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City Council approves plan for year-round shelter

by Richard Lieberman

The Ventura City Council at a recent Monday evening session has approved a plan to join the city of Oxnard for an up-to-six-month “pilot shelter” instead of the traditional foul weather seasonal homeless shelter.

According to the proposed plan, the new 24-hour homeless shelter will offer services to the homeless such as employment help, housing assistance, mental health and substance abuse issues among the homeless population. The proposal will use the Oxnard Armory, owned buy the city of Oxnard to house the proposed year-round shelter.

The city of Oxnard, Ventura and the county would each pay $185,000, with the funding share to possibly be proportioned based on the actual use of the shelter by Ventura and Oxnard persons experiencing homelessness, the staff report states.

Both cities would be using the shelter until they open permanent ones. Oxnard is looking for a site to put a permanent shelter in its community, while Ventura is working on a plan to lease the first floor of a Ventura County building located on Knoll Drive in Ventura.

The Knoll Drive location needs many improvements including sprinklers, bathrooms, showers, and asbestos abatement among just a few. The city is also seeking an operator and has already conducted three interviews of potential operators. The site could potentially be up and running by next winter. Costs are estimated to be in the $2 million for the proposed improvements and $1.2 million to run each year. Half that amount would be the city’s share. “Significant concerns were expressed regarding existing safety concerns and that the shelter will worsen this already challenging environment,” the staff report says in part.

There were also concerns expressed about property values.

Another option would be a shelter that would open just when the weather reaches a certain temperature or rain is predicted at a certain level. Based on the past two years, such a shelter would open approximately 22 days from December through March and cost $15,000 to $20,000.

A location has yet to be identified, but city staff and the Ventura Social Services Task Force identified several faith-based organizations willing to volunteer once a site has been determined. The city already has the cots and linens to use in a temporary space.

The city has also adopted a “declaration of shelter crisis,” which paves the way to get money through the state’s Homeless Emergency Aid Program. The county will receive nearly $4.9 million to distribute early next month. Oxnard, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Simi Valley and the county have already approved the declaration staff reports indicate.

The council also approved a new two-year contract with members of the Service Employees International Union. The contract gives the group a raise of just over 5 percent and a one-time payment of $500 instead of retroactive pay. The previous contract expired on June 30th.

The new contract runs from July 1st, 2018 to June 30th, 2020, and cost is estimated at $1.3 million.

The two-year cost for all labor groups approved so far is $3.8 million. This figure does not include members of the city’s fire two fire unions which have yet to reach an agreement on a new contract.

New meters will automatically relay customer’s water usage

Ventura Water implements meter upgrade project.

Ventura Water will start upgrading manually-read meters with new meters that will automatically relay customer’s water usage to the City’s water billing system through a secured network. The project began on October 1, 2018 and will replace water meters for approximately 32,000 Ventura Water customers over a 3-year period.

The new meters will allow customers to track daily water use and be notified of leaks with Home Connect, a new online water tracker.  “Ventura Water relies heavily on accurate and timely data,” said Ventura Water General Manager Kevin Brown. “The meter upgrade project will modernize our system and equip both customers and staff to better manage our water resources through real time water usage data and greatly improved leak detection.”

Customers will receive a notification in the mail 1-2 weeks prior to their scheduled upgrade. The City’s contractor, Professional Meters Inc. (PMI), will be installing the new water meters. Customers do not have to be at home for the replacement to occur.  Once the exchange is complete, customers will receive a door hanger detailing the work performed and additional contact information.

The City asks that customers provide easy access to their water meters by making sure the meters are not blocked by bushes, vines, equipment, or other materials that would prevent PMI personnel from replacing the meter. Meter boxes are typically located near the sidewalk. Customers with a meter behind a locked gate or a meter that is otherwise inaccessible should call PMI at 1-866-965-0657 to schedule an appointment for the new meter installation.

PMI installers will have easily identifiable uniforms and their vehicles will have identifying logos.  If an installer cannot show you an identification badge, or if you have a concern about the identification, please call the PMI call center at 1-866-270-9629 or Ventura Water Customer Care at (805) 667-6500.

For information on Ventura Water’s Meter Upgrade Project and updates visit www.venturawater.net.

Ventura College Foundation introduces Tuition-Free VC Promise Program

Samuel Ponce just started his first semester as a transfer student at Cal State Northridge.

At its September 26 meeting, Ventura College Foundation board of directors approved funding for a second-year Ventura College (VC) Promise program where Ventura College students can have tuition costs of their second year of academic studies paid for by the foundation. A first-year VC Promise is already in place.

“Our first-year VC Promise began in 2007. It was the first of its kind in the state and a model for other California community colleges,” says Anne King, Ventura College Foundation executive director.

In addition, the foundation, through private donations and proceeds from its Weekend Marketplace, will cover supplemental fees for all VC Promise students.

Because of the new public-private funding, an estimated 1,500 students will now benefit from the expanded first-year VC Promise.

The second-year VC Promise will begin in the 2019-2020 academic year. Students will receive second-year VC Promise support on a first come, first served basis and must meet specific academic and career planning criteria to qualify. An estimated 200 students will be served by adding the second-year Promise program.

“The goal is to remove the financial barriers that keep students from pursuing a college education,” says Dr. Damon Bell, president of Ventura College. “With 70 percent of our students living in low or moderately low-income households, tuition costs make college out of reach for many.”

“This collaborative effort between the Ventura College Foundation and Ventura College will help increase student completion of certificates and degrees,” says Dr. Greg Gillespie, chancellor of the Ventura County Community College District. “Students will then be prepared for transition into careers and transfer programs.”

According to the Ventura College Foundation, VC Promise students are 70 percent more likely to earn a degree or certificate in four years. One example is Samuel Ponce, a 2018 Ventura College graduate and former VC Promise student. He just started his first semester as a transfer student at Cal State Northridge.

VC Promise is also available to veterans, active duty military, and DACA students. For more about VC Promise and the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VCgiving.org, or call 805-289-6461.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace; an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Anne Paul King at (805) 289-6461 or [email protected].

YOUR VOTE COUNTS

by Antoinette Mann – City Clerk, City of Ventura

As the election official for the City of San Buenaventura, I want to remind you that voting is one of the most fundamental rights of democracy. Your vote is your voice, so get out and vote on November 6, 2018!

The City of Ventura will hold its first district-based city council elections on November 6th, for Districts 1, 4, 5 and 6. Voters in Districts 2, 3 and 7, are not voting for a city councilmember this election year, however all registered voters will vote on federal, state and other local items. Even if you do not live in a district that is voting for a councilmember, do your part and participate because elected officials in other positions, as well as ballot measures and propositions, affect our community and YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

Voters can save postage by dropping-off Vote-by-Mail ballots at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, Room 204, or at the Ventura County Government Center Administration Building, including their 24-hour drive-up ballot box. You can also drop off Vote-by-Mail ballots at any polling place on November 6. If you are mailing your completed ballot, ensure it is postmarked no later than November 6 (Election Day) and add the correct amount of postage. The last day to request your Vote-by-Mail ballot is October 22 for the November 6th election … so don’t delay!

Unsure of your polling place location? Your polling place location is printed on the back cover of your voter guide. Please note that polling locations adjust periodically. If texting is your preferred means of communication, text “Ventura County” to 28683 to verify that you are a registered voter and to find your polling place. If you’re not registered to vote, you can easily register right from your cell phone via the Ventura County Elections Division website.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. and will stay open later than 8 p.m. if you are already in line so that you can VOTE. Stop by the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall to receive a “I VOTED” sticker to wear on Election Day! The City of Ventura City Clerk’s staff can be reached at (805) 658-4787 to assist with any of your election questions. Remember, YOUR VOTE COUNTS!

Seaside BOO-tacular happenings at Ventura Harbor Village

If you want to participate, it takes some preparation! Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Ventura Harbor Village welcomes wee pirates and costumed mermaids (along with spooktacular parents) waterfront for a Seaside Trick or Treat on Saturday ,October 27, from 1pm-3pm. Dress up and navigate through the waterfront Village with over 20 treat stops at participating Harbor boutiques and restaurants. It will be an afternoon full of Halloween sweets, face painting, and fun!

That very same day, Zombies will roam the promenade and come together for a World Record breaking flash mob to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Spectators should be sure to show up by 3pm to catch the dance in action. Dancers around the globe convene at to try and beat the World Record of dancers at one time to Thriller. However, if you want to participate, it takes some preparation!

Learn the dance, by joining Molly at FitZone in Ventura for classes and get creative with zombie costumes and make-up. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 805-766-4480. Ages 6 and up are welcome to join in on the fun. There is a $20 Dancer Registration fee (all proceeds go to “Make a Wish Foundation”.)

Free public programs offered by cycling club

The Channel Islands Bike Club is Ventura County’s largest recreational road cycling club. They are working to make Ventura County a bicycling destination and to share the benefits of bicycling for health, recreation, sport, and transportation. They welcome both beginners and experts.

They provide free public programs on the second Wednesday of each month at the Museum of Ventura County at 100 East Main Street in Ventura. Doors open at 6:30pm with a no-host beer/wine bar.

The program starts at 7:00pm with interesting speakers who share their knowledge and adventures.

They host group bike rides several days per week. Additional information about the bike club is online at www.cibike.org.

If you have questions, please contact Bill Faulkner, Grants Director at 805-648-1426.

Fairground is transformed into a virtual Scottish village of this or any age

Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states.

Southern California’s Seaside Highland Games – the premier Scottish festival on the Pacific Coast – will launch their 16th outing on October 13 & 14. Staged on the Ventura County Fairgrounds the venue is transformed into a virtual Scottish village of this or any age. Set on the Pacific shores, the festival is fortunate to enjoy the ocean breezes in virtually every year. And October it the optimal time to enjoy the ‘twixt’n tween” time between summer and fall.

Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states to take part – Washington and Oregon to the north and Arizona, Utah and Nevada to the east. This year, because our honored clan will be Clan Graham Society of North America, we will be flooded with Grahams from all across this nation as well as our neighbors in Canada. There could be a new native Scots thrown into the mix as well!

The special guests this year will be the Honorable Ms Joni Smith, Scottish Counselor for North America from her Washington DC offices. And the World Champion Grade 3 pipe band …the Pasadena Scots!

On Friday night of games weekend there is the “A Scottish Evening”, which consists of a sumptuous buffet supper, great Scottish music and a Scottish fashion show! A Single Malt Tasting precedes the dinner with a dozen plus premium Scotch brands to taste!

Saturday brings the gala opening ceremonies and grand parade at noon in front of the Alex Beaton Stage. Clan names and mottoes will be called out by the Voice of the Seaside Games, Bill Graham, as clan members march by, interspersed with all the fine bagpipe and drum bands in attendance. A true color spectacle! Four stages of wonderful music will be playing continuously throughout the weekend, while nearby the Highland heavies, the braw Scottish athletes, will amaze you. The herding dogs demos will amuse and thrill you and the dancers of all ages will enthrall you! The St. Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles Harp Glen is an awesome stop and the World War II military encampment will teach you a thing or three about our tremendous history. Fine vendors, tasty Celtic food and drink when the need arises, and a precious Children’s Glen for the wee ones add to the amazing offerings.

Come to Seaside and see it all! October 13 and 14 on the Ventura County Fairgrounds! For more information [email protected] or call John and Nellie at 818-886-4968.

Vol. 12, No. 1 – Oct 10 – Oct 23, 2018 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 805-415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

Join in on Wednesday nights Cross Town Hikers for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.    The meeting is from 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

Retired men meeting of the Ventura Retired Men’s Group at the Ventura Elks lodge at 11:30 a.m.  on the first or third Tuesday of the month. Stop for a complimentary lunch, interesting program, and a relaxing good time with your peers. Give Bob Likins a call at 805-587-1233 for details

Musicians’ Sober Support Meetup @ FIND (A Friend in Deed) every Monday night 6-9 p.m. Bring acoustic instrument(s) for jamming after sharing support for sobriety.

Bell Arts-Studio 39-432 Ventura Ave. For further information [email protected].

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meets on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd. Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening. Contact: Bill Garner 805-320-1601 or [email protected]

Mended Hearts of Ventura

Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. The first Tuesday each month at Lemon Wood Mobile Park, 850 Johnson Dr. Excellent speakers Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians etc. from our area. Contact Richard Hatcher at (805) 644-2733

When a child dies, The Compassionate Friends (TCF) can help a family move forward through the grief journey. The Compassionate Friends provides a safe and supportive place where grieving parents, grandparents and siblings over age 16 can come speak openly about their loss. Meeting twice a month, on the first and third Wednesday from 7-9 pm at the Poinsettia Pavilion.  Oct 17,Nov 6, Nov 21,Dec 5, Dec 19 For more information, Laura Lindsay, [email protected],

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence in the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. Every Friday at 6 PM at Kaiser Health, 1000 Hill Rd. 2ndfloor lobby. Further information Deva 805-814-5650.

Oct.10:   The Ventura County Camera Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Admission is free. An instructional workshop will be followed by a pro photographer’s critiquing of members submitted images. VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Oct. 11: Come to the Haze Maze Haunted House for the scariest and most thrilling fun. Open Thursday – Sunday plus Halloween night. Receive a $5 discount for checking in on Facebook when you arrive. Located at the Two Trees Escape in the Gateway Village 2855 Johnson Drive. Cost is $15 and hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Haze Maze is benefiting the Kensington Foundation. The Kensington Foundation aids in children’s medical rehabilitation and development throughout Ventura county.

Oct.13: On Saturday, from 10 – 3 p.m. Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Bag o’ Books Book Sale at Hill Road Library, 1070 South Hill Road. Members of Ventura Friends of the Library can take home a bag of books for $1. For all others, the price is $3 a bag. Contact: Mary Olson (805) 223-1187

Oct.13: Haunted Ventura 2-4p.m. All ages lecture and walking tour of the many haunted places in Old Ventura. Stories of ghastly ghosts and strange supernatural happenings will highlight this tour by Ghost Hunter and Story Teller, Richard Senate. Starts at 2 p.m. at Bank of Books 748 E Main Street (805) 643-3154. Fee $6 per person.

Oct.14: The Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, Dr. KuanFen Liu Artistic Director celebrates the opening of its 16th Season with New World Symphony. The concerts will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 1338 E. Santa Clara St.

Donations of $25 are appreciated. Youth 18 and under are free. For more information call 805-484-8000 or visit website www.CHICOVC.org.

Oct.16:  LifeSource Women’s Bible Study from 9 – 11:15 a.m. at Community Presbyterian Church 1555 Poli St. Every Tuesday morning following the school calendar.

Study James by Beth Moore and Hosea by Jennifer Rothschild. Cost for two books and registration is $45. Scholarships and childcare available with prior notice.

805-648-2737 for more information or cpcventura.org

Oct.16: 8:30-10:30 a.m. Fall Migration Bird Walk, hosted by the Nature Conservancy.  Fall migration is starting as the weather changes and the birds have started to move through the area.  Bring binoculars and wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk is roughly 1 1/2 miles.  Ormond Beach wetlands, 301 McWane Blvd. Oxnard.  Park at the end of McWane and meet at the gate.  Questions contact Amy Davis at 770-853-4715 or [email protected].

Oct.18: To celebrate the June 2018 publication of Santa Barbara author Daniel Thomas’s first collection of poems, “Deep Pockets,” Thomas will read his poetry on Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. in the Topping Room at the E.P. Foster Public Library. The reading is hosted by Phil Taggart as part of the weekly poetry series at the library. “Deep Pockets” is available for pre-order at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and copies are available now at Chaucer’s.

Oct.19: The regular monthly meeting of Assistance League of Ventura County will be on Thursday at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara Street at 10 a.m. Men and women are welcome. Assistance League is creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” through several philanthropic programs. The Bargain Box Thrift Shop helps fund these programs. Find more information assistanceleagueventuracounty.org, or [email protected].
805-643-2458 Monday – Thursday, 8 – 2 p.m.

Oct. 20: The Ventura community has long maintained a strong environmental ethic. Whether it’s conserving our hills and open space, encouraging smart growth, protecting our picturesque rivers and beaches, or keeping our City safe and clean,

Community Cleanup Event, Sat. Oct. 20, 9 am-12 noon

765 S. Seaward Ave.

Oct. 20: Celebrate local authors at Barnes & Noble Ventura, Saturday, 1- 4 p.m.

A few authors that will be appearing include Maryann Ridini Spencer “Lady in the Window”, Sheila Lowe “Written Off”, Mike Kennedy “The Huut” and Betty Thomas Patterson “What’s College About Anyway”.

Oct. 21: On Sunday, the Southern California Chapter of the American Handwriting Analysis Foundation will meet at E.P. Foster Library from 11 – 1 p.m. Continuing exploration of how music and handwriting have a world of elements in common, chapter President Charles Talmadge and VP Lena Rivkin will demonstrate with live music and handwriting samples of great composers. Free with refreshments. 805-320-7075 or [email protected] for additional information.

Oct. 21: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, at the Campus Student Center of Ventura College. At noon and at 11 a.m. there will be an informal workshop and a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program at 1 p.m. members will bring watches, clocks & tools for sale. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch will be free.  www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Oct. 27, 28: Ventura Jubilee Fellowship is hosting a Bible Conference featuring Dr. Robert Morgan as guest speaker. Dr. Morgan, renowned author and speaker will be speaking on “The Red Sea Rules” and will be available to sign books. This free event is from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 27 9- 12p.m., Oct. 28 11:30 a.m. Located at 2226 Goodyear Ave. Call 805 -535-4325 for additional information.

Tree watering best practices

City of Ventura provides free gardening classes.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer

Getting a tree to plant in your garden to add to your landscape is a big decision. First, you need to find the right type of tree that will work with your existing foliage. Thankfully, you can look at these mount pleasant tree images to see what all sorts of trees look like when they’re grown. Then, you need to consider how easy maintenance will be — how often will it need to be trimmed? How much water do they require? How fast do they grow? And this is definitely an important thing to consider because you don’t want to buy a tree that isn’t able to stay alive during the droughts we have. This is where the free gardening class comes in helpful.

During times of drought, there are water efficient tips you can employ to keep the trees in your landscape healthy and thriving. At Ventura Water’s September 8th free gardening class held at Green Thumb Nursery, Certified Nursery Professional Richard Flowers shared his expert tips.

Flowers encouraged customers to understand their soil type, “If your soil is hard, dry and compacted you may have a clay soil which needs to be watered slowly and less often, rather than sandy soil which can be watered more frequently for not as long.”

Flowers provided recommendations for maximizing soil moisture and improving soil health. “When you first plant a tree, I always suggest creating a basin around the base and filling it with mulch. Avoid mulch touching the main trunk. Incorporating an organic soil mix under the tree’s canopy or by the tree’s drip line (the area located outside the boundary where rainwater would flow off the leaves to the ground) is beneficial because the organic material helps feed the soil biology improving water uptake, and reducing soil compaction.”

To test your soil’s moisture, Flowers suggested using a screwdriver and inserting it approximately 6-8 inches deep at the tree’s drip line. For watering best practices Flowers suggested, “early morning or dusk which limits water loss due to evaporation.” He explained a newly planted tree requires more frequent watering when compared to an established tree which may only need to be watered once a month being careful not to water in one place.”

“Segment your tree watering into zones. Like the face of a clock, water at positions12, 3, 6, and 9 for a total of 100 gallons of water. If you’re watering with a sprinkler system, use a soup can or something similar to measure when approximately 2 inches of water has been applied. A watering hose on a timer can also work well. Just remember, it’s important to water slowly.”

To find out more about the City of Ventura’s free Gardening classes, visit venturawater.net.