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Foundation partners with The City Center and Smile Generation-Trusted Clinicians to provide free dental care

All smiles were at the City Center.

On April 15, the Pacific Dental Services Foundation, with support from Smile Generation-trusted volunteer clinicians and their dental care teams, provided free dental care to residents of The City Center

Dental care teams from across the country from Dentist Modesto, to New York will be allowed to set up an onsite dental clinic in a matter of hours! Their aim is to treat 29 patients and provided over $20,000 of donated dentistry. Clinicians utilized the PDS Foundation Mobile Dental Clinic (MDC) to provide treatments.

Dr. Maral Khazali of Main Street Dental Group and approximately 25 additional clinicians and support team members volunteered their time to provide the donated dental services. To learn more about the dental services offered in your local dentistry and at this event, you may want to go ahead and check out the smile generation.

The City Center is a non-profit organization (501c3) committed to serving families who have experienced domestic violence or homelessness. The City Center offers to the house to families, with a goal of transitioning the client out in a year. However, stays up to 24 months are allowed if needed. Counseling and support services are provided to equip residents and create a path towards self-sufficiency.

About Pacific Dental Services (PDS) FoundationPacific Dental Services Foundation’s mission to serve communities locally, nationally and internationally through improved oral healthcare is carried out in part through our Mobile Dental Clinic’s efforts.

Smile Generation is a referral service that connects patients with dentists dedicated to providing an exceptional patient experience and advanced clinical care. After all, it is incredibly important for our own oral hygiene that we attend each and every Dentist Manchester appointment on a regular basis. The Smile Generation network is made up of more than 500 dental offices throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington. Smile Generation-trusted offices are supported by Pacific Dental Services.

For more information:
www.smilegeneration.com
www.pdsfoundation.org
Visit our blog: http://blog.smilegeneration.com/
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/smilegen
Fan us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/smilegen

Vol. 10, No. 15 – April 26 – May 9, 2017 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org   Life is Better with Bridge.

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics and brighten your week. Hear more from Steve at 642-1359

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Mooselodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

April 26: The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. Representatives of Ventura College will provide attendees with a preview of the college Facilities Master.  Included will be an update on Adult and Senior Services in Ventura, the official election of CACC officers, a police report, and much more.  Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. on the Ventura College campus.  Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center. Call 644-8695 for more information.

April 27: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America.  The local chapter of PFSA (Council #128) will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday.  This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent or interested in the Portuguese culture.  Main Street Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 E. Main  11:30 a.m. for a 12 p.m. no host luncheon and meeting.  For more information and reservation Cora Corella at 483-6285.

April 27: Ventura County Bird Club speaker will be Dr. Janet McNeil, DVM.  She will, speak about household items that might be poisonous to our feathered pets.  Dr. McNeil graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1993 and has been practicing here in Ventura since 2000.    A raffle and refreshments will follow the presentation. 7p.m. at the Ventura Moose Lodge #1394, 10267 Telephone Rd.  Attendance is free and all are welcome.  For information call 377-9466 or 488-6244

May 2: Ventura High School will have an Athletic Information Night on Tuesday.  It will be at 6:30 PM in the Tuttle Gym on Poli Street. It will be a chance for new families to VHS to learn about athletic opportunities while in high school.   All VHS head coaches will be in attendance.

May 3:  Ventura County Master Communicators Toastmasters Club, invites the public to its Open House to meet club members special guest speaker, Dan Collier, owner  of  Pizza Man Dan from noon to 1 p.m.  “Ventura County Master Communicators Toastmasters provides a supportive and positive environment where members have the opportunity to develop their communication and leadership skills.  Ventura County Medical Center (large 5 story brown building behind VCMC) 3291 Loma Vista Road Bldg. 340 First Floor Academic Auditorium Room 111 every Wednesday from 12:05 p.m. to 1:05 p.m. For information about local Toastmasters clubs, please visit www.toastmasters.org.

May 3: The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club, (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who  live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy many activities. Monthly meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus.  Enter the parking lot from Santa Clara Street. No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.  Hear Dr. Noelle C. Nelson, psychologist, consultant and international speaker.

For additional information, bcnnwomensclub.org or 988-0795   Location of lunch after coffee will be announced at the  meeting.

May 6: Be a Nature Detective:  Saturday, from 9a.m. to 11 a.m. in Santa Paula on Hallock Dr. East

The Nature Conservancy is offering a walk to learn about the art of animal tracking and observation, discover the clues and signs of animal presence along the Santa Clara River. For information [email protected] or call Amy 770-853-4715.

May 6: The basis for knowledge in supporting the existence of climate change. Saturday,

10 a.m. to 12p.m. at Ventura College 4667 Telegraph Road in the Applied Science Center Auditorium.
coffee and pastries at 9:30 a.m.  David Lea, Professor Department of Earth Science, Affiliate Faculty in the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sangwon Suh, Professor Corporate Environmental Management, Industrial Ecology, Life Cycle Assessment – Bren School of Environmental Science and Management at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

May 6: At 7 pm, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura presents the World Pathways Ensemble in Concert in the church sanctuary. This show is an exotic musical journey to Mexico, Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and America.

Director John Zeretzke brings together some of the most renowned traditional and contemporary musicians from around the globe to unite together in exploring new territories in the world of music.

The program includes traditional musical styles and folk tunes of the world mixed with European musical concepts and sounds.

A donation of $20 is requested for those 9 and older; and $8 for younger children. Tickets will be available at the door.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura is located at 5654 Ralston St. For more information about the event, call 798-2480.

May 6:   Audubon   8:30 am   Hedrick Ranch Nature Area.

Sandy Hedrick  340-0478   A bird hike in the Hedrick Ranch Nature Area which is managed by The Friends of Santa Clara River. The birding usually yields some interesting birds including Hairy Woodpecker, Lesser Bells Vireo, Blue Grosbeak, Swainson’s Thrush and  Common Yellowthroat.

May 7   Audubon  8:30 am    Emma Wood/Ventura River Estuary.

David Torfeh  647-3325   Begin at the entrance to Emma Wood State Beach, searching the scrub for sparrows and warblers. The estuary is always an exciting place to bird, and target birds will include: Snowy, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Willet, Whimbrel, Black Turnstone, Red-necked Phalarope and Forster’s Tern. There will be a fair amount of walking, so please dress appropriately in layers and comfortable shoes.

May 7: Enjoy Northpointe Baptist Church at 11a.m for their Spring Musical and Barbecue. Free event and childcare is provided during the musical. Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Dr. Call for information 209-550-1433.

May 7: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents free music concerts on the first Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Featuring the authentic “Old Grass Band”.  Call 517-1131 for more information.

May 7.  The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music.  Admission is free.  The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood.  For information please call 642-3345 or visit the website at www.dudleyhouse.org.

May 7: The Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, KuanFen Liu Artistic Director will present its annual “Choral Spectacular” concerts Sunday, 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church 1338 E Santa Clara St.    The concert will feature vocal artists Amanda Benjamin, Molly Kohler Pei, Zachary Mendez and Dean Butler, with the Channel Islands Choral Association and CSU Channel Islands University Chorus, Donations of $20 are appreciated.  Youth 18 and under are free.  For more information call 642-8621 or visit website www.CHICOVC.org.

May 13: Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet on Saturday at 9:15 a.m. to noon for a workshop on Other Things You Can Do in Word at 1220 Cypress Point Lane.   All beginning and intermediate computer users are welcome.  Phone 648-1368 for more information.

May 16: The Pierpont Community Council Board meets at the Marriott Hotel Mezzanine at 7 p.m.  For those of you who have expressed concern about the political complexion of the Board, this is your opportunity to contribute.  Currently seeking a Treasurer and Vice Chair to include in their slate.   If you have an interest please email  [email protected].

May 26: Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes all lovers of acoustic music, instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters of all levels to join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave.  4th Friday of each month from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Listeners welcome! Information Mike Wittlin, 750-8281

 

Vol. 10, No. 15 – April 26 – May 9, 2017 – Person to Person

by Jennifer Tipton

What is your favorite season in Ventura?

Colleen Brubaker
age 90
Retired from Ventura County Schools

“Spring because I like green, I’m Irish and I like to see the green hills.”

 

Della Dowler
age 49
Business owner at The Growing Company

“Spring just because I get to put up pretty flowers.”

 

Mason Murrieta
age 19
Employee at Vons on Telegraph

“I would say winter because I generally like colder weather better.”

 

Katie Eckhart
age 29
Ventura College nursing student

“I’d probably say fall because of all the holidays that come with it, and it’s a lot of family time.”

 

Pete Trevino
age 75
Retired aircraft worker

“My favorite season is all four seasons, I love it here because we have the beautiful sun and some of the best people in the world.”

 

Stuart Goldman
age 68
Retired Dean of Brooks Institute

“I didn’t know Ventura had seasons, I come from the Midwest where we actually had seasons, here it feels like summer all year long.”

 

Vol. 10, No. 15 – April 26 – May 9, 2017 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Possession for sales, Transportation, Warrant arrest

 On April 14, at 1pm, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit Detectives concluded a several weeks long investigation into the sales of methamphetamine by a suspect who frequently traveled between Ventura and Ojai.

This morning VPD detectives conducted a surveillance of the suspect identified as 36 year old Ventura resident Joseph Espinoza. Detectives followed Espinoza as he drove to several locations in Ojai and when he stopped in the 100 block of Fox St the detectives moved in and took him into custody without incident.

During the search of Espinoza’s vehicle detectives located a quarter ounce of methamphetamine along with other items of evidence that indicated the methamphetamine was possessed for the purpose of sales.

Espinoza was transported to VPD for questioning while detectives served search warrants at two locations in Ventura where Espinoza had been recently living.

The search warrants were served in the 1200 block of Carlsbad Pl and the 1300 block of Saratoga Ave.

Additional items of evidence were located at both of these locations that indicated Espinoza was involved in the sales of methamphetamine.

Espinoza was later transported and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on felony charges of transportation, possession for sales, and a felony warrant for a probation violation on a prior transportation arrest.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this crime please contact the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit Narc Hotline at 805-339-4331.  An anonymous tip can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Possession of a Controlled Substance for Sales, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon, Destruction of Evidence, Resisting Arrest, and Felony Warrant   

 On April 15, at approximately 9pm, a patrol corporal was driving in the area of Ventura Ave. and James Dr., when he observed a vehicle being driven by a subject he knew to have a felony armed and dangerous warrant for his arrest.  As the corporal attempted to stop the vehicle, the subject identified as 32 year old Ventura resident Jimmy Cueva, stopped and fled from the vehicle on foot in the 100 block of James Dr.  The corporal pursued Cueva on foot and quickly caught him behind a residence.  He was taken into custody without incident.

During a search, Cueva was found to be in possession of a controlled substance, which was determined to be for the purpose of sales.  Additional controlled substance was found in his vehicle.  He was also found to be in possession of a dangerous knife.  When being taken into custody, Cueva attempted to swallow some of the controlled substance.

Cueva was booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a controlled substance for sales, possession of a dangerous weapon, destruction of evidence, resisting arrest, and a felony parole violation warrant.

Prowling Arrest

On April 15, at approximately 2:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a resident in the 5500 block of Ralston St. reporting that a subject was just found looking into the bedroom window of her apartment.  The caller and her boyfriend were inside the apartment when they heard noises outside the window and saw the subject, later identified as the suspect 50 year old vagrant Michael Phelps, looking inside.

When confronted by the boyfriend, Phelps left the area on foot.  Officers responding to the call saw Phelps, who matched the description, and detained him several blocks away from the apartment.  He was positively identified and arrested.

Phelps was booked into the Ventura County Jail for prowling.

No one was injured during the incident.

Felony Resisting, False Identity to a Police Officer, and Warrant Arrest

On April 18, at approximately 6pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a citizen who reported a suspicious male got into the citizens vehicle on Main Street and told them to continue to drive.  The citizen pulled into a parking lot and the suspect got out of the vehicle.

Officers responded to the area and located 31 year old Kansas resident Jose Guido-Lopez, who matched the description of the suspect.  The officers detained Guido-Lopez, for further investigation and he provided a false name and information.  While officers were trying to verify his identity, Guido-Lopez tried to flee, and when officers attempted to take him into custody, he violently resisted.  Guido-Lopez was ultimately arrested, and when his identity was confirmed it was learned he had an outstanding arrest warrant out of Kansas.

Guido-Lopez was transported to Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries he sustained during the arrest.  When he was medically cleared, he was booked into the Ventura County Jail for felony resisting arrest, False Identity to a Police Officer, and the warrant out of Kansas.

One officer received minor injuries and was treated at the scene, and a second officer was taken to VCMC for treatment of their injuries.

Strong Arm Robbery

On April 20, at approximately 4pm, the victim was working as a manager at Walmart, and observed two teenage females attempting to take property from the store.  The manager attempted to stop the females as they left the store, and both females physically attacked the manager, causing minor injuries.  The suspects then fled on foot and were last seen in the 5700 block of Ralston.

Officers responded to the area, and located the suspects hiding in the restroom of an office building in the area.  The suspects were positively identified and arrested for Conspiracy to commit a crime and Robbery.  Both suspects were booked into Juvenile Hall without incident.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this crime please contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-44325.  An anonymous tip can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

Possession of Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On April 22, at approximately 2am, a Ventura Police patrol officer observed a suspicious vehicle in the area of Harbor Blvd. and Paseo De Playa that matched the description of a vehicle recently reported stolen.   The vehicle in question was occupied by the male driver later identified as 41 year old Ventura resident Carlos Hicks, and a female passenger.  The officer followed the vehicle and confirmed that the vehicle was in fact the stolen vehicle and requested additional officers to assist.

A traffic enforcement stop was conducted in the area of McDonalds on Harbor Blvd.  The driver of the vehicle complied with orders and was taken into custody without incident.

Hicks was arrested and transported to Ventura County Jail where he was booked for possession of a stolen vehicle. The female passenger was questioned and released at the scene.

Face of Ventura 001 – Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko

      FaceofVentura001_NasarenkoMP3

Women of the Year

Women of the Year  Alicia Flores, Kim Evans, State Sen Hannah-Beth Jackson, Suz Montgomery and Dr. Cynthia Herrera celebrating their awards. Photo by Heather Lacayo

While the mood in Washington was bitter, contrary and partisan on March 23, down home in Ventura County a warm and friendly event celebrated four women who make a difference in the fields of education, military, immigration and seniors.

They were the four Women of the Year 2017, chosen by 19th District State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson to “acknowledge the outstanding women … who have shaped our state’s history. With a sense of respect, pride and celebration …. we honor women who represent among the very best Ventura County has to offer,” she said.

The event was sponsored by the Ventura County Credit Union at its Ventura headquarters on Vista Del Mar.

Kim Evans, who founded the Ventura County Military Collaborative in 2011 and runs it out of her home.  She uses her expertise to train clinicians and police on military culture and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. She has an extensive background that includes being embedded in an Army National Guard unit and an Airlift Wing where she was the director of Psychological Health. holds a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine.

Alicia Flores’ working as the director of the La Hermandad Hank Lacayo Youth and Family Center.

“We should respect our immigrant community,” Jackson said, adding that Flores works for reform with practical knowledge of the issues.

As a teenager, she worked in Oxnard’s agricultural fields, became a market owner and later worked for the state and El Concilio. She was part of planning nationwide movements, notably “Gran Marcha” in 2006 which attracted millions to peacefully protest against a bill raising penalties for undocumented individuals.

Dr. Cynthia Herrera is known as a visionary who is currently the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness at Oxnard College and who also directed a project to enhance STEM educational programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

Despite numerous awards for excellence and writing over $25 million in grants to enhance STEM, Herrera instead insisted she was “simply a reflection of every woman in this room.”

Suz Montgomery is simply “a force of nature,” Jackson said, “who is a passionate advocate for seniors.” She noted that “seniors have a lot to give with a wisdom that comes with age.”

That defines Montgomery, who has created the Extended Learning Academy and ENCORE, a free computer education program for people over 50 years.

Her work as a teacher in skilled nursing facilities is the stuff of legend, as many say her passion keeps them alive because her laugh is infectious, her wit and honesty refreshing and, when she greets you, it’s with a heartfelt, “give me a smooch.” Montgomery is a recipient of many awards, such as Local Hero, Outstanding Citizen, and an award for literally saving a man’s life via CPR.

A three-time cancer survivor, she continues to be an activist and inspiration for those who have cancer.

Attendee Councilmember Christy Weir stated “Suz’s activism has had a big impact in Ventura in many ways, including care for Seniors and improvements to our Westside. She is valued as an intelligent, tireless advocate.”

The half-hour inspirational event is available for viewing at http://tinyurl.com/VtaWomenOfYear2017

Robots descend on Ventura

The future of the world is in the hands of these kids.

Article and photos by Richard Lieberman

Teams faced off at FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics regional competition at Ventura College. Teams from Ventura County, Chile and Hawaii compete in the FIRST Robotics competition.

The local team is Team 3925 from Ventura County. The team is comprised of seven different local high schools competing against 42 high school teams, including teams from Newbury Park High,  Construction and Engineering charter high school in Camarillo and the Ventura County Career Education Center, where students from six county high schools make up the team.

This event called FIRST Steamworks incorporating a Steampunk theme. The student designed robots are required to pick up an item then throw it, climb and then hang on a tower and to carry an item and place it on a platform.  The teams were given a starter kit to help design and build their robot. Students were allowed six weeks to build, program and test their robots.

More than 5,000 teams, totaling 78,000 students world-wide are taking part in the FIRST Robotics competition this year. Aiding the students were teachers, and mentors from the programming, engineering, manufacturing field to help students design their robots and form their business plans. All team participants have the option to apply for twenty-two million dollars in scholarships from more than 200 colleges and universities.

Event chair Velma Lomax said “This is what I love so much, it’s not just about robotics and competing, it’s about everything these kids learn” There are regional competitions that will move on next month to western competitions in Houston, then on to eastern competitions in St. Louis and a final world championship in New Hampshire in July.

Lomax added “These kids are in business fields, they design their own brochures, they do all of their own promoting, their own fundraising. They don’t get money from anyone. These kids are amazing and every child can fit in. Additionally, Lomax said “They call it a varsity squad for the mind, another important thing they learn is time management.”

Three teams who won the regional with their robots are Team 114 from Los Altos high school, Team 3925 from Career Education at Ventura High School, includes members from Ventura High School, Buena High School, and Foothill Technology. Ventura’s team 3925 won a spot to advance to the upcoming competitions.

“It’s a lot of components this year, event chair Velma Lomax said.” She added  “It’s an interesting competition.”

 

Celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day Eco Fest has moved from the promenade to Plaza Park.

The 10th Annual Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest, is happening Saturday, April 22 at Plaza Park in Ventura. This free event is the perfect way to spend a day with the whole family – Now in its 10th year, the festival has grown into one of the most favorite annual family festivals in Ventura and the largest Earth Day celebration in Ventura County attracting over 6,000 visitors and featuring 100+ exhibitors.

This year the event is moving to a new location, Plaza Park off Thompson St. in downtown Ventura. “We are excited to take advantage of the larger location and proximity to the downtown businesses,” says Toni Guy, festival chairperson. “More space means more vendors and more surprises like a flash mob and pet adoptions. Each year over 200 volunteers work hard to make the event more fun, interactive and educational.”

This year expect to enjoy all day entertainment on two stages, a surprise flash mob, face painting, check out an electric car or an RV from Kirby Auto Group, join a drum circle, go on a green scavenger hunt to earn a McConnell’s Ice Cream, enter the Raffle to earn awesome prizes, try a new hybrid car on for size, fall in love with a new pet, tuck into a Grilled Cheese Truck sandwich, slide down an inflatable slide and learn how local vendors and organizations are working to make a difference in our homes and communities.

Sponsors and Vendors can register at www.venturaearthday.org until April 5.

The event is organized by the Ventura Charter School of Arts and Global Education in cooperation with the City of Ventura. Profits from the day-long event go toward funding enrichment programs for Kindergarten through eighth-grade students at the tuition-free public school.

Planning on riding your bike to our Earth-friendly event. Eco Fest also offers a free bike valet with attendant.

Ventura’s Earth Day Eco Fest would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors: Kirby Auto Group, NRG, Sprouts, Solar City, CBC Federal Credit Union, Cumulus Broadcasting, City of Ventura Environmental Services, McConnell’s Ice Cream, Allied Graphics and the Ventura Breeze.

To learn more go to www.venturaearthday.org

Channel Islands National Park invites the public to celebrate Earth Day with a special beach cleanup on April 22, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, at Ventura Harbor.

Each year, the national park sponsors this event to clean the Ventura Harbor Cove and Surfer’s Knoll beaches, in an effort to give back to the community and to encourage volunteerism.

Between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm, volunteers will be able to sign up and start cleaning at either the park visitor center or at a station at the Surfer’s Knoll parking lot. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own buckets and gloves to use.

At the park’s 2016 cleanup, almost 450 volunteers donated over 1,000 hours of their time to help clean and protect the harbor’s beaches.

For families, there will also be a children’s activity station at the park visitor center, where kids will be able to participate in crafts and the park’s Junior Ranger program.

At 11:00 am, a park ranger will discuss marine adaptations and ocean stewardship at the visitor center’s marine life exhibit, which features species found in the waters that surround the Channel Islands.

Outstanding business women of Ventura County honored

Venturan’s Barbara and Angela (bottom row on the left) were NAWBO award winners.

BRAVO is the annual signature awards event of the Ventura Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners(NAWBO). Their awards ceremony was held on Friday, March 31 at the Serra Center in Camarillo.

It spotlighted outstanding business women of Ventura County, honoring them for their vision and perseverance, which is creating a brighter future for women business owners and women-led business ventures. These women started from the bottom and worked their way up, and are therefore such an inspiration to all women venturing out into the entrepreneur world. From helping you with a business plan, sorting the legal side of things, hiring employees to even finding a registered office address service, they have all the knowledge and information anyone starting off would need, hence why they’re being honored!

The Rising Star of the Year Angela Rosales opened Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery in 2013 in a tiny (less than 300 sq. ft.) space off-the-beaten-path in downtown Ventura. Today the gift shop is located right in the heart of the thriving historic downtown district in a 2200 sq. ft. space. Angela now runs the store full time and employs two sales clerks. Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery is a major asset for the local community, embodying the spirit of Ventura and growing the local economy. Very Ventura celebrates the city by offering a blend of fine art, upscale souvenirs and carefully curated products designed by local artisans.

Last year Angela was the recipient of the Downtown Ventura “Juni” Award, honoring her as Volunteer Merchant of the Year. Her commitment to the art community also led her to reach out to fellow merchants to implement a fun, new event called “Arts & Eats.” Happening six times per year, this is a night where the community can come together for one night and enjoy fine-art, music and tasty-bites at galleries, shops and restaurants.

Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in English and gained her operational skills through her career in Human Resources. She credits her work ethic to her father, love of learning to her mother and zest of life to her sisters.

She was also recently selected as one of the top three finalists for the 2017 Spirit of Entrepreneurship Awards in the Retail category for Ventura and Santa Barbara County. Rosales is a graduate of Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV), a non-profit dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs through training and financial assistance.

She stated “I feel a great sense of responsibility having a story named ‘Very Ventura’ in that I want locals to feel that they can find quality gifts here as well as give tourists a sense of the talent in our community.”

Barbara Hinton, founder and director of the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival, was recognized by NAWBO of Ventura County as “Arts Advocate of the Year”. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 1983 and received her California Teaching credential in 1987. She taught high school English for ten years. After she ended her teaching career, she worked in sales. In 2008, she began working for for RH Wealth Advisors, where she is an office assistant and handles special events for the firm.

It was also in 2008 that Hinton decided that she wanted to start an art festival in Ventura. The Ventura Art Festival was launched in 2009 as a fundraiser for the Ventura Chamber. Today, this popular annual festival, now known as the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival, hosts artists and street painters at the Ventura Harbor and raises funds for local non-profit organizations. This year’s event will be held September 9th & 10th.

She said “I was delighted to receive the award from this accomplished group of women.

Barbara was named the Ventura Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year in 2009. For the last five years has volunteered for local animal rescue groups.

Hinton lives in Ventura with her husband and their five cats. She is a part time artist, with an emphasis on fiber arts. She enjoys socializing with friends, traveling, practicing yoga and wine tasting.

Heroes amongst us

Emily Benson, MD (VCMC), Hoc Nguyen Van, MD (Vietnam Duc Hospital), Serge Kaska, MD (San Diego), Aubree Goodman (premed student), Ngo Van Toan, MD (Vietnam Duc Hospital), Petros Frousiakis ,MD (CMH ortho resident), Damayea Hargett ,MD (VCMC) and Mary Ragsdale,MD (VCMC).

by Jennifer Tipton

For one week, this past March five orthopedic surgeons voluntarily traveled to Hanoi, the capitol of Vietnam to assist the Vietnamese surgeons there.

Damayea Hargett MD and Emily Benson MD specializing in trauma along with Mary Ragsdale MD specializing in joint replacement surgeries such as hips and knees are all orthopedic surgeons at VCMC.  Emily went last year to accompany Dr. Serge Kaska another orthopedic surgeon based in San Diego who has contacts in Hanoi. These big-hearted doctors not only paid their own way but also sponsored Petros Frousiakis an orthopedic surgical resident at CMH knowing it would be a great experience for him as well.

The docs landed at the largest surgical center in Vietnam performing an average of 5 surgeries a day along with seeing clinic patients lined up to evaluate and determine if they were even a candidate for surgery, some returning from the previous year after having already been turned away.

Vietnam with a population of about 92,700,00 has mopeds and motorbikes as the primary form of transportation with very few speed limits and stop signs; this would certainly explain why there are so many traumatic injuries. Our docs walked 1 ½ miles each way to the surgical center and “D” (Damayea) tells me this was the scariest part of the trip because the drivers don’t yield to anyone or anything!

Dr. Damayea Hargett is examining a young patient.

Perhaps due to all the trauma, it is a cultural expectation that if you get hurt you may have some disability, they saw more pathology in one  week than what they see at VCMC in an entire year.

Vietnam has socialized medicine so funding for treatment is limited however, they also do elective cases if you have the cash to pay for it.

The ortho ward was equipped for 50 but had an average of 80 patients, summertime being the worst with literally two  patients in each bed. Along with the trauma were the nonunion surgeries (fractures that did not heal), the congenital deformities that had never been corrected and those that had but never healed correctly. Many of the patients they saw were children, lots of children…

Instrumentation was minimal as well as orthopedic hardware such as a simple clamp or plate, and the closed procedures our docs perform at home with the assistance of radiology were a luxury not afforded. And yet another challenge was that often the surgical technicians assisting them did not speak any English. With these challenges our docs found themselves out of their comfort zone and stayed up many nights doing research to strengthen their skills. Damayea stated, “Unfortunately, we had to turn a lot away, it was heartbreaking.”

The surgeons there so appreciated our docs coming, working together with them and the many discussions that prompted learning on both sides so in addition to plans to return next year and annually, our docs are currently in the process of sponsoring 2 of the surgeons that hosted them to come here and spend a week at VCMC to continue the sharing of knowledge.

If you are interested in sponsoring future trips or a physician that might like to join them, email: [email protected]