Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Activists and nurses host car caravan demanding guaranteed health care in California

City of Ventura Mayor Sofia Rubalcava joined the car caravan.

Local health care advocates working with the California Nurses Association hosted a local car caravan recently urging state legislators to pass California Guaranteed Health Care for All (CalCare), similar to Medicare for All on the national level.

Activists and nurses hosted car caravans in 23 cities across the state as part of the nurses’ kickoff day of action, highlighting the need for universal health care during the Covid-19 health care crisis. At least 2.7 million Californians currently lack health insurance.

CalCare would guarantee health care as a human right in the state of California by providing comprehensive, high quality health care to all. The California Nurses Association has been leading the fight for guaranteed health care for decades and is actively working to introduce a new single-payer bill in the state legislature.

“CalCare has fully comprehensive benefits: medical, dental, hearing, vision, mental health, prescription drugs, long term care, and more,” said event organizer, Jude Wilson.

According to CNA president Zenei Triunfo-Cortez, “The nation has long looked to California for inspiration and guidance in the national fight for universal health care. We’ve come closer than any other state in history to passing guaranteed health care for all our residents. The nurses will always do what it takes to protect our patients, and we know CalCare will save lives.”

The Canine Adoption & Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) during the Pandemic

The CARL Thrift Store is a great way to help CARL raise needed funds.

by Carol Leish

“CARL makes a lifetime commitment to every dog in their program,” according to their website: www.carldog.org. “CARL was established in 1996 in Ventura County,” according to, Talisa Garcia, volunteer since 2018, who is a board member and the captain of the Outreach Team. “It was started as, and continues to be, a no-kill, all breeds rescue.”

Services provided by CARL, according to Garcia include: “Having a boarding facility that is located in Santa Paula to board both dogs and cats. We also have both kennel and foster sanctuary dogs. The focus is to make sure that all dogs are given the best life that we can give to them during their time in the rescue facility. Many of our dogs do get adopted into their forever homes.”

“During the pandemic,” according to Garcia, “we have been struggling with the loss of supporting finances. Our boutique thrift store in Ventura was initially closed because it was deemed non-essential. The store provides funding for our rescue, allowing CARL to save more homeless dogs. Another source of funding is our pet care center located in Sant Paula, which provides boarding for dogs and cats. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, and a huge drop in people going out of town, our boarding center has seen a significant loss.”

Ways of helping out CARL during the pandemic include, according to Garcia, “Shopping or donating now at our thrift store, which is now open. Store hours are: 11am-4pm Tuesday to Saturday. Their address is 2750 E. Main St., Ste. B, in Ventura. Their phone number is (805) 677-9111. Recyclables can be dropped off at 901 Mission Rock Rd. in Santa Paula. Cans and plastic bottles are turned in and the money raised goes back into the upkeep and maintenance of the kennel grounds. The community can sponsor a dog monthly, and the steps to do this can be found on the website: www.carldog.org; or, by calling (805) 644-7387. Signing up to foster allows the rescue to take in more dogs looking for homes. Using Amazon Smile to benefit CARL is another simple way to help our rescue. CARL also has an Amazon Wish List, that is also on our website.”

Remember that, according to Garcia, “CARL is committed to any/every dog in the program. Once a dog is adopted out, and for whatever reason they need to come back, CARL welcomes them back with open arms, no questions asked. Not only does CARL have adoptable dogs, it also has both kennel and foster sanctuary dogs. Dogs are given the best life that we can give to them during their time here.”

Ventura County Leadership Academy announces 2021 honorees

Monica White is the Non-Profit Leader of the Year.

Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is pleased to announce the 2021 Journey to Leadership Awards honorees, recognizing five outstanding community leaders for their contributions to Ventura County. Save the date – Thursday, April 29th the community will join together to honor these local leaders through an online celebration.

Business of the Year – PODS Moving and Storage

Educational Leader of the Year – Dianne McKay, Ventura County Community College District Board Member, Area 2, and President, Mustang Marketing

Non-Profit Leader of the Year – Monica White, President and CEO, Food Share of Ventura County

Public Sector Leader of the Year – County of Ventura COVID Response Team

Alumnus of the Year – James Joyce III, Cohort XVII, Founder, Chief Visionary Officer at Coffee with a Black Guy

“The VCLA Board of Directors is pleased to honor this year’s award recipients, as well as all of the great work being done by the many VCLA alumni, facilitators, and supporters in our community,” said Brad “Brick” Conners, VCLA Board President. “Our honorees epitomize the spirit of collective responsibility and cooperation the VCLA curriculum strives to instill in each graduate.”

This event is supported in part by Ventura County Community College District, AMR/Gold Coast Ambulance, Assured Partners, Bill & Elise Kearney, Casa Pacifica, County of Ventura, Tolman & Wiker/Assured Partners and Ventura County Credit Union.

Information on sponsorship opportunities to support VCLA’s Journey to Leadership virtual event can be found at www.vcleadership.org or by contacting VCLA Director Pattie Braga at [email protected].

The Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. VCLA’s comprehensive program ignites awareness and inspiration, helping cohort members discover their individual pathway toward impacting our region. – www.vcleadership.org – 805-253-2683

Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast announces the Bauerle Family Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Fund

Foto: The Bauerle Family supports Gold Award Girl Scouts in their pursuit of higher education.

While there are a variety of scholarships that Girl Scouts can pursue, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast is excited to announce a new, local opportunity just for girls within the Central Coast region. Each spring, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast will present The Bauerle Family Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Fund to support girls in their pursuit of higher education. The Award will be presented to top applicants who have demonstrated personal excellence in academic, community, and Girl Scout life.

Karen Bauerle began her Girl Scout journey as a Brownie, the level for second and third-grade girls, and her mother served as her and her sister’s troop leader for nine years. Girl Scouts can be a true family affair, and soon enough even her father was very involved with the troop. Later when Karen had a daughter of her own, she could not wait to share her enthusiasm for the program and started a troop of their own. She has since been a troop leader for ten years, served as a Service Unit manager, and now assists with recruiting and mentoring through Girl Scouts.

The Bauerle Family has remained actively involved with the Girl Scouts, working both to serve the greater community and the organization’s membership. Karen is passionate about starting new troops and passing them on to mentored leaders. She currently leads three troops with immense support from her husband, Randy, who recognizes the value that Girl Scouts can bring to girls’ lives. Their daughter Ashley is currently working on her Gold Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout can earn. Gold Award Girl Scouts are recognized for tackling meaningful issues in a way that drives lasting change in their communities and beyond. Recognizing that there were no current Gold Award scholarships, Karen and Randy decided to follow in the footsteps of these proactive Girl Scouts and take action.

Recipients of The Bauerle Family Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship Fund will receive a one-time scholarship of up to $1,500. To be eligible, girls must be a Gold Award Girl Scout (or in the process of earning the award), a registered Girl Scout in the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast council, a graduating high school senior, and enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited college or university for the 2021-2022 academic year. High school students are eligible to apply and if selected for the award, receipt of the scholarship is contingent upon enrollment for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Applicants will need to fill out an electronic application and submit, including a transcript and resume, via email to [email protected] on or before April 16, 2021. For more information and to download the application visit www.girlscoutsccc.org/goldawardscholarship.

“All Gold Awardee girls are welcomed and encouraged to share their Girl Scout journey and apply for our scholarship toward their college futures,” said Karen.

We are so grateful for the Bauerle family and their contributions to both the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast and our Gold Award Girl Scouts. As our girls work to educate and inspire, drive meaningful change, and make the world a better place, we are so grateful that with the Bauerle’s support they will be able to continue their efforts on a larger stage – first in higher education, then the world.

Answer In A Breeze

Question:
Do you know who owns the land where this magnificent eucalyptus tree is located? I walk past it regularly when walking to the cross or after I have walked through the botanical gardens. There is also a beautiful grove of eucalyptus trees across the street. If they are both owned by the City of Ventura then I wonder if they do pruning to make it into this wonderful shape. I look forward to your response.
Marsha Moreland

Answer:
The tree is the property of the City of Ventura and is under our maintenance schedule as needed. Feel free to email me once again if you need anything further.

Diana M Roemer Parks Sr Office Assistant
City of Ventura Parks & Recreation

Do you have a question? Send it to [email protected] and we will try to get you an answer

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Jill Forman

Since this is February, it occurs to me that this column is basically a Valentine to libraries and the Ventura Friends of the Library. In case you’re not sure about the organization and function of the Friends groups, here’s some background:

From Wikipedia: Friends of Libraries are non-profit, charitable groups formed to support libraries in their communities. Support from the Friends groups may be financial, political and cultural. Groups are separate from the libraries they support and made up of volunteers.

Friends groups in the United Kingdom trace their origins back to the Elizabethan Period. The first group that named itself “Friends of the Library” in the United States, was founded in 1922 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

The Ventura Friends celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2019 with a large party at the Hill Road branch. At the time they were feeling pretty good about their organization, not knowing the huge challenges that were ahead in 2020!

A good quote from Wikipedia is “Friends of Libraries are adaptable groups that fit the needs of the communities and the libraries they support.” In other words, they do what they have to do. In this past year that has proven true for sure! With most of our normal funding sources cut off, with our warehouse shut down until leadership figured out how to be COVID-safe, with volunteers staying home, we still managed to pivot our activities and keep the Friends group vibrant and able to support our community libraries.

To join, donate, volunteer, or see more library events, VFOL.org.

Let’s look at what the libraries are up to.

For youth, Phillip Yocham and his Youth Services team are doing another Discover Science at the end of the month: https://vencolibrary.org/events/virtual-discover-science-2

Minecraft Mondays continue 4-6 p.m. Minecraft Librarian (link sends e-mail).

Globetrotting Storytime Mondays, 10:30 to 11:00 am. Log into the library’s Facebook page for stories and songs with an emphasis on world view.

Friends of the Library Book Discussion will meet via Zoom on the second Saturday of the month from 10:00 am to noon. To join the discussion, please contact Emma at [email protected] for the link. March 6: Walking with the Wind by John Lewis.

The Library Services Agency has its own newsletter! I am ashamed to admit I just found this out myself. It’s called “Ventura County Reader: Explore, Discover, Connect. Your Resource for Happenings at the Ventura County Library.” It can be found at vencolibrary.org home page, under the “Your Library at Home” banner, in quite small print. Lots of interesting articles.

READ tutors will continue to meet remotely with their learners for the duration of this pandemic, via telephone, mail, or internet conferencing sites. Special materials, designed to use on computer platforms, have been purchased and will be available from site supervisors in 2021.

New tutor training sessions will begin online in February. If you are interested in becoming a tutor (or want to find a tutor to help you with your reading), call our office at 805-677-7160 or 805-677-7159.

Stop Human Trafficking

Soroptimist International – a global volunteer organization which advocates for human rights and gender equality has been involved in projects and advocacy surrounding the issue of Human Trafficking since 1995.  Our local Soroptimist International clubs (Oxnard, Ventura and Camarillo) are hosting a free STOP Human Trafficking Virtual Event on Saturday March 6th from 1 – 3 PM. 

To register please go to: www.stoptraffickingventuracounty.org. This virtual event will feature multiple speakers, including a survivor of human trafficking who now educates and advocates about this issue, a Detective with the Ventura County Sheriffs Department and member of the Ventura County Task Force on Human Trafficking, An Emergency Room Physician, and a Victim Services Provider. Only with the public being aware of and educated about this issue is there hope for ending this heinous crime.  We hope that you will attend.

If you need help or see potential abuse call the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP to 233733

Student “4-Way Test” essay contest open, with cash prizes

Rotary Club of Ventura is calling on middle and high school students to consider how “The 4-Way Test” can influence everyday decision-making in their lives.

“When faced with hard choices, I find that the “4-Way Test” makes it much simpler to make a decision. If we take the time to answer each of the question honestly, for any particular situation, the result will be a fair solution to that complicated decision,” said Saurabh Bajaj, President of Ventura Rotary.

The “Four-Way Test” is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide that Rotarians use in their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages. The test asks us to consider of the things we think, say or do:

1.      Is it the TRUTH?

2.      Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3.      Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4.      Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The “4-Way Test” Essay Competition, is a way for the students to think of how any decision they make affects others around them. Students can visit venturarotary.com to download an informational flyer and essay cover sheet. Deadline is February 23. Students should write a short essay that relates how the “4-Way Test” can be of benefit in the way one thinks and acts. Or students may tell a story of how they have applied these principles in their life. Members of ROTARY Club of Ventura will judge the essays and award prizes in both the Middle and High School categories: First $300, Second $200 and Third $100. The First Place prize winners will go on to compete at the ROTARY DISTRICT 5240 LEVEL with additional cash prizes.

“Ventura Rotary is so excited to once again host the “4-Way Test” Essay Contest. These four questions have profound meaning to each and every Rotarian. They provide guiding principles for how we spend our time and resources for the good of, not only our community, but in making our world a better place. We see sharing them with the youth of Ventura as both a privilege and a responsibility. Our hope is that they will hold them dear as well.”

Margi Wray, Assistant Youth Director Ventura Rotary Club

For more information email [email protected].

Optimist Essay Contest winners announced

The Sunrise Optimist Club has promoted optimism in our community for over 50 years. The Optimist Essay Contest was started 25 years ago by club member Marie Atmore for students from Ventura area secondary schools. This year, 2020-21, we were faced with new challenges: how to distribute contest materials, how to structure the judging of the essays, and how to honor the winners all while remaining socially distanced. Club member, Louise Hewitt, rose to the occasion and organized a successful contest for two local clubs, Sunrise Optimist Club and East Ventura Clubs, giving cash prizes to each winner in first, second, and third place.

Ventura Sunrise Optimist Club
East Ventura Optimist Club

$300 First Place- Irene Kim El Camino H.S. at Ventura College
$300 First Place- Marie Bell Foothill Technology High School

$200 Second Place- James Rose Buena High School
$200 Second Place- Kampton Carter El Camino H.S. at Ventura College

$100 Third Place- Danielle Shew El Camino H.S. at Ventura College
$100 Third Place- Daniel Lancet El Camino H.S. at Ventura College

Essays were submitted from all five high schools in VUSD. Students used the prompt, “Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism,” given by Optimist International as a basis for their essays.

Judges were community members Jim McAleney, Kathy Waters, John and Clare Gahan, Ayla Smith, Marty Kinrose, and Ken McAlpine. All enjoyed the experience and want to return as judges next year.

Judge McAlpine told the Breeze “It was a joy reading the essays. It was so nice to see that the art of writing — and the art of dreaming — are still very much alive.”

At the conclusion of the contest, the club invited participants and guests to a Zoom gathering to hear the top winners read their essays. Feedback from many in attendance stated that this was truly “inspiring” at a time when “we all need to be uplifted.”

First place winning essays are being submitted to the Pacific Southwest District of Optimist International, the next level of competition, in hopes that a $2500 grand prize is in the Ventura winner’s future.

Gastroenterologist to appear on “The Doctors”

Dr. Sabine Hazan’s COVID video segment will be on “The Doctors” television show on February 24 (Air date is subject to change. Go to https:/www.thedoctors.com/videos.) Dr. Hazan is the founder of Ventura Clinical Trials and Progenabiome. She is also a co-author of Let’s Talk Shit: Disease. Digestion and fecal transplants. Hazan has recently been researching COVID and has treated several people for the virus including the chief medical officer of Community Memorial Health System, Dr. Stanley Frochtzwajg.

“We have discovered that the virus stays in our bodies much longer than anyone thought,” says Hazan.” Dr. Hazan is a co-author of a paper recently published in Gut Pathogens about finding the virus in patient stool samples 45 days after testing positive.

Breeze writer, Sheli Ellsworth, co-authored Let’s Talk Shit. “At first I was worried about how to make a book about gut microbes interesting. Then the jokes wouldn’t stop. Now Dr. Hazan is treating people all over the world for COVID—you never know where things will lead.”

Editor: Sheli Ellsworth is a contributing writer for the Ventura Breeze.