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Vol. 15, No. 09 – Jan 26 – Feb 8, 2022 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Tuesday 01/04

 5:06pm, received report, hazard to navigation in the keys. Officers responded and found a dock box submerged, removed it. Contacted a number inside and the owner advised they haven’t lived in the keys for years, placed in L&F.

Friday 01/07

 11:58pm, dispatched to chest pain at the Holiday Inn. Officers responded with AMR and attempted to assist the patient but they refused medical aid.

Saturday 01/08

 10:53am, received report of vessel accident at VIM L-dock. Officers responded and investigated. Disabled vessel collided with a catamaran on the endtie. Minor damage was observed and the both parties were advised of the situation.

6:56pm, dispatched to a fall victim at the Greek restaurant. Officers went and found an 60 y/o male with a laceration on his head. Patient transported by AMR

Sunday 01/09

 5:30am, observed NWS issued a Small Craft Advisory. Officers raised pennants.

10:40am, received report of two overdue Standup paddlers on a long distance trip. Officers investigated, and the two SUP’ers were found safe.

11:55am, officers en route to the docks in front of the Greek restaurant to lifeguard the swim for the cross event, “the Greek epiphany.”

Monday 01/10

 2:39am, dispatched to a fall victim at VWM. Officers responded and assisted a 64 y/o male that fell earlier and wanted ride to hospital, AMR transported patient

Tuesday 01/11

 4:35am, dispatched to a traffic accident on Spinnaker Dr. Officers responded and found a vehicle into a light pole. No injuries, but VPD arrested driver for suspicion of driving under the influence. Edison contacted about light pole.

11:59am, received report of a subject threatening to shoot someone. Officers advised to call police. Explaining to the caller that the Harbor Patrol are “boating” officers focusing on education and are not armed police officers.

10:13pm, dispatched to an ill person with Covid 19 at one of the marinas. Officers responded and assisted AMR with the call. All precautions taken.

Wednes 01/12

 8:49am, dispatched to a missing surfer at the Ventura Pier. Officers responded and found a surfboard broken in half. The surfer was eventually found onshore.

11:50pm, dispatched to a missing 50 y/o female, last scene near Harbor Cove. Officers assisted VPD with the search, the person was located 4 hours later on a commercial fishing vessel with a friend. No injuries or crimes observed.

Thursday 01/13

 10:57am, dispatched to an injured surfer near the Santa Clara Rivermouth. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to assist. Patrol transported patient to medics in Surfers Knoll lot. Patient transported for possible collar bone fracture

Friday 01/14

 10:00am, Officers assisting VC Sheriff with their helicopter training at the end of Spinnaker Drive. They were conducting hoisting rescue operations.

Saturday 01/15

 5:00am, received report of a tsunami advisory in effect for California from Tonga underwater volcanic eruption. Officers contacting marinas and receiving requests for information. Attempting to call all available officers to work.

10:50am, while searching offshore and from HQ for a missing sailboat, tragically, Rescue Boat 17, docked at the time, was inundated with an outgoing surge, capsized and sunk in the Pierpont Basin. Tow Boat US was able to raise the vessel, towed to the boatyard, hauled out where it awaits a survey of damage.

 

 

The Art & Science of Drawing

Introducing The Art & Science of Drawing: Learn to Observe, Analyze, and Draw Any Subject by Brent Eviston, a new guidebook that will teach you the fundamentals of good drawing.

Based on his more than twenty years of teaching, The Art & Science of Drawing shares author and drawing instructor Brent Eviston’s secrets that provide the most accessible, streamlined, and effective methods for learning to draw.

“It begins with the most basic skills like how to hold the pencil and how to draw basic shapes before moving on to more complex subjects like three-dimensional drawing, contour drawing, measuring, and shading,” Eviston said. “By working through this book, you will learn the skills and processes necessary for good drawing.”

The Art & Science of Drawing is a project-based book, meaning each chapter contains a series of lessons and each lesson ends with a project.

Designed for the absolute beginner as well as more experienced artists looking to improve their skills and master the fundamentals, The Art & Science of Drawing will serve as a foundation upon which you can build new skills to suit your creative ambitions.

“Every day I work with people who learn to draw. These are ordinary people without special skills or advantages,” he said.  “With good instruction and dedicated practice, you can, and will, learn to draw.”

Share your love for walking, biking, and rolling in Ventura

by Public Works Director Phil Nelson

Wheel you be our valentine?

There’s so much to love about Ventura, especially when it comes to enjoying time outdoors with our remarkable year-round climate! We love seeing the community get moving, whether it’s biking to one of our many bike paths, walking or rolling to the beach, or hopping on local transit to head downtown.

On Thursday, February 17, the City will host a virtual workshop at 6:00 p.m. to gather ideas on improving active transportation options in Ventura. We invite the community to ask questions and share their ideas with us during the public meeting!

Workshop participants will have an opportunity to ask questions, preview current bike and pedestrian networks, and review the City’s Active Transportation Plan. Additionally, participants can share ideas for how the City should prioritize improvements such as building sidewalk connections near schools and parks or enhancing existing sidewalks near popular destinations.

The City’s public works department launched the Active Transportation Plan in summer 2021, thanks to funding provided by Caltrans. This project is important because it creates a roadmap to improve walking, biking, and transit through future projects and programs. Additionally, the project

includes information about safe routes to school, a traffic safety program for K-12 students and families, and a program called complete streets, which outlines standards for transportation infrastructures throughout the City.

In the last several months, we’ve collected thousands of ideas through surveys, visited local schools to learn more about pedestrian safety for students, met with community stakeholder groups, and hosted virtual and pop-up events to gather a diverse mix of feedback.

Everyone’s feedback is important!

To register for the virtual workshop, sign up to receive email updates, and review the latest findings from the community, visit www.ActivePlanVentura.com.

The workshop will also be streamed live on YouTube. A recording will also be posted to the project’s website for those who can’t join us.

Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia.

Do only people in their 70s and older get Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, and millions of Americans are affected by the disease. It’s important to distinguish the facts from the myths about Alzheimer’s, especially when it comes to finding information online. Read on to learn about common myths surrounding this disease.

People often use the terms Alzheimer’s disease and dementia interchangeably, but there is a difference. Dementia refers to impaired memory, thinking, reasoning, and behavior, and Alzheimer’s is just one type of dementia. The terms are likely confused because Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and the most well-known. But there are other types of dementia, too, including Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and vascular dementia.

I will develop Alzheimer’s disease if my parent has it

If a parent or close relative has Alzheimer’s disease, you may be worried about developing it as you get older. A person’s chance of developing Alzheimer’s is higher if they have certain genetic mutations or variations that can be passed down from a parent. However, just because a biological parent has Alzheimer’s does not mean that their children will develop it.

Alzheimer’s disease is complex, and scientists don’t yet fully understand what causes it in most people. Research suggests that in most individuals, a host of factors beyond genetics play a role in the development and course of the disease. Environmental and lifestyle factors, such as exercise, diet, exposure to pollutants, and smoking may also affect a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Although we don’t yet know how to prevent Alzheimer’s, it’s important to practice healthy behaviors throughout your lifetime, such as exercising regularly and eating a balanced diet.

Only people in their 70s and older get Alzheimer’s disease

While the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age, that does not mean that only older adults develop it. For most people with Alzheimer’s, it’s true that symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or beyond. However, some people experience symptoms earlier, even as young as their 30s. When a person develops Alzheimer’s between their 30s and mid-60s, it’s called early-onset Alzheimer’s. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is rare — representing less than 10% of people with Alzheimer’s. Developing Alzheimer’s earlier in life can present specific challenges. People diagnosed at younger ages may be more likely to be raising children who are still at home or managing work and having to apply for disability than those who are diagnosed at older ages.

Many people with Down syndrome, a genetic condition, will also develop Alzheimer’s at an earlier age and may begin to show symptoms in their 40s.

Many people become more forgetful as they age, and some forgetfulness, such as losing things from time to time, is normal. However, common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time, having problems recognizing friends and family, or losing track of the date or time of year are not a normal part of aging.

If you are worried about your memory or other possible Alzheimer’s symptoms, talk with your doctor. The doctor may ask questions about your health history, perform assessments of your thinking and memory, and carry out medical tests to determine your diagnosis.

There are no treatments available for people with Alzheimer’s disease

There has been significant progress toward developing better treatments for people with Alzheimer’s. Several medications are available that can help treat people with Alzheimer’s disease. There are also coping strategies to help manage behavioral symptoms.

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, thanks to scientific advances, research has never been more promising. In total, NIA is funding more than 250 clinical trials including both drug and nondrug interventions. These include testing treatments that target behavior and lifestyle factors as well as underlying causes of the disease.

Tree Town

Harmon Canyon is home to many mature Coast Live Oak trees, which were blackened in the Thomas Fire. Some were destroyed, but most are still alive and showing healthy new growth after the recent rains. California native oaks are resilient and can live hundreds of years, providing shade and habitat for wildlife.

www.venturatreealliance.com

Ventura Unified School District salutes its Board of Education

Ventura High is one of Ventura’s 26 elementary, middle, and high schools. Photo by Patricia Schallert

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is proud to join more than 1,000 local educational agencies in the state to recognize board members’ contributions during School Board Recognition Month. In this time of unprecedented challenges in nearly every sector of life, board members have worked tirelessly to support student learning and social-emotional health in our District.

“Board members are our elected representatives and a vital link between the school district and the community,” said VUSD Superintendent Dr. Roger Rice. “The board sets the foundation and vision for the District, directs resources where they are most needed, and ensures accountability to the community by monitoring progress toward goals. Their end goal, of course, is to support and elevate student achievement.”

During this challenging year, the VUSD Board of Education has worked with our staff to:

Close the digital divide by providing every student with a device, direct resources to students most in need, provide healthy and safe environments for our students and staff , provide compelling educational programs for our all students and so much more.

The Ventura Unified School District Board of Education Trustees are Matt Almaraz, Sabrena Rodriguez, Velma Lomax, Jerry Dannenberg, and Amy Callahan.

“I hope you will join me in saluting our hard-working board members for their support of our students through effective policies and their continued advocacy for more resources at the state level,” said Superintendent Rice.

The district is made up of an early childhood education program, 26 elementary, middle, and high schools, with more than 16,000 school-age students, an adult education center, 2,000 staff, and a wealth of parents and community members who all strive to help our children find their passion—academically and personally. For more information, visit www.venturausd.org or call 805-641-5000.

Vol. 15, No. 09 – Jan 26 – Feb 8, 2022 – Ojai News & Events

On March 12 Broadway put aside the industry adage “The show must go on,” and suspended all plays in the wake of the spreading coronavirus. At the Ojai Art Center Theater plans for the opening of “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” spun into limbo, landing on postponement.

Almost two years later Christopher Durang’s multi-award-winning comedy finally hits the OACT stage through February 13.

In his day job Peter Schreiner, who plays Vanya, works as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Ventura County so he knows how people develop this type of interdependence on each other.

Calamity comes in the form of Masha, Vanya and Sonia’s flamboyant movie star sister. Masha, played by Tracey Williams Sutton, blows in to first invite them to a fancy party, then informs them she plans to sell the house.

“This crisis of potentially losing the house has been thrown in their laps and somehow they manage to navigate through the whole thing,” said Peter. “That’s part of the comedy of the brilliant Christopher Durang, showing how Vanya and Sonia weave their way through the problem to make a leap in their personal growth.”

Vanya’s character manifests his transformation through a tirade about the shallowness of today’s world, how so many things exist but come and go so quickly. He mourns a sense of shared experiences, like laughing at an episode of Ozzie and Harriet when televisions only aired three channels, instead of 785 on contemporary TVs. Plus, “We licked postage stamps!”

Plus, for the first time ever patrons get to choose their seats when they buy tickets.

The Ojai Unified School District unanimously voted to give 60 days notice to terminate an agreement with a developer who planned to build a hotel.

Unhappy with how the developer handled relations with Ojai that overwhelmingly objected to a plan to develop on school district property, school trustees said they will end the district’s exclusive pact with SVS Dev LLC to build the hotel.

Tips for people with dementia

People with dementia experience a range of symptoms related to changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior. Living with dementia presents unique challenges, but there are steps you can take to help now and in the future.

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias get worse over time. Even simple everyday activities can become difficult to complete. To help cope with changes in memory and thinking, consider strategies that can make daily tasks easier. Try to adopt them early on so you will have more time to adjust. You can:

Write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

Set up automated bill payments and consider asking someone you trust to help manage your finances.

Have your groceries delivered.

Manage your medications with a weekly pillbox, a pillbox with reminders (like an alarm), or a medication dispenser.

Ask your doctor to provide a care plan and write down care directions (or have a family member or friend take notes during the visit).

Sleep Tips for People Living With Dementia

Dementia often changes a person’s sleeping habits. You may sleep a lot, or not enough, and wake up many times during the night. Poor sleep quality can make dementia symptoms worse.

Tips for better and safer sleep:

Follow a regular schedule by going to sleep and getting up at the same time each day, even on weekends or when traveling.

Develop a relaxing bedtime routine with lowered lights, cool temperature, and no electronic screens.

Avoid caffeine and naps late in the day.

Have a lamp that’s easy to reach and turn on, a nightlight in the hallway or bathroom, and a flashlight nearby.

Keep a telephone with emergency numbers by your bed.

Talk to your doctor if you have problems sleeping.

Healthy and Active Lifestyle Tips for People Living With Dementia

Participating in activities you enjoy and getting exercise may help you feel better, stay social, maintain a healthy weight, and have regular sleep habits.

Try these tips for a healthy and active lifestyle:

Try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week. But be realistic about how much activity you can do at one time. Several short “mini-workouts” may be best.

Aim for a mix of exercise types — endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. For example, you could do a mix of walking or dancing, lifting weights, standing on one foot, and stretching. Even everyday activities like household chores and gardening help you stay active.

Your diet may need to change as dementia progresses to maintain a healthy weight. Talk with your doctor about the best diet for you, and choose nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein and dairy products. Avoid added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.

Stay social by talking on the phone with family and friends, joining an online support group, or going for a walk in your neighborhood.

Finding Care and Support: Tips for People Living With Dementia

Many people may be able to help in different ways. These people might include family members, friends, professional caregivers, community organizations, and others with dementia. For example, you can:

Ask friends or family to help with needs like cooking, paying bills, transportation, or shopping.

If you live alone, find people you trust who can visit often.

Consider letting trusted neighbors know of your diagnosis so they can help if needed.

Use social service agencies, local nonprofits, and Area Agencies on Aging to connect with in-home help, transportation, meals, and other services.

Oasis Connections program offers discounted classes for aging adults

The Oasis Institute, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults ages 50+, is offering discounted online safety courses for seniors beginning January 28 in recognition of Data Privacy Week. Created by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), the initiative encourages individuals to keep their personal data secure and businesses to uphold transparency when it comes to collecting and using such information. Featured Oasis technology classes will be available in an exclusive discounted bundle of “four for $22 in 2022” (a $40 value) to educate seniors about internet safety and best cybersecurity practices. The Oasis Connections program, specifically designed for adult learners, has provided high-quality technology education, digital literacy courses, and resources for more than 20 years.

Every year in the United States, millions of seniors are victims of fraud and financial scams. According to the FTC and FBI, cybercrimes against seniors have increased five times since 2014, and have cost more than $650 million in losses per year. Oasis Connections equips older adults with the skills needed to be safe online through courses that teach participants best security practices to protect their personal information, how to recognize specific threats such as phishing, how to use Wi-Fi safely, and much more.

“Often, seniors have not enabled security settings and are not aware of the nuanced tactics cybercriminals use today,” said Amy VanDeVelde, Technology Education Director. “Older adults who have not been using the internet for very long or who did not participate in security awareness education that many jobs now require need more information. Data Privacy Week, recognized from January 24–28, is a great opportunity to draw attention to the resources that are available for people interested in improving their online safety habits.”

Classes begin January 28 and will be held live via Zoom for four consecutive Fridays at noon central. Participants can purchase four classes for just $22 by visiting https://www.oasiseverywhere.org, selecting “View Classes,” and entering “bundle” in the search field.

The 2022 Cybersecurity Bundle includes:

Class 1: Online Safety Overview: Friday, January 28, 2022 

Class 2: What’s the Best Browser for Me?: Friday, February 4, 2022 

Class 3: Going Wireless: How to Use Wi-Fi: Friday, February 11, 2022 

Class 4: Phishing and Identity Theft: Friday, February 18, 2022 

Classes are also available for individual purchase at full price.

Additionally, Oasis Connections currently offers many free online resources, including the Oasis Connections Guide to Online Safety and the 2022 Oasis Cyber Tip Sheet, available for download.

“Many older adults see technology as a barrier, rather than a tool they can use to make life easier and more convenient. With Connections, we are helping seniors not only become more comfortable with technology in their daily lives but confident in their online abilities so they can go forward and make better, more informed decisions,” said VanDeVelde. 

Visit https://oeclass.org/csb22 to sign up for the 2022 Cybersecurity Bundle. Advance registration is recommended. For more information on Oasis Connections or other available classes, visit https://connections.oasisnet.org, or contact Oasis Connections at (314) 862-2933 x272 or [email protected]

Note: The Ventura Breeze is not endorsing these classes but providing this information for your consideration.

Vol. 15, No. 09 – Jan 26 – Feb 8, 2022 – The Pet Page

∙ From CARL:

2021 started out just as tough as 2020 ended. With the pandemic continuing into its second year, our rescue saw a continued large increase in owner surrenders and more dogs looking for their second chance at a happy life waiting in high kill shelters. We have seen such tremendous support for the dogs in our rescue thanks to our rescue village. With over 100 finding their forever homes this year, we have a few stories that have touched our hearts, that we wanted to share with you all.

April 2021: Sasha was found as a stray and ended up at the Devore Animal Shelter in San Bernardino County. She was immediately put on the euthanasia list and hidden in their quarantine section due to her behavior. She was labeled as aggressive and her future looked grim. Thankfully we were able to save her and she gained a second chance. Once she arrived we saw a very young girl who was looking for structure and training. We knew it was going to take a special person to be the one to adopt her.

Fast forward to November 2021, and Sasha is now in her forever home. Her new owner loves her just as much as we all did. She likes to spend her time drinking from the water hose and lounging at the picnic table.

What started out as a pandemic foster, turned into a forever home for CARL long term resident Mamba. It was never understood why Mamba was never adopted during her 12 years at CARL. She is a very happy gal with good spirits and a loveable smile. Maybe she had fallen victim to “Black Dog Syndrome” , maybe it was because she wasn’t the right fit for those who were interested, or maybe she was closer to her person than anyone realized.

In early 2017, Chrissy began volunteering with CARL and soon enough she became Mamba’s friend. Over the years they created a special bond and once the pandemic hit, Chrissy chose Mamba to be her work from home buddy after spending years in a kennel environment. After a year of being roommates, Chrissy knew she had to make it official. Mamba now spends her day lounging around the house, watching neighbors from the window, and seeing her other 4-legged friends around her home.

How you can help today:
Dog rescue never stops and everyday a new surprise arises. We have been fortunate to continue to save the lives of countless dogs who are looking for their forever homes. Below are a few ways to help benefit the dogs at CARL:

Donate directly to CARL through Network for Good or Paypal
Donate items from our Amazon Wishlist
Use the WoofTrax app when you go for a walk
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
Canine Adoption and Rescue League
PO Box 5022
Ventura, CA 93005

∙ SPAN Thrift Store is open to the public and looking for donations of adult clothing, household items and tools if you’ve got items you no longer use.
SPAN Thrift Store regularly provides $10 spays and neuters for low income households with cats and dogs.
Three upcoming clinics are: Tuesday, February 8th at Shiells Park, in the parking lot, located at 649 C St., Fillmore, 93015, a second clinic on Tuesday, February 15th in the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main), and a third clinic in the SPARC parking lot, located at 705 E. Santa Barbara St., Santa Paula, 93060, on Tuesday, February 22nd.
Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

∙ Dear Friends,

Ventura County Animal Services participated in the #BettyWhiteChallenge, a nationwide fundraising event kickstarted on Twitter and shared by well-known celebrities. The trending movement, inspired by Betty White’s long history of animal activism, called upon the community to donate $5.00 to their local animal shelters on Monday, January 17, 2022, what would have been her 100th birthday.

VCAS set a modest fundraising goal of $10,000 and quickly launched our participation in the challenge.  We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we exceeded our original fundraising goal by leaps and bounds, collecting an extraordinary $51,510! We received nationwide coverage on NBC4 and held a concurrent pet adoption event which resulted in 24 animals finding loving, forever homes. We were both surprised and honored by the massive outpour of support from our Ventura County community and we wish to thank all who participated in the Betty White Challenge!
Please consider being a part of this movement and donating today at www.vcas.us/donate.
Ventura County Animal Services

∙ An athletic Hungarian farm dog and a tiny pet of bygone Russian aristocrats are the latest breeds in the American Kennel Club’s purebred lineup.

The club announced that it’s recognizing the Russian toy and the mudi. That means they’re eligible to compete for best in show at many U.S. dog shows, including the AKC’s big annual championship and the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club show.

The mudi (whose American fans pronounce its name like “moody,” although the vowel sound in Hungarian is closer to the “u” in “pudding”) descended from long lines of Hungarian sheepdogs before a museum director took an interest in the breed and gave it a name around 1930. Fans say the medium-size, shaggy dogs are vigorous, versatile and hardworking, able to herd sheep, hunt boars, snag rats and compete in canine sports such as agility and dock diving.

The Russian toy developed from small English terriers that gained the fancy of Russian elites by the early 1700s. The diminutive dogs — supposed to weigh no more than 6.5 pounds (2.7 kg) — have a leggy silhouette, perky expression and lively demeanor, breeders say.
These additions bring the number of AKC-recognized breeds to 199.