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Ventura College Foundation accepting scholarship applications for 2021-22 school year

The Ventura College Foundation is now accepting scholarship applications to support awardees in the 2021-22 school year. The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2021.

More than 400 scholarships will be awarded to Ventura College students. Students who are currently enrolled at Ventura College and who have successfully completed at least 12 units at the college are eligible. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 and can be used toward educational expenses incurred while attending Ventura College or a four-year institution, depending on the student’s 2021-22 enrollment.

“More than ever, students are under financial strain,” says Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director. “Students and their families have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. This leaves little money for school expenses. These scholarships can enable students to continue their education.”

The foundation offers a variety of scholarships including special ones for students who have taken a break from education but then returned to Ventura College to continue their schooling. Phoenix Scholarships are designed to assist re-entering students who have little or no funds to pay for the cost of their education.

Sarah Hamm, 40, received the Stan Weisel Phoenix Scholarship and the James V. and Idah W. Iliff Memorial Scholarship. A single mother, Hamm graduated from Ventura College in spring 2020 and transferred to UC Santa Barbara. She’s majoring in political science.

“Once I became a mother, my protection instinct kicked in,” says Hamm. “When I read about the Sandy Hook shooting, I knew I had to work to do everything in my power to help create a safer society for my son and all children. I chose political science to gain knowledge about how our government and society work in order to advance my goal of influencing public policy.”

\Marco Pretelin, 27, also received Phoenix scholarships: the Ventura College Foundation Phoenix Scholarship and the Bill and Elise Kearney Phoenix Scholarship. Pretelin will graduate after the current semester with an architecture certificate and an associate of science degree.

Most scholarships are available for any type of study focus. Others are for students enrolled in specific programs such as the school’s Paramedic, Certified Nursing Assistant, and Nursing Studies.

Scholarship recipients will be announced in April 2021. Last academic year, the Ventura College Foundation awarded 427 scholarships totaling $699,971, the largest annual scholarship distribution in the foundation’s history.

For more about Ventura College Foundation scholarships and other financial assistance, application dates, scholarship workshops and application forms, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org/scholarships/

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Mailbox

Editor:

I am very concerned about potential confrontations at polling places because of the deep partisan divides and baseless claims by President Trump. And his statements such as “to go into the polls and watch very carefully.” And telling his gun-toting fascist militias to “stand back and stand by”. In other words be prepared to intimidate, threaten or harm your fellow Americans so that I can be re-elected.

Even Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, said he’s also worried about what might happen if some of those who come to the polls are armed. He noted the increased presence of armed militia at protests and political rallies around the country.

How did we come to this? We can only hope the best and safe elctions.

Sarah Rubin Venturan

Letter to the Editor

Post Election Process

Once the Election Polls close, voters can be assured that the election offices will remain active to process all the ballots that were postmarked by November 3^rd. Ballots properly postmarked will be counted at the elections office through November 20.

Ballots that are received at the elections office are removed from their envelopes, unfolded and prepared to be processed through the scan readers. During this process, there may be ballot envelopes that are unsigned or damaged that need to be handled by an election official.

Election officials will also use the 17 days after elections to process provisional ballots, first time voter who registered on election day, and verify signatures. Further, if a ballot has been received and was not signed, the elections office will attempt to reach that voter and allow the voter to visit the elections office and add the signature to the envelope; the bar code tracking allow for contacting the voter while keeping the ballot private in the envelop.

Voters should be assured that the outcome of local city council, school board, board of supervisors, and special district may not be finalized for several days following the election. Voters may visit VenturaVote.org for the updates regularly posted by Ventura County election officials. Statewide propositions will be found at www.sos.ca.gov/elections.

Kathy Morgan League of Women Voters

Everybody can be great. Because everyone can serve…..
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Bolt, an active 2+ year old German Shepherd / Siberian Husky X who is in need of a new home as my owner thinks I would do best in a larger home with a yard.

I enjoy playing and running. I would make a good running partner as I go for a 4-mile run every day. I was attacked by a Husky and a Dobie at a dog park. Since then I do not like or get along with big dogs. Little dogs are ok and I’m ok with children. There is a 5-year-old in my current home. It is unknown how I would do with a cat.

I’m fearful of new people and will need time to get to know you. I’ve had formal training and know basic commands. I’m starting to develop separation anxiety and my current owners are working with me on this.

If you have room in your heart and home for lovable little me, please fill out an application to meet me. Canine Adoption and Rescue League CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Adoptable Opal is a sweet and mellow blue-eyed bunny. She is a little shy but very affectionate and curious. Opal’s calm personality would make her a wonderful companion for anyone who is working from home right now. To learn more about Opal and inquire about adoption, please email the Ventura County Animal Services Bunny Brigade at [email protected] and ask for ID #A760839. To learn more about the joys and responsibilities of house rabbits, visit facebook.com/vcasbunnybrigade.
Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive

Ventura Pottery Gallery says ‘Thank You’

The 30 ceramic artists at the Ventura Pottery Gallery would like to say ‘Thank You’ to all of our customers during this holiday season by offering a gift with purchase event. We have received wonderful support during this challenging time, so we felt it was time for us to give back.

Our members have looked high and low and peeked into all corners of their studios to donate incredible pieces for this ‘thank You’ event. All types of creative pieces have flooded into the gallery; from mugs, plates, bowls to ornaments, vases and sculptures.

So, drop by the Ventura Pottery Gallery at the Harbor Village during Thanksgiving week (November 23rd – 29th) and receive a free handmade piece of pottery with any $25 purchase or more. Bring in your family and friends for some extraordinary gifts for the holidays and we will send them home with a gift from our hands and hearts to theirs.

Please note, one gift per customer per day while supplies last.

Answer in a Breeze

Question: “If Ventura has a water shortage why is it allowing so many apartments, condos and a hotel to be built?” Tony Jankowski

Answer by Ventura Water

The State of California requires the all cities and counties within the State, including the City of Ventura, to plan for and to allow construction of new housing. This is part of a decades long concerted effort by the State to get cities to add housing to support the State economy. State law specifically does not allow a city to waive its responsibility to plan for housing growth because of water supply challenges.

In 2016, the City adopted a water neutral development policy known as the Water Rights Dedication and Water Resource Net Zero Policy. The Net Zero Policy Ordinance requires new development to offset new or increased water demand through one or more compliance options, including dedication of water rights, extraordinary conservation measures, and/or payment of a fee. The fee proceeds go towards paying for future water supply projects, so that existing rate payers do not absorb the entire cost of necessary future water supplies.

New development must also comply with the latest efficiency requirements in the Building Code, as well as the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

Additionally, Ventura Water continually assesses water supply and demands through planning efforts including the Annual Comprehensive Water Resources Report and the Urban Water Management Plan. These assessments consider new development projects, anticipated increase in water demand, and impacts to the water supply, to ensure a balanced and stable water future. The City is also moving forward on two water supply reliability projects – the VenturaWaterPure Project and the State Water Interconnection Project – to ensure a sustainable water supply for existing and future customers.

Have a question? Send to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Monday 10-12	8:45am, patrol officers briefing with Ventura City and County firefighters going through USLA lifeguard training at the Port District. Ventura Harbor Patrol Officers are trained as USLA rescue swimmers also & assisted with training.

Wed 10-14	7:15pm, while on patrol in Rescue B-17, officers contacted several vessels in violation of local ordinance and federal law. Two vessels voyage were terminated for multiple discrepancies and neither had running lights.
Friday 10-16	4:26pm, dispatched to an ocean rescue at Ventura Point. Officers responded in Rescue B-17 and found 3 surfers who paddled out to lobster trap buoys 300 yards offshore. No injuries or distress, just curious surfers looking at the buoys.
Saturday 10-17	7:21am, dispatched to an investigation for smoke in the RiverBottom. Officers responded and observed smoke South of Spinnaker Dr. A small warming fire was found and extinguished approximately 60 yards into the river bottom. 1:40pm, while on patrol in Rescue B-17, officers observed 4 victims caught in a rip current near San Pedro ln. A rescue swimmer was deployed assisting State Parks with the rescue. All victims were safely returned to the beach.
Monday 10-19	4:55pm, while on patrol in vehicle, observed a female in a golf cart near the launch ramp. She appeared upset. Offered to tow the golf cart to her unit.

Wednes 10-21	5:25pm, received a report of kayakers harassing sealions at VHV E-dock. Officers responded & found the perpetrators. Warnings were issued for violation
Thursday 10-22	10:36pm, received report of suspicious person pushing a shopping cart in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded with VPD, found the suspect who claimed he was selling Christmas lights. He was removed from community
Friday 10-23	5:45pm, received a report of an aggressive transient near the timeshare harassing people. Officers responded and found the individual. He was removed from the property and advised of the violations.
Saturday 10-24	8:00am, Harbor Patrol and Marine Safety Officers participating in Marine Firefighting class at the Port District. Officers practiced donning / duffing their turnouts, SCBA’s(breathing apparatus) and strategies putting out boat fires. 10:55am, received a report of dogs off leash near Santa Clara Rivermouth. Officers responded and located several dogs off leash. All violators were advised of the bird sanctuary and State Law prohibiting dogs in the area.
Sunday 10-25	3:30pm, while on patrol officers took beach hazard assessment: 1-2ft Northwest swell, NW wind 15 kts and choppy conditions. Very small crowd on harbor beaches. This is the first time in awhile conditions and crowds have declined. 7:15pm, while on patrol in Rescue B-17, officers contacted several vessels engaged in hoop netting near the breakwall. Warnings for multiple violations, mainly illegally placed nets issued to kayakers, small skiffs & larger vessels.
Monday 10-26	4:00am, officers contacted a transient with a surfboard near HC. The individual stated it had a “free” sign on it. The boards appearance gave credit to his story. 11:30am, observing strong NorthEast winds throughout the harbor. 4:30pm, dispatched to a vegetation fire near the Santa Clara Bridge. Officers responded with VFD to the call. Officers moved some looky-lou’s from area. 6:41pm, dispatched to unconscious person at local hotel. Officers responded with VFD/AMR to the call. The 48 year old was transported for low B/P.

Heart Center mural

This mural, titled “Heart Center,” is another addition to Ventura’s wonderful murals. It is located at the American Mattress Man building, 2323 E. Main St.

The piece is by Carly Veronica, a Los Angeles artist who has painted murals in the United States, India and Japan.

Photo by Bernie Goldstein.

Vol. 14, No. 03 – Nov 4 – Nov 17, 2020 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Residential Burglary Arrests

On October 22 at 5:45 pm, Ventura Police Command Center received a 9-1-1 call from a resident in the 1900 Block of E. Thompson Blvd. The resident reported that he returned home to find two suspects, later identified as 35 year old vagrant Stephan Fedo and 24 year old vagrant Tyrone Brown, inside of his home, ransacking it. The resident left the home to contact police and the suspects remained inside. Upon police arrival, Fedo and Brown exited the apartment and climbed onto the roof. They remained on the roof for several minutes and appeared to be trying to gain access to other areas of the building by attempting to remove an air conditioning unit. After several minutes, Brown came to the edge of the roof and complied with officers’ orders to come down. Brown was arrested for Residential Burglary and Resisting/Delaying Arrest.

Fedo fled onto a neighboring rooftop, forced open a window, and entered a second apartment, which was occupied by two residents. He exited through another window and came down off the roof wielding a large stick. Officers quickly took Fedo into custody and arrested him for two counts of residential burglary and Resisting/Delaying Arrest.

No residents or officers were injured during this incident. Fedo was treated at the Ventura County Medical Center for minor injuries sustained during the arrest.

A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Brown has previous arrests for Grand Theft, Petty Theft, Unlawful Taking of a Vehicle, Vehicle Tampering, Trespassing, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Fedo has prior arrests for Trespassing, Vandalism, Resisting Arrest (two arrests), Giving False Information to a Peace Officer, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance (3 arrests), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (4 arrests), and evading an officer in a vehicle.

Overdose Furnishing Narcotics Arrest

On October 23, at approximately 11:30 pm, patrol officers responded to the 1500 block of S. Saticoy Ave. regarding a subject overdosing on Fentanyl. Officers performed CPR until Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel responded; however, they could not revive the overdosed victim, who was pronounced dead on scene.

During the initial investigation, narcotics paraphernalia, a small amount of methamphetamines, and burnt residue of an unknown opiate were located at the scene.

Ventura Police Department Narcotics SCU detectives completed the investigation into narcotics sales of Fentanyl, resulting in an overdose. Detectives using investigative tools were able to identify, detain, and arrest suspect 34 year old Ventura resident Christopher Macias for furnishing narcotics.

A search of the Ventura County Superior Courts shows that Christopher Macias has prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance and possession for sales of a controlled substance.

Narcotics Arrest

On October 28 at 12:30 pm, members of the Ventura Police Department SCU unit conducted a search warrant at the above address as a result of a month-long investigation into narcotics sales. Narcotics detectives using investigative tools were able to identify a primary suspect as Yurri Seals.

SCU detectives found and detained 51 year old Ventura resident Yurri Seals. During the execution of the search warrant and the subsequent investigation, detectives discovered that a large quantity of narcotics, which included fentanyl and methamphetamine, inside Seals’ motel room. They also located a firearm, ammunition, and a large amount of US currency.

As a result of the investigation, Yurri Seals was arrested for 11378 H&S, 11351 H&S, 11370.1 H&S, 12022(b) PC, and 12022(c) PC which are all felonies.

A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Yurri Seals has a prior arrest for evading, narcotics sales, battery, and receiving stolen property.

Residential Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Warrant Arrest

On November 1, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Detectives (SCU) were informed that there had been a commercial burglary over the weekend at a workshop in the Ventura Harbor Area in the 1400 block of Spinnaker. The victim found many of his stolen tools were being sold online. On November 2, SCU Detectives began surveillance in the 1600 block of Thompson Blvd and identified a possible suspect, Jon Clift, who was also wanted on several arrest warrants. Detectives followed Clift to a motel room on Thompson Blvd, and along with Patrol, took him into custody without incident.

During a search of the motel room, detectives located the stolen tools from the burglary on Spinnaker, along with additional stolen property, including a firearm from a residential burglary on Seahorse Blvd. Clift was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for six outstanding warrants from Ventura County, Possession of Stolen Property, and Residential Burglary.

Detectives also located several possibly stolen bicycles but are unable to identify the owners. The bicycles are mountain bikes and are newer models with front suspensions. If you are the victim of a theft of a newer mountain bike, please contact the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Clift has prior convictions for possession of stolen property, trespassing, giving false information to a peace officer, petty theft, possession of controlled substance, child endangerment, and DUI.

The Ventura Police Department announces the release of a Public Crime Map

The Ventura Police Department (VPD) and LexisNexis Risk Solutions have recently partnered to provide a new way for the community to stay informed about crime in the City of Ventura. The Ventura Police Department now has an online crime map called Community Crime Map designed to alert the public about recent crime activity in their area and improve communications.

“Implementing a public and interactive crime map allows us to be more transparent with our community about crime occurring in each neighborhood,” said Commander Rick Murray. “It’s important for residents to be aware of activity in their area so they are able to take action and stay safe; Community Crime Map will help them do so.”

Ventura residents can view a map that shows all of the reported crimes in their area, sign up for neighborhood watch reports that breakdown recent crime activity near their home, school, or other places of interest, and can submit tips to the Department through an anonymous tipping feature. These special features make it even easier to access near real-time information.

Community Crime Map empowers Ventura residents to make better decisions about crime, by putting the same technology used by the Ventura Police to analyze and interpret crime activity, into the hands of the community it affects so they can make informed decisions about how to stay safe.

Community Crime Map automatically syncs with the Department’s records system to keep crime information updated and accurate online. The data is geocoded and cleaned to protect victim privacy, and all data secure and confidential. All incidents are then displayed on a map, grid, and analytics dashboard along with some basic information about each incident, including the type of crime, location type, block-level address, date, and time.

Check out the Community Crime Map at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1052/Arrest-Log-Interactive-Crime-Map

City seeking people to work on the general plan

We are seeking volunteers to serve on a committee to help develop our next General Plan for the City of Ventura (GPAC). The General Plan guides the City’s vision, goals, policies, and actions for the next 25 years!

The GPAC will consist of 10-15 community representatives to collaborate and provide guidance throughout the General Plan Update process. The GPAC members have an important role in this process.

They will:

Serve as an ambassador for the community
Be a community advocate for the General Plan Update
Provide insight as to how to reach multiple populations
Provide insight and advice on potentially controversial issues
Understand sensitive community needs

Requirements for GPAC

Prospective members should be aware of the following criteria which will be used in evaluating candidates. It is critical that each person appointed to the GPAC be willing to perform all required duties for the duration of the planning process, which is anticipated to last through Spring 2023 and will include approximately 18 GPAC meetings.

GPAC members are volunteers and receive no payment for their work. Appointed or elected officials may not concurrently serve on GPAC.

A GPAC member must:

Be a City of Ventura resident.
Commit the time that is necessary to carry out the duties of a GPAC member. This includes time to learn about and stay abreast of General Plan issues, to attend committee meetings, and perform committee assignments.
Be genuinely interested in General Plan related matters and understand the importance of a General Plan to reflect and advance the needs of the community.
Understand the local community, its social and cultural needs, and be willing to communicate those needs to the committee.
Be able to work with others to reach a common goal.
Be open-minded, intellectually curious, and respectful of the opinions of others.
Have the courage to plan creatively and direct the effective implementation of those plans.
Be able to withstand pressures and prejudice that would restrict or prevent equal service to all.
File a Form 700 Conflict of Interest

The General Plan is the embodiment of the community’s vision for the future of Ventura. It is the City’s comprehensive framework of guiding policies on land use, housing, roads, recreation, historical and natural resources, balance of adequate water supply infrastructure, public safety services, and noise, and serves as a basis for decisions that affect all aspects of our everyday lives from where we live and work to how we move about. It is implemented by decisions that direct the allocation of public resources and that shape private development.

The 2005 General Plan was adopted August 8, 2005 and evolved from the 2000 Ventura Vision strategies reflecting the planning objectives and smart growth principles of the community. The Vision strategies set the framework for the General Plan.

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