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Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

 

 

The Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group is delighted to host Wayne Pickerell, Vice President and Clinical Research Manager of Neurosearch, Inc. at their meeting on Wednesday, January 11, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at The Lexington Assisted Living at 5440 Ralston St.

 

Wayne has been involved in Parkinson’s Disease for over 16 years and managed Clinical Research for Neurosearch over a decade. Thanks in large part to the leadership role of the Michael J. Fox Foundation, research is advancing rapidly and there is promising work being done to improve treatments for PD.  Wayne will update  in new treatments that are being studied and will also discuss progress in the search for a cure to Parkinson’s disease!

 

Please check in at the front desk for directions and sign-in. Extra parking is graciously available across the street from the Lexington in the Baptist Church parking lot. Call 766-6070 for further information. Reservations are not required.

 

 

 

 

Stories wanted about how boomer/senior couples met!!! 

Jan Fowler is author of the best-selling book, “Hot Chocolate for Seniors”.  Former television host and KSPA radio host of “Senior Living at its Best with Jan Fowler”.

Do you have a story (300-500 words) which  you’d love to share about how you and your sweetheart met?  If so, then please contact her!  You need not be a married couple as long as you met after age 50 and are in a committed relationship.  If your story is one of the fifty-two true-life accounts selected by Jan Fowler’s editorial staff,  you will be contacted for your written permission to publish your story, using your first names only plus your city or town,  in her forthcoming book about how boomer/senior couples over age fifty met.  Your story might also get published in the Ventura Breeze.

All contributors will receive one complimentary signed copy of Jan’s book upon its release.  Please describe your real-life first encounter in several short paragraphs.  Here are some examples for starters:

“Tom and I met when he stopped to help change my flat tire on the shoulder of a busy highway, then followed me to safety.  Afterwards, he stayed with me and calmed me down while my tire was being repaired.  We found each other so easy to talk to and were surprised to learn that we had so much in common… We were both  lonely and gradually discovered new purpose together.  I’m happy to say that we’ve been loving sweethearts for the past seven years!”

Please call Shirley Huston, Editor, with questions (909) 389-7081 and to get the required forms for submittal.  The completed form may be emailed to [email protected] or sent to: Jan Fowler Senior Productions, 1554 Barton Rd., Suite 251, Redlands, CA 92373.

Vol. 10, No. 7 – January 4 – January 17, 2017 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

    12-18 11:30am, received a report of a boating accident that occurred last night at Ventura Isle Marina.  The responsible party was eventually found and the incident is under investigation.   
12-19 12:20pm, received a report of a vessel trapped under the fish offloading pier.  Officers responded and assisted the vessel freeing itself from under the pier.

7:05pm, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers observed a deer running east bound down the middle of Spinnaker Drive.      
12-20 5:53pm, received a report of a homeless person in the middle of Spinnaker Drive.  Officers responded and found local female transient having a seizure.  AMR and Fire were contacted and responded.  The female was eventually transported to local hospital for further evaluation.        
12-21 8:55pm, observing strong East winds and rain.  One East wind gust was observed at 35 knots.    
12-22 12:00pm, received a report of a medical in a vehicle on Spinnaker Drive.  Officers responded and the patient was transported to local hospital.
12-23  

7:00pm, observing significant flooding on Navigator and inundating the Holiday Inn express parking lot, flooding vehicles parked there.

8:11pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue/vehicle entrapment with 3 persons inside on Navigator Drive.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire extricate the three persons from the vehicle.  A tow truck responded and towed the truck from the flood.  No injuries were sustained from the incident.  Ventura PD closed Navigator Drive due to the flooding.

8:58pm, received a report of a 60ft fishing vessel taking on water approximately 6 miles West of the harbor.  Officers responded in the fireboat along with U.S. coast guard to assist the fishermen.  The vessel was escorted safely back to the harbor.  An excessive amount of diesel fuel was discovered in the bilge of the vessel, so an investigation into the incident was on going.
12-24 7:23pm, officers observed Santa Claus fly over the Port District building. No arrests were made.
   

 

Vol. 10, No. 7 – January 4 – January 17, 2017 – Ventura Music Scene

Rockin’ in 2017
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

From the foothills of Georgia, The Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring guitarist Jeff Autry will be returning to Ventura for a show at the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) local union at 3994 E. Main Street on Saturday, January 14. Loudermilk has been out on the road touring coast to coast; you may remember him as the former bass player for IIIrd Time Out. Tickets are available the day of the show for $18; doors open at 7 with Ventura’s Bluegrass Bottom Feeders opening.

Jon Gindick’s harmonica camp returns to Ventura at the Pierpont Inn January 31 through February 4. The camp features world-class harmonica players who work one on one with new and returning students who come from all over the world to participate.  Keep your ears open for harmonica jams at local venues during that week including The Wine Rack on Monday, January 30.

Karen Eden returns to Amigos starting the first week of the new year at 6 pm for Margarita Mondays. Speaking of Amigos, owner Mike Toler will be trying out Country music for a change of pace on Thursday nights with Pull the Trigger on the 5th of January, then it’s 5th & Birmingham on the 12th and CRV on the 19th.

The Ventucky String Band returns on the first Thursday of the month at Saloon BBQ Co. Other bands to look for include Anchor & Bear on the 6th of January and Bad Leaf on the 7th.

There are two shows for the first two weeks of the New Year at the Majestic Ventura Theater.  The first one falls on Saturday, January 7th featuring several local musicians in a couple of tribute bands, namely, “One More From the Road” paying homage to Lynyrd Skynyd and then “Bad Reputation” a tribute to Thin Lizzy. The following week the theater hosts the pop punk band, MXPX with Five Iron Frenzy and Dogwood opening.

Discovery is hitting the ground running for 2017 with Masters of Puppets (Metallica tribute) on the 6th, Cash’d Out on the 7th, Pato Banton on the 12th, The Blasters on the 13th (with Raging Arb and the Redheads, Jackass opening) and Ozomotli on the 14th.   Oh!  Earlier on the 14th, Discovery will also offer a special family-friendly show with Ozomatli which is geared towards performing for children as well as adults aptly named OzoKidz. The earlier show starts at 2 pm and ends by 4. Get ticket information at www.discoveryventura.com.

And finally, there will be special memorial punk show to celebrate the life of Scott Ross (The NaVaNaX) on Sunday, January 15 from 1-6 pm at the Ventura Beach Club with The Rouse, F.S.K.D. Birdbrain and The Kane Gang.

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.

Erik ReeL represented in “Objects of Impossibility: Contemporary Abstraction” at Santa Barbara’s Sullivan Goss art gallery

Erik ReeL of Ventura will be represented in an art show, Objects of Impossibility: Contemporary Abstraction opening during Santa Barbara’s First Thursdays on Jan.5 from 5 to 8 pm in Santa Barbara at the Sullivan Goss art gallery.

The group exhibition will continue through Feb.27; gallery hours are every day, seven days a week, from 10 until 5:30. The Gallery is located at 11 East Anapamu Street in downtown Santa Barbara.

The exhibition of Erik ReeL’s work in this particular show at this time is a good sign for Ventura’s current art scene. Sulivan Goss has also shown the work of Ventura resident artist, Monica Wiesblott in past exhibitions.

This show will be exhibiting Erik ReeL’s Rebar 9 painting, a major work that was premiered in ReeL’s solo exhibition at the Museum of Ventura County.

All admissions free to the public.

 

Vol. 10, No. 7 – January 4 – January 17, 2017 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

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.

DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information. 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Jan. 11: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. Each month a special topic is chosen which features some interesting aspect of photography.  Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information about the club an examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Jan.14: “Creating Simple Greeting Cards” will be the workshop topic for the Ventura Beginning PC Users Group on Saturday held in the third floor lounge of Cypress Place 9:15-12:00. “Gmail and All the Google Services You Might be Missing” is the program topic.  Everyone is invited.  Call 648-1368 for more information. 1200 Cypress Place Lane.

Ventura Audubon Society events:
Jan 14:  Lake Casitas 8:30 a.m. Leader:  Karl Krause
There will be lots of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and bring snacks and water. Bring scopes if you have them! Target birds will include the resident Bald Eagles, Green Heron, Chipping and Lark Sparrows, Common Merganser and Spotted Sandpiper.
Jan 22: Camino Real 8:30 a.m. Leader Raeann Koerner 701-1919
Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus and is an excellent Target birds will include Red Shouldered Hawk, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler,
Jan 28: Camp Bartlett in Santa Paula 8:30 a.m. Leaders Karen Laing 907-351-5176 and Adele Fergusson 415-4304. This is a new hike near Sisar Canyon, Karen lives at Camp Bartlett where we will walk through an old oak forest and then hike up into the hills where there is active oil pumping. Birds that we could see include acorn woodpeckers, hermit thrush and Steller’s jay.

Jan. 8: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association will present a free music concert on at the Poinsettia Pavilion 3451 Foothill Blvd. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Music by the “Old Country Grass Band”.  Call 517-1131 for more information.

Jan. 17: The Ventura Retired Men’s Group will be having their next semi-monthly meetings at the Ventura Elks Lodge on January 17 and February 7. Enjoy the usual Elks healthy lunch for $15 and programs of interest. They sing a song, tell a joke, and all have an opportunity for a free meal. Any man, retired or nearly so can call Steve Carroll at 642-1359 for details.

Jan. 21: Help to Grow the Garden!  Before you walk the trail, Ventura Botanical Gardens invites you to drop in for a cup of coffee and learn about 2017 Volunteer Opportunities. The VBG office will be open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. VBG office is on the left as you enter the 505 Building behind City Hall on 501 Poli St. Lots of parking available.

Jan. 22: Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra performs with Kuanfen Liu, Artistic Director
Young Artists Concerts. Music composed by Franz Krommer, Max Bruch, J.S. Bach, Peter Glass and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart will be performed. Sunday at 3 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church
1338 E. Santa Clara St. Donation of $20 appreciated. Youth 18 and under free

Feb. 7: The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum (USNSM) will be hosting “Story Time” for children Pre-K to 3rd Grade. This is a regular event at the Museum during the noon hour, every first Tuesday of each month.
Port Hueneme is considered ‘Home Port’ for the Seabees, and shorty we will be celebration the 75th Anniversary of its creation.  For the 75th celebration the USNSM is embarking on a new and exciting ‘Education Initiative’ creating new curricula, lecture series, Family Day Activities, and other events for the family. Check out our events calendar at www.history.navy.mil/seabeemuseum.

 

The Ventura Family YMCA is proud to announce Danielle Brinkman-Vera as Chair of the 2017 Annual Campaign.

Danielle Brinkman-Vera has served on the YMCA Board since 2004.

Brinkman-Vera is Partner in Charge of Tax Services-Oxnard at Farber Hass Hurley LLP.  She is an expert in her field and has more than 18 years of experience in providing tax and accounting services.

Brinkman-Vera is passionate about her community and has served on the YMCA Board since 2004. She serves on the YMCA’s Finance and Governance Committee and is also the current Board Chair.

“The Y is a multifaceted organization that brings so much positivity to our community,” said Brinkman-Vera. “I love being part of a group that gives back and makes our community a much stronger place to raise my son.”

The Ventura Family YMCA will kick off its Annual Campaign on February 3, 2017 with a goal of raising $185,000. Every dollar raised in the annual campaign is applied to placing kids and families in need into YMCA programs such as healthy living programs, summer day camp, afterschool programs, senior fitness, afterschool care, the LIVESTRONG cancer survivor program, and memberships.

Donations to the YMCA can be made at the Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Road, Ventura CA 93003 or by calling (805) 642-2131. For more information on the Annual Campaign, visit ciymca.org/Ventura.

Established in 1887, the Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization of seven YMCA branches serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties including: Camarillo Family YMCA, Lompoc Family YMCA, Montecito Family YMCA, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez, Ventura Family YMCA, and Youth and Family Services YMCA which operates Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, the St. George Family Youth Center and My Home.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.  The Channel Islands YMCA serves over 46,000 individuals and provides over $1.3 million in financial assistance to families in need for child care, YMCA memberships, away and day camps, youth sports, and teen after-school programs. For more information at the Ventura Family YMCA, visit http://www.ciymca.org/ventura/ or call 642-2131.

 

Vol. 10, No. 7 – January 4 – January 17, 2017 – Professor Scamp PhD

Brownie Troop collected towels for animal shelters.

•   Brownie Troop 61686 recently teamed up with Anacapa Animal Hospital in Ventura for their annual drive to collect towels for the local animal shelters. The girls participated in the drive as a part of earning their Pets badge. Dr. Burner gave the girls a tour of the hospital, where the girls were able to see X-rays and ultrasounds kept on file and learn about the different aspects of medical treatment. Prior to their visit, they studied about pet care, with a booklet provided by Anacapa Animal Hospital, created for Girl Scouts.

•   This is good news for people and dogs that are in need of help. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detention Services Division will be launching a new interactive inmate program named “R.U.F.F. Road” (Rehabilitation Utilizing Furry Friends) scheduled to start in January 2017. The 16-week collaborative program allows inmates who are instructed by expert dog trainers to train shelter dogs in preparation for adoption.

The Sheriff’s Office has established a partnership with PIVOT Animal Assisted Education Outreach, a non-profit organization that aims to give dogs facing euthanasia at local shelters a second chance by providing them training that makes them more adoptable.  The inmates will teach basic obedience, house training, and socialization skills through positive reinforcement.

Inmates will be selected for the program based on completion of an application, good behavior, participation in other Detention Services educational/vocational programs, and an interview with program staff.

This program allows inmates a chance to give back to their community by training dogs to be well-behaved American Kennel Club Good Citizen Pets.  While the dogs learn good behavior, trust, and skills that improve their adoption chances, the inmate’s gains patience, confidence, self-pride, communication and job skills.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Pivot hope to help the community by allowing jail inmates an opportunity to choose a different path in life; a life free of crime.  Pivot is one example of many organizations willing to work tirelessly to find and save last chance shelter dogs using inmates in county jails.

And the Ventura County Probation Agency has announced the start of “Pawsitive Steps,” a unique dog rescue/canine training program at the Juvenile Facilities in Oxnard.

The Probation Agency is also working with PIVOT on the canine program, which is set to begin in January 2017. The program name “Pawsitive Steps” (what great names)was chosen by youth and staff at the Juvenile Facilities.

“The Pawsitive Steps” program offers last-chance Ventura County shelter dogs and at-risk youth an opportunity to work together toward mutual rehabilitation. The program is designed to save shelter dogs and change the lives of at-risk youth,” said Deputy Probation Officer Debbie Navarro. “The Pawsitive Steps program will help Juvenile Facilities youth develop personal and vocational skills through the career pathway component of the program. Youth selected for the program will learn patience, compassion, empathy, restorative justice principles, and responsibility by caring for, training, and ultimately helping find forever-homes for dogs” .

“Dogs will be selected from local rescue groups and the Ventura County Animal Services shelter. Over the course of 12-16 weeks, program staff will instruct Juvenile Facilities youth in canine training techniques. The dogs will reside full-time with the youth at the Juvenile Facilities.”

At the completion of the program, the dogs will be available to the public for adoption. The program offers youth the opportunity to receive certified training that will help them find employment upon release. For additional information, please visit http://www.pivotareo.org/.

My cousin Dolce Vita is so cute she could be a movie star. Maybe I could be her leading man.

•   Cesar Millan Cesar’s Fifth Natural Dog Law says, “Dogs are social pack animals with a leader and followers. They are happiest when they have this structure because the followers want to be told what to do and know what the leaders expect of them. By the time a dog is an adult, it knows its pack position instinctively and is not going to change it. This is why you can’t turn a follower into a leader. If you put a dog like that in charge, it will become anxious or fearful because it won’t know what to do.”

I try to lead Savana but she just ignores me.