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Just a very few Ventura Heroes

by Victoria Usher

Battling the fires in Ventura has been tough to say the least and one of those neighborhoods just south of Arroyo Verde was no different. The reason that the entire neighborhood didn’t burn was because of all the efforts of everyday citizens who were out there for more than 10-12 hours fighting hot spot fires all over the neighborhood. A few of those great citizens heroes were Eric Jarl (who stopped ten foot tall flames under his back porch at 4:00am after driving all night from Stockton), Mark Perry who helped knock down fence fires , Robert Washington and his friend Sean Ardouin and lastly George Brown.

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dunn (suggested by Lyn Fairly)were driving around looking at the fire damage when they came upon a couple who were digging into the ruins of a burned-out motor home and horse trailer. The horse trailer was actually the man’s work shop, he was making jewelry as his business and they lived together in the motor home. Everything they owned including their business was completely lost in the fire. The trailer and the workshop contained gold, silver, jewelry, precious stones, pearls, and the tools needed to make the jewelry.

Their 10-year-old daughter’s toys that she’d bought for Christmas with a $100 shopping spree that she’d won with the firefighters were all gone because of the fire. Then on top of everything else they also lost their dog. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, their daughter Patti, and their son in law William decided to spend the greater part of the afternoon helping them dig, rummage, and try to rescue some of that material and they were successful to a point. They gave them some cash for the night and directed them to the perfect place to ask for assistance and then both families exchanged their phone numbers. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are Ventura heroes and they now have some new friends too.

Hooray for Hector Andrade, the Poinsettia Pavilion’s caretaker for more than 20 years. On Monday night, as the fire raced down Ventura’s hillsides, Hector, his wife, Joanne, and son, Hector, Jr., saw it coming and turned on the sprinklers, grabbed hoses and shovels and fought back the flames. With danger closing in, Hector refused to leave until the firefighters arrived. He stayed across the street and once they allowed him to return, he was back at it putting out hot spots and protecting the building throughout the night. We are convinced that if it were not for Hector and his family, the Poinsettia Pavilion would be nothing but a memory.

These are the unsung heroes you usually never hear about but if not for their efforts we would have lost many more homes. Also, a huge thanks to all the firefighters who did show up! I believe you saved a lot of Ventura. Hats off to these heroes!

Free masks are available

N-95 masks require a tight seal to be effective.

Due to continuing unhealthy air conditions resulting from the Thomas Fire, free particulate respirators (N-95 masks) are being distributed as part of a coordinated effort of the Ventura County Public Health Department, Emergency Medical Services Agency, various County agencies, City government and multiple community based organizations. To date, over 500,000 face masks have been distributed throughout Ventura County. The sites that will distribute masks are available and update routinely on readyventuracounty.org and current locations are listed below.

  • Ventura County Fair – Red Cross Shelter, 10 W. Harbor Blvd
  • EP Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. Ventura
  • Beth Torah Temple, 7620 Foothill Road
  • Barranca Vista Center, 7050 Ralston Street
  • Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street
  • Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road
  • Saticoy Library, 1292 Los Angeles Avenue
  • San Jon Yard, 336 San Jon Road
  • City Hall, 501 Poli St. (entrance at back parking lot)
  • Academic Family Medicine Center, 3291 Loma Vista Road, Building 340, Suite 201
  • West Ventura Medical Clinic, 133 W Santa Clara St
  • Ventura County Health Care Agency, 5851 Thille St
  • Ventura County Health Care Agency, 2323 Knoll Dr # 414

Please note that the N-95 masks require a tight seal to be effective and as a result the available adult sized masks will provide only limited protection for most children. N-95 masks when fitted properly provide some protection from the fine particles in smoke. Ordinary dust masks and surgical masks do not provide this protection. Limited quantities of small masks are being distributed to locations that are more likely to have a concentration of children. When properly worn, these masks should provide a tighter seal for a child’s smaller face. Please note, that only limited quantities of these masks are available. Masks are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be available as supplies last.

New Kaiser Permanente grand opening celebration

County and City dignitaries helped Kaiser staff in cutting the ribbon at new facility.

Article and photos by Richard Lieberman

The new Kaiser outpatient clinic held a grand opening for the 57,000 square-foot building alongside of the 101 Freeway in Ventura. The complex officially opened to patients on December 11th 2017.

Originally scheduled to open early next year Kaiser pushed up the opening date to December this year ahead of the original schedule. The construction project began with a ground-breaking ceremony in September, 2016.

The new clinic is Kaiser’s answer to the need for additional space in West Ventura County. The new facility will serve as an outpatient center. The clinic features optometry, orthopedics, obstetrics-gynecology, cancer infusion, gastroenterology, podiatry, laboratory services and additional specialties.

Dr. Justin Kane, a hand surgeon will serve as the clinics physician-in-charge, “we have all the medical and surgical specialties under one roof,” said Kane. Kane will serve along with 22 other physicians based at the new site. If you’re not fortunate to live in California or on the west coast and therefore don’t have access to the new centre but are still in need to see a hand surgeon then go to handsurgeonsnyc.com it’s a great clinic especially if the east coast is better for you.

A pharmacy and an urgent care center are scheduled to be added in the second half of 2018. Kane added “there won’t be outpatient surgery, but some office procedures for certain types of skin cancer removal procedures will be available at the site.”

The new Kaiser building has caught the attention of residents and those traveling along the 101 Freeway by its brightly lit lines running across its exterior. Dr. Kane noted that the “lighting is like a beacon and that is exactly what we want.”

Taking advantage of modern interior design techniques, the facility features self-tinting windows, solar panels and other technology designed to be energy efficient. The brightly lit exterior lines compliment the design of the interior.

Kane added “it’s a billboard” referring to the lighted exterior. “We wanted the building to look like the innovation and technology that we have included in its interior.”

Volunteering with the Red Cross/Thomas Fire

by Jill Forman                To volunteer with the Red Cross: redcross.org/volunteer.

“Welcome to the ‘Amazon of Hope,” says the sign above the makeshift desk in a deserted ex-bus barn in downtown Ventura, now filled with bags and boxes and pallet of donations. The community had come forward and given food, toiletries, paper goods, clothing, water and so on.

And the trucks and cars keep rolling in, with thousands more items to be downloaded, sorted, and distributed. It is an incredible sight. Red Cross personnel from all over the USA, along with community volunteers, work continually to handle this outpouring.

I had spent Saturday at Orientation the Red Cross headquarters in Camarillo, then stayed there to field phone calls, talk to folks coming in the front door, run errands, whatever needed doing. Sunday things were quieter in the office, and we heard that this collection and distribution center was open and desperately needing help. So I signed up. The Red Cross has an amazingly efficient computer system for volunteers, letting them know what is needed and allowing them to sign up online.

After a brief morning meeting, we get to work. And work we do. In addition to the donation management, clients start coming in needing items. Yours truly ended up running that end of things for the next three days. Clients come in, fill out a list, then wait for the “pickers” to find their items. We give the folks snacks and water, try to find things to entertain their children, and talk to them.

The Red Cross personnel are incredibly patient with us “newbies,” smiling, giving us positive feedback and thanks at every turn. I have never felt so valued. And the community volunteers, they are amazing; working whatever hours they can manage, taking time off from their jobs, filling their school vacations with helping others. Pretty much everyone was on their feet, walking around the warehouse, lifting, sorting, doing some hard physical labor for up to 8-9 hours at a time.

We get fed every day also by local restaurants. One day it was a gorgeous spread by Command Performance Catering, another was from Mai’s Café. I was unable to find out the names of the restaurant or group that put on the taco bar, or the one that gave us bag lunches with sandwiches and the best soup ever. And people show up with trays of cookies and bags of fruit. I was sorting a pile of donations and found a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies perched on top. Whoever you are, thanks, they were delicious (and yes, I shared them.)

I obviously could go on and on, but just trying to give an idea of what it is like to be a part of something, a little piece of helping out in this difficult time. Most of us can’t fight a fire, or rebuild a house, or give a home to a burnt-out family. But almost everyone has something to give. The people at the collection and distribution center are giving their time, their hard work and their hearts to this part of the effort. This has been a significant time in my life.

The alarm

by writer with heart, Karen Leslie

For many Venturians, the morning wake up alarm in the wee hours on Monday
wasn’t with a yawn at dawn and the smell of coffee. Instead, in a state of shock and disbelief,
they were yanked out of their dream state into a nightmare. With eyes burning, lungs filled with
smoke and terror abound, the core and foundations of not only their homes were shaken, but for
many, life as they knew it had been turned to ashes. With just enough time to grab a child, they
were escorted out of harm’s way by our hard working police officers and firemen and taken to
safe havens.

Still days later, many evacuees cannot return to their homes that still stand and
some families can only revisit what was left of their lives. Even in the darkness of the soul moments,
a rising up of the human spirit becomes palatable, resilient, tenacious and strong!

With new eyes of insight, we realize happiness cannot be bought or worn and that it is enough
that lives were saved. With hearts overflowing, we reflect and rebuild new foundations with
gratitude and compassion for our fellow human beings.

Together, we stood in the eye of the storm with open hands for the good of all and our community.
Because when it is all said and done, it is about the love of friends, neighbors and family that matter most.

Our Ventura cup runneth over!

You are what you eat

A healthy, balanced diet can help you feel better and promote long-term health. See this summary of the important nutrients you need in a healthy eating plan:

Proteins – Your body uses proteins to build and repair tissues, fight infection, and give you energy. Protein is found in meat, eggs, beans, nuts, and dairy.

Carbohydrates – Carbohydrates are your body’s main source of energy. Simple carbohydrates are found in fruits, vegetables, dairy, and sweeteners. Complex carbohydrates are found in bread, cereals, pasta, rice, beans, and starchy vegetables such as potatoes, green peas, and corn. Many carbohydrates – especially those from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains – also supply fiber.

Fats – Fats give you energy and help you feel satisfied after eating, but some types of fats are healthier than others. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats seem to lower your chance of heart disease as long as you don’t eat too much. They are liquid at room temperature and are found in vegetable oils, some nuts and seeds, avocados, peanut butter, and fatty fish. Saturated and trans fats are less healthy and are found in red meat, milk products, palm and coconut oils, and processed foods.

If you haven’t talked with your doctor about nutrition lately, take a moment at your next visit to talk about whether you need to make changes to your eating habits to improve your health.

We are Ventura – Part I

“No volunteers needed today.”

by Jennifer Tipton

On Thursday, Dec. 7th I visited the Ventura County Fairgrounds, one of three shelters set up by the American Red Cross.

The billboard at the entrance read “Thomas Fire Evacuees Proceed to Garden Street Gate”. At the main parking lot were firetrucks from our neighbors in Los Angeles, Tehama County, Susan River and Hanford (to name just a few), search and rescue vehicles, campers and RVs seeking refuge. Members of the Santa Maria Fire Department, there since day one said they had very little sleep. One emphasized, “this town has been so kind, we’ve never been treated so well!”

A fire fighter from Riverside showed me 2 large boards, one mapping the fire’s activity and the other tallying vehicles and personnel. Currently there were 12 helicopters, 28 hand crews, 471 engines, 26 dozers, 2509 total personnel and 7 water tenders (these carry 1200-3000 gallons of water each).

At the Garden Street entrance, a sign read “no volunteers needed today”. Walking up to the main building, another sign read “no donations needed today” – in only 2 days the need for help and donations had been met!

Outside the main building were mobile medical clinics, a long line of portable toilets and a large portable shower. There were cases upon cases of bottled water stacked against the outside of the building. Michael, a volunteer, told me, “the water is literally overflowing”. Large boxes of assorted clothing were available for those in need.

Inside the main building security officers stood safeguarding the occupants and sign in sheets were required before entering. I braced myself for heartache but surprisingly the energy was upbeat!

Fred Mariscal, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, made it clear, “everyone is welcome here, we don’t even ask for ID!” There were 225 evacuees in the shelter, 450 when it first opened and once as many as 600. “It’s always changing”, Fred said.

Looking like a small city, evacuees were referred to as “residents”. Hundreds of cots stood side by side, some with personal blankets and pillows and some with only the American Red Cross blanket waiting for yet another displaced neighbor. A baby changing station was loaded with supplies, WiFi was available and many of the mobile phone providers were present with stations to charge phones. Resources were available for advice and guidance and barbers were giving free haircuts!

Face painting was provided by McKenna Sullivan age 19 evacuated from her home in Carpinteria Wednesday, staying with Merrick Brunker, also age 19. Merrick lives below Foothill and North Petit, right under the mandatory evacuation. McKenna told me, “we’re here because I wanted to help.”

The Medical Reserve Core (an emergency response group comprised of doctors, nurses and numerous others) were inside the building. Marcie Marino, an E.M.T. for 17 years said, “I am amazed with all the donations, this community has really come out to help!” The greatest medical attention provided was to splint a finger.

Ventura County’s Behavioral Health staff were present with printed information such as, “Tips for Survivors” and other related topics. “Sometimes it takes 3-5 days until it really hits you”, said Mary Burau, Clinic Administrator.

The Salvation Army coordinated the food. Randy Stokes alongside his wife Jaime, both Cadets volunteered. Randy said, “lots of restaurants are reaching out to help.”

I met resident 96-year-old Charlotte Marchetti, a Ventura homeowner in Clearpoint, where she has lived for 40 years. “I don’t know what happened, they woke me up Monday night about 9:30 and said you have to evacuate, it happened so fast, this was the only place I could think to come!” Charlotte was sitting on her cot looking quite calm, and added, “we didn’t have time to grab anything except a little cash, cause I didn’t know if my house would still be there…”

“Is it?”, I asked.

“Yes, it is!”, she beamed.

Charlotte didn’t know when she could return to home, “they won’t let us back in until they check gas lines and wiring.”

Veronica Estrada, a volunteer with Gold Coast helped with transportation to doctor appointments, dialysis (there were two dialysis patients), refills from the pharmacy and oxygen needs, all services coordinated with the Health Department.

Leaving the fairgrounds, I felt a renewed sense of hope, amidst the disaster was an enormous spirit of compassion.

We will recover, and we will rebuild because We Are Ventura!

Fall Prevention Program awarded $50,000

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging’s (VCAAA) Fall Prevention Program was recently awarded $50,000 from the Camarillo-based Gold Coast Health Plan. The funds will be used to continue efforts to address the crisis of fall incidents throughout Ventura County.

The VCAAA’s Fall Prevention Program offers a variety of programs backed by evidence-based material to residents of Ventura County who are 60 or older in an effort to arm adults and caregivers with the tools necessary to prevent falls and increase mobility. A wide variety of classes, including A Matter of Balance, Walk with Ease, Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance, and Stepping On, are offered year round at locations throughout Ventura County. In addition to classes, the VCAAA provides case management to individuals who have reported falls in an effort to address immediate concerns.

Nationally recognized research shows that one in four adults over the age of 65, and half of the population over the age of 75, fall each year. Of those individuals, half will die within a year from complications and injuries sustained from the fall.

The VCAAA, in partnership with several local private and public organizations that make up the Ventura County Elderly Fall Prevention Coalition, is committed to decreasing the number of fall incidents through prevention programs, which will ultimately result in lower healthcare costs.

“Gold Coast Health Plan is helping to ensure that we can provide the best possible services to residents of Ventura County,” said Victoria Jump, Director of the VCAAA. “Whether through volunteer work or funding, the community is a vital resource in keeping our programs viable. We are grateful for Gold Coast’s continued support.”

For more information, please visit www.vcaaa.org.

Vol. 11, No. 6 – Dec 20, 2017 – Jan 2, 2018 – Mailbox

Dear Mayor Andrews, Deputy Mayor LaVere, Chief Corney and Council Members:

My home is on Brodiea Ave., my neighbor’s also on Brodiea Ave., and a home on Lupin around the corner from us were looted during the mandatory fire evacuation. We also had no electrical power at the time we were ordered to evacuate so we could not set our burglar alarm. I am told there are other looted homes as well but I have not personally spoken to other homeowners.

I read where you were going to be working on future disaster planning so I thought I would share our experience for future consideration.

At our home the thieves broke over the back fence and smashed in the door to our garden house. They were unsuccessful kicking in the side garage door so they threw a large concrete block through our back sliding glass door. It was double paned glass and this caused an explosion of shattered glass throughout the kitchen and dining area as well as glass tracked throughout the house. They took our TV and all our family jewelry and keepsakes. When they left, they left the front door open which caused ash from the fire to blow into our house throughout the night. In the morning the open door is what caused someone to alert Ventura Police. Officer Anthony Reginato called us home and took our report as well as those of our neighbors.

It is too late for us, and I realize so many others have lost so much more. However, fire sometimes cannot be stopped, but looting can be prevented

When you call for a future mandatory evacuation you should have in place a cadre of police personnel, cadets, and police volunteers to block off and restrict all access points to evacuated areas. They should be checking identifications of anyone entering or exiting the area.

Public safety is the number one priority in any community and I realize this fire disaster was greater than any emergency we have ever faced. Moreover, I have the utmost praise for all of our police and fire personnel. I will be forever grateful for their help. Heroes all.

However, I respectfully ask that each of you and Chief Corney develop a plan to protect neighborhoods from looters during future disaster evacuations. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Marianne Coffey

Dear Breeze:

At our North Ventura Avenue business, the loss of electricity and internet was worse than evacuating from the fire. Our insects and biological pest control products are shipped by UPS who came every day during the ordeal. We wrote waybills by hand. With a gas-fired generator, air filters, respirators, battery lights and headlamps we kept perishable inventory refrigerated and coworkers safe to do what was needed in production and shipping. However, customers and vendors could not reach us for four business days–a sales setback at year-end.

Our decision this year to switch to a phone system that depends on internet now seems like bad one. We pay for support from the phone service provider, but they are based in Ventura, also without power and connectivity.

We need more resilient systems from energy, broadband and VOIP phone providers so negative economic impacts are less widespread and prolonged. One positive step: Ventura County Supervisors and Ventura City Council are discussing joining Los Angeles Community Choice Energy (LACCE). Besides cheaper, cleaner electricity, profits will eventually be invested in the participating jurisdictions rather than going to shareholders and the inefficiencies of scale of a monopoly investor owned utility. We will have input about the type and siting of projects in a transparent, democratic planning process. For example, locally distributed solar generation including battery storage and eventually wind-wave support can be designed to be more reliable as well as more economical than the current grid. Local interconnected distributed generation facilities may sustain damage, but would not be affected from power lines going down many miles away. They will be designed with work-arounds when a microgrid is damaged.

If the Governor is right about this being the new normal, we appreciate leaders with the foresight to take more control over our energy to assure resilience.

Jan Dietrick, President Rincon-Vitova Insectaries

Hi. The spread of the fire is not yet over… It can blow up again. It takes just small blowing hot glowing cinder to glow up and burn down more vegetation. Why does Ventura not construct “water masts”, 150ft. high that have a sprinkling system, much the same as sprinkling systems used in agriculture. Such masts can jetison water around in a very wide perimeter as natural rain does. The “fire prevention masts” can use salt water from the ocean, mixed with fresh water. Salt does not harm the earth or vegetation. I wonder if the manner by which the fire department combats fire by hosing water directly into it at ground level, is not as effective as it would be if the firemen aimed their hoses upwards and let the water come down as rain down does, instead. The construction of a “water mast sprinkling” system might be something to consider… to protect homes.

Ventura has a lot of future potential. One thing for sure Ventura needs is a “desalination and filtration” plant. Creating a desalination system does not require huge expenditure, if small desalination plant entities are constructed, as on Santa Catalina Island where such a plant was constructed for only $3 million. One such plant serves hundreds if not thousands of homes and businesses, desalinating thousands of gallons salt water every day. Why not invest and buy a used desalinating system from a decommissioned cruise or large military ship. Those systems are able to produce thousands of gallons of fresh water.

Frank Reyna (Sweden)

I see with ever great clarity that our spiritual well-being depends not on religion, but on our innate human nature.
~ Tenzin Gyatso Dalai Lama

The housing crisis just got worse

by Judy Alexandre, Chair Ventura Social Service Task force

As the Thomas fire continues to spread in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, the number of those without a home has also grown. Many of these citizens have insurance, a positive support system, and the backing of the community both public and private. These resources will greatly aid those that have been deeply impacted by the fire. Some do not have the resources; for those who were renting assistance may be more limited. A few of these residents may join the community of those who are already homeless…without a home.

There is and will be difficulty in locating suitable housing within the City of Ventura. High rents, low vacancy compound an already difficult situation. The high rent contributes to the number of people that are experiencing homelessness throughout the state. Wages have been relatively stagnant. To afford the average rent between $1500-$2500 a month requires 2-3 minimum wage jobs for the least expensive apartment. If you have children or a pet (an important love object and companion for many on the street), locating housing is even more difficult. In addition to the monthly rent some landlords are requiring 3 months’ rent up front. Ironically, many of our first responders do not qualify to purchase homes in the city and may not be able to find suitable housing for their families.

The majority of our homeless population would move into housing if housing was available. There is a severe lack of affordable housing (earning $60-$120,000 a year), very affordable and extremely affordable housing. A person on disability or social security ($800-$1200/month income) cannot afford most existing housing. Their entire income is not sufficient for rent. Working one or two minimum wage jobs is not sufficient income. Currently, a few landlords are charging extremely unreasonable rates, because they can. An example is the owner of an old SRO (single room occupancy), hygiene and kitchen facilities at the end of the hall, charging $1200 a month for a 10’x10 or 10’12’ room. Room rentals in private homes may cost $600-$1000 with limited access to other household facilities. Those who are lucky enough to have a housing voucher (may have waited 5-7 years for the voucher) often cannot find a landlord to accept the voucher because they are currently able to charge so much more that what is allowed by governmental standards. We have a housing crisis that just got worse!

We can do better. The City of Ventura needs to actively support the development of very affordable and extremely affordable housing. Implementing interim emergency alternative solutions such as legal camping, expanded safe sleep programs, refurbishing older mobile homes, while permanent housing is developed is necessary. The city can invite low income developers to come build; zoning can be modified to accommodate the need and permits fast tracked for innovative faster built and more efficient forms of housing (container and tiny homes, etc.). We need the will to act. Our seniors, veterans, low income and workforce families deserve better.

Our year round transition to housing shelter needs to be sited and build now. We have identified operators and potential builders if there is a site and if there is housing to transition people from the shelter.