Category Archives: Featured News

Conservancy adds members to Board of Trustees

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) recently added four new members to the nonprofit land trust’s board of trustees. They are: Dennis Kulzer, Susan LeFevre, Scott Weiss and Don Wood, bringing total board membership to 11. Each of them bring a diverse and professional background that adds expertise and personal qualities that fit well with VHC’s mission to permanently protect the scenic beauty of our region.

Kulzer is an avid outdoorsman who was born and raised in Southern California and enjoys hiking, backpacking, running and bicycling. He retired in 2013 after serving as the City of Ventura’s fleet services supervisor for 10 years. He has also coordinated international rescue efforts for 400,000 refugees at Rwandan refugee camps in Western Tanzania. In addition to serving on the VHC board, Kulzer volunteers with Channel Islands Restoration, local homeless programs, and the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

LeFevre is an adjunct professor at California State University Channel Islands and an independent education consultant. She has previously served as the Program Manager for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy/STEM Initiative, Executive Director of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, and Curator of Education for the Carnegie Art Museum. She has a long history of involvement with non-profit institutions and currently serves on the Oxnard College Foundation Board. Susan enjoys hiking in the mountains of California.

Weiss, a Certified Public Accountant, has lived in Ventura for more than 50 years. He is the managing partner of the CPA firm Weiss, Bowens, and Magson LLP, a licensed real estate broker and serves as an arbitrator for the Ventura County Bar Assoc. A semi-professional trumpet player and musical conductor, he is passionate about music, passing on that enthusiasm as the founder and Executive Director of Music 4 Kids.. When not making music, Weiss enjoys hiking, biking and traveling.

Wood was born in western Pennsylvania, grew up in California and spent his youth hiking and biking in the countryside of Ventura County. A graduate of Occidental College, he recently completed a 34-year career in the telecommunications industry. Wood has been actively engaged in Ventura community service for nearly 30 years serving as a member and past president of the Ventura Education Partnership.

Ventura Police supports the local community

The Foundation supports opportunities for Ventura Police Officers to provide mentoring opportunities for local youth.

The Ventura Police Community Foundation (VPCF) Board of Directors invites the community to a Fall Night Out at Barrelhouse 101 , 545 E. Thompson Blvd. on November 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The VPCF mission is to foster and support programs and initiatives that strengthen a safe community and enhance the quality of life in Ventura. Programs supported by the foundation include after school programs for 510 students at school sites throughout our community, programs for 80 students at Westpark Community Center, community partnerships that enhance the relationship between the community and the police department and public safety initiatives that address specific public safety needs that improve police effectiveness and officer safety through the use of specialized equipment.

“The crime fighting team of the Ventura Police Department is fortunate to have the confidence and support of the community we serve. The VPCF is a 501(c)3 and was established to provide the opportunity for community and business members to support programs and initiatives that will improve the quality of life and safety in our community,” said Police Chief Ken Corney.

In addition to afterschool programs and specialized equipment the Ventura Police Community Foundation supports opportunities for Ventura Police Officers to provide mentoring opportunities for local youth. Special outings to sporting events and entertainment venues allow an opportunity for at-risk youth to enjoy time with officers and develop impactful relationships. The support of the foundation goes directly back to the community and the police department. Join us at Barrelhouse 101 on November 9 to learn about our efforts and join us in making Ventura a better and safer community for all!

This is a no host event. Guests are encouraged to mention VPCF at point of sale. 20% of proceeds will be donated to the VPCF. Questions? Please contact 339-4317 or [email protected].

The Ventura Police Department will be hosting Coffee with a Cop at Art’s Corner Café , 1907 E. Thompson Blvd. on Thursday, November 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. The community is invited to come together in a friendly, informal environment to discuss community issues, build relationships and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Most contacts police officers have with the public happen during emergencies or emotional situations. Those situations are not always the most effective times for relationship building and some community members may feel that officers are unapproachable on the street or during the course of their duties. Coffee with a Cop breaks down barriers and allows time for relaxed one-on-one interaction.

Engaging the community in public safety efforts is a top priority of the Ventura Police Department. They offer monthly opportunities at Community Council meetings to learn about crime trends and crime prevention. They also provide regular community meetings and neighborhood meetings upon request. Coffee with a Cop is an additional opportunity for residents to get to know the officers that serve Ventura.

Similar events are being held across the country as police departments strive to make lasting connections with the communities they serve.

The program aims to advance the practice of community policing through improving relationships between police officers and community members one cup of coffee at a time. Coffee with a Cop provides an opportunity for community members to ask questions and learn more about the department’s service. There is no formal agenda, just a casual opportunity to voice concerns and share ideas. This is a no host event.

City of Ventura invites residents to participate in district based elections map process

How would you divide Ventura into districts?

The City of Ventura encourages residents to participate in the district based elections map process with easy to use tools now available on the City’s website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/districtelections. Citizens can create their own maps by using the one-page map (available in English or Spanish), an online Excel file to map population units by district, or by using the interactive on-line drawing tool. The deadline to submit all draft maps is November 17, 2017. All draft maps meeting the rules set by the Federal Voting Rights Act and the California Voting Rights Act will be considered by the City’s demographer, National Demographics Corporation, and the Ventura City Council.

Community members can pick-up printed maps in the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall, Room #204, 501 Poli Street, use their own map, sketch one on a piece of paper, or provide written comments/descriptions for the districts.

Draft maps can be submitted to National Demographics Corporation via fax to (818) 254-1221, email to [email protected], or mail to P.O. Box 5271, Glendale, CA, 91221. All draft maps meeting the requirements will be considered by the City Council and published on the City’s website one week before the meeting at which they will be discussed.

The Ventura City Council is slated to adopt an ordinance establishing the district boundaries by January 14, 2018, and will be effective for the 2018 Election. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming Public Hearings on district based elections December 4, and December 11, 2017, at City Hall. A certified interpreter will be on hand for the public hearings.

For a complete list of key dates, administrative reports and frequently asked questions, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/districtelections. The City will be working to keep this webpage up-to-date as we progress through discussions on districts.

VMF Children’s Concert for VUSD

VMF brings the joy of music through unique education offerings. Photo by Michael Gordon

The Ventura Music Festival 2017 Children’s Concert for VUSD featured two wonderful programs: Sneetches, with playful music and the delightful Dr. Seuss text, and Saint-Saens’ fabulous Carnival of the Animals, accompanied by Ogden Nash’s much- loved text. It was presented on Oct.19 in the Ventura High School Auditorium.

VMF presented the versions developed for two pianos played by Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye of the San Diego Symphony. Lively narration was provided by the Festival’s Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta, acclaimed violinist, conductor and music educator known for his engaging lectures and programs.

The Ventura Music Festival was founded in 1994 in response to a need identified by the City for a cultural festival. VMF’s mission is to bring diverse, world-class music to the community, provide opportunities for audiences and artists to come together and to enhance the joy of music through unique education offerings.

Educational outreach has been important from the beginning. The Festival’s centerpiece program is Music in the Schools, developed to meet California State music curriculum requirements for third, fourth and fifth grades, and to foster a love of music while enhancing behavioral, social and academic learning. Nuvi Mehta presents this curriculum to up to 3,000 children annually in VUSD schools.

Breeze photographer Michael Gordon exclaimed “As the auditorium filled while waiting for the program to start I was delightfully warmed by the sounds of chatter of so many voices at one time. After the program was in full swing, I wanted to take a few shots from an audience point of view and observed that while the kids were watching and fully absorbing the program there was a fascinating and movement of the audience in all directions from most every seat.”

“Have you ever been in an auditorium filled with 3rd graders? A great experience.”

Ventura Music Festival 648.3146 472 E. Santa Clara St. www.venturamusicfestival.org

 

We congratulate our officers for their exceptional service to our community.

Sixteen Ventura Police Officers were recognized alongside officers throughout Ventura County at the 41st Peace Officers of Ventura County Law Enforcement Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony held on October 7 at the Ronald Reagan Library. The Medal of Valor is awarded to officers for extraordinary bravery, above and beyond the call of duty, where risk of life existed and the officer was aware of such risk.

Incident One: On December 17, 2015 at 8:30 in the morning the Ventura Police Department received a 911 call stating a female subject had been shot. There were limited details to the shooters whereabouts. Officers arrived on scene and immediately went into action. As dispatchers attempted to gather further information, a child could be heard crying in the background. As officers formulated a plan a female victim exited the residence. It was obvious that she had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. It was later determined that she had 18 wounds. As the victim exited the residence officers, without hesitation still not knowing the whereabouts of the shooter, formed an immediate reaction team and went into rescue mode. Officers rescued the victim and immediately began first aid until medical personnel arrived on scene.

After the female victim had been rescued officers staged at the doorway of the residence. A male subject could be seen lying at the top of the stair case. He was later pronounced deceased. A child could be heard screaming from an unknown location within the apartment. The suspect’s location was still unknown but officers made entry into the residence to render aid to the child in distress. The distressed child was unharmed. Officers rescued the child.

The suspect’s location was still unknown. Agencies throughout Southern California were searching for the suspect. The Ventura Police Department posted a picture of the suspect on the department’s Facebook page. A Ventura resident was vacationing in Mexico and came across the photo on social media. She was eating at a restaurant in Rosarito Beach and noticed the suspect was also at the restaurant. She called the Watch Commander to report identifying the suspect and detectives then worked with authorities at the border to apprehend the suspect. The suspect is now awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder.

Sergeant Anselmo, Detective Acquarelli, Officer Davy, Detective Corporal Marchetti, Officer Martinez, Officer Kasper, Detective Corporal Gilbert, Officer Fowler and Officer Brittle received the Medal of Valor for their service above and beyond the call of duty during this incident.

Incident Two: On June 29, 2016 two people were shot, one fatally on E. Main Street in Ventura. The shooter fled the area in a vehicle occupied by additional subjects. Officers responded to the shooting scene but three officers began patrolling the surrounding area and located the suspect vehicle. The suspect vehicle drove recklessly at speeds over 100 MPH through areas of heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. The suspect vehicle ultimately crashed into an orchard in east Ventura. The driver fled the vehicle leaving the three injured subjects in the vehicle. The vehicle caught on fire with the subjects trapped inside. At this time, officers were completely exposed to the suspect who had fled into the orchard, the weapons used were still outstanding and the subjects were wanted for murder. The officers made the choice to sacrifice their safety and rescue the occupants before they were engulfed in flames. Officers approached and rescued the occupants with the vehicle on fire. The driver, who tried to escape, was later apprehended in the orchard. The subjects are now awaiting trial for murder and attempted murder.

Corporal Knackstedt, Detective Conger, Detective Gutierrez, Officer Almaguer, Officer Dillard and Sergeant Medina were awarded the Medal of Merit for risking their own lives to save the occupants of the vehicle who otherwise would have been trapped in flames.

New superintendent: On settling in, board direction and contract battles

Creswell is in the middle of his first dogfight.

by Rebecca Wicks

David Creswell, the new superintendent of Ventura Unified School District has been in Ventura for less than three months. The Long Beach native is renting a house with an eye on buying, and has already gotten involved with the local botanical gardens and museum. He and his wife are by his accounts currently “eating their way across Ventura,” trying as many restaurants as they can. They are enjoying what most Venturans do here including surfing, biking and walks on the beach.

“It’s been fantastic, my wife and I thoroughly enjoy the community which has been incredibly welcoming,” said Creswell of his first few months in Ventura. “The reception has been amazing … the community is so involved, and there are so many opportunities to embrace what is going on here.”

On the work front, Creswell has visited most of the school campuses and is equally impressed with what he has witnessed.

“There is a great culture focused on students, and so many areas are already above par,” said Creswell who cited programs such as the district’s dual immersion and magnet programs that focus on language, leadership, science and technology. “What is already in place, what is already being offered, it’s impressive.”

According to Creswell he is focused on two categories of activities. The first is to ascertain and manage Board of Education directives. The Board is currently accessing and prioritizing its objectives, which he expects will eventually number between three and five. These objectives are expected to drive where spending and programming will be directed.

The second area Creswell plans on working on is more personal in nature and revolves around the culture of the district. Creswell understands there is a divide between the district office and the sites, or schools, and believes there is an opportunity to work with district leadership to communicate and devise a way to all work together.

“We all know what we need to do, there is no question about that … it’s how we are treating each other, how we conduct business that is important to me,” said Creswell. “I want to work to assess what we have, and then define where we’d like to be.”

Creswell’s initial relationship building abilities are now being put to the test . About 50 days into the job of superintendent Creswell is in the middle of his first dogfight. The district and the teacher and support staff unions have hit an impasse. The topic: salary increases. It has now been determined a third-party will be brought in to mediate the discussion. It’s not new territory for Creswell who downplays the severity of the entrance of an intermediary, which comes after more than 5 months of failed negotiation between the parties.

“Would we like to have it settled, of course, but this is simply the next step in a multistep process,” said Creswell who believes the discussion will sort itself out. “The issue is fairly straightforward, we can only use money that we have.”

The Ventura Unified Education Association and the Ventura Education Support Professionals Association, which represent teachers and staff members respectively, have asked for a one-time retroactive bonus for 2016-2017 of two percent of the employee’s current salary. This is in addition to a two percent salary increase for the 2017-2018 school year.

The reply, the district has offered a 2.25 percent retroactive increase for 2016-2017 and a one percent salary raise for 2017-2018. Both include a clause that negotiations could be restarted if specific events occur for example, if the district receives additional unrestricted revenues during a school year.

In a board meeting in early October, more than 175 teachers and support staff members were present to voice their support and need for the increases proposed by the unions. Many were upset the board did not seem willing to move further when it came to negotiations.

“The district and the community continually state education is important,” said a grade-school teacher who asked not to be named. “Now it’s time for the district to actually prove they believe this.”

Creswell remained positive and confident about the situation.

“We want everyone to remain calm and ultimately aim to treat everyone with dignity and respect,” said Creswell. “Working through this process may be in the end, an opportunity to build the relationships and culture we need.”

Breast cancer survivor tells her story

Ellen Johnson (lower right) is joined in solidarity with colleagues Stephanie Montenegro, Marc Wilde, Lynda Frank, and Katie Furlong.

by Lori Harasta

Asked how Ellen Johnson felt when she first found out she had breast cancer, she said, “Numb. Later that night, I asked my husband, ‘Did he say I have cancer?!’”

It started with a lump she found about three years ago. Biopsies in three areas of the tumor were negative, but it is the protocol of Kaiser Permanente to do surgery to remove tumors, whether or not they test positive for cancer, so Ellen complied. The next time she spoke with the doctor, she got the awful news. It was Stage 3 of an aggressive strain of cancer. The doctor was unable to get all of the cancerous tissue. Further tests showed that the lymph nodes on that side were all affected. She was going to have to have a mastectomy.

Ellen resisted at first. But reality set in when the doctor told her, “I’m trying to save your life!” She left the doctor’s office, went back to her car and cried.

First, there was chemotherapy, which made her tired. A dear friend, Suzette, accompanied her to every chemotherapy treatment. Except for the side effects, Ellen actually enjoyed the sessions. “It was an odd sense of community, all of us there sharing the experience of having cancer. The nurses were amazing! There was no sense of talking down to any of us. I enjoyed hearing their banter and teasing one another. They were upbeat, sensitive, and genuine.” The chemotherapy was followed by surgery and then radiation.

Ellen retired recently from her position as Grants Manager for Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association. One of the things that made it easier for her to get through the treatments was strong support from her co-workers and the ability to work a flexible schedule. “My co-workers picked up the slack for me. Having their support made it so much easier to make it through.”

Her hair fell out and as a way of educating others about breast cancer, Ellen chose to wear scarves or hats instead of a wig. Indeed, conversations were opened up. She was surprised at the warm encouragement of fellow survivors she encountered who asked how she was doing and shared their own cancer experiences.

Cancer has changed Ellen’s outlook. “Anytime we face the possibility of our own mortality, it changes our priorities. I have been given the gift of seeing things more realistically. It has been a real wake-up call.”

Locals speak out on pot laws – Part 2 of 2

by Paul Peterson

Ventura citizens filled the Community Meeting Room in City Hall on September 28 to express their views on the pending cannabis regulations.

The unity in the room was palpable as numerous personal stories were presented in favor of the need for easier access to medical cannabis, delivery services, convenient storefronts and growing pot, indoors and out. Responsible suggestions and positions in favor of these issues were offered. Several seriously ill patients expressed the difficulty of traveling outside the county to get medication such as cbd honey sticks due to our local restrictions. The overall message to the council was clear, that citizens want and expect our city to respond to the will of the people. It seemed the questions waiting for the council’s answers at the October 9th meeting was not if but when and how fast to move.

“I’m glad we had the opportunity to hear from the community regarding the City’s policy on marijuana/cannabis. We will be providing the City Council their options and recommendation at the October 9th City Council meeting”, reported Jeffrey Lambert, Community Development Director.

It is expected that the recommendation will only include medical marijuana deliveries within the city and nothing for recreational access.

There is a great potential income to the city coffers, in addition to making sure citizens have safe access to what they have voted for, which includes the right to own and cultivate small amounts of marijuana. There are also jobs at stake. There have been a number of high profile conventions in the LA area catering to various elements of this budding new industry.

The Emerald Exchange, held in Thousand Oaks in August was a Renaissance Faire-like presentation of growers, collectives and new cannabis related products that have sprouted up around them. “We had over 1,000 attendees and over 50 brands represented”, reported event organizer Michael Katz (emeraldexchange.com). It was the ancillary products that carried the day. Offerings of new derivatives from the cannabis plant including extracts, such as venom shatter used as medicine, tinctures and infusion into foods were dominant. There were seminars on the use of cannabis for treatment of PTSD, seizures and chronic pain. Celebrity stoner Tommy Chong of the comedy duo Cheech & Chong was on hand to represent his latest line of pipes. But the main focus was on multi-course meals specially prepared with varying levels of cannabis infused. Other companies offered baked goods from cookies to brownies but now extending to juices, teas, coffees, soda, beer, sweet leaf concentrates, chocolates and desserts. The future of the pot industry seems to not only be healthy and smell good, but taste good too. Which is fantastic news again, perhaps eventually the rest of the world will slowly follow suit, for now the UK only has CBD legalized, Visit HerbMighty for the best CBD oils in UK if you’d like to start medicating.

Those interested in investing in this blossoming industry gathered at the MJAC Conference September 1 and 2 in downtown LA to bring cannabis product entrepreneurs together with investors. It was a Shark Tank for pot related products and services. A panel of judges awarded cash on the spot to lucky entrepreneurs. Among those were CBD pills that extract only pot’s pain relieving qualities, not the psychoactive qualities and could soon be available as a supplement over the counter. There was a stylish, odorless humidifier for home pot storage and a line of luxury aroma free purses and handbags to carry your stash to the girl’s night out. “We aren’t guilty teenagers anymore, it’s a new cannabis culture” declared the creator.

Business was also brisk at the Cannabis World Conference at the LA Convention Center September 13-15. The Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a spirited keynote address calling for legalization with diversity and fairness in the new industry. “This can’t be an industry where blacks go to jail and whites go to the bank”, he stated. Opportunity for all was the message. The presence of larger manufacturing companies bringing their expertise to the business was also apparent as the level of industry acumen rises to meet the massive pending demand. Those looking to start large or small grow farms, collectives, pot shops and related items found everything they needed to open their storefronts from products to packaging to promotion to navigating the legal hurdles. It is those legal ground rules that are the most complex, depending on where you are in the state.

That brings us back to the Ventura City Council and how they will rule and what guidelines will be set after considering their citizen’s input.

Editor: We would love to hear your thoughts on this very important issue. [email protected]