Left to Right: Marilyn Beal, junior coordinator, Linda Petit, Auxiliary president, Peter Nguyen, Leo Pankratz, Olivia Mowad, and Mick Zdeblick, CEO of CMH)

Three outstanding high school graduates were the 2024 recipients of scholarship awards given by the Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. Each of the students had contributed more than 160 volunteer hours in the Critical Care Unit of the hospital and will continue their education in the medical field.

The Maria Cavallo Scholarship was awarded to both Peter Nguyen and Leo Pankratz. Peter Nguyen graduated from Buena High School where he maintained a 4.55 weighted GPA. High school activities included CSF, Buena Science League, Key Club treasurer, tennis team, and Navy League Cadet Corps. He was named an AP Scholar, Buena’s Platinum Renaissance, and was a Stanford University School of Medicine summer intern, and Port Hueneme’s Naval Base Pre-Engineering intern. Peter will attend U.C. Berkeley in the fall, majoring in Bioengineering with the goal of becoming an anesthesiologist.

Leo Pankratz attended Foothill Technology High School and earned a 4.23 weighted GPA. He volunteered in the school’s Wellness Center and in the medical tent for the Mountain 2 Beach Marathon, played baseball for 3 years, and was a memeber of HOSA, and president of NAMI. He was named a CSF-SS Scholar 2021-2023, and received the Ruby Award for more than 200 hours of community service. He worked for two summers at Loma Vista Endocrinology, Inc. He will attend the University of Nevada at Reno majoring in Neuroscience and hopes to become a doctor.

The Norma MacGregor Scholarship was awarded to Olivia Mowad of Foothill Technology High School. She achieved a weighted GPA of 4.75 while participating in the Blue Water Task Force, was a member and lab manager for the Bioscience program, a HOSA member, Editor-in-Chief of the Dragon Press, and played varsity basketball. She was a member of CSF, won the Pacemaker Journalism award, obtained certification in Basic Life Support, and was MVP and first team All-County and All-League in basketball. She will entering the School of Nursing at the University of Gonzaga in the fall and hopes to become a nurse anesthetist.

The Auxiliary members as well as hospital staff offer their congratulations and best wishes for continued success to these deserving students.

A spectacular Ventura sunset from last year’s X Games. Photo courtesy of Visit Ventura.

The countdown has begun for the highly anticipated X Games Ventura, set for June 28-30 at the Ventura Fairgrounds. After last year’s hugely popular event, the summer games are returning to Ventura, where some of the world’s top extreme athletes will compete against the stunning coastal backdrop. “Southern California is the birthplace of action sports and a culture that is now global,” said long-time host and recently appointed X Games Chief of Sports Culture Selema Masekela. “Last year was legendary, so we are excited to return to Ventura and turn things up a notch.”     

Last year’s event drew an estimated 52,000 attendees. This year, the City of Ventura, Visit Ventura, and local partners are collaborating to ensure sustainable travel options, ease traffic impacts, and foster community involvement throughout downtown. “To say we’re stoked is an understatement,” said Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of Visit Ventura. “We’re still beaming with hometown pride with what took place in our Ventura last year. We’re excited to make this summer even better… We’re ready to see athletes break more records and do it all by the beach with our coastline as the perfect backdrop. We’re stoked — let’s do this!”

In an announcement on the official X Games Ventura website, organizers promise this year’s event will be bigger and better than last year, with a larger footprint and improved viewing options, new medaled events and greater experiences, “We’re stoked to be bringing a full-fledged festival experience to X Games Ventura 2024 presented by SONIC, featuring special musical guest appearances, art installations, cultural activations, immersive brand experiences, and of course all the action sports.”

Tony Hawk, a pioneer of vertical skateboarding and one of the most famous figures in the sport’s history, is a 10-time X Games gold medalist and telecast host. When asked about the significance of the summer event, Hawk said, “X Games is a breeding ground for milestones in our sports. It’s where the best in the world consistently go for their biggest, their best, and their firsts. This summer will be huge for action sports, but X Games is where the athletes choose to showcase their most innovative tricks and progressive runs. Ventura will witness history in the making.”

Single day tickets start at $61. Children under five are free when accompanied by an adult ticket holder. Locals enjoy a 15% discount using this code:  XGV24LOCAL. The discount applies to general admission, superfan, bleacher, VIP, Owner’s Club, and Club ’95 tickets. Go to www.VisitVentura.com or www.XGgames.com for more information and purchase tickets.

Women’s BMX Park Medaled Event
X Games organizers have doubled down on their commitment to the progression of women’s sports, with the debut of Women’s BMX Park in Ventura as a medaled event. Athletes participating in the event will include several Olympians, including Team USA’s Hannah Roberts who earned silver at Tokyo 2020. “I’ve always dreamed of competing in X Games and it was never a possibility until this year,” said Roberts. “ Women and girls are bringing so much progression, creativity and energy into action sports across the board and it is exciting to see X Games continue to grow these sports for the next generation.” 

Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick will also make its debut this year, giving 11-year old Reese Nelson another opportunity to showcase her extensive skills. Nelson competed in the Women’s Skateboard Vert at X Games California 2023 at just 10 years, 8 months old, making her the youngest female competitor and second-youngest competitor in X Games history. Known for incredibly technical liptricks, including some never-been-done tricks, organizers believe there’s a strong possibility that she’ll bring something attendees have never seen before.

X Games Ventura 2024 Events Schedule

X Games Day 1, June 28

10:00 AM – Women’s Skateboard Park Elimination
11:15 AM – Women’s Skateboard Street Elimination
12:45 PM – Men’s Skateboard Park Elimination
2:15 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Elimination
3:30 PM – Women’s BMX Park Final
4:45 PM – BMX Dirt Elimination
6:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Vert Final
7:00 PM – Men’s BMX Street Final
8:10 PM – Moto X Best Whip
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 1

X Games Day 2, June 29

10:45 AM – Women’s Skateboard Street Final
12:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Park Final
1:15 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
2:00 PM – BMX Dirt Final
3:15 PM – Women’s Skateboard Street Best Trick
4:00 PM – Women’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick
5:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Vert Best Trick
5:45 PM – Men’s BMX Park Final
7:15 PM – Moto X Best Trick
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 2

X Games Day 3, June 30

10:00 AM – Women’s Skateboard Park Final
11:30 AM – Dave Mirra BMX Park Best Trick
12:00 PM – Men’s Skateboard Street Final
1:15 PM – Women’s Skateboard Vert Final
2:15 PM – Moto X QuarterPipe High Air
3:15 PM – BMX Dirt Best Trick
8:30 PM – Music Festival Day 3

X Games Ventura Music Schedule
X Games Ventura features three-days of live music. Friday kicks off with multi-platinum selling recording artist Wiz Khalifa, AG Club and Oxymorrons. Saturday features Grammy-nominated Kaskade, Devault, Mija and Emo Nite. Sunday closes out the weekend with Fever 333, Blame My Youth and Metalachi. All music is included in the price of admission, see below for a tentative schedule of appearances by day.

Friday, June 28
Oxymorrons – 4:15 – 4:45 PM
AG Club – 8:30 – 8:55 PM
Wiz Khalifa – 9:15 – 9:45 PM

Saturday, June 29
Emo Nite – 12:00 – 12:30 PM
Mija – 4:30 – 5:00 PM
DEVAULT – 8:15 – 8:45
Kaskade – 9:00 – 9:30 PM 

Sunday, June 30
Metalachi – 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Blame My Youth – 12:30 – 1:00 PM
Fever 333 – 3:45 – 4:30 PM 

Getting to the X Games Ventura
There will be no event parking at Seaside Park. There are, however, plenty of options for stress-free travel to and from the X Games Ventura.

Ventura Shuttle Park-and-Ride
The Ventura Shuttle offers frequent, free trips to and from the Ventura Fairgrounds: Friday, 9 am – 11:30 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 11:30 pm; and Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm. Ventura Shuttle locations: Government Center, Pacific View Mall, Oxnard High School, Harbor and Seaward and DeAnza Middle School. Go to www.visitventuraca.com or www.cityofventura.ca.gov for more information.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Got family or friends traveling to Ventura for the X Games? They can arrive steps from the action – the train station is even closer than some parking spaces in the fairgrounds parking lot! Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner has a special schedule in place for the X Games, with two extra daily train trips to Ventura. In anticipation of increased ridership, reservations for travelers will be required from June 28 to 30. Space is limited, so customers are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and book early to guarantee available tickets. For information and to buy tickets, visit www.pacificsurfliner.com.

Buses
Gold Coast Bus will offer buses from the park-n-ride at the Pacific View Mall (3301 E Main St, Ventura, CA 93003) to the venue during X Games weekend. Purchase for $1.50/trip on the Token Transit App or the UMO App. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of transit. Parking is free at the mall. Gold Coast service can be taken from the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai and Port Hueneme. For more information, visit www.goventura.org/vctc-transit/routes-schedules/

Visit Ventura Drone Show: A celebration of X Games Ventura 2024
Watch as 500 drones take flight! The Visit Ventura Drone Show is a free, all-ages community event happening during the week of X Games Ventura 2024. This year there will be a total of five Visit Ventura Drone Shows. The shows will be visible from the Ventura Harbor, Downtown Ventura, and the Ventura County Fairgrounds. 

Visit Ventura Drone Show: Ventura Harbor Village
Wednesday June 26, 2024 9:00PM
Best Viewing Location: Ventura Harbor’s lawn area along the waterfront

Visit Ventura Drone Show: Downtown Ventura
Thursday June 27, 2024 8:45PM
Thursday June 27, 2024 10:00PM
Best Viewing Location: Intersection of California St and Main St looking up to City Hall

Visit Ventura Drone Show: Downtown Ventura
Friday June 28, 2024 8:45PM
Saturday June 29, 2024 8:45PM
Best Viewing Location: Ventura County Fairgrounds inside the X Games

Skate Jam: X Games Ventura 2024
Don’t miss Ventura Skate Jam, Thursday, June 27, 4 pm – 8 pm in downtown Ventura. This celebration of the skateboarding community offers open skate sessions, exciting competitions, and the chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts. 

For children 10 years of age and younger, Skate and Create, a new Ventura skateboarding and art-based after-school program launching in Fall 2024, will be offering young participants an opportunity to skate in a mini skatepark and create their own custom t-shirts and skateboard decks. All skill levels are welcome, and skateboards and safety gear will be provided for those who don’t have their own.

Ventura Police officers and staff took to the streets carrying the symbolic “Flame of Hope.” Photo courtesy City of Ventura.

by Patricia Schallert

On May 28, there was excitement around the return of the “Tip-A-Cop” fundraiser, in partnership with Finney’s Craft-house, to support the remarkable athletes of Ventura County Special Olympics. The Ventura Police Department (VPD) officers joined forces with Finney’s Craft-house staff and worked as servers at 494 E. Main Street in downtown Ventura for this fantastic community event.

Sergeant Ryan Reynosa emphasized the significance of every single dollar raised during this event. “Not only did it help support the Special Olympics athletes, but it also fostered unity and acceptance within our Ventura community. With our sights set on surpassing the previous year’s total of $6,600, we were immensely grateful to Jordon Cole, the general manager of Finney’s Craft-house, along with his staff, for their unwavering support. We will continue to be immensely grateful for the dedication shown by our fellow officers.”

What made this event even more special, Finney’s Craft-house generously pledged to donate 20% of the proceeds to Ventura County Special Olympics. This incredible contribution went a long way in ensuring the success and growth of the Special Olympians from Ventura County.

During the Tip-A-Cop fundraiser, there were VPD officers, Special Olympics athletes, and Finney’s staff working hand in hand as guest servers. They collected the “tip” donations from diners, all while ensuring that the regular earnings of the servers were not affected. To make donating even more convenient, each guest received envelopes to contribute directly to the cause. This way, the impact was felt without any unintended consequences for the servers.

For Special Olympics athletes like Steve Glick, the opportunity to “meet new people” was the highlight of the Special Olympic event. Another athlete, Antonio Morales, on the other hand, while he enjoyed participating in the Social Olympics, mostly enjoyed “mingling with well-known individuals.” “The famous people,” he said who attended the Special Olympic Games. And let’s not forget Ian Eaton, who eagerly awaited the torch run, which kicked off on June 6.

The Ventura County Special Olympics is a truly remarkable organization that offers year-round sports training and competitions. They provide individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities a platform to develop their skills, enhance their fitness, and build meaningful friendships.

Calendars were marked and the word was spread on the “June gloom” morning of June 8. The athletes from Ventura were ready to compete at Cal State University Long Beach. Ventura County participants and spectators supported not just Ventura athletes but all of the 1,100 Special Olympians as they competed in swimming, basketball, track, gymnastics, and more. This event was a resounding success thanks to Ventura and the VPD and sponsors: Walden Surfboards, Mile 26 Running Co, the Ventura Police Officers Association, and the Ventura Police Community Foundation, for their generous support.

“Let me win…But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Ventura Police Officers Illuminate the Path for Ventura County Special Olympics

Ventura Police officers and staff took to the streets on Thursday, June 6, carrying the symbolic “Flame of Hope” torch for the Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run. Starting at the Ventura City Hall, participants embarked on a non-competitive, segmented run, passing the torch through the heart of Ventura before handing it off to the Oxnard Police Department. This relay spans 1,100 miles across Ventura County, culminating in the ceremonial lighting of the torch at the start of the Games.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run serves as the primary awareness and fundraising initiative for Special Olympics, uniting law enforcement agencies and athletes alike. In Southern California, nine legs of the run connect communities from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, symbolizing the collective commitment to inclusion and support for Special Olympics athletes. The journey concludes with the much-anticipated Special Olympics California Summer Games, held in Long Beach last weekend, celebrating the spirit of athleticism and camaraderie.

Scientific diver Geoff Shester films red gorgonian corals and California golden gorgonian coral off Santa Cruz Island. Photo from Oceana, courtesy Jason Heaton.

Oceana and Blancpain Successfully Complete First of Three Ocean Expeditions in California’s Channel Islands

Research Supports Need for Additional Protections of Ocean Biodiversity

Oceana successfully completed its first of three ocean research expeditions in partnership with prestigious Swiss watchmaker Blancpain around the Channel Islands. From April 29 through May 3, aboard the 62-foot diving vessel, “Peace”, the expedition team explored and documented the biodiversity that makes these waters globally important. The expedition is in furtherance of Oceana’s campaigns to restore ocean abundance by addressing set gillnet fishing gear that is harmful to a suite of ocean life, and Blancpain’s commitment to ocean exploration and conservation.

“Our expedition showcases the incredible diversity of marine life surrounding the Channel Islands, bolstering the area’s reputation as the “Galapagos of North America,” said expedition leader Dr. Geoff Shester, Oceana’s California campaign director and senior scientist. “The beautiful habitats and special places we documented deserve additional protections from harmful gillnets — an indiscriminate fishing method which is still allowed in state waters around these amazing islands.”

Blancpain and Oceana first began their partnership in 2020 ahead of Project Alacranes, an expedition initiated to explore the depths of two areas in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in research that served as the basis for the Mexican government to enact the largest Natural Protected Area in the region. The success of this expedition led to the natural decision to continue the partnership between Oceana and Blancpain, as preparations to explore the Channel Islands were underway.

Over the five-day expedition, the team successfully accomplished the following:

• Conducted visual scuba diving surveys to quantify and identify fish and invertebrate species and habitats — including gorgonian corals and kelp forests — at nine locations providing a glimpse into the biodiversity at risk. Oceana divers counted 830 fish, 1,837 mobile invertebrates (e.g., crabs, sea stars, lobsters), 1,156 large seaweeds (e.g. giant kelp), and 136 large gorgonian corals on 14 transects.
• Collected water samples at 18 sites (nine shallow water samples collected via scuba and nine deep water samples collected via a Niskin bottle) for environmental (e)DNA analysis. The samples will be analyzed in a lab for DNA sequencing, which will allow us to identify virtually all ocean life (all plants, animals, and fungi) inhabiting and traversing these waters. By analyzing the DNA “footprint” left behind in the water column, they will get a comprehensive view of the area’s biodiversity at a range of depths.
• Used state-of-the-art low-light cameras to capture high-resolution images and videos of unique, rare, and unusual species and habitats in need of protection.
• Demonstrated the use of a compact Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Geneinno to document cold water corals at 100 feet depth off Santa Barbara Island.
• Captured 360-degree video footage at all nine scuba diving locations to provide an interactive, immersive experience of being in the middle of a giant kelp forest. Some examples of the 360-degree footage can be viewed here. [Tips: on a desktop PC, use the mouse to pan and look around. On a mobile device, either use your finger to pan and look around or directly point the device to where you want to look. For a full 360 immersive experience, use VR goggles or download the Google Cardboard app from the Apple Store or Android Play Store or use Google carboard glasses to navigate as if immersed in the water seeing the environment firsthand].
• Collected water samples at mid-water depths (from 60 meters/196 feet to over 100 meters/328 feet) to detect and quantify potential microplastics in the water column.
• Piloted and successfully demonstrated that a hybrid underwater vehicle FUSION — an underwater robot manufactured by Strategic Robotic Systems used to support Department of Defense missions globally — can produce high resolution side-scan sonar maps of rocky reefs and identify precise GPS locations of lost fishing gear. The expedition demonstrated the promise of this technology to provide meaningful intelligence for ocean conservation.

The groups plan to utilize the imagery and scientific information gathered in support of protecting ocean biodiversity by reducing entanglement of ocean animals—including whales, sea lions, sharks, and other fish — in set gillnet fishing gear. These fishing nets used to target California halibut and white seabass can be 20 football fields long and are known for their high bycatch rates and adverse wildlife impacts. Despite action by California voters more than 30 years ago, set gillnets are still allowed in federal waters (3-200 miles from shore) off Southern California’s mainland, offshore banks, and in state waters around California’s Channel Islands. Oceana is urging the California Fish and Game Commission and the state legislature to continue working to reduce bycatch in the set gillnet fishery.

To learn more about ocean biodiversity at risk from set gillnets visit www.oceana.org/KeepCAOceansThriving

Sand dollars off Santa Cruz Island. Photo from Oceana/Danny Ocampo.

Ventura County NextGen, The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County’s new youth-focused program, is helping local youth and young adults overcome barriers to employment and embark on successful careers.

The most recently available numbers show that only 88.1% of Ventura County high school seniors graduated in 2022; while this is slightly higher than California’s average graduation rate, it still leaves nearly 12% of Ventura County youth exiting school without their high school diploma. Those with lower household incomes have significantly lower graduation rates than those with higher incomes. This demographic already deals with the difficulties of entering the workforce at a young age. However, their participation in the workforce is down nearly 3% nationally when comparing February 2024 to February 2020 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Recognizing this critical need in Ventura County, the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is seeking to pave the way for youth and young adults as they mitigate their unemployment or lack of career pathways; WDBVC has unveiled “Ventura County NextGen,” a revitalized youth program aimed at preparing Ventura County’s future workforce with essential skills and readiness.

Ventura County NextGen is a no-cost education and career development program specifically created for youth and young adults ages 14-24. Developed with input from local youth and young adults, the program offers a unique and relatable approach to career exploration and growth while helping them overcome employment barriers. Their supportive services include:

GED completion or assistance in obtaining a High School diploma

One-on-one career coaching and mentorship, with personalized guidance to help participants identify their strengths and set career goals

Resume writing and editing

Interview coaching, job search advice, and overall preparation for the hiring process

Internship and apprenticeship opportunities in relevant work fields

Credential or degree attainment

and so much more!

Goodwill Industries of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties is the current contracted service provider for the WDBVC’s youth program, which goes beyond employment assistance. Alongside aiding in employment-specific areas, Goodwill also provides vital support for youth navigating unstable living situations, housing insecurity, teenage pregnancy, justice-involved pasts, language barriers, and transportation challenges. These comprehensive services are expertly managed through Goodwill, ensuring holistic support for all participants.

“We understand the challenges youth and young adults face in today’s job market, especially those experiencing barriers to employment,” said Andrea Sanchez, Senior Manager, Workforce Development Board of Ventura County. “Ventura County NextGen extends beyond conventional job training. This wrap-around system prioritizes personalized coaching, assists participants in overcoming barriers to education and employment, and facilitates connections with opportunities that align closely with their aspirations.”

This critical program is available to all local youth and young adults ages 14-24 and functions in conjunction with Ventura County WORKS, a similar program for adults – especially those with disabilities, justice-involved pasts, or housing insecurity. WDBVC hopes that its commitment and dedication to combatting employment barriers through various supportive services and programs will help the most in-need in Ventura County in this post-pandemic economy.

If you or someone you know could benefit from this incredible no-cost program, visit VCNextGen.org or call 805-648-WORK to learn more and get started today.

Additionally, if you are a business in Ventura County seeking an eager employee, apprentice, or intern, you can reach out to WDBVC at https://workforceventuracounty.org/employers/business-solutions/, and they will help connect you with a worker who fits your business needs. Along with easily accessible help from real-life people, a multitude of resources are at your disposal, including a virtual hiring board that will help you find your next great employee.