Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Ventura’s bicycle gateway to get ocean-friendly makeover

A high-profile section along the Ventura River bike path will soon become Ventura’s newest ocean-friendly garden. The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) and the Ocean Friendly Gardens team of the Ventura County Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation have teamed up to re-landscape and reinvigorate land at the entrance to the Willoughby Nature Preserve.

The two organizations will host a series of community work days to transform the property, the first taking place on Saturday, Aug. 19 beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers will help remove old vegetation to prepare the area for future plantings of coastal native plants.

Located next to the “Welcome to Ventura” sign along the Ventura River Parkway the landscaping will be updated using ocean-friendly garden techniques designed to capture rainwater and eliminate urban runoff. The project, funded by the City of Ventura’s Community Partnerships Grant Program, seeks to beautify the area and educate the public about the benefits of ocean-friendly gardening.

The new garden will be named in honor of Paul Herzog, Surfrider’s National Coordinator for the Ocean-Friendly Garden program, who recently passed away at age 49.

Ocean-friendly gardens are designed to reduce urban runoff which is the number one source of ocean pollution. Pollutants such as fertilizers, sediment and pesticides that wash from gardens and hard surfaces into rivers and oceans lead to a host of environmental problems including beach pollution, soil erosion and wildlife habitat degradation.

The volunteer work day will begin at 9am with an orientation at VHC’s informational kiosk located along the bike path at the Main St. Bridge in downtown Ventura (Main St. and Peking Streets). All volunteers should wear pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen and bring a refillable water bottle. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age and minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Volunteers can RSVP online: http://www.venturahillsides.org/ocean_friendly_garden_work_day

For more information, call the VHC office 643-8044 or www.venturahillsides.org.

Wheel Fun Rentals to support Big Brothers Big Sisters

Wheel Fun Rentals, the number one recreational rental company in the country, announced it is renewing a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a program called “Biking & Boating Buddies.” For the eleventh consecutive year, “Biking & Boating Buddies” provides free rentals to underprivileged children and their mentors around the nation. To date, $1,280,000 in free rentals have been distributed to Bigs and Littles at over 20 BBBS chapters around the nation.

Wheel Fun Rentals launched the “Biking & Boating Buddies” program in 2006, offering free rentals to Bigs and Littles any time matches are together. Each year, more than 32,000 individuals directly benefit from the Biking & Boating Buddies program. Over 16,000 underprivileged youth and their mentors have the opportunity to rent products that range from a fleet of unique bikes, including multi-passenger Surrey cycles and a plethora of other specialty bikes, to a variety of water rentals including kayaks, canoes, and more. The program is valid at more than 60 locations nationwide and supports over 20 Big Brother Big Sister chapters.

“At Wheel Fun Rentals we like to see children moving, biking, paddling, laughing, and enjoying the great outdoors,” said Sheena Walenta, Marketing Director at Wheel Fun Rentals. “We chose to partner with BBBS because they target children who would benefit the most from mentorship and wholesome quality activities. Physical activity builds confidence and resiliency, releases endorphins, is good for the body, nurtures the soul, and is above all – FUN! We believe every child deserves a bright future, and that starts with wholesome extracurricular activities and good role models.”

“I’d like to thank Wheel Fun Rentals for extending this very generous donation to BBBS,” said Mike, a Big Volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters San Diego Chapter. “Much of today’s youth spend their time inside, off their feet, completely reliant on electronics for entertainment; so it’s great to have a fun outdoor activity readily available.”

Throughout the country, Wheel Fun Rentals supports tens of thousands of individuals involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

If you’d like to become a volunteer or support BBBS programs, please visit www.bbbs.org. To find out more about the Biking Buddies program visit http://wheelfunrentals.com/big-brothers-big-sisters/

Founded in 1987, Wheel Fun Rentals started with four wheel Surrey cycles, evolved into specialty bike rentals and bike tours, and now offers recreational rentals of all kinds from more than 100 outlets in 16 states.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America – The oldest, largest and most effective youth mentoring organization in the United States. The leader in one-to-one youth service for more than a century, they develop positive relationships that have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of young people. For more information, please visit www.bbbs.org.

Surf Rodeo roundup

Pam Baumgardner, VenturaRocks.com, Staci Brown and Jaime Baker from the Ventura Breeze were there at the their booth enjoying the large throng that attended the recent Surf Rodeo. Held at Ventura’s Pierpont Beach it was a 2-day surf and music festival for all to enjoy. It featured surfing competitions, rodeo games and a full-on music festival on multi stages as well as an outdoor street fair.

4H youth affected by Tetrasomy 18p brings market goat to auction

Her summer memories will include her exciting day at the Ventura County Fair. Photo by Amanda Peacock

Amelia Gallardo is a special child. She has a rare chromosome 18 abnormality known as Tetrasomy 18p, born with 47 chromosomes instead of 46, which is the typical number. The 14 year old, about to enter Moorpark High School, raised a market goat with Somis 4H for the Ventura County Fair.

Her summer memories will include her exciting day at the Ventura County Fair Junior Livestock Auction, where her market goat brought in $31,000 dollars at auction. The money raised is all earmarked for the Chromosome A Team Registry and Research Society where it will be used for research into this rare chromosome 18 abnormality that affects families worldwide.

The auction buyers, a consortium of community members and local businesses, bid on the goat in a show of support for Amelia and to help her raise awareness for the rare chromosome 18 abnormality.

“I’m proud of Amelia for her accomplishments, and I am thankful to the people who have chipped in to help support the research that will lead to better lives for people affected by Tetrasomy 18p,” said Amelia’s mother, Stacey Gallardo.

People who are affected by Tetrasomy 18p experience neurological changes, seizures, MRI changes, eyes and vision, ear infections, hearing, palatal abnormalities, heart irregularities, gastrointestinal changes, orthopedic changes, allergies and immunology, growth and bone issues.

Barbara Quaid, Ventura County Fair CEO said “The Ventura County Fair is a place where anything is possible! We are proud of Amelia, and the Somis 4H and we are happy to be in a position to bring awareness to this affliction and the research that will bring relief to those afflicted and their families.”

To donate and for more information about Tetrasomy 18P visit https://www.chromosome18.org.

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Tech Today

Tech Today with Ken May

Backup and recovery

If you use a computer or mobile device long enough, sooner or later something will go wrong, resulting in you losing your personal files, documents, or photos. For example, you may accidently delete the wrong files, have a hardware failure, lose a device, or become infected with malware, such as ransomware. At times like these, backups are often the only way to rebuild your digital life.

Backups are copies of your information stored somewhere other than on your computer or mobile device. The first step is deciding what you want to back up. There are two approaches: (1) backing up specific data that is important to you; or (2) backing up everything, including your entire operating system. If you are not sure what to back up or want to be extra careful, back up everything.

Second, you must decide how frequently to back up. Common options include hourly, daily, weekly, etc. Other solutions offer “continuous protection,” in which new or altered files back up immediately each time you save a document.

There are two ways to back up your data: physical media or Cloud-based storage. If you are not sure which approach to use, you can use both at the same time. Physical media is devices you control, such as external USB drives or network devices. The advantage of using your own physical media is it is very quick. The disadvantage is if you become infected with malware, it can spread to your backups. Also, if you have a disaster, such as fire or theft, it can result in you losing not only your computer, but the backups as well. If you would like to learn more about network device monitoring there are a lot of resources online similar to https://www.thousandeyes.com/solutions/network-device-monitoring that may be able to provide information.

Cloud-based solutions are online services that store your files on the Internet. An advantage of Cloud solutions is their simplicity–backups are often automatic and you can usually access your files from anywhere. Cloud backups can help you recover from malware infections, such as ransomware, as many Cloud solutions allow you to recover from pre-infected versions. The disadvantages are it can take a long time to back up or recover very large amounts of data.

Finally, don’t forget your mobile devices. Your mobile app configurations, recent photos, and system preferences may not be stored in the Cloud. By backing up your mobile device, not only do you preserve this information, but it is easier to transfer your data when you upgrade. An iPhone/iPad can back up automatically to Apple’s iCloud. Android, or other mobile devices depend on the manufacturer or servicer provider. In some cases, you may have to purchase an app for backups.

Backing up your data is only half the battle; you must be sure that you can recover it. Check periodically that your backups are working by retrieving a file and making sure it is the same as the original. Also, be sure to make a full system backup before a major upgrade (such as moving to a new computer or mobile device) or a major repair (like replacing a hard drive) and verify that it is restorable.

The Origin and Art of Chinese Characters presented by Hiroko Yoshimoto

Her presentation included the written history of China.

What began on a single day with a single march has since evolved into a full-fledged coalition consisting of nine distinct task forces, each with a particular issue at its focal point. The grassroots organization Justice for All was formed after the resounding success of January’s March for Justice, which assembled an estimated 2,500 people in Ventura to coincide with the Women’s March on Washington.

On August 12 the Cultural Equity Taskforce for Justice for All in Ventura, presented The Origin and Art of Chinese Characters a lecture, demonstration, with audience participation presented by Ventura artist Hiroko Yoshimoto at the Museum of Ventura County.

Her presentation included the written history of China and Japan and the evolution of modern Chinese characters explained in hand-outs and her lecture. She demonstrated, and discussee the history, and evolution of calligraphy as she drew (painted)examples on the set-up drawing easel.

The event was attended by a standing room (or sit on the floor) enthusiastic crowd who tried their hands at calligraphy after her demonstration and the answering their questions

For more information, including ways to get involved, visit Facebook.com/justiceforallventura.

New school superintendent hired

David C. Creswell has been a teacher, principal and district administrator at all school levels for 35-years.

The Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) Board has selected David C. Creswell, 59 as the new school superintendent. He is the fifth superintendent in the past 30 years. His salary is $222,000 per year.

Creswell has an extensive school background including Fontana Unified School District’s associate superintendent of human resources and the associate superintendent at Fontana Unified. Assistant superintendent in Ontario from 2007 to 2013, an assistant superintendent of administrative services at Cucamonga School District from 2006 to 2007 and an administrator of alternative education from 2003 to 2006 at Alvord Unified School District in Riverside.

In 2016 has was selected as a Human Resources Leader of the Year by the Association of California School Administrators.

He and wife Debra are passionate people helping victims of child human trafficking. For the past seven years, they have traveled to Southeast Asia to help young children who have been victimized. Creswell said he is looking forward to learning about his new community and starting relationships with district staff members, students, parents and teachers.

Creswell was selected after a four-month search that included 51 candidates. Public input was involved and a community panel of community leaders also interviewed the five finalists and made recommendations to the board.

In selecting him Board member Mary Haffner stated “The process we went through to find our new Superintendent was thorough and inclusive. I feel very confident in our selection and I believe that David possesses the attributes and characteristics that will allow him to be very successful in Ventura Unified.”

Pastor Jim Duran was on the community panel and told the Breeze “Our panel was diversified and extremely passionate about the City of Ventura and our School District. The eight of us had extremely stimulating dialog and after two days we were able to come to an agreement for our top choice. I know that each of us felt an incredible responsibility to give the School Board the best feedback in order for them to ultimately make their decision.”

Board member Velma L. Lomax continued “We went through a very rigorous process this time, with interviews by the Board and a Community Panel as well as a written portion and oral presentation. After three long days we decided on hiring David Creswell. I feel confident we have made the best decision and that he will be a great asset to our district.”

Board member Sabrena Rodriguez said “David’s considerable experience in education, the diverse roles he has held in other districts and his stellar communication skills were all significant factors in our choosing him to lead our district. I was most excited by his obvious commitment to the welfare of the children in our community – their educational outcomes and their personal well-being.”

Lastly Board member Madhu Bajaj, President, Ventura Education Partnership “I am thrilled for David Creswell to join our community. He lives and breathes a powerful and beautiful leadership style focused on service and relationship building. And, he sees areas of opportunity to strengthen VUSD by bringing people together for the benefit of our students.”

The Fair is coming

Huey Lewis and the News will be on the grandstand stage at the Fair on Friday, August 4.

Everyone knows kids 12 and under are admitted completely free on Kid’s day at the Ventura County Fair. But this year on Friday, August 4, even grown-ups become kids again because everyone 13 and older is admitted for the regular kid’s price of only $9.00, a 25% savings over the regular adult admission price of $12.00! Come out and enjoy all the Fair has to offer, including great rides and games, food, competitive exhibits, livestock, shopping, contests, headline entertainment, fireworks and more!

“We want to create more value and more opportunities for families with and without kids to be together at this year’s Fair,” said Barbara Quaid, the Fair’s CEO. “What better way than with free admission for those 12 and under and kid’s price for kids 13 and older?”

Many Fair departments offer special activities for kids on Kid’s Day. Please visit www.VenturaCountyFair.org or call 648-3376 for more information.

This year, to add more value to purchasers of our unlimited ride promotion wristbands, each purchaser of a wrist band will receive two free midway game plays with the purchase of two midway game plays during the unlimited ride promotion hours. An unlimited ride wristband is $30.00 and allows the purchaser unlimited access to all rides on the midway from opening until 7:00 PM on Thursday, August 3rd, Monday, August 7th, Tuesday, August 8th, and Thursday, August 10th. With each wristband the purchaser will receive coupons good for the free midway games. Wristbands must be affixed and free game offer is good only until 7:00 PM on the day issued. Midway coupons required to purchase game plays, no cash is accepted at midway game booths.

“Our game operators are offering thousands of free game plays with this new promotion,” said Barbara Quaid, CEO of the Ventura County Fair. “We are unaware of any other fair in California offering buy one get one free games in conjunction with unlimited ride wristbands.” The Ventura County Fair runs August 2nd through the 13th this year but the promotion is only good on Thursdays, Monday and Tuesday. Visit www.VenturaCountyFair.org or call 648-3376 for more information.

Focus Area One: Ventura Business is Growing!

Focus Area One will bring business, jobs and revenue to the City. Photo courtesy of City of Ventura

by Gail Field

Action has begun on a project slated to bring business, jobs and revenue to the City of Ventura. The project, called “Focus Area One,” will expand the Auto Center and create space for additional commercial sites by developing the adjacent vacant area and extending Olivas Park Drive.

“This is a project planned to bring jobs and dollars to the City of Ventura,” says Community Development Director, Jeff Lambert. “The development will provide an integrated mix of automobile sales and retail establishments to meet the needs of the residents of the City of Ventura and surrounding communities.”

The project is bounded on the south by vacant land and on the north by US 101 near the Johnson Drive on- and off-ramps with visibility from the freeway. The site will have excellent access when the new freeway ramps are constructed as currently planned.

“In addition,” says Lambert, “we plan to apply a high level of design standards in order to ensure creating an aesthetically pleasing area that will enhance the entry point for the east end of the City.”

City planners face some constraints in developing the Auto Center project.

Some of the challenges have to do with roadways. The area has excellent visibility from the freeway, but access is constrained by the configuration of the Johnson Drive interchange. However, the site will have improved access once the new on-off ramp is constructed as currently planned. Also, overhead utility lines on the north side of Auto Center Drive will be removed to permit road widening. The lines are proposed to be located underground. The plan also includes improving the signage, making it more visible from the freeway and attractive to destination retail.

Ventura city council member Matt LaVere expressed his enthusiasm for the project. “One of my top priorities as a new council member is economic development and ensuring that our City’s economy is strong. Commercial and industrial space is at a premium in Ventura. Bottom line, we need more of it. A lot more.”

LaVere speaks from his perspective as a business attorney who represents many Ventura-based businesses and believes this project will be a boon for the Ventura economy. “A thriving economy not only creates a larger sales tax base, but ideally, it creates the jobs that allow Venturans to live and work here,” he says. “I hate to hear stories about how so many Venturans are forced into long commutes for their jobs. Not only does that create the traffic congestion we all despise, but it means less time for these individuals to spend with their family or giving back to their community.”

“I am particularly excited about the interplay of Ventura’s auto center and Focus Area One,” says LaVere. “The Auto Center is the number one sales tax generator in Ventura and provides close to a thousand jobs. Together, the new Focus Area One and a strong Auto Center have the potential of being the economic center of east Ventura.”

All in all, the project is set to encourage a stable, diversified, and well-balanced economy, to add to the job base within the city and to create a more beautiful shopping area going up according to plans.