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Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 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 415-8842 for more information.

There is a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., on Wednesdays 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 .

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. Hear more from 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.

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 320-1601 or [email protected].

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant.

Group meets the first Tuesday each month on the 8th floor at Community Memorial Hospital. Excellent speakers leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians etc. from our area.

Contact Richard Hatcher at 644-2733.

Audubon events

Jan. 21: 8:30 a.m. Ventura Settling Ponds Leader: David Torfeh 647-3325, The settling ponds at the Ventura Harbor are a reliable place to find ducks, grebes, gulls and terns, as well as songbirds and raptors.

Jan. 28: 8:30 a.m. Camino Real Leader: Raeann Koerner 701-1919, Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus and is an excellent place to see birds. Meet outside the park.

Jan. 18: East Ventura Community Council meeting will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. A representative of the Ventura Police Department will give an update on crime and safety. The council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue. Books in good condition are always accepted on behalf of Ventura Friends of the Library. First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road.

For more information, contact John McNally, Chairperson, EVCC 804-7558.

Jan.18: The regular monthly meeting of Assistance League of Ventura County will be at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. Meeting begins on Thursday at 10 a.m., social beginning at 9:30 a.m. Guests and new members are welcome. Assistance League is creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” through several philanthropic programs. For more information assistanceleagueventuracounty.org or email [email protected]. Telephone: Monday – Thursday 8- 2 p.m. 643-2458

Jan.20: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Bag o’ Books Sale at Hill Road Library on the patio. 1050 S. Hill Road from 10 – 3 p.m. Members of Ventura Friends of the Library can take home a bag of books for $1. For non-members, the price is $3 a bag.

Jan. 20: Ventura County Rising is a community gathering event to be held at Plaza Park at 10 a.m. To bring community members both awareness and inspired action items that can help heal the people of the county, can strengthen the stability of the state and especially the nation and earth.

Jan. 21: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. Also a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program at 1 p.m. More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Jan.24: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. A representative from the Ventura Fire Department will discuss the response to the Thomas Fire, lessons learned, recovery efforts and plans for the future. The meeting will include an update on the transition to city council election by districts and, as always, an officer from the VPD will be there. The Council meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day. CACC represents citizens between Mills and Victoria bordered by Foothill and Hwy. 126. Call 644-8695 for more information.

Jan.25: The local chapter of the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (Council #128) will hold its monthly meeting. This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture. Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 East Main Street at 11:30 a.m. for a 12p.m. no host luncheon/meeting. For more information and reservation, please call Cora Corella at 483-6285.

Jan.25: The Friendship Connection, a group of retired women will be having lunch at Wicked’s Brew, 4561 Market St. at 11:30 am. Suz-Anne Shoblom, Director at Damsel in Distress, will speak about safety for women. Prospective members are welcome to join. Call 659-3460 for more information.

The Alliance has raised the bar

by John Hankins

Nobody does theater like Ventura County, thanks to the six theaters which are part of the Four-Star Theater Alliance, including Ojai ACT … and the thousands of patrons who benefit from a wide diversity of live and lively theater every year.

The Alliance has raised the bar in quality, variety, camaraderie and cooperation since it started during the 2008 season, culminating in a uniquely judged award ceremony complete with scenes and a photo montage. This year’s event honoring the 2017 season was on Jan. 14 at the High Street Theater in Moorpark.

For starters, the Most Outstanding Productions of each of the six theaters are: “Dogfight” (Camarillo Skyway Playhouse), “Young Frankenstein” (Conejo Players Theatre), “Steel Magnolias” (Elite Theatre Company), “My Fair Lady” (High Street Arts Center), “Peter and the Starcatcher” (Ojai Art Center Theater) and “Becky’s New Car” (Santa Paula Theater Center).

“The 2017 winners represent a totally unique, truly memorable array of work produced throughout the area over the last 12 months,” said Courtney Potter, the Alliance’s social media coordinator.

The theaters promote support and respect and share resources, like props, costumes, tech people and actors. They also brainstorm problems and publish a county-wide brochure of all their productions – 31 main stage productions in 2017 alone, ranging from “Agnes of God” to “When We Were Young and Afraid.”

As for the 2018 season, Umali says, “theater has always had many roles to fill in a community: to entertain, to challenge, to educate, to bring audiences together in the sharing of stories.” The upcoming season will do all that and more.

“Shows from the newest, most thought-provoking works of modern playwrights and composers will go up alongside many familiar and beloved favorites. It’s an opportunity to participate in a selection of exceptional theatre as wide and diverse as the community itself,” Umali said.

Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Desi a gorgeous 8 year old Catahoula / American Staffordshire Terrier mix who loves to play and be around people. I was one of many dogs rescued from a raid in El Rio several years ago. Those days are long behind me and I’m waiting for someone to come and take me home.

I’m energetic and cuddly and I love the water. I would make a great jogging partner as I run along beside you. I’m house trained, good with respectful children and good with dogs with proper introductions.

I’m grateful to be given a chance to know the true meaning of being a cherished member of a loving family. We’ve been through a lot and I hope we all find our forever homes really soon. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Luna is a gorgeous white Siberian Husky with the prettiest blue eyes you will ever see. Her previous owner states that she got along well with the other dog in the house as well as the three year old child. She walks well on leash and is housebroken VCAS Luna A678452.

Help an adult to improve their reading and writing skills

Ventura County Library’s READ Adult Literacy Program is looking for adult volunteers who would like to help other adults improve their reading and writing skills. Tutoring sites are located throughout Ventura County. No teaching experience is required and the training is free.

The READ program trains adult volunteers to provide free one-to-one tutoring for English speaking adults in need of basic literacy skills. Ventura County Library is encouraging residents to take this opportunity to volunteer as a tutor or encourage someone you know to take advantage of the free program.

The tutor training is a six week program that culminates with literacy training certification. Once certified, the tutors will visit their adult learners at locations in or near their neighborhoods.

Illiteracy is an issue that can be debilitating in so many ways for adults who never received the proper instruction. Adults who are unable to read have a much more difficult time with many daily activities that others may take for granted, along with a clear disadvantage in today’s competitive job market.

Tutors will receive free professional development services throughout this program. Successful tutors are also eligible for letters of support or recommendation for jobs, scholarships, educational opportunities, and more. The next tutor training series will be starting soon.

For more information about how you can support literacy and make a difference in someone’s life, visit the library’s website: www.vencolibrary.org/read or call the READ office at 677-7160.

Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – Movie Review

The Shape of Water
Review: 4 Palm Trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

The Shape of Water was one of those movies that I knew I had to see. Everything from the trailer, to the movie poster, egged me on to come see it. I try really hard not go into a film with high expectations. The hype around this film, plus the weight of Del Toro being attached as writer/director, made it impossible for me to go in without some amount of excitement. Walking out of the theater, I really wished I had seen it sooner.

The excellence of Del Toro’s directing style is seen in every inch of this film. Almost every frame of The Shape of Water have angles that really bring out strong diagonal relationships between the camera and the subject. This was something Del Toro has always been fond of, but I really see how well it can play with body language and emotion. Most of the cast’s performances were already remarkable, so watching the camera play off of their movement and expression added a great deal to their acting.

The world in which The Shape of Water takes place was also very intimate. The movie comprised of only a handful of locations, but Del Toro placed a great amount of care in each scene. The observant viewer will really be rewarded watching The Shape of Water. The little details within the scenes fleshes out the characters and world making subsequent viewings so much more satisfying.

At its core, The Shape of Water is a romance, and a simple one. While the plot may lack complexity, it more than makes up for it with the depth of the characters making up that story. Each of their motivations, relationships, and mannerisms are unique and paint a vivid picture of who each one is. So much of this characterization is done in natural, non-expositional ways. It really was a triumph in terms of how they handles character development throughout the course of the movie.

The Shape of Water really felt like Del Toro’s labor of love. I’m still astonished how beautiful some of the scenes were when the film itself was made on a small 18 million dollar budget. I can’t say whether this was my favorite film of 2017, but I can confidently say that Del Toro was my favorite director of the year. There’s a lot to learn about directing from this film for aspiring movie makers, and a lot to enjoy for everyone else. Do yourself a favor and see The Shape of Water. Rated R 2h3m

Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – The Pet Page

• SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.

In the SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main) Friday, February 2nd.

Please call to schedule an appointment 584-3823.

The proceeds from The Spirits Car Club of Ventura event went to CARL and VCAS.

• The Spirits Car Club of Ventura recently held the Splinter Nationals event with proceeds going to Canine Adoption and Rescue League (CARL) and Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS). On Sat., De. 30th a few of the members presented Mary Saputo, CARL’s president with a check from the event. Also present was Sharon Clark, Executive Director, staff, a few volunteers and 2 CARL mascots, Ava the Chow and Bruno, the American Staffordshire/Terrier mix.

Please visit the CARL website for more loveable, adoptable dogs at carldogs.com

• In our last issue we inserted some wrong information in this article so here it is corrected.

by Jim Reilly President National Police Dog Foundation

Another exciting and challenging year is almost over, and with your help, we are already planning and working on projects for next year.

2017 has been a wonderful growth year for us, but with growth comes challenges. Our efforts to expand and become a meaningful national foundation for police K-9s has become a reality. Some new 2017 sponsors include national corporations such as Purina, McDonalds, and Petplan.

Thanks to our new marketing efforts and sponsors, our services are now reaching into even the smallest police departments across the country. While this is good news, and our fundraising efforts have grown, unfortunately so have the requests for financial assistance from these departments.

We need your help. We still have a shortfall in 2017 of $28,000, and desperately need to raise funds by year-end to fulfill emergency K-9 medical requests.

In planning for the 2018 needs of our nationwide police departments, we anticipate having to fund the following requests for assistance:

– Purchasing: 10 grant requests for new police K-9s

– Training: 20 grant requests for police K-9s and handlers

– Medical: 20 grant requests for medical assistance and emergency veterinary care

– Retired Medical: 10 grant requests for retired medical care

– Health Insurance: In 2018, we hope to grant at least 10 annual Police K-9 health insurance plans

– Heat Alarm: In 2018, we hope to save even more K-9 lives and give out 10 police vehicle heat alarms grants

While it is gratifying that agencies have increasingly come to rely on the National Police Dog Foundation to help provide for their needs, it is daunting to come up with the necessary funds to respond to the ever-increasing requests of these agencies. If our forecast holds true, we will need to raise over $270,000 in 2018 to meet expected needs.

And so we turn to you, our friends, to help these amazing K-9 heroes. We need your help in this time of need to ensure the safety of our communities. In addition, please keep NPDF in mind when creating your estate planning. If you need help with this, please contact us.

Most of the Police K-9’s deeds of valor go unreported, much less remembered. Often times, we are their only voice. Please look into your heart to see how you can help. Your generous, tax-deductible donation is greatly appreciated and will go directly to support Police K-9s.

Search Dog Riley searches the wreckage of a home in Montecito. Photo by Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire.

Thank you for allowing me to share our needs with you. To donate please go to nationalpolicedogfoundation.org, as every dollar helps. The National Police Dog Foundation is an all-volunteer foundation ensuring your donation is applied entirely to the benefit of Police K-9s.

• Just over 48 hours after a wall of mud and debris slammed into homes in Montecito there were 16 SDF(Search Dog Foundation) trained Canine Disaster Search Teams in action around-the-clock searching for survivors. The Search Teams, along with their Task Force teammates from throughout California, continue to comb the debris and slog through the mud to ensure that no one is left behind.

Monday afternoon, prior to the mudslide, Search Dog Foundation-trained Search Teams Eric Gray & Riley and Wade Haller & Rex staged for deployment as heavy rains were expected to soak the recent Thomas Fire burn areas in southern Santa Barbara County. After the mudslides destroyed several homes and pushed debris across Highway 101, all the way to the ocean, the teams went to work searching for survivors.

• Mojo needs immediate surgery to repair his badly injured right hind knee hurt during the Thomas Fire evacuation. Two years ago Mojo’s buddy Shalisa suffered a debilitating equine accident. During eight challenging years taken for her recovery, Mojo kept Shalisa going with unconditional love and constant companionship. Because of unrelenting financial demands during her recovery, Shalisa now lacks funds for Mojo’s surgery for his right leg and to stabilize his left leg. Dr. Holsworth, at Vet Surg in Ventura, evaluates Mojo as being in the prime of his life and most capable of making full recovery. Buddy Nation, a Ventura non-profit is helping Shalisa raise funds. Those who know and love Mojo will be forever grateful for whatever donation you can make. https://www.gofundme.com/surgery-fund-to-save-mojo.

Local security company donates safety solution to neighborhood theatre

Boyd & Associates (a.k.a. “Draganchuk” or “Boyd”), a Ventura-based security services company, recently donated an extensive alarm system and other security solutions to the Rubicon Theatre Company.

Recently, Rubicon has had increased issues with vagrants and vandalism . Rubicon Board President Diane Goldenring turned to Dan Boyd, President of Boyd & Associates who immediately presented the needed electronic solutions.

“Our neighbors at Rubicon Theatre Company were experiencing some security challenges and we knew we had a solution that could help solve the problem,” said Boyd. “Our company policy is to give back to the community we serve, particularly as we approach the New Year.”

The donated burglar alarm system will help prevent unwanted entries to the main entrance of the theatre and in the administrative area and downstairs conservatory.

“We are grateful to Boyd & Associates for helping our theatre,” said Karyl Lynn Burns, Co-Founder and Producing Artistic Director. She added, “The protection of our employees, staff, patrons and students is our highest priority. We feel a sense of relief and know that Boyd’s generosity will bolster confidence and create a great experience for our customers.”

Vol. 11, No. 8 – Jan 17 – Jan 30, 2018 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

New Year – New Works at Elite

Many theaters begin their new seasons late in January or early February. The Elite fills in the early January gap with their one-act festival before the season officially starts. Now in its 9th year, the festival is an audience favorite.

The sequence of pieces was carefully chosen to lead the audience first into exploring several deep and personal subjects, then lightening up with humor from unexpected circumstances and ending with a generous helping of character-driven hilarity.

The first, Victimology, written by Rachel Linton and directed by Katrina Rabusin, takes place in a courtroom hallway. Steven Silvers and Hayley Silvers star as siblings whose differing viewpoints on a pending courtroom outcome have them diving into dark emotional waters. The action is hesitant as the two reconnect after a long period of disengagement.

The Waiting Room covered some familiar ground for anyone who has spent time in a hospital waiting room where time moves slowly and the coffee is bitter. An elderly man (Steve Grumette) waits for his wife of 52 years to come out of surgery. He passes the time by bantering with others who are also waiting. The action is authentic and heart-felt. Grumette’s character is spot-on as he chats with Flynn Bradley, Stephanie Rise, John Comstock and Colin Fluxman. The piece was written by Steven Doloff and directed by Howard Leader.

Author Terry Riley and director Angela DeCicco had fun with Obits featuring Sandra Demongenes and Helene Benjamin Cohen. The two women are having a nibble at
Starbucks while discussing the obituaries in the newspaper. Tailored with local references with permission from the author, this delightful vignette was filled with truths, points to ponder, and humor. Hayley Silvers cameoed as the bemused barista.

Tony Stetson and John Comstock portray brothers who live distinctly dissimilar lives in Five Days in Calcutta, authored by Fred Perry. Director Larry Swartz guided the two through a potentially serious situation highlighting the humor in the delivery. The two actors work well together, producing laughter and pathos at the same time.

Rounding out the evening’s entertainment is Sisters, Tramps & Thieves penned by Lily Rusek. Director John Comstock allowed each of the characters a wide berth to have fun. Three sisters, played to the fullest by Dorrie Bran, Sharon Reinhold and Nancy Hullihan, are different in every possible way. Hullihan plays it up wearing a tiara and cape. Her mental health matches her sparkly shoes. Reinhold is the flaky dyed-in-the-batik hippie chick and Braun fills the bill as the prim and proper one. They are gathered to greet an insurance man (Larry Swartz) regarding a claim for a missing brooch. The evening concludes with a healthy dose of hilarity.

The One-Act Festival runs through February 4. Friday & Saturday eves 8 PM, Sunday matinees 2 p.m. General admission $17. Reservations are encouraged. 483-5118 Elite Theatre Company, 2731 Victoria Avenue, Fisherman’s Wharf, Channel Islands Harbor www.elitetheatre.orgATRE COMPANY
2731 S. Victoria Ave

ELITE THEATRE COMPANY
2731 S. Victoria Ave
Oxnard CA 93035
805-483-5118
[email protected]

Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather

Bundled up in front of a fire will keep you warm.

Living in a cold house, apartment, or other building can cause hypothermia. In fact, hypothermia can happen to someone in a nursing home or group facility if the rooms are not kept warm enough. If someone you know is in a group facility, pay attention to the inside temperature and to whether that person is dressed warmly enough.

People who are sick may have special problems keeping warm. Do not let it get too cold inside and dress warmly. Even if you keep your temperature between 60 and 65 degrees, your home or apartment may not be warm enough to keep you safe. This is a special problem if you live alone because there is no one else to feel the chilliness of the house or notice if you are having symptoms of hypothermia, it may be a wise idea to get in touch with an air conditioning service so they’re able to keep your home the correct temperature all year round.

Here are some tips for keeping warm while you’re inside:

Set your heat at 68°F or higher. To save on heating bills, close off rooms you are not using. Close the vents and shut the doors in these rooms. Place a rolled towel in front of all doors to keep out drafts.

Make sure your house isn’t losing heat through windows. Keep your blinds and curtains closed. If you have gaps around the windows, try using weather stripping or caulk to keep the cold air out.

Get the WDR Roofing Company – Lakeway to look at your roof to check for any damage that could be letting heat out and the cold in.

Dress warmly on cold days even if you are staying in the house. Throw a blanket over your legs. Wear socks and slippers.

When you go to sleep, wear long underwear under your pajamas, and use extra covers. Wear a cap or hat.

Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don’t eat well, you might have less fat under your skin. Body fat helps you to stay warm.

Drink alcohol moderately, if at all. Alcoholic drinks can make you lose body heat.

Ask family or friends to check on you during cold weather. If a power outage leaves you without heat, try to stay with a relative or friend.

Cypress Place to host alzheimer’s & dementia caregivers support group

Featherston is a geriatric care consultant with New Hope Senior Services.

In collaboration with New Hope Senior Services, please join Cypress Place Senior Living for an Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers Support Group. Facilitator for the support group will be Norma Featherston, R.N., M.S., Gerontology. Featherston is a geriatric care consultant with New Hope Senior Services.

Join them for these informative meetings and gain support from others in a caring and understanding environment. Ask questions and get straight answers from people who have been there. Learn creative and caring problem solving techniques and caregiving ideas, and discover that you are not all alone in the way you feel.

“My husband was diagnosed at age twenty eight with primary progressive Multiple Sclerosis, in which the end result is dementia,” said Featherston. “The problem was this was not documented until much later, so I received little help from doctors at the time,” she said.

It was a long and difficult journey, in which Featherston became depressed, worn out, and desperate for doing something to help. She finally hired a caregiver and went back to school in 2006, and graduated in 2009 with a Master’s Degree in Gerontology.

“I worked at the Alzheimer’s Association for eight years where I counseled caregivers, taught classes, spoke to civic and other groups, and ran several support groups, “ said Featherston. “I was able to give my knowledge of caregiving to those who were caregiving for someone with dementia related diseases.”

Support group meetings led by Featherston are held from 9:30a.m. to 11a.m. the first and third Wednesday of every month at Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura. The support group is free and open to the public. Seating is limited so please call to reserve a seat. To RSVP, please call 650-8000.

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County. The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.

Cypress Place Senior Living is located at 1200 Cypress Point Lane in Ventura. To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

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