Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

School on Wheels staff member Ian Chan running 52 marathons in 2017 to raise awareness about homeless children

School on Wheels staff member Ian Chan is running 52 marathons in 2017 to raise awareness about homeless children. The Ventura Marathon was his 49th of the year and he came 55th out of 1008 runners with a personal best time of 3:15:18!

“Why am I running 52 marathons this year? Over 500,000 children experience homelessness in California each year; this campaign is about raising awareness and giving hope to a population all too forgotten and neglected. The hardest thing has been fitting the races into my busy year.”

Catherine Meek, Executive Director of School on Wheels said, “We are so proud of Ian and his amazing achievement of running a marathon every week. We hope people will support him in his goal of raising awareness about the staggering problem of homeless children in our communities.”

To help with his goals go to https://www.gofundme.com/ianchanrunning.

CMH presenting tingling seminar and “A Thanksgiving Program”.

Tingling and burning sensations in the hands and feet will be the focus of a free seminar Community Memorial Health System seminar.

This condition, known as peripheral neuropathy, affects an estimated 20 million people in the United States. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to burning, pricking and even muscle weakness.

At the seminar, Dr. Neda Heidari, who specializes in neurophysiology and neurology, will discuss ways to manage symptoms and help alleviate the discomfort. Dr. Heidari is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and an active member of the medical staff at Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.

The seminar will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 8, in the eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial Hospital, 147 N. Brent St.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations, please visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006.

CMHS Hosts Free Thanksgiving Program on Nov. 16: “Stories of Life’s Joys & Challenges”

Donations of toys, food, diapers and toiletries also sought for Ventura County charities

How do we cope with the good and bad things we face in life? Everyone must overcome hardships like illness, natural disasters, job loss and the deaths of loved ones.

There are lessons to be learned about recovering and thriving after challenging experiences. At this time of year when people give thanks, Community Memorial Health System is sharing personal and inspiring stories that help teach others how to build resilience, strength and hope during trying times.

“Stories of Life’s Joys and Challenges: A Thanksgiving Program” is a free Ethics in Healthcare event and part of Community Memorial Health System’s 2017 Speaker Series. The program starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Museum of Ventura County. James Hornstein, M.D., CMHS Bioethics Committee Chair, will serve as moderator.

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of toys, food, diapers and toiletries for three charity efforts: Ventura County’s FOOD Share food bank; Gabriel’s House, a transitional support organization for women and children; and the Ventura County Fire Department’s Spark of Love toy drive, which collects unwrapped toys for needy local children.

There will be raffles for prizes throughout the evening program, and those who make donations will receive reusable tote bags.

Registration is free but reservations are required. To secure reservations, please visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp or call Brown Paper Tickets at 800-838-3006. Program sponsors are KVTA radio, the Accountable Care Alliance of Ventura, SCAN and Ventura Care Partners Apc.

Vol. 10, No. 3 – Nov 8 – Nov 21, 2017 – Some Ventura library events

Avenue Library

Bilingual Early Literacy Class
11/ 13, 20, 27 Mondays 6:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft & fun!

Crafternoon
11/11, 25 Saturdays 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Get your craft on in the afternoon for these special crafternoons.

SuperBrain Yoga
11/18 Saturday 10:00 — 12:00 pm
Attend this hands-on workshop to improve memory, achieve mental clarity, and gain emotional calmness.

Pumarosa English Classes
11/ 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00 am – 10:00 am & 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Learn English in a fun environment that combines conversation, singing, and technology

E.P. Foster

Twisted Stitchers Fiber Arts Club 11/9 Thursday @ 10:30am Get together with makers from all across the fiber-arts world. Meet, teach, connect, share.

Coffee & Conversations 11/20 Monday 9-10am This series covers a wide range of topics by local non-profits and social service agencies.

Early Literacy Class 1
1/ 14, 15, 21, 28, & 29
Tuesdays & Wednesdays @ 10:30am. A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

Lego Play 11/11, 14, 18, 21, 25, & 28 Tuesdays @ 3pm & Saturdays @ 10:30am

Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs.

Makerspace Open Workshop 11/ 8, 15, & 29 Wednesdays @ 4-6 pm

Come by to learn, create, and share STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math). We have 3D printers, computer coding, stop motion animation, and so much more!

Saticoy

Lego Play 11/13, 20, 27 Mondays 1:00 pm – 5:00pm

Build, Learn, and Play! Bring your imagination and experiment with creative designs.

Early Literacy Class 11/9, 16, 30 Thursdays 9:30 am – 10:30 am & 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft & fun!
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Monthly Maker Day 11/14 Tuesday 4:30 pm-5:30 pm
Join this design and 3D printer workshop.

English Classes 11/ 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, 29
Monday & Wednesday 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. ESL Conversation Groups hosted by Laubach Literacy of Ventura County

SuperBrain Yoga 11/13 Monday 6:00 pm — 7:00 pm
Improve memory, achieve mental clarity, and gain emotional calmness.

Museum of Ventura County and California Resources Corporation host a “Moment of Gratitude”

The Museum of Ventura County and California Resources Corporation will host a “Moment of Gratitude,” 8:30–9:30 a.m., Nov. 9, at the Museum’s Smith Pavilion. The event is an opportunity for Executive Director Elena Brokaw to thank city and county officials and the community for their support throughout the Museum’s fiscal challenge, and to provide an update on the Museum’s progress to date. Also on the agenda will be the introduction and welcome to the newly-elected board of directors, and a special presentation from California Resources Corporation.

“The incredible support and commitment the Museum has received from community members, corporations, such as California Resources Corporation, and both city and county officials, has enabled us to avert a museum closure and develop a new path toward sustainability,” said Brokaw. “As we continue to plan for 2018, we want to pause and give thanks to everyone for recognizing the value the Museum brings to Ventura County.”

Brokaw reached out to city officials and Ventura County’s board of supervisors this past July to request public funding to help the Museum keep its doors open. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted to give the Museum $155,000 for six months, with the direction of the money going toward helping assess the collection and determine what it will take to keep that maintained. The Ventura City Council approved $125,000 for six months.

In addition to the many popular exhibitions and quality programming provided by the Museum, the main museum campus in downtown Ventura and the agricultural museum in Santa Paula are the storehouses for a comprehensive collection of artifacts, photography and personal memorabilia documenting more than 150 years of the region’s history.

The Nov. 9 event is free to the public, however a reservation is required. Please visit http://bit.ly/2ynRSmR to reserve your spot. For additional information, please call 653-0323.

Rotary Club to host 29th Annual Trivia Challenge

The Rotary Club of Ventura South will host its 29th annual Trivia Challenge fundraiser in support of the Ventura County Library’s Adult Literacy Program on Wednesday, November 15. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. at the Wedgewood Banquet Center, 5882 Olivas Park Dr.

The popular event features a “Jeopardy-like” game in which teams of three people compete for trophies by answering a variety of questions on topics ranging from history to entertainment to sports and general trivia. Teams fall into four categories: Youth (under 25), Service Club (e.g., Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), Business, and Individual Just for Fun. Entry fees are $375 per team and $125 for individuals . Spectators are welcome for $10. Hors d’oeuvre will be served and cocktails and soft drinks will be available for purchase.

All proceeds from the event will support the Ventura County Library’s READ Program, which provides free one-on-one tutoring for adults who want to learn to read. The program also provides free books, special programs for dyslexic adults, computer-assisted instruction, second language reading instruction, and family literacy activities.

Additional details and sign-up forms are available on the Rotary Club of Ventura South’s website: venturasouthrotary.org, or by calling Don MacDonald at 657-8194 or Marty Moss 208-9292. Information on the Library’s READ program is available online at vencolibrary.org, or by calling 677-7160.

VMF Children’s Concert for VUSD

VMF brings the joy of music through unique education offerings. Photo by Michael Gordon

The Ventura Music Festival 2017 Children’s Concert for VUSD featured two wonderful programs: Sneetches, with playful music and the delightful Dr. Seuss text, and Saint-Saens’ fabulous Carnival of the Animals, accompanied by Ogden Nash’s much- loved text. It was presented on Oct.19 in the Ventura High School Auditorium.

VMF presented the versions developed for two pianos played by Jessie Chang and Bryan Verhoye of the San Diego Symphony. Lively narration was provided by the Festival’s Artistic Director, Nuvi Mehta, acclaimed violinist, conductor and music educator known for his engaging lectures and programs.

The Ventura Music Festival was founded in 1994 in response to a need identified by the City for a cultural festival. VMF’s mission is to bring diverse, world-class music to the community, provide opportunities for audiences and artists to come together and to enhance the joy of music through unique education offerings.

Educational outreach has been important from the beginning. The Festival’s centerpiece program is Music in the Schools, developed to meet California State music curriculum requirements for third, fourth and fifth grades, and to foster a love of music while enhancing behavioral, social and academic learning. Nuvi Mehta presents this curriculum to up to 3,000 children annually in VUSD schools.

Breeze photographer Michael Gordon exclaimed “As the auditorium filled while waiting for the program to start I was delightfully warmed by the sounds of chatter of so many voices at one time. After the program was in full swing, I wanted to take a few shots from an audience point of view and observed that while the kids were watching and fully absorbing the program there was a fascinating and movement of the audience in all directions from most every seat.”

“Have you ever been in an auditorium filled with 3rd graders? A great experience.”

Ventura Music Festival 648.3146 472 E. Santa Clara St. www.venturamusicfestival.org

 

Ventura College helping our veterans

Ventura County Community College District Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Rick Post, VCCCD Chancellor Greg Gillespie, 26th District of California Congressmember Julia Brownley, and VCCCD Vice Chair Arturo Hernández at Student Veteran Expo.

Twenty-sixth District of California Congressmember Julia Brownley, member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, recently joined Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Greg Gillespie, VCCCD Board Vice Chair Arturo Hernández, and Ventura College President David Keebler for the Ventura County Student Veteran Expo held at Ventura College.

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The event was hosted by Ventura College and the California Transition Assistance Program (CalTap), Veterans Services Division, CalVet.

For more information on the organizations that participated in the Ventura County Student Veteran Expo, please contact Ventura College Veterans Resource Center Program Advisor Bruce McFadden at 289-6060 or [email protected].

In an effort to improve the college-going rate among veterans and active duty military in Ventura County, the Ventura College Foundation is helping Ventura College students who are U.S. veteran and U.S. active duty military offset the cost of tuition through the William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise Program. For the 2017/2018 academic year, the William and Helen Scarpino Veterans Promise Program will award approximately $1,200 to 16 veterans. Applications are accepted until Oct. 31.

Designed to eliminate economic barriers to higher education, the Promise grant encourages students to further their education and reach their academic goals.

In addition, the Veterans Resource Center at Ventura College offers a supportive environment and a welcoming campus culture for all veteran students.

For more information, contact Anne King at 289-6160 or [email protected], or visit www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

Interface works to prevent the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment

Interface board members Terri McGray, Spencer Garrett, Tom Pecht and Kathy Hartley, and Interface Director of Fund Development and Marketing Catherine Kort are “Painting it Purple.”

Interface Children & Family Services’ volunteers armed with purple nail polish, are participating in dozens of scheduled and pop-up events in every major city of Ventura County and adjacent to support Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Month – their most public event was at ArtWalk Ventura. On display was Project Hope Healing Art Exhibit – a travelling display of artwork created by domestic violence survivors, their children and Interface advocates to highlight their journey and healing process.

Interface’s west county regional advisory board co-led by Ojai’s Lavender Inn owner, Kathy Hartley, and Ventura County Credit Union CAO, Linda Rossi, are spearheading the effort with a highly energized small group of local professionals. The concept started last year and with little formal planning volunteers hosted 29 events reaching over 600 people.

In addition to ArtWalk Ventura, dozens of schools, businesses, non-profits and government leaders are participating including Foothill High School in Ventura, Kirby Auto Group at Ventura Auto Mall, St. Bonaventure High School, Ventura City Council and Ventura County Board of Supervisors .

With help from Kaiser Foundation Hospitals Woodland Hills, texting for help from 2-1-1 Ventura County, a program of Interface Children & Family Services, is available 24/7. Anyone can call 2-1-1, text 898211, or click 211ventura.org to be connected with information about all the health and human services available to them in Ventura County.

Founded in 1973, Interface works to prevent and heal the effects of child abuse, neglect and abandonment; domestic violence; family conflict and mental health issues. For more information please contact Interface Children & Family Services at 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite I, Camarillo or at 485.6114 or visit www.icfs.org.

It’s always the right time to join the CAPS family

M.B. Hanrahan, Claire Villegas and Phil Taggart prepping for the ECTV 2017 Art Walk interview.

ECTV, the El Camino High School media program is in full swing with a slew of shows featuring artists, historians and local figures talking about important events and issues. Ventura’s Mayor for A Moment series where outstanding 5th graders are recognized by the City and the Ventura Unified School District launched this month with video profiles of the young Mayors for a Moment from Portola Elementary and Poinsettia Elementary with more to come. Spotlight on Business featuring unique businesses around Ventura is back in action as well. Watch for their interesting profiles to be featured at City Council meetings.

Everyone in and outside of Ventura can enjoy the diversified programming from CAPS Media on cable, on the radio airwaves and streaming on the web. CAPS Radio, KPPQ 104.1 FM has joined CAPS Television (Channel 6 & 15) by streaming programming on the web 24×7.

Now What’s on? Programming schedules are on the CAPS Media website, capsmedia.org. Plus, with a click of a button, capsmedia.org has direct access to live streaming of both TV channels and KPPQ-LP’s station. Listen to the radio where ever you are and tell your friends to listen in. Wake up and go to sleep with a wide variety of programming to listen to.

It’s always the right time to join the CAPS family, learn media production and direct your own show. Orientation meetings are 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. CAPS Radio (KPPQ, FM 104.1) holds classes Wednesdays and Thursdays of the 4th week of the month. Come to radio orientation Wednesday to learn more. In every training session Member/Producers receive hands-on instruction in videography, video editing, radio production and more. All classes begin at 6pm at the CAPS Media Center, 65 Day Road. Once trained member/producers may check out CAPS Media’s equipment to record their story and then book editing suites to craft the story they want to tell.
CAPS Media’s mission is to create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic media. Go to capsmedia.org to see programming schedules, search the archives for past programs, get general info and sign up for classes. 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 www.capsmedia.org.

Court of Honor held at Museum of Ventura County for Devin Kress and Joseph Emmerich

On Oct.14 a Court of Honor was held at the Museum of Ventura County for Devin Kress and Joseph Emmerich both six year Boy Scouts with Troop 119. They were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at the ceremony. Each boy completed the required amount of merit badges and in addition to merit badges, both boys completed Eagle community service projects, both for the museum. In 2015, Devin completed work on the exhibit’s Chumash “ap” and Joseph fabricated six custom made wood benches. The Ventura High Jazz Quartet provided great jazz with Devin on bass. Devin’s proud mom is the assistant to the Ventura Breeze publisher.