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VUSD making news

The Ventura Unified School District is pleased to announce that it has received significant amounts of Career Technical Education (CTE) funding. The funds will be used to improve and augment current Career Technical Education (CTE) programs, facilities, and equipment and will also fund a new CTE support position. The District is proud to announce that Mr. Joe Bova, the current Principal of Foothill Technology High School, will serve in this new grant-funded position.

“Joe Bova has always been at the forefront of innovation for the District. We cannot think of a better person to work with our Chief Innovations Officer, Rebecca Chandler, to bring our Career Technical Education offerings up to speed and then race beyond anyone’s expectations,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, VUSD Superintendent.

“I am excited to create authentic experiences for students and allow more flexibility and opportunities for them to pursue future career avenues, all of which are essential for student success,” stated Joe Bova, incoming CTE Coordinator.

The District has hired Mr. James Edwards, a respected educator, and administrator who has served both in the Oxnard and Ventura Unified School Districts, as the Interim Principal of Foothill Technology High School (FTHS). Mr. Edwards recently served as an Interim Assistant Principal last spring at FTHS and knows the campus, staff, and students well.

Stand on one-foot exercise

All you need is a chair.

You can do this exercise while watching TV. For an added challenge, you can modify the exercise to improve your balance.

Stand on one foot behind a sturdy chair, holding on for balance.
Hold position for up to 10 seconds.
Repeat 10-15 times.
Repeat 10-15 times with other leg.
Repeat 10-15 more times with each leg.

As you progress in your exercise routine, try adding the following challenges to help your balance even more:
Start by holding on to a sturdy chair with both hands for support.
When you are able, try holding on to the chair with only one hand.
With time, hold on with only one finger, then with no hands at all.
If you are really steady on your feet, try doing the balance exercises with your eyes closed.

National Council on Aging

It is clear that older adults are at the highest risk for complications and death from COVID-19. Community-based organizations and charitable nonprofit organizations that offer vital services to older adults are struggling under increased demand and changes to their work environments forced by the outbreak.

Congress can save lives by acting quickly on legislation already under consideration.

Tell Congress this national emergency demands more support and protections for older adults and the organizations that support them.

Contact your Representatives and Senators today and tell them to add these four things to any COVID-19 relief bills:

Give additional resources to Older Americans Act programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so more older adults have food, in-home services, and caregiver support.

Make it easier to use Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services so vulnerable older adults can get the care they need at home.

Make essential health care and prescription drugs more affordable for low-income Medicare beneficiaries by increasing premium assistance and cost sharing.

Help nonprofit charitable organizations maintain operations by providing additional support.

Vol. 13, No. 13 – Mar 25 – Apr 7, 2020 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Lucy a 10-year-old Labrador / Chow X who is an active outdoorsy type of gal who loves to hike, chase balls, ride in the car and just lounge around. I have a great smile, love being around my people getting lots of love and attention. I know basic commands and aim to please.

I was rescued from the Agoura Shelter by a volunteer there (Mary O. who is also my sponsor) because I didn’t get along so well with the other dogs in playgroups so I’ll need to be your one and only in the home. I’d make a great companion you’ll be happy with just me! Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Bob is a current resident of kitty cottage where he’s been great with other kitties. He is a social butterfly with kitties and humans. Bob is active and derpy.  He’s not really a lap cat but more dog like in seeking affection. He has formed a bond with one of our other kitties (Zoltain A751750 who is mellow and sweet) if you’re looking for two.

Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive
Bob A622155

Fourth Annual Ventura County Ag Week honored the importance of farmers and ranchers

The six Excellence in Agriculture honorees. Photo courtesy of Totally Local VC and Viktor Budnik Food Photography

From March 9th through March 15th Totally Local VC Agricultural Foundation presented its fourth annual Ventura County Ag Week, a celebration of all that our county’s local farmers and ranchers do. Despite the challenges facing the world, many of the weeklong celebrations continued as scheduled.

The week kicked off with a resolution from the Ventura County Board of Supervisors proclaiming March 9th – March 15th as Agriculture Week in Ventura County. On Tuesday the sold out “Excellence in Agriculture Awards Luncheon” honored agricultural leaders from field to fork, including Rancher of the Year Bud Sloan, Farmer of the Year Helen McGrath and Chef of the Year Kelly Brigilio of Paradise Pantry. Other honorees included Educator of the Year UC Cooperative Extension Hansen Agricultural Research Center, and Sustainability Award winner Scott Deardorff of Deardorff Family Farms.

A special Agricultural Hero Award was presented to Phil McGrath of McGrath Family Farms. “This award is so significant and special to me,” commented McGrath. “Being called an ‘Ag Hero’ in Ventura County validates everything I’ve strived for as a farmer; to work with the soil and its own biology, to work with my team and reward them to my best ability, and to educate the community about real food from the Oxnard plains.”

Another highlight of VC Ag Week was Wednesday’s Ventura Chef Association Tasting Event with abundant appetizers made from locally grown food prepared by Westmont College, Fresh & Fabulous, La Dolce Vita, Naval Base Ventura County, Ventura County Rescue Mission, and Four Brix Winery. Also, during the week, an intimate “Meet the Farmer and Rancher Mixer” and the popular Historic Oxnard Farm Park BBQ and Tour were held. Meanwhile, local restaurants, wineries, brewers and purveyors featured locally grown and raised menu specials throughout the week in support of “Eat Local ~ Hug a Farmer.”

While many VC Ag Week activities continued, due to COVID-19 the student tours and Exploration of Agriculture Careers event were cancelled for the health and safety of all students.

“We had over 275 attendees join us across all events throughout Ventura County Ag Week this year,” commented Kat Merrick, Founder and President of Totally Local VC Agricultural Foundation. “It’s an honor to celebrate the true stewards of our local land – farmers and ranchers, who are raising and growing more on fewer acres and protecting our county’s precious soil and water resources.” Ventura County Ag Week’s goal is to highlight and honor the important role that agriculture plays in our lives. Many of Ventura County’s founding agriculture families remain today with the next generation carrying on the family farming and ranching legacy.

Ventura County Ag Week is generously supported by many wonderful sponsors and businesses. Please take a moment to get to know them – https://www.totallylocalvc.com/ventura-county-ag-week-2020/

Totally Local VC is a collaborative initiative focused on promoting the importance and success of our local agriculture and business community. We are dedicated to educating our youth and community members on the important role business and agriculture plays, not only in our county but in the world, and the many links each of us has to small business and agriculture. Simply put Totally Local VC educates, advocates and celebrates local agriculture to bring stronger awareness for and collaboration with our local farmers, ranchers, purveyors and businesses. www.totallylocalvc.com – 805-222-6542

American Red Cross experiencing severe blood shortage

The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage as the coronavirus outbreak threatens availability of the nation’s supply. Nearly 2,700 Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in some 86,000 fewer blood donations. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for those in need, and more than 80% of the blood the Red Cross collects comes from drives held at workplaces, college campuses and school locations.

Here in the Southern California Region, more than 160 blood drives have been canceled, resulting in 5,500 fewer blood donations. The Red Cross is adding appointment slots at donation centers and expanding capacity at many community blood drives across the country over the next few weeks to ensure ample opportunities for donors to give.

The Red Cross expects the number of cancellations to continue to increase, which is causing heightened concern for blood collection organizations and hospitals across the country. This blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer.

“I am looking at the refrigerator that contains only one day’s supply of blood for the hospital,” said Dr. Robertson Davenport, director of transfusion medicine at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. “The hospital is full. There are patients who need blood and cannot wait.”

“In our experience, the American public comes together to support those in need during times of shortage and that support is needed now more than ever during this unprecedented public health crisis,” said Chris Hrouda, president, Red Cross Biomedical Services. “Unfortunately, when people stop donating blood, it forces doctors to make hard choices about patient care, which is why we need those who are healthy and well to roll up a sleeve and give the gift of life. Volunteer donors are the unsung heroes for patients in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. If you are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give, please schedule an appointment to give now,” added Hrouda.

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

Appointments can be scheduled by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

PRSA Gold Coast Chapter offers scholarships for local students

The California Gold Coast chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is offering two scholarships to recognize outstanding individual college students who are committed to studying communication or public relations in the Tri-Counties area. The group will award two $500 scholarships in mid 2020.

“We believe that academic endeavors are essential for individuals to reach their full potential. For that reason, our chapter is encouraging students to attend a four-year institution and reach higher educational achievement,” said PRSA California Gold Coast Chapter Scholarship Committee Chair Nancy Mayerson.

The chapter raised funds for the scholarships through program meeting fees and sponsorships and hopes to grow the scholarship fund as the chapter grows.

“We believe that the heart of a successful PR career is service to one’s community, so we’re seeking students who have both high academic achievement and a solid commitment to community service. So many worthy organizations rely on public relations and community outreach to fulfill their mission, and we want to see our young professionals helping to make a difference,” Mayerson said.

Applications are being accepted through April 30, 2020. Winners will be announced in July of 2020. To be eligible for the scholarships, students must:

  • Be a student currently enrolled in a four-year institution of higher education accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) located in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo or Ventura county.
  • Have a 3.0 GPA minimum.
  • Have a declared major in public relations or communication.
  • Be in good academic standing with his or her educational institution.
  • Have not received a PRSA scholarship in the past.

Find more information and an application online at www.prsagoldcoast.org, on the menu bar. Contact Nancy Mayerson, scholarship committee chair at [email protected] with additional questions.

PRSA is a nonprofit organization chartered in 1947 and the world’s largest organization of public relations professionals with more than 21,000 public relations and communications professionals across the United States. The California Gold Coast Chapter was founded in 2014 and serves Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. For more information, visit www.prsagoldcoast.org.

Channel Islands National Park is modifying operations to implement latest health guidance

Channel Islands National Park is announcing modifications in operations to implement the latest guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and local and state authorities to promote social distancing.

As of March 16, 2020, the park’s mainland visitor center in the Ventura Harbor is closed until further notice. The five remote islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park remain open to public visitation. However, current access will only be via private vessel.

The park’s boat transportation concessioner Island Packers announced a two-week halt to their public transportation services as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The cancellation in boat services includes all landing and non-landing trips.

Virtual visits to the park and are popular via webcam at Channel Islands Live where you can experience the kelp forest, one of the richest marine environments in the world. These and many more wildlife webcams are provided by our partner explore.org.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners at Channel Islands National Park is our number one priority. The National Park Service (NPS) is working with the federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We will notify the public when we resume full operations and provide updates on our website and social media channels.

The NPS urges visitors to do their part when visiting a park and to follow CDC guidance to prevent the spread of infectious diseases by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups; washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; and most importantly, staying home if you feel sick.

Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus. Please check with individual parks for specific details about park operations. Campers can contact recreation.govto request refunds for any trips affected by the boat concession cancellations.

Coalition For Family Harmony modifies services due to Coronavirus

The Coalition for Family Harmony, which provides victims of family violence in Ventura County with the means to help escape from abuse, will continue to offer services to the community using modified communication and counseling techniques during the coronavirus crisis.

“We our following the guidelines outlined by Ventura County Public Health and the CDC,” says Dr. Caroline Prijatel-Sutton, Coalition For Family Harmony executive director. “For individual and most group counseling sessions, we will be using HIPAA-compliant web-based models and tele-counseling. If clients don’t have Internet or telephone access, we’ll work with them directly to meet their needs. It will be on a case-by-case basis.”

The Coalition runs the only Rape Crisis Center and 24-hour rape crisis hotline in Ventura County. The hotline will remain open with trained bilingual operators. The Rape Crisis Center will conduct emergency response through tele-counseling or in person. Emergency shelter services for survivors of domestic violence are available with consideration to room space availability. Transitional housing services remain fully operational.

The new communication procedures went into effect March 17 and will remain in place until further notice. “We want the public to know that we are still here in times of family crisis,” says Prijatel-Sutton. “Through these new procedures, our goal is to continue to provide services without compromising the health and safety of our staff and clients.”

The bilingual hotline number is 800-300-2181 and available for domestic violence and rape crisis advocacy and support. Coalition For Family Harmony business hours remain the same, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 805-983-6014 for questions regarding services or visit www.TheCoalition.org.