Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Bartering is alive and well in Ventura (first of two parts)

The Calhoun girls modeling the homemade masks they’ve received through the group.

by Mira Reverente

When a friend recently added me to a new group on Facebook, I thought, “Oh no. Another group.” I couldn’t bear the thought of contributing to another toxic taxidermists’ tribe, peachy pandemic-related pack or lonely-during-lockdown singles group.

But my initial trepidation slowly turned into amusement and then delight. The Ventura Free Barter and Trade group turned out to be an inspiring and community-oriented group, more than any other group I’ve ever belonged to.

Just like most newbies, I looked, I lurked and looked some more, before writing my first post. The free avocados caught my attention but I wasn’t sure what to offer. Then I remembered I had boxes of protein bars. Thankfully, this gentleman named Scotty Gray was interested and the deal was sealed via porch pick-up. I never even saw Gray. Welcome to social distancing!

Gray, a facility operations specialist at Point Mugu, is one of the group’s four moderators and I am one of many recipients of his homegrown avocados. I was hooked. Reached by phone, one of Gray’s first questions was, “Do you need more?” I said, “Yes, but let me get through my stash first.”

That’s just how the group is – generous and genuine, without much expectation of anything in return. Since the avocado exchange, I have also been the grateful recipient of banana muffins, a tomato sapling, seedlings and a coffee grinder. In return, I have offered cases of water, wine, baking ingredients and even that partial propane tank that’s been hiding in my garage since the last camping season.

Flashback to a little over two weeks ago (a lifetime during these times) – right around when the lockdown order was implemented, Tammy Calhoun found herself in a store, increasingly bothered by the massive amount of hoarding and hysteria around her. A born leader and community organizer, Calhoun sprang into action right when she got home and founded the group on Facebook.

“I wanted to do something to help. I wanted to connect people without pride or shame getting in the way,” says Calhoun, a real estate broker. “I also wanted a simple system of give and take where it’s not necessarily dollar-to-dollar.”

The online community has grown to over 2,400 members in less than two weeks. Gray and Calhoun have added friends from work, church, social circles, their neighborhoods, their children’s schools, youth sports where they volunteer and it has dramatically snowballed.

The feel-good and genuine connection stories just keep increasing by leaps and bounds.

Next issue: Bartering Ventura-Style (second of two parts)

For more information or to join: www.facebook.com/groups, search for Ventura Free Barter & Trade

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County announces appointment of Cesar Hernandez to Board of Directors

Hernandez led the company’s philanthropic giving and supply chain.

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) has elected Cesar Hernandez to its 19-member Board of Directors. In this capacity, Hernandez will help guide Housing Trust Fund VC as the local trusted leader helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle.

“I believe that housing is not only essential for the economic sustainability of our community, but also an opportunity to allow families to thrive and be successful,” stated Cesar Hernandez, board member of Housing Trust Fund VC. “

Hernandez joins the Board with a stellar social justice background. He is currently the Senior Field Organizer for Economic Justice at the Washington DC based Community Change, dedicated to building the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to change the policies and institutions that impact their lives. Hernandez is also actively involved within the local community serving on the McCune Foundation’s Social Change Institute’s Advisory Committee and is a co-founder of City Corps of Oxnard, a youth leadership and service- learning program that provides job training and life skills for low income and young people of color. He has also led youth development and health education efforts at El Concilio del Condado de Ventura, was the Director of the Central Coast Environmental Health Project (CCEHP) for California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) and a founding member of the Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CA– USE).

Hernandez led the company’s philanthropic giving and supply chain responsibility efforts in both the U.S. and Mexico. His work earned him the position of Fellow with the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, Cesar Hernandez immigrated with his family to the United States in the late 1970’s and was raised in Oxnard. “As a kid growing up in Colonia Village, a public housing project built and managed by the City of Oxnard, my community was always a source of inspiration,” commented Hernandez. “My success is directly linked to the stability that affordable housing provided to my parents. I remember feeling lucky to have my own bedroom, where I could study and dream about what I could become and where I wanted to go in the world. It is my hope that we can all work together to help more families thrive and it starts with a safe place to call home.”

Launched as a 501c3 nonprofit corporation in 2012, Ventura County Housing Trust Fund became Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (Housing Trust Fund VC) in July 2019. Housing Trust Fund VC is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of January 2020, Housing Trust Fund VC has invested $9 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 365 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle-income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

Request the generic version

by Krisna Garcia

Looking to save money on your prescriptions at your local Rx pharmacy? With prices constantly rising and insurance coverage seemingly getting worse and more expensive by the day, the better question might be, who isn’t? Whether you’ve just been prescribed a new medication and you’re not sure of the costs or you depend on an expensive medication to treat a chronic health condition, trips to your Rx pharmacy can be stressful. About 41 percent of all Americans take at least one prescription medication, while 17 percent take three or more prescription medications. If you’re wondering how to find health savings for prescriptions, there are several options you can try regardless of your insured status.

If your medication has a generic version, you can easily save money by requesting that your doctor prescribe you the generic form of the drug instead of the brand name medication. If you’re concerned about quality, don’t be – generic medications undergo the same rigorous testing by the FDA as brand name medications do prior to being sold. The main difference between brand name and generic medications lies in the inactive ingredients (ingredients that do not affect treatment) used in the manufacturing of the drug. Inactive ingredients may affect cosmetic details like color, shape, and size of the medication, so the generic version of a drug does not necessarily resemble the brand name version. The active ingredients used in both medications are the same, so your treatment will not suffer, but you will save money.

Although about 80 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured, if you are one of the lucky few who has good health insurance coverage, your medication may be covered by your insurance, especially if it is generic. Regardless of how good your insurance is, most insurances have some drugs that they will not cover, so you may not get the best price when processing your prescription through your insurance. Patients should ask for the cash price, look for coupons, research patient assistance programs, or purchase the drug with a local pharmacy discount card, as you may be able to save even more than when purchasing the drug through insurance.

Regardless of your insured status, Rx pharmacy discount cards offer patients the opportunity to save big on all prescription medications approved by the FDA. Pharmacy discount card companies negotiate directly with the drug companies to provide lower rates for patients, helping guarantee the best rate. Because pharmacy discount cards can be used on all FDA-approved medications, including those that are brand name or not covered by insurance, patients with insurance may find that they receive a lower price when using a pharmacy discount card as compared to processing through their insurance. There is no cost associated with pharmacy discount cards.

While you’re not likely to find coupons or rebates for generic medications, some manufactures do offer coupons or reduced copays on the brand name form of the medication. Ask your doctor during your visit if they are aware of any existing discounts or coupon codes that may be available, as some offers are only available upon receipt of a sample from your physician. Other coupons may be offered online.

Patient Assistance Program.

Some manufacturers offer patient assistance programs to low income, uninsured, or underinsured people who meet certain criteria. Patients who are eligible for patient assistance programs receive their medications for free or at a low cost. However, these programs are not available to everyone. Individuals who are covered by Medicare and/or Medicaid are typically not eligible for these programs, as are some patients with commercial insurance.

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.