Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Teaching and Learning in a Pandemic

Going the Distance (Part 2)
by Amy Brown

Austin Schliecher is focused on using his time wisely during this highly unusual academic schedule. A junior at Buena High, and a Captain of the varsity basketball team, he said while adjusting to the new online learning system was rough at first, once he got into a set routine, he found advantages in working at his own pace. “I spend about an hour per class, and I don’t want to fall behind, so I don’t set myself back,” said Schliecher.

Asked if he was concerned about the potential impact on his last season this fall in high school basketball before applying to colleges, he replied that he stays positive and tries to go with the flow. “I’m just trying to work out and stay in shape for basketball season,” he said. “Our coach has done a good job of keeping us together; we’ve been doing workouts, and we’re on Zoom calls with the team to make sure we’re all on the same page.” He shared that the team is very focused on maintaining momentum and staying connected as much as possible with the limited access they have—working on plays on the phone and focusing on team goals for next year.

Schliecher’s advice to other students and athletes? “Just outwork everyone that’s taking this time off to relax. Stay focused and don’t slack off,” he said. “If you slack off, you’ll fall behind. This is a great time to get ahead of your game and focus on your academics ahead of everyone else.”

Some students are concerned about navigating a regularly scheduled major transition with the coming school year. Sydney Davis will be starting high school in the fall, and currently attends Balboa Middle School.  “I feel like I’m not going to be as prepared as I should be for high school; I feel kind of threatened because I feel like I don’t know as much as I should.” She’s also concerned about not being prepared as she might otherwise be for trying out for the high school volleyball team. She said she’s finding the schoolwork online relatively easy, but it’s hard to catch up if a day is missed. Her advice to other students: “Keep positive, and keep to a schedule.

At first I was doing all my schoolwork from 10am to 2 or 3pm, but lately I’ve been staying up all night, and I want to get back to that first schedule. Basically, don’t lag and stop doing your work.” She’s picked up some new skills during the quarantine, like cooking, learning to sew, and so far has made about 50 face masks for friends, family and a local company.

Distance learning means hours of computer time for both the student and, especially in the case of younger kids, the parents.  Nancy and Chris Cairns are both teachers and parents, Chris teaching at Besant School of Happy Valley in Ojai, and Nancy a professor at LA City College and Ventura College. They both are working from home and conducting distance learning with their own students, while being responsible for overseeing the many hours of daily computer time in online learning for their 6-year-old grandson Braxton, who lives with them. They share his education duties with his great grandmother and mother in another household. “It’s a group effort to engage him with the work,” said Chris. “The online programs he does are interesting and well-made but they keep his attention. The teacher only meets with the class once a week.”

Nancy shared that the system has challenges, especially for working parents of young children.  “It would probably be better if they met every day and had structured lesson plans and were all together in a virtual classroom. It’s like pulling teeth to get Braxton to do schooling in the present iteration,” said Nancy. “It’s felt like we kind of had to choose. It feels awful. To be in this position, where we have to make some choices, between not being the instructor that I’ve always been, or having to sacrifice my grandson’s education.”

Chris feels it’s important to look at the big picture. “ As much as learning is important, I think that another teacher put it succinctly: there will be time to learn, there will be a time to catch up on what was missed, but now is not that time,” he said.  “What we can’t catch up on is emotional damage when families are torn apart by stress and trauma. Don’t put distance education ahead of your own and your family’s mental, emotional and physical health. We need to take care of each other right now.”

Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship Award

On August 7, 2018 a ceremony was held at Ivy Lawn in honor of Sergeant Dowell’s life.

The Ventura Police Officers’ Association (VPOA) is accepting applications for the 17th annual Dee Dowell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarships will be presented in July 2020 to honor Sergeant Darlon “Dee” Dowell, who was shot and killed on August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the only officer in Ventura’s history to die in the line of duty.

At the time of his death, Sergeant Dowell, 32, was a nine-year veteran of the Ventura Police Department.

The City of San Buenaventura named Dowell Drive, the location of police headquarters, in Sergeant Dowell’s honor in 1979.

In selecting scholarship recipients, the VPOA will consider academic achievement, school and community service, and financial needs. Applications must contain all required information and be returned no later than June 26, 2020. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Awards:

  • 1st Place $2,000.00
  • 2nd Place $1,500.00
  • 3rd Place $1,000.00

Applicants must:

  • Be entering his/her freshman through senior year in college;
  • Plan a course of study related to the field of public service;
  • Ventura resident or have graduated from a high school in Ventura within the past three years, or a Ventura Police Department employee or employee’s child.
  • Have a grade point average of 3.0 or better (based on a 4.0 system);
  • Maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or better if selected as a recipient;
  • Submit a resume of school and community activities, including a copy of transcripts through the most recent semester;
  • Submit a typed essay of 1000 words or less on “Service, what it means to me”;
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from a public servant.

For additional information please contact Corporal Bill Griffin at 805-339-4400 x1381, or Officer Jesus Nuñez at 805-339-4465. Applications are included with this release and are also available at the front desk of the Ventura Police Department.

Socially distanced event held to support the virtual NAMI walk

NAMI dancing in the street.

by Jill Forman

NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The classes, support groups and educational outreach it does benefits those with mental illness, their families and friends, and society at large.

All classes and groups are free to the participant. NAMI relies on donations and grants to supply these invaluable services. The biggest event of the year is the NAMI walk, in which thousands of teams and individuals raise funds.

Due to health concerns, the walk was cancelled this year, at least in its physical form. There was instead a Virtual Walk on May 30, “A National Day of Hope.”

One NAMI team, the NAMI Mommies, had a dance party on Mesa Circle Drive in the Clearpoint area of Ventura. Hope is a perfect theme for this neighborhood which was devastated by the Thomas Fire. Many of the houses are new or still under construction.

The Mommies is a group of women who met at a NAMI class for families of those with mental illness, and who continue to meet as a support group. They were joined by employees of the school district who were donating through this event.

The cul-de-sac had messages of hope and love chalked on the pavement. There were brief speeches Georgia Perry, a group member and the organizer of the event; Mark Stadler of the Ventura VPD; friends of the members; and a particularly effective and passionate address by Mary Haffner, local attorney and former member of the Ventura school board.

Then the DJ started the music, and there was dancing. Dancing for hope and for NAMI.

Free summer rowing camps

One-person boats for social distancing.

Thanks to a generous grant from Ventura and Ojai kids get to row for free this summer!

Learn to Row for Beginners and Advanced camp for Racing Team

Students from outside areas welcome at a regular rate of $150 per week.

Casitas Rowing is excited to offer this to our local families to support our community in the recovery efforts! All summer camps are free for student athletes grades 6th – 12th from Ventura and Ojai Unified School Districts.

  • All equipment wiped after each use
  • One-person boats for social distancing
  • Small class sizes with expert coaching
  • Outdoor activity on the water

Summer Camps Tentatively June – August 2020
Check website for updated schedules
Beginners and Advanced Camps

Limited Space so RSVP soon

To Register: Call 805-642-2288 or email [email protected]
www.CasitasRowing.org

Seventh week of meal distribution and delivery

Over 8,000 healthy, nutritious meals have been distributed.

Rincon Brewery Ventura joins forces with two non-profits to help feed Ventura County Foster/Resource Families, Kinship Families, Adoptive Families, and Bio-families currently working with Children and Family Services

Kids & Families Together (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.

Having hosted and catered events for K&FT over the last two years, the owners of Rincon Brewery Ventura (located at 4100 Telegraph Road) are well aware of the needs of the families served by K&FT.

Word Central Kitchen (WCK) founded over 10 years ago, by Chef José Andrés, is no stranger to Ventura County.

In early April, the owners and management of Rincon Brewery reached out to WCK offering to re-open their Ventura restaurant to make a difference in the Ventura community. By mid-April the restaurant’s focused shifted from feeding first responders to helping to feed members of the local community that were in need. On Thursday April 16th, Rincon Brewery presented the idea to K&FT. Within three days, staff rallied and K&FT was prepared to distribute meals.

This effort has been ongoing, six days a week since April 20th. Over one third of the K&FT staff have participated in this effort, with some putting in countless hours managing the distribution site, organizing delivery lists and loading meals into boxes for pickup. The agency has also received help from a small army of local volunteers who have generously given their own time in this effort. Over 70 individual volunteers have worked side by side with K&FT and Rincon Brewery, some volunteers putting in multiple shifts each week!

At the start of each day both staff and volunteers circle up (making sure to remain six feet apart) for the “morning gathering” where Rincon Brewery co-owner Luisa Hyatt or, on some mornings, Chef Stroh rallies the group with words of inspiration, feedback from families receiving the meals or sharing the “love note” going out with that day’s meal. K&FT’s Therapy Dog, Charles is there several mornings each week ready to greet the families as they drive-thru and have the meals placed in the trunk of their car. Yamaoka Flowers, an area flower grower, donated buckets of flowers that were arranged into gorgeous bouquets and present to families in honor of Mother’s Day. K&FT has distributed coloring sheets, crayons and a list of “100 Ways to Have Fun Together as a Family While Quarantined” to families picking up meals. One of the most touching moments was when a family brought Chef Stroh a “thank you book” with pictures of all the meals he has prepared for them.

To date, over 8,000 healthy, nutritious, chef-prepared meals have been distributed to families across the county, from Ventura’s Westside to Oxnard and all the way out to Simi Valley. Response from families has been extremely positive!

For those interested in volunteering at the distribution site or those willing to help make deliveries please sign up via this link, created with the help of Ventura County Fire Department. https://vcfd.galaxydigital.com/need/?agency_id=112680

Financial donations to support this effort can be made via this link. https://mailchi.mp/kidsandfamilies.org/mealdistribution

Las Patronas makes the most of canceled 63rd Annual Ball

Several honorees were still able to dress up and take professional photos to mark the occasion.

A family tradition for 63 years, the Las Patronas Charity Ball was scheduled for March 17th. The day before the event, based on state guidelines and in the interest of public health, the decision was sadly made to cancel the ball due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The charity ball, a fundraiser for Assistance® League of Ventura County (ALVC), honors local young women who have accomplished great things during their high school careers.

This year, these outstanding and unique young women were:

Delaney Arenz: Competitive Dancer, performed widely, including at Disney World. Active in Assisteens.

Ellie Meyring: Volunteered on international mission trips. Active in Future Farmers of America, The Red Cross, and Letters to The Military.

Madison Mok: Honor Roll, Varsity Softball Pitcher for 4 years, Altar Server, and Girl Scout Ambassador Recipient of the Gold Award.

Alexis Valdez: U.S. President’s Award. Active in NCL, California Scholarship Federation, and YMCA Youth and Government Program.

Ashlyn Valles: ASB President and Junior Optimist Leadership Award. Active in NCL, National Honor Society, and Young Life Christian Club.

Savannah Viola: Student of the Month and Recipient of the Victory with Honor Character Award. Active in NCL and National Honor Society.

Although the ball itself was canceled, several honorees and their families were still able to dress up and take professional photos to mark the occasion. Even though they were not able to hold the ball, Las Patronas was still able to raise $50,000 in support of ALVC’s philanthropic programs, which include the Assistance League School, B.U.F.F.Y. Bear, and Operation School Bell®. The Vision for Assistance League of Ventura County is “Transforming Lives, Strengthening Community.”

Teaching and learning in a pandemic

Anna Guerra of Ventura High takes a break from distance learning with her ukulele. Kindergarten teacher Sherry Smith finds fun activities to engage her young students online.

Going the Distance- Part one of two
by Amy Brown

On Friday March 13th, it was announced that Ventura County schools would be closing, and just like that, everything changed. There was a transition to distance learning that seemed to happen almost overnight, but the reality was a huge, incredibly complex effort in the district—by teachers, administrators, students and parents to create, adopt and adapt to a new online format. It meant developing a plan, handing out devices to all those who needed them, and getting everyone on board–no small feat for a population of approximately 16,000 students.

So now that the frankly impressive feat of creating and implementing distance learning has been in effect for weeks, grades are being input and progress shared via email with parents—students and teachers are in harmony—right? Pretty close, according to Daisy Mastroianni, who has been a teacher for 22 years, and is currently teaching 10th grade English, Career Culinary Arts and Foods and Nutrition at Buena High. She shared that while it was a huge initial transition, the students and teachers alike were ready to go and up for the challenge right away. “We found out the same time everyone else did that that Friday would be our last day,” said Mastroianni. “We met in our departments and came up with what we could to stay connected with the kids. The students, in that same vein, were ready to go!” She said that students can work at their own pace if they get into a lesson and want to keep going. “They can spend an hour and a half with math if it’s really clicking, or take a day off from classes that maybe aren’t their favorite.” Mastroianni shared that she misses the personal interactions with her students tremendously, and early on in the process made a video to share a day in her life for her students, practicing a TikTok, cooking, and doing fun things in her home to find different ways to connect and engage them.

While students appreciate what their teachers are providing, there are concerns by many high school students about what the future will bring. Anna Guerra is a junior at Ventura High, and is worried about not getting a normal senior year because of the current uncertainty, and the effect it will have in applying for colleges. “The thing that concerns me the most is not having all the extra curriculars and tests scores that I want to have to stand out among other applicants,” said Guerra, an honors student who plans to study neuroscience at a UC school in 2021. “I didn’t get a chance to tour colleges—I did virtual tours, but it’s not the same.”

Guerra sets a schedule for her schoolwork to complete it early in the day, and makes sure she finishes everything that is assigned for that day. It leaves the afternoons free for connecting with friends and reconnecting with some former pastimes. “I’ve picked up some hobbies that I’d been too busy to do when school was in session,” she said. “I’ve started painting again, and learning my ukulele, and I’m taking the time to learn more French—I take it as a class, but I want to learn more.”

Sherry Smith, a kindergarten teacher at Portola, has taught for 24 years in the district, agreed that the new system had some challenges at first. “It was really hard to set it up at the beginning, to find out which families had devices and access to Wi-Fi, and which ones didn’t,” said Smith. “Then some devices weren’t working correctly, and we had to redo them and get them out again. But now I have 100% of my students logged into the system.”

When asked how she and other teachers were handling engaging with young students and their families in this ‘new abnormal’, she said that she has office hours for parents and a special hour for students to log in as a group, in which she reads stories, and does activities with songs and dancing. She taught the students how to mute, which she said makes reading much easier to the group. “I miss my kids–I miss being at school, ” said Smith. “I went there today and emptied out their desks, it was very sad.”

NAMI Ventura County event goes virtual but purpose more real than ever

In years past the Ventura County NAMIWalks drew upwards of 1,500 Ventura County residents to the Promenade.

Mental illness doesn’t take a time out so neither does NAMI Ventura County. That’s why the show must go on.

In this case, the show is NAMIWalks Ventura County. The 15th annual NAMIWalks is getting a big makeover in format but not in spirit.

NAMI Ventura County is the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The nonprofit is a tiny powerhouse offering 15 unique programs to the public completely free of charge. With just a staff of four and a passionate volunteer base, NAMI Ventura County reached 6,830 people throughout Ventura County in 2019.

The annual NAMIWalks event accounts for more than half of the revenue the nonprofit uses to offer family and peer education classes and support groups, stigma reduction programs in schools, colleges, and law enforcement trainings, and community education programs like those specifically designed for healthcare providers.

Even before 2020 turned everyone’s lives upside down, the need for mental health education, support and advocacy was growing. Now, experts expect to see spikes in newly diagnosed cases of mental illnesses as well as the exacerbation of existing mental health challenges.

Mental health professional Janine Ivy, Psy.D., LMFT, is a member of NAMI Ventura County’s board of directors. While the ways individuals experience and respond to events, like the Covid-19 pandemic, vary greatly, Ivy said it wouldn’t be surprising to see an increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety across all age groups and a greater need for mental health and substance use treatment.

In years past, on the first Saturday of May, the Ventura County NAMIWalks drew upwards of 1,500 Ventura County residents to the Ventura Beach Promenade. But the annual NAMIWalks event wasn’t just another 5k. It was an opportunity for anyone whose life was touched by mental illness to stand together proudly defying and breaking down the stigma that still surrounds these disorders.

“Being a family member myself, it touches my heartstrings every year,” Griego said. “Families are out there showing support and love. It’s what families are meant to do, support their loved one through any experience in life.”

The NAMIWalks Virtual Takeover holds tight to the NAMIWalks Mission: raise awareness around mental health and raise the funds the nonprofit needs to make free education and support a reality throughout Ventura County communities. Instead of a single day, the Virtual Takeover encourages supporters to get

creative in how they participate.

Throughout the month, NAMI Ventura County is asking participants to submit videos and selfies of all the creative ways they are celebrating NAMIWalks and Mental Health Awareness Month.

The 2020 NAMIWalks Ventura County will culminate on Saturday, May 30 as local participants join with 38 affiliates across the county in celebrating A National Day of Hope.

To join the NAMI Ventura County NAMIWalks Virtual Takeover as a team, walker or sponsor, visit www.namiventura.org or call NAMI Ventura County at 805-641-2426.

It takes a village

The River appreciates those who support them.

The River Community Church is certainly flowing through the City of Ventura these past six weeks during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have been the recipient of numerous donations from many local businesses, and just like a river, they are a channel to help those who are in need, especially food supplies.

As early as March 18, they have seen the arrival of a well-stocked kitchen from the Ventura Beach Marriott, so much, that they were able to share the abundance with the Ventura County Rescue Mission and the Salvation Army. Other downtown restaurants, such as Peirano’s Market & Delicatessen, Aloha Steakhouse, Palermo ~ Coffee and Gelato have shared their specialties with The River from hot meals to fresh chicken and salmon to gallons of milk. Their Food Pantry recipients often get blessed with fresh meat, especially since Sharon Parker of Main St. Meats has donated hundreds of turkey breasts and fresh or smoked chickens.

The River has seen donations from Ferraro’s Italian Restaurant and The Berry Man along with those from neighboring Camarillo, such as Manhattan of Camarillo and Noah’s Bagels. Others who have made continuing donations to care for The River’s volunteers are Giddyup Group LLC, Missy’s Cupcake Creations and Water’s Edge. Water’s Edge provides 15 meals every day to The River. Many of Water’s Edge donations are passed on to the ladies at Tender Life Maternity Home or to the families at The City Center Transitional Living who are thrilled to receive such mouthwatering dinners.

Another community supporter to The River is Food Forward. They generously donate fresh produce twice a week, so those who are in need can stretch their food budget and pick up more than just canned goods. Other partners include Trader Joe’s (on Victoria), Ventura County Backpack Medicine plus several in the community who have given generous cash donations.

Jim Duran, Lead Pastor of The River Community Church, says, “It’s times like these (Covid-19) that you need people around you who are going to help. We are so blessed the community has stepped up and has partnered with The River Community Church to meet the needs of those suffering. We could not do what we do without our valuable partners.”

Over these past six weeks since the Stay-At-Home orders have been in effect, they have served over 600 families representing 1,697 people in Ventura. The River appreciates those who support them, so they can continue being a conduit of God’s blessings to reach the community and those in need.

For more information about The River Community Church, please visit their website at www.TheRiverCommunity.org or call the Church Office at 805-648-7955. They are located at 889 E. Santa Clara St. in downtown Ventura at the corner of Kalorama and E. Santa Clara Streets.

CAPS Media Radio KPPQ hits 150th show

Recently the CAPS Media board of directors held its first zoom board meeting.

The COVID 19 crisis hasn’t slowed down the valiant KPPQ djs and hosts from continuing to produce and deliver outstanding original shows to air on KPPQ at 104.1FM and on mytuner-radio. KPPQ DJ Mark Levitt recently produced his 150th episode of his Pure Rock Show (Bravo Mark!). Pam Baumgardner, Kathy Good, Jace Martyn, Nadine Piche, Kevin Wallace, Auzzie Mary Egan and others are continuing to create captivating and entertaining locally programs, all from their socially-distanced homes, including, Jace Martyn’s Cool Jazz and Smooth R&B program, Pam Baumgardner’s Music Hour and Kathy Good’s In The Women’s Room.

Other KPPQ programs include The Ventura History Hour, Ventura Vibe!, Teen Centric and Straight from the 805 with Riley Real. The extensive KPPQ lineup can be found at https://capsmedia.org/radio/. During these challenging times, the KPPQ lineup also includes County and City reports throughout the day. KPPQ member produced programming is featured every day 7/24 at 104.1FM. All the djs and hosts hope to get back in the studio soon but, during the crisis, they are keeping KPPQ-LP on the air delivering great local programming mixed with fascinating and engaging national and international shows.

If you have a passion for radio, or a show or podcast you want to create and share, you can join the CAPS Media creative community by becoming a member of the CAPS Media family. Online radio and podcast production training is up and running led by KPPQ program director Elizabeth Rodeno. Elizabeth will help you produce your own radio show from your home and have it air on KPPQ 104.1FM in Ventura and streamed nationwide and worldwide on mytuner-radio.com and on capsmedia.org. Contact Elizabeth at [email protected] to set up a time for online training to get you on the air on KPPQ-LP Ventura. We want the community to hear what you have to say. Once the CAPS Media Center re-opens we will continue to offer production training and recording from our state-of-the-art radio studio.

On the video side of the CAPS Media Center, CAPS crews continue to collaborate with Ventura City and County officials to produce ongoing COVID-19 updates for the community. In addition to helping facilitate coverage and streaming of City Council meetings from Ventura City Hall, CAPS crews are producing weekly updates by Ventura City Mayor Matt LaVere and collaborating with Ventura City Fire, Police and Public Works departments to provide the community with additional accurate information.

CAPS Crews also cover the County updates on Monday, Wednesday and Friday by Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin and other officials. All of the updates are distributed on multiple social media platforms as well as translated for the Spanish speaking community. Rest assured that CAPS Media Staff and Crew Members are taking every precaution to be safe.

Recently the CAPS Media board of directors held its first zoom board meeting to be updated and review the work of the organization. The board members were understandably impressed to learn that CAPS Media Crews had produced more than 100 individual videos for the community since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic in early March. The online analytics on Vimeo are also impressive with the combined CAPS Media produced collection getting 1.5M impressions and 115,000 views.

Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis the CAPS Media Center is closed to Member/Producers 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.

Happy Birthday to CAPS Radio and Breeze publisher Sheldon Brown. All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone is Staying Safe and Healthy during this challenging time.