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The joys and benefits of bicycle travel

The Executive Director of Adventure Cycling Association (ACA), Jim Sayer, will speak about bicycle travel and tourism; the why, what, where, and how of getting on a bike and exploring. He will share how communities coast-to-coast are attracting more bike tourists and how those bike tourists are revitalizing small town America. Jim Sayer will discuss ACA initiatives to make cycling safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Sayer will highlight the importance of bicycle-friendly cities and businesses; as well as the current efforts of CIBike, Cycle California Coast, and other local organizations to increasing bicycle tourism in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

Sayer’s visit to Ventura will be the first of more than 40 cities across the United States that ACA staff will visit in 2019. Sayer joined ACA in 2004 and also serves on the board of America Bikes.

ACA is the largest bicycle-travel (touring/camping) organization in North America with more than 40 years of experience and 53,000 members. ACA, a non-profit organization, produces widely-used U.S. cycling maps, offers guided bicycle tours, promotes bike tourism, produces how-to tutorials for beginning cyclists, and supports print and online media featuring the best in bike touring gear and know-how.

All who are interested in bicycle travel, or just want to learn more about cycling, are welcome to attend.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. Wednesday, January 9. Doors open at 6:30pm with refreshments. The program starts at 7:00pm.

The Channel Islands Bicycle Club (CIBike), established in 1990, is Ventura County’s largest recreational cycling club. CIBike shares the benefits of bicycling for health, recreation, sport, and transportation through regularly scheduled group bike rides, events and a free public program on the second Wednesday of each month at the Museum of Ventura County.

Adventure Cycling: adventurecycling.org/

Cycle California Coast: cyclecalcoast.com

Channel Islands Bicycle Club: cibike.org

Contact: Bill Faulkner, Grants Director, [email protected].

ritish born painter and graphic artist Paul Whitehead

Paul Whitehead is a British born painter and graphic artist mostly known for his surrealistic album covers for artists on the Charisma Records label in the 1970s, such as Genesis and Van der Graaf Generator. He has lived in Ventura for a year.

An art show in London in the mid-sixties led to Whitehead being picked up as an in-house artist for the London office of Jazz record label Liberty Records. Previously, he had been studying at the University of Oxford on an art scholarship. The first record cover he designed was for a repackaged Fats Domino album. Additionally, Whitehead is also credited as a performer on the Peter Hammill albums Fool’s Mate (drums) and In Camera (percussion).

In 1973, Whitehead moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to work on album covers as a freelancer. He is still most associated with progressive rock, but the record cover work is, however, only a part of what Whitehead does. Whitehead was in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest mural, which he painted at the Vegas World casino (since demolished and replaced by the Stratosphere casino) in Las Vegas.

Whitehead has further designed many corporate logos and for three years he was the creative services director at The Universal Studios Theme Park in L.A. This got him interested in writing screenplays and he completed half a dozen scripts on many subjects

He also makes his own particular brand of music. His interest in science fiction, performance art and classical and progressive music has led to the composition, recording and performance of The Borg Symphony.

Paul’s gallery-studio is at 110 N. Olve St, Suite R (behind Vons at Main and Ventura)

By appoinment only at 310-461-6316 or [email protected].

Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelet donations

Emergencies don’t take a holiday. The American Red Cross urgently needs blood and platelet donors to make an appointment now to give and help ensure patients can get the treatment they need at a moment’s notice.

Now is an important time to give blood and platelets. A seasonal decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors get busy with family gatherings and travel. In addition, severe winter weather can cause blood drive cancellations and negatively affect the blood supply. Patients like McMahon can’t afford for there to be a shortage of blood.

Give the gift of life – make an appointment to donate by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

As a special thank-you for helping meet the urgent need, those who come to give through Jan. 6 will receive a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Jan.15: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit Twitter at @RedCross.

 

Vol. 12, No. 7 – Jan 3 – Jan 15, 2019 – Scamp Club

My name is Nugget. I’m a five-year-old doxie. I love to play soccer and cuddle with my gramma. Mostly though I like to surf and catch me some gnarly waves!

 

Hi: I’m Nova an 18 months old Lynx Point Siamese Cat

The favorite things that i like to do is I’m a purring princess who is affectionate, playful, and love to cuddle and take naps on my mom’s lap.

Alzheimer’s Association care training

Alzheimer’s Association Savvy Caregiver Workshop Series for 2019 begins in February.

A professional-level dementia care training for the non-professional caregiver.

On Wednesdays in February (6th, 13th, 20th, 27th) from 1 – 4 p.m.To be held at Alzheimer’s Association Ventura County Regional Office located at 2580 E. Main Street, Ste. 201. Park behind the office.

The Savvy Caregiver is a 4-week program for family caregivers offering 12 hours of face-to-face training with dementia experts. This is the opportunity to go beyond introductory education offerings and is designed for those tending loved one in the mid-stage of the disease.

The Savvy Caregiver program addresses your biggest concerns:

  • · Understanding Alzheimer’s & other related dementias.
  • · The toll of caregiving.
  • · Managing daily life & behaviors.
  • · Caring for yourself, while caring for others.
  • · Decision making.
  • · Communicating with a person with dementia.
  • · Taking control.
  • · Goals for caregiving.

Space is limited and registration is required. To register call the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 (24 hour line). Material fee only $25.

Sustainable Body-Mind-Spirit Tips for 2019

Eating less meat is good for your health.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)

One: Go meatless at least once a week

Eating less meat, even just one day a week is good for your health according to the Mayo Clinic. Lowering meat intake can be beneficial in lowering the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Meatless meals also benefit the environment by limiting the use of natural resources (water) and also lowering greenhouse gas emissions (burning less fossil fuel for electricity and transport). In an astonishing statistic, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that approximately 634 gallons of water are used to produce one hamburger and a recent Environmental Working Group (EWG) report details that “if every American cut meat and cheese from their diet for just one day a week, it would be equivalent to taking 7.6 million cars off the road.”

Two: Nix the chemicals

Unfortunately, many of the industrial chemicals we’ve put in our air, food, clothing, beauty supplies, cleaning supplies, yard products, etc., have been found to be quite toxic and because often they can be inhaled or absorbed through the skin, there are also links to various chemicals contributing to cancer, autism, autoimmune disease, and other ailments. What can you do? Just as important as reading the labels on what you consume, beware of what you’re putting on your skin and around your environment. EWG.org is an excellent site to investigate the toxicity of all types of products.

Three: Get regular doses of Enviro-Therapy

The term “grounding” (or “earthing”) refers to direct physical contact with the abundant supply of the Earth’s electrons by walking barefoot, placing your hands on some grass or earth, or immersing yourself in a body of conductive water such as the sea or a mineral-rich lake. Research is finding that grounding in part, neutralizes free radicals, improves the immune system and blood circulation, reduces the production of stress hormones, harmonizes the body’s biological rhythms, and contributes to overall well-being.

Four: Nurture Your Relationships

“No man is an island” is a famous saying attributed to seventeenth-century English author John Donne to underscore that we all need each other to live, and better yet, to thrive. To foster sustainable relationships, be sure to make the time to enjoy special bonding time with loved ones and friends (minus the electronics) and join a group or club with like-minded individuals. Close relationships contribute to the feeling of belonging and purpose. They help us deal with eventual traumas (death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, and other traumatic events). They also enrich your life, ward of depression, and contribute to your health and well-being.

Five: Pay It Forward

When we do good in our life — for our family, friends, community — it grows our compassion and understanding and fosters a new appreciation of all that we do have. In “doing unto others” we not only help alleviate struggling and suffering, but we also strengthen bonds and encourage others to do the same by example.

 

January blood donors can help children with critical illnesses receive their wish

During National Blood Donor Month in January, blood donors can double their impact by giving blood at Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services) while also helping to grant wishes for children through Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties at the same time. Vitalant will track the number of blood donations received at all four Vitalant donation centers and nearly 85 community blood drives throughout the Central Coast in January. For each blood donation made, Vitalant will contribute a monetary donation to Make-A-Wish® in a collective effort by sister blood centers throughout California and Northern Nevada to grant six wishes. To achieve this, Vitalant aims to welcome at least 19,000 donors in California and Northern Nevada this January.

“Many young wish recipients also receive countless blood transfusions for their treatment, all made possible by donors,” said Susan Noone, Regional Director for Vitalant. “For the third year of our amazing partnership with Make-A-Wish, we are growing to reach an even bigger goal of granting six wishes in California and Northern Nevada, thanks to the generosity of volunteer blood donors. You have the opportunity to transform the lives of patients, Make-A-Wish children and even your own with just one blood donation this January.”

Additionally, donors can also support Make-A-Wish by visiting their Rewards account at blood4life.org and donating their Rewards, equaling a personal monetary donation to help grant wishes.

During the past two years, more than 6,000 Vitalant donors have given blood throughout the Central Coast to save patients lives while raising more than $10,140.00 to help wishes come true for children with critical illnesses.

To schedule a donation appointment, please visit Vitalant.org or call 877-25VITAL.

2018 – A year to remember

Every month CAPS Media trained new members and mentored existing members.

2018 is a Year to Remember for everyone in Ventura including everyone at CAPS Media. The first few months of the year we dominated by reaction and recovery from the Thomas Fire. CAPS Media covered, broadcast and livestreamed numerous City, County and State events providing the public with valuable updates and recovery information.

In February, in collaboration with the Museum of Ventura County, CAPS Media launched the Thomas Fire Stories project, conducting interviews with first responders and the public chronicling the personal stories of survival and healing during and following the devastating Thomas Fire.

Every month CAPS Media trained new members and mentored existing members in the use of media equipment helping them create their own programs and projects to air on television. CAPS Media Radio – KPPQ, 104.1FM, continued to grow with new local voices and programs developed and broadcast on the airwaves.

Every week the CAPS Media crew recorded, broadcast and live streamed City Council meetings, City Planning, Design Review and other city public meetings as well as Ventura Unified School Board meetings on Channel 15. In addition, numerous faith-based and community organizations recorded and broadcast services and informative programs for the community on Channel 6.

All year long the ECTV Crew from El Camino High School produced engaging and award winning programs in the CAPS Media studio and the community. ECTV is a career pathways education program developed by CAPS Media in collaboration with VC Innovates and the Ventura Unified School district. In May and June CAPS and the ECTV crew members covered graduation ceremonies for El Camino and Foothill high schools, and Ventura College.

Every month CAPS produces a video for the city and school district’s Mayor for a Moment each month a 5th grade student is selected and interviewed. The profile is presented at a City Council meeting and a VUSD school board meeting.

Throughout the year CAPS Media continued a productive collaboration with Ventura County Fire and Public Information departments that included video annual report for the Ventura County Fire Department, as well as updates by VCFD Chief Mark Lorenzen, Ventura City Police Departments’ Ashley Bautista and officers.

Starting in September, CAPS Media started preparing for the upcoming election by working with the League of Women’s Voters to produce videos including informational videos on the district election process and independent analysis of the ballot issues and candidate forums. CAPS continued its Video Voter program featuring individual candidate statements. CAPS also worked with Bill Nash, Ventura County Public Information Officer and Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters to produce special reports for voter information and education videos for the November elections.

In December, CAPS Media premiered The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story at the Museum of Ventura County. The documentary film was produced in collaboration with the Museum in cooperation with County and City agencies. The Perfect Firestorm is a tribute to our entire community of heroes who, in the face of an overwhelming crisis, responded with astonishing calm and then opened their hearts, hands and homes to rescue neighbors and strangers and together rebuild their lives. The film is broadcast and live streaming on CAPS Media Channel 6 throughout January. Go capsmedia.org/program-schedules for air times.

2018 has been a very busy and productive year at CAPS Media. The entire staff eagerly looks forward to New Year of community Engagement, Education and Entertainment in 2019.

Getting started with long-distance caregiving

Anyone, anywhere, can be a long-distance caregiver, no matter your gender, income, age, social status, or employment. If you are living an hour or more away from a person who needs your help, you’re probably a long-distance caregiver.

What can I really do from far away?

Long-distance caregivers take on different roles. You may:

  • Help with finances, money management, or bill paying
  • Arrange for in-home care—hire professional caregivers or home health or nursing aides and help get needed durable medical equipment
  • Locate care in an assisted living facility or nursing home (also known as a skilled nursing facility)

I’m new to long-distance caregiving—what should I do first?

  • Ask the primary caregiver, if there is one, and the care recipient how you can be most helpful
  • Talk to friends who are caregivers to see if they have suggestions about ways to help
  • Find out more about local resources that might be useful
  • Develop a good understanding of the person’s health issues and other needs

Where can I find local resources for my family member? to find local services for older adults and their families.

As a caregiver, what do I need to know about my family member’s health?

Learn as much as you can about your family member’s condition and any treatment. This can help you understand what is going on, anticipate the course of an illness, prevent crises, and assist in healthcare management.

Get written permission, as needed under the HIPAA Privacy Rule, to receive medical and financial information. To the extent possible, the family member with permission should be the one to talk with all healthcare providers.

Get tips for caregivers to make doctor’s appointments easier.

How can I be most helpful during my visit?

Talk to the care recipient ahead of time and find out what he or she would like to do during your visit. Also check with the primary caregiver, if appropriate, to learn what he or she needs, such as handling some caregiving responsibilities while you are in town. This may help you set clear-cut and realistic goals for the visit. Decide on the priorities and leave other tasks to another visit.

How can I stay connected from far away?

Try to find people who live near your loved one and can provide a realistic view of what is going on. This may be your other parent. A social worker may be able to provide updates and help with making decisions.

Don’t underestimate the value of a phone and email contact list. It is a simple way to keep everyone updated on your parents’ needs.

Where can I find local resources for my family member?

Searching online is a good way to start collecting resources. Here are a few potentially helpful places to look:

Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116 (toll-free)

National Institute on Aging website

Family Care Navigator

Your state government’s website

You might also check with local senior centers. Learn more about long-distance caregiving.