Consider the conversation

Is it time for you to have “the talk”? No, not the one about the birds and the bees. Long after asking the question, “Mommy, where do babies come from?” there will come a time to ask, “Mom, how can we best care for you?” Consider the Conversation helps us know how to ask the question and have it answered without the anticipated awkwardness associated.

The following are quotes from reviews on Amazon:

“Be prepared to be terrified, illuminated, profoundly moved, confronted and warmly hugged all within an hour. Just knocked me off my feet!”

“It made me consider a topic I have been avoiding. We all owe it to our parents, and to our children, to have these important conversations.”

“I genuinely believe that every person over the age of 40 years old in America needs to see this piece.”

The Ventura Council for Seniors will present the film and follow-up discussion on November 4th at the Ventura Adult and Continuing Education (VACE) Center, 5200 Valentine Rd. The presentation will be from 10 am to noon. A light lunch will be served from noon to 1 pm, compliments of VACE, for those who RSVP by Monday, November 2. Please call 648-3035 to make reservations.

San Diego-based Medicare provider is expanding to Ventura

Mission Home Health, a San Diego-based Medicare provider is expanding its footprint in Southern California and is now accepting patients in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. In mid-October, they acquired the Medicare certified division of Help Unlimited, a Ventura-based company that has served patients across Ventura and Santa Barbara counties for the past 40 years.

Founded in 2009, Mission Healthcare initially provided physician ordered home health, but quickly expanded to include other home based services including hospice and private duty homecare. Clinically owned and operated, Mission Home Health offers reliable, thoughtful professional care with locations in San Diego, Temecula, Riverside, San Bernardino, Palm Springs and Orange County.

Mission Home Health services adults and seniors who are recovering after a hospital or facility stay, or need additional support to remain safely at home to avoid unnecessary hospitalization.  These Medicare-certified services may include short-term nursing, rehabilitative, therapeutic, and assistive home health care.  Mission Home Health is a Medicare-certified agency where Medicare, Medi-Cal and most private insurances are accepted.

Mission Home Health’s goal is to have a positive impact on the lives of its patients, their families and their healthcare partners.  Mission Home Health believes there’s no place like home when it comes to providing its patients with the utmost care and comfort while offering a variety of in-home treatment options to meet every need.

For more information about Mission Home Health, visit www.homewithmission.com online or call (888) 871-0766 or on Facebook at facebook.com/HomeWithMission and Twitter @HomeWithMission.

LMVNA offers Memory Stars and hosts free classes

Memory Stars can be purchased for $25 each.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association (LMVNA)has begun its 31st Annual Light Up A Life campaign. The beginning of the campaign coincides with National Hospice and Palliative Care month, November, and runs through the holiday season. The campaign goal is to raise $75,000 to benefit Livingston Hospice.

Livingston invites all residents of Ventura County to support this year’s Light Up campaign. Memory Stars can be ordered online for $25 each at lmvna.org or by calling 642-0239. Event sponsorship is also available.

Livingston Hospice is a special kind of care for the terminally ill, their families and caregivers. Hospice care addresses and meets the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients. Services are provided in the patient’s home, wherever their home may be. Livingston’s hospice team, including our medical director, nurses, social workers, spiritual care providers and volunteers, combine their expertise, passion and compassion in providing end of life care.  Bereavement services are provided to family and friends by our dedicated staff of grief counselors.

Livingston also hosts free monthly education classes throughout the county which include the following in Ventura. Given at Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association office, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 109.  Call 642-0239 for more information or email [email protected].

Social Services/Bereavement Groups

Adult Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays, November 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 6:30-8:00pm at.  These groups are open to individuals who have experienced loss and are free of charge

Newly Bereaved Support Group Thursday, November 12th from 6-7:30pm.  This monthly group is designed for adults who have recently experienced the loss of a loved one and is free.  These groups meet every 2nd Thursday of each month.

Diabetes Classes

Tuesday, November 3rd from 1-2:30pm.  These meetings are held on 1st Tuesday of each month.  General information is provided about Type 2 Diabetes with emphasis on the development of an individualized plan of care that includes diet, medication, exercise and blood sugar monitoring.

Joint Replacement Classes

Thursday, November 5th from 1:00-2:00pm. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care. These meetings are 1st Thursday of each month.

Monday, November 9th for both English and Spanish speaking.  English 4:00-5:00pm and Spanish 5:30-6:30pm. You will learn what to expect before, during and after knee or hip replacement surgery and how to be an active participant in your care.

Ventura providing senior services

senior providing senior servicesVentura’s Adult/Senior Services provides thousands of adults, 18 years and up, with recreational, specialty, social and health and fitness programs at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center (VAAC), 550 N. Ventura Avenue, 648-3035, open M-F 9am- 3pm. Many classes are open to adults 18 years and up and some are open to adults 50 years and up.

The public is invited to “Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject” on Wednesday, November 4, 10 am to 12 pm, at Ventura Adult Continuing Education, 5200 Valentine Rd. This powerful film that examines how Americans live at the end of their lives and how to prepare for this final chapter of life. Free but RSVP (lunch provided) at 648-3035. Presented by VCS, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice and Ventura Adult Continuing Education.

You are invited to participate in the Ventura Council for Seniors board meetings held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30a-11:00a at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center . The Ventura Council for Seniors (VCS), formerly the Ventura Council on Aging, formed in 1975, is designated by the Ventura City Council as the representative organization of all seniors (50 and over) in the City of Ventura.

Westside Café.  Join on Monday through Friday, 11:30am to 12:30pm, in the Ventura Avenue Adult Center’s Two Trees Banquet Room for the friendliest lunch hour in Ventura with a meal that includes a nutritious hot entrée, salad bar, and fresh fruit and vegetables. Check out the Adult pages of My Ventura each issue for Westside Café Days, seasonal celebrations that mark birthdays and feature special desserts and musical entertainment. **Suggested donation: $3 per meal for those 60 and over and $5 for those under 60. At Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N Ventura Ave.

The Home Delivered Meals Program is designed for homebound individuals 60 years and up who live in Ventura. For more information call 648-3035.

Senior News Line – Higher Medicare Part B Costs

medicare-part-bBy Matilda Charles

As it stands now, if Congress doesn’t act immediately, many of us will be faced with a big increase in our Medicare Part B cost in 2016. Even if Congress acts to stop the increase, consider this fair warning that it could happen in the future.

Here are some of the figures:

Most of us currently pay $104.90 for Medicare Part B, and it’s taken directly out of Social Security checks before we even see the money. The new costs for many of us are slated to jump up 52 percent, up to $159.30. The deductible is likely to jump from $147 to $223.

Seventy percent of us fall under the “hold harmless” rule, which means there will be no increase because there likely will be no Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in 2016. Those people are covered. It’s the other 30 percent who will shoulder the increased costs of Medicare for everyone else. (It’s been calculated that if the costs were spread equally, everyone would pay $120.70 per month.)

Those who will pay extra:

* Anyone who signs up for Medicare for the first time in 2016,

* People who are direct billed for their premiums,

* Those enrolled in Medicare but not Social Security because they’re still working.

 

Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

10-4 5:30-6:55pm, officers on patrol enforced ordinances and state laws in reference to hoop netters fishing for spiny lobster around the breakwater.
10-5 12:05pm, received a report of a shark thrashing outside the surf at Emma Wood beach.  Officers responded and searched the area but were unable to locate a shark but did observe dolphins in the area thrashing around.
10-6 9:15-11:35, officers monitored hoop netting activity around the breakwall.  Several warnings were issued for boating and hoop netting violations.
10-7 10:05pm, received a report of an intoxicated male on one of the sport fishing vessels that was heading out.  Officers responded, removed the individual from the vessel and treated minor wounds from a fall.  A cab was hailed and transported the fisherman home.
10-8

 

 4:22pm, officers were dispatched to a water rescue at the Ventura Pier, for a male who jumped off the pier.  Patrol responded by boat and assisted State Parks remove the victim from the water.  The male was eventually arrested for resisting arrest and other violations.

6:40pm, the 120ft x 60ft catamaran research vessel Cheyenne, formerly owned by Steve Fosset was given permission to secure to the Port Districts longdock for a few days to gather equipment and provisions before embarking on a research dive mission at the Channel Islands.
10-9 10:59am, received a report of a medical emergency aboard a recreational motor boat fishing the backside of Santa Cruz island.  Patrol arranged for paramedics to stage at the launch ramp and officers escorted the vessel when it arrived at the Harbor entrance.  The male was complaining of symptoms related to heart disease and transported to local hospital.

5:16pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue near San Pedro lane.  Officers responded with a boat and RescueWaterCraft to assist a swimmer who was caught in a rip current.  The victim was rescued and released at the scene.
10-10

 

 11:10pm, received a report of joy riding on a City Sailing Center boat in the Pierpont Basin.  Officers responded and observed several juvenile’s fleeing from the sailboat and escaping into Marina Park up the city dock.  The sailboat was taken en tow and returned to its slip without incident or damage.

1:57am, officers were dispatched to a 83 year old female complaining of chest pain at a local hotel.  The patient was treated and transported to local hospital.
10-11 2:07pm-6:25pm, officers performed lifeguard duties at South Beach and Surfers Knoll.  Officers executed over 20 water rescues of persons caught in rip currents and hundreds of safety contacts for beach patrons and swimmers.

5:00pm, received a dispatch to a person hit by a vehicle in the Marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted medics with c-spine precautions.  The patient was transported to local hospital for further treatment.

1:09pm, received a dispatch to a fall victim at the Ventura Harbor Village.  The patient fell and sustained an injury causing significant bleeding.  Officers responded and treated the patient.  She was released with advice to seek medical attention for the injury.

 

Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Events

by Ana Baker

Would you like to meet new friends? Whatever the reason, Ventura’s Conversation Group is the right place for you. This eclectic group meets Wednesdays from 4p.m. to 5:45p.m. Located at the Yolanda’s Mexican Restaurant at 2753 Main St. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Be sure to bring an interesting topic to discuss.

Free admission stage show, 2p.m. to 4p.m. First Sunday of every month.  Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45p.m. Located at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $9, non-members $11. Call 407-9971 for more information.

DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. The evening meeting takes place every Tuesday from 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church located at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information.

The daytime meeting is held from 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center in Ventura on the first and third Saturdays of the month. Turning Point Foundation’s New Vision Center is located at 1065 E. Main Street. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 746-3106 for more information.

Oct. 29: Seattle-based Flamenco dancer Savannah Fuentes brings her latest show, Northern Lights to WAV in Ventura at 175 South Ventura Ave. Savannah will be joined by cantaor (male flamenco singer), direct from Spain, Juañarito, and guitarist Bobby de Sofia. The 8p.m. performance is the 27th stop on a 35-date tour of the Western U.S.

Oct. 31:  Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip starts at 8:30 a.m. at Calleguas Creek/ Round Mountain. Leaders: Karin Kersteter 901-2203 and Adele Fergusson 415-4304.  Round Mountain is a small lake at the base of a scrubby hillside. Birds such as Hooded Mergansers, Lesser Yellowlegs and White-faced Ibis feed in the lake. In the nearby hills, wrens and gnatcatcher forage for insects.

Oct. 31: Ghouls, ghosts and games will be available at the Ventura Elks Lodge #1430 6th Annual Halloween Pre-Teen Carnival from Noon to 3p.m. Located at the Elks Lodge, 2126 Knoll Dr. Hot dogs, chips, punch are provided for kids 12 and under. Age appropriate games will be played and prizes. Come in costume or not, prizes will be awarded and activities are open to children 12 and under.

This highly successful event is supported and participated in by Elks sponsored members Girls Scout Troop and Cub Scout Troop, Ventura Boys and Girls Club is and other youth organizations

Nov. 1: On Sunday, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions monthly meeting will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  Land-Use in Ventura County: should we SOAR? County Supervisor Steve Bennett, one of the co-authors of SOAR, will speak to the history, value and future of SOAR at E.P. Foster Library’s Topping Room 651 E. Main St. Admission is free.

Nov. 1: Ventura Audubon Society’s Work Day – Hedrick Ranch. Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478. Arrive at 8a.m. for birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9a.m. to noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves and sun protection.

Nov. 2, 16: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will meet on Monday from 7:30p.m. to 9:30p.m.  Stamp trading and camaraderie located at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road.

Admission and parking are free. Contact: [email protected] or 320-1601

Nov. 3:  Mended Hearts of Ventura Group meets on the 8th floor of the Community Memorial Hospital.

Tuesday from 7p.m. to 9p.m.  Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant.

Call if more information needed Richard Hatcher 644-2733

Nov.4: The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club, (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, wine outings, reading, cooking and more. No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.

Located at the Ventura Museum Pavilion from 9:30a.m. to 11a.m. Coffee or Tea is available at a nominal charge of $1.00. Speaker: Amy Tyrel Chef & Owner, Morsels as you Wish, will be the speaker

For additional information, please visit bcnnwomensclub.org  for more info call 647-8105 or 985-8085.

Nov.4: Join the Urbane Cafe, 4960 Telephone Rd on Wednesday, from 4p.m. to 9 p.m. for a Fundraising Event for the Ventura Soroptimist Club. Come and check out the salads and sandwiches that Urbane Cafe has to offer. Just download the flier from website at www.soroptimistventura.org/fundraising.html and bring it with you when you order. Urbane Cafe will donate 20% of the sales to the Ventura Soroptimist Club for their scholarships. For questions please call Cyndi Damron at 216-4728 or [email protected].

Nov.5, 11: Spice-Topia will be hosting cooking classes by Chef Amy Tyrrell of Morsels as You Wish. Each class fee is $35 and includes a complete recipe book and sampling of all dishes on that evening’s menu. Nov.5: Holiday Appetizers & Desserts features Pear, Pecan and Blue Cheese Canapes plus lots of other good stuff. Nov.11: Holiday Sides features Pistachio Risotto with Saffron plus lots of other good stuff.

6:30p.m. to 8:30p.m., 576 E. Main St. 628-3267 spice-topia.com

Nov.6, 8: Opera Santa Barbara will open its 2015-16 season with a uniquely compelling, film noir-inspired production of Mozart’s timeless masterpiece Don Giovanni. Performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6, and at 2:30 pm on Sunday, November 8, in Santa Barbara’s historic Granada Theatre. Ranging in price from $29 to $204, tickets can be purchased at www.granadasb.org or 899-2222.

Nov.7:The Salvation Army in Ventura invites everyone to enjoy an evening of music and more as part of a free holiday concert on Saturday,  from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road.

The concert, which kicks off the 2015 Christmas Kettle Season, features one of The Salvation Army’s premier concert bands from Torrance, California.  Money received in the Christmas Kettles is used exclusively to provide services and assistance to disadvantaged families in individuals in Ventura.

Lt. Fabio Simoes of The Salvation Army in Ventura explains that, in addition to a special family-oriented event, “it is an opportunity for the community to learn about and perhaps partner with The Salvation Army to do the most good for Ventura.”

For more information call 659-3598.

Nov.7: Starlight Supper Club will host an evening of 1940’s glamour, taste, and sophistication. The 3rd Annual Starlight Supper Club’s fundraising event will benefit Project Understanding. Featuring the Ventura Jazz Orchestra Septet on Saturday at 5:30p.m. located at the Crown Plaza Ventura beach.

Admission $75. Tickets available for purchase at: https://starlightsupperclub2015.eventbrite.com

For more info please contact Charleen Morla 236-1309 or visit www.projectunderstanding.com

Nov. 7: 8:00 a.m.  Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip Pine Mountain Leader: Karin Kersteter 901-2203. If you have never birded Pine Mountain (not to be confused with Mt Pinos), now is time! Join us as we bird several locations, beginning at Pine Mountain Inn on Hwy 33 and ending at the top of Pine Mountain, at an elevation of 6600 feet. The fields around Pine Mountain Inn are teeming with sparrows and finches, including Lawrence’s Goldfinches and Golden-crowned Sparrows. Glowing golden cottonwoods will add to day. Further up the mountain, we will be seeing and hearing usual montane species, such as Mountain Chickadee, Pygmy Nuthatch and Steller’s Jays. Carpooling is suggested for this trip due to narrow winding roads.

Nov.8, 15: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura annual Fine Art and Crafts Fair will take place on two Sundays, from 11 a.m. to 1p.m. The fair features a large variety of art, photography, mosaics, jewelry, stained glass, crafts, textile art and more. The fair will be held in Berg Hall at the church, located at 5654 Ralston St. Ample parking is available in the back of the church.

Nov. 10: Ventura Audubon Society’s Field Trip, Emma Wood/Ventura River Estuary, begins at 8 a.m. Leader: Adele Fergusson 415-4304.  Begin at the entrance to Emma Wood State Beach, searching the scrub for sparrows and warblers. Follow the path that leads through the willow forest (often finding wrentit and other secretive birds here) and finally across the sand dunes to the Ventura River Estuary. The estuary is always an exciting place to bird, and target birds.

Nov.13: Family Science Night is happening Friday, from 6p.m. to 7:30p.m. in room 114 of Buena High School.  Hosted by Science League students, who are organizing an evening of fun participation and demonstration for local families (target audience: ages 8-13).  The evening is free, although science themed snacks will be available for purchase.  Theme for the evening is “Halloween Leftovers”.

Nov. 13: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution November luncheon meeting will feature the program” The Other 14th Colony – Vermont “, presented by Mr. Fred Dunn.  The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave. All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to join us.  The cost for lunch is $20 per person, and includes a slice of Marie Callender’s pie.  For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, please visit the chapter website at http://pattonpatriots.org.

Nov. 14: Paul Bishop book signing will be from 1p.m. to 3 p.m. at Bank of Books, 748 East Main Street. With her special abilities, top LAPD Robbery-Homicide detective Calamity Jane Randall thought she knew all about interrogation until she was partnered with detective Ray Pagan. Wielding a suspect’s vocal intonations, emotions, and physical gestures like a scalpel, Pagan’s empathetic lie catching abilities are legendary. Ripped from the experiences of thirty-five year veteran LAPD detective and nationally recognized interrogator, Paul Bishop, Lie Catchers takes the reader inside the dark and dangerous mind games of the men and women for whom truth is an obsession. More info call 643-3154.

Nov. 14: The Ventura Beginners PC Users Group will meet Saturday, in the third floor lounge of the Cypress Place Active Senior Living building, 1220 Cypress Pl. A review of Ribbon commands will begin at 9:15a.m., followed by Q&A session, and a presentation at 11a.m. by Michael Shalkey on Skype and Internet features. Everyone who would like to know more about their computer is welcome to attend any or all sessions. For more information 648-1368.

Ventura Hillsides Conservancy needs volunteers

On Sat., November 14th, the Ventura Hillsides Conservancy (VHC) will host a community tree planting party at the Big Rock Preserve near Foster Park to help kick-off the City of Ventura’s 150th birthday. VHC invites volunteers and community leaders to join them from 9 a.m. – 12 noon along the Ventura River Parkway to help plant 150 oak trees on property owned and managed by VHC.

VHC, a non-profit local land trust organization, was awarded grant funding by the County of Ventura’s Resource Management Agency for the purchase and planting of nearly 500 trees.  Over the next several months, they plan to host several planting parties where they will remove non-native plants and replace them with trees that are native to Ventura County.

“Planting trees adds additional aesthetic and wildlife value to the Big Rock preserve,” said Derek Poultney, VHC conservation manager. “Trees are not only beautiful; they also produce oxygen, provide homes for animals and prevent erosion.”

The 17- acre Big Rock Preserve is a collection of five properties owned by VHC. The name Big Rock comes from a once-popular swimming hole on the property that was home to a large boulder before floods swept it away. Though the boulder is gone, the water remains.

Due to the unique geology of the area, the Big Rock preserve is one of the only places between the Ventura River estuary and Matilija Canyon that has year-round water. The area is home to endangered steelhead trout, as well as western pond turtles, herons, deer, red-legged frogs and bobcats.

To RSVP for tree planting day, visit www.venturahillsides.org and click on the Events tab. For more information, call VHC  643-8044.

VCPWN Progressive Networking Mixer and Silent Auction

The Ventura County Professional Women’s Network (VCPWN), one of the county’s long standing organizations supporting the interests of women business owners and professionals, is hosting a Progressive Networking Mixer and Silent Auction on November 12th from 5:30 to 8:15pm.  This event, held at the Wedgewood Banquet Center in Ventura at 5880 Olivas Park Drive, will provide a fun environment for business networking, good food and new friendships.

Founded in 1982, VCPWN has enjoyed a long tenure of promoting the professional and personal growth of Ventura County women through education, mutual support and sharing of resources.  With the current members in diverse businesses and professional disciplines, VCPWN continues to be one of the premiere woman-focused organizations in the area.

For more information about the event or to register log on to www.vcpwn.org.  You can also get more information about joining this great group.

The cost for the evening is $28 and can be paid at www.vcpwn.org/dinner-meeting, or at the door.