Artists gathered at the Museum of Ventura County for a twice-monthly figure-drawing session put on by the museum’s resident artist Ryan Carr.
These free sessions allow artists to practice their craft by drawing live, clothed models using charcoal, pencils, pens, pastels — any medium that isn’t paint or any other liquid.
Sessions are held at the Museum’s Smith Pavilion or in a local brewery. Participants must be 21 or older. For information on the next event, check venturamuseum.org
The City Center is now a successful transitional living community in Ventura. First opened in 2010, The City Center gives homeless men, women and children a safe place to live while getting their lives stabilized.
During the Holiday Home Improvement day in December, several local businesses, organizations and volunteers spent the day painting, cleaning, repairing, planting and decorating The City Center, which currently has 65 people living there, including 37 children.
The City Center, a nonprofit, provides housing, counseling, and support services to homeless community members with a goal of transitioning towards self-sufficiency within one year. Jim Duran, Executive Director of The City Center, says, “Like many coastal communities throughout California, Ventura struggles with homelessness and vagrancy issues. Here in town we have a successful program that’s gaining momentum thanks to support from local businesses, churches, organizations and community members.” In 2016, nine formerly homeless families graduated from The City Center moving into independence and full employment.
The 2017 County of Ventura Homeless Count identified 1,152 homeless persons countywide, of those, 301 persons are in the city of Ventura — notably fewer than the 701 individuals counted in 2012.
Community members are encouraged to help support the individuals and families at The City Center by donating online at www.thecitycenter.org.
In our last issue we goofed and credited art to the wrong artist. This is by Cassandra Tondro a Ventura artist who has offered to replace any of her art that burned in the Thomas fire for free.
Eleven of Community Memorial Health System’s Centers for Family Health have earned special “Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition” status from a national non-profit health care organization for using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term relationships between clinicians and patients.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced the new recognition in late December 2017 for the 11 Centers for Family Health. The Centers for Family Health provide a wide range of health care services, from Urgent Care to Women’s Health and many more services.
“The CMHS Centers for Family Health are proud to have received the Patient Centered Medical Home recognition again in 2017,” said Dr. Anthony Russell, Chief Administrative Officer of Ambulatory Medicine for CMHS.
The NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality and accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. The NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care, and reduce costs.
To earn the recognition, which is valid for three years, these Centers for Family Health and Midtown Medical Group Ojai demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.
“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients. Recognition shows that the Centers for Family Health have the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care, at the right time,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane.
Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, along with the Centers for Family Health serving various communities within and located in Ventura County, California.
“Tranquility” by Preston Fine Arts will be shown at an Art Reception at Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery – 540 E. Main Street, on Sat Jan 20 6pm-8pm. The exhibit features the vibrant paintings of William Burton and Joan (JJ) Prescott. Burton, a retired draftsman, works in acrylics, while Prescott paints in oils. They have combined their diverse talents to create Preston Fine Arts. Opening night is in conjunction with Arts & Eats, Downtown Ventura. Exhibit runs through March 4. 628-3540.
by Randal Beeman
Growing up in hurricane country in South Florida, Kat Merrick learned from her parents that the best response to a natural disaster is to immediately get to work helping others. Naturally, when the Thomas Fire broke out in Santa Paula Merrick was on the phone offering assistance to her extensive network of friends in the Ventura County farming and ranching community. Within minutes her attention focused closer to home as she noticed a glowing red hue through the skylight. In short time the fast racing fire engulfed her ranch property in the hills above Ventura. Merrick lost her house, the three rental units on her property, her crops, and the teaching garden that she planned to use as part of the popular local agricultural education program, totallylocalvc.com.
Typical of Merrick’s community values, she immediately went to work helping her tenants find housing, organizing food relief programs, the Local Love/805Strong project, and persuading corporate sponsors to provide assistance to both fire victims and those impacted by the mudslide in Montecito. Ironically, Merrick had a water tank on the property, which soon melted and spilled its contents down the wrong side of the hill. Realizing she and her boyfriend were helpless to fight the blaze, they alerted their tenants and gathered their dogs as other neighbors fought to save their homes and livestock. Soon they found themselves in a line of traffic on Ventura Avenue, witnessing disturbing scenes of “screaming chaos” in the city.
Returning to her ranch was a disconsolate moment, as even deeply rooted oak trees on her property were torched by the conflagration. Like so many families in Ventura, Merrick looked at what had been her “little sanctuary” and asked herself “where do we start?” One of her tenants had only been on the property for two days. She and her boyfriend have found a small place to rent while they endeavor to rebuild their rentals first, then the one story home that had been the site on numerous gatherings and happy hours with friends and neighbors.
As so many locals report, the process of starting over is going to take years. Scraping the lot of toxic ash was an early priority, as will be restoring ground cover on the denuded, vulnerable hillsides. Merrick found, as have others, that the insurance company was helpful at the onset of the crisis but whether that cooperation will continue is a tenuous proposition. An example: the housing crisis in Ventura County is being exacerbated by the Thomas Fire, and there appears to be some push back from insurers in regards to the cost of renting while properties are being rebuilt. Merrick was quick to praise the County of Ventura for fast tracking the permit process.
Merrick noted that the impact of the fire on the local agricultural community – lost crops, dead or injured stock, and a lack of grazing land – will impact this essential industry for years. Her voice teamed with energy as she spoke of the tenacity of local farmers, ranchers, and farm workers, Merrick embodies the time honored saying: “lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way.” Though her cherished home on the range was taken by the Thomas Fire, Merrick is well on the way to doing what she loves best, ensuring that “future chefs will get their hands in the dirt” as Ventura County rebuilds its agricultural base.
The Economic Development Collaborative –Ventura County (EDC-VC) has announced the addition of Clare Briglio as a full-time staff member dedicated to outreach and coordination of the fire relief efforts being delivered by EDC-VC’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Briglio and a team of about 30 other consultants provide a variety of services to local businesses including no-cost business advising, access to capital for short- and long-term loans for disaster relief and assistance regarding insurance, unemployment, loans and tax relief.
Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC CEO stated “We are excited to have Clare join our team as a dedicated point person to help these businesses get immediate support and assistance.”
Briglio has served as an SBDC consultant for EDC-VC since 2016, advising clients in the areas of startup strategies, new product development and sourcing, organizational development, process improvement and strategic planning.
As the owner and founder of Kings & Priests, a wholesale jewelry design and consulting company, Briglio is experienced in understanding corporate structure and developing key strategies that enable small businesses to reach their full potential. Her skill set includes creating branding strategies that increase exposure and product strength.
She has over 10 years’ experience working in art and design, as well as human resources, corporate branding and fund development. Briglio has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Sonoma State University.
The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.
For businesses in need of EDC-VC support services for disaster recovery, details of business disaster services can be found online at http://edc-vc.com/disaster-recoveryservices/ or on the “Business Recovery” link on the home page of http://venturacountyrecovers.org/.
EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 384-1800 ext. 24 or [email protected]. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.
The Ojai Valley Museum is planning a week-long trip to Toledo and Chicago to attend the 200th anniversary of Libbey Glass. The trip will leave from LAX on Thursday, May 3 and return on Thursday, May 10. Space has been reserved for 24 persons on a first-come first-served basis. The cost including transportation, accommodations, admissions, and estimated meals is $2,100 per person roundtrip.
A preliminary meeting for those who might be interest will be held at the Ojai Valley Museum on Wednesday, January 24 at 5:30p.m. For further information please contact Tony Thacher at [email protected].
Chamber On The Mountain is pleased to present their first performance of the new year with the internationally renowned ensemble, Trio Valtorna, on Sunday, January 28, at 3:00 pm. Performance will take place at Logan House in Upper Ojai. Trio Valtorna brings exceptional chamber music to appreciative audiences, with a repertoire that includes both classic and contemporary works,
Shirley Waxman will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, to deliver a talk entitled “POP Art and the American Dream.” Ms. Waxman comes from the Santa Barbara Museum of Art’s Community Speakers Program.
In the years following World War II, the United States enjoyed an unprecedented period of economic and political growth which led to an explosive change in our culture.
This talk explores the works of the most celebrated American Pop artists, including Andy Warhol, James Rosenquist, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns, and Wayne Thiebauld, who all boldly experimented with new media and the American Dream.
Local author Fred Whitman will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 27, to read from his new book The Ghost of Saddle Mountain. This is Whitman’s debut novel, inspired by the eleven years he lived in San Francisco and enjoyed the live music scene that still thrives there.
Whitman’s youth spent exploring and building tree forts in the canyon behind his home instilled in him an appreciation for nature and the miracles of life. Those interested in his work as a sculptor can see more at www.fredsrockart.com.
Bonnie Landau will visit the Ojai Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 28, to deliver a talk entitled “Calming the Hyper Child: Practical Tools for School and Home.” Mrs. Landau is an Ojai resident, author, and consultant for parents whose kids struggle to learn in traditional settings.
There are many reasons kids find it hard to be calm. Bonnie will provide information on why children are hyper or over-stimulated, and she will discuss practical examples of calming techniques.
This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at 218-9146.
The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
Downtown Ventura’s Arts & Eats January 20, 6 – 8pm and Fox Fine Jewelry Art Reception featuring the art of Hiroko Yoshimoto. Arts & Eats will be held in downtown Ventura with fifteen galleries, restaurants and shops open for art receptions and complimentary tastes. The event is free to the public.
Hiroko Yoshimoto was born in Japan and became a US citizen in 1976. She has a BA and MA in art from UCLA and continued her studies in Florence, Italy at the Art Center College. Since her studies, Yoshimoto has exhibited her art internationally, with active exhibits in California, Colorado, Tokyo, Austria, and New York.
The Ventura Police Department is partnering with the Midtown Community Council and Pacific View Mall for Food Truck Friday on January 19 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall parking lot nearest to Trader Joes. The event features nearly 20 food, dessert and coffee trucks. Live music, face painting, a patrol car and Ventura Police K9s will be featured at this family friendly event.
Community members are invited to stop by the Ventura Police booth to visit with Ventura Police Officers and K9s. Important safety information will be available and fingerprint kits for local youth will be offered while supplies last.
A portion of the proceeds from the event will go to the Ventura County United Way Thomas Fire Victims Fund. First responders will also be recognized.
Food Truck Friday has helped support the Adopt-A-School Program which has provided beautification projects through event profits and community partnerships since the Food Truck event began in October 2012.
Residents are encouraged to learn more about their neighborhood Community Council. Ventura has seven neighborhood councils and any resident; business owner or property owner can join their area group. They offer an opportunity to connect with neighbors, learn what’s happening in the area, get updates and information from city staff and participate in projects that make a difference in the community. Ventura Police crime and safety updates are provided at each of the monthly community council meetings offering an opportunity for residents to get to know their local patrol officers. For more information please call 339-4317.