Category Archives: Home Page Links

Giving back to the local community

Denise Tyner, facility liaison at Ventura Post Acute receives the “Thank you VPA HEROES” sign from Cypress Place Senior Living.

Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura has a long history of giving back to the local community: whether it be collecting suitcases for kids in the foster care program, hosting an annual “Health & Wealth” expo geared towards seniors, creating a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, hosting workshops on how to avoid senior scams, or honoring Veterans at their annual “Salute Our Veterans” event, the senior community is always looking to help.

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus this year, and the subsequent stay-at-home orders, the senior community has had to cancel their annual “Health and Wealth” expo and “Salute Our Veterans” events for 2020.

But that hasn’t slowed the senior community from continuing to look for ways to reach out. Wanting to recognize local healthcare heroes, Cypress Place recently delivered a decorated thank you board filled with gift cards for nurses and staff at local skilled nursing facility Ventura Post Acute, to honor them during National Skilled Nursing Care week.

“Ventura Post Acute is on the front lines of protecting a very frail and at-risk population. The challenges they face are enormous and the work they do is vital,” said Steve Spira, executive director at Cypress Place. “We wanted to donate gift cards that they could raffle off to their staff, to show our appreciation, and hopefully brighten their day a bit.”

Recognizing the opportunity to also support another local business with the donation, Cypress Place purchased the gift cards from Café Ficelle, a popular, local family-owned business that has been greatly impacted by the virus and shelter-in-place order.

“We can’t thank Cypress Place enough for their sign of support for our nurses and staff,” said Denise Tyner, facility liaison at Ventura Post Acute. “Little things like this make such a big difference to keep everyone’s spirits lifted. And the photos of Cypress residents make it that much more personal.”

Cypress Place has delivered other signs of support, including to local hospital partners, and continues to look to be a positive force in the community.

“We are all in this together,” said Spira. “We are all just looking to get through it the best we can.”

Cypress Place Senior Living is a premiere senior community in Ventura County. The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard.

To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com.

City of Ventura to allow limited access to parks and beaches

A limited amount of people and horses have beach access.

On Monday, April 20, 2020, the Ventura City Council unanimously voted to institute limited closures of Ventura’s beaches and parks. The City’s decision provides restricted access to its parks, beaches, the Promenade, and Pier in support of balancing residents’ physical and mental health while restricting non-essential activities.

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere stated “We want to provide an opportunity for our community to enjoy our amazing resources in a socially-responsible manner while we continue to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Walking, hiking, jogging, running, or biking, is permitted as long as those engaging in these activities do not linger in any location. Sidewalks, walking paths, trails and tracks within all public parks are open for use as long as the public adheres to the social distancing requirements outlined in the “Stay Well at Home” order, set by the Ventura County Health Officer.

“We know the public desperately wants to bring their families to the beach or the park, but we’re not there yet,” said City Manager Alex McIntyre. “The limited closure access to City parks and beaches will continue as long as the public complies with social distancing rules and there are no group gatherings. Our intent is to provide community members with opportunities to enjoy healthy outdoor activities while continuing to maintain social and physical distancing. All parks have limited closures. We aren’t calling them “open”, we are staying consistent with the ordinance language, per CA’s office direction. To that end, people may use the parks for jogging, hiking, walking, running, but all playgrounds, courts, sport fields, parking lots, basketball courts, and restrooms are closed. Signs are up at each park reminding users what is allowed under a limited closure and that there is no laying down, sitting, or standing, it is active movement only.”

Playgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots, restrooms, pools, courts, as well as sports and recreational fields will remain closed. Public gatherings, sitting, standing, fishing, or lingering on the sand will not be allowed. Limited access signage will be prominently posted around parks and beaches to remind the public to comply with physical distancing practices.

For the latest updates on impacts to the City of Ventura, visit www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/COVID19. For public health information and updates happening in Ventura County, visit www.VCEmergency.com.

The significance of Denim Day

“We are aiming for a bigger and better movement for sure next year.”

by Mira Reverente

A group of local women took to the streets on April 29th to highlight Denim Day, a worldwide movement that culminated in Italy, in 1992.

An 18-year-old girl was raped by her 45-year-old driving instructor. She reported the crime and the man was convicted and sentenced. Years later, he appealed the conviction claiming the sex was consensual. The Italian Supreme Court overturned the conviction and released the man. The Supreme Court contended that since the girl was wearing very tight jeans, it was consensual sex since she had to have helped him take them off.

This became known in Italy as the “jeans alibi.” The movement became known later on as Denim Day all around the world, bringing awareness to rape and sexual assault.

“Tight jeans is not consensual sex,” says Kelly Zirbes, a local activist and band singer from Oxnard. Zirbes led the nine-mile walk on April 29th with six other women, hoping to bring awareness to the cause.

Behavioral therapist Laurie Singer was also around to lend support to Zirbes and the movement. “I’ve seen some lonely and housebound people especially since the start of the lockdown – people with disabilities, for one,” says Singer, who practices in Oxnard. “They may be helpless, disconnected from others, living with their abuser and accepting assault or violence as the new norms.”

Sometimes, medical professionals such as Singer who are mandated reporters, are their only meaningful connections. “I make house calls if I have to. I don’t like to see any type of abuse,” she says.

On the community level, Zirbes is heartened by how the movement has taken off on college campuses. She remembers various types of denim hanging from clotheslines on some college campuses, and hopes to see more of this type of enthusiasm and support.

She says, “I think that is where we will be the most effective because it’s that age group of young women who may be preyed upon.”

Catchy slogans and marching women are effective too. Singer says, “People were honking at us, reading our placards and giving encouragement during our walk.”

Some have no idea what Denim Day is. “There’s still lots to do on the grassroots level,” says Zirbes. “Awareness is key.”

In the past, fundraisers have been held. The recent lockdown has put a damper on any large-scale ambitions, but there’s still next year.

“We are aiming for a bigger and better movement for sure next year, and hopefully beyond Ventura too” says Zirbes. “We need to get the word out for our daughters’ sakes and all the women in the world who may find themselves in the same situation.”

CAPS Media producing updates on COVID-19

Student Jacob Sommer from El Camino High School is part of the team.

CAPS Media Crews are working with Ventura City and County officials to produce ongoing COVID-19 updates for the community. In addition to helping facilitate coverage and streaming of City Council meetings from Ventura City Hall, CAPS crews are producing weekly updates by Ventura City Mayor Matt LaVere and collaborating with Ventura City Fire, Police and Public Works departments to provide the community with additional accurate information.

CAPS Crews are also on site for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday County updates by Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin and other officials. All of the updates are distributed on multiple social media platforms as well as translated for the Spanish speaking community. Rest assured that CAPS crew members are taking every precaution to be safe during this difficult time.

CAPS RADIO KPPQ 104.1 FM is very involved in the public COVID-19 information campaign. City Council meetings held on Monday evenings are rebroadcast on KPPQ on Wednesday nights at 10pm. CAPS RADIO is also rebroadcasting every County and City update the following day and reposting videos on CAPS Media’s Facebook page and other social media platforms.

KPPQ producers are creating video diaries and recording their shows from home including interviews with community members and leaders. The KPPQ productions extend beyond the borders with radio producer Mary Egan working in her home studio and sending audio updates from Sydney, Australia for airing on KPPQ.

Students in the El Camino high school at Ventura College program who are actively engaged in the ECTV immersive media program, recently won two national awards from ACM (Alliance for Community Media). In the Community Events category, ECTV won for an in-depth profile and interview by Eli Zarate and her ECTV crew with Ventura Deputy Mayor, Sofia Rubalcava at the first Va Por La Avenida at Kellogg Park. The second award, in the Entertainment and Arts Series category, was for a series of programs called Creative Community 2.0, which is a collaboration between host David Starkey, a teacher at Santa Barbara City College and the entire ECTV crew. During the COVID-19 crisis ECTV students are producing PSA and other messages that are broadcast and streamed on CAPS Media and rebroadcast on KPPQ.

Thanks to everyone who submitted projects to CAPS Media’s #VENTURASTORIES. CAPS is reviewing the submissions and will start rolling out selected stories in the next couple of weeks. Send CAPS your Story. Be creative, imaginative and informative. Make #VenturaStories a family project with videos of kids, pets, cooking, hobbies, sports, art, music, games, movie/book/tv reviews, exercise and more.

Or, if you know a health care worker, service person or neighbor you want to thank, #VenturaStories is a great way to do it. When you’re ready for your television premiere, submit your work of art to #VenturaStories at capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find simple instructions on how to upload your video as well as production tips and additional information.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the CAPS Media Center is closed to Member/Producers 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.

All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Ventura Pier provides meaningful memories

Wouldn’t you like your name here? Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Pier into the Future, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the historic Ventura Pier is offering permanent engravings on the granite panels at the entrance to the Pier for $175 through May 31, 2020. Beginning June1st the price will increase to $200. The engravings provide a meaningful way to honor a family or to memorialize a loved one.

“Our goal this year is to raise funds to provide increased security, graffiti removal and extra cleanings to ensure the Pier is safe and clean. Once the Pier is reopened, we look forward to welcoming residents back to a place that is safe and provides a sense of hope”, said Pier Into the Future Executive Director Jenise Wagar-Hernandez.

With the largest fundraiser of the year, Pier Under the Stars (normally held in October), cancelled this year due to Covid 19, Pier into the Future is hoping the community will consider having their name engraved on the Pier to help supplement the loss of revenue from the event. Pier Under the Stars- Ventura’s largest food and drink event- will take a year off and will return again on October 2, 2021.

Pier into the Future was founded by a group of dedicated community leaders, in partnership with the City of Ventura, to establish an endowment fund to maintain and enhance the historic Ventura Pier for future generations to enjoy. The organization has contributed over $811,000 to the City of Ventura over the last 27 years to enhance the Pier.

Please visit www.pierintothefuture.org or call 805.804.7735 for more information about pier engravings or other ways to support the historic Ventura Pier

Beyond video calls, helping seniors battle loneliness, boredom during social isolation

“I’m sure our grandkids will enjoy using our recipe books.”

by Maura Horton

There are more than 52 million Americans who are age 65 and older, and many of them are currently staying at home isolated to help reduce their exposure to coronavirus. Not being able to engage in normal activities like going to the gym, club meetings, out to eat with friends, shopping and visiting in person with family members can lead to boredom, loneliness and depression. Now that self-distancing has been recommended through the end of the month at least, it is going to take creativity to help older adults stay engaged and connected. Phone calls or family video chats are a great place to start, but even those can start to drag with everyone sitting at home and not really having anything new to discuss.

Now that everyone has been forced to slow down and has more free time at home, this is the perfect time to tackle projects that have been on the To-Do list for years but never seem to get done. For example, have grandparents and older members of the family share and create family mementos.

  • Write letters to kids or grandkids about things you’ve always wanted to say or stories you want to share.
  • Grandparents should dig out photos of their children when they were the ages of the grandkids. Show the grandkids these photos and then share stories about what their parents did when they were their age.
  • Set up virtual lessons for your kids or grandkids of things you always wanted to teach or they always wanted to learn but there was never time for – teach them how to knit or sew, give cooking lessons, share the wisdom and love of certain activities you may have.
  • Get out all your favorite family recipes and create a recipe book for your kids or grandkids.

You can also adapt activities you would normally do in person and find ways to do them virtually through video chats.

  • Play games virtually like checkers and tell your grandkids where to move the pieces.
  • Have dinner together. While you may not be able to visit a favorite restaurant or sit together at the same table right now you can get together on video chat and share a meal together virtually.

While it can be hard to be physically separated right now there are many ways that we can all still connect with each other. It just might take a little more creativity than jumping in the car or booking a reservation at the same restaurant you always meet at. Look at this time as a gift to do things you may normally never otherwise get to do together and turn challenging times into memories that will be cherished for years to come.

The Care Coach, is a voice of guidance and experience for caregivers. She was her husband’s primary caregiver during his decade long battle with early onset Parkinson’s disease. Follow Maura on social media @carecoachadvice.

 

 

Serenading those from balconies

Steve has played keyboard and accordion with a variety of bands in Ventura.

Steve likes to perform for seniors. The Ventura Townehouse entertains their residents by presenting live musicians several times a week. Because of the virus they can’t play inside as always so they have Steve Ormond, and others serenading them from outside.

They got creative and told residents to come outside so they could see live music from their balconies.

Steve has been an elementary school teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District for 31 years, always teaching the primary grades. Music has always been an important part of his classes as a method of teaching all subjects to his young students. A piano, accordion, guitar, ukulele, banjo, and plenty of rhythm instruments are always on hand.

For the last twenty years, he has played keyboard and accordion with a variety of bands in Ventura, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara County, including Dixieland, jazz, classic rock, Latin, folk and klezmer.

He stated “I have performed regularly at assisted living and memory care facilities throughout three counties. Performing for these residents is exceptionally rewarding for me. I can’t put a monetary value on the feeling I get from seeing people smile, tap their feet, dance or sing along—especially when performing for memory care residents.”

Samantha Crisp, Director of Marketing said “We love to be creative and keep up the residents love for music and I give Anne, our Activities Director credit for this genius idea. No one has ever done this before but the Townehouse. We love doing new things for our residents. We liken this to pulling a rabbit out of the hat for our residents. We do that more times than we can count.”

CAPS Media crews producing coronavirus updates

Are you ready for your television premiere?

CAPS Media crews are working closely with Ventura City and Ventura County officials to provide accurate and updated information on the coronavirus emergency. CAPS Crews are covering all County updates at the Government Center with videos posted at vcemergency.com/videos. CAPS is also creating Spanish language translations of the county messages for posting at vcemergency.com/covid19-sp/videos-sp.

CAPS crews are collaborating with the City of Ventura Police and Fire departments and with the Ventura County Fire department to create additional messages for the community and for internal use for emergency responders. Rest assured, CAPS Crew members are taking every precaution to be safe during these productions. All of the CAPS informational videos are being distributed on multiple platforms including City and County websites, CAPS Media, Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.

The current emergency hasn’t slowed down the determined DJs and producers at CAPS Radio at 104.1fm. CAPS Media Radio Station Director Elizabeth Rodeno has launched a campaign to have listeners, DJs and producers record brief audio diaries about what their lives are like during the distance socializing era. Broadcasters from Australia to Ventura submitted audio shorts about local community organizations and activities. Kat Merrick, Pam Baumgardner, Kathy Good, Nadine Piche, Craig Rosen, Mary Egan and other KPPQ DJs are providing personal insights, public service information, fitness and health tips and more.

If you have a message to share on KPPQ, Ventura’s public access radio station, record your 30 to 60 second daily entry and email it to [email protected]. Tune into 104.1fm to hear the latest updates from the city and county.

Special thanks to everyone who submitted videos for CAPS Media’s #VenturaStories project – they’re great. In a week or so we will launch the first edition of the series.

Everyone has a Story to share. Be Creative – make #VenturaStories a family project with kids, pets, cooking, hobbies, sports, art, music, games and more. If you want to thank someone for a special act of kindness – #VenturaStories is a great way to do it. Teachers and students – do you have a fun or fascinating school project? Share it on #VenturaStories. Ventura Artists – demonstrate your unique talent with a #VenturaStories video. The series is also a place to share safety, health and shelter-in-place tips and messages during the current emergency. We’re looking for positive, feel-good stories that are entertaining, inspiring, enlightening and informative that we can share on television on Channel 6 and stream online at capsmedia.org.

For more info on #VenturaStories go to capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find story ideas, production tips and other information. Keep in mind that #VenturaStories are best when they are short (3-5 minutes or less) and positive. Commercials and advertising are not acceptable and cannot be aired.

When you’re ready for your television premiere, submit your work of art to #VenturaStories online at capsmedia.org/venturastories where you will find simple instructions on how to upload your video. CAPS Media will determine which videos air and when they will air and stream. CAPS Media reserves the right to not air or distribute any videos for any reason.

Due to the Coronavirus emergency the CAPS Media Center is 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. All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Ventura Breeze Honor Roll

Thank you so much to the following (and anonymous folks) who contributed
to keep the Breeze alive. You are very special to all of us.

Adela Trainor
Alison Carlson
Anne Reisinger
Anonymous
Antonio Figureida
Bob & Cheryl Wheeler
Carol Spector
Catterall Ceramics
Cheryl & Dennis Heitmann
Cheryl Serr
Christian McCusker
Connie Perez
Dan Osborn
Deborah Beattie
Debra Baile
Donna Miller
Ed Wehan
Elizabbeth Harper
Fancy Pantz Face & Body Art
Helga and Egmont von Websky
I A Vinas
James McPhie
Jean M Bennett-Sheaks
Jean Nussman
Jill Forman
Jill Wilson
Jocelyn Hotzler
Jodeen Frank Sales
John Darling
John Herndon
Julia F. Campbell
Ken McAlpine
Kurt Triffet
Lynn Wooster-Roemer
Mai Pham
Marla Brown
Martha Jaffe
Michael Estrada
Michael Merewether
Nelson Wallace
Patti Channer
Patty Jenkins
Priscilla Holmes
Sandy Powell
Sharon McKinney
Sharon Rishel
Siri Weber Feeney
Stephanie Joyce
Steve Noll
Susan Hancock
Suz Montgomery
Terri & Jim Capito
Terry Quick
Tina Figurski

Vista del Mar Hospital is serving the community

Coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings to all hospital visitors and staff.

Vista del Mar Hospital is using technology to support its Outpatient Services (OPS) programming during the stay-at-home restrictions to combat the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Since Governor Newsom mandated California residents to stay home, followed by a similar order from the County of Ventura, Vista del Mar’s OPS has made the move to provide Telehealth Services.

Psychiatrists and nurses are able to meet with patients individually, with weekly in-person check-ins scheduled to adhere to social distancing protocols. Technology and creativity allow patients and therapists to stay connected. Care packages with individualized messages and art supplies for expressive therapy has been sent to each patient.

Vista del Mar Hospital uses Zoom, a technology that unifies secure video conferencing, web meetings and group collaboration. Vista’s program curriculum has been uploaded so that patients can see their therapist and the curriculum side by side. In addition,

Vista del Mar Hospital has partnered with the CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) Nursing Department to provide Coronavirus (COVID-19) screenings to all hospital visitors and staff.

“We are thrilled to have student nurses helping the hospital to ensure that all individuals coming to our campus are screened following the CDC-recommended screening process,” said Jenifer Nyhuis, Vista del Mar’s CEO. Student nurses are conducting COVID-19 screenings from 7 am to 7 pm of all incoming persons to the hospital. After each student nurse is screened themselves, they then screen incoming persons. This includes reading temperatures, completing a Coronavirus questionnaire, logging anyone with a temperature of 100.4 and over, and providing instructions.

According to Dr. Lynette Landry, PhD/RN and Chair of the Nursing Department, the partnership has been a great opportunity for the university’s nursing students to take an active role in decreasing the spread of the virus. “We are very grateful for the opportunity to help VDM and our community as we navigate this crisis. Students are learning the importance of civic engagement and the ethical/moral responsibilities of a nurse to provide comfort and care to the community particularly in a time of crisis.”

Vista del Mar Hospital and CSUCI worked together to create procedures and implement them. “The speed, professionalism, and competency of the CSUCI nursing leadership has been beyond expectations. I am looking forward to future collaboration in coming months and years,” added Nyhuis.

CSUCI’s Nursing Department will be providing COVID-19 screenings at Vista del Mar through May 2020.
normally be able to, like something special in their room or a pet. We have also found a creative way to continue our expressive therapy sessions, as it can prove beneficial for patients to freely express themselves. This not only reduces anxiety and stress, but it promotes problem solving skills and leads to positive feelings such as pride and accomplishment.”