TREE TOWN

Foto: Jim Ackerman filling his water tank for landscape irrigation.

Ventura Water is offering a Recycled Water Mobile Reuse Program to our residents. Recycled water may be used for landscape irrigation and dust control. (The City currently uses it for watering young street trees and the municipal golf courses.)  Ventura Water customers may take advantage of the program by completing an application, attending a training session and paying a $75 permit fee. Once a permit is issued and the customer has purchased an approved 5- to 300-pound capacity container, water may be picked up free of charge at the city fill station on Spinnaker Drive. For information, call Jason at 805 677-4135 or sign up online at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/VenturaWater (mobile reuse program).

www.venturatreealliance.com

Vol. 14, No. 23 – Aug 11 – Aug 24, 2021 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

August 15: CCJC presents, “The Phoenyx Big-Band,” Sunday from 1-4 p.m. at the House of Dance, 3007 Bunsen Ave. Suite E. Swing/Pop/Blues/Dixie Jazz and continuous entertainment, great dance floor and free parking. Donations $10 Members and $15 Non-Members. Qualified musicians welcome for Open Jam Session before featured band. Join us the 3rd Sunday of the month. www. ChannelCitiesJazzClub.com

August 19: The East Ventura Community Council, former County Supervisor Kathy Long will talk about the “Rising from the Ashes Home Tour” benefitting the Ventura County Library Foundation, to take place in the Fall. The Council will have the opportunity to weigh in once again on the city of Ventura’s General Plan revision. They will also hear from the Ventura Tree Alliance, a newly formed non-profit dedicated to making Ventura a more beautiful and greener place to live. Area crime statistics will be shared by Commander Weeks of the Ventura Police Department. The committee revising the group’s By-Laws will present a brief report. Other topics may be added to the agenda, so be sure to check the group’s Facebook page for updates. The Council represents those who live east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is encouraged to attend and participate. The meeting will be held on Thursday, at 7p.m. online via the Zoom application. Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89105016185?pwd=S1JyZFozZ1owZUxqWnh0KzhQWUN3QT09

August 21, Saturday, 1-4 pm. The Ventura County Genealogical Society
presents two Free Family History Presentations Online with Zoom

1:00 p.m. Presenter: Judy Janes
“Discover Family History in Online Newspapers”
Newspapers offer a broad range of information about our families. Digital newspaper collections have\ proliferated in recent years, and are searchable by name, keyword, or
date. Learn how to use this powerful new tool to uncover
fascinating stories about your families.

Presenter: Debra Dudek “Discovering your UK/Irish Roots Online” Websites and Resources for English, Welsh, Irish and Scottish Ancestry There is no such thing as “one-stop genealogy shopping”! This program will lead you through the resources and search techniques.

All our monthly lectures and workshops are free to our members and the public. Non-members should request a Zoom invitation here
https://venturacogensoc.org/request-invitation-to-lecture/.
Visit our website at https://venturacogensoc.org/

August 25: The Ventura College Area Community Council will be holding a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7p.m. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. Community Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. The meeting will focus on historic buildings and the preservation of community character through architecture. CACC represents citizens in Council District 3, currently neighborhoods north of Hwy. 126 between Dunning/Lemon Grove/Agnus on the west and Hill Road on the east. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list and to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

Gaining knowledge to deal with senior fraud

by Carol Leish

By gaining knowledge of what’s available within Ventura County to deal with senior fraud, you will be more empowered to stop it. By using various tools, you’ll be better able to protect yourselves.

According to, Carey Aldava, Manager of Ventura County Adult Protective Services Program, “Reports received on fraud have not substantially increased in our county due to the pandemic. Perhaps this is because many agencies that serve seniors and adults with disabilities in the community have not fully reopened to offer services, creating less of an opportunity to encounter victims of scams and fraud.

“Regarding percentages countywide from 2015-2020, we (Adult Protective Services), confirmed 1,928 reports of financial abuse against elders (31% of all financial abuse cases). Of these cases, 57% were scams. So far, in 2021, we have confirmed 237 reports of financial abuse against elders (37% of all financial abuse cases), with 60% being related to scams.”

“Tools to deal with others,” according to Aldava, include: 1) Shredding all receipts with your credit card number on it; 2) Getting involved in the community and not isolating yourself; 3) Telling solicitors to provide their information in writing; 4) Obtaining a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before transacting business; 5) Signing up for the ‘Do Not Call Registry’ at: 888-382-1222.; 6) Using direct deposit for benefit checks; and, 7) Never giving your credit card, banking, social security, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.”

Debbie Deem, a retired victim’s specialist for the FBI, runs a monthly meeting (Financial Abuse Specialist Team: FAST), that deals with issues related to various topics, such as: elder abuse; financial exploitation; and, phone fraud. She said, “We have a wide variety of people, which includes, bankers, lawyers, Ombudsman, and the Area Agency on Aging offering us resources and advice at our meetings.

“Ventura County Adult Protective Services,” according to Dean, “has a 24 Hr. Abuse Hotline: (805) 654-3200. The Adult Protective Services agency helps elder adults (65 years and older) and dependent adults (18-64 who are disabled), when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The County Adult Protective Services agency investigate reports of abuse of elder and dependent adults. Look at: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/.”

In regards to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry, Dean said, “look at: https://www.donotcall.gov/ and go to, ‘more information-answers basic questions. Or, call: 1-888-382-1222. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and AARP have great info on fraud crimes at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts/; also: https/www.consumrer-ftc.gov/blog2020/10/how-spot-avoid-and-report-imposter-scams.”

“Regarding getting help, support and resources and help in where to report fraud,” according to Dean, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline (age 60 or older) at: 1-833-372-8311. And, for more information, got to: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.

“And, if you are concerned about being a victim , you can call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Hotline in Ventura (Headquarters) at: (805) 654-2145; in Ojai at: (805) 477-7050; in Camarillo at: (805) 388-5175; or, in Fillmore at: (805) 477-7020.”

Thus, with knowledge, you will gain power and restore your hope in being better able to cope with/avoid the possibilities of senior fraud.

Vol. 14, No. 23 – Aug 11 – Aug 24, 2021 – Mailbox

Opinions

Do we really need 6 day a week service? we get real mail maybe 3 times per week. 1 of those days are the ads. Maybe we could save money and have 4 day a week delivery.

Keep cost of postage down.

Ralph Trigo
Lemonwood MPH

Opinions

Thank you for your photo and heading of an empty tree well on a Ventura city sidewalk in your last edition of the Breeze. I agree, the city needs many trees planted and I am concerned there is no future plan to get this organized and completed. 

I hope someone can educate the public on a plan of action to include volunteers to water trees, what type of trees will be planted for specific locations and a map showing where the trees will be planted next. 

Organizing, fund raising and volunteers are needed to get this plan of action going. Attached are photos of an empty sidewalk tree well and median divider on Telephone Road that has clearly become an eye sore of the City. 

Marsha Moreland

Working Physician turns 100

Here are a couple of comments on the June 15th Ventura Breeze article “Working physician turns 100 on June 9th “ written by Mohammed Hasan:

Lewis Walton, Marina del Rey

“Beautifully written, Mohammed, and a fine tribute to Dr. Canton.  My wife, also a physician, devoted much of her life to community health education, trying to lessen the risk of heart disease. She had worked on the open heart surgery team in Bakersfield.  I am glad you were able to honor Dr. Canton this way.

Dr. Tim Cannon, UCLA Health, Ventura

“Wonderful tribute to a living legend, thank you for writing it and forwarding it to me. Best,”

Editor’s note:

Dr. Canton is author’s longtime friend and neighbor. Hasan offers free community classes on Longevity with good health. Dr. Canton has been a guest speaker at the longevity class a few times. You can reach Hasan at [email protected] or (805) 218-5574.

Are you an amateur cartoonist? Send your cartoon to [email protected].

Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

 

 

Ventura County Library announces a new mobile app, MyVCLibrary, allowing users access to print and digital collections

Saticoy Library is one of four Ventura libraries.

The MyVCLibrary app helps library customers continue to access Ventura County Library collections and services in a user-friendly way. Users may access a digital library card, search for materials, place or cancel holds, manage their account, renew items, and even self-check, all from their mobile device. Other features include an ISBN search to see if the library has a specific book and the ability to manage several accounts on one device.

“We’re really excited that our new and improved app brings the library to life in the hands of our users. We’re happy to be able to extend our reach into the community and provide customers convenient access to our collections and services, wherever they are, whenever they’d like,” says Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director.

The app allows users to explore the library without entering a building. While in a library building, our app allows users to easily pull up their digital library card on their device and check out.

Download this new Ventura County Library app by going to the Android or Apple app Store and searching for “MyVCLibrary” on your smart device today.

For additional information, contact Nancy Schram, Ventura County Library Director at (805) 256-8535.

See our hours of service at https://www.vencolibrary.org/locations

El Rio Branch:

  • Albert H. Soliz Library, 2820 Jourdan Street, Oxnard, CA 93036

Heritage Valley branches:

  • Fillmore Library, 502 2nd Street, Fillmore, CA 93015
  • Piru Library, 3811 Center Street, Piru, CA 93040

Mobile Library https://www.vencolibrary.org/locations/mobile-library

Oak Park branch:

  • Oak Park Library, 899 North Kanan Road, Oak Park, CA 91377

Ojai Valley region branches:

  • Meiners Oaks Library, at Meiners Oaks Elementary, Fall 2021
  • Oak View Library, 555 Mahoney Avenue, Oak View, CA 93022
  • Ojai Library, 111 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023

Port Hueneme branch:

  • Ray D. Prueter Library, 510 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA 93041

Ventura region branches:

  • Avenue Library, 606 North Ventura Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001
  • E.P. Foster Library, 651 East Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001
  • Hill Road Library, 1070 S. Hill Road, Ventura, CA 93003
  • Saticoy Library, 1292 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura, CA 93004

 

Bringing the joy of art & community to Ventura since 1985

Art City Studios in Ventura means different things to different people.
For some it is a font of imagination and freedom of artistic expression.
For others it is a haven and a refuge from the troubles in the world.
For others, the hundreds of international who have worked here in the 36 years
since it moved to Ventura from Santa Barbara,
Art City is a source of deep personal expression and their foremost way of staying connected with their patrons and the community as a whole.

Art City has been through a lot in its over three-decades of existence in Ventura.
It has weathered many a storm and always come out swinging for the Arts in our community. There simply is no other place like Art City in our increasingly mechanized and inhibited society. All the more essential that this proud resource not be allowed to be destroyed or altered beyond all recognition.

There is nothing that says Art City Studios should not have to adapt and change with the times. But any wholesale assault on its independence, its right to exist, would bring shame on those whose misguided efforts in this regard fail to take into account the unique place Art City Studios has in Ventura.

Our major collaborators over the years, including the City of Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County, The Ventura Botanical Gardens, Cal State Channel Islands, Bell Arts Factory, and many more, all believe that there must be a way forward for Art City that assures it of remaining what it has always been, a place like no other here on earth.

197 Dubbers Street
Ventura, CA. 93002
www.artcitystudios.com / [email protected] / 805 653-6380

Answer In a Breeze

Question:
I often see Coast Guard boats going into the Ventura Harbor. What are they doing in the Harbor?
Diane Brown

Answer:
We asked Tim Burrows from the Ventura Harbor Patrol to answer this.
The US coast guard serves many functions, one of which is boarding vessels for safety inspections and or suspicious activity. They will enter the Harbor and look for suspicious activity or for violations.

They also are part of Homeland Security, so they patrol all water ways (inland / international).

Also, it is easier to board vessels in calm waters, so they will sometimes bring vessels to our dock for inspections and investigations.

Help Shape Ventura’s Future by Getting Involved in the General Plan

by Ventura City Manager Alex D. McIntyre

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher

Right now, there’s an incredibly important initiative going on in the City of Ventura that will guide our future for the next 25 years or more. The steps that we take right now truly matter.

The Ventura General Plan, themed “Our Vision, Our Future,” is a long-range land use policy document that builds a framework for maintaining Ventura’s unique charm and character. It also identifies opportunities to enhance the community’s quality of life, economic vitality, and sustainability.

Cities are not static; they are constantly changing and evolving. The steps and actions we take through the General Plan will address important community needs like housing, transportation, economic development, climate change and environmental sustainability, public safety, arts, parks, and more.

Since its launch in 2020, the General Plan has collected thousands of ideas and suggestions from community workshops, public meetings, surveys, stakeholder interviews, and various activities. An additional way the City gathers public input is through the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which meets publicly on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. Chaired by Councilmembers Lorrie Brown and Doug Halter, the 22-member GPAC is comprised of residents, business owners, educators, students, and other Ventura community members.

As part of the General Plan, the City is also actively working on updating other long-term planning efforts, including the:

Climate Action and Resiliency Plan: A Roadmap for how the community will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for climate change impacts, future natural hazards, and increase resiliency.

Active Transportation Plan: Focuses on bicycle and pedestrian mobility and transit use. This effort will develop detailed policies, actions and implementation programs that will support the General Plan effort.

Housing Element: This is a state mandated document that is part of the General Plan and provides an analysis of Ventura’s housing needs and strategies to preserve, improve, and promote housing for all income levels in the community. In 2021, the City will update its Housing Element to meet the State’s deadline and requirements. This element will then be revised in 2022 to be consistent with the remainder of the updated General Plan.

These policy documents are ambitious long-term undertakings that will help our community thrive while maintaining its charm.

Please don’t miss the opportunity to help shape Ventura’s future and what it means to live, work, play, and do business here. Your participation is critical to the process and highly encouraged.

To learn more, visit www.planventura.com to learn about pop-up events, activities, surveys, GPAC meetings, and registering for email updates.

Public health strongly recommends all community members wear masks indoors

With cases of COVID-19 rising locally and increased circulation of the highly transmissible Delta variant, the County of Ventura Public Health Department strongly recommends that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in public places. This serves as an extra precautionary measure for those who are fully vaccinated and will further limit spread of the Delta variant in the community at large.

“The Delta variant is spreading quickly in our State. All community members should take action to protect themselves and others against this potentially deadly virus,” said County of Ventura Health Officer Doctor Robert Levin. “While vaccines remain our best tool against COVID-19, masking in indoor and crowded outdoor settings will help us curb the spread of this latest wave of infection. Ventura County data have recently shown that unvaccinated people are 22 times more likely to become infected and hospitalized than vaccinated residents. Several of our hospitalized people have been vaccinated and that is several too many.”

In June, the Delta variants comprised 43 percent of all specimens sequenced in California. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted that Delta variants are now responsible for 58 percent of new infections across the country. Fully vaccinated people are well-protected from infections and serious illness due to known COVID-19 variants including Delta variants, and vaccinating as many people as possible, as soon as possible, continues to be our best defense against severe COVID-19 infection, and the harm it can do to our region. Vaccines are safe, effective, free, and widely available to everyone 12 and older. “For the most part this is a surge of cases among our unvaccinated and it is preventable. Get vaccinated,” said Doctor Levin.

Out of an abundance of caution, people are strongly recommended to wear masks indoors in settings like grocery or retail stores, theaters, and family entertainment centers, even if they are fully vaccinated as an added layer of protection for both themselves and unvaccinated residents. Businesses are asked to expect universal masking for customers entering indoor areas of their businesses to provide better protection to their employees and customers. Workplaces must comply with Cal/OSHA requirements and fully vaccinated employees are encouraged to wear masks indoors if their employer has not confirmed the vaccination status of those around them. For masks to work properly, they need to completely cover your nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of your face and around your nose.

Public Health will continue to monitor transmission rates, hospitalizations, deaths and increasing vaccination rates throughout the County and will reevaluate the recommendation in the coming weeks. COVID-19 information can be monitored at www.vcrecovers.org.

COVID-19 vaccines are available at multiple locations throughout the County of Ventura for all community members 12 or older. Information about locations can be found at www.myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255.