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Rotary Club to host 29th Annual Trivia Challenge

The Rotary Club of Ventura South will host its 29th annual Trivia Challenge fundraiser in support of the Ventura County Library’s Adult Literacy Program on Wednesday, November 15. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Wedgewood Banquet Center, 5882 Olivas Park Dr.

The popular event features a “Jeopardy-like” game in which teams of three people compete for trophies by answering a variety of questions on topics ranging from history to entertainment to sports and general trivia. Teams fall into four categories: Youth (under 25), Service Club (e.g., Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), Business, and Individual Just for Fun. Entry fees are $375 per team and $125 for individuals . Spectators are welcome for $10. Hors d’oeuvre will be served and cocktails and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will support the Ventura County Library’s READ Program, which provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults who want to learn to read. The program also provides free books, special programs for dyslexic adults, computer-assisted instruction, second language reading instruction, and family literacy activities.

Additional details and sign-up forms are available on the Rotary Club of Ventura South’s website: venturasouthrotary.org, or by calling Don MacDonald at 657-8194 or Marty Moss 208-9292. Information on the Library’s READ program is available online at vencolibrary.org, or by calling 677-7160.

Face of Ventura 014 – Cannibis

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VMF Children’s Concert for VUSD

VMF brings the joy of music through unique education offerings. Photo by Michael Gordon

The Ventura Music Festival 2017 Children’s Concert for VUSD featured two wonderful programs: Sneetches, with playful music and the delightful Dr. Seuss text, and Saint-Saens’ fabulous Carnival of the Animals, accompanied by Ogden Nash’s much- loved text. It was presented on Oct.19 in the Ventura High School Auditorium.

VMF presented the versions developed for two pianos played by Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye of the San Diego Symphony. Lively narration was provided by the Festival’s Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta, acclaimed violinist, conductor and music educator known for his engaging lectures and programs.

The Ventura Music Festival was founded in 1994 in response to a need identified by the City for a cultural festival. VMF’s mission is to bring diverse, world-class music to the community, provide opportunities for audiences and artists to come together and to enhance the joy of music through unique education offerings.

Educational outreach has been important from the beginning. The Festival’s centerpiece program is Music in the Schools, developed to meet California State music curriculum requirements for third, fourth and fifth grades, and to foster a love of music while enhancing behavioral, social and academic learning. Nuvi Mehta presents this curriculum to up to 3,000 children annually in VUSD schools.

Breeze photographer Michael Gordon exclaimed “As the auditorium filled while waiting for the program to start I was delightfully warmed by the sounds of chatter of so many voices at one time. After the program was in full swing, I wanted to take a few shots from an audience point of view and observed that while the kids were watching and fully absorbing the program there was a fascinating and movement of the audience in all directions from most every seat.”

“Have you ever been in an auditorium filled with 3rd graders? A great experience.”

Ventura Music Festival 648.3146 472 E. Santa Clara St. www.venturamusicfestival.org

 

We congratulate our officers for their exceptional service to our community.

Sixteen Ventura Police Officers were recognized alongside officers throughout Ventura County at the 41st Peace Officers of Ventura County Law Enforcement Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony held on October 7 at the Ronald Reagan Library. The Medal of Valor is awarded to officers for extraordinary bravery, above and beyond the call of duty, where risk of life existed and the officer was aware of such risk.

Incident One: On December 17, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning the Ventura Police Department received a 911 call stating a female subject had been shot. There were limited details to the shooters whereabouts. Officers arrived on scene and immediately went into action. As dispatchers attempted to gather further information, a child could be heard crying in the background. As officers formulated a plan a female victim exited the residence. It was obvious that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. It was later determined that she had 18 wounds. As the victim exited the residence officers, without hesitation still not knowing the whereabouts of the shooter, formed an immediate reaction team and went into rescue mode. Officers rescued the victim and immediately began first aid until medical personnel arrived on scene.

After the female victim had been rescued officers staged at the doorway of the residence. A male subject could be seen lying at the top of the stair case. He was later pronounced deceased. A child could be heard screaming from an unknown location within the apartment. The suspect’s location was still unknown but officers made entry into the residence to render aid to the child in distress. The distressed child was unharmed. Officers rescued the child.

The suspect’s location was still unknown. Agencies throughout Southern California were searching for the suspect. The Ventura Police Department posted a picture of the suspect on the department’s Facebook page. A Ventura resident was vacationing in Mexico and came across the photo on social media. She was eating at a restaurant in Rosarito Beach and noticed the suspect was also at the restaurant. She called the Watch Commander to report identifying the suspect and detectives then worked with authorities at the border to apprehend the suspect. The suspect is now awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder.

Sergeant Anselmo, Detective Acquarelli, Officer Davy, Detective Corporal Marchetti, Officer Martinez, Officer Kasper, Detective Corporal Gilbert, Officer Fowler and Officer Brittle received the Medal of Valor for their service above and beyond the call of duty during this incident.

Incident Two: On June 29, 2016 two people were shot, one fatally on E. Main Street in Ventura. The shooter fled the area in a vehicle occupied by additional subjects. Officers responded to the shooting scene but three officers began patrolling the surrounding area and located the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove recklessly at speeds over 100 MPH through areas of heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The suspect vehicle ultimately crashed into an orchard in east Ventura. The driver fled the vehicle leaving the three injured subjects in the vehicle. The vehicle caught on fire with the subjects trapped inside. At this time, officers were completely exposed to the suspect who had fled into the orchard, the weapons used were still outstanding and the subjects were wanted for murder. The officers made the choice to sacrifice their safety and rescue the occupants before they were engulfed in flames. Officers approached and rescued the occupants with the vehicle on fire. The driver, who tried to escape, was later apprehended in the orchard. The subjects are now awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder.

Corporal Knackstedt, Detective Conger, Detective Gutierrez, Officer Almaguer, Officer Dillard and Sergeant Medina were awarded the Medal of Merit for risking their own lives to save the occupants of the vehicle who otherwise would have been trapped in flames.

New superintendent: On settling in, board direction and contract battles

Creswell is in the middle of his first dogfight.

by Rebecca Wicks

David Creswell, the new superintendent of Ventura Unified School District has been in Ventura for less than three months. The Long Beach native is renting a house with an eye on buying, and has already gotten involved with the local botanical gardens and museum. He and his wife are by his accounts currently “eating their way across Ventura,” trying as many restaurants as they can. They are enjoying what most Venturans do here including surfing, biking and walks on the beach.

“It’s been fantastic, my wife and I thoroughly enjoy the community which has been incredibly welcoming,” said Creswell of his first few months in Ventura. “The reception has been amazing … the community is so involved, and there are so many opportunities to embrace what is going on here.”

On the work front, Creswell has visited most of the school campuses and is equally impressed with what he has witnessed.

“There is a great culture focused on students, and so many areas are already above par,” said Creswell who cited programs such as the district’s dual immersion and magnet programs that focus on language, leadership, science and technology. “What is already in place, what is already being offered, it’s impressive.”

According to Creswell he is focused on two categories of activities. The first is to ascertain and manage Board of Education directives. The Board is currently accessing and prioritizing its objectives, which he expects will eventually number between three and five. These objectives are expected to drive where spending and programming will be directed.

The second area Creswell plans on working on is more personal in nature and revolves around the culture of the district. Creswell understands there is a divide between the district office and the sites, or schools, and believes there is an opportunity to work with district leadership to communicate and devise a way to all work together.

“We all know what we need to do, there is no question about that … it’s how we are treating each other, how we conduct business that is important to me,” said Creswell. “I want to work to assess what we have, and then define where we’d like to be.”

Creswell’s initial relationship building abilities are now being put to the test . About 50 days into the job of superintendent Creswell is in the middle of his first dogfight. The district and the teacher and support staff unions have hit an impasse. The topic: salary increases. It has now been determined a third-party will be brought in to mediate the discussion. It’s not new territory for Creswell who downplays the severity of the entrance of an intermediary, which comes after more than 5 months of failed negotiation between the parties.

“Would we like to have it settled, of course, but this is simply the next step in a multistep process,” said Creswell who believes the discussion will sort itself out. “The issue is fairly straightforward, we can only use money that we have.”

The Ventura Unified Education Association and the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association, which represent teachers and staff members respectively, have asked for a one-time retroactive bonus for 2016-2017 of two percent of the employee’s current salary. This is in addition to a two percent salary increase for the 2017-2018 school year.

The reply, the district has offered a 2.25 percent retroactive increase for 2016-2017 and a one percent salary raise for 2017-2018. Both include a clause that negotiations could be restarted if specific events occur for example, if the district receives additional unrestricted revenues during a school year.

In a board meeting in early October, more than 175 teachers and support staff members were present to voice their support and need for the increases proposed by the unions. Many were upset the board did not seem willing to move further when it came to negotiations.

“The district and the community continually state education is important,” said a grade-school teacher who asked not to be named. “Now it’s time for the district to actually prove they believe this.”

Creswell remained positive and confident about the situation.

“We want everyone to remain calm and ultimately aim to treat everyone with dignity and respect,” said Creswell. “Working through this process may be in the end, an opportunity to build the relationships and culture we need.”

Ventura College helping our veterans

Ventura County Community College District Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Rick Post, VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie, 26th District of California Congressmember Julia Brownley, and VCCCD Vice Chair Arturo Hernández at Student Veteran Expo.

Twenty-sixth District of California Congressmember Julia Brownley, member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, recently joined Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Greg Gillespie, VCCCD Board Vice Chair Arturo Hernández, and Ventura College President David Keebler for the Ventura County Student Veteran Expo held at Ventura College.

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The event was hosted by Ventura College and the California Transition Assistance Program (CalTap), Veterans Services Division, CalVet.

For more information on the organizations that participated in the Ventura County Student Veteran Expo, please contact Ventura College Veterans Resource Center Program Advisor Bruce McFadden at 289-6060 or [email protected].

In an effort to improve the college-going rate among veterans and active duty military in Ventura County, the Ventura College Foundation is helping Ventura College students who are U.S. veteran and U.S. active duty military offset the cost of tuition through the William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise Program. For the 2017/2018 academic year, the William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise Program will award approximately $1,200 to 16 veterans. Applications are accepted until Oct. 31.

Designed to eliminate economic barriers to higher education, the Promise grant encourages students to further their education and reach their academic goals.

In addition, the Veterans Resource Center at Ventura College offers a supportive environment and a welcoming campus culture for all veteran students.

For more information, contact Anne King at 289-6160 or [email protected], or visit www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

Family to Family to honor pioneer Pat McLean

Pat established Family to Family to provide meals to needy families.

Pioneer Pat McLean will be honored for her 35-years of service to Family To Family. Funders Leanne McSorley and Pat McLean initially established Family to Family to provide meals to needy families at Mission San Buenaventura in 1983. Today Family To Family is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, all volunteer organization that serves five meals weekly (48,000 meals annually) supported by faith communities and other organizations throughout the greater Ventura area. This must attend event is scheduled for Friday, October 27 at the Poinsettia Pavilion.

Family to Family is a unique collaboration of many churches, temples, clubs and friends coming together to serve the neediest of Ventura. Family to Family is a shining example of the community in action. Family To Family depends solely on gifts of food, time and monetary contributions from individuals, churches and organization. Each meal is prepared and served at 303 N. Ventura Ave., in the Catholic Charities Community Center Building, Suite G.

To learn more or make a reservation or if you are unable to attend and would like support to Family To Family please visit www.vcfamilytofamily.org.

Three Ventura clubs join forces to sponsor Rotary Plaza at Ventura Botanical Gardens

Over thirty conference-goers took a lunch excursion to the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

Recently the City of Ventura hosted representatives from 73 Rotary clubs in the organization’s Central California district. Ventura’s three clubs are part of Central coast.

“It was a great opportunity to showcase Ventura as a place for business and pleasure”, said Mario De La Piedra, the event organizer and Past President of Downtown Rotary.

Under sunny, clear skies, over thirty conference-goers took a lunch excursion to Ventura Botanical Gardens above City Hall. Bruce McGee, past President of Ventura East Rotary Club, arranged the trip.

“We wanted to share the unique joint investment our three Ventura clubs are making in the Gardens, a spectacular viewpoint to be called Rotary Plaza. It is situated at the heart of VBG, where the trail crosses Summit Drive. Rotary parks dot 200 towns across the U.S., but we have none in Ventura. We wanted to deliver something of lasting impact to the community and we knew this was the right project for us.”

Visitors learned about Rotary’s values, history, global and local projects, and membership information via the mobile app that VBG is installing.

Bruce added, “Rotary Plaza is our public endorsement of Ventura Botanical Gardens, a decades-long project that has the power to transform our city. This world-class destination in the making for Ventura County is expected to bring millions in new tourist revenue for hotels, restaurants, and other services. We are proud to be among their first large investors, raising $250,000 to build Rotary Plaza. We are past the halfway mark and are looking for additional Rotarians or other donors who believe in this legacy project. Groundbreaking for Rotary Plaza is anticipated next spring with completion by year end 2018.”

Interface works to prevent the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment

Interface board members Terri McGray, Spencer Garrett, Tom Pecht and Kathy Hartley, and Interface Director of Fund Development and Marketing Catherine Kort are “Painting it Purple.”

Interface Children & Family Services’ volunteers armed with purple nail polish, are participating in dozens of scheduled and pop-up events in every major city of Ventura County and adjacent to support Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Month – their most public event was at ArtWalk Ventura. On display was Project Hope Healing Art Exhibit – a travelling display of artwork created by domestic violence survivors, their children and Interface advocates to highlight their journey and healing process.

Interface’s west county regional advisory board co-led by Ojai’s Lavender Inn owner, Kathy Hartley, and Ventura County Credit Union CAO, Linda Rossi, are spearheading the effort with a highly energized small group of local professionals. The concept started last year and with little formal planning volunteers hosted 29 events reaching over 600 people.

In addition to ArtWalk Ventura, dozens of schools, businesses, non-profits and government leaders are participating including Foothill High School in Ventura, Kirby Auto Group at Ventura Auto Mall, St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura City Council and Ventura County Board of Supervisors .

With help from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Woodland Hills, texting for help from 2-1-1 Ventura County, a program of Interface Children & Family Services, is available 24/7. Anyone can call 2-1-1, text 898211, or click 211ventura.org to be connected with information about all the health and human services available to them in Ventura County.

Founded in 1973, Interface works to prevent and heal the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment; domestic violence; family conflict and mental health issues. For more information please contact Interface Children & Family Services at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite I, Camarillo or at 485.6114 or visit www.icfs.org.