Ventura neighborhoods were invited to participate with many other neighborhoods across the country in celebration of National Night Out on Tuesday, August 14.

National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Ventura Police Department. This is the 35th anniversary of National Night Out with over 38 million people across the country expected to participate.

National Night Out is designed to: 1) Heighten crime and drug awareness; 2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and 4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and watching out for one another.

From 5 pm to 9 pm, residents in neighborhoods throughout Ventura and across the nation were asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend an evening outside with neighbors and police. Neighborhoods hosted a variety of events ranging from small potlucks and BBQs to block parties.

Join the Native Daughters of the Golden West Poinsettia Parlor number 318 and The City of San Buenaventura Parks And Recreation for an Open house at the Ortega Adobe 215 w. Main St.

Sunday, September 9th – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hear a presentation on the history of the Adobe by Ernie Calvillo and have a tour conducted by Dolly Attaway.

Visit and learn about this historical landmark, including its colorful past. The Ortega Adobe is the original site of the famous Ortega Chili. No RSVP needed for this free community event. See you there!

Refreshments to follow. Parking is available.

In previous issues the Breeze has commented on the horrible workmanship performed on the pedestrian crossing bridge that runs over the freeway to the promenade. We also commented on the horrible handrail.

“This is what the work consisted of per the Department of Transportation (DOT): ‘The department is working with the City of Ventura to provide for a safe and accessible pedestrian overcrossing that gives access to people shopping, recreating and living in the area. This polyester concrete overlay will improve the surface and the replaced handrail will provide comfort and safety for users.”

“Even though painting was not in the contract for Guills, Inc. of Pasadena, I would think that for almost $400,000 they could have taken a little pride in their work and spent a day painting it. “

“I have contacted the DOT suggesting that they do the painting. If they won’t, perhaps Ventura could paint it (it reflects upon us) or the Ventura Breeze could have a painting party and we can all paint it. Of course, we would need permission from the DOT and probably need to provide a million-dollar liability insurance policy.”

Very happy and proud of Ventura to take it upon themselves to do the painting. The handrail still looks as it was installing by someone very drunk buy certainly wouldn’t expect Ventura to correct this. And we never did get a response from the contractor. Hopefully they are no longer on the DOT’s bidding list.

The Ventura Port District announces the promotion of Brian Pendleton to Deputy General Manager. Hired in June 2015 as Business Operations Manager for the District ─ home to Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands National Park ─ Pendleton has led the District’s economic development strategy and supervised various department managers. In his new position, Pendleton serves as second in command to oversee District operations.

Among his many accomplishments as Business Operations Manager, Pendleton helped create the process to bring two major new developments to vacant lots at Ventura Harbor: an “Adventure Lodge” proposed alongside Ventura Harbor Village and a boutique hotel proposed for the end of Spinnaker Drive near the Harbor entry. Ventura Port District officials are currently working with the developer of both projects, H. Parker Hospitality, which owns Fess Parker Winery.

Pendleton has also been instrumental in managing federal grant funds awarded to the District to advance the Ventura Shellfish Enterprise. The proposed VSE project seeks to permit offshore aquaculture operations for sustainable grown mussels near Ventura Harbor.

Pendleton has extensive economic development experience, a bachelor’s degree in public administration and a master’s degree in real estate development, both from the University of Southern California. He also is a licensed real estate professional in California and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, the Urban Land Institute and the California Association for Local Economic Development.

He and his wife, Arlene, and their three children are longtime Ventura County residents.

“Brian has brought a great deal of professionalism and dedication to the District,” said Oscar Peña, Ventura Port District General Manager. “We are fortunate to have such a creative and resourceful thinker as part of our executive staff. His promotion to Deputy General Manager will certainly benefit the District in the future.”

“This is an exciting time for the District,” said Pendleton. “We are working closely with current and proposed business partners to provide a truly vibrant harbor for this community.”

Ventura Port District’s mission is to provide a safe and navigable harbor and a seaside destination that benefits residents, visitors, fishermen and boaters seeking to enjoy Ventura Harbor’s exceptional facilities, events and services. For more information regarding Ventura Port District, visit VenturaHarbor.com.

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by Jennifer Tipton

Just as birth doulas help mothers bring their newborns into the world, end of life doulas ease the transition of individuals leaving this world by bringing comfort and support to those that are dying.

Born in New Jersey, Dina Pielaet is one of thirteen children. In 1973, Dina’s mother and father informed the household that they were selling everything and moving west because they had heard there were junior colleges there that were free, and they wanted their kiddos to have that opportunity. So, her father bought an old VW bus (that was missing the starter), took out all the seats, built a platform and “lined us up like burritos”, Dina laughed, “we push started that bus all the way across the continent and landed in Simi Valley”.

The experience as an end of life doula started 10 years ago when her father called and asked for her help, he was dying. Returning to Simi Valley to act as her father’s caregiver, Dina realized she was “really good at it” and after her father passed, she signed up with Livingston Memorial, training to be a hospice caregiver. Now taking cases independently, she also does celebration of life documentaries as Dina and her partner, Amy Jones owns a full-service marketing and multimedia company. They sometimes work together on the doula cases, “it’s not something we charge money for”, said Dina, “Amy’s on site if it’s more than a one-person job”.

There has been a total of “7 or 8” cases so far including the recent passing of local artist Joe Cordella, “we had known each other for eighteen years and when he became ill, he asked me to be his doula because he knew I wouldn’t leave his side”.

I asked Dina if there has ever been that one “stand out case” and she responded, “well, Joe’s of course, but also a woman that lived in Temecula with her 92 year old father, she had breast cancer that had moved to her brain, City of Hope released her as there was nothing more they could do and at 92, her father was unable to care for her. She wanted her dogs with her but, there wasn’t any place that she could go with them … so, we rented a vacation condo where she could have her dogs and brought her here. It was eight days later when she passed in our arms with her dogs by her side. We were able to accommodate her end of life wish, and that’s very special to me”.