Colleen Garner is a volleyball fanatic. It all started in the 8th grade when she asked her mother to enroll her in the famous Al Scates Volleyball Camp in Santa Barbara.

Colleen was born in Burbank but lived in many San Fernando Valley cities. She attended John Burroughs High School and Glendale College where she played on the volleyball team.

She continued to play volleyball (her passion) after college and in 1982 was part of a co-ed team that won the national tournament. Hooked with the game she played everywhere she could night and day.

While growing up she visited relatives in Ventura for many many years and fell in love with the city. In May of this year, she made Ventura her permanent.

Her love for volleyball lead her to become a certified volleyball referee over 30-years ago. She first refereed with the San Fernando Valley Unit. And now the Channel Coast Unit where she referees high school and adult leagues. She referees throughout the area and looks forward to local high school’s starting their volleyball season so that she can referee here also.

She explained “We need to take continuing referee courses because volleyball is an unusual sport because the rules are constantly changing.” She needs to receive a yearly certificate to continue refereeing where they need to pass a 100-question exam.

Professionally she has worked for Body By Jake and other positions.

Many people watching the Olympics’ volleyball wondered why there was one player wearing different colors and was smaller than most of the other players so we asked Colleen to explain.

“Libero” is a back row defensive specialist, who has impeccable ball control skills and quick to get balls up and allows exciting plays to continue.  They were added to international competition in 1998. NCAA women’s volleyball incorporated them into the game in 2002 and high school started utilizing them in the 2006-2007 season.”

The Libero wears a contrasting color from the other players uniform so the official can see them clearly on the court.  They are never allowed to rotate into the front row.  A great addition to the game!”

A multi-tasking lady, besides her refereeing Colleen also has her own business “Call Colleen” (818-669-9083) where she provides whatever services one needs including errands grandchild care, pet care and other personal assistant services. She also manages to work part-time at Annie’s Portside apparel & clothing located at Portside Ventura Harbor.

Note: In her left hand is an electric whistle that is necessary because of the wearing of COVID masks while officiating. 

It is with deep regret the Board of Directors for the Seaside Highland Games is compelled to announce that the 2021 Games will not take place.​

Although the Board worked diligently with the Ventura County Fairgrounds to seek ways to hold the 2021 Games, the options presented by the Fairgrounds eliminated our access to major portions of the Fairground’s parking and event facilities. After much discussion, the Board determined that, given the significant limitations currently mandated by the Fairgrounds, it would not be possible to hold Games that would in any way provide the level of entertainment and quality of experience Seaside has proudly delivered for the past 17 years.​

While this is an extremely disappointing result of careful and time-consuming negotiations, the Board has been assured that the Fairgrounds intend to return to full access for 2022. Accordingly, the Board is committed to providing an outstanding games experience and will be back next October the 8th and 9th for a triumphant return.

Javier Saucedo of Ventura County’s Green Business Program will visit the Hill Road Library at 1pm on Thursday, September 23, to explain and demonstrate the contents of the DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkits currently available for lending from Ventura County Library locations.

3C-REN and the Ventura County Library have partnered to create the DIY Home Energy Savings Toolkit. The toolkit includes tools, equipment, and a guide to help you save energy and increase the comfort of your home. There are items for you to keep, like LED light bulbs, outlet gaskets, weatherstripping, and water leak detection dye tablets; and tools to return, like an infrared laser thermometer and a Kill-A-Watt meter. Join this event for a demo of the kit, to ask your questions, and to learn about other sustainability programs in your area.

Javier Saucedo joined the construction trade in 1990, continuing until 2006 when he became an energy conservation specialist working with SoCalGas, SCE, and California weatherization programs. He currently leads the County’s Green Business Program, performs residential and commercial energy audits, and oversees quality control on energy saving upgrades.

This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180.

The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 S. Hill Road in Ventura, CA. Hours of service are 10am to 6pm Monday through Wednesday, 12pm to 6pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.

Ventura Breeze Senior Advertising Exec. Breezy Gledhill is sure that her niece, 4-year-old Louvelle Gledhill is the cutest in the whole universe. Maybe she is right.

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast launched an “Infant at Work” program today allowing parents to bring their infant to work for up to six months. “I believe it is imperative that we do our best to support newborn parents and guardians,” says CEO, Tammie Helmuth. An infant’s first few months are crucial to their development. It is during this time that the infant and their parent form a lifelong bond and a trusting, healthy relationship.

Through this new program, employees who are new mothers, fathers, or legal guardians will be allowed to bring their infant to work for up to six months. This, in turn, promotes a healthy work/life balance and honors the contribution that the employee makes to the council. “This program shows that the council’s practices are what we encourage in our communities; supporting parent and infant bonding, parental well-being, healthy infant development, and breastfeeding,” said Helmuth.

Parents will have the opportunity to respond to their infant’s needs instantly, which will boost their cognitive development. Bonding is a process on its own, it is not something that occurs overnight, it must be nurtured and built up as time goes on. The “Infant at Work” program supports all facets of infant development. This program is invaluable for both parents and infants alike. Helmuth states: “as a female leadership organization, this program undoubtedly aligns with our mission as we know, and support, the value of parent and infant bonding during the earliest stages of life.” It goes without question that Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast is delighted to introduce the new “Infant at Work” program to their workplace.

The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC), along with Gold Corporate Sponsor Chase Bank is pleased to announce this month’s event: “Get a Seat at the Table”. This event will be an expert panel discussion and will be held virtually on Tuesday, September 14, 2021 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Registrants may log in early at 4:00pm for social networking to connect or reconnect with their community of friends and business associates.

Expert Panel:
Senator Monique Limón
Member of California
State Senate
19th Senate District

Lori Kammerer
Kammerer & Company, Inc., Government Relations
NAWBO-CA, Legislative Advisor

Dawn Dyer, President/CEO
Dyer Sheehan Group, Inc.
NAWBO Ventura County Chapter, Public Policy Director

The history of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) is rooted in public policy.  The goal, exclaimed NAWBO’S Founding President Susan Hager, was to “Get a seat at the table or build our own table, and make sure to include other women.”  NAWBO members helped draft and were instrumental in the passage of the 1988 (U.S.) Women’s Business Ownership Act (H.R. 5050) which prohibited discrimination against women in obtaining business credit without male co-signors. More recent, NAWBO successes include sponsoring CA SB 826 to ensure women have a seat at the table on corporate boards.  Engage with Senator Limón, and this esteemed panel of experts to learn more about current legislative measures and the importance businesswomen contribute during these historic times.

Register -Reserve your online access at https://conta.cc/3mTVLYX

NAWBO Ventura County – The local Ventura County chapter of NAWBO is committed to strengthening the wealth creating capacity of its members while promoting economic development within the entrepreneurial Ventura County community. Additionally, the local chapter advocates for innovative and effective change in the business culture, building strategic alliances and transforming public policy for the benefit of its members. Membership is open to women sole proprietors, partners and corporate owners as well as those companies and organizations that support women-owned businesses. Learn more: www.nawbovc.org.

by Jill Forman

Changes, changes …Mask Rules

As the pandemic ebbs and flows, the mask rules change before they are even published!

Masks must now be worn indoors by everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

Hill Road book group met in person outdoors on their patio. Foster book group plans a hybrid in-person/Zoom meeting. Contact your group leader with any questions.

Check with the library staff at your branch to keep informed.

Hill Road Express Hours

Do you have difficulty getting to the library during regular hours? Hill Road has an option for library patrons who need expanded times.

Express Access offers patrons admittance to the library in addition to staffed operating hours.

Applicants must present their library card, photo identification and proof of current address for verification purposes. They will sign a policy form and complete an orientation provided by the librarian.

Express hours are: 8 – 10 a.m. Monday-Wednesday; 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. Friday; 8 – 10 a.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sunday.

Need To Connect? Your library can help!

Need to connect but don’t have the equipment? Here is your answer.

Our Computer Kits consist of a Chromebook, hotspot, and charging cables, all in a carrying case. They check out to adults 18 and older for 4 weeks and may be automatically renewed up to 2 times if not requested by another customer. Kits must be returned to library staff; do not return to a book drop!

Find more information at our VC Connects website: vcconnects.org

Kit includes:

• A Chromebook with power cord
• A hotspot
• A USB charging cable and power adapter
• Canvas bag
• Mouse
• Complimentary headset
• A Note from Bookstore Manager Sandy Greenberg

VINTAGE BOOKS

Come visit the new Vintage Books section in the VFOL bookstore in Foster library. It may surprise you! It’s not just classic literature, but a look into the thoughts of everyday people in the past. Have you ever wondered what your grandparents thought was the key to a successful marriage in 1907? One book advises to “keep the honeymoon short to lessen the risk of disappointment or boredom “. Another book cautions “nervous women” to consider a good orgasm as a cure for their symptoms rather than a visit to the doctor.
We have recipes from General Electric to use with your “new-fangled refrigerator” including creamed sardines and eggs, and ways to make an ice block more attractive. We have self-help books which can help you develop your charm or the skills to think for yourself.
Our fiction ranges from Agatha Christie mysteries to adventure on the high seas, from romance novels such as 1900s “Girl in 10,000” to hardened detective stories from the ‘40s.
Jump in the time machine at the Vintage Books section. It’s a trip!

Join/volunteer! Give back to your community. Support your libraries.

Venturafriendsofthelibrary.org. Or pick up a brochure at your local branch and mail it in. Get on the mailing list for email or hard copy newsletters.