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Vol. 17, No. 10 – Feb 7 – Feb 20, 2024 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

Wanna Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011, Rose 805-659-9223, or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. A website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30-10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Paws for Reading brings together young readers and affectionate canine listeners to help boost the confidence of beginning readers. Hill Road Library, Wednesdays, 3:30 – 5 p.m. and

E.P. Foster Library, Thursdays, 4 – 5:30 p.m. Join PAWS dogs for one-on-one reading sessions. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome.

City of Ventura Grant Opportunities. Applications available starting February 8 and due by February 27.

Cultural Funding Grant – Awards $90,000 in funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that support Ventura residents.

Community Partnership Grant – Awards $140,000 in funding to 501(c)(3) nonprofit social and environmental service organizations that support Ventura residents.

Learn more and apply at: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/Grants

February 13: Ventura Audubon Society’s February Program “The Future of Ormond Beach”: Tuesday 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion and streaming via Zoom. Pete Dixon speaks about the planned restoration of Ormond Beach will provide updates and status on the restoration plan for the coastal dune, upland ecosystems, and Ormond Lagoon. For more information on this plan, visit www.oxnard.org/ormond-beach-restoration-public-access-plan, and for more information on this program, visit www.venturaaudubon.org/speakers.

February 15: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report and a presentation from Paul Copley from California RCV. The California RCV is a diverse, nonpartisan group advocating to expand Ranked Choice Voting to all Californians to ensure we have a greater voice in our democracy. The purpose of the EVCC is to encourage residents to understand East Ventura’s problems, needs, and expectations and to recommend, initiate, and participate in developing and implementing programs or solutions.

February 17: On Saturday afternoon, 1- 4 p.m., the Ventura County Genealogical Society will present a lecture by Cynthia Keefer Patton: “10 Steps for Organizing for the Busy Genealogist.” All VCGS lectures are free and open to members and the public. Non-members may request a Zoom invitation at https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/. Please note that VCGS cannot respond to same-day requests.

The DNA Special Interest Group meeting will precede the general meeting on Zoom from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. Contact the webmaster to be added to the invitation list: [email protected].

February 17: The Museum of Ventura County will show a screening of “Six Generations” from 1- 3 p.m., followed by an insightful Q & A session with Chumash elder Ernestine Ygnacio-De Soto and Professor Kristina Foss. The documentary profoundly explores Chumash’s heritage with “6 Generations.” Narrated by Ernestine De Soto, a unique link to the past through her female ancestors, the documentary delves into the impact of the Spanish arrival in Santa Barbara. Registration is free for members at the individual/family level and $10 for non-members. It was made possible, in part, by The Bauer Foundation.

February 18: Anyone interested in timepieces, both antique and modern, can join the Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for a watch/clock marketplace, lunch, and a presentation on a horological topic.

Bring a watch or clock for a free evaluation. 11am February 18, 2024, Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura. nawcc-ch190.com.

For Details contact: Bob McClelland Director, Public Information (818) 225-8212 [email protected]

February 22: Chabad of Ventura is thrilled to announce the Mega Challah Bake, a countywide community event on Thursday at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Registration opens at 5:30 p.m., and the event commences at 6 p.m. The Mega Challah Bake is a unique event fostering unity, love, and purpose. Participants knead their way into a more significant cause spreading love and light. Join us to uplift, enrich souls, and illuminate the world with goodness and kindness. For more details and registration, visit www.chabadventura.com/challah

February 24: The Ventura Downtown Lions are hosting Bowl to 2024 Strike Out Cancer at Buena Lanes in Ventura. The proceeds will go to CSCVVSB and The Ronald McDonald Family room.
Tickets are $30 each, which includes the 3 rounds of bowling, lunch, and more exciting activities. The event is from 12:00 PM – 3:30 PM.
Buena Lanes, 1788 S Mesa Verde Road, Ventura.

March 23: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Online and live at Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 Ventura, CA 93003 (805) 289-3960 Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin at 9:30AM.

All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed prior to the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at: http://www.cipcug.org.

May 21: Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) is delighted to announce our annual Ventura County Public Works Day. It will be held on Tuesday, from 9 – 2 p.m., at the Ventura County Government Center. Our nationally recognized event has lots to see and do, including education for younger students and exciting career opportunities for high school students.

Quilt display and a new art exhibit at the Olivas Adobe

February 11, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm free

A quilt display and a new art exhibit at the Olivas Adobe stitch together stories of the Rancho life and how work and play are intertwined.

Featured is wall hanging sized adobe quilt designed by docent Debra Milbourne with an appliqued rendering of the Olivas Adobe at its center with embellishing fabrics used along the border to depict the mission grapes, rose, and herb gardens. The famous great horned owl that nests in the eucalyptus tree near the adobe along with other rancho creatures create a whimsical yard around the adobe . Several other quilts will be on display in the rancho rooms and exhibit spaces featuring different eras and feature different quilting techniques.

Complimenting the quilts and the historic landmark in the small adobe is a new exhibit by the Plein Aire Artists of Ventura County;. Celebrating Animals of the Rancho. An artist reception will be held from 12- 1pm on the 11th, where the public can meet the artists and talk about the inspiration behind the paintings featuring sheep, horses, and cattle. All artwork is for sale and the art exhibit will remain up though the end of May. The Quilt exhibit is one day only. www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OlivasAdobe

Ventura Botanical Gardens is seeking entries for their 2024 Annual Photo Contest.

What’s your favorite photo?

To be eligible, photos must be taken in the Ventura Botanical Gardens and highlight botanical specimens, visitors and activities in the Gardens (animals, insects, people, etc.), or a special place or view in the Gardens. Complete rules and entry requirements can be found on the Ventura Botanical Gardens website: www.VenturaBotanicalGardens.com.

Entries will be accepted from April 1 – 26, 2024. Winning entries will by announced in mid-May 2024. Similar to past contests, the Peoples Choice winners will be selected by visitors voting on Facebook from May 1 – 10, 2024. A panel of professional photographers will choose the Judge’s Choice winners. Last year’s judges were Greg Montana – owner of Dexter Camera, Stephanie Hogue – owner of Latitudes Gallery, and Monica Furmanski – assistant professor of photography at VCCC.

We look forward to seeing many seasonal highlights from the Gardens through the lenses of members and visitors of all ages.

Located at Grant Park in the City of Ventura, the Ventura Botanical Gardens’ goals include conserving plant species and encouraging visitors to strengthen their connection to nature.

To find out more about this event, contact Nancy Kettner – [email protected]

To find out more about the Gardens, visit the VenturaBotanicalGardens.com and join us on Facebook.

Business Profile: Joe Parisi, Residential Loan Officer

After more than two decades of commuting from the San Fernando Valley to C Street for surf sessions, Joe Parisi, alongside his wife Tammy of 46 years, decided to permanently relocate to Ventura. Eight years ago, they invested in a weekend home in the Ventura Keys, savoring the local vibe, surf spots, and fulfilling Joe’s dream of boat ownership. Almost every weekend, they would make the trek on Friday afternoon, returning to the Valley for Joe’s work as a residential home loan officer. When the pandemic struck, Joe, like many, pondered the expense of maintaining two homes and decided to sell both their Valley and Ventura Keys residences. Three years ago, they acquired their current home in the Pierpont Lanes.

With over 36 years in the industry, Joe continues to thrive, passionate about assisting people in achieving homeownership dreams and guiding them toward wealth accumulation. The satisfaction of aiding a first-time homebuyer remains a highlight of his job, along with the challenge of salvaging deals when other lenders stumble.

Joe handles financing on everything from small condominiums to multi- million-dollar homes, and 1-4 unit investment properties. As a mortgage banker and mortgage broker, Joe has access to hundreds of loan products to suit all needs. For more information, please email [email protected], call (818) 687-6047 or visit https://www.rate.com/loan-officers/joe-parisi-255572.

California’s Low Income Household Water Assistance Program

The City of Ventura encourages low-income customers to apply for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) for help in paying for current or past-due water and wastewater bills. Eligible households now have until March 31, 2024, to apply while funds last. Originally slated to conclude in fall 2023, the program has received a federal extension through March 2024.

“I’m pleased to share the announcement for the extension of this assistance program,” shared Mayor Joe Schroeder. “This vital program has already provided much-needed relief to many of our residents and helps to ease the burden of water and wastewater costs for low-income families.”

Households with an income below 60 percent of the state median income, such as $103,856 for a family of four, qualify for the program. In addition, households currently participating in programs like CalFresh, CalWORKs, or the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) are eligible for LIHWAP.

Established by Congress in December 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the LIHWAP was enacted to help support financially struggling low-income households to settle outstanding water and wastewater bills. Through LIHWAP, thousands of low-income residents in Ventura have already received substantial financial support, addressing both current and overdue bills.

“With this extension, more low-income households can receive relief in their utility costs,” said Ventura Water General Manager Gina Dorrington. “While we are pleased the program has been extended, it’s crucial to note that funding is limited, and assistance is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. We encourage residents and families to apply as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity for financial assistance.”

The LIHWAP is administered by the California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD). To learn more about the program and apply by March 2024, visit www.csd.ca.gov/WaterBill.

Ventura announces Stacey Zarazua as Parks & Recreation Director

The City of Ventura is pleased to announce Stacey Zarazua as Parks & Recreation Director. Zarazua succeeds Nancy O’Connor, who retired in September 2023 after serving as Parks & Recreation Director since 2016. Zarazua will oversee the department’s three divisions: Parks, Recreation, and Community Partnerships.

“Stacey has a wealth of knowledge and experience from her more than 20-year career with Ventura,” said City Manager Bill Ayub. “I’m very optimistic about her vision for the department and have no doubt her leadership with elevate our services to new heights.”

Zarazua joined the Parks & Recreation Department in 2001 as a Recreation Coordinator in the Youth Sports section and was later promoted to Aquatics Supervisor in 2005. Since then, she has held multiple leadership roles within the department, serving in all three divisions. Zarazua holds a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University Northridge.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve our community as the City’s Parks & Recreation Director. Parks and Recreation is integral to building a healthy and thriving community,” said Zarazua. “I’m thrilled to lead our team of dedicated professionals in providing exceptional parks, programs, and services that will continue to make the City of Ventura a better place to live, work, and play!”

She is a member of the California Parks and Recreation Society and National Recreation and Park Association. She has volunteered in key organizational leadership positions to advance the field.

Zarazua will oversee the operations of over 800 acres of open space, including 46 parks, three community centers, multiple historic sites, a sailing center, an aquatic center, two beaches, and golf services. She will manage current and future park development initiatives and lead 56 full-time and over 200 seasonal part-time employees, who work to produce over 1,000 annual programs for all ages.

Assemblymember Steve Bennett presents World Wetlands Day resolution with Coastal Keepers

The California State Assembly unanimously passed Assemblymember Steve Bennett’s resolution, HR 64 (2023-24), proclaiming February 2nd as World Wetlands Day. The idea was presented to Bennett by Oxnard-based Coastal Keepers, a grassroots organization dedicated to the clean-up and stewardship of Ormond Beach.

“Our partnership with Coastal Keepers has been fruitful and inspiring. These young leaders have demonstrated initiative and passion for keeping our public beaches and waterways clean for all. I’m grateful to have collaborated with them on this resolution that is important to our coastal district,” said Assemblymember Steve Bennett.

“We have witnessed firsthand the environmental injustices affecting South Oxnard and Port Hueneme. We believe the Ormond Beach wetlands to be the hidden hero of our coast! Coastal Keepers commends Assemblymember Bennett’s leadership for proclaiming February 2nd as World Wetlands Day. This is a crucial step towards raising awareness, bridging the gap between policymakers and coastal communities, and ensuring the protection of our wetlands for generations to come. We look forward to collaborating with his office to bring much-needed focus and action to this vital ecosystem.”

Coastal Keepers and Assemblymember Bennett have previously co-hosted a cleanup site for 2023 Coastal Cleanup Day. The event brought hundreds of volunteers to the Ormond Beach & Lagoon area and prevented thousands of pounds of trash from entering the ocean.

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

The Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore in E.P. Foster Library 2nd Look Books will be open 7 days a week, beginning in February Monday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm.

If you are visiting E.P. Foster Library for storytime on Monday mornings (10:30 am), we invite you to drop in to our bookstore on the first floor and browse our collection of gently used children’s books. Donations arrive every week and the stock in our store is regularly refreshed.

With our extended hours, we could use more volunteers to staff the store. If you would like to help, please stop by the store and speak to a volunteer or email [email protected].

We also invite you to visit our online bookstore for local sales https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop for unique items, including Manga, Vintage, Art and Architecture. Orders are picked up at our bookstore in E.P. Foster Library.

In addition to storytime, E.P. Foster Library offers these activities for children —

On Wednesdays, from 3:30 to 5:00 pm, join Foxy Little Craft Club for self-guided arts, crafts and coloring. A special, structured craft will be provided every 4th Wednesday of the month.

On Fridays, from 2:00 to 4:00, drop in for Lego Play. Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs. Children of all ages welcome!

Paws for Reading is another program at E.P. Foster Library. Paws for Reading is designed to help improve a child’s reading skills through reading aloud to registered therapy dogs. Arrive at the library early to choose a book and get in line to read to a special pooch. Children of all ages are welcome! Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:30 pm.

Hill Road Library also offers Paws for Reading on Wednesdays, 3:30 to 5:00 pm and Hill Road Library storytime is on Wednesday mornings, 10:30 to 11:30 am.

Hill Road Library Maker Lab is open Thursdays, 3:30 to 4:30 pm. On February 15, create a Chomping Dragon with just a few strips of cardboard and some brass fasteners to chomp your way into the Lunar New Year! On February 22, learn about engineering, electronics, and circuitry concepts by building Snap Circuits. You’ll assemble electronic circuits on a simple “rows-and-columns” base grid. The resulting projects function like the printed circuit board found in most electronic products. A wide range of kits, in differing sizes and complexity, will be made available to work with and are perfect for future engineers ages 8+ On February 29, the lab is open for Lego Play.

For more adventures in science, on Saturday, February 24, 11:00 am to noon, Hill Road Library’s Discover Science team leads an exploration of surface tension and molecular bonds by creating various bubble formulas.

Storytime at Avenue Library is 4:00 to 4:30 pm on Tuesdays. Come enjoy storytelling, nursery rhymes, and finger play presented in English and Spanish, geared for ages 0-5 years. During open branch hours, families are welcome to free coloring pages for all ages. Crayons and colored pencils are provided for in-house use.

How to Improve Your Mental and Physical Strength

by Leslie Sokol

Have you ever found yourself admiring people you think of as strong, both physically and mentally? Strong individuals take care of themselves, show confidence and serve as an inspiration to others. Physical and emotional strength are also important components of your overall health and it’s critical that you focus on both areas when creating your fitness plan!

It Starts with Mental Strength

Building your emotional wellbeing is fundamental to living your best life. Optimal mental health helps you live a life you love, have meaningful social connections, and can improve self-esteem. It’s never too late to maintain your strength or discover new ways to get even stronger. There are numerous studies showing people who are strong emotionally are also physically healthier and have stronger immune systems.

A good way to start building up your mental strength is by creating a daily routine based on brain-boosting habits. Try mindfulness activities, such as meditation, yoga and breathing exercises to help you deal with stress or challenges in your life. Being mentally strong helps you resist both internal and external influences that weaken your self-confidence and well-being.

How Physical Strength Correlates with Mental Strength

Your physical strength goes hand in hand with your mental strength. As I tell my students, “Strong mind, strong body.” Regular physical activity will not only help keep your muscles, bones and joints strong, but it will also build up your mental resilience. Regular workouts may actually change the way your brain responds to stress, thereby improving your ability to deal with any stressors that may come your way. Also, when you exercise, your mind produces a variety of “feel good” neurotransmitters and hormones, which delivers a major boost to your mood. Those positive emotions go a long way in improving your mental health!

Muscle strength and dynamic balance are vital at every age, but in older populations it becomes even more crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life. As we age, we do lose muscle mass and strength. Muscles atrophy and become weak when we do not exercise or keep our bodies strong. “If you do not use it, you lose it” That’s why it is so crucial to do strengthening exercises and keep physically active.

Tips for Improving Your Mental Strength

Cultivate a growth mindset.
Develop emotional regulation skills.
Set realistic goals.
Strengthen your support system.
Practice self-compassion and love.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Develop a daily routine.
Keep your connections strong (socialize).
Practice mindfulness and start a meditation practice.
Be a believer.

Tips for Improving Your Physical Strength

Exercise and stay active to prevent muscle and bone loss.
Do activities that are fun, get you in shape, increase your alertness, and feel good to your body and mind.
Do exercises that actually strengthen your muscles, such as:
• Lifting weights
• Resistance bands
• Walking
• Hiking
• Dancing
• Push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups
• Heavy gardening such as digging and shoveling.

I want to share one of my favorite quotes by Tim Grover: “Physical strength measures what you can do, Mental strength measures whether you’ll actually do it!” We can all live a productive, healthy, and well-balanced life by focusing on strengthening both our minds and our bodies. By choosing to do things that make you happy and content, you will see immediate boosts in your attitude, energy, motivation and outlook on life. Stay Strong! Be Happy and Healthy!

Leslie Sokol is the creator and founder of the adult dance and fitness program For the Young at Heart. She has been teaching adults and children for forty-five years. You can watch For the Young at Heart by visiting her YouTube Channel or on TVSB. She also teaches in retirement communities throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties.
For more information contact Leslie at [email protected] 805-312-8089
or visit the website: www.LeslieSokolDance.com

Cutting calories may slow the pace of aging in healthy adults

by National Institute on Aging

Long-term calorie restriction may slow the pace of biological aging in healthy adults, according to an NIA-funded study. Specifically, cutting caloric intake by 12% for two years in lean or slightly overweight adults slowed the pace of aging by 2-3%. Although the effect is small, it adds up over time; earlier research suggests that a similar slowdown may reduce the risk of dying in 10 to 15 years by 10-15%. The findings, published in Nature Aging, provide evidence that age-associated molecular changes can be slowed or reversed to potentially extend lifespan in humans.

Biological age refers to the accumulating damage, physiological changes, and loss of function that occur in a person over time. One method scientists use to measure biological age examines the epigenome, which contains a record of changes to a cell’s DNA and DNA-associated proteins. Led by Columbia University scientists, this study used DNA methylation (DNAm) to determine if the long-term calorie reduction changed how fast bodies were aging. The researchers analyzed data collected from a previous trial called the Comprehensive Assessment of Long-term Effects of Reducing Intake of Energy (CALERIE) trial. The CALERIE trial examined the effects of calorie restriction in healthy, lean, or slightly overweight young and middle-aged adults over two years. The scientists wanted to know if the calorie restriction in the CALERIE trial affected molecular processes associated with aging. The goal for participants was to reduce their daily caloric intake by 25%, but the average that the calorie restriction group was able to reach was a 12% reduction.

Compared to the 75 participants who ate normally, the 143 participants who cut their calories slowed their pace of aging by 2-3% over the two-year study using the DunedinPACE measure, a DNAm-based “speedometer” which determines the annual rate of biological aging. In agreement with earlier small studies in animals, the findings suggest that molecular processes of aging can be slowed in humans. Notably the researchers found that “clock” DNAm measures of biological age (rather than rate of aging) were not affected by the calorie reduction intervention.

Notably, the levels of calorie reduction varied among CALERIE trial participants; 75% achieved up to a 20% reduction. Using the information on these participants, the researchers estimated the effects of 20% calorie reduction and found that it resulted in more pronounced drops in their pace of aging compared to the effect in the overall CALERIE population.

The authors note some limitations to their study. First, DNAm is just one marker of aging. Other age-related molecular processes will need to be evaluated to better understand the effects of long-term calorie reduction on disease risk and biological aging. Also, data on the CALERIE trial participants was collected for two years. Larger trials with longer follow-ups are needed to determine if the slowing of the pace of aging with calorie reduction translates to long-term health benefits and longer lifespan.

Despite these limitations, this study is the first to use DNAm to quantify the effects of a lifestyle therapy on aging. Moreover, this study provides evidence that long-term caloric reduction slows changes that occur with aging in humans and suggests that epigenetic aging may be modifiable.

This research was supported in part by NIA grants AG061378, AG028716, AG054840, AG070455, AG071717, AG071549, AG060906, and AG070455.

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