Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

About Libraries and Friends

The Bookmark
by Jill Forman

As always, the Ventura libraries and Friends of the Library have been working hard to keep our community vibrant and supplied with reading material and online programs. Librarians are handing out books and helping people once again with in-person computer access. The Friends are out at the warehouse accepting donations, sorting through thousands of books, lifting boxes, shelving, pricing etc. Amazon listings and the local online store are thriving.

Leslie Bellmore, the organizer and “chief cook and bottle washer” of the store, has this to say. “What’s New with the VFOL Online Store? We have added several new categories:  Holiday Items for Everyone, Local Interest, Recreation/Hobbies and Puzzles. We have also expanded our cookbook section and added hundreds of great new youth fiction titles.

“While ‘Boo! It’s October’ has been removed, you can still find great mystery novels in our mystery/spy fiction category. We have a great selection of these at bargain prices.

We appreciate your support as we move our bookstore online. All sales support your local libraries, as all profits go to purchase more books. We aim to have the best local used book shop experience in town.
In October the Online Bookstore sold 300 items and made $559.50. We have also gained about 5 new customers from last month.”

Speaking of online offerings, the Ventura libraries are collaborating with other library systems to bring new and exciting programs to our community. Karen Cruze, Librarian Specialist for Adult Services, tells about one such program available this month.

“As part of the Southern California Library Cooperative, the Ventura County Library is co-sponsoring the Be The Change Initiative led by Glendale Library. A variety of programs are open to, and may be of interest to, our patrons. Programs are free but require registration. In November, in commemoration of Native American Heritage Month, an author event with David Heska Wanbli Weiden, who wrote the novel, Winter Counts, will be held online on Nov. 30 from 6:30-7:30 pm. The book is available to be put on hold at the Ventura County Library or through CloudLibrary. The event will be held online on Nov. 30 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Those interested may also visit a 3D virtual exhibit, Nowhere and Everywhere: Indigenous in America, through Jan. 31, 2021. To register or for more information please go to https://www.eglendalelac.org/bethechange

Here is an explanation of the Be The Change series, from their website:

Glendale Library, Arts & Culture’s (GLAC) and the Southern California Library Cooperative’s Be The Change series is focused on: Inclusion – Diversity – Equity – Antiracism. Be The Change events will build collective understanding of systemic racism, elevate the voices and stories of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), and inspire our community to be the change.

The series is led by Glendale Library, Arts & Culture in partnership with the Southern California Library Cooperative and Outlook Newspapers. The series is sponsored by the City of Glendale Arts and Culture Commission, with funding from the City of Glendale Urban Art Fund.

Terror on the high seas

by Constance Hood

Storm clouds floated by – either clearing away or threatening more to come. We strolled on the wet sand with our two golden retrievers. Perhaps a dozen people and a few dogs were out between the rains.

Ten–month old Clifford leaps and dives like a dolphin, snapping at the seafoam, and chasing birds when he can find them. Ten­–year old Hector, white faced and arthritic, moseys along with me. I turn, and Hector decides to slide down a four–foot sand berm to play in the surf with his puppy. There’s no way Hector can get back up on the beach safely. His jumping days are long past. The two are snapping at waves, and Chet and I will have to fish Hector out of the rough water. Between the two of us we have one working knee. Chet starts climbing down wet rocks, using his cane to balance himself.

A young man jumps over the rail. Hector has fallen and can’t get up. The hero of the day lifts a 75-pound dog, mud, sand and water – carries him in his arms back to us. He is not wearing surf clothes – jeans, shoes, jacket are soaked and it’s a cold day.

“No thank you” when we offered to buy him lunch. I wish I knew him, to express my gratitude.

Kind, selfless—someone who saw a much­­–loved pet in trouble and moved without thinking another minute. That’s the America I grew up in. It said so much about the day, and the walks we were all taking in the moment of sunshine between the storm clouds.

Robert has lost his battle with Parkinson’s

Robert and Patty at a Michael J. Fox Foundation fundraiser.

Robert Jenkins (born 3/29/1948) passed away on Nov. 2, 2020 after a courageous 14- year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. The beloved husband, brother, uncle, great uncle, and larger than life co-worker and friend to many from the east coast to the west coast, has completed his life’s journey and is mercifully free after his long battle. His earthly body is finally peacefully still and his incredible presence and soul is whole now and delighting all who preceded him to the next life.

Robert was born in Massachusetts living in Boston until he moved to California in 1982. He loved working as a salesman and was “born to sell”!! He met and married Patty in 1986. In 2006 he began to manifest what they later learned were early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, but he was not professionally diagnosed until June of 2008. By then not only had his beautiful handwriting changed to much smaller almost illegible scribbles but his freezing gate was worse.

Even as he declined over the years, he fought to stay active to the very end playing golf with Patty. Robert thoroughly enjoyed the special friendships he developed with the many wonderful people who shared the challenges of this disease that he would meet at his Parkinson’s exercise classes, many special Parkinson’s events to help raise awareness of and funding for research, and at monthly support group meetings he attended since 2008. He was also a good sport and supportive partner helping Patty to coordinate the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support meetings the past six years.

Even in death his body will help the scientific research into the cause of Parkinson’s for years to come as his wish to have his brain donated to UCLA has been fulfilled. Your loving tributes in honor of his memory thru the Michael J. Fox Foundation will also have an enormous impact in promoting many hard working researchers whose promising projects and treatments might not otherwise make it to the tens of millions of people world wide who suffer with Parkinson’s Disease.

To all who visit his tribute page in honor of Robert, you mean the world to Patty who stated “Thank you for your loving support over the many years as we all fought this disease together. Please know also that you all meant so very much to Robert in this life and will in the next.”

There is a tribute page to Robert on the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research web site that has more of Robert’s story and an opportunity to make a donation in lieu of flowers or cards as a memorial for him that will support the efforts of the MJFF to help researchers find a cause and a cure for Parkinson’s Disease. Go to https://tribute.michaeljfox.org and click on search pages then type in Jenkins Robert.

Coverly Professional Services, Inc. announces two new hires

Despite a challenging year, Coverly Professional Services, Inc. (CoverlyPro) celebrated its 10th year in business in 2020 by expanding its team to support a growing client portfolio. The company welcomed two new team members. Aylin Alvarez joined the company in August as its Marketing Communications Coordinator and Ikia Velazquez was added to the team as its Digital Communications and Project Management Specialist in October.

Aylin Alvarez

The pro-active marketing project management firm selected the recent hires for their diverse experience and backgrounds. Aylin Alvarez joins CoverlyPro as a vibrant forward-thinking marketer currently completing her degree in Business Entrepreneurship. Holding an AA in Communications, Media, and Languages, Alvarez, a fluent Spanish speaker, is perfectly positioned to bring a fresh perspective to client projects as she leverages her research experience, event coordination, team development, and social media savvy.

Ikia Velazquez

Ikia Velazquez is an experienced bilingual project manager with a B.A. in Business Administration. A social media and digital communications specialist and event planner, Velazquez has managed event logistics for The Walt Disney Company including coordinating guest appearances, catering and more. She is accustomed to creating themed campaigns, activities and events around key brands to fit the specific needs of clients.  

“This has been a difficult year for so many small businesses,” said Lynnette Coverly, Founder and CEO of Coverly Professional Services, Inc. “While, I’m of appreciative of our company’s growth and excited with Aylin and Ikia joining our team, my heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones and for businesses that have had to close their doors.” Coverly noted that even during this Pandemic she noticed some opportunities for her company. CoverlyPro now offers turnkey virtual event production. “Leading with marketing we have the ability to produce events that leverage our years of marketing experience to effectively promote the event while developing creative engagement activities for attendees and visibility for sponsors.” Virtual event production is now part of CoverlyPro’s full-service offerings that guide small and mid-sized businesses to formulate and implement effective marketing and communications strategies. CoverlyPro is looking forward to the growth momentum they have seen this past year and are excited to welcome new opportunities in 2021. 

Learn more about Coverly Professional Services, Inc. at www.CoverlyPro.com or by contacting [email protected]

A sendoff for Haole Boy

by Amy Brown

In an afternoon full of smiles, tears and flowered leis, a bouquet of colorful surfboards forms a ring beyond the breaking waves—a vibrant, floating tribute to a four-legged native son of Ventura at his favorite surf spot. Haole’s Memorial Paddle Out was held at The Cove, near the pier in Ventura, and was attended by a crowd of socially distancing-cognizant celebrants of the surfing dog phenomenon’s life, love and legacy.

Haole Boy had been wowing crowds since 2013, when he climbed on his owner John Murphy’s surfboard at Mondos and started surfing with virtually no instruction. A star was born, and the talented yellow Labrador’s skills drew attention right away. He went on to work with A Walk On Water (AWOW) program, helping teach kids with developmental disabilities to surf and be comfortable on the waves. He soon became the poster child for canine surfing stoke in surf competitions and events from California to New Jersey.

His ‘mom and dad,’ Kim and John lost him to his long battle with cancer on May 13th of this year, and wanted to create an event to allow his many fans a chance to pay their respects to him. “We brought one of his actual surfboards, and asked everyone to either sign it or write a special message,” said Kim, who paddled out at the event with Haole’s brother Primo on her board.  “Guests were given flowers to offer to the ocean, and those who chose not to paddle out gathered on the beach to witness it, honoring him from there.”

Haole’s fans span the world, in fact, a number of them flew or drove long distances to attend the memorial. Tammy and John Norton, who own three Labs—one yellow, one chocolate, one black—travelled from Surprise, Arizona to participate in Haole’s sendoff. “We came because he was such an inspiration to all of us,” said Tammy, who connected with Haole and his family through Haole’s Instagram account. “He made me want to do better in life, as a mom, and as a person.”

Others came because they had first-hand experience with his special brand of surf therapy. Colleen Fairbanks is a teacher and has participated in AWOW events with her students for five years, and her family drove to the event from Canyon Country. “I’ve never seen a dog more docile, what he did with kids was absolutely magic—he was just a calming soul.” She shared that three of her students had the opportunity to actually surf with Haole. “It’s like he knew what they needed, when they saw him get out on the waves, then the kids were willing to try it themselves. So we are just here today to honor him, John and Kim.”

Haole’s family is continuing his legacy, with a brand attributed to him, Haoleboylife.com, which offers surf lifestyle merchandise for humans and canines alike, and will donate a portion of its proceeds to AWOW, as well as the Brodie Fund, a non-profit based out of NJ, that provides grants to families that can’t provide treatment for pets with cancer. “We hope to continue to give back and be a part of other animals receiving the care that they need,” Kim shared. “The best gift of all is the gift of time. After his diagnosis we got 21 months with him.”

Kim shared what she said in the middle of the ring of surfboards in the water, overcome with emotion and barely able to get the words out, “It overwhelmed me to see so many people in that ring of love out in the water, knowing that our sweet Haole Boy touched the heart of each and every one of them.  John, Primo and I are so very grateful.”

Ventura City Hall lights up in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

Photo by Richard Lieberman

Ventura City Hall was lighted in pink every night through October to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month. City spokesperson Heather Sumagaysay said “The city of Ventura proudly recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness month. Although this year COVID-19 prevents us from holding outreach events, by lighting up City Hall, we want to continue to support breast cancer awareness, which is vital.”

 

Ventura Music Festival’s “Virtually Yours” celebrates the composer’s 250th birthday

Beethoven’s electric guitar

by Richard Newsham, VMF consultant

Beethoven unleashed a musical revolution when he began creating music tailored to the piano rather than the harpsichord.

Like Bob Dylan’s shocking move from acoustic to electric guitar, Beethoven—over a lifetime of composing 32 ground-breaking piano sonatas—totally remade the form for the modern instrument.

His imagination was sparked by the 1800s’ transformation of piano technology and design.

The piano had more keys for both bass and treble than the harpsichord and a sustaining pedal that “opened up fresh possibilities of resonance, dynamic range and attack.”

Beethoven’s “inner ear” conceived music that existed even beyond these technological advances—full of physical intensity that shocked his contemporaries to stark, inscrutable and montage-like pieces that compel 21st century listeners to agree with Chuck Berry’s lyrics: “Roll over Beethoven, gotta hear it again today!”

And so VMF is celebrating his coming 250th birthday by presenting 10 sonatas in a cycle over 8 weeks.

Two “Virtually Yours” concert-programs introduced by VMF Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta will each feature two Beethoven sonatas performed by pianist Adam Golka, including the celebrated Appassionata and Pathetique.

VMF’s “Music Connects” digital series will roll out the remaining six sonatas – one per week, starting December 17 when Beethoven officially turns 250.

The celebrated pianist Adam Golka will also be interviewed and has created video commentaries for each sonata, featuring a leading physicist, poet, artist and the like on their unique relationship to the music.

“Virtually Yours” Dates & Times: Sundays at 4pm on 11/15 and 11/22.

Admission is free thanks to sponsor underwriting. Each program is viewable for one week. Reservations are required at VenturaMusicFestival.org. Registrants will be sent links to Zoom or other selected platform.

No tricks, just treats at Cypress Place Senior Living

Lilly Duarte and Gina Salman of Cypress Place Senior Living present a Halloween banner thanking the staff at Victoria Care Center for all they do.

Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura has been providing a vibrant, caring environment for their residents since 2003 in a unique, home-like environment.

The beautiful senior living campus features an Active Senior Living community and adjacent Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care community connected by a lushly landscaped courtyard. Residents are given the chance to realize their dreams and reach new milestones, all within an environment with professional support and care at a time when they need it most.

“Home is the place we long for at the end of the day, the place that holds all we love and everything we cherish,” said Gina Salman, executive director of Cypress Place Senior Living. “We strive to honor that feeling of ‘being home’ every day here at Cypress Place.”

In addition to serving their residents, Cypress Place has a long history of giving back to the local community: whether it be collecting suitcases for kids in the foster care program, hosting an annual “Health & Wealth” expo geared towards seniors, creating a scholarship fund for local high school students wanting to pursue a college degree, hosting workshops on how to avoid senior scams, or honoring Veterans at their annual “Salute Our Veterans” event, the senior community is always looking to help.

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus this year, and the subsequent stay-at-home orders, the senior community has had to cancel their annual “Health and Wealth” expo and “Salute Our Veterans” events for 2020.

But that hasn’t slowed the senior community from continuing to look for ways to reach out. Wanting to recognize healthcare partners in the county, Cypress Place recently delivered a decorated banner and Halloween treats for the nurses and staff at local skilled nursing Victoria Care Center.

“Victoria Care Center is one of our community partners that is truly on the front lines of protecting a very frail and at-risk population, said Salman. “The work they do is vital, and the challenges they face are enormous. “We wanted to do something for their staff, to show our appreciation.”

“We can’t thank Cypress Place enough for their sign of support for our nurses and staff,” said Ryan Goldbarg, administrator at Victoria Care Center. “The fact that they would take the time to support us is really a wonderful treat.”

Cypress Place has delivered other signs of support, including to local hospital partners, and continues to look to be a positive force in the community.

To learn more about Cypress Place Senior Living of Ventura, visit their web site at www.cypressplaceseniorliving.com, or call 805-650-8000.

To learn more about Victoria Care Center, visit their web site at victoriacarecenter.com, or call 805-642-1736.

CAPS Media continues to produce informative programming

The CAPS team covers a County COVID 19 Update.

The COVID crisis has not slowed down CAPS Media from continuing to produce informative programming for the City and County. Every week CAPS crews record the County’s COVID-19 updates and following the press conference, edit and distribute the valuable information in English and Spanish. The updates can be viewed on the County website at ventura.org and on the CAPS Media website – capsmedia.org.

For the City of Ventura, CAPS has recently produced a series of videos for the Ventura Police Department and are in the final stages of producing a set of environmental and education videos for the City produced at the City garden. In addition, CAPS crews are currently in production on a second set of docent directed tours of the Olivas Adobe. This series captures the essence of the annual Candlelight Tour of the historic setting. Due to COVID restrictions the popular tours are not open to the public. In response, CAPS is collaborating with City staff to reimagine and capture the essence of the magical holiday celebrations that took place at the Olivas Adobe more than a century ago.

With Ventura Unified School District cautiously reopening and some students returning to the classroom, CAPS is opening the media center to the remarkably talented ECTV students in the award-winning El Camino High School communications program. The ECTV crew will return to the CAPS Media Center once a week, with all appropriate COVID protocols in place, to continue their media education studies and production of a variety of programs of particular interest to the teenagers. Included in the mix are additional profiles chronicling the Chicano activism movement of the past with participants who experienced the awareness-raising, cultural events in the Chicano Moratorium of 1970.

For the County, in addition to the COVID updates, CAPS crews are producing a set of videos for the Ventura County Medical Center to promote the nationally recognized and award winning medical residency program. For the Ventura County Fire Department, CAPS crews are creating an engaging and informative series of kitchen safety videos targeted to children. And for the County Registrar, as a follow-up to the series of voter information and educational videos CAPS produced for the office, CAPS is developing an in-depth program that will document the unprecedented efforts by the County to design, develop and coordinate the massive and tremendously successful vote-by-mail election effort for residents of Ventura County. The program is expected to include interviews with county officials, election workers and voters, and is planned to air on Channel 6 and 15, broadcast on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1 and be available on the CAPS Media website – capsmedia.org.

By the time this issue of The Breeze hits the street, the 2020 Election will be done. However at the time of publication, the results were not known. CAPS wants to thank and congratulate all of the local candidates for Ventura City Council areas 2, 3 and 7, and for the Ventura Unified Board Member representation for area 3. We appreciate your assistance during the campaign to work with us to record your candidate statements. More importantly, we thank you for your unselfish contribution to our community.

Due to the COVID-19 emergency the CAPS Media Center is closed to Members and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM.

All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.

Our Ventura TV

MB Hanrahan, Sandra Siepak, Monique Nowlin, Juan Mancera, Michelle Hoover, Mary Christine Ballestero and George Alger Our Ventura TV team.

The award-winning weekly talk show, “Our Ventura TV” continues producing its weekly programming via the zoom platform during Covid 19. The entire team at “Our Ventura TV” is bringing interesting stories to the local Ventura community on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and online. To be a guest on the show just click ‘contact’ on ourventura.com to get scheduled.