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Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – 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 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. 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

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics. Steve at 642-1359

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

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at noon at Lemon Wood Mobile Homes, 850 Johnson Dr. Excellent speakers leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians etc. from our area.

Contact Richard Hatcher at 644-2733.

Are you a stamp collector? The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet 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 320-1601 or [email protected].

Letters for the Lost, an exhibit marking the 90th anniversary of the St. Francis Dam Disaster, commemorates the lives lost during one of America’s worst civil engineering disasters of the 20th century. At the historic Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, itself a St. Francis Dam survivor in one of the heaviest damaged cities within the dam’s flood path. Through July 16. 26 Railroad Avenue, Santa Paula open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit venturamuseum.org or 525-3100.

First Wednesday, of each month, 6-10 p.m., Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club meets at the Murphy Auto Museum. Now exhibiting Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 10-4 p.m. Visitors and new members are welcome. 2230 Statham Blvd., Oxnard. www.gemre.com or 229- 74294 for more information

Cross Town Hikers on Wednesday nights 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 back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. sharp at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Join Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

June 21: The regular monthly meeting of Assistance League of Ventura County on Thursday at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara Street. The meeting begins at 10 a.m. Men and women are welcome, and there is no age requirement. 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, Facebook, or email [email protected]. Telephone: Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. 805-643-2458

June 21: A specialist in the city of Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division will be the featured speaker at the Thursday meeting of the East Ventura Community Council. The Division is seeking input on the city’s Energy Action Plan. The presenter will also talk about sustainability programs underway.

Ashdon Development will discuss acquisition of a 4.7-acre parcel on the southeast corner of Wells Road and Darling for retail development. The agenda includes an update on the Thomas Fire rebuild and a representative of the Ventura Police Department. The council represents those who live east of Victoria

At 7:00 pm at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. For more information, contact John McNally, Chairperson, EVCC: 805-804-7558

June 22: Family Float Night at the Ventura Aquatic Center. Friday, June 22 & 29, 6:45-8:45 p.m.

2 years and under are free, 3 years to adult $5. Family Float Night is a great time to gather the family for an evening enjoying our beautiful Ventura summer nights. Families may bring their pool floats and order pizza or bring a picnic dinner. For more information 805-654-7511.

June 26: Come chow down and support the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County at Winchester’s Grill & Saloon 632 East Main Street. 5 – 10 p.m. 20% of all food purchases will benefit the Brain Injury Center of Ventura County. For more information please call 805-482-1312

June 28: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America – The local chapter of PFSA (Council #128) will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday. This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent, or, interested in the Portuguese culture. The meeting will be held at Marie Callendars Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria. 11:30 a.m. for a 12 p.m. no host luncheon/meeting. For more information and a reservation please call Cora Corella at (805) 483-6285, or, Yvonne Westervelt at (805) 483-4168.

July 1: Dudley Historic House Museum docent-led tours and a plant sale from 1 – 4 p.m. Freddie the American Mini Horse will be in attendance for photos and buggy rides from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Museum admission is free, but a $5 donation will be asked from riders for Freddie’s expenses. The museumin is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood. For information (805) 642-3345 or www.dudleyhouse.org.

July 1: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. meeting will be Sunday 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Located ate the Knights of Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa. Free admission, stage music and jamming, free parking in the rear. Open to Public. For more information call, 805-517-1131 or visit Facebook: OTCBGMA

July 11: The Ventura County Camera Club Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. Admission is free. All Welcome. An instructional workshop will be followed by a professional photographer’s verbal critiquing of members submitted images. VenturaCountyCameraClub.com .

Waypoint Ventura vintage trailer hotel

Waypoint Ventura is a new vintage trailer hotel and RV park located at the end of Ash over the railroad tracks with views of the ocean and pier. They had their official Chamber ribbon cutting on June 12. It consists of completely remodeled 1940’s-1970’s vintage aluminum trailers (like Airstream) with a private deck. There are also sites for guests to bring their own vintage/retro trailers.

Photos by Michael Gordon

Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – Movie Review

Hereditary
Review: 3.5 Palm Trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Hereditary is a 2018 horror film written and directed by Ari Aster. It stars Toni Collette, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne. With the death of their mysterious grandmother, a family’s sorrow quickly becomes a nightmare.

Well directed horror, is an absolute nightmare. No other genre can so seamlessly mix the psychological with the supernatural; the subtle with the overt; the grotesque with the beautiful. With such terrifying imagery so meticulously composed I was equal parts disgusted and intrigued. I may scare easily, but Hereditary did more than just scare me, it horrified me. As a package, Hereditary blew me away with its focus on theme, cinematography, and the exceptional acting on display.

From the very first moments of the film, the cinematography had me captivated with everything going on in the screen. Every scene is framed to coax out feelings of unease. Even more effective are the shots purposely composed to mimic someone staring into a doll house; the uncanny valley is in full effect during these scenes. It’s not much of an exaggeration to say that the camera really was its own character in Hereditary. So despite how the scene unfolds, there’s always this looming sense of dread and unease. Toni Collette and Alex Wolff also carried the film with their performance. They were captivating and really exacerbated the dread and despair in this film.

So much of what Hereditary does is to foster a sense of looming demise in the viewer, but that isn’t to say that it effectively does this the whole time. Around the middle of the second act, the overall tone of the film changes pretty drastically. Enough that I’ve found myself and several others laughing at seemingly inappropriate times. While I personally thought the film accomplished telling a horrifying story, audiences are split, especially in regards to its controversial ending. While your opinion may vary on the effectiveness of the ending, I personally found it fitting thematically with the story the film was trying to tell.

I also find it important to acknowledge that Hereditary took risks with the horror genre. Subverting viewer expectations almost becomes a game for the film. Of all the risks it takes, the ending takes the cake for the biggest I’ve seen in a while, and it’s clear that it’s reception is very mixed. Despite the mixed viewer reactions, the sheer novelty of it all makes it more than worth the watch, but for me it stands out as one of the best horror movies I’ve personally experienced. Rated R 2h7m

Cognitive health and older adults

”I know that I put my memory pills somewhere, if I could only remember where?”

by the National Institute on Aging

Cognitive health—the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember—is an important component of brain health.

Motor function—how well you make and control movements

Emotional function—how well you interpret and respond to emotions

Sensory function—how well you feel and respond to sensations of touch, including pressure, pain, and temperature

Manage chronic health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and high cholesterol.

Consult with your healthcare provider about the medicines you take and possible side effects on memory, sleep, and brain function.

Reduce risk for brain injuries due to falls and other accidents.

Limit use of alcohol (some medicines can be dangerous when mixed with alcohol).

Quit smoking, if you smoke. As easy as this sounds, it’s much more difficult to actually stop. To help you control your nicotine addiction, you may want to look into vapes. They are believed to be healthier than cigarettes, and also come in a range of vape juice flavors to encourage more people to stop smoking.

Get enough sleep, generally 7-8 hours each night is the recommendation.

Eat Healthy Foods.

A healthy diet can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes. It may also help keep your brain healthy.

Look for the best pterostilbene supplements you can take as they help improve cognitive, memory and motor function.

In general, a healthy diet consists of fruits and vegetables; whole grains; lean meats, fish, and poultry; and low-fat or non-fat dairy products. You should also limit solid fats, sugar, and salt. Be sure to control portion sizes and drink enough water and other fluids.

Be Physically Active

Being physically active—through regular exercise, household chores, or other activities—has many benefits. It can help you:

Studies link ongoing physical activity with benefits for the brain, too. In one study, exercise stimulated the human brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are vital to cognitive health. Other studies have shown that exercise increased the size of a brain structure important to memory and learning, improving spatial memory.

Federal guidelines recommend that all adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Aim to move about 30 minutes on most days. Walking is a good start.

For more information, see Go4Life®, NIA’s exercise and physical activity campaign for older adults.

Being intellectually engaged may benefit the brain. People who engage in meaningful activities, like volunteering or hobbies, say they feel happier and healthier. Learning new skills may improve your thinking ability, too.

Lots of activities can keep your mind active. For example, read books and magazines. Play games. Take or teach a class. Learn a new skill or hobby. Work or volunteer. These types of mentally stimulating activities have not been proven to prevent serious cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease, but they can be fun!

Scientists think that such activities may protect the brain by establishing “cognitive reserve.” They may help the brain become more adaptable in some mental functions, so it can compensate for age–related brain changes and health conditions that affect the brain.

Be wary of claims that playing certain computer and online games can improve your memory and other types of thinking. Evidence to back up such claims is evolving. NIA and others are supporting research to determine if different types of cognitive training have lasting effects.

Connecting with other people through social activities and community programs can keep your brain active and help you feel less isolated and more engaged with the world around you. Participating in social activities may lower the risk for some health problems and improve well-being.

So, visit with family and friends. Join programs through your Area Agency on Aging, senior center, or other community organizations.

We don’t know for sure yet if any of these actions can prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease and age–related cognitive decline. But some of them have been associated with reduced risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.

Tourism to our National Parks Benefits our local economy

A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2017 shows that 383,687 park visitors spent an estimated $23.1 million in local gateway regions while visiting Channel Islands National Park. That spending supported 308 jobs and contributed $32.3 million to our local economy.

In the past year, 897,593 visitors to Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area spent an estimated $38.3 million in the local area, supporting 512 jobs and providing $51.8 million in economic benefit.

“While our parks are national treasures, our neighbors and local communities do much of the work to help us protect them and to welcome visitors,” said Superintendent David Szymanski of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “It’s gratifying to know that this work not only satisfies the spirit. It’s good business, too.”

“The NPS has a presence in every community in the United States, including ours,” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau (who has announced his retirement). “National park tourism is a significant driver in our economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the NPS.”

The interactive tool and report are available at the NPS Social Science Program webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/socialscience/vse.htm

Cypress Place Senior Living is hosting its 10th annual “Salute Our Veterans” event.

Photo by Michael Gordon

The event is free and open to the public. A complimentary barbecue lunch will be provided, courtesy of the community.

Fallen soldier display and Huey Army Medevac helicopter provided the backdrop for last year’s Salute Our Veteran’s event at Cypress. This year’s event will take place on June 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m, at the senior community.

Cypress Place Senior Living 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane

 

Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine
Little Women plays strong in Camarillo

First performed as a musical in 2005, Little Women makes its Ventura County debut with strong performances chronicling the well known Civil War story originally published in 1934 by Louisa May Alcott.

The timeless tale of the March family comes to life on the stage of the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse in fine style. Father March has gone to war, leaving behind mother (Marmee) and four feisty daughters, Jo, Meg, Beth and Amy. The sisters are a tight group, vowing to always stay together no matter what. Of course, circumstances change slightly as they grow older, each pining for their dream existence while discovering that reality has other plans.

Set in Concord, Massachusetts and New York during 1865 and 1866, the audience is easily transported back in time via authentically styled and detailed costumes, representative period set pieces and a casual flavor of elegance. Set design by theater veteran Dean Johnson is effective in its simplicity although some scene changes of shuffling furniture seemed rather superfluous to me. Just my opinion. An unchanging set scene of the professor’s library on stage left worked well.

The play is directed with a deft hand by Janelle Phaneuf who keeps the pace spirited throughout. Often seen on the stage herself, Musical Director Erin Fagundes does an overall admirable job of blending voices. Several of the men present with more enthusiasm than vocal acumen, although they should settle into their roles as the run continues. Keeping up with the vocal talents displayed by the female cast must be challenging.

The main character of Jo, a before-her-time feminist, is played with strength and conviction by Savannah Ludwig. Her voice is a force of nature, clear and true. Meg, the traditionalist daughter, is well pictured by Genevieve Levin. The frail and timid Beth is given a mighty characterization by Hannah Marks while the youngest, Amy, is portrayed by Hannah Marks, all to fine measure.

Marmee, the March mother, is solidly played by Aileen-Marie Scott. The formidable Aunt March brought to larger than life by Sindy McKay is a highlight. Both excel in their roles in disposition, bearing and vocals.

The men are well represented through Dale Alpert as Mr. Laurence, the dour neighbor across the street, Ezra Eells as Professor Bhaer, Jonathan Markham as young Laurie Laurence and Andrew Nunez as Mr. John Brooke. Each is given an opportunity to shine. All appear to be having a great time embodying their new personas.

Musical accompaniment is recorded which keeps everyone on their toes. The cast rises to the occasion admirably, although personally I would prefer to hear the actors over the music rather than the other way around. Perhaps due to the pace and the volume, some of the diction was lost to me. This did not lessen my enjoyment of the performance however.

Little Women, the Broadway musical, is entirely family friendly (a rarity in musical theater these days, it seems) built on a fine classic story. Suitable for all ages, this performance is a recommended start to the summer.

Little Women continues through July 15 at the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse, 330 Skyway Drive near the Camarillo airport. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and military. Contact the box office at [email protected] or call (805) 388-5716. Season subscriptions are available. Curtain is 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. on Sundays.

A Bizarre Tale of an Adventurous Bug

by Kevin O’Connor

One of the strangest “pest control” stories I ever heard happened recently. I think this is a pretty weird tale. Let’s see what you think. Here it is, mostly in the lady’s own words.

A Florida woman, Katie Holley, lived through a real-life nightmare and described the gruesome tale of removing a roach that lived in her ear for 9 days. This is how she found out that a cockroach crawled into her ear while she was sleeping. Maybe the bug was drunk and thought he was going to bed at home to sleep it off!

Well, turns out that Katie and her husband recently purchased a new home. They had been quite responsible about obtaining the services of a pest control company, such as pest control Des Moines, to spray around their property every three months to keep the cockroach population down. That’s a good thing.

Unfortunately, one night Katie woke up with this odd feeling “like someone had placed a chip of ice in my left earhole — but it was something way worse.” That’s a bad thing. Maybe the pest control hadn’t got rid of all the cockroaches!?

In an article published in Self Magazine, Katie Holley said she went to the bathroom and took a cotton swab to her ear when, to her disgust, she felt something move.

“When I pulled the cotton swab out, there were two dark brown, skinny pieces stuck to the tip. Moments later, I came to the realization that they were legs. Legs that could only belong to an adventurous palmetto bug exploring my ear canal,” she said in the article. Mrs. Holley thought it best to consult her doctor.

“As the doctor administered Lidocaine, the roach began to…react,” she wrote. “Feeling a roach in the throes of death, lodged in a very sensitive part of your body, is unlike anything I can adequately explain.”

The doctor removed three pieces of what he thought was the entire cockroach. Also, he gave Katie a prescription for antibiotics.

Nine days later, still experiencing pain, she returned to the doctor, and a physician’s assistant flushed her ear four times, discovering what they thought might be another leg.

“She ended up pulling out six more pieces of the roach’s carcass — nine days after the incident took place.”

Her doctor sent her to a specialist.

“Using a tool that looked like very large scissors, the Ear, Nose & Throat physician (ENT) extracted the entire head, upper torso, more limbs and an antennae.”

If you were to ask me what we may glean from Katie Holley’s story—especially since it is a true story and not a parable—I’d have to say one thing is for sure, you can’t be too careful. And that is why it is always best to consult professionals pest control companies just like termite control los angeles ASAP to get advice on how to deal with the pests before they become a real problem.

After Katie Holley’s ear problem was solved, she and her husband established a responsible contract with on-going pest control services. O’Connor Pest Control, (800)284-7985. www.oconnorpest.com.

Vol. 11, No. 19 – June 20 – July 3, 2018 – Ojai News & Events

Join Rev. Karen S. Wylie on Sunday, June 24, 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Ojai Retreat. The morning will be devoted to “Awakening!” through contemplation, inner reflection, quiet walks, wisdom talks, sharing and sacred songs. 160 Besant Road. People of all faiths and traditions, or no tradition, are welcome to attend.

Randee Vasilakos, RScP, will assist and anchor the morning in a consciousness of prayer and healing.

The retreat is by donation; $20 is suggested. For more information, contact Rev. Karen at 310-968-8928, or register online at www.karenswylie.com.

Sucinno (Ian James) will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, to deliver a talk on Compassion and Care at the End of Life. Sucinno will share observations and insights gained while going through caring for his wife, Chandra, when she had cancer, including her hospice time and eventual death. Additionally, he will talk about what can be done before such an event overtakes a couple.

Sucinno hopes to provide gentle words that will help couples to ease into this strange space, and thus be less overwhelmed at the thought of it and its actual happening.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

33 Variations opens June 22 at Ojai Art Center Theater for four weekends. Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinee at 2 pm. Tickets are available online at www.OjaiACT.org or call 805-640-8797 to reserve seats.

Submissions will close July 1 for the 19th annual Ojai Film Festival. Ranked as one of the Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals on FilmFreeway the Ojai Film Festival continues to grow in prestige as one of the country’s premier destination festivals.

The 10-day Film Festival has a reputation for showcasing the best new films from emerging and established filmmakers, and has helped launch a number of careers over the last decade. Since 2000, 15 alumni have received Academy Award nominations, two have won an Oscar, and numerous others have gone on to gain distribution and win prestigious awards.

The winning screenwriter receives lodging and passes to the Ojai Film Festival’s Awards Ceremony, where the winning screenwriter is given special recognition, a trophy and a table read staged by the well-established acting community in Ojai.

The Festival’s theme is “Enriching the Human Spirit Through Film.” The event provides audiences a diverse lineup of titles from around the world.

The extended deadline, on July 1st, entry fees for film are $65 for features and $60 for shorts. For screenplays, the fee is $55.

To enter go to www.ojaifilmfestival.com/entries/. Accepted entries will be notified in mid-August.

The Ojai Film Festival takes place from November 1 – 11, at theaters around Ojai. For details about the Festival visit www.OjaiFilmFestival.com.

Is the Medicare Plan Finder really helpful?

“I certainly hope that the Medicare Plan Finder will make this easier for me.”

by the National Council On Aging

Older Americans are told they can rely on the Medicare Plan Finder tool to compare and choose the plan that best meets their needs. However, a new report co-authored by the National Council on Aging and the Clear Choices Campaign finds that the Plan Finder tool is not delivering on that promise.

The site is overwhelming, information is poorly presented, and the user design is potentially misleading—all of which confuses beneficiaries and can contribute to many making poor plan selections. Two of the biggest shortcomings are out-of-pocket cost information is difficult to understand and provider directories are difficult to navigate.

On a scorecard of the 12 features needed to support online enrollment choices, Medicare Plan Finder received A’s in only 2 categories – anonymous browsing and language accessibility – while it received 7 failing grades.

With 10,000 Boomers aging into Medicare every day, several improvements can and should be made to the basic features of the Medicare Plan Finder that would mirror technology advancements commonly found in the private sector and even on some of the Affordable Care Act public health exchange websites.

The key findings of the report are:

  • Out-of-pocket cost information is difficult to understand.
  • Provider and Pharmacy directories are difficult to navigate.
  • Plan comparisons do not permit inclusion of Medigap policies.
  • The website layout and display are confusing.
  • Language is not user-friendly.
  • Navigation and functionality are complex and inconsistent.
  • Human support is not available.
  • Information on quality Star Ratings is confusing.
  • Plan information is not customized well.
  • Information is not consistently accurate.

The report includes 11 key and 25 detailed recommendations that NCOA and Clear Choices believe will improve the Medicare Plan Finder and ensure that every beneficiary has access to the information they need to make the best Medicare decision for their situation.