Industry leaders laud local woman’s lifetime contributions

Ventura County Fair CEO inducted into Western Fairs Hall of Fame.

The Ventura County Fair has announced  the induction of Fair CEO Barbara Quaid into the Western Fairs Association (WFA) Hall of Fame during the awards celebration at the WFA Convention and Trade Show held January 20-24 in Reno, Nevada. The prestigious award is presented annually to individuals whose dedicated efforts have enriched the tradition of fairs and encouraged the professionalism of the industry. WFA is a non-profit trade association serving the Fair industry in the Western United States and Canada.

“I am honored and humbled to be placed in the Hall of Fame because I know that we are resilient and strong together,” says Quaid, “I am a small piece of what is a business that brings families together and creates smiles and memories, joys and rewards.”

Quaid began her career as a volunteer in the Youth Department at the Ventura County Fair and has worked in administration, concessions and as deputy manager of the VC Fair until she was promoted to CEO in 2005.  She is responsible for implementing an independent Carnival midway to ensure that only the best selection of rides is brought to the Ventura County Fair.

Playing an active role in the WFA, Quaid has served as treasurer, vice chair and President of the WFA. Locally she is active in the Ventura Chamber of Commerce and the Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau.

Focus on the Masters Learning To See Outreach Art Showcase

Cruisin’ Love Bug by Izzi, 5th grade student at Sierra Linda Elementary, inspired by Frank Romero.

The public is invited to join Focus on the Masters Archive & Library (FOTM) for a celebration of youthful expression featuring artwork created with Learning To See Outreach (LTS). Sierra Linda Elementary students learned about color through the ancient art Shibori tie-dye.

FOTM documents the lives and works of extraordinary artists from our community, providing art programming for all ages. Each lesson of the innovative LTS in-school, hands-on art program is inspired by one of these artists, beginning with a PowerPoint presentation and demonstration.

Oxnard Library, 251 South ‘A’ St., Oxnard

Monday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.,

Saturday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., closed Fridays

For more information about Learning To See, contact
[email protected] or 805.653.2501

Harmon Canyon is currently closed to the public

Volunteers built a new hiking trail at Harmon Canyon. Photo by Matthew Reese

Ventura Land Trust welcomed 100 volunteers to Harmon Canyon on January 20, 2020 for a work day to help build a new hiking trail and remove invasive plant species.

The event marked the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service that celebrates King’s legacy and encourages volunteerism to improve communities.

Ventura Land Trust is in the process of purchasing Harmon Canyon, a 2,100-acre Ventura property, to establish a nature preserve.

“This day of service is an opportunity for people to help us clear brush, restore native habitat, and build trails for the public to enjoy once the preserve is open,” says Ventura Land Trust Stewardship Manager Dan Hulst. ” It’s a sneak peak, because Harmon Canyon is not yet open to the public.”

“The amount of work that volunteers accomplished in three hours would have taken staff a couple of weeks to complete,” says Hulst.

Ventura Land Trust permanently protects land, water, wildlife, and scenic beauty in the Ventura region, including nearly 100 acres along the Ventura River and coastal estuary. Ventura Land Trust preserves are open to the public daily from dawn to dusk, with no cost for admission.

Earlier that morning, Ventura Land Trust partnered with Runners for Public Lands to host a run/walk through Harmon Canyon. Runners for Public Lands builds relationships between runners and land conservation organizations to deepen runners’ connections to, and encourage stewardship of, the open spaces through which they run.

Harmon Canyon is currently closed to the public except for volunteer restoration events. Visit www.venturalandtrust.org to learn more and register for upcoming events.

City of Ventura Senior Strategic Plan

by Carol Leish

Phase 4, of the Senior Strategic Plan’s community meeting occurred on January 27-28, 2020, and focused on the findings and visioning meetings that were held in December, 2019, which was Phase 3.

Phase 2 included a senior needs assessment survey, which was completed after Phase 1, which entailed community engagement meetings. GreenPlay, LLC’s consultant, Dr. Theresa Pambroke, “Was hired by money provided by the Ventura City Council, that was allocated from Measure O funding,” according to Ventura City Council Member, Cheryl Heitmann. “We wanted to find ways to improve the community. In fact, yesterday we just opened a 55-bed homeless shelter. We need to focus on homeless seniors, especially on a way to house them in inclement weather conditions.”

During the Phase 4 meetings several goals were focused on in order to deal with the key challenges, which included not enough staff for seniors; the need for more money to run senior programming and important issues of housing and transportation for seniors in the City of Ventura.

The first goal focused on working with partners in order to improve housing in order for senior to be able to age in place. The development of affordable housing is important, especially with the high cost of living within the city.

The second goal focused on the need to improve transportation, in which more money needs to be allocated to deal with. This is a big priority at the city level.

Goal three focused on the need for overall staffing in order to provide for people of all ages.
Goal four focused on utilizing partners, who are already within the community, in order to expand their reach. This includes a leadership task force to meet on a regular basis.

Goal five focused on the need for staffing needs to be increased for all, especially adding one more senior position at the Ventura Avenue Senior Center.

Goal six focuses on the importance of regularly updating the website:www.cityofventura.ca.gov/seniors.

Goal seven focused on the additional needs for programs for senior: Increasing physical fitness and sports; Making sure programs are offered also on the east side of Ventura; Expanding the senior nutrition program; and addressing the need/demand for medical help.
Goal 8 focuses on the need for improved facilities and amenities for seniors, and making sure places are ADA (Americans with Disabilities, 1990) compliant.

Goal 9 focuses on the utilization of more space at the Ventura Ave. Senior Center; or, co-use within a multi-generational space in order to serve people between the ages of 8-year-old to 80-year-old.

Goal 10 focuses on the need for funding for additional staff; and, looking into funding through grants.

Emily Fox, Community Partnerships Manager, City of Ventura, said: “I’m excited about us coming together, and meeting together. The next phase will occur in March, 2020. If you have a community neighbors/groups that want to reach out, let me know. I appreciate the groups that are providing feedback.” For more information, visit: www.cityofventura.ca.gove/seniors. Contact: [email protected]; (805) 658-4793.

Vol. 13, No. 10 – Feb 12 – Feb 25, 2020 – Harbor Patrol

Wednes 1-22

 10:05am, received a report of a traffic accident near 1500 Spinnaker Drive. Officers responded and assisted VFD, VPD with the call. The vehicle sustained major damage, but the driver suffered minor injuries. The vehicle was towed.

Thursday 1-23

 12:08am, dispatched to an assault victim at RiverHaven. Officers responded and assisted VFD,VPD with the call. Patient transported to hospital.

Saturday 1-25

 11:45am, responding to check on two surfers near the Greenock lane jetty due to large surf. Officers were able to contact the group with assistance from State Parks lifeguards operating a RescueWaterCraft in the area. All were ok.

10:20pm, contacting a 20ft vessel operating recklessly near the outside of the breakwall in hazardous conditions. Vessel was escorted back to the launch ramp

Sunday 1-26

 7:00pm, received report of a fire near Spinnaker Drive and Harbor Bl. Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire Department with locating the fire. No fire was found, but the Natural Gas burnoff on the South side of the Santa Clara Bridge was the likely source of the report. The burnoff is commonly misidentified as a brush fire.

Monday 1-27

 7:03am, received a report of a transient trespassing at Ventura West Marina C-dock. Officers responded and found the individual incoherently speaking. She left the area talking.

6:00pm, received a request to assist good Samaritans remove shopping carts that were deposited in the barranca. They were towed to the launch ramp.

Thursday 1-30

 8:35pm, patrolling in Rescue Boat 17, officers contacted a small vessel engaged in hoopnetting in the Harbor entrance. After a safety inspection was conducted, no lifejackets were aboard the vessel. The vessels voyage was terminated, and the fishermen returned to the launch ramp.

Friday 1-31

 10:35am, while manning the office, received a request to use the districts emergency long dock for overnight berthing. The requestor was advised of the limited use of the dock, mainly for emergencies and was provided options.

3:25pm, while on patrol in the fireboat, officers observed a sail-foilboarder beset by calm conditions. The sailor was transported to his residence in the keys.

Saturday 2-1

 8:40am, received request to escort the Manson crane barge “Freya” into the harbor. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 19 to assist.

3:03pm, received a report of a male transient loitering with all his belongings spread out in the VIM parking lot. Officers responded and contacted the individual. He was granted time to organize his stuff and then move on.

11:23pm, officers contacting a fisherman on a small unseaworthy vessel at the breakwall and warning him of the Gale warning going into effect.

Sunday 2-2

 11:30am, received a report of two juveniles operating an inflatable without any lifejackets. Officers responded, found the vessel reported. One 13-year-old had on a lifejacket and the operator was 15, so he was not required to “don” a PFD.

3:05pm, while on patrol, observed a large Northwest swell, 9ft as measured by sonar on Rescue Boat 17.

10:00pm, weather observations to National Weather Service, 20kt wind increase

Monday 2-3

 10:00am, received a report of an errant buoy near 5th street in Oxnard Shores. Officers responded in the Fireboat to investigate. After a thorough search, no buoy or any other flotsam was discovered in the area. Large waves most likely washed whatever was observed to shore before officers arrived.

8:08pm, dispatched to a fall victim at the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with the patient. Patient sustained no injuries

 

VCCCD opts-out of California Community College Association Spring I Season

After careful consideration and in the best interest of our student athletes, coaches and athletic staff of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) has decided to “opt-out” of competition for the upcoming California Community College Association (CCCAA) Spring I season at this time, a decision that affects traditional fall and winter sports. The VCCCD programs affected by this decision are football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s water polo, men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball, men’s wrestling and women’s golf.

No decision has been made for Spring II sports. The CCCAA COVID-19 contingency plan calls for Spring II sports to potentially have competition beginning in mid-April. The Spring II sports at the three Ventura County community colleges include baseball, softball, men’s and women’s track and field, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, women’s beach volleyball, men’s volleyball and men’s golf. The CCCAA deadline to “opt-in” or “opt-out” of the Spring II portion of the athletic season is Feb. 26, 2021. VCCCD leadership plans to hold meetings in January and early February to discuss the potential of moving forward with Spring II sports.

“Many adjustments have been required since March 2020. COVID-19 pandemic conditions are escalating now. We look forward to the use of ongoing safety practices and the availability of vaccines to help reduce risk and pandemic levels so that athletic competition can resume in future months,” stated Chancellor Greg Gillespie. “The health and safety of our student athletes and employees remain paramount in decision making. The creative and dedicated work of coaches and Athletic Directors keeps students engaged under challenging circumstances.”

CCCAA sports competition came to an abrupt end in March 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic forced a shutdown in the state. Western State Conference titles were not awarded in the Spring 2020 sports, which played abbreviated regular/conference seasons. VCCCD will continue to monitor the situation as new information is released from Ventura County Public Health.

Kwanzaa the holiday

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from December 26 thru January 1, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karina, professor, Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture.

Finally, it is important to note Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths who come together based on the rich, ancient and varied common ground of their Africanness.

Gifts are given mainly to children, but must always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition of learning stressed since ancient Egypt, and the heritage symbol to reaffirm and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history.

Deadly shooting in Ventura leaves one-man dead – appears gang related

Murder suspect, 24-year-old Raymond Bolanos remains in jail.

On January 18, a deadly shooting occurred in the public parking structure on Harbor Blvd. and California, resulting in the death of 21-year-old Alejandro Hernandez of Ventura. This is Ventura’s first murder in 2020, and police say the motive appears to be gang related.

At approximately 2:45am, a 911 call was received regarding a shooting victim at the top level of the parking structure. Patrol officers responded and located one victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was treated by Ventura City Fire and transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police said the crime occurred when one group – standing outside of their red Ford Mustang, was approached by the second group of people in a white sedan. The two groups started fighting when one person inside the vehicle shot at the group outside.

The Mustang fled the scene and ended up in Oxnard where the driver lost control of the vehicle and ran off the road by Victoria Ave. and Nantucket Parkway. CHP and Ventura police detained three of the vehicle’s occupants. One person fled the scene and was later apprehended.

The murder suspect, 24-year-old Raymond Bolanos, was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for murder and gang enhancement.  A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Bolanos has prior convictions for carrying a concealed firearm, gang enhancement and a hit and run.

Twenty-six-year old Julian Nunez was arrested for a parole violation warrant and has prior convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and battery with serious injury, and twenty-three-year old Stephanie Sanchez was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant. She has a prior conviction for possession of a loaded firearm.

Bolanos and Nuñez appeared in Ventura County Superior Court for an arraignment hearing. Bolanos was charged with murder, attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Nuñez is accused of assault with a semi-automatic firearm as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The Ventura County Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Bolanos, with an attorney from Conflict Defense Associates appointed in Nuñez’s case. CDA provides a legal defense for indigent defendants when cases conflict in the public defender’s office.

Both men also face allegations related to prior felonies and are accused of committing the alleged crimes for the benefit of a Santa Paula street gang.

Nuñez and Bolanos remain in Ventura County jail. Nuñez’s bail was set at $290,000 and Bolanos’ bail was set at $1.43 million. Both men are due back in court for a continued arraignment hearing on Feb. 20.