All posts by admin

City of Ventura’s City Hall and facilities have opened

Has it been this long since City Hall was open?

The City of Ventura has opened City Hall and other facilities to the public on Monday, July 12, 2021. The reopening aligns with the State of California’s move to Beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and the full reopening of business sectors.

“We are thrilled to reopen city facilities and welcome the community back after more than a year of being closed for in-person service,” said Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “Ventura, thank you for your sacrifices, commitment, and resilient spirit throughout it all. It is because of our community’s collective efforts that we are where we are today.”

Cleanings and improvements at all city facilities have been made to ensure the health and well-being of residents, businesses, visitors, and City staff when using public counters. Patrons and vendors visiting City facilities and City Hall will be required to wear masks when indoors, and physical distancing shall be practiced.

“During the last year, the important and impactful work of the City continued as we pivoted quickly to work remotely and provide virtual services,” stated Ventura City Manager Alex D. McIntyre. “Bringing the public back is a significant step forward as we look to recover from the pandemic. We are reopening City facilities for business and looking forward to serving the community in-person again.”

City Facility Reopening

City Hall and City facilities will reopen for normal business hours. Hours of operation vary at each location. For more details, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov.

City Council, Boards, and Commission Meetings

Public meetings will continue to be hosted virtually as well as be open for limited in-person participation with social distancing and masking required. The first modified in-person City Council meeting will be hosted on July 19, 2021.

To participate virtually in public meetings, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/AgendaCenter.

Virtual City Services

As the City reopens, Ventura’s services will continue to be available online, ensuring residents and businesses have more options to take care of important matters and connect with City staff.

Electronic applications for City permits and development projects must be submitted online. Residents, developers, and business owners can visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/PermitServices to submit applications.

Parks & Recreation

Parks, beaches, golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, the Ventura Aquatics Center, and public restrooms are open.

The Ventura Avenue Adult Center as well as other community centers and recreational buildings are open to pre-registered participants participating in scheduled activities, camps, and programs, which are available by advance registration only.

To learn more, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ParksRec.

Special Event Permit Applications

Applications for block parties, free speech events, parades, processions, athletic and sporting events, walk-a-thons, and festivals will be accepted digitally.

Before advertising or promoting your event, be sure to receive conditional approval from the City to ensure the date and event location you are requesting is available.

To learn more, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/SpecialEventPermits.

The City of Ventura is committed to maintaining the health and safety of the public and will be closely following Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS).

Even with California relaxing distancing and masking requirements, the risk of community spread still remains high, and the COVID-19 vaccination remains critical to slowing community transmission. To find a vaccine near you, visit www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

Mayor Sofia Rubalcava supported the Ventura Really Really Free Market

Mayor Sofia Rubalcava reading a story to young West Ventura resident, Cosmo, while Shannon López looks on.

City of Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava participated in the Ventura Really Really Free Market (RRFM) on the 4th of July, 9 am-1 pm at Kellogg Park in West Ventura.  Organized by the Ventura County chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSAVC), the event brought the community together to share their talents and lightly used items with one another.  Rubalcava shared her talents for Spanish translation and children’s storytelling.  Other community members offered free workshops: yoga instruction with Sarah Aspell, a Privilege Walk with Nicollete Walker of Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ), a Medicare For All talk with RN & activist Gina Currie.

“RRFMs are a chance to reimagine sharing in our community. Be it home goods, backyard veggies, or knowledge of gardening or knitting, we all have something to share and we all have something to gain,” said Event Organizer, Alyson Warner.

Other talents shared included a collaborative art station with John Caravello, professional chair massage from Allen Chinn, a Tea Ceremony with Taylor Buck and Julie Marie, seed plantings with Shannon & Tomás López, and more.

This event was made possible with support from the Ventura chapter of Black Lives Matters, Bike Ventura, Westside Community Development Corporation, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Ventura Tenants Union, and the Diversity Collective.

For more information on Ventura RRFM, follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RRFMventura.

 

VMF’s live July 25th concert presents Guitar Competition Gold Medalist Andrea Roberto

This wunderkind’s fingers have been on a guitar since age 4.

by Richard Newsham, VMF consultant

25-year-old guitar prodigy Andrea Roberto from Foggia (in Southern Italy’s Apulia)—the Gold Medalist at the fifth quadrennial Parkening International Guitar Competition in 2019—returns to California to demonstrate the musicianship that won him this coveted title for the world’s preeminent guitar competition during the 2021 Ventura Music Festival live concert on Sunday, July 25, at 3 pm, at the Pacifica High School’s Performing Arts Center at, 600 E Gonzales Rd, in Oxnard.

This wunderkind’s fingers have been on a guitar since age 4, under his father’s tutelage, followed by admission at 9 and graduation at 14 from the Conservatorio di Musica Umberto Giordano under Sandro Torlontano. Andrea then followed teacher Aniello Desiderio from Naples to the International Academy of Koblenz in Germany. The young guitarist completed his studies at the Conservatory of Maastricht (Netherlands) with the teacher Carlo Marchione.

His artistic career includes performances throughout Europe, Mexico, South America and the United States, including the 14-guitar-festival tour of the European Euro String Project, radio broadcasts and first prizes at eight international competitions. In 2017 he recorded his first CD “El Viaje de la guitarra italiana” (JSG Records).

His ambitious and wide ranging VMF program opens with 19th century Italian guitar virtuoso Mauro Giuliani’s dazzling “Grande Ouverture, Op. 61” followed by five “Suite in D” dances from German Renaissance composer Michael Praetorius’ 300 piece collection “Terpsichore”; and three virtuosic dance tunes by Renaissance composer and lutenist John Dowland: “The Frog Galliard”—inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s last official suitor for marriage, the small pox disfigured but excellent dancer Duc d’Alençon—“Sir John Smith His Almain” and “Allemande” from “Pleasures of their Company” (Kathleen Battle and Christopher Parkening). Sublime transcriptions of Bach’s “Chaccone”—“one of the greatest pieces of music ever written” (says violinist Joshua Bell) and chorale “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” precede intermission followed by Spanish-inspired classical guitar repertoire masterpieces by Joaquin Rodrigo “Fandango,” Isaac Albéniz “Córdoba” and “Sevilla,” Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco “Escarraman” selections and Francisco Tárrega “Variations on Paganini’s The Carnival of Venice.”

Don’t miss this rare “rapt music” performance by a young guitar genius at the Ventura Music Festival’s Sunday matinee finale!

Tickets and details for this 100% vaccinated event at www.venturamusicfestival.org.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving Walk on July 24

Please join Ventura locals Staci Brown and Angelique Suddock as we do our mini fundraising walk for Mothers Against Drunk Driving to take place on July 24th at 11:00 am in front of Aloha’s Steakhouse on the Ventura promenade. We have invited the Ventura Sheriff’s offices and expect to have some guests. We will be walking to the end of the riverbed which is only 2.25 miles. We will have snacks and a silent auction.

Every year over 1000 lives are lost in California due to substance impaired driving on our roadways. Drunk Driving remains the number one cause of death on US roads. Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) works to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes, and prevent underage drinking (All services are free).

Your walk fees, or donations raise funds to prevent substance impaired driving crashes and educates thousands throughout the state of California. Walk Like MADD is the only large-scale community-based activity that allows those impacted by drunk driving to take steps to stop drunk driving in their communities.

Please register under “Team Brown & Suddock” it is $25. If you can’t walk with us, we would love if you can donate under the same name. Help save thousands of lives by sacrificing the price of a meal (well, an expensive meal). Please let me know if you have any questions or are having difficulty with registration by calling my work line at 714-838-6199 Ext. 6649.

I hope to see you there!! Optional lunch at Winchesters Grill (632 E. Main Street) after the walk. 5% of the proceeds will go directly back to MADD.

Gratefully,
Staci Brown

The Ventura Police Department encourages residents to participate in National Night Out

Ventura neighborhoods are invited to participate in National Night Out, on Tuesday, August 3, 2021 from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m. This is an opportunity to engage in relationship building with Ventura Police Officers and elected officials.

National Night Out is an annual crime prevention event and community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie that make our neighborhoods safer all year round.

Ventura residents are encouraged to register at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/NNO by Wednesday, July 28, 2021.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity for residents to turn on their porch lights and opt outside for an evening of activities,” said Chief Darin Schindler. “Community policing is more critical than ever before. It’s important for our residents and students to engage with our team in a positive environment and know that we are truly here to serve them and keep them safe.”

From small potlucks and front yard chats to larger block parties, chalk drawing contests, and ice cream socials, neighborhoods are urged to connect with neighbors, be creative, and have fun!

Registration is free and gives Ventura Police Officers and city representatives an opportunity to attend local neighborhood events as time and circumstances permits.

The City of Ventura is committed to maintaining the health and safety of all Ventura residents and will be closely following public health and safety guidance for outdoor events.

To learn more about National Night Out activities in the City of Ventura, contact Emily Graves, Community Outreach Specialist for the Ventura Police Department, at 805-339-4312 or [email protected].

July is Parks and Recreation Month

The beautiful view from Grant Park. Photo by Michael Gordon

The City of Ventura is celebrating Parks and Recreation Month, an initiative of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), and inviting the community to share experiences, memories, and stories about what parks and recreation programs mean to them.

“Parks and Recreation Month provides a great opportunity to highlight the beauty of Ventura’s open spaces and parks, the importance of recreation facilities, and the positive impact they have on our wellness and quality of life,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and recreation centers have been essential in contributing to Ventura’s strength, vibrancy, and resiliency.”

The City of Ventura Parks and Recreation Department maintains 31 traditional parks, 34 linear parks, three community centers, and offers an average of 2,058 recreation programs annually.

In celebration of this national tradition, the City has planned various activities for residents of all ages and abilities, including weekly challenges to inspire and entertain community members. Weekly prize drawings will be given to people who share photos or short videos of their adventures.

“Parks and recreation programs are at the center of many life experiences and memories. Local parks are places to gather with friends and family, spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, sites that connect us with essential community services, and so much more,” said Ventura Parks and Recreation Director Nancy O’Connor. “I am proud to lead a team of amazing people who work hard to keep providing essential recreation programs and maintain Ventura’s beautiful trees, open spaces, and facilities.”

According to NRPA, 93% of adults in the U.S. say their mental health is improved by services offered by local park and recreation professionals and agencies.

For details, visit  www.cityofventura.ca.gov/ParksRec, or follow the Ventura Parks and Recreation Facebook page.

For information about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.

Expansion of Hillmont Psychiatric Unit alleviates waits for patients in crisis

The unit has the capacity for 43-beds.

by Carol Leish

“The Hillmont Psychiatric Unit was built in 1995 and licensed for 43 beds,” according to Ashley Bautista, Public Information Officer for Ventura County. “It replaced a 28-bed unit that had been licensed since 1978.

“The unit has the capacity for 43-beds, and is currently staffed for 36 patients. The average length of stay is for 11 days. This increased to 14 days during the COVID-19 crisis. If Hillmont is full, patients are sent to Vista del Mar, here in Ventura, or out of the county to Northridge, Glendale, or Southern California Hospital in Van Nuys.
“With the $2 million proposal, part of Ventura County’s $2.5 billion budget, which was recently approved,” according to Bautista, “an additional 7 staffed beds will be bringing the total capacity of Hillmont up to 43 beds.

“Yes, we agree that the County needs more beds/chairs/placement sites, and we are looking at the full continuum from the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit to Crisis Stabilization Unit /Crisis Residential Treatment to residential treatment and board and care to incrementally enhance the eco-system at all levels,” according to Bautista. “Since the county has a need for it with its population of 840, 000, future expansion plans include: adding Crisis Stabilization Units (6 chairs), which will be coming this fall to St. John’s Hospital in Oxnard; Crisis Residential Treatment (16 beds), which will be coming to Santa Paula this fall; and, a Locked Mental Health Rehabilitation Facility (80-120 beds), which we are looking to bring to Ventura County in the near future.”

“Concerning the Advisory panel urging an option for longer hospitalizations of those who are severely mentally ill in Ventura County,” according to Bautista, “I’ll refer to us (Ventura County), adopting the provisions of Welfare and Institutions Code #270.10 et seq. (Article 4.7 of Chapter 2 of the Lanterman-Petris-Short [LPS] Act) (hereinafter WIC & 5270) which discusses the possible provision for people requiring acute psychiatric treatment longer than that currently afforded under the Welfare and Institutions Code & 5250, in order to avoid the costly and unnecessary filings of Temporary Conservatorship petitions. Thus, if adopted, a WIC & 5270 hold would allow an individual with serious mental illness to be held for up to an additional 30 days. But, if the person in question is stabilized, the hospital can discharge that person earlier without approval from the court or a conservator.

“The above recommendations are supported by both Ventura County Behavioral Heath and Ventura County Medica Center. When it is determined that an individual is gravely disabled and has not stabilized in 17 days, the hospital either discharges and subsequently re-admits (if they missed the window to file for temporary conservatorship), or files for temporary conservatorship which is more restrictive than an additional 30 days. Rights are protected by affording the individual a probable cause hearing.”

Dr. Fankhauser, CEO of both Ventura County Medical Center & Santa Paula Hospital, states: “We are committed to providing high quality, compassionate care to this population (those with mental illness), here in Ventura County.”

CAPS Media Productions for Mayor’s State of the City Message

Welcome to Summer. Here’s a roubust CAPS congratulations to all 2021 elementary, middle, high school and college graduates and their families throughout Ventura. CAPS Media was thrilled to be part of the celebrations by covering and livestreaming the ceremonies from Buena High, Ventura High, El Camino High, Foothill High, Pacific High and VACE. The extensive productions held in the Buena, Ventura and Ventura College football statiums required all-hands-on-deck efforts and long hours for all CAPS Crew members. Following the productions, CAPS received a kind note from Marieanne Quiroz, Communications Coordinator for VUSD, “Thanks to your CAPS team for the incredible work work in making our graduations so special! We could not have done it with out them!”

Immediately following the graduations the work continued when the entire CAPS Media crew pitched-in to produce a set of special videos for Mayor Sofia Rubalcava’s recent “State of the City” update. The videos included individual messages by the City’s seven Council Members (Sofia Rubalcava, Doug Halter, Mike Johnson, Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios, Jim Friedman, Lorrie Brown and Joe Schroeder). The council member messages were recorded on location in their respective districts with each member sharing perspectives on the past, present and future of the city. A second video featured thirteen City department directors sharing personal messages on the past year’s unprecedented challenges and insights into plans for future for their respecrive departments.

“CAPS is a valued and appreciated partner. Thank you for your talents, and contributions in greatly enhancing the City’s ability to share its stories” convayed in a note from Heather Sumagaysay, Public Information Officer for the City of Ventura.

The complete presentation will be repeated (broadcast and streamed) on CAPS Media Channel 6 throughout the month and the individual videos with the City Council members and City Staff will air and stream interstititally on Channel 6 and 15 as well as included on the CAPS Media website at capsmedia.org/videos/.

Recently the CAPS Media Executive Board met to discuss various issues including the question of when to reopen the CAPS Media Center to CAPS Members and the public. Due to the pandemic the CAPS Media Center has been closed for the past 16 months. The board members discussed numerous considerations including the encouraging vaccination rates in Ventura County, the State and County guidelines for public buildings, the recent emergence of the Delta variant, and potential surges and decided to continue with the cautious position of keeping the CAPS Media Center closed to the public for the next few months.

Despite the CAPS Media Center being closed to Members and the public, the CAPS Media staff continues to work throughout the pandemic shutdown. CAPS crews are in the community and in the CAPS studio every week recording and producing multiple informational and educational and supervise the broadcast of numerous meetings at City Hall including City Council meetings. The CAPS Crews have covered th County COVID updates as well as videos for County Fire, Health, Public Information and other departments.

At the same time CAPS Media Center staff continue to broadcast and stream television programming on Channel 6, Channel 15 and online. Plus, CAPS radio – KPPQ 104.1FM,continues broadcasting and streaming a vast variety of engaging original and acquired radio programs. Go to capsmedia.org for more information.

All of us at CAPS Media encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The sooner we are all vaccinated the sooner we can open the CAPS Media Center to our Members and the public. Our thanks to everyone for continuing to Stay Safe and Stay Strong during these challenging times.

Ventura College Foundation distributes over $640,000 in scholarships 

Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo came to the U.S. from Mexico.

The Ventura College Foundation awarded 400 scholarships to 228 students totaling $642,758 for the 2020/21 academic year. 

Students were notified this month of their scholarship awards. Scholarship amounts range from an average of nearly $2,400 for continuing students to an average of nearly $4,000 for students who are transferring to four-year universities in the fall. Over half of the winners received multiple scholarships. 

“Despite the challenges during the school year because of the pandemic and virtual learning, many Ventura College students were able to excel in their academic studies,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. 

Scholarships were awarded in all academic fields which included STEM, art, health and liberal arts. Recipients came from nearly every city in Ventura County including Ventura (75), Oxnard (65), Santa Paula (27), Camarillo (13), Fillmore (8) and Port Hueneme (6). 

A recipient of two scholarship awards this year, Bryan Rodriguez and his older sisters are the first in his family to attend college. His parents immigrated to America to provide a better life for their family.  

Scholarship recipient Jimena Pérez Arroyo, 18, came to the U.S. from Mexico at nine with her mom seeking a better future. “I was taught the value of education and hard work,” says Pérez Arroyo who attends Ventura College full time and works part time.

Pérez Arroyo knew she wanted to be a pilot since she was 12. She excelled in math and science throughout her schooling and is now studying engineering at Ventura College. 

Even though in-person award celebrations aren’t allowed due to COVID restrictions, the Ventura College Foundation is still virtually celebrated the 2021 scholarship awardees, the donors who made the awards possible, and the sponsors of the Scholarship Awarding Week of Celebration. Videos and the 2021 scholarship awards program can be viewed at https://venturacollegefoundation.org/awardevents2021/. 

The Ventura College Foundation is grateful for the continuing support of scholarship event sponsors. They include Edison International, Miracle Mile Advisors, Citizens Business Bank, Searle Creative and Bank of the Sierra. 

For more about scholarships and other support services provided by the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org. 

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset.