Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Who doesn’t want to be an author?

That lifelong dream can now become a reality.

Award -winning journalist, author and publisher Beverly Russell will give you all the answers about how to go about publishing your own book on a budget.

Classes for the six-week course will be at the Senior Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue, and will take place every Thursday from 2-3 p.m, from February 7 thru March 14. Russell has self-published six books on a wide variety of genres including her own critically applauded autobiography. Other book topics she has written about include gardening, aging, cooking, meditation, as well as a children’s book.

Author-editor Russell’s classes will focus on indie book publishing – helping would-be authors to get their work published in a professional way using new digital technology.

Guest speakers at her classes include, Ventura author Ivor Davis, who will join Russell to talk about his own experiences in the self-publishing field.

Another guest lecturer will be Indie publishing counselor Ben Swihart who will talk about other success stories in the local self-publishing field.

Walk-ins welcome. Classes are $5 per class of $30 for the full six weeks course.

Casa Pacifica welcomes new member to board of directors

Daniel Friedlander is the principal attorney and mediator of his law office

Casa Pacifica is proud to welcome Daniel Friedlander, Esq. to its Board of Directors this year. Comprised of 24 individuals, Casa Pacifica’s board members offer a wealth of experience and expertise in a wide range of areas, such as the legal field with several lawyers; in financial services with representatives from a number of banks, investment, and insurance services; in business with a variety of industries from the medical field to construction to agricultural management to equipment rentals; in the field of education with the retired superintendent of the Moorpark Unified School District; as well as several community advocates.

Daniel Friedlander is the principal attorney and mediator of his own law office in Westlake Village, California. His primary areas of practice include civil litigation, land use, real estate, usury, environmental, landlord-tenant, commercial and business law, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for foster or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. Casa Pacifica is also a foster family agency, which recruits and trains families for potential placement with a foster youth. For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website www.casapacifica.org or call the Development & Public Relations Department at (805) 445-7800.

Board Chair, Shannon Hillygus shared his vision for the year

Chamber welcomed the 2019 Board of Directors at annual meeting. Photo by Dan Holmes

The Ventura Chamber of Commerce hosted its Annual Meeting and Board Installation at the Pierpont Inn Thursday, January 16, 2019. Not only does this membership gathering serve as the annual meeting to officially elect the Board and Officers for the year, but it is also a celebratory evening recognizing long-time members for their commitment and engagement.

Chamber president and CEO, Stephanie Caldwell welcomed the members and shared that in 2018 the Chamber welcomed 161 new members to the ranks, increased its revenues and decreased expenses. Outgoing Board Chair John Silva shared some of the Chamber’s accomplishments for the year which included working with the City on the homeless issue, engaging in economic development and forming a task force to support the economic development efforts called Talents & Synergies.

The 2019 Board Chair, Shannon Hillygus shared his vision for the year and vowed to continue the efforts that are already underway. 2019 will be a year of change, with new City Leadership and a new Council, the first elected under the district model, the Chamber remains committed to working on behalf of business with our City leaders to continue to make Ventura the best place to live, work, play, raise a family and do business!

Welcome to the 2019 Board of Directors:

Shannon Hillygus, 2019 Board Chair
Brad Golden, Chair Elect
Mike Anderson, Treasurer
John Silva, Immediate Past Chair
Alice Love, Vice Chair Marketing
Michele Newell, Secretary
Brian Pendleton, Vice Chair Economic Development
Charnell Smith, Vice Chair Membership
Bonnie Atmore, Director
Pattie Braga, Director
Nick Deitch, Director
Vincenzo Giammanco, Director
Rondi Guthrie, Director
Doug Halter, Director
Sandy Smith, Director
Jeff Sukay, Director
Amy Towner, Director
Greg Van Ness, Director
Michael Velthoen, Director
Joey Zumaya, Director
Saurabh Bajaj, Senior Director
Nan Drake, Senior Director
Jim Duran, Senior Director
Mary Jarvis, Senior Director

Long term members were also recognized including:

30 Years
ST Rent-It Trucks, Inc.
Rayco Roofing Contractors
BBM&D Strategic Branding

50 Years
McDonald’s Restaurant

60 Years
Taft Electric
Chicago Title Insurance Co

70 Years
Southern California Edison Company
AT&T

The future of neurosurgery explored at CMHS Seminar

Neurosurgery dates back to prehistoric times, when ancient civilizations first began the practice of drilling holes into skulls for medical reasons. Centuries later, in the early 1900s, a pioneering doctor named Harvey Cushing transformed the science of neurosurgery with discoveries that dramatically increased brain surgery survival rates. Since then, the medical community has continued to develop better technologies and neurosurgery techniques, and new innovations and research promise a bright future for this field of medicine.

The latest advances in neurosurgery and where they could lead will be the focus of a free seminar at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, in Camarillo. Titled “The Future of Neurosurgery,” the seminar is hosted by Community Memorial Health System as part of its 2019 Speaker Series.

The guest speaker will be Dr. David Westra, who specializes in neurosurgery. He received his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and completed a residency at the Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California. Dr. Westra is a member of the American Board of Neurological Surgery and a member of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

The seminar will be at the Camarillo Library, 4101 Las Posas Road. Registration is free but reservations are required. For reservations, visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County names new executive director

Evans was a senior manager for the Human Services Agency.

The Workforce Development Board (WDB) of Ventura County has named Rebecca Evans as its executive director. Before joining the WDB, Evans was a senior manager for the Human Services Agency within the County of Ventura.

While with the Human Services Agency, Evans oversaw programs including Homeless Services, the Homeless Management Information System, RAIN Transitional Living Center, Veterans Services and programs involving the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

“There is a natural connection between our economy, our workforce and quality of life,” says Evans. “For our economy to thrive, we need skilled, qualified workers to retain and attract employers who offer high demand, high wage jobs. This enables workers to afford to live where they work, right here in Ventura County.”

Evans says, as executive director, her job is to support WDB goals. The WDB board has identified three sectors—healthcare, manufacturing and clean and green technologies—sectors that are creating new jobs with potentially high wages.

“Throughout her career, Rebecca has been committed to workforce and economic development, social equity, designing and implementing programs and working with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders to drive community, workforce and business needs,” says Gregory Liu, WDB chair. “We are excited that Rebecca has joined the WDB as we continue to support programs that grow our workforce and enhance business opportunities in Ventura County.”

Evans earned her Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts in Psychology from the University of West Georgia. She completed a Post Graduate Series in Management and Organizational Behavior from California Lutheran University. She is a current member of the Ventura County Civic Alliance Executive Committee, a founding member of the United Women’s Leadership Council of United Way and former member of the P-16- (now P-20) Council on Education.

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County administers federal funds that help to support America’s Job Center of California locations and other free job seeker, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. For more information, call 800-500-7705 or visit http://workforceventuracounty.org.

Always wanted to learn about fly fishing?

The Sespe Flyfishers of Ventura will be conducting an introductory class on fly fishing and casting the fly rod on Saturday, Feb. 2nd, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, and you are invited to join in at Chumash Park, Petit and Waco, in East Ventura (off Telephone Rd). There is no charge and all are welcome. Whether you are experienced or a complete novice they want to help you learn and enjoy this great sport. If you don’t yet have your own rod, don’t worry, just come and use one provided.

www.sespeflyfishers.org For more information Bob Smith at 805-647-3522.

Previous Harbor Community Church lot to be sold

In a very controversial agreement, the City agreed to pay $2.3 million to buy this property.

Quoting, in part from a previous article in the Ventura Breeze written by Rebecca Wicks:

“Harbor Community Church has filed a lawsuit against the City of Ventura signaling the start of the next round in the fight over the church’s controversial homeless program. The program, which provides meals, showers and religious worship to a primarily homeless population, has been accused of being the source of a significant uprising in criminal activity in a once quiet residential neighborhood.”

“On May 14, two days after the City Council meeting, the church closed Operation Embrace. On May 15, temporary City Attorney Juli Scott reported Harbor Church pastor Sam Gallucci sent her an email stating he was going to consult with church elders to decide whether the church would sue. The following day the church filed a lawsuit and restarted its services. “

“The suit argues the church’s First Amendment freedom of religion rights have been violated and also cites the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act.”

“In a very controversial agreement, the City has agreed to pay $2.3 million to buy the property at 3100 Preble Ave. with Harbor Community Church agreeing to leave Ventura.”

The lot has been cleared, Brad Starr, P.E. Engineering Services Manager City of Ventura Public Works Department told the Breeze “The City is preparing a plan for the sale of the property that was the Harbor Church. The property will be sold for the development of 4 single family residences. The price is to be determined by high bid at this time. The schedule to start selling the property is at the end of January.”

“The zoning is R1-7, therefore single-family homes with minimum 7,000 square foot lots. This was the original underlying zoning for this property. A Tract Map has already been recorded with the County of Ventura that split the lot into 4 parcels and addresses have been assigned by the City.”

The selling of these lots will certainly not re-coverer the $2.3 million paid for it plus the expense of demolition and legal fees.

YMCA to kick off its Annual Campaign

Pattie Braga understands the deep and meaningful impact the Y has in the community.

The Ventura Family YMCA is gaining momentum to kick off Annual Campaign, a volunteer-lead effort that raises funds for programs that membership fees do not cover. Life enriching programs like LIVESTRONG® and Third Grade Learn to Swim are supported solely by donations.

Annual Campaign Chair Pattie Braga understands the deep and meaningful impact the Y has in the local community. Braga believes “everyone in a beachside city should know how to swim. The Ventura Family YMCA saves lives with our Third Grade Learn to Swim program by providing free swim lessons to any third grader who has not learned how to swim.”

As the nation’s leading nonprofit, the Y is committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y is also one of the largest charities in the world, serving more than 45 million people in 119 countries.

Locally, with the help of volunteers and the generosity of the community, the Y is able to provide more than $1 million dollars in scholarships annually in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Scholarships allow families to become members of the Y, children to attend afterschool care and camp, and teens to participate in Youth & Government programs, to name a few.

The Ventura Family YMCA is looking for volunteer campaigners to help raise much needed funds. Braga is a part of Annual Campaign because “it costs so little to make a huge impact.” If you believe in the Y’s mission and cause and would like to volunteer, contact the Y today.

Established in 1887, the Channel Islands YMCA is a charitable organization of seven YMCA branches serving Santa Barbara and Ventura counties including: Camarillo Family YMCA, Lompoc Family YMCA, Montecito Family YMCA, Santa Barbara Family YMCA, Stuart C. Gildred Family YMCA in Santa Ynez, Ventura Family YMCA, and Youth and Family Services YMCA which operates Noah’s Anchorage Youth Crisis Shelter, the St. George Family Youth Center and My Home.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Channel Islands YMCA serves over 46,000 individuals and provides over $1.3 million in financial assistance to families in need for child care, YMCA memberships, away and day camps, youth sports, and teen after-school programs. For more information about the Ventura Family YMCA visit www.ciymca.org/ventura

Immerse in verse

The Ventura County Writers Club invites poets of all ages to enter its 19th Annual Poetry Contest. The contest welcomes all genres of poetry into two youth divisions and one adult division. Entries will be accepted through February 28 at 11:59 p.m. PST online via submittables.com. Winners receive cash prizes and opportunities to read their poems as well as publication in the club’s newsletter and anthology. Poems can be up to 31 lines long not including the title and in doc, docx, or PDF format. Go to http://www.VenturaCountyWriters.com/Contests/Poetry for submissions or call Breeze contributing writer Sheli Ellsworth at 805.300.1365.