Category Archives: This ‘n’ That

Descendants of historic Ventura families to serve as grand marshals  

Members of some of Ventura’s historic families will serve as Grand Marshals when the annual Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade marches down Main Street for the 28th time in downtown Ventura on Saturday, March 12.

The theme of this year’s parade, which begins in front of Mission San Buenaventura at 10 a.m., is “Celebrating 150 Years of Ventura’s History.” The city was incorporated on April 2, 1866.

Leah Kopp has been selected to serve as this year’s Irish Belle for the Parade. Kopp is a senior at Foothill Technology High School in Ventura. She is a scholar-athlete who played basketball for Buena High School until this year when Foothill for the first time offered boys’ and girls’ team sports . Kopp’s duties as the parade’s 5th Irish Belle are to attend promotional activities supporting the parade and to ride in the convertible that leads the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee entry.

The whole county will be turning out in green on Main Street. Last year’s parade drew over 90 entries, including floats sponsored by civic groups, nonprofits and local businesses and restaurants; marching bands; car clubs; horses; clowns and the Biggest Green Pig in the World. There also will be high school pep bands, youth groups and fun-loving adult groups entered in the parade.

The Ventura County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which ends at Laurel Street, is presented by the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430.

The event’s committee is accepting entries for the parade. For entry forms or more information about the parade, visit www.venturastpatricksdayparade.com, call Jim Monahan at  643-4275 or email Nan Drake at [email protected]

 

SPAN:  A thrift store with a heart for animals

Val Bereman, SPAN Manager is always happy to help you select something to buy.
By Gail Field

Inside the clean and tidy thrift store on North Olive Street, the all-volunteer staff happily sells clothing, household goods, tools and more, for a cause they believe in: saving lives of cats and dogs in Ventura County.

The Spay Neuter Animal Network (SPAN), which the store supports, is a non-profit organization offering Ventura County low cost spay and neuter services by subsidizing the cost for low-income and no-income pet owners. There are plans to expand into other areas, such as providing medication for deworming like Drontal Allwormer and subsidizing vet visits for these demographics, but for now, the focus is on spay and neuter.

Store manager Valerie Bereman’s broad smile lights up when she talks about what the proceeds from the store allows them to do for animals. “My heart goes out to pet owners as well as to the cats and dogs who have no real home, and to those whose owners are low income people struggling to feed and house their pets.”

A big problem is pet homelessness. Valerie explains that one reason is that there are not enough homes for all the kittens born. In warmer climates like what we have in Ventura County, the breeding season for cats is lengthened, allowing for more kittens to be born in a single year. By humanely trapping stray feral cats and taking them to a spay clinic, cat overpopulation can be lessened, resulting in fewer cats in the shelters, and reducing the need for euthanasia. Dogs have more predictable mating seasons, which leads to a more predictable dog population. Valerie sums it up like this: “Spay an animal and save a life.”

Residents are encouraged to call SPAN to report the presence of wild or stray cats. Ideally, cats are humanely trapped, taken to a registered veterinary clinic, spayed or neutered, then returned to the animal’s home or location where they were originally found. SPAN can loan humane traps, and volunteers are available to help.

SPAN acknowledges that the task of managing the pet population takes a community effort. They work in concert with low-cost clinics in Ventura County and a few local veterinarians helping with the feral cat population. Last year alone, the SPAN thrift shop, through their funding and volunteerism, facilitated 763 spay/neuter operations. SPAN began operating in 1992 on a limited basis, growing over time to their current full capacity. Since then, they have facilitated over 33,500 such operations.

On Thursday, March 3, SPAN is sponsoring an on-site spay/neuter clinic in conjunction with Valley-Vet Non-Profit Simi Valley Spay and Neuter Clinic. The clinic will be held in the parking lot of the SPAN Thrift and Gift shop in Ventura beginning with appointments scheduled at 9 AM. Look for the large Winnebago, which holds a state-of-the-art operating room, staffed with professionals who care about the health and longevity of animals. The cost on this special occasion is $10 for qualified low-income residents. Appointments are required. To enroll, call 584-3823.

SPAN Thrift and Gift happily accepts donations in the form of clothing furniture, appliances, and other household items as well as tax-deductible cash donations. Drivers are available to pick up large donations.

SPAN is the only all-volunteer organization in Ventura County raising money to spay/neuter cats and dogs for low-and no-income pet owners. For information or appointments, call 641-1170 or stop by the SPAN Thrift and Gift shop at 110 N. Olive St. Ventura. Closed Sunday and Monday. Se habla español.

Insert photo of Valerie Bereman, SPAN Manager.

 

Celebrating our healthy schools

By Nancy Maxson, Coordinator, Health and Prevention Programs, Ventura Unified School District

What does “health” look like in our school district?  If you are a child or parent of a child in Ventura Unified School District (VUSD), you are in good hands indeed.  With a strong Wellness Policy and support from our governing board members and superintendent, Dr. Michael Babb, Ventura Unified School District has a long history of supporting the whole child.  VUSD is not only focused on academic achievement, but also on making sure every child is safe and healthy everyday on every campus.

Starting with a healthy breakfast is critical for student achievement.  In VUSD, every school cafeteria, under the direction of Kara Muniz, Director of Food and Nutrition Services, provides a farm fresh salad bar with local seasonal fruits and vegetables in addition to hot meal entrees.

In the elementary classrooms, all students in grades K – 5 receive a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate Health Education curriculum called The Great Body Shop.  Covering a scope and sequence that addresses the state and national health content standards, the Great Body Shop is common core aligned; cross curricular; and teaches a knowledge, health value, life skill and critical thinking objective.  It is fun, educational, informative and interesting for students, teachers and parents.  At all facilities in the school district, the use of tobacco or electronic-cigarettes are prohibited by students, staff and visitors.

Health Services in VUSD includes nine school nurses, supported by a part-time health technician at each school site.  Our school nurses are the only credentialed, licensed, qualified health professionals in the district. They are a valuable support working closely with schools to keep students healthy and reduce absences.

VUSD’s Wellness Policy facilitates a coordinated school health system that supports and reinforces health literacy through health education, physical education and activity, health services, nutrition services, psychological and counseling services, health promotion for staff, a safe and healthy school environment, and parent/guardian and community involvement.

VUSD is also a proud partner of Summerfest along with the Ventura Education Partnership and the City of Ventura. Summerfest is a free healthy living community event that brings families together for a fun filled day of healthy activities and food provided by hundreds of local organizations.

It is through comprehensive, coordinated school health programs such as those in Ventura Unified that we continue to support the academic achievement of our students as they move through the schools and ultimately graduate and move on to college and career.    For more information about the health programs and services in VUSD, contact 641-5000, ext. 1135.

 

Get involved at CAPS

stuff CAPSManny Reynoso and Jairo Brito on location at the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day parade.

By Elizabeth Rodeno

Our new board president, Cliff Rodrigues is a long time resident of Ventura who has taken the mantle of board chair of CAPS Media. Along with the rest of the board, he is devoted to CAPS Media and our mission. Cliff’s career as an educator, first at Cabrillo Jr. High, then with the Ventura County Office of Education in charge of bi-lingual education and then on the board of the VUSD, offers years of experience in what we consider one of the primary missions of CAPS, educating. As Cliff says “Being part of the CAPS Media board for the last couple of years has shown me that having public access channels is the perfect vehicle for keeping the community involved and up-to-date on what is happening in local government. It is also the perfect platform for the public to produce programs that reflect what is going on in the community.”

So what is going on in the community? Just recently our El Camino Television student producers had the opportunity to cover the Social Awareness conference hosted by El Camino High School at the Wright Event Center. Field production, with its audio and lighting challenges, provide these students even more experience. This is one more step on the journey to becoming professional news journalists.

It’s around this time that our calendar begins to fill up, as if we have not been busy. Just around the corner is The Festival of Talent, a grand event featuring the talented youth of Ventura. CAPS Media has long been a supporter of the event; recording, editing and broadcasting the entire show. Our full production crew features the committed students and volunteers honing their production skills. Go to our website to get a behind the scenes peak at the event and we will see you there on February 27.

On March the fifth, head to Westpark, the City’s oldest park for an open house. Westpark, an important feature on the Westside has undergone recent upgrades and included a full roster of community classes and events. Come out and enjoy the fun, with games, activities and tours. We will be out there filming and taking in some of the festivities.

March the 12 is the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, broadcast live on channel 6. This year in celebration of the 150th Anniversary, the Grand Marshalls will include some of the first families of Ventura. This event has it all, dancers, marching bands, important politicians, and of course the big green pig.  As always we’ll get you up close to the festivities and you can re-live it on channel 6 after the big day.

Check out our new website with all the info you need to sign up, reserve your space in a class and catch not only the CAPS Media productions on Vimeo but watch the channels live streaming from your computer. Go to www.CAPSMedia.org. Thanks to Donald who has work diligently to create the new website.  Driving down Day Road you’ll catch sight of our sign and that means you need to drop in and say hello.

 

Tickets going fast to Ventura Hillsides Conservancy’s 7th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival

On Friday and Saturday, March 4 & 5, 2016, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will present the 2016 Wild and Scenic Film Festival (WSFF) at Ventura’s Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Road. Now in its 7th year, the Wild and Scenic Film Festival offers audiences the chance to enjoy a series of inspirational award-winning short films that celebrate the beauty and bounty of our natural world.

This popular festival, which includes a different line up of approximately 10 films each night, helps to connect the Conservancy’s work to similar environmental efforts around the globe. In addition to viewing films, attendees also enjoy popcorn, food, beer, wine and the chance to win high-end items in a raffle that includes original artwork, outdoor gear, dining-out certificates and much more.

“This year’s Wild and Scenic Film Festival line-up is one of our best yet,” said Derek Poultney, VHC Executive Director. “Audiences can experience the excitement of rowing down the Colorado River in a wooden dory, the expansiveness of flying over Baja California with National Geographic photographers and the beauty of exploring underground caves rarely seen by man.”

Ticket prices for VHC members are for $15 for General Admission or $25 for “Silver Circle” seats. Silver Circle tickets include reserved seating + one drink ticket for a glass of beer or wine. Non -VHC Member ticket prices are $20 for General Admission or $30 for Silver Circle Tickets. The event has grown in popularity to the point that tickets sell out each year.

The Wild and Scenic Film Festival, which also serves as a membership drive for VHC, is supported by donations from several local businesses and community organizations. The Ventura County Credit Union is the 2016 Presenting Sponsor. Other sponsors include: Castoro Cellars, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability, County Commerce Bank, For Your Home Furniture, Great Pacific Iron Works, Patagonia, Poseidon Brewing Co., Two Trees Brewing Co., REI, Ventura Water and Whole Foods.

To purchase tickets, visit www.venturahillsides.org and click on the Events tab. To become a member of VHC, click on the “Donate Today” button on the website’s home page. For more information on tickets or sponsorship opportunities, call VHC at 643-8044.

The Ventura Hillsides Conservancy, founded in 2003, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and providing access to Ventura’s hillsides and the Ventura River. The organization is supported by over 400 members, local business and government partners.

Do you know the way to San Jon?  Ask a librarian.

Ventura 1877 Courtesy Museum of Ventura County
Ventura 1877 Courtesy Museum of Ventura County

By Gail Field

You probably already know the street named San Jon, but if you needed a map or any other information about Ventura, you could very well find it in the Research Library of the Museum of Ventura County.

Charles Johnson, the library director since 1989, makes the case for the library’s uniqueness.  “With over 150,000 resources, our mission is to serve the public—to help them with whatever information they need.  There is no place that has more resources about Ventura County than this library. We house over 300 linear feet of manuscripts, 50,000 positive photographs and twice that many negatives. We have 10,000 maps, 5,000 books, and over 700 architectural plans and drawings. We have an extensive ephemeral collection including such items as war bond booklets and gas ration coupons from the 1940s. In addition, our library volunteers have clipped and saved newspaper articles every day since 1977, when the library opened.”

This year the City of Ventura celebrates its 150th anniversary on April 2. The Research Library is working with the Museum Collections Department, preparing an exhibit entitled “Ventura @ 150: Celebrating the City of Good Fortune,” which will open on April 1 at the Museum and will include photographs, early documents and artifacts.

Johnson has seen many requests come to the library from local citizens, corporations, attorneys, land managers, and more.  “We’ve had such a variety of inquiries—companies wanting information on agriculture, architects requesting plans for renovation projects, land use experts looking to see where the adobes were built and where the walls underneath those adobes still lay buried. Cal Trans recently contacted us about the possible impact of planned highway construction at the California Street off ramp on any important cultural resources. California fourth graders come to our library for their California mission projects.  We’ve been able to give them what they need.”

If you have traveled on San Jon Road, you’ve probably noticed that the spelling of San Jon varies from map to street sign, and wondered, where did the name come from? The museum houses information on street names as well. No one is quite sure about the exact origins of this particular street name, but the Research Library copy of the Ventura County Historical Society Quarterly (winter 1972) devoted to Ventura County place names explains that the term comes from the Spanish word, “zanja, zanjon, or sanjon” meaning “ditch or channel.” The road follows the path of the Sanjon Barranca, which was exactly that—a “big ditch,” that often flooded during rainy seasons.

You already know the way to San Jon, and with the help of the Research Library, you can find a vast resource of even more fascinating facts on our own Ventura County.

The Research Library is housed in the Museum at 100 E. Main St. Phone: 653-0323, ext. 320 or [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Breeze publisher Sheldon appeared on “Girls On The Air”

stuff KVTAOn a recent Saturday Breeze publisher Sheldon appeared on “Girls On The Air”, a live community radio show every Saturday, heard at 1pm on local station KVTA AM1590. The show’s hosts are Traci Mahone, Liz Selleck, Karen Campbell and Deborah Delaney. They discuss all kinds of topics in a conversational style. Among other topics Sheldon explained how, and why the Ventura Breeze was launched 9-years ago with daughter Staci. He stated “I was possessed by an alien from a parallel universe.”

Tech Today with Ken May

What is Linux?

Sheldon sent in this request to me, and I think it might be useful for some of you out there that may have heard of Linux, and were wondering what it was all about. There are essentially two things needed to have a functioning computer: hardware and software. Hardware comprises all the physical components that you put together, and software is all the programs that you run to get work done. It used to be that you could only run certain kinds of programs on certain hardware, but that is mostly a concern of the past. These days, you can install whatever operating system you wish on most hardware, and have pretty good luck at getting it all working. The operating system is the underlying software the provides an environment and interface to make those programs run. Some common operating systems include Microsoft Windows, Apple’s OSX, and various different types of Linux.

The history of Linux began in 1991 with the commencement of a personal project by Finnish student Linus Torvalds to create a new, free operating system. This means anybody can download the code and install it on any hardware they want, without needing to pay for a software license. Because Linus shared the code under an open source license, anyone is free to make their own version, or to contribute fixes and enhancements.

There are thousands of different distributions of Linux, but only a few that have achieved mainstream popularity.

Ubuntu, which is built on the Debian platform, has easily been the most popular version, and is one of the easier to use variants. Before that, Red Hat, and OpenS– USE were quite popular. Right now, the most popular specific distribution, according to distrowatch.com, has been Linux Mint, itself a variation of Ubuntu.

Why is it better? Linux Mint tries to ‘just work’ out of the box, and succeeds far better for the average user, than many distributions that came before it. Also, you really do not have to worry about viruses anywhere near the level you would on Windows, or even OSX.

What’s the catch? Linux does not run windows software. Not by itself. You can install a special program that can run some windows software under Linux, called “WINE,” but this can get complicated very quickly, and no software vendor will support this. Additionally, it will be like learning how to use a computer all over again, since nothing will be where you expect it, from years of using Windows or OSX. Also, please do not attempt to use Linux on your main computer, un less you know what you are doing. It can very easily wind up wiping out your data, if you aren’t careful. I would recommend trying it out on an old computer that can safely be erased.

That being said, there are often local groups that will help you get to know Linux, and how to use it.

If you would like to give Linux Mint a try, it can be downloaded from linuxmint.com. the default version is called the “Cinnamon” desktop.

Ventura Music Festival appoints Susan Scott as Executive Director

stuff VMFThe Board of the Ventura Music Festival has announced the appointment of Susan Scott as Executive Director. Scott served as consultant to the Festival last year and is well known to the arts and general nonprofit communities in Ventura County. Among her other accomplishments, Scott directed the three-year ArtsLIVE project of the Ventura County Community Foundation, served as Managing Director of Theater 150 in Ojai, and was founding Executive Director of the Bell Arts Factory in Ventura which is celebrating its ten year anniversary.