Category Archives: Facebook

Ventura College Foundation announces new board member, Robert Beilin

Robert Beilin, Ph.D., MFT. Is new board member at Ventura College Foundation.

Ventura College Foundation’s Executive Director Norbert Tan has announced the addition of new board member, Robert Beilin, Ph.D., MFT. A licensed marital and family therapist, Dr. Beilin has been providing mediation, psychotherapy, coaching and consultation in Ventura County for forty years and has been a faculty member at California Lutheran University’s Graduate School of Psychology since 2008.

“Bob has a deep appreciation for the work VCF does on behalf of the college and its students, and has personally founded two scholarships at Ventura College: one in honor of his daughter, and the other, a Phoenix Scholarship, in honor of his mother,” said John Woolley, chairman of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors.

In 2003, Dr. Beilin’s 22-year-old daughter had just completed her 2-year degree and was planning to continue through the Nursing program at Ventura College when her life was taken from her by a drunk driver. As part of her legacy, Dr. Beilin and his wife established a $25,000 Nursing scholarship in her memory which was then matched with another $25,000 from the VCF board. Now every year, he and his wife honor the memory of their daughter by awarding scholarships to one, and sometimes two, hard-working students pursing Ventura College’s Nursing program

Two years ago, Dr. Beilin established a Phoenix scholarship in memory of his mother, who was never able to finish school because she didn’t have the financial help she needed to attend college while working full time to provide for her family. The Phoenix scholarships are awarded to “re-entry” students, who return to school to learn new skills in order to be competitive in the marketplace or who are returning to school after an extended break.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset.

Ventura County Grand Jury now accepting applications

Are you interested in providing a service for your community while learning about local government operations?  Service on the Ventura County [Civil] Grand Jury provides that opportunity.

As an all-volunteer watchdog group, the Grand Jury investigates selected complaints that have been received from the public.  After investigating a complaint, the Grand Jury issues a written report which includes facts, findings and recommendations. .

Basic requirements to qualify for service are:  you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age, a resident of Ventura County for at least one year prior to being seated, and with

sufficient knowledge of English to conduct jury business.  Computer skills are highly desirable.

All eligible residents of Ventura County are encouraged to apply.  Applications are available online at the Grand Jury website www.ventura.org/grand-jury  or by calling  477-1600.

Applications are accepted through April 15, 2016.

Students from  El Camino High School

By Phil Taggart Ventura County Poet Laureate

Starting this last September, I started working with students from El Camino High School at Ventura College through the CAPS Media program.  The high school students were to produce a news/magazine show.  They were responsible for all the technical aspects and the content.

The attack in Paris followed by the shooting in San Bernardino changed the tenor of the student crew discussions.  The discussions were personal, abstract and not always based in fact.  The extreme national political polarization did enter the discussions but these kids worked for working together.  They didn’t achieve total consensus and there were some very hard moments but when you look at this show you’re looking at a crew of high school students making this work.  And don’t miss Zayan’s editorial at the end, Muslim in America.

This show is on Channel 15

 

Illegal drivers on Pierpont Beach got stuck and caught in the act

Sometime early Saturday two individuals in a SUV decided to drive across the sand berms on Pierpont Beach. They started at San Pedro and got as far as Brockton LN before they got stuck.
unnamedBoth the Ventura Police and the State Park Rangers arrived shortly thereafter. State Parks pulled them free.
I wonder how much this is going to cost these individuals. Hopefully, enough to make them think twice about doing it again.
Murray Robertson

Ventura Police Department’s Community Academy is coming!

The Ventura Police Department’s Community Academy is coming! Have you ever wanted to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of police operations? Not the ‘TV’ version, but the actual facts? Here’s your chance! The Community Academy will take you on a ride-along with a patrol officer, show you what a SWAT team does, let you experience a simulated firearms training course, give you a look at issues Officers face in our community and much, much more.

The Community Academy is scheduled to begin March 22 and will be held on 9 consecutive Tuesday nights from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. with a final class and graduation on May 17. Each night features a new topic, with speakers, demonstrations, and discussions. We’ll answer your questions and give you an in-depth behind the scenes look at police operations.

Class dates: March 22, March 29, April 5, April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10 and May 17.

Class Location: Ventura Police Department 1425 Dowell Drive Ventura CA 93003 *May 3 class meets in Camarillo at the Criminal Justice Training Center.

Community Academy participants are selected by the Ventura Police Department through the application process. Applications are available from the Department or through the online web application found at cityofventura.net/pd/community-academy.

Potential candidates must meet the following criteria: minimum age of 18 years, live or work in the City of Ventura, no felony convictions and no misdemeanor convictions within two years of application. A background check is required.

The success of any police department depends largely upon the cooperation and support it receives from the citizens it serves. The Community Academy aims to educate residents on the capacity and operations of the department so that we can work together to make Ventura a better place to live, work and play.

For more information, please contact Civic Engagement Specialist Ashley Bautista 339-4317.

 

VCEF Names El Camino High School Instructor Jean Krist February Teacher of the Month

Jean Krist receives award for excellence in education

The Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF) recognized Jean Krist, educator at El Camino High School (ECHS) in Ventura, California, as February’s Teacher of the Month. On Feb. 23, 2016, VCEF board member, Pattie Braga, joined elected representatives and members of the business community to present Krist with a plaque commemorating the award.

 

Krist, who has been teaching for more than 30 years, works with ECHS students in grades 9-12, providing instruction in multiple subject areas. Beyond the classroom, she serves as chair of numerous curriculum-related committees, participates in the school site council, coordinates the school’s Geo Challenge and Knowledge Bowl academic competitions, and frequently attends student performances such as recitals, plays and concerts.

 

“Jean is one of those teachers you wish you could clone,” said ECHS principal, Cheryl Burns. “She is always eager to pitch in, and her efforts continually enrich the experiences of our students. She dedicates countless hours outside of class time to working with any student that needs her, and our students know that they can count on her to do everything in her power to help them succeed. She’s brought so much to this school and has introduced so many positive changes for both students and teachers, including a quiz grader that’s made all of the teachers lives easier.”

 

In addition to her daily work with students, Krist is also committed to ongoing professional development. She regularly attends classes and workshops on topics ranging from the Common Core to distance learning, and in 2015, she received a scholarship to participate in one of The Cullman Center Institute for Teachers’ summer seminars.

 

The Teacher of the Month presentation was attended by: Jean Krist, Teacher of the Month honoree; Pattie Braga, Ventura County Credit Union; Dr. Michael Babb, Ventura Unified School District superintendent; Debbie Golden, Ventura Unified School District board member; Brad Hudson, Office of Congresswoman Julia Brownley; Steve Offerman, Office of Supervisor Steve Bennett; AJ Valenzuela Jr., Office of Assemblymember Das Williams; Stephanie Caldwell, Ventura Chamber of Commerce; Stephen Joyce, Ventura Travel Professionals; Kerry Swift, massage therapist; Jim Duran, The River Community Church; Janine Dykstra, Project Understanding; Greg Bird, Gold Coast Broadcasting; Stephanie Lundquist, Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach; Cynthia Duque, Gold Coast Transit; Randy Jewell, The Ventura Downtown Lions Club.

 

Teacher of the Month nominees must be credentialed teachers and display certain qualities, such as outstanding commitment to students, service to school or district committees, involvement in projects on their own time and/or participation in youth-focused activities in the community. All principals and parent-teacher organizations from schools within the Ventura Unified School District are eligible to submit nominations. For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committee with the VCEF, at [email protected] or 805-477-4052.

 

ABOUT THE VENTURA COMMERCE AND EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF), under the auspices of the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, works to provide a business link to the economic, educational, cultural and environmental interests of the Ventura regional community. More information about the VCEF can be found at venturachamber.com/ventura-commerce-education-foundation.

Friendship Sangha of the Heart hosting free program Mar. 7

On Monday evening March 7th the Friendship Sangha of the Heart, a Spiritual Growth Program of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura (UUCV), will be hosting this special free program. Join us in the Sanctuary of the UUCV for meditation practice at 7:00 pm, the book talk with Timber Hawkeye at 7:30 pm or both. Everyone is welcome! Timber says, “What I love about Buddhism is that it’s not a religion… It also doesn’t require other beliefs to be wrong, but rather strengthens your existing faith (whatever it may be).”

Museum of Ventura County and Channel Islands National Park, host “Tales of Island Life” festivities Mar. 6

On Sunday, March 6, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Museum of Ventura County, in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park, hosts a fun-filled day for families with the theme “Tales of Island Life.” This is one of the occasional Sundays that the two organizations will jointly host in celebration of the Channel Islands National Park’s 36th anniversary, as well as the commemoration of the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary.

“Tales of Island Life” is an all-day event on March 6 that will celebrate the human history of the Channel Islands.

All-day children’s activities include:

A large “touch tank” that introduces kids to the real sea life that exists on the islands in the tide pools—SEE and TOUCH sea anemones, sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, and hermit crabs.

Meet Buddy, a red-tail hawk (aka Buteo jamaicensis) from the California Hawking Club. The red-tailed hawk is widespread in North America, partially due to historic settlement patterns, which have benefited it.  On the Channel Islands, the red-tail hawk is mostly found on San Miguel Island.

All day crafts:  make fish prints, make a fox origami, participate in an archaeological dig, and make your own Channel Islands button.

Ranger-led demonstrations tell kids about the Junior Ranger program, and kids can meet Tigran Nahabedian, the Channel Islands’ first underwater Junior Ranger.

Other all-day activities for kids include a career scavenger hunt, photo ops with a cutout pinniped, fox or park ranger.

A living history program will be presented that will feature the story of sea captain’s wife, Margaret Eaton.

National Park Service staff will share how they protect the park resources at stations on island fox recovery, kelp forest monitoring, shipwreck surveys, historic preservations, and more. Attendees can ask divers, scientists, archeologists, and others about their careers.

Timed events

  • At 12:00 pm, Betsy Lester Roberti will give a program that describes her childhood memories growing up on the remote, rugged, and windswept San Miguel Island in the 1930s and 40s.
  • At 2:00 pm, Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau will lead a conversation about the past, present, and future management of the park. Visitors are encourages to ask Superintendent Galipeau anything they want to know about the islands!
  • The park film, Treasure in the Sea, will be shown at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

The event on March 6 is free for all, as part of the Free First Sunday program at the Museum of Ventura County.  Refreshments will be available for sale from Aaron’s Tacos food truck, West Bar-B-Que and Kona Ice.

 

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series Mar. 4

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum will hold a Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series on Friday (March 4th) at noon.  The topic is “More than just roads and commodes:  The history of the Naval Shore Establishment 1800-1941, Part One.”  Join museum archivist Gina Nichols for the first installment of a two-part series on the history of the Bureau of Yards and Docks.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  No RSVP required.  Feel free to roam the galleries as well and learn about Seabee history.