Applications are now being accepted for Ventura Police Volunteers! Volunteers are an essential component to the Ventura Police Department’s community problem oriented policing efforts. Volunteers have an opportunity to learn about policing and help improve community safety. Volunteers come from many different professional backgrounds with the common goal of wanting to make a difference by giving of their time and talent to serve our community.

There are two volunteer programs offered at the Ventura Police Department:

The In-House/Administrative Volunteer position reports to designated supervisory personnel within the Police Department and performs routine to moderately complex administrative and clerical work to support efficient and effective office operations. Volunteers work along with Ventura Police staff to assist in various projects. The Department often utilizes the talents of volunteers by giving tasks that best suit the volunteer skillset.

Volunteers in Policing (VIPs). VIPs help with vacation house checks, extra foot patrol, parking enforcement, traffic control, report writing and special events. They are paired with a buddy and drive a marked minivan throughout the community being the extra eyes to report suspicious activity and to respond to special call types as needed. VIPs create their own schedule with their partner and are given various assignments during their shift. Ventura Police VIPs do not carry weapons, they wear uniforms, are equipped with police radios and drive marked vehicles.

In 2018, VIPs responded to 553 calls for service, took 108 reports and contributed more than 5,600 hours of service. They have been a valuable partner in crime reduction and community policing efforts.

“Ventura Police Volunteers are special people who truly care about our community and want to give back in an exciting way! Many of our volunteers had careers here in our community, raised their families here and are now retired wanting to make a difference in a new way. We appreciate their dedicated service, professionalism and the life experiences they bring that enrich our department and Ventura. They make a difference and are appreciated,” said Assistant Police Chief Darin Schindler.

Volunteers are provided with training after an application, interview and background process is conducted. They are also required to attend a Volunteer Academy. Those interested in this exciting opportunity are encouraged to apply online at  www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1647/Volunteer or by calling Police Services Officer Natalie Wiles at 805-477-3747.

From severe injuries to arthritis, shoulder replacement surgery can be used to treat a variety of conditions. For some patients, less invasive treatments provide relief but for others, shoulder replacement surgery provides the best path to a healthy, pain-free life.

The latest developments in shoulder replacement surgery will be the focus of a free seminar at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, in Ventura. Titled “Is Shoulder Replacement Right for You?” the seminar is hosted by Community Memorial Health System as part of its 2019 Speaker Series. At the seminar, guest speaker Dr. Stephan Sweet will discuss advances in shoulder replacement surgery and the types of patients most likely to benefit from surgery.

Dr. Sweet is a member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff and specializes in orthopedic surgery. He received his medical degree from Georgetown University, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at USC, and completed a fellowship at UCLA in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Sweet is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.

The Nov. 14 seminar will begin at 6 p.m. at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street. Registration is free but reservations are required. For reservations, visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

California Humanities has announced the recent round of Humanities For All Quick Grant awards, and the Ventura County Library has been awarded $5,000.00 for its One County, One Book Community Reading Program.

The Humanities For All Quick Grant is a competitive grant program of California Humanities that supports locally-initiated public humanities projects that respond to the needs and interests of Californians, encourage greater public participation in humanities programming, particularly by new and/or underserved audiences, and promotes understanding and empathy among all our state’s peoples in order to cultivate a thriving democracy.

One County, One Book unites the Ventura County community around a common narrative, spreading interest in and facilitating discussions about the selected book. People across the county have a chance to attend a variety of events related to the themes of the selection, including lectures, workshops, film screenings, and more. One County, One Book 2019 is truly a countywide initiative, and aims to spark community discussion, foster a stronger sense of community, and promote a love of reading and literature.

One County, One Book is also supported through a primary sponsorship from California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), and additional sponsorships from a host of other organizations including California Lutheran University, Ventura College, the Museum of Ventura County, the Museum of Ventura County’s Docent Volunteer Council, the Camarillo Public Library, the Calabasas Library, the Ventura Friends of the Library, the Ojai Valley Library Friends & Foundation, and the Ventura County Library Foundation.

“These projects will bring the complexity and diversity of California to light in new ways that will engage Californians from every part of our state, and, will help us all understand each other better,” said Julie Fry, President & CEO of California Humanities. “We congratulate the grantees whose projects will promote understanding and provide insight into a wide range of topics, issues, and experiences.”

A complete list of all Humanities For All Quick Grants can be found on the calhum.org website here.

California Humanities, a nonprofit partner of the National Endowment of the Humanities, promotes the humanities—focused on ideas, conversation, and learning—as relevant, meaningful ways to understand the human condition and connect us to each other in order to help strengthen California. California Humanities has provided grants and programs across the state since 1975. To learn more visit calhum.org, or follow California Humanities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

All events associated with One County, One Book are free and open to the public. For more information about the 2019 One County, One Book program, visit www.vencolibrary.org/OCOB or contact Ron Solórzano at [email protected] or 805-218-9146.

The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org. Please visit our website for information on the location and hours of the library closest to you.

Former Ventura Fire Captain John Van Mannekes passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from ALS.

Captain Van Mannekes joined the department in May, 1996 and retired in July, 2017.

He leaves behind his wife Rebecca and his children Jonathan and Jamison.

“Living the Best Mortal Life Possible” is brought to you as a local collaboration by Ventura County Medical Center (VCMC) Palliative Care Team, Ventura County Palliative Partnership & Ventura County Coalition of Compassionate Care

Ira Byock, MD is a leading palliative care physician, author and public advocate for improving care through the end-of-life.

He is Founder and Chief Medical Officer of the Institute for Human Caring of Providence Health and Services based in Torrance, CA. The institute advances efforts to measure, monitor and improve person-centered care system wide and supports culturally diverse communities in expanding models of care.

Dr. Byock is Professor of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He served as Director of Palliative Medicine at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire from 2003 to 2013

Tuesday, Nov. 19, 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Ventura High School, Auditorium, 2 North Catalina St.

Free and Open to the Public

On Nov.6, at 4:30pm, the Ventura County Fire Communication Center received a report of a small bush on fire on the right shoulder of the N/B 101 Frwy near the E. Main St on ramp. A single fire engine from the Ventura City Fire Dept was dispatched to the area and was unable to locate the initial incident. Additional 911 calls were being received about multiple vegetation fires along the right shoulder of the N/B 101 Frwy between the E. Main St exit and the Sanjon Rd exit and included a vehicle fire. Additionally, fire resources were dispatch to those areas and upon arrival they found multiple vegetation fires and a vehicle fire which threatened two residences. Fire resources initiated a quick and aggressive fire attack which kept the fires to the areas of origin. Upon further investigation, it was determined that a malfunction in the vehicle’s fuel tank was causing fuel to spill along the freeway shoulder and causing the vegetation fires and the vehicle fire.

Traffic along the 101 Frwy was impacted for approximately one hour due to the fires. CHP provided traffic control along the N/B 101 Frwy until fire resources were able to extinguish the fires

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) is helping to successfully change the landscape of Ventura County’s affordable housing market. Its three newest funding projects would not be possible without ongoing community funding support and grants.

Recently, HTF Ventura County was notified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that it is one of 73 recipients of a Technical Assistance grant. The $125,000 grant doubles to $250,000 due to State Proposition 1’s fund matching program. “Earlier this year we set a lofty $5 million fundraising goal by the end of 2019,” stated Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.

Ventura’s Willett Ranch, located at 54 and 55 Willett Street, is part of the new Solana Heights residential community. It will include the new construction of 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments for extremely low income seniors, with 15 apartments designated for permanent supportive housing for homeless households. It is estimated that 75-80 seniors will become residents of Willett Ranch. Construction is set to begin in November.

Ventura’s El Portal Building, located at 1238-1288 North Ventura Avenue, is a two-story building constructed in 1929. After falling into disrepair, Triad Properties, a nonprofit corporation associated with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura purchased the mixed-use property with plans to reconfigure 33 current living spaces, storage and commercial space into 28 to 30 more suitable apartments for homeless individuals, those with special needs, and very low income adults. HTF Ventura County provided a $700,000 construction loan to kick-off the project.

HTF Ventura County is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of July 2019, HTF Ventura County has invested $4.7 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle- income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

by Jill Forman

Every year in Ventura County, nearly 93 people die as a result of suicide. The World Health Organization has designated Suicide Prevention as its theme for2019. Turning Point Foundation hosted a community townhall with a panel of Ventura County mental health professionals. Their goal was to gather insight and ideas on suicide prevention across Ventura County

Attendees were a mix of medical and mental health personnel, social workers, family members affected by suicide or attempted suicide, and other involved citizens. Supervisor John Zaragoza, whose life has been impacted by such an event, came by and gave a brief but heartfelt speech.

The panel members were:
Marie Linauro (moderator) – Turning Point Foundation
Roberta Griego – NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill)
Dr. Sevet Johnson – Ventura County Behavioral Health
Jason Meek – Turning Point Foundation
Christine Ray – parent and advocate
Mark Schumacher – Turning Point
Dr. Pilar Sumalpong – Vista del Mar

All these dedicated and articulate experts had insights into the problem of suicide and what can be done to prevent it. Here are basic elements that were stated over and over as vital foundations of any programs.

Communication: Don’t be afraid to talk about the subject, to admit that it’s real and can happen in any family. It is a scary subject; admit that and talk about it anyway. Share stories. The only way to decrease the stigma and shame is to be open about it. With a person in danger, admit that it’s an option, let them steer the conversation and talk about it. Be a true friend and listen, validate their viewpoint.

Education: Know the signs when someone is in danger, perhaps increased stressors, and statements of hopelessness, “This is too hard.” This education needs to be started in school, at young ages. Know the risk factors, especially with trauma. “An educated community is a healthier one,” emphasized one panel member. Professionals as well as community members can come together to learn, to hear where someone in danger can be referred. Major life transition can be a danger point; someone coming out of the military, or jail, or mental health is at risk if they are not helped to merge into “normal” life. Other danger points are death of a spouse or family member, job loss, financial difficulties, health issues, divorce and anything that radically changes someone’s life.

Change In Public Attitude: Suicide has to be made a safe and palatable topic. The difficulty is that unless it has occurred in a family or circle, people don’t “get it.” It needs to be discussed with compassion and empathy, not dismissed as “weak” or “selfish.” It is not a shameful act. One panel member told about his mother being so ashamed of her husband’s suicide that she moved out of the area so she’d be where nobody knew. What a terrible thing, that she felt she had to cut herself off from everyone she knew. These were the people that could have been supporting her, in a different scenario. The stigma comes from fear that it could happen to someone we know, so we distance ourselves from even the thought of even that possibility.

Accessibility: Help has to be available to all, and affordable. The person in danger needs to be guided to services, to be reassured they are not a failure, that they are doing the best they can. As one panel member said, “Show them they’re worth it!”

Interagency collaboration is the key to successful programs. Public Health, schools, Behavioral Health, and law enforcement are all necessary components and need to coordinate their efforts. As the agenda for the meeting said, “With awareness, commitment and action we can save lives. Together.”