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Tender Life Maternity Home stands as a beacon of support

Since 1985, Tender Life Maternity Home has offered a safe place to transform lives.

by Patricia Schallert and Yana

On July 15th, Tender Life Maternity Home, had an open home tour and invited members of the community to see the property, have conversations with the residents and ask questions of the staff and board members.  With a strong commitment to providing a nurturing environment, Tender Life Maternity Home stands as a beacon of support, empowering women with the tools and resources they need to navigate pregnancy and beyond. For Tender Life, this open home tour was a time for residents to tell their stories.

Information about Tender Life was provided to the guests at this well attended event and attention to detail in their preparations for the event was obvious with a BBQ, desserts, tours through the property and speakers.

Since 1985, Tender Life Maternity Home has offered a safe place to transform lives. Tender Life Maternity Home’s vision has provided comprehensive support and assistance to pregnant women (18 years and over) in need and encourages healthy alternatives for a better and productive life. The well-being and comfort of mothers and their unborn children have been top priorities.

The Tender Life Staff offers supportive services and provides an environment that can break the patterns of homelessness, addiction, and abuse. Some of Tender Life’s early babies have graduated from college, found their careers, and are living productive, fulfilling lives. With a capacity of six women at a time, Tender Life Maternity Home is a warm, nurturing refuge where the women are encouraged to focus on making their future both positive and fulfilling. They learn group and relationship dynamics, coping and life skills along with learning to avoid the self-destructive behaviors that got them to their current place in life.

Through Tender Life, the women receive therapy, take classes, develop spiritual nourishment as well as lifestyle coaching. They discover Tender Life as a safe, nurturing place from the beginning of their stay. After their baby is born, the women receive guidance for up to 12 months that includes training in parenting, child development, and life skills along with employment coaching and financial responsibility.  A team of experienced and dedicated healthcare professionals are on hand to provide personalized care and guidance, ensuring that each woman’s unique needs are met. Tender Life Maternity Home in Ventura, California, offers a haven of compassionate care, guidance, and support, ensuring that every woman’s journey into motherhood is nurtured and cherished. Tender Life Maternity Home is where “courage meets compassion to build new lives”.

Tender Life Maternity Home is having an annual walk on July 29th.  Please register now to help raise as much as possible for Tender Life Maternity Home to shelter unhoused pregnant women. Over the past 5.5 years, Tender Life Maternity Home has given 49 babies a chance at life. Tender Life is asking for your participation to help continue this rich 40-year legacy. http://www.pledgestar.com/TenderLife/

“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” Jim Duran Executive Director

Dedicated to helping people with Parkinson’s

The monthly support group for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers is free to attend.

by Carol Leish, MA

Vanessa White, Ph.D. has been dedicated to making the lives of those affected by Parkinson’s better. Dr. White earned her Ph.D. in Sports Management/ Kinesiology, from the University of Northern Colorado. She first thought that she would become an athletic director. Her studies in kinesiology led her to teaching in the Women’s Physical Education Department in East Los Angeles, Monterey Park.

Dr. White was happy that she got to play every sport, and was a collegiate athlete in her school career. She was a swimmer and water polo player. She also played volleyball and basketball. She was a high school volleyball coach and has had over 35 years of teaching experience in physical and wellness education.

After spending many years teaching in higher education, Dr. White decided to pursue a lifelong dream of owning her own gym. She and her husband, Kevin, purchased Santa Paula Fitness in the summer of 2011. That is when Neurofitness was founded.

Dr. White said, “The reason that I got into helping people with Parkinson’s was that my mother-in-law, Judge Toy White, was diagnosed with it in 2015. By seeking out programing and education that would provide my mother-in-law with the exercise she needed, which was specific to Parkinson’s, I put together a new and unique training program that worked well. This is how Neurofitness started.

“Because of Judge Toy White having had developed Parkinson’s, I resurrected the monthly support group for people with Parkinson’s that was initially led by Patty Jenkins. Things had stopped with COVID-19 in 2020. Then, after Patty lost her husband to Parkinson’s, I restarted the group.

“By getting people with Parkinson’s involved in agility training, cardio work, and strength training, I could help them out. I also do cognitive and physical drills, which involves improving memory. Vocal work is also important since people with Parkinson’s tend to get a quiet voice.”

The monthly support group for those with Parkinson’s and their caregivers is free to attend. It meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 10:00-11:15am at Cross Point Church in Ventura. Their address is: 5419 Ralston Ave. Ventura, CA 93003. Dr. White said, “We alternate things in the support group by having a presenter one month, and a discussion group the next month. Speakers have included neurologists and psychologists. During the discussion, there are two groups: one of those with Parkinson’s, and the other for caregivers. Anyone interested in becoming more aware of Parkinson’s and how to help those affected, or who just want to become more informed, are welcome to attend the group,” For more info., contact Dr. White at: [email protected].

CAPS/KPPQ – Spotlight on DJ of the Month – Pam Baumgardner

Pam launched VenturaRocks.com in 2009 to support Ventura’s music scene.

Pam Baumgardner is host/DJ/producer of the Pam Baumgardner Music Hour airing at 5pm on Tuesdays and Fridays and again on Sunday at noon on KPPQ 104.1 fm and streaming on myTuner. With a degree in radio and TV broadcasting from Fullerton, she began her career as Stephanie Rose at KEZY/KPZE out of Anaheim, then moved to Ventura in 1988 for a job at KZTR.  She earned her Program Director stripes converting KXBS radio (The Bus) from oldies to alternative rock. She worked at KHTY in Santa Barbara as well as at KBBY in Ventura.

She launched VenturaRocks.com in 2009 to support Ventura’s music scene and running a website to support local artists and writing the Music Scene column for the Ventura Breeze. Pam produced VenturaRocks at CAPS, a half hour music TV show highlighting local artists such as Crooked Eye Tommy, Medicine Hat, Shaky Feelin’ and others. When KPPQ launched she jumped onboard enthusiastically and created The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour, one of the first locally produced shows back in January of 2017 that highlights local artists out of the 805 as well as artists who come to our county to play. The show has many faithful listeners from across the county and the nation. She joined CAPS Media’s Board of Directors and continues to be a true champion of both community radio and tv.

Pam says, “It was my favorite thing in the whole wide world listening to my favorite artists and bands on the radio growing up, and to be able to do that over the span of almost forty years has certainly been a privilege.”

Pam joined the KPPQ crew with a wealth of experience that she has generously shared with other DJs at the station. In the past six years CAPS staff members, directed by Elizabeth Rodeno, have trained more than 100 local DJs and produced hundreds of hours of original programming on KPPQ. Unlike Pam, many of her fellow DJs had very little or no prior experience in creating radio programming. All the KPPQ DJs share Pam’s enthusiasm for the CAPS Media community of voices.

July marked the reopening of CAPS Media Center to current members. In the fall CAPS Media Center will expand training and access to members of the public who become new CAPS members. As a kickoff, in the coming months, the CAPS crew is planning an Open House, where the public will be invited to drop by and take a tour of the Center including the video studio, editing stations, and KPPQ radio station. The knowledgeable CAPS staff will give brief overviews and demonstrations on the multiple CAPS gear. At the daylong event, guests will learn the benefits of becoming a CAPS member and how to utilize the full extent of the CAPS Media resources and staff expertise. More information on the Open House will be provided in the coming weeks on the CAPS website at capsmedia.org, on KPPQ, on social media, and elsewhere.

CAPS Membership will be open to anyone who lives, works or goes to school in Ventura. The annual membership fees are currently $40 for an individual or $100 for a nonprofit organization.

The Rotary Club of Ventura issues $66,000 in grants

Each non-profit grant recipient is making a significant impact.

Twenty-one local non-profits attended the weekly Rotary meeting to extend their gratitude for $66,000 in grants issued through their Julius Guis Memorial Rotary Foundation (JGMRF). About half of the funding for the grants comes from the Rotary Club of Ventura 4th of July Fireworks held annually on the grounds of Ventura College. Grant applications are solicited throughout the city of Ventura in February each year. The JGMRF committee is comprised of five past presidents of the Rotary Club of Ventura. Each non-profit grant recipient is making a significant, positive impact that aligns with Rotary International’s focus to promote peace, fight disease, save mothers and children, support education, protect local economies, and protect the environment.

The Rotary Club of Ventura meets Wednesdays at Noon at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – locally and globally.

 

Ventura’s Annual Street Fair & Parade

Bikes, scooters, strollers, and wagons were all welcome at the parade. Photos by Janie Tran and Shirley Lorraine

The City of Ventura’s 46th annual 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade was held on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Ventura’s Downtown District.

The Pushem-Pullem Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, began at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and continue into the Street Fair in Downtown Ventura.

This year’s Street Fair featured artisan vendors, a car exhibit, food trucks, live entertainment, a kids’ activity area, and more.

A complimentary Bike Valet, courtesy of the City of Ventura Transportation Division and Bike Ventura, was located at the corner of Main St. and Chestnut St.

The Classic Car Exhibit featured over 80 beautiful vehicles. Live entertainment, included local bands and community group performances were enjoyed by the large crowd of attendees.

Ventura’s Annual Street Fair & Parade

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The city’s first-ever drone show to highlight X Games

Drones are much more pet-friendly than fireworks.

400 drones will take flight on July 20, 21, and 22 to amaze and dazzle Ventura community members and X Games fans for the city’s first-ever drone show. The show is presented by Visit Ventura, in partnership with Go Drones, and will include 3D images to celebrate the X Games in Ventura. 

Offering community members something fun, free, and sustainable they can participate in has always been a priority — it’s a happy coincidence that the Visit Ventura Drone Show fits all three categories.  

“It’s going to be amazing to see 400 drones light up our sky,” said Marlyss Auster, President and CEO of Visit Ventura. “So much of the X Games is a celebration of Ventura, our beach town community. We’re excited to bring everyone together for such a cool event that’s also eco-friendly.” 

Drone shows are entirely customizable to the event unlike other air spectacles. Because each drone is individually illuminated, virtually any image created on a computer can be replicated in the sky during a drone light show. 

At the size of a football field and a half, viewers can see the show up to five miles away depending on weather. Coupled with 3D imagery in the sky, the Visit Ventura Drone Show will immerse viewers like nothing else the community has seen before. 

Not only are drone shows a beautiful spectacle in the sky, they are also more eco-friendly than fireworks. Drone shows eliminate fire concerns and other negative impacts on the environment. Plus, they are much more pet-friendly than fireworks; there are no loud booms during the show that would upset animals. 

“In the dance of innovation, Go Drone Shows is excited to collaborate with the visionary spirits of Ventura and the X Games to continue to push the envelope of sustainable entertainment, uniting adrenaline and artistry in an unforgettable partnership,” said Eddie Fernandez, VP of Business Development at Go Drones. “Each show will be different from the night before, telling a story that is authentic to the story and spirit of both the X Games and Ventura. We look forward to bringing this unique experience to such a historic event.”  

The Visit Ventura Drone Show will last approximately 15 minutes and will occur Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at around 8:45 pm during the finals weekend. The drones will launch behind Ventura City Hall on Thursday and beyond Surfers Point beach on Friday and Saturday. 

Thursday night’s drone show directly follows the free, all-ages community event in Downtown Ventura. The Kickoff Skate Jam on July 20 will transform the intersection of Main and California streets into a unique, fan-friendly obstacle course and include music, X Games athlete meet and greets, and other family-friendly activities. 

Ventura Avenue Adult Center Programs

Lunch is served at the Adult Center for a suggested donation of $3.

by Carol Leish, MA

The Ventura Avenue Adult Center offers classes, drop-in activities, the Westside Café Senior Nutrition Program (It is a delicious and nutritious lunch with a variety of food.)

And a variety of free and affordable programs and services for people over the age of 60. Janine Cobian is the Recreation Supervisor. Tom Musgrove and Cheryl Bucklin are Recreation Coordinators.

Drop-in activities, which are free, include Bridge (Mondays from 9 am-11:30 am); Bingo (Fridays 12:30 pm-2:30pm); and, Sewing (Thursdays from 10 am-Noon). Gardening, which is at Kellogg Garden in Ventura, is also free. Free computer classes focus on various things, such as: basic use of the computer; using email; and, using the Word program are from 8am-Noon on Tuesday’s and Thursdays. Free ping pong games occur on Wednesday’s from 1 pm-2 pm if enough people want to play at a time.

Exercise classes, including Tai Chi and Bone Builders have a reasonable price range and a waiting list of people who want to take the classes. Ballroom Dancing, also for an affordable price, is offered Wednesday’s from 10 am-11 am. An Acrylic Class, for 4 weeks on Wednesday from 1 pm-2:30pm is for $150. For more information about various programs and availability of classes, please call: 805-648-3035

Janine Cobian has been working for the City of Ventura as a Recreation Supervisor for the Senior Services Section for 18 years.

“The City of Ventura, with a collaboration with Stiix Billiards, enables Ventura residents 60 years old and older to play billiards for free. Stiix Billiards is located at: 2520 E. Main St. phone number is 805-641-2020. According to Cobian. “ All Ventura residents over age 60 must do is show that they are residents of the City of Ventura in order to play.”

For fun activities and a good meal at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, come by Monday-Friday between 9 am-3 pm. The address is: 550 N. Ventura Ave. Ventura, CA 93001. The phone number is: 805-648-3035. Look at the website at: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/vaac.

Poster contest winners

Catalina Linn

The 2023 Ventura County Fair Youth Poster Contest Winning poster have been announced.

They are Catalina Linn of Westlake Village; 13 years old 1st place: Aarna Dalsania of Camarillo; 11 years old 2nd place: Briceida Lopez of Oxnard; 18 years old 3rd place.

The judges were:

Judging Panel: • Greg Wray – Rotary Club of Ventura & retired Master Illustrator for Disney • Neal Lassila – President-Elect of the Rotary Club of Ventura & 20-year veteran of The Walt Disney Company • Dr. Cesar Morales – Superintendent of Ventura County Schools • Chief Dustin Gardner – Ventura County Fire Department • Chief Darin Schindler – Ventura Police Department • Asst. Sheriff Andrew Salinas – Ventura County Sheriff’s Office • Mayor Joe Schroeder – City of Ventura • Carley Logue – Visual Communications Expert for the Department of Navy / Naval Base • Mark Spellman – Radio Lazer • Peggy Kroener – Ventura County Youth Department Superintendent.

Briceida Lopez

The poster will be used on merchandise, in advertising, and featured around the 2023 Ventura County Fair from August 2-13.

 

Celebrate 4th of July at Ventura’s Annual Street Fair & Parade

Bikes, scooters, strollers, and wagons are welcome at the parade.

It’s a celebration by the sea! The City of Ventura’s annual 4th of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade returns on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Ventura’s Downtown District.

The Pushem-Pullem Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of East Ventura, will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Main Street in front of Cemetery Memorial Park and continue into the Street Fair in Downtown Ventura. No registration is required.

This year’s Street Fair features artisan vendors, a car exhibit, food trucks, live entertainment, a kids’ activity area, and more. Attendees can also enjoy Downtown’s local shops and outdoor dining as part of Main Street Moves.

Both events are free to attend. Bikes, scooters, strollers, and wagons are welcome at the parade. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. A complimentary Bike Valet, courtesy of the City of Ventura Transportation Division and Bike Ventura, will be located at the corner of Main Street and South Chestnut Street from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Classic Car Exhibit will feature over 80 beautiful vehicles displayed on South Oak Street and South Palm Street from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Live entertainment, including local bands and community group performances, will take place at the intersection of California Street and Main Street.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/StreetFair for more details, including parking information and event maps.

For further event questions, contact Recreation Coordinator Allyson DesBaillets at [email protected] or 805-654-7749.

Ventura receives grant to improve Surfers Point

A combination of factors added to the problem over many years. Photos by Joseph Seemayer @jseemayerphoto

The city will receive $16.2 million to complete an old project to relocate the parking lot and crumbling bike path farther inland at Surfers Point. The California Coastal Conservancy approved the $16.2 million for the work. It is the second phase of a project that started well over a decade ago.

Surfrider started advocating for the project in the 1990’s. Paul Jenkin, Ventura campaign coordinator at the Surfrider Foundation stated “We are really happy to see that we are finally going to see it constructed.”

The project moves the publicly owned bike path and parking lot around 70 feet inland to prevent even more erosion.

A combination of factors added to the problem over many years. The project will go out for bidding later this year with construction expected to start in fall 2024.