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 6^th 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 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.”

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.

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.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has awarded Cabrillo Economic Development Corporation a $12,000 grant to support Cabrillo’s HomeOwnership Center’s financial literacy and homeownership programs.

Omar Madrigal, CEDC HomeOwnership Center Director; Heidi Reyes Education and Counseling Services Manager and Margarita H. De Escontrias, Chief Executive Officer, received the grant check from Midge Campbell-Thomas, Bank of America’s Market Manager for Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, along with Yeni Vazquez, CEDC HomeOwnership Counselor.

The center offers foreclosure mitigation, pre- and post-purchase homebuyer education, and credit and counseling sessions to those interested in improving their economic situation. NeighborWorks certified and HUD-approved counselors provide all services in both Spanish and English.

“This grant will provide 400 low- to moderate-income families in Ventura County access to counseling services that will help them navigate the homeownership process,” said HomeOwnership Center Director, Omar Madrigal.

Madrigal said he is grateful for the support Bank of America and its commitment to the community and Cabrillo.

The CAPS Media crew recorded the City of Ventura Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Museum of Ventura County. The annual program honors outstanding contributions to the cultural community by city residents, artists, educators, organizations and business leaders. Mayor Erik Nasarenko recognized the 2017 recipients. The Mayor’s Arts Awards gala is airing on CAPS Media throughout the month.

CAPS Media produced a special video recognizing the Ventura Police Community Foundation’s “We’ve Got Your Back” campaign. Local citizens and businesses stepped-up to help fund the vital program to purchase lifesaving protective vests for police officers facing high-powered assaults in the field. The successful campaign provides for high-impact vests to be included in every patrol car and response vehicle. The CAPS Crew also covered the Coffee with a Cop event at Café Ficelle where Ventura police officers and residents met, mingled and shared a fine cup of coffee in an informal, friendly environment.

CAPS Media also produced a special video capturing the moving memorial service honoring Ventura County Fire Department’s fallen hero Captain Scott Osler who died in the line of duty. The service airs on CAPS Media Channel 15 throughout the month.

Representative districting is moving quickly in Ventura and every Ventura resident is encouraged to get involved in the determination of the district mapping for the city council representatives. Go to www.CityofVentura.CA.Gov/districtelections to get all the info on the process and how to add your suggestions for dividing the city into representative districts.

CAPS Radio, KPPQ 104.1 FM and CAPS Television (Channel 6 & 15) are streaming programming on the web 24×7. Now everyone in and outside of Ventura can enjoy the diversified programming on CAPS Media on cable, on the radio airwaves and streaming on the web. Go to capsmedia.org to see what’s on and get direct access to television and radio programming with the click of a button.

CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Our goals are to Engage, Educate and Inform. This is a good time to explore becoming a CAPS Media Member/Producer. Orientation is held on the first Thursday of every month. HD videography/camera classes are on the 2nd Thursday, Final Cut postproduction editing classes are on the 3rd Thursday, and CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) holds classes on the 4th week. CAPS Media Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. All classes begin at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center. Once trained member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s video cameras and other production equipment and book postproduction editing suites to craft the program they want to share. Details of training and signups are at capsmedia.org/events.

Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura may become a Member/Producer. Annual membership fees are only $25 for an individual and $75 for a non-profit organization. CAPS Radio DJs require an additional annual fee of $50. For complete information go to capsmedia.org.

The annual Storm Day training conducted by the Ventura Public Works Agency took place on November 1 to prepare for a major disaster in Ventura County. The eighth annual Storm Day training was conducted at two sites, one in Ventura: The Dent Basin and in Simi Valley at Las Liajas Dam.

More than 200 personnel from Ventura County Public Works Agency departments participated in the event. Exercises were designed to simulate the effects of and earthquake and severe storm to two of the counties 56 dams. Karl Novak, Deputy Director of the Watershed Protection District led the efforts at Dent Basin. “Practice makes perfect.” He said.

The drills were aimed at coordinating and practicing to quickly shore up and limit water leaking from an effected dam. Using a technique of sandbag configurations called boils to constrain leaks and use of large tarps to stop any seepage or leaks.

The scenario allowed officials to gauge the effectiveness of county crews, and first responders to a real emergency. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, along with VCPWA activated several sites including its emergency Field Operations Centers.

Specific goals of the exercise were test the involved agencies emergency response plans and evaluating the effectiveness of inter-agency procedures. The drill was designed to uncover areas needing improvement in emergency response plans.