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Ventura Police Department receives grant for special traffic enforcement

The Ventura Police Department has been awarded a $135,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long program of special enforcement and public awareness efforts to prevent traffic related deaths and injuries. The Ventura Police Department will use the funding as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to keep our roadways safe and improve the quality of life through both enforcement and education.

“This grant award from the California Office of Traffic Safety provides valuable resources for our city to help keep our roadways and neighborhoods safe,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.

After falling to a ten year low in 2010, the number of persons killed has climbed nearly 17% across the state with 3,176 killed in 2015 according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Particularly alarming is the six year rise in pedestrian and bicycle fatalities, along with the growing dangers of distracting technologies, and the emergence of drug-impaired driving as a major problem. This grant funding will provide opportunities to combat these and other devastating problems such as drunk driving, speeding and crashes at intersections.

“Years of research tell us that enforcement and education work best jointly to combat unsafe driving,” said OTS Director Rhonda Craft. “This grant brings both tactics together, with the Office of Traffic Safety and the Ventura Police Department working in concert to help keep the streets and highways safe across Ventura and the state.”

Activities that the grant will fund include:

Educational presentations
DUI checkpoints
DUI saturation patrols
Bicycle and pedestrian safety enforcement
Motorcycle safety enforcement
Distracted driving enforcement
Seat belt and child safety seat enforcement
Speed, red light, and stop sign enforcement
Warrant service operations targeting multiple DUI offenders
Compilation of DUI “Hot Sheets,” identifying worst-of-the-worst DUI offenders
Specialized DUI and drugged driving training such as Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE), and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE)
Court “sting” operations to cite individuals driving from DUI court after ignoring their license suspension or revocation
Stakeout operations to observe the “worst-of-the-worst” repeat DUI offender probationers with suspended or revoked driver licenses

Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Vol. 10, No. 4 – November 23 – December 6, 2016 – Ojai News & Events

The Leslie Marcus Solo Fine Art Exhibition will be opening December 1 until December 31st. The exhibition will be held at the Ojai Roasting Company, located at 337 East Ojai Avenue.

The Ojai Community Chorus will present its winter concert, “A Christmas Party in a Pear Tree,” on Saturday, Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Ojai United Methodist Church, 120 Church Road.

The unfortunate partridge, Party, is stuck up in the pear tree. It takes some doing to get him down, but he is finally rescued just in time for Christmas. Along with this whimsical vignette the chorus will present holiday classics such as “Silver Bells,” “Silent Night,” and the exciting “Feliz Navidad”. Also featured will be John Rutter’s stirring “Gloria, Allegro Vivace”. A children’s ensemble will contribute a lively touch to the program.

Director Connie Woodson states, “A trademark of Community Chorus concerts is its presentation of a wide variety of music, providing something to please everybody’s tastes. This concert is no exception.”

Backing up the Chorus will be John Boyd on guitar and Ben Ginsberg on the piano, while James Antunez will provide background on drums and percussion.

A boutique and bake sale will also be held, with lots of Christmas ideas to help with shopping.

Tickets are available from Chorus members or at the St. Thomas Aquinas Thrift Shop, 334 E. Ojai Ave. Suggested donations are $20 for general admission in advance and $25 at the door. Seniors 65 and older and student tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children 6 through 11 are admitted for $5. Children younger that 6 are admitted free, however, there are no provisions for child care.

For further information call 640-0468. Check out the Chorus’ website at ojaichorus.wordpress.com.

The Mira Monte Elementary School’s Ojai Food Truck Friday is held every first Friday of the month. It is a fund raising event for Mira Monte School. A portion of all of the sales from the food trucks is given to the school.

This next event is going to be holiday themed. There will be live music, family photos, free live music and lots of great food. It will be held on December 2nd, from 5-8:30pm, at Mira Monte Elementary School, 1216 Loma Drive. Mandrigali will perform a Yuletide set of music and The Grinch will be shown at 7:00pm (outdoor movie- people need to bring blankets or chairs).

Dr. Rainer Buschmann will visit the Ojai Library at 1 p.m. on Saturday, December 3 to deliver a talk titled “Liquid Histories: Madeira and Port Wine.” Dr. Buschmann comes from CSU Channel Islands (CI), and is the final speaker in this year’s CI Library Lecture Series. His talk will highlight why Madeira became such prominent place to grow grapes during the early period of Iberian expansion. CSU Channel Islands hosts more than a dozen free public lectures from September through December. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at 218-9146.

The Ojai Library is located at 111 East Ojai Ave. Hours of service are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Chanukah

Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year. This year it starts on sundown on Dec.24 and ends on Jan.1,2017..

In the land of Judea there was a mean (boo) Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God, their religion, their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee.

Judah and his four brothers formed an army and after 3 years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem.

When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the N’er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship.

Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for 8 days

Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate this miracle of the oil.

The menorah candles are lit to celebrate the 8 days that the oil stayed lit.

The spellings of Chanukah has caused some confusion. Part of the reason for this confusion may be due to the fact there is no exact English translation of the Hebrew word for Chanukah. So to help clear up some of the confusion here are just a few of the different spellings one might encounter.

Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanuka, Hanukah , Hannukah ,Hanukkah. In the United States it is most common to use the spelling Chanukah.

Vol. 10, No. 4 – November 23 – December 6, 2016 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: Just so you know, I didn’t pose for this picture. Really. I am this naturally beautiful 24/7. I am a healthy sized 3.5 year old girl but don’t let my size fool you. I am very calm and polite. I like toys ok, but I think they are much more fun if you are holding the other end of them! You will get my instant and complete attention if you give me deluxe treats while teaching me new commands. Just ask the staff at the adoption center to bring me out so you can meet me and see for yourself what a sweet girl I am. Ventura County Animal Services – Simi location – 670 W. Los Angeles Ave

Myra A638655

scamp-to-adopt-carl Hi: I’m Lita Ford an adorable Shepherd X puppy. I’m one of 19 puppies taken in when a family became overwhelmed when their 3 unaltered female dogs became pregnant around the same time. All of my siblings and all but 1 of the puppies from the other 2 litters and their Moms have been adopted. Shadow and I and my Mom Oola are waiting for our forever families to come and take us home too. C.A.R.L. will make sure we are all vaccinated and spayed or neutered. Children in the home must be 6 years or older. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Introducing your new Bilingual Family Caregiver Resource Center!

As of July 1, 2016, the Catholic Charities- OASIS Family Caregiver Resource Center has been open and helping bilingual family caregivers get the support they need to care for their loved one. We are funded through a grant from the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

The OASIS Family Caregiver Resource Center provides family caregivers with free resources, referrals, trainings, workshops and case management. They have a library and a computer station available to caregivers who would like to do some research on a certain topic or search the web for information related to their family caregiving needs.

The Center provides services for those caring for a family member (unpaid) aged 60 and older who are dependent upon two or more activities of daily living or grandparents living with and caring for a grandchild informally due to parents being unable to care for their child. Caregivers for families between the ages of 19 – 59 may qualify for services depending on the disability.

Catholic Charities’ OASIS (Older Adults Services and Intervention System) program was founded in 1986 to assist senior residents continue to remain safely in their own homes. Throughout Ventura County, OASIS serves persons age sixty and above. There are no fees or other qualifications to become a client.

OASIS offers individualized case management to seniors based on in-home assessments. Following the in-home assessment, OASIS staff develops an appropriate care plan based on each client’s individual needs.

They also have a great volunteer program. Volunteers serve as “Friendly Visitors” or Volunteer Drivers who drive clients to their doctor appointments. They are actively recruiting for volunteers to serve throughout Ventura County.

Call 420-9608 for more information and to volunteer.

Vol. 10, No. 4 – November 23 – December 6, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

10-29	11:00am, received a report of a fuel spill near VHV H-dock. Officers responded, found a significant spill and thoroughly searched the area. A possible source was located, mitigated and the spill is under investigation. 7:15pm, received a report of an unconscious person in the restrooms at 1500 Spinnaker Drive. Officers responded and assisted a local female transient. She was transported to local hospital for further evaluation.
10-30	9:15am, officers observed significant debris flowing from the baranca and inundating the patrol dock and vessels. This was due to the rain event last night
10-31	9:56am, officers received a lost dog and determined the owner was from the yacht club. The dog was given to a neighbor until the owner returned. 4:13pm, received a report of 2 kayakers capsized and in the water. Officers responded and assisted the kayakers who were capsized by a wave and picked up their belongings that were mostly on the beach. The victims were uninjured and on a paddling trip from British Columbia.
11-1	6:25pm, received a report of an ill person on a sailboat in need of evacuation near the Ventura Pier. Officers responded and towed the vessel back to the harbor and released the persons and the boat at the launch ramp. 8:25pm, received a report of an unconscious person in a vehicle. Officers responded and assisted AMR, Ventura Fire with the patient. He was transported via AMR to local hospital for further evaluation.
11-3	1:15am, observed a large sailboat secure to District’s longdock. Officers contacted the captain and ascertained they were in the wrong harbor. He thought they were in Channel Islands Harbor.
11-4	9:45am, observed a 32ft motor vessel that has been anchored near the Ventura Pier for a few weeks was dragging anchor due to large waves. Officers responded with City fire and State Lifeguards to save the vessel from going aground, but the vessel went aground before officers could attempt a rescue. 5:31pm, received a dispatch to a fall victim at 1300 block of Spinnaker Drive. Officers responded and discovered a local female transient refusing medical attention for a fall.
11-6	1:30pm, due to the very large surf, officers spent the afternoon contacting kayaks, PWC’s and small boats and advising of the dangerous conditions. 5:50pm, received dispatch to a fall victim at the marina mobile home park. Officers responded, assisted a male who fell out of his chair injuring his hand.
11-8	8:45am, received dispatch to a traffic accident on Northbound Harbor. Officers responded and assisted victims and found only a minor injury. The responsible party fled the scene, but was apprehended nearby by Ventura PD.

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol back by popular demand

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

A Real Home for Seniors

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

Get educated. Get engaged. Get empowered to defeat this mind-blowing disease: Alzheimer’s.

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.”

CMHS to host ‘TEDMED Live’ Simulcast Dec. 1

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.

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