conservancy, are a sight to behold. If you have time, a hike to Pelican Bay offers panoramic views that will leave you speechless.

One of the crew members, Tina Samson, summed it up perfectly: “It’s not work when you’re treated like family. With curiosity and an adventurous spirit, Island Packers excursions make work fun!” For more information, check out IslandPackers.com.

California Farm Workers Demand Exact Location in Pesticide Regulation

More than 23 members of CAPS 805, the Ventura County branch of Californians for Pesticide Reform (CPR), traveled from Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme to Shafter, CA, to participate in a California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) hearing. They called for growers to disclose the exact location and time of pesticide applications.

The current draft of the “Spray Days” statewide notification program only requires indicating pesticide applications within a 1-square-mile area. Farm workers, addressing an audience of over 140 participants—mostly farm workers from Ventura County and the Central Valley—argued that this plan is insufficient without specifying the exact location of applications.

On July 25, the California Department of Food and Agriculture held a Zoom meeting to gather additional public input on DPR’s plan. The public had until August 1 to submit their concerns. The final regulation is expected to be implemented sometime in 2025, with the exact date yet to be determined.

Farm workers and community members assert that without knowing the precise location of pesticide applications, they are at risk of exposure to toxic chemicals. They emphasize the need for this information to avoid contact with harmful fumes. Conversely, ranchers argue that revealing exact locations could lead to interference from activists and pose privacy issues.

Pesticide Reform Organizer Teresa Gomez stated, “We’ve made the journey to Sacramento many times to advocate for a robust pesticide notification system. Our members have participated in a year-long pilot program in a small part of Ventura County and in two state public hearings in our county. Now, as this is the final hearing in California, we are here to make it clear: It’s not notification without exact location.”

The new regulation will impact all farms in California that use restricted material pesticides and will be crucial in determining whether farmworkers’ rights and health are adequately considered in regulatory decisions.

Ventura Police host community presentation on military equipment use

The Ventura Police Department invites community members to attend a presentation on the Annual Military Equipment Report. This meeting will occur virtually on Tuesday, August 13 at 3:00 p.m. on Zoom. To register, please visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/Transparency.

The presentation will provide an overview of the report, focusing on the specific equipment acquired and its utilization. Department staff will also discuss the policies and procedures that govern the use of military equipment in Ventura, encouraging a dialogue about these valuable community safety tools.

“We recognize the value of keeping communication open and want to reaffirm our commitment to transparency, accountability, and professionalism by providing this information to our community,” said Chief Darin Schindler. “Our goal is to ensure residents are well-informed about how these resources are utilized to protect public safety.”

The term “military equipment” does not necessarily indicate equipment used by the military. It encompasses a variety of tools, including unmanned aerial or ground vehicles, armored vehicles, command and control vehicles, less lethal 40mm projectile launchers, noise flash diversionary devices, and various forms of ammunition.

The equipment used by the Ventura Police Department is common among law enforcement agencies nationwide, enhancing the safety of both residents and officers and helping to resolve incidents that might otherwise necessitate lethal force.

On July 16, 2024, the Ventura City Council received the Annual Military Equipment Report and approved the continued use of the specified equipment.

For questions, please contact Commander Matt Cain at [email protected] or call 805-339-4488.

Limoneira Co. Commits to Protecting Marine Life and Reducing Emissions with New Program

Newest ambassador for Protecting Blue Whales

Santa Paula’s based Limoneira Co. is the newest ambassador for the Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies program. This initiative incentivizes shipping companies to voluntarily reduce their speeds along California’s coast to decrease air pollution, regional greenhouse gas emissions, underwater noise, and fatal ship strikes to endangered whales. It is a collaborative effort among the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and other air districts, California national marine sanctuaries, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, and other nonprofit organizations.

Ambassadors are companies and ports committed to sustainable shipping practices and reducing the negative biodiversity impacts of their supply chains. They receive data on their ocean carriers’ performance in the program and the associated environmental benefits. This data can be used to demonstrate their sustainability commitments to customers and stakeholders and to facilitate more sustainable shipping choices in the future.

“Our commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in our culture, and we view sustainability as a path toward continued long-term success,” said Limoneira President and CEO Harold Edwards. “We are responsible trustees in the protection and improvement of our environment that align with the goals of the Blue Whales and Blue Skies program.” Limoneira, one of the oldest citrus-growing organizations on the West Coast, is a longtime leader in environmental stewardship and sustainability innovation. The 131-year-old agribusiness is a leading producer of lemons, avocados, and other crops consumed worldwide. It has 10,500 acres of agricultural lands, real estate properties, and water rights in California, Arizona, Chile, and Argentina.

Other program ambassadors include the Port of Hueneme, Sonos, Nomad Goods, Peak Design, Summit Coffee, Way Basics, Santa Cruz Bicycles, Who Gives a Crap, The Block Logistics, and JAS Worldwide. The program helps global shipping companies better understand their environmental impacts and make changes to reduce them by verifying the cooperation of a company’s entire fleet of ships as well as individual ships and transits. In 2023, cooperating shipping companies reduced the risk of lethal ship strikes to whales by 58% and averaged a 5.4-decibel decrease in underwater noise per transit. Since the program’s launch 10 years ago, cooperating vessels have slowed down for more than 1.1 million nautical miles, resulting in reductions of more than 150,000 metric tons of regional greenhouse gases and 4,500 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions. For more information, visit www.bluewhalesblueskies.org.