by Jill Forman

Local Author Talk at Hill Road Library

Michele Artiz Smith, J.D. will visit the Hill Road Library on Sunday, May 15^th, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. to discuss her book My Husband’s Keeper: A Memoir. 

Smith takes the reader through the early, middle, and late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. After her husband’s diagnosis, she vowed to learn as much as possible about the condition, becoming a State-Certified Ombudsman and gaining a window into the world of dementia and Alzheimer’s through visiting long-term care facilities and meeting with other families that experience this illness. 

More information can be found on her website: myhusbandskeeper.com 

This event is free and open to the public. 

Online Bookstore update:

VFOL Online Bookstore is putting great vintage literature on sale in April! Hand selected for their quality, despite their age, these selections are sure to bring enjoyment. Also, be on the lookout for seasonal titles for children, new puzzles and of course fiction you can sink your teeth into.

Meet your Hill Road Library Staff

Interview with Veronica Betancourt, Library Technician I

Why did you become a librarian?

I came to the Ventura County Library system in 2021 after 10 years of teaching, tutoring, and college admissions counseling. I was very “burned-out” after working in high-pressure environments with high-pressure parents, and the opportunity to continue working with children and teens while stepping away from the high-stakes world of college admissions was very appealing to me.

What education do you have?

I have a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, majoring in medieval history. I have always loved the process of how history is made and preserved throughout the centuries, so it makes sense that I would end up at a place that is all about books,  especially considering how much of a privilege access to books has been for most of human history

Where were you raised?  Were libraries important in your childhood?

I grew up in Silicon Valley and was really lucky to have had the San Jose Public Library system as a huge part of my childhood. I spent a lot of time after school in the library, and the library was the first place my parents let me go by myself on weekends. So for me libraries are a place of freedom and independence – I could read whatever I wanted and go whenever I wanted.

What is your favorite part of your job?

There are two things I love the most! I strongly believe in the value of non-commercial public spaces, and libraries are one of the last places left where you can spend all the time you want with no expectation of spending money. Whenever someone feels safe and secure in our library, regardless of their circumstances, I feel like we have done an important public service. There is also nothing better than the look on a child’s face when you pull “just the right book” off of the shelves for them! 

Anything else you’d like to add?

Just some words of appreciation for the whole Hill Road Library staff and Friends volunteers for making me feel at home here!

Thursday, April 22nd is Earth Day. On Earth Day, we are called to boldly act, innovate, and implement plans in partnership for the planet.

This year, the theme for Earth Day is Invest In Our Planet. Celebrate Earth Day with Ventura Land Trust by volunteering at a clean up or on a restoration project (upcoming opportunities below), or make a financial investment by becoming a member.

Your membership provides core support to help protect and preserve open space, advance habitat restoration efforts, and fund Ventura Land Trust’s outdoor education programs. Individual and business members enjoy guided hikes, field excursions, and discounted event entry throughout the year.

Connect to the land and to community. Become a member today.
More information at www.venturalandtrust.org

Help VLT preserve and protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty of Ventura County as a volunteer. Ongoing opportunities are available each week. In April and May, you can sign up to volunteer for the Gear Garage Sale (sale discounts available for Gear Garage Sale volunteers!) and the Mountains to Beach Marathon.

Sundays & Mondays
8am-10am
Harmon Canyon Preserve Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project (WHIP), invasive plant species removal with WHIP leaders, Kris and Terri.

Wednesdays
10am-2pm
Willoughby Preserve cleanup & restoration with Land Steward Katie Daniels

Fridays
10am-2pm
Big Rock Preserve/Westside preserve restoration with Land Steward Katie Daniels

Michael Gordon

For several years the Great Horned Owls did not return to the nest at the Olivas Adobe, they have now returned. I took my student out to the park and we climbed up the stairs and spent an hour or more photographing Olivia and her newest fledgling. 

While at Thornhill Broome beach, near Point Mugu Bill Kuel (and wife) took this photo of hundreds of cairns (that’s what they are called) set up along the rocks at the beach.

On Thursday May 5th, approximately forty 7th-12th-grade students from Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) will be presenting their environmental business proposals to a panel of judges. Students had the option of choosing a project from 4 categories: water conservation, energy efficiency, waste reduction at their school campuses, or to inform their communities about the benefits of removing the relic Matilija Dam from the Ventura River. The event will take place at the Museum of Ventura County, in downtown Ventura, from 4 -7 pm. The keynote speaker for the event is Chipper Bro, Entrepreneur, Environmental Advocate, and professional Surfer.

The event will begin with the 50 finalist teams presenting to a panel of judges who will rank the proposals based on merit and cost effectiveness. After presentations, the Ventura Unified School District will award cash or in-kind prizes to the young authors with the top environmental business proposals in each category. The EECCOA Challenge Awards Ceremony is the culmination of the 9 month-long Ventura Action Network (V-RAN) Program administered by VUSD in partnership with the MERITO Foundation. The following schools are participating in the 2021-2022 V-RAN program: Buena High School, Anacapa Middle School, Ventura High School, Foothill High School; Balboa Middle School, Cabrillo Middle School; and Sunset K-8.

In addition to the EECCOA Challenge, the Ventura Action Network (V-RAN) Program provides professional development field training, webinars, science curriculum and stipends to science teachers, as well as, environmental monitoring experiences for their 600-750 middle and high school students at Ventura River watershed and the coast.

The MERITO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Ventura, CA, dedicated to protecting the ocean by facilitating education, conservation and scientific research opportunities to multicultural youth and their communities.

The EECCOA Challenge empowers students to be environmental entrepreneurs by providing them with the tools to understand climate change, ocean acidification, drought and wildfires and address these issues with money saving project proposals for their school campuses. Students are also given the option to develop awareness campaigns that inform and involve their communities.

by Anna Deavere Smith

Powerful, illuminating and moving, this “masterpiece” (Newsweek) looks at the L.A. Riots of 1992 (sometimes called the L.A. Uprising or Rebellion), through the eyes of 36 characters of different characters who shared their stories with creator Anna Deavere Smith. The production won Obie, Drama Desk, Theatre World and Outer Critics Circle Awards on Broadway. The production premieres on the 30th anniversary of the day the verdict was announced in an East Ventura County courtroom in the Rodney King Trial, triggering the LA. Riots – one of the largest social explosions of the 20th century. Twilight goes directly to the heart of issues of race and class and is equal parts meticulously researched reportage and a stirring cry for reform.

Starring Chris Butler

Directed by Chris Butler and Jenny Sullivan

Previews:

Wednesday, April 27 & Thursday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Opens:

Friday, April 29 at 8:00 p.m. (the 30th Anniversary of the L.A. Riots)

Runs:

Friday, April 29– Sunday, May 15, 2022

Performances are Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (Talkback following), Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.; Fridays at 8:00 p.m.; Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

Ticket Prices range from $30.00 – $79.50

Rubicon Theatre Company
1006 E. Main Street in Ventura (at Laurel)

For tickets – visit www.rubicontheatre.org or call (805) 667-290

The Ventura VFW Post serves all branches of the US Military, local veterans and community. The Post is a 501(c)(19) non-profit organizaNon. IRS #95-2425319.

Approximately 300 former Combat Veterans are members at the Ventura Post. “Friday Dinners” are served to members and guests every Friday 1730 – 1900 (5:30pm-7pm). Menus and prices change from week-to-week (Lasagna, Tri Tip, Rib Eye Steak & More) and start at only $12 for entree plate plus salad, dinner rolls and dessert. Full Bar offerings are also available.

Event Hall available to rent for a donation starting at $400 on up depending on activity:

Event Hall is 2,800sf for up to 250 guests 1,400sf Dining Room

Support your Local Vets by supporting Post 1679. All donations are welcome. For more information contact House Committee Chairman, Wally Valentine.

3801 Market Street, Ventura, (805) 642-2674. VFW1679.com [email protected].

On Friday, April 8, Community Memorial Health System Board of Trustees Chair Richard R. Rush, together with Gary K. Wilde, announced Wilde’s plans to retire from his role as President & CEO of the health system later this year.

“Gary is an outstanding individual whose vision has helped build an incredible foundation for the future of Community Memorial Health System,” said Rush. “His experience and compassion are unmatched, and while we are sad to see him go, we are exceedingly proud of the work he has done in his tenure at Community Memorial Health System.”

Wilde, who joined Community Memorial Health System as President & CEO in 2004, led the organization through some of its most significant milestones, including the merger of Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital to form Community Memorial Health System in 2005. Since then, Wilde successfully oversaw the planning, funding and construction of the new 250-bed Community Memorial Hospital which opened in December 2018, as well as the Continuing Care Center – a 75-bed, state-of-the-art skilled nursing facility located on the campus of Ojai Valley Community Hospital thatopened in July 2020.

In addition to his role as President & CEO of Community Memorial Health System, Wilde served as Chair of the California Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees in 2020, playing an instrumental role in the COVID-19 pandemic response at the city, county, and state levels.

“It has been an honor to work with the dedicated physicians and staff at Community Memorial Health System for these past 18 years and I am incredibly grateful for the support from our community over the years,” said Wilde. “While I will continue to lead the organization over the next several months, I am looking forward to possibly teaching, going on humanitarian missions, and spending more time with my family.”

The Community Memorial Health System Board of Trustees has hired the nationally recognized recruiting firm, Witt Kieffer, to lead the search for, and consideration of, internal and external candidates to succeed Wilde as President & CEO. Wilde intends to continue leading the health system until a successor is selected and on-boarded. This process is expected to be complete by Fall 2022.