Students had to brainstorm ways to determine the number of boxes they wanted to use. Photo by Michael Gordon

Mound’s fifth-grade class traditionally leads an outreach project, in which they learn something about themselves while giving back to the community. The students are responsible for planning and following through with various tasks, including cost analysis, publicity, and coordination with larger organizations. Last year, students and staff were inspired by a video of an elementary school that created a “domino run” with cereal boxes. They decided to do their own version of a domino run, as it would allow students to have a STEM project, practice their leadership skills, and, most importantly, do something meaningful for their community–a perfect fit for their Science and Global Citizenship magnet.

Students had to brainstorm ways to determine the number of boxes they wanted to use and then decide what to do with all the boxes when the domino run was completed. They immediately thought of donating the boxes to Food Share of Ventura County. They reached out to a dietician to ask about the nutritional value of cereal, and subsequently decided their “dominos” should be more satiating and nutrient dense. They also thought a whole family could eat Mac ‘N’ Cheese. That is how the Mac ‘N’ Cheese domino run began.

This year’s students loved what last year’s students did and wanted to build on it, hoping they could reach even more families in need. Last year’s class raised 4,250 boxes, so the students set a goal of 5,000 this year. They surpassed the goal, ultimately raising over six thousand boxes. Groups of students presented their ideas to the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and asked for matching donations to help them reach their box goal. They then presented to other classes throughout the school, explaining what they were doing and why. They asked students in those other classes if they could bring in boxes that could be used for their project and then donated to Food Share. Students also created fliers and posters. The focus this year was learning how to publicize. This culminated in their second annual “Stuff the Trailer with Mac ‘N’ Cheese” drive. Students collected 3,521 boxes. PTO matched many of those boxes, helping students get to over 5,000. With even more boxes arriving daily, they reached over 6,000 boxes.

“Throughout this STEM and outreach project, 93 students will have worked together on math concepts such as volume, area, estimation, multiplication strategies, and grouping,” explained Tracie Fickenscher, fifth grade teacher at Mound Elementary. “Leadership, teamwork, and communication skills have all been used and refined. They’ve learned perseverance and grit, how to keep Mac ‘N’ Cheese from falling over, and how to regroup and revise strategies when it does. Most importantly, the kids are excited to take care of others in our community by providing satiating meals that kids enjoy eating.”

Currently, significant progress is being made on the milestones of the project.

by Patricia Schallert

The main outfall pipe from Marina Park is now installed underneath the Ventura Harbor and also installed out to sea (about 4,500 feet offshore), though there is still a lot more to do from now until Memorial Day. Trenching has already begun on Anchors Way from the Water’s Edge restaurant area.

However, there is still work to be done to finalize connections at Marina Park, which is expected to be completed by Memorial Day. Trenching has commenced on Anchors Way, starting from the Water’s Edge restaurant area. The trenching process is led by Blois Construction, who are responsible for installing the outfall pipe on Anchors Way, Schooner Drive, then on Harbor Blvd.

The pipe segments will be fused/welded together in 500-ft long sections along the street. Construction progresses in 500-feet increments, with each 500-foot segment taking several days to dig and shore up.  Once the pipe is pulled into place, it is welded at the far end, connecting it to the already installed pipeline. Then, the trench is backfilled and paved. This process will be repeated several times on Anchors Way, and again on Schooner, with each 500-foot section taking approximately two to three weeks for completion.

According to Steve Mimiaga, the City’s construction manager, two 500-foot sections will be  worked on along the eastbound (outbound) side of Schooner Dr., with an expected completion date of late  April to early May. Then, trenching will begin on the southbound side of Harbor Blvd, close to the median, continuing under Spinnaker  Dr. then turning into the City’s water reclamation facility (VWRF) about 800 ft south of the Spinnaker intersection. Throughout this process, traffic will  remain open, although occasional and temporary lane closures may occur with the guidance of flagmen.

Construction is currently progressing according to the planned timeline, and it is anticipated that work in Marina Park will be completed before the Memorial Day weekend. The 24-foot tall soundwall  within Marina Park is anticipated to be dismantled in March and replaced by contractor fencing.   The area will be restored to its original appearance, with new mounds, grass, and an underground irrigation system completed, all scheduled to hopefully wrap up by Memorial Day weekend.

Learn more at the project website at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OceanOutfall

Hotline for questions 805-500-8103

The American Red Cross continues to experience an emergency blood shortage as severe winter weather has further impacted the ability to rebuild the blood supply. Blood donors are urged to give now to help ensure lifesaving medical procedures are not delayed.

The national blood supply remains at critically low levels. Blood drives have been canceled in nearly every state where the Red Cross collects blood. As a result, nearly 15,000 blood and platelet donations have gone uncollected this month alone. In addition to dangerous road conditions, many Americans have dealt with flight and shipping delays, and the Red Cross is no different. Snow, ice and extreme temperatures have made it tougher to move vital blood products across the Red Cross network, affecting deliveries to hospitals in some locations.

As much of the country warms up this week, individuals are urged to make an appointment now to give blood or platelets by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all those who come to give Feb. 1-29, 2024, will receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card by email. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/Heart for details.

The nation is currently facing the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. When fewer people donate blood, any disruption to blood donations – like recent weather systems – can have a huge effect on the availability of blood products and dramatic consequences for those in need of emergency blood transfusion. Generous blood donors are vital to ensuring those in need of transfusions have access to lifesaving care.

New Blood Donor Rewards program

Since announcing an emergency blood shortage earlier this month, thousands of donors across the country have answered the call to help. In appreciation for all those who take the time to help save lives, the Red Cross is pleased to launch an all-new Blood Donor Rewards program. This program offers a new way for the Red Cross to say thank-you for the generous donations that are critical to patients counting on lifesaving care. All donors will now earn points for their donations that accumulate each time they roll up a sleeve to give. Donors automatically started earning points on Jan. 1, 2024, and they can redeem points any time of year to receive e-gift cards or save them to redeem and claim an exclusive Red Cross merchandise item in the next calendar year. For more information, visit RedCrossBlood.org/Rewards.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities

Ventura 2/13/2024: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.

Elizabeth Rugg Pallet Community Development Manager and Ted Sweeny representative for Pallet in front of a Pallet shelter.

by Patricia Schallert

On January 25th, The City of Ventura hosted a tour of two pallet shelters. Demonstrating an innovative model with proven results, Elizabeth Rugg stated that “Pallet shelters are cost-effective, rapid to install and  have the capacity to serve people  displaced by global conflict, disasters or chronic homelessness.”

Stated Patrick Diller “While finding suitable land for shelter villages can seem like a complex and challenging process, it is not impossible. By making a commitment to ending unsheltered homelessness, it is possible to find solutions that benefit unhoused individuals and the community as a whole.”

Pallet living shelters represent more than just a practical solution for housing the unhoused; it embodies a larger vision of community, sustainability, and social responsibility. According to Ted Sweeney, a Pallet representative, “by working together to build and maintain shelters, individuals form supportive networks based on mutual respect and shared experiences.The importance of collaborative efforts within the Ventura community cannot be overstated. It  includes  volunteers, organizations, and the unhoused themselves. This fosters a sense of collective responsibility and empowerment, where individuals actively participate in creating solutions to address homelessness.”

The Pallet organization recognizes the inherent dignity and rights of unhoused individuals. By providing safe and secure shelter, it affirms their right to adequate housing and challenges social stigmas associated with homelessness.

Social networks and support systems can easily be created through Pallet living shelters and can  offer encouragement, and mutual aid to unhoused individuals. Coordinating efforts with law-enforcement, mental health services, medical services, code enforcement, social workers and sanitation while  providing emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging.

In addition to the basic shelter provided by Pallet living shelters supplementary services can enhance the well-being and sustainability of unhoused communities along with access to healthcare services, including medical clinics, mental health support, and substance abuse treatment.

The Sleeper (70sq ft) and the EnSuite 120sq ft. showed two fully-built shelters with industry-leading design features such as a mono-pitch roof, and a smooth exterior and interior panel. The Sleeper houses one or two, and the EnSuite includes in-unit hygiene facilities. Pallet shelters were designed by people who had lived experience in homelessness .

Residential energy efficient windows, locking doors and peepholes, smooth interior walls, easily accessed interior lighting, and climate control offer comfort and privacy. Interior storage and space allows residents to keep possessions and pets, while the customizable shelving system and freestanding bed and desk are designed for simple modification – making each shelter a personalized space to recharge.

These pallet shelters  can be manufactured inexpensively, deployed and assembled with urgency, and act as a short-term solution for cities like Ventura to aid their unhoused communities—all while providing comfort for residents. Units can be easily moved by forklift or disassembled and stored, preventing the possibility of becoming costly, long-term housing that isn’t dignified.

There is no one solution to end homelessness. Ventura, like many   communities have their own specific needs. While Pallet villages coupled with supportive services are a successful model,  there are many other  strategies to address the homelessness crisis. Working closely with cities across the country, Pallet realize communities want to find the right solutions and “know our expertise and learnings from deploying over 100 shelter villages could help them drive change.” By connecting village residents to housing navigation, job assistance, and a stable food source right where they live, unhoused individuals can start on the path to permanent housing.

Unknown participant with Sara Pelaez, Betty Wright, Irma Heffner and County DA Erik Nasarenko.

Soroptimist International sponsored the 17^th Annual STOP Human Trafficking Community Walk and Speaker Panel on Saturday, January 13, at Columbus Hall, 36 Figueroa Street, in downtown Ventura.

The event started with an awareness walk down Main Street and followed with a speaker panel — Dr. Anthony Walls, co-founder of Healthcare for All; Alia Azariah, Survivor/Advocate from Safe House Project; Detective Kellyn King, Simi Valley PD, Major Crimes Department; and Sandy Esparza, Survivor/Advocate from Zoe International.

Social service agencies were on site with additional information.

The four Ventura County Soroptimist International clubs—SI Oxnard, SI Ventura, SI Camarillo, and SI Channel Islands continue a “Dream Big” community awareness campaign with digital signage on the 101 Freeway for January: National Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention Month. The goal is to raise a new and/or renewed awareness about the heinous crime of sex and labor trafficking that happens throughout Ventura County.

For more information go to www.stoptraffickingventuracounty.org