Early in his career, when Jerry Dannenberg presided as President of the Escondido Teacher’s Association, he never imagined he would someday rise through the ranks to become a school district superintendent. He would like to take it a step further now by announcing his candidacy for the Ventura USD Board of Education, Area 4.

When asked why he would wish to jump from recent retirement to the school board, Dr. Dannenberg says “I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve the community that my family has lived in since 1986. Not only did this district employ me in several senior management positions but educated my children and now my grandchildren. I want to give back to the community that has been such a big part of our lives.”

He knows the distinct difference between being a superintendent and a board member and where the line is drawn. “I will not cross that line” he says. Jerry believes he has a lot to offer our local school board, most notably the experience gained in guiding the Hueneme School District nine years ago when the district went through a horrendous on-campus murder of a student at E.O. Green Middle School. Dr. Dannenberg recounts the shock and reality of what was to quickly become national news. “Within a day or two I felt it was very important to call the community together, meeting in the Hueneme HS auditorium. Along with the press, there were parents, community leaders and staff. That day marked the beginning of a long healing process.” Since then, Dr. Dannenberg has been a frequent speaker at community and education groups on lessons learned.

Because of the impact that event had on the district, a focus by Dr. Dannenberg on campus violence was launched. Last year Dr. Dannenberg was pleased to hear that E.O. Middle School received the 2017 GLSEN Respect Award in NYC for the school’s efforts to eradicate campus hatred and violence. “With this experience comes a responsibility to share what we learned. Bullying and hatred have become too much a part of our society. We must do more,” Jerry says.

In his quest for a seat on the school board, Dr. Dannenberg will focus on an aggressive approach to campus bullying, equitable learning opportunities, academic rigor, fully staffing school counselors and employee salaries to attract and retain the best.

The Ventura Community Partners Foundation announced it will host its inaugural “Fairways & Fiesta” event on Saturday, September 8. The event, which is expected to raise thousands for Ventura’s youth, will begin with a golf tournament at 3:30 pm at the Olivas Links Golf Course, located at 3750 Olivas Park Dr. The tournament will be followed by a 5:30 pm dinner event at the historic Olivas Adobe, located at 4200 Olivas Park Dr. Ticket prices are $65/golf tournament, $50/dinner or $100/golf and dinner. Proceeds will be used to support youth recreation scholarships, which provide scholarships to children from Ventura, whose families cannot afford activity fees. To purchase tickets visit http://www.venturafoundation.org or call 805-658-4775.

The event will feature a 9-hole scramble golf tournament at the naturally beautiful Olivas Links Golf Course, followed by dinner, live music by Sound Effect, and a silent auction at the Olivas Adobe. The Ventura Community Partners Foundation is an independent non-profit created to build community and enhance the livability of Ventura by developing and maintaining parks, recreation, and cultural opportunities through partnerships and sustainable, diverse funding.

Board President Kevin Clerici said, “This event provides a fun opportunity for our community to come together and better a child’s life by providing them with scholarships for art and music classes, after-school programs, swim programs, summer camps, youth sports and so much more.”

For more information visit http://www.venturafoundation.org, email [email protected] or call 805-658-4775.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. Jewish Year 5777 this year at sunset on Sept.9. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American New Year.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in temple, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

On sunset on Sept.18, Yom Kippur also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Some Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) that commences with Rosh Hashanah.

An open house reception was held at the Four Points Sheraton Ventura on Thursday, August 9th for this year’s Kickoff Celebration “Younited For a Cure”. The evening’s festivities included pink themed appetizers, raffle prizes, socializing, and informational speakers.

Event Chair Brenda Dearborn opened with the event overview, followed by Kickoff Chair Kerri Berntsen with sponsor thank yous going out to the National Presenting Sponsor, Avon, 2018 Presenting Sponsor UCLA Health, the National Survivor Ambassador Zeta Tau Alpha, as well as to our Platinum Sponsors, $2,500 Sponsors, and Media Sponsors. A very special thanks, along with an award of appreciation, was given to Tim and Kathy Mayeda with the U.S. Bowling Congress for 10 years of support in the fight against breast cancer.

Guest speakers included Camilla Conaway with Avon; Becky Fielder, Making Strides Survivor Tent Chair and 5 year Breast Cancer Survivor; and Bill Harris of Thousand Oaks, who spoke of his own battle with breast cancer and breast cancer survivorship.

Matthew Shrope spoke about where the money raised by Making Strides is used within Ventura County. He then introduced one of the highlights of the evening, the Three Pink Musketeers: Dr. Ronald Atanay, DDS, Josh Damigo and Paul Hardy. Dr. Atanay led the audience in a chant of “All for One, and One for All!” They were joined on stage by Dr. Shawn Steen and Oxnard Police Department Sargent Jeff McGreevy. These dedicated men have each committed to wearing the color Pink every day in October and raise $2,500+ for the Real Men Wear Pink campaign.

Bernie Glenn and Tammy Bauer spoke of their experiences with the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) and the importance of lobbying for critically needed funding for programs and cancer research. Ric Maddox, ACS Community Development Manager, closed out the presentation with information about signing up as a team leader, Social Media, the fundraising app, and event info.

The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K walk will be held on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Harbor Cove Beach, 1878 Spinnaker Dr. Registration begins at 7:30 am and the walk is at 9:00 am. Sign up your team at makingstrideswalk.org/Ventura and walk with us!

The Museum of Ventura County has multiple events coming up, including:

Opening Reception for “At Table: The Business of Food and Community” –Celebrate and explore Ventura County’s rich history of cultural diversity, agricultural bounty and how the influx of immigrants has shaped our recipes, food traditions and eating experiences at the opening reception, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Aug. 30, for the Museum of Ventura County’s newest exhibit, “At Table: The Business of Food and Community.” Tickets for the opening reception are $5 for members, $10 for nonmembers with tickets available at the door. The opening is in conjunction with the Ventura Chamber’s TASTE event which includes free admission to the Museum opening. TASTE tickets are available by calling 805-643-7222 or visiting venturachamber.com/taste2018. Museum members purchasing tickets for TASTE can use promo code Museum18 to receive the chamber member discount.

Museum’s Free First Sunday Features Food as Paint – Focus on the Masters ‘Learning to See’ Outreach invites museum-goers to “play with their food” as part of a free art activity, noon to 2 p.m. on Free First Sunday, Sept. 2, at the Museum of Ventura County. Kids and adults learn about natural pigments by using a variety of fruits, vegetables, leaves and flowers as paint to create lively, colorful still-life artwork. While Free First Sunday offers free admission at both the Ventura and Santa Paula museum locations, the free art activities will take place only at the Ventura museum location. Free First Sunday is sponsored by museum donor Mimi Allin and the TOLD Corporation. For more information visit venturamuseum.org  or call 805-653-0323. Museum locations: The Agriculture Museum, 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula. The Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura.

The 6th annual Vintage Tractor Fair and Kids’ Fun Zone – The fair at the Agriculture Museum immediately follows the Santa Paula’s Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Get close-up and personal with the Topa Topa Flywheelers club members’ rare and unique vintage tractors. Enjoy an afternoon of live music, food trucks, petting zoo, tractor and fair-themed activities and crafts for all ages. Admission is free for the Vintage Tractor Fair and to the museum, $5 for Kids’ Fun Zone (parents are free). The Agriculture Museum is located at 926 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula.

“Speaking of” Water Resources with local author – Florencia Ramirez, author of Eat Less Water, will be the featured speaker for the next Speaking of Ventura County Speaker Series, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept.11, at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Ramirez will share stories of America’s food producers who grow food with less water from her book Eat Less Water. Ramirez sheds light on the seldom-seen connection between dwindling water resources and the choices we make when shopping for groceries for our families and offers a solution that begins in the kitchen. Cost is free with general admission; members free. The Agriculture Museum of Ventura County is located at 926 Railroad Ave, Santa Paula. For more information call (805) 525-3100 or email [email protected].

Ventura neighborhoods were invited to participate with many other neighborhoods across the country in celebration of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 14.

National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Ventura Police Department. This is the 35th anniversary of National Night Out with over 38 million people across the country expected to participate.

National Night Out is designed to: 1) Heighten crime and drug awareness; 2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and 4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and watching out for one another.

From 5 pm to 9 pm, residents in neighborhoods throughout Ventura and across the nation were asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend an evening outside with neighbors and police. Neighborhoods hosted a variety of events ranging from small potlucks and BBQs to block parties.

Join the Native Daughters of the Golden West Poinsettia Parlor number 318 and The City of San Buenaventura Parks And Recreation for an Open house at the Ortega Adobe 215 w. Main St.

Sunday, September 9th – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hear a presentation on the history of the Adobe by Ernie Calvillo and have a tour conducted by Dolly Attaway.

Visit and learn about this historical landmark, including its colorful past. The Ortega Adobe is the original site of the famous Ortega Chili. No RSVP needed for this free community event. See you there!

Refreshments to follow. Parking is available.