Typically a ribbon cutting ceremony is to announce the opening of a new business. Photos by Michael Gordon

On Nov. 25, a ribbon cutting was held at the Turning Point Foundation Our Place Safe Haven located at 536 E. Thompson.

Safe Haven is the first stop on the road to recovery for mental health issues and homelessness. This 10 bed shelter provides a safe place to live where basic needs are met and the most vulnerable receive mental health treatment, assistance establishing a stable source of income, and help obtaining transitional housing with the goal of permanent housing.  Drop in services include hot meals, showers, laundry facilities, phone messages and mail delivery and case management.

We asked Jason Meek, Executive Director for the Turning Point Foundation “why, after being open for many years did they have a ribbon cutting?”

He answered “Typically a ribbon cutting ceremony is to announce the opening of a new business. So why then would Turning Point have this kind of ceremony for a program that has been in existence since the 90’s? The simple answer is this: It is symbolic. The new renovation provided Turning Point additional capacity to shelter and deliver vital services to our community’s most vulnerable members.  It demonstrates that we hear their concerns and are deeply committed to addressing their needs.”

https://turningpointfoundation.org/housing/ 805-652-000.

by Jill Forman

First, there was the rain Friday night. Not something you plan for in Southern California for outdoor events. The NAMI Walk, the group’s biggest fundraiser and celebration of determination and hope, was the next day…

6:30 a.m., Ventura Pier parking lot. There are puddles but the rain has stopped. Trucks, boxes, tables, supplies, and people all pouring in. Volunteers who believe in the cause of de-stigmatizing mental illness and advocating for care. Many have t-shirts with the name of their walking teams and heartfelt sayings about the sorrow and hope for the person, the families, and society at large.

My group is the “NAMI Mommies” and our t-shirt says, “Providing Support with a Mother’s Love.” We met in a NAMI class for families, and formed out own support group. It really helps to have others for education and emotional assistance.

But back to the Pier, it appears to be chaos but there are a couple of intrepid women with clipboards and maps and it slowly gets sorted out. Areas for organizations, information, snacks, merchandise, and so on are marked off. Tables, many many tables, need to be set up. Portable awnings, chairs, signs…everyone just sort of picks up a job and a couple of helpers. I find myself doing tablecloths with some students from Ventura and Moorpark College – the plastic clothes need to be separated, placed, and taped down. The enthusiasm and energy of the students makes it fun, and it’s interesting to hear why they are here. One young woman wants to start learning about social service agencies and meeting people for networking. Student nurses are learning a lot more than textbook information by interacting with all sorts of folks who have shown up. Family members of the mentally ill want to show their gratitude to NAMI for the free classes, groups and information it gives.

More people show up, some to walk, some to help out, some out of curiosity: “I saw all this activity and want to know what it is about.” Organizations, caregiving companies, social service groups, vendors, all come to claim and set up their spaces. Some of the table and chair setups have to be rearranged, but it all gets done. Within a couple of hours a waterlogged parking lot and a ton of stuff has been transformed into a colorful, functional event. More students show up to work at the booths for registration, team captain pickup, and t-shirt handouts. I hang out with the team captain people, and it’s so much fun to talk to every group leader, ask them who they are and why they are there, comment on their clever team names and sayings, and thank them for coming.

My team shows up; I get my cute t-shirt. There are speeches by officials and participants, and the Walk begins.

The women and their daughters volunteer as a team.

National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) Ventura County Chapter’s Annual Fundraiser will take place on Sunday, November 11th, from 12 -4pm.  There is just one detail that is missing…the location!

The NCL Inc. Ventura County Chapter’s 2018-19  President, Soraya Thenoz, who grew up in the Provence region in the south of France, is the inspiration behind “Fete en Blanc” (Party in White) as this year’s fundraising theme.

As with tradition, the location will not be divulged to the invitees until the morning of the event.  And all must be elegantly attired in white! Historically, the invited guests arrive to an outdoor setting, with their own food and table set-up; and simply enjoy their time together. And then, at the close of the gathering, each guest packs up what they brought and nothing is left behind…not a trace of what transpired…that is, other than the lingering memories.

“There will be some variations to the logistics of our event” explained Soraya.  “For instance, our fundraising committee will coordinate the tables and the food. But for sure, the focus is on enjoying each other’s company while raising money for the philanthropies which we serve. Oh yes…and we will all be decked out in white!”

Established in Los Angeles in 1925 and incorporated in 1958, the nonprofit has more than 250 chapters in 27 states. The women and their daughters (grades 7th-12th who are referred to as “Ticktockers”) volunteer as a team within the community.  The Ventura County Chapter, which is part of District 3, is currently comprised of approximately 100 Patronesses (mothers) and their daughters who reside in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Ojai.

Some of the 30+ philanthropies that the National Charity League, Inc., Ventura County Chapter serves are Children’s Services Auxiliary, Convalescent Hospitals, Douglas Penfield School, Food Share, Special Olympics and Ventura County Medical Center.  100% of the proceeds from our fundraiser “Fete en Blanc” will directly benefit all of our philanthropies.

In addition to serving the community, the girls partake in monthly meetings and workshops on their own; and elect class officers in each grade level.  The classes are usually much smaller than in their own schools, thus providing a more enriching and nurturing environment to grow leadership skills. An atmosphere of women empowering young women to be strong and compassionate leaders in the community!

Our 2018-19 Membership Drive is now open to mothers with daughters who are currently in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. For inquiries about joining, please email [email protected].

If you want to participate, it takes some preparation! Photo by Bernie Goldstein

Ventura Harbor Village welcomes wee pirates and costumed mermaids (along with spooktacular parents) waterfront for a Seaside Trick or Treat on Saturday ,October 27, from 1pm-3pm. Dress up and navigate through the waterfront Village with over 20 treat stops at participating Harbor boutiques and restaurants. It will be an afternoon full of Halloween sweets, face painting, and fun!

That very same day, Zombies will roam the promenade and come together for a World Record breaking flash mob to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Spectators should be sure to show up by 3pm to catch the dance in action. Dancers around the globe convene at to try and beat the World Record of dancers at one time to Thriller. However, if you want to participate, it takes some preparation!

Learn the dance, by joining Molly at FitZone in Ventura for classes and get creative with zombie costumes and make-up. To sign up, email [email protected] or call 805-766-4480. Ages 6 and up are welcome to join in on the fun. There is a $20 Dancer Registration fee (all proceeds go to “Make a Wish Foundation”.)

Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states.

Southern California’s Seaside Highland Games – the premier Scottish festival on the Pacific Coast – will launch their 16th outing on October 13 & 14. Staged on the Ventura County Fairgrounds the venue is transformed into a virtual Scottish village of this or any age. Set on the Pacific shores, the festival is fortunate to enjoy the ocean breezes in virtually every year. And October it the optimal time to enjoy the ‘twixt’n tween” time between summer and fall.

Participants in the Seaside Games travel from all the western states to take part – Washington and Oregon to the north and Arizona, Utah and Nevada to the east. This year, because our honored clan will be Clan Graham Society of North America, we will be flooded with Grahams from all across this nation as well as our neighbors in Canada. There could be a new native Scots thrown into the mix as well!

The special guests this year will be the Honorable Ms Joni Smith, Scottish Counselor for North America from her Washington DC offices. And the World Champion Grade 3 pipe band …the Pasadena Scots!

On Friday night of games weekend there is the “A Scottish Evening”, which consists of a sumptuous buffet supper, great Scottish music and a Scottish fashion show! A Single Malt Tasting precedes the dinner with a dozen plus premium Scotch brands to taste!

Saturday brings the gala opening ceremonies and grand parade at noon in front of the Alex Beaton Stage. Clan names and mottoes will be called out by the Voice of the Seaside Games, Bill Graham, as clan members march by, interspersed with all the fine bagpipe and drum bands in attendance. A true color spectacle! Four stages of wonderful music will be playing continuously throughout the weekend, while nearby the Highland heavies, the braw Scottish athletes, will amaze you. The herding dogs demos will amuse and thrill you and the dancers of all ages will enthrall you! The St. Andrew’s Society of Los Angeles Harp Glen is an awesome stop and the World War II military encampment will teach you a thing or three about our tremendous history. Fine vendors, tasty Celtic food and drink when the need arises, and a precious Children’s Glen for the wee ones add to the amazing offerings.

Come to Seaside and see it all! October 13 and 14 on the Ventura County Fairgrounds! For more information [email protected] or call John and Nellie at 818-886-4968.

City of Ventura provides free gardening classes.

Sustainability Now News
by Maryann Ridini Spencer

Getting a tree to plant in your garden to add to your landscape is a big decision. First, you need to find the right type of tree that will work with your existing foliage. Thankfully, you can look at these mount pleasant tree images to see what all sorts of trees look like when they’re grown. Then, you need to consider how easy maintenance will be — how often will it need to be trimmed? How much water do they require? How fast do they grow? And this is definitely an important thing to consider because you don’t want to buy a tree that isn’t able to stay alive during the droughts we have. This is where the free gardening class comes in helpful.

During times of drought, there are water efficient tips you can employ to keep the trees in your landscape healthy and thriving. At Ventura Water’s September 8th free gardening class held at Green Thumb Nursery, Certified Nursery Professional Richard Flowers shared his expert tips.

Flowers encouraged customers to understand their soil type, “If your soil is hard, dry and compacted you may have a clay soil which needs to be watered slowly and less often, rather than sandy soil which can be watered more frequently for not as long.”

Flowers provided recommendations for maximizing soil moisture and improving soil health. “When you first plant a tree, I always suggest creating a basin around the base and filling it with mulch. Avoid mulch touching the main trunk. Incorporating an organic soil mix under the tree’s canopy or by the tree’s drip line (the area located outside the boundary where rainwater would flow off the leaves to the ground) is beneficial because the organic material helps feed the soil biology improving water uptake, and reducing soil compaction.”

To test your soil’s moisture, Flowers suggested using a screwdriver and inserting it approximately 6-8 inches deep at the tree’s drip line. For watering best practices Flowers suggested, “early morning or dusk which limits water loss due to evaporation.” He explained a newly planted tree requires more frequent watering when compared to an established tree which may only need to be watered once a month being careful not to water in one place.”

“Segment your tree watering into zones. Like the face of a clock, water at positions12, 3, 6, and 9 for a total of 100 gallons of water. If you’re watering with a sprinkler system, use a soup can or something similar to measure when approximately 2 inches of water has been applied. A watering hose on a timer can also work well. Just remember, it’s important to water slowly.”

To find out more about the City of Ventura’s free Gardening classes, visit venturawater.net.