Photo by Susan Lang
Sgt. Casey Sutherland told the seal “I’m sorry but you were jay-walking so I will need to write you a ticket!” Only kidding of course, Casey is a hero for trying to help this injured seal.
Category Archives: This ‘n’ That
The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends – Book sale
by Jill Forman
Note: This Bookmark was supposed to be in last issue but inadvertently, of course, was left out so you have the pleasure of reading 2 Bookmark articles in this issue.
By the time this comes out, the Ventura Friends of the Library will have had their first outdoor, hands-on sale of the year, on April 17. We are so excited to be able to offer high-quality used books to the booklovers of Ventura, and to generate funds for library programming and supplies. Thanks to all the volunteers and to the folks who came out to get bargains and support us!
Reopening status
Now that Ventura County is in Orange tier, the libraries will be open for limited in-person browsing. Check with your local branch to find out those hours, and to make arrangements.
Bad Art presentation
Director Louise Reilly Sacco will join the Ventura County Library at 6pm on Friday, April 30, 2021, to talk about the collections at the Museum Of Bad Art (MOBA) via ZOOM.
The Museum Of Bad Art collects, exhibits, and celebrates art that will be seen in no other venue. Since 1993, they have collected art from thrift stores, yard sales, sidewalk trash, and even the artists who create it.
In this presentation, the world’s leading cultural institution dedicated to art in which something has gone wrong describes how and why it was established. MOBA presents pieces from their collection, with an insightful, pithy, and often humorous commentary.
This event is free and open to the public. To register for this event, visit bit.ly/VCLMOBA. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected]. Instructions for registering for this event on Zoom can also be found on our online calendar at www.vencolibrary.org/calendar.
Member event
Kate McDermott, author of The Art of the Pie, will lead a hands-on session of baking with follow-along instructions on Saturday May 8 at 2:00 p.m. via ZOOM. Current VFOL members will receive email invitations and will be given priority for pre-registration.
Learn how to make and shape a flaky all-butter pastry dough which can be used to make many tasty treats in your kitchen.
If you do not receive an invitation by April 25, call Mary Olson at 805-223-1187.
Online Store Update
Many new offerings in education and travel. Remember travel?
We are losing some of our storage space at Hill Road, so if your order from us we thank you and request that you pick up your items within a week. If for some reason you cannot, email the bookstore folks and we’ll see what we can arrange.
More educational and entertaining programs offered by your libraries
Poetry Virtual Open Mic Night hosted by Phil Taggert. Thursdays 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Enjoy a featured poet, then share your own work with the group if you wish. Black Poets of Ventura County featured through May 6.
Friends of the Library Book Discussion. Saturday May 1, 10:00 a.m.- noon. The Long Haul by Finn Murphy. [email protected].
Ukulele Jam Mondays 7:00 – 10 p.m. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/426255353?pwd=dmdnTTdDdmdFZDYrUnAxZEU5bkhxdz09
Always more events than I can cover: Storytimes, Discover Science, Minecraft Mondays, Art Lessons……
The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends – Book sale report
by Jill Forman
The Ventura Friends of the Library had its first in-person book sale of the year on April 17, in the E.P. Foster Library parking lot. Volunteers filled their cars and trucks, and displayed the books on tables and in their trunks and hatchbacks, sorted by genre. COVID protocols were observed.
There was a line of eager booklovers waiting before the opening at 9 a.m. Hundreds of community members came, browsed, and left with bags full of books. Over $1600 was raised for the libraries.
Thanks to all the volunteers, the buyers, and Boy Scout Troop 155 for making the sale a success.
VCLSA Tutoring program – “Change a Life; It Might Be Your Own”
The READ Adult Literacy program is a vibrant and valuable tool for assisting the community; one that many citizens are not aware of. Adults who wish to improve their literacy skills are teamed with community members who receive training through the library and then are paired with a learner. Traditionally, this has been done face-to-face.
Carol Chapman, in her 18th year as READ Program Director, has this to say about the impact of COVID on her program participants. “The COVID pandemic has been a challenge for the READ program, as it has been for everyone. However, many READ tutors and learners have remained active during stay-at-home sheltering. Some have read to each other over the telephone.
Others have learned to use ZOOM, SKYPE, TEAMS or other internet conferencing sites to meet “face-to-face remotely” and continue their tutoring sessions; often using the program’s popular online “News For You” newspaper.
In addition, numerous tutoring partners took “leave” from their tutoring sessions, some by necessity and others choice, and are eagerly waiting to return to work together again when the libraries open fully.”
About the program in general, she adds, “So many adults grew up struggling with reading all the way through school, and now READ has programs designed to make reading easier for them. When we match a struggling-reader with one of these programs and their own personal tutor — magic begins to happen! I wish more adults would give READ a chance to help. It generally makes their lives much easier.”
Charles McDermott, tutor, says about his experiences, “I have been involved with adult literacy programs since my retirement as a teacher, and it has proven to be the most fulfilling activity I have ever undertaken. Take Jose for example who came to the Oxnard Library Literacy office after lasting 20 minutes in his first college English class. It took us five years of working together but I will remember forever the sight of him dancing off with his daughter after his graduation from Ventura College! Or Julio who wanted to be an American citizen. After struggling for months with the rigorous demands of test preparation, I will never forget that phone call: ‘Mr. Charles I have bad news for you, I’m going to be voting in November!’ Satisfaction indeed!”
Learn about the ROSA robotic knee replacement at a free webinar
Getting a precise knee implant fit is important for both comfort and functionality but achieving the perfect fit is a challenge because each person’s anatomy is unique. The ROSA Knee System brings together robotic technology and industry-leading knee implants to help surgeons personalize surgical procedures, achieve greater precision, and carefully tailor the knee implant’s placement.
Find out if ROSA Knee is right for you at a free online event that takes place from 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12. To RSVP, visit www.cmhshealth.org/RSVP. This event is hosted by Community Memorial Health System as part of its 2021 Speaker Series Online.
The ROSA® Knee System is a robotically assisted surgical system that includes features to assist with bone resections and assessing the state of soft tissues to facilitate implant positioning intraoperatively. Data provided by ROSA allows surgeons to use computer and software technology to control and move surgical instruments, allowing for greater precision and flexibility during procedures.
The webinar presenter is Dr. John Ross Burge, a hip and knee reconstruction specialist with
extensive joint reconstruction training. His expertise includes robotic-assisted joint replacement, computer navigation joint replacement, revision hip and knee construction, minimally invasive surgery, partial knee replacement, and anterior and posterior hip reconstruction.
Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system that comprises Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, a skilled nursing facility, and several primary and specialty care clinics that serve communities throughout Ventura County, California.
8th Annual Ventura County Charity Golf Tournament to Benefit Kids & Families Together
Now in its ninth year, the goal of the Ventura County Charity Golf Tournament (VCCGT) remains the same, to be… “Fun, Affordable & For a Good Cause”. This annual event was founded by two Ventura County professionals, RJ Cutting and Robert Clark, both assisting Ventura County residents through the various stages of the home buying and lending process. Each year since 2012 (minus the COVID-19 hiatus of 2020), VCCGT has benefited numerous Ventura County based non-profit organizations, raising an estimated $100,000 to date. All funds raised have gone back to serve organizations in the Ventura County community.
VCCGT has selected Kids & Families Together (K&FT) to be the charity of choice for 2021’s event. Now in its 21st year, K&FT is a nonprofit that has been serving foster/resource, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County since 2000. K&FT works with children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT also works with caregivers who need specialized education, support, and strategies to help raise safe, healthy, nurtured children that thrive.
This year’s event will take place on Friday, May 14th, 2021 at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo, beginning with a 9am shotgun start. Sign up for yourself and your team now, as space will be limited to 144 golfers (36 teams of 4 golfers). Included in the event for all golfers will be a box lunch and drinks. Prizes, raffle and Hors d’oeuvre will follow at the conclusion of the tournament.
There are many ways available for you to support this event, even if you are not a golfer. Donate a raffle item, or become an event sponsor! There is a range of sponsorships levels available. Can you or your business become a “Presenting Sponsor”? Tee Sign sponsorships start as low as $135 or two for $200! Below is the event poster and sponsorship form highlighting all the details. Join us this year in bringing back an event that has supported so many!
Call today to reserve your spot or to become an Event Sponsor! RJ Cutting (805)279-9579
Returning to the Classroom (Part Two)
Conor Barry works on his truck, in an out of the virtual classroom. Aryanna Miles has been on campus for cheer practices since November and is happy to return to the classroom. Bram Pagliano is comfortable with distance learning, but misses arc welding classes in person.
by Amy Brown
Many students now have the opportunity to return to in-classroom learning, whether nearly full time or in a hybrid configuration. Across the county, hardworking teachers are welcoming their students back, and as one can imagine, it is a huge adjustment—especially for some seniors, who have spent much of the last year working, planning for their futures, and becoming more self-sufficient and autonomous, both in school and out.
Conor Barry, a senior at Buena, would like to try to return to school fully in person, but isn’t sure yet, since he has a job working up to five days a week. He plans to go to Ventura College and then become a diesel mechanic after graduation, and has been meeting remotely with his auto shop teacher, and works on his truck in the meantime. He shared that all of his teachers have really stepped up and bridged the gulf of distance learning. “Being in person for auto shop would be really cool,” says Barry. “I already watch YouTube and figure stuff out on my own, but I want to be with other people with same interests. Barry said he really misses school dances and sports, and ran track as a junior, when Covid ended the season abruptly after just one meet. “I’m really sad that I didn’t have a regular senior year, I was hyped for it,” he said. “I’m going to try going five days a week, and hopefully I like it, but if it’s not practical, I don’t want to change everything I do, including work, just to go to school in person for two months. Of course part of me wants me to do it because it’s my senior year.” He shared that his uncertainty is not fear of getting Covid, but being forced to change his full time work and other commitments he’s made in the past year.
Bram Pagliano is a senior at Vista Real, and as such even before the pandemic was accustomed to having some in-class and some autonomous schoolwork done at home. After graduation, he plans to attend Ventura College, and continue his passion for arc welding, a process in which electromagnetic currents are used to bind metal. He became interested in the demanding career in shop class in 11th grade. “It’s satisfying, it’s fun to do, and as a career, it pays really well,” he said. “When I first started arc welding, it was hard—when the currents heats up to the point where it touches metal, the sparks can be blinding. It was cool when I did it the first time, but it was pretty scary.” He spoke to his early shop teachers about his specific focus–his desire to learn how to get the best integrity in a weld and make it a career.
Some seniors can’t wait to resume normal classes. Aryanna Miles is a senior and on the varsity cheer team at Buena, and after graduation will attend Lu Ross Academy cosmetology school. She’s excited about following her passion and looks forward to her first job as a hair stylist, but for now is thrilled to be back in class in high school. “It was nice being back in class actually, but definitely different; there’s not nearly as many people, and we have much smaller classes,” she said. “But I was so ready, no question about it, to come back.” It was her first year as a cheerleader, and her introduction to the sport was through Zoom practices at first, before the team started practicing in person in November. “During the past three years (pre-pandemic) I was in the stands watching them cheer, and the team was amazing, the girls looked so confident and close and it looked so fun. I remember thinking, ‘I want that,’ and now I’m there.” She and her teammates did not expect to have any football games at which to cheer this year, and were exhilarated when they heard there would be. “I just thought we’d practice the whole time and not get games,” said Miles. “And now all of sudden everything is starting up at once–I’m back in class, there’s homework, practices and there’s the huge Ventura game coming up. It’s nerve wracking, but so exciting.”
Boyko and Reardon secures grant for Boys & Girls Club of Ventura
Michael Boyko, Funeral Director presents grant check to Peter McClintock of the Ventura Boys & Girls Club
Michael Boyko, owner and funeral director of the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service and Boyko & Reardon Telegraph Road Mortuary & Cremation, both of Ventura has secured a grant from the Matthews Children’s Foundation for the Ventura Boys & Girls Club. This grant will go towards furthering several of the Boys & Girls Club’s programs helping the youth of Ventura grow into healthy, responsible, productive members of our community.
“The Boys & Girls Club has so many positive engaging programs and I believe that following the Covid 19 epidemic the funds will go to certain good use as our community gets back on its feet with a particular emphasis in helping our young adults rebound from setbacks last year” Boyko said.
The Matthews Children’s Foundation is a non-profit organization that partners with community funeral directors assisting with grants in support of children’s organizations.
The check for $1,000.00 was presented last week by Michael Boyko to Peter McClintock of the Boys & Girl’s Club of Ventura at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 757 E. Main Street in downtown Ventura.
SEEAG kicks off second “Let’s Grow A Garden” at-home student learning program
SEEAG teaches kids how to grow vegetables while learning healthy eating habits.
For the second year, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is hosting its “Let’s Grow A Garden”–an at-home garden program for students in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties that teaches kids how to grow vegetables while learning healthy eating habits and proper nutrition.
“A garden gives kids a sense of accomplishment as they care for their plants and then harvest their crops. They also come to appreciate the role of our local farmers and the importance of eating healthy,” says Mary Maranville, SEEAG’s founder and CEO.
To help start their gardens, Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products, composts and mulches made from recycled organic materials, is giving away 4-quart bags of potting soil to Let’s Grow A Garden participants. The bags (one per child) are available at Agromin (201 Kinetic Drive, Oxnard) April 19 through Aprils 23, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Agromin parking lot.
Plantel Nurseries will be giving away vegetable seedlings on Earth Day (April 22) at Agromin as well. When picking up soil and seeds, follow all social distancing and other rules posted on site.
Nutrition and agriculture program lessons are on SEEAG’s website with new lessons posted every Monday beginning May 3. Also on the site is Information about local agriculture and links to where families can order seeds and gardening materials online.
A Let’s Grow A Garden e-newsletter with product giveaway details and more “ag-tivities” is sent out weekly through August. E-newsletter article topics include how to plant vegetables from seed, container gardening for small spaces, and selecting the right plants and soil. Register to receive the newsletter by going to www.seeag.org/signup.
The program will also feature a weekly garden photo contest where students submit photos (#letsgrowagarden2021) of their gardens with the chance to win garden-themed prizes.
No registration is required. Let’s Grow a Garden is for elementary school teachers, students and their families. For more, go to www.seeag.org/letsgrowagarden2021. To learn about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org.
Founded in 2008, Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) is a nonprofit organization that aims to help young students understand the origins of their food by bridging the gap between agriculture and consumption through its agricultural education programming. SEEAG’s “The Farm Lab” program based in Ventura County teaches schoolchildren about the origins of their food and the importance of local farmland by providing schools with classroom agricultural education and free field trips to farms. Its Child Wellness Initiative in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties educates, inspires and empowers children to eat healthy by adding locally grown fruits and vegetables to their diet to help ward off childhood obesity that could lead to diabetes. Through these and other SEEAG programs, over 60,000 elementary school students in Central and Southern California have increased their understanding of the food journey. For more information, visit www.seeag.org or email Mary Maranville at [email protected].
Ventura College custodian selected as VCCCD 2021 Classified Employee of the Year
“Our classified employees often work behind the scenes”
With his trademark “Ask Me” button showcasing his helpful attitude, Ventura College’s Alwin Sauers Jr. has been named the 2021 Ventura County Community College District Classified Employee of the Year. The VCCCD bestows this honor in accordance with the California Community Colleges (CCC) Board of Governors, who will now consider Sauers for the CCC statewide award. The award recognizes classified professionals who positively influence countless lives by showing the utmost commitment to our community colleges, by upholding professional ethics and standards and by serving the community with purpose and passion. They embody the best of California’s community colleges.
Fellow VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year nominees included Thomas “Tommy” Arellano of Moorpark College, and Gabriela Rodriguez of Oxnard College.
“Our classified employees often work behind the scenes, yet they play a critical role in helping VCCCD students achieve their academic and professional goals,” said Board Chair Joshua Chancer. “All three candidates are outstanding employees who reflect the District’s focus on serving students, and we are thrilled to have Alwin represent the District at the state level.”
Arellano is the athletic equipment manager at Moorpark College. He is known for his unlimited skills and contributions to the athletic department during his 39 years with the District.
Rodriguez is the student activities specialist for Oxnard College. For the past five years, she has served students and staff with a passion that is imperative to maintaining OC’s high-quality enrichment and academic offerings.
“Gaby focuses on students with every breath she takes. In all her interactions at the college, Gaby is conscientious, strives for success and is fired up to participate. … She does all of this with her characteristic boundless energy and drive to make OC a special place to study and work for everyone,” noted Dr. Oscar Cobain, vice president of student development, in the nomination.
Sauers is a custodian at Ventura College and Ventura College East Campus, where his focus for over seven years has been on serving students. Sauers is an ever-present fixture on the campuses, making him a VC and VCEC ambassador available to help students. With his “Ask Me” button and gentle demeanor, every student feels comfortable asking him for assistance. As an essential worker, Sauers takes special care in guaranteeing the cleanliness of the campuses during the pandemic and always.
“Alwin Sauers Jr. is special. He is a mensch, a good man, who does his job and then some with a true commitment to all the students that we serve. When his name comes up in a discussion or meeting, the response from everyone is always the same: we smile and sing his praises. Alwin is truly deserving of this honor,” wrote Susan Royer, college services supervisor, in Sauers’ nomination.
Up to six recipients will be honored as California Community Colleges Classified Employee of the Year at the May 2021 Board of Governors meeting, where they will receive a $750 cash award and a plaque.