by Sheli Ellsworth

Patricia Caloia had two choices after graduating from Elsinore High School. Did she want to be a nurse or a teacher? After four years at UCSB, she was qualified to teach secondary English and Math. She received a Singer sewing machine and a Betty Crocker cookbook for graduation. All she needed to set up housekeeping was a husband.

But during the graduation process, fate had another plan. She was handed her student computer punch cards for the administration office. Fascinated by the idea of holes that could spawn information, she studied them until she deciphered what each said. Inspired by an acquaintance studying computer technology, Caloia snuck into a programming class. The rest, as they say, was history.

“In 1962, computers weren’t common. My parents were shocked that I wanted to be a computer programmer,” Caloia says. “Programming was a tedious, repetitive task eventually relegated as women’s work. But when my folks realized I was making more money than my dad, they came around.”

She started at Douglas Aircraft programming business applications and later moved to TRW. “I became head of an all-male group that maintained systems for TRW’s business sector.” Caloia transferred to the scientific sector supporting Federal Aviation Administration contracts. That led to the FAA’s technical center in New Jersey. Still following FAA contracts, she wound up in Camarillo on loan to Unisys. Loving the coast since her UCSB days, she purchased a hillside home in Ventura, but Unisys lost the contract.

Needing income, Pat bought into the candy vending machine business. She traveled around Ventura County stocking machines, collecting coins and baking cookies with broken M&Ms.

Fortunately, a former FAA employee started an air traffic control software consulting
company and asked Caloia to help maintain the ATC software at England’s CAA—equivalent to the FAA. Excited to live overseas, it was also an awesome opportunity for her young son. The home was rented out and they moved to London. “The England experience was wonderful. My son became a Sea Scout, vowing to defend the Queen.” Caloia recalls standing in the control tower at Heathrow, watching the Concord land. Her mother even visited London to see the sights. “Mom never did understand my job. She just knew it had something to do with airplanes and computers.”

Three years later, she went to New Jersey contracting with the FAA. They returned to Ventura in time for her son’s freshman year at VHS. She considered early retirement, but fate was not finished with Caloia. She received another offer from the CAA. Caloia and her son moved back to England. “It felt a little like going home.”

After two years, they came back to Ventura. Her son graduated from VHS and headed to Santa Barbara for college. Caloia continued consulting on air traffic control software in New Jersey, El Paso, and Raytheon outside Boston. Eventually, she longed to return to California.

Caloia had invested in real estate through the years, and retired in her Ventura home. These days she oversees her properties, enjoys gardening, walking, and always theater. She supervises a writer’s group and is working on a couple of novels. She recently completed a fun children’s book for her grand-daughter: London Magic based on their unique experiences across the pond. She is a voracious reader who enjoys the occasional lazy afternoon with a book and her rescued cat, Patch.

Caloia loves living in Ventura. “It has the conveniences of a city but with the feel of a small town. If I choose, almost everything I need is within a couple of miles.” Her favorite places are So Cal theatres, the beach and on a plane. Occasionally she finds herself snorkeling in Hawaii or flying to visit her son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter in Maryland.

by Bob Warnagieris

I met Philip Boehme about 10 years ago in a bible study course at the Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. We established a friendship that has involved regular coffee discussions on topics that often turn into debates. Two things are characteristic of a serious talk with Phil; he is well read and backs up any statement with facts. Secondly, we can discuss controversial topics from two different points of view without getting upset – now that’s a rare friend.

Phil and his wife Dea have been in Ventura since 1995. Phil, a physicist, retired from the Department of Energy 13 years ago after a career involving nuclear radiation safety. Dea (USC PhD) retired several years ago from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Crime Lab. They have 3 grown children, two boys, a daughter and 5 grandchildren.

Regarding retirement, Phil says he’s happy and enjoys the leisure time he has to spend more time with his family and his many hobbies and projects. Currently he’s occupied with reading, watching old movies, setting up a ham radio operation after passing the federal exam, writing a play about witches in Ojai, learning German for a trip to Germany and playing poker. His advice on the latter item is “Don’t draw to an inside straight”. He remains interested in travel and adventure, be it in California or abroad.

Looking back at his life, Phil cites the high and low of his years. The high would be enlisting in the Marine Corp and getting married to Dea. On the challenging side has been a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. His advice for a good life is “Love your family and keep meeting new friends”. As to principles to live by, Phil counts the Code of Chivalry and the Catholic religion. Having been around Phil for many years, I would also add love of country to his strong beliefs.

This introduction would not be complete without citation of Philip’s combat experience as a photographer with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam at the age of 22. Phil is a 100% disabled veteran from PTSD with vivid memories of the war. His official DOD photos from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration can be viewed on YouTube video. Click here to see them: http://youtube/watch?v=WJ5WBLApc-k. The photos mostly cover Operation Idaho Canyon, the last major Vietnam engagement for the 3rd Marine Division. President Nixon announced the first troop withdrawal of the war during this operation in August 1969. The 3rd Marine Division was selected to leave first.

For anyone interested in other websites regarding the war and special events or people of Phil’s experience, please contact Bob Warnagieris at [email protected] for a listing.

by Carol Leish, MA

“Every program we offer at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) is free, with no charge,” according to Roger Horne, Public Information Officer at the VC Area Agency on Aging. “We have a ‘No Wrong Door Policy,’ which means if an older adult, a person with disabilities, or a caregiver call needing help, but is not sure of what services are in the community to help them, we will first try to connect them with our programs if we can. If not, we will try to refer them to other agencies that can assist them.

“The Information & Assistance team at our agency takes the initial phone call from someone who calls asking for assistance. A social worker figures out what that person’s needs are to help them out. Our overall goal is to help people to stay in their own home, since people do better by staying in their own homes, while keeping them safe and healthy.”

Some of the various types of programs provided by the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging include: 1) Transportation; 2) the Senior Nutrition Program; 3) Digital Services; 4) Health Insurance Counseling; 5) Employment; 6) Housing through HomeShare; 7) Fall Prevention, and 8) LiveWell (annual publication).

Free transportation is provided for those who are 60 years old or older, along with those, of any age, who have an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) card through a free bus pass. Those who are 65 years old or older can get free Dial-A-Ride tickets to use for transportation. Medi-rides may also be available to individuals who have no other way to get to a medical appointment.

The Senior Nutrition Program funds congregate meals at various senior centers throughout the county. Seniors can get free meals, or give a suggested donation of $3 for a meal. “There is also a meal delivery program for those who are homebound. Some receive the same meals that the senior centers serve,” according to Horne. “At the VCAAA, we send out boxes that have a week’s or month’s amount of food in them.”

“Digital resources,” according to Horne, “help to deal with the ‘Digital Divide,’ by offering education. GetSetUp offers classes for older adults in which they can learn about anything that may interest them. Trualta offers free online support and training for caregivers. To sign up for these free services, first go to the VCAAA website at www.vcaaa.org, and click onto ‘Digital Resources.’”

For those who need free help with Medicare, Horne said, “We offer health insurance counseling through our HICAP department by giving one-on-one help, and through giving presentations to various groups. This is unbiased help to support older adults who need it.”

Employment help for seniors is also offered. The Senior Community Service Employment Program assists low-income individuals to get back into the workforce. Help on the www.vcaaa.org website is available through a video done by the Workforce Development Committee, which is part of the Advisory Council for the VC Area Agency on Aging: ‘Get That Job!’ The committee also recently did a job fair in Eastern Ventura County. A job fair in Western Ventura County is in the works.

“Housing can be difficult, especially with the high costs of housing within Ventura County,” according to Horne. “HomeShare is a program that matches home seekers with home providers. Some people may have a house that is too big for them. We help them to find compatible people to rent a room, who may be able to help them with various things around their homes.”

The Fall Prevention program aims to help people who have fallen, or who are fearful of falling, by offering several evidence-based classes that are aimed at keeping people on their feet.

“LiveWell, which is an annual publication, has various interesting articles that we think older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities would want to read,” according to Horne. “It also has listings of agencies throughout the county that deal with topics like: 1) Health; 2) Legal; 3) Food; 4) Caregiving; 5) Community Resources; and, 6) Transportation.”

For more information about the free services provided, or to get assistance, please contact the VC Area Agency on Aging at either their phone number: 805-477-7300; or, through their website: www.vcaaa.org.