Edison has covered up one side of the Ventura mural memorial for Stephen “Steve” Cummings located at Loma Vista and Mills located on a utility box that now had a battery backup. Battery packs are needed for motorists’ safety when Edison shuts off power to avoid fires.

Cummings was a community activist and local preservationist who died unexpectedly in 2015. The College Area Community Council raised the funds for the 2016 memorial mural.

City officials have been listening to community concerns and the city and community council are now working together to find a solution.

The Ventura County chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO VC) announces an impactful panel discussion for business owners looking to be more socially aware in how they operate their business. The panelists also promise to provide tips for all of us as consumers on how we can be more socially conscious in our purchasing decisions.

Join NAWBO Ventura County for “How to be a Socially Conscious Business” on Tuesday, February 11th, 11:30am to 1:00pm at Gold Coast Transit District’s Community Room, 1901 Auto Center Drive, Oxnard. Purchase early bird tickets at www.NAWBOVC.org before February 4th for just $20 NAWBO members | $25 non-members.

Socially conscious businesses are a growing power for good. These businesses bring their values to life through intentional actions. Business owners can lead with purpose, which can provide new opportunities with a growing class of consumers looking to align their purchasing power with businesses who reflect their values.

With overwhelming need and so many options, where does a business owner start? What steps can be taken to truly be a more socially conscious business? Local socially conscious business experts will share more about this growing trend and provide specific and realistic strategies to incorporate into your business and your life.

The panelists are:

Andrea Chase, Director of Corporate Responsibility and Social Impact, Arbonne International

Catherine Von Burg, Founder, President & CEO, SimpliPhi Power

Dr. Janis Shinkawa, Medical Director, Veterinarian and Partner, Ohana Pet Hospital

Caleigh Hernandez, Founder & CEO, RoHo

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The panel will be moderated by Fulbright Scholar, Professor Maria Ballesteros-Sola, DBA, MBA, LLB, California State University, Channel Islands. This event is supported in part by NAWBO VC Elite sponsor, Ohana Pet Hospital.

NAWBO Ventura County hosts educational meetings monthly on timely topics vital to the growth and success of women business owners, including female non-profit founders and executives. Breakfast, lunch and/or dinner meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of each month at various locations in Ventura County. Learn more at www.NAWBOVC.org.

Feb 1, 8:00 a.m., Restoration Work Day, Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, Leader: Sandy Hedrick (805) 340-0478

Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Restoration work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

Feb 8, 8:30 a.m., Soule Park, Leader: David Wappler (805) 620-2676 / Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304

Situated in east Ojai, this large park offers grasslands, large deciduous trees and riparian habitat that bring out winter feeding flocks of sparrows, bluebirds, & warblers and year-round habitat for thrashers, woodpeckers, raptors and more. A section of Thatcher Creek that serves as the north border of the park will be enjoyed. Join us for an easy, flat walk around one of our most scenic birding spots.

Feb 11, 7:30 p.m., Ventura Audubon Society Monthly Program at the Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public): The Salton Sea Update. Speaker: Andrea Jones, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon California

To learn more about the threats facing the Salton Sea, as well as about efforts that have and are currently being taken to conserve it, come hear Andrea Jones’ talk. Andrea will highlight why the Salton Sea is critically important to over 400 species of birds, describe which of those species are most threatened, and explain how Audubon is engaging in new solutions that will benefit both birds and people.

Feb 15, 9 a.m., Ventura Settling Ponds, Leader: Frank DeMartino / Adele Fergusson (805) 415-4304

Enjoy a morning of mostly waterfowl birding with gulls, terns, ducks, herons, grebes, and even warblers. Spotting scopes are always welcome. Entrance at the corner of Spinnaker Drive and Angler Court off Harbor Blvd.

Feb 22, 8 a.m., Emma Wood State Beach, Leader: Tevin Schmitt (661) 904-1563

At the entrance to Emma Wood State Beach, we will be searching the scrub for sparrows and warblers. We will follow the path that leads through the willow forest (often finding wrentits and other secretive birds here) and finally across the sand dunes to the Ventura River Estuary. The estuary is always an exciting place to bird, and target birds will include: Snowy, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Willet, Whimbrel, Black Turnstone, Red-necked Phalarope and Forster’s Tern. There will be a fair amount of walking, so please dress appropriately in layers and comfortable shoes.

Please do not leave valuables in your car, and be sure to lock your vehicle.

by Carol Leish

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world”—Lucille Ball

Since happiness is essential for you, as women, for your lives, come to Radiant You, which is an upcoming 1-day retreat for women in Ventura. It is being sponsored by Ladies Luncheon, Ventura, which is a monthly women’s networking group that has been meeting for over 10 years. By being with other women, you will be able to create a sisterhood within community and to bond to make friendships and relationships with each other. Nurturing the inner and spiritual beauty within you, as women, will radiate within all areas of your lives. “This event will be guiding women to be able to achieve ultimate self-love. This will be able to translate into their health, wealth, and mind,” according to founder, Laurie Ann Meyer. “The speakers are choreographed for exactly that reason, in order to share with you.”

The day at Radiant You will include: Veronica Clark, who will focus on energy healing and self-love; Dr. Catie Wyman Norris, who will focus on nutrition; and, Jackie Ulmer, who will focus on business strategies. You will be inspired as you learn from these various speakers. You will also enjoy light movement from acupuncturist and yoga instructor, Krystal Pearson.

This special day of Radiant You will include: a continental breakfast; lunch; along with the opportunity to shop from a variety of local vendors. By wearing your most comfortable clothing, you will be able to enjoy participating in light movement, through yoga and relaxation techniques. By bringing a journal and writing materials, you will be able to write down important things that you will be learning during the day. You will be receiving yoga mats as a gift upon arrival, along with other giveaways.

The Radiant You event is on March 7, 2020, since, March 8, 2020, is International Women’s Day, in which, “An equal world is an enabled world.” You can celebrate women’s achievements. You can raise awareness against bias. And, you can also take action for equality,’ according to, International Women’s Day Charity Partners.

Thus, to be a part of Radiant You for $97, from 8:30am-2:30pm, at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura. Please register at: www.TheLadiesLuncheon.com/Radiant-You.

Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura begins the new year with the West Coast Premiere of Never Not Once, a powerful, compelling and timely new drama by Carey Crim. Never Not Once is about the families we choose, and the secrets that can pull them apart. The production is helmed by Brit Katharine Farmer, who has directed acclaimed Rubicon productions of Gulf View Drive (Ovation Award, Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre), Incognito (West Coast Premiere), Heisenberg with Faline England and Joe Spano, and South Pacific (all Critic’s Choices in the L.A. Times).

Please note that Never Not Once contains strong language and sexual themes and is recommended for mature audiences.

Never Not Once runs from Wednesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 23, 2020. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Low-priced previews are available Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m., Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, February 8 at 7 p.m. with a pre-show party downstairs at Rubicon beginning at 6 p.m. with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and photos, and a post-show gathering with the cast hosted by Water’s Edge on the Harbor. Talkbacks are scheduled following all 7:00 p.m. Wednesday performances (except the first preview).

A new Coffeehouse Mixer Night for students is scheduled for the third Thursday of the run (February 20) at 7 p.m. with $20 tickets for all college students (plus the $5 handling fee). The price includes complimentary pizza and wings and one free beverage starting downstairs at 6 p.m. A special talkback particularly focused on the perspective of the college-aged characters in the play will follow.

Never Not Once is held at Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main Street (the corner of Main and Laurel). Ticket prices range from $25 to $59, with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, Equity, active members of the military and groups of 15 or more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

You’re invited! VCLA’s Cohort XXVI Recruitment & Reconnection Mixer – West County

Join us for our once a year recruitment mixer!

Learn more about VCLA and how the program can connect you to other leaders throughout the county
Meet community leaders and speakers who are a part of the program
Meet or reconnect with alumni and friends from past cohorts
Hear testimonials from VCLA graduates on how this program impacted them
Learn about the application process for Cohort XXVI

A special thank you to Sharon Cromartie, VCLA Board member and
VCLA Cohort XIX for sponsoring this event.
www.VCLeadership.org
[email protected] or (805) 665-3504

West County Mixer, Wednesday, February 12, 5:30pm-7:30pm.

Kids & Families Together
864 E. Santa Clara Street
Ventura

To help students overcome the challenge of paying for college, the Ventura County Community College District is holding free Cash 4 College workshops at its four campuses. Workshops will be held on Feb. 8 and Feb. 22. Financial aid staff will assist students in completing applications for the 2020-2021 school year FAFSA and the California Dream Act. The workshops are free and open to the community; people may attend workshops at any campus or either date. Advanced registration is preferred. For more information or to register, visit VCCCD.edu/cash4college.

February 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ventura College, Learning Resource Center, 4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura

February 22, 9 a.m. – noon Ventura College East Campus, 957 Faulkner Road, Unit 106, Santa Paula

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.