Peter Van Norden (far right) stars as Ebenezer Scrooge, with the company, in the Rubicon Theatre Company production of A Christmas Carol. Photo by Jeanne Tanner
Last season’s critically acclaimed, world premiere hit Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol returns to Rubicon Theatre Company with Broadway veterans Peter Van Norden (RTC’s Copenhagen) and Emmy Award-winner Joe Spano (“NCIS,” RTC’s Bucky and Sylvia) as they reprise their roles in this innovative, but faithful retelling of the holiday classic.
Adapted by Producing Artistic Director Karyl Lynn Burns and directed by Brian McDonald, the 25-member cast features many of the same actors from the original production that earned a “Critic’s Choice” in the Los Angeles Times and rave reviews from Ventura County Star, CASA Magazine, VIDA Magazine and the Ventura Breeze. Presented as a play with music, this dynamic and compelling stage version of the novel incorporates highly theatrical elements with characters playing inanimate objects and animals on a multi-level set much in the style of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s landmark production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Back by popular demand it opens on Saturday, December 10 at 7:00 p.m. and runs until Dec.24.
Rubicon Theatre Company
Ventura’s Downtown Cultural District
1006 E. Main St.
Ticket Range: $40 – $65 ($150 for opening night including post-show party at Rhumb Line Restaurant)
Box Office (for single and group tickets) 667.2900
Cottage Inn, a charming house with compassionate caregivers.
by Gail Field
Nestled among the hills overlooking Ventura sits a gem where compassionate caregivers minister to a small group of residents. The place is Cottage Inn, a charming house with room for six clients needing physical and memory care. Stepping into the facility immediately feels like home, from the charming pictures hanging in the living area to the aroma of delicious cooking coming from the kitchen. Each resident has a room of their own, where cherished memorabilia, pictures and patterned fabrics set a restful and personal tone.
Adding to the warm atmosphere are the caregivers themselves. Each is experienced in the care of the elderly and takes pride in their work. “We love our residents, and treat them like family,” says Janet Espinoza, the Cottage Inn administrator. “Our staffing model has one caregiver for every three residents, ensuring there is always someone to assist the residents when in need.”
Caregiver Michael Asuncion explains some of the activities that keep the residents engaged. “We have exercising in the fresh air of our patio, playing card games, chatting over a family style dinner and singing along to familiar tunes. They love Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra,” says Michael. “Those are the favorites.”
“I love cooking for the residents,” says Judith Gonzalez, a caregiver. “One of their favorites is my banana bread, as well as the food my mother taught me to cook when I was a girl.”
Both Judith and Michel agree, “We work together as a team, and staff and residents all feel like family.”
“I feel our staff truly enjoys the gratifying work of caring for our senior population,” says Ezra Proctor, the facility owner. “We promote an environment of dignity and support and do our best to engage not only the residents, but also the family members involved. This can be an equally difficult time in the family’s life, seeing their parents or elders needing higher levels of care.”
One of the biggest champions of the Cottage Inn facility is Jean, a current resident. “The staff is very responsive. I never have had to ask twice for what I need. I love it here.”
Janet Espinoza sums up the experience of Cottage Inn for residents and families. “Families of our residents are always welcome. We like them to come and have dinner with us and engage in conversation with the residents. Chatting over a delicious dinner is a good way to feel like we really are a family.”
The Cottage Inn is located at 191 Wayview Court, Ventura, CA 93001. Phone 650-7497. Visit their website at http://www.cottageinnventura.com
Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long, Teresa Valko and Sharon Bick at Alzheimer’s reception.
by Lori Harasta
Women are at the epicenter of Alzheimer’s disease. If you are a woman, you have twice the chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease as does a man. In addition, women comprise 65 % of the population that endure physical and mental stress caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia sufferers.
In 2014, the Alzheimer’s Association created the first-of-its-kind Women’s Alzheimer’s Research Initiative where 100% of the proceeds support women’s brain research. (http://thewomensalzheimerschallenge.org/)
To draw awareness for the initiative, California Central Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association Member Sharon Bick, RN, owner of Meditech Health Services in Ventura, held a reception at her ocean-front home last month.
Central Chapter Board Member Teresa Valko shared about her experience with Alzheimer’s disease. She has had more than her share of experience–100% of her mother’s family has had Alzheimer’s. She has lost a brother and a sister to the disease.
Teresa learned from her uncle how to be patient and caring toward someone with Alzheimer’s when she visited with him and her grandmother one summer. When Grandma asked, “Son, have you been traveling?” He said, “Why yes, I was in St. Louis!” and told tales of his travels. When she asked again a few moments later, he replied, “Why yes, I was in New Orleans!” and then he would tell all about that adventure. And so on. He demonstrated to Teresa how to let his mother’s reality be his, and to do so with grace.
Teresa is passionate about this initiative. “I feel compelled to get active and support the Alzheimer’s Association. The Alzheimer’s Association is the world leader in advancing research and care and I want to be part of that. There will be an end to this disease and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure my children will not be burdened with my care and that they never know the personal experience of this disease.”
Recently, through the work of Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA), Ventura County was recently certified as a “dementia friendly” county. It is one of the first in the nation to do so. Plans are being developed to educate the community on how to make “small changes” that will make huge differences in how we treat those among us who suffer from dementia. A sneak preview can be seen on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz8ACEu7Lho
According to Christine Voth, Manager of Business Strategy and Strategic Planning for VCAAA who attended the gathering at the Bicks’ home, “I see that the Women’s Initiative is a critical component of Dementia Friendly Ventura County, especially given that statistics are now being released that show older women are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than men.”
The gathering at the Bick home demonstrated Sharon’s commitment to the cause. “I believe we need to get people involved to change how we deal with Alzheimer’s in our community.”
Community Memorial Health System is sponsoring a free live simulcast of “TEDMED Live 2016,” an annual conference focusing on health and medicine originating from Palm Springs, on Thursday, Dec. 1.
TEDMED Live’s theme is, “What If?” and will be held in four sessions, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. The intent of the conference has been described as “a gathering of geniuses” that brings together some of the most innovative, thoughtful pioneers of healthcare technology, media and entertainment to learn from one another and mix people from different disciplines and industries to solve big problems in healthcare.
Sessions are:
8 to 10 a.m.: “Fringe” asks if the outer edges of human experience could provide solutions to everyday challenges.
10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: “Audacious” explores the question of what if visionaries ruled the world. In a rapid-fire series of creative, short-form talks, dozens of inspiring health entrepreneurs will share how their ideas and innovations are affecting change in every area of health and medicine.
2 to 3:45 p.m.: “Invisible Threats” explores whether science could expose and confront invisible threats to health.
6 to 8 p.m.: “End Game?” asks, what if people possessed the knowledge to be the architects of their aging and eventual deaths. Science has made significant strides in understanding what happens to our bodies as people age.
Light refreshments will be given and SeaView IPA will provide free blood pressure screenings.
Seating is limited and reservations are required. To register or to learn more information about each session, visit www.cmhshealth.org/tedmed or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800/838-3006.
On Nov.18, at 2:37pm the Ventura City Fire Department responded to a structure fire in a detached shed in the area of El Dorado and San Diego Avenue. The first arriving fire crew reported smoke and flames and extension into the garage of the adjacent residential home. Firefighters successfully knocked down the main body of the fire while checking for fire extension in the adjacent home. Although there was some damage to the eves of the adjacent home the fire did not spread any further.
City Council winners:
Matt LaVere-most votes 16,607
Christy Weir -12,816
Cheryl Heitmann – 11,469
School Board winners:
Sabrina Rodriquez- 14,121
Jackie Moran- 9,734
MEASURE “N” – The selection of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor occur in even-number years following regular City Council elections, and eliminate the Ventura Unified School District’s election process from the City Charter, thus making them subject to state law, be approved? Passed 58.79%
MEASURE “O” – Establish a ½ cent sales tax for 25 years, providing approximately $10,800,000 annually, require independent audits, citizens oversight, and all funds used locally? Passed 57.23%
MEASURE “P” -Extending open-space, agriculture, and hillside land use changes by voter approval to 2050 be approved? Passed 71.99%
MEASURE “Q” – Term-limits for City Councilmembers to require that after serving three full four-year terms, a City Councilmember is not eligible to run for the City Council or to be appointed to a vacancy unless a period of four years has elapsed since their last service on the City Council, be approved? Passed 81.88%
Amateur non-professional photographers of all ages were invited to enter their best images celebrating our life in Ventura County. The Ventura County Camera Club judged the entries. Images were judged on artistic merit, originality, composition and technical excellence.
Winners received a one–year free membership in VCCC, their photos printed free at the Image Source in Ventura and a gift-certificate from The Greek Mediterranean Steak and Seafood Restaurant in the Harbor.
The winners of the First Annual Ventura Breeze Photo Contest (in conjunction with The Ventura County Camera Club) have been announced.
First place: James Hart “Eye on Ventura”
Second place: Mike Abbrusco “Train Bridge”
Third place: Sean Green “Busy Bee Café”
Amateur non-professional photographers of all ages were invited to enter their best images celebrating our life in Ventura County. The Ventura County Camera Club judged the entries. Images were judged on artistic merit, originality, composition and technical excellence.
Winners received a one–year free membership in VCCC, their photos printed free at the Image Source in Ventura and a gift-certificate from The Greek Mediterranean Steak and Seafood Restaurant in the Harbor.
Public Works Director Tully Clifford answers our questions.
What challenges does the City face in protecting Ventura’s rivers, beaches and coastline?
Maintaining Ventura’s beautiful coastline is critical to our economy and quality of life. Our beaches are precious, yet vulnerable, resources that we must protect.
The City of Ventura faces many expensive and complex challenges in keeping our beaches clean and our ocean free of pollution.
As a city that relies 100% on local water resources, water quality is a top priority and as a coastal community we share the cost of cleaning up litter dumped in riverbeds or washed downstream from neighboring inland communities. One of the biggest threats to our water quality is urban runoff that carries bacteria, metal, cigarette butts, motor oil residue, pesticides and pet waste into storm drains that flow into our oceans, rivers and local groundwater without any treatment.
Shoring up our aging storm drain systems is expensive and challenging as there is no utility revenue stream dedicated to this critical infrastructure. That work must be paid for with general fund dollars—dollars also needed to fund police, fire, parks, programs for seniors and youth and other critical services.
Our beachfront Promenade is a major attraction and an integral part of our city. It serves as a popular pedestrian corridor along the coast and has protected property along the beachfront from erosion. Built more than 40 years ago, the Promenade requires ongoing repair and investment to maintain it for future generations.
The coastline is also home to the historic Ventura Pier. Originally constructed in 1872, the Pier is the hallmark of our city and a symbol of the region’s rich history and natural resources. Like the rest of our City’s aging infrastructure, the Pier presents expensive challenges. Last winter, 20-foot high surf, caused damages costing $1.5 million to repair. High surf also erodes the shoreline and Promenade.
Last winter severe wave erosion caused the loss of sand and beach threatening the trees, bike path and promenade. To balance the protection of public improvements with impact to the beach in a way that’s least harmful to the beach, the city provided shoreline protection through an emergency revetment repair project costing $400,000.
The first phase of the Surfers’ Point managed retreat project, completed in 2011, has provided a natural “barrier” from shoreline erosion, in addition to an improved storm drain system, new bike path and parking area. Future phases of the project will be built when additional funding becomes available.
We are a community that treasures our beaches and coastline. We must decide if we also are a community that will rise to the challenge of protecting this beautiful natural resource and all of the pride it brings to our city.
The dog might need to wait outside if not a dog friendly restaurant. Photo by George Robertson
Take a hungry person to lunch at a participating downtown Ventura restaurant Thursday, Nov 17 10:30 am – 2 pm in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: November 12-20.
Meet Thursday., Nov. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston.
Hear from a woman who taught school before becoming homeless and lived in the river bottom and the couple who took her to lunch. Hear how their meeting helped lead to her being housed once more. Hear about the many things people who are homeless hunger for besides food – a look in the eye, a friendly smile, a hot shower and clean clothes, a chance to feel normal, the treat of dining out. Learn about homelessness and its root causes.
Then meet the individual you (and a friend, if you like) will get to know over lunch in a comfortable environment at a local restaurant. Many of those who have participated in past years say it was a life-changing experience. National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week comes at a time we are all thinking about what we are thankful for. It is a perfect time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and work toward a world where no one has to experience Hunger and Homelessness.
To eradicate homelessness, we must take action that has an impact on its causes. Come meet someone who is experiencing homelessness. Learn what you can do to improve policy, help service providers, and be an important part of the solution.
Come back to the UU Church for a follow-up session on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 9:30. It’s a chance to reflect on your experience, share with others who participated, and learn more about what you can do to be part of the solution.
Sponsored by Lift Up Your Voice, a ministry of the UU Church of Ventura.
