First 5 , provides early childhood education, health and family support services.

First 5 Ventura County (F5VC) is pleased to announce its new strategic partnership with Interface Children & Family Services, to provide essential programs and services for Ventura County’s nearly 60,000 children prenatal – 5 and their families. Families seeking resources and more information may visit www.first5ventura.org

“Since our inception nearly 20 years ago, First 5 Ventura County Neighborhoods for Learning (NfLs) have been a cornerstone in the community, providing early childhood education, health and family support services.” said First 5 Ventura County Executive Director Petra Puls. “We are excited to partner with Interface Children & Family Services to ensure that families have the support they need to give their young children prenatal to age 5 a strong foundation for success in school and life.”

Interface Children & Family Services was selected through a comprehensive review process to implement F5VC’s redesigned place-based Neighborhood for Learning (NfL) initiative. The expanded partnership with Interface Children & Family Services allows F5VC to continue making a positive impact on the lives of Ventura County children and families through valuable programs, resources and community partnerships that support early childhood development.

Interface will be responsible for providing Parent and Child Together Classes and Family Support Services such as case management and Triple P Parent Education, throughout Ventura County. Interface plans to partner with the Mixteco Indigena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) to address the needs of Mixtec families and New Dawn for the Triple P Positive Parenting Program. “We’re delighted to have First 5 Ventura’s confidence to implement the redesigned place-based NfL model. We’re looking forward to the partnership – we share an intense passion for improving futures for young families and their little ones. We are honored to partner with NfL’s, to learn from their trusted and successful histories in their local communities, and to do our part to bring everyone together for the critical work of strengthening young children and families,” said Interface Executive Director Erik Sternad.

First 5’s primary revenue source is from California’s Proposition 10 tobacco tax, which is distributed to county First 5 Commissions to fund early childhood programs. In light of revenues continuing to decrease annually with Californians smoking less, the F5VC Commission has carefully contemplated how to best utilize its limited funds. The redesigned Neighborhoods for Learning initiative gives F5VC the ability to implement a cost-efficient model that meets the needs of the local community and relies on sustainable investments and innovative partnerships. “We recognize that we must work differently moving forward to achieve maximum impact with limited dollars,” said Puls.

“One of my main reasons for staying in shape is to keep up with my grandchildren.”

Ross Hoffman, president and CEO of Hoffman & Associates, has released his book “Back and Better, 37 Rapid Recovery Exercises I Use When Injured or Bedridden.”

The print copies are available at $29.95 on Amazon. The book is printed spiral bound to make it easier to reference during use.

“All my life I’ve been an athlete. What that means for me is that I pay special attention to my body, because it is the key to my performance,” said Hoffman, who recently suffered two accidents with resulting injuries, which required surgery in 2016 for a double meniscus tear and in 2017 for a broken shoulder socket. “I also pay special attention to my mind, because no matter how well I train my body, if my mind isn’t envisioning what I need to do, my body won’t be able to respond.”

After the 2017 surgery, lying in his hospital room, Hoffman wondered what he could do to expedite his recovery, not wanting to just lie there until he was released to go home. He was concerned that any inactivity could lead to negative results, his recovery time might take longer and his body might start to atrophy.

“I started developing a group of exercises that I could successfully perform while still in my bed lying down. These exercises helped me in my personal recovery program,” noted Hoffman. “I want to share what exercises I performed to help myself and how I benefited. This book is based solely on my experience and is not a recommendation to anyone at any time.”

Hoffman played college baseball at UCLA as their starting first-baseman and clean-up hitter. After graduating, he was drafted by the Montreal Expos, who turned him into a pitcher.

“I’ve channeled my love of sports into participating in tennis and triathlons and then later into playing golf,” concluded Hoffman. “Now I’m over 70 years of age and one of my main reasons for staying in shape is to keep up with my grandchildren.”

Photos by Bernie Goldstein

On Nov, 3, from 5-7 pm a Candlelight Vigil for Victims of Hate was held at Mission Park.

The Vigil was held by Indivisible Ventura, one of 6,000 grassroots Indivisible groups across the country.

Music and speeches calling for understanding and peace were presented to the very enthusiastic crowd.

Those attending were inspired by Martin Luther King who said that “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

On Saturday,October 27, at the Ventura Harbor Village zombies roamed the promenade and came together for a World Record breaking flash mob to “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. Dancers around the globe convene to try and beat the World Record of dancers at one time to Thriller. Photo by Deena Gledhill

JR Luna, Rita Luna and this year’s Wheels to Shine Recipient Cheyanne Dominguez. Photo by Journey Zephyr-Wade Hak.

Concours Motors’ owner Gerardo “JR” Luna created “Wheels To Shine” in 2017. His team purchased a 2000 Volkswagen Golf and restored and rebuilt it to donate to a deserving person .

The selection committee sought an outstanding person who needed a little help to “shine,” and would use the car to give back to Ventura.  Last year, the car was awarded to Marina Limon Porter, a local insurance agent and hard-working mother of one.

She is actively involved with Step Up Ventura—an organization that provides therapeutic services and access to childcare and preschool for children ages zero to five who are affected by or at risk of homelessness.

In Concours Motors’ second annual giveaway, Cheyanne Dominguez was awarded a Volkswagen Beetle 2000. At 20, Cheyanne has endured significant challenges, including losing her father, Oscar, to homicide.  Currently, Cheyenne dedicates a tremendous amount of time to helping others—she is a leader at her church’s youth group, where she mentors middle school and high school-aged girls. She prepares meals and serves them to the homeless, at Catholic Charities on Ventura Avenue. This year, she helped raise enough money to fund a trip to Uganda, where her team facilitated seminars about reproductive health.

Financial restriction and a lack of reliable transportations hindered Cheyanne’s ability to further her education; having a car will ensure that Cheyenne can eventually transfer to a four-year university and pursue a career in government, to work toward causes including ending homelessness and support families affected by violence. JR Luna says, “If we can give a car away every year, and we’re in business for another 25 years, we can change 25 lives. That’s pretty impactful.”

Ventura Deputy Mayor Matt La Vere spoke on behalf of the City Council. Photos by Michael Gordon

A ribbon cutting was held for Project Understanding Tutoring Center located at Portola Elementary School, 6700 Eagle St.

The Tutoring Centers at Project Understanding provide extra instruction for students grades K-5 with volunteer tutors in one-to-one interaction.  Students are recommended by their instructors.

Project Understanding currently has 11 tutoring centers throughout Ventura County, in El Rio, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Saticoy and Ventura. There are many students, Kindergarten – 5th grade, in need of assistance with their school work.

At the ribbon cutting Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere stated “Many people know the good work that Project Understanding has been doing in our community for over 40 years. They have helped hundreds of individuals go from homeless to housed, and have kept thousands from becoming homeless because of their food pantry. However, what many people don’t know is the incredible work Project Understanding does with our local youth. With the opening of the Portolo Elementary School tutoring center, Project Understanding now has 12 tutoring locations, providing free tutoring services to students throughout our community. Education is the critical key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and through its tutoring centers, Project Understanding is working to ensure Ventura’s youth have all of their educational needs met.”

Roice Bassett (the “hot dog dude”) is also the metal shop teacher at Buena High School, this marked the 25th year he’s been doing hot dogs for Halloween! His students make most of the eerie, assorted decorations displayed each year in front of his home in East Ventura and crowds line up halfway across the street and down the block for hot dogs, kettle corn, candy and (new this year) shave ice! Roice said this year, “we cooked about 450 hot dogs and my guess is we saw between 550 to 600 guests”.