The grading for the 231-unit apartment project on the “triangle lot” (off Sanjon) is proceeding and palm trees have already been planted.

The Ventura Police Department is supporting efforts by the California Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help parents and caregivers make sure their children ride as safely as possible every time they get in the car. If you feel your car is not safe for yourself to drive it and also to have your child present, it may be time to get a new vehicle, through leasing. A spokesperson for Intelligent Car Leasing expressed how leasing has become a popular opinion amongst car buyers and saves people money doing it this way.

“Using car seats properly that are age and size-appropriate is the best way to keep your children safe,” said Commander Rick Murray. “Car seats matter. They save lives when used the right way.”

In passenger cars, car seats reduce the risk of an infant being killed in a crash by 71 percent, and toddlers by 54 percent. While many children are buckled in properly in the correct car seats for their age and size, more than half (59 percent) are not.

Sadly, car crashes are the leading cause of death for children. In 2016, 35 percent of children under 13 killed in crashes were not restrained in car seats, booster seats or with seat belts. NHTSA data also shows that as children get older they are less likely to want to buckle up. Over the past 5 years, 1, 552 kids between the ages of 8 and 14 died in a car, SUV and van crashes – of those who died, almost half were not buckled up. Whilst the cause of the crash can be challenged by a personal injury attorney, the loss of life is irreplaceable.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to review important safety tips to assure that every child is safely secured:

Get the right car seat: Rear-facing, forward-facing or booster seat depending on your child’s age, weight and height, and the manufacturer’s recommendations on the seat. Make sure you check out which car and booster seats are the most highly recommended and reviewed too.

Know the Law: California law requires a specific child restraint system based on child’s age, weight and height.

Read the manufacturer’s instructions and vehicle owner’s manual: Pay attention to how you adjust the car seat’s harness for a proper fit.

Register your seat right away: Mail in the registration card that came with the seat or register online to receive important safety recall updates.

Rear-facing as long as possible: Keep a child in a rear-facing seat up to the top height or weight allowed by the car seat’s manufacturer. Research shows that children are safest when rear-facing.

Forward-facing car seats: Once your child outgrows a rear-facing seat, keep your child in a forward-facing seat with a harness and tether as long as possible before transitioning to a booster seat. Tethers should always be used for forward-facing car seats. This reminds me of the accident my friend recently had, she hadn’t correctly fixed her car seat in her business vehicle and ended up in a car crash. Good thing she found a service in the US similar to motor trade insurance uk. Because of this, they got the support they needed.

Back Seat Safety: Children under 13 should always ride in the back seat and always be buckled up.

Car seat safety checks are available at every California Highway Patrol Office. The Ventura CHP Office offers installation on Tuesdays by appointment. Parents and caregivers can call 805-662-2640 to schedule.

Having been the longest serving Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board Member has been a privilege for John Walker. During those 29 years he has seen many changes to the district. For the most part, he says, “I think I have met my mother’s admonition to leave things better than when you found them.” During his tenure he has seen two new schools built, school modernizations, moving and consolidation of the district office, a focus on the arts, hiring four superintendents and well documented student academic growth among other things. However, as he nears his exit time in November, there are things that he says he worked to accomplish, but never quite made it due to budget constraints, political climate or simply lack of board consensus.

Having served on the Board of Directors for the California School Boards Association for eight years, he was fortunate to be at the state forefront, seeing new education reforms, legislation and the ever-changing budget climate. Those meetings inspired him to want the best for the children of VUSD. John is now hopeful that the new VUSD board will at least visit some of those things the board has previously discussed that he felt were important to the district and the community.

One of John’s highest priorities was the nationally touted International Baccalaureate program. It is a rigorous, high achieving program embraced by the county’s largest school districts, but not yet in VUSD. This academic program offers a wide range of options for students to succeed, while developing students who want to create a better and more peaceful world. The board and district studied the program about five years ago but funding waned.

Secondly, Walker believes that “employee salaries are important to attracting and retaining the best.” His experience in human resources taught him the importance of employee retention. “Districts often promote and train their best employees only to lose them to neighboring districts who can pay more. This is particularly true now with the recently implemented state-wide school funding formula which provides significantly more money to districts with higher at-risk populations” he says. Our salary norm over the years has been to be in the 40 to 60 percentile county-wide. “I believe we need to be continuously in the top third to retain our best teachers and support employees. We were never quite there over my tenure, in spite of how hard we tried. This is going to take prioritization of resources and some creativity.”

Lastly and most importantly, equal learning opportunities for all VUSD students should be a high district priority. Most pointedly, one of the district’s high schools Foothill can offer a student seven periods per semester or 56 courses in a typical four-year high school career. Conversely, the remaining two traditional high schools offer less with six periods per semester for most students, or 48 courses in a typical four-year span. That means some district students have more options than others for courses such as additional academic electives, leadership and the arts. Walker believes it gives those students a competitive advantage in applying for college. “As a district we need to bring all our high schools to the same standard as Foothill Technology HS. All students deserve the same opportunity.”

John wishes the board well in its future endeavors but vowed to remain active and involved in the district whenever opportunities arise.

Hikers enjoying the view at the hilltop of Two Trees. Many volunteers hike with you at different intervals for safety. The hike is difficult but you can take as much time as you need. It’s a fun way to be involved in our wonderful community, get exercise and have fun!  If you’re interested in hiking up to Two Trees you can sign up for a hike by visiting the Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust at VenturaConservation.com or give them a call at (805)814-2503. 

The Ventura County Arts Council is pleased to announce a generous increase in its mini-grant educational program for schools in the upcoming year 2019. Grants of $500 to

$1000 will be available to bring standards-based arts programs into k-6 classrooms in

Ventura County. New this year, applications are online at www.vcarts.org and are due by

October 25. Applicants will be notified by Nov. 15 and projects must be completed by

June 1, 2019.

Local non-profit organizations, artists and schools are encouraged to apply. Please note:

25% of the amount requested from the Ventura County Arts Council must be matched by

the school. All funded programs must take place during schools day. Only one application per school, arts organization, or artist will be funded.

The mini-grant can be used to pay for artist services, tickets to an arts-based performance or transportation to an arts event. Projects will be selected on the criteria of

1. Learning experiences structured by the California Arts Content Standards

2. Utilization of local artist resources

3. On-going learning that uses this project as a springboard for continuing arts education and/or integration with other content areas.

The Artist-In-The-Classroom Project from the Ventura County Arts Council is not eligible for this grant. Upon notification of acceptance the applicant will receive 75% of the funds with the remainder paid out after the project is completed and an evaluation is turned in. Questions should be directed to the Ventura County Arts Council at [email protected] or 805-658-2213. The Mini-Grant Educational Program is funded by the John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation.

Hikers enjoying the view at the hilltop of Two Trees. Many volunteers hike with you at different intervals for safety. The hike is difficult but you can take as much time as you need. It’s a fun way to be involved in our wonderful community, get exercise and have fun!  If you’re interested in hiking up to Two Trees you can sign up for a hike by visiting the Rancho Ventura Conservation Trust at VenturaConservation.com or give them a call at (805)814-2503. 

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura presents their 51st Annual Great Futures Gala & Auction Havana Nights on Saturday, November 10, from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm at the
Four Points by Sheraton, Ventura Harbor Resort.

Please join us for an evening of good food, good people, and good conversation, all for a good cause! Supporting your community’s youth!

With a cocktail reception of champagne, hors d’oeuvres and a spectacular silent auction, you’ll be in for a great time before heading into the ballroom where even more fun will be had! Fine dining, hearing from this year’s honorees, and bidding on the all-exciting Live Auction.

Honoring community leaders: John “J.D.” and Amber Drury.
Reservations: $150 per person | Table of Ten: $1,450
Attire: Semi-formal. Havana/Tropical clothing welcome.
RSVP by October 29th at [email protected] or 805-641-5585.

The Boys & Girls Club Greater Ventura provides a positive place for all youth, especially those who need us most, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community. They provide critical youth development services to 1,200 members every year.  Your contribution provides Academic Success, Good Character & Citizenship and Healthy Lifestyle programs to the youth of our community! http://www.bgclubventura.org/

by Elizabeth Rodeno

In preparation for the elections in November CAPS Media will be producing a series of programs and forums. The events will feature the voices and positions of the candidates for City Council, Ventura Unified School District and the Ventura Community College District Trustee candidates through our long running Video Voter program. CAPS will offer candidates the chance to share their campaign platforms with the community. The comprehensive voter information program is an important part of our mission to create an informed and educated community through electronic media. Go the Schedules tab on the CAPSMedia.org website for dates and times of all our election programs.

Don’t forget the dates of Vote By Mail are October 8-October 30. There are Ballot drop boxes at County Government Center, City Clerk offices during their regular business hours, Clerk-Recorder East County Office at the Civic Arts Plaza, or any polling place on Election Day. Ventura County has texting program where citizens can register or confirm voter registration by texting “Ventura County” to 2VOTE (28683).

“Voting is one of the most sacred privileges we have as Americans. To be able to cast our vote in a peaceful and safe environment makes us the envy of the world.”  Mark Lunn, Clerk-Recorder, County of Ventura

While you are watching Channel 6 stay tuned to catch other member programming featuring travel, art, science, and more. Both channel 6 & 15 also stream online 24/7. In addition, go to the video tab to watch episodes of our Thomas Fire Story Project.

The award winning ECTV program has begun. Phil Taggart has a great group of students, new and old, to mentor. They are getting up to speed in the studio, writing scripts and prepping guests for another year of enthusiastic storytelling. CAPS Radio, otherwise known as KPPQ-LP held its quarterly community meeting with a great group of members and friends. Anyone interested in making great radio and sharing it worldwide? KPPQ is now available on the MyTuner app as well as streaming on capsmedia.org. There is something for everyone. Last week we held a very productive advanced session for our veteran broadcasters. Training sessions are the fourth Wednesday and Thursday of each month.

Learn to produce your own television program. Get orientation and training class information on CAPSMedia.org. Sign up for our mailing list and like us on social media. Get engaged, become a member of CAPS Media Center and share your story.

The Auxiliary of CMH enjoys bringing good news and updates about the wonderful volunteers in the auxiliary department. There have been many past and present volunteers who have given of their time and talents that made them successful volunteers. Many are no longer alive and others have retired. They may be gone but not forgotten. Bells! Whistles! And fireworks to all for a job well done.

The Auxiliary is inviting others to join their ranks as they continue to need new volunteers. All departments could use help in making CMH number one. Applications for volunteers may be picked up at the front desk of the hospital.

The Shout Out Corner also congratulates Tanushree Pal, age 17 who received a $1500 Marie Caraballo Scholarship award. She plans to attend UCLA and study pre-med. She was valedictorian of Buena High School, class of 2018, member Society of Women Engineers and has earned many more merits with honors.