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Marine Science Beach Camps are back this Summer!

During the camps, children learn about a variety of marine science concepts.

Summer is almost here! Ensure your children or grandchildren get the outdoor exposure they need for proper development through educational and enriching hands-on activities in marine science that follow strict COVID-19 prevention measures.

Registration to MERITO Foundation’s Marine Science Beach Camps – Summer 2021 are now open for children 8 to 12 years of age from 9:00 am-1:00 pm 3 days per week at Buenaventura State Beach south of Ventura Pier with the following weeks and themes:

  • Week 1 ‘Watersheds to Ocean’: June 28 – July 2 (M, W, F)
  • Week 2 ‘Life in between the Tides’: July 7 & July 9 (W & F)
  • Week 3 ‘The Secret Life of Plankton’: July 12 – July 16 (M, W, F)
  • Week 4 ‘Bills and Whales’: July 19-23 (M, W, F)

Register Here

During camps, children learn about a variety of marine science concepts, the issues our oceans and coast face, and what they and their families can do to protect them. Children will also have time to experience and explore the coastal environment and play with ocean-themed games. They will be introduced to scientific monitoring and marine-themed art and poetry, all while respecting social distancing.

To learn more and register go to https://www.meritofoundation.org/

Preventing homelessness in the Post-COVID Age

by Jill Forman and Sue Brinkmeyer

Many households are one paycheck away from homelessness.  One car repair, family illness, temporary layoff or other one-time event can eat up the funds needed to pay rent for a month, and a family can lose its housing. For residents of the City of Ventura in this situation, the Homeless Prevention Fund is one option.  If a household will be able to meet its expenses once the temporary situation is resolved, the Ventura Homeless Prevention may be able to help them stay housed.

As an example, this month a family had an illness and their income was drastically reduced for a sufficient period that they were unable to pay rent for the month. They faced eviction.  Since the situation was resolved, and they could pay the rent going forward, they qualified for a one-time payment of their rent by the Ventura Homeless Prevention. They are able to stay in their home.

For households who need help paying months of rent that was missed due to COVID-19, government programs exist, and people can call 211 to learn more about the assistance available. For residents of the City of Ventura who don’t qualify for the much-more-extensive government COVID-19 Rent Relief and who need help with just one month’s rent due to a temporary financial setback, Ventura Homeless Prevention may be the answer. More information is available at venturahomelessprevention.org or (805) 626-0363.

Ventura City Council approves water and wastewater rates adjustments

Rate increases will support both daily operation and maintenance of the City’s existing water and wastewater systems.

On Monday, May 17, 2021, at the Public Hearing for Water and Wastewater Rate Adjustments, Ventura City Council unanimously approved five-year water and wastewater rate increases. A second reading of the ordinances took place on May 24, 2021, for approval. Beginning July 1, 2021, the average Ventura household will see a $7.76 increase on their monthly bill.

Over the course of eight public meetings and nearly a year of deliberation, the Water Commission, in partnership with City staff and a third-party financial consultant, underwent an extensive water and wastewater rate study to evaluate the City’s water rate tiers, water shortage rates, wastewater rate structure, and financing options for major projects.

The results of the study showed that an annual rate increase of seven percent for water service and six percent for wastewater service is needed each year to continue to operate and maintain the systems, repair, and replace aging infrastructure, secure water supply, improve water quality, and meet legal and environmental regulations.

“These are difficult decisions that will impact our community for years to come. After careful consideration, City Council recognizes that we can no longer defer investing in water and wastewater systems,” commented Mayor Rubalcava. “As leaders, it is our responsibility to ensure our existing residents and future generations have access to safe, clean, and reliable water.”

On March 22, the Ventura City Council reviewed the proposed rate adjustments and approved to move forward with the Proposition 218 Public Noticing process. On April 1, a detailed notice was mailed to Ventura Water customers and property owners outlining the proposed changes and instructions for customers that oppose the adjustments. According to State Law, if a majority of customers or parcel owners submit a written protest within the 45-day review period, rate increases cannot be adopted. At the close of Monday’s Public Hearing, a total of 1,076 protests were received in opposition to water service increases, 1,054 for wastewater service increases, and 1,018 for water shortage surcharge rate increases, with 13,470 needed to constitute a majority protest for water service and water shortage rates and 12,517 for wastewater service.

“City staff and the Water Commission made a concerted effort to lead a collaborative and transparent rate-setting process, with the continued goal to communicate early and often,” stated Assistant City Manager Akbar Alikhan.

Leading up to City Council’s decision, Ventura Water conducted over 20 community presentations and hosted several virtual town hall meetings where information about anticipated rate impacts was shared with community members, neighborhood groups, clubs, businesses, and economic development stakeholders.

Rate increases will support both daily operation and maintenance of the City’s existing water and wastewater systems, along with approximately 36 planned capital improvement projects, including the long-anticipated State Water Interconnection Project and VenturaWaterPure Program.

“For many years, our local water sources have been impacted by drought, regulatory and legal constraints,” shared Ventura Water General Manager Susan Rungren. “Now is the time to continue to invest in our aging infrastructure and projects that will help meet regulatory requirements, help secure sustainable water supply for existing and future customers, and improve our water quality.”

For more information on rate changes, visit www.VenturaWaterRates.net.

Working physician turns 100 on June 9th

Dr. Rafael Canton became enthusiastic about treating patients near their homes.

by Mohammed Hasan

The Ventura physician, Rafael Canton, MD, practices Psychiatry. He goes to work three days a week. He turns 100 in a few days.

His life history is of innovation, dedication and giving.

In the early sixties, in the United States, most psychiatric care took place in large, often remote, state hospitals. Patients stayed there for months or for the rest of their life. In cities there was a strong stigma of anyone with mental illness. Then, the National Institute of Mental Health was funded to promote a new approach- community psychiatry.

Dr. Rafael Canton, a 1947 graduate of Tulane Medical school, New Orleans. who had done psychiatric residence in a large hospital, became enthusiastic about treating patients near their homes, involving their family members, connecting with community resources, so as to provide early, more effective treatment and to promote recovery and rehabilitation. He was hired as Director of the new Ventura County Mental Health Department. It was a pioneering challenge. Some of the achievements were:

• The construction of a building for the new Psychiatric Unit at the Ventura County Hospital and creating an active link. Dr. Canton had to be the psychiatrist for the Unit, as there was no other option

• A new building for the first Partial Hospitalization-Day Treatment Program in the County. Again, Dr. Canton was the psychiatrist for the Unit.

• The creation of the first Outpatient Psychiatric Clinics in Oxnard and Simi Velley.

• The creation of the first Methadone Maintenance Clinic in Ventura and Oxnard.

• The creation of the Psychiatric Emergency Team.

Due to the severe shortage of bilingual doctors in his field, he filled in wherever he needed to serve in this county.

Due to Dr. Canton’s dedication in the mental health medicine, things have steadily and subtly changed in this county, the stigma is gone. One can openly talk and get assistance for themselves or their family members which was not possible before. He almost single-handedly changed the perception, patient care and hope for mental health in Ventura County. His contribution to the community by serving others is exemplary and an inspiration to younger generation.

Since 1973, Dr. Canton has been in private practice. He finds special joy in being able to establish therapeutic rapport with patients and their closest relatives. In 2009, he published his book, “Mental Hygiene as a Second Language”, to help readers to choose their thoughts in a healthier way, available online.

Dr. Canton continues his practice and serves the community at the age of 100. The gentleman keeps giving!

When asked how he has made such a milestone, he credits his genes (his Dad died at the age of 94); never overeating (rather eating less, no smoking, and “alcohol never appealed to me”); how he selects his thoughts (healthy way – avoiding criticism of people and express approval generously, realizing we are all imperfect); live an active life (gardening, working, keeping busy, Sunday church, family and friends).

He is celebrating his 100th birthday with his friends and family, and at a church event Wednesday evening (United Universalist Church of Ventura), and also at a luncheon on Thursday at his old Rotary club (Ventura East).

 

Ventura Downtown Lions Club donates computers

City of Ventura receives Chromebooks from members Mario Robinson, Jon Youngerman, Steve Shaw, Chris Brashears, Randy Jewell, and City of Ventura Recreation Supervisor, Chip Tarleton.

The City of Ventura recently received a donation for 42 Chromebook laptops from the Ventura Downtown Lions Club.

“These laptops will mean so much to those who use the Westpark Community Center. Many of the families in the area can’t afford personal computers. These laptops will have a positive community benefit once we’re able to reopen our facilities,” Mayor Sofia Rubalcava stated. “Thank you to the Ventura Downtown Lions Club for generously supporting our families living on the westside.”

The Chromebooks will be available at the Westpark Community Center for students to use for after-school academics during normal business hours of operation.

Since 1923, the Ventura Downtown Lions Club has been serving the community in actively seeking to strengthen and support the area’s civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare.

“The Lions Club enjoys giving back to local youth and has been a longtime supporter of the Westpark Community Center and its after-school programs. Our members are glad to help those in need and serve the families in our community,” said Jon Youngerman, Downtown Ventura Lions Club President. “I would like to recognize Community Services Chairs Steve Shaw and Randy Jewell as well as Lion Chris Brashears who were instrumental in coordinating these donations.”

For information about the Westpark Community Center, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Westpark or contact Recreation Supervisor Chip Tarleton at [email protected].

For more information about the Downtown Ventura Lions Club, visit www.venturalions.org.

Ventura Botanical Garden announces winners in Spring Bloom Contest

Winners of the 2021 Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) In Bloom Photo Contest highlight the variety of colors, textures, wild visitors, views and other delights found in the continually expanding gardens above City Hall. Ten winners, “Judges’ Choice” were chosen by a panel of local photography professionals and three winners, “Peoples’ Choice” were chosen by open voting on the Ventura Botanical Gardens Facebook page.

Judges for the contest included photographer and instructor Phil Ranger, Dexter’s Camera owner and photographer Greg Montana, and architectural photographer Stephen Schafer (AKA Schåf), who specializes in HABS, HAER, HALS formats to support the preservation of architectural, engineering and landscape resources. ­­­­

More than 120 photos from 68 entrants were placed into four categories— Botanical Detail, Color and Texture, Seen in the Garden, and View/Scenes. Judges chose winners in each category. No categories were used in open voting and selection was based on technical quality, composition, lighting, overall impression, and aesthetics among other things. Judges also awarded a “Best of Season” to Benjamin Mati for his Views/Scenes photo, which capture many elements of the Gardens in a single portrait.

Winners in the Judges’ Choice by category were:

Botanical Detail:
Judy Layman (1st), Laura Dunbar (2nd), and Jacqueline Counter (3rd)

Color and Texture:
Ashley Brown (1st), Mayra Plascencia (2nd) and Erlich Rosenberg (3rd)

Seen in the Garden:
Nicole Horn (1st) and Benjamin Mati (2nd)

Views/Scenes:
Benjamin Mati (1st)

Best of Season
Judy Layman (2nd)

Judges were impressed by the submissions and noted the overall artistic merit and technical quality of many of the photos. Facebook open voter choices were also strong runners up with the judges. Winners in the Peoples’ Choice were Matt Thompson (1st), Susie Jensen (2nd) and Cristine Le (3rd).

For the last four years, Nancy Kettner and Terri Stober organized the event. “Each year the number and quality of entries continue to grow. The images are rich in color and texture. The photographers do a wonderful job of capturing the beauty of the Gardens.” states Nancy Ketter,  “ Terri Stober adds, “We are grateful to our judges for graciously donating their time and expertise to this fun event.”

The Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) is located at 567 S. Poli Street, Ventura, California. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to creating a botanical garden for the twenty-first century celebrating the Mediterranean climate regions. The setting is a world-class site with spectacular 360-degree views of the California coast, the Channel Islands and Ojai’s Topa Topa mountain range. VBG will continue to create new outdoor opportunities including training, research, and educational programs ranging from horticulture and botany to sustainability.

The Weed Project: Outlaws of the Super Bloom & Crimes at Museum of Ventura County

In the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Pavilion at the Museum of Ventura County on Saturday, June 12, 2021 from 3—5PM for the opening reception of The Weed Project: Outlaws of the Super Bloom & Crimes We Commit in the Garden. This new exhibit by the comical and brave Charlene Spiller features thirteen botanical paintings with an ecological message. There will be refreshments and a no-host bar. Visitors will also be able to explore the new and refreshed Children’s Garden. Admission is free with registration.

In the macro-style paintings of The Weed Project, Charlene Spiller draws a plumb line between art and science. She creates a new category of “bloom”, challenging the viewer’s expectation of what constitutes beauty. All the while, pollinating their mind with provocative thoughts about our health, the health of our planet, and the bottom-line of a multibillion-dollar corporation – with a multibillion-dollar legal-relief reserve – and places it all under our microscope. Deputy Director, Denise Sindelar states, “Ms. Spiller’s paintings highlight the beauty that exists in our fragile, and often forgotten natural world”.

Vol. 14, No. 18 – June 2 – June 15, 2021 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Aliso, a handsome 6 year old Pit Bull Terrier X who was rescued from a high-kill shelter where I was found as a stray. I was named after the canyon in Santa Paula.

Someone who met me at the shelter said I was such a sweet boy, loved to see a face that I knew and loved to have a visitor spend time with me. The person also thought I looked to have been someone’s lawn ornament for a long while. It’s time I was treated the way everyone should always be treated, with compassion, respect and most importantly with lots of love.

If you’re interested in meeting me, please fill out an online application. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Bonded bunnies Thor and Loki are a dynamic duo. These super friendly boys do everything together but still have plenty of time to spend with their adoring fans. These sweet bunnies would do well in a house with children. As a bonded pair, Thor and Loki must be adopted together and into the same home. To learn more about Thor and Loki and why rabbits live longer, healthier lives when they are in pairs.

Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive
A770998 A770997