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City of Ventura to allow limited access to parks and beaches

A limited amount of people and horses have beach access.

On Monday, April 20, 2020, the Ventura City Council unanimously voted to institute limited closures of Ventura’s beaches and parks. The City’s decision provides restricted access to its parks, beaches, the Promenade, and Pier in support of balancing residents’ physical and mental health while restricting non-essential activities.

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere stated “We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially-responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Walking, hiking, jogging, running, or biking, is permitted as long as those engaging in these activities do not linger in any location. Sidewalks, walking paths, trails and tracks within all public parks are open for use as long as the public adheres to the social distancing requirements outlined in the “Stay Well at Home” order, set by the Ventura County Health Officer.

“We know the public desperately wants to bring their families to the beach or the park, but we’re not there yet,” said City Manager Alex McIntyre. “The limited closure access to City parks and beaches will continue as long as the public complies with social distancing rules and there are no group gatherings. Our intent is to provide community members with opportunities to enjoy healthy outdoor activities while continuing to maintain social and physical distancing. All parks have limited closures. We aren’t calling them “open”, we are staying consistent with the ordinance language, per CA’s office direction. To that end, people may use the parks for jogging, hiking, walking, running, but all playgrounds, courts, sport fields, parking lots, basketball courts, and restrooms are closed. Signs are up at each park reminding users what is allowed under a limited closure and that there is no laying down, sitting, or standing, it is active movement only.”

Playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, restrooms, pools, courts, as well as sports and recreational fields will remain closed. Public gatherings, sitting, standing, fishing, or lingering on the sand will not be allowed. Limited access signage will be prominently posted around parks and beaches to remind the public to comply with physical distancing practices.

For the latest updates on impacts to the City of Ventura, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/COVID19. For public health information and updates happening in Ventura County, visit www.VCEmergency.com.

The significance of Denim Day

“We are aiming for a bigger and better movement for sure next year.”

by Mira Reverente

A group of local women took to the streets on April 29th to highlight Denim Day, a worldwide movement that culminated in Italy, in 1992.

An 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor. She reported the crime and the man was convicted and sentenced. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming the sex was consensual. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and released the man. The Supreme Court contended that since the girl was wearing very tight jeans, it was consensual sex since she had to have helped him take them off.

This became known in Italy as the “jeans alibi.” The movement became known later on as Denim Day all around the world, bringing awareness to rape and sexual assault.

“Tight jeans is not consensual sex,” says Kelly Zirbes, a local activist and band singer from Oxnard. Zirbes led the nine-mile walk on April 29th with six other women, hoping to bring awareness to the cause.

Behavioral therapist Laurie Singer was also around to lend support to Zirbes and the movement. “I’ve seen some lonely and housebound people especially since the start of the lockdown – people with disabilities, for one,” says Singer, who practices in Oxnard. “They may be helpless, disconnected from others, living with their abuser and accepting assault or violence as the new norms.”

Sometimes, medical professionals such as Singer who are mandated reporters, are their only meaningful connections. “I make house calls if I have to. I don’t like to see any type of abuse,” she says.

On the community level, Zirbes is heartened by how the movement has taken off on college campuses. She remembers various types of denim hanging from clotheslines on some college campuses, and hopes to see more of this type of enthusiasm and support.

She says, “I think that is where we will be the most effective because it’s that age group of young women who may be preyed upon.”

Catchy slogans and marching women are effective too. Singer says, “People were honking at us, reading our placards and giving encouragement during our walk.”

Some have no idea what Denim Day is. “There’s still lots to do on the grassroots level,” says Zirbes. “Awareness is key.”

In the past, fundraisers have been held. The recent lockdown has put a damper on any large-scale ambitions, but there’s still next year.

“We are aiming for a bigger and better movement for sure next year, and hopefully beyond Ventura too” says Zirbes. “We need to get the word out for our daughters’ sakes and all the women in the world who may find themselves in the same situation.”

CAPS Media producing updates on COVID-19

Student Jacob Sommer from El Camino High School is part of the team.

CAPS Media Crews are working with Ventura City and County officials to produce ongoing COVID-19 updates for the community. In addition to helping facilitate coverage and streaming of City Council meetings from Ventura City Hall, CAPS crews are producing weekly updates by Ventura City Mayor Matt LaVere and collaborating with Ventura City Fire, Police and Public Works departments to provide the community with additional accurate information.

CAPS Crews are also on site for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday County updates by Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin and other officials. All of the updates are distributed on multiple social media platforms as well as translated for the Spanish speaking community. Rest assured that CAPS crew members are taking every precaution to be safe during this difficult time.

CAPS RADIO KPPQ 104.1 FM is very involved in the public COVID-19 information campaign. City Council meetings held on Monday evenings are rebroadcast on KPPQ on Wednesday nights at 10pm. CAPS RADIO is also rebroadcasting every County and City update the following day and reposting videos on CAPS Media’s Facebook page and other social media platforms.

KPPQ producers are creating video diaries and recording their shows from home including interviews with community members and leaders. The KPPQ productions extend beyond the borders with radio producer Mary Egan working in her home studio and sending audio updates from Sydney, Australia for airing on KPPQ.

Students in the El Camino high school at Ventura College program who are actively engaged in the ECTV immersive media program, recently won two national awards from ACM (Alliance for Community Media). In the Community Events category, ECTV won for an in-depth profile and interview by Eli Zarate and her ECTV crew with Ventura Deputy Mayor, Sofia Rubalcava at the first Va Por La Avenida at Kellogg Park. The second award, in the Entertainment and Arts Series category, was for a series of programs called Creative Community 2.0, which is a collaboration between host David Starkey, a teacher at Santa Barbara City College and the entire ECTV crew. During the COVID-19 crisis ECTV students are producing PSA and other messages that are broadcast and streamed on CAPS Media and rebroadcast on KPPQ.

Thanks to everyone who submitted projects to CAPS Media’s #VENTURASTORIES. CAPS is reviewing the submissions and will start rolling out selected stories in the next couple of weeks. Send CAPS your Story. Be creative, imaginative and informative. Make #VenturaStories a family project with videos of kids, pets, cooking, hobbies, sports, art, music, games, movie/book/tv reviews, exercise and more.

Or, if you know a health care worker, service person or neighbor you want to thank, #VenturaStories is a great way to do it. When you’re ready for your television premiere, submit your work of art to #VenturaStories at capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find simple instructions on how to upload your video as well as production tips and additional information.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the CAPS Media Center is closed to Member/Producers and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM.

All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Ventura Pier provides meaningful memories

Wouldn’t you like your name here? Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Pier into the Future, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier is offering permanent engravings on the granite panels at the entrance to the Pier for $175 through May 31, 2020. Beginning June1st the price will increase to $200. The engravings provide a meaningful way to honor a family or to memorialize a loved one.

“Our goal this year is to raise funds to provide increased security, graffiti removal and extra cleanings to ensure the Pier is safe and clean. Once the Pier is reopened, we look forward to welcoming residents back to a place that is safe and provides a sense of hope”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez.

With the largest fundraiser of the year, Pier Under the Stars (normally held in October), cancelled this year due to Covid 19, Pier into the Future is hoping the community will consider having their name engraved on the Pier to help supplement the loss of revenue from the event. Pier Under the Stars- Ventura’s largest food and drink event- will take a year off and will return again on October 2, 2021.

Pier into the Future was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $811,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 27 years to enhance the Pier.

Please visit www.pierintothefuture.org or call 805.804.7735 for more information about pier engravings or other ways to support the historic Ventura Pier

MVC offering new virtual exhibits and virtual learning modules

Enjoy museum events and learning from home.

Originally scheduled to open in early March, but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Huelga! Photographs from the Frontlines by Jorge Corralejo and Legacy: Seven Decades of Ventura College Art are now available as virtual exhibits! Visitors can now virtually step directly into the Museum of Ventura County’s exhibit space and explore in great detail thanks to the generosity of Troy Wagner and Virtual Tours Ventura.

“We are very thankful to be able to bring this exciting new tour of the Museum, straight to your home. Our friends at Virtual Tours Ventura, along with the Ventura College Art Department and Jorge Corralejo, have created an intimate and informative look at what is going on at the Museum,” says Elena Brokaw, The Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director of the Museum of Ventura County. “We are committed to continuing to bring you more tours like these to make sure we can share our continuing programming.”

Legacy: Seven Decades of Ventura College Art presents a survey of the history, instructors, and artists who came out of the Ventura College art department. Huelga! Photographs from the Frontlines by Jorge Corralejo features the work of longtime local activist and civic leader Jorge Corralejo, including photography from the 1970s labor strikes displayed with memorabilia from the museum’s collection and Jorge himself. Virtual visitors will learn about Jorge Corralejo’s time with United Farm Workers, working alongside Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta from the Boston A & P strikes to the streets of Oxnard.

Additionally, the Museum of Ventura County released an in-depth look at California Cool: Mid-century Modernism on the Central Coast, originally on display from September 2019—February 2020. Virtual visitors are invited to step back in time to a cooler and more sophisticated era of design with this online tour, offering a thorough look at many of the artifacts and artwork featured in the exhibit, including the Nelson Coconut Chair, pottery by renowned ceramicist Otto Heino, and special items from the collection of Eric Huff. More virtual exhibits from the museum’s extensive history will be added in the coming weeks.

The Museum of Ventura County is committed to providing educational resources during this difficult time so children and their families can continue to learn and participate from the comfort and safety of their home. The Museum continues to release its series of Virtual Learning Modules in an effort to engage our community of learners.

“During the stay-at-home period, we want our community to know the Museum is here for them,” explains Robert Cromwell, Education Manager of the Museum of Ventura County. “We organize our content around a topic that parents and teachers can pick and choose what they might find most useful to share with their learners. We cover history, arts and crafts, and environmental science topics ranging from Oak Trees and nature-journaling to how kids and families supported WWII Mobilization.”

Keep up to date on all that the Museum of Ventura County is offering and sign up for our weekly e-newsletter at www.venturamuseum.org/subscribe.

NAWBO Ventura County hosts “Speaking Up for Change”

Lisa Braithwaite, M.A. is on a mission to help purpose-driven business and nonprofits.

The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC), knowing that maintaining and growing your business is now more than important than ever, continues to bring our community informative and educational programming in a virtual environment.

On May 12th from 6pm to 8pm, NAWBO VC with support from Chase Bank and Coverly Professional Services, Inc. will host via Zoom, “Speaking Up for Change – Engage, Inspire & Transform Your Audiences,” presented by speaking coach Lisa Braithwaite, M.A. Tickets are just $20 for all who register at www.NAWBOVC.org.

This virtual session isn’t about what to do with your hands, how to make eye contact, how to stop saying “um,” or how to get over speaking anxiety. Rather, learn how to move your audiences, even one-on-one interactions, into action by making an impact on people through engagement and connection. Notes Braithwaite, “The fundamentals of helping people to take action on your message haven’t changed, even while doing it virtually. In fact, it’s more important than ever to speak confidently and in a way that engages your audience as we deliver our messages through a computer screen.”

This session is perfect for all women in business, who must learn to leverage the powerful tool of her own voice as a way to deliver a meaningful and memorable experience, whether for an audience or during interpersonal interactions. Being a proficient communicator and speaker can help you to grow your business in a way that engages and inspires your audience into action. Join us and learn how to leverage speaking to:

Speaker Lisa Braithwaite, M.A. is on a mission to help purpose-driven business and nonprofit leaders deliver meaningful and memorable experiences for their audiences by ditching perfection and creating connection. She’s a speaking coach, trainer, and author of “Presenting for Humans: Insights for Speakers on Ditching Perfection and Creating Connection.” Lisa mentors entrepreneurs and professionals to promote and grow their organizations through speaking. Lisa’s counts amount her clients, Microsoft, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, and UC Santa Barbara.

NAWBO Ventura County – Established in 1996, NAWBO Ventura County (NAWBO VC) has been furthering the aspirations of our growing community of women business owners throughout the county for over 23 years. The chapter serves women business owners from the west end of the county, including Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, and throughout the Conejo Valley, to Simi Valley, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. The national organization, NAWBO, has over 80 chapters across the United States with 11 chapters in California. Membership is open to women solopreneurs, small to mid-size business owners, partners, corporate owners, and female nonprofit founders and executives, as well as those companies that support women-owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.

Pedestrian killed

A pedestrian was hit and killed by a vehicle on Tuesday, April 28. The crash was reported at 5:47 p.m. by the driver of the vehicle, according to the Ventura Police Department.

The driver said the vehicle struck the pedestrian on Thille Street just north of Thille Neighborhood Park, police said. After calling 911 the driver started giving the pedestrian medical aid, authorities said.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Larry Kirby, 42, of Ventura. His cause of death was ruled as a blunt force head injury.

Officers, paramedics and firefighters responded to the scene and continued to provide the victim with medical treatment. The victim was taken to a hospital but died while being treated, police said.

Once Ventura had its own broadcast TV station  KKOG

by Richard Senate

The station had its studio on South California Street, broadcasting on Channel 16. It began transmitting on December 14th, 1968 and lasted only nine months.  The whole thing was the brainchild of Hollywood talent scout Julian F. Myers, who lived in the Ventura Keys. It took him two years to get the paperwork done and build the transmission tower on Red Mountain. He rented an old paint store at 133 South California street and set it up with two studios.

He named his station Kalifornia Koast of Gold (KKOG). Unfortunately, it provided a weak, grainy signal on channel 16. It was black and white as most other stations were transitioning to color.  In many ways it was a throw back to the 1950s and all shows were broadcast live. Mr. Myers hosted many of the shows himself. It had dance groups perform, local bands, with a kid’s program host by actor Gary Dyer reading stories but now showing cartoons.

Local  Ventura High school history teacher Alfonso Mara  did a news show, and Spanish teacher  Frank Maaggpinto  did a Spanish Language show called “Si Sixteen.”  Many church shows filled the airwaves on Sunday along with panel groups discussing local issues. In many ways it resembles cable six programming today.  With low viewership, backers walked out after only six weeks. More and more of the staff went unpaid with many continuing to work as unpaid volunteers. They had a hard time filling its 65 hours of programming each week.  The owner tried to sell the station but there were no takers and at last, after his home was foreclosed upon and they were unable to pay the rent on the store building, it closed its doors for good.

A dream, perhaps ahead of the times. Mr. Myers left the station with only ten dollars in his pocket.  Why did it fail? Poor programming and a lack of local support. Perhaps the day will come when Ventura will have its own commercial station. Let them learn the lessons from KKOG and the 1968-9 run of Julian Myers television dream.

We now have local CAPS TV.

May 4-8, 2020 is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week.

by Madhu Bajaj President, Ventura Education Partnership

A friend recently reminded me that research shows that having one connection to a caring stable adult builds resilience in children.  School provides the opportunity to have not just one connection but many. As I think about who I am today and memorable childhood experiences a number of them were shaped by school, by the dedicated people who work in schools. And as I look at the wonderful, young man my son is becoming, I know I have school to thank for supporting him in figuring out who he is, how to be his best and how he will contribute to our world.

May 4-8, 2020 is Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Normally, it is a special time on school campuses to recognize everyone working hard on behalf of our community’s kids with sweet drawings, notes, special lunches and more. And like so much of life right now, this week will look and feel very different… no surprises, cute giggles, hugs.

This year, teachers and staff are working harder than ever from their homes to connect with their students and keep them engaged through distance learning. And, Ventura Unified’s Food and Nutrition Services is feeding thousands of children with a meal distribution program. The amount of preparation, planning and training required to make these massive shifts in education is unimaginable and heroic.

Please join me in thanking the amazing team at VUSD who are working so hard during uncertain and stressful times and for taking care of our community’s children.

This week, and always, please take a minute to appreciate teachers and staff working with care and compassion to educate our future. I know I will be writing many heartfelt notes this week.

How do ventilators work?

In some COVID-19 cases, the virus can attack a patient’s respiratory system, wreaking havoc on the lungs.The question many are left seeking an answer for is how exactly ventilators help severely ill patients diagnosed with the virus.

Dr. Jonathan Richards with Our Lady of the Lake works in the Pulmonary Care Unit says the virus can lead to inflammation in the respiratory system. “When that happens people have difficulty breathing, they may have wheezing,” Dr. Richards explains. “They experience shortness of breath and in a worst-case scenario it causes their oxygen levels to become low.”

A ventilator compresses air to the lungs, according to Dr. Richards. Tubes get inserted through a patient’s mouth into their lungs. Those tubes connect to a hose that goes to the ventilator.

“And that allows the physician to choose a number of breaths and a certain amount of air pushed in by the breathing machine. It also allows us to choose how much oxygen goes into the lungs,” said Richards.

Doctors say when someone with COVID-19 is severely ill, the ventilator is the best option to pass along a high concentration of oxygen.

He says most people might be familiar with the nasal cannula device also used to deliver oxygen, however, there’s only a certain amount of air that can be delivered that way.

Some may wonder why physicians are not opting to use a CPAP Machine or something similar.

But Dr. Richards says receiving oxygen through a mask on the outside of the face tends to not be as effective in severe cases. Also, the constant flow of air could increase the spread.

“Blowing that air in and that air coming out around that mask means that the virus can be put into the air,” Dr. Richards says. “It can stay suspended in some cases up to three hours by the best science that we have about this. Certainly, that increases the risk of other healthcare providers coming into the room, but also increases the chance of someone in the hospital becoming infected.”

However, Dr. Richards says if you do use a CPAP machine at home and have been given a positive diagnosis, continue using your machine as prescribed. Any questions or concerns should be directed toward your physician.