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City Council will require masks

Father Serra was wearing a face mask before it was the law.

On a 4-3 vote the City Council will require masks to be worn inside businesses and government offices, on public transit and in most indoor venues that are open to the public. This order will go into effect once the City Council approves the final ordinance which will be considered at a future meeting.

The city manager will need to draft an emergency ordinance to lay out the details of the new order. It will be modeled on a similar order in Santa Barbara.

Councilmember Erik Nasarenko stated “masks have become such a common feature that I don’t even think people question it anymore. Ultimately it’s not about discomfort or inconvenience, it’s about doing whatever we can in whatever way possible to limit the spread of a highly infectious and deadly disease and if that means wearing a face covering, I think we should do it.”

Nasarenko, along with Councilmembers Cheryl Heitmann, Sofia Rubalcava and Christy Weir voted in support of the order. Mayor Matt LaVere, Lorrie Brown and Jim Friedman voted no.

Brown and Friedman voted no because they question the city’s ability to enforce the use of face coverings in businesses.

Police Chief Darin Schindler said enforcement of the policy would not be a priority for the department.

“I would obviously put communication in front of enforcement. I just don’t think it’s a viable option right now to expect us to contact people for purposes of enforcing them wearing a mask. It’s going to put our officers in a difficult situation especially with the current climate surrounding the use of police authority right now.”

Violations of the mask order would be handled through the city’s emergency action citation process, the same way that violations of other pandemic-related health orders are handled. Ventura plans to focus on education to try to obtain voluntary compliance from the public. But if that doesn’t work, a written warning may be issued, followed by an administrative citation.

So, basically this is just symbolic.

We have so much to learn from black elders

— and so many reasons to support them

This blog originally appeared on the Diverse Elders Coalition website.
by Jenna McDavid – from February 6,2018

February marks the start of Black History Month, a celebration of Black and African American stories, experiences, and impact on American culture. At the Diverse Elders Coalition, we’re proud to celebrate Black Elders every month of the year, but February offers us a bonus opportunity to lift these stories up into the national spotlight. Black Elders have so much wisdom to share about our history and the ways they have challenged white supremacy and other forms of oppression. It is imperative that those stories are not lost or forgotten.

I recently (2018) attended a Capitol Hill Briefing about the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), during which we heard testimonials from community-based organizations that employ older adult workers through the federally funded program. SCSEP placement not only provides employees with meaningful work, wages, and socialization, but also gives these organizations staff to help them continue to serve their communities.

Diverse Elders Coalition partner, the National Center and Caucus on Black Aging, is a primary grantee for SCSEP, providing employment opportunities for African American older adults across the country in community-based service organizations like TERRIFIC, Inc. in Washington, DC. Sharron Holquin, a SCSEP participant who spoke at the briefing, talked about the lifetime of employment experience she brings to her current employer, and how we shouldn’t dismiss older adult workers because of ageist assumptions about their abilities.

I came away from this briefing with not just a greater appreciation for SCSEP, but also a framework that I hope to bring with me into my work with the Diverse Elders Coalition — and beyond. When talking or working with diverse elders, younger generations must always ask ourselves: What assumptions are we unfairly making? What stories are we missing because we didn’t think to ask? And what can we do, each day, to better honor and support the elders who have paved the way for our generation?

Stay tuned to the Diverse Elders Coalition blog all month long for Black History Month contributions from our incredible writers and guests from around the country. And in the meantime, check out some of these Black History Month highlights from years past:

A Gift From My Grandmother: An Embrace of Life — and Aging by Jeneé Darden

SELMA: 50 Years Later by Mandy Carter

You won’t believe what I learned from our black elders by Bryan Pacheco

Black, Gray and Gay: The Perils of Aging LGBTQ People of Color by Chandra Thomas Whitfield

Housing For Diverse Elders is a Public Health Issue by Dr. Imani Woody

The Ventura Police does support peaceful protests

‘I support any movement that supports equal rights’

by Carol Leish

Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler stated, “The current Black Lives Matter movement does focus on the rights that all people have, and the idea that everybody deserves to be treated fairly and with respect. In my opinion, it will go on for a long time, since it will be continuing until people feel that things are changing in our society.”

The Ventura Police does support peaceful protests, according to Chief Schindler. He said, “Everybody, no matter who you are, or what your race or gender is, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The police department deals with all people of various races, gender, and sexual orientation.” Thus, he emphasizes that, ‘All people should be treated fairly and with dignity.”

According to Chief Schindler, ‘We do not use choke holds. We do use the carotid control hold, which is an upper body control hold, that restricts the blood flow to the brain, and causes somebody who is fighting to pass out temporarily. It’s not a choke hold that would restrict breathing or compress the front of the neck. It is only rarely used when there is the imminent threat of death or serious injury to the officer.”

He stresses that, ‘In the 30 years that I’ve been working within the police department, this is one of the most heated times for prejudices. People feel that it’s coming to a boiling point. And, people don’t like being biased against or treated differently.”

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere stated, ‘Ventura hasn’t had any rioting. We’ve had peaceful and productive demonstrations, which I think is the Ventura way of doing things.”

He went on, ‘I support any movement that supports equal rights in order for everyone to be treated equally. Black Lives Matter movement will be lasting until the community make necessary changes to make sure that there is equality between all people.”

“As police officers, our job,” according to Chief Schindler, “is more of policing versus just enforcing laws, which is just a small part of what we do. We also do problem solving. We can do a lot more when we work together. Through building trust, by building bridges within the community, we can find a solution together. We want everyone to feel welcome and safe, and to realize that we’re here for them.”

CAPS Media and the Power of Information

Hello fellow Venturans. Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis the CAPS Media Center has been closed, however CAPS crews have continuously provided extensive communication services to the City and County to help inform the public. For example, every week CAPS produces updates by City officials and CAPS continues to direct the broadcast and streaming of City Council meetings and other committee meetings with remote participation by board members, committee members and city staff. Plus, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday CAPS Crews record the live County COVID-19 updates at the County government center and then edit/format the updates with titles and subtitles in Spanish. In addition, CAPS crews continue to produce numerous videos for Ventura County Fire, Public Health and other agencies.

For years the Ventura Breeze has given CAPS Media the opportunity to provide updates on our activities. Despite serving the Ventura community for twenty years, many people do not know what CAPS Media is, what it does, where it is located or how the organization was founded or evolved.

Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura or CAPS, as it is commonly known, is a Public Access, non-profit 501 3(C) corporation was formed on December 20, 2000 by a group of public and media-minded Ventura citizens.

Public Access is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This provided a catalyst for the Ventura group in forming a Public Access entity created by the cable franchise negotiations between the City of Ventura, Avenue Cable (later Charter Communications) and Adelphia Cable (later Time Warner and now Spectrum). The public-private agreement provided for multiple PEG access television channels in Ventura.

Twenty years ago our visionary founders ensured that the operation of the Public Access media center for community service would be managed as an independent non-profit organization without discrimination. Today CAPS continues to train and guide members and collaborate with the City of Ventura, Ventura Unified School District, Ventura College, Ventura County and other community, educational, service and faith-based non-profit organizations. Primary funding for CAPS is derived from franchise fees paid by the cable companies to the City of Ventura. A portion of these franchise fees were allocated to CAPS Media.

CAPS is managed by a small staff with oversite from an unpaid Board of Directors which includes community members, elected by the CAPS Media membership and/or identified by the Board of Directors, as well as representatives from the City of Ventura, Ventura Unified School District, the Ventura Community College District and the County of Ventura. CAPS Mission is “to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media.” Our vision is to Engage, Educate and Entertain.

CAPS Media is a membership organization. Anyone who lives, attends school or works in the City of Ventura, as well as non-profit organizations can become members of CAPS Media for a nominal annual fee. With various training classes, strong mentorship and support, our members share their voices and have produced award winning programs.

For over fifteen years CAPS has managed two Public Access Television Channels 6 and 15 and more recently. one Public Access Radio Station, KPPQ.

In 2019 alone CAPS provided over 27,000 hours of services. These include directing, broadcasting and streaming 55 City meetings, including City Council, Design Review, Planning and Historic Preservation and 19 VUSD board meetings. We rebroadcast VC Board of Supervisors meetings. The CAPS staff provided more than 15,000 hours of Production Services in support of the community. Our well- established programs of media education for students and community groups totaled almost 10,000 hours. More importantly, we’ve helped to inspire and support youth voices as they created award winning programs.

Exciting new chapters in the story of Community Access Partners of San Buenaventura await us all when our community emerges together from the current crisis. With that in mind, all of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Ventura Botanical Gardens announces re-opening with new hours

With the re-opening, new COVID protocols are in play.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) recently announced the COVID reopening date of Saturday, June 6. The Gardens have been closed due to both the pandemic and subsequent new construction including sponsorship sites and entrance development.

With the re-opening, new COVID protocols are in play. The Merewether Welcome Center entrance is now set up for non-contact social distancing. The exit has been moved to the back of the education structure—signs will point the way. There will be a limited entry of 50 visitors in the entirety of the Gardens. These protocols are based on National Public Gardens guidelines and are subject to change.

The Gardens are open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Mondays and temporarily on Tuesdays). Entrance is free on Fridays (formerly on Tuesdays)—the change was made in part to facilitate opportunities for long weekends. Admission is $7 per person. Visitors can same day pay online at vbgpay.com, or pay at the door. Non-contact credit card payment is preferred over cash, but not required. Members are free. Children under 18 are free. EBT cardholders are free. The upper gardens north of Summit Drive are free and open to pedestrians when Grant Park is open. The upper gardens are accessible by walking from Summit Drive, Brakey Road, or Ferro Drive. Leashed dogs are welcome on Fridays and Wednesdays. The Gardens will also be open and free to the public on International Climate Change Day, June 21.

Aside from these public health and safety guidelines, visitors will be treated to a new entrance walkway. Local architects, Noah Greer and Martha Picciotti, designed the entrance. Halter-Encinas Landscaping did the construction.

“It was a real challenge starting with a long, steep asphalt driveway. We used redwood pickets set on stepped walls to add texture and frame the entry,” said Noah, lead designer. “Those pickets will soon enclose the new nursery, so visitors will be able to look into the heart of the gardens as they walk by.”

Additionally, both the Fynbos Garden and the Karoo Gardens, located near Summit Plateau, are showing substantial changes. In the Fynbos Garden, the protea are enjoying a full bloom of reds, yellows and oranges and in the Karoo Garden, the young aloe trees are beginning to mature.

For more information or to learn more about the Gardens, please visit our website, Facebook or Instagram pages.

The nonprofit organization has a 40-year Master Plan dedicated to creating a botanical garden celebrating the Mediterranean climate regions. The setting is a world-class site with spectacular views of the California coastline, verdant agricultural vistas, the Channel Islands and Ojai’s Topa Topa peak. VBG will continue to create new outdoor opportunities for training, research, and educational programs ranging from horticulture and botany to sustainability.

We stand and kneel together

Ethan Messecar and Phil Taggart getting ready to roll camera at the VUSD graduation.

Citizens all across the nation are letting their voices be heard in peaceful protest, condemning the reprehensible actions of police officers in Minneapolis that resulted in the horrific death of George Floyd.  All of us at CAPS Media were sickened and saddened by what we saw.   We do not condone racism, discrimination, inequality, or violence towards anyone.  We stand in solidarity with our community and support everyone in exercising their first amendment right to assemble and to petition government to redress grievances.

CAPS Media is a Community Public Access Center that offers everyone in our community a  place to share your voice and be heard on television, radio and online.  CAPS Board and staff members are committed to encouraging and ensuring every one’s opinion can be expressed freely and openly to the public. We respect and thank those who have stood up for justice and knelt in solidarity during peaceful demonstrations.  We stand and kneel together.

Congratulations 2020 Grads! Recently CAPS Media crews joined the celebration of 2020 high school graduates from Buena, El Camino, Foothill Technology, Pacific and Ventura high schools. The two-day extravaganza was held in front of City Hall where more than 1,000 grads, dressed in cap and gowns, walked up the steps to receive their diploma while family members cheered from the street below. The massive event was coordinated by Ventura Unified School District in collaboration with the City and Ventura City Police. CAPS crews were on-hand from sunup to sundown on Saturday and Sunday to document the parade of graduates. The nearly twenty hours of video will be archived by VUSD.

More congratulations are in order for the talented media students at ECTV – El Camino Television, who won two awards at the National Community Media Hometown Awards. The Creative Community 2.0 Series won for the Best of Entertainment & Arts Series and the ECTV episode featuring Ventura Deputy Mayor, Sofia Rubalcava won for the best show in the Community Events category. Kudos to the entire ECTV team as well as instructor and mentor, Phil Taggart

Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis the CAPS Media crews have continuously provided extensive communication services to the City and County to help inform the public. CAPS produces updates by City officials and CAPS continues to direct the broadcast and streaming of City Council meetings and other committee meetings with remote participation by board members, committee members and city staff. CAPS Crews record the live County COVID-19 updates at the County government center and then edit/format the updates with titles and subtitles in Spanish. In addition, CAPS crews continue to produce numerous videos for Ventura County Fire, Public Health and other agencies

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the CAPS Media Center continues to remain closed to Members and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org. for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM. Upcoming Orientation, Camera, Editing, Studio and Radio classes will be posted on the website.

2020 CMH Auxiliary Junior Volunteer Scholarship Awards

Trudy Cook-President, Mary Hajjar, Natalie Ortiz, Marilyn Beal the Junior Chair, Tom Bartel and Tyler Castro in front of CMH (Esmeralda Saucedo not shown).

On June 11, five Junior Volunteers received scholarship in the park in front of CMH. Each of the following Junior Volunteers received a scholarship in the amount of $1,500.

Tom Bartel:

Tom volunteered at the front desk as a receptionist and a flyer for four years, with a total of 294.50 hours of service. While maintaining a 3.77 unweighted GPA at Foothill Technology High School, Tom was active in the school’s Bioscience Academy. He received the Platinum Award for Community Service at FTHS and will graduate Summa Cum Laude. In addition to his outstanding years of service, the attributes that make Tom a worthy recipient of the Maria Cavallo Scholarship are his strong work ethic, effective collaboration, and high personal integrity. Tom will be attending UC Santa Barbara in the fall where he will major in biology in pursuit of a career as a physician’s assistant.

Tyler Castro:

Tyler’s time of service, like all our Junior Volunteers, was cut short by Covid-19, but he was able accumulate 179 hours as he worked at the front desk as a receptionist and flyer. Tyler effectively balanced volunteering with academics and sports. He maintained a 3.91 unweighted GPA while playing varsity baseball at St. Bonaventure High School. His awards include four years of First Academic Honors, Bilingual Seal bearer, and Defensive Player of the Year for baseball. Tyler has the unique ability to be both competitive and compassionate, attributes that will serve him well as he pursues a career as an orthopedic surgeon. Tyler will be attending UC San Diego in the fall.

Mary Hajjar:

Mary was a volunteer in the critical care unit at CMH for nearly two years with 221 hours of service. Her strong work ethic is clear as Mary maintained a 3.83 unweighted GPA at Buena High School while volunteering and working. Mary’s volunteer activities extended beyond CMH to include the ALS Association’s Walk to Defeat ALS, Ventura County Story Fest and St. George’s youth organization. Fluent in three languages, Mary is an effective communicator, capable of overcoming challenges, and wears her heart on her sleeve. Ventura College is Mary’s destination for the fall where she will major in biology in preparation for her career as a hematologist.

Esmeralda Saucedo:

Esmeralda began her time as a Junior Volunteer at CMH when she was just a freshman at Foothill Technology High School. She began as a volunteer at the front desk, then, to broaden her experience, she transferred to the emergency department. With both services combined, Esmeralda has served 366 hours. Academics were a priority for Esmeralda which is evident by her 3.79 unweighted GPA, four years in Renaissance, and being awarded AVID Student of the Quarter her senior year. This highly capable, determined, goal-oriented young lady will be the first in her family to attend a university. She has been accepted at Cal Lutheran University where she will be a biology/pre-med major to prepare for her goal of being a general surgeon.

Audrey Woodburn Scholarship Recipient: Awarded $2,000.

Natalie Ortiz:

Natalie volunteered at CMH for three years and has 275 hours of service. She began volunteering in the Maternity A program and after two years, she switched to the emergency department. Natalie excelled academically at Foothill Technology High School earning a 3.75 unweighted GPA. Natalie’s activities included athletics, soccer, cross country, and track and field, along with being on ASB and Senior Council at FTHS. She received the Platinum Volunteer Award, is a Bilingual State Seal bearer, and received the CFS’s Exceptional Achievement award. This vibrant, empathetic, tenacious young lady will begin her journey to becoming a registered nurse at Ventura College in the fall.

Marlyss Auster selected to serve as At-Large Director on the Board of CalTravel

Marlyss and her “best friend” enjoying a day at the beach.

Visit Ventura is proud and happy to announce that Visit Ventura President & CEO Marlyss Auster was selected to serve as At-Large Director on the Board of the California Travel Association (CalTravel). The California Travel Association is the united voice of the travel and tourism industry in California, advocating on issues and legislation that affect the tourism industry.

“I’m so honored to be chosen to serve on CalTravel’s Board of Directors, and so proud to be Ventura’s representative at the table,” said Auster.

As one of the industries hardest hit by the fallout from COVID-19, tourism is facing historic challenges. After ten years of growth — in 2019 alone, tourism generated $144.9 billion in spending, created 1.2 million jobs and produced $12.2 billion in state and local taxes — COVID-19 upended everything. Travel industry unemployment is double that of the Great Depression; hundreds of thousands of tourism and hospitality workers are now unemployed in California — and millions are unemployed nationally. The travel industry needs immediate help. The livelihoods of millions of Americans depend on it.

Flipping things to an optimistic tack, tourism will be the very powerhouse that drives California — and the United States — back to its feet. And until that happens, organizations like Visit Ventura are working hard to keep their local economies (and morale) afloat. As soon as COVID-19 hit, Auster and her Visit Ventura team redirected their efforts, working harder than ever to encourage locals to support their own town in the absence of visitors. Visit Ventura generated a host of creative ideas –including “Takeout Tuesdays” (encouraging residents to buy takeout) and “Thirsty Thursdays” (a program of live Facebook tastings featuring local breweries, wineries, spirit makers, and even chocolatiers) — to help support the local economy. At the same time Auster’s team has been preparing for the future, putting together a multi-layered recovery plan that addresses everything from cautious, responsible recovery, to how to woo visitors in a fiercely competitive market — and make those visitors feel comfortable, welcome, and safe.

“Marlyss is an influential voice in the industry who has stood out among her peers for her leadership of her team and for her creative and communication skills,” said Barbara Newton, President & CEO of the California Travel Association. “I appreciate Marlyss’s active participation in our events and advocacy work, and we are thrilled to welcome her as an At Large Board Director at CalTravel.”

Auster will serve as At-Large Director on the Board of the California Travel Association for two years, beginning in June.

Socially distanced event held to support the virtual NAMI walk

NAMI dancing in the street.

by Jill Forman

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The classes, support groups and educational outreach it does benefits those with mental illness, their families and friends, and society at large.

All classes and groups are free to the participant. NAMI relies on donations and grants to supply these invaluable services. The biggest event of the year is the NAMI walk, in which thousands of teams and individuals raise funds.

Due to health concerns, the walk was cancelled this year, at least in its physical form. There was instead a Virtual Walk on May 30, “A National Day of Hope.”

One NAMI team, the NAMI Mommies, had a dance party on Mesa Circle Drive in the Clearpoint area of Ventura. Hope is a perfect theme for this neighborhood which was devastated by the Thomas Fire. Many of the houses are new or still under construction.

The Mommies is a group of women who met at a NAMI class for families of those with mental illness, and who continue to meet as a support group. They were joined by employees of the school district who were donating through this event.

The cul-de-sac had messages of hope and love chalked on the pavement. There were brief speeches Georgia Perry, a group member and the organizer of the event; Mark Stadler of the Ventura VPD; friends of the members; and a particularly effective and passionate address by Mary Haffner, local attorney and former member of the Ventura school board.

Then the DJ started the music, and there was dancing. Dancing for hope and for NAMI.

Free summer rowing camps

One-person boats for social distancing.

Thanks to a generous grant from Ventura and Ojai kids get to row for free this summer!

Learn to Row for Beginners and Advanced camp for Racing Team

Students from outside areas welcome at a regular rate of $150 per week.

Casitas Rowing is excited to offer this to our local families to support our community in the recovery efforts! All summer camps are free for student athletes grades 6th – 12th from Ventura and Ojai Unified School Districts.

  • All equipment wiped after each use
  • One-person boats for social distancing
  • Small class sizes with expert coaching
  • Outdoor activity on the water

Summer Camps Tentatively June – August 2020
Check website for updated schedules
Beginners and Advanced Camps

Limited Space so RSVP soon

To Register: Call 805-642-2288 or email [email protected]
www.CasitasRowing.org