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Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – Mailbox

Dear Sheldon,

Isn’t it a waste and a shame that the Foster Library has to CLOSE for the day when the temperature gets HOT?

Why can’t air conditioning be installed? Wouldn’t it be worth the cost, particularly for the children? Contacting some Indoor AC specialists can help officials decide the best route, keeping the library open and at safe temperatures for everyone.

Suzanna Ballmer

Suzanna:

We contacted city staff regarding this and received the following replies.

It has been priced but I don’t remember the cost. The newer library branches may be air conditioned but I am not sure. I will ask, may make more sense to move more programming that is there during the summer. Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann

Yes, it’s been priced. It’s on our library capital project list, but not funded. Councilmember Christy Weir

Every branch is air conditioned except Foster. And, it has been costed out, about 1.5 million. It is something I am actively working on with Nancy Schram, Director of the Ventura County Library System. We are trying to cobble funds together. Nancy O’Connor Director Parks/Recreation and Community Partnerships
.


Breeze:

Figures posted at highwayrobbery (dot) net show that red
light camera ticketing is way up in Ventura.

When March – July 2018 figures are compared to those for 2016 and 2017,
the ticketing from two of the eighteen cameras has more than tripled and
at two others the ticketing has more than doubled. Only one camera is
ticketing less than it was. The overall/citywide increase is 40%.

Regards,
Jim

Jim: Maybe the cameras have a quota or they get fired.


Dear Sheldon,

Our solution to the 12 days of Fair fireworks was to load our dog into the car at three minutes before the show and then drive towards the east end of town for 8 minutes. It got old quickly. Coming so soon after the loud bangs on July 4th and 5th and 6th….(you get the idea), our boy had PTSD. Any loud bangs terrified him. And, it’s not just five minutes, it’s 5 minutes times 12. So….here’s one Venturan who is glad they were shortened.

Carol Spector


Sheldon.. great work on once again calling out the City of Ventura and its water manager Kevin Brown in the current publication.. As a victim of the Thomas Fire (Ondolando Area) it is sad to know that not one house has been started on our street of Colina Vista….One house is being framed on Via Ondolando.. and you know the lack of numbers in housing permits being issued. It is pretty evident that the city does not want the fire victims back I their homes.. they want us to sell and make a huge gain on the new buyers with their $$$$ million dollar plus homes… the permit process is long, complex and very very discouraging to those of us that once believed in those that promised us a seamless and easy rebuild process… Finally be sure to post/print: all of the local town meetings or dates for the debates amongst the City Council candidates.. I plan to attend everyone of them and let my voice be heard… thanks.. Chris..

Chris R. Dryden

Chris:
Not sure if I agree with all that you said but all opinions are important (except “fake news” of course).
Sheldon

I don’t know why people expect art to make sense. They accept the fact that life doesn’t make sense.
~ David Lynch


 

Rock of Love Project

Stephanie Green and Becky Caron began a project to help those that lost their homes.

by Jennifer Tipton

Eight months after losing her home on Nob Hill to the Thomas Fire, Becky Caron and friend Stephanie Green began a project to help themselves and others heal by making heart shaped glass mosaics on rocks.

“I don’t want people to forget what happened in December, none of us have been able to rebuild our homes yet and we are broken”, said Becky.

Stephanie’s home on Montclair (just below Nob Hill) was not lost, but there was enough damage to the kitchen that she was relocated to a rental in Oxnard Shores where Becky and her husband had also found temporary housing. In February, the two met up one day while each walking their dogs on the beach.

About eight other gals have now joined Becky and Stephanie with their “art therapy”, including Candy Polhemus after her son Gary was seeking some sort of support for his mother who not only lost her home to the Thomas Fire but had also just lost her mother and then her husband passed shortly after the fire struck.

Becky told me, “It’s therapeutic to create things with your hands, it’s like putting pieces of our hearts back together.”

Creating the mosaics is a 2-day process, the first day is to cut and glue the glass and a couple days later (after the glue has had time to dry), the rocks can be grouted. Since February, the group has met twice weekly, every Saturday morning and usually on the following Thursday.

Much of the glass and costume jewelry displayed on the mosaics has been donated to them. In fact, donations have come from as far away as Nevada when a business called “Stained Glass Dreams” sent 3 boxes of glass after being “touched by our story”.

On August 25th, with the help of David Gardner, the 60 mosaic rocks took part in the Art Walk @ The Shores, starting at Wooley and ending at Harbor Blvd. Opening her Oxnard Shores rental home, Becky displayed the pieces for anyone who might like to have one. She stated, “we’re not selling anything, we want to heal people’s hearts, we never thought in a million years our homes would be lost in the fire and most of us were not able to get anything out, so we’re rebuilding our hearts from the fire- piece by peace”.

For more information visit: [email protected] .

School on Wheels headquartered in Los Angeles celebrates 25 years of shrinking educational gaps that affect homeless youth

In 1993 a retired school teacher, Agnes Stevens, was so deeply moved by the number and plight of homeless students she saw that she dedicated her life to setting up a nonprofit to help. School on Wheels has been providing one-on-one stable tutoring relationships ever since.

August marks the 25th anniversary of local nonprofit School on Wheels. School on Wheels began in Santa Monica with one tutor and now operates in six counties throughout Southern California. In 2010, it opened its flagship Skid Row Learning Center and since then has opened five Digital Learning Centers a in Compton, San Fernando Valley, Boyle Heights, Venice and Chino Hills. In 2017, 2,029 volunteers spent more than 100,000 hours tutoring 3,370 homeless kids. More than 5,000 backpacks, school supplies, uniforms and bus tokens have been distributed to children in need in the past year.  Their Resource Center is located in Ventura.

“When I was 16 we were homeless in Los Angeles and we spent nights sleeping on buses and trains and finally moved into a shelter in Skid Row,” said Josephine Bailey McLein. “That’s when I found School on Wheels. Their center had internet and I could do my homework somewhere I felt safe. I worked hard to get all the requirements for college, but I never told anyone at my high school I was homeless. I am now a junior at USC majoring in human biology and my mom and sister finally have an apartment. School on Wheels encouraged me to keep up with my school work and to follow my dream of going to college.”

As California’s housing shortage intensifies, the number of homeless children continues to climb. Since 2014, the number of homeless youth in California has jumped 20 percent, to more than 202,329, and accounts for nearly four percent of the overall public school population, according to the California Homeless Youth Project.

“While childhood homelessness and poverty are daunting, I truly believe that when people come together around a shared belief, change is possible,” says Catherine Meek, executive director of School on Wheels.

Today, hundreds of volunteers work one-on-one with children whose homelessness prevents them from receiving the academic stability and help they desperately need. The heart of the School on Wheels’ program is the volunteer tutors who come from all backgrounds and professions, with a shared goal – to reach out to a child, to teach, to mentor and assist in his or her educational life. The mission of School on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade. Tutoring in six counties in Southern California, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Sinead Chilton, Director, Development & Marketing School on Wheels, Inc. told the Breeze. “I met Agnes Stevens, the founder of School on Wheels at a volunteer training in Ventura in 2003.  I knew straight away that I would know her for a long time and that her mission was an important one.  Up until then, I didn’t realize that children were homeless in Ventura never mind the rest of America.  School on Wheels has always had a presence in Ventura County and over the years has helped thousands of children in the county with backpacks, school supplies, one-on-one tutoring and mentoring.  I still volunteer today and I think the mission is as important as ever.”

To learn more about School on Wheels, visit www.SchoolonWheels.org.

Vol. 11, No. 24 – Aug 29 – Sept 11, 2018 – The Pet Page

• On September 16, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center presents Have You Always Dreamed of Working with Animals as a Career? Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center will be hosting our 2nd Annual Animal Career Fair!

Located at 3521 Arundell Circle #B Ventura.

This event is free to the public. Everyone is welcome!

Please visit www.venturapetwellness.com for an updated list of some professions that will be represented. (Children 14 years and younger must be accompanied by an adult)

• Paw’s Corner
by Sam Mazzotta

Fat Cat Brought to Tears by Diet

Dear Paw’s Corner: Help! My 6-year-old cat, “Misti,” has a serious weight problem, and the veterinarian said she needs to drop several pounds. The vet told me to feed her less, but Misti cries constantly around feeding time and won’t let up until I put more food into her bowl. What else can I do? Are there weight-loss supplements for cats? — Helen T.

Dear Helen: Helping your cat lose weight can be a struggle, but we all know that getting Misti down to a healthier weight will improve her quality of life.

There are several supplements and cat foods formulated specifically for cats that say they help with weight control. One supplement, L-Carnitine, may be helpful, but consult Misti’s vet first for the proper amount to give her.

A calorie-restricted diet is the most effective way for Misti to lose weight. However, according to veterinarianÊand clinical researcher Dr. Mark E. Peterson, reducing calories alone isn’t effective. You must increase the amount of protein that Misti gets and reduce the amount of carbohydrates. The way to do this is to replace part of her dry food with real meat (plain chicken, steamed and cooled, for example). A high-quality canned food also may help increase protein, but read the labels very carefully.

To make the diet easier on both of you, prepare Misti’s food a few days ahead, separating each day’s fresh and dry food into separate containers. Dole out her meals twice a day. Save a little each time and when she cries for more food, place that small amount into her bowl. That trick, plus the increased protein, will help satiate Misti as she adjusts to the new diet.

(c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

• By Dr. Jerry Klein, CVO

I have a local professional groomer that my dog and I both adore but costs prohibitive to take my dog as often as I would like, yet I’m intimidated to bathe, groom, and trim my dog’s nails on my own. What are some ways I can manage my dog’s hygiene and grooming on my own?

While good hygiene habits are essential for a healthy dog, unlike humans, most dogs do not require daily hygiene and grooming habits. What is required, and how often, depends on the breed. Hygiene such as teeth brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and brushing are most certainly an essential aspect of regular dog care, regardless of the breed. A lot of people do not enjoy the process of grooming their dog, especially the less pleasant parts, i.e teeth brushing and nail trimming. If you are unsure when it comes to clipping dog nails that are too long, there are many online guides you can find that can help you in this process. You might struggle with everything though when it comes to dog grooming. You might not know what to use, what products to get etc. . . When it comes to things like ear cleaning though then it might be a good idea to check out this article here (visit https://www.puppywire.com/dog-ear-cleaner/) to help you figure out what products you should get. You might not get everything perfect from the start, but just remember that your dog will always love you. That’s why dogs are great. There are loads of things that you can do for your dog (you might as well spoil your dog when you can). For example, why not get them a nice comfortable waterproof dog bed (if this is something that interests you then you could check out a website like https://www.jugdog.co.uk/best-dog-beds/waterproof-dog-beds/). It’s not just dog beds that you can get for them though, you could treat them to a new toy, or their favourite snack. Whatever you decide, I’m sure your dog will love it.

Professional dog groomers, professional dog handlers, and some veterinary technicians are well trained in grooming, so you can be assured that your pup is in good hands. However, it’s certainly useful for owners to learn maintenance grooming to keep their dogs looking sharp in-between visits to the groomer.

One of the best sources of information for grooming can be your dog’s breeder. An AKC responsible breeder will often have a wealth of knowledge .

Dog Grooming at Home: Obtain the right tools: the mentors listed above will help guide you in the purchase of the right nail trimmers, a styptic powder used to stop nail bleeding such as Kwik Stop, teeth cleaning tools, brushes, wide and fine-tooth combs, shampoos, and even blow dryers if needed. They can also help you learn about proper tables used for grooming and even a grooming arm that will hold your pup in place.

Use a brush that is intended for the coat of your dog breed. For example, bristle brushes are preferred for short-haired breeds and sleeker types of brushes are preferred for long-haired breeds. Check with your professional groomer, breeder, or veterinarian to ensure you are using the best option before making your purchase.

With the appropriate brush for your dog’s coat, brush your canine companion every other day (even short-haired breeds) to remove dirt and debris, prevent matting, control shedding, and create a shiny coat.

Keep your dog’s nails trimmed. Your vet and/or groomer can show you how to safely trim nails. Before you start trimming nails, make sure you have easy access to a product that will stop the nail from bleeding if cut too short, such as a styptic pencil or a cauterizing powder.

Is your dog a breed that has hair covering his eyes? If so, clean with a damp cloth and keep the hair trimmed. Make sure the cut doesn’t cause hair to fall into your dog’s eyes and irritate them.

Daily brushing of your dog’s teeth is best, but you should brush your dog’s teeth at least a few times per week. Plaque starts to build up after 48 hours. You can also try wrapping your finger with gauze or a washcloth. Wipe the teeth and massage the gums. Dental problems in dogs can lead to other problems, including serious health issues such as heart disease, kidney disease, and more.

Do not use “human” beauty and hygiene products such as shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste on your dog. Many human toothpastes contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.

•A dog or puppy is a huge commitment of time, money, and energy, and you need to make sure that you’re ready before you bring a pet home. You also have to consider a dog’s potential needs in the future. Adopting a puppy is different from adopting an adult dog, and adopting a senior dog has its own challenges, too. With puppies, you’ll have to factor in the cost of vaccination, spaying and neutering, training and socialization classes, and new equipment like leashes, bowls, toys, and more. Puppies require a lot of stimulation and play, and also frequent naps. Their immune systems are not always fully developed, and they may have medical needs that adult dogs don’t have. They may not be potty trained, so be prepared to clean up some accidents.

Adult dogs are usually up-to-date on vaccines and already spayed or neutered by their shelter. They tend to have a grasp on basic commands and may have started some sort of behavior training at somewhere like A Dog’s Path – a San Antonio dog training establishment for example. Good shelters and rescue groups will often work with dogs in their care to teach them to be social and well-behaved, as it increases their chances of being adopted. This is something you should ask your local shelter about. Adult dogs have exercise needs and require mental stimulation. It is important that you can keep up with them. You may have to hire a dog walker if you’re gone for most of the day or a pet sitter if you travel.

Senior dogs tend to be more relaxed. While their exercise needs may not be as extreme as puppies or adult dogs, they do sometimes come with health issues that must be addressed. You will also have to be prepared for end-of-life care. That said, senior dogs tend to be more used to living with humans and are able to become very attached easily. They make for great cuddle buddies, and they are often a dog of choice for senior owners who want a loving pet that has a manageable energy level.

Before you bring a dog home, you need to have a good, long talk with your family. Make sure everyone is on the same page, and that everyone’s responsibilities are made clear. Who will be the primary caretaker? Who will do the feeding, the bathing, the walking, and so on? Once your human family is on board, you also need to make sure that your other furry family members, if you have any, are ready.

Mayor’s Arts Awards nominations

At a previous Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony Councilmember Cheryl Heitmann presented the winners with their awards.269

The City of Ventura, on behalf of the Mayor, welcomes nominations for its annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. This program is intended to highlight the contributions that the arts provide to our cultural community as well as recognize artistic achievement.

Nominations can be made in seven categories and are open to the public. The deadline to submit is Thursday, September 6, at 5 pm. Nomination forms are available on the Mayor’s Arts Awards website or by contacting Kathryn Dippong Lawson at [email protected] or 805-658-4726.

In its 14th year, this program aims at honoring significant contributions by individuals, organizations, and businesses to the arts. It showcases the economic impact of Ventura’s creative businesses and develops new leaders and patrons for the arts. The seven awards categories, of the Mayor’s Arts Awards program, are Arts Patron, Artist in the Community, Creative Entrepreneur, Arts Leader, Arts Educator, Emerging Artist and Student Artist. Nominees need not be residents of the City of Ventura but must have had a substantive impact on the City of Ventura’s cultural life. While self-nominations are not accepted, nominees should be made aware that they have been nominated. Nominators need not be City of Ventura residents and may submit multiple nominations each year.

“The Mayor’s Arts Awards program is the City’s way of showing our gratitude to the leaders, artists, and emerging artists of our community. The program celebrates the way art is weaved into the fabric of our cultural community here in Ventura, and we are thrilled to honor them,” stated Kathryn Dippong Lawson, Cultural Arts Supervisor.

For more information on these categories and the program, please visit the Mayor’s Arts Awards website.

Funds raised will enable TBCF to serve all eligible families without turning anyone away.

TBCF provided financial and emotional support to Mary and her family.

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) held its sixth annual Gold Ribbon Campaign in recognition of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September with a private event for its Tri-County recipients, volunteers, sponsors and siblings on Aug. 21 at the Gordic Grove in Elings Park in Santa Barbara.

This uplifting event treated guests to a picnic dinner in an outdoor setting and featured a brief program honoring TBCF volunteers, highlighting the campaign and introducing a family who has received support from TBCF. Throughout the month of September, the Gold Ribbon Campaign will promote ways to spread awareness and raise funds for the cause. The Campaign will culminate in a fundraiser luncheon on Oct. 4 at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara featuring silent and live auctions, an elegant lunch, live entertainment and an inspirational program.

The Gold Ribbon Campaign is TBCF’s flagship awareness and fundraising endeavor; funds raised from this Campaign will enable TBCF to serve all eligible families requesting assistance without turning anyone away. Last year, TBCF experienced a 34% increase in the number of families needing financial assistance. In response to this growing need, TBCF set this year’s Gold Ribbon Campaign goal at $370,000, its highest to date.

TBCF offers a wide range of programs to lessen the immediate financial, emotional and educational challenges that arise when a child is diagnosed with cancer while providing ongoing opportunities for families to connect with each other in a safe space. TBCF’s three core programs address the needs of the entire family, alleviating financial and emotional challenges so family members can be there for what’s most important – their child’s well-being during one of the most difficult times of his or her young life.

“Gold was selected for the color of the awareness ribbon because it represents a precious metal, and our children are precious,” TBCF Executive Director Lindsey Leonard explains. “Please Go Gold in September and join us in supporting local families by increasing awareness for this cause and raising critical funds for our programs.”

Ways to Go Gold:

Sponsorship: Gold Ribbon Campaign & Gold Ribbon Luncheon sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000-$50,000

Donate: Make a gift in support of  a loved one, participate in the employee corporate giving program, arrange for planned giving, donate gifts of securities, host a benefit, donate a car or text “Teddy” to 91999

Encouraging Youth Philanthropy Program: TBCF will mentor kids from elementary school to college aged and help them raise funds with goals starting at $500

Volunteer

Create Your Own Fundraiser

Set up a fundraiser on Facebook

Donate on Facebook

About Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization with a mission to empower families living in Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties who have a child with cancer by providing financial, educational and emotional support. Services are provided to families of children with cancer up to age 18 and continuing until the patient reaches 21 years of age. In 2017, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation provided services to 839 individuals. In 2017, the Gold Ribbon Campaign raised $515,644. Since its founding in 2002, TBCF has awarded $1.85 million in financial assistance to 1,928 individuals. For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.teddybearcancerfoundation.org.

An Exhibition at Acuna Art Collective Social Security Building

An Exhibition at Acuna Art Collective Social Security Building, 425 South B Street, Oxnard

Clay Coming To Life featuring the sculptures of  Jacqueline Biaggi,  Lynn Creighton and  Janet Neuwalder.

The clay itself is the messenger. Each artist in her own way has learned to interpret the results of the movement of the clay in her hands. Love and trust of the clay requires that each artist await the result of the interaction with the clay leading the way. Ventura artist Lynn Creighton’s forms flow from the process.

Opening: September 21, 5-8 pm; Closing: November 2, 5-8 pm

Special Event October 12, 6-8 pm: Exploring and responding to the Exhibition with the guidance of poets Marsha de la O and Phil Taggart

Galleries open Thursday through Sunday 12 to 5

Exhibition sponsored and funded by City of Oxnard Cultural Arts Commission

The Buzz About Heritage Honey

Heritage Honey has a unique collection of bee products, from honey to skin care products to beekeeping supplies

by Mira Reverente

Quaint, inviting and unpretentious, walking into Heritage Honey along Thompson Blvd. is akin to walking into a friend’s or family member’s home. Jars of honey and curio items adorn the neatly-arranged shelves. A swinging glass door filled with bees stand out. It is after all a business that is bee-focused.

Co-owner Marcelino Zavala asks, “Can you spot the queen bee?” To the untrained eye, it takes awhile to spot her so Zavala had to point out her majesty. There she was, lording over her hive.

A legacy of bees

Zavala’s bees have a long, interesting lineage, having inherited them from Wailen Bennett of Bennett’s Honey Farm in Piru Canyon. “He taught me everything about the beekeeping business,” says Zavala of his mentor and former employer.

Not everyone starts out like Zavala. “Usually, hobbyists start out with a hive or two then go from there,” says Suzanne Lamey, who is Zavala’s business partner.

Lamey’s expertise lies in honey production where she was a quality assurance manager for eight years. The two were employed by Bennett where they gained the knowledge about the honey industry in Ventura County.

The bee kingdom

Aside from the honey varieties, skin care products, candies, honey products and beekeeping supplies, it’s a coop for local beekeepers and the only place that’s a retail and packing facility in one, says Lamey.

“The beekeepers bring their honey here and we package and sell them. The retail side of Heritage Honey is just a bonus but the bulk of the business is in packing,” she says, showing us around the pristine room where all the packing takes place.

Zavala also sells Nuc boxes, also known as a small colony of bees, and sometimes lends his expertise to beekeepers on swarms and other issues, for free. “I’ll answer any question on the phone and If I’m free, I’ll go out and check on their bee issues,” he says.

Wasp are you talking about?

Good, ethical beekeeping practices are important. As an example, Zavala explains, “We don’t feed bees during a ‘honey flow.’ Doing so affects the integrity of the honey,” he says.

An all-terrain natural setting is also preferred, so the bees are exposed to less pesticides and parasites. Says Zavala, “Good honey is usually judged on color, taste and moisture.”

Looking bee-yond

Probably immune to bee stings at this point, but not to small business challenges. “A good rain year is key to a good honey production year,” says Lamey, citing a challenge that’s tough to control but not unusual.

Unknown to many in the area, honey is an agricultural product so just like everything else in this agricultural region, weather needs to be on the growers’ side. “Otherwise, we have great soil for pollination for crops like avocados,” says Lamey.

Springtime is “bee season” but October to December are usually considered peak months in the business. However, the Thomas Fire last December also brought an unexpected slump in sales.

The duo feels optimistic about growth and getting the word out about their good reputation. Lamey says, “We just want this to be a gathering place for hobbyists, beekeepers and locals alike from all over Ventura, Santa Barbara and LA counties.”

For more info: Heritage Honey is at 2031 E. Thompson Blvd.. Contact 805.641.0408, www.heritagehoney.org.