For 25 years, CSA and radio station 1590 AM KVTA Local News Talk, have collaborated to collect toys and raise funds for the more than 1,000 foster children and youth in Ventura County, as well as growing numbers of additional low-income children and their families.  Last year’s partnership helped generated 34,000 toys and the KVTA radio drive contributed an astonishing $40,378.05 to CSA’s funding of laptops, scholarships, camps, and graduation incentives for foster youth.  The charitable collaboration is expected to serve 1,000 foster kids and 2,500 children from low-income families during the month of December.

This year, Foster VC Kids is joining the historic radio drive to raise awareness and secure additional, needed homes with heart for local foster youth in need.  They are seeking quality caregivers in West Ventura County, specifically Oxnard and Ventura, who can help children remain in their schools of origin and who have space for two or more children so brothers and sisters can stay together for the holidays.

Every child deserves a family, and this holiday season Foster VC Kids hopes that by joining 1590 AM KVTA Local News Talk Radio and Children’s Services Auxiliary (CSA) for their “Holidays with Heart” drive, until  Dec. 23rd, more dedicated families who are ready for the life-changing experience of opening their home to a local foster child or youth will come forward.

To participate in the “Holidays with Heart” drive by donating funds or toys, or by finding out how to welcome a foster child into your family, visit FosterVCKids.org or tune into 1590 AM KVTA Local News Talk Radio through December 23rd.

Ventura County Human Services Agency (VCHSA) strengthens families, supports self-sufficiency and promotes safety, health, and well-being. All of their service areas operate and perform at the highest level to meet the needs of individuals, families, and the community by providing assistance, aid, and protection for foster youth and beyond. VCHSA demonstrates the ability to work in multicultural environments and ensures that policies, programs, and actions communicate respect for the dignity of all people. Visit www.fostervckids.org for more information.
The Children’s Services Auxiliary (CSA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1983, is a volunteer run organization whose mission is to meet the needs of Ventura County’s court-dependent children. These children have been displaced from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or abandonment. The Auxiliary also serves youth who have recently transitioned from the foster care system. The CSA Board of Directors work closely with Ventura County Children and Family Services to identify the needs of the court-dependent children and transitioning youth.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s 32nd Light Up A Life campaign is underway as families throughout Ventura County prepare to honor departed loved ones at the annual holiday Light Up a Life events.

The campaign runs through the holiday season with the goal to raise $100,000 to support Livingston Memorial Hospice services throughout the County.

Light Up a Life is the community’s annual celebration to honor the memory of people who have touched so many lives. Every year, hundreds of people gather around a grove of trees at Pacific View Mall – each covered with stars bearing the names of loved ones, friends and colleagues who are being remembered. This year there will also be a tree honoring Ventura County’s Gold Star Families, survivors of a fallen service member. A similar event is held in Ojai.

Options to support the Light Up a Life campaign range from the purchase of a star for the suggested donation of $25 each to a number of sponsorship levels for businesses.  All proceeds support Livingston Memorial’s Hospice services for patients and caregivers regardless of their circumstances as well as bereavement programs in schools and the community. For more information or to donate, simply visit LMVNA.org or call  642-0239.

This year’s Light Up events are Tuesday, December 13, at 6:30 pm, at the Pacific View Mall and Thursday, December 15, at 5:30 pm at the Ojai Valley Women’s Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave., in Ojai. The celebrations include a Memory Tree Lighting Ceremony, the reading of names of beloved family and friends and music by Rogerio Peixoto and Harmonix in Ventura and the students of Asunta Fleming of The Voice Studio (Los Angeles) in Ojai.

Film submissions are being accepted through Dec. 16 for the 5th Annual Water: Take 1 Online Short Film Festival, which will celebrate winners at an Awards Celebration in March of 2017 at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center located in the Ventura Harbor.

Water: Take 1 aims to create a greater awareness of water as a valuable resource by inviting filmmakers locally and worldwide to submit short films of five minutes or less in any genre – drama, documentary, comedy, animation, sci-fi or experimental – that address the topic of water. Awards include the Audience Choice Award, voted on by the general public with the winner receiving an iPad; the award for Best Student Short Film, chosen by a jury of entertainment and water industry experts with a GoPro camera for a prize; the Grand Prize of $1,500 presented by Ventura Water; and the Ventura Vision Award, which recognizes local films and offers a $500 cash prize.

This year’s new partner, the Palmdale Water District, is sponsoring the Palmdale Vision Award, recognizing films that best represent its mission and objectives, also for a $500 cash prize.

If you’re not sure what your short film should look like, get inspired by watching the Palmdale Water District’s hilarious minute-long film, The Conservation Enforcer, which won the 2015 grand prize.

Filmmakers of all ages, around the world, are encouraged to submit their work (up to 5 minutes in length) via direct upload at the contest site – www.watertake1.com – and must address the topic of water in any genre including animation, comedy, documentary, drama, experimental or sci-fi.

by Dr. Randal “Randy” Beeman

“You do know that outsiders call this ‘Ventucky,’” said the branch manager as my wife and I opened a new bank account here in town. We began to realize that Ventura has an image problem ever since we arrived for our semi-retirement last month. I shrugged off the comments until the low blow came: “We are also known as ‘Bakersfield by the Sea.’”

Excuse me, “Bakersfield by the Sea?” I just spent twenty years – the prime of my life – teaching history to college students in Bakersfield and I am here to testify that though both cities are in California, and both have a common history as working class agriculture and petroleum towns, Ventura is a million miles from Bakersfield in many respects.

Let’s look at home values. For what I paid for a 2 bedroom 3 bath condominium in Ventura I could have purchased a 6 bedroom 4 bath house with a pool on the golf course in Bakersfield. Sure, the proximity to the ocean and the corresponding climate adds a lot of value,  but from my perspective Ventura is superior for other reasons related to quality of life.

Over the years Ventura was the quickest route to the beach from Bakersfield. We would cajole my sleepy children into the can van and within two hours we would be unpacking at Emma Wood State Beach, usually after breakfast in downtown Ventura. My kids would sometimes wonder why there were still farms in the Santa Clarita Valley along Highway 126 when the rest of Southern California’s coastal areas are packed with housing developments.

I explained,  probably more than they cared to hear, that Ventura County has been a national leader in farmland preservation and smart growth policies. Unlike Bakersfield,  where precious farmland is paved over daily and leapfrog development ensures an endless urban sprawl. While Venturans seem to realize that “less is more” when it comes to population growth, Bakersfield’s Chamber of Commerce proudly holds a press conference every time the population inches the city up the list as one of California’s largest.

Culturally, Ventura, though it is much smaller than Bakersfield, has far more to offer in terms of dining, museums, music venues, farmer’s markets, shopping, hiking, and access to nature. Where Bakersfield voted for Trump and aligns with Oklahoma and South Carolina politically,  Ventura has shed its conservative image and votes for progressive candidates and causes.

In my brief time here I have also noted a significant difference that many locals might not appreciate. Last year Bakersfield was not only the most polluted city in the nation, the most illiterate city, and the most alcoholic city, it also led the nation in police shootings.

Law enforcement officers are asked to do tough jobs and they have to deal with vagrants, addicts, and the mentally ill. We live in downtown and we have noticed the Ventura Police seem to be highly educated, sympathetic, and they appear to have high morale. I’m sure problems exist between the community and the police, but the professionalism of the police in Ventura is tangible and refreshing to a newcomer.

If it seems I am being too hard on Bakersfield I will say in its defense that people there are incredibly friendly. I expected Ventura to be more cosmopolitan, transient, and cold like much of Southern California. Pleasantly,  we have experienced welcoming, friendly, and generous people in our first month here.

Perhaps locals need a reminder every once and awhile that you are living in one of the most ideal places on in the planet. It’s not crowded like Santa Cruz not is it pretentious like Santa Barbara. And. emphatically,  Ventura is not Bakersfield by the Sea!

Dr. Randal “Randy” Beeman is an Emeritus Professor of History at Bakersfield College and a recent transplant to downtown Ventura. 

On National Family Volunteer Day (Nov. 19) the South Seaward Merchants Association and neighbors spent a morning sprucing up our gateway to the beach.

They met  the Social Tap parking lot and were provided the supplies and refreshments!

The merchants provided volunteers with gift certificates for their appreciation.

It will be a warm cozy winter for local children and families in need thanks to the Rotary Club of Ventura (downtown), Rotary Club of Ventura South and Four Seasons Cleaners who will collect, clean and distribute 6,000 new or gently used coats and heavy sweatshirts of all sizes to local families. The drive began Nov. 1 and lasts through Dec. 31. This is the 13th year local service groups have come together to keep families warm during the cool winter months.

Collection boxes are set up at businesses, schools, government centers and public parks in Ventura County to collect coats in a range of sizes from infants to adults. Donations are then taken to Four Seasons Cleaners who for 13 years has donated their services to clean each coat and prepare them for distribution to service organizations and schools in the community.

Beneficiary organizations include Boys & Girls Club of Oxnard and Ventura, Project Understanding, The Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, local churches, the county Sheriff’s Department
and Casa Pacifica. “The coats from the Coats for Kids project provides the children and families we serve a tangible reminder that this community cares about them and their well-being,” explains Ben Unseth, executive director of Project Understanding. “Without the coats our clients might not have what they need to keep warm and dry this winter. This effort is one that is deeply rooted in the values of Rotary and greatly appreciated by our clients.”

Last year over 5,000 coats and jackets were collected and distributed to children and adults in the greater Ventura community. The Rotary Club of Ventura will distribute coats at its annual Christmas Party on December 14 where last year over 70 needy elementary school students were able to select coats along with their families. Media partners for this year’s project are 1033
The Vibe, 106.3 SPIN FM and Eyedentity Graphics.

For questions, donations or more information, please contact Kristin Taylor at 643-3800. Information and collection sites can be found on www.venturarotary.org. Photos of community donations are featured on Facebook and Instagram at #coatsforkidsventura.

Are you a Sophomore or Junior at Ventura High School or Foothill who would like to be selected as a local ambassador for a 3 day all expenses paid retreat in the beautiful hills of Ojai at Camp Ramah from April 20 – 23, 2017. The event offers courses not often found in the regular curriculum; including diversity training, public speaking, team building, leadership fundamentals, goal setting, leading a meeting, character & ethics, facilitation, fellowship and creating good habits. Please visit www.ryla5240.com for more information and to submit your short 120 word essay application and parental consent information by December 15th. Email [email protected] with any questions and or you essay. Please note R.Y.L.A. and your last name in the subject area.

More than six months after the establishment of Sacred Stone Camp at Standing Rock Reservation, protesters are continuing to resist the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The oil pipeline was originally routed through Bismarck, North Dakota—a city that is over 90 percent white—but was rerouted through sacred Sioux land when Bismarck residents complained that it might contaminate their drinking water. This rally was held on Nov. 15 across from city hall.