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Vol. 13, No. 24 – Aug 26 – Sept 8, 2020 – Opinion/Editorial

∙In June, Downtown Ventura closed its streets to expand outdoor dining and shopping as part of its Main Street Moves launch. This has saved many restaurants from having to close.

The closure will continue at least until September 14.

∙A new free COVID-19 walk-in test site, open to all county residents, is now open at the County Fairgrounds. No appointment is required. The test center is located in San Miguel Hall, and entry is through Gate 2 off Shoreline Drive. The, center is operated by Ventura County’s Health Care Agency and is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

∙The Ventura Unified School District is reviewing its school resource officer program. Ventura Superintendent Roger Rice said the district planned to put together a committee to address community members’ concerns over the program that puts officers on school campuses. The district has a contract with the Ventura Police Department to provide three officers, who split their time among the district’s elementary, middle and high schools. I think that an impartial committee to review this situation is called for before any decisions are made.

∙ In November, some of us will be voting for a city council member depending upon where you live. On September 6, 2017 the City received a letter from Robert Rubin, Esq., of San Francisco demanding that the City Council elections transition from the current “at-large” method to by-district” in order to conform to the California Voting Rights Act (CVRA). Mr. Rubin asserted that the City of Ventura is in violation of the California Voting Rights Act of 2001 because “racially polarized voting” occurs in the city. Based upon this, and possible lawsuits, the city adopted city council districts.

These are the candidates for the districts. We will have more information closer to the elections.

District 2

  • Doug Halter, business owner
  • Dougie Michie, financial advisor/ lawyer
  • Christy Weir, city councilmember

District 3

  • Barbara Brown, professor/business owner
  • William Cornell, small business owner
  • Aaron Gaston, business owner/ realtor
  • Mike Johnson, teacher

District 7

  • Heather May Ellinger, real estate agent
  • Michael James Nolan, realtor/telecommunications manager
  • Nancy Pedersen, business owner/ executive
  • Joel Schroeder, retired financial CEO

∙ The City of Ventura and Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, a local environmental group, have announced an amendment to their settlement agreement in the lawsuit regarding the pumping and diversion of water from the Ventura River Watershed. Both Channelkeeper and the City remain committed to ensuring the protection of this local water source and the species that rely on it. The ongoing collaboration enables dialogue toward a locally developed solution to continue moving forward.

Under the modified terms, the City will continue the Pilot Program it implemented in 2019 to reduce its pumping and diversion of water from the Ventura River when flows drop during dry times, in order to help protect wildlife that depend on the river.

Additionally, the City and Channelkeeper have agreed to keep a dialogue open to identify additional ways to work collaboratively on other Watershed and habitat-related public relations efforts.

∙ I’m still bothered by Supreme Court decisions that are made with a simple majority vote of 5-4. These are major, major decisions that greatly affect how this country is run and should not be based on just one vote. I also think that Supreme Court justices should have fixed terms and not be appointed for life. Most Supreme Court nominations by presidents are made simply for political reasons with Republican appointees voting one way and Democratic opponents the other way (except on rare occasions). I don’t know what term limits should be, but I certainly think there should be one.

∙Scientists from Leeds and Edinburgh Universities and University College London analyzed satellite surveys of glaciers, mountains, and ice sheets between 1994 and 2017 to identify the impact of global warming. Describing the ice loss as “staggering,” the group found that melting glaciers and ice sheets could cause sea levels to rise dramatically, possibly reaching 3-feet by the end of the century. The dramatic loss of ice could have other severe consequences, including major disruption to the biological health of Arctic and Antarctic waters and reducing the planet’s ability to reflect solar radiation back into space.

∙NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he should have “listened earlier” to free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick about the reasons behind his kneeling protests against police brutality and racial injustice.

Goodell admitted the league was “wrong” for not listening to players who were protesting during the national anthem.” I wished we had listened earlier to Kaep, to what you were kneeling about and what you were trying to bring attention to,” Goodell stated in a video released last week.

Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, started kneeling during the national anthem in 2016 to draw attention to police brutality and racial inequality. Other players embraced his form of protest, but it also gained critics such as President Trump, who decried it a sign of disrespect to the American flag.

Goodell now says he understands the protests were not about the flag and defended players who participated. “These are not people who are unpatriotic,” Goodell said. “They’re not disloyal. They’re not against our military. In fact, many of those guys were in the military, and they’re a military family. And what they were trying to do is exercise their right to bring attention to something that needs to get fixed. And that misrepresentation of who they were and what they were doing was the thing that really gnawed at me.”

Ventura County Public Health school waivers allows for in person instruction when approved

Ventura County Public Health has announced today that public and private elementary schools in Ventura County can submit school waiver applications to allow in-person instruction at their campuses. The waivers cover Tk through 6th grades.

In accordance with state guidelines, waivers may be granted “when requested by a local superintendent (or equivalent for charter or private schools), in consultation with labor, parent and community organizations. Local health officers must review local community epidemiological data, consider other public health interventions, and consult with the California Department of Public Health when considering a waiver request.”

In counties such as Ventura County that are on the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list, grammar schools can’t reopen unless granted a waiver by local and state health officials.

“This was a difficult decision. I recognize there are reasons not to open our Health Department to requests for waivers, but we got to the point where I feel the benefits outweigh the risks,” said Doctor Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Officer.

At the time the state outlined the waiver process for elementary schools, Ventura County did not immediately begin accepting applications. “I’ve waited before approving this because I wanted to see some improvement in our number of COVID cases. Guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Harvard’s Global Health Institute, the Chan School of Public Health and the Edmund J. Safra Center for Ethics all would have supported opening up our grammar schools for waivers weeks ago. I’ve tried to be more cautious,” said Dr. Levin.

One of the most challenging aspects of the waiver application will be a school’s plan for regular COVID testing of its staff and, if they should show symptoms of an illness, of its students as well.

The preponderance of evidence indicates that children are less likely to be symptomatic and less likely to have severe disease resulting from COVID-19 infection. In addition, children may be less likely to become infected and to spread infection to others.

The State guidance lists conditions that must be met in applying for a waiver:

A school or district must publish a school’s reopening plan online and, before applying, consult with parents, community organizations and teachers or, in the case of school districts, employee unions.

The application will apply only to TK to sixth grade, even if the school includes seventh and eighth grades. “Based on the current best available scientific evidence, COVID-related risks in schools serving elementary-age students (grades TK-6) are lower than and different from the risks to staff and to students in schools serving older students,” the department said in an FAQ accompanying the guidance.

The school must show evidence that it would comply with all the safety and hygiene requirements for opening elementary schools, as listed in the CDPH/CalOSHA Guidance for Schools and School-Based Programs. These include a 6-foot social distancing requirement, face covering requirements, staff training and family education and student and staff testing.

Waiver and Guiding Principle Documents

Waiver: https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/pr/2020-08-19_VCPH_WaiverTemplate.pdf.

Ventura County Public Health Guiding Principles and Communication for School District: https://vcportal.ventura.org/covid19/docs/pr/2020-08-19_VCPH_SchoolDistrictGuidingPrinciples.pdf.

Bringing laughs to the Ventura County Fairgrounds

All summer long, CBF Productions have brought stellar musical (and more) entertainment to the seaside Ventura County Fairgrounds, where audiences watch comfortably (and safely) from their parked cars. Since June, the Concerts in Your Car calendar has ranged from stellar live concerts to drive-in movies to the circus and back again, and now comedy is on the docket as well. This August, veterans of comedy David Spade and Rob Schneider will be teaming up to ring in September the best way possible – with lots of laughs.

David Spade and Rob Schneider are no strangers to the spotlight – dating back to their Saturday Night Live roots, the two longtime comedy staples have both enjoyed fruitful careers as actors and comedians, with their paths often crossing along the way. Most recently, however, Spade debuted his new late-night series, “Lights Out with David Spade” on Comedy Central, and Schneider launched his new podcast “See What Happens”, available on streaming platforms. The duo will be performing on Friday, August 28th at the scenic Ventura County Fairgrounds. The show will begin at 8:00 PM, with the first cars allowed in at 6:30.

“Even with social distancing, we wanted to give people a way to get out, celebrate and have some fun!” said Vincenzo Giammanco, owner of CBF Productions.

Each event will offer room for 700 cars per show and are designed to comply with all official restrictions. The combination of an extra high, theatre-in-the-round and five oversized screens will ensure that every seat is the best seat in the house. Sound will be distributed via FM radio. Tickets are sold in advance and online only and are priced starting at $99 per car. Each ticket is valid for one car, and the number of passengers must not exceed the number of safety belts/seats in the vehicle. For safety reasons, sound at the show is only transmitted through FM radio to discourage audience members from leaving their vehicles.

While no food is available for purchase at the concert, attendees will be provided with a comprehensive list of downtown Ventura restaurants that feature curbside pickup.

The comedy show is just one facet of the ongoing schedule with CBF Productions. Other evenings presented at the fairgrounds include both live and recorded concerts, movie nights, and other themes to keep greater L.A.’s concertgoers and families safely entertained this year.

Give the gift of diverse books

In talking with educators, parents and students, Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) realized there is a need for new, diverse books for VUSD students. With your support, we are bringing beautiful books to VUSD. Diverse books give students the opportunity to build empathy, learn about others, find themselves and so much more.

“We are very excited to be offering a new mini grant program that will enable VUSD staff of Preschool-12th graders to purchase classroom books that celebrate diversity, social justice and inclusion. Grants will be awarded based on a competitive, simple application process,” said Kathy Asher, VEP’s Co-VP of Grants. Debbie Golden, also Co-VP of Grants believes the Diverse Books for Kids project “contributes toward transformative change, that it inspires students to think critically about how we engage with cultural differences and promote social justice.”

With donations from early supporters totaling $7,500, a matching gift of up to $5,000 from Dr. Andrei Bobrow and Sabrena Rodriguez and many gifts from the community, Diverse Books for Kids has raised $17,660 of the $25,000 goal. “We are so proud to help support meaningful, necessary conversations around important social issues through age-appropriate literature. What we read, see and hear shapes our beliefs and values — and we hope to move the needle on culturally and socially responsible dialogue in our schools and community,” said Dr. Andrei Bobrow and Sabrena Rodriguez

Shannon Fredericks, parent, teacher and Diverse Books supporter invites the community to lend their support. “If you feel like giving educators a hug but you can’t because COVID—let your money do the hugging. Trust me, teachers will feel loved and appreciated by receiving a mini grant that you helped sponsor and you will be for helping teachers bring diverse literature and voices to their students.”

To support the project, donations may be made through VEP’s Facebook Page or website venturaeducationpartnership.org/Diverse-Books or contact Madhu Bajaj (805) 754-9861.

Colorful travels with safety in mind

Egret at Dusk, watercolor, Lorna Amundson

Members of Buenaventura Art Association are brightening lives and outlooks during the COVID-19 pandemic with safe, socially distant shows at two Ventura locations, Bell Arts Factory on Ventura Avenue and Ventura Harbor Village.

Face masks are required and operating hours have changed at both galleries.

At Buenaventura Gallery in Bell Arts, solo exhibitions by featured artists Kathy Bodycombe and Lorna Amundson are on display through Sept. 19, concurrent with a Members’ Choice group show of 2D and 3D works. Paintings by a previous Outstanding Merit Award winner, Louisa Wallace Jacobs, have a central spot on the gallery’s Triangle Showcase.

Acadia National Park, oil on canvas, Kathy Bodycombe

At Harbor Village Gallery & Gifts, a new Members’ Show is on view and available for purchase through Sept. 14, along with the art and artisan crafts by the venue’s 10 resident artists.

Solo show artists Amundson and Bodycombe, longtime BAA members, use different media to explore the natural world in paintings. Amundson, a watercolorist, has been painting for about 30 years; Bodycombe works in oils on canvas and has been doing so for 20 years.

“My favorite part of creating art is capturing the feeling of a place or activity,” said Amundson, who has 13 paintings in her Bell Arts show, plus many original pieces and more than 100 greeting cards for sale at Harbor Village Gallery. Watercolor landscapes are frequent subjects and “Most work focuses on the natural world, some of which is done on site plein air, but increasingly is including work from photographs and imagination.”

Before coronavirus limits, she often found her inspiration on trips to the Yosemite Valley, where some of her paintings are available at Yosemite National Park’s Ansel Adams Gallery.

Bodycombe has seven paintings in her solo show, plus two in the members’ show. Her specialty is coastal landscapes, mostly from California travels (plus one example from Maine), although she also is relying more these days on photos she’s taken previously, she said.

She describes them as “a simplified impressionistic style, capturing the shapes as well as the light along the coastal landscapes. I enjoy taking what I see and creating an image that captures the view, perspective, light, mood and ambiance of a particular place in nature.”

Buenaventura Gallery, in Studio 30 at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura, is open noon-4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and by appointment by calling 805-648-1235. The Ventura Harbor Village location, at 1559 Spinnaker Drive, unit 106, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Mondays.

For more about the 66-year-old nonprofit artists’ cooperative and its programs, visit buenaventuraartassociation.org or call during gallery hours.

Vol. 13, No. 23 – Aug 12 – Aug 25, 2020 – The Pet Page

∙SPAN Thrift Store is now open to the public and in need of volunteers to operate day to day. If you are interested or have questions please call (805) 641-1170 to inquire.

In addition to that, SPAN is back and providing $10 spays and neuters for low income households with cats and dogs.

Two clinics in August are: Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Friday, August 14th, and another one on Friday, August 21st at Shiells Park, in the parking lot, located at 649 C St., Fillmore, 93015. Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.

Molly handles stressful situations much better with CBD dog treats.

∙Ventura couple launches CBD Dog Treats

It’s extremely common for pets to suffer from anxiety, such as trembling uncontrollably at the sound of loud noises, acting fearful around strangers, or panicking at the vet’s office.

A new family-owned company, Shelter CBD, strives to help dog owners manage their pets’ anxious behaviors. Founded by Ventura couple Ryan and Emily Miller, the firm offers CBD dog treats designed to calm the nerves of stressed-out canines and provide dogs with access to the many other medicinal benefits attributed to cannabidiol (CBD).

The Millers launched Shelter CBD after struggling to find a dog-friendly cannabidiol product for their family pet, a Black Labrador named Buddha. The adorable pooch had battled anxiety since being hospitalized with a gastrointestinal illness as a puppy. Familiar with CBD as a treatment for anxiety in humans, Millers wanted Buddha to enjoy the same type of non-toxic, medicinal support.

Working with a veterinarian and animal nutritionist, the couple developed a beef-flavored dog treat that contains CBD and other phytonutrients derived from the hemp plant. Unlike many CBD products for humans, Shelter CBD treats contain zero THC compounds; the chemical that creates the “high” associated with cannabis and is not appropriate for animals. A third-party laboratory tests the treats to ensure they contain the correct potency of CBD, as well as no trace of THC or harmful pesticides. It’s one of the only products of its kind on the market.

“These are good tasting treats that dogs actually want to eat,” said co-founder Ryan Miller. “We have customers seeking it out for when they have to leave their dogs at home for an extended period, when they’re traveling with their dogs by car or plane, and by people who have a reactive dog.”

Other pet owners use the treats to help their dogs build strong joints, improve longevity, and manage pain. Repeat customers get reduced pricing through a Shelter CBD subscription program.

As part of their mission to improve the lives of dogs, the Millers are donating 5% of the profits, as a starting point; from each sale to local animal shelters. The donations are central to Shelter CBD’s business model, and inspired the company’s name.

“There are just so many dogs in shelters needing a home,” explained Emily Miller. “We just want to do our part by helping dog owners and industry professionals realize the power of CBD. In helping dogs we will consider our company successful.”

Visit https://sheltercbd.com or call (805) 203-3311

∙As if there were no end to their talents, dogs have proved to be remarkably effective at detecting Covid-19 with their super-sensitive sniffing.

Researchers led by the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover in Germany trained eight sniffer dogs from the German military to identify scents associated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for Covid-19, in samples of human saliva and phlegm. After a week of training, they were able to differentiate between samples from infected patients and non-infected peoples with 96 percent accuracy. This boiled down to 1,157 correct indications of positive, 792 correct rejections of negative, and around 63 incorrect indications or rejections.

The research is considered a small pilot study, but the promising findings suggest that sniffer dogs could play some role in the detection and management of Covid-19 infections in the future. The study was published last week in the journal BMC Infectious Diseases.

“These preliminary findings indicating that pre-trained scent detection dogs can discriminate reliably, accurately and rapidly between samples from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients and negative controls is truly exciting. We have built a solid foundation for future studies to explore what the dogs do scent and if they can be used to discriminate also between different disease timepoints or clinical phenotypes,” Professor Holger A Volk, department chair of small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, said in a statement.

∙As summer comes (eventually in Ventura) consider the following.

The temperatures inside a parked car, the bed of a pickup truck and even the sidewalk can be significantly higher than the ambient temperature and can seriously injure or even be fatal to pets.

Here are some things to remember, from the Humane Society of Ventura County:

Walk your dogs in the early morning and evening hours and, before taking them out, check the temperature of asphalt or sidewalks. “Place your hand on the surface for seven seconds,” said Senior Humane Officer T. Vail of the HSVC. “If you can bear it, then it’s safe.”

Avoid traveling with your dogs in the exposed backs of pickup trucks, which can be 20 to 40 degrees hotter than ambient temperature and unsafe for transport during the heat.

Never leave a dog in a parked car in the heat; even with the windows ajar, the temps inside the car can quickly soar to dangerous levels.

At home, if your pets are outdoors or contained in a hot space, it is crucial to have a proper setup for them. Be sure to provide plenty of fresh water (in the shade) in a nontip, light-colored plastic container and ensure they have access to proper shelter. In addition, HSVC Humane Officer K. King said, “If you live in a particularly hot area, it’s important to have proper ventilation at all times.”

If your pets show any sign of heat distress, remove them from the situation immediately, give them a limited amount of water, douse them in cool (not cold) water, and seek medical attention as quickly as possible. Signs of heatstroke (hyperthermia) and other heat distress in dogs can include panting, drooling, salivating, agitation, a bright red tongue, very red or pale gums, an increased heartrate, breathing distress, vomiting and diarrhea.

To avoid the danger in the first place, keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Take them outside only when the ambient temperatures are mild.

Laura Lizaola Barroso selected as Vice Chancellor of Human Resources

Laura has more than 28 years of experience within higher education and public agency.

Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Chancellor Greg Gillespie has announced the appointment of Laura Lizaola Barroso as Vice Chancellor of Human Resources. Barroso has more than 28 years of experience in California within higher education and public agency. Since joining VCCCD in 2018, she has served as the Director of Human Resources Operations and as Associate Vice Chancellor of Human Resources.

In her new role, Barroso will provide collaborative senior administrative leadership across all functional areas within the District Office and Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges. She will have direct oversight of District recruitment, human resources operations, benefits, employee professional development and labor negotiations.

Prior to her tenure with VCCCD, Barroso held the position of Human Resources Manager with the County of Ventura from 2013-2018; and Personnel Services and Training Manager; Career Services Supervisor; and Career Services Specialist from 1992–2013. Barroso, who earned an associate degree from Oxnard College, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from California State University, Northridge and master’s degree in psychology from Antioch University in Santa Barbara. She also holds a Society of Human Resources Management Senior Certified Professional credential and an International Public Management Association for Human Resources Senior Certified Professional credential.

“I am pleased that Laura Barroso has accepted the position of Vice Chancellor of Human Resources for the Ventura County Community College District,” said Chancellor Gillespie. “In addition to her professional qualifications and credentials, she demonstrates a personal commitment to developing strategic relationships and effecting collaboration with internal and external business partners and colleagues. She will be a strong leader in support of the District’s mission in serving students and supporting the District and its employees.”

“I am so pleased that Ms. Barroso, an Oxnard College graduate and resident of Oxnard, will lead the organization’s human resources department. She serves as a role model and demonstrates a keen ability in providing dynamic leadership as the District continues to prepare for uncertain times ahead,” said Board of Trustees Chair Bernardo M. Perez.

Barroso is a lifelong resident of Ventura County. She believes the organization’s greatest assets are the dedicated faculty and classified professionals. By building strong relationships and developing a culture where collaboration and mutual respect are fostered and continuous improvement is embraced, the District will better serve employees, students and the community.

“I look forward to continuing my work with the Ventura County Community College District and working with our stakeholders to navigate through the challenges ahead with compassion, mutual respect and a shared vision to serve students, employees and our community,” Barroso said.

Ventura Harbor increases sustainability with new EV charging stations

“Sustainability is a major initiative at Ventura Harbor.”

Five new electric vehicle charging stations support EV drivers

The Ventura Port District has installed five new SemaConnect charging stations for Ventura Harbor visitors. The new Series 6 charging stations replace a pair of charging stations previously installed at Island Packers and are open to all plug-in EV drivers that visit the harbor.

The five new SemaConnect stations are installed at Ventura Harbor Village and Harbor Cove Beach parking, 1691 Spinnaker Dr. and 1860 Spinnaker Dr. respectively. The durable Series 6 charging stations are designed for the outdoors and replace old equipment previously installed outside Island Packers. With interactive LED lights, smart card authentication, and network connectivity, the new ENERGY STAR-certified stations help reduce emissions in Ventura. Using the SemaConnect Network, station administrators can view station usage, energy consumption, and carbon-offset reports – perfect for the Port District’s year-end sustainability reporting.

“Sustainability is a major initiative at Ventura Harbor,” said Brian Pendleton, general manager at Ventura Harbor. “We’ve seen an increase in visitors with electric vehicles in the last few years, and we’re excited about the addition of our new SemaConnect stations. We wanted to make sure that our new equipment could withstand sea air and charge all present and future EVs that visit the harbor. We’ve already seen some EV drivers charging at our new charging stations, and we look forward to welcoming Californians back to Ventura Harbor.”

“SemaConnect is honored to be the Ventura Port District’s choice for electric vehicle charging stations,” said Georgette Cardona, national sales director at SemaConnect. “With fewer people driving this summer, many commercial properties and public agencies nationwide are updating their infrastructure and installing new smart EV charging stations. The Ventura Port District is setting an example for other marinas, retailers, and harbors with their new SemaConnect smart stations. We look forward to supporting EV drivers at Ventura Harbor.”

At Ventura Harbor’s new SemaConnect charging stations, drivers have the most options for starting a charge. In addition to a smart card, drivers can start a charge using the SemaConnect app, online portal, 1-800 automated phone system, or Pay With Plugshare. The stations have a $1 plug-in fee plus a $0.17 per kWh energy fee. After four hours, drivers are charged an additional $1 per hour. Live station status, locations, and pricing details can be found on the SemaConnect or PlugShare mobile applications.

Ventura Police officer receives MADD honor

James Dillard has worked for the Ventura Police Department for the past 5 years.

Prior to his employment with VPD, James Dillard served as a Probation Officer for the Ventura County  and studied Criminal Justice at Cal State Los Angeles. James always comes to work with a positive attitude and a passion to serve his community. James quickly established himself as one of the top officers at VPD when it came to impaired driving enforcement efforts. His dedication to the community fueled his desire to seek additional training in the detection of impaired drivers and James attended multiple prerequisite classes to earn him a coveted spot in the Drug Abuse Recognition Expert Course (DRE). Becoming a DRE, James has continued to keep our community safe by actively searching for impaired drivers. In 2018, James was recognized as the top officer at VPD for DUI arrests and he continued his efforts into 2019 where he arrested 41 drivers for impaired driving and was awarded, a second time, as VPD’s Top DUI Enforcement Officer by Mother’s Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

James commented on this award by saying, “It is an honor to receive this award. I am pleased to be able to protect the citizens of Ventura by getting impaired drivers off the road.”