CMH’s Dedrick awarded Breastfeeding Coalition’s Liquid Gold Award

health CMH

CMH’s Sheila Dedrick recognized by the Breastfeeding Coalition of VenturaCounty

Community Memorial Hospital’s new Parent Resource Center Coordinator Sheila Dedrick has been recognized as a professional in the community working to support breastfeeding families by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County.

The BCVC honored Dedrick with its 2015 Liquid Gold Award during an award ceremony held at the Ventura County Board of Supervisors meeting on July 28. The award was conceptualized in 2014 and presented to Dr. Abhay Vaidya of West Coast Ear, Nose and Throat. The Liquid Gold Award is an annual recognition by the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County to an individual who has made a difference in the lives of families and our community by supporting breastfeeding through resources, education, services and networking.

“We are extremely proud of Sheila for this achievement, hard work, dedication in serving the needs of our patients,” said Megan Meeker, Director of Maternal Child Health.

Dedrick brings a wealth of knowledge to her role and a warm, caring compassion and dedication.  She helps hundreds of new moms and babies each year discover the joy of breastfeeding. She has championed the evolution of lactation care at CMH and has supported and mentored countless nurses in their pursuit of lactation certification. Dedrick provided leadership and expertise to the Breastfeeding Coalition of Ventura County from 2006-2014. Sheila is a champion and advocate for breastfeeding and works tirelessly to envision the goal of “Every Baby Breastfed.”

For more information about the New Parent Resource Center at Community Memorial Hospital visit www.cmhshealth.org/mch.

Vol. 8, No. 23 – August 19 – September 1, 2015 – Forever Homes Wanted

scamp to adopt CARLHi: I’m Leonardo a 1 year old Greyhound/Saluki X according to the shelter I was rescued from. People think I look more of a Shepherd X. Whatever breed I am I’m a lovable boy with crazy ears.

I’m a sweet boy, but I have not had much life experiences, so was quite scared when I first arrived. I’m quickly getting the hang of things and I’m very responsive. I’m good with older children as long as they are nice. I haven’t been cat tested, yet, but they suspect I will be fine. I love to play, but have a soft mouth and I give sweet kisses. I love being with the other dogs and anyone I’m bonded to.

Come on down to meet me. You’re sure to fall in love and want to make me a part of your family.

 

scamp to adopt VCAS

Moe is a very sweet Chihuahua. We don’t know anything about her history, but we think her future could be bright in your home. VCAS – Camarillo location, 600 Aviation Drive

Vol. 8, No. 23 – August 19 – September 1, 2015 – Opinion/Editorial

SheldonPicIn a recent article, I stated “…and speaking of the bible, I thought it was pretty impressive launching a paper while in my seventies, but Noah built a 40 foot boat, with 3 levels when he was 630 years old. And without power tools. What a show-off.” There was a typo, any 630-year old could build a forty foot boat, but Noah built a 400 foot boat. I assume that giraffes were on the supper open deck. And some people would think some dinosaurs as well. I’m really sad to see Ann Deal and her firm, Fashion Forms, moving to Austin. Ventura lost employees, taxes and one of the very large contributors to our local arts and culture scene. She will be missed. Luckily, we still have some wonderful contributors living here.

Another great reason to live in Ventura is that, within 30 minutes, camping is available at several locations, and these sites are right on the water. We just spent 3-days camping (if that what it is called when in an RV) at Emma Woods, which is about 5-10 minutes from Ventura. Ventura is indeed a great place to live.

How’s this for some tech support? My HP printer was not working properly, and after about 30-minutes on the phone with their tech person, he told me my printer was history and I needed to buy a new one (he also gave me prices for new units). So I unplug it for the night, so I can buy a new one the next day. The next morning I plugged it back in, out of curiosity, and it worked just fine andhas continued to work ever since.

I think that our TV mentality has taken over the Republican Party. What other explanation is there for Donald Trump to be the leading candidate except that some people think that politics is now a reality TV show. I heard one supporter say, “I don’t believe in anything that he is saying but I would vote for him for having the courage to say it.” Great criteria for voting for our president. His first proclamation as president might be, “We are building the Great Wall of America.”

My home water usage was down 21% from last year’s same billing period. I think that is about as good as my wife and I (and Scamp) can do. How are you doing with your reduction?

If your water has had the smell and taste of alfalfa, it is coming from Lake Casitas. The water is safe to drink, but I can’t imagine anyone drinking it. Maybe it would add a new taste to pasta. This is a yearly occurrence as algae blooms when the weather warms up. Officials assure us that the water is treated and meets all requirements to be drinking water. You can call them if you have questions or concerns at 649-2251.

I am very proud of the Ventura City Council’s recent action to defer approval of a proposed city grading ordinance. Although well intended, the ordinance sets the conditions for when a grading permit is required, but goes much too far. The ordinance would require residents to be notified within a 300 foot radius of any proposed grading, which is fine. The Council is in general agreement with the proposed ordinance but, as was pointed out by a few speakers, it would have too large an impact on smaller properties and minor grading projects. For instance, if passed, it would have required a grading permit and soil reports for any retaining wall project over 3-foot high, which could add thousands of dollars, and added time, to minor residential projects. A few years ago, a homeowner did extensive grading without securing any permits, which, of course, upset his neighbors. It was not very clear with the existing ordinances if a permit was required, which was the catalyst for a new ordinance to clearly define when a permit is required. The Council requested staff to take a closer look at the ordinance and bring it back for re-review at a future date. Staff will receive more input and recommendations from contractors, building associations and the public.

The homeless issue remains a huge problem in Ventura. Solutions are usually very expensive and not affordable by smaller cities. Los Angeles City and County are combining to expand homeless outreach teams on Skid Row with the hope of reducing the homeless population there by 25%. Between city and county, funds of about $400,000 are available to get the program started. The new program will include mental health, medical, and substance abuse professionals. It is estimated that about one-third of the homeless are mentally ill.

The LA County Board of Supervisors has also approved the building of a state-of-the art jail focused on housing the mentally ill and providing mental health treatment. Mentally ill represent about 20% of the inmate population. Locally, there will not be a inter shelter available that will serve the homeless. The Army National Guard Armory, run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, will not be available because the Society has decided that their time and money should be spent on other more permanent solutions. Without the their support, the armory is too expensive to use.

Both Oxnard and Ventura are both looking for a new location for a winter shelter. Several locations that have been considered would not work because of zoning laws – even when located in industrial areas. Peter Brown, who is now the homeless coordinator for both Oxnard and Ventura, is actively trying to solve this problem. He is seeking a location and funding, with a possible source for funding being FEMA.

 

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”

– George Bernard Shaw

Ventura Friends of the Library poster contest

The Ventura Friends of the Library are sponsoring a poster contest for the City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary Celebration, April 2, 2016.  The contest is open to all youths who live or go to school in the city of Ventura ages 6 to 18.  Each child who enters a valid submission will receive a Ventura Friends of the Library Bookmark and have their work displayed at the 2016 Ventura County Fair.

The winning posters will artistically and colorfully illustrate the city of Ventura and promote the city’s 150th anniversary.  They may represent any period in the city’s history.

Entrants must submit original, two-dimensional works of art created by themselves. Entries may not include lettering, clip art, copyrighted material or any registered trademark or logo. Do not include the city name, logo or lettering in the original artwork as it will be inserted in production.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. If the entrant is under 18 as of October 16, a parent or legal guardian must sign the entry form.

All entries must be submitted on 11-inch-wide by 17-inch-high paper—no newsprint. Entries received on a different size paper or in the wrong orientation will be disqualified.

The entrant’s name, address, phone number and age as of October 16, 2015 must be legibly written on the back of the poster. Entries must be hand carried to the E.P. Foster, Avenue or Saticoy Libraries during library hours.

Deadline for submissions is October 16, 2015 at 5:00 p.m.  Late entries will not be accepted. A signed official entry form must be included.

A panel of five independent jurors will select the winners in three age groups: 6 to 9; 10 to 13, and 14 to 18. 1st Place Grand Prize $150.  1st Place runners up in the remaining two age groups $100, 2nd Place $75, 3rd Place $50.

For more information [email protected] and please type “Contest” in the subject line.  To  obtain an entry form  www.sanbuenaventurafriendsofthelibrary.org.

Vol. 8, No. 23 – August 19 – September 1, 2015 – Two on the Aisle

Little Shop filled with big delights
by Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine

This month the rafters at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center are rocking as the Actors Repertory Company of Simi (ACTS) presents the classic sci-fi rock musical Little Shop of Horrors.  But this production is anything but a horror.  It is filled with big delights.

Based on the cult classic movie with some slight differences, the popular musical is both an engaging spoof and a tribute to sci-fi movies of the 1950s where an alien life form arrives to take over the earth. In Little Shop the visitor is a tiny plant.  It is discovered by Seymour, a budding wannabe horticulturist who works as a go-fer in Mr. Mushnik’s skid row flower shop. The shop’s sales clerk is Audrey, a winsome platinum blonde with an inferiority complex and an abusive dentist boyfriend.

Renamed Audrey II by Seymour after his secret love, the plant begins to grow after tasting a drop of blood when Seymour accidentally pricks his finger. As long as Audrey II receives nourishment she continues to grows, and both the shop and Seymour are blessed with increasingly unusual good fortune, until….

All the actors turn in delightfully polished performances. As the hapless Seymour, Bob Moran is endearingly earnest.  Jen Ridgway, as Audrey, is appropriately ditzy. Martin Feldman’s portrayal of the stingy and self-absorbed shop owner, Mushnik, is as a crusty but lovable curmudgeon.  Nicholas Ferguson is up to the challenges of his multiple roles.

The biggest delight is the vocal talent of the entire cast. Ridgway has a powerful, clear voice uniquely suited to musical theatre.  Moran matches her clarity. Feldman’s experience and training are strongly evident.

Much of the action is propelled by a circa-1960s female trio of do-wop singers – Jennifer Sun Bell, Saundra Agababyan and Kyle Green. Each displays remarkable vocal ability, individually and as part of the trio’s balanced blend.  In addition to their vocal contributions, each plays a definable character with style and attitude. A plentitude of costumes changes make them even more fun to watch.

Kudos are also due to Bailey Ramirez and George Chavez II as the operator and voice, respectively, of Audrey II.

Musical direction is under the baton of Matthew Park.  The creative choreography provided by Rebecca Castells heightens the action and compliments the direction of Davis Daniels.  The winged set is used effectively to highlight both the flower shop interior and the street outside.

Rock music is renowned for being loud. While the singers need and have personal body microphones, in our view feathering down on the overall vocal amplification would enhance the experience at this venue.  At times we found the sound volume and decibel intensity almost painful.

Little Shop of Horrors, presented by the Actors Repertory Company of Simi, plays until August 30 at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Show times: 8 p.m.-Fridays and Saturdays. 2 p.m.-Sundays. Tickets: General-$25/60+ & Students-$22/under 13-$18.   583-7900. On line at www.simi-arts.org.

Ventura Council for Seniors

The Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS) meets at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC) on the third Wednesday of every month from 9:30-11am. This organization is designed to provide a forum to discuss issues and initiatives and to develop recommendations for City Council consideration. The VCS is designated by the Ventura City Council as the representative organization of all seniors in the City of Ventura. They meet monthly to consider and gather input on local issues important to all seniors. Please come to network and contribute valuable information with your peers.

The Ventura Avenue Adult Center is located at 550 N. Ventura Ave. Parking is available onsite.

 

 

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura Back-to-School Fundraiser is raising funds to provide support to students from Title I schools in Ventura.  Donations will provide school supplies, music books, instruments, and the ability for the Symphony to enroll more students who are currently on the waiting list for the Harmony Project program.

The Symphony is trying to reach its goal of $10,000 by August 31. Donations are being accepted through a Fundly online campaign at www.fundly.com/harmony-project-1. Supporters may also call the New West Symphony office at 805-435-2778.

The New West Symphony Harmony Project of Ventura County is a youth empowerment program that uses music instruction as a tool for social change.

The program currently has 120 students who are enrolled in grades 3 through 7, with 40 more on the waiting list.  It costs about $1,500 per child each school year and is made possible by donors like you!

harmony200

Vol. 8, No. 23 – August 19 – September 1, 2015 – Police Reports

police MoralesSexual Abuse
On the 7th of December, 2014, VPD Dispatch received a report of lewd conduct with a child that occurred in the 800 Block of North Ventura Avenue. A juvenile victim reported to a patrol officer that a man who was known to the victim and his family had sexually assaulted him. The victim was playing outside his house when the suspect picked him up and took him into another residence, where the assault occurred. The suspect was known to the victim as, “Don Pepe.”

Ventura Police detectives began a follow up investigation and identified the suspect as Jose Morales. Once the evidence was fully processed, the results further supported the victim’s statement.

On Tuesday, August 8th, Jose Morales was arrested by the VPD in the 200 Block of East Main Street and booked at the VC Jail.

Vehicle Pursuit
On Tuesday, August 4th, at 2:50 p.m., detectives with the VPD Street Crimes Unit developed information about a wanted subject, Robert Reeves, in the 1200 block of Meta Street. VPD observed a vehicle, driven by Donald Reyes, arrive and pick up Reeves. As the officers attempted to stop this vehicle it fled at a high rate of speed.

The vehicle drove recklessly to the residential area of Channel Drive and Evergreen Drive. Officers lost sight of the vehicle and set up a perimeter.

At  3:06 p.m., residents on Borchard Drive reported seeing a suspicious male running through yards and was last seen jumping into a backyard in the 2600 block of Ocean Avenue. Officers found the suspect driver, Reyes, attempting to hide in the back yard. Reyes was taken into custody without further incident.

Officers located Reeves and a second subject, Rocky Mattley hiding in a converted garage at a residence in the 3800 block of Paloma Drive. Both were taken into custody without further incident. Reyes, Reeves, and Mattley were booked.

Two handguns were located in the garage where Reeves and Mattley were found and additional charges are pending.

Recovered Stolen Vehicle
On Sunday, August 9th, at 3:47 p.m., a patrol officer was driving in the 2600 block of Thompson Boulevard when he observed a suspicious vehicle near the Wendy’s restaurant. The officer went to contact the driver of the vehicle, Estrella Martinez, who had parked and fled from the vehicle before the officer was able to make contact with her. She was located outside of the restaurant and identified by the officer as being the driver. The investigation revealed that the vehicle had been reported stolen earlier in the day from Port Hueneme and had different license plates on the vehicle.

Martinez was arrested and booked into the VC Jail. The vehicle was impounded.

Possession of a Loaded Firearm
On Sunday, August 9th, at 7:46 p.m., a patrol officer observed a vehicle occupied by several subjects who were acting suspicious. The vehicle also had expired registration.  The officer activated his emergency lights to initiate a traffic stop and as the vehicle came to a stop near the corner of Center Street and Ventura Avenue, one of the vehicle’s occupants, later identified as a 17-year-old male juvenile, exited the vehicle and fled.  The vehicle quickly accelerated away from the area. The officer, and a second back up officer, chased the male juvenile and observed him throw an object onto a nearby rooftop.  After a brief foot pursuit, the juvenile was caught and detained.

Officers searched the rooftop and found a loaded handgun. The male juvenile was arrested and lodged into juvenile hall.

Robbery
On Wednesday, August 12th, at 12:13 a.m., the VPD received a call from a victim reporting a stabbing.

Officers arrived and learned the victims, Christopher Cabrey and Sean Wachman, were leaving the Circle K store at the corner of Main Street and Laurel Street when two male suspects, white males in their twenties, confronted them. The suspects demanded the victims’ money and property and then attacked Cabrey and Wachman. The suspects fled the area. During the attack, Cabrey was stabbed. Officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspects.

Cabrey was transported to the VCMC and received treatment for a serious, but non-life threatening stab wound. Wachman was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Stabbing with Arrest
On Wednesday, August 12th, at 4:32 p.m., the VPD received a call from Sage Ford. Ford said he had been stabbed and beaten while he was at Plaza Park, and after the incident, he fled from the park to a nearby street where he called. Officers responded to the 200 block of South Laurel Street where they found Ford and confirmed he had been stabbed and beaten.

Officers located the suspect, Derrick Dawson, at Plaza Park and detained him. Dawson had stabbed and beaten Ford because he had caused a disturbance earlier in the day at the park with one of the Dawson’s friends.

Dawson was transported to VC Jail where he was booked. Ford was initially treated by AMR and then transported to VCMC where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Armed Robbery
On Thursday, August 13th, at 8:12 p.m., the suspect, a Hispanic male, walked into the Chevron Gas Station located at 2314 East Thompson Boulevard and approached the cashier. He showed the employee a handgun and demanded the money from the cash register. The employee gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money, and the suspect ran out of the business. He was last seen running into the neighborhood on the south side of the business. Responding officers checked the area, however the suspect was not located.