On Oct. 28, the Ventura Commerce and Education Foundation (VCEF) named Mrs. Patricia “Trisha” Lewis, third-grade teacher at Portola Elementary School in Ventura, October’s Teacher of the Month. VCEF board member, Pattie Braga, along with elected representatives and members of the business community, presented Lewis with a plaque to commemorate the award.
Lewis has 30 years of teaching experience and has played an integral role in the development of several key on-campus programs, including the school’s PTA and peer mediation group. Committed to helping her students flourish in the area of technology, Lewis also helped establish a technology committee at Portola Elementary. To supplement her involvement and experience, she attends training workshops on both technology and peer mediation.
“Trisha is a highly experienced teacher, and throughout her career she has maintained an unwavering dedication to providing the best possible education for her students,” said Portola Elementary School’s principal, Robert Ruiz. “She consistently find ways to go above and beyond, and her leadership and innovation make her a tremendous asset to our team.”
All principals and parent-teacher organizations from schools within the Ventura Unified School District are eligible to submit nominations. For more information about the Teacher of the Month program, please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the Teacher Appreciation Committee with the VCEF, at [email protected] or 477-4052.
On National Adoption Day, which is Saturday November 14th, the Ventura Superior Court is sponsoring the 2015 Adoption and Foster Care Information Fair with the goal of educating the public and providing interaction with families who are interested in adopting or becoming foster parents. Foster VC Kids, a division of the County of Ventura’s Children and Family Services will be on hand to provide information on county-wide foster and adoption processes. The Fair is from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pacific View Mall.
Foster VC Kids is a division of Children and Family Services, Ventura County Human Services Agency (VCHSA). The agency strengthens families, supports self-sufficiency and promotes safety, health, and well-being. All of their service areas operate and perform at the highest level to meet the needs of individuals, families, and the community by providing assistance, aid, and protection for foster youth and beyond. VCHSA demonstrates the ability to work in multicultural environments and ensures that policies, programs, and actions communicate respect for the dignity of all people. Visit www.fostervckids.org for more information.
For more information on the event, contact Patti Morua-Widdows at 289-8827.
Entertainer Hannah Davey started the day with her wonderful rendition of America the Beautiful
On Sunday, Oct. 5, the Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) annual “Grow Your Garden” fundraiser brunch was held in Grant Park.
The nearly 500 guests who attended the brunch, prepared by Seasons Catering, were given the option of either hiking the trail up to the lunch area or riding shuttles from the City Hall parking lot up to the site.
The cooler weather and two large tents made for a comfortable event. Several speakers talked to the invited attendees and films were shown presenting inspirational photos and additional speakers.
Welcoming speeches were given by Beverly McCaslin, Founding member of the Gardens’ board of directors, Kevin Clerici, Executive Director of the Downtown Ventura Partners Improvement District and a member of the board, Gavin Garrety, an 8th grade student at DeAnza Academy of Technology & the Arts and Barbara Brown, founding partner of BBM&D Strategic Branding and a Charter Member of the VBG, who currently serves as its Vice President.
Barbara Brown stated, “We have much to do for the Gardens, from putting in water and plants to creating new buildings, to building our corps of volunteers. Support from our donors helps ensure that we can create a world class Gardens for Ventura County.”
The location of Ventura Botanical Gardens is Grant Park. The first trail, the Demonstration Trail, is complete. Almost a mile long and six feet wide, with a decomposed granite surface and hand‐built stone walls, the trailhead begins at the upper parking lot behind City Hall. Planting for the Chilean Gardens has begun. When completed, the Chilean Gardens will be the largest in the world, outside of Chile. Grant Park is open from dawn to dusk. Nearly 1,500 people per month now hike the trail.
FACE OF VENTURA AWARDS by Sheli Ellsworth
Ventura’s Unsung Heroes sponsored by Jordan and Sandra Laby and painted by Johanna Spinks
Elizabeth Cornejo accepting her unsung hero portrait from Johanna, Sandra and Jordan at the presentation luncheon.
While Americans heard about the Sandinista Revolution and the Contra War on the nightly news, Elizabeth Cornejo heard the explosions with her own ears. “I would lie in bed at night listening to bombs. I grew up surrounded by war.” Cornejo’s father was a mechanic who supplemented his income by selling corn and beans from the mountain farms. “War destroyed everything. We had very little.” Cornejo lived close to the Honduras border and remembers running home from school and hiding under her bed for hours at a time when the sounds of war came near.
And somehow a young girl from war-torn Nicaragua had a dream. “I watched beauty pageants from Honduras on a small black and white television when we had reception. It was beautiful. The gowns, the style.” Cornejo developed a passion for fashion.
Cornejo came to Ventura by herself in 1995, moved in with a friend, and asked for political asylum. “This really is the land of opportunity,” she says. But her success didn’t happen overnight. “Even though I had a business degree from Nicaragua, I had to start over with ESL classes.” She worked as a nanny and housekeeper while she was seeking citizenship. She took computer classes. Then she went to work at Patagonia through an agency and was eventually asked to do fit modeling for them. It was five years before she was granted residency and another five years before obtaining political asylum and citizenship. Later she went to work for Marcy’s European Tailoring and Alterations. The owner, Marcy Brunson, became a mentor to Cornejo and subsequently sold her half of the business. Cornejo loves Ventura and she says she’s been lucky, “God has opened so many doors for me.” Cornejo is now the owner of Just Lovely Fashion and Alterations at 2692 Loma Vista Rd. Unit B. She does dress making, bridal alterations, tailoring and mending. But Cornejo’s story doesn’t stop here. She believes in helping.
On November 2 a luncheon was graciously hosted by the Aloha Steakhouse (364 S. California) to present Elizabeth Cornejo with her unsung hero portrait painted by Johanna Spinks. Attending the presentation honoring her were the series sponsors Sandra and Jordan Laby, Johanna Spinks, Publisher Sheldon Brown, friends Marta Helmer, Marcy Brunson Musilk, Jalideth Pastora and Gail Field (her first English teacher).
At first on her own, later with the help of her customers, Cornejo has launched her own personal charity for her country of origin. “I save my tips and buy things for the children of Nicaragua.” She takes clothing, shoes, food, medicines, school supplies and anything else that is needed.” Since Cornejo has two sisters and two brothers she also has a lot of resources in her homeland. “My family in Nicaragua helps me buy and distribute things to children and seniors. They find out what people need and try to make it happen. “My Ventura customers have been so good to give me donations and now we are trying to help a hospital. Cornejo uses Nicaraguan churches for resources also. “The nuns tell me what they need and what types of health issues they see.” Cornejo doesn’t have any children of her own, but considers the children in Nicaragua her own. Because she considers education the key to success, Cornejo has also provided several schools with much needed supplies.
Making connections has become a part of Cornejo’s mission. She was able to find a local coffee roaster, Beacon Coffee, to buy coffee beans raised by her father. Now the coffee is sold in local restaurants. “I went to the Multicultural Festival in Oxnard and answered a lot of questions about Nicaragua and created connections with many people.”
Cornejo already has local nurses interested in making the trip to Nicaragua. “After the nurses see the conditions they will know what kinds of supplies will help the most.” Cornejo is always collecting toothbrushes and toothpaste, but because shipping is so expensive she appreciates it when people can ship the items directly. She is currently looking for volunteers to send multivitamins for children and seniors.
“A little girl in 4H put together 35 backpacks with school supplies and shipped them to Nicaragua. It was like a dream come true.” Cornejo accepts cash donations also and anyone interested in helping her can email her at [email protected].
On November 6, The Ventura Family YMCA celebrated the grand opening of their 4,000 sq. ft. full-size outdoor basketball court, 1,700 sq. ft. outdoor workout space, and a 1,000 sq. ft. play area for their Children’s Corner with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Members had asked for more outdoor workout spaces and with the generosity of donors the Y was able to make this happen. Basketball competitions, giveaways, and activities for kids were just a few of the things at the celebration.
After the ribbon cutting the Mayor played a little one on one with former NBA Star Lamond Murray. She was too quick for him.
Other highlights of the new facility include high-tech synthetic flooring, open hours for all members to enjoy time outside, new high-intensity trainings, adult scrimmages, pickle ball, 3 on 3 basketball leagues, and even volleyball.
For 128-years the Ventura Y has been a leading non-profit and community resource for Ventura. The significance of the new Sportsplex is the Y’s response to the community’s need for more outdoor program and workout spaces.
Standardizing care in local skilled nursing facilities was the goal of a two-day training program in which nurses and other staff members participated.
Standardizing care in local skilled nursing facilities was the goal of a two-day training program in which Community Memorial Health System nurses and other staff members participated on Sept. 22-23.
Nurses and staff members of the following local skilled nursing facilities also participated in the program, Victoria Care Center, Coastal View Healthcare Center, Ventura Convalescent Hospital, Camarillo Healthcare Center, Ojai Continuing Care Center, Glenwood Care Center, Providence Ojai Gardens and Shoreline Care Center.
Community Memorial Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award with Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment and success ensuring that stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
To receive the Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award, hospitals must achieve 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke achievement indicators for two or more consecutive 12-month periods and achieved 75 percent or higher compliance with five of eight Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality measures.
These quality measures are designed to help hospital teams provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients.
Community Memorial Hospital has also met specific scientific guidelines as a Primary Stroke Center, featuring a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department.
For patients, Get With The Guidelines-Stroke uses the “teachable moment,” the time soon after a patient has had a stroke, when they learn how to manage their risk factors while still in the hospital and recognize the F.A.S.T. warning signs of a stroke.
Community Memorial Health System has opened a Midtown Medical Group office in the Ventura, bringing healthcare to local residents.
The Midtown Medical Group – part of Community Memorial Health System – is a unique health center conveniently located in midtown, to serve the residents of Ventura while incorporating the training of the next generation of community physicians.
Midtown Medical Group is located at 2721 East Main Street, in Ventura. Office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The office offers a comprehensive referral network of doctors and specialists and access to state-of-the-art healthcare technologies at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.
The office accepts most private and managed care insurance plans, including Seaview HMO. For an appointment, call 667-2841.
Physician and patient boundaries – Should your doctor be your friend? – will be the focus of a free Ethics in Healthcare event Community Memorial Health System is holding on Thursday Nov. 12 as part of the 2015 Speaker Series.
James Hornstein, M.D., chairman of the Bioethics Committee at Community Memorial Hospital, will moderate the panel discussion that will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, located at 100 E. Main St.
The presentations will explore some of the historical boundaries in the doctor-patient relationship that are meant to protect patient confidentiality, trust in the profession and avoid compromised clinical judgment.
Registration is free but reservations are required. Call 1-800/838-3006, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.
Jeremy McCool, Paul Hullar, Bob Grundstrom, Jonathan Koehn, and Erik Takayesu attended the sold out event.
On Oct. 14 the Chambers of Commerce Alliance of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties hosted The Future of Energy: Energy & the Environment which brought industry professionals, local leaders and community members together to explore the complex issues of energy production, renewable resources and responsible energy use in California held at the Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach. The sold out event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring speakers representing the various sectors of energy including sun, wind, petroleum, biofuels, battery storage and electricity. The panel, moderated by Bruce Stenslie, President/CEO of the EDC-VC, was aimed to provide a balanced discussion about energy needs and energy realities as it relates to the various energy sectors.
Robert Grundstorm, Vice President of Planning and New Ventures for California Resources Corporation served as the panelist representing the petroleum industry. He addressed a variety of topics including hydraulic fracturing, stating that it is not a new process and is heavily regulated in California. Jonathan Koehn, Director of Project Development for Infinity Wind Power, provided insight into wind-produced energy and identified California as a low-feasibility state for this type of energy production. Jeremy McCool, Business Development Manager for Desert Solar Inc., said the current trends in solar are reflective of energy-storage options including battery storage for extended use. Erik Takayesu, Director of Electric System Planning for Southern California Edison, spoke about increasing capacity on the grid and developing battery storage options to increase energy resources during peak times. Paul Hullar, Founder and CEO of Brightwave Energy, asserted that fossil fuels will continue to be a vital part of the community. He also addressed the exploration of solid waste gasification, biodigesters and microturbines for electricity output. Utilising energy efficient innovations is only going to become more and more important as time goes by. This is why MOSFET semiconductors have been so greatly welcomed.
Alex Epstein, New York Times best-selling author of “The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels,” was the keynote speaker. He energetically addressed the audience, donning an “I Love Fossil Fuels” T-Shirt and defining two typical views of fossil fuels: They’re either a necessary evil that we need to stop using or it will take years to get off fossil fuels all together. Epstein’s assertion, however, was that fossil fuels are not evil and should be used more. Epstein suggested fossil fuels are in fact anti-pollution and pro-development. His moral philosophy suggests people look at the big picture and develop a clear standard for examining use. Epstein noted that people see fossil fuels as “dirty.” He argued that they can only be identified as dirty because they come from fossilized plants that have been in the ground and that they truly are a renewable resource. He called them original green energy. His thought-provoking presentation left attendees with much to think about regarding the subject of fossil fuels.
Epstein emphasized that human ingenuity makes all resources valuable and that we are running out of the ability to seek new forms of energy. Ultimately, he said, it is up to us to maximize human-wellbeing while minimizing impact.
Brook’s student Alex Kay is getting access to publishing opportunities and exposure through the VVCB.
The Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB) is committed to engaging community partners in order to develop meaningful relationships that benefit the community.
Over the past year, VVCB has focused its efforts to actively seek out opportunities to strengthen its relationships with Brooks Institute. Last year, Brooks Institute invited VVCB Executive Director, Marlyss Auster, to give a graduation commencement speech, kick-starting growth in our relationship. Since then, VVCB has partnered with Brooks Institute to offer a photography internship funded by a federal grant program. VVCB is honored and proud to offer real-life experience opportunities to students in Ventura and is excited to continue this win-win partnership through which the VVCB gains access to fantastic photography, and learning photographers get access to publishing opportunities and exposure. In fact, VVCB’s new Inspiration Guide for Ventura features many images captured by VVCB’s photography interns that will be seen all over California and across the USA.
VVCB has also begun participating in Brooks Institute’s student orientations to welcome them to Ventura and ensure they have the information they need. VVCB’s newest undertaking in partnership with Brooks Institute is a semesterly photo contest for students and alumni. Prizes include a trip for two to the Channel Islands National Park courtesy of Island Packers and the VVCB. Going forward, VVCB hopes to keep this relationship growing by developing graphic design and film internships, as well as partnering on community projects to enhance Brooks Institute involvement and maximize benefits for the community.
BRAVO is the annual awards luncheon of the Ventura County Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-VC). To be held on Friday, April 1st, 2016 NAWBO shines the spotlight on outstanding business women of Ventura County, honoring them for their vision and perseverance, which is creating a brighter future for women business owners and women-led business ventures in our community.
NAWBO-VC is currently seeking nominations for nine local, outstanding women in the following categories:
Woman Business Owner of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award (new in 2016)
Innovator of the Year
Rising Star of the Year
Community Advocate of the Year
Education Advocate of the Year
Young Woman Entrepreneur of the Year
NAWBO-VC Member of the Year
Corporate Leader/Partner of the Year (new in 2016)
“We’ve had some truly stellar women business owners and leaders nominated over the years,” stated Dr. Janis Shinkawa, President, NAWBO Ventura County and 2014 Bravo Rising Star of the Year. “We encourage nominations from throughout the county, whether the outstanding woman you know is a NAWBO member or not.”
To nominate an extraordinary woman, simply go to www.NAWBOVC.org and click on the 17th Annual Bravo Awards found under Events. Online, fax and email submissions are being accepted through Tuesday, November 24. Nominees need not be NAWBO members.
