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Bras For A Cause® 2019 is a wrap!

The event was dedicated to what the Soroptimists provide to the community’s women.

by Juliann Laufer

Whew! What a wonderful event that was hosted by Soroptimist International of Oxnard on Sunday, October 27!

Almost 200 attended that meant filling the Ballroom at the Courtyard by Marriott – Oxnard/Ventura close to capacity for the 6th Year extravaganza. The event is dedicated to their Comfort Kits (gift bags for mastectomy patients service by St. John’s Regional Medical centers in Camarillo and Oxnard) and, generally, to programs the Soroptimists provide to the community’s women and girls.

The tables were decorated in pink in observance of October – Breast Cancer Awareness month with lovely rose centerpieces that went home with one lucky winner from each table. Festooning the two sides of the room were Raffle Opportunities using the ticket-in-the-bag for only your favorites. There were Silent Auction offerings with bid sheets and many bottles of wine (and maybe a bit of the hard stuff, too!) to choose your preferences. The club displayed their activities board, their STOP Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery accomplishments board and, most importantly, the contents of a Comfort Kit.

And the pièces de résistance: the decorated mannequins, in all their glory, were spread across the entire back wall of the room! The line-up started with “The Luck of the Irish” ended with “Harley Girl” with many exotic and well designed manikins in-between. Was your favorite patriotic? What about beachy? Or were you one of the bidding contestants for the candy adorned “Cancer Sucks” creation?

If you only went for the food, augmented by the open bar, you would have left happy! The Courtyard did a marvelous job from the meal to the unobtrusive service and topped it all off with dessert!

The Keynote Speaker was Dortha Chu, M.D., Ph.D., City of Hope, Santa Clarita who dispelled many myths about cancer in general and delivered much needed confidence about the cure rate for breast cancer, her specialty. Color her banner: Get Your Mammogram! She was followed by Alicia Zaragoza, NP-C, CN-RN, St. John’s Regional Cancer Center Nurse Navigator. She recalled stories of happiness from receivers of the Comfort Kits in Oxnard and Camarillo.

Perhaps your attendance was predicated on how could you help the patients. They covered that too! The Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Tom Holden, offered the audience an opportunity to sponsor a Comfort Kit or two with a show of your bidder’s paddle. More than 70 Kits earned sponsors!

The 6th Annual Bras for a Cause® is a WRAP! See you next year!

Although our chapter is in Oxnard, Soroptimist is a worldwide non profit organization…and, there is a chapter in Ventura. The Ventura Chapter is smaller, but they attended and participated in the event. Both Chapters focus on:

1. Making sure every woman in Ventura having a mastectomy goes home with a care kit

2. Giving cash awards to those who have overcome obstacles and continued their education (Live your Dream) Candidates must be in Ventura.

3. March in Ventura – Stop Human Trafficking

4. Helping young girls in lower income areas learn how to apply for college and scholarships (Dream it be It!)

Soroptimist International of Ventura

P.O. Box 6133

Ventura, CA 93006

[email protected]

Sherri Tarpchinoff Bennett, President 805-910-9620

Cyndi Damron, Membership 805-216-4728

Facebook www.facebook.com/SoroptimistVentura

Website: www.soroptimistventura.org

Juliann Laufer Soroptimist International Oxnard can be reached at [email protected]

907-250-0549

Snapdragon Place Apartments, Phase II

Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere addressed the attendees with Chief Executive Margarita de Escontrias at his side. Photos by Michael Gordon and Bernie Goldstein

On Nov. 15 a ribbon cutting, and grand opening was held for the Snapdragon Place Apartments, Phase II, Cabrillo’s newest affordable housing complex in Ventura.

Cabrillo is developing the project in partnership with the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura, which will serve as the property management company.

“This development offers new homes for working families, homeless individuals and Veterans to live comfortably and not have to worry about paying extreme rents beyond the families’ earned income,” Cabrillo’s Director of Real Estate Development Eduardo Espinosa said.

Snapdragon Place Apartments, Phase II, is a newly constructed development of 22 units with four one-bedroom homes, 10 two-bedroom homes, and eight three-bedroom homes. The development will share a community room with Phase I of Snapdragon Place Apartments, which was completed in 2015.

The grand opening began with a Presentation of Colors by the Ronald Reagan Det. 597, Marine Corps. League, Ventura County. Speaking at the event was Cabrillo Executive Director Margarita H. de Escontrias, Cabrillo Board President Dave Sabedra, Espinosa, Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere, Housing Authority of San Buenaventura CEO Denise Wise, and Ventura County Behavioral Health’ Director Dr. Sevet Johnson.

Ventura County Chamber of Commerce CEO, Stephanie Caldwell performed the ribbon cutting ceremony, and a luncheon, catered by Main Course California followed.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation has received a $150,000 unrestricted operating support grant over two years to be used for overall operational expenses.

Currently, Cabrillo provides ESL classes, Homework Clubs, food pantries, community gardens, summer programs for kids, scholarships, and health and nutritional services to its residents.

The funding also will give Cabrillo an opportunity to increase staffing in the Real Estate Development Department and retain real estate expertise to enlarge Cabrillo’s development pipeline and manage more projects in varying stages of development, Bickerstaff said.

At this time Cabrillo is in predevelopment on two projects, a 42-unity farmworker development on Etting Road in Oxnard and a 50-unit development for seniors in Buellton. Snapdragon Place Apartments, Phase II will have its grand opening celebration on Nov. 15 as that property in collaboration with the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura finishes leasing.

“We are excited to be looking to the future with a focus on developing much-needed affordable housing in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, and chipping away at the immense need for affordable housing here,” Cabrillo CEO Margarita H. de Escontrias said.

De Escontrias said, funds also will be used for board development training on best practices pertaining to board effectiveness and in the recruitment of board members with specific skills and expertise.

Cabrillo’s mission is to provide comprehensive housing services and community economic development activities that facilitate self-sufficiency for individuals and families who are most lacking in opportunity. Incorporated in 1981, Cabrillo’s early roots were in response to a farmworker community’s demand for secure housing. Although this continues to be important, today there is a more widespread need for affordable housing in this region. As such, Cabrillo now provides housing for low- to moderate-income residents and families, including farmworkers, seniors, veterans and individuals with special needs.

CAPS Media records and airs Ventura Community Council Meetings

Community Council meetings are a great way to interact with City services.

by CAPS Media

CAPS Media has added coverage of the College Area Community Council meetings to the schedule on ongoing recordings. The College Area joins the East Ventura Community Council, MidTown Community Council and Westside Community Council, allowing community members throughout the city who are unable to attend the meetings, the opportunity to view the monthly meetings on CAPS channel 6 and streaming online at capsmedia.org. The individual meetings are broadcast the Thursday following the meeting at 8pm on channel 6. Some community council groups post the meetings on social media as well.

Local Community Council meetings are a great way for Ventura citizens to interact with and receive first-hand reports on City services and plans from City Councilmembers, Ventura Police Department officers, other officials and leaders in the community. In addition to getting the overall city perspective on important issues and events, the community meetings focus on neighborhood issues and information of interest and importance to the specific districts in Ventura.

The El Camino high school students continue to produce their award winning program at the CAPS Media Center and in the community. In October, ECTV crew members were on hand at the Va Por La Avenida event for a bilingual community event that celebrated the residents, artists and businesses that make up Ventura Avenue.

The award-winning ECTV media education internship program is designed for students who attend both El Camino High School and Ventura College. The ECTV crews produce engaging and award winning programs in the CAPS Media studio and in the community. Every episode is developed, written, produced, directed, hosted and edited by the students on topics of importance to the students.

ECTV is a career pathways education program developed by CAPS Media in collaboration with VC Innovates and the Ventura Unified School district. In the past three years the ECTV team has received local, regional and national awards for outstanding journalism. All of the ECTV programs are broadcast on CAPS Community Channel 6, stream on the CAPS Media website capsmedia.org and are archived at www.capsmedia.org/videos/

CAPS Media’s The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story was screened at the Ojai Film Festival Sunday November 3rd and again on Friday November 8th to standing room only crowds. On Sunday, Ventura City Mayor Matt LaVere introduced the film and on Friday, CAPS Media program director Elizabeth Rodeno, an Ojai resident, hosted the film to the sold-out crowd. The entire crew at CAPS Media thanks the Ojai Film Festival for giving us an opportunity to share the remarkable stories of heroism, sacrifice, tragedy and healing surrounding the Thomas Fire. For everyone at CAPS Media, the screening of The Perfect Firestorm at the prestigious Ojai Film Festival allowed us to again say thank you to all of those who contributed to the film and to give back to the community.

Join our growing community of CAPS Media Member/Producers. If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged Member/Producers. Go to capsmedia.org for more information.

City of Ventura 14th annual Photo Contest

The City of Ventura has announced the winners of the 14th annual Photo Contest.  Each year the City receives spectacular images and this year was no exception with 82 photographers submitting 292 amazing images in four categories; Beach Life, Environment, Architecture, and City of Ventura Parks & Recreation. A set of judges, all visual arts professionals from the City of Ventura, awarded “Judges’ Choice Winners” and 366 members of the public voted online for the “People’s Choice” awards. To see all the winners go to Cityofventura.ca.gov/665/photo-contest.

Veterans Resource Center and Ventura College Foundation honor veterans

The Ventura College Foundation supports veterans through scholarships.

The Ventura College Veterans Resource Center and Ventura College Foundation honored veterans, active military and their families at the fourth annual Ventura College Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, Monday, November 4 held at the Cafeteria in the Campus Student Center on the Ventura College campus. California Resources Corporation, the state’s largest oil and natural gas exploration and production company with operations in Ventura County, sponsored the event to honor and recognize the service of active military and veterans.

Speaking at the event were:
Dr. Kim Hoffmans, Ventura College President
Jordana Ybarra-Telias, Veterans Resource Center Program Coordinator
Anna Heaton, Ventura College student and veteran
Jesse Rodriguez, Ventura College student and veteran

“Anna and Jessie are two of more than 380 veterans at Ventura College,” says Ventura College Foundation’s executive director Anne Paul King, “Many of our veterans will be attending the luncheon.”

The Ventura College Veterans Resource Center offers personalized services to veterans, active duty military and eligible dependents through application assistance for college admission and course registration, academic counseling, access to veteran’s benefits, and a study area with computers, printers and scanners. Donations can be given during the luncheon.

The Ventura College Foundation supports veterans through scholarships that cover the cost of such items as parking and health fees, textbooks, transportation to and from school and general school supplies. “The idea is to award a scholarship large enough to replace a 10 to 15 hour a week job for a semester so veterans can focus on their studies,” says King. “Tuition can be taken care of through our two-year VC Promise program, meaning just about all college-related costs are paid for our full-time students.”

To learn about donating to the Veterans Resource Center, go to https://venturacollegefoundation.org or call the Ventura College Foundation at 805-289-6461

$200,000 raised by WEV to support local entrepreneurs

Kathy Odell, WEV CEO Elect; Andy Winchester; Caleigh Hernandez, Marianne Partridge, and Marsha Bailey, WEV Founder and CEO at fundraiser event. Photo by Sarita Relis Photography

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) raised more than $220,000 to support local entrepreneurs at their Empowerment is Priceless event held October 25th at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. The non-profit’s 14th annual breakfast fundraiser recognized WEV’s 2019 Trailblazer, Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year award winners. 300 guests interacted with featured WEV clients who shared their personal experiences as entrepreneurs.

Each year WEV presents the Trailblazer Award to a woman who is a pioneer in her industry, exemplifying courage, vision and the tenacity to overcome barriers. This year, WEV honored Marianne Partridge, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Santa Barbara Independent who was also the first female senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine.

WEV’s Business of the Year award honors a business owner who demonstrates the unique, inspiring and powerful impact made by local small businesses from the WEV community. Caleigh Hernandez, owner of RoHo, is WEV’s 2019 Business of the Year award recipient.

Andy Winchester, Senior Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Wells Fargo Private Bank and Co-Vice chair of WEV’s Board of Directors, was honored as the 2019 Volunteer of the Year.

For 28 years WEV has been working to help women entrepreneurs succeed. “Nearly three decades later, we have proven that business ownership can provide not only a viable pathway out of poverty, but can also build family wealth and stability, as well as contribute to the economic well-being of our communities,” said WEV Founder & CEO Marsha Bailey.

Our local heroes

Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney with hero Sal Flores at Westside Park.

The 2nd Annual Heroes Among Us event hosted by the Ventura Police Community Foundation was supported by CAPS Media. We not only produced heartwarming presentations about the nominees and why they were nominated for such a prestigious award. Our camera crew was there recording the event for those who could not attend.

The award ceremony recognized and honored community individuals or groups who have displayed dedication and made a positive impact to the city of Ventura. The organization has raised funds to supply the Ventura Police officers with bulletproof vests in every car and much more.

Last week CAPS Media and the Ventura College film department started a film studies collaboration. Utilizing CAPS equipment and studio VC students learn the basic skills of studio production, camera and editing skills throughout the semester to supplement their ongoing film studies. These students of all ages are very enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn from the pros right next door.

The ECTV high school students continue to produce their award-winning program and are incorporating radio and audio production into their training. Several of the students are supporting events outside of CAPS using their expert camera and editing skills. Several ECTV graduates are continuing to pursue film and television studies in college.

CAPS has added the College Area Community Council meetings to our scheduled recordings. The community members throughout the city are pleased to be able to catch the monthly meetings on CAPS and streaming online if they are not able to attend. These meetings are broadcast the following Thursday at 8pm on channel 6. Some community council members post the meetings on social media as well. It has proven to be a great way for citizens to meet their city council representatives and keep abreast of issues and events important to their area and the city at large.

CAPS Media’s The Perfect Firestorm – The Thomas Fire Story was screened at the Ojai Film Festival Sunday November 3rd at 1pm to an enthusiastic crowd. The documentary will screen on Friday November 8th at 1pm at the Sane Living Center at 316 E Matilija St, Ojai, CA 93023. The festival wraps November 10th. The public is encouraged to attend. Details can be found at www.ojaifilmfestival.com. David Endaya, Ventura City Fire Chief said “The Perfect Firestorm is an amazing achievement that has had a tremendous impact on so many people in and around this community.  Being recognized by the Ojai Film Festival is well-deserved.  Thank you to CAPS Media for capturing this historic event in such a meaningful way.” For everyone at CAPS Media, The Perfect Firestorm is our way of giving back to the community.

Join our growing community of CAPS Media Member/Producers. If you have an interest in community television or radio production, or are just curious, drop by the CAPS Media Center on the first Thursday of the month and learn how to become a member of CAPS and join our community of enthusiastic and engaged Member/Producers. Go to CAPSMedia.org for more information.

Eco-Conscious Indie Films at the Ojai Film Festival

Susan Kucera spoke about her time with Jeff Bridges.

The Ojai Film Festival continues the tradition of focusing on environmental films with the 20th Anniversary Edition: Focus Earth. Throughout the ten-day festival filmgoers will find double screenings of eco-conscious indie films. A day of special events focuses on the environment, including discussions, seminars and panels about the planet we share. This full day of eco-films starts at 10 am on Sunday, November 10 and continues into the evening.

The documentary Living in the Future’s Past, described as a “beautifully photographed tour de force,” headlines the event. Susan Kucera directed the film, narrated and produced by Jeff Bridges.

In an interview with Clean Technica, Ms. Kucera spoke about her film and collaboration with Jeff Bridges. “What Jeff and I wanted to do was think about how we think. A lot of people watch the film and they go, ‘Aha! I see how everything works and it’s not so weirdly scary,’ which makes transition more interactive and more full of exciting possibilities.”

Dr. Sheila Laffey, filmmaker, producer and professor in the Santa Monica College Film and Animation Academy, highlights the festival’s Environmental Films as Educational Tools seminar series. Dr. Laffey will offer specific Eco-Shorts, plus animations and methods for classrooms and small group use on Sunday, November 10 at 1 pm.

In session two, Director Sylvie Rokab joins Ms. Laffey to present the eco-doc Love Thy Nature, narrated by Liam Neeson. In an interview with Eluxe Magazine, Ms. Rokabdescribes how she chose the title Love Thy Nature to convey the sense that loving (our) nature is so critical to our wellbeing, and the wellbeing of our world, that it might as well be a universal truth just like ‘love thy neighbor.’” She said, “We have a myriad of new scientific studies that show a contact with nature makes us healthier, smarter, calmer, more connected, and happier human beings…we are inextricably wired to nature – physically, neurologically, emotionally, and spiritually. And yet, in our increasingly urban and technological world, too many of us have completely lost touch with nature – living in grey cities, working in sterile offices, leading stressful lives, and eating toxic foods.”

Indie films in the Focus Earth series include Ay Mariposa, a stunning documentary feature about two women and a rare community of butterflies standing on the frontlines in a battle against the US-Mexico border wall. Ay Mariposa screens on Friday November 8 at 10 am and Saturday, November 9 at 1 pm.

In the inspiring new documentary, The Condor and The Eagle, viewers discover four Indigenous leaders who embark on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Canadian plains to deep inside the heart of the Amazonian jungle. Catch it on Wednesday, November 6 at 4 pm or on Saturday, November 9 at 1 pm.

Another high point in our Focus Earth series hits close to home with The Perfect Firestorm: The Thomas Fire Story. This film chronicles the devastating wildfire that whipped through Ventura County and burned over a quarter million acres before firefighters finally contained it on January 12, 2018. This screens on Friday, November 8 at 1 pm. www.ojaifilmfestival.com

 

Senior Strategic Planning Committee is looking for seniors to do an online survey

Ventura has a Senior Strategic Planning Committee that would love to hear from you.

There is a survey online where people can express their opinions, they can also fill out a paper form in a few places around town, and they can even write a letter.

Here is the link to the city site that tells people where and how they can express their opinions until October 30th:  https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1662/Senior-Strategic-Plan

  You have to live in Ventura to express your opinions, but you do not need to be a senior.

Riding and doing good things together

The club attracts a mix of avid cyclists, newbies, retirees, working folks and social cyclists from all over Ventura County.

by Mira Reverente

The allure of cycling and fitness brought members of the Channel Islands Bicycle Club together. Over 300-members strong, the club meets for rides every Saturday, usually at the Mission Park in Ventura.

“The length and route of the Saturday rides depend on the members’ time and availability,” says Margaret Mathews, public relations chair of the non-profit club. “Some would ride further if they’re training for long bike rides and races, but it’s always fun and social.”

The club attracts a mix of avid cyclists, social cyclists, newbies, retirees and working from all over Ventura County. “We like to promote the health aspect of cycling and highlight it as an alternative means of transportation,” says Mathews who joined the club about 10 years ago with her husband.

Beyond Saturday rides, the members advocate for safe streets, bike lanes and tirelessly work with government and non-profit agencies to advocate for bike safety.

Every year, on the 3rd weekend of August, the club also partners with the Kiwanis Club of Ventura to produce the Cool Breeze Century, which is going on its 26th year next summer. “It’s a really cool event with over 1,000 riders and a few hundred volunteers,” says Diane Stein, co-volunteer coordinator of the ride.

For the past five years, Stein has been coordinating the volunteers at the rest stops, ensuring that the rest stops are adequately staffed and riders have everything they need for a smooth and safe ride through Ventura, Ojai, Goleta and the coast.

Says Stein, “It’s a good problem to have but we’ve never had a shortage of volunteers. Both clubs pull their weight and then some. Several members also ride and volunteer or the other way around. It’s really a pleasure to put the event together due to this abundance of help.”

Proceeds from Cool Breeze go towards a grant program, to help Ventura public schools start bicycle safety programs for 6th grade students. Says Mathews, “We believe that teaching children at a young age to be safe cyclists will hopefully carry over and teach them to be safe drivers.”

The giving nature of members propels the club to seek other ways to make a positive impact in the community, such as their recent $20,000 donation to help construct the San Antonio Bridge from Ventura to Ojai, for both cyclists and pedestrians to enjoy. “I don’t believe there was a bridge there before,” says Mathews.

Their contributions to the environment are growing by leaps and bounds. The club is the first bicycle organization to adopt a bicycle path. The cleaning of the Emma Wood- Fertig bicycle path can also be attributed to them.

Through bike rodeos, the club partners with grassroots organization Bike Ventura to teach underserved children safe cycling and basic rules of the road. “It’s all over, not just one venue. We go to different venues and schools,” says Mathews.

At large bike rides and festivals, members volunteer as bike valets, helping riders safely store their bikes during registration or festivities.

Last year, they partnered with Giant Bikes and Bike Ventura, and distributed bikes to people affected by the Thomas Fire.

The Channel Islands Bicycle Club meets every second Wednesday of the month, starting at 6:30 pm, at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St, Ventura.

For more information or to join: www.cibike.org.