Category Archives: City News

Veterans Day at Government Center Nov. 11th

November 11: Veterans Day at the Government Center this year commences at 11:00 AM. The location is outdoors at the corner of Telephone and Victoria Avenue in Ventura, near the flags that represent every branch of the military. Wreaths will be laid by friends and family members , one at each flag.  This annual event is provided by the Gold Coast Veterans Foundation and a collaboration of city officials. Held or shine! In the event of rain it move indoors.

There is plenty of parking and we suggest arrival between 10:15-10:30 AM as we begin promptly at 11:00. The 11 o’clock hour represents the exact time the War ended.

Mayor Heitmann and many other dignitaries will attend.  Lyn Fairly is  Master of Ceremonies.

Community invited to important Ventura Water Stakeholder Meeting Nov. 3rd

Community members invited to attend important Ventura Water Stakeholder Meeting, November3 at 11am

Santa Clara River Estuary Stakeholder Meeting
Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 11am
Community Meeting Room at Ventura City Hall, 501 Poli St., Room 202
Who should attend:  Community members who are interested in learning about how the City plans to provide a sustainable water future for Ventura residents while addressing the complex interests and opinions surrounding the Santa Clara River Estuary.

In December of 2011, the Ventura City Council voted on a final settlement agreement and consent decree with Heal the Bay, and Wishtoyo Foundation/Ventura Coastkeeper to resolve legal actions associated with the City’s Reclamation Facility discharges of tertiary treated water into the Santa Clara River Estuary.  In this agreement, the City agreed to further investigate and determine how best to utilize this water resource for the future, while preserving the natural habitat of the Santa Clara River Estuary.

By the end of December 2015, the City must propose a project or projects that would eliminate 100 percent of the discharge from the existing Reclamation Facility to the estuary.  The City is hosting a stakeholder meeting on Tuesday November 3, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the Community Meeting Room at City Hall to discuss proposed solutions and to clarify what 100 percent diversion represents.

For more information contact Craig Jones at Ventura Water, 223-4378

 

4th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Contest

city water take1Ventura Fire Chief David Endaya and Ventura Water General Manager Shanna Epstein enjoying the Take I kick-off

On Oct.14  Ventura Water celebrated the launch of the 4th installment of its annual Water Take 1 Online Short Film Contest with a kick-off reception emphasizing collaborative community efforts in water conservation and sustainability. The reception was held at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach and the contest, which highlights our relationship with water, through the powerful medium of film, draws attention to the growing challenges facing our water supply locally and internationally.

“This year Water: Take 1 is putting a focus on the importance of collaboration in achieving goals and solving problems in ways that are truly sustainable.” Said Ventura Mayor Cheryl Heitmann.  “The drought has been a great reminder to Californians that we must work together to resolve existing water shortages not only for today but for future generations.  This is accomplished only through local   government agencies partnering up, businesses and government cooperating with each other and communities working together to achieve integrated and sustainable outcomes.”

Guests at the Kick-Off Celebration were presented with an overview of several of the City’s most popular initiatives including the Water Wise Free Gardening Classes and Incentive Program, The Direct Potable Reuse Demonstration Facility and some fun and entertaining programs such as the ‘Hey Ventura, What’s Your Shower Song” Campaign.

Short film submissions, up to 5 minutes in length, are being accepted via direct upload at the contest site – www.watertake1.com – and must address the topic of water in any genre including drama, documentary, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental. Films are posted online and a jury of entertainment and environmental experts vote to award prizes in categories such as the Grand Jury Prize, Ventura Vision Award and Best Student Short Film.

The public is also encouraged to take part by voting online for their favorite film and awarding the Audience Choice Award.  The deadline for film submissions is December 15, 2015 with voting for the Audience Choice Award open through January 14th.  The winning films we be presented at an Awards Celebration in March of 2016 at the Downtown Ventura 10 Movie Theater.

Receivership used to clean-up deplorable Ventura property

The neighbors are delighted.

For the first time, the City of Ventura used its receivership abilities to take over a blighted property. A judge appointed a receiver to take control of four small houses located on one lot at W. Ramona Ave. Tenant conditions were deplorable. Cockroaches, rats and pit bulls resided at this property. A lack of water flow, or no water, was the norm. Plugged and rotted out sewer and water lines, little or no electrical service, rickety rotted wooden stairs, hand rails, and platforms, junk and trash lining the outside perimeter and many more people than bedrooms were found living inside, outside, and even under the houses. Open evidence of drug use was also found.

City receivorship before
City receivorship before

This was one of the worst (if not the worst) blighted parcels in Ventura.

The houses were remodeled and cleaned to comply with city codes. Water, sewer, electrical service, code violations, safety hazards have all been corrected. Interiors and exteriors have been freshly painted, new electrical and plumbing fixtures have been replaced as needed and each house has been provided with a new refrigerator and stove.

The property was sold to MTICapital Inc. They will be required to pay the City and the receiver’s costs that were spent to make the property livable. The receivership company assumes full control of the property, provides funds for the projects evicts tenants, hires contractors to correct the deficiencies and coordinates with the city to insure appropriate changes and corrections are completed to health and code standards. Any legal residents at a property are helped to find new living accommodations, but in this case there were only squatters.

The previous property owner was unable to correct the conditions and was reportedly in jail. To add to the dilemma, public records indicate that he was in default of his mortgage. Neighbors were thrilled that the City took this action.

Fall City of Ventura Classes, check out hundreds more at www.cityofventura.net

Call  658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net. Classes/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted.

Cemetery Park Tour  teen-adult
11/1    Su       8-10 pm          $20
We’ll explore the stories of our city’s pioneers at rest (and some at unrest) in Memorial Park as well as Ventura’s Day of the Dead traditions. Meet at the cemetery parking lot off Poli St near Crimea St. Course# 41828

Basic Guitar  9 years-adult
11/3-12/8       Tu       7-8:30 pm     $55
Learn folk and pop strums, patterns and chord progressions. Students provide own acoustic or electric guitars. At Dudley House, 197 N Ashwood St. Instructor Randy Covington.   Course# 42158

Mixed Media Art Creations  8-18 years
11/4-1/13       W        4-5:30 pm     $70+$20 supply fee
Create a variety of fun art projects with household found objects and art supplies including art cards, mini paintings, sketchbooks and more. We will develop a variety of skills that can be applied to other art projects. No class 11/25, 12/23 & 12/30. Instructor Jen Livia. At Red Brick Art, 4601 Telephone Rd #112. Course# 42146

Sewing by Hand  9-12 years
11/6-12/18     F          4-5:15 pm     $60
Learn hand-sewing skills to make dolls, folk pictures, purses and more Perfect for holiday gifts. Instructor Judee Hauer. No class 11/27. Course# 42267

Dance-tastic! Dance Boot Camp  9-16 years
11/6-12/11     F          7:15-9:15 pm            $70
A dance boot camp for all levels exploring tap, ballet, jazz and hip-hop! The first hour will focus on technique; the second on performance choreography. Wear comfortable clothes and dance or tennis shoes. Bring a snack and water. No class 11/ 27. Instructor Cindy Bassett. Course# 42270

Clay for the Holidays  7-10 years
11/9-12/14     M         6:15-7:30 pm             $67
Kids create from their imagination and learn to build projects out of clay. We will make individual projects to keep and thoughtful gifts for others to give for the holidays. Instructor Michelle Solorio. Course# 42136

Bling and Everything In-Between Holiday Boutique
11/14  Sa       10 am-4 pm
Unique artists and vendors join together for a fabulous shopping experience! Come shop for one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list, and maybe find something special for you too!

 

 

 

 

Reserve a spot for Ventura Corporate Games now

by Eric Burton, Ventura Corporate Games Director

Registration officially opens on January 11 for the 2016 Ventura Corporate Games, but you can reserve your spot now! The registration and event selection form — easy to fill, save and send — plus all the essential information for 2016 are now online at www.venturacorporategames.org. I also invite you to consider joining our family of sponsors by November 18.

I look forward to welcoming back our family of agencies, businesses and companies that return to “The Games” year after year. These organizations already know the value of Corporate Games to their employees.

But if your organization has never taken part, this is my personal “pitch” and invitation to you to consider joining us for the 2016 Corporate Games to be held from March 19 to May 7.

There are so many reasons why you should make this investment, but here are my top three: participation in Corporate Games will increase employee (1) productivity, (2) teamwork and (3) fitness within your organization.

Over the past 26 years of its existence, I’ve seen 80 to 90 companies come to include participation in Corporate Games as an essential part of their wellness culture each year. And I’ve seen this culture grow from the simple “let’s go out and have fun” to a more profound “let’s get healthy and break down barriers that prevent us from reaching our full potential.”

But, make no mistake, Corporate Games remains the fun way to build your team and provide your employees with the benefits of improved health, efficiency and unity. What better “bottom line” investment can you make in the single most important resource in your company?

I invite you to call me at 658.4738 or contact me at [email protected] to make your commitment early or discuss your possible participation in Corporate Games next year. I look forward to hearing from you.

Fall City of Ventura Classes & Camps

Fall City of Ventura Classes & Camps – check out hundreds more on  web-site.
Call 658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net
Classes/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston St unless otherwise noted.

Fridays with Friends: Beach Hike Plein Air  18 years-adult
10/16   F          9:30 am-12:30 pm        $40+$10 materials fee
Enjoy Friday mornings with a hike, an art project, camaraderie and a new perspective on our great beach community. Meet at Ventura City Hall Atrium, 501 Poli St. Please wear sturdy shoes that lace. Bring water and sunscreen. We may go into lunchtime (a self-paid meal) we are having so much fun. Facilitator Alison Mytych. On our hike from City Hall to Ventura Pier we stop to sketch ocean waves, the Channel Islands, and animals along the way! Course# 42178

Mad Science Fall Break Camp: Eureka! The Inventors Camp  6-11 Years
10/19-10/23     M-F      9 am-12 pm     Half Day $220+$35 materials fee          Course# 42249
10/19-10/23     M-F      9 am-3 pm       All Day $370+$40 materials fee                        Course# 42250

Mad Science sparks every child’s imagination and curiosity with fun interactive and educational activities that instill a clearer understanding of how science affects the world around us. Our fall break camp is designed to inspire the inventor and scientist within! Each day campers will overcome challenges using basic materials. Send a non-perishable snack or lunch, water and sunscreen with your child daily. Select link for “$35” or “$40” to pay materials fee online at register.madscience.org/losangeles.

Dynamic Singers Children’s Choir  5-12 years
10/26-12/7       M         4:30-5:30 pm   $75+$5 materials fee
Learn basic music warm-ups, fundamentals and theory through different genres of music, languages and dance moves for a concert on the last day of class. At BFC, 6950 E Ralston St. in Ventura. No class 11/23. Instructor Daniela Flores-Palomino. Course# 42020

Tap and Jazz  3-5 years
10/27-12/1       Tu        2:30-3:30 pm   $70
Learn tap and jazz fundamentals, rhythm and small motor skills to fun music. Wear comfortable clothes to move and bring tap shoes. Instructor Marni King. Course# 42288

Tap, Jazz and Hip Hop  6-10 years
10/27-12/1       Tu        3:30-4:30 pm   $70
Learn tap, jazz and age appropriate hiphop. Wear comfortable clothes to move in and bring tap shoes and clean sneakers. Instructor Marni King. Course# 42289

 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Ventura Mayor Cheryl Heitmann to tour VenturaWaterPure Demonstration Facility

city brownleyCongresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) and Ventura Mayor Cheryl Heitmann will tour the VenturaWaterPure Demonstration Facility (located at 1400 Spinnaker Dr.-Ventura Water Reclamation Facility)  on Thursday, October 15.  Ventura Water, in partnership with the Water Research Foundation, is utilizing the demonstration facility to; generate essential research, better inform regulators on how to move from indirect potable reuse to potable reuse blending, and to help create a secure water future for the City of Ventura. Congresswoman Brownley says, “I look forward to visiting the VenturaWaterPure Potable Reuse Facility, and learning more about how this facility will meet the needs of local water users. As we look for solutions to the drought, California must embrace innovative ideas, like water reuse and recycling, which are playing an increasing role in meeting our unprecedented water challenges.”

Vol. 8, No. 26 – September 30 – October 13, 2015 – City classes

Fall City of Ventura Classes check out hundreds more on web-site
Call  658-4726 or 654-7552 to register, if you already have an account online, visit www.cityofventura.net

Classes/Events held the Barranca Vista Center ~ 7050 Ralston Street in Ventura unless otherwise noted.

Meditation for Mind & Body Health  18 years-adult
10/1-10/22       Th        7-8:30 pm        $75
Anyone can learn to meditate: regularity and finding which type is best for you are the keys. Learn various secular traditional sitting methods shown to reduce stress, tension and anxiety; and improve sleep, mood, immune function and focus. At BVC.  Course# 42032

Curvy Goddess Yoga  18 years-adult
10/8-12/3         Th        9-10 am           $70
This welcoming class for beautiful, voluptuous Goddesses includes gentle yoga poses and breath exercises to relax our bodies, light hearted laughter and a short calming meditation with a focus on appreciating our beauty and flow of our immense feminine energies. No class11/26, 12/24 & 12/31. At BVC. Course# 42090

Cooking with Norma Lyons: Preparing Teens to Cook 18 years-adult
10/13            Tu              7-8:30 pm    $35
Learn simple meals your teens can use to build from and be the envy of their friends. Our chef, daughter of a local restaurant legend, will teach you simple “quick & easy” cooking techniques for your busy lifestyle! New menus, recipe handouts and sampling of all food prepared by the class included. At BVC. Course# 42026

Pottery and Ceramic Hand Building  14 year-adult
10/8-11/19       Th        10 am-12 pm  $105+$10 materials fee
Beginners create their own ceramic art as they pinch, coil and use slab construction methods, glaze and decorate. Intermediate students will learn burnishing, using press molds and refine skills. No class 10/22. At BVC. Instructor Kim Clarke. Course# 42147

Drawing & Painting for Youth  8-14 years
10/1-11/5         Th        3:30-4:45 pm   $64
Explore relevant artists and their styles to create your own acrylic paintings and pencil and charcoal drawings. No class 10/22 & 11/26. At BVC Instructor Catherine Broger. Course# 42139

Beginning Argentine Tango  18 years-adult
10/14-11/18     W        6:30-7:30 pm   $69
Learn true Argentine Tango basics in six weeks that will have you on the floor dancing in no time. No class 12/23 & 12/30. Course# 42234

Vol. 8, No. 26 – September 30 – October 13, 2015 – Ask the Director

Shana Epstein, Ventura Water General Manager

Q.  I’m a Ventura Water customer and our family has been doing our part to conserve water. Can you explain why Ventura Water modified the existing residential Tier 1 into two tiers and why 0 to 6 HCF?

A.  As the city and state experience one of the most severe droughts on record, Californians have proven they have the ingenuity and commitment to meet the challenges of conserving water. Coping with the impacts of a water shortage requires adaptation and full participation.  When our Ventura Water Shortage Task Force (13 local customers serving on the advisory committee) evaluated different water shortage rate options, they heard loud and clear from customers who “used such a small amount of water” that there was no more room to budge.  In response, the first tier was split to ensure rates were not increased for the lowest residential water consumers defined as the first six units (1 unit = 748 gallons.)  These six units protect water usage at the lowest level to reflect minimum needs for health and sanitation.   The new Tier 1 or “lifeline usage” remains unchanged in all water shortage stages for all customers, and will not be impacted by increased water shortage rates.

City of Ventura customers have been doing a great job in their conservation efforts.  In June and July, Ventura saved 40% and 39% respectively, which met the cumulative goal of 20%.   These hot summer months are our opportunity to have the greatest impact – and we ask community members to continue saving water so we can finish out the year maintaining our reduction goal of 20%.

Ventura Water offers many ways to help our community members save water (and money).  Contact us at 805.667.6500 or online at www.venturawater.net to schedule a free water conservation survey and learn how to reduce water use in and around your home or business.  If you’re thinking of designing a new drought resilient landscape, apply now for our WaterWise Incentive program while funds are still available by visiting www.cityofventura.net/waterwise/incentiveprogram.  To learn about Ventura Water’s plans for a sustainable water future, you can take an in-depth tour of our VenturaWaterPure Potable Reuse demonstration facility on Saturday’s from 9am to 11am through December 2015.  Private groups interested in weekday tours can also be accommodated with advanced notice.  RSVP to [email protected].