Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

The time is now for introspection

by Shakti Dutt Foothill High School

I have accepted everything that life has thrown at me without making much sense of it. It’s like a train that does not stop to unload its passengers but only to load more and more. Recently, I came across this quote by Dave Hollis – “In the rush to return to normal, use this time to consider which parts of normal are worth rushing back to.” As my lips mouthed his words, I realized that I need to change the route of this train and that this interruption caused by these uncertain times may be the best time to re-consider all that is part of me and all that I have become a part of.

So, instead of dreading every moment of this situation, inspired by Hollis’s words, I decided to utilize this time by studying my reflection in the mirror; search for what I needed to keep and what I absolutely did not need to. I have to say that at first it was not easy to look at myself with the eyes of the goddess under the golden light but eventually I got more comfortable at the sight of myself and the values that I was holding; both good and bad.

I am still in this process of purifying my “normal” and I have no doubt in my heart that this is a one-time thing. This time off, is certainly the beginning of something that would ease my way into this fascinating world.

Reader, maybe you can resonate with my words. Have you been waiting for change? If so, the time is now for introspection.

Are coronavirus worries keeping you awake?

Anxiety about the spread of the coronavirus is leading to sleepless nights for some people – and that can result in even more health problems.

Studies have shown that a lack of sleep weakens the immune system, the last thing anyone needs when a potentially deadly virus is making the rounds.

The question many bleary-eyed people face is how they can remedy their insomnia without resorting to medication, anything else that they have to take orally, or a significant lifestyle change. One answer: stretches done on the bed that relax the body and mind, allowing them to drift into slumber and be better prepared for the next day – and keep that immune system humming as well, says Larry Piller (www.larrypiller.com), a Certified Massage Practitioner and author of Stretching Your Way: A Unique & Leisurely Muscle Stretching System.

So, for those struggling to rid themselves of their coronavirus worries, Piller offers a few examples of what he calls “superstar stretches for sleeping”:

Stretch 1. While lying on your back, extend your shoulder out as is comfortable and lift your hand up as though you are trying to stop traffic. Then turn your arm and your hand backward, letting your little finger be your guide. Let your little finger land where roughly the No. 7 would be on a clock. Just extend your shoulder out as is comfortable and bring your fingers back as is comfortable.

Stretch 2. While lying on your back on the bed, put your arm in a position as if showing your muscle to someone. Just extend your elbow out to the side as is comfortable for a tricep stretch. From that position, open your hand up all the way, extend your elbow to the side as is comfortable while bringing your thumb down toward you as is comfortable.

Stretch 3. While you lie on your back, just extend your shoulder and arm out as is comfortable, Piller says.

Stretch 4. While you lie on your back, bring your toes and the inner side of your foot inward to get a stretch on the side of the foot. These stretches for the side of your feet can be done lying on your side as well, as long as you have room to bring your foot or feet down or inward. You also can use a pillow between your legs to raise your foot so you can bring your foot or feet down, or hang your feet over the edge. “This by itself, or in combination with other stretches, has a high chance to put you to sleep like a little baby,” Piller says.

“Life can be a job in itself, especially right now with all the concerns about the coronavirus,” Piller says. “Most people do not want all the difficulties that every insomnia treatment is riddled with. They don’t want to do all kinds of lifestyle changes that don’t offer solutions or guarantees, and that have minimal results at best. These superstar stretches for sleeping are the world’s easiest and safest. For me, muscle stretching is magic. You get total relief just knowing this effortless system is waiting for you at bedtime.”

CommUNITY of everyday people

Oceana

by Karen Leslie, writer with heart

Necessity is the mother of invention! The close sign may be hanging on the doorknob of our everyday lives, yet another door is open for business, the door of discovery and windows of transformative creativity and invention. These thresholds of thought have sprung open worldwide, inviting us to plunge into pause, a state of stillness and listen to the message on the recorder of our hearts. The wake-up button is blinking its way into our consciousness, beckoning us to experience the simple everyday things we took for granted in the past, giving way to new ways of thinking and doing for the sustainability of all mankind and our beloved planet. Remarkably and resourcefully we are re-writing our narrative, a storyline that which aligns with Mother Nature.

Hovsepian

As a people, have collectively entered an age of unprecedented prosperity, the mother lode of inventions that will leave its historical mark on humanity, breaking new ground for innovative ways to be geographically compatible and in its wake, a breed of connectiveness has birthed, humanities common denominator… Hope.

Yes, we are in a mandatory ‘time out’ and fast from the fast track and long to-do lists. How are your neighbors coping with staying home you might ask? Here is what graphic designer Karine Hovsepian wanted to share, “I went through fear, hopelessness, anxiety and sadness before I reached the stage of acceptance. I had no other choice but to surrender and adapt to the new reality. I am lucky. I do my graphic design work from home. I have more time for writing and long beach walks that ground me and help me stay in the moment. The key to a peaceful mindset is to keep focusing on the beauty that is all around us. Having the ocean nearby has been my savior in the crises we are facing.

Devera

Our homes have become incubators for change with portals of possibility which no amount of distancing can halt! Creativity has become contagious as beacons of virtual ideas zoom into our living rooms, filling the gap of our isolation. Ayn Devera, owner of Soulstice Wellness shares, “ In the light of the pandemic and ‘stay well at home’ order, I am listening amidst the fear of the unknown, there is a calm within that says, take some time off won’t you? The Prescription; I let my mind and body rest then was called to action, sounding the alarm that people needed to take this seriously, stay above the noise of media chaos, take care of their health and bodies, sprinkled with reminders of loving-kindness. Where I am in all this, when this is over and it will be, the changes must be lasting. When we love and respect our bodies, the whole world and our ecosystem will thrive as well”.

Yes, we may be in ‘intermission’ from the movie of our lives but the outtakes are riveting! Navigating ourselves in uncharted waters in the current of this extraordinary time has opened up the channel of Universal Love in the river of everyday people and is going viral! It is the bridge over troubled waters, which spans the gap between cultures and finds compatibility within society. a language that can loop through every mind, every person, every group, every nation and by raising our unified voices in love has the potential to shape shift our perspective, heal the planet and humanity, uplift and carry the ballad of our collective hearts into peace on earth.

Oceanna, visionary artist shares, “I feel that the only thing to offer is more love…everywhere to everyone”.

What are you doing while being sequestered?

When my daughter was born 16 years ago in March, I remember thinking, “Great! March is a good month to have a birthday because nothing ever happens in March.” Well, except for St. Patrick’s Day. Then the pandemic hit and an entire birthday weekend went out the window. Or down the sink along with all the hand soap.

We are only humans so after the initial disappointment of cancelling her sweet 16 bash, we adapted and started slowly keeping our distance. We also upped our handwashing rate from three times a day to 33 times now probably.

Then we dusted off the old Kitchenaid mixer and Dutch oven. And we started cooking and baking. A lot. The kitchen had been my refuge a lifetime ago before life and parenthood took over. With all this downtime, I’ve experimented with so many good recipes and renamed them. The lockdown lemon cake was picture-worthy but not lemony enough, according to my daughter. Then there’s the social distancing sourdough starter which is akin to waiting for the cable guy to arrive. And this is why people buy and not make sourdough bread. Don’t even get me started on the pandemic pork belly which my daughter refuses to eat. #toughcrowd

All baking and cooking aside, we are blessed to be together. The hurried meal times, quick car trips and the hustle and bustle of everyday life now seem to be a thing of the past, replaced by leisurely walks in the neighborhood and simpler choices (printed or plaid pjs; shower in the morning, evening or not at all).

But I’m still going to get myself some isolation ice cream when this is all over.

Mira Reverente

As one of the Staff Photographers for the Ventura Breeze my main activity was to photograph public events, and with sequestering in place there are fewer publics to photograph.  For some of us sequestering is saving some money, driving around town less means purchasing much less gasoline, Shopping for a whole week instead of when needed saves gas and shopping money, the entertainment closures is saving me money, and non-essential stores closed is saving money.  Overall, this sequestering order is saving money for some.
Michael Gordon

Mornings aren’t that different. We get up early, play with the dogs, make coffee, tidy the house etc. Okay, one little thing – we didn’t used to spray the newspaper.

Then comes the Big Question of the day: do we need to go anywhere? Usually it’s no. We are both in the Shelter in Place category due to age or health.

No bird rescue, Garden activities, trail hostings, classroom helper, event booths, all the things we enjoy and fill out days with – darn. No board meetings – okay, that’s not so bad.

So what do we do all day? He tore his car apart, fixed it, then planted a veggie patch. I have been reorganizing, finding projects, baking, picking up books and taking them to Little Free Libraries. And I read. And sit outside watching the birds, clouds, insects.

And social media has gone from entertainment to necessity. We keep up with family, friends, causes and so on. We have a ZOOM meeting tonight!

But as a rule no evening events either: talks, concerts, plays. We don’t have a TV, so aren’t tempted to sit around and watch it. We read, listen to music, and of course the Big Question: do we need to go anywhere tomorrow?

Jill Forman

You know that “time” we always wish we had to do…whatever. Well, now we have it. And are we doing those things we’ve put off? Me – not really. I’ve been doing stuff, but not really the stuff on my every-growing list. I am finding that my attention span is shorter now, which means my motivation is too.

The first three weeks of stay-at-home I was already there, recuperating from pneumonia. So that slowed everything to a crawl temporarily. I am just now starting to get back in gear.

I’ve done a good bit of reading, of course. That’s what I do most of. Netflix is my friend. I’ve even finally tackled a few bits of organization – pulling out old papers to shred, compiling some records that have been drifting about in myriad places instead of where they should be. But that’s slow going.

I enjoy cross-stitch needlework and finally started a big project that’s been on my to-do list for several years. Who knows, I may even get it finished!

In some ways, this isolation has been a good thing. A chance to regroup, rethink and establish priorities. I needed that. Just wish it hadn’t happened in this way.

Shirley Lorraine

I’ve spent the last fourteen years in virtual solitary confinement, working my trade as a graphic artist. A downturn in business required me to seek part-time employment, which came to me in the form of being a cashier at a grocery store a couple of towns over. I’ve gone from seeing maybe one or two people per month to maybe one hundred and fifty or so a day,

Alfred J. Lewis

Local businesses look to remain open with support from Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV)

Just as the Thomas Fire, Montecito Debris Flow and Hill/Woolsey Fires pushed Santa Barbara and Ventura county small businesses to the brink of collapse, the COVID-19 pandemic is significantly affecting the economic vitality these businesses bring to the community. Local non-profit Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV, www.wevonline.org) primarily serves micro-businesses, defined as those with fewer than five employees and less than $1 million in annual revenues, by providing business training, coaching, and loans to more than 300 local business owners each year.

Most small businesses do not have the cash flow, reserves or insurance coverage to withstand a short-term interruption in sales, much less the indefinite impact of a national health crisis. As with the previous natural disasters, WEV’s business resources, guidance, financial training, support and Quick Response Loans are available to help local businesses adapt and survive during these challenging times. Since the virus first began to impact the region, WEV has experienced a significant influx of calls from business owners seeking both advice and emergency funding.

Many small businesses will need support now and in the coming months. WEV is assisting business owners through a Response Line (English 805-456-2342, Spanish 805.908.0096) and a Quick Response Loan program. Quick Response Loans offer financial support and assistance to businesses experiencing economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. WEV loans up to $10,000 with no payments for the first three payment cycles will help business owners, like Moes, adapt in unpredictable times. For information on Quick Response Loans visit loans.wevonline.org/qrl.

WEV CEO Kathy Odell says, “Our local small business community will not survive this catastrophe without immediate, locally driven relief efforts. During the recent natural disasters, only a third of SBA Disaster Loan applications were successful, and even those who were approved had to wait weeks to receive their funds. We want small business owners to know they can reach out for help immediately and that WEV, as well as agencies like SCORE and EDC are available to help with the rigorous SBA loan application.”

Women’s Economic Ventures is a non-profit dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. WEV serves Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV targets its services toward women, it helps men as well. Services are provided in both English and Spanish.

Second international win for Tesla radio theatre broadcast

Every Now and Then Theatre in Ventura has won an International Communitas Award for excellence in community service volunteerism and social responsibility for their radio theatre broadcast of “Nikola Tesla: Mysterious Genius.” Co-presented with Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks, NewsTalk 1590 KVTA Radio aired the one-hour production on Halloween night 2019. Every Now and Then Theatre participants are allowed only one rehearsal, then perform. All shows benefit foster kids. No one personally profits. Recently the show also picked up an International AVA Digital Gold Award for excellence in creativity and support of altruistic efforts.

Celebrity Host Rachel Reenstra joined the select cast of top local actors revealing the mysteries behind Tesla, the nearly forgotten eccentric inventor and animal lover. Reenstra is perhaps best known currently for her hosting of ABC-Disney’s four-time Emmy nominated Saturday TV show, “The Wildlife Docs.”

From the late 1800’s on, Nikola Tesla researched and developed radio (not Marconi), alternating current (A-C), vacuum tubes, the hydroelectric generator, the Tesla Coil energy transmitter, fluorescent and neon lighting, the principles of  X-rays and radar, wireless lighting, the rotary engine, remote control weapons, the basic for robotics, laser weaponry, designs for a vertical takeoff and landing airplane, and much more. Scientists today are still pouring over his papers to discover and understand more of his ideas.

Every Now and Then Theatre is Ventura County, California’s select troupe for radio drama broadcasts since 1990. Now beginning their 31st year, the all-volunteer Every Now and Then Theatre can be found by name on Facebook and maintain a website at everynowandthentheatre.com.

SEEAG in the news

Topics include how to plant an outdoor vegetable garden.

Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) was selected to receive a $55,000 grant from St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) and St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), members of Dignity Health.

The grant funds will go towards expanding SEEAG’s “Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative.” The program educates and inspires children to eat healthy by adding locally grown Ventura County specialty crops to their diet. SEEAG brings its mobile classroom van to schools where SEEAG instructors provide hands-on nutrition education to third graders. Over 2,800 students will take part in the program during the 2020 calendar year.

Each participating student receives a Wellness Swag Bag containing educational materials, produce samples, recipes and a dental hygiene kit. The grant will enable SEEAG to add a bilingual educator to the program, create five farmers market pop-ups within the targeted school districts that will provide free produce and nutritional information for families and include a jump rope in each of the Wellness Swag Bags.

“Many farmworkers’ children are enrolled in the targeted school districts. They are an important population to reach with our message,” says Mary Maranville, CEO/founder of SEEAG. “SEEAG is grateful for Dignity Health’s support of the Child Wellness Initiative, The grant is recognition that our efforts to educate children about eating healthy if very much needed in Ventura County.”

Other organizations teaming up with SEEAG to make the Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative successful are Reiter Affiliated Companies’ Sambrando Salud Program, Clinicas del Camino Real and Ventura County Public Health.

Fun, kid-friendly gardening activities from Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG)  are now available for children who are at home due to COVID-19 school closures. SEEAG, a local leader in agriculture education, conducts learning programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties at schools and farms where it teaches students how food is grown, healthy eating habits and proper nutrition. The program is called “Let’s Grow A Garden!”

Program lessons are now online and new lessons will be posted every Monday through summer. Topics include how to plant an outdoor vegetable garden or indoor container garden, how to select the right plants and soil, information about local agriculture and links to where families can order seeds and gardening materials online.

Co-sponsoring Let’s Grow A Garden! is Agromin. Agromin is giving away 500, 20-quart bags of potting soil (one per child), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Follow all social distancing rules posted on site.

The program will also feature a weekly garden photo contest where students submit photos (#letsgrowagarden2020) showing the progress of their gardens with the chance to win garden-themed prizes.

No registration is required. New gardening tips and information will be posted each Monday at 8:30 a.m. on https://www.seeag.org/letsgrowagarden2020. To learn more about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org.

When and what is Passover?

Passover 2020 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 8, and ends Thursday evening, April 16. The first Passover seder is on the evening of April 8, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of April 9.

Passover is a festival of freedom.

It commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, and their transition from slavery to freedom. Passover or Pesach is an important, biblically derived Jewish holiday. The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. It commemorates the story of the Exodus in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Passover commences on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for either seven

days (in Israel and for Reform Jews and other progressive Jews around the world who adhere to the Biblical commandment) or eight days for Orthodox, Hasidic, and most Conservative Jews.

A day commences at dusk and lasts until the following dusk, thus the first day of Passover begins after dusk. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

The rituals unique to the Passover celebrations commence with the Passover Seder.

In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God helped the Children of Israel escape from their slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the ancient Egyptians before the Pharaoh would release his Israelite slaves; the tenth and worst of the plagues was the death of the Egyptian first-born.

The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a slaughtered spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord knew to “pass over” the first-born in these homes, hence the English name of the holiday.

When the Pharaoh freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). In commemoration, for the duration of Passover no leavened bread is eaten.

Vol. 13, No. 13 – Mar 25 – Apr 7, 2020 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

County theaters suffer another loss – You!

Entertainment has reached crisis point as a result of the current health situation unprecedented in our lifetime (mine anyway). Broadway theaters are closed. Las Vegas is shutting down. Ventura County theaters are shuttering up. Now there are just empty seats in dark theaters. A great loss to patrons of Ventura County theatres is the recent closure of all the stage performances whether they were in progress or about to open.

I understand some auditions may still be held for future productions so there is hope for the future. But for now, theaters who were already struggling, appear to be in for a very hard time indeed. Just as with our homes and businesses, rent and utilities still must be paid. Most of our county theaters rely on paying audiences to do just that on a monthly basis.

One thing I have always loved about live theater (there are many) is that I never have to wonder if I will be able to “connect” -no Wi-Fi needed. I can be involved without truly being involved (that is, first having succeeded at being cast, learning the script, rehearsing for weeks, taking direction, tech week, personality clashes, giving up all weekends for several months and more). With so many staying home, out of school, working from home, or ill, internet lines are overloading, TV streaming is spotty and me randomly blurting out lines or songs from shows in my living room just isn’t the same as watching a fine live performance. Just ask anybody in my house.

Theater people are extraordinarily resilient. They live to entertain, and they will be ready and eager to come back when the air clears. The bigger question is, will the theaters be financially able to re-open?

In the meantime, there seems to be plenty of time to hone one’s skills, or perhaps take up new ones. Always wanted to write a play? Make a costume? Experiment with stage makeup? Build a stage prop? Now is a great time to get started. When theaters do reopen, you will be ready.

Kids could act out a part of their day for the rest of the family. It could be a group project. It can be re-living a funny situation or a testy one. There are plays about both. Who knows – it might even open an actual conversation!

I think I’ll go start writing something now myself. Who knows? Could be a whole new career track. Perhaps it will be about my adventures in the theater. There are no shortage of stories!