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New Tai Chi Balance Classes in Ventura

Enjoy our beautiful sunsets while improving your balance.

Free classes improve balance, increase strength & flexibility

It’s the new year! Let’s improve our balance together and kick off a year of wellness by enrolling in one of five free senior Tai Chi classes starting in January or February.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance is a 12-week program offered by Oxnard RSVP focusing on improved mobility and balance among older adults. Classes are free, designed for those age 50 and older, and taught by certified senior volunteers. The evidence-based program consists of a simplified eight-form routine of Yang-style Tai Chi. Intended for beginners who can walk easily with or without assistive devices, it teaches participants balance skills and good body alignment by using coordinated and flowing movements. Studies have shown the classes reduce repeated falls by 55% among those who attend at least 75% of a session.

New classes are offered at the following locations:

  • The Bonaventure, 10949 Telegraph Road, T/Th late mornings
  • Coastal Communities Cancer Center 2900 Loma Vista Road, #105, T/Th mornings
  • Emerging Spirits Center, 4601 Telephone Road, #113, T/Th mornings
  • Our Lady of the Assumption, 3175 Telegraph Road, M/W mornings
  • Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue, T/Th afternoons

New participants are accepted only until the third class of each session, and pre-registration is required. Call 805-385-8019 to learn more or to register.

For those interested in being trained to teach classes, new volunteer instructors will be held in mid- 2020. You must be 55 and older to volunteer. Training is free and new volunteers are asked to commit to teaching at least two full sessions following certification.

RSVP is a volunteer recruitment and placement program, helping people 55 and older find volunteer positions that match their interests, talent and available time. The Oxnard RSVP has almost 575 members and is sponsored by the City of Oxnard. To learn more about being an RSVP member or to discuss other volunteer opportunities, call 805-385-8023.

Project Bicycle Love

Started as a grassroots project two years ago the need was so large that Project Bicycle Love incorporated this year to serve more children and has opened a local store. In the past two years they have given away almost 200 brand new bikes and helmets to kids in the Ventura County foster care system.

Project Bicycle Love works with the County of Ventura as well as local group homes, foster agencies, and foster families to get the names of kids/teens who could benefit from a new bike.

More information about the project can be found at www.bicyclelove.org. Pictured in front of the store are the owners, Eric and Janet Baucom.
Project Bicycle Love

4864 Market Street, Suite B
Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 795-2001
[email protected]
www.bicyclelove.org

Photos by Michael Gordon

Happy Holidays from CAPS Media

Standing Caps staff Jamie Cawelti, Jorge Godinez, Elizabeth Rodeno, Patrick Davidson, Evan Carpenter, Gary Roll and Alex Uvari. Seated Cliff Rodrigues, Donald McConnell, Manny Reynoso and Phil Taggart.

Best wishes for a Joyous Holiday Season and Festive New Year from your CAPS crew. 2019 has been a terrific year at CAPS and we look forward to more great work in 2020.

On Monday, December 9, CAPS Media met with the Ventura City Council to discuss a new contract for 2020 and the future. We thank the Council Members for the thoroughness of their deliberation in reviewing our request. The resolution was to give CAPS a one-month extension, until the end of January, 2020.

Everyone at CAPS greatly appreciates the overwhelming outpouring of support by Friends of CAPS who sent letters, emails and made calls to council members and city staff expressing your support for CAPS and the services we provide to the community. Your support provided the council with a much better appreciation for CAPS’ value and was instrumental in helping us continue.

However, we are asking that the letter writing, emailing and calling continue – keep up the campaign and share our story with others. Also we are adding a companion video and audio component to our efforts.

We offer Friends of CAPS an opportunity to speak directly to City Council Members and staff – on television, radio and through social media, expressing their support of CAPS.

Community supporters can record a message on their smart phone or computer and email it to CAPS at [email protected]. We will air the messages on channel 6, CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1fm and post them on social media.   For those who prefer to record their message at CAPS, we are scheduling production time in the CAPS studio for our friends to come and record a short message. To schedule a time in the studio send an email to [email protected] and we will contact you to schedule a convenient time.

Last week the CAPS crew had the opportunity to record the last in a series of meetings held by the Senior Strategic Ad-Hoc Committee. The Senior Strategic Plan – Community Vision meeting was held at Avenue Adult Senior Center. With a standing room only crowd, the community shared their ideas and concerns about how to enhance senior recreation services to the consultant hired to explore the programing and gather information to assess the needs of the community. Topics included what types of recreation are available, does the city need another senior center and how to promote and provide information on programs available to the community. With this information collected, a draft of the Strategic plan will be presented to city council in January.

All of us at CAPS look forward to continue to collaborate with our members to create engaging and informative programs for Ventura. Again, best wishes this holiday season from your friends at CAPS Media.

Ventura Unified School District expanding educational options

An expanded K-8 option will be available at Blanche Reynolds Elementary.

At a Special Board Study Session on Mon., Dec. 2, the Ventura Unified School District Board of Education approved staff moving forward with a new secondary level program to serve students who require additional flexibility in their lives and therefore need an online based program. Additionally, the Board approved moving forward with expanding the K-8 offerings in the District to include both a midtown and east end option for families.

“In an environment of declining enrollment, the Board and District staff are working hard to offer options to serve the diverse needs of all its students.  At the same time we need to attract and retain students in the District,” stated Dr. Roger Rice, Superintendent.

The secondary level program is scheduled to open next Fall on the El Camino High School (ECHS) campus. Traditionally, VUSD loses more than 100 students per year to schools with the limited classroom model. A vigorous marketing effort will occur to ensure the community is clear on whom the program is intended to serve and to ensure that the existing ECHS program retains all of its excellence and remains a robust and attractive option for the students it currently serves.

The two expanded K-8 options are slated to open in the Fall of 2021. The midtown option is being planned for Blanche Reynolds Elementary and the process for determining an east end location is just beginning. The new K-8 offerings will also serve the District’s efforts to attract and retain students and families who want smaller learning communities as an option to the larger, more traditional middle school setting. A TK program already exists at Blanche Reynolds making this a TK-8 option. Waiting until the Fall of 2021 will provide the District additional time to develop program components and an educational focus, which could include thematic programs and re-branding.

“We are very excited about these new options for students,” stated Board President Sabrena Rodriguez. “VUSD listened to feedback from students, families, and staff. These new options will allow us to provide modern options for the ever-changing educational needs of our community.”

For more information, contact Hector Guerrero, Director of Educational Options at [email protected] or 805-289-1955.

Senior Strategic Plan findings and visioning session

The sessions were led by Dr. Teresa Penbrooke of GreenPlay.

by Jill Forman

On December 9th and 10th Ventura’s Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Department held Community Meetings to reveal and discuss the results of surveys from the community.

The sessions were led by Dr. Teresa Penbrooke of GreenPlay, a consulting firm specializing in parks, recreation and open space. Her firm designed, administered and analyzed the surveys and will be making recommendations, what she termed “…a road map for the next 25 years.”

Surveys were available in many venues and formats, 680 citizens completed them. Their purpose was to identify goals for Senior Services by involving the seniors with meetings as well as surveys; to assess the city’s capacity and recommendations for improvement.

A key point in senior programs, which Penbrooke emphasized, is to nurture body, mind and spirit.

Respondents list the city’s strengths as: high quality programs, senior nutrition, wonderful staff, the MyVentura guide, and existing community partnerships. Weakness are: lack of affordable housing, insufficient public transportation, and fewer programs on the East side. (Victoria is chosen as separation between the parts of the city.) Recommendations are: better communication, increased lifelong learning opportunities, multigenerational programs, safer street, more community partnerships, and better opportunities and support systems for “aging in place.”

Attendees at the meeting on December 9 verbalized increasing concern about the population of homeless seniors; Penbrooke acknowledged this along with the isolation of many seniors, the need to expanding senior nutrition and Senior Services staff. She also mentioned the possibility of increasing partnerships by drawing in houses of worship, private organizations, libraries and so on.

Barriers to using Senior Services were also discussed: lack of knowledge, lack of transportation and personal mobility, insufficient programming throughout the city.

When asked to prioritize needs, the desperate need of affordable housing for seniors was number one. Seniors are often on a fixed income and housing is increasingly expensive. This is a quality of life issue that affects the entire community. The other priorities listed were: increased public transportation, more nutritional services, social services and care services.

Penbrooke pointed out that these concerns are not limited to seniors but are system-wide. There is no master plan addressing these needs for the entire population. She said that it is necessary to develop a strategic plan of action to encompass all areas: spaces and facilities, programs and services, staff and customer service, gaps and potential partners to help fill those gaps.

Which brought her to the question that is the core of what the surveys and meetings and assessments and plans are trying to confront and solve: How do we develop and meet current and future needs?

Catch the “ELF on the GO” Holiday Bus at a stop near you

GCTD Board Chair City Council member Cheryl Heitmann cuts the ribbon to officially launch “Elf on the GO” for the 2019 Holiday season.

Ride Gold Coast Transit District’s decorated holiday bus until January 4.

Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD), with support from Montecito Bank and Trust and Rubberneck Signs, is excited to announce the fourth annual appearance of its popular “Elf on the GO” holiday bus.

This year’s “Elf on the GO” holiday bus design is especially timely given the recent snow we are enjoying in the nearby mountains. The snowy “Elf on the GO” village is bustling with activity as jolly elves are happily building toys, wrapping presents and playing in the snow. Onlookers are sure to smile as they see the elves peering out the bus windows as they await the next stop to exit. On board, passengers are embraced with festive decorations and holiday music for a truly memorable experience.

GCTD’s 40-foot holiday bus will appear throughout GCTD’s service area. Passengers are encouraged to take pictures, tag #ElfontheGO and post to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for a chance to win goodies and prizes.

“We are thrilled to once again do our part to spread holiday cheer throughout the communities we serve”, said GCTD General Manager, Steven P. Brown. “It’s something we look forward to each year as it brings joy to the passengers who board and smiles to passersby.”

Sightings of the “Elf on the GO” bus can be tracked by searching #ElfontheGO on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or by visiting www.GoldCoastTransit.org.

Ventura County Ballet brings Nutcracker Ballet to local elementary students

Emma Steiner, 14, as Clara is menaced by Rat Queen Alyssia Troutman, 16 during a rehearsal.

Nearly 400 students from local elementary schools will get a lesson in music, dance and history all rolled into one when they attend a special performance of “The Nutcracker” by Ventura County Ballet on Friday, December 13, at Ventura College Performing Arts Center at 9:30 AM.

The interactive program features the full first act of the beloved holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker,” danced by more than 80 students of Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the Ventura County Ballet. The dancers, ranging in age from 6-16, will be accompanied by the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra, giving the young audience a chance to hear a live orchestra as well as see the dancers up close and personal. The sets and backdrops were hand-painted in Russia and are being used for the first time this year by Ventura County Ballet.

Brett Weidlich, globally-renown dancer and choreographer and current faculty member at Ballet Academy Ventura, will emcee the program, which includes opportunities for students to come on stage and even try out some ballet steps. Teachers from participating schools will receive study manuals in advance to round out the experience, which meets California curriculum standards.

Kathleen Noblin, Ventura Country Ballet Executive Director, explains, “It’s our mission to bring world-class ballet to the community and to bring the joy of dance to children who might otherwise not have the opportunity to experience it. We also hope to ignite a love of dance in young people that may one day serve as a springboard to a university dance program or dance company.”

Ventura County Ballet is presenting its 21st annual Nutcracker this year. Performances are on December 7 and 8 at 2:00 PM at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center and at Ventura College on December 13 at 7:00 PM, December 14 at 2 and 7:00 PM and December 15 at 2:00 PM. The Ventura College Symphony Orchestra accompanies all performances.

The Ventura County Ballet is a non-profit organization bringing world class, professional dance performances to our community. We provide top quality instruction to hundreds of young people as a springboard to universities and dance companies. Through scholarships and outreach, they bring the joy of dance to underserved children throughout our area. https://www.venturacountyballet.com/

It all began with a community gathering of volunteer singers

The GCCC performs three concerts each year. Photos by De Schrepper Photography

“Hey gang! Let’s put on a show!” This cheerful cry, reminiscent of a Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland musical, could have been heard at the inception of the Gold Coast Concert Chorus.

It all began with a community gathering of volunteer singers who joined with a church choir for a performance of Handel’s “Messiah” in 1987. Ventura’s Trinity Lutheran Church was celebrating its 50th anniversary. All singers in Ventura County who wished to participate were invited to join the celebration. Many of the singers enjoyed themselves so much, that they decided to continue to get together on a regular basis.

More than 30 years later, many of those first participants, along with many others, have been performing regularly. Along with three annual concerts, the dedicated volunteers sing for many local events such as the Ventura County Fair, the opening of the newly refurbished Community Memorial Hospital, a candlelit Christmas concert at the Ventura Mission, and at the Veterans Home of California. The group also has taken the “show on the road” performing many concerts in Europe and Hawaii, and twice at Carnegie Hall. Many of the group will be singing again at the iconic venue in 2020!

The GCCC performs three concerts each year: a holiday concert each December, a classical concert in March, and a “pops” concert in June. Currently under the dynamic direction of Ms. Elizabeth Helms, and assisted with dedication and talent by Jessica Helms as many as 90 singers approach the joyful task from various levels of musical talent and experience. Although they are a “non audition” choral group, what they lack in formal musical training, they more that make up for in enthusiasm and dedication.

Tickets are now available for the glorious Holiday concert “Harmony & Hope” which will be Friday, December 13 at 7:30 pm, and Saturday, December 14 at 2:00 pm at the Crosspoint Church, 5415 Ralston Street #6001, Ventura. Tickets are $5 for children, $15 for seniors and students, and $18 for adults. Call 805-616-7269 or order on line at www.GoldCoastChorus.org

3rd annual Christmas Bike Giveaway

Bike giveaway helps children in foster care.

Project Bicycle Love, a local non-profit, is pleased to announce the 3rd annual Christmas Bike Giveaway is underway. In partnership with Coastlands Real Estate Group, this project will provide over 140 children in the foster system with a brand-new bicycle at Christmas. Started as a grassroots project two years ago the need was so large that Project Bicycle Love incorporated this year to serve more children. In the past two years they have given away almost 200 brand new bikes and helmets to kids in the Ventura County foster care system.

Project Bicycle Love works with the County of Ventura as well as local group homes, foster agencies, and foster families to get the names of kids/teens who could benefit from a new bike.
More information about the project can be found at www.bicyclelove.org.

10th Annual Holiday Donation Drive at Kids & Families Together

Is it more fun to pet Charles or Santa?

Kids & Families Together and Heart 2 Heart are conducting their 10th Annual Holiday Donation Drive for the Annual Holiday Gift Away event on Saturday, December 7, from 10am-1pm in Ventura. They will be serving over 200 children with their caregivers in the Ventura County community. Currently seeking donations of pajamas from infant to adult size, blankets, games, art supplies, gift cards for the teens, and drawing items for our give-away. They are there to show the children they care about them and appreciate the caregivers who open their homes to these children. It takes a loving village to raise these children.

The event will be a family fun day, including a picture with Santa, games, arts/crafts, a movie, treats, and each child will be gifted with pajamas, toys, and other donated items for the family!

They are very grateful to our business and community donors and our numerous volunteers who have helped make this event possible! If you would like to donate or volunteer, please visit https://www.kidsandfamilies.org/ or contact Jeni Futvoye, Community Resource Manager at 805-643-1446 ext. 108, [email protected].

They will schedule a donation pick-up or donations can be dropped no later than December 5th at office: Kids & Families Together, 864 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura. Donations can also be purchased from Amazon wish list:  http://a.co/a64QVFd and they accept monetary donations, checks payable to Kids & Families Together, Resource Family Support.
With your help, we will create a wonderful and cozy holiday season for foster/resource, kinship, adopted children with the families we serve.