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Joymaker challenge brings toys to local kids in need

The  Boys & Girls Club provides a positive place for all youth.

As a part of their Santa’s Workshop Holiday Party teens at the Boys and Girls Club taught younger club members about giving back. Teens helped younger members wrap gifts which were given to children at Casa Pacifica.

The teens have been working with Branch Director Lea Cobb, Teen Directors Abel and Katie and volunteer Madhu Bajaj of Fastsigns of Ventura who was selected as a Kindness Ambassador and Joymaker by “generationOn”.

“Engaging young people in service is a priority for my life’s work,” says Bajaj. “When we get involved in our community, no doubt the community is strengthened, but so are the lives of the people involved. From new skills, confidence, friendships, job opportunities and much more, service supports our teens in leading vibrant, meaningful lives.”

One teen provided insight into the importance of being kind to self. “It’s challenging being a teen. Sometimes we are too hard on ourselves. It’s important we remember to be kind to ourselves.” Other teens added in specifics on how to be kind to self such as eating well, exercising, managing stress, and avoiding peer pressure.

The teens also agreed on the importance of kindness and making time for others as a way of building relationships. For their kindness service project, they decided to create a kindness tree to capture ways to express kindness and share kindness stories. They invited younger club members to participate and taught them about kindness.

Additionally, they wrote letters to people important in their life like a parent, teacher, friend etc. and to community helpers. After learning about Standing Rock and #NoDAPL the teens decided to write letters of support to the water protectors.

For their participation in the Joymaker challenge, the teens researched local groups where they could give the toys donated by Hasbro and decided on Casa Pacifica. They helped younger club members wrap gifts and talked with them about the importance of helping others and giving back to your community.

Pattie Birmingham, CEO says “We were so pleased to participate in this program.  We strive to instill Good Character & Citizenship values with our youth in all that we do and this program was a perfect match!  These youth will be the future leaders of our community.  Learning to care about others will be pivotal to the direction that they take.”

The Joymaker Challenge is facilitated by “generationOn” and sponsored by Hasbro, details at www.generationOn.org/joymaker. Through Dec.23 for each kid or teen who engages in service, Hasbro will donate a toy or game to Toys for Tots – up to 1 million dollars!

The  Boys & Girls Club Greater Ventura provides a positive place for all youth, especially those who need us most, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community. We provide critical youth development services to 1,200 members every year.  Your contribution provides Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyle programs to the youth of our community!  http://www.bgclubventura.org/

 

Vol. 10, No. 6 – December 21, 2016 – January 3, 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.

Dec.24: “Eve of Christmas” radio drama with Celebrity Host Bob Eubanks premiers Saturday, Christmas Eve, at 6pm and 9pm, and again Sunday, December 25th, Christmas at 7am, 1pm, 5pm and 11pm on NewsTalk 1590 KVTA. A heartfelt journey of six Christmas Eve moments is presented by Every Now and Then Theatre and Conejo Players Theatre.  Broadcast CDs benefit area foster children. “Tune in early for best seats!”

Jan. 2,16: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will meet at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road. Monday, January 2nd and 16th from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Stamp trading and camaraderie. Come for a great evening.  They are a fun group. Contact: [email protected] or 320-1601

Jan. 3:  Mended Hearts of Ventura will meet Tuesday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Community Memorial Hospital, 8th floor. Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. They have excellent speakers, leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area who give excellent information. Contact: Richard Hatcher 644-2733

Jan.4: 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 activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, wine outings, reading, mah jong, cooking etc. For more information, please come to our monthly meeting from 9:30 a.m.to 11 a.m. Meeting will be held at the Ventura Museum Pavilion located at 100 E. Main Street, in historic downtown Ventura   No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.  Presentation of 40+ activities available to all to participate in.

For additional information, please visit our Website at: bcnnwomensclub.org or call 988-0795.

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 and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

 

Rotarians help local children find the spirit of the holidays

Students enbjoyed a morning of shopping and lunch with Santa Clau

The Rotary Club of Ventura hosted  local elementary school students for a morning of shopping and lunch with Santa Claus during the club’s annual Christmas party on Dec.14.

About 60 children from Ventura Schools attended a shopping trip with Rotarians and Interact students.  Each student was given a $70 gift card from Rotary and then an additional $25 was provided by JCPenney for shopping purposes.

The Rotarians, with the help of a shopping list provided by the parents, shopped with the students and helped them make their purchases which will be wrapped up for Christmas at their home.  Students were then bussed to the Ventura Unified School District where they had lunch, did crafts, sang Christmas carols, selected a coat from the Coats for Kids drive and had a special visit from Santa.  They received a gift from Santa and were able to select gifts for immediate family members.   The party included a distribution of coats to students who attended. Coats were collected from the community during the Rotary’s 13th Annual Coats for Kids drive held throughout Ventura County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vol. 10, No. 6 – December 21, 2016 – January 3, 2017 – Ojai News & Events

Join a New Year’s Dance Party, at the Ojai Valley Woman’s Club, featuring the amazing Crowfoot,​ the multi-talented band who will be featured at the Ojai Mardi Gras’s Fais-Do-Do​ (coming up March 5-6, 2017). The dancing starts at 8:00 and there will be plenty of fun and surprises until 12:30 AM​.​ The themed decorations will be provided by the Ojai Mardi Gras Wake-Up! Krewe and the suggested, (but optional) dress code is for “flapper”​, swinging 1920’s attire, because we will be “Putting on the Ritz”.

There will be a “No-Host” bar (please bring your ID and cash to buy drinks) and a ​hors d’oeuvre/finger food ​and dessert ​potluck​. Plus we will provide a champagne toast at Midnight!!!  Guests who bring a potluck dish will have their name entered in a drawing at midnight when four people will win tickets (a $30 value) for next year’s Ojai Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball on Saturday March 5th 2017​

Crowfoot is full of local super stars: Mark Parsons on vocals and fiddle, Lee Rollag on guitar, vocals, and fiddle, Rick Borella on bass, Roger Reid on drums and vocals, and Marcel Pappillion on fiddle, guitar, flute, and vocals.

Crowfoot morphed out of Flambeau and have played together for years and can really sound like a few different bands with all the styles. Eclectic Music for eccentric people

Ojai Valley Woman’s Club is located smack in the middle of downtown Ojai at 411 Ojai Avenue. Tickets are only $25. Get them while they last at the Ojai Coffee Roasting Company, Serendipity Toys, Ojai Creates, Cardinali Brothers Music and Ojai Valley Feed. There are only 100 tickets in the stores at $25, and after they are gone, you will have to pay an online service charge or the door price of $30. So get them while you can, and be a part of the swingingest New Years Dance Party in Ojai.

This event is sponsored by the Ojai Concert Series and the Ojai Mardi Gras Wake-UP! Krewe, Advance, $25 tickets are also available on our website: www.ojaiconcertseries.com  For info call Shane Butler at: 805-665-8852

9th Annual Ojai Valley E-WASTE Collection & Recycling Event – January 14

The Ojai Valley Green Coalition will host an E-waste Recycling Event on Saturday, January 14, 2017 in the Ojai Community Bank parking lot, located at 402 W. Ojai Ave. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine.

The event is open to Ojai Valley residents and businesses.

For details on accepted items please visit ojaivalleygreencoalition.org or call (805) 669-8445.

 

 

Partial E.P. Foster January 2017 events

January 14, Ventura Singles Roundtable Discussions, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join Dr. Vondie Lozano, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to talk about “How to Celebrate Being You in 2017.” Topping Room. Information https://www.meetup.com/Ventura-Singles-Roundtable-Discussions/events/

January 22, Live Your Best Life Hypnosis Meetup, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Join Dr. Vondie Lozano. “What Would You Like to Attract into Your Life?” Group Guided Imagery/Hypnosis included. Topping Room. Information www.meetup.com/live-your-best-life-hypnosis/events/

Spocabulary 1/11 & 25 Wednesdays @ 6:30pm
Poetry performance and writing workshop with an open mic is geared towards high school and college students but all are welcome. Specific emphasis is on SLAM Poetry. Presented by Phil Taggart and Aaron Gardner.

Spanish Conversation Group 1/7, 14, 21, & 28 Saturdays @ 10:30am in the Rentfrow Room.
Are you learning Spanish but need some practice speaking? Join this informal group to chat and practice your Español! Bring your own coffee

Library LAB Open Workshop 1/9, 23, & 30 Mondays @ 5-6pm
Learn more about 3D printer and laser cutter or to use them yourself! Ask the library staff about what you need to bring to print or engrave an item of your own, or just drop in .

Poetry Open Mic Night 1/5, 12, 19, & 26 Thursdays @ 7:30-9pm
On these Thursday nights, come join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work.

Ukulele Jam Session 1/9 & 23 Mondays @ 7-10pm
Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month.

Spontaneous Chess 1/7, 14, 21, & 28 Saturdays @ 1pm
Calling all chess players! Keep your skills sharp with this one-hour, drop-in session of free play. Boards will be set up and ready to go. Bring your best moves!

Children’s Events Early Literacy Class
1/3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, & 31 Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10:30am
A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Family Coloring 1/7, 14, 21, & 28 Saturdays @ 10:30am – 12pm

Lego Play  1/3, 10, 17, 24, & 31 Tuesdays @ 3pm
Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs. Children of all ages welcome!

TAG: Teen Advisory Group 1/4 & 18 Wednesdays @ 5pm If you want to share ideas, meet new people and have a great time shaping the library teen program join TAG! This is for 13+ and grades 8+ and counts toward community service requirements.

 

 

Ventura Improv Company will take laughs elsewhere

The Ventura Improv Company (VIC), Ventura’s longest-running improv comedy theater troupe, will pull up stakes at its long-time home on Palm Street in mid-January 2017. Special shows, including an annual New Year’s Eve blowout, are planned.

Several factors went into the decision to give up the lease to the VIC’s space, its home since 1994. A too-packed performing schedule, personnel changes, and the company’s desire to evolve (among other things) caused the group members to vote to let the theater space go dark.

However, this does not mean the end to workshops or performances. The VIC’s popular New Year’s Eve show will happen on Saturday, December 31 at the Rubicon Theater, and the final shows at the Palm Street space are the first two weekends in January. After that, the Ventura Improv Company will go mobile, offering workshops and performances at other spaces in the area, including the Bell Arts Factory and Namba.

“This decision did not come lightly,” says Gary Best, co-founder and current Artistic Director of the VIC. “It’s great to have a dedicated performing space, but it can be a creative drain at times. We look forward to having the freedom to teach and perform with fantastic local collaborators from here on out.”

Best, along with Tom and Sally Mueller and others, founded the VIC in 1989 after taking an improv workshop and seeing the potential in the performing art form. “Little did we know we would still be around, nearly 30 years later, and that improv would be embraced as much as it has,” says Best. “We are looking forward to more years of shows and classes – all made up on the spot!”

The Ventura Improv Company will be performing at 34 North Palm Street on December 23; January 6 and 7; and January 13 and 14.

VIC’s New Year’s Eve Gala at the Rubicon is on Saturday, December 31 from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $40/per person; $25 for military and seniors 55+. Rubicon Theater, 1006 E. Main St. Tickets purchased online at www.venturaimprov.com/newyears.

Upcoming classes and workshops at Bell Arts Factory and Namba will be announced in early 2017.

For tickets or more information, go to www.venturaimprov.com.

Surfrider Foundation and Ventura County Fair  team up to prevent plastic pollution

by Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider is fed up with plastic pollution. It’s ugly and can impact wildlife that we love. Plastic pollution in the ocean typically starts as litter on the beach, streets or sidewalk. Sometimes there are more direct sources. After discovering a new type of plastic litter on the beach last year, Surfrider volunteers traced it back to fireworks from the County Fair. We were happy to work with the Ventura County Fair Board (VCFB) and the fireworks company to ensure less plastic was used this year (2016) and that a more thorough site clean-up process was put in place.  We are all aiming for zero plastic litter next year.

The plastic debris was originally identified by a Surfrider member in August of 2015.   It took a week or so to figure out these plastic pieces were firework debris resulting from the Ventura County Fair fireworks that are launched near Surfers’ Point over the ocean each evening of the annual fair.  Surfrider members began to monitor the situation and collected a significant amount of debris the morning after the last night of the Fair.

The Chapter compiled a report of their findings and shared it with the CEO of the Ventura County Fair and the Board. The VCFB was supportive and scheduled a meeting with the fireworks vendor to discuss ways to eliminate the plastic debris.  The outcome of the meeting was positive and 3 specific actions were identified to eliminate the debris:

  1. Removal of all plastic bags and plastic components of the fireworks prior to launching them.
  2. Tie off the ignition wire, preventing the wire from flying loose with the shell as it launches.
  3. Implement a better procedure for morning site checks and clean-up

With the understanding that the above actions would be put in place, Surfrider volunteers surveyed the firework launch area and surrounding beach area each morning of the 2016 Fair to assess the effectiveness of the action plan.

Very little debris was observed the first few days of the fair. However, a few days into the fair, volunteers began finding plastic pieces near the launch site, at the tide line, and in kelp beds. The number of plastic pieces increased over time and was of concern because they were non-biodegradable, can be confused with food by marine life, and appeared to be increasing in number over time.

Surfrider immediately communicated the findings to the fireworks company and the CEO of the Fair.  The fireworks company was quick to respond and identified the plastic pieces as being from the fireworks and immediately extended their clean-up efforts the following morning and investigated the source of the plastic.

Sadly, because the plastic from the fireworks goes directly into the ocean, we are continuing to find plastic firework debris washing up on our beaches months after the Fair has ended. We will continue to monitor this issue and to work with the VCFB to protect our beaches and ocean!