Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Simple Steps to Good Health – June 2016, Food Tips

SimpleStepsLogo

by Elisabeth Mondragon

Start Your Day off Right

One of the best ways to start your day with energy and nutrition is with a healthy breakfast. We know it can be easy to just grab a donut on your way to work or simply skip this meal altogether, but both can grind your weight loss plan to a quick halt. Eating breakfast helps to fuel your body and brain so that you are ready to take on your day. Here are some quick and delicious choices for your mornings that will get you started on a healthy note.

oatmeal-bowlOatmeal
Oats contain beta-glucan, which is a type of soluble fiber that has been shown to help lower cholesterol when eaten on a regular basis.  Give steel-cut oats a try. They are the least processed of all oats.

It may not be instant oatmeal, but steel-cut oats only take about 15 minutes to cook, and you get more fiber with each bite. Eating healthy high-fiber foods can help you feel full, so you can resist eating more food than you need. If you can, try to avoid flavored instant oatmeal which is more processed and contains added sugars. Instead, top off your plain oatmeal with flavorful extras like fruit, a few teaspoons of honey or a few nuts. Sneak in some added protein by preparing your oats with one cup of nonfat milk.

greek-yogurt-berriesGreek yogurt
Starting your day with protein is a must. Protein helps to keep you full throughout the morning so that you’re not reaching for that sugary snack in between breakfast and lunch. Greek yogurt has a lot of bone-building calcium and nearly twice the amount of protein as regular yogurt. It’s an easy on-the-go breakfast, and you can top it off with things like your favorite high-fiber cereal, 1Tbsp sugar-free jelly, 2 tsps ground flaxseed or fruit for a tasty, satisfying meal.


smoothieProtein-packed fruit smoothie
If you don’t have time to sit down and eat breakfast, try whipping up this 250 calorie fruit smoothie. Blend together 1 cup strawberries, 1 scoop protein powder, crushed ice and 6 oz nonfat yogurt and you’ve got yourself a healthy and flavorful on-the-go breakfast. Plus, you’ve just crossed one milk and one of your daily fruit servings off of your list.

Now that you have a few ideas to get you started, try incorporating these into your morning meal on a regular basis. Think of breakfast not only as a chance to refuel your body after a night of sleep, but also a chance to take on your day in a positive way.

Vol. 9, No. 18 – June 8 – June 21, 2016 – E.P. Foster Library events

Not all events  listed

6/8 & 22 Wednesdays @ 6:30pm This poetry performance and writing workshop with an open mic is geared towards high school and college students but all are welcome. Specific emphasis is on SLAM Poetry. Presented by Phil Taggart and Aaron Gardner.

6/9 Thursday @ 7pm Our Haiku Contest was a stellar success! Join us for the reading of the winning haikus and stick around for all the other amazing local poets.

6/17 Friday @ 12pm Presented by the Docent Council of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, the Community Speakers program features lectures written and delivered by docents. Topics will be advertised in the library and on the library event calendar. Enjoy some art on your lunch break!

6/21 @ 7pm Peter Jump will be talking about the effect of the drought on the plants, animals and environment on the Carrizo Plains and Cuyama Valley.  Presented by the California Native Plant Society, Channel Islands Chapter.

6/25 Saturday @ 10:30am in the Rentfrow Room Are you learning Spanish but need some practice speaking? Join this informal group to chat and practice your Español! Bring your own coffee!

6/ 8, 15, 22, & 29 Wednesdays 12-2pm Join us in the library for some stress relieving coloring. Coloring sheets and pencils provided. Available from 12pm to 2pm so stop by for a minute or ten!

6/ 8, 15, 22, & 29 Wednesdays 4:30-6:30pm Come by the library on Wednesday evenings to learn more about our 3D printer and laser cutter—or to use them yourself! Ask the library staff about what you need to bring to print or engrave an item of your own, or just drop in to see what we’re up to in our library makerspace.

6/ 9, 16, 23, & 30 Thursdays 7:30-9pm On these Thursday nights, come join this group of writers as they meet in the Topping Room to share their work. Poetry Open Mic Night

6/13, 27 Mondays 7-10pm Locals gather to play the ukulele on the first and third Monday of the month.

6/ 11, 18, & 25 Saturday @ 1pm.Calling all chess players! Keep your skills sharp with this one-hour, drop-in session of free play. Boards will be set up and ready to go. Bring your best moves!

6/ 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, & 29  Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:30am                                                                                                             A great way to introduce your child to early literacy and the library. Join us every week for stories, poems, music, movement, a simple craft, and fun!

6/9, 16, 23, & 30//Thursdays 3:30 pm Get your craft on in the afternoon. This summer’s crafternoons are themed to this year’s Summer Reading theme: Read for the Win!

6/7, 14, 21, & 28 Saturdays Noon- 1 pm  Paws for Reading read aloud to a registered service dog (sign-up required)

 

 

Vol. 9, No. 18 – June 8 – June 21, 2016 – CAPS

CAPS was there covering Ventura College graduation.
CAPS was there covering Ventura College graduation.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

School is almost out and summer is almost here.  The ECTV students have wrapped up a very productive season and we are so proud of the work they have done.  During the past year, the 8 students have learned studio production, journalism techniques, the art of the interview and post production all the while working as a strong team of independent individuals.  They produced 11 half hour episodes covering a wide range of topics from discrimination and drug abuse to comedy and poetry.  You can find them all on our website’s video page.  We look forward to seeing some more of them over the summer as some will be mentoring up and coming filmmakers.  A lot of the crew is excited about returning in the fall for more fun.

Our Ventura Legacies’ series launched with a very well received episode documenting the Harrison family. Thanks to Suz Montgomery for being our knowledgeable and enthusiastic host.  We have many more episodes to come.  Check our schedule for Ventura Legacies’ regular time slot and view all the videos on our web page.  Do you have an interesting story about Ventura now and then?  Let us know.  We would love to welcome you as part of Ventura Legacies.

Evan, Phil and a team of volunteers along with our production truck are keeping busy with the annual graduations at the college and at the Ventura High School theatre.  All of us at CAPS enjoy being part of these community events.

Ventura Rocks@CAPS with Pam Baumgardner is becoming a well-oiled machine with 6 episodes under our belt.  Last week we had a good time working with Shaky Feelin’ in the studio. It’s quite a production to record a band in a television studio, but with a good audio engineer, skilled camera people, a good director and a knowledgeable host, it is coming together.

On a quick but important note, there are still spots available for the August 1st week of our world renowned Digital Storytelling program. Go to our website for more information. Thank you for sharing our stories with others. We always appreciate more likes on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. View it all on our frequently updated website. Don’t forget the training classes and professional gear we offer. A yearly membership at CAPS is only $25. Go to www.capsmedia.org or call 658-0500 for more information.

The Chasing Tail Fishing Crew

by Amber Hansen

Fishing buddies enjoying the day on the Ventura Pier and the shark that Ross hauled in
Fishing buddies enjoying the day on the Ventura Pier and the shark that Ross hauled in

stuff fishing crew insetThe Ventura Pier is a popular spot for local fishermen and women. It’s not uncommon to see a group of people fishing together, joined by their mutual love for the sport. One man decided to create a more professional crew for serious fishermen. Three years later the crew has over 120 members.

Ross Contreras, affectionately known as “Big Ross”, has been fishing on the Ventura Pier for roughly 35 years. Over the years he’s caught quite an impressive assortment of big fish, including sharks measuring up to nine feet in length and weighing over 100 pounds. He’s a true fishing fan, and is always investing in the latest technology such as the best marine gps to enhance his experience. This love for fishing led to many warm friendships over the years and one of these friends suggested they form a fishing crew. Ross couldn’t agree more and so the Chasing Tail Fishing Crew was born.

The crew had only six members at first but quickly gained popularity. Ross strived to create a crew made up of serious fishermen only. While the crew does accept new members, the new members have a 30 day probation period to make sure their skill is compatible with the rest of the members’. Feeling inspired? Want to get in some practice before applying? why not book a fishing charter with a company like FKF Charters and see what you can hook?

Looking to get an edge on your next fishing trip? Why not use a fish finder which utilizes sonar technology like those reviewed over at Outdoor Empire. They will revolutionize the way you fish.

The Chasing Tail Fishing Crew members fish mainly on the Ventura Pier but also travel to a variety of locations. Some of the members travel south to fish for tuna and there are outings to inland fishing locations as well. The members post fishing trips on the group’s Facebook page so that other members can join the trips. The crew also has an annual barbeque for all of the members. In this way, the group has helped many fishermen and women develop long-lasting friendships based on their shared passion for fishing.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Chasing Tail Fishing Crew you can contact Ross Contreras at [email protected].

Outrigger canoe clubs compete in Ventura race

A leading race of competing outrigger canoe clubs from San Diego to San Francisco occurs on Saturday, June 11,  from 8:00 am to 3:00 p.m. This annual event is sponsored by Hokuloa, a well-established Ventura based Outrigger Canoe Club.

The Saturday race will be held at Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura .

Hundreds of athletic paddlers will stroke races from between five to ten miles in length in open ocean waters as part of six person teams using traditional Polynesian style outrigger canoes.  Racing teams will compete in age and gender categories including a keiki division with kids from 12-19 years of age.

Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club, a competitive sport canoe club in Ventura since the early 1970s, has a diverse membership of all ages and abilities from adults to keikis. The club’s Hawaiian name means Guiding Star and is emblematic of their mission to promote the sport of amateur outrigger canoe paddling through structured athletic programs, races, fitness training, and community outreach to encourage appreciation of the ocean.

Hokuloa hosts a summer keiki program for kids of all abilities that focuses on the basic skills of outrigger canoe paddling including boat-handling, steering, and rigging plus teamwork and having fun. The program includes an opportunity to paddle in both iron and sprint races in the 2014 season!

For more information about the race and Hokuloa visit: http://www.hokuloaoutrigger.com.

 

Museum educates 3rd and 4th graders and is seeking volunteers for new exhibit

The Museum of Ventura County is now accepting registration for its 2016 Chumash Youth Program, which gives children hands-on learning about Ventura County’s indigenous Native American culture. The program will be held at the museum from June 20-24 (Mon. through Fri.), 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All students currently in 3rd and 4th grades are eligible.

The Chumash Youth Program is a junior anthropology program that teaches children about the culture of the Chumash through songs, stories, and games. Students will use traditional methods and materials to make their own clapper stick instruments, stone pendants and plant fiber string. Explore the lifestyle of children in a Chumash village!

The registration fee is $100 per child, or $85 per child or grandchild of a Museum of Ventura County member.  Fee includes T-shirt, snacks, and all materials. Registration forms may be downloaded at www.venturamuseum.org, or picked up in the lobby of the Museum of Ventura County. For further information contact Megan Gately at [email protected] or call  653-0323 ext. 300.

The Museum is recruiting volunteers to help host the nationally acclaimed Smithsonian exhibit entitled I Want the Wide American Earth: An Asian Pacific American Story from June 18th through August 28th, 2016. This stunning exhibit celebrates and explores the impact of Asian-Pacific Americans on our nation’s history. MVC’s presentation will be augmented with art and artifacts that illustrate Ventura County’s local Asian-Pacific immigrant history.

The museum seeks friendly volunteers that will serve as gallery ambassadors for this exhibition.  If you are interested in history, culture (and people!), please attend our mandatory exhibit training class on Monday, June 13, 1:30-3:30 pm at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main. Volunteers are needed for the duration of the exhibit, except Mondays when the museum is closed.

Contact Megan Gately  653-0323 x300, [email protected] to sign up for the training. This is an exciting cultural opportunity for Ventura County, don’t miss it!

Open auditions

From June 21 – 25 , 12pm – 5pm you can create a 1-hour radio show and present it live on KVTA, Coast Broadcasting with Radio Host Lyn Fairly. Expand your portfolio by adding to it a live, in-studio radio broadcast. This is not a podcast over the internet. Radio personality Lyn Fairly will teach you how to research, write, produce, direct and star in your own one-hour long radio broadcast. You will also learn voice techniques including how to record a commercial. Learn how to promote your show and build a fan base. You will get this and much more including approximately 30 hours of instruction and an Mp3 file of your live-radio show.

Acceptance by audition online.  Call 818-601-0182 or email [email protected] for further information. Include in the subject line : Radio Lab . No previous experience required. For ages 16-23.

 

Wheel Fun Rentals renews partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big sister Ashley Bryant and little sister Roselith enjoying a ride at Wheel Fun Rentals.

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 Buddies.”  For the tenth consecutive year, the Biking Buddies program will provide free rentals to underprivileged children and their mentors around the nation.  To date, 1.25 million dollars’ worth of free rentals have been donated to Bigs and Littles.

Wheel Fun Rentals launched the “Biking Buddies” program in 2006 each year, more than 30,000 individuals directly benefit from Biking Buddies – 15,000 underprivileged youth and their mentors have the opportunity to rent products that range from a fleet of unique bikes, including multi-passenger Surrey cycles, tandem bikes, beach cruisers, several styles of low-to-the-ground recumbent cycles, and more. The program is valid at more than 50 locations nationwide and supports over twenty 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.

“This is a great gesture that will bring lots of fun to our Littles,” said Lonna Radford, member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Advisory Board.

“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.”

By being part of the program, these children see “Little Moments turn into Big Magic.” If you’d like to become a volunteer or support BBBS programs, please call your local Big Brothers Big Sisters chapter, or find your local chapter online at https://aim.bbbs.org/einquiry/einquiryzip.aspx?t=2.  To find out more about the Biking Buddies program visit http://www.wheelfunrentals.com/Content/BBBS.aspx.

Project Understanding Expands services

by Benjamin Unseth, Executive Director of Project Understanding

Where is Project Understanding? For 39 years, Project Understanding served needy neighbors in downtown Ventura or along Ventura Avenue. On May 23, Project Understanding re-opened First Step Center and Food Pantry at 2734 Johnson Drive, Suite E, in East Ventura. We have moved for the sake of mission as we offer food, housing and education to give people a hand up, not a handout. We will better transform lives and community by reuniting the Food Pantry and First Step Center, by expanding the footprint of Homeless 2 Home, and by centering client services for western Ventura County.

Our downtown offices created difficulties for clients because the Food Pantry was across town. Each month almost 300 families came to First Step Center to be interviewed before going to Food Pantry. Reuniting these services enables Project Understanding to better serve clients in transforming their lives.

By moving to Johnson Drive, Project Understanding greatly expands the footprint of Homeless 2 Home (H2H) services. Locating on Johnson Drive is strategic placement to work among the largest un-serviced concentration of homeless neighbors in Ventura.

The H2H collaboration in Ventura by Project Understanding and partners has helped create a dramatic drop in the annual homeless count. In 2012, the census counted 700 homeless neighbors in Ventura and only 300 in 2016!

The primary partners in H2H have been three downtown organizations, Project Understanding, Salvation Army and Turning Point Foundation. Because the largest concentration of homeless neighbors is in the downtown region, this has been the best location. However, the second-largest concentration of homeless neighbors in Ventura is the Johnson Drive area, where there have not been H2H services. Project’s relocation allows us to bring social services to this very needy area, including the Santa Clara river bottom, Victoria Avenue, Montalvo, Johnson Drive, East Ventura, Saticoy and Cabrillo Village.

In Downtown and in Ventura’s West End, Project Understanding was highly accessible for Ventura but not for other cities. Now Project is 10 minutes from downtown Ventura, Oxnard or Camarillo, and only 13 minutes from downtown Santa Paula. Gold Coast’s Route 6 bus stops right by our offices. This geographical imprint mirrors our Tutoring Centers, which are in Ventura, Saticoy, Oxnard, El Rio and Santa Paula.

Project Understanding is now ideally situated to serve needy neighbors from all over western Ventura County. Come if you need help, or if you want to learn about serving as a volunteer.