Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

In 2008, Corey Castro was seven years old and was treated for Gorham’s Disease

Ventura Police Officers joined the Castro family in 2016.

The Ventura Police Department announces the 8th Annual Castro Family & Ventura Police Community Foundation Toy Drive. The community is invited to donate unwrapped toys or gift cards for the patients and siblings of the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Ventura County Medical Center. Donations, for ages infant to 18 years, will be accepted at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Drive Monday through Friday between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm until December 15.

In 2008, Corey Castro was seven years old and was treated for Gorham’s Disease, a rare bone disease. As a patient, he was asked if he wanted to pick out a toy from the center’s toy box. Corey discovered the toy box needed more toys and asked his family if they could help fill the box for other children receiving treatment at the center. The Castro Family worked to make that dream a reality and has since provided toys and gifts to more than 1,500 patients and their siblings. The effort raises awareness about the only pediatric oncology and hematology center in Ventura County. The Castro Family expanded their effort by partnering with the Ventura Police Community Foundation. Ventura Police Officers join the Castro family in hosting a holiday party for the children and their families and help pass out gifts with Santa and Ventura Police K9s.

“Bringing joy to the brave junior crime fighters at VCMC is a humbling experience. Many of these children are fighting for their lives. We appreciate this opportunity to partner with the Castro Family and our community in providing a special evening for the children and their siblings during the holiday season,” said Commander Sam Arroyo.

Conservancy adds members to Board of Trustees

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) recently added four new members to the nonprofit land trust’s board of trustees. They are: Dennis Kulzer, Susan LeFevre, Scott Weiss and Don Wood, bringing total board membership to 11. Each of them bring a diverse and professional background that adds expertise and personal qualities that fit well with VHC’s mission to permanently protect the scenic beauty of our region.

Kulzer is an avid outdoorsman who was born and raised in Southern California and enjoys hiking, backpacking, running and bicycling. He retired in 2013 after serving as the City of Ventura’s fleet services supervisor for 10 years. He has also coordinated international rescue efforts for 400,000 refugees at Rwandan refugee camps in Western Tanzania. In addition to serving on the VHC board, Kulzer volunteers with Channel Islands Restoration, local homeless programs, and the Ventura Botanical Gardens.

LeFevre is an adjunct professor at California State University Channel Islands and an independent education consultant. She has previously served as the Program Manager for the Young Entrepreneurs Academy/STEM Initiative, Executive Director of the Ventura County Leadership Academy, and Curator of Education for the Carnegie Art Museum. She has a long history of involvement with non-profit institutions and currently serves on the Oxnard College Foundation Board. Susan enjoys hiking in the mountains of California.

Weiss, a Certified Public Accountant, has lived in Ventura for more than 50 years. He is the managing partner of the CPA firm Weiss, Bowens, and Magson LLP, a licensed real estate broker and serves as an arbitrator for the Ventura County Bar Assoc. A semi-professional trumpet player and musical conductor, he is passionate about music, passing on that enthusiasm as the founder and Executive Director of Music 4 Kids.. When not making music, Weiss enjoys hiking, biking and traveling.

Wood was born in western Pennsylvania, grew up in California and spent his youth hiking and biking in the countryside of Ventura County. A graduate of Occidental College, he recently completed a 34-year career in the telecommunications industry. Wood has been actively engaged in Ventura community service for nearly 30 years serving as a member and past president of the Ventura Education Partnership.

Couple honors Ventura Music Festival

“Mark and I are proud and happy to underwrite the artistic director position”

The Ventura Music Festival is pleased to announce that a distinguished philanthropic couple has agreed to “name” the position long held by Nuvi Mehta. Henceforth the director and the position will be known as: “Nuvi Mehta, the Janet and Mark L. Goldenson Artistic Director of the Ventura Music Festival.”

According to Mrs. Goldenson, “Mark and I are proud and happy to underwrite the artistic director position of a Festival that has long brought the joy of world-class music to the community along with wonderful education programs. Through the years we’ve grown to know Nuvi and there could not be a more deserving person for us to support.”

Commenting on the gift, Executive Director Susan Scott said “the Goldensons’ generous gift comes at a particularly exciting time for us. Planning is underway not only for a 2018 Festival that matches or exceeds this year’s wonderful success, but we’ve also started planning for a special year-long, community-wide celebration of our 25thanniversary in 2019. These next two years are a big deal, and Janet and Mark’s gift adds to the momentum beautifully.”

Founded in 1994, the Ventura Music Festival is one of Ventura County’s signature arts events, presenting a genre-spanning mix of world-class music in an annual July Festival, and an array of programs year-round, including a Student Jazz Competition in January and Rising Stars concert in May.

“Teaming Up Against Domestic Violence”

A powerful evening was held at the City Center’s domestic violence event.

It was an amazing night at The City Center’s 3rd Annual Domestic Violence event – “Teaming Up Against Domestic Violence” held in The River Community’s main auditorium.

The evening was filled with heartfelt music by Kris Simeon, Jermarie Dizon, Monse Casmiro, Charleen Morla and Unko Henry.

Words of support from dignitaries and local celebrities included Ventura City Councilmember Mike Tracy, Ventura County Assistant Sheriff William Ayub and KVTA radio celebrity Tom Spence.

There were powerful testimonies by domestic violence survivors and City Center residents Andrea Farfan, Trisha Willard, and Maria Lopez and Special Guest Erica King

Master of Ceremony’s Jim Duran and Jeanne Benitez thanked the event sponsors: Title Sponsor Oxnard Monday Club, Event Sponsors: Community Presbyterian Church, Jill Olivares Insurance, Aloha Steakhouse, Missy’s Cupcake Creations and The River Community Church

The City Center Mentor Coordinators Rick and Cheri Carney stated “Thank you to all of you that were able to attend the “Team Up Against Domestic Violence” event. It was a very powerful, moving evening with several of our residents speaking and sharing. It brought to light many of the horrors of domestic violence, but it also highlighted the courage, strength and hope that many of our residents possess. Just surviving and being able to move away from their abusers is a tremendous step in their recovery.”

The City Center Transitional Living
837 E. Thompson Blvd. 628-9035

Over 100 military veterans ride San Francisco to Los Angeles to benefit veterans and first responders

Photo by Murray Robertson

More than 100 military veterans road from San Francisco to Los Angeles during the 2017 United Healthcare California Challenge, benefiting veterans and first responders with PTSD and other injuries. Veterans, community leaders, supporters cheered cyclists during the sixth-day ride features including a 72-mile route from Solvang to Ventura.

The California Challenge is a collaboration between UnitedHealthcare and Project Hero, a national nonprofit organization that helps veterans and first responders affected by injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury achieve rehabilitation, recovery and resilience in their daily lives.

After spending the night in Ventura on Saturday, Oct. 21 they continued their ride from Ventura to Los Angeles.

Ventura Unified School District high school countdown!

Students keep the same teacher throughout all four years.

by Jennifer Tipton
El Camino High School

Located on the Ventura College campus at 61 Day Rd., El Camino high school is an alternative school for college bound students. This campus opened in 2008 and is quite different from the conventional high schools because attendance is based on work completion, not being physically present in the classroom.

While El Camino is primarily independent study, students may also take classes at Ventura College. Providing grades 9-12, students keep the same teacher throughout all four years, this fosters a relationship between each student and teacher, providing an opportunity for the teacher to also function as a coach. Enrollment is about 300 with a student teacher ratio of no more than 35:1 however, students only meet with their teacher a couple times each week.

The vision statement for El Camino high is to provide students with a supportive and caring academic environment, rich in opportunity, choice, accountability and challenge.

In her 6th year as principal, Cheryl Burns states that what makes El Camino unique from other high schools is the blend of individualized education plans and flexibility. Principal Burns states, “although we still want them to have that high school experience, our students are also pursuing their outside passions.”

The school mascot is the eagle and although there is no athletic program at El Camino, students are eligible to play sports at their boundary school (this is the high school they would normally attend based on where they live).

There are many different clubs and competitions for students to participate in if they choose to such as, “Math Bowl”, “Poetry Out Loud”, “Art Jam”, speech and essay contests and a gardening club … to name a few. Principal Burns shares, “we like to provide ample social opportunities.”

There really is no homework as the school is already an independent study curriculum, all assignments are congruent and relevant to the individualized education plan.

I am told it’s the students from El Camino that started the “iMatters” youth council here in Ventura, these are a group of young activists getting involved in the community and Principal Burns proudly reports, “a lot of our students are doing community service internships.”

For more information visit: www.ventura/usd.org/ElCamino

Ventura Harbor Village hosts seaside Thrill the World celebration

Photo by Richard Lieberman (who always looks scary)

Ventura Harbor Village hosted a seaside Thrill the World celebration on Saturday, Oct. 29. The dancers learned the dance from Molly Hill, executive training director at FitZone in Ventura, and proceeds from the dancer registration fees benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation

First time dancer Rosemary Lieberman stated “I watched the Thriller dance last year and thought it looked like a lot of fun. Then I found out it was a fundraiser for the Make- A- Wish Foundation; so what could be better, I get to donate to a wonderful charity, dress up like a zombie and gather with other zombies to do this cool dance.”

 

Ventura Family YMCA to hold Prayer Breakfast

The Ventura Family YMCA is hosting its Annual Prayer Breakfast. The popular annual gathering of local religious and community leaders will feature keynote speaker, Chelsea Shaw. Shaw is a two time national champion with the University of Oregon’s Acrobatic and Tumbling team and is currently a coach, athletic recruiter and motivational speaker.

As the daughter of a pastor, Shaw’s motto is “all you’ve got, all the time”, and she will share the story of how her faith helped her achieve her goals not only in her athletic career but also in her personal and professional life.

Along with Shaw’s appearance, attendees will enjoy breakfast generously donated by The Palms at Bonaventure as well as musical performances by Rubicon Harmonix and Laura Callen.

For 12 years, the Annual Prayer Breakfast has inspired and united the community to come together for the common good. This year eight churches, Anthem Church, Harvest Bible Chapel, New Harvest Ventura, River Community Church, Mission Church, South Coast Fellowship, Mission San Buenaventura and Temple Beth Torah have dedicated their time and efforts to making this event possible.

The Annual Prayer Breakfast will take place Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30 am at the Ventura Family YMCA, 3760 Telegraph Road. The event is free for the community to attend but RSVPs are required by calling the YMCA at 642-2131 or by signing up online at ciymca.org/ventura.

The Ventura Family YMCA thanks its local volunteer heroes and extends an invite for more volunteers to give their time to upcoming opportunities to give back.

As one of the leading nonprofits and volunteer organizations in the country, nearly 600,000 people volunteer at the Y each year and at the Ventura Y more than 200 donated their time this year through activities such as mentoring teens, coaching youth sports, serving on boards and committees, participating in community projects and spearheading fundraising drives.

For more information about the Ventura Family YMCA, visit http://www.ciymca.org/ventura/ or call 642.2131.

Vol. 10, No. 3 – Nov 8 – Nov 21, 2017 – Audubon events

Nov. 5: 8:00 a.m. Work Day Hedrick Ranch. Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478.

Arrive at 8:00 for birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9a.m. – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

Nov. 12: 8:30 a.m. Ormond Beach .Leader: David Torfeh 794-5334

Join us at this excellent coastal location, where we will look for a variety of waterfowl, such as Willets, Whimbrels, Black necked Stilts, Black bellied Plovers and other interesting birds. We will also look for Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Peregrine Falcon, and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers. Dress in layers, as the morning may be chilly. Please bring a scope if you have one. Enter on Arnold Road.

Nov. 18: 8:30 a.m. Hill Canyon. Leader: Linda Easter 818-519-2833

Hill Canyon is an area near Santa Rosa County Park. We will bird along the creek and into Hill Canyon.

Directions from Ventura are to exit the 101 freeway at Pleasant Valley/Santa Rosa Roads. Head east on Santa Rosa Road for maybe 2-3 miles to a small road on the right with a sign for Santa Rosa County Park. Head up that road about 1/4 mile to a large gravel parking area on the left. Park and meet there at 8:30. Alternatively, people may park in the County Park parking lot for a fee and walk to the free gravel parking area.

Nov. 20: 8:30 a.m. Canada Larga. Leader Adele Fergusson 415-4304

We will walk and drive the canyon. Always a great walk! Some birds we may see are Western Bluebirds, Road-runners, sparrows, swallows, Red-tailed Hawks and perhaps a barn owl.

Founders’ Society inductees announced

David Luna and Jim Rivera (on behalf of Dan Mandell), Michael Addison (on behalf of Bob Addison), Tom Hinkle, and brothers Ralph, Jim and Myron Harrison are civic leaders. Photo courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura

Local civic leaders came together on Oct.26 for their induction into the Founders’ Society of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura.

To recognize the civic leaders who over the past 80 years have had a role in realizing the vision of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura, the organization in 2015 established a Founders’ Society. Each year, an induction ceremony is held to add new esteemed members.

This year has six new inductees: Tom Hinkle; posthumous inductees Robert Addison and Dan Mandell; and Harrison Industries co-owners and brothers Jim, Myron and Ralph Harrison. The brothers join their parents, E.J. and Myra Harrison, who were inducted in February of 2016.

Recipients have made lasting contributions in service to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura over the course of 10 years or more.

Club Board President Rick Price said of the inductees, “These leaders are, in every sense, the people who developed the Club to its prominent role of service to our children.”

“We hold these individuals in the highest esteem,” Club CEO Patti Birmingham added, “and give honor to them for their vision, dedication and unyielding efforts to provide the positive change that we seek for the future of our community’s youth.”

The local club currently provides services to approximately 2,000 kids per year, with 1,200 of them being members, and has an average daily attendance of 550 kids. The Club provides services to youth within the Ventura, Saticoy and Oak View Communities. Worth noting: A recent independent study revealed that 97 percent of Boys & Girls Club members are on track to graduate from high school, 92 percent have demonstrated increased self-confidence and 83 percent have improved family relations.

Learn more about the Ventura club at www.bgclubventura.org or call 641-5585.