On November 20, at 9:50pm the Ventura City Fire Department responded to a report of smoke and flames at Golf N’ Stuff. According to the city of Ventura Fire Department the fire was determined to be arson,The fire was to the western themed façade used for one of the putting holes . The blaze was put out within 30 minutes.
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Look for the signature red donation kettles
The Salvation Army of Ventura has recently finished placing its signature red donation kettles outside several area stores. Now, it’s up to the community members to help the organization reach its fundraising goal of $100,000. Community members can also donate though text message by texting HopeRings to 41-444. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30 per hour – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries or shelter an individual for a night.
Anyone interested in volunteer opportunity of ringing the bell, please call 805-653-3598 and ask to speak with Lt. Silvia.
Lt. Silvia Benetti Simoes stated “Through your generosity we will be able to fight hunger, give warmth, clothe the needy, provide housing services, fight natural disasters, and continue to do the most good. Your Donation Helps Change Lives For The Better.”
“When You’re Singing, Everything Else Goes Away” (Ellen, GCCC member)
GCCC is as much a community as it is a group of singers.
by Jill Forman
They enter the room gradually, a group of 80-90 everyday men and women, and take their places in a U-shaped arrangements of seats. Their leader steps on a podium, a few announcements, some preliminary chords from the pianist, they open their mouths to sing, and they are transformed.
The Gold Coast Concert Chorus’ holiday concert is soon; they have been working on this program since the Monday after Labor Day. It is sounding good, and every singer is beaming with the joy of making music. Artistic Director Elizabeth Helms looks pleased.
Starting its 31st season, the GCCC is as much a community as it is a group of singers. Three members, Sylvia, Carol and Mary have been singing since its beginning; Mary has never missed a concert. The group has traveled to Italy, France, Great Britain, Eastern Europe…and Carnegie Hall, twice!
Rehearsal is well under way; they are running through everything tonight. Next week they rehearse in the actual venue with the bluegrass musicians. There are corrections, reminders, “Let’s try it this way…” Lots of teasing and laughter. Jessica the accompanist, who is a choral director herself, chimes in with ideas. It is a collaborative effort.
The affection and respect the director and singers feel for each other is apparent. “The talent in this room is amazing,” says Helms, bragging about two of her professionals who have arranged music for the group. And the members: “We can sing anything with the proper director,” says Rose. “She keeps us challenged musically,” from Scott. “We have a great conductor,” says Dave.
Members are reminded about posture and proper breathing. “Singing is healthy,” they tell me; their heartbeats will sync up and endorphins kick in. Ivan, 85 years old, says the chorus “Keeps me singing, it’s good for the brain and body.”
“We support each other.” Helms talks about last year when the concert was scheduled the week of the Thomas Fire and they had to decide what to do. They went ahead with it; even singers who had lost everything took part, though they had to go out and buy the proper clothes. ”So happy to be doing something positive. It makes everything better being together.”
Singers are clear as to why they participate. “I love to sing,” from Dave and numerous others. “I was always told I couldn’t sing, but I can here,” says Donna.
At the end of rehearsal Helms, a no-nonsense woman who is not effusive, takes a deep breath, smiles broadly, and says, “My friends…you are ready.”
GCCC does three concerts a year: a holiday concert in December, a classical show in March or April, and a pop performance in June. They would like more singers, especially tenors and basses. The male to female ratio is about 1:4. They rehearse every Monday at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center. To register to sing with them, check their website at www.goldcoastchorus.org.
Gold Coast Concert Chorus Schedule
A Down Home Bluegrass Christmas with the Tom Corbett Band
Friday, December 7 at 8 p.m. Saturday, December 8 at 2:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Road, Ventura
[email protected] (805)616-7269
Thomas Fire one year later
REMEMBERING
by Doug Halter Halter-Encinas Enterprises and Landscape
As a professional landscaper, hillside resident and passionate Ventura resident, the Thomas Fire will always be major heartbreaking and unbelievable experience in my lifetime. To see the fire come over the hill and into mine and our neighbors’ yards, then spread from house to house until it hit the heart of downtown left many of us speechless and in shock that still brings tears and emotions to many of us as the City that we love and our homes and memories were threatened by this horrific event. Many lessons were learned as we watched the flames leap from trees to house eaves, and our wood fences became highways of flames only to devour the next unsuspecting home owner and sanctuary.
As a landscaper, over the next several months, I had appointments with many of the people who lost their homes or some of the thousands that had damage and each day brought tears and memories of that horrifying night. Everyone had a story that needed to be shared if for no other reason than to help heal and know the horror we all experienced that night.
Now, a year later, I see many things that I would hope we can all do to prevent or minimize the impact of another wildfire.
First, I would make sure that vines, shrubs and trees are at least 10 ft from the house and not growing on or over it. Second, I would serious consider block walls and not wood fencing as many people called to thank me for the walls we created as they saved their house from being destroyed as my own saved our house. Third, we should consider solar power with battery backups to run sprinklers in our yard, and for some of us to, to run sprinklers that we can install on our rooftops.
From a City perspective I would hope that we would be better prepared with more redundancy on our water system so that our fire fighters have a chance at saving our neighborhoods. And lastly, I believe that we were allowed to grow our neighborhoods up the sloping hillsides without any consideration of a firebreak, green space or orchards that can help slow the fire.
Our persistent drought also added to the spread of the fire as many of our once manicured and green yards lay barren with dead weeds or grass. Many plants like Eucalyptus, Pine trees and Mexican sage exploded with flames and I would keep these specimens far from any house; still the embers may still blow into homes many blocks away. Perhaps part of the plan should be to use reclaimed water to keep the first 200 ft behind our neighborhoods green as a buffer.
Now, let’s rebuild our neighbors, use smart yet water wise plantings and together make our community better than ever!
Protect what you love: Surfrider engages and salutes community volunteers
Surfrider engages community volunteers to participate in beach cleanups.Photo provided by Surfrider
Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer (@MaryannRidiniSpencer)
“Protect what you love,” is one of Surfrider Foundation’s mottos underscoring the need for every individual to take a proactive stance to preserve and protect our ocean, waves, and beaches.
Putting that motto into action, Surfrider, through a powerful activist network, engages community volunteers to participate in monthly beach cleanups to help stop contributing to the now over approximately 5.25 trillion deadly pieces of plastic in the ocean. Their Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) program, which teaches CPR — conservation, permeability, and retention, is also a vital, growing contribution to aid in the health of our watersheds.
Other programs include a Blue Water Task Force, a volunteer-run water testing, education, and advocacy program that alerts citizens and officials about water quality programs whereby they can work together toward solutions. The Smartfin project allows surfers to become citizen scientists, turning wave sets into data when surfers wear a fin with sensors that measure important ocean properties.
“Ocean Friendly Restaurants, is one of our newer programs that is focused on reducing our plastic and water footprint,” said Bill Hickman, Southern California Regional Manager, Surfrider. “Volunteers help assist in educating restaurant owners how to make more sustainable choices by eliminating expanded polystyrene use (Styrofoam), recycling practices, using reusable tableware, no plastic bags offered for takeout or to-go orders, and providing straws and utensils for takeout only upon request.”
To promote community engagement and rally support, Surfrider holds monthly chapter meetings open to anyone who wishes to attend. “We listen to guest speakers who are experts in their fields talk about subjects vital to our mission as well as discuss chapter news,” said Hickman. “It’s a casual, social atmosphere and we provide light snacks and drinks.
At Surfrider’s December 4th Chapter meeting, the foundation held their second annual “Volunteer Appreciation” Recognition Ceremony where they presented 40 volunteers with certificates and a personalized thank you gift.
“Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we felt it important to honor those that go above and beyond,” said Hickman. “Our coast always needs protection. Our volunteers are the protectors. They are also essential in getting our voice and mission heard. More volunteers translate into more voice, and that voice is needed, especially when it comes to making a difference by crafting legislation to protect what we love.”
Surfrider holds Monthly Chapter meetings in Patagonia’s retail store, 235 W Santa Clara Street in Downtown Ventura the first Tuesday of most months from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. For more information on Surfrider and our calendar of events, visit: https://ventura.surfrider.org/
New discovery in the story of the Lone Woman
During a special lecture on Thursday, December 13, a panel of researchers will reveal new information about why the Lone Woman remained on San Nicolas Island after others in her community left for the mainland.
Depicted in the best-selling children’s novel Island of the Blue Dolphins, the story of the Lone Woman is based on the true story of a Native American woman who was left alone on San Nicolas Island from 1835 to 1853.
Steven Schwartz, Dr. John Johnson, Susan Morris and Carol Peterson have examined new evidence revealing that the Lone Woman stayed on the island to take care of her son, who had remained behind. She lived with him for a number of years before he was tragically killed in a boating accident, after which she was truly alone.
Contrary to previous belief, it is now understood that when the Lone Woman was brought to the mainland there were native speakers in Santa Barbara who were able to effectively communicate with her through spoken word. She shared with them why she chose to stay on the island as the others left.
Steven J. Schwartz, recently retired, was the Navy’s senior archaeologist on San Nicolas Island for 25 years. Due to this unique position, he has become one of the leading experts on the Lone Woman’s story, publishing and speaking on this topic at numerous venues.
Dr. John R. Johnson has served as Curator of Anthropology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History for thirty years. He obtained his Ph.D. at UCSB where he holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor of Anthropology. His written contributions include more than 80 studies of the culture and history of California’s native peoples, especially emphasizing the Chumash Indians of the Santa Barbara region.
Susan L. Morris is an independent historical researcher and writer. She has worked on 7 of the 8 Channel Islands (including San Nicolas Island) on archaeology, paleontology, geology, and biology projects. For the past eight years, Morris has focused her research on the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island, contributing content to the new National Park Service Island of the Blue Dolphins website.
Carol Peterson was the education coordinator at Channel Islands National Park for 16 years and was the main project coordinator for the Island of the Blue Dolphins website. Since her retirement, she has continued to coordinate this project as a volunteer and is responsible for posting all content on the website.
The talk is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands and surrounding marine waters. The lecture will take place at 7:00 pm at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive, in Ventura Harbor. The program is free and open to the public.
This lecture can also be viewed live online, at: Shore to Sea lecture series.
Lectures are recorded and posted at: http://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/photosmultimedia/from-shore-to-sea-lecture-videos.htm
The Island of the Blue Dolphins website is located at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/islandofthebluedolphins
Humana and Heritage Provider network team up
Humana Inc. a leading health and well-being company, has announced it has collaborated with Heritage Provider Network (HPN), an effective physician-led value-based care organizations, on a value-based agreement designed to offer a coordinated, patient-centered experience to help Humana Medicare Advantage members in Southern and Central California achieve better health.
Humana’s Medicare Advantage HMO plan members in Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, as well as Dual Eligible Special Needs Plan members in Kern and Ventura counties, will have in-network access to HPN’s vast number of physicians and facilities throughout Southern and Central California.
The agreement with HPN is part of Humana’s longstanding commitment to value-based care, which emphasizes:
More personal time with health professionals and personalized care that is tailored to each person’s unique health situation;
Access to proactive health screenings and programs that are focused on preventing illness;
Improved care for people living with chronic conditions with a focus on avoiding health complications;
Leveraging technologies, such as data analytics, that connect physicians and help them work as a team to coordinate care around the patient; and
Reimbursement to physicians linked to the health outcomes of their patients rather than based solely on the quantity of services they provide (fee-for-service). (Watch video of Humana and AAFP’s Value-Based Payment Study Congressional Briefing).
Under this new agreement, Heritage Provider Network’s physicians will also benefit by having access to new tools, real-time data and care support offered by Humana, which will maximize the time HPN physicians spent with their patients covered by Humana Medicare Advantage.
Humana has an extensive and growing value-based care presence. As of June 30, 2018, Humana has approximately two million individual Medicare Advantage members and approximately 130,000 Group members who are cared for by more than 52,000 primary care physicians in more than 1,000 value-based relationships across 43 states and Puerto Rico. Humana’s total Medicare Advantage membership is more than 3.5 million members, which includes members affiliated with providers in value-based and standard Medicare Advantage settings. For more information, visit humana.com/provider/support/vbc.
Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is one of the most experienced physician organization leaders of accountable care and continuous value-based healthcare delivery improvements. first. (www.heritageprovidernetwork.com)
Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) is committed to helping millions of medical and specialty members achieve their best health.
To accomplish that, they support physicians and other health care professionals as they work to deliver the right care in the right place for their patients, our members. Our range of clinical capabilities, resources and tools – such as in-home care, behavioral health, pharmacy services, data analytics and wellness solutions – combine to produce a simplified experience that makes health care easier to navigate and more effective.
We could never have imagined that in a short matter of time the fire would come barreling straight at us
REMEMBERING
by Kat Merrick
A year ago today Chris and I walked the ranch checking irrigation lines and playing with the pups as we did almost everyday… As I stood on the hill looking at the amazing views, to my left the Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands and to my right Ojai. I remember so clearly saying a prayer of thanks for being allowed to be in this very special place. Several hours later as I was finishing packing for my trip and double checking the last minute details I received a text from my dear friend Christine Law saying her house was on fire and she was evacuating.
I immediately started texting her and friends in Santa Paula to see if they were safe and to offer refuge ” Come to the ranch, bring the animals… we are here for you”
We could never imagined that in a short matter of time and in the early hours of Dec 5th the Thomas Fire would come barreling straight at us taking everything we owned and cherished in the world.
No words can express the emotion of watching your life burn before you. to knowing hundreds of friends and Ventura County neighbors were suffering the same fate. I have learned that there really are no words to comfort and that the best thing one can do is simply I am very sorry for your loss and work to help when needed.
Our reality of recovery looks like this.
4 moves over the past 8 months and finally feeling the need to take control and move in the 5th wheel on the property.
3 to 7 Years for the trees to be replanted and producing again
6 months to even getting the modular home on site to live in.
Massive loss of rental income for at least another year or two
Stepping foot in our rebuilt home at least 2 years.
The process that the county (County on permits City on water) said is expedite does not seem to be the case for ranchers and farmers. We have been sitting in Fire Dept review for about a month, All our old site plans must be redone (even though the homes are going with where they were and are the same sizes).
All the needed contractors for soil testing, site plans and more are backed up for months, prices have jumped and answers from them are slow at best.
The rebuild process has almost been as hard on us as the loss.
For me the only thing that has helped is to help. It is one of the gifts that came from all of this.
REMEMBERING ~ Flames of Compassion
Remember the Fire ~ Flames of Compassion
by Karen Leslie, writer with heart
The fire and brimstone atmosphere that raged through California scorched not only land but has wreaked havoc with our psyches and emotional state of being. The aftermath and collective mourning of precious lives lost, houses and earthscapes are palatable. Venturian’s memories not long passed have re-kindled in the air thick as smoke.
On November 8, 2018 three fires broke out. The Hill Fire, Woolsey and Camp Fires combined scorching nearly 250,000 acres, displaced thousands, claimed more than 80 lives, destroyed 14,000 structures, 993 people are unaccounted for and it took 6,400 firefighters round the clock to slay the beasts. The 18-day Woolsey Fire alone impacted Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Chatsworth, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and Malibu, torching 96, 949 acres.
Barely holding back tears, Paradise Town Council Member Melissa Schuster shares, “The entire town of Paradise is a toxic wasteland right now.” Paradise Hero, Kevin McKay drove 22 stranded elementary school students to safety
Affected was the Paramount Ranch in Agoura Hills known as “Western Town” where hundreds of movies and television shows, including HBO’s Westworld have been filmed. Amidst the devastation and tragedy heroes have emerged.
Hollywood Stuntman Ardeshir Radpour saved 300 horses from the Woolsey wildfires, but he doesn’t consider himself a hero. Radpour shares, “The horses feel what we feel and have a heightened sense of awareness. They don’t understand the noise and don’t have a voice for themselves. It’s just what we need to do as human beings to help each other out.”
Hearts are swollen with despair and aching from the abundant suffering in our own back yards, neighboring counties and globally. Yet, all walks of life are united and ignited with the flame of compassion! We have walked in their shoes, lost what they have lost and felt what they have felt.
From the many caring residents, business owners and heroes, their light of empathy burns brightly, snuffing out the fear with their generous optimism, support and helping hands of service so ultimately we can find healing within the unimaginable loss.
Local intuitive artist Sharon Camphell shares, “One candle can light up a whole room. It costs nothing to smile, say hello and make amends with people you love. We do adapt and we are stronger than we think.”
Tim Callaghan, founder and owner of No Limit Fitness, well-traveled and Veteran shares, “As a one year resident of Ventura, I have noticed in the wake of disaster, the hearts of this area are connected in a way where strangers are neighbors and neighbors are family.”
“Mo” owner of Silver Trends says, “We will never forget. With help comes change. Consoling with one another helps make our lives a little better. Our mentality and perspective needs to change from me me me, to we we we. “
Owner of Inner Soulstice Wellness Ayn Devera quotes, “When our energies are aligned we can produce anything. We must connect, share how we feel, lean in towards the discomfort, then we can empathize and from that space of commonality that we are the same creates change.”
Tina Thayer owner of Paradise Pantry shares her feelings and people that arrived devastated and disheveled into the hearth and home vibe café, “I am trying to process the sadness and feel heartbroken for all the loss and happy to serve the weary travelers so they may rest, drop their shoulders and eat a meal.”
Anna Bermudez, Ventura Museum curator quotes, “Preserve the history of Now” “Along with our exhibits, the museum has come to be so much more, a public community gathering place where people feel safe to reflect, remember and heal ”
Musician and icon Neil Young who lost his home speaks out, “Hopefully we can come together as a people to take climate change on!”
Each of us has value in the lives around us! Shine on!
REMEMBERING ~
The Thomas Fire
by Patrick J. Treacy
The Thomas Fire started on the Fourth of December two thousand seventeen. It became the largest Venturans ever had seen.
The Santa Ana winds were hot and strong, and swiftly moved the fire along.
Soon the canyons roared as trees buckled and swayed, houses were burning and crashing down and soon in piles of rubble lay.
Embers and cinders were flying hundreds of feet in the air, then raining down like thunder, showers of red hail, spreading the fire at a speed that was rare.
One lady died in her haste to get away, as thousands were ordered to evacuate and were rushing to centers where they would be safe.
The famous Poinsettia Pavilion was about to succumb to the flames. Its caretakers Hector Andrade, Joanna Bondina, and Hector Junior, their son, decided to stay. They battled all night and all of next day, ignoring the burns and the blisters. They battled with hoses and shovels and spades, as the soles of their shoes partly melted away.
And that is the stuff of which heroes are made. The prize for their efforts-the Poinsettia Pavilion was ready for business next day.
The inferno on the mountain was a ferocious sight,
It looked more like a day time invasion of bombs and smoke
than a mountain fire on a winter’s night.
The billowing smoke was a crazy red,
And nerves were shaken with fear and dread.
Animals were seen on the city streets hopping with pain on tender feet.
It was a challenging night for the elder, the weak and the frail. Their young caregivers seemed anxious, nervous and pale.
Years of collections were lost on that night, Like old photos of grandparents holding their kids. Some lost photos of ancestors returning triumphant from war, While others lost photos of loved ones returning in caskets draped with old glory after giving their all.
Firefighter Cory Iverson died doing what he and all firefighters and police officers
do every day, risking their lives, others to save.
This young patriot died for the love of his family and commitments in life
He conquered his fear and died while on duty fighting the fire.
The Thomas Fire burned for forty days.
It caused death and destruction along the way. Property worth billions of dollars were lost to the flames.
The brush and the fuel will grow back again. The Santa Ana winds will always return. Without new regulation, when conditions are right, more houses will burn.
Keep it simple- remove all the brush, dead wood and dry fuel
a safe distance from homes then the fire cannot feed.
Update the homes in the forest to be resistant to heat,
then all wildfire tragedies in Ventura and California will all disappear.
With all of the agencies working as one,
soon Ventura will all be restored, this beautiful city between mountains and shores.
Many Thomas Fire survivors lost all their priceless belongings.
They have all disappeared like the smoke in the air and the glow in the sky.
Leaving an ache in their heart until the day they will die.