Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Ventura County Library announces a new mobile app, MyVCLibrary, allowing users access to print and digital collections

Saticoy Library is one of four Ventura libraries.

The MyVCLibrary app helps library customers continue to access Ventura County Library collections and services in a user-friendly way. Users may access a digital library card, search for materials, place or cancel holds, manage their account, renew items, and even self-check, all from their mobile device. Other features include an ISBN search to see if the library has a specific book and the ability to manage several accounts on one device.

“We’re really excited that our new and improved app brings the library to life in the hands of our users. We’re happy to be able to extend our reach into the community and provide customers convenient access to our collections and services, wherever they are, whenever they’d like,” says Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director.

The app allows users to explore the library without entering a building. While in a library building, our app allows users to easily pull up their digital library card on their device and check out.

Download this new Ventura County Library app by going to the Android or Apple app Store and searching for “MyVCLibrary” on your smart device today.

For additional information, contact Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director at (805) 256-8535.

See our hours of service at https://www.vencolibrary.org/locations

El Rio Branch:

  • Albert H. Soliz Library, 2820 Jourdan Street, Oxnard, CA 93036

Heritage Valley branches:

  • Fillmore Library, 502 2nd Street, Fillmore, CA 93015
  • Piru Library, 3811 Center Street, Piru, CA 93040

Mobile Library https://www.vencolibrary.org/locations/mobile-library

Oak Park branch:

  • Oak Park Library, 899 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377

Ojai Valley region branches:

  • Meiners Oaks Library, at Meiners Oaks Elementary, Fall 2021
  • Oak View Library, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022
  • Ojai Library, 111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023

Port Hueneme branch:

  • Ray D. Prueter Library, 510 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA 93041

Ventura region branches:

  • Avenue Library, 606 North Ventura Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001
  • E.P. Foster Library, 651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001
  • Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road, Ventura, CA 93003
  • Saticoy Library, 1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura, CA 93004

 

Answer In a Breeze

Question:
I often see Coast Guard boats going into the Ventura Harbor. What are they doing in the Harbor?
Diane Brown

Answer:
We asked Tim Burrows from the Ventura Harbor Patrol to answer this.
The US coast guard serves many functions, one of which is boarding vessels for safety inspections and or suspicious activity. They will enter the Harbor and look for suspicious activity or for violations.

They also are part of Homeland Security, so they patrol all water ways (inland / international).

Also, it is easier to board vessels in calm waters, so they will sometimes bring vessels to our dock for inspections and investigations.

Where happiness comes in waves at the Ventura Harbor

Celebrate seaside entertainment all summer long.

The sights and sounds of Summer continue weekly at Ventura Harbor Village through Labor Day with a stellar line up of live seaside entertainment and an array of after dark experiences.

Set sail into the weekend with harborside entertainment at Ventura Harbor Village where a menagerie of summer seaside vibes is in the air on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Revel in genres that include Blues, Pop, Rock Soul, Caribbean, and Reggae.

A roster of top-notch local DJs set the stage and take turns showcasing an ongoing musical variety (made possible by Party Proper!) as part of NEW Friday Nite Seaside DJ Set from 4-7 pm every Friday through Labor Day weekend. Stroll the Seaside Promenade Stage and embrace some evening bliss as the sun goes down and sound turns up. Enjoy the sea-inspired soundtrack while meandering the waterfront and sipping cool cocktails on the patio of a nearby restaurant.

Amid a toe tapping upbeat tropical vibe, visitors celebrate the return of the destination’s popular live Steel Drum Performances with Steel Drum Saturdays from 1-4 p.m. at the seaside Promenade Stage which showcases breathtaking views of both the harbor and mountains. Arrive early to shop, dine and relax at one of the Village’s scenic restaurants and savor fresh seafood, a variety of cuisine choices, and toast to summer with refreshing hand-crafted cocktails

Showcasing a variety of duos and trios with a musical line-up that includes pop to soul and rock to a blend of Caribbean and reggae, Ventura Harbor’s live Summer Sundays live musical performances, from 1-4 p.m. on the oceanfront Promenade Stage, are the perfect way to spend the afternoon. With an array of options to sit back, relax and listen to music on the scenic Promenade patios, on the water aboard a kayak, SUP, electric boat, or on a paddle boat, all offer ways to get the best floating seats in the harbor.

 

Adopt a bright and caring and personable teenage boy from Kidsave Summer Miracles Program

Weston is a smart and caring 14-year-old foster child from Columbia.

by Carol Leish

Sueanne Chadbourne is a lawyer who does personal injury, governmental defense and social services work. Her husband, Stephen, does operations/distributions for a medical device company. William (Weston) is staying with their family here in Ventura. They also have their own 16-year-old son.

Sueanne said, “Recently my family welcomed a smart and caring 14-year-old foster child from Columbia. Weston, who doesn’t have a family of his own, will be with us in our home for five weeks. As an older kid, his chances of finding an adoptive family in Columbia are slim to none. We are hoping that this visit with us will give him the opportunity to meet parents who will love and care for him. He is staying with us and he is hoping to meet prospective parents here who will nurture and support him. He traveled here with Kidsave, a nonprofit organization that helps older kids who need families find their forever homes.”

“Kidsave’s Summer Miracles Programs gives older orphans from oversees the chance for a family.” Their website: www.kidsave.org, also says, “Kids travel to the United States for a memorable 5 week stay. While the kids are here, they learn about the U.S. culture, attend summer camp, and experience life with an American family.”

“With your support, our innovative programs both here and abroad give older kids in foster care a voice and a choice in who they get to know and who will ultimately become their forever family. And, with an estimated 8 million children living in institutional care worldwide, and more than 440,000 in foster care here in the U.S., the need has never been greater.”

Sueanne Chadbourne emphasized that, “Weston has a great temperament. He is looking for a new start. He is great with little kids and great with pets, too. He is sweet and well-behaved. He is definitely mature for his age of only being 14 years old.”

“He is polite, loving, and and a funny young man that loves being outside. He is a great bike rider and loves soccer and basketball. He hopes to become a lawyer when he grows up. He has so much to offer and is a joy to be around. He’s a special kid who deserves to be in a loving family that can support his every step of life.”

Those interested in giving Weston a chance to grow in a supportive home, please contact either, Lauren Reicher Gordon (Sr. VP and Director Family Visit Program), at (310) 642-7201; or, Madeline Thrachtenberg (Summer Miracles Assistant Program Manager), at (310) 241-3083. Or email either of them at: [email protected]. By becoming an adoptive family, you will be giving Weston the chance to thrive in a loving and supportive home.

TREE TOWN

Ventura has many empty tree wells along our city streets. If you have one in your neighborhood, you can contact the City of Ventura Urban Forestry department and request that a street tree be planted. The city crew takes care of 30,000 trees, and new trees need watering for the first two years, so it is very helpful if residents volunteer to water them. Please call 805 652-4541 to request a tree, and help our urban forest canopy grow!

www.venturatreealliance.com

Most residential property did not suffer adverse market value conditions

County Assessor Dan Goodwin announced the certification and delivery of Ventura County’s annual assessment roll to Auditor-Controller Jeff Burgh Monday, June 28, on time and includes adjustments for impacts of the pandemic.

“My office has been following the economic impact of the pandemic closely. Restricted access to workplaces and other virus-related effects have taken their financial toll on many business’s property values,” said Dan Goodwin, County Assessor. The office was proactive in reviewing these property declines on commercial and industrial properties and with documented support from these businesses determined the appropriate temporary declines in values. Most residential property did not suffer adverse market value conditions during 2020.

Due to a lower inflation factor about 209,000 properties received a modest increase of 1% instead of the usual 2% increase, which was set by a 1978 ballot measure known as Prop 13.  However, some properties may see a larger increase due to their recent sales history or new construction.

The Local Roll now contains a record $152 billion in assessed value. The County saw a tenth consecutive annual increase in total roll value with this year’s assessment roll increasing 3.6% over last year, which is remarkable given the challenges our community has faced. 

At this time, the Assessor’s Office is preparing to send assessed value notices to about 250,000 taxpayers in Ventura County by late July 2021.  There are several tax savings programs, which were also applied to disabled veterans, hospitals, churches, colleges, museums, and non-profit organizations such as low-income housing. This year, over $4.5 billion was exempted from the roll, an increase of 3.86% over last year.

For questions about the value notice or claims about assessed values that may be more than market value on January 1, 2021, please contact Assessor staff at (805) 654-2181 or visit the website at assessor.countyofventura.org. Assessment Appeal Applications can be filed with the Clerk of the Assessment Appeals Board between July 2 and September 15 by calling (805) 654-2251 or by visiting ventura.org/cob/aab.

Sensory kits were presented to every ambulance in the county

Sensory kits are designed to comfort those with disabilities. Photo by Richard Lieberman

On Monday, July 26, at 3:30 pm, at Gold Coast Ambulance, 200 Bernoulli Circle, Oxnard the Autism Society Ventura County presented sensory kits to every ambulance in the county The sensory kits are designed to comfort those with disabilities when in an emergency situation. This partnership has been long in the making.

The kits contain noise cancelling headphones, a sensory friendly pain chart and multiple fidget tools to soothe, regulate and relax. The Society is also dedicated to providing training and support for both caregivers and first responders in these situations.

An emergency can be a scary time for all involved. Autism Society Ventura County’s goal is to connect with and provide the training needed to both recognize and communicate effectively in order to prevent escalated situations within the neurodiverse community. Ventura County alone has an estimated 20,000 Autistic diagnoses, and we are dedicated to supporting all affected by Autism including Autistic individuals, caregivers and family members.

Autism Society Ventura County www.autismventura.org

11th Annual Backpack Gift~Away Event!

Kids & Families Together (K&FT) along with Heart 2 Heart will be hosting the 11th Annual Backpack Gift~Away Drive-Thru event on Saturday, August 14th, in Ventura for foster/resource, kinship, adopted and bio-families currently working in programs with Kids & Families Together. This will be a fun family event that will provide backpacks filled with age appropriate school supplies, along with other donations for the caregivers. As families leave the event, a box lunch will be provided allowing them the opportunity to enjoy a nice afternoon picnic together at the beach or a local park.

This year’s theme is Pirates & Mermaids! As with prior drive-thru events, dressing in costume or decorating your vehicle is strongly encouraged. Our goal is to serve 150 children, who are currently “in care” at this event and send them back to school with confidence and the supplies they need for a fun and successful school year!

There are many ways to help support this event through financial giving, donations of school supplies or becoming a volunteer!

Ways to Donate:

Visit our Amazon Wishlist to purchase school supplies: https://a.co/hGx10tB

Donations can also be mailed to: Resource Family Support, Kids & Families Together, 864 E. Santa Clara Street – Ventura, 93001.

• Collect backpacks/supplies and schedule a drop-off/pick-up.
• Donate and we will purchase what is needed: igfn.us/form/wU82SQ
• Text to donate: FAM (on 91999)

For more information contact: 805-643-1446 ext. 108/131,
email: [email protected]

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

Ventura Friends of the Library book sale and community event

There will be a giant book sale on Saturday July 31 and Sunday August 1 at the lovely Dudley House Historical Museum, 197 North Ashwood Avenue (corner of Loma Vista.)

Quality used books will be arranged by genre/category and will be displayed in car trunks, on outside tables, and downstairs in the Community Room.

Saturday book sale hours will be 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. In addition, there will be a plant sale, benefiting the Dudley House, Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the front garden. The Downtown Lions Club will cook up a hot dog lunch 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, to benefit the Lions’ Sight and Hearing projects.

Sunday the book sale continues 12 noon – 3 p.m. As a bonus, Dudley House docents will be offering free tours of this historical treasure on Sunday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Come one or both days, find that perfect summer read, have lunch, celebrate the season and our community, and support local organizations!

Library events back in person

In the last column I covered the book groups at Foster and Hill Road branches. In case you missed it, here is the information again:

Foster meets the first Saturday of the month 10-12. August’s book is The Roundhouse by Erdrich. Information: [email protected].

Hill Road meets the last Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. August’s book is I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by McNamara. Information: [email protected].

Ukelele Jam is also back! Mondays 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. at Foster.

The Mobile Library is spreading joy and reading all over the place this summer. Too many appearances to cover here. On the VCLSA website, their schedule is available under the Events tab. Or ask your local librarian.

Summer Reading Challenge

Register: https://vencolibrary.beanstack.org/
Create a profile for each family member.
Log reading minutes or books, complete activities, earn badges, and become eligible for prizes.

Lego Challenge – bilingual program

Pick up a set of bricks and the flyer at your local library. Build something, name it, take a picture and submit it. 50 bricks! Keep them! FUN! Through August 22.

Book donations at Hill Road

We are grateful but overwhelmed. Please limit yourself to one bag of donated books at a time.

Friends of the Library bookstores open for business

Foster store has moved to a larger space on the first floor. Tuesday – Saturday 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Lots more books!

Hill Road book sale shelves are available during library hours. Adults’ and kids’ books, fiction and nonfiction, DVD’s, CD’s and puzzles.

Volunteers needed

The Ventura Friends of the Library is looking for a few good volunteers. They are the heart and soul, not to mention the hands and backs, of our organization. The used book warehouse, the book store, the periodic sales and many other facets of the Friends depend on the good will, and effort, of our volunteers. Plus it’s a lot of fun. If you’d like to join us, contact [email protected].