by Mary Olson

It’s time for another Ventura Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, January 27 , 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Vons at Telegraph & Victoria Fiction, Non-fiction, Children’s, Manga, Comic Books, Graphic Novels Puzzles, Audiobooks, DVDs & CDs

Local Authors visit Ojai Library (111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai)

Therese Marie Duncan will visit the Ojai Library at 2 pm on Saturday, January 20, to talk about her new book, Lion Tamer Memoir: How It All Turned Out.
Lion Tamer Memoir is the author’s story of healing her relationship with her father after abuse. This debut work is a fast-paced, first-person, deep dive that reads like a novel. Readers have called it a manual for living that changed how they handle their relationships. Following a brief reading, Therese will answer any questions about her life and writing experiences. She will also give away a handout, “First Person, Themes, and Plot,” which outlines simple techniques for creating a memoir that reads like fiction. Therese Marie Duncan worked for seventeen years as an addictions counselor and now writes full time in Oak View.

Joseph M. Puglia will visit the Ojai Library at 2 pm on Saturday, January 27, to talk about his books Girl with the Purple Ribbon, Always Return, Redemption, and Campfires with Dr. Joe. His talk will focus on the evolution of the novel as it relates to characterization, themes, scenes, and plots. Puglia will reference the classics as his characters explore the proverbial question: “What makes life significant?” Joseph Puglia has worked the docks of NYC, counseled street gangs, boxed, hustled beer at Yankee Stadium, been a newspaper columnist, spent 10 years in the Marines as an officer and taught college. His undergraduate studies were in classics, his masters in counseling psychology, and his doctorate in sports psychology.

Author events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ron Solórzano, Regional Librarian, at (805) 218-9146 or [email protected].

Career Coaching to be Offered at Ojai and Piru Libraries

Ventura County Library, in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC), announces an upcoming series for job seekers. Ventura County WORKS will offer free one-on-one career coaching at the Ojai and Piru Libraries. Coaching is free, registration is not required, and drop-ins are welcome. Workshops will be offered at Ojai Library every other Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m, beginning Jan. 11 and at Piru Library (3811 Center Street, Piru), every other Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m, beginning Jan. 9.

For more information about this program, see the vencolibrary.org website or contact Ventura County Library Education, Literacy, and Outreach Manager Antonio Apodaca at [email protected] or (805) 677-7159

The Hill Road Library Book Club returns Tuesday, January 30 at a new time: 4 to 5 pm to discuss Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. Pick up the latest Book Club selection at Hill Road Library. To join the mailing list, please email [email protected]

Ventura Friends of the Library Bookstore, 2nd Look Books, in E.P. Foster Library is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sundays, 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Our store offerings are definitely worth a second look, from current novels to jigsaw puzzles to vintage books. We also invite you to visit our online bookstore for local sales https://venturafol-107753.square.site/s/shop for more unique items. Orders are picked up at our bookstore in E.P. Foster Library.

An 80’s themed FUN-raising dance supporting Kids & Families Together

We are thrilled to invite you to join us for our fifth annual fundraising event for Kids & Families Together! This year’s event, The Power of Love ~ an 80’s themed FUN-raising dance, will carry you back-in-time to the decade of the boom box, the mix-tape, the Walkman, and totally awesome dance music!

Who we are and what we do…

Founded in January 2000, Kids & Families Together (K&FT) serves foster, adoptive, kinship, and birth families throughout Ventura County. For over two decades K&FT has been the leader in providing critical services and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, neglect, loss, and multiple placements. K&FT is unique in that we provide education, support, and strategies to connect caregivers and parents to the children in their care. We wrap our arms around the entire family allowing them to use the strategies they have learned, along with “The Power of Love”, to raise healthy, nurtured children who thrive!

K&FT provides families with much needed mental health counseling, support, and education that brings direct and meaningful results right into the home. Here is what one kinship caregiver said about their experience working with K&FT.

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate working with Kids & Families Together. My therapist helped me explain the current situation more fully and thoughtfully to my 7-year old grandson. This has completely altered the dynamics within our home and my relationship with my grandson. Thank You!”

We need you to join us, so we can continue to offer these types of one-on-one connections, supporting children and their families who often find themselves in crisis situations. You will be an integral part of our annual celebration supporting Ventura County foster/resource, kinship and adoptive families. You’ll enjoy a fun-filled evening including food, drinks, silent auction, 80’s trivia and game zones and a LIVE BAND! You will be dancing the night away to your favorite 80’s hits!

Date/Time: Saturday, February 10th, 2024, 6:00pm-10:00pm

Location: Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura, CA

Live music at the event will be provided by We Are The 80’s Band, Los Angeles’ PREMIER 80’s music cover band! They have performed locally at, The Garage Bar in Ventura, Pocock Brewing Company in Santa Clarita, Margarita Villa in Ventura Harbor, and The Shores Restaurant in Oxnard.

“WE ARE THE 80s is honored to perform at the 2023 Kids & Families Together charity event. This year’s theme, The Power of Love, resonates deeply with our music as we perform many of the greatest hit songs from the 1980’s decade. We support the fantastic work that this organization provides to the families in Ventura County, and the critical services that they offer to abused and neglected children. It’s always a privilege for us to contribute our talents to a worthwhile cause.” – Steve Roth Founder/C.E.O. (Chief Entertainment Officer)/Drummer

80’s inspired sponsorship opportunities are available. If you have any questions please feel free to contact K&FT Outreach and Development Manager, Amy Huot at (818)306-6614 or [email protected].

To learn more about K&FT visit … https://www.kidsandfamilies.org/

Kids & Families Together is a California nonprofit organization, tax exempt under IRS section 501(c)(3); tax ID # 31-1678238.

Ventura County Leadership Academy (VCLA) is pleased to announce the 2024 Journey to Leadership Awards honorees, recognizing five outstanding community leaders for their contributions to Ventura County. Save the date – Thursday, April 25th the community will join together to honor these local leaders at the Serra Center in Camarillo.

Business of the Year – Amgen

Non-Profit Leader of the Year – David Maron, Vice-Chair, Ventura County Civic Alliance

Public Sector Leader of the Year –Tracy McAulay (VCLA Cohort XXVI), Management Analyst, County of Ventura

Alumna of the Year – Linda Rossi (VCLA Cohort XX), President & CEO, Ventura County Credit Union

Founder’s Award – Bill Kearney

“On behalf of the VCLA Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to announce the 2024 Journey to Leadership Award recipients,” said Bob Harrell, VCLA Board President. “The honorees embody the spirit of collaboration, community engagement, and service that VCLA strives to instill in each graduate. These honorees are dedicated to Ventura County, living VCLA’s mission to connect and strengthen our county.”

Information on sponsorship opportunities or congratulatory ads to support VCLA’s honorees can be found at www.vcleadership.org or by contacting VCLA Executive Director Pattie Braga at [email protected].

The Ventura County Leadership Academy connects and cultivates a diverse network of passionate, capable leaders through an immersion in both critical issues shaping Ventura County and opportunities for personal and professional growth. VCLA’s comprehensive program ignites awareness and inspiration, helping cohort members discover their individual pathway toward impacting our region.

“It’s paradoxical that the idea of living a long life appeals to everyone, but the idea of getting old doesn’t appeal to anyone.” – Andy Rooney

For 2024, Our Ventura TV will be featuring a special series of interviews highlighting Optimal Aging and exploring the art of overcoming challenges while embracing a vibrant and fulfilling life. Or in simpler terms “living a long life,” as well as “getting old.”

Engaging Interviews

Viewers can expect engaging interviews and informative segments featuring experts, community leaders, local government representatives, non-profit organizations, and individuals with insights about living a long life and aging well. Topics covered will include:

*    Health and wellness
*    Nutrition
*    Lifestyle choices
*    Community engagement
*    Caregiving
*    Financial matters
*    Personal assistance
*    Challenges and stories of resilience and achievement

Dawn Of A New Age

This special series complements the established theme of Our Ventura TV, “People doing good things in Ventura County.” Show Director, Michelle Hoover, emphasizes a goal for this Optimal Aging series: “Celebrating the dawn of a new age for older adults by overcoming challenges and embracing a vibrant life.”

Community Focus

In addition to ongoing interviews about those helping others, Our Ventura TV has produced earlier special series on topics such as homelessness, faith-based organizations, and first responders. Host Sandra Siepak adds Our Ventura TV’s commitment to showcasing the positive aspects of the community and the excitement of introducing the Optimal Aging series. “We have so much we can learn from each other.”

Since 2008, Our Ventura TV has featured:

*    Nonprofits
*    Community advocates
*    Leaders
*    Artists
*    Organizations contributing to Ventura County

Business representatives with non-commercial messages are also welcome.

Host Rev. Bonnie Rose explains, “This Optimal Aging series focuses on living life to the fullest.”

Challenges And Support

This special series allows for a robust exploration of the ideas of “living a long life,” as well as “getting old” from various individual and organizational perspectives. Host MB Hanrahan acknowledges the challenges of aging but emphasizes the community’s support network. “We are blessed with a wealth of individuals who strive to help each other.”

County Resources

Host Monique Nowlin highlights the resources available in Ventura County: “There are a multitude of resources available in Ventura County to help the elderly and this series aims to raise more awareness about how to access them.”

Share Your Story

Our Ventura TV founder and producer, George Alger, encourages participation: “This is an opportunity to share your story on local TV.”

About Our Ventura Tv

Our Ventura TV is an award-winning weekly talk-show television series broadcast on Ventura cable channel 6 TV and also published on ourventura.com as well as on social media networks.

Participate

Visit the website and click “Contact” to get scheduled as a guest.

Together, let’s explore Optimal Aging in Ventura County!

by Richard Senate

New England writer Helen Hunt Jackson visited this area in the late 19th century collecting information for her classic romance Ramona. In her travels she met a Franciscan Padre who was seen by all as a living saint for his pious ways and kindness to all. His name was Fr. Francisco de Jesus Sanchez, attached then to the Mission Santa Barbara but he had served at Mission San Buenaventura as the priest for a year. He was always willing to listen to anyone and greeted all with the phrase “How can I help You?” He gave away all he owned, even his clothing, leaving only one habit to cover him. He was known to spend whole nights in prayer, and do extra work at the orphanage helping the children in their education and vocational skills. All who met him were impressed with his dedication to his faith. When Helen Hunt Jackson was introduced to him she wrote that he was the “Most Christ-like man she ever met.”

When he took sick and collapsed in church, his fellow monks took him to his room, only to discover he had given away his bed and had been sleeping on the floor. He passed away in 1884. Jackson used the good padre as the model for the beloved character Fr. Salvierderra in her popular novel Ramona. He rests with his fellow monks at a special tomb at Mission Santa Barbara. After his death, many stories were told of his saintly nature, revealing the impact he had upon the community. One tale has all the earmarks of folklore.

In the early years of the Twentieth Century, a flood damaged the Mission Santa Barbara. Workmen had to access the damage to the walls of the old church. To do so they had to break into the old padre’s tomb, also flooded. The workmen found bones, fragments of coffins, but, to their amazement, they reported the body of Fr. Sanchez, floating, unchanged over the decades after his death, his hands still folded , clutching his cross and a smile on his face. This shocked the workers and they were told never to speak of it again! Incorruptibility is an accepted sign of sainthood. In the year he served at our Mission I am sure he left a lasting impact on early Ventura.