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Volunteers help those with low-moderate incomes file for available tax credits

Ventura County residents are encouraged to take advantage of ways to put more money back in their pocket with the help of United Way of Ventura County’s (UWVC) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).

Throughout February to May, volunteers at free VITA tax preparation sites will help working families and individuals file their state and federal tax return and access the tax credits to which they are eligible. Households earning up to $56,000 in 2019 are eligible to use the free services of a VITA site.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for low- to moderate-income working families and individuals. The EITC can help you reduce your tax liability and, in many cases, save you money. To qualify for the EITC, you must have worked at least part of 2019 and meet certain income requirements.

In addition to the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the state Earned Income Tax Credit (CalEITC) is also available to families and individuals in California. Most recently in 2019, California’s EITC is available for households with adjusted gross incomes of less than $30,000 regardless of qualifying children. California EITC requires earned income reported on a W-2 form, such as wages, salaries, and tips, and self-employment income (such as 1099 and cash-earnings).

This year, the state of California is introducing the new Young Child Tax Credit which can also give families a tax benefit. If you meet the CalEITC requirement and have a child under the age of 6 by the end of the tax year, you may also qualify to receive $1,000 per family.

Together, these state credits can put hundreds or even thousands of dollars back into the pockets of individuals and families. Appointments are available by calling 2-1-1. The VITA is through May 2, 2020.

City of Ventura Housing Authority, 375 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura

Ventura Community Service Center, 4651 Telephone Road, #200, Ventura

For more, visit https://vcunitedway.org/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/ or call 2-1-1.

Since 1945, United Way of Ventura County has advanced the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. Our focus is on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. We support local services and programs that are more than just ‘stop gap’ measures, but rather solutions that help create lasting change. We invite everyone to be part of the change by giving, advocating and volunteering. When we work together in common purpose, we LIVE UNITED. For more information about United Way of Ventura County, visit www.vcunitedway.org.

Buenaventura Art Association 34th Annual Open Competition Winners

Tango Dancer Oil on linen 1st Place Duane Eells

Buenaventura Art Association is exhibiting award winners and other select works of fine art during its 34th annual Open Competition, running until Feb. 22 in The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Pavilion of the Museum of Ventura County. Noted Oxnard artist and instructor Aaron Westerberg served as juror.

The competition was open to all professional and amateur artists in all media. Awards were announced at a gala reception on Jan. 25. First Place was awarded to Ojai artist, Duane Eells

Brand New Day Watercolor 2nd Place Lois Bloom

Second Place went to Lois Bloom , Galina Richardson won Third Place and Honorable Mentions were given to artists Ricardo Morales, Barbara Brown, Diane Hanley and Don Fay.

The Museum of Ventura County is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 11am to 5pm, however the Smith Pavilion meeting room, where the exhibit is displayed, is frequently closed to the public when it is rented out for other events. Please call ahead to make sure the Pavilion is open to the public when you plan to visit. Entrance fees apply. Call the museum at 805-653-0323.

Managing the maze of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease

Suz Montgomery speaks about dementia and Alzheimer’s. Photo by Bernie Goldstein

by Carol Leish

On January 21, 2020, at The Ventura Avenue Adult Center, the Ventura Council on Senior’s chair, Suz Montgomery, said that, ‘The importance of doing this talk about dementia and Alzheimer’s within our community is essential, since we need to find ways to improve things for those, who are affected, in order for them to be able to live better lives. The issues of caregiving and transportation are also important topics for us to discuss.”

Teresa Valko, who is a Board Chair, at the Alzheimer’s Association, CA Central Coast Chapter, first mentioned that the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is, “Dementia is the umbrella diagnosis of memory loss/cognitive impairments that affect daily life in which 60-70% of the time is caused by Alzheimer’s.”

“By getting an assessment and diagnosis in the early stages,” according to, Valko, “People affected will be able to do some planning and to have a voice according to what their wishes/desires are.” She said that, “14,000 people in Ventura are living with Alzheimer’s, which is the 3rd leading cause of death in California, with no cure.” That’s why she mentioned that, “Funding for research is important, especially with no cure yet, since we are all paying taxes.” She said that many bills at the federal level seek to support caregivers.” Continued funding has put more money in research from top scientists through the world. “All researchers, from all over the world, are sharing their data, since everyone wants to see a change, and a cure.”

Teri Helton, MSN, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ventura County Caregivers: Volunteers Assisting the Elderly, focused on ways of managing common behaviors in dementia sufferers. She stressed that, ‘It is important to be understanding, and to offer support to those who are suffering.” She said that this includes, “Helping others by simplifying and organizing their daily routines and limiting distractions. Also, by empathizing and saying, ‘I see you’re frustrated. How can I help?’”

“Late stage challenges within people with dementia,” according to, Helton, “include, the ability to communicate, and possible trouble with sleeping.” She said that, ‘It’s essential to give slow and direct/compassionate statements, since emotions remain intact.” She said that by maintaining a regular routine, and by asking only one question at a time, others feel more comfortable with their particular situation.

Phil Chandler, MBA, Owner/President of Right at Home of Ventura County, is a Senior Advisor, focused on the importance of self-love for caregivers. He said, “It’s important to keep our loved ones safe, happy, and to keep them engaged.” He said that there are many support groups within Ventura County to help out caregivers of those with dementia. “Also, seeing a therapist or counselor might be helpful to those who are caregivers.”

Chandler also emphasized that, “It is very important to set up a legal Power of Attorney and do Estate Planning, if you’re over the age of 18, in order to be able to have a voice of how you want to be treated if you can’t voice it for yourself.”

According to Suz Montgomery, “It’s important to understand how to manage the maze of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, since it is a current crisis that we need to make a priority by finding treatments and cures in order to improve situations.”

Nonsurgical treatment for chronic pain explored at Seminar

Nevro HF10 spinal implant, now available at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, offers new hope to chronic pain sufferers. Chronic pain is a silent monster that haunts nearly one in five Americans and can stand in the way of even the most basic daily activities. Effective chronic pain treatment is often elusive, but recently, many patients have been reclaiming their lives with HF10, a new spinal cord stimulation therapy that brings significant relief.

Join Community Memorial Health System at a free seminar to find out if this treatment is right for you. The seminar takes place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 27, in Ventura. Titled “When Back Surgery is Not the Answer,” the seminar is hosted by Community Memorial Health System as part of its 2020 Speaker Series.

Dr. Michael Dorsi will discuss HF10, a nonsurgical treatment that has been shown to treat back, leg, neck and arm pain as well as peripheral neuropathy. Common candidates for the new implant are those with chronic pain who previously had spinal surgery and didn’t get relief, people with back or leg pain that lacks a surgical fix, or people who can’t have back surgery due to other health conditions. HF10 also is an option for patients who had spinal stimulators in the past with older technology that produces uncomfortable tingling sensations or just didn’t provide long-term relief.

Dr. Dorsi specializes in neurosurgery with subspecialty expertise in brain, spine and peripheral nerve surgery. He received his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, trained in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, and completed an advanced spinal care fellowship at UCLA. Dr. Dorsi, a pioneering neurosurgeon who is among the first to implant the HF10, is an active member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

The Feb. 27 seminar begins at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. Registration is free but reservations are required. For reservations, visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

Vol. 13, No. 10 – Feb 12 – Feb 25, 2020 – Movie Review

Movie Review by Cindy Summers
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

In “Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” Harley Quinn is targeted by sadistic nightclub owner Roman Sionis and teams up with the Huntress, Black Canary and Det. Renee Montoya to protect young pickpocket Cass and take down Sionis. Released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Directed Cathy Yan, Written by Christina Hodson and Starring Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.

Having just broken up with the Joker, Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) finds her independence but also finds herself targeted by everyone who she wronged, sadistic nightclub owner Roman Sionis/Black Mask (Ewan McGregor) being at the top of the list. Sionis eventually captures Harley, who negotiates her release by promising to find a stolen diamond young pickpocket Cassandra “Cass” Cain (Ella Jay Basco) took from Zsasz, Sionis’ face-carving right-hand-man. Unfortunately, Cass had just been picked up by police and was in jail, so Harley grabbed a sling full of glitter and color filled bean bags for her shotgun, and broke Cass out of jail using her ninja-like fighting skills.

Cass decided the safest place to keep the diamond was to swallow it, which created quite a predicament for Harley, who decided the best option was to get some laxative and duct tape Cass to a toilet. To make things more challenging, Sionis put a $500,000 bounty out on Cass, which had Harley fighting every bad guy in the city to protect Cass, though she eventually reverted back to her bad self and made a deal with Sionis to hand over Cass.

Dinah Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), who originally worked in Sionis’ club as a singer but was basically forced to become his driver, warned Detective Renee Montoya (Rose Perez) that Harley planned to turn Cass over to Sionis at an abandon amusement park. Montoya headed to the park to rescue Cass, joined by the Huntress looking to recover her family’s diamond. Sionis hired an army of thugs who gathered at the park and seemed the odds were against them, but together Harley, the Huntress, Black Canary and Det. Montoya battled the bad guys, little Cass being the one to kill Sionis with a surprise grenade.

Following all that excitement, Montoya decided to leave the police force and join the Huntress and Black Canary as vigilantes known as the “Birds of Prey” while Harley pursued her own private eye business with Cass as her sidekick.

Harley’s charm and wit keeps viewers rooting for her every step of the way, displaying incredible fighting skills with stunts that seem almost superhuman while using very creative and often explosive methods to overcome endless obstacles in this fast paced, action packed film. Margot Robbie, who was a also producer, colorfully embodies the spirit of Harley Quinn while also having a deliberate focus on a message of freeing women from male oppression, whether it be Harley living the Joker’s life, Det. Renee Montoya constantly being undermined by male coworkers taking credit for her work, the Black Canary being dominated by her sadistic employer Sionis, or the Huntress’ family being senselessly murdered by a ruthless mob boss, all had a back story involving evolving in the movie to a “no more” mentality.

R (for strong violence and language throughout, and some sexual and drug material)
109 minutes

 

Court seeking civil grand jury applications

Ventura Superior Court is now accepting applications through April 17, 2020, from citizens interested in serving as civil grand jurors for the July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 session.

Those interested must have the following qualifications: citizen of the United States; 18 years of age or older; resident of Ventura County for at least one year prior to July 1, 2020; be of sound judgment and fair character; possess sufficient knowledge of the English language; and be able to attend hearings and meetings four to five days a week.

Principal functions of the Grand Jury include review of public complaints, investigation of County government agencies, inquiry into management of public prisons within the County, investigation of special districts of the county and city government, involvement in fiscal or management audits, and preparation of reports on investigated matters. A per diem fee plus mileage is paid.

Applications can be located on the Ventura County Grand Jury website at www.ventura.org/grand-jury or may be obtained from Jury Services by e-mail jury- [email protected] or calling (805) 289-8661 for information.

Applications may be submitted to: Ventura Superior Court, Jury Services, Room 113, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura, CA 93009, and must be postmarked no later than Friday, April 17, 2020.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6489, Ventura, California 93006-6489

Barbara Meister and Jordan Laby honored for lifetime contributions to the arts & community

The Board of the Ventura Music Festival is pleased to announce its 2020 Honorees for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts and Community.

Barbara Meister

Speaking for the Board, its president Richard Reisman said: “These two prominent individuals – Barbara Meister and Jordan Laby, together with their late spouses – have made culture- and community-changing contributions that literally created the arts landscape in Ventura and beyond, to say nothing of their important contributions to health (CMH) and education (VUSD).”

The Laby and Meister cultural legacies include founding and ongoing support for the New West Symphony, Ventura Music Festival, Rubicon Theatre, Focus on the Masters, Laby Harmony Project, Ventura County Ballet and more. Each of these institutions is now celebrating a 20th or 25th anniversary which means the number of people impacted, including the youngest members of the community, is in the hundreds of thousands.

Jordan Laby

“I’m always struck by their humility,” said “Festival Executive Director Susan Scott. “Each has accomplished so much, both professionally and philanthropically, yet neither seeks the limelight and talks instead about ‘giving back’ and the importance of arts and music education for children and recognition of local artists as cultural assets.”

The 2020 VMF Honorees will be honored with a video, dinner and live music performance at the annual VMF Honoree Awards and Cabaret Fundraiser on Thursday, April 30th, at the Ventura Beach Marriott hotel.

Past honorees include Betsy Blanchard Chess, Doug Halter, Nancy and Spencer Garrett, Justice Steven Z. Perren, Micheline Sakharoff, Freddie Contarino, the Limoneira Company and E. J. Harrison.

The Ventura Music Festival celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2019, with a record of 300,000 festival-goers attending over 200 performances, and 40,000 children in its Music in the Schools program. The VMF mission: to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships and enhance the joy of music through offerings for all ages.

VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music. Its 26th season is set for July 23-26 and July 30-Aug.2. The public is warmly invited to a free preview of the season on Sunday, February 16th, 3pm at the Museum of Ventura County on

Vol. 13, No. 10 – Feb 12 – Feb 25, 2020 – Opinion/Editorial

∙ I am supporting Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere for the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in the March 3 elections. I would love to see him follow in the footsteps of Steve Bennett (who also started out as a Ventura city council member) prior to becoming a supervisor.

Matt is young (but not too young), intelligent, a Venturan and has 2 small children which will ensure that he continues to care for Ventura. Having 2 very locals on the Board can only help Ventura.

Also, speaking about Steve Bennett, he is running for Ventura County Supervisor in the March primary. He is seeking the seat that incumbent Monique Limón is vacating in the 37th District seat that Limón, D-Santa Barbara, is leaving to run for the state Senate, which is currently held by Hannah-Beth Jackson in the state Assembly – can you follow that?

∙ There are no confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Ventura County (rumor has said differently). There have been reports of two possible cases in the County, but both have been negative. Samples were taken from both patients and sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Stated Doctor Robert Levin, Ventura County Public Health Medical Director, “At this time the chances that someone will encounter a person infected with this new coronavirus in Ventura County are very small. Public Health monitoring is ongoing and thorough. We will inform the public if the situation changes.”

Certainly, a major concern. We can only hope it doesn’t show up here.

∙What’s in a name? Apparently, a lot. I had an NFL championship football party, and no one showed up. A friend had a Superbowl Party and 50 people showed up. And I had better food.

∙Ventura’s voters will decide in November if Ventura’s City Council will consider allowing marijuana stores and other cannabis businesses by voting to allow the city to tax these type businesses when they do open.

The City Council voted unanimously to put a measure on the November ballot that will establish city-based taxes on cannabis businesses. And, on a 5-2 vote, the council decided that if the tax measure passes, the city will issue permits for business that could include retail sales, distribution and testing, but not commercial growing in Ventura. Members Christy Weir and Cheryl Heitman were the two no votes.

If Ventura does decide to allow cannabis businesses, it would be the fifth city in Ventura County to allow them. Both Ojai and Port Hueneme have storefront dispensaries for recreational sales. Until now, the Ventura City Council has declined to allow any cannabis businesses to operate in the city.

The vote won’t by itself permit any stores or other businesses but would tell the Council what Venturan’s think about these businesses and guide their future thinking and approvals.

Cannabis taxes in other cities in Ventura County have easily passed. In Thousand Oaks with 76% of the vote, and one in Oxnard, with 80% of the vote.

Cities in the county with legal marijuana sales have put limits on how many stores they allow and where they can be located, with buffers required around schools and parks. They also require security on the premises, and no one under the age of 21 may enter the stores.

While the City Council was unanimous in its support for putting cannabis taxes on the ballot, there was still some debate about whether to permit cannabis businesses if the tax passes.

So, if we approve taxes but not allow the businesses, we tax nothing and get nothing! I don’t think that legal marijuana stores in Ventura will be detrimental in any way and we are losing lots of tax money. Why should Venturan’s need to leave the city in order to buy cannabis and just bring it back here to use?

∙Utah is now the 19th state to outlaw conversion therapy for minors after a new rule from its governor went into effect. The ban issued by Gov. Gary Herbert, a Republican, comes a year after an effort to end conversion therapy which is an attempt to forcibly change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It does not work and puts them at a greater risk of depression and suicide. Just let people be what the choose to be as long as it doesn’t harm others.

∙Newly installed walls on the US border wall recently fell over in high winds landing on trees on the Mexican side of the border. The sections that gave way had recently been set in a new concrete foundation in Calexico, California. The concrete had not yet cured so the wall panels were unable to withstand the windy conditions. They were obviously built poorly on purpose and meant to fall into Mexico so that Mexico would need to build them correctly. I would say very clever.

∙The LA Times had an article (“To be lonely no more”) suggesting several ways for people to actually do things together in person.

Eventually it won’t be necessary to leave our homes for anything or speak to anyone. Maybe that time has arrived.

These are a few of them:

HIT THE TRAILS (see events for Ventura hiking group)

HOST A POTLUCK OR DINNER PARTY (and invite me)

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW

VOLUNTEER

HOST A BACKYARD MOVIE NIGHT

TRIVIA AND GAME NIGHTS

GET INVOLVED IN THE 2020 ELECTION (no comment)

Reminds me of a grandson saying, “I just spoke with grandma.”

“How did she sound, asked dad?” “I don’t know I texted her.”

∙A Public Policy Institute of California poll found that homelessness is one of Californian’s biggest concerns with over 80% seeing it as a problem. Concerns include compassion for the homeless and revulsion that they are living on our sidewalks and parks (which they can legally do in most cases).

The solutions are so very complicated. Some major companies, Microsoft, for example, has pledged over $800 million toward affordable housing in Seattle. Alphabet, Facebook and Apple have also pledged billions of dollars toward easing the situation in California.

∙Aren’t you proud of me a whole article and I didn’t mention Trump? Oops, I just did. You can make up what I would have said (and send it to me).

 Ventura County Children and Family Services’ is changing their name   

Ventura County Children and Family Services’ is changing their name to Homes with Heart VC. The change is due to the outpouring of support from the community, who graciously open their homes to youth and children in care and speaks more genuinely to the mission behind recruitment, to find loving homes with heart to mentor and support our children, youth and their families.

Historically, Foster VC Kids recruitment program has garnered a significant increase in resource family inquiries since it first started in 2014.  Now the brand seeks to innovate by re-educating everyone on why they are changing their name to Homes with Heart VC.

The initiative was developed six years ago to increase the amount of loving families to take in and support youth in care in Ventura.   Learn how Ventura County Children and Family Services’ Homes with Heart VC is making a difference throughout Ventura County, www.homeswithheartvc.org.