Category Archives: News and Notes

Food Share of Ventura County joins NBC4’s Annual ‘Help 4 The Hungry’

Food Share of Ventura County is joining NBC4/KNBC’s ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ donation drive, returning for a third consecutive year to support food banks facing a greater than ever need this holiday season to help feed families in need. Demand has skyrocketed during the pandemic leaving neighborhoods and people across Southern California struggling with economic hardships, job losses and homelessness.

Until December 24, individuals can donate $1, $5, $10 or more at Ralphs and Food 4 Less stores upon checkout. People can also make donations by texting H4H to 41444 and follow the prompts.  Donations of any amount are welcomed. All donations collected locally will benefit Food Share of Ventura County and other regional food banks in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

Commenting on the ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ donation drive, Monica White, President & CEO of Food Share said, “We’re feeding double the number of people we were this time last year – many for the first time. A donation of just $1 dollar allows us to provide 3 meals for our hungry friends and neighbors.”

“NBC4’s ‘Help 4 The Hungry’ returns at a critical time when many across our area are facing overwhelming challenges. We are proud to step up and do our part to ensure millions of meals across Southern California are available to those who need it the most and during these unprecedented times,” said Steve Carlston, NBC4 President and General Manager.

Since 2018, NBC4’s campaign has raised nearly $1 million dollars in cash donations and provided four million meals across the region. This year, the station and Food Share of Ventura County hope to build on the success and make a greater impact.

Throughout the Help 4 The Hungry campaign, NBC4/KNBC will report about food insecurity in Southern California and how donations can make a difference in people’s lives. Audiences can watch the reports during the station’s newscasts that air from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m., at 11:00 a.m. and at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.  Audiences can also watch the reports through the station’s digital, mobile and OTT platforms.

For more information about how to donate, visit nbcla.com/helpthehungry and follow @nbcla on all social media platforms.

Shooting suspect identified

In a previous issue we reported about the shooting of Javier Magana Nov. 5 by the Ventura Police after a car pursuit that started in Oxnard. Officer Joaquin “Jack” Ortega, a 23-year department veteran, shot Magana after the Thousand Oaks man fired a handgun in his direction during a foot chase.

This is a photo of Javier that was not available at the time.

Enjoy the holidays by celebrating safely

As we near the holiday season, St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), members of Dignity Health Central Coast, want to remind our community to stay safe and protected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises individuals to celebrate virtually or with household members to reduce exposure and the spread of coronavirus.

“As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in our communities, we are calling on individuals to follow the guidelines recommended by the CDC and county public health departments,” said Robert Streeter, MD, Chief Medical Officer of St. John’s Regional Medical Center. “While they are simple steps that community members can take, they are life-saving and are proved to minimize exposure to the virus.”

As the holiday season approaches, we must be mindful that the COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent, and we urge community members to continue to make their health and safety a priority. The more people an individual interacts with when attending a festive gathering, the longer that interaction lasts, the higher the potential risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 and spreading the virus to others.

We are prepared and ready to provide for the health and safety of our patients, and want to remind our community members to take the proper steps to protect themselves and their loved ones. We urge community members to continue to follow the CDC guidelines for hosting gatherings during this holiday season:

  • Require guests to wear masks.
  • Limit the number of attendees to allow people from different households to remain at least 6 feet apart at all times.
  • Host outdoor rather than indoor gatherings, ensure guests are still seated with physical distance.
  • Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. Keep music levels low, so people do not have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.
  • Encourage attendees to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items such as serving utensils.
  • Plan ahead and ask guests to avoid contact with people outside of their households for 14 days before the gathering.
  • Do not let pets interact with people outside the household.

If we all do our part to stay safe, together, we can make an impact on reducing COVID-19 cases in our community.

For the complete list to host or attend a gathering, visit CDC.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html.

Ventura College Foundation’s weekend marketplace temporarily moves to new location

The Weekend Marketplace has hosted vendors and patrons for more than three decades.

Ventura College Foundation’s Weekend Marketplace will temporarily move to a new location on the Ventura College campus while solar panels are installed at its current site (East Parking Lot). The Marketplace will open at the campus’ West Parking Lot on November 28. The Marketplace will be closed November 21 and 22 in preparation for the move. The solar panel installation is expected to take 12 weeks to complete. 

Because of the COVID pandemic, the Weekend Marketplace has faced challenges in 2020 that have impacted Ventura College Foundation operations. The proceeds from Marketplace space rentals support much of the foundation’s operating costs and a portion of foundation’s core programs including scholarships and textbook lending. The Marketplace was closed in March because of COVID restrictions. It was allowed to reopen in May but on a smaller scale. 

“With the COVID closing and limited reopening, the Marketplace net revenue has been reduced by more than 60%. Since we are a nonprofit, these are critical operating funds for the Ventura College Foundation. A successful relocation is essential to preserve our current capacity to support students,” says Anne Paul King, the foundation’s executive director. “Closing for an extended period of time was never a viable option for us or those vendors and staff who have kept the Marketplace alive through the pandemic. We are all in this together.” 

The Weekend Marketplace has hosted vendors and patrons for more than three decades, providing a shopping opportunity for the community to purchase fresh produces and goods. “We are grateful for the wonderful support of the Ventura College leadership, campus police, athletic department, IT department, and the facilities, maintenance and operations team to enable us to move to our temporary location and still serve the community,” says King.  “Though the West Lot location is smaller, all of our current vendors are working with us to implement a safe operations plan that includes smaller booth spaces and use of the adjacent V Lot and Sportsplex patio on West Campus Way.” 

To offset the additional costs incurred during the temporary relocation and to make up for the reduced Marketplace rental income, the Ventura College Foundation is relaunching its “Stronger Foundation, Stronger Future” fundraising campaign and participating in #GivingTuesday 2020 on December 1. 

Once the solar panel installation is completed, the Marketplace will return to its original, larger location.COVID-19 Marketplace hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. COVID safety and spacing protocol remains in place for both vendors and patrons. All visitors must wear face coverings and practice proper social distancing.

Admission and parking are free. For vendor information, contact Esmeralda Juarez, marketplace supervisor at 805-289-6062 or email, [email protected]. For general Marketplace information, go to www.venturacollegefoundation.org/weekend-marketplace.

 

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Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Cancer Center recognizes November as Lung Cancer Awareness Month

St. John’s Regional Cancer Center (SJRCC) is pleased to offer a proactive lung cancer screening program to those with a high risk of developing lung cancer, the number one most dangerous cancer for both men and women in the United States.

In recognition of National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, SJRCC is urging community members to determine whether they are a candidate for our lung cancer screening program, which is now covered by most insurance providers. Although screening is not appropriate for everyone, current and former smokers over the age of 55 are at the greatest risk of developing lung cancer. If you meet these qualifications, talk to your physician about getting a lung cancer screening referral.

An individual deemed at risk has the option to meet with our oncology nurse navigator, who will facilitate a low-dose computerized tomography scan of the chest, commonly called a CT or CAT scan. The screening, which only takes minutes to complete, produces detailed images of the lungs and other structures inside the chest.

If any abnormalities are present, the scan will be reviewed by a dedicated multidisciplinary team of physicians that specialize in the treatment and diagnosis of lung cancer. Once reviewed, our physicians will discuss options for further evaluation and treatment with you and your primary care physician, if necessary.

Early-stage survival rates are high; however, many small cell lung cancer (SCLC), which accounts for 10% to 15% of all lung cancer cases, are detected in the distant stage when it has spread to parts of the body, such as the brain, bones, liver, or the other lung, with a survival rate of 3%. Early detection can save lives, and that is why SJRCC has developed a screening program for those deemed at high risk for lung cancer.

A lung cancer screening could be life-saving and proactive screenings can detect early signs of lung cancer, when treatment options have the greatest chance of success. Under the leadership of local physicians, the lung cancer screening program at SJRCC was created to diagnose patients at a treatable stage, before symptoms develop. For questions about the program, or to find out if you are a candidate, please call (805) 988-2641.

More than $70 million in patient financial assistance and community benefit programs

Serving the community is one of our highest priorities. Dignity Health Central Coast hospitals, which include St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) annually report on community health programs, including the health needs being addressed, programs and measurable objectives, and the economic value of our community benefit in Ventura County.

Our comprehensive approach to improve community health includes financial assistance for those unable to afford medically necessary care, a range of prevention and health improvement programs conducted by the hospital with community partners, and investing in efforts that address social determinants of health.

Dignity Health SJRMC and SJPVH offer financial assistance for medically necessary hospital services to patients who meet certain criteria. More information about Dignity Health’s Financial Assistance Policy, including who is eligible to receive assistance, can be found online on St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital websites.

In fiscal year 2020 (FY20), Dignity Health St. John’s provided $17,666,097 in patient financial assistance, unreimbursed costs of Medicaid, community health improvement services, and other community benefits.

Dignity Health St. John’s Community Health Departments coordinate 72 community programs that served 103,897 individuals in fiscal year 2020 (FY20).

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard are members of Dignity Health Central Coast, an integrated network of top quality

hospitals, with physicians from the most prestigious medical schools, and comprehensive outpatient services – all recognized for quality, safety and service. Both hospitals are supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central Coast region also include Arroyo Grande Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, French Hospital Medical Center in San Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional.

Fire personnel respond to traffic collision

On November 6, at 12:42 pm, a 911 call was received at the Fire Communication Center to report a traffic collision at the S/B 33 Frwy and W. Stanley Ave. Fire personnel arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and found a small passenger vehicle with 3 occupants that had collided into an embankment. Fire and EMS personnel provided advanced medical treatment to the patients and performed hazard mitigation to ensure that the scene was safe. Two patients were transported to a local trauma center and one patient was transported to an area hospital for further treatment. No emergency personnel were injured and the cause of the accident remains under investigation.

The Ventura City Fire Department would like to remind the public that seatbelts save lives.

Ventura City Fire Department responds to structure fire

On Nov.10, at 4:52pm the Ventura City Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 300 block of Paseo De Playa. First arriving firefighters discovered a maintenance shed attached to a carport fully involved in fire. Firefighters forced entry into the shed and extinguished the fire while protecting the exposed cars in the carport. The fire was completely extinguished 12 minutes after firefighters arrived on scene.