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During a global pandemic, education and community thrive online

The Oasis Institute, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults ages 50+, has announced the launch of Oasis Everywhere, a virtual lifelong learning platform with an expansive menu of online classes aimed to provide seniors with social connections and enrichment as they continue to shelter in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oasis Everywhere offers live online courses led by top instructors from across the country, making it possible for anyone in the U.S. to participate in exclusively curated classes and seminars streamed from Oasis Centers across the country. Utilizing a simple online platform and Zoom video conferencing, anyone can easily explore their interests regardless of geographic location, mobility, or travel constraints.

Affordably-priced classes are easily searchable and open for registration through the Oasis Everywhere website, oasiseverywhere.org. Available courses cover a variety of topics ranging from art and history to science, religion, cooking, technology, current events, health, and more.

“Through Oasis Everywhere, you can learn alongside your mom, dad, grandparent, neighbor or friend as we all adjust to pandemic life while also prioritizing our older loved ones who need support and care,” said Paul Weiss, PhD, President of The Oasis Institute. “We have carefully curated Oasis classes with the interests of adults ages 50+ in mind, but we have found that our topics really have a broad appeal, especially in these days of self-quarantine.”

The need for online classes increased exponentially in 2020 due to the isolation experienced by so many seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by AARP and Michigan Medicine in June 2020 reported 56 percent of respondents over the age of 50 sometimes or often felt isolated, more than double the number in the same study from 2018. The Oasis Institute launched Oasis Everywhere to address that need. Participants on the platform have reported that their learning experiences are valuable, varied and offer high-quality intellectual stimulation amongst the uncertainty. Participants have something to look forward to as they see old friends and make new ones through the interactive video sessions.

Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, for nearly 40 years, Oasis Centers and partners throughout the country have served adults ages 50 and over as a “home away from home” with robust educational offerings that include arts and humanities, science and technology, health education and exercise programs.

Oasis Everywhere is open for individual enrollment and offers group enrollment for senior centers and care facilities that want to provide additional enrichment to their residents. The classes offer a turnkey solution and enrollment group discounts for facilities that want to expand the variety of opportunities for learning and social activities that they offer. Senior living communities who register residents receive a 15% discount.

To sign up for classes, visit www.oasiseverywhere.org and view the growing list of courses to choose from.

Find more information about the Oasis Institute on Facebook at @OasisInstitute, on Twitter at @OasisInstitute, on LinkedIn at The Oasis Institute, or via their website www.oasisnet.org.

Note: Even though Oasis is a non-profit most classes do have a small fee. The Breeze is printing this for your information, this is not an endorsement.

Vol. 14, No. 13 – Mar 24 – April 6, 2021 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi, I’m Artie, an energetic 31/2-year-old American Staffordshire / Australian Shepherd with some Rotti and Chow mix. I’m in need of a new home as I and the special needs child in the home make each other too amped up. When I get too excited, I tend to nip.

I would do best in a quiet/calm adult only home. If it gets too chaotic, I need anxiety medication. In a quiet/calm environment, I’m fine and don’t need the medication.

I need a home with no small children, no small dogs and no cats. I’m good with large dogs. I’m house/crate trained, know how to use a doggie door and I’ll even let you know when I have to go outside. I know how to sit and stay, but I need leash work.

If you think you can give me the home and environment I need to thrive, please fill out an application to meet me.

Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L.CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

The first thing you may notice when you meet Claire is her adorable little corkscrew tail, but as you get to know her, you’ll realize that her personality is pretty fantastic as well! Claire is a little bit timid when you first meet her, but she quickly warms up and then loves to play with tennis balls and soft toys.

Claire is a smart girl and knows how to open her kennel door, so a secure backyard is a must! Claire would love to go to a home where she can get regular exercise and activity and lots of time with her people. We are sure this sweet girl will be your new best friend!

If you think Clair would be a good fit for your home, please make an appointment with one of our Adoption Counselors to get more information! www.vcas.us/scheduling. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive. Clair A767407

 Aera’s Healthy/Well Community challenge for students

Aera Energy partners with Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) in challenging our community to think about and support student health/wellness. Now through April 15, Aera will match any donation, up to $5,000 total, for Spring ‘21 Health/Wellness Grants to Ventura Unified educators. These grants bring much needed supplies and equipment to classrooms, strengthening health/wellness opportunities for students. Community members are also invited to share how they stay healthy and why student health/wellness is vital at facebook.com/VenturaEducationPartnership.

“Educating the whole child has always been a focus – good nutrition, physical activity and social/emotional wellness- that’s more important now than ever. Healthy environments help students remain focused on school, improve academic performance and classroom behavior. The new Health/Wellness Grants reinforce that,” said Kathy Asher and Debbie Golden, Co-Vice Presidents of Grants.

“Due to the pandemic, we have all had to get creative about how we go about preserving our mental and physical well-being,” explains Michele Newell, public affairs representative for Aera Energy. “Because Aera has always placed high value on health and wellness, we literally jumped at the opportunity to challenge our community to help bring fun, creative activities to students that will get them moving and help them feel more positive.”

Over the past 10 years, Ventura Education Partnership has provided more than $1 million in small grants to VUSD teachers that make a BIG impact on learning. VEPGrants have touched every child in VUSD and have a lasting impact on learning by incentivizing innovation in the classroom and incubating new programs district-wide. 

“It’s caring community partners, local businesses and individuals, who believe in teachers that make these amazing, hands on opportunities available for students. We are incredibly grateful to Aera Energy for stepping up during this challenging time to support student health/wellness,” said Madhu Bajaj, President of Ventura Education Partnership.

Newell said, “Students are the future leaders and visionaries of our community. We need to support initiatives that can impact lives and this one definitely hits the mark.  I hope others will join us in supporting VEP’s effort.”  

For more information, visit venturaeducationpartnership.org/Health-Wellness or contact [email protected] (805) 754-9861.

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

The good news continues for Ventura’s libraries. Ventura County entered the Red Tier on the 15th, which means computer access returning at the branches. Contact your local branch for hours, and to make reservations. Also, the Friends of the Library can plan a book sale next month. We have so many quality books at our warehouse and are excited to share them with the book loving community members.

New Librarian

Dolly Knight has been appointed Senior City Librarian for Ventura, starting the week of March 23rd. Staff have been covering that position in addition to their normal duties plus dealing with the constant changes of the pandemic. They deserve a lot of appreciation for the job of keeping everything running smoothly.

Dana Vinke, Deputy Library Director, sent this information about her: Dolly began her library career at the Ojai Library as a Library Technician. She later worked at the Camarillo Library, then served as Director of the Ventura County Law Library for 3 years… She has been a Senior Librarian for the Santa Barbara Public Library where she oversaw Patron Services and Branches. Ms. Knight was City Librarian for the Ventura County Library’s East Region overseeing the Ray D. Prueter, Piru, Fillmore and Oak Park Libraries.”

Grant awarded

Kudos to our amazing Fund Development Team for their work securing this.

Ventura Friends of the Library has announced an initial gift of $7,000. from Aera Energy LLC to kick off its funding campaign for Ventura County Libraries online tutoring program BrainFuse.

BrainFuse is a virtual, free, bilingual tutoring program for students from elementary school through early college. The tutors help students work through their problems so that they can do it themselves next time.

To access BrainFuse, go to the main library website, vencolibrary.org, click on the elibrary tab, and scroll down the alphabetical listing to Help Now. Or use this address: https://www.vencolibrary.org/library-collection/help-now-brainfuse

There is an instructional video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgUXOeP2IFs&list=PLCz8pIXNBjhi-L22vZecNVHVtE5pGJpiI. There are videos in English and Spanish.

“It is no secret that our students are struggling during this pandemic and we need to do what we can to support continued learning,” explains Michele Newell, public affairs representative for Aera Energy.  “BrainFuse is a free program families can use to keep students on track and provide them the extra help they may need.  We are partnering with Ventura Friends of the Library because Aera has always been a steadfast supporter of education and programs that help our children be their absolute best.  They are our future and we are keenly invested in the future of our community.”

Change in Hill Road book group date

Due to a schedule conflict, the group will meet Tuesday, April 6th at 5 PM.  Linda Cherry will send out a Zoom link in the coming weeks. The book is The Vanishing Half.

Online bookstore update

“Lots of good fiction and DVD’s” says Leslie Bellmore, the online bookstore guru.

 

Become a Ventura county civil grand juror!!

The Civil Grand Jury is an investigative panel of 19 citizen volunteers serving as a “voice of the people and a conscience of the community”. Its functions include:

Improving the operations of local government.

Verifying that the public’s money is handled judiciously.

Recognizing agencies that are working effectively.

As a civil panel, the Grand Jury does not consider indictments in criminal cases. It responds as a “watchdog” of local government, reviewing Public Complaints and initiating Internal Investigations, all of which are handled on a strictly confidential basis. Each year’s Grand Jury Report details findings and recommendations that are shared via the news media. Recent Grand Jury reports include:

Human Trafficking in Ventura County

Cybersecurity Strategies for Cities in Ventura County

Charter School Implementation of State Mandated Sex Education

We are looking for individuals who want to help their fellow citizens work in support of a more effective local government! If you are interested, please visit the Grand Jury website at www.ventura.org/grand-jury. You may also contact our Foreperson, Richard Boehmer, at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted through April 23, 2021.

The Changing Faces of Ventura County: Women Taking the Lead

This special Zoom program is free with registration!

Join us for The Changing Faces of Ventura County: Women Taking the Lead, a special Museum of Ventura County Zoom program on Wednesday, March 31st from 6:30-8:00 PM. This online program is free but requires advanced registration.

In honor of National Women’s History month, the Museum of Ventura County will host a panel discussion with elected leaders from all 10 cities in Ventura County. At no other time in history have so many women held elected office in Ventura County. Currently, in 2021, the County has 23 women elected to serve as supervisors, mayors, and councilmembers. This panel will be moderated by Dr. Trudy Tuttle Arriaga, Associate Dean of Equity and Outreach, Program Director, Oxnard & Main Campus M.A. in Educational Leadership & Distinguished Educator in Residence from California Lutheran University and the recent co-author of Leading While Female. The discussion will provide candid observations by 10 dedicated and passionate civic leaders.

City representatives participating include: Councilmember Susan Santangelo, City of Camarillo Councilmember Christina Villasenor, City of Fillmore, Mayor Janice Parvin, City of Moorpark, Mayor Betsy Stix, City of Ojai, Councilmember Vianey Lopez, City of Oxnard, Councilmember Laura Hernandez, City of Port Hueneme, Councilmember Leslie Cornejo, City of Santa Paula, Councilmember Ruth Luevanos, City of Simi Valley, Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Pena, City of Thousand Oaks, Mayor Sofia Rubalcava, City of Ventura.

Join us to learn about their motivation to serve their communities, their trials, and triumphs as elected officials, and most importantly their hopes and aspirations for the future. “I am so inspired that in a time of extreme challenges, local women have answered the call to serve and support their communities through elected office,” stated Denise Sindelar, Deputy Director of the Museum of Ventura County.

For more information, please email Denise Sindelar at [email protected].

While we remain closed due to the on-going pandemic, we encourage you to visit us digitally and explore the growing list of online resources, activities and local history. The generosity of our vibrant community is sustaining us until we are able to reopen. Consider becoming an MVC Member or making a gift today.

The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through its collections, exhibitions, events, educational programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community. The Museum has two locations. The main museum is located at 100 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001 and is open Tuesday – Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., 805-653-0323. The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula, CA 93060 and is open Wednesday – Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 805-525-3100. For more information,visit venturamuseum.org.

Opera Santa Barbara is back for a live drive-in opera of Don Pasquale

Opera Santa Barbara is excited to return to live productions with Don Pasquale, A Live Drive-In Opera, as the season opener for Concerts In Your Car at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. The only performance will be Saturday, April 10, at 7:30PM. This production marks the company’s second live stage performance after the successful live drive-in opera for Carmen in December. Come prepared to laugh, sing along, and keep that toe-tapping foot away from the gas pedal!

When it comes to combining beautiful melodies and vocal pyrotechnics with laugh-out-loud comedy, no one is a match for bel canto master Gaetano Donizetti, the composer of The Elixir of Love, Lucia di Lammermoor, and many other blockbuster opera house hits. In this hilarious new version directed by the irrepressible Josh Shaw, Founder of Pacific Opera Project, the titular Don Pasquale becomes “Donald Pasquale”, a film mogul in the Santa Barbara silent film business of the early 1920s.

“I’m thrilled to return to OSB with this light-hearted comedy set during the heyday of Santa Barbara’s motion picture business. Drawing from early comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, you can expect more bits, gags, goofs, and laughs than you’ve ever seen at the opera–just what we all need after a year in the pandemic,” said Shaw.

Rising stars soprano and Santa Barbara native Jana McIntyre, bass Andrew Potter, and tenor Matthew Grills will make their OSB debuts, effortlessly tossing Donizetti’s sentimental tunes and vocal acrobatics. Former OSB Studio Artist baritone Efraín Solís returns as the cunning Dr. Malatesta. Opera SB Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas conducts members of the Opera SB Orchestra.

“I’m very excited to work with this spectacular cast on this beautiful score. I have been looking forward to Jana and Andrew’s debuts, and I’m happy that we can still make them happen. I’m also looking forward to working with Matthew and Efraín, my good friend Josh Shaw, and to be reunited with our fearless production team and Opera SB orchestra,” said Protopapas.

The event will follow all CDC and State of California guidelines. Attendees can enjoy the live stage performance from the safe and socially-distanced comfort of their vehicles. Attendees can stay inside or by their vehicle as they are allowed to sit in folding chairs by their vehicle but must wear a face mask and maintain social distancing. The show will include a visual light show and multimedia entertainment across video jumbo screens. Sound will come through your car stereo, like a traditional drive-in theater on your FM radio. The opera will be sung in Italian with English translations projected on screen.

Tickets are on sale now at the Concerts In Your Car website. Each ticket is valid for one car. The number of passengers must not exceed the number of safety belts /seats in your vehicle, up to eight people. Car tickets start at $99.

The shipwreck that destroyed the Pier

The SS Coos Bay cut the pier in half.

by Richard Senate

One hundred and seven years ago, on December 19th, 1914, the small steamship SS Coos Bay was forced by surging tides into the Ventura Pier, cutting the structure in half. In these early years the wharf was a working pier where coastal steamers and schooners landed to take on cargo and passengers. The discovery of oil made the pier more economically attractive with tankers coming to fill their bunkers with oil from Santa Paula.

The rail roads had taken much of the business from the pier but it was still the cheapest way to bring in goods. Still, it was never a good place to land and without a breakwater several ships were pushed onto the beach and wrecked. The SS Kalorama and SS Crimea in 1876 were wrecked lending their names to Ventura Streets.

In the winter months the tides became unpredictable and treacherous to coastal shipping. The SS Coos Bay was coming in to deliver a cargo of toys for the Christmas season that year. Three years before the same vessel was ran aground in Ventura but was refloated. Perhaps memories of that disaster caused the captain to steer the craft toward the wooden pier, but he overcompensated and the inrushing tide pushed the bow of the Coos Bay with such force that the ship cut the pier in half! In so doing it also cut the oil pipeline from Santa Paula causing a massive oil spill. The shut off valve was miles away. The small steamer went right though the pier and beached itself of the sand where the vessel was pounded to pieces by the surging tides. In time the hull was buried by the sands only to expose the rotting ribs of the streamer in storms (the last one in 1941).

The pier was out of commission until reconstructed by the People’s Lumber Company in 1917. They used it to off load lumber from Oregon and Washington State. With silt packing the coast it was no longer able to have ships land there with the last barge leaving the pier in the 1930s. Perhaps an archaeological dig should be undertaken to see if anything of the ill fated SS Coos Bay still rests near the Ventura Pier?

New board leadership at Ventura Land Trust

Mark Watkins will serve as Board President.

The Board of Trustees of Ventura Land Trust elected a new leadership slate to start 2021. Retired Ventura city manager Mark Watkins will serve as Board President, backed by Vice President Jill Shaffer. Sylvia Schnopp steps into the role of treasurer and John Hankins continues as secretary.

Mark Watkins, a registered California Civil Engineer, has enjoyed a long career of public service working for the County of Kern as the Public Works Director, for the City of Thousand Oaks, and most recently as City Manager for the City of Ventura. Mark retired from the City of Ventura in 2017.

Watkins takes the helm months after Ventura Land Trust opened Harmon Canyon Preserve, a project 10 years in the making. The preserve, open daily to the public for free, offers over 2,100 acres of land to the public. More than eight miles of trails for hiking and biking wind through meadows and oak groves. The land is permanently designated for conservation. “We’re here for the long run. A land trust is forever and is a steward to the land,” says Watkins.

Executive Director Derek Poultney is grateful for Watkins’s expertise and guidance. “Now that Harmon Canyon Preserve is open and thousands of people are able to enjoy Ventura’s hillsides for the first time in generations, we have the opportunity to collaborate with the community in new ways. Mark’s leadership has been instrumental in connecting us with new partners and navigating our growth and development as an organization,” says Poultney.

Jill Shaffer has served as a nonprofit leader and development professional for the past 30 years. She currently is the Fund Development Director at the Ventura County Community Development Corporation. Sylvia Schnopp joined Ventura Land Trust’s board in 2019. She currently serves as REI’s Central Coast Corporate Market Coordinator, where she advocates for stewarding of the land using collaborative solutions.

Continuing board trustees are immediate past-president Don Wood, Steve Doll, Jermaine Jackson, Dennis Kulzer, Jane Montague, Ozzie Rios, and Scott Weiss.

Ventura Land Trust is a non-profit conservation organization founded in 2003 to permanently protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of the Ventura region for current and future generations. Its nature preserves are open free to the public from dawn to dusk daily. Go to www.venturalandtrust.org for more information about the organization and visiting its nature preserves. Ventura Land Trust is accredited by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

Ventura County Animal Shelter in Camarillo during the Pandemic

y Carol Leish

‘Sometimes all it takes is a look.’

“The Ventura County Animal Shbelter in Camarillo currently has dogs, cats, rabbits, mice, birds, snakes, turtles, chickens and roosters available for adoption,” according to, Randy Friedman, the Marketing Manager. “We also occasionally have horses, chameleons, bearded dragons, and other exotic-type animals.”

The adoption process has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have continued to provide services while conducting all business in a safe and healthy manner,” Friedman said. “Those who are interested in adopting a dog are asked to schedule a virtual adoption counseling appointment at www.vcas.us/Scheduling. After the initial phone consultation, if all feel a good match is likely to be made, we will schedule a time for them to come in, meeting the animal in person, and adopting them if they choose to.”

Cat adoptions have also changed due to the pandemic. “Even though cat adoptions occur on-site at the Camarillo Animal Shelter from 2:00pm-4:00pm daily, those who are interested in adopting a cat need to come to the Camarillo Animal Shelter (600 Aviation Dr. Camarillo, CA 93010) at 9:00am to put their name and phone number on a clipboard, which is made available in the parking lot area.”

“For adopting rabbits,” according to Friedman, “we are asking the public to contact our Ventura County Animal Services Bunny Brigade, which is an all-volunteer run group who takes care of our rabbit population. Their email is: [email protected]. Those who are interested in adopting other pets can follow the same procedure that is outlined for dog adoptions. The full adoption process is at: www.vcas.us/adoptionprocess.

“A safe environment for all shelter guests has been made due to the pandemic,” according to Friedman. “Our appointment-based pet adoption system has resulted in thousands of pet adoptions since the pandemic began. Now we have an adoption counseling process that is virtual, which starts out with a phone consultation. A telemedicine process has been implemented in order to allow our foster care-givers access to our veterinarian for medical consultations. We’ve also promoted the use of an online licensing system, and established a drop-box at the Camarillo Shelter.”

The Ventura County Animal Shelter provides a wide variety of services. These include: medical care; animal behavioral evaluations/modifications; and, animal enrichment. Friedman also emphasized that, “Our teams respond to calls for assistance in the community, from the capture of aggressive animals, to the rescue of injured wildlife.” Our published annual report highlights many of our services (www.vcas.us/2020AnnualReport.)”

“As a municipal/government run agency with a 501c3 non-profit fundraising arm (Animal Services Foundation of Ventura County),” Friedman said, “there are many ways the public can help us, which includes: becoming a foster parent; making a monetary donation; donating items listed on our Amazon Wish List (www.vcas.us/Donate); and/or pledging to adopt pets. In Memory of, or in Honor of donations can be made at: www.vcasFoundation.org/donate). Those who want to volunteer, please go to: www.vcas.us/volunteer; those who want to foster, go to: www.vcas.us/foster. Our Amazon Wish list is at: www.vcas.us/AmazonWishList. Amazon Smile is at: www.vcas.us/AmazonSmile. For a complete list of ways to help, please go to: www.vcas.us/ways-to-help. Also, we would like to highlight our Lost and Found page (www.vcas.us/LostandFound). The animals we have in our care are listed at: (www.vcas.us/pets.)