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Even though painting was not in the contract for almost $400,000 they could have taken a day painting it.

Thank you Ventura.

In previous issues the Breeze has commented on the horrible workmanship performed on the pedestrian crossing bridge that runs over the freeway to the promenade. We also commented on the horrible handrail.

“This is what the work consisted of per the Department of Transportation (DOT): ‘The department is working with the City of Ventura to provide for a safe and accessible pedestrian overcrossing that gives access to people shopping, recreating and living in the area. This polyester concrete overlay will improve the surface and the replaced handrail will provide comfort and safety for users.”

“Even though painting was not in the contract for Guills, Inc. of Pasadena, I would think that for almost $400,000 they could have taken a little pride in their work and spent a day painting it. “

“I have contacted the DOT suggesting that they do the painting. If they won’t, perhaps Ventura could paint it (it reflects upon us) or the Ventura Breeze could have a painting party and we can all paint it. Of course, we would need permission from the DOT and probably need to provide a million-dollar liability insurance policy.”

Very happy and proud of Ventura to take it upon themselves to do the painting. The handrail still looks as it was installing by someone very drunk buy certainly wouldn’t expect Ventura to correct this. And we never did get a response from the contractor. Hopefully they are no longer on the DOT’s bidding list.

Brian Pendleton promoted to Deputy GM of Port District

Pendleton has extensive economic development experience.

The Ventura Port District announces the promotion of Brian Pendleton to Deputy General Manager. Hired in June 2015 as Business Operations Manager for the District ─ home to Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands National Park ─ Pendleton has led the District’s economic development strategy and supervised various department managers. In his new position, Pendleton serves as second in command to oversee District operations.

Among his many accomplishments as Business Operations Manager, Pendleton helped create the process to bring two major new developments to vacant lots at Ventura Harbor: an “Adventure Lodge” proposed alongside Ventura Harbor Village and a boutique hotel proposed for the end of Spinnaker Drive near the Harbor entry. Ventura Port District officials are currently working with the developer of both projects, H. Parker Hospitality, which owns Fess Parker Winery.

Pendleton has also been instrumental in managing federal grant funds awarded to the District to advance the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise. The proposed VSE project seeks to permit offshore aquaculture operations for sustainable grown mussels near Ventura Harbor.

Pendleton has extensive economic development experience, a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in real estate development, both from the University of Southern California. He also is a licensed real estate professional in California and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Urban Land Institute and the California Association for Local Economic Development.

He and his wife, Arlene, and their three children are longtime Ventura County residents.

“Brian has brought a great deal of professionalism and dedication to the District,” said Oscar Peña, Ventura Port District General Manager. “We are fortunate to have such a creative and resourceful thinker as part of our executive staff. His promotion to Deputy General Manager will certainly benefit the District in the future.”

“This is an exciting time for the District,” said Pendleton. “We are working closely with current and proposed business partners to provide a truly vibrant harbor for this community.”

Ventura Port District’s mission is to provide a safe and navigable harbor and a seaside destination that benefits residents, visitors, fishermen and boaters seeking to enjoy Ventura Harbor’s exceptional facilities, events and services. For more information regarding Ventura Port District, visit VenturaHarbor.com.


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End of Life Doula

The experience as an end of life doula started 10 years ago.

by Jennifer Tipton

Just as birth doulas help mothers bring their newborns into the world, end of life doulas ease the transition of individuals leaving this world by bringing comfort and support to those that are dying.

Born in New Jersey, Dina Pielaet is one of thirteen children. In 1973, Dina’s mother and father informed the household that they were selling everything and moving west because they had heard there were junior colleges there that were free, and they wanted their kiddos to have that opportunity. So, her father bought an old VW bus (that was missing the starter), took out all the seats, built a platform and “lined us up like burritos”, Dina laughed, “we push started that bus all the way across the continent and landed in Simi Valley”.

The experience as an end of life doula started 10 years ago when her father called and asked for her help, he was dying. Returning to Simi Valley to act as her father’s caregiver, Dina realized she was “really good at it” and after her father passed, she signed up with Livingston Memorial, training to be a hospice caregiver. Now taking cases independently, she also does celebration of life documentaries as Dina and her partner, Amy Jones owns a full-service marketing and multimedia company. They sometimes work together on the doula cases, “it’s not something we charge money for”, said Dina, “Amy’s on site if it’s more than a one-person job”.

There has been a total of “7 or 8” cases so far including the recent passing of local artist Joe Cordella, “we had known each other for eighteen years and when he became ill, he asked me to be his doula because he knew I wouldn’t leave his side”.

I asked Dina if there has ever been that one “stand out case” and she responded, “well, Joe’s of course, but also a woman that lived in Temecula with her 92 year old father, she had breast cancer that had moved to her brain, City of Hope released her as there was nothing more they could do and at 92, her father was unable to care for her. She wanted her dogs with her but, there wasn’t any place that she could go with them … so, we rented a vacation condo where she could have her dogs and brought her here. It was eight days later when she passed in our arms with her dogs by her side. We were able to accommodate her end of life wish, and that’s very special to me”.

This Labor Day, and Every Day: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

As we enter the final stretch of summer spending time with friends and family, the Ventura Police Department is driving home the importance of celebrating responsibly by not driving, or riding a motorcycle, impaired.

From now until September 3, The Ventura Police Department is participating in a high-visibility national enforcement campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. During this period, Police and Sheriff’s Departments statewide, along with the California Highway Patrol, will increase the number of officers on the road to stop suspected drunk or drug-impaired drivers and motorcyclists. If you are caught driving or riding impaired, you will be pulled over and arrested. To prevent this from happening, if you know of someone that is dependant on alcohol or misuses substances regularly, you could take this time to talk to them about rehab centers such as Ascension House Sober Living and others, to try to help someone close to you, before it may be too late.

The Ventura Police Department will have a special emphasis during this mobilization to enforce all traffic violations.

The deterrent effect of high visibility enforcement using both DUI checkpoints and DUI Saturation Patrols has proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol or drug impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.

DUI Checkpoints are placed in locations based on collision statistics and frequency of DUI arrests, affording the greatest opportunity for achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence. Locations are chosen with safety considerations for the officers and the public.

Officers will be looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment, with officers checking drivers for proper licensing, delaying motorists only momentarily. When possible, specially trained officers will be available to evaluate those suspected of drug-impaired driving, which now accounts for a growing number of impaired driving crashes.

This enforcement campaign runs through the Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest times of year in terms of alcohol-involved traffic deaths. Sadly, one-third of all traffic deaths involve drunk drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,497 people were killed in alcohol-involved crashes or one person every 50 minutes.

“It’s up to drivers to make the smart decision and drive sober not just for this enforcement period, but every day”, said Traffic Unit Sergeant Michael Brown. “This isn’t about ticketing. This is a campaign to get the message out that driving impaired is illegal and takes lives.”

The Ventura Police Department will show zero tolerance for impaired driving or riding and joins efforts by the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to educate drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning label, you may be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing and result in a DUI, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

In the ten years from 2005-2015, the percentage of drivers in fatal crashes with an impairing drug other than alcohol in their system has risen from 26.2 percent to 42.6 percent. As far back as 2012, a roadside survey in California showed more drivers tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent).

During this national enforcement campaign, there will also be increased state and national messages about the dangers of riding impaired, which combined with enforcement, aims to drastically reduce drunk or drug impaired riding on our nation’s roadways.

Motorcycles require specific training and skill. When a rider adds alcohol, marijuana or impairing prescription medication to the mix, it is not only illegal, but increases the risky nature of riding a motorcycle.

There are so many options out there to get home safely. There is no excuse for getting behind the wheel when you are impaired.

To avoid a DUI and putting others, and yourself, at risk, the Ventura Police Department has a few tips to stay safe on the roads:

  • · Always designate a sober driver.
  • · Use public transportation or a ride sharing service to get home.
  • · Have a friend or family member who is about to drive buzzed or impaired? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get them home safely.
  • · Report drunk drivers – call 911.

Funding for this DUI operation is provided to the Ventura Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Buenaventura Art Association’s new Ventura home

The inaugural show at the Buenaventura Art Association’s new Ventura home will be a joint exhibition by a dozen BAA artists. The Collage Lab gets together monthly to experiment with the medium of collage, often throwing in mixed media and assemblage just for fun.

Opening Sept. 6 in Buenaventura Gallery at the Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., and run through Sept. 30. Collage Lab members will be on hand 6-9 p.m. Sept. 7 for a reception in conjunction with Ventura’s First Friday gallery crawl. A closing reception is planned 2-4 p.m. Sept. 30. The musical duo Ruby Skye will perform.

More than two dozen works will be on display, including a collaborative piece assembled from 12 squares by the individual artists. That piece will be raffled off as a fundraiser to benefit BAA in a drawing at the Sept. 30 reception.

Initial hours for Buenaventura Gallery at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave., will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. For more about BAA and its programs, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.

 

Aloha Beach Festival to benefit the Thomas Fire Families and the Surf Rider Foundation.

The return of the Aloha Beach Festival is on Sept 1st and 2nd at Surfer’s Point/Promenade Park. This year’s benefit will be for the Thomas Fire Families and the Surf Rider Foundation. Title sponsor this year is Trade Desk and Patagonia Provisions.

“The purpose of the Aloha Beach festival is to support our local social and environmental nonprofits” say’s “Chipper Bro” Bell founder of the festival.  “Over the past 13 years the Aloha Beach Festival has supported many differ nonprofits here in Ventura.”

The Festival will include Arts and Crafts vendors and much food.

The entertainment will include the Ka Hale Hula O Pilialohaokalani o Hilo (Kumu Hula Pilialoha –Camarillo), Ka Mele Wai O Ke Anuenue (Kumu Hula June Rust – Newbury Park),Tina’s Ports of Paradise of Ventura. Always a highlight of the festival is the Pro Frisbee K9 Dogs presented by Jaeleen Satleer and the world class K9’s. The Aloha Stage will feature music and entertainment by After The Smoke, Rising Sun, The Question and Kyle Smith all presented by Lion City Management and Sundog Productions.

The Festival is free admission.

Locally owned Horizon Veterinary Specialists now open in Ventura

Five local board-certified veterinary specialists have opened Horizon Veterinary Specialists, a newly established, 24 hour-a-day, 7 day-a-week small animal specialty and emergency veterinary hospital serving Ventura, Santa Barbara, and surrounding counties. The new veterinary hospital is located at 5280 Valentine Road in Ventura on the corner of Valentine Road and Sperry Avenue with easy on and off 101 freeway access at Victoria Avenue.

Dr. Nancy Scott and Dr. Sarah Gray, both board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, have transitioned their Emergency Veterinary Care practice to Horizon Veterinary Specialists and are joined by Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega, all board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. The five well respected board-certified veterinarians have been seeing patients in the Ventura community for many years and bring over 50 years of combined internal medicine, emergency and critical care experience.

“We have built a strong team of caring and experienced veterinary professionals and are dedicated to serving our community with progressive, collaborative, ethical, and compassionate care,” said Dr. Theresa Ortega. “We are passionate about the pets and their families in our community and look forward to working with our local primary veterinarians to provide an extension of specialty and emergency care for their patients,” added Dr. Nancy Scott.

Working alongside the owners is highly experienced emergency veterinarian, Dr. Mary Ellen McLoughlin who has practiced emergency medicine exclusively for the past 12 years. She and the founders are joined by a team of dedicated veterinary technicians, assistants, client service representatives, caretakers, and practice managers who are all committed to excellence.

Horizon Veterinary Specialists provides services including 24/7 emergency and trauma care, internal medicine, critical care, ultrasound, digital radiography and endoscopy, surgery and 24-hour ICU hospitalization. Learn more at www.HorizonVets.com.

Sad passing of local icon, Helen Yunker

Always a lady of class and distinction.

Helen had a simple philosophy: “In helping and sharing with others, you multiply your own blessings many times.” Her blessings were multiplied over and over again.

One of Ventura’s premier philanthropists, arts supporters and political activists, Helen died at age 97 peacefully on July 28.

Born in Chicago in 1921, Helen came to California in 1948 at the age of 27. After 10 years in direct sales, Helen fulfilled her dream of living at the seashore when she moved to Ventura’s Pierpont Bay area in 1958. A realtor since 1971, she ultimately founded Helen Yunker Realty which still bears her name.

Her almost 60 years in Ventura is a virtual history of ongoing community engagement. She has been recognized over the years for her many contributions, by numerous service organizations in the areas of educational, medical, civic, youth, theater, arts, property rights and senior concerns. Ventura would not be the same without her enormous contributions.

Love of music played a major role in Helen’s life. She sang in the Our Lady of Assumption church choir until the very end. She has entertained solo and with singing groups throughout her life at hospitals, jails, churches, ballets, etc. Her cameo appearances in the Nutcracker, by just walking on stage brought the house down.

Because her highlights and accomplishments would fill an entire page, we’ve listed just a few of them:

She sat on the Board of Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC) and on the Ventura College Foundation Board.

1966: She co-produced “The First 100 Years in Ventura”, a centennial magazine celebrating and documenting the city’s founding in 1866.

1968: The Ventura County Board of Supervisors awarded her for leadership, as President of the Pierpont Bay Association, for leading the adoption of the Pierpont Improvement District.

1970: Helen led the first grandfathering program in Ventura, for the Pierpont area. Adopted by the City in 1977.

2003: The Ventura County Board of Realtors awarded Helen a special Inspiration Award for her dedicated efforts to protect Individual property rights.

2007: The Girl Scouts named Helen “Woman of Distinction”.

2008: The Ventura County American Red Cross awarded Helen the Clara Barton Award for her work dating back to the 60’s when, she played an active part in support services for our troops.

2008: The National Assn. of Community Colleges awarded Helen the “Benefactor of the Year Award” in Washington, D.C for raising $600,000 to equip the new math/science building at Ventura Community College.

In 2010 The City of Ventura awarded Helen the Mayor’s Arts Patron Award.

The Rubicon Theater’s performance hall displays her name in recognition of her donations and support of the theater. As is the Ventura College auditorium.

On her 95th birthday, a celebration was held for her at the Museum of Ventura County. At the celebration, the Helen Yunker Lobby was dedicated to her.

At the celebration she stated, “An institution of this importance and magnitude needs financial giving from the entire community that it serves. I hope you will step up and join me and know you are helping to preserve our past and ensure the future of our museum.”

When her portrait was painted by Johanna Spinks as part of The Face of Ventura portrait series in the Ventura Breeze Helen stated, “Having grown up in Chicago, Ventura, with its 25,000 population in 1958, its climate, location and overall ambiance, was a true panacea and fertile ground for my life’s goals. Today, after 54 years of service, my greatest blessing is the thanks and recognition I receive, also fully aware of my intense struggles, as well as accomplishments. Where else, but in Ventura, can one be embraced like a family member, and be gifted a feeling of belonging?”

She appeared before the City Council over 100 times to “discuss” the problems with the slope erosion on city property next to her home, and always began by introducing herself. Eventually, the city paid to have the slope repaired.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on August 10 at Our Lady of the Assumption Church followed by interment at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park.

She’ll be missed.

VACE has 50-year celebration.

More than 400 attended the reunion.

On Saturday, August 11th, Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE) celebrated its 50th Anniversary of providing Lifelong Learning to the community at the main campus on Valentine Road. In the past fifty years, VACE has offered adult education and training in over 150 locations throughout Ventura.

More than 400 attended the reunion, including past and present students, instructors, staff, VUSD administrators and School Board members, and honored guests.

“It is so wonderful to see our entire VACE Family together again,” exclaimed Director/Principal Carolyn Vang-Walker who welcomed the happy crowd. “Today, we are celebrating five decades of history together!”

Highlights of the special event included a chronological retrospective from 1968-2018 featuring numerous awards, archival photo albums, historical facts, course catalogs, and a very entertaining PowerPoint presentation of 2000+ Faces of VACE. Over the years, beloved VACE historian Barbara Dunmire had carefully compiled and archived thousands of artifacts that were on display. Attendees enjoyed reconnecting with former colleagues, teachers celebrated their students’ successes, and alumni reminisced about individuals who had made a positive impact on their lives. They posted favorite VACE memories on a Memory Wall.

Visitors strolled through the innovative 3D printer lab in the AutoCAD classroom, and then explored film projects currently in production at TDC Studios. Students enrolled in the Medical Assistant program were available during the day to conduct free blood pressure readings and health screenings. Attendees also toured through the career technical education (CTE) classrooms. An award-winning school, VACE boasts a 90% job placement rate for its graduates who have completed training and been awarded certification in the following career pathways: 3D Design and Drafting, Business Administration, Computerized Accounting, Front and Back Office Medical Assisting, Pharmacy Technician, Computer Network Support and Security, Graphics and Web Design, and Digital Multimedia/Studio Production.

Everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch of barbecued chicken and tri-tip catered by the new StoneFire Grill.

The next event scheduled to commemorate VACE’s 50th Anniversary will be a Fall Open House. If you are interested in learning more about VACE, or would like to schedule a tour, please call (805) 289-1744.