Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

High school seniors win college scholarships from Edison

Michael’s life changed when his mom was diagnosed with cancer.

Five high school seniors from Ventura County have each won a $40,000 college scholarship from Edison International in their pursuit of a STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) degree. The students are among 30 students from throughout Southern California Edison’s service territory who were chosen for their academic success and demonstrated financial need as part of the $1.2 million Edison Scholars Program.

The winners were Juan Carrillo Channel Islands High School, Oxnard, Jesus Contreras Magana

Santa Paula High School, Santa Paula,,Mireille Vargas,Santa Paula High School, Santa Paula,,Gissele Vazquez Oxnard High School, Oxnard and Michael Morrissey Hanson Ventura High School, Ventura.

Michael’s life changed when his mom was diagnosed with cancer when he was 13. He helped care for his mom through her medical procedures and took care of his younger brother. Michael wants to find ways to protect natural water resources and ensure that all people have access to safe drinking water. He is also an Eagle Scout and a member of the track and field team at his high school.

The VC Fusion the season starts at home

The Player Developmental League (PDL) has released the 2017 regular season schedule and despite sixteen new franchises and league wide realignments VC Fusion remains in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The 2017 PDL season will see 72 teams from United States and Canada compete for the championship. With PDL regular season kicking off the weekend of May 5-7.

The first 2 games of the 2017 PDL season for returning Coach Rudy Ybarra and the VC Fusion are at home. The season kicks off for Fusion hosting SFCFC , May 6th at Ventura College Sportsplex with kickoff time of 7 pm.. Followed by a visit from Southern California Seahorses on Saturday May 13th at VC Sportsplex. After that, the “Orange and Blue” will travel up and down California for their next four games.

The final game of the 2017 regular season will be at home against the always tough Fresno Fuego on July 15th.

In addition to PDL regular season games the Fusion will participate in the 2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup for a PDL record 8th consecutive time and host a first round match, on Wednesday May 10th  vs Moreno Valley FC (UPSL) at VC Sportsplex with kickoff time 7:00 PM.

Tickets to all VC Fusion home games are available immediately and can be purchased on Fusion’s website VCFusion.com or by calling the Fusion Ticket Office at 830-8005. Single match tickets cost $10 for Adults and $5 for Youths, but fans are encouraged to purchase 2017 Fusion Season Tickets, which cost just $65 for Adults and $35 for Youths, and include a free VC Fusion scarf. Season tickets allow entrance to all Fusion matches in 2017, including PDL & US Open Cup games, as well as all exhibition matches.

Volunteers needed to give reflexology to cancer patients

The Cancer Program at Community Memorial Hospital is seeking trained and Certified Reflexologist interested in volunteering at their Cancer Center.

The Cancer Resource Center in conjunction with Community Memorial Hospital offers a variety of free services to individuals faced with a diagnosis of cancer as well as providing programs for family members and friends. These services are offered in a comfortable non-hospital setting. The CMH Cancer Center is located inside the Coastal Communities Cancer Center at 2900 Loma Vista Road in Suite 105.

If you have an interest in volunteering please contact the CRC at 652-5459. All volunteers are required to become CMH Auxiliary members and are asked to volunteer at least 4 hours per month.

A one year commitment is required

ACCJC reaffirmed accreditation to Ventura County Community College District colleges

Following the accreditation visits from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), in September 2016, Chancellor Bernard Luskin, is pleased to announce the commission reaffirmed accreditation for 18 months for Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College.  After careful review of the Institutional Self-Evaluation Reports and evidentiary materials submitted by each institution, the ACCJC determined that each college “is in substantial compliance” with Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards and Commission policies for reaffirmation.  An 18-month review of recommended improvements, noted in the evaluations, followed by a visit to each campus by Commission representatives will be scheduled.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are pleased with the findings of the ACCJC,” stated VCCCD Board Chair Bernardo Perez.  “The Board is proud of the hard work the colleges put forth in the self-evaluation reports and look forward to supporting the college presidents in meeting any recommended improvements suggested by the ACCJC,” added Perez.

The ACCJC’s Eligibility Requirements and Standards may be found on the ACCJC website at www.accjc.org.

VCCCD Classified Professional Development Committee receives Innovative Activity Award

VCCCD Vice Chancellor Human Resources Michael Shanahan, Oxnard College Instructional Technologies Designer Ashley Chelonis, Ventura College Classified Senate President Pamela Yeagley and Board Chair Bernardo Perez.

Ventura County Community College District Classified Professional Development Committee was recently awarded the 2017 Innovative Activity Award from the California Community College Council for Staff and Organizational Development (4C/SD).  Ashley Chelonis, instructional technologies designer at Oxnard College, accepted the award on behalf of the committee during a conference held in Claremont, California. The Innovative Activity Award recognizes and rewards excellence in a single, innovative staff development activity or event.  The Classified Professional Development Committee was recognized for the VCCCD Training and Tours program.

Launched in 2016, the program series provides professional development opportunities for classified employees and supervisors on various topics and rotates amongst the colleges, including Moorpark College, Oxnard College and Ventura College.  “Training and Tours was conceived, designed and implemented by the hard-working members of our district-wide committee,” stated Vice Chancellor Human Resources Michael Shanahan.  “It continues to grow in popularity because of the quality of the program, the integrity of the presenters and the support from our college presidents,” added Shanahan.

The VCCCD Training and Tours program includes four program events – two of which were held at Ventura College and Moorpark College, respectively; they covered tips for applying for jobs within the VCCCD, managing student workers and campus safety in service, to name a few.  “The program allows employees from across campuses and the District Administrative Center to come together and share best practices in a group setting,” stated VCCCD Chancellor Bernard Luskin.  “Training and Tours effectively builds employee morale through the rare opportunity to meet interactively and bond.  The Moorpark College event culminated with a tour of the zoo – something many of the employees had never done,” added Luskin.

 

The VCCCD Board of Trustees publicly acknowledged the committee for its success during the April 11, 2017, Board meeting.  “Congratulations to the Classified Professional Development Committee for having the foresight to develop such an outstanding program,” stated Board Chair Bernardo Perez.  “And thank you to each of the college presidents for recognizing the value of professional development for employees and reinforcing the professional culture of the District,” added Perez.

Casitas Rowing makes finals in 27th annual Long Beach Invitational

Photo by Wendy Gillett

Recently Casitas Rowing made finals with every squad at the 27th annual Long Beach Invitational. The race that brought in over 24 different rowing teams from 4 different states is a challenging three day event. The Casitas Rowing kids also medaled in 3 events including a Varsity Girls boat seen here with their bronze medals. The boat included Kaylie Dawson, Jackie O’connor, Rebecca Moya, Lisa Leap and Hannah Hassien. Summer Class signups are at www.casitasrowing.org

Master Falconer Paulie Corry uses falcons and hawks as non-lethal nesting deterrents

Harris hawks demonstration at Aera Energy Ventura location. (PRNewsfoto/Aera Energy)

Local onshore oil producer Aera Energy is taking a hint from Mother Nature to discourage birds from building nests on idle equipment during pipeline integrity testing. The company contracted with licensed Master Falconer Paulie Corry to use a variety of falcons and hawks as non-lethal deterrents for birds frequenting the area. This unique approach uses nature to encourage birds to nest away from operational equipment. The environmentally-friendly approach keeps birds safe and avoids impacts on the company’s operations.

The use of a Master Falconer to deter birds from nesting in oilfield equipment is not new to Aera. Corry and his feathered friends helped Aera during pipeline facility inspection and maintenance work back in 2012

Vol. 10, No. 15 – April 26 – May 9, 2017 – CAPS

Shekinah Franco and Annabelle Augusta working on ECTV’s latest show and the crew is at work producing the latest episode of ECTV.

ECTV Season 2 CAPS media and El Camino high school

The second season of ECTV is on a roll.  The talented videographers and storytellers at El Camino high school are creating another year of outstanding informative and engaging programs for the community.  El Camino High School students are actively and creatively engaged in a collaborative media education internship program at the CAPS Media Center.  The students produce, develop, investigate, write, host, direct, stage, record and edit their ongoing series (ECTV) at locations throughout the community and at CAPS.  Under the steady and skilled guidance of Phil Taggart, students in the award-winning program explore topics that they care about including addressing issues and concerns from their perspective.  Season 2 has included stories on social justice and discrimination as well as lighter topics including photography, travel, the Channel Islands, agriculture, poetry, comics, mythology and more.  The programs air on CAPS Media Channel 6 and can be seen online at capsmedia.org/videos.

The CAPS Media/El Camino high school media education internship program is supported in part by the state of California Department of Education VC Innovates initiative that fosters and promotes career and technical education in local schools.  Cheryl Burns, Principal at El Camino, is very supportive and enthusiastic about the ECTV program.  “Our students are learning career skills in journalism, media production, graphics, production management, public speaking, and art design.  Plus, they are developing valuable personal self-confidence and interpersonal skills including collaboration, teamwork, civic engagement and leadership.”

There’s a lot more going on at the CAPS Media Center this summer including the popular Digital Storytelling program for students, ages 10-15.  Get hands-on training with video cameras, audio recording equipment and computer editing software to create the stories the crew wants to tell.  Three week-long camps are scheduled July 10 – 14, July 17 – 21 and July 24 – 28.  To learn more about the Digital Storytelling program, go to www.capsmedia.org/events.

If you are an aspiring (or experienced) journalist, photographer, videographer or storyteller with a message or story to tell, get involved at the CAPS Media Center.  Anyone who lives, works or attends school in the city of Ventura is eligible to be a member of CAPS Media.  For a modest annual fee of $25 for an individual and $75 for a non-profit organization, the knowledgeable CAPS Media staff will train member/producers in the art of video and radio communication.  Once certified member/producers can check out video cameras, tripods, and other gear for video production and editing suites for postproduction.

For an additional nominal fee, members can learn to create their own radio program to air on CAPS Radio 104.1 (KPPQ-LP). Next radio training sessions are May 3 and 4.  Upcoming CAPS Media classes include new member orientation on May 4th; HD Videography/Camera on May 11, postproduction editing on May 18, and a new producing class on May 25th. All classes start at 6PM.  For more information and to sign up for classes go to capsmedia.org, email info @capsmedia.org, call 658.0500 or drop by the CAPS Media Center Monday 9am-6pm, Tuesday or Wednesday 9am–9pm or Friday 9am – 6pm.

Breeze crew at Earth Day

This is the Ventura Breeze gang Ana and Jaime Baker, Staci Brown and James Gray at the 10th Annual Earth Day Eco Fest presented by the Ventura Charter School  on Saturday April 22 at Plaza Park. They greeted the large crowds all day at the Ventura Breeze booth. It was the first time at Plaza Park and was a huge success with great weather.