Channel Islands Harbor Art Festival will be held July 13 – 14, 2019 at Harbor Landing, 5800 Harbor Blvd., at Channel Islands Blvd, in Oxnard.
The art festival will feature artists and craftsmen displaying their own original work in all medium of fine art and craft. All work is available for purchase and will include paintings, photography, sculpture in metal, clay, wood, and glass. Also available will be jewelry, pottery, mixed media, fiber art and more.
The featured artists are brothers Ric and Tim Vigallon of Vigall-Art Studios in Yucca Valley, CA.
The Channel Islands Harbor Art Festival from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Admission and Parking are free. The event is produced by West Coast Artists. For more information visit WestCoastArtists.com or call 818-813-4478.
Working Artist Ventura (WAV) is a sustainable arts community. For the last ten years WAV has housed hundreds of artists and their families.
Don’t miss Andres Salazars Opening in the WAV Theater Gallery on July 12th 2019, “Deconstructing the Comic Book Medium; Storytelling With Pictures”, 7:00 live music and free food. Come down on a First Friday when many artists have their studios open. The WAV Theater Gallery usually has a new art show opening on First Friday, and often live music is playing in the amphitheater courtyard.
The City of Ventura and the Community Environmental Council (CEC) have launched the 2019 Solarize Ventura Program. This program includes new energy storage systems and options for survivors of the Thomas Fire that are working to rebuild.
The Solarize Ventura 2019 program is designed to make it easier and more affordable for homeowners to go solar. This year, the program has selected Coastal Solar as their installer partner, who will offer discounted prices through July 31, 2019.
The program will offer energy storage equipment and education on energy storage for the first time. Storage systems will be available to new solar customers and to existing solar customers who wish to upgrade their systems to include storage.
Southern California Edison’s new “time-of-use” pricing structures benefit solar customers. Under these new rates, many solar customers will benefit by utilizing solar energy stored during the day for peak evening hours, avoiding the need to buy electricity from the grid at the most expensive time, from 4pm – 9pm. Having a battery backup can also give solar customers power in their homes during power outages.
Residents who lost homes in the Thomas Fire are invited to participate in the Solarize Program regardless of the progress of their rebuild. Solarize Ventura will offer community workshops focused on the benefits and details associated with going solar. Workshops will cover solar billing rates, equipment, warrantees, financing, and tax credits. A solar coach will also be available to discuss questions as needed.
The workshops are offered at no cost and are open to the public. A reservation is not required. To learn more visit SolarizeVentura.org or call the Community Environmental Council at (805) 963-0583 x101.
Workshop: July 11th, 5:30 pm City Hall Community Meeting Room, 501 Poli St.
The Ventura City Council, at the June 24th meeting has voted to move Ventura’s high usage electricity accounts back to Southern California Edison. The majority of city accounts will remain with the Clean Power Alliance. Council members responding to a sudden and unexpected substantial increase in high electricity usage categories remained firm in their commitment to move the city to 100% renewable energy with the exception of those high usage categories. The city will not be able to switch from SCE to CPA for 12 months after the decision to switch back to SCE.
On June 6, this year CPA’s board set significant rate increases to close a gap in projected revenues. The rate hikes would have affected 1,800 high-user accounts, about 1% of all customers. The high energy users faced rate hikes of 37% to 47%. The accounts affected relate to street and highway lighting, outdoor area lighting, pumping, and agriculture. CPA’s residential customers faced no increase in rates. They will continue to pay based on the tier set by elected officials in their jurisdictions. For city government and large accounts, the costs amounted to between tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars extra per year.
In a 4-3 vote at Monday’s council meeting, it was decided to move the city’s biggest accounts (those related to street lighting) to Southern California Edison. Several other city accounts while still impacted like pumping and large facilities like City Hall will remain with the CPA, but will change to a 36% renewables energy mix, reducing the original plan that called for use of 100% renewables which the council had previously adopted.
Based on early estimates, it will cost the city $100,000 to $160,000 more, Finance and Technology Director Michael Coon said. Exact amounts, however, remain unknown at this early stage. The city only had weeks notice to prepare for the rate increases, he added. Coon said the city planned to work with CPA to “narrow down the exact impact.”
CPA said the unexpected rate increases were associated with a series of rate changes and a sharp spike in exit fees, which Edison charges to customers who leave the investor-owned utility for the power it purchased on their behalf. Colin Cushnie, vice president of power supply, said a main driver of the streetlight increase was peak pricing, which used to be noon to 6 p.m. So just as streetlights are turning on, power rates are at their highest. Rates in the past were highest during midday when demand was at its highest said Cushnie. But there is so much solar energy being produced it isn’t until the sun sets that usage really goes up.
CPA officials have stated that the exit fees were increased to make up for Edisons $825 million under collection in 2018, which is being charged as part of a 12-month rate hike that went into effect in April. CPA protested that decision to the Public Utilities Commission but lost the appeal.
The city council was split on paying more for the same amount of usage. Mayor Matt LaVere and members Jim Friedman and Erik Nasarenko voted no, partially because moving all impacted accounts to Edison, the city would have saved money and ended with the same mix of renewable energy (Edisons base rate includes 36% renewable energy. The council also voted 6-1 to keep just under 400 accounts not affected by the rate hikes with CPA at the 100% tier, which means they will pay 9% more than Edisons base rate on those accounts. Friedman voted no. He supports staff’s recommendation of returning all the city’s electricity back to Edison. He wanted a pause to give the city time to better analyze the financial implications and said Ventura had too many “obligations and responsibilities” to consider spending more when the true costs were unknown.
The city committed to CPA when costs were going to increase around 9% above Edison, said Friedman, not over 20%. Council member Christy Weir, the city’s representative on the 32-member board that oversees the Clean Power alliance. Weir had hoped to keep all accounts with CPA. She said she wanted to “stick with CPA because they are our future here”.
“The city made a commitment to the CPA.” She and others said. Council member Cheryl Heitman said the city had made a pledge to use more renewable energy. “I’m not in favor of going back to Southern California Edison in any way.”
Though he supports staying with CPA, Nasarenko voted against moving tiers for its high use accounts because he was concerned the money to cover the difference would need to come from money being set aside for infrastructure and other city improvements from a half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016.
Mayor LaVere said keeping the unaffected accounts with CPA but moving the others to Edison accomplished three goals: sup[poting CPA, committing to a future of renewable energy and showing fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. He also said Edison’s base rate still provided 36%renewable energy, the same as CPA but without the cost.
The Clean Power Alliance was founded in 2017 with a $10 million loan from the County of Los Angeles. The city council voted in February 2018 to join CPA, that now has 31 governments in Ventura and Los Angeles County. CPA procures renewable energy and Edison distributes its existing power lines. All residents and businesses located in CPA’s jurisdiction are automatically enrolled in CPA unless they opt out.
When the owner’s of Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura decided to create a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, the Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior” Legacy Scholarship was created.
Cypress Place Senior Living is an independent, assisted, and memory care community for seniors. By awarding two $2500 scholarships to local high school seniors, residents at Cypress Place are attempting to pass on opportunities for young people in the community, according to Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place.
Applicants need to have a verified 3.2 or higher GPA and to have applied for fall 2019 admission to a college or university with the intention of obtaining a degree. Applicants were also asked to submit an essay about their reason for pursuing higher education along with a personal account of how a senior or seniors has affected their life, including specific examples of intergenerational experiences of the applicant.
The members of the Resident Scholarship Committee at Cypress Place read the essays, then held oral interviews with the semi-finalists to determine the two award winners.
On May 30, 2019, the awards were presented to Nadia Garcia and Daniel Perez, both of Buena High School. Garcia will be attending Westmont College and will major in math. She would like to be a math teacher. Perez will attend USC and is considering a career in the diplomatic corps or another form of public service.
Family members of the recipients were in attendance, as well as many seniors from Cypress Place. The senior citizens were beaming just as brightly as the recipients during the awards ceremony.
“Tonight, we watched two wonderful high school seniors take another step forward in the direction of their dreams,” said Marion Doane, a resident at Cypress Place, and the Scholarship Committee Chair. “This was the 7th year the Cypress Place owners granted this scholarship to our local Ventura students, and it is a highlight for all of us to be a part of it.”
While enjoying coffee and dessert with the award winners, residents on the Scholarship Committee expressed a true sense of pride and accomplishment in their involvement in the selection process.
As the scholarship awards evening wound down, Garcia and Perez both expressed their appreciation for their awards once again. They both hope to be able to present awards to future Cypress Place Senior Living “Senior to Senior” Legacy Scholarship recipients when they themselves have graduated from college.
Six out of every 10 falls happen at home, where we spend much of our time and tend to move around without thinking about our safety. There are many changes you can make to your home that will help you avoid falls and ensure your safety.
Fall hazards in the home, including a scatter rug, dog, and empty slippers in stairways, hallways, and pathways.
Have handrails on both sides of the stairs, and make sure they are tightly fastened. Hold the handrails when you use the stairs, going up or down. If you must carry something while you’re on the stairs, hold it in one hand and use the handrail with the other. Don’t let what you’re carrying block your view of the steps.
Make sure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of stairs and on each end of a long hall. Remember to use the lights!
Keep areas where you walk tidy. Don’t leave books, papers, clothes, and shoes on the floor or stairs.
Check that all carpets are fixed firmly to the floor so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors. You can buy these strips at the hardware store.
Don’t use throw rugs or small area rugs.
Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
Remember to turn on night lights.
In Your Bedroom
Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.
Keep a flashlight by your bed in case the power is out and you need to get up.
Keep your telephone near your bed.
In Other Living Areas
Keep electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths.
Secure all carpets and large area rugs firmly to the floor.
Arrange your furniture (especially low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in your way when you walk.
Make sure your sofas and chairs are the right height for you to get in and out of them easily.
Don’t walk on newly washed floors—they are slippery.
Keep items you use often within easy reach.
Don’t stand on a chair or table to reach something that’s too high—use a “reach stick” instead or ask for help. Reach sticks are special grabbing tools that you can buy at many hardware or medical-supply stores. If you use a step stool, make sure it is steady and has a handrail on top. Have someone stand next to you.
Don’t let your cat or dog trip you. Know where your pet is whenever you’re standing or walking.
Lastly, many people decide to clear their own guttering. Summertime is a good time to clean out your eavestrough, however if you wish to clean it yourself, you will need: a very sturdy ladder, someone holding the ladder firmly and good gloves/equipment.
Keep emergency numbers in large print near each telephone.
If you have fallen, your doctor might suggest that an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or nurse visit your home. These healthcare providers can assess your home’s safety and advise you about making changes to prevent falls.
Your Own Medical Alarm
If you’re concerned about falling, think about getting an emergency response system. If you fall or need emergency help, you push a button on a special necklace or bracelet to alert 911. There is a fee for this service, and it is not usually covered by insurance.
Home Improvements Prevent Falls
Many State and local governments have education and/or home modification programs to help older people prevent falls. Check with your local health department, or local Area Agency on Aging to see if there is a program near you.
Almost sixty percent of Americans aged 60 and over are concerned that health care costs (56%) and 43 percent are concerned that prescription drug costs are outpacing retirement savings, according to a new NCOA/Ipsos survey. The national survey also finds that women are even more concerned than men about these costs and the potential impact on their family.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) in partnership with Ipsos, a leading polling and data firm, released the results.
The survey of 1227 adults aged 60 and over conducted between May 29, 2019 and June 14, 2019 found the rising cost of health care and prescription drugs and losing their independence are the top concerns of older adults and a direct threat to a secure retirement:
NCOA is working with policymakers in Washington and partners across the country to help address these concerns head-on for a growing population of older adults across the country.
This survey is being released at NCOA’s Age+Action Conference, June 17-20 in Washington, DC. The conference is a premiere national convening focused on ensuring every person’s right to age with their best possible health and economic security. The event brings together 1,000 professionals from across the country who are dedicated to making aging well possible for all.
“Our recent NCOA/Ipsos survey of older Americans finds that most people 60 and older report being pretty happy with their current lives,” reports Annie Weber, Senior Vice President at the research company Ipsos. “That is despite majorities of this group reporting worry about their physical health and their health care costs exceeding their savings.”
These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted May 29-June 14, 2019. For the survey, a sample of 1227 adults aged 60 and older from the continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii were interviewed online in English. The poll has a credibility interval plus or minus 3.2 percentage points.
About Ipsos
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is a trusted national leader working to ensure that every person can age well. NCOA is working to improve the lives of 10 million older adults by 2020. Learn more at ncoa.org and @NCOAging.
More good news from the House of Representatives, which passed legislation provide funding to expiring Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs. The Money Follows the Person program, as well as spousal impoverishment protection program, would receive enough funding to run to October 2023. The bill providing the funding passed by a 371-46 margin. We are proud that our Disability and Aging Collaborative played a key role in the bill’s passage. The Senate is expected to act on this legislation in September.
The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is excited to invite our Members, Friends and the Public to attend our “inaugural” meeting on July 10th from 12:30PM to 2:30PM at our new location: Ventura City Hall’s Community Meeting Room (501 Poli Street #202 ). At this “Round Table” meeting we will have the opportunity to get to know each other better, talk about how we cope with the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease, ask questions and share experiences that just might help someone in our Group.
We will also have a surprise guest to help us with our questions and update us on the latest research and local trials going on in our area! Wayne Pickerell, Vice President and Clinical Research Manager of Neurosearch, Inc., has been involved in Parkinson’s Disease for over 18 years and has managed Clinical Research for Neurosearch for well over a decade. Wayne will give us a brief overview of Parkinson’s Disease in general, typical treatments currently prescribed, update us in new treatments and ongoing trials being studied and progress on the search for a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.
Drive straight up California Street all the way to the top where City Hall sits; veer to the right, stop at stop sign and when safe to go, take that immediate left into the driveway on the east side of the building that leads to the large parking lot behind City Hall. Park anywhere except to the west of the sign on the back wall that says “City Vehicle Parking Only” or other “Parking only for” signs.
Enter the building at the handicap access entrance near the handicap parking; go up the hallway past Human Resources and then go to your left. The Community Meeting Room is room # 202 on your left all the way down the hall (past rooms 206, 204, the elevator and stairway). If you park on Poli Street, there is also a handicap access entrance on the east side of the building on the ground floor where the elevator can take you to the second floor; the Community Meeting Room # 202 will be to the left of the elevator. The public is always welcome to attend our meetings. We are an independent and volunteer-organized group not affiliated with or a part of any other organization or group. For more information call Patty at 805-766-6070.
Channel Islands Harbor Art Festival will be held July 13 – 14, 2019 at Harbor Landing, 5800 Harbor Blvd., at Channel Islands Blvd, in Oxnard.
