Two volunteers will be honored by Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties at the 8th Annual Wish Night gala on March 3 at the Hyatt Regency in Westlake Village. Meredith Garofalo/KEYT News Channel 3 has been named community partner of the year for her dedicated community outreach efforts.  Francisco Bracho, M.D., will receive the honor of healthcare professional of the year for his tireless work for Wish kids battling life-threatening medical conditions and their families.

“Meredith and Dr. Bracho dedicate countless hours supporting the work of Make-A-Wish ®Tri-Counties. We are fortunate to work with these dedicated professionals and it’s truly an honor to recognize them for their service,” said Pattie Mullins, CEO, Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties. Dr. Bracho has worked magic to support our program making it possible for wish kids to travel safely and experience the power of a wish.”

Garofalo, a Santa Barbara resident, has worked as a meteorologist for KEYT News Channel 3 in Santa Barbara for three years.

As founding director of the program for Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Ventura County Medical Center, Dr. Bracho was instrumental in providing a local facility for treatment of many seriously ill children, especially those with cancer. He says it is a privilege to unburden these families with quality local care. The bonus is he can also refer those children to Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties.

“One of my most memorable moments was getting a picture of a 3-year-old wish kid giving the “thumbs up” from the cockpit of a plane, on his way to a special place,” said Dr. Bracho. Several years later, MAWTC asked him to serve as Medical Advisor. “I was honored then as I am now. Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties continues to be one of the brightest lights here in our area.”

Wish Night will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. and guests will have the opportunity to help make wishes come true through Fund-A-Wish. The evening also features heartfelt wish stories, a plated dinner, a wine wall, live music and silent and live auctions. Philanthropist and reality TV show personality Andrew Firestone will serve as master of ceremonies.

Last year Make-A-Wish® Tri-Counties granted over 90 wishes for local children throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. This year’s goal is 100 wishes. For tickets and/or sponsorship information, visit http://tri-counties.wish.org/ or email [email protected] or call the Wish Center at 826-1178.

On Feb.24 the Ventura Breeze presented the Equinox Ensemble Latin jazz blues band at Squashed Grapes (2351 E. Main). The evening was a great success as the standing room only crowd enjoyed the great music and  fine Italian food from Cordello’s.

On Thursday, March 9  the Grand Jury will host an open house for prospective jurors and interested members of the Ventura County community.  Join the current Grand Jury along with public officials 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Grand Jury Chambers at 646 County Square Dr.

An all-volunteer group, the Grand Jury investigates selected complaints that have been initiated by the public.  After investigating these complaints, the Grand Jury issues written reports which include facts, conclusions, and recommendations.

Basic requirements to qualify for service are:  you must be a citizen of the United States, 18 years of age, a resident of Ventura County for at least one year prior to being seated, and have sufficient knowledge of English to conduct jury business.  Basic computer skills are desirable. All eligible residents of the Ventura County community are encouraged to apply.

Applications are available online at the Grand Jury website www.ventura.org/grand-jury, or by calling  477-1600.  Applications will be accepted until April 7, 2017.

Project Understanding of San Buenaventura is pleased to announce its annual Tender Life Maternity Walk-A-Thon. The walk will be held on Saturday, March 4 at The River Community Church located at 889 Santa Clara St. Registration begins at 9:00am, and the walk starts at 9:30am.

This two-mile walk will take participants on a route around Ventura, from Thompson Blvd. to the Ventura Beach Promenade, with a returning stroll alongside downtown Ventura’s surrounding streets. The walk will end at Tender Life Maternity Home located at 871 E. Thompson Blvd. where all walkers will be able to tour the home, meet the residents of the program, and learn more about Tender Life.

“Our annual Tender Life Maternity Walk is one of our biggest fundraisers. Donors, alumni and current residents come together in a community to walk along each other to support Tender Life. This is a great event and really brings the ‘village’ together as one,”says Karen Johnson, on-site Case Manager of Tender Life.

Proceeds of the walk-a-thon will be used to operate Tender Life Maternity Home. For over three decades, Tender Life Maternity Home has been devoted to serving abandoned pregnant women and children by providing food, shelter, and personal growth opportunities in a caring home where “courage meets compassion to build new lives.”  It currently houses up to six homeless, pregnant women, who receive good pre-natal care and life skills training to prepare them for independence.

To register for the Tender Life Maternity Walk or for more information, please visit http://www.projectunderstanding.org or contact Karen Johnson  653-7474.

No ghosts were found during the demolition of Joe’s Crab Shack which was  previously the Chart House Restaurant at 567 Sanjon Road. The demolition is part of the proposed “triangle site,” development as it is referred to.

In the fall of 2015 the Soroptimist Club of Ventura (SI Ventura) decided to commit funds to donate quality stethoscopes to nursing students at Ventura College. Stethoscopes are an important, necessary and expensive part of a nurse’s arsenal of equipment.

Since that first fall semester in 2015, SI Ventura has handed out more than 30 stethoscopes, engraved with the Soroptimist logo, to Ventura College students. SI Ventura is confident that the recipients are off to a good start in their nursing education and will be able to use the stethoscopes throughout their nursing careers.

Recently a group of Soroptimist club members met the newest recipients of the stethoscopes, and were delighted to hear from the women and men themselves about what a valuable addition the donation has made to their education.

The tenth annual community awareness event by Soroptimist International of Oxnard, Camarillo, The Conejo, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, and Fillmore clubs of Camino Real Region will take place at 5:30 p.m. March 8 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Rd.

A community awareness walk will take place beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Red-clad walkers from Soroptimist clubs, abolitionists, prototypes, and community activists will carry signs for STOP Trafficking and support for human rights; the public is invited to attend.

The goal of this annual event is to bring awareness and empowerment to the community, particularly, women and girls, that human trafficking is not just a global problem, but a local one. A panel of three speakers will present information on the current cases of human trafficking in Ventura County and victim survivorship.  Speakers are will be Kristina Fitz, commercial sex trade survivor and mentor; Michael Munn, Ventura County District Attorney Investigator; and Deputy Sheriff Judith Porter, Ventura County Special Unit.

Soroptimist is a national and international service club for business and professional women with a focus on improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. For more information about Soroptimist and the Ventura Club please visit their web site at www.soroptimistventura.org or contact Sandra Masiel at 278-3607.