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The VC Fusion the season starts at home

The Player Developmental League (PDL) has released the 2017 regular season schedule and despite sixteen new franchises and league wide realignments VC Fusion remains in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The 2017 PDL season will see 72 teams from United States and Canada compete for the championship. With PDL regular season kicking off the weekend of May 5-7.

The first 2 games of the 2017 PDL season for returning Coach Rudy Ybarra and the VC Fusion are at home. The season kicks off for Fusion hosting SFCFC , May 6th at Ventura College Sportsplex with kickoff time of 7 pm.. Followed by a visit from Southern California Seahorses on Saturday May 13th at VC Sportsplex. After that, the “Orange and Blue” will travel up and down California for their next four games.

The final game of the 2017 regular season will be at home against the always tough Fresno Fuego on July 15th.

In addition to PDL regular season games the Fusion will participate in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for a PDL record 8th consecutive time and host a first round match, on Wednesday May 10th  vs Moreno Valley FC (UPSL) at VC Sportsplex with kickoff time 7:00 PM.

Tickets to all VC Fusion home games are available immediately and can be purchased on Fusion’s website VCFusion.com or by calling the Fusion Ticket Office at 830-8005. Single match tickets cost $10 for Adults and $5 for Youths, but fans are encouraged to purchase 2017 Fusion Season Tickets, which cost just $65 for Adults and $35 for Youths, and include a free VC Fusion scarf. Season tickets allow entrance to all Fusion matches in 2017, including PDL & US Open Cup games, as well as all exhibition matches.

Boys & Girls Club making news

Giselle and  her little sister in front of their story board.

March is always an exciting month for the Club.  Not only is spring fast approaching, but it also marks Boys & Girls Club week and the time we come together for their kids during this year’s Power of One/Youth of the Year Celebration.  The event which has evolved over time, has taken on a life of its own and plugs in local business leaders and community members with the Club’s past successes over the year.

The event which was held at the Wedgewood spotlighted Elementary, Middle School and High School age Club kids.  All of whom had been selected on the basis of excelling in the values of leadership, service, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles. Yet the best part of the evening is always when the kids have the chance to share their narratives.  Some telling about their school successes, others about challenges that they had to overcome, but each shared in common a story about the Club and how it inspired their life.

Among other things, the event also kicked-off the Power of One/Youth of the Year Campaign, which promotes the spirit of philanthropy within the community.  The campaign helps draw in much needed financial support necessary to spread the cost of running all four Club locations throughout the year.  When all spoken for the Club delivers top-level programs to 1,300 children and teens; a snack and meal once a day; while also providing kids shuttle service at free or reduced cost.  All the while, still ensuring the maintenance and safety of all four facilities; and working together with 43 staff and 100 dedicated volunteers.  In all, the logistics of coordinating busses, programs and children can seem like an energizing, but sometimes daunting task.

And as quality programs continue to improve and grow at a steady stream, so does the demand for kids wanting to join; which CEO, Patti Birmingham, attests is always a good problem to have.  And despite a lean budget, she and her team continue to find balance and creative ways to keep the magic alive.  As one volunteer attests, “It may take hard work to keep the doors open, but it is the kids and families that keep coming back, time after time, that inspire us to continue our mission.”

Rabobank, N.A. has donated a total of $17,500 to four Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Ventura County. The funds will support youth programs and fundraising events at the following local club locations: Camarillo, Moorpark, Oxnard/Port Hueneme and  Ventura.

Construction to begin on Kellogg Park Project

The City in conjunction with Trust for Public Land, will begin construction this month on Ventura’s newest park located on N. Ventura Ave. transforming a vacant lot to a neighborhood space for all residents to enjoy and engage in physical activity.  As envisioned through the community plan, the 2.41 acre park will feature community gathering spaces, an amphitheater, playground area, outdoor exercise equipment, and a perimeter walking path. Completion of the park is slated for April 2018.

As the park construction gets under way, residents will see initial improvements including site grading and installation of water-efficient irrigation and drainage infrastructure. Once the major infrastructure is completed, California native trees, shrubs and other sustainable landscape will be planted to convert the lot into a green space.

Project construction cost for the park is $4.5M, which includes $1M from California Natural Resources Agency, Urban Greening for Sustainable Communities Program grant, $815,650 from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing and Related Parks Program grant, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund awarded the City a $1.5M grant.

Donor naming opportunities are available and contributions to Kellogg Park are considered tax deductible under state and federal law and are administered by the Ventura Community Partners Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. To make a donation, contact Katrina Maksimuk at  658-4775 or [email protected].

For more information visit http://www.cityofventura.net/kelloggpark.stuff kellog park

Volunteers needed to give reflexology to cancer patients

The Cancer Program at Community Memorial Hospital is seeking trained and Certified Reflexologist interested in volunteering at their Cancer Center.

The Cancer Resource Center in conjunction with Community Memorial Hospital offers a variety of free services to individuals faced with a diagnosis of cancer as well as providing programs for family members and friends. These services are offered in a comfortable non-hospital setting. The CMH Cancer Center is located inside the Coastal Communities Cancer Center at 2900 Loma Vista Road in Suite 105.

If you have an interest in volunteering please contact the CRC at 652-5459. All volunteers are required to become CMH Auxiliary members and are asked to volunteer at least 4 hours per month.

A one year commitment is required

Vol. 10, No. 15 – April 26 – May 9, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

Neal Casal and Chris Robinson of the Chris Robinson Brotherhood at the Ventura Theater.

Local music and more!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Adam Lasher returns to Ventura for the first time since his stint on American Idol’s season 14.  Locals will remember when he used to play in Three Man Weave band at The Good Bar back in the day.  Adam’s excited to return to Ventura and will be playing a show at The Star Lounge on Friday, May 5. I’m thinking one’s life changes ever so slightly when Harry Connick Jr calls you a super star though Adam is very modest about all that. He’s certainly enjoying the extra exposure since Idol and he confessed to me that it really holds your feet to the fire holding you to a higher standard. He also embraces the fact that he was parodied on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon that season. You can view that video on Adam’s website (AdamLasherBand.com).  He also told me one of the biggest perks was getting more awareness about Type 1 Diabetics as he’s been an advocate for the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation for many years.

The Ojai Bluesfest is finally here! The event will be held at the Ojai Art Center in conjunction with Crooked Eye Enterprises 11-6 pm on Sunday, May 7 featuring Orphan Jon and the Abandoned, Bleeding Harp, Deb Ryder, Michael John and the Bottom Line and Casey Hensley.  Find a link for more ticket information at the top of VenturaRocks.com.

Congratulations to Winchesters on their 20th anniversary, and a big thank you to JR for celebrating with two days of live music April 29-30! There will be no cover to catch these bands over the weekend (see VenturaRocks.com for set times): Shaky Feelin’, the Caverns, Mandex, TD Lind, Big Adventure and CRV and more.

Night Demon just released their new album, Darkness Remains, with artwork featuring our very own City Hall in the background as well as a creepy depiction of Father Serra.  I got an advance listen, and was able to play it on my radio show at KPPQ-LP here in Ventura at 104.1 FM.  I warn you, this one seriously rocks! Information on how and where to get your copy (including limited vinyl) can be found at www.NightDemon.net.  Meanwhile the boys are off and running in support of it touring Europe through mid June; I am told they always give a shout out to Ventura wherever they play.  They’ll be back home playing the Frost & Fire Festival in October.

Quick notes: Shawn Jones is back from Italy and will be at Grapes and Hops on April 28. Strange Weather returns from S Lake Tahoe for a show at Sans Souci on April 28; the Star Lounge hosts the Falling Doves on April 29 with special guest Travis Marsh; and finally, the Rouse CD release party will be held at the Hong Kong Inn on Saturday, April 29.

 

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

ACCJC reaffirmed accreditation to Ventura County Community College District colleges

Following the accreditation visits from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), in September 2016, Chancellor Bernard Luskin, is pleased to announce the commission reaffirmed accreditation for 18 months for Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College.  After careful review of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Reports and evidentiary materials submitted by each institution, the ACCJC determined that each college “is in substantial compliance” with Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards and Commission policies for reaffirmation.  An 18-month review of recommended improvements, noted in the evaluations, followed by a visit to each campus by Commission representatives will be scheduled.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased with the findings of the ACCJC,” stated VCCCD Board Chair Bernardo Perez.  “The Board is proud of the hard work the colleges put forth in the self-evaluation reports and look forward to supporting the college presidents in meeting any recommended improvements suggested by the ACCJC,” added Perez.

The ACCJC’s Eligibility Requirements and Standards may be found on the ACCJC website at www.accjc.org.

VCCCD Classified Professional Development Committee receives Innovative Activity Award

VCCCD Vice Chancellor Human Resources Michael Shanahan, Oxnard College Instructional Technologies Designer Ashley Chelonis, Ventura College Classified Senate President Pamela Yeagley and Board Chair Bernardo Perez.

Ventura County Community College District Classified Professional Development Committee was recently awarded the 2017 Innovative Activity Award from the California Community College Council for Staff and Organizational Development (4C/SD).  Ashley Chelonis, instructional technologies designer at Oxnard College, accepted the award on behalf of the committee during a conference held in Claremont, California. The Innovative Activity Award recognizes and rewards excellence in a single, innovative staff development activity or event.  The Classified Professional Development Committee was recognized for the VCCCD Training and Tours program.

Launched in 2016, the program series provides professional development opportunities for classified employees and supervisors on various topics and rotates amongst the colleges, including Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College.  “Training and Tours was conceived, designed and implemented by the hard-working members of our district-wide committee,” stated Vice Chancellor Human Resources Michael Shanahan.  “It continues to grow in popularity because of the quality of the program, the integrity of the presenters and the support from our college presidents,” added Shanahan.

The VCCCD Training and Tours program includes four program events – two of which were held at Ventura College and Moorpark College, respectively; they covered tips for applying for jobs within the VCCCD, managing student workers and campus safety in service, to name a few.  “The program allows employees from across campuses and the District Administrative Center to come together and share best practices in a group setting,” stated VCCCD Chancellor Bernard Luskin.  “Training and Tours effectively builds employee morale through the rare opportunity to meet interactively and bond.  The Moorpark College event culminated with a tour of the zoo – something many of the employees had never done,” added Luskin.

 

The VCCCD Board of Trustees publicly acknowledged the committee for its success during the April 11, 2017, Board meeting.  “Congratulations to the Classified Professional Development Committee for having the foresight to develop such an outstanding program,” stated Board Chair Bernardo Perez.  “And thank you to each of the college presidents for recognizing the value of professional development for employees and reinforcing the professional culture of the District,” added Perez.

Casitas Rowing makes finals in 27th annual Long Beach Invitational

Photo by Wendy Gillett

Recently Casitas Rowing made finals with every squad at the 27th annual Long Beach Invitational. The race that brought in over 24 different rowing teams from 4 different states is a challenging three day event. The Casitas Rowing kids also medaled in 3 events including a Varsity Girls boat seen here with their bronze medals. The boat included Kaylie Dawson, Jackie O’connor, Rebecca Moya, Lisa Leap and Hannah Hassien. Summer Class signups are at www.casitasrowing.org