Category Archives: Web Exclusive

Friendship Sangha of the Heart hosting free program Mar. 7

On Monday evening March 7th the Friendship Sangha of the Heart, a Spiritual Growth Program of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura (UUCV), will be hosting this special free program. Join us in the Sanctuary of the UUCV for meditation practice at 7:00 pm, the book talk with Timber Hawkeye at 7:30 pm or both. Everyone is welcome! Timber says, “What I love about Buddhism is that it’s not a religion… It also doesn’t require other beliefs to be wrong, but rather strengthens your existing faith (whatever it may be).”

Museum of Ventura County and Channel Islands National Park, host “Tales of Island Life” festivities Mar. 6

On Sunday, March 6, from 11 am to 4 pm, the Museum of Ventura County, in partnership with the Channel Islands National Park, hosts a fun-filled day for families with the theme “Tales of Island Life.” This is one of the occasional Sundays that the two organizations will jointly host in celebration of the Channel Islands National Park’s 36th anniversary, as well as the commemoration of the National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary.

“Tales of Island Life” is an all-day event on March 6 that will celebrate the human history of the Channel Islands.

All-day children’s activities include:

A large “touch tank” that introduces kids to the real sea life that exists on the islands in the tide pools—SEE and TOUCH sea anemones, sea urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers, and hermit crabs.

Meet Buddy, a red-tail hawk (aka Buteo jamaicensis) from the California Hawking Club. The red-tailed hawk is widespread in North America, partially due to historic settlement patterns, which have benefited it.  On the Channel Islands, the red-tail hawk is mostly found on San Miguel Island.

All day crafts:  make fish prints, make a fox origami, participate in an archaeological dig, and make your own Channel Islands button.

Ranger-led demonstrations tell kids about the Junior Ranger program, and kids can meet Tigran Nahabedian, the Channel Islands’ first underwater Junior Ranger.

Other all-day activities for kids include a career scavenger hunt, photo ops with a cutout pinniped, fox or park ranger.

A living history program will be presented that will feature the story of sea captain’s wife, Margaret Eaton.

National Park Service staff will share how they protect the park resources at stations on island fox recovery, kelp forest monitoring, shipwreck surveys, historic preservations, and more. Attendees can ask divers, scientists, archeologists, and others about their careers.

Timed events

  • At 12:00 pm, Betsy Lester Roberti will give a program that describes her childhood memories growing up on the remote, rugged, and windswept San Miguel Island in the 1930s and 40s.
  • At 2:00 pm, Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau will lead a conversation about the past, present, and future management of the park. Visitors are encourages to ask Superintendent Galipeau anything they want to know about the islands!
  • The park film, Treasure in the Sea, will be shown at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm, and 3:00 pm.

The event on March 6 is free for all, as part of the Free First Sunday program at the Museum of Ventura County.  Refreshments will be available for sale from Aaron’s Tacos food truck, West Bar-B-Que and Kona Ice.

 

Martin R. Erickson named VCTC’s Public Transit Director

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) filled a crucial position today by naming Martin R. Erickson its new Public Transit Director. Erickson will supervise VCTC transit activities.

“Martin’s knowledge of local transportation and community issues makes him ideal to address the transit challenges in Ventura County,” said VCTC Executive Director Darren Kettle.

Erickson, a Ventura resident, will supervise countywide transit organization/reorganization studies, short-range transit planning, operation of the VCTC Intercity Transit services, development of the region’s coordinated paratransit plan, the countywide smartcard program, and transit information and customer services. He will also be responsible for management, financial oversight and policy analysis for Metrolink commuter rail and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner intercity rail service through Ventura County.

Erickson’s professional life has centered on Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, including serving as Deputy City Manager for the City of Oxnard. He previously served Oxnard as its Senior Transit and Transportation Coordinator. For the Santa Barbara Metropolitan Transit District, Erickson worked as a Manager of Government Affairs and Grants and as a Planning Manager.

Erickson received his master’s degree—with a specialization in Management, Economics and Politics—from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. A graduate of the University of California, Santa Barbara, Erickson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in History.

The Ventura County Transportation Commission is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available at goventura.org.

Catherine Bojorquez joins the Ventura County Community College District as Budget Director

Ventura County Community College District Chancellor Bernard Luskin today announced that Catherine Bojorquez has joined the VCCCD as the Budget Director.  Bojorquez reports directly to Vice Chancellor David Keebler, Business and Administrative Services.  She is responsible for coordinating the development and maintenance of the annual budget and reporting the District’s fiscal and student workload information to the State Chancellor’s office.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are happy that Cathy has chosen to join the District,” said Chancellor Bernard Luskin.  “We welcome and appreciate the contribution she will make in meeting our reporting obligations to the state.”

Bojorquez joins the District with more than 15 years of budget and accounting experience in education.  She was the Chief Business Official at Pleasant Valley School District in Camarillo, and Assistant Superintendent at Santa Paula Elementary School District (now Santa Paula Unified School District). She also served as the Director of Budget and Accounting at the Fillmore Unified School District and Santa Paula Elementary School District.

“We are proud to have Cathy as a new member of our budget and finance team,” said Vice Chancellor Keebler.  “Her background in education is especially critical in maintaining the District’s mission of responsible financial stewardship.”

Bojorquez holds a Certified Public Accountant license and learned many of the facets of higher education during her time auditing community colleges in Northern California before relocating to Ventura County.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Accountancy, Concentration from California State University, Sacramento.

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series Mar. 4

The U.S. Navy Seabee Museum will hold a Brown-bag Luncheon Learning Series on Friday (March 4th) at noon.  The topic is “More than just roads and commodes:  The history of the Naval Shore Establishment 1800-1941, Part One.”  Join museum archivist Gina Nichols for the first installment of a two-part series on the history of the Bureau of Yards and Docks.  This event is FREE and open to the public.  No RSVP required.  Feel free to roam the galleries as well and learn about Seabee history.

Ventura City Firefighters respond to ¼ acre fire in Ventura River

On Feb.25 , at 1:45am Ventura City Firefighters responded into to the Ventura River Friday morning for a ¼ acre fire that was the result of an unattended vagrant encampment fire. The fire spread through the brush and consumed vegetation surrounding the waterfront and burned towards the train trestle. Firefighters contained the fire in an hour and a half. Firefighters discovered numerous encampments filled with trash and various debris. No suspect was located. The fire was located in the State Parks and is within the State jurisdiction.

March is American Red Cross Month

The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton and is the United States premier emergency response organization. The American Red Cross is part of a worldwide organization which offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war.

The American Red Cross is not funded by the government. They rely on donations of time, money and blood to keep the organization running.

Over the years, the American Red Cross has expanded its services. These include:

Disaster Services – The Red Cross responds to approximately 70,000 disasters in the United States every year, ranging from home fires that affect a single family to hurricanes that affect tens of thousands, to earthquakes that impact millions. In these events, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to help families and entire communities get back on their feet

Blood Services – In the United States around 4 million people give blood to the Red Cross, making this organization the largest supplier of blood and products in the country. The American Red Cross serves more than three thousand hospitals throughout the United States

Communications between Military Members and Families – the American Red Cross facilities communications between those serving in the Armed Forces in important events around the world and their family members back home.

Health and Safety Services – these include health and safety training in wide range of areas. From CPR and blood borne pathogens training to HIV/AID education. From swimming and life guarding to American Red Cross Preparedness programs which help people lead healthier and safer lives.

International Services – these include helping vulnerable people worldwide to prevent, prepare for and respond to:

Disasters, life-threatening health conditions, complex humanitarian emergencies

Volunteer Services – there are various opportunities to help the American Red Cross.

Youth Services – The Red Cross have been partners with the Junior Red Cross since it was founded in 1917.

Nursing – over 30 000 nurses are involved in paid and volunteer capacities at all levels and in all service areas throughout the American Red Cross.

Ventura County Chapter 836 Calle Plano, Camarillo, CA, 93012    (805) 987-1514 http://www.redcross.org

Learn about “twice as nice” volunteers Eleanor and Richard Guzik , who don’t  just spend their time volunteering for the American Red Cross.  In 2000, when Richard’s mother received hospice care from Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, they were so taken with the level of compassion and love; they decided to become hospice volunteers themselves.

Volunteer Coordinator Maddy Hazard states, “When I thank them for all they do on top of their other commitments their response is always that being Livingston Hospice/Bereavement volunteers will always remain a priority because they feel it is just that important.  Such commitment is at the heart of our wonderful volunteers and we are grateful beyond words.”

Learn more at http://www.lmvna.org/about/team-livingston/eleanor-richard-guzik.html

In Good Health,

Gloria Forgea, RN, MBA   Director of Community and Professional Relations

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association

Ventura County Community College District holding Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation Mar 2

The Ventura County Community College District plans to hold a Public Policy Hearing on Accreditation at the Ventura County Office of Education (5100 Adolfo Road, Camarillo, CA), Wednesday, March 2.  The three colleges in the District (Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura) are preparing required self-study documents in anticipation of their accreditation site visits from the Association of California Community and Junior Colleges planned for late September/early October.

 

The invitation is extended to members of the Citizens Advisory Council, students, college constituents, and the general public. All are welcome. The hearing will cover the current ACCJC accreditation standards, reports from members of the VCCCD District Council on Accreditation and Planning, and public discussion on the District’s service to the respective communities.  A brief reception is planned for 5:30 p.m. and the public hearing will follow at 6:00 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served.

 

“This invitation is extended to the public, because the District values the opportunity to share the accreditation process and timelines with our community stakeholders,” said Larry Kennedy, Board Chair.  “We want to provide important information on how we are meeting the accreditation standards to maximize service to our students and the community.”

 

“The District’s Accreditation Committee (DCAP) Co-Chairs and their teams have been working diligently to ensure the District is in good standing and each college is prepared for its accreditation visit,” said Bernard Luskin, Chancellor.  “We look forward to a robust and productive discussion that includes members of our Citizens Advisory Committee, staff and students.”

 

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 113-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 50,000 students annually.  The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities.  For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

 

Public Invited to Mayor Erik Nasarenko’s State of the City Address February 29

Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko will present the annual State of the City address in Council Chambers at City Hall, 501 Poli Street, on Monday, February 29, 2016 at 6 pm.  A brief reception will be held after the address, followed by the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

The address, titled “Invest in Ventura, Now and For a Strong Tomorrow,” will focus on themes related to investing in our community and a proposed sales tax measure.  “The City of Ventura responded early and decisively to the economic downtown by implementing cost-saving measures, eliminating and reducing programs, and deferring much needed maintenance. Protecting our most essential city services like infrastructure, crime prevention and programs for seniors and youth with a stable funding source that is guaranteed to be spent locally will ensure a strong tomorrow for Ventura,” said Mayor Nasarenko.

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.  The State of the City address will be broadcast live on Channel 15 within Ventura city limits, and rebroadcast thereafter. It can also be accessed online by visiting the City’s website at www.cityofventura.net and clicking “Videos.”