Ventura College GeoSciences Department partnered with the 350 Ventura County Climate Hub to host an informative Climate Action Summit held on Tuesday, April 24, in the Applied Sciences Building.

“I am honored to be included in an opportunity to provide clarity and truth to the discussion of climate”, says Professor Patty Ridenour who opened the doors to bringing this event to the college.

One of the presenters was Kitty Merrill, the founder of 350 Ventura County Climate Hub. She explained “We hear that climate change is coming, but what can you do? The Ventura Climate Action Summit will give you tools to survive and push back against climate change here in Ventura.”

Speakers included, Dr. Omar Clay, an Environmental Physicist who has been researching writing and teaching on subjects related to sustainable development, environmental challenges, climate change and global security for over a decade. He is the Research Director of Science for the People, an Environmental and Sustainability Research Center in Baja California, Mexico.

Dr. Clay is concerned about the Trump Administrations bludgeoning of the EPA and the associated attacks aimed at undermining the credibility of science and scientists. His interest in what is taking place in our biosphere has also spurred his own move towards a more conscious sustainable life style.

The Summit addressed a variety of climate change related topics with a focus on what can and must be done to make the changes needed in our own community.

Ventura City Councilmember Christy Weir was enthusiastically chosen to be a “Climate Action Presenter” on the panel as well. Weir has played an active role to ensure that Ventura will be moving toward a clean energy future.

Jan Dietrick, a local business leader active with the Citizens Climate Lobby had far more of value to impart than time allowed, as did Kimberly Rivers, the Executive Director of Citizens for Responsible Gas and Oil.

A vigorous Q and A followed the presentations.

The Ventura College Foundation recently awarded 103 Ventura College students with individual STEM and Phoenix scholarships.

The annual Phoenix scholarships are awarded to Ventura College re-entry students with minimal or no financial resources to cover the costs of their education. At the 19th annual event, each student received a scholarship between $500 and $5,000 for a total of $48,400.

Phoenix Scholarship recipients are selected based on their applications, essays, recommendations from counselors, faculty and employers, and individual challenges overcome by these dedicated re-entry students. Now in its 19th year, the positive impact of the Phoenix Scholarship program is reflected in its results: 63% of recipients are first-generation college students, 33 % are single parents and 63 % are pursuing education and training in the growing health-related fields of nursing, paramedic and emergency medical technology (EMT).

“Our re-entry students are often part-time students, working and/or caring for a family, which requires commitment and sacrifice. Typically, these are students who don’t qualify for most traditional scholarships or financial aid,” said Anne King, VC Foundation executive director. “Individuals in our community fund the Phoenix Scholarships to help these students, making it possible for them to continue their education rather than abandoning their goals.”

Since its inception, the VCF Phoenix Scholarship program has recognized more than 350 students and awarded more than $250,000 in individual scholarships.

STEM scholarships went to 75 students pursuing education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The STEM scholarships were funded by the Gene Haas Foundation, Southern California Edison, and a partnership between the National Science Foundation and University of California, Santa Barbara.

The Ventura College Foundation received over 500 applications for the scholarships available.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. For more information, contact Anne King at  289-6461 or [email protected]. Or visit www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

Guest Columnist
by Steve Ellis vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense and a member of the SmarterSafer coalition

The record-breaking floodwaters that recently soaked Ventura County should serve as the latest warning that unless Congress reforms and renews the nation�s debt-ridden flood insurance program, more than 238,900 residents across California may be unable to rebuild after the next storm strikes.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides flood coverage to more than 22,000 communities across the country, expired last fall and is billions of dollars in debt to U.S. taxpayers. Due to inaction in the Senate, lawmakers have been forced to issue a series of short-term extensions to keep the broken program afloat. But with the next deadline approaching in four short months, the Senate must act now to address the NFIP�s mounting debt and ensure it is sustainable in the future.

The Senate can start by passing a legislative package similar to the 21st Century Flood Reform Act, a bill that passed the House of Representatives last fall and includes several significant reforms that address the program�s mounting debt.

One important aspect of the bill would clarify that property owners in flood zones can use private flood insurance to satisfy the federal lending requirement.

Even with more than 238,900 NFIP policies, too few California residents have purchased flood insurance. Some residents may avoid the NFIP because the one-size-fits-all policy fails to provide homeowners with the coverage they need at a price they can afford. Expanding the flood insurance market with more private insurance options would encourage more residents to purchase flood coverage, since policies could be tailored to individual properties.

There are several other reforms that the Senate should pursue to help better protect people and property at risk of severe storms� several of which were included in the House legislation.

One desperately needed reform is to update FEMA�s flood maps so they use the most accurate risk-assessment tools and modern technologies. Updated flood maps would give property owners an accurate picture of how vulnerable their property is to flooding and would help them take the appropriate measures to prepare for future storms. It would also help ensure that rates more accurately reflect the risk a property faces.

Floods have hit California hard in the past, and unfortunately, major storms will likely continue to hammer the state and rest of the country for the foreseeable future. The time has come for the Senate to tackle these NFIP reforms to ensure homeowners suffering from flood damage are not left hanging out to dry.

May is National Bicycle Safety Month. The Ventura Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) will be focusing on bicycle safety enforcement operations throughout the month. Special patrols will be deployed to look for drivers and bicyclists who violate traffic laws meant to protect all roadway users.

With about 80 million bike riders sharing the road with millions of vehicles, the importance of safety precautions in traffic cannot be overstated.

Autos: California law now mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing a cyclist. Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space. Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be especially watchful for riders when making turns. It is unlawful to drive in a bike lane except for 200 feet prior to make a right or left turn.

Bikes: Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time you ride. Cyclists who wear a helmet reduce their risk of head injury by an estimated 60%, and brain injury by 58%. A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. Riders are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic. Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, and at dawn and dusk.

To be noticed when riding at night, the law requires a front light and a red reflector to the rear. For additional safety, use a flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.

If you are involved in an incident on the road with another vehicle and sustain injuries as a result, you may be looking for legal assistance. You could consider contacting Personal Injury attorneys near Florence AL.

On April 29, at 11:30am, Ventura City Fire units responded to an overturned pickup truck and trailer on SB 101 at Johnson Dr. The trailer was on fire, with people trapped inside the truck. First arriving unit reported all occupants out, two victims in need of medical care. Patients were assessed and treated. The fire was knocked-down within approx. 10 minutes of arrival.

One patient was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries, the other patient refused treatment/transport.

The City of Ventura’s Part 1 Per Capita Crime dipped slightly in 2017 to 37.7 per thousand residents, compared to 38 percent in 2016.

Despite the slight drop in overall crime, serious and violent crime increased significantly. Violent crime increased 25 percent with 460 reported violent crimes. This is the highest number of violent crimes in Ventura in over 25 years, and an increase of 92 Violent Crimes compared to 2016.

Aggravated (Felony) Assaults had the most significant increase of 43% with 86 more felony assaults than in 2016. Gang Involvement was known or suspected in 22% of the cases and felony domestic violence accounted for 25%. 68% of the reported aggravated felony assaults were cleared by arrest or arrest warrant, significantly above the national average of 53 percent.

Reported sexual assaults for 2017 rose by 20 percent, including an increase of 8 child molestations and 7 additional reported rapes of an incapacitated or drugged victim.

Overall violent crime clearance rates (crime solved by arrest or arrest warrant) was 56.7 percent – more than 10 points above the national average (46.6 percent).

Reported property crimes in Ventura decreased by 2.8 percent in 2017 with a total of 3,655, compared to 3,762 in 2016. (107 less reported crimes).

These numbers reflect a reduction of 75 fewer commercial burglaries, but residential burglaries rose with 32 more incidents (289 vs 257).

California State Parks is closing the bicycle path located at San Buenaventura State Beach, that runs from San Pedro Street to the south side of the Ventura Pier from May 21 – June 8, as the entire bike path is receiving an upgrade and will be repaved.

There is an alternative dirt path adjacent to the paved bicycle path from San Pedro Street to the San Buenaventura State Beach Lifeguard Headquarters.

Past the lifeguard headquarters there is no alternative path. Pedestrians can cross the same area by accessing the beach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach at San Buenaventura State Beach.

Crews will be working Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

For more information regarding the closure of the bike please contact Tyson Butzke at 331-8014, or visit ca.parks.gov.

On April 30, spanning from 9:43am to 4:57pm fire and police units responded to multiple vegetation and rubbish fires, intentionally set in rapid succession within small geographic areas. Fires occurred at various locations between Harbor/Olivas & Telephone/Portola. No structures or property were significantly damaged, and no injuries were reported. An investigation is ongoing, anyone with pertinent information is encouraged to contact the Ventura Police Dept.

Kellogg Park photo courtesy of Visit Ventura.