Category Archives: Featured News

City of Ventura closes parks and beaches in response to COVID-19

In support of the “Stay Well at Home” order, issued by the Ventura County Public Health Officer, all parks and beaches in the City of Ventura will be closed until further notice in order to support the urgent need for physical distancing during the COVID-19 emergency period. This includes the Promenade, Pier, and Wastewater Treatment Plant wildlife ponds.

The County’s modified Stay Well at Home order asks community members to stay inside their homes, limiting all outside movement beyond what is necessary to take care of essential needs and ordering all non-essential businesses to close. Those orders also include restrictions against non-essential travel and gatherings.

“Closures like this are difficult to hear and hard to share as we navigate through significant changes brought on by COVID-19. Our beaches and parks are an integral part of our community and provide many resources for healthy activities,” said City Manager Alex McIntyre. “As a City, we need to take extra precautionary steps to help protect the health and safety of our community members, first responders, and public health workers. The efforts and sacrifices we make now will help save the lives of people we know and love in the future.”

In response to recent public health orders, the City of Ventura has taken a series of emergency actions in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, including proclaiming a “State of Emergency” on March 15, 2020. This proclamation included social distancing practices, cancellations of public events, closures of City facilities, and restrictions placed on bars, nightclubs, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, and fitness centers.

Community members are reminded to follow the advice of County Public Health officials and stay home, wash your hands frequently, and practice social and physical distancing of 6-feet or more when conducting essential tasks.

For the latest updates on impacts to the City of Ventura, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/COVID19.

For public health information and updates happening in Ventura County, visit www.VCEmergency.com.

Community Memorial Health System seeks donations of COVID-19 medical supplies

As Community Memorial Health System prepares for the challenges treating a growing number of patients with Coronavirus (COVID-19), increasing demands on the health system may eventually lead to shortages of supplies and important personal protective equipment needed to protect patients, physicians, and staff. Based on current supply, projected usage, and market demand and supply availability, Community Memorial Hospital anticipates it may face supply shortages of protective masks, protective gowns, face shields, and medical goggles.

For those who would like to donate to Community Memorial Health System, CMHS is accepting donations of the following items only: face and/or eye shields (single use or non-disposable), N95 masks, N99 masks, P95 masks, Standard Procedure masks, isolation gowns, Standard Procedure gowns, coveralls, respirator hoods or hazmat hoods, and reusable P100/N95 respirators and cartridges/filters.

CMHS is not accepting cloth masks. Supplies in original, unopened packaging are particularly useful and appreciated.

The CMHS Donation Drop-Off Center opened on Wednesday, March 25, at the park in front of the new Community Memorial Hospital. Please look for the white tent adjacent to the grass area to bring your donations. Community Memorial Hospital is located at 147 N. Brent Street.

The Donation Drop-Off Center will be open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

CMHS appreciates the support of the individuals and organizations who have reached out wanting to support CMHS with donations of medical supplies.

For more information and updates on Coronavirus at Community Memorial Health System, visit cmhshealth.org.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, the Centers for Family Health, and various outpatient centers serving communities located within Ventura County, California.

 

Ventura Breeze photo contest winners

Michael Hoffman

The Ventura Breeze photo contest has been completed. Thanks to all who submitted their wonderful photographs. The six Breeze staff members who selected the winners had an extremely hard time with their selections because of the high quality of the submissions

In the color category:

First place went to Michael Hoffman. Two of his photos were tied for first so we selected both of them for first.

Michael Hoffman

Second place went to Karen Ruff

Karen Ruff

Third place went to Dr. Mark Babbitt.

Dr. Mark Babbitt

For black and white only first place was selected: Aubrey Jenson.

Aubrey Jenson

Bartering is alive and well in Ventura (first of two parts)

The Calhoun girls modeling the homemade masks they’ve received through the group.

by Mira Reverente

When a friend recently added me to a new group on Facebook, I thought, “Oh no. Another group.” I couldn’t bear the thought of contributing to another toxic taxidermists’ tribe, peachy pandemic-related pack or lonely-during-lockdown singles group.

But my initial trepidation slowly turned into amusement and then delight. The Ventura Free Barter and Trade group turned out to be an inspiring and community-oriented group, more than any other group I’ve ever belonged to.

Just like most newbies, I looked, I lurked and looked some more, before writing my first post. The free avocados caught my attention but I wasn’t sure what to offer. Then I remembered I had boxes of protein bars. Thankfully, this gentleman named Scotty Gray was interested and the deal was sealed via porch pick-up. I never even saw Gray. Welcome to social distancing!

Gray, a facility operations specialist at Point Mugu, is one of the group’s four moderators and I am one of many recipients of his homegrown avocados. I was hooked. Reached by phone, one of Gray’s first questions was, “Do you need more?” I said, “Yes, but let me get through my stash first.”

That’s just how the group is – generous and genuine, without much expectation of anything in return. Since the avocado exchange, I have also been the grateful recipient of banana muffins, a tomato sapling, seedlings and a coffee grinder. In return, I have offered cases of water, wine, baking ingredients and even that partial propane tank that’s been hiding in my garage since the last camping season.

Flashback to a little over two weeks ago (a lifetime during these times) – right around when the lockdown order was implemented, Tammy Calhoun found herself in a store, increasingly bothered by the massive amount of hoarding and hysteria around her. A born leader and community organizer, Calhoun sprang into action right when she got home and founded the group on Facebook.

“I wanted to do something to help. I wanted to connect people without pride or shame getting in the way,” says Calhoun, a real estate broker. “I also wanted a simple system of give and take where it’s not necessarily dollar-to-dollar.”

The online community has grown to over 2,400 members in less than two weeks. Gray and Calhoun have added friends from work, church, social circles, their neighborhoods, their children’s schools, youth sports where they volunteer and it has dramatically snowballed.

The feel-good and genuine connection stories just keep increasing by leaps and bounds.

Next issue: Bartering Ventura-Style (second of two parts)

For more information or to join: www.facebook.com/groups, search for Ventura Free Barter & Trade

City of Ventura declares local health emergency in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Police Officers are prepared to respond as needed.

It is with careful thought and planning that the City has declared a local Health Emergency in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus). The declaration allows critical services and operations to continue while reinforcing best practices identified by the CDC and County Health Officials.

This declaration does not relate to any illness within City limits, it is simply a tool to enable the City to coordinate an effective response and allow for access to state and federal funds.

Based on recent recommendations from the State and local health officials, we want to provide you with the following updates connected with City services.

Emergency Services

  • Police and Fire services continue uninterrupted. Police Officers and Fire Fighters are prepared to respond as needed.

Food Services

  • Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) is providing drive-up and walk-up meal service for children ages 1-18 at six locations throughout the District. More information can be found on VUSD’s website at: www.venturausd.org.
  • Congregate and home delivered meal services offered through the Ventura Avenue Adult Center will be modified to ensure social distancing practices are followed. More information regarding these modifications will be provided early next week.
  • The City will also be engaging with our local community partners on how to address the needs of those most vulnerable in our community.

Business Interruptions

Regarding the current guidance from Governor Newsom and the CDC, Mayor Matt LaVere said, “The severity of the impacts to our everyday lives due to the coronavirus is felt by all. These measures reduce potential spreading and help protect our City’s most vulnerable residents. We will be working with all of our community partners to figure out how to best provide the services our residents depend on.”

Social distancing practices are being implemented at City facilities that remain open. Community members seeking City services are encouraged to use email, online, or telephone methods to communicate their need for services.

For the latest updates on impacts to City of Ventura services and facilities, please visit: www.cityofventura.ca.gov.

For the latest updates on the situation in Ventura County, please visit www.vcemergency.com.

VC Women’s Day Festival

Festival committee members, representatives of Link, Incorporated and Vision 2020 promote awareness of the women’s suffrage movement in history.

by Amy Brown

The recent VC Women’s Day Festival, held on International Women’s Day, was a celebration of women’s social, political and economic contributions in Ventura County and the world, according to Junemarie Justus, founder of The Acorn Project, a local organization working to effect social change. “Hopefully this event will continue to foster dialogue between generations, and help shape the future that we all envision,” said Justus. The festival drew a huge crowd, and was held at the Museum of Ventura County and Mission Park, and featured speakers, a VC Women in Business and Leadership Showcase, film, art, musical performances, food and local brews, and yoga—all set against the beautiful backdrop of downtown.

Some of the festival’s speakers were presented in breakout Power Sessions, scheduled throughout the day, on topics ranging from “Speaking Up for Change” “Breaking Barriers” and “Leading While Female”. Dr. Trudy Tuttle Arriaga presented on the latter, which is also the title of her latest book, to a large audience. Arriaga was Ventura Unified School District’s first female school superintendent, a role in which she served for 14 years, and currently is an Associate Dean at California Lutheran University. Arriaga spoke about her 40 years as an educator, and the inequities faced during her career, from being evaluated on the way she dressed to being told to ‘act more like a man’ in order to succeed.

2020 is the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote in the U.S., and the event featured exhibits sharing the diversity in the trajectory of women’s suffrage movement. VC Women’s Day Festival committee member Shanté Morgan and a team of representatives from the Channels Island Chapter of The Links, Incorporated had an exhibit table with literature about the history of African American suffragists and their important contributions and challenges in working to get women the right to vote. “What I hope came out of the festival was a sense of pride in what we have achieved and purpose in what we need to do next,” said Morgan. “I also hope we were able to exchange information and recognize the diversity of the women in the movement—when it started and today.”

Many of the presentations were interactive, including one put on by Girls On Board, a community of women empowering women of all ages through skateboarding. Mel McElhose shared that the organization tries to create a welcome space for girls and women in the mostly male dominated local skateboarding community. “If you are a beginner or a woman, it’s almost like you have two things working against you at the skate parks,” said McElhose. Members of Girls On Board gave a hands-on demonstration of skateboarding techniques, including an interactive class on the lawn so participants could try it themselves, on skateboard decks with no wheels.

Deya Terrafranca, Research Library & Archives Director at the museum also expressed appreciation for the inclusiveness and success of the event. “The most meaningful thing for me was the diversity of the crowd. It wasn’t just women, it was everyone,” said Terrafranca. “I was truly touched by a grandfather touring the galleries with his teenage granddaughter. Imagine that—a teenager going to a women’s day event with her grandpa on a Saturday. Everyone was there to celebrate the achievements and value of women in our society.”

Gene Haas Foundation donates $250,000 to Ventura College Foundation to support advanced manufacturing program

Jordan Whitfield, Haas Automation, Kurt Zierhut, Haas Automation, Peter Zierhut, Haas Automation, John Clark, Ventura College lead faculty, Manufacturing Technology, Dr. Kim Hoffmans, Ventura College president and Anne Paul King, Ventura College Foundation executive director at the check donation.

The Gene Haas Foundation has made a $250,000 grant award to the Ventura College Foundation to support the Advanced Manufacturing program at Ventura College. These funds will be used to relocate the current manufacturing lab to the college’s Applied Science Center and renovate the new location into a modern manufacturing facility designed to promote manufacturing occupations and enhance student workforce manufacturing skills.

Once renovations are completed, the lab will be renamed the Gene Haas Advanced Manufacturing Lab. Ventura College plans to offer manufacturing courses in the lab’s new home starting in fall 2020.

In addition, Oxnard-based Haas Automation Inc., one of the world’s largest machine tool builders, will entrust the manufacturing program with a Haas ST-10 Series lathe. “The Manufacturing Technology Department offers the opportunity for students to excel by providing training in both lecture and laboratory settings. With the addition of the Haas lathe, students will now increase their hands-on experience with industry quality machinery, greatly improving their readiness for the workforce,” says John Clark, lead faculty with Ventura College’s Manufacturing Technology Department.

“Haas Automation and the Gene Haas Foundation are happy to help technical education excel throughout Ventura County,” says Kurt Zierhut, Gene Haas Foundation executive manager.

An undergraduate curriculum is available for students interested in working toward the completion of proficiency awards in CNC Operation and Manufacturing Applications. Students can also take transferable classes for university credit and general interest courses for returning students looking for skills improvement.

“Industry-education partnerships such as Haas Automation and Ventura College are critically important. There are over 800 manufacturers in Ventura County. Many have unfilled positions because of the difficulty in finding skilled workers,” says Rob van Nieuwburg, Ventura College Foundation board chair. “Ventura College’s expanded program will help close the skills gap by providing local manufacturers with workers who have the capability to do what’s needed on day one of a new job. The program will attract more students who seek a career in a stimulating high-tech environment while earning a very good living wage.”

For information about the program, go to www.venturacollege.edu. For more on the Ventura College Foundation, go to www.VenturaCollegeFoundation.org or call 805-289-6461.

Become a guest on Our Ventura TV

Joining Sheldon Brown, Publisher of The Ventura Breeze (holding the first and latest Ventura Breeze) on the set are the show’s production team Juan Macera, Robin Sanford, Michelle Hoover, Christine Mary Bellestero and Host Sandra Siepak.

Our Ventura TV is an award-winning weekly talk show series broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and also published on the OurVentura.com website and social media networks. The series has been on the air for over a decade and as of last December over 1000 productions have been created, all available on OurVentura.com.

Anyone who contributes to the theme of “People doing good things in Ventura County” and the surrounding area is eligible to be on the show.

There are no fees for nonprofit or noncommercial messages. However, for commercial messages, there are standard production fees. Visit SkyworksMarketing.com (sponsor of Our Ventura TV) for more information.

Our Ventura TV programs are broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 on Sundays at 2:00 pm, Tuesdays at 9:00 pm and Saturdays at noon, as well as additional floating times. Every week there is a new show and each program is broadcast at least three times per week (often 5 times per week).

George Alger, producer of Our Ventura TV states: “We welcome anyone who is contributing to the community to become a guest and tell part of their story.”

Here are a few of the upcoming shows that will be broadcast on Ventura Channel 6 in the coming weeks (as well as posted on the OurVentura.com website).

* MB Hanrahan will interview Rachael Watkins about the Ventura County Family Justice Center.

* Monique Nowlin will speak with Kiran Sahota and Peter Schreiner about the Ventura County Behavioral Health Department.

* Sandra Siepak will talk with Sheldon Brown, founder and publisher-editor of the Ventura Breeze.

* Monique Nowlin will speak with Toni Olson about the Advisory Council of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging.

* Sandra Siepak will interview Amy Towner about the Health Care Foundation of Ventura County.

* Multi-Talented Poet, LaVette Cherie, will join us in the studio for a performance of some of her work, accompanied by Grammy-winning guitarist, Bob Tucker.

Much of the Our Ventura TV series is recorded at CAPS Media Center, right next to Ventura College. However, for more information about the Our Ventura TV programs, visit OurVentura.com, since Our Ventura TV is a wholly independent TV series produced for the Ventura County community at the CAPS Media Center facility and CAPS Media staff are not our employees.

The show’s director, Michelle Hoover, notes that “Our friendly production team will help you enjoy your visit.” Assistant Director, Robin Sanford, will often greet you first, before returning to the control room to help Michelle manage the cameras and audio. Floor Manager, Christine Mary Ballestero, will help to get the microphones placed on your clothing and get you seated properly at the table. Juan Mancera will position each of the cameras and refine the lighting to present you well.

To be scheduled as a guest on Our Ventura TV for a 15-minute segment, visit OurVentura.com and click “Contact.” Keep in mind that we are often scheduled many weeks in advance.

Don’ts and dos on Coronavirus 

by Jane M. Orient, M.D.

Some of the views expressed here are controversial. So, do ask your doctor.

Don’t panic. That is always good advice. If you, like the world’s economy, operate on just-in-time inventories, and did not take advice to stock up 3 weeks ago, do not join a mob at a big-box store. Somebody there is no doubt infected. Plus, there’s the risk of getting trampled or injured in a fist fight over the last roll of toilet paper. Most of the world survives without that luxury good. If you have no rice or beans or pasta in the pantry, that is more serious, but you should still avoid mobs if at all possible. Take-out and drive-through places are booming.

Don’t treat fever without a doctor’s advice. Fever is not a disease. It is an important defense mechanism. Very high fevers (say 105 degrees) can cause brain damage, and children can have seizures. But don’t pop Tylenol or ibuprofen at the first sign of fever. Many of the casualties in the 1918 pandemic might have been caused by heavy use of aspirin. Like aspirin, popular nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) such ibuprofen also have detrimental effects on blood clotting. Try lukewarm sponge baths for comfort.

Don’t rush out and get a flu shot. I know, a lot of doctors and public health authorities urge everybody to do this. Influenza can kill you, and the flu shot decreases that risk by 30% to 60%—but there is evidence that it can make COVID-19 worse, both from the earlier SARS epidemic and lab research. Like with so many things in medicine, we have to play the odds.

Don’t go to the emergency room or urgent care unless you are severely ill. There will be sick people there, and you might catch something. You also might end up with a big bill, say for a CT scan you didn’t really need. And if you have the flu or a cold or COVID-19, and don’t need IV fluids or oxygen, they can’t do anything for you. Telephone advice lines could help greatly.

Don’t go to events that are crowded, especially indoors in poorly ventilated rooms. Staying home is good.

Don’t touch your face or your eyes.

Don’t fall for internet scams, or malware. Hucksters will always be around to try to profit from panics. A new type of malicious virus is embedded malware in sites that come up on a search for information.

Do prepare to take care of yourself and your family. Be sure you have a fever thermometer, disposable gloves, plastic garbage bags, and cleaning supplies. A pulse oximeter, available in many places for around $40, is good to have to check oxygen levels.

Do clean and disinfect surfaces such as doorknobs, telephones, computer keyboards, toilets, and countertops often. Virus can persist there for days.

Do wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer. With SARS-CoV-2, most disinfectants work, including 70-percent-alcohol-based sanitizers.

Do get your essential prescriptions refilled for 90 days.

Do protect your immune system, with adequate sleep, exercise, fresh air, and diet.

Do help your neighbors, and be responsible about protecting others as well as yourself from contagion.

City of Ventura selects new Chief of Police

Darin Schindler to lead the department.

After a two-month search, Ventura City Manager Alex D. McIntyre has selected Ventura Assistant Police Chief Darin Schindler to lead the department following the retirement of Chief Ken Corney who has held the position since 2009.

Darin was born and raised in Ventura County and has called the City of Ventura, and the Ventura Police Department, home for the past 25 years. He began his career with the Port Hueneme Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in 1989 and was hired as a full-time police officer in 1990. He then joined the Ventura Police Department in 1995 and has worked in various ranks and assignments, including the Assistant Chief of Police, for the last five years. Darin holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management, as well as a Master’s in Business Administration.

Darin told the Breeze “As Ventura Police Department’s next Chief of Police, I am committed to proactive and innovative policing strategies while continuing to enhance our community responsiveness, collaboration, and problem solving efforts. I am proud of the amazing work done every day by the men and women of our Department and am grateful for this exciting opportunity.”

“Darin Schindler has been a strong leader in the Ventura Police Department for many years, and I am excited to see him take over as our next Police Chief” said Mayor Matt LaVere. “Although Chief Corney leaves behind very big shoes to fill, there is no one I trust more than Darin to lead the department and continue our mission of building a safe and prosperous Ventura.”

City Manager McIntyre said, “Darin has a solid reputation locally as a progressive and transformational leader. He will build a team of professionals to continue to serve and protect our community. I know he can lead the department through whatever challenges lie ahead.” Darin will start his new position on April 4, 2020.