Her presentation included the written history of China.
What began on a single day with a single march has since evolved into a full-fledged coalition consisting of nine distinct task forces, each with a particular issue at its focal point. The grassroots organization Justice for All was formed after the resounding success of January’s March for Justice, which assembled an estimated 2,500 people in Ventura to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington.
On August 12 the Cultural Equity Taskforce for Justice for All in Ventura, presented The Origin and Art of Chinese Characters a lecture, demonstration, with audience participation presented by Ventura artist Hiroko Yoshimoto at the Museum of Ventura County.
Her presentation included the written history of China and Japan and the evolution of modern Chinese characters explained in hand-outs and her lecture. She demonstrated, and discussee the history, and evolution of calligraphy as she drew (painted)examples on the set-up drawing easel.
The event was attended by a standing room (or sit on the floor) enthusiastic crowd who tried their hands at calligraphy after her demonstration and the answering their questions
In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a vaccine to prevent shingles in people age 60 and older. The vaccine is designed to boost the immune system and protect older adults from getting shingles later on. Even if you have had shingles, you can still get the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease. There is no maximum age for getting the vaccine, and only a single dose is recommended. In a clinical trial involving thousands of adults 60 years old or older, the vaccine reduced the risk of shingles by about half.
To reduce the risk of shingles, adults 60 years old or older should talk to their healthcare professional about getting a one-time dose of the shingles vaccine. Even if the shingles vaccine doesn’t prevent you from getting shingles, it can still reduce the chance of having long-term pain. If you have had shingles before, you can still get the shingles vaccine to help prevent future occurrences of the disease.
Vaccine side effects are usually mild and temporary. In most cases, shingles vaccine causes no serious side effects. Some people experience mild reactions that last up to a few days, such as headache or redness, soreness, swelling, or itching where the shot was given.
The decision on when to get vaccinated should be made with your health care provider. The shingles vaccine is not recommended if you have active shingles or pain that continues after the rash is gone. The shingles vaccine is available in doctors’ offices, pharmacies, workplaces, community health clinics, and health departments.
Most private health insurance plans cover recommended vaccines. Check with your insurance provider for details and for a list of vaccine providers. Medicare Part D plans cover shingles vaccine, but there may be costs to you depending on your specific plan.
If you do not have health insurance, visit www.healthcare.gov to learn more about health insurance options.
The shingles vaccine is basically a stronger version of the chickenpox vaccine, which became available in 1995. If you’re asking yourself, what is chickenpox?, then doing some research into this would be in your best interest, especially for your children and when you go on holiday. The chickenpox shot prevents chickenpox in 70 to 90 percent of those vaccinated, and 95 percent of the rest have only mild symptoms. Millions of children and adults have already received the chickenpox shot.
Interestingly, the chickenpox vaccine may reduce the shingles problem. Widespread use of the chickenpox vaccine means that fewer people will get chickenpox in the future. And if people do not get chickenpox, they cannot get shingles. Use of the shingles and chickenpox vaccines may one day make shingles a rare disease.
• Regarding the Ventura County Fair, I was glad to see that Harbor Blvd. was left open as an accessible route to the Fair this year. Never did understand why traffic was diverted at Sanjon .So much easier to just take Harbor all the way through.
Odd to me why folks attending the concerts (or comedy show this year) on the main stage start waiting in line as early as 11am for shows that start at 7:30pm. Each row of seats has 80 chairs so the 400th person entering would need to sit way back in row 5. And if a person wanted to stand by the stage, he/she could do that even after the show has started.
“Always keeping my eyes open for Ventura news”.
I was going to bungee this year, but I wasn’t able to because they had to shut the attraction down due to a malfunction. Oh well, maybe next year.
Amazing to me that in just a short few days all of the rides, businesses, etc. are gone and on their way to the next fair.
• I have always wondered if the Breeze should have a column covering international, state or government news, etc. So we took an informal poll and asked 20 readers to weigh in (poll in this issue). Fourteen people said they like the Breeze just the way it is. Of the six that said yes, only a few were a definite yes, so we’ll keep the coverage just the way it is.
• The Ventura City Council has approved a funding agreement that will finalize $125,000 of support for the Museum of Ventura County. We’ll have an article on this topic in our next issue.
The agreement reads:
“Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Funding and Services Agreement, including milestones, with the Museum of Ventura County for a term of six-months, August 1, 2017 – January 31, 2018; $125,000 to support general operations.”
The document can be found at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/9152 if you want to read the whole thing.
To me, the most important thing is to hire a professional (curator) to make the Museum much more enjoyable, which the Museum says they will do.
• I have been getting emails stating that my Capitol Credit Card has exceeded its credit limit. These type of email alerts are just ways of hackers taking over your computer. Don’t ever open emails, even if they look real unless you absolutely know the source. If you aren’t sure, just make a call to the company. All of your credit cards, etc. have a contact number on the back, so use it.
• An artificial intelligence program just annihilated its human competition at a world championship video game contest. The AI win stunned the gaming community, because bots (robots) are generally considered inferior to expert human players.
This one is from Open AI, a nonprofit artificial intelligence research firm with backing by entrepreneur Elon Musk, of Tesla (TSLA) and SpaceX:
Even though he supports it, Musk wants to ensure that AI doesn’t grow unchecked and become the death of humanity. Musk said that AI is “more of a risk than North Korea.” Computers have also defeated the best humans in traditional board games like chess and Go.
Maybe a computer can publish the Ventura Breeze, and I can find something else to do.
•An update on the Ventura Police Officer who recently attempted suicide on July 28th while at the police headquarters. Good news, the officer is expected to survive.
On August 2nd, the Ventura County Star parent company Gannett Co. of McLean, Virginia, made a Public Records Request to the City for the release of the officer’s name.
Even though the City believes there is a strong argument to not release the officer’s name under exclusions to the Public Records Act, they have decided to do so rather than engage in a protracted and potential costly legal proceeding, which would not be in the best interest of Ventura. You can find public records here if you are a concerned parent, employer or neighbour and want to check someone out online.
The attempted suicide was a very personal and tragic event for the family. To respect the privacy of officer and his family during this very difficult time, the Breeze is withholding his name. We can tell you that the officer is a sixteen-year veteran of the Ventura Police Department.
• Regarding North Korea, when President Donald Trump stated that he will bring “fire and fury” that the world has never seen,” I assume that he knows that we dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. So the worst “fire and fury” would need to exceed “Little Boy” and “Fat Man”. So, my question is, would we need to drop three nuclear bombs or just one that exceeds the tonnage of “Little Boy” and “Fat Man”? Certainly hope that we won’t find out.
• According to an annual report compiled by scientists around the globe, 2016 was the warmest year on record for the planet as a whole, surpassing temperature records that date back 137 years. The conclusions contained in a draft federal report on climate change is conclusive that human-induced global warming is real and if left unchecked the consequences could be dire.
So, quit complaining when our local temperature reaches 80 and we are all sweltering.
• Even though the closing of Ringling Bros. circus is a win for animals and animal rights, I think it is sad that they shut down completely. Still would have been great family entertainment without the animals.
• As if you care, these are the cities of Ventura County (total population of about 850,000).
Camarillo
Fillmore
Moorpark
Ojai
Oxnard
Port Hueneme
Santa Paula
Simi Valley
Thousand Oaks
Ventura
A single story residence was involved in a structure fire shortly after 3:30pm on Friday, August 11 in East Ventura in the 10000 Block Darling Avenue. The resident of the home was taking a nap and awoke to the smell of smoke, fire alarms sounding, and a neighbor who was pounding on the front door. The
occupant of the home and the neighbor attempted to contain the blaze, but both were quickly overcome with smoke and retreated outside. Firefighters arrived quickly thereafter and initiated an attack on the fire. It was quickly identified that the resident and neighbor would need medical attention. Additional engine companies arrived and were informed by a family member that a pet was still inside.
Rescue crews searched the building and found the family pet in a bedroom and removed the animal to safety. Paramedics assessed the victims of the fire. The truck company performed vertical ventilation of the structure in coordination with the fire attack company. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the garage. Assigned firefighters were also tasked to limit the smoke damage to the interior of the residence. The damage was extensive throughout the garage, and the house was yellow tagged for only temporary habitation. One firefighter sustained a minor injury. The preliminary fire investigation revealed that a faulty electrical appliance started the fire. The resident and the neighbor were assessed and treated on scene and did not need to be transported to the hospital.
David C. Creswell has been a teacher, principal and district administrator at all school levels for 35-years.
The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board has selected David C. Creswell, 59 as the new school superintendent. He is the fifth superintendent in the past 30 years. His salary is $222,000 per year.
Creswell has an extensive school background including Fontana Unified School District’s associate superintendent of human resources and the associate superintendent at Fontana Unified. Assistant superintendent in Ontario from 2007 to 2013, an assistant superintendent of administrative services at Cucamonga School District from 2006 to 2007 and an administrator of alternative education from 2003 to 2006 at Alvord Unified School District in Riverside.
In 2016 has was selected as a Human Resources Leader of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.
He and wife Debra are passionate people helping victims of child human trafficking. For the past seven years, they have traveled to Southeast Asia to help young children who have been victimized. Creswell said he is looking forward to learning about his new community and starting relationships with district staff members, students, parents and teachers.
Creswell was selected after a four-month search that included 51 candidates. Public input was involved and a community panel of community leaders also interviewed the five finalists and made recommendations to the board.
In selecting him Board member Mary Haffner stated “The process we went through to find our new Superintendent was thorough and inclusive. I feel very confident in our selection and I believe that David possesses the attributes and characteristics that will allow him to be very successful in Ventura Unified.”
Pastor Jim Duran was on the community panel and told the Breeze “Our panel was diversified and extremely passionate about the City of Ventura and our School District. The eight of us had extremely stimulating dialog and after two days we were able to come to an agreement for our top choice. I know that each of us felt an incredible responsibility to give the School Board the best feedback in order for them to ultimately make their decision.”
Board member Velma L. Lomax continued “We went through a very rigorous process this time, with interviews by the Board and a Community Panel as well as a written portion and oral presentation. After three long days we decided on hiring David Creswell. I feel confident we have made the best decision and that he will be a great asset to our district.”
Board member Sabrena Rodriguez said “David’s considerable experience in education, the diverse roles he has held in other districts and his stellar communication skills were all significant factors in our choosing him to lead our district. I was most excited by his obvious commitment to the welfare of the children in our community – their educational outcomes and their personal well-being.”
Lastly Board member Madhu Bajaj, President, Ventura Education Partnership “I am thrilled for David Creswell to join our community. He lives and breathes a powerful and beautiful leadership style focused on service and relationship building. And, he sees areas of opportunity to strengthen VUSD by bringing people together for the benefit of our students.”
On July 10 The Ventura City Council voted to give the Museum of Ventura County $125,000 dependent on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approving additional funding and set other conditions.
The Council specified that funding could last up to five years, assuming the museum meets specific benchmarks and Ventura has the money. The Museum must show how it will one day be able to support itself, start assessing a collection of 181,000 documents and artifacts, begin the process of developing an $8 million endowment and look at ways to turn its programs and offerings to be more appealing to all age groups who will visit often .
The Ventura City Council didn’t specify where the money would come from, instead directing the city staff to return with either potential sources of funding or cuts. City Manager Mark Watkins said the money could come from the general fund reserve which
the council is trying to build up to equal three months’ worth of operating expenses.
They agreed that the new half-cent sales tax should not be used to help fund the Museum.
The approval also stipulated that the Museum provide a detailed budget and plan for how it will change the way it operates, as well as meet fundraising milestones.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors Foy the no vote)a one-time contribution of $125,000 to help fund the Museum’s reorganization plan to stem a five-year trend of deficit spending and create a new business model.
The Museum’s Board Of Directors will meet to set a course to accomplish that the City and County stipulated. In part Elena Brokaw Interim Executive Director, Museum of Ventura County stated “With deep gratitude to our community, I’m delighted to report to you that yesterday the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a one-time contribution of $125,000 to help fund the Museum of Ventura County’s reorganization plan to stem a five-year trend of deficit spending and create a new business model for the museum.’’
“This giant step forward means the museum will be able to implement an aggressive capital campaign and strategic plan for a sustainable operational mode, all while we continue to deliver fresh programming to the community and visitors.”
Including:
A capital campaign to secure an $8 million endowment within the next five years.
Engage a museum consultant to help develop an improved business model that incorporates the endowment income and reduces dependence on private donations.
Assess, inventory, catalog and properly house the museum’s one-of-a-kind collection of Ventura County history and art, which includes the County of Ventura Historical Collection.
Attract an expanded audience to diversify who the museum serves, where the museum provides programming and how the museum engages its audience in museum activities.
MVC exhibitions tell the story of the County’s past and celebrates the art and artists of our community. It operates two museums, the Main Street Museum and the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula, as well as the MVC Research Library. In the past five years, MVC has faced significant operating deficits. In an effort to operate the County’s two most important historical museums, MVC board and staff have worked to reduce costs and expand both earned and contributed revenue, and still faced a budget gap.
“With widespread community support and funding from the County and City, we’re optimistic that our reorganization plan will be successful and the Museum will continue to be a major asset to our community’s quality of life,” Brokaw said.
Some were not familiar with Cox, but all wanted to show their support.
Photo and article by Richard Lieberman
Staff Sgt. Robert Cox killed in a Marine Corps transport aircraft accident in Mississippi, returned home Sunday evening July 23. Cox was escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders mustering 100 plus motorcyclists. The Patriot Guard Riders are a volunteer group that escorts and serves as an honor guard to service members and first responders killed in the line of duty.
The FBI continues to investigate the deaths of 16 Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were killed when their U.S. military plane spiraled out of the sky and into a Mississippi field.
A KC-130, used as a refueling tanker, “experienced a mishap” when it corkscrewed into a soybean field about 4 p.m. at a location around 85 miles north of Jackson, the Marine Corps said. The aircraft’s debris scattered in a radius of nearly 5 miles. The Marine Corps said the plane originated from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina and it was unclear what caused the crash.
The motorcade bringing Cox’s body home started Sunday evening July 23 at Los Angeles International Airport. His remains escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, and officers from the Santa Paula Police Department where he lived. Ventura County Firefighters lined up on freeway overpasses paying their respect for the deceased marine.
Cox’s remains were met by members of Cox’s family and 50 or more supporters lining the route. Many displaying America flags and some displaying Marine Corps flags.
Some were not familiar with Cox, but all wanted to show their support and pay respects to the family. Todd and Lori Walker said, “We are here to show our support for him and his family” Many of the supporters were veterans, but not all, several non- military supporters were there to support as well. President Donald Trump weighed in via Twitter saying “Marine plane crash in Mississippi is heartbreaking. Melania and I send our deepest condolences to all!”
The casket of Staff Sgt. Cox was carried into the Ted Mayr Funeral Home in Ventura after arriving from Los Angeles International Airport. A contingent of Marine honor guards escorted the body, after a brief ceremony.
Cox was born in Ventura and attended school in Fillmore, Ventura and Thousand Oaks. He enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was a senior in high school. Deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Lebanon. While deployed Cox earned awards for service, including Combat Action Ribbon, and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
A memorial service for Cox was held on Saturday, July 29 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 3501 Loma Vista Road. A funeral service followed the memorial service at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula Cemetery.
ADU is Item No. 4 on the agenda. Please note on the first page of the agenda is an informational box that describes how you can participate in the public hearing process and methods to provide input if you cannot attend the hearing on August 9th. The Planning Commission does value your interest. On January 9, 2017, the City Council adopted an Interim Urgency ADU ordinance.
Couple of notes of interest as you review the Staff Report and attachments:
The 11 page staff report highlights the major provisions of the ADU standards and gives rationale and context to the proposed standards. Most attachments are maps and graphics
The Ordinance is Attachment B, contained as Exhibit A of the PC Resolution. While it is about 25 pages, note that the standards are in the first 8 pages; the rest of the pages are all the different zoning regulations across numerous documents (Development Codes) that must be updated with ADU term and then remove old 2nd unit regulations. Therefore if you read through the 8 pages you are informed of the new rules.
“The project proposes the establishment of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (“ADU”)
Ordinance. This proposed ADU Ordinance would replace previous city regulations for
residential second units and carriage houses contained in the City municipal code and
the City’s form based development codes. This proposed ordinance is in response to
recent State Law amending California Government Code Section 65852.2 (“Section
65852.2”), which limits the City’s ability to regulate or limit new ADUs. Effective January
1, 2017, the two bills-Assembly Bill 2299 (“AB 2299”) and Senate Bill 1069 (“SB
1069”)-require cities to either adopt an ordinance that complies with the new
restrictions and specific standards or apply only the specific state standards set forth in
amended Section 65852.2. The draft ordinance is contained in Attachment B and these
proposed ADU regulations are discussed in the Staff Analysis section of this report.”
On August 12 the Cultural Equity Taskforce for Justice for All in Ventura, presented The Origin and Art of Chinese Characters a lecture, demonstration, with audience participation presented by Ventura artist Hiroko Yoshimoto at the Museum of Ventura County.
