Category Archives: Featured News

Hear from a woman who taught school before becoming homeless

The dog might need to wait outside if not a dog friendly restaurant. Photo by George Robertson
The dog might need to wait outside if not a dog friendly restaurant. Photo by George Robertson

Take a hungry person to lunch at a participating downtown Ventura restaurant Thursday, Nov 17 10:30 am – 2 pm in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week: November 12-20.

Meet Thursday., Nov. 17, at 10:30 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston.

Hear from a woman who taught school before becoming homeless and lived in the river bottom and the couple who took her to lunch. Hear how their meeting helped lead to her being housed once more. Hear about the many things people who are homeless hunger for besides food – a look in the eye, a friendly smile, a hot shower and clean clothes, a chance to feel normal, the treat of dining out. Learn about homelessness and its root causes.

Then meet the individual you (and a friend, if you like) will get to know over lunch in a comfortable environment at a local restaurant. Many of those who have participated in past years say it was a life-changing experience. National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week comes at a time we are all thinking about what we are thankful for. It is a perfect time to share our compassion with our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness, and work toward a world where no one has to experience Hunger and Homelessness.

To eradicate homelessness, we must take action that has an impact on its causes. Come meet someone who is experiencing homelessness. Learn what you can do to improve policy, help service providers, and be an important part of the solution.

Come back to the UU Church for a follow-up session on Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 9:30. It’s a chance to reflect on your experience, share with others who participated, and learn more about what you can do to be part of the solution.

Sponsored by Lift Up Your Voice, a ministry of the UU Church of Ventura.

Scores of dancing un-dead performed at Ventura Harbor Village as part of a worldwide record attempt

Photo by Richard Lieberman

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of Michael Jackson’s iconic “Thriller” album and video. On Oct. 26, thousands of dancing zombies across the globe took to the streets in unison in an attempt to break simultaneous worldwide Thriller dance records and gather donations for charity. In Ventura, scores of dancing un-dead performed at the Ventura Harbor Village as part of this worldwide record attempt.

 

Free Business Resource Seminar and Expo comes to Ventura Nov. 9

Strategies for success in today’s economy will be one of the featured topics at a free business resource seminar and expo at the Ventura College Wright Event Center on Wednesday, November 9. The seminar will highlight a variety of approaches and techniques that can help local businesses position themselves for success, capitalize on billions of dollars in tax credits, and minimize the frustration of taxation. Jerome E. Horton, Member, Third District, California State Board of Equalization (BOE) will host the event, and Ventura County Assessor Dan Goodwin and Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko will also be present. The Ventura Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor the event.

Representatives from the BOE, Employment Development Department, Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service, Small Business Administration, and Small Business Development Center will be available to answer questions on topics such as basic sales and use tax, forms of ownership, and recordkeeping. “My goals are to help California businesses capitalize on available tax credits and to offer strategies and solutions that will help local businesses thrive domestically and internationally,” Member Horton said.

The seminar will be held on Wednesday, November 9, from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Ventura College Wright Event Center, located at 57 Day Road in Ventura. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. Parking is $2. Those interested in attending are invited to register online or by calling toll-free 1-888- 847-9652.

Ventura City Fire Department hosts event for fourth grade students

More than 1,300 students observed live demonstrations by Ventura City Firefighters performing multiple tasks. Photos by Richard Lieberman

stuff-fire2On Tuesday, Oct. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. the Ventura  City Fire Department held a two-day Fire Safety Days event hosted by the Ventura City Fire Department in collaboration with the Ventura Unified School District. The event was held at the Ventura Fire Training Grounds, 765 S. Seaward Ave.

More than 1,300 fourth grade students, parents and school staff observed live demonstrations by Ventura City Firefighters performing multiple tasks associated with a career in firefighting and paramedicine.  Students observed multiple teaching stations with such topics as engine company operations, fire safety education, ladder and power tool demonstrations, and a grand finale involving the City Fire Department’s “hook and ladder” truck. Students were shown how Firefighters operate fire engines, pumps, and hoses that require on-the-spot mathematical calculations, using equations they have memorized and have to complete without the usual “pad and paper.” How an education in chemistry is an essential element of becoming a member of the Hazardous Materials Team.

stuff-fire3Firefighters from around the City served as both instructors and participants in each of the learning stations. The Firefighters focused not only on the tasks they are responsible to perform during emergencies, but also concentrated on the importance of education and its relation to the job.

In line with October being Fire Prevention month, the students also participated in a station dedicated to home fire safety and fire prevention. They learned the importance of Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH) as well as how to properly use a fire extinguisher on a live fire prop.

Post event activities will include an essay-writing contest among the attendees, with the winning school receiving the “Fire Hydrant Award.”  This trophy will be awarded to the winning school, where it will remain until the following year’s winner takes possession of it.  Each year, the winning school’s name will be inscribed on a perpetual plaque on the front of the trophy.  The Fire Chief and the school’s local firefighters will deliver the trophy once the winner is determined.

stuff-fire4Todd Tyner, Principal at Mound School and one of the founders of Fire Safety Day told the Breeze  “During Fire Safety Days, the firefighters highlight multi-step math concepts that are initially introduced during 4th grade instruction, such as conversion formulas, time, distance, mass and volume problem solving. 4th grade science concepts covered during Fire Safety Days revolve around transfer of energy, conservation of resources, natural hazards, and the influence of engineering and technology on society. Firefighters put these concepts into practice regularly, so we believe it is valuable use of student time to partner with our local firefighters as they demonstrate professional skills familiar to our 4th grade students.”

“In addition to that, it’s just a heck of a lot of fun!”

 

Ventura, make your voice heard.  Your vote counts

by Antoinette Mann, Ventura City Clerk

Voting is one of the most fundamental rights of our democracy.  There is no greater right than the right to vote and no better way to participate in shaping the future of our city than by voting.

Ventura voters have four municipal measures on the November 8th ballot, Measures “N”, “O”, “P” and “Q.” In addition, there are three City Councilmember seats up for election.  Voters can learn more about these measures by visiting cityofventura.net/election.

Early voting has already begun, in fact 50% of the 62,170 registered voters in Ventura are designated Vote-by-Mail voters.  Increasing voter participation strengthens our democracy and ensures residents’ voices are heard.

In 2013, 27% of Ventura’s registered voters participated in the electoral process while in 2014, 48% participated.  The higher participation rate in 2014 was due to the election being held in conjunction with County, State, and Federal elections.

In November 2014, Ventura voters approved Measure D, amending the City Charter to provide regular elections in November of even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years (aligning City elections with the elections of State and Federal legislators and officials) to increase voter turnout and decrease election costs.

This year, the City   is anticipating at least 50% of Ventura voters to exercise their democratic right on November 8.  Do your part, study the issues and complete your ballot .

Are you a Vote-by-Mail voter?  If so, you can drop off your completed Vote-by-Mail envelope at Ventura City Hall, in the City Clerk’s Office (501 Poli Street, Room 204) or at the County of Ventura’s 24-hour ballot box located in front of the Hall of Administration (800 S. Victoria Avenue).   Additionally, you can drop off your sealed ballot envelope at any polling place on November 8.

If you are mailing your ballot, ensure it is postmarked no later than November 8 and place the correct amount of postage on the envelope – two First Class stamps.  The last day to request your Vote-by-Mail ballot is November 1 for the November 8 election, so don’t delay.

Do you prefer to cast your ballot in person on Election Day?   Polling places are listed on the back of your sample ballot.  You can also visit the Ventura County Elections Division webpage to locate your polling place at venturavote.org.    Please note that polling locations are adjusted periodically.  Polls close at 8 p.m. but if you are in line and its 8p.m., the polling place will remain open so you can vote.

Once the voting period ends, you can view real-time election night results on the new official app from the Ventura County Elections Division.  In addition to providing election results you can verify your polling place and even check the status of your Vote-by-Mail ballot.  The easy to download app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play – search for Ventura County Elections.

If you have any questions or need assistance with voter information, please call the City of Ventura City Clerk’s Office at  658-4787 or the County’s Election Division at  654-2664.

Local food co-op sponsors discussion

Panel discussion about locally grown food held in Ventura.
Panel discussion about locally grown food held in Ventura.

by Sheli Ellsworth

October 5, Ventura Food Co-op hosted a panel discussion about locally grown food at MadeWest Brewing. Panel members included father and daughter, Jose and Maria Alcantar of Alcantar Organics; Phil McGrath of McGrath Family Farm; Sarah Nolan of the Abundant Table; and Alley Gialketis of Ventura Food Co-op.

What is a co-op? “A co-op is people coming together to meet a common need,” says Gialketis. In the case of the Ventura Food Co-op, it is a future grocery store where farmers can sell directly to customers.

stuff-local-co-op-insetVentura County farmers face a number of hurdles. After years of drought, water has become a huge problem. Strawberry production has been significantly reduced but, 50% of what local farmers grow are: strawberry , raspberry , lemon, and nursery crops. All of these are considered “luxury crops” that require a lot of resources but yield low nutrients. “Crop patterns will be changing. Drought tolerant options like cannabis need to be explored,” according to Phil McGrath. “Most farmers now only grow one crop, they will need to diversify.”

Mc Grath also says that high labor costs also hurt local farming. We get our food from countries that pay their laborers $10 a day. We pay ours $10 an hour.” Ventura County farm workers make about $23,000 a year. The average annual rent cost in the county is $18,000. “If we paid our workers a living wage, the price of food would be more than double.” Another problem is the worldwide food market. “Most of the food grown in Ventura County is shipped overseas and country wide. Less than 2% of the food grown here is eaten here. Americans are used to cheap food. “Ten to fifteen cents of every dollar is spent on food in this country.” In most countries, it is 25-35% of every dollar. Another problem with worldwide food distribution is that people don’t eat seasonally. Americans are used to a variety of foods all the time. “One way to cut down on food costs is to eat what is in season.”

Local farmers’ markets haven’t helped either. Nolan says, “Farmers’ markets are saturated with small scale farmers. Most of which are out-of-county farmers.”

The Abundant Table is a nonprofit organization located on the McGrath Farm that educates young adults about farming and nutrition. Nolan says that the Abundant Table’s mission is to “educate people about food because growing and sharing food builds communities and brings them together.” Both agree that better management of local farmers’ markets would help local farming. “Locals should be first at the markets, not out of county farmers. This reduces traffic, making local farming more sustainable.

Locally grown food has its dissenters. Economist Jared Barton objects to local farming in Ventura because it requires the use of water, a resource that is in short supply. Environmentalists claim that farming in arid regions adds salt to the ground ruining it for plants and animals. The amount of resources used to ship locally grown foods also causes pollution. According to environmentalist Winthrop staples, there is no such thing as “sustainable farming” because all farming robs something from the environment. “The best the environmentalist and economist can hope for (if they like to eat), is local regions feeding local communities. Hopefully organic farming being the baseline, says McGrath.”

 

 

Museum of Ventura County invites families to its Annual Day of the Dead Celebration

Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College to appear at Museum
Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College to appear at Museum

On Sunday, November 6, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a free community celebration of music, dance, and crafts from 11am – 4pm for the whole family. Visitors can see the artist-created altars, called ofrendas, on display throughout the museum, enjoy cultural dance performances by local groups, create art projects to take home and have their faces painted calaveras–style. This annual celebration has become very popular at the Museum, highlighting the local traditions of Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos.

Sunday’s entertainment includes performances by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Ballet Folklórico de Bell Arts, and Danza Mexica Cuautemoc, and DATA (DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts) Mariachi.

Traditional craft-making is available for all ages, which includes making paper flowers, masks, and paper skeletons. Refreshments are available for sale.

Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is observed in many part of Mexico and Latin America, and includes altars to welcome and honor the departed who are said to come back to walk among the living on November 1st. It is now popular in the United States among Latinos and non-Latinos alike. Humorous skulls (Calaveras) and skeletons are the dominant symbols of the celebration, which has roots in pre-Columbian as well as Spanish religious beliefs.