Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Thomas Fire incident community meeting at Buena High School

Over one thousand attended the public meeting.
by Richard Lieberman

Saturday, Dec. 9 a public meeting to discuss the on-going Thomas Fire was held at Buena High School auditorium. The meeting was called to alert residents of the latest developments of the Thomas Fire. Following the meeting the cafeteria was utilized to present several city, county, private and other public agencies, each working from tables set-up in the cafeteria to provide vital information about services available to affected residents.

Matt Lavere Deputy Mayor began the meeting with comments about the situation as of Dec. 9th. “This is the worst natural disaster in the 170-year history of our city”, said Lavere. He also commented about three Ventura restaurants where patrons gave a standing ovation to first responders dining at these restaurants.

Steve Bennett, County Supervisor 1st district was next up and said “I am truly humbled as I watch the progress of firefighters and other first responders” He added “We will continue to fight this disaster and we will get answers on how the fires started and progressed so quickly.”

Mark Watkins, City Manager was next to speak and he was blunt and to the point “This fire is still active, and will take a long time to get it under control”, he said.

Next speaker David Endaya, Fire Chief City of Ventura, said “Our department was able to evacuate 27,000 people in less than an hour.” He also added “This fire came through the city faster than any we have ever seen.”

Other speakers representing emergency services in the city were CAL Fire, City of Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney, Dr. Levin, Public Health Medical Director, Chris Stephens, Director of Resource Management Agency, and Terri Ynez, Deputy Director of Behavioral Health.

Informational table representatives included: Ventura County Recorder’s Office, Red Cross, Ventura County Health Care Agency, Ventura County Consumer Rights and Protection, Ventura Unified School District, Ventura County Tax Assessor, Ventura County Human Services Agency, Ventura County Resource Management Agency, Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, City of Ventura Community Development, Ventura City Fire, Ventura Water, Ventura Police Department, United States Post Office, and the Department of Insurance.

While at the gathering we were able to talk with a Sacramento Fire Fighter here as a member of Cal Fire Response Team, his journey to Ventura was typical of out of area firefighters responding to the disaster. “Each night we are here we sleep at different locations, the first night I slept in my car no other lodging was available” he said. One night I slept in my sleeping bag on the ground,” he added. Sacramento area responders numbered about one hundred, which included 4 engine companies. These out of area fire fighters are working 24 hour shifts (24 hours on and 24 hours off), and sometimes , because of the severity of the fires they will work 36 to 48 hour shifts.

Here at the Breeze we welcome the generosity and commitment of fire service personnel from all over the Western United States. Thank you all.

Another such meeting was held at Buena High on Dec.16.

Cabrillo’s fire response: Supporting our residents and neighbors

by Margarita H. de Escontrias, Chief Executive Officer

The Thomas Fire has spread quickly across Ventura County.

Our Property Management Department, including our maintenance technicians, have been involved with evacuations and safety checks on our affordable housing communities. Those in property management may want to consider using something like this integrated workplace management system to help schedule important maintenance activities as well as assist in other areas like asset management, finances, and accounting. This can benefit commercial tenants and property managers and residential property managers. We will remain on “HIGH ALERT” to assist. Our residents to ensure their health and safety, which continues to be our highest priority.

Many of our county’s residents will need our support and resources. United Way of Ventura County, working with the Office of Emergency Services and many other organizations, will designate a disaster relief fund. Cabrillo will be working closely with United Way to determine how best to support an emergency response to our neighbors.

In the interim, you can make a donation to the United Way relief effort by sending a check to Cabrillo. Please make it payable to United Way and we will ensure they receive your donations. Please note, “Thomas Fire Fund” in the memo.

As we are all painfully aware, the fires have affected us all. Like you, I hope and pray that personal injuries and loss of life is minimal. We have successfully relocated our residents at three of our properties and will continue to monitor three other properties, two of which include many of our seniors who are confined to wheel chairs.

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp, 702 County Square Dr, Ventura, CA 93003

Downtown Ventura’s new Candy Cane Forest winter tradition

Photo by Deena Gledhill

In spite of threatening fire and awful air Downtown Ventura is starting a new winter tradition the Candy Cane Forest in Ventura’s Plaza Park. Fresh cut trees were sponsored and decorated by local businesses, nonprofits, and families around Ventura for the holidays. This completely free, family-friendly, all-faiths festival will last until January 2nd. Sadly, due to the fires many of the planned events have been cancelled but you can still enjoy the beautifully decorated trees. For more information visit holidaysattheplaza.com.

 

“A Rising Up” by writer with heart, Karen Leslie

There is a blanketed hush of humbleness that is spreading like wild fire, soothing away the raw edges of destruction in the residents of Ventura County. It is a thankfulness that goes beyond monetary things. A united force and breath of relief are now threaded in the tapestry of our lives. From lovingly handmade signs of thank you’s for the firemen and peace officers posted throughout our community to an underlying knowing we are not alone.

A song of hope and fortitude is the storyline in the life of a survivor. A kind of common denominator, that we made it through one of the most devastating fires in California history. The flames gobbled up land and homes yet our spirit of rebuilding and lives are not burned out but alive and kicking! With strength and courage as dust rags, we are cleaning off the dust of despair.

We are rising out of the ashes like phoenixes and a new rhythm and movement is taking place! The bonds of consciousness are lifting us up in sheer determination. A new crop of co-creation is watering the seeds of human potential with love. A new lush undergrowth of humanity is germinating and Heart-full-y our existence is being activated and ignited to live life like it matters.

With clarity, we are fanning the flames of oneness and understanding that each of us has the opportunity and choice to surf and ride the energy waves back home to our authentic ourselves.

Love is our lifeline!

Instructions for dealing with ash

If your home was impacted by the Thomas Fire, here are some health precautions to take after you return home and before you begin the clean- up process.

If a structure on your property was destroyed during the recent fire, then you must wait for the proper authorities to approve and direct your clean-up. However, many people evacuated their home and later returned to find their house intact. Often, a significant amount of ash can be found on and around your home. People in this latter situation do not need permission to clean up their property.

Do not advise ash clean-up while ash is still falling and the situation is unpredictable. Wait until conditions improve.

Avoid skin contact with ash. Ash from burned homes and other items will likely contain metals, chemicals, and potentially asbestos, items that may be considered toxic if breathed in or touched with wet skin. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off immediately. Some wet ash can cause chemical burns.

Inhaled ash may be irritating to the nose, throat and lungs. In order to avoid possible health problems, the following steps are recommended.

Avoid doing activities that stir up ash. Do not allow children to play in ash or be in an area where ash-covered materials are being disturbed. Wash ash off toys before children play with them.

Clean ash off pets.

Wear a tight fitting N95 respirator mask, gloves, boots, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when cleaning up ash.

Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Avoid sweeping it up dry. Use water and wet cloth or mop to clean items and surfaces.

Under any circumstances, do not use leaf blowers!

If you have symptoms that may be related to exposure to smoke or soot, consult your doctor. Symptoms include repeated coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, headaches and nausea or unusual fatigue or lightheadedness.

“ANIMALS FLEE THE FOREST” by James Francis Gray

THE GRAY THAT YOU SEE, BLANKETING OUR SKY IS NOT OUR MORNING SEA FOG, IT’S NOT WET IT’S DRY

ANIMALS FLEE THE FOREST, AND BIRDS FORCED TO FLY GRAYS SOURCE NOT DISCRIMINATE, SOME MAY LIVE, SOME MAY DIE

IT SEEPS IN YOUR SKIN, BURNS YOUR THROAT, WATERS YOUR EYE BENEATH THE GRAY BLANKET, NORMALCY AWRY

AS THE FIRE LEAVES, WE SMILE, HUG, WAVE IT GOODBYE STILL AS STRONG AS EVER(VENTURA) EVEN WHEN WE CRY

OUT OF THE ASHES, A NEW FOREST AND HOMES WILL ARISE OUR NEW FOUND STRENGTH AND UNITY, IS REALLY OUR NEW PRIZE

52nd Annual Parade of Lights to continue as planned Dec. 9th

The 52nd Annual Parade of Lights, “Fairy Tales Afloat,” and daytime activities are planned to be held as scheduled on December 9th, the Ventura County Harbor Department announced today.

“After consulting with weather and public safety officials regarding potential impacts from the Thomas Fire, we have determined that we can proceed with this much-loved community tradition,” said Ventura County Harbor Department Director Lyn Krieger. “With this week’s tragic wildfires, we hope this event will bring some much needed holiday cheer to Oxnard and surrounding communities.”

Everyone is invited to enjoy a full day of holiday activities and watch festively decorated boats in the parade while listening to carolers sing holiday songs. Families can play in 36 tons of snow falling at the north end of Harbor View Park, located off Harbor Blvd. near Marine Emporium Landing, beginning at noon. Santa will be there from noon – 4 p.m. and will take pictures with families free of charge. There will also be holiday arts and crafts vendors starting at 10 a.m.

The Parade of Lights, themed “Fairy Tales Afloat,” will begin at 7 p.m. The lighted boat parade is visible from many Harbor locations, including parks and walkways that line the route along the west side (Harbor Boulevard) from Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club to Channel Islands Yacht Club, along the walkways on the west side of Peninsula Road (Peninsula Park to Porpoise Way), and Victoria Avenue from Hobie Beach to the Public Launch Ramp, as well as from most Harbor restaurants.  The boat parade makes two circuits to maximize viewing opportunities.

Chanukah

Every year Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year. This year it starts on sundown on Dec.12 and ends on Dec.20.

In the land of Judea there was a mean (boo) Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God, their religion, their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee.

Judah and his four brothers formed an army and after 3 years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem.

When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wished to light the eternal light, known as the N’er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for 8 days

Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate this miracle of the oil. The menorah candles are lit to celebrate the 8 days that the oil stayed lit.

The spellings of Chanukah has caused some confusion. Part of the reason for this confusion may be due to the fact there is no exact English translation of the Hebrew word for Chanukah. So to help clear up some of the confusion here are just a few of the different spellings one might encounter. They all celebrate the holiday.

Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanuka, Hanukah , Hannukah ,Hanukkah. In the United States it is most common to use the spelling Chanukah.

We wish a happy Chanukah to a few famous Jews:

Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Gregory Pincus (birth control pill),

Leon Trotsky, Levi Strauss, Jonas Salk(polio vaccine), Henry Kissinger, Harry Houdini, SandyKoufax, Woody Allen, Irving Berlin( his compositions include White Christmas and Easter Parade),Mel Brooks, Carl Sagan, Mark Zuckerberg(Facebook), Larry Ellison(Oracle), Ruth Ginsberg (supreme court), Arthur Miller, Bob Dylan, Jesus of Nazareth, Betty Friedan, Marc Chagall, Gustav Mahler, Sergey Brin (Google)and Gertrude Stein.

Help BBSVC “Save The Bigs” in Ventura County!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County (BBSVC) is putting out a special call for BIGS – mentors who can benefit from the friendship of a Little Brother or Little Sister. There are 150 youth in Ventura County, “Littles,” who are anxiously waiting to meet their BBSVC program role model and friend. BBSVC intends to match more Bigs and Littles in Ventura County in an effort to break the cycles of adult complacency, and build stronger, more engaged communities.

There are youth in every city across Ventura County and some of these youth have been waiting for more than a year. Mentoring is not about changing one’s priorities or schedule, but many mentors find that it changes their lives for the better, forever.

As a part of this call to serve volunteers, BBSVC is also launching their “12 Kids of Christmas” campaign: BBSVC is looking for volunteers who are interested in getting started as a Big during the holiday season and continuing as a mentor for at least one year, with the goal of matching at least a dozen youth by the end of the holiday season.

All of the Littles on the BBSVC waitlist are primarily from single-parent homes, foster or kinship care, or a home that lacks two positive role models. Over 70% of the youth on the BBSVC waitlist are boys. All of the children on the BBSVC waitlist are ready for a mentor to step in as a positive friend and role model at this time in their lives.

Anyone interested in learning more or who is ready to become a mentor may visit www.BBSVC.org/MENTOR. Interested parties may also contact Danica Selvaggio at [email protected] or 484.2282.

Kellogg Park in first phase of construction

The newest addition to the City of Ventura’s Parks, Recreation and Community Partnerships division, Kellogg Park, is currently in its first phase of construction. Kellogg Park began as a community driven project to increase park area on the Westside of Ventura, and although there were no available funds to build the park, the City and its partners secured $3.5 of the $4.5 of the funds needed to construct the park through grants and donations. The first phase of the 2.41 acre park will feature community gathering spaces, an amphitheater, playground area, outdoor exercise equipment, and a perimeter walking path.Installation at the park is moving right along and completion of the first phase is scheduled for April, 2018.

For more information, photos and videos you can visit the Kellogg Park website https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/521/Kellogg-Park.