Come Taste the Magic, Feel the Compassion, and Enjoy The
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Ventura to have first fully inclusive play area, page 2 Vol. Vol. 3, 14, No. No. 11 17 Published Every Other Published Wednesday Every Other EstablishedWednesday 2007 May 19 – June 1, March2021 10 - 23, 2010 crisis, but often depart in a much better place where they can begin to feel hopeful for the future.” “During May (Mental Health Awareness Month), the main focus is raising awareness,” according to, Maya Lazos, Community Liaison at Vista del Mar Hospital. “Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-24 in the state of California, and the 2nd leading cause of death for ages 10-45 in the United States. We want our community to par- State Parks to provide professional lifeguarding ticipate in free trainings in order to be services. Photo by Dan Harding. educated about the alarming statistics regarding mental illness and suicide. Lifeguards Vista del Mar Hospital raise awareness in honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month. Since so many suffer from mental illness and lose their lives by suicide, we want to First Responders during Mental help our community to become educated return to on how to help people in crisis and to become aware of the resources that are Ventura Harbor Health Awareness month available within Ventura County.” by Carol Leish “We have been concerned about our Beaches for Vista del Mar Hospital, in collabora- Dan Powell, MA, MFT, BCBA, CEO First Responders for Mental Health, since tion with the City of Port Hueneme and of Vista del Mar Hospital, said, “We are while they have valiantly been taking care summer the Port Hueneme Police Department, proud to be a part of this initiative to of others, we wondered who was taking As the summer season approaches, have presented a countywide campaign reduce the stigma associated with mental care of them. More first responders die daily lifeguard service will be provided to educate, fundraise, and raise awareness illness and to bring meaning to mental by suicide than they do in the line of at Ventura Harbor beaches along in honor of May being Mental Health health awareness. Those (clients) in need duty. Thus, we chose First Responders Spinnaker Drive. Awareness Month. come to a psychiatric hospital in time of Continued on page 5 In a unanimous vote on April 21, the Board of Port Commissioners authorized need specialized education, support, the General Manager of Ventura Harbor, and strategies to help raise safe, healthy, Brian Pendleton, to contract with State nurtured children that thrive. Parks to provide lifeguard service from On Saturday May 8th, Kids & May through September at Harbor Families Together hosted a special Cove, South Beach, and Surfers Knoll “Mothering Day” event sponsored by beaches. The approved 2021 lifeguard SoCal Honda Dealers, Random Acts of contract of $136,802.37 will provide the Kindness to honor the Ventura County adequate coverage to each of the three Foster/Resource, Kinship & Adoptive Ventura Harbor beach areas over a five- caregivers who have opened their month period. hearts and homes to children that are This year’s contract is anticipated not their own. to include 4,160 work hours between Longtime community partner to May 1 and September 30, a 38% increase K&FT, Crosspoint Church in Ventura, of coverage hours over 2020, which hosted the event. Through the gener- reflects a growth in annual beach use, osity of SoCal Honda Dealers and their expanded lifeguard coverage, lifeguard Kids & Families Together was presented with a $25,000 donation from the Gene Haas Founda- Helpful Honda program, caregivers salary adjustments, and a roving super- tion. were pampered with a manicure and/or visor vehicle included in the coverage. massage along with a take home self-care The additional hours also increase Kids & Families Together hosted kit. K&FT also provided families with the coverage at Harbor Cove Beach a little Mother’s Day gift and yummy to two lifeguards on holidays and a special “Mothering Day” event treats. Almost one hundred caregivers weekends during peak season, weekend made appointments to attend this event. only lifeguard coverage in May until Kids & Families Together (K&FT) is since 2000. K&FT works with children Channel Islands Social Services was Memorial Day weekend, and daily a nonprofit that has been serving foster/ who have experienced trauma, abuse, on site to prove childcare for the event. coverage the remainder of the season. resource, adoptive, kinship, and birth neglect, loss, and multiple placements. Without the added support of on-site Continued on page 2 families throughout Ventura County K&FT also works with caregivers who Continued on page 5 e Crown Jewel 4900 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003 805.919.8312 License No. 565801810 in Retirement Living Come taste the magic, www.venturatownehouse.com feel the compassion, and enjoy the fun 2 May 19 – June 1, 2021 Ventura BREEZE The Ventura Breeze is celebrating 14 years of publishing local news thanks to the support of the Ventura community and our advertisers. The time has come, however, for us to ask our dedicated readers to consider helping us continue publishing during this difficult time. Due to the lack of advertisers (which we understand) we really need your generous support to continue to bring local news to the community. In order to do this, we are starting the Ventura Breeze Honor Roll. The names of Honor Roll donors will be published in the paper unless donors don’t want to be shown. As the publisher of this community’s favorite newspaper, we appreciate the relationship we have with our readers and we pledge to keep bringing you all the local news and events. There are a couple ways to contribute and be a 2021 Honor Roll Donor. You can go to our website (www. venturabreeze.com) where you fill find a DONATE link at the top of the page and use the PayPal button to make a donation, which allows you to pay by credit card or with your PayPal account. If you would rather pay by check or have the Breeze staff process your donation, you can use the form below and mail in your check or credit card information. You may also contribute by going to www.gofundme.com/f/support- the-breeze. We thank our latest donors Susan Knupp, Anthony & Esther Cornejo, and the ones that don’t want to be mentioned. Trash & Recycling or Green Waste Pick Up Delay Due to the Memorial Day Holiday City News Due to the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, community can come out to have fun and Lifeguards return to Ventura Harbor May 31, trash and recycling or green waste experience the joy of community connec- Continued from page 1 will be collected one day later than usual the tion and play, regardless of ability or age.” “The Board of Commissioners for entire week of May 30 - June 5 in the Cities of Construction for the 10,750 square the Port District believe this investment in Ventura, Ojai and the surrounding areas. foot play area is set to begin in May public safety is important,” stated Ventura 805-647-1414 Thank you and Happy Holiday and anticipated to open in Fall 2021. Port District Harbormaster John Higgins. Order services & pay bills online During construction, the project site “Additional lifeguard hours and coverage E. J. Harrison & Sons at www.ejharrison.com and northern parking lot will be closed. has been included due to higher visitation The remainder of the park and hiking numbers at Ventura Harbor beaches to trails will stay open with additional better assist with visitor safety.” parking available throughout the park. For over 60 years, State Parks has Additionally, project updates will be provided professional lifeguarding services shared on the City’s website and social along California’s coastline. The Ventura Port media throughout the duration of the District took the lead in securing summer construction process. lifeguards at the Harbor in 2011. The Ventura In 2017, Arroyo Verde Park’s main Harbor Patrol and State Park Lifeguards have play structure was destroyed in the formed a strong and effective partnership in Thomas Fire. Rather than rebuild the providing public safety on land and in the same structure, the City decided to re-im- waters along Ventura’s coast. agine the space and create the first fully The Ventura Harbor Patrol and the inclusive play area in Ventura. State Parks Lifeguards have over the years, Families, community members, performed many rescues, and prevented medical professionals, and playground numerous serious incidents. The beach had manufacturers provided input into the historically high visitors and challenging playground’s design. Through these con- conditions, but because of the Ventura Port versations, park designers developed an District’s investment most rescues were The inclusive play area will be located at Arroyo Verde Park. adaptive play space where children of all routine in nature. In fact, the Lifeguard abilities can play together. service continues to provide better pre- “This project is the first of its kind ventative care through education and has City of Ventura to begin in Ventura and means so much to our reduced the number of circumstances where community. Thanks to the Ventura first responders are also at risk. The Harbor construction on first fully Community Partners Foundation and Patrol and State Parks Lifeguards have generous donations from community grown a strong and effective partnership in groups, residents, and local business- providing public safety on land and water inclusive play area es, the City is able to make this dream areas throughout the Ventura coastline. The City of Ventura will begin con- tion-inclusive carousel, sensory wall, a reality,” said Parks and Recreation Both agencies participate in cross training struction on its first fully inclusive play embankment climbers, music play areas, Director Nancy O’Connor.