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Irene Olson entertainer extraordinaire passes on

Irene sang for her breakfast, lunch and supper

Irene Ruth Olson

Irene was born on 6/12/1924; she died on October 5, 2019 at age 95.  She was musically inclined at an early age. At seven, she was taking piano lessons.  At nine, she was studying piano with a concert pianist and playing at PTA meetings.  In junior high and high school, she learned to play the string bass.  She was also the pianist for the voice class and glee club.  She graduated from USC with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education, having played in many stage productions during college.  After college, she volunteered for the USO and was secretly taken to bases to entertain the troops. In the 1950’s, she moved to Long Beach and taught music in junior high and high school.  She later worked as a substitute teacher for the LBUSD.  She also played for summer stock at the Alpert JCC.

She moved to Ventura in 1998 and played piano for Temple Beth Torah.  In 2002, she moved to Leisure Village where she formed and directed the singing group “The Rhythmettes.”  In 2014, she moved into the Ventura TowneHouse and started the “TowneHouse Choraliers.”  In 2019, Irene moved back to Leisure Village to live with and be cared for by her daughter Adriene.

Shewas married to Jack Marion, Harold Alpert, and Harry Olson, all of whom are deceased.  She is survived by her daughters Jan Childs (Ken) and Adriene Alpert Cardan, her grandchildren Richard Gauvin (Kimberly), Christina McIntire (Michael), and James Cobb, as well as three great-grandchildren:  Natalie Gauvin, Nicholas Gauvin, and Ailey McIntire.

Her friend Es Cole remarked “Irene gave and gave of herself and her talent. Wherever she now, I know there is an audience clapping in rhythm as Irene plays and plays, the piano she loves.”

 

Ventura County’s Ombudsman Program one caring for many

Ombudsmen are volunteer advocates for the rights and needs of the elderly and disabled.

by Jill Forman

Do not cast me away when I am old;

Do not forsake me when my strength is gone… Psalm 71

In Ventura County there are approximately 8,000 residents of long-term care facilities: nursing homes, assisted living facilities and board and care homes. Almost one-half of all Americans over 65 will spend some time in a long-term care facility. Sixty percent of nursing home residents have no family or friends who visit or check on them.

This is where the Ombudsman program comes in. Ombudsmen are volunteer advocates for the rights and needs of elderly and disabled residents. They investigate and resolve complaints, serve as intermediaries, and work to assure the highest quality of life and care possible. They benefit the staff as well as the residents; their early intervention can help small complaints from becoming big ones.

They not only assist those without families; relatives and friends as well as the residents themselves can contact the program. Families often are also suffering from trauma and grief. Ombudsman can provide pre-placement counseling to alleviate some of the difficulties.

Sylvia Taylor-Stein, Executive Director for the past 20 years, says that this is “…great work.” She came from the private sector and was looking for something to “…bring more meaning to my life.” She beams as she talks about the program, the volunteers, and the procedure that has been established to ensure everyone is contacted.

Every nursing home in the county, nineteen of them, are visited by a volunteer weekly. Any new resident gets a visit from an Ombudsman who gets to know the person, their situation, and if any help is needed. Many residents have a real sense of loss and grief, having given up their home and independence. It is vital for them to realize that they have rights as much as anyone else. They need to feel they are in charge in some areas; so much of their life is out of their control already. Visits to facilities are unscheduled and unannounced. The Ombudsman poster is posted in plain view in all facilities. All services are free of charge and confidential.

If someone has a complaint, the volunteers will talk to the resident, staff, families and other involved people. They are what Taylor-Stein describes as “Express wish advocates,” acting on behalf of the resident. Their goal is to resolve problems to the satisfaction of the resident. If there is a list with multiple complaints, they will help the resident prioritize. It’s also important to realize the advocate may not be able to solve all problems.

All advocates, staff and volunteers complete 51 hours of core training and mentorship, as well as continuing education. There are currently 53 volunteers and 6 staff members. Advocates come from teaching, business, medicine, every area of life.

Ombudsman 805-656-1986 Afterhours Crisis Line 800-231-4024

[email protected]

Vol. 13, No. 5 – Dec 4 – Dec 17, 2019 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Snowflake a beautiful 6 1/2 year old Husky in need of a new home because my owner abandoned me. I don’t understand why, but I’m thankful C.A.R.L. will help me find my true forever home.

I’m an active girl who is playful and outgoing, but I need to be your one and only. No other dogs or cats in the home please. I’m crate trained and know some basic commands and walk well on leash. I was in a foster home for a short while, but I was jealous of the small children in the home getting attention. I wanted my foster mom’s and dad’s attention all to myself. I’d grab something to chew on that I knew I shouldn’t just to get them to come to me. I need a home with no small children.

If you’re looking for one great gal, stop by and meet me. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Sweet gentle Cornia is always purring. She makes a cute chirping noise (like
a bird) when she’s happy. Some think she’s a bit goofy looking, but we think
she has an endearing look which fits her adorable personality. Corina can be
found patiently waiting for you at our beautiful Simi location in kennel
#929. Ventura County Animal Services – Simi location – 670 W. Los Angeles Ave. 

Agricultural Commissioner to apply for Cal FIRE grant to remove diseased trees and mitigate fire hazards

The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner has submitted a request to Cal FIRE to receive a grant to offset the costs of removal of dead and diseased trees throughout the County. In recent years, the infestation of Invasive Shot Hole Borers in area trees have resulted in infected trees – either weakening them or causing them to die. When this happens, it’s important to get tree service removal California to ensure that more trees don’t get affected and to improve the safety of the public as they present an increased fire hazard to already dry vegetation during the traditional fire season. The grant, which assists with the removal and disposal of infected trees is available in the amount of $596,064.

“Since dead and dying trees are a concern for fire, and since our county has already suffered through significant wildfires in the last three years, this grant is critical for our county”, said Ed Williams, Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner. “The funding will provide support to help detect infected trees, prevent future infestation, and support suppression or cure efforts. This is a significant step to help support wildfire prevention and suppression.”

The Invasive Shot Hole Borer is a wood-boring beetle that attacks many tree species in Southern California. Trees both within urban and wildland environments are susceptible to the infestation. The State of California has provided $5 million to Cal FIRE to support counties in the removal of dead or diseased trees in an effort to mitigate increasing fire hazards across the state. A majority of the funding available has been offered to eight counties, of which Ventura County is included.

Vol. 13, No. 5 – Dec 4 – Dec 17, 2019 – Opinion/Editorial

∙ The Harbor is accepting proposals from business owners who want to lease part, or all, of the Village Carousel and Arcade space at the Harbor. That includes the arcade’s current owner who could move into a smaller space. Todd Mitchell, the harbor’s Business Operations Manager, said he would like to see some type of “family entertainment” remain.

By a 5-0 vote, the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners has approved a “request for proposals” for the building that houses the business. The Ventura Harbor will move ahead with plans to remodel the building and split it into as many as four rental units.The District plans to spend more than $600,000 renovating the building.

I understand that there is opposition to this, but the Harbor must be run like a business and be as profitable as possible.

∙Marijuana retail shops will soon open in Oxnard, but the question their city council must answer is where? I know—– they could be opened in Ventura. Oh wait, not approved here. Too bad.

∙I hate to see businesses close that I grew up with. The Catalina Casino (Avalon Theater) will stop showing movies. Commissioned by William Wrigley Jr., Catalina Casino opened in 1929, marking the 10-year anniversary of Wrigley’s 1919 purchase of Catalina Island. Beginning in 1934, the casino hosted big bands which were broadcast by CBS continually until the war. At its peak, Kay Kyser and his band had over 6,200 people dancing to his music there. Many other big bands appeared there.

It was even the first theatre built for “Talkies”. No, I didn’t see talkies there.

∙The City of Ventura has been collecting more than it spends under Measure O, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016. The half-cent sales tax brings in about $13 million per year, and in three years, it has collected about $11 million in unspent funds.

The city is in the early stages of drafting a five-year plan for Measure O spending. The City Council has approved “strategic principles” for that plan. Those principles will be focused on projects that were specifically mentioned in the text of Measure O.

Measure O was passed as a general sales tax, which means the city has broad discretion to spend it on almost anything. This was not what most of us thought when we voted for it.

“Everything qualifies” as potential Measure O spending, stated Ventura City Manager Alex McIntyre.

Part of the money is being spent on the city’s share (with the County) of the homeless shelter that’s set to open very soon. I believe this to be money very well spent.

There is a citizen’s oversight committee for Measure O, which makes recommendations to the City Council.

∙I thought that you should know about this finding. A pair of physicists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Russia recently proposed an entirely new view of the cosmos. Their research takes the strange idea that we’re living in a computer simulation and our entire universe is part of an immeasurably large quantum system spanning “uncountable” multiverses. I always thought that earth was part of a ball and earthquakes happened when aliens played catch with us. Maybe I’m wrong and they are correct.

∙Gangs in Mexico have repeatedly sawed through new sections of President Trump’s border wall in recent months by using commercially available power tools, opening gaps large enough for people and drug loads to pass through.

After years of touting the impenetrability of a border wall, President Donald Trump stated that, “We have a very powerful wall. But no matter how powerful, you can cut through anything, in all fairness. But we have a lot of people watching. You know cutting, cutting is one thing, but it’s easily fixed. One of the reasons we did it the way we did it, it’s very easily fixed.”

I get it. We built a real crummy wall so that it is easy to repair. BRILLIANT.

∙Here’s a look at the top 10 fattest states in the U.S. (actually the states aren’t fat, the people who live in them are):

Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Delaware and Ohio.

∙A new report by 11,258 scientists in 153 countries from a broad range of disciplines warns that the planet “clearly and unequivocally faces a climate emergency,” and provides six broad policy goals that must be met to address it.

The study, called the “World scientists’ warning of a climate emergency,” marks the first time a large group of scientists has formally come out in favor of labeling climate change an “emergency,” which the study notes is caused by many human trends that are together increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

∙ Scientists claim they have traced the homeland for all modern humans to a region of northern Botswana, south of the Zambesi River. Funny you don’t look Botswanian.

∙Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake has urged Republicans in Congress to not support President Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection bid, saying they have a moral obligation to put their principles first even if it means risking their careers.

Flake, a longtime Trump critic who has before argued that the Republican Party should not support the President in 2020, made his case in an op-ed published in The Washington Post titled “Fellow Republicans, there’s still time to save your souls.”

Also, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) criticized President Trump for quoting a pastor saying impeachment could trigger a “Civil War like fracture” in the country.

“I have visited nations ravaged by civil war,” Kinzinger tweeted. “I have never imagined such a quote to be repeated by a President. This is beyond repugnant.”

Former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent told CNN’s Ana Cabrera that House Republicans are “absolutely disgusted and exhausted by the President’s behavior.”

∙ No, this is not a Woody Allan movie A Maine man was killed after being shot by a device he had installed on the front door to protect his home from intruders. He forgot to protect his home from himself. Van Buren Officer Chandler Madore and the Van Buren Ambulance Service arrived to provide medical assistance to Cyr and discovered that the front door of Cyr’s home had been “outfitted with a device designed to fire a handgun should anyone attempt to enter the door.”

AVID Students in Ventura Unified School District outperform students nationally

The Ventura Unified School District has released new 2018-2019 data on the success of last year’s graduating class of students participating in the District’s AVID program. AVID is a nationally-recognized program that helps students navigate the college application process, and build the academic and soft skills needed to succeed in college and the workforce of the future.

Last year, 97% of Ventura Unified School District seniors participating in AVID completed a FAFSA application, compared to the national rate of 61%. Likewise, 100% of AVID students applied to a four-year college, and 92% were accepted. Nationally, 81% of high school students aspire to earn a bachelor’s degree, yet less than 50% enroll at a four-year university.

“I am so incredibly proud of everyone associated with the AVID program in our District. The students, teachers, and leaders all deserve our appreciation and congratulations for doing such an amazing job,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, Superintendent of Ventura Unified School District.

Research shows that applying for financial aid is one of the best predictors of whether a student will enroll in college. Through the AVID program, the District hosts regular Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) nights and provides dedicated in-school time for students to work with teachers and staff to complete their applications, providing them with better insight into the financial resources available to them.

“We congratulate Ventura Unified School District for its demonstrated commitment to ensuring that all students have the opportunity to pursue a post-secondary education. The milestones announced reflect Ventura Unified School District’s holistic approach to college readiness—starting with building a culture of high expectations among teachers and students, and including the delivery of rigorous, student-centric instruction that prepares them for college-level work,” said Dr. Sandy Husk, former school superintendent and CEO of AVID. “We are proud to be part of Ventura Unified School District’s work to ensure all students can reach their full potential.”

Ventura Unified School District joins 7,000 K-12 schools and districts across 47 states that partner with AVID to build a safe and open culture, high expectations for teachers and students, and collaboration in all classrooms. To learn more, visit www.AVID.org .

Bank of America awards $12,500 grant to Cabrillo

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation has received a $12,500 grant from Bank of America to help fund operating costs related to Real Estate Development and Resident and Community Services

The grant will provide funding for resident services staff to deliver programs and services to Cabrillo tenants and community residents, and for real estate development staff who will further the acquisition and development of new sites for affordable housing in Ventura County, according to Cabrillo’s Director of Business Development and Administration, Denise Bickerstaff.

“Cabrillo builds quality, well-designed housing that is affordable to those with limited means. Currently, CEDC manages 1,129 rental homes in 23 properties. Demand for both affordable family units and farmworker housing greatly exceeds supply in Ventura County. The median rent in Ventura County has increased 23% since 2000, but renter household income has declined 8%. Ventura County’s lowest-income renters spend up to 69% of income on rent, leaving little left for food, transportation, health expenses, and other needs,” Bickerstaff said.

Cabrillo resident services coordinators work with other nonprofit and public partners to provide a variety of resources, social opportunities and educational programs to more than 3,900 residents at Cabrillo properties

Health and wellness programs delivered by staff at Cabrillo include health and nutrition classes, physical exercise classes, and food distributions. Education programming includes English as a second language and citizenship classes, financial well-being classes, and leadership development. Youth activities include afterschool homework clubs, reading and summer programs, Mad Science, and arts and culture programs.

“The combination of safe, decent affordable housing and programs and services allows residents to improve their lives and their communities, creating a win-win for families and for our region as a whole,” said Cabrillo CEO Margarita H. de Escontrias.

Vol. 13, No. 5 – Dec 4 – Dec 17, 2019 – A View from House Seats

From beginning to end, the stage is filled with beloved characters.

by Shirley Lorraine

Seussical, an Amuse-ical Musical

The Ojai Art Center Theater closes out its 2019 season with the City’s Urban Forestry Department’s new 4,000 gallon water truck, the Musical directed by Gai Jones. An amalgam of Dr. Seuss stories bring their characters together for a new look at many of the familiar characters as their tales intertwine.

Performed almost entirely in Seuss’s inimitable and fanciful rhyme, the show builds around the plight of the hapless Horton, the elephant who egg-sits for the flighty and flamboyant Mayzie the bird who literally flies the coop. Horton is assisted by love-struck Gertrude McFuzz and, of course, the ultimate catalyst for chaos, Cat in the Hat.

From beginning to end, the stage is filled with beloved characters. Who-Ville is represented, naturally, complete with charming Cindy Lou-Who. Yertle the Turtle and General Ghengis Kahn Schmitz with his merry band of cadets grace the stage. The Wickershams, a lively group of monkeys (kudos to make-up artist Kaelynn Adams) play pranks throughout. Even the Grinch makes an appearance. A quite large cast handles creative choreography, scene and prop changes and colorful background throughout.

In short, the production is fun, lively and visually entrancing. Sheryl Jo Bedal has outdone herself with creative costuming to bring the characters to life. Choreography by Debbie Ayes is innovative and appropriate for all skill and age levels. Live musical accompaniment accents the rapid lyrics and keeps the singers on pace for the almost non-stop musical numbers.

Several roles are double cast. The night I attended Steven Michael held the pivotal role of Cat, Kyra Amal-King played JoJo (a Who-Ville lad whose travels help save Who-Ville) and Hayley Silvers played Mrs. Mayor. Although the players may be different when you attend, the performers will no doubt be just as capable as the cast I saw.

Michael McCarthy as Horton provides a solid representation of the down-trodden, put-upon but loyal elephant. McCarthy also designed the intricate set and graphics. Standout performances are given by Emily Hall as Mayzie, Marisa Miculian as Gertrude McFuzz, Christian McAteer as General Ghengis Kahn Schmitz and Evan Austin as Mr. Mayor.

When you go, if you can still get a ticket, be prepared for a high-energy performance. As a bonus following the show, the cast holds autograph signing in the Gallery or patio, weather depending. Young patrons especially will delight in the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite characters.

The Art Center is also collecting donations of new or gently used Dr. Seuss books to be given to the Ojai Union School District. You can help introduce new generations of youngsters to the whimsical imagination of Dr. Seuss. The gift of reading is always an excellent offering.

I left the theater challenged to make a sentence without rhyming for the entire drive home and had a hard time keeping my feet from continuing to dance. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Seussical continues through December 15. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., 2 p.m. matinees Saturdays. and Sundays. $25 general admission, $20 for seniors and Art Center members, and $10 for those 25 and under. The Ojai Art Center is located at 113 S. Montgomery, phone (805) 640-8797 or www.ojaiact.org .at:
113 S. Montgomery Street
Ojai, California 93023

Tel: 805 640-8797cated at:
113 S. Montgomery Street
Ojai, California 93023

Tel: 805 640-8797

CAPS media covers preview tour of county homeless shelter

Mayor Matt LaVere, Deputy City Manager Barry Fisher, and Meredith Hart, Ventura’s Safe and Clean Manager with CAPS Media videographer Gary Roll recording.

CAPS Media was on hand for a preview tour of Ventura County’s first year-round homeless shelter. The tour was conducted by Meredith Hart, Safe and Clean Manager for the City of Ventura. The 24/7 shelter located on Knoll Drive in Ventura, is a collaboration between the City of Ventura, the County and other agencies. The facility, run by Mercy House, will accommodate 55 individuals as well as their pets. Every individual at the shelter must work on their housing plan and be committed to transitioning out of homelessness. To learn more go to cityofventura.ca.gov/HomelessEfforts

Recently Estelle Bussa, Economic Development Manager for the City of Ventura, dropped by the CAPS Media studio to record a series of stories explaining how the City’s economic development department works with existing and potential businesses to expand opportunities in Ventura. Estelle, a fourth generation Ventura native, explained, “We help facilitate interactions between networks of individuals and city departments to help grow or start businesses here in Ventura.” “We have a really great team. It’s really fun, it makes coming to work every day such an enjoyment.” Estelle added, “You really have to look long-term when it comes to economic development, because the impact is everlasting.”

The City stories continued with an in-studio interview with Andrea Palmer, Associate Planner at the City. Andrea, another Ventura native, manages government community development block grants and home investment funds to assist low income areas of the community. “It could be in the form of housing development, community parks, sidewalks, or other infrastructure projects to public services such as supporting the Avenue Library on the west side.” Andrea enjoys her job, her colleagues and especially the people she helps out, “We definitely have a sense of community here, and I hope that that continues as time goes on, and I definitely want to be part of that.”

CAPS Media continued coverage of community council meetings on the east side, college area, mid-town and west side. Recent meetings included informative discussions with law enforcement and other government officials on land use, vaping, homelessness and other topics. CAPS Media coverage of the meetings allows community members throughout the city who are unable to attend the meetings, the opportunity to view the monthly meetings on CAPS channel 6 and streaming online at capsmedia.org. The individual meetings are broadcast the Thursday following the meeting at 8pm on channel 6. Some community council groups post the meetings on social media as well.

As many know, the continuation of CAPS Media funding is expected to be discussed at a city council meeting very soon. At a time when civic engagement and public communication are vital to our community, we believe CAPS provides an extremely valuable resource to everyone in Ventura. If you have a few minutes we encourage you to send a note to a City Councilmember expressing how you feel CAPS enriches the entire Ventura community. Councilmember contact information can be found at cityofventura.ca.gov/712/City-Council. Everyone at CAPS Media thanks all the friends of CAPS who have sent letters to city staff and council members expressing your support.

Vol. 13, No. 5 – Dec 4 – Dec 17, 2019 – Mailbox

Breeze:

I have friends that say why don’t we just convert salty ocean water into drinking water? Huntington Beach is building a seawater desalination plant that will provide drinking water to supply 100,000 homes (basically the size of Ventura). The problem is the cost which is about $1billion. A bit more than Ventura can afford.

Thanks
Sam Goodall Saticoy

Ventura Breeze

Recent News has published that K-Mart in Santa Paula, and Sears in Ventura will soon be closing, as have K-Mart in Camarillo.

These buildings should be repurposed for housings. One really good thing is there is plenty of parking, which is always a major concern in new builds.

Please don’t allow these buildings to be shuttered and become an eyesore. As a citizen, I would encourage and challenge these cities to partner with developers to immediately construct affordable housing; and, don’t forget green spaces.

Judith A. Beay Ventura

Readers:

I just renewed my driver’s license with the DMV on Market in Ventura. (is anything worse then sitting there for many many hours with a lot of depressed people?). Very strange to me is that they made me read the letters by covering one eye. How many of us drive with one eye closed? I did like the machine testing that gives immediate results of pass-fail of the questions. So glad that is over for another 5-years.

Sally Lowe Ojai

Venturan’s

I think a wonderful Christmas present is to give blood and help the American Red Cross ensure a sufficient supply is available during the holiday season.

You can make an appointment by calling 1-800-733-2767.

In Ventura you can give at the following locations which makes it easy.

  • 12/5/2019: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., El Camino High School, 61 Day Rd
  • 12/17/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.
  • 12/30/2019: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wells Fargo, 2704 E Thompson Blvd
  • 12/31/2019: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.

Thanks

Helen Gordon

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.
~ Albert Einstein