Jossy Carbajal is a barber at Ventura Barber Company. Immediately after she heard that the fairgrounds opened up to the displaced she went there and set up free haircuts for all evacuees. She also was giving the firemen quick haircuts as they were fueling up their trucks at State Beach. She is just a giving type person!
Category Archives: This ‘n’ That
Just a very few Ventura Heroes
by Victoria Usher
Battling the fires in Ventura has been tough to say the least and one of those neighborhoods just south of Arroyo Verde was no different. The reason that the entire neighborhood didn’t burn was because of all the efforts of everyday citizens who were out there for more than 10-12 hours fighting hot spot fires all over the neighborhood. A few of those great citizens heroes were Eric Jarl (who stopped ten foot tall flames under his back porch at 4:00am after driving all night from Stockton), Mark Perry who helped knock down fence fires , Robert Washington and his friend Sean Ardouin and lastly George Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. Gene Dunn (suggested by Lyn Fairly)were driving around looking at the fire damage when they came upon a couple who were digging into the ruins of a burned-out motor home and horse trailer. The horse trailer was actually the man’s work shop, he was making jewelry as his business and they lived together in the motor home. Everything they owned including their business was completely lost in the fire. The trailer and the workshop contained gold, silver, jewelry, precious stones, pearls, and the tools needed to make the jewelry.
Their 10-year-old daughter’s toys that she’d bought for Christmas with a $100 shopping spree that she’d won with the firefighters were all gone because of the fire. Then on top of everything else they also lost their dog. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, their daughter Patti, and their son in law William decided to spend the greater part of the afternoon helping them dig, rummage, and try to rescue some of that material and they were successful to a point. They gave them some cash for the night and directed them to the perfect place to ask for assistance and then both families exchanged their phone numbers. Mr. and Mrs. Dunn are Ventura heroes and they now have some new friends too.
Hooray for Hector Andrade, the Poinsettia Pavilion’s caretaker for more than 20 years. On Monday night, as the fire raced down Ventura’s hillsides, Hector, his wife, Joanne, and son, Hector, Jr., saw it coming and turned on the sprinklers, grabbed hoses and shovels and fought back the flames. With danger closing in, Hector refused to leave until the firefighters arrived. He stayed across the street and once they allowed him to return, he was back at it putting out hot spots and protecting the building throughout the night. We are convinced that if it were not for Hector and his family, the Poinsettia Pavilion would be nothing but a memory.
These are the unsung heroes you usually never hear about but if not for their efforts we would have lost many more homes. Also, a huge thanks to all the firefighters who did show up! I believe you saved a lot of Ventura. Hats off to these heroes!
The alarm
by writer with heart, Karen Leslie
For many Venturians, the morning wake up alarm in the wee hours on Monday
wasn’t with a yawn at dawn and the smell of coffee. Instead, in a state of shock and disbelief,
they were yanked out of their dream state into a nightmare. With eyes burning, lungs filled with
smoke and terror abound, the core and foundations of not only their homes were shaken, but for
many, life as they knew it had been turned to ashes. With just enough time to grab a child, they
were escorted out of harm’s way by our hard working police officers and firemen and taken to
safe havens.
Still days later, many evacuees cannot return to their homes that still stand and
some families can only revisit what was left of their lives. Even in the darkness of the soul moments,
a rising up of the human spirit becomes palatable, resilient, tenacious and strong!
With new eyes of insight, we realize happiness cannot be bought or worn and that it is enough
that lives were saved. With hearts overflowing, we reflect and rebuild new foundations with
gratitude and compassion for our fellow human beings.
Together, we stood in the eye of the storm with open hands for the good of all and our community.
Because when it is all said and done, it is about the love of friends, neighbors and family that matter most.
Our Ventura cup runneth over!
We are Ventura – Part I
“No volunteers needed today.”
by Jennifer Tipton
On Thursday, Dec. 7th I visited the Ventura County Fairgrounds, one of three shelters set up by the American Red Cross.
The billboard at the entrance read “Thomas Fire Evacuees Proceed to Garden Street Gate”. At the main parking lot were firetrucks from our neighbors in Los Angeles, Tehama County, Susan River and Hanford (to name just a few), search and rescue vehicles, campers and RVs seeking refuge. Members of the Santa Maria Fire Department, there since day one said they had very little sleep. One emphasized, “this town has been so kind, we’ve never been treated so well!”
A fire fighter from Riverside showed me 2 large boards, one mapping the fire’s activity and the other tallying vehicles and personnel. Currently there were 12 helicopters, 28 hand crews, 471 engines, 26 dozers, 2509 total personnel and 7 water tenders (these carry 1200-3000 gallons of water each).
At the Garden Street entrance, a sign read “no volunteers needed today”. Walking up to the main building, another sign read “no donations needed today” – in only 2 days the need for help and donations had been met!
Outside the main building were mobile medical clinics, a long line of portable toilets and a large portable shower. There were cases upon cases of bottled water stacked against the outside of the building. Michael, a volunteer, told me, “the water is literally overflowing”. Large boxes of assorted clothing were available for those in need.
Inside the main building security officers stood safeguarding the occupants and sign in sheets were required before entering. I braced myself for heartache but surprisingly the energy was upbeat!
Fred Mariscal, a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, made it clear, “everyone is welcome here, we don’t even ask for ID!” There were 225 evacuees in the shelter, 450 when it first opened and once as many as 600. “It’s always changing”, Fred said.
Looking like a small city, evacuees were referred to as “residents”. Hundreds of cots stood side by side, some with personal blankets and pillows and some with only the American Red Cross blanket waiting for yet another displaced neighbor. A baby changing station was loaded with supplies, WiFi was available and many of the mobile phone providers were present with stations to charge phones. Resources were available for advice and guidance and barbers were giving free haircuts!
Face painting was provided by McKenna Sullivan age 19 evacuated from her home in Carpinteria Wednesday, staying with Merrick Brunker, also age 19. Merrick lives below Foothill and North Petit, right under the mandatory evacuation. McKenna told me, “we’re here because I wanted to help.”
The Medical Reserve Core (an emergency response group comprised of doctors, nurses and numerous others) were inside the building. Marcie Marino, an E.M.T. for 17 years said, “I am amazed with all the donations, this community has really come out to help!” The greatest medical attention provided was to splint a finger.
Ventura County’s Behavioral Health staff were present with printed information such as, “Tips for Survivors” and other related topics. “Sometimes it takes 3-5 days until it really hits you”, said Mary Burau, Clinic Administrator.
The Salvation Army coordinated the food. Randy Stokes alongside his wife Jaime, both Cadets volunteered. Randy said, “lots of restaurants are reaching out to help.”
I met resident 96-year-old Charlotte Marchetti, a Ventura homeowner in Clearpoint, where she has lived for 40 years. “I don’t know what happened, they woke me up Monday night about 9:30 and said you have to evacuate, it happened so fast, this was the only place I could think to come!” Charlotte was sitting on her cot looking quite calm, and added, “we didn’t have time to grab anything except a little cash, cause I didn’t know if my house would still be there…”
“Is it?”, I asked.
“Yes, it is!”, she beamed.
Charlotte didn’t know when she could return to home, “they won’t let us back in until they check gas lines and wiring.”
Veronica Estrada, a volunteer with Gold Coast helped with transportation to doctor appointments, dialysis (there were two dialysis patients), refills from the pharmacy and oxygen needs, all services coordinated with the Health Department.
Leaving the fairgrounds, I felt a renewed sense of hope, amidst the disaster was an enormous spirit of compassion.
We will recover, and we will rebuild because We Are Ventura!
The housing crisis just got worse
by Judy Alexandre, Chair Ventura Social Service Task force
As the Thomas fire continues to spread in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, the number of those without a home has also grown. Many of these citizens have insurance, a positive support system, and the backing of the community both public and private. These resources will greatly aid those that have been deeply impacted by the fire. Some do not have the resources; for those who were renting assistance may be more limited. A few of these residents may join the community of those who are already homeless…without a home.
There is and will be difficulty in locating suitable housing within the City of Ventura. High rents, low vacancy compound an already difficult situation. The high rent contributes to the number of people that are experiencing homelessness throughout the state. Wages have been relatively stagnant. To afford the average rent between $1500-$2500 a month requires 2-3 minimum wage jobs for the least expensive apartment. If you have children or a pet (an important love object and companion for many on the street), locating housing is even more difficult. In addition to the monthly rent some landlords are requiring 3 months’ rent up front. Ironically, many of our first responders do not qualify to purchase homes in the city and may not be able to find suitable housing for their families.
The majority of our homeless population would move into housing if housing was available. There is a severe lack of affordable housing (earning $60-$120,000 a year), very affordable and extremely affordable housing. A person on disability or social security ($800-$1200/month income) cannot afford most existing housing. Their entire income is not sufficient for rent. Working one or two minimum wage jobs is not sufficient income. Currently, a few landlords are charging extremely unreasonable rates, because they can. An example is the owner of an old SRO (single room occupancy), hygiene and kitchen facilities at the end of the hall, charging $1200 a month for a 10’x10 or 10’12’ room. Room rentals in private homes may cost $600-$1000 with limited access to other household facilities. Those who are lucky enough to have a housing voucher (may have waited 5-7 years for the voucher) often cannot find a landlord to accept the voucher because they are currently able to charge so much more that what is allowed by governmental standards. We have a housing crisis that just got worse!
We can do better. The City of Ventura needs to actively support the development of very affordable and extremely affordable housing. Implementing interim emergency alternative solutions such as legal camping, expanded safe sleep programs, refurbishing older mobile homes, while permanent housing is developed is necessary. The city can invite low income developers to come build; zoning can be modified to accommodate the need and permits fast tracked for innovative faster built and more efficient forms of housing (container and tiny homes, etc.). We need the will to act. Our seniors, veterans, low income and workforce families deserve better.
Our year round transition to housing shelter needs to be sited and build now. We have identified operators and potential builders if there is a site and if there is housing to transition people from the shelter.
I am so grateful that my house is standing
by Adela Trainor
There are neighbors all around me that lost their homes, including Dennis and Claire, my next door neighbors. I don’t really feel guilty, just sorrow for all those that lost their homes, and it will feel very lonely going back. I miss Claire already!
What I really felt badly about was that I had neighbors across the street that didn’t know about the evacuation until they awoke to burning bushes outside their bedroom window!
I am so grateful that my house is standing. I am even more grateful to know that the community I love and talk about so much is everything I thought it to be was so helpful to all—simply wonderful.
Loss of Home can be difficult
by Sheli Ellsworth
Losing a home by fire is not only the destruction of personal possessions, heirlooms and important documents, it is the loss of comfort and safety. Suddenly, small things—once taken for granted—become time-sucking inconveniences. Tweezers, can-openers and medicines can be replaced, but it takes time, energy, lists and attention to the million thoughts fighting for dominance in a too-stressed brain.
According to the American Psychological Association, homeowners can experience shock, anger, depression and hopelessness after a fire. Eventually, acceptance and a focus on the future are followed by a return to safety and security. But how do you get through another day? And what about the one after that?
The APA has some suggestions for dealing with stress after such a devastating loss.
- Try to continue your fitness routine. Exercise, yoga, meditation and deep breathing are all proven stress reducers.
- Give yourself permission to feel bad: cry, beat a pillow, scream in a closet.
- It’s okay to laugh. Even when life sucks, things can be funny. Embrace periods of joy.
- Make small decisions when the big ones are out of your control.
- Avoid major decisions like changing jobs and getting a divorce.
- Lower expectations. You aren’t a superhero. Do what you can. The rest will wait.
- Socialize. Spending time with others is one path to recovery.
- It is okay to talk about it. Get it out.
- Take advantage of community support. It is not a sign of weakness.
- Everyday think of something you are grateful for, even the small things.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol when your decision-making skills are already taxed.
- Sleep and wake as close to your normal cycle as possible.
- Don’t skip meals. Eat regular, well-balanced meals. Food tells us we will survive.
- Find a routine. Even when nothing is routine, children especially need a certain pattern of behavior. Even simple things like going to school and visiting friends can be soothing.
A Helping Hand
The public can get incident information at https://t.co/F8csSX6ytV or call 465-6650.
Needed items for those affected by fire in Ventura can come to Community Presbyterian Church to pick up clothing, blankets, shoes etc. Requirements are you must be from Ventura or those fire areas off of the 33. We ask to only take what you need. Items will be found in our Fellowship Hall.
If there is a specific need, please call Jeri at 804-2870.
I have 1 double bed sofa bed mattress to give away and 20-25 children’s books (all new). I am also available for whatever families need to get through this difficult time–clean up, hourly childcare of infant- 9 years old, grocery shopping, food prep, etc. Kathy Lewis 701-3321.
Supplies and clothing available for any of the families displaced by the fire –
Ventura Elks Lodge – 2126 Knoll Drive
We have toiletries, cleaning supplies, kitchen item, kids items (clothing, toys, games), pet supplies.
For more information or to donate Monica Merryman 701.8150; Blake Merryman 479.3032 or Elks Lodge 639.0303.
Project Understanding is staying open extended days and times to help those in need. M-F from 9-2 and by appointment. We are taking donations of food, water, toilet tissue, paper plates, household items, we are also looking for shovels, gardening gloves and shovels to distribute to anyone in need.
Project Understanding is located at 2735 Johnson Dr. Suite E.
A Message of Hope: Ventura Botanical Gardens will rise again
“Many plants in the VBG collection have evolved with fire and are adapted to survive fire events.”
by Mary Kay Doubek VBG volunteer
One look at the charred hillside above our still-standing City Hall tells one that Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) did not escape the destruction of the Thomas Fire as it swept through town beginning December 4. Despite extensive damage, VBG and The City of Ventura have already reaffirmed their partnership and commitment to deliver on the vision for the gardens. “There will be new challenges, of course,” said Joe Cahill, Executive Director of VBG, “but the aftermath of this devastating wildfire also presents new opportunities. We remain optimistic that our circumstances also have potential to benefit the long-term development of Ventura Botanical Gardens.”
VBG wasted no time, surveying the damage to the gardens soon after the fire was extinguished. Along with the destruction, Cahill reported that most of the skeletal infrastructure is intact. “Starting in 2012, our volunteers, the Conservation Corp, and the City of Ventura steadily added structural support and stone retaining walls to the planting areas and garden trail over a 30 acre area. That newer work held up well, but we will need to do minor repairs and replacement to make the trail safe again for visitors. For example, an old clay drainage pipe collapsed and caused the section of trail above it to cave in. In another section of trail, a 10-foot-long wooden retaining wall burned. Amazingly, the wooden bridge under construction in the Fynbos garden remains untouched, but on the other hand, several new educational signs and plant specimen labels melted.”
VBG has already engaged contractors to proceed with the repairs. Other plans underway include reseeding of the hillsides adjacent to developed garden areas to protect and mitigate erosion from winter rains. Depending on the availability of financial resources, the gardens will utilize technical products, such as fiber coating, in areas with severe or unstable slopes. These are protective and proactive measures the gardens can put to use, if they can be funded.
As far as vegetation is concerned, the worst devastation occurred in areas were where dead brush had built up since the last major fire in Grant Park in 1970. The garden planting areas fared somewhat better, but it will take months to complete the evaluation of the 700 specimen plant collection from Mediterranean climate regions of the world. However there is good reason to be optimistic. According to Cahill, “Many plants in the VBG collection have evolved with fire and are adapted to survive fire events. The main areas already planted in VBG stand in contrast to the old brush areas of Grant Park. The newly planted areas also survived well because volunteers had cleared dead brush so there was a lack of fuel. And since the fire, VBG has been watering the planting areas. Miraculously, some plants already have new leaf buds forming. Time will tell what the ultimate survival rate is, but we are keeping a positive outlook!”
Joe had more good news about the gardens’ water tanks and old stone walls. “The 10,000 gallon water tanks installed two years ago are intact, affording us a great opportunity to accelerate expansion of our irrigation system, and thus, to plant and restore larger areas of the garden. Also, the fire exposed more historic stone walls that were agricultural terraces, perhaps 50 sections of wall. There are also many remnants of an old trail system in the ravine to the west of the existing trail complete with mortared stone steps, mortared stone walls and switchbacks. These newly discovered features may make it more feasible and cost effective to add new trails, by simply rehabilitating very old trails. VBG is working with Sean Anderson from CSCI ESRM field crew GIS group to map these features so they can be incorporated into future planning.
Rosa Lee Measures, one of VBG’s founders has offered these words of hope to all, “With heavy heart, I mourn the losses of so many homes and precious keepsakes, of our dear friends. Grateful their lives were spared, as homes can be rebuilt.”
I fully believe that many of our precious plants will be resurrected, and maybe stronger out of the ashes. Hopefully, rejuvenating the Ventura Botanical Gardens will be therapeutic, and further reunite our community. “It is important to remember that fire is a natural process in California and in other Mediterranean climate regions of the world. It may look devastating, but periodic fire rejuvenates the landscape. Almost always there are spectacular spring wildflowers in the years following a fire and there will be other silver linings for VBG as we continue to develop the garden with support from the community.” said Joe Cahill, executive director of VBG.
The gardens and trail will remain closed while repairs are underway. Please respect the “No trespassing” warnings and wait for the public announcement that VBG is once again safe for visitors. Also, be on the lookout for VBG announcements for additional volunteer days so that the public can help with the recovery effort.
It was odd for her to call that late
by Barbara Brown
On Monday around ten, my neighbor Lauren called. It was odd for her to call that late… her voice was tense. She relayed news from her husband Tom Lanski, a Ventura County Fire Captain— the fire in Wheeler Canyon was moving toward Ondulando and she should, precautionarily, pack.
Alerting our neighbors, we moved from house to house knocking and shouting as the horizon changed from amber to brilliant red. Then we heard the evacuation announcement and as quickly as possible, we left.
Driving across town to our son’s house, we watched the fire parallel us through the city. It was terrifying to see how swiftly it moved, and how high the flames were. When we curved the 33, the Avenue hillside was ablaze. Seeing that, I had a bad feeling about the botanical Gardens.
Soon after arriving at my son’s house, the flames breached his hillside and we had to leave. I began to call hotels; they were booked. It was hard to breathe in the smoke, it was dark and everywhere there were flames.
Finally, friends offered to let us crash in their room at the Crowne—a huge relief. We arrived smoky, disheveled and in shock.
One of our retired firefighter friends, Tom Retan, who was listening to dispatch, began texting updates. That was comforting. He was with us remotely hour by painful hour.
From our hotel window, we could only see the east side of the city and not much of it. We looked for a better vantage point and finally found a city-facing window in a stairwell. In horror, I watched the Gardens burn. My heart broke. This city jewel was torched. I didn’t sleep that night.
Finally, in the morning, I called Lauren; in tears she spoke, “we’ve lost our home”. My heart dropped, she’d gotten us out, but she’d lost everything. I cannot describe how that felt.
News was spotty on Tuesday; I focused on the Gardens. Then, I saw a text. Susan and Greg’s home had survived (our friends at the Crowne). I texted, “Could you check ours?” and heard nothing for a long, long time. As the minutes dragged on, anxiety crept in. Then the phone rang. As his own voice broke, our friend Mark explained our home was gone.
My heart actually hurt… it still does… when I think about it.
The first days after learning our home had fallen were surreal. We handled it well enough; friends and family were so supportive. The realization that we had nothing but four boxes of photos and our pajamas was bizarre, but we had each other and citywide, there were no fire casualties. That was a miracle.
Wednesday, we hiked to see our home or, what was left of it. Standing with my husband, son and daughter-in-law, viewing the ash and debris, a sense of profound and irreparable loss set in—the deep and painful realization that our lives had forever changed.
We’re still not out of it; the song “Vagabond Blues” keeps running through my head, but we’ve reconnected with our neighbors and they are alive and well.
I have to say, we are so lucky to be a part of a community that comes together in crisis. So many homes were lost. The next two years are going to be difficult, but we’re optimistic, we love this city and we’re planning to rebuild. We’re deeply grateful for the support of friends and family, the commitment of our community leaders and lastly, the first responders who worked so hard to save homes in desperately dangerous conditions, despite their own profound losses.