Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Ventura College named one of the nation’s top community colleges

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Ventura College one of the nation’s top 150 community colleges eligible to compete for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The prize includes $1 million in prize funds, as well as Siemens Technical Scholars Program student scholarships, highlighting the critical importance of improving student success in America’s community colleges.

The Prize, awarded every two years, is the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America’s community colleges. The Aspen Prize recognizes institutions for exceptional student outcomes in four areas: student learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and access and success for minority and low-income students. Ventura was also awarded the nomination honor for the 2017 award.

The Aspen Institute will select ten finalists, from the 150 eligible nominations, to be named in fall 2018. The Aspen Institute will then conduct site visits to each of the finalists and collect additional quantitative data. A distinguished Prize Jury will select a grand prize winner and a few finalists with distinction in early 2019.

The Aspen Prize is funded by the Joyce Foundation, the Siemens Foundation, and the Kresge Foundation. The Aspen College Excellence Program aims to advance higher education practices, policies, and leadership that significantly improve student outcomes. Through the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the New College Leadership Project, and other initiatives, the College Excellence Program works to improve colleges’ understanding and capacity to teach and graduate students. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/college-excellence and www.aspeninstitute.org.

VVCB launches new partnership with Utrip

The Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB) is excited to announce the launch of a new partnership with Utrip, the travel planning platform that combines the best of artificial intelligence and human experience. Utrip’s state-of-the-art technology will enable Ventura visitors to create highly personalized itineraries for their trips to the region.

By combining advanced artificial intelligence with local expertise, the Utrip platform optimizes travel itineraries around a user’s preferences, budget, and many other relevant factors. It can instantly sort through millions of combinations and present visitors with customized travel experiences based on their personal interests.

“We aim to ensure that visitors make the most of their time in Ventura and leave here wanting more,” said VVCB President and CEO, Marlyss Auster. “Whether you’re interested in art, music, food or our storied history, Ventura offers unforgettable experiences, and with Utrip’s platform, we can provide travelers with the ability to personalize those experiences and discover what’s best for them.”

“It’s our mission at Utrip to provide travelers with memorable, highly personalized travel experiences,” said Gilad Berenstein, CEO and Founder of Utrip. “This latest partnership will enable Ventura visitors to be inspired by all of the area’s incredible offerings and will allow VVCB to learn more about their visitors in order to build lasting relationships.”

The experience can be found at trip.visitventuraca.com.

Lawsuit filed against Socal Edison

Southern California based Wildfire Legal Group filed a lawsuit against SoCal Edison on behalf of 287 victims of the Thomas Fire. The lawsuit alleges that Edison is liable for negligently starting the fire, due to poor maintenance of electrical infrastructure and the surrounding vegetation. It further seeks to hold Edison responsible for the resulting mudslides that occurred in the wake of the Thomas Fire. The plaintiffs include homeowners, renters, business owners, ranchers, as well as avocado and citrus farms.

The lawsuit, which is not a class action, seeks to recover losses that are not covered by insurance (e.g., cherished family heirlooms), or that are underinsured (e.g., limited coverage for construction rebuild). The suit also seeks to recover damages for emotional harm, and personal injuries suffered in the Thomas Fire, and subsequent mudslides.

Wildfire Legal Group is comprised of three Southern California wildfire litigation firms.

The lawsuit was filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court.

For more information about the filing or the case in general, call attorney Elliot Adler at 265-0076, or email [email protected].

The Age of Consequences

Following the devastation of the Thomas Fires and the Montecito mud slides, many locals seek to educate themselves further about the present day status of climate change from trust-worthy sources. This effort presents such an opportunity.

On Sunday, March 4th at 3:00 – 5:30pm, The Age of Consequences written and directed by Jared P. Scott will be shown, free of charge, to the public. This film brings together a collection of footage from around the world along with the explanatory discussion of distinguished admirals, generals, military veterans, and other experts. Rear Admiral David W. Titley, United States Navy (Retired), a member of the Center for Climate and Security’s Advisory Board and nationally known expert in the field of climate, the Arctic, and national security is one of several knowledgeable authorities featured in the film.

This film makes clear that, despite the President’s denial, climate change is not some distant problems but one of urgency and possibly of cascading disasters in a world that is deeply inter-connected. The up-side of this information is that, by increasing our awareness of the problem, we can better prepare. What better time to understand all of this than now as we face the opportunities of rebuilding our homes and lives following the devastation of the Thomas Fires?

This event is also sponsored by Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions (CPR), Veterans for Peace, Chapter 112, and the Climate Hub V.C.350.org. It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church located at 5654 Ralston St. There is handicapped access. Discussions including solution oriented local efforts will follow the film.

Annual Ventura Harbor dredging

Photo by Murray Robertson

In order to assure that vessel traffic can safely access the Harbor the annual Harbor dredging is taking place. The Ventura Port District works to secure adequate funds for dredging to make sure it is safe for commercial and recreational uses.

 

Art festival supported fire-flood victims

The Ventura Unified School District Office was the site of the Thomas Arts Festival, an art auction and benefit featuring music and performing arts created to assist those rebuilding their lives as a result of the Thomas fires and flood. The event took place on Saturday, February 17.

The event showcased the creative work of local and surrounding artists that raised funds. Featured was a family art space for parents, care givers and children to come together and create art. Live performances by musicians and other performing artists occurred throughout the afternoon.

Moorpark’s Greg Gillis-Smith is a construction project manager, a former space mechanism engineer for NASA, and an unsung hero of the Thomas Fire. Greg started a Facebook group called Thomas Fire Info. The Facebook group grew to nearly 22,000 members.

Dozens of artists, musicians, photographers and performers lost their homes, their studios or both to the fires and floods. Other artists wanted to help, and Gillis-Smith was inspired to create the Thomas Arts Festival as a way to bring communities together in support of the arts.

He said “Our community is filled with artists expressing many art forms, yet hundreds of neighbors suffered tremendous loss due to the recent fires and flood. Many of these people do not fit in the constructs of society because they focus on creativity and helping others and therefore may not qualify for traditional assistance. I wanted to share my most heart-felt appreciation for all those who helped produce the Thomas Arts Festival, those who donated art and money, and all those who attended. This event could not have happened without everyone’s support. The greatest impact, though, may be the relationships and community we are creating through the production of the event.”

Ariel Palmieri, a Ventura County resident, real estate agent, wife and mother of school-aged kids was instrumental in organizing and publicizing the event. She has a background in PR and wanted to use that experience to raise awareness about the event.

She stated “During the fire and its aftermath, I wanted to help my friends, neighbors and others who suffered losses of their homes. I used my presence on social media and connections with business owners to create an in-home free boutique with clothing and other items so people could immediately restock their wardrobes. When Greg decided to create an arts festival, I wanted to use that same energy that was inspired by helping make life a little easier for those who suffered losses to produce and promote the Festival.”

Special Ventura Botanical Garden event

On Feb.11 Fox Fine Jewelry presented a special Ventura Botanical Garden event celebrating the Ventura Botanical Gardens. Joe Cahill, Executive Director of VBG and Debbie Fox proudly displayed the Ventura Botanical Gardens’ new Welcome Center design that uses containers in a series of elevated pavilions. The design is not only green, it is a beautiful use of space, creating inviting outdoor learning and event areas between the buildings.

Museum of Ventura County in the news

The Museum announces the return of its Wearable Art Fashion Show.

The Museum of Ventura County and CAPS Media are coordinating with the Ventura City fire and police departments, county fire and sheriff departments, other agencies and most importantly the Ventura County public to create an historical archive of the most devastating natural tragedy in county history. Throughout the next few months, the Museum and CAPS Media will be gathering stories and digital images as well as physical artifacts to assemble an historical record of the extraordinary sacrifices of fire fighters, law enforcement personnel and other first responders who tirelessly battled the devastating Thomas Fire, and the citizens of Ventura. Both organizations invite the public’s participation and encourage those with a story to tell or a tribute or thank you to share, to submit their stories and digital images to help document our common experience.

“Documentation of the extensive impacts of the Thomas Fire on Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties has taken immediate precedence over our regular museum programs and activities,” said Denise Sindelar, programs director, Museum of Ventura County.

CAPS Media will record interviews with Thomas Fire first responders, officials and the public impacted by the tragedy for inclusion in the documentary project and for broadcast and streaming on CAPS Television and Radio.

To submit a video, go to capsmedia.org and follow the steps outlined to upload video content. To submit a personal story, a tribute or thank you and/or to share digital images, send an email to [email protected].

“CAPS Media is excited to continue our creative collaborations with the Museum of Ventura County,” said Patrick Davidson, executive director, CAPS Media.

The Museum has announce that a $1 million gift has established the Barbara Barnard Smith Museum of Ventura County Executive Director Fund which will provide permanent and ongoing financial support for the museum’s executive director position.

Barbara Barnard Smith is the great-granddaughter of William Dewey Hobson, often called the Father of Ventura County. She established the Fred W. Smith Gallery, named for her father, and in the early 1990s led the creation of an endowment to support the George Stuart Historical Figures.

Barbara has established numerous philanthropic funds, and has received many honors, including the State of Hawai‘i Governor’s Award for Distinguished Achievement in Culture, Arts, and Humanities in 2008.

“We are excited and extremely grateful for this very generous philanthropic investment by Barbara Barnard Smith. We are so fortunate that she and our community value the museum as an important asset and resource,” said Elena Brokaw, the Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director.

The Museum of Ventura County announces the return of its Wearable Art Fashion Show and has opened its call for entries, with an entry deadline of March 1. “Wearing Our Stories: Rising from the Ashes” focuses on stitching together the stories of courage amid destruction and mending the devastation left behind by the Thomas Fire. The challenge for artists, artisans and community members is to tell their stories through an article of clothing or accessories designed for this wearable art show.

There is a $15 entry fee or $20 for two entries. One to three photos of your design will be accepted with each entry. If your piece is not complete, a description and/or sketch of your design is acceptable, or a description and photo of your design in progress. Submissions can be sent by mail or email. Visit https://venturamuseum.org/upcoming-exhibitions/ to download the submission form and/or prospectus. For more information, please email [email protected].

The fashion show will take place March 30 at the Museum’s Smith Pavilion.

“Our Ventura TV”

Hosts, George Alger and Sandra Siepak, Michelle Hoover, Petrina Sharp and Bill O’Connor will make you a star. Photo by Our Ventura TV/George Alger

TV viewers in Ventura County are invited to tune into “Our Ventura TV” the weekly talk-show television series airing on Ventura CAPS TV Channel 6. The insightful program spotlights local newsworthy guests discussing timely topics in and around Ventura County that are both appealing and informative to local audiences.

“Our Ventura TV,” features many of the non-profit organizations, community advocates, and leaders, as well as artists that make up the culture and diversity of Ventura County,” stated George Alger of Skyworks Marketing who is the Creator, Host, and Producer of the program.

Directed by Petrina Sharp, along with Assistant Director Bill O’Connor and Michelle Hoover in Production the show delivers inspiring feature segments and engaging conversational interviews worth watching.

The program also features artists and performances by musical guests. Regular “Our Ventura TV” Hosts include; Sandra Siepak, Bob Taylor and Ed Wehan.

“Our Ventura TV,” focuses on the people and organizations in Ventura County who enrich the lives of others,” commented show Host Sandra Siepak. She recently interviewed Mayor Erik Nasarenko and also Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin of the 44th District highlighting their successful efforts here in Ventura County as well as reps from the Ventura Port District, Many Mansions and the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation.

She added, “One of the most important elements is featuring interview guests dedicated to making a significant difference to the lives of others. Hopefully our talk show encourages viewers to become more involved and ultimately contribute back to the community.”

“Our Ventura” is broadcast on CAPS Ventura TV Channel 6 five times a week and online. Check local listings for times and dates. There are many new shows planned for 2018. If you would like to be a featured guest on the program or for more information go to www.ourventura.com.