by Surfrider Foundation

Surfrider is fed up with plastic pollution. It’s ugly and can impact wildlife that we love. Plastic pollution in the ocean typically starts as litter on the beach, streets or sidewalk. Sometimes there are more direct sources. After discovering a new type of plastic litter on the beach last year, Surfrider volunteers traced it back to fireworks from the County Fair. We were happy to work with the Ventura County Fair Board (VCFB) and the fireworks company to ensure less plastic was used this year (2016) and that a more thorough site clean-up process was put in place.  We are all aiming for zero plastic litter next year.

The plastic debris was originally identified by a Surfrider member in August of 2015.   It took a week or so to figure out these plastic pieces were firework debris resulting from the Ventura County Fair fireworks that are launched near Surfers’ Point over the ocean each evening of the annual fair.  Surfrider members began to monitor the situation and collected a significant amount of debris the morning after the last night of the Fair.

The Chapter compiled a report of their findings and shared it with the CEO of the Ventura County Fair and the Board. The VCFB was supportive and scheduled a meeting with the fireworks vendor to discuss ways to eliminate the plastic debris.  The outcome of the meeting was positive and 3 specific actions were identified to eliminate the debris:

1. Removal of all plastic bags and plastic components of the fireworks prior to launching them.
2. Tie off the ignition wire, preventing the wire from flying loose with the shell as it launches.
3. Implement a better procedure for morning site checks and clean-up

With the understanding that the above actions would be put in place, Surfrider volunteers surveyed the firework launch area and surrounding beach area each morning of the 2016 Fair to assess the effectiveness of the action plan.

Very little debris was observed the first few days of the fair. However, a few days into the fair, volunteers began finding plastic pieces near the launch site, at the tide line, and in kelp beds. The number of plastic pieces increased over time and was of concern because they were non-biodegradable, can be confused with food by marine life, and appeared to be increasing in number over time.

Surfrider immediately communicated the findings to the fireworks company and the CEO of the Fair.  The fireworks company was quick to respond and identified the plastic pieces as being from the fireworks and immediately extended their clean-up efforts the following morning and investigated the source of the plastic.

Sadly, because the plastic from the fireworks goes directly into the ocean, we are continuing to find plastic firework debris washing up on our beaches months after the Fair has ended. We will continue to monitor this issue and to work with the VCFB to protect our beaches and ocean!

Christmas joy is once again happening at Assisted Hospice, Ventura.  Thanks to a generous donation from Michael Boyko, Reardon’s Ventura, Hospice Patients will be warm and cozy again this winter.  Assisted started their “Will Anyone Remember Me Campaign” four years ago for their Hospice Patients during the Christmas Holiday.  Many of their patients are in facilities with little or no one to acknowledge them during the Holidays.  Warm, fuzzy Christmas blankets and Christmas Teddy Bears were distributed to almost 140 patients this year.  The staff enjoys distributing these gifts probably as much as the patients receiving them.

by  Fr. Tom Elewaut, Pastor Mission San Buenaventura

Just in time for the annual tree lighting ceremony in Downtown Ventura, Mission San Buenaventura is displaying a new wreath (nine foot in diameter) with clear large and mini LED lights and a jumbo red bow! Weighing 100 lbs. the energy efficient lit wreath is made in two sections and will be visible on Main Street in the Downtown District and from Figueroa Plaza to the US 101 freeway.  The wreath was designed and manufactured by the Holly Workshop division of the Flag Factory in Carpinteria.

The new wreath is a symbol of hope, joy, and eternity besides being lovely to look at…we can all benefit from that juxtaposition the dark news of humanity we hear so much about.  The old 5’ wreath was in disrepair.  Funded by private donations, the much larger wreath reminds all citizens and visitors that the Mission is a focal point of the city.

For many Christians, Advent wreaths, embedded in rich meaning, symbolism and tradition, celebrate the month of December leading up to Christmas Day. Candles on Advent wreaths readily demonstrate the strong contrast between darkness and light.

It is believed that the holly wreath, with its sharp, pointed leaves, first represented the crown of thorns worn by Christ on the cross, the little red berries symbolizing drops of blood. Later wreaths were formed from a variety of pines and firs, with evergreens embodying eternal life.

The Ventura Music Festival (VMF) is pleased to announce its new Board leadership team for 2017.  At the helm is Doug Halter as President, Larry Velasquez as Treasurer, and Timothy Smith as Secretary.

Doug Halter is a well-known community leader, long associated with the VMF and one of the prime developers of the Botanical Gardens. He is owner of Halter-Encinas Enterprises, a local landscaping company.

Timothy Smith counts past service on the New West Symphony Board among his community engagements and is President of Anacapa Insurance Services in Ventura.

Larry Velasquez has been with Rabobank since 1997, where he is currently Senior Vice President/Director of Mortgage Banking Sales.  In addition to VMF where he also co-chairs its Finance Committee, he serves on several other community and business boards.

The Ventura Music Festival was founded in 1994 to respond to a City planning process identifying a need for a cultural festival in the City’s historic downtown core.  VMF has been bringing a mix of world-class music to the community, county and beyond ever since.  The line-up of its July 2017 Festival will be announced at 5pm on February 21st in a special City Hall program to which the public is warmly invited.

The Ventura County Community College District Board of Trustees Chair Larry Kennedy, Chancellor Bernard Luskin and Vice Chancellor of Educational Services Rick Post, all United States Navy veterans, recently hosted a luncheon at the District Administration Center to express appreciation for the Veterans Resource Centers staff at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura Colleges.

Board Chair Larry Kennedy explained his role as Co-Chair of the Community College League of California Veterans Caucus. Vice Chancellor Post moderated a panel discussion for student veterans to openly share their opinions and feedback on the resources available to help them succeed at their prospective colleges.  The common theme highlighted the genuine care shown by the staff at each of the VRCs and the sense of community and friendship from fellow student veterans. The total veteran’s center experience serves as a pathway for healing and as a resource to assist with the transition from military to civilian life.

“The Ventura County Community College District is at the forefront in advocating for student veterans throughout the district and statewide,” said Chair Kennedy.  “We are working diligently in cooperation with the CCLC to secure funding at the state level for counselling for student veterans,” Kennedy added.

The meeting was historic as it marked the first time that all of the VRCs staff, along with student veterans across the Ventura County Community College District came together. VRC Coordinators Johnny Conley (acting on behalf of Moorpark College Dean Amanuel Gebru), Leo Orange (Oxnard College) and Bruce McFadden (Ventura College) expressed enthusiasm about meeting regularly to discuss best practices to advance the services at each center to better serve the needs of student veterans throughout the district.  Talk of a district-wide council focused on the needs of student veterans is also now planned. “Veterans are central to all we do and the majority of returning veterans who return to college come to a community college,” said Luskin.