VCReporter 4-23-2020

Telemedicine gains new ground | Stay Well at Home orders modified | Unorthodox

NEWS, ENTERTAINMENT, ENVIRONMENT • VENTURA COUNTY’S FREE WEEKLY • WWW.VCREPORTER.COM • APRIL 23, 2020

A New Pair

Unexpected bonds form among Lake Casitas bald eagles

CENSUS

2020

We All Count!

A ONCE-PER-DECADE COUNT ...

When we all participate, it means our community gets the funds we need to support early childhood education and a strong start to school for our children.

SAFE. PRIVATE. CONFIDENTIAL.

VISIT

CENSUS.VENTURA.ORG TO LEARN MORE

2—

— April 23, 2020

CONTENTS

vcreporter.com 12

4

5

COVER

Birds of a feather: An interloping female becomes one of the family at the Lake Casitas bald eagle nest

by Kimberly Rivers

OPINION

Volume 44 | Issue 17

DEPARTMENTS

Purple is the New Party Pause-a-tivity

by Paul Moomjean

Advice Goddess _______________________ 18

NEWS

Free Will Astrology _____________________ 18

After Dark ___________________________ N/A Arts Listings _________________________ N/A

Ventura County Health modifies COVID plans

by Kit Stolz

Happenings _________________________ N/A

Healthcare 2.0: Doctor-patient interactions go high tech during the pandemic — and just may stay that way

by Alex Wilson

Surf Report ___________________________ 11

Food + Drink _________________________ N/A

Eye on the Environment: Earth Day 2020: 50th anniversary goes online

by David Goldstein

Cover: A pair of bald eagles call to each other at Lake Casitas. Photo by Judy Spaar-Hillewaert

COVID News & Updates In Brief: online

by Kimberly Rivers

14

16

ART + CULTURE

Crafty during quarantine: Local craft, art shops offering creative kits to go

by Kateri Wozny

FILM + MEDIA

AD PROOF

FOLLOW US | WWW.VCREPORTER.COM Out of the Box: Escape from New York For Classifieds and Special issues Client: Parkland Apartments Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon (805) 648-2244

by Ivor Davis and additional content Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom ISSUE: 4/9/20 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Please remember

CRAFTY DURING QUARANTINE | PAGE 14

to recycle newsprint

NASH Exchange Incorporated

Parklands Apartments Parklands Apartments Resort Living in Ventura’s Brand New Luxury Community

n Prel ow BRAND e Sch asing! edu le a NEWhPHASE sne a ard k peek h at t PARKLANDS APARTMENTS RELEASED! our TO

Live refreshed in Ventura’s brand new luxury community

D

AY! Make Your Move PARKLANDS APARTMENTS ventura's newest luxuryToday! community

Rooftop Retreat Fitness & Yoga Studio Resort Style Pool Pet Friendly Rooftop Retreat In Unit WasherFitness Dryer & Yoga Studio Central Heat & AirResort Style Pool Three-Story ClubhousePet Friendly In Unit Washer Dryer Direct Access Garages Central Heat & Air

Live refreshed

Live refreshed

ventura's newest luxury community

LiveParklands.com 805-659-5588 7 unique floor plans LiveParklands.com 805-659-5588

Amenities 7 unique Community floor plans

Community Amenities

1 bedroom from $1,999 1 bedroom from $1,950 2 bedroom from $2,295 2 bedroom from $2,392 3 bedroom from 3 bedroom from$2,895 $3,015 Three Story Clubhouse Rooftop Retreat with Resort Style Pool Firepits & BBQ's Social Lounge & Billiards Fitness & Yoga Studio Pet Friendly & Pet Park Smoke Free Community

Three Story Clubhouse Rooftop Retreat with Resort Style Pool Firepits & BBQ's Social Lounge & Billiards Fitness & Yoga Studio Pet Friendly & Pet Park Smoke Free Community

Interior Amenities

*Ask about move specials *Ask about move ininspecials Interior Amenities – use code BREEZE - use code REPORTER Keyless Entry Keyless Entry Stainless Steel Appliances Full Size Washer & Dryer Wood Style Designer Floors Caesarstone Countertops Central Heat and Air Gourmet Kitchens Walk in Closets

PARKLANDS APARTMENTS Live refreshed ventura's newest luxury community

10896 Telegraph Rd LiveParklands.com Ventura, CA 93003 805-659-5588 phone (805) 659-5588 Community Amenities LiveParklands.com Three Story Clubhouse Rooftop Retreat with Resort Style Pool Firepits & BBQ's Social Lounge & Billiards Fitness & Yoga Studio Pet Friendly & Pet Park Smoke Free Community

Interior Amenities

10896 Telegraph Rd Ventura, CA 93003 phone (805) 659-5588 LiveParklands.com

Keyless Entry Stainless Steel Appliances Full Size Washer & Dryer Wood Style Designer Floors Caesarstone Countertops Central Heat and Air Gourmet Kitchens Walk in Closets

10896 Telegraph Rd Ventura, CA 93003 phone (805) 659-5588 LiveParklands.com

Stainless Steel Appliances Full Size Washer & Dryer Wood Style Designer Floors Caesarstone Countertops Central Heat and Air Gourmet Kitchens Walk in Closets

One, Two, & Three Bedroom Floor Plans

One, Two, & Three Bedroom Floor Plans

One, Two, & Three Bedroom Floor Plans

LiveParklands.com | 805.659.5588 | 10896 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93004 LiveParklands.com | 805.659.5588 | 10896 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93004 April 23, 2020 —

—3

OPINION Purple is the New Party

vcreporter.com

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR though. How do we go forward, with May 1 Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer being the next auditing of the country? There is a STAFF WRITER lot of arguing about reopening the country. Some Kimberly Rivers CONTRIBUTORS say we aren’t ready because of potential spread.

Michael Cervin, David Michael Courtland, Ivor Davis, Emily Some say we can’t afford to let people lose their Dodi, Alicia Doyle, Dane Edmondson, Chuck Graham, Chris jobs and businesses. Sadly, both can destroy the Jay, Daphne Khalida Kilea, Karen Lindell, Paul Moomjean, country. Ironically, both are right. Think of the Mike Nelson, Tim Pompey, Emily Savage, Kathy Jean Schultz,

by Paul Moomjean before. This is a moment of self-reflection, both country as if looking at a quarter. One side only Alan Sculley, Kit Stolz, Mark Storer, Alex Wilson, Leslie A. Westbrook, Kateri Wozny paulmoomjean@yahoo.com sees George Washington and the other side only for individuals and our nation.

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS If there’s one thing the $4+ trillion stimulus sees an eagle. Perspective is everything. And it’s Bret Hooper, Shannon Mead, Tonya Mildenberg ver a month into quarantine and lock- package has taught us, it’s that America has causing otherwise rational people to say things SALES TEAM LEADER down, the country is on the verge of a figured out how to circulate money if needed. beyond their common sense. Suddenly, the proWarren Barrett ADVERTISING SALES real civil war. While states like Califor- While socialism is not necessarily desired or life Republicans look like the anti-life party.

Jon Cabreros, Barbara Kroon nia have relaxed requirements in the COVID-19 practical in America, the expansion of current Conservative talk radio hosts and Fox News RECEPTION/LEGALS shutdown, allowing people to still go to the stores programs could be the saving grace we need if conservatives are screaming, “I’m willing to go Tori Behar and pick up takeout food (mask included), states this pandemic hits again. A program like Medi- to work and die for the economy!” No, you’re Advertising information, call 805.648.2244 like Michigan have banned visiting neighbors, care for All has now been revealed to be even not. You just want people back to work for tax Classified Ads, ext. 200 | Display Ads, ext. 207 causing semi-peaceful demonstrations. Colorado more necessary than ever before. Had people revenue and advertisement potential concerning has seen its citizens begin to protest. On top of all been insured and felt the costs weren’t going to your TV shows and radio programing.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICE 700 E. Main Street • Ventura, CA 93001 of that, Bernie Sanders has bowed out of the 2020 bankrupt them, more would have visited their Meanwhile Democrats are arguing “We need Fax 805.648.2245 election, creating a vacuum of progressive leader- doctor in January and February when we got hit. to stay inside until we have a vaccine!” If we ship, leading the “Bernie Bros,” a group of ded- Bernie Sanders’ recent New York Times op-ed wait that long, the economy will kill us before The Ventura County Reporter is distributed every Thursday in Ventura, Oxnard, Port icated young men with a more aggressive style broke it down pretty simply, too.

COVID-19 does.

Hueneme, Camarillo, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The Reporter is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Reporter may of campaigning, to wonder if the revolution will The truth is, we have to stop seeing this as “The absurdity and cruelty of our employbe distributed only by Reporter authorized distributors. No person may, without prior ever happen. Yet all this restlessness is happening er-based, private health insurance system should either/or and start looking at it from a place of written permission of the Reporter, take more than one copy of each Reporter issue. The Reporter is copyright ©2019 by Times Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part as the country is on pause. And through this, now be apparent to all. As tens of millions of neutrality. Maybe we cannot reopen everything, of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without permission in writing by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General there are positive things that are happening in the Americans are losing their jobs and incomes as a but what if we start by opening the rural states Circulation (SP50329). Submissions of all kinds are welcomed. However, the publisher worldwide reset, and this “pause-a-tivity” could result of the pandemic, many of them are also los- where social distancing is already geographiassumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned. Subscriptions are $99/yr. be what we need to make changes for the better. ing their health insurance,” Sanders wrote. “That cally created? With masks and gloves and busiAD PROOF School shootings are down. Clean air is up. is what happens when health care is seen as an nesses taking precautions, opening a few other War is putVentura on hold (kind of). AndVillage somehow employee benefit, not a guaranteed right. As we services could keepAd money flowing and safety Client: Harbor Executive: Warren Barrett (805) 648-2244 Zoom check and TikTok haveover created new and ways to move our top priority. you want to receive stay no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, forward beyond pandemic, to as “2nd Please this proof carefully indicate all corrections clearly.theYou will havewea need “1st Proof”, Proof”, and And “FinalifProof”.

If we connect as we stayAS at home.

While unemployhome, well, you always had that legislation that1st finally guarantees health carePROOF AD WILL RUN IS. If this proof meets yourpass approval on the proof, check off “FINAL (APPROVED)” box, date andoption. sign at the bottom ment is at an all-time high, and some of us are Regardless, during this pause, we have to to every man, woman and child — available to PRESIDENT SteveISSUE: Strickbine 4/16/20 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP VICE PRESIDENT Michael Hiatt still waiting for $1,200 checks and tax returns, people employed or unemployed, at every age.” remain positive. Forget the economy or our there is a sense of quietness we’ve never felt The nagging question still sits out there, health. Our very soul requires that.

Pause-a-tivity O

4—

— April 23, 2020

NEWS

vcreporter.com

Ventura County Health modifies COVID plans

by Kit Stolz

“Our daily numbers are still increasing but at a much slower and ast Saturday, Dr. Robert Levin, the Ven- more manageable rate,” Levin said. tura County Health Officer, modified “There was a time not so long ago and re-issued the county’s Stay Well when our doubling rate was 3.4 days at Home order requiring all persons living in — now it’s 15.1 days.” the county to stay at home except for essential The virus has spread especially fast and approved activities. The nineteen-page in long-term care facilities around order, first issued on March 20 to combat the California, where older people are COVID-19 pandemic, was modified with new well known to be vulnerable. On Fridetails for essential businesses, requiring them day, the state released an eye-opening to post their social distancing protocols on a list of over 200 long-term care facilpublic notice outside the business to stay open, ities in California that have recorded and allowing golf courses and county parks more cases of COVID-19 among to reopen with social distancing protocols in either patients or staff or both. The place. The order will remain in place at least county of Los Angeles, the harduntil May 15. est-hit in the state, included over 75 “We need to continue to be diligent,” Levin facilities infected with COVID-19, said in a phone interview. “Our county has including some large facilities with done a wonderful job so far of social distanc- dozens of cases in both staff and Screenshot from https://public.tableau.com/profile/ca.open.data#!/vizhome/COVID-19PublicDashboard/Covid-19Hospitals AD ing. This new order that came out Saturday patients. night liberalizes the requirements in ways Ventura County, which has over 240 long-term with practice and repeated exposure to this county to stay active to reduce their overall Client: Dr. Richard Gagne Ad Executive: Jon Cabreros (805) 64 we think are safe and verifiable, and will care facilities, had just two institutions known to kind of issue. I just think it’s unfair for these health risks. check this proof over carefully indicate all corrections clearly. You will have “1stdeaths Proof”,[in “2nd Proof”, hopefully allow for the flow of a little more have positive cases: thePlease Camarillo Healthcare institutions to and protect everybody else, so we’re “We’ve had a13 total fromand “Final we Care receive no proof the 1st If thisand proof your approval on and the 1st proo business activity, and also a little more phys- Center and the Glenwood Center.

Bothaftertaking thatoron2nd for Proofs, them.” AD WILL RUN AS IS. COVID], 11 meets of those were over 70, “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. ical activity.” were listed by the state as having fewer than 10 Levin said that this program had been in the other two had uncontrolled morbidities,” NOTICE: PLEASE THIS PROOF TO first (805) 648-2245 ASAP Ventura County’s COVID-19 numbers com- cases, and no positive results among staff.

Levin FAX the works since March. “Our order in the Levin said. “This is a time to control yourISSUE: pare well to most of its Southern California said that the public health department has been county was to protect our elders. We’ve been co-morbidities, to get out there and walk and neighbors. According to VCEmergency.com working closely with nursing facilities to reduce moving in this direction for weeks as part of exercise and bicycle and do stuff and be active. and a COVID-19 dashboard maintained by the risks, knowing how vulnerable older populations our effort to protect our elders.”

Don’t use this quarantine to catch up on all the state, as of Wednesday, April 22, the county are to this new disease.

Levin encouraged healthy members of the TV shows you’ve missed over the years.” had 29 people hospitalized with COVID-19 “We’ve been meeting with these facilities AD PROOF among its approximately 848,000 residents, on a regular basis and I’m impressed with with 11 patients in intensive care. SinceAd the Executive: how earnest they areWarren in trying to keep COVID Barrett (805) 648-2244 first reported case in April, the county has out You of their particular he “2nd said. Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If ver carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. will have ainstitutions,” “1st Proof”, a total of 443 AD casesWILL and has RUN sufferedAS“We excellent r the 1stlisted or 2nd Proofs, IS.have If an this proofcommunicable meets yourdiseases approval on the 1st proof, check off 13 date deaths.

County said last section, and they are all over these institutions ED)” box, and sign health at theofficials bottom. week number of new if 5 they aP case.”

ISSUE: 4/23/20 AX TH I S that P Rthe OO F TO ( 8 0cases 5 ) 6reported 48-224 Aget SA to health officials peaked on March 23, when Levin added that as of Friday night his 22 new cases were reported, and the number department launched a new program that will of new hospitalizations peaked on April 4, require local hospitals to admit patients from with 20. long-term care facilities who test positive for Levin continues to warn of the possibility COVID until the patient is no longer infecof a second wave of infections peaking in the tious and can be safely returned. county in late May, but at present notes that the “I believe that this is new to the state if not county is recording new cases at a much slow- the nation,” he said. “If you look at the state er rate than three weeks ago. In California now guidance and the guidance from the CDC, you the rate of infection is 81 cases per 100,000 see an obvious concern as to how to keep these people; in Ventura County, it’s about 52. The people safe in their long-term care institutions. state as a whole has seen 3 people per 100,000 But the vast majority of these institutions die due to coronavirus; in Ventura County, it’s don’t see this kind of thing often and don’t about 2 per 100,000. have the skills and the confidence that comes

L

M-F 9am-4pm

VENTURA’S BEST BILLIARDS Thank you Ventura County!

DR. GAGNE AND HIS STAFF ARE AVAILABLE TO TREAT YOU.

Our office is accepting new patients for emergency dental care only at this critical time. We are one of only a few dental offices that can provide IV Sedation if you need to make your treatment comfortable.

Please see Richard A. Gagne, DDS

our website for the most up-to-date information. www.DentalSedation.com

General Dentistry • IV Sedation • Dental Implant Surgery 1350 W. Gonzales Road • Oxnard

2520 E. Main St., Ventura • 805-641-2020

805.485.8057

April 23, 2020 —

—5

NEWS

vcreporter.com

Heathcare 2.0

Doctor-patient interactions go high tech during the pandemic — and just may stay that way

by Alex Wilson

T

he coronavirus pandemic is speeding adoption of new high-tech ways for doctors and patients to communicate, while eliminating the need for some patients to visit a medical office or hospital in person.

Those methods include “telemedicine” which can involve phone calls, Internet video chats and other types of virtual doctor visits, as well as seemingly old-fashioned house calls by doctors.

The use of telemedicine has been growing steadily in recent years.

The trend has accelerated due to the crisis, thanks to added encouragement from medical providers, and reluctance by many patients to leave their homes.

Linking up doctors and patients

Dr. Theresa Cho MD, Ventura County Health Care Agency Ambulatory Care CEO, says they were in the process of developing a new telemedicine program when the crisis struck.

“We looked at it before, but there are lots of regulations around it. So it seemed a little more difficult at the time to get past those, and so we didn’t, unfortunately, set it up before COVID,” said Cho. “So that has

really pushed us in that direction.”

After Ventura County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin declared a shelter-in-place order on March 17, Ventura County Health Care Agency officials worked quickly to get the new telemedicine system up and running right away.

“And then we enhanced that

by March 26 or so, by offering a tele-video platform that all of our doctors and other providers can use to reach out to their patients safely, while they are at home. So that allows us to send a link to their phone. They don’t need to download an app or do anything complex.

They just click on the link and they’re able to see their physician and explain if they have any health concerns that the doctor needs to address,” said Cho. In addition to using the system with computers and cell phones, patients can also arrange to have doctors call them on landline telephones.

Cho says that there will always be circumstances when patients need

treatment at a clinic or hospital for things like traumatic injuries and infections, but many other types of appointments are just as effective using telemedicine.

“We do want to bring in moms who are pregnant to make sure the baby is growing and is healthy, and we also bring in babies who need vaccines because we don’t want them to get sick,” said Cho. “Obviously that’s not something you can do over the phone or through a video, so in cases like that we do have to bring the patients in.”

Telemedicine: here to stay?

Cho says they’ve received positive feedback from both patients and doctors who have used their new telemedicine system. “The patients love it. In fact, I think they really enjoy being able to talk with their doctor without actually having to leave the house and figure out transportation and take the extra time,” said Cho. “For the doctors it’s great because some of them can actually work from home. It allows them to deal with the things that everybody else is dealing with, like children at home or other family members who need help,” Cho continued.

“We’re trying to stagger those schedules so some doctors are still in clinic for those acute needs, while others might be doing some of this work from home.

Cho says most people have adapted to the new technology quickly, and now nearly a quarter of their doctor visits are via telemedicine. She believes people will continue to use such services in high

I think more and more people are going to want to hop on board.”

— Ronald Berkowsky, CSUCI Internet-based Heal allows patients to book telemedicine calls via computer, tablet or phone.

numbers even after the coronavirus pandemic has passed.

“I definitely think this is something that’s here to stay,” said Cho. “We’re probably going to do a good percentage of your visits this way.”

“A major wake-up call”

California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) Assistant Professor of Health Science Ronald Berkowsky teaches classes on topics including healthcare technology, and agrees that adoption of telemedicine is now accelerating due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re going to see drastic increases in telemedical visits, virtual visits, etc.,” said Berkowsky. “I think that the pandemic is going to be a major wake-up call. Now that we see that there is potential for a sigComputer science professor Michael Soltys. nificant benefit to (Photo courtesy of CSU Channel Islands) telemedicine, I think more and more people are going to want to hop on board, start using these technologies

The patients love it. In fact, I think they really enjoy being able to talk with their doctor without actually having to leave the house and figure out transportation and take the extra time.”

— Dr. Theresa Cho, CEO, Ventura County Health Care Agency Ambulatory Care Dr. Wallace Baker (top) and Dr. Neil Jorgensen (left) interact with patients via tele-video platforms.

(Photos courtesy of Ventura County Health Care Agency Ambulatory Care.)

6—

— April 23, 2020

NEWS

vcreporter.com

When I walk into somebody’s home, I’m able to see their behavior, their environment...

All these kinds of things answer a lot of questions without me even asking.”

AD Client: Ventura Urgent Care

Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon

(805) 6

Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Fina we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proo “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom.

ISSUE:

NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

— Dr. Renee Dua, Heal and investing in these technologies.”

But Berkowsky also says there are some potential pitfalls to such technological changes, including worries that some patients and health care providers will have a hard time navigating telemedicine systems.

“Even though there’s a need, they’re not necessarily going to be prepared to adopt these various different technologies. There are going to be issues with doctors and other healthcare providers who need additional training to use these technological platforms. There’s going to be a need to train patients.”

House calls

Interestingly enough, while telemedicine is enjoying notable growth, there is similarly a move towards treating patients in their homes rather than doctor offices. One reason for this increase is the growth of private companies that connect doctors to patients for telemedicine consultations as well as house calls.

One Internet-based company called Heal was founded by a doctor who formerly served as chief of medicine at Simi Valley Hospital and continues to practice medicine in Ventura County. Heal’s telemedicine services are already available to Ventura County residents and it hopes to soon offer house calls as it does in Los Angeles and other cities. The company’s services are covered by many major health insurers.

Heal Chief Medical Officer Dr. Renee Dua says it can be comforting for people to see a doctor in the privacy of their own home instead of in a hospital or office setting, and there are advantages for doctors, too.

“When I walk into somebody’s home, I’m able to see their behavior, their environment, the kind of food they eat, if they smoke,

if they have pets. All these kinds of things answer a lot of questions without me even asking,” said Dua. “So many times, especially with this COVID outbreak, I find my patients have mental health issues, they’re depressed, they’re anxious, and me being there to take their hand and tell them everything is going to be all right is maybe more powerful than any medication I’m going to give them.”

We’re Still Open and Here For You

“A massive shift”

Experts say the rapid technological changes happening in medicine due to the pandemic also have profound implications for other types of businesses, government agencies, schools and religious institutions.

CSUCI computer science professor Michael Soltys says organizations of all kinds have been adapting quickly to new technologies like Internet-based meeting programs.

“Everybody’s on Zoom and working from home if they can,” said Soltys “It’s a massive shift.”

He also says some people are finding benefits from taking care of business at home.

“Of course there’s the joke about sitting in your pajamas at a meeting comfortably in your home with a cup of coffee, but you do save time on commuting. Meetings online tend to be more targeted and condensed and better scripted. They’re often recorded so people are better prepared. They’re not just hanging out in a meeting room killing time,” said Soltys.

“People are going to become accustomed to those benefits and will want to have them.”

Ventura County Health Care Agency www.vchca.org Heal heal.com

VENTURA URGENT CARE AND FAMILY PRACTICE CENTER

• FAMILY MEDICINE

• PHYSICAL THERAPY

• INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE

• X-RAY ON PREMISES

• MINOR EMERGENCIES

• NO APPT. NECESSARY

Note temporary hours during the COVID-19 virus Safer at Home time period.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM Saturday 9AM - 5PM, Sunday 10AM - 4PM

658-2273

5725 Ralston St.,Ventura (Victoria Village) Just look for the sign of the white, grey & red cross.

April 23, 2020 —

—7

NEWS

vcreporter.com

COVID News & Updates

by Kimberly Rivers kimberly@vcreporter.com

Sen. Jackson joins pandemic response committee California State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson has been appointed to serve on the newly formed Senate Special Committee on Pandemic Emergency Response. The bipartisan group is made up of 11 senators and will review the state’s response to the COVID-19 crisis to determine ways to improve responses and prepare for future pandemics.

Jackson represents the 19th Senate District which includes the western portion of Ventura County and all of Santa Barbara County.

Constituents with concerns about the response and/or in need of assistance accessing available pandemic-related benefits can call Sen. Jackson’s office in Oxnard at 805-988-1940.

Port of Hueneme hosted blood drive Local blood supplies are lower than usual because fewer people are giving blood due to the pandemic. To help ease the shortage, the Port of Hueneme hosted a blood drive on April 16 initiated by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) with the stevedores. The American Red Cross conducted the blood drive.

Navy builds capacity to provide PPE In response to the pandemic, the Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) based in Port Hueneme and the Pacific Fleet Sea-

bees have shifted the workflow of onsite 3D manufacturing capabilities to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) kits approved by the Federal Drug Administration.

The PPEs will be used by workers protecting military personnel at various locations, including the USNS Mercy hospital ship currently at the Port of Los Angeles Once fully adjusted for this purpose, the NAVFAC-EXWC will be able to print 1,000 face-mask kits per day, in the event that they are needed by the fleet. Each kit will include an American-made MERV13 filter media that provides some viral filtration, a 3D-printed frame, four rubber bands and a cloth patch — all disinfected and carefully packaged in a plastic bag.

“This endeavor is focused solely on preparing for a response if called upon. Being ready now, our efforts will allow NAVFAC to accelerate the production and shipment of needed personal protective equipment,” said Todd Jonas, certified professional engineer and Additive Manufacturing Implementation Lead with NAVFAC EXWC.

United Way strives to supply 1,500 care kits to homeless United Way of Ventura County is extending its Rapid Response Homeless Care Kit drive to June 1 in order to assist local unhoused residents of Ventura County during the pandemic. Each kit costs $7.50 and provides basic essential hygiene supplies. Kits are distributed by the backpack medicine team. For details and to donate, contact Amy Duganne at amy.duganne@vcunitedway.org or visit: www.vcunitedway.org/.

State can restrict recreational fishing

The California Fish and Game Commission has granted the California Department of Fish and Wildlife authority to temporarily “delay, suspend or restrict recreational fishing” in specific areas if such action is deemed necessary to protect public safety in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action allows CDFW to respond to local requests for action on an as-needed basis. The temporary authority expires May 31. CDFW will reach out to county and tribal governments in an effort to evaluate local concerns and associated health risks.

Food distribution for families in need Ventura County Food Share continues each week to host pop-up mobile food pantries across Ventura County for low-income residents that live in the area near the distribution location. Drive through only, bring verification of local address.

Current schedule: MONDAYS • Ojai, 12 p.m. St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 185 S. Thomas Aquinas Drive • Ventura, 1 p.m. Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd.

WEDNESDAYS • Oxnard, 1 p.m. College Park, 3250 S. Rose Ave. THURSDAYS • Thousand Oaks, 12 p.m. Conejo Creek South, 1300 E. Janss Road FRIDAYS • Santa Paula, 1 p.m. Harding Park, 1330 E. Harvard Blvd.

SUNDAYS • Moorpark, 1 p.m. 709 Science Dr. For more information, visit www. foodshare.com.

County parks, beaches open

Gold Coast Recycling reopens its buy-back facility in Ventura. (Photo courtesy of Gold Coast Recycling) 8— — April 23, 2020

On April 17, the Ventura County Parks Department announced the reopening of county-run parks, with an emphasis that social distancing orders remain in effect. Certain facilities like parking lots and restrooms at county parks remain closed. Playgrounds, tennis courts, community centers and campgrounds also remain closed.

The county manages three golf courses. Saticoy remains closed, with plans to open this week. Soule Park in Ojai and Rustic Canyon courses are open.

David Sasek, director of the General Services Agency which oversees the county park system, emphasized that the facilities can remain

Marina Park in Ventura will partially reopen for “movement” along with other city parks and beaches.(Photo by Jon Osumi)

open so long as those who visit the parks maintain social distancing.

“We’re asking the community’s help to keep these facilities open. When visiting our parks, please remember to practice social distancing so that we can continue to work to stop the spread of COVID-19.”

Ventura allows movement through parks and beaches At a special meeting on Monday, April 20, the Ventura City Council voted unanimously to allow “passive” movement through parks and beaches within the city’s jurisdiction.

“Standing or sitting on the beach,” and at parks “is prohibited,” said Erik Nasarenko, Ventura City Councilmember for District 4.

People may walk, hike, jog, bike, surf or otherwise move through these public spaces but cannot engage in activities where they stay in one place, such as picnicking or sunbathing.

Nancy O’Connor, director of Parks/Recreation and Community Partnerships, said she has confirmed with the state parks and harbor master that they will “mimic” the actions of the city to ensure local consistency between city-, county- and state-managed beaches.

The ordinance drafted by city attorney Gregory Diaz effectively “opens the sidewalks, walking paths, trails, the promenade…the pier,” at all city parks and beaches. Diaz emphasized every space is still subject to the social distancing requirements of the Ventura County Public Health orders, as well as the prohibition of gatherings.

“Public safety is our number one priority,” said Jim Friedman, council member from District 5. He said the emails he’s seen from residents are split 50/50 between those wanting

these spaces to open up and those wanting to keep them closed. “No matter what [we do], we are going to be criticized,” he continued, but noted that those who do don’t share the “awesome responsibility and liability” of the council in protecting public safety during the pandemic.

The council directed the city attorney to add a “tiered” enforcement approach suggested by Friedman in the event that the public does not comply with the rules, starting with temporary closure of the area, and fines or citations to individuals. The on-duty police watch commander will have the authority to determine enforcement action. The council will review data and compliance on a weekly basis.

A map and list of city parks and beaches is online at ca-ventura. civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/ View/6227/Parks-Map-2017-lettersize?bidId=.

County receives state funding for COVID-19 response On April 21, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors authorized the county Public Health Director to receive $731,524 from the California Department of Public Health to fund local emergency preparedness actions in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Gold Coast Recycling reopens buy-back facility On Monday, April 20, the Gold Coast Recycling facility at 5275 Colt St. in Ventura that was closed due to the pandemic will reopen, with operating hours of Monday through Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. All customers are required to wear gloves COVID...continues on Page 10

Thank You Community Memorial Health System would like to thank the Ventura County community for the outpouring of love and support during these unprecedented times.

April 23, 2020 —

—9

NEWS

vcreporter.com

Eye on the Environment

Earth Day 2020: 50th anniversary goes online

by David Goldstein,

munity choice aggregated power is Spicetopia, Native Pizza, Mile 26 business offered something specifavailable, many people have the and Leashless Brewing, offered an ic to their audience, like a certain takeout meal, yoga pose, online option of switching to fully renewarge gatherings were can- able power sources through their purchase offer or fitness challenge, sharing it on social media with celled, so 50th anniversa- existing energy provider. the hashtag #VLTEarthDayry Earth Day celebrations Shopping for an electric car Special. moved online this month. The Ojai is another energy-related For other local Earth Green Coalition and the Santa Bar- activity people can do to Day business activities, bara-based Community Environ- celebrate Earth Day this consider the list, promental Council were among the local month. Local car dealgroups hosting free live-streaming erships’ physical locavided by the non-profit events featuring speakers and enter- tions are not open, Surfrider Foundation tainment. but many are offering of Ventura County, Earth Day activists proposed off-site test drives of “Ocean Friendaction. “It’s not a day — it’s a move- and delivery. Tony ly” certified restaument,” stated the website of the Anaya, sales manrants offering takeout Earth Day Network, which provided ager for Simi Valley and curbside service “isolutions” for coronavirus self-iso- Chevrolet, explained: during the pandemAD PROOF lation activities benefitting the earth. “To provide for social ic: ventura.surfrider.

“Feeling powerless?” they asked distancing, we bring a org/social-distancingoverly -inGold Transit Executive: (805) 648-2244 a daily Coast posting. “Switch to green car Ad to your house and letBarbara Kroon friendly-and-ocean-friendthis proofpower over carefully and indicate allfuels corrections You have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If . . . Swapping out fossil you clearly. test drive it will unaccomly/. Ocean Friendly restauo proof after 1st or AD WILL panied RUN AS If this proofAll meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off likethe natural gas2nd andProofs, coal for renewby aIS.salesperson.” rants “take proactive steps to F (APPROVED)” andeasiest sign atways the bottom. ables isbox, onedate of the to it takes is a copy of your driver’s eliminate single-use plastics,” ISSUE: 4/23/20 according to the Surfrider website.

PLEASEreduce FAX your THIS PROOF TO (805) license, 648-2245 ASAP carbon footprint.” Peoinsurance card, a signature ple can contact a solar installation on a “borrow a car” form and an Students for Eco-Education and company, many of which are still appointment. Ayala is offering deals Agriculture (SEEAg) held an essay taking appointments for estimates on electric Chevy Bolts, with factory Earth Day promotion honoring the contest. Students wrote on the topic during the pandemic. and dealer incentives, all this month. Ventura Land Trust, and some are “What Earth Day means to me,” and In Ventura County, where comOther local businesses, including still participating this week. Each one won a lemon tree.

Ventura County IWMD, PWA

L

COVID...continued from Page 8 and masks and all recyclables must be bagged and categorized as plastic, aluminum or glass.

Mixed items will not be accepted.

For more information call: 805-642-9236.

Additional unemployment benefits The California Employment Development Department reports that in the past four weeks, it has processed 2.3 million claims for unemployment — more than the total number of claims for all of 2019. Last week, Californians who were receiving unemployment benefits qualify for an additional $600 per week as a result of the federal CARES Act approved recently by Congress to help Americans cope with loss of work related to the pandemic. Those already receiving unemployment funds do not need to do anything.

More information online at www.edd.ca.gov/ about_edd/coronavirus-2019.htm.

Benefits for business owners, self-employed and independent contractors

10 —

— April 23, 2020

Various categories of workers in the state who previously would not receive unemployment assistance now qualify and can apply through the state’s Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, set to start on April 28. Through this program, residents can claim up to 39 weeks of benefits depending on when workers became impacted by the pandemic. Payment of benefits will be retroactive to the first full week of February, if eligible. More information online at

On Facebook, dozens of people have issued their own Earth Day environmental challenges. For example, Douglas Blacksmith posted a video encouraging people to make artistic signs with sidewalk chalk on their driveways. The one he demonstrates, with a YouTube linked video, features a colorful frame around a drawing of the earth, with the message, “No Nature, No Future. Earth Day 2020.” Many people are similarly posting Earth Day art this month with the hashtag #togetherWeEarthrise.

The U.S. Postal Service is also promoting a work of Earth Day art, an Earth Day forever stamp by artist Tony Alcala. Kent Bullard, who usually organizes green car shows at local Earth Day events ,suggests, “Don’t hoard toilet paper, instead buy and hoard U.S. Postage StampsEspecially the Earth Day one.” store. usps.com/store/product/buy-stamps/ earth-day-S_682604 David Goldstein is an Environmental Resource Analyst with the Ventura County Public Works Agency.

www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/ pandemic-unemployment-assistance.htm.

Some funds available for undocumented workers While many undocumented workers are employed in California and have dollars removed from their paychecks for benefit programs, they usually are not eligible to receive any benefits.

Gov. Gavin Newsom changed that last week when he announced a plan to provide benefits to undocumented workers in California by designating $125 million for an emergency relief fund. Advocacy organization say that amount is a good start and will help about 250,000 of the 1.5 million undocumented workers in the state.

“Immigrant families are essential to the social fabric of this state,” said Kimberly Alvarenga, executive director of the California Domestic Worker Coalition. “Undocumented workers contribute over $3 billion each year in taxes, they grow and prepare our food, care for our loved ones and build our homes.”

VC DA provides free consumer mediation services With courts closed and not processing small claims cases, consumers can take certain disputes to the Consumer Mediation Unit of the Ventura County District Attorney’s office, which works with all parties to resolve complaints between businesses and consumers.

Mediations are held by telephone and email, all information is confidential. For more information call 805-654-3110 (West County) or 805-306-7930 (East County).

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Monday – Friday 2 – 7pm Happy Hour on site only.

Photo by Misa Silva

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

WATERFRONT HAPPY HOUR!

Regular menus for Online Ordering and Curbside Pick-up

353 w channel islands blvd oxnard

C A N N A B I S

805-843-3131

D I S P E N S A R Y

ORDER HOME DELIVERY OR CURBSIDE PICKUP

CUrbside only available for a limited time

AD PROOF

Ad Executive: Caitlynn Hoehn

(805) 648-2244 Client: SoCalGas

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

(8

dicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, a ofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the sign at the bottom.

“FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom.

1583 Spinnaker Drive, ISSUE: 4/9/20 OF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Ventura Harbor I NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

(805) 650-5350 thegreekventura.com

www.safeportcannabis.com safeport_

surf report

® SOCALGAS HERE FOR YOU. CHECK LIST: SOCALGAS ISISHERE FOR YOU. p phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling is c CHECKpLIST: dress is correct expiration date is correct p spelling is correct p phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling is correct DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT IS R AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUESPLEASE RELEASE.NOTE: DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. All advertising PLEASE NOTE: on department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing.produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of S ®

Any use otherisof than the placement of advertising any ofGroup.

Southland AllSouthland advertising produced by the production department of Times Media Group, the copyrighted property of TimesinMedia AnyPublishing’s publications is prohibited without t tising in any of Publishing’s publications is prohibited without consent sponsored by the express Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. use other than the placement of advertising in any of Times Media Group’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of fees. p OK to run Date: ____________________ p OK toMedia run Group,Date: Times plus any applicable fees. _______________________________ p OK to run Ming Hui Brown This proof is to check for accuracy and is p OK to run Date: ______________________________ p OK to run not intended to show quality of reproduction. with correction Signature: ________________ ___________________________ This correction proof is to checkSignature: for accuracy and is p OK to run n. with SOCALGAS® IS HERE FOR YOU. not intended to show quality of reproduction. with correction Signature: __________________________

Keep Calm and Wash your Hands

For information about events at the Fairgrounds and The Derby Club please visit us online at www.venturacountyfair.org

Tide Table ♦ April 23 - 29

We understand this is a challenging time for us all. Rest assured, your natural gas service will still be there for your community. For more information on how we’re helping our customers, please visit socalgas.com/coronavirus

Sunrise 6:15 a.m. • Sunset 7:40 p.m.

Thur Fri Sat Sun Mon Tues Wed

LOW TIDE AM HT PM

HT

4:35 0.0 5:08 -0.1 5:45 -0.1 6:27 -0.1 7:18 0.1 8:23 0.2 9:40 0.2

1.2 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.6 ---3.1

4:11 4:32 4:54 5:16 5:38 -----8:18

AM

HIGH TIDE HT PM

10:37 3.9 11:15 3.7 11:58 3.4 12:52pm 3.1 ------ ---12:15 4.9 1:10 4.6

10:14 10:39 11:05 11:36 2:09 -----5:58

HT We understand this is a challenging time for us all. Rest assured, your natural gas stillunderstand be there for your For moretime information 5.3 service willWe thiscommunity. is a challenging for us on all.how we’re helping our customers, please visit socalgas.com/coronavirus 5.3 Rest assured, your natural gas service will still be 5.2 there for your community. For more information 5.1 on how we’re helping our customers, please visit 2.8 socalgas.com/coronavirus We understand this is a challenging time for us all. Rest assured, your natural gas ---service will still be there for your community. For more information on how we’re 3.1 © 2020 Southern California helping our customers, please visit socalgas.com/coronavirus Gas Company. © 2020 Southern California Gas Company.

All copyright and trademark rights reserved. N20J056A 0412

All copyright and trademark rights reserved. N20J056A 0412

Surf Report: New Northwest ground swell due Friday 4/24 which should stick around all weekend. Wind swell due early next week.

Shopvss.com Free shipping with a $30 purchase, use code: freeship$30

88 e. thompson blvd. ventura 805-643-1062 venturasurfshop.com

© 2020 Southern California Gas Company.

All copyright and trademark rights reserved. N20J056A 0412

April 23, 2020 —

— 11

FEATURE

vcreporter.com

Birds of a feather

An interloping female becomes one of the family at the Lake Casitas bald eagle nest

by Kimberly Rivers kimberly@vcreporter.com

W

hen two untagged, wildborn bald eagles coupled and built their nest near Lake Casitas in 2009-10, they became the first nesting pair in the Ojai Valley in 100 years. It took the couple until 2013 to mature and become successful parents, hatching chicks every spring.

Since they were first spotted, local eagle enthusiasts have formed an ad hoc citizen scientist group dedicated to tracking the birds’ annual milestones, making sure key behaviors and events such as mating, hatching and caring for young are observed, documented, captured in photos and videos and shared with the public.

Bald eagles technically mate for life. But for the resident male at Lake Casitas, life has taken some unexpected turns. Over the past few weeks, the events that unfolded at his nest have astounded members of the Facebook group, Lake Casitas Eagles, and become a source of joy and hope sorely needed at this time.

Joy arrives

The 2015 season was progressing well with two hatchlings in the nest.

Mom and dad alternated between protecting the nest and hunting, bringing food (mostly fish from the lake) back to the hungry and grow-

ing chicks. Then on April 1, an intruder arrived.

A female known as “Joy,” tagged K-97 by the Institute for Wildlife Studies when she was a fledgling at a nest on Catalina Island, appeared at the lake. No one witnessed the presumed conflict between the nesting female and K-97, but Ojai photographer John Hannah captured photographs of the original female with a punctured eye and injuries to her head and beak. The original female left the nest, and was last seen in the Ojai Valley area on April 6. Due to the injuries visible in the photographs, she is presumed to have perished.

K-97 seized the chance to get into the nest when, after a few days, the male had to leave to hunt for the two eaglets and feed himself. K-97 is believed to have disposed of the chicks. One of them was found dead at the bottom of the tree; video footage appears to show K-97 killing the second.

Ultimately K-97 would win over the male, and they would eventually bond and successfully hatch chicks the following spring, and every year since.

A drama unfolds

On March 23 of this year, a female, tagged A-54, appeared and fought with Joy (K-97).

“We saw [Joy] for the last time [at

Dad and Bundle of Joy watch Hannah come in for a landing. (Photo by Judy Spaar-Hillewaert)

12 —

— April 23, 2020

Hannah flying at Lake Casitas on April 16. (Photo by Simon Arambula)

Hannah perched near the nest. (Photo by Robert Massey)

the nest] on March 24,” said Judy Spaar-Hillewaert, a longtime eagle observer. She formed a Facebook group, Lake Casitas Eagles, in 2013 to help educate the public. “The intruder, A-54, was trying desperately to get into the nest. The male was attacking her. It was very stressful for a few days.”

K-97 was then seen grounded and injured on the banks of Lake Casitas.

She was successfully rescued and transported to the Ojai Raptor Center, but passed a few days later from her injuries.

“In terms of eagle observation, [March 28] was certainly the most chaotic day I have experienced,” said Robert Massey of Ojai, a professional photographer with the watcher group. He recounted the events on Facebook (used with permission).

“In the morning we were watching A-54, the marauding female, and her unrelenting interest in the nest. We feared the complete destruction of any offspring and perhaps damage to our male, who was intent on protecting the nest.”

But then, the bird vanished.

“March 28 around 1 p.m. was the last time A-54 was observed,” said Spaar-Hillewaert.

Incredibly, a second untagged intruder arrived.

“At 4 p.m. that same day, this female [the second] came into the picture.”

Generally, says

Spaar-Hillewaert, “there are males that come in and try to take over nests, too,” but “a lot of females do the intruding. It is surprising we haven’t observed a male come in.

Maybe it’s happening but we haven’t seen it.”

Massey recounts that later that evening, another member of their group, Dave Schaar, confirmed this other young eagle was in fact a “second interloping female. Indeed, it was the first sighting of our Hannah.” (The new female was named after group member John Hannah; see sidebar.)

“Hannah [the second female] is 4 years old. We know she is 4 because of her plumage. She still has some dark streaks on her head and tail,” explained Spaar-Hillewaert.

On March 28, Hannah was seen trying to get into the nest. The male “wouldn’t let her in. He attacked her but she never attacked him.

She only defended herself.” Video footage taken by Spaar-Hillewaert shows them attached by their talons, spiraling in the air.

Based on the male’s behavior, the group believes the egg hatched on March 27. “The male was desperately trying to leave to hunt,” Spaar-Hillewaert said, adding that he left 15 times during the morning of the March 28.

“That’s when you know you’ve got a hatch. When [eagles] start bringing food to the nest.”

Blended family

Between March 28 and April 1, Hannah doggedly tried to get into the nest, still refraining from attacking the male. She would perch next to the male, even fly off with him.

When he would leave the nest to hunt, the group held their breath,

thinking that at any time the interloping female would kill the newly hatched chick to take over the nest.

As the sun set on April 1, Dad was in the nest with the chick while Hannah perched nearby.

“On April 2, I got there very early with Simon, it was dark at that time,” said Spaar-Hillewaert. Simon Arambula is a new watcher in the group. Both of them had equipment that shows heat signatures or thermal imaging and they detected three bodies in the nest. At first Spaar-Hillewaert thought they had made a mistake and there were two eaglets, but then they realized it was a second adult in the nest.

“There were two adult eagles in the nest. We noticed Hannah was in the nest. They were acting like old buddies, eating together,” said Spaar-Hillewaert. “At some point he let her in. Typically the intruder will kill the babies. It is a miracle that Hannah was in the nest. She’s basically fostering the chick. Feeding it, bringing food to the nest, acting like this is her child. April 2 was a miracle at the nest. I didn’t expect that.”

“They are a pair, chortling, talking to each other,” Spaar-Hillewaert continued. She said that the two are engaged in a parenting behavior called “nest exchanges, one leaves the other comes in.” They will bring in nesting material, and actually “fight about where it goes in the nest.”

About how often an intruder will adopt and start caring for eaglets in the nest Spaar-Hillewaert said, “It is extremely, extremely rare. I’ve talked to some specialists and biologists, it has not been documented before because they don’t see it; it is a fluke.”

“We are starting to see a lot more of the baby,” said Spaar-Hillewaert.

“The adults are doing some fun

FEATURE

vcreporter.com things. Breaking branches on the fly, off of trees. Breaking bark off.

Behavior we don’t usually get to see. There is a lot of action . . . they are bonding, doing what bonded pairs do.”

She explained that the pair is unlikely to actually mate this year because the male won’t be motivated to do that as he currently has a chick.

more visible. The small, fluffy, grey head pops up over the edge of the nest. The eaglet is called “Bundle of Joy” in homage to its mother.

“Adults are bringing a lot of what we call crib rails,” Spaar-Hillewaert said, explaining that the branches are used to build up the sides to prevent more mobile chicks from falling out. “They don’t have the strength in their legs yet . . . at three weeks they are about one foot long from beak to tail.” Eaglets start walking on their leg bones above the ankle. “We call it walking on their hocks. At six weeks they stand up on their feet. Until then they scoot around in the nest using their wings like arms.”

At about 12 weeks they try to start flying. “Typically at our nest it is usually around 13 weeks, it’s not an easy tree,” said Spaar-Hillewaert.

in 2013. She also helps document owls in the nest at the Ojai Meadows Preserve. “I usually do both, but this year has been different.”

“If you follow the story on Facebook, you learn there’s sadness and happiness with a fairytale theme in progress,” said Arambula. As a newer member of the group, he has enjoyed the people as well as the eagles he observes and photographs.

“I’ve made new friends, learned new Life at the nest things and found peace in a fastOver the next week, the eaglet’s paced world that can’t stand still. pin feathers, also called blood feathJust like the new eagle, Hannah, ers, will come in, which will become being accepted into the nest as a its flight feathers. This developmenfamily member.” tal step requires a lot of energy so “They live by instinct,” “[eaglets] will be eating a lot.” Then Spaar-Hillewaert added. “There is the tail feathers come in. There will something really beautiful to learn John Hannah. be a lot of “preening, scratching and that as humans we sometimes think (Photo by Sally Carless) itching.” way too much, it gets in the way.

“We can’t contain our excitement [Eagles] do go through a mourning when he’s being fed,” said Arambula period if they lose a chick or a mate. about spotting the eaglet. “A few Eagle enthusiasts It is very subtle, but I’ve seen it.

“It all started with the Channel You have to be really in tune to the occasional baby voice tones come out of all of us during his appear- Islands nest cam in 2008,” said eagles to connect with that. It’s a Spaar-Hillewaert of her initial inter- very different way of mourning than ances.” he morning of April 2 is taken for granted.”

Right now the baby is becoming est in eagles. She said she was what a human does. They just go on when the male bald eagle sent a link to the live with life, don’t let it get in the way He shared a story Hannah told in residence at Lake Casi- him about starting out as a prostreaming footage of of functioning and living and taking tas was seen peaceably in the nest fessional photographer. Hannah’s the camera on the Pel- care of business and doing what with the eaglet and the newly boss asked him what he “thought ican Harbor nest site they do.” arrived female. John Hannah, a he had been hired to do. John’s on Santa Cruz Island.

She keeps a detailed log with phoresident of Ojai and profession- answer was, ‘I was hired to take “The babies were just tographs and video of all the obseral photographer, was one of the pictures.’ John’s boss replied, ‘No, hatching.” vations at the nest. “I’m in the prooriginal members of the group you were hired to give expression She got involved in cess of getting it all edited. We cover of enthusiasts who watch, docu- to ideas.’ I always felt it was a lesmonitoring other nests the nest as best as we can. I’ve been ment, photograph and report on son worth remembering and one around the country, at the nest from 6 a.m. until someone the events at the bald eagle nest at of the things whichAD hungry to learn more can come by and relieve me” since distinguishes PROOF Lake Casitas. about these majestic the egg was laid. “I’ve learned so a photographer from someone takHannah passed Barbara away on that birds. ing snapshots.” much about nature through studying Ad Executive: Client: Cypress Place Kroon (805) 648-2244 same“Final day from cancer, groupno proof “They move my You “Heafter was the just1st a wealth inforeagles.

It amazes Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. will have a “1stme.”

Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and Proof”.

If and we the receive or 2ndofProofs, agreed to name the at new soul. They are1stsoproof, “I enjoy eagle AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the check offphotographing “FINAL PROOFthe(APPROVED)” box, date and sign thefemale bottom mation about birds in general eagle Hannah in remembrance of and he was theISSUE: majestic ASAP kindest soul and family because they are a symbol 4/23/20 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TOregal, (805)so648-2245 their late friend and birdwatcher. and beautiful,” she of hope and a beacon of strength,” funny as all get-out,” said Judy “One of the lovely traits John Spaar-Hillewaert. She rememsaid. “They are the expressed Arambula. “They own the had was that he cared for his bered him helping her with techtop of the food chain. sky, a place every living human has friends and he was an excellent nical aspects of photography as The way they inter- at one point wished to be able to do, teacher,” shared Robert Massey, she was learning the ropes. “He act with each other, fly high in the sky to escape it all.” fellow photographer and a mem- had a very special connection with their instincts, how ber of the eagle observers. “He birds. He would sit for hours and they interact without To see more photos, video and had a way about him which told kind of hang out with them. A speaking.” She creat- “edu-bits” visit Lake Casitas Eayou that nothing in life should be beautiful soul.” ed the Lake Casitas gles on Facebook at www.facebook.

Eagles Facebook page com/LakeCasitasEaglesOjai/ Hannah, taking flight. (Photo by Judy Spaar-Hillewaert)

“A beautiful soul”

New eagle named for photographer

T

KEEP LIVING YOUR GOOD LIFE. Like the city it thrives in, Cypress Place has a naturally vibrant vibe. Feel the welcoming spirit of Ventura’s most respected resort-style senior living community.

Call 805-835-4072 to schedule a visit.

Independent Living Apartments Available Now! 1200/1220 Cypress Point Lane • Ventura, CA 93003 • CypressPlaceSeniorLiving.com

License #565801008

April 23, 2020 —

— 13

ART AND CULTURE

vcreporter.com

Crafty During Quarantine Local craft, art shops offering creative kits to go

by Kateri Wozny

K

elley Hanson recently posted a photo on her Instagram page of a wooden backdrop with the name of her business, The Craft House. Instead of it being filled with customers holding up their works of art, it was empty.

“Missing all of your smiling faces in our photo booth . . . I love seeing all of the projects you are creating at home!” Hanson wrote.

Hanson temporarily closed her Moorpark business on March 16 due to the Ventura County COVID-19 “Stay Well at Home” public health order. Businesses like hers under the order are considered non-essential.

Until then, she is keeping positive and making craft kits to go for her customers.

“These are trying times for everybody with a lot of unknowns,” Hanson said. “I’m more of an optimistic type of person; I ran with it.”

The Craft House offers craft kits for adults and children. Available for purchase on the website are wooden message signs in a variety of styles ($28 each) that can be assembled at home. Kits contain a board, lasercut letters or other pieces, decorations and (for some kits) a paint

The Craft House

tray and super glue. Kids’ projects feature paint-by-numbers designs (dinosaur, magical unicorn, beach scene or monster truck) laser-etched on wood for $12 each. (Paints and brushes are not included.) Customers can pick up kits on the porch at the craft bar, or have them delivered to their residences (for a small fee) or shipped elsewhere (costs will vary depending on location).

NASH Exchange Incorporated

14 —

— April 23, 2020

“I’m being very flexible and trying to give people things to make at home,” Hanson said.

“I’m trying to help provide people fun things to do with their family. It’s a way of bonding and keeping busy.”

The Craft House will also soon be hosting a virtual

monthly comedy and crafts class.

For more information, visit www. crafthouse805.com.

NASH Exchange Incorporated

NASH Exchange Incorporated in Ventura holds a special place in Sarah Vibbart’s heart.

“My goal is to educate people about the foster system,” Vibbart said. She named the nonprofit boutique after her son Nash, who was adopted from the Ventura County foster system in 2015.

Vibbart craft kits include a driftwood, shell and sea glass wall hanger ($30); driftwood, starfish and sea glass candle holders (two for $25); shell, sea glass and starfish wreaths ($20); and pine cone flower wall art with plywood, moss and sticks ($20). All kits also come with epoxy or hot glue; glue guns are available to rent with a $5 deposit.

“These are mental crafts,” Vibbart said.

“They can help people destress.”

There are also kits for the more advanced crafter, including a wooden cutout with a “dirty pour” (different paint colors placed in a single vessel and then poured out together), more elaborate driftwood hangers and wooden boxes for mason jars.

YouTube tutorials are currently being made on how to assemble them.

Kids craft kits are available, too.

Choose from dinosaur garland, butterfly garland, driftwood and yarn wall hangers, each costing $10.

“It’s good to keep the kids active, creative and stimulate their artistic abilities,” Vibbart said. “Crafts are good to make and give as gifts for Mother’s Day and birthdays.”

For now, Vibbart uses Facebook or Instagram to sell the craft kits. Proceeds help benefit NASH Exchange’s reimbursement programs, including sports, school supplies, summer camps and scholarships. Customers can pickup kits curbside or have them delivered for free if they live within 10 miles.

“The idea is doing craft kits to help everybody co-exist at home,” Vibbart said. “A lot of people don’t think of the mental health aspect.

Stay on top of mental health and be happy and healthy. I’m a firm believer in working with your hands.”

For more information, visit www. nashvc.org or check out the organization on Facebook or Instagram.

Lily Fields Vintage

Donna McClure of Lily Fields Vintage in Santa Paula named her shop after a Bible verse that reminded her that God is in control of it all and not to worry. She has taught about 75 craft classes in her shop over the past three years.

“I had a lot of leftover inventory from each class I had done [to make craft kits],” McClure said. “When I got the health order, I had to get creative because I just can’t stop business.”

nontoxic synthetic pigments.

“I had a lot of positive feedback,” McClure said. “Customers want so badly to support local businesses.”

Wooden crates, hearts, rabbits and signs are featured in kits for adults, while the younger set can play around with dinosaurs, bird houses, unicorns or just good ol’ craft paper and stickers.

“It’s important to keep our kids busy,” McClure said. “I sold out the first couple of days and had to restock inventory.”

Costs range from $12 to $30 per kit. McClure said future discounts will be applied. Customers can have purchases delivered, or collect them from the shop’s front porch.

“I sterilize the porch with bleach and spray Lysol,” McClure said.

“After somebody picks up a kit, I spray it again to keep everybody safe.”

For more information, visit www. lilyfieldsvintage.com.

Vita Art Center

Vita Art Center Owner Mary Perez knew she had to find a way to keep her art students engaged from a distance. The Ventura art business currently has Zoom classes for children ages 6 to 10, 10 and up, teens and adults.

“Two things we want to achieve is art and community,” Perez said.

The cost for six children’s Lily Fields Vintage art studio, ceramic or drawing classes is $100. The teen

McClure offers craft kits for adults and children. All come with brushes, wax, paint and instructions. The paint is Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint, an all-natural formula made with milk protein (casein), limestone, clay, chalk and natural and/or

Donna McClure at her shop in Santa Paula

Client: Coast Cart

ART AND CULTURE

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (805) 648-2244

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE WITH AN ELECTRIC BIKE

Please check this proof overacarefully and indicate all corrections clearly. Vita Art Center art program is funded through a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive grant You fromwill thehave Reed Foundation, proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this where no students use colored chalk proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF pastels during instructional draw(APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. ings and can also receive scholarships. Adult classes include an Deadline for Ad Changes is 12:00 Noon the Tuesday oil painting for $100, $150 for six prior to that issues release.

ISSUE: 4/16/20 drawing sessions and $125 for six ceramic sessions.

“We are going to add as many classes as we can within our limitations,” Perez said.

Perez and her staff assemble VITAmin children’s craft kits with watercolors, pencils, printed and collage papers and a paintbrush.

Customers can pickup and sign out the VITAmin kits at the art center’s patio. Once the class is complete, boxes must be returned so that employees can clean them and refill them with new supplies.

“It’s a daily dose of art [VITAmins],” Perez said.

AD PROOF Artists and collectors can also participate through a social media moneira Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon (805) 648-2244 art exhibit called Inside Out, where a piece of art displayed in their house this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If o proof after the 1stonor Vita’s 2nd Proofs, AD and WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off is shared Facebook OF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom.

Instagram pages.

“It changes gives more meanISSUE: 4/23/20 PLEASE FAX THISandPROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP ing to our space,” Perez said. “Mentally, weCOMMENTS: are all in this together.”

Write the number on the ad that For acorresponds full schedule, to visit www. your comments/corrections vitaartcenter.com.

1. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 2. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 3. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 4. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 5. ____________________________________________

DELIVERY AVAILABLE

_______________________________________________

GREAT SELECTION OF ELECTRIC BIKES NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Date: _______________________________ Signature: ___________________________ This proof is to check for accuracy and is not intended to show quality of reproduction.

2907 Palma Drive, Ventura, Ca 93003 (805) 667-8658 doglegelectric.com April 23, 2020 —

— 15

OUT OF THE BOX

vcreporter.com

Escape from New York

by Ivor Davis Unorthodox Directed by Maria Schrader Starring: Shira Haas, Amit Rahav, Jeff Wilbush, Alex Reid Rated TV-MA 3 hrs., 33 min. (4 episodes)

I

s there anyone out there, in this truly topsy-turvy world in which we are currently trapped, who is not desperately looking for an escape from the unending gloom that has immersed us these past several weeks?

No, I thought not.

One of the strangest and most intriguing distractions that I and scores of friends from all walks of life have discovered is a four-part television series on Netflix that is somehow movements in the world with a membership in point, discovering her pregnancy on the same AD filling our voids. I refer to Unorthodox, a the region of 50,000. day thatPROOF her husband (Amit Rahav) asks for a show with not one single star where the leadThe mini-series is based on Deborah divorce. ent Marketing Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (805)Then 648-2244 ing actors speak Yiddish. It sneaks us into the Feldman’s 2012 memoir, Unorthodox: The Esty does the unthinkable: She flees is proof over carefully secretive and indicate allofcorrections clearly.Scandalous You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, “Final Proof”. little-known, world Satmar, a JewRejection of My Hasidic Roots.and her home and Ifher controlled and claustroproof afterish the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. this proof meets the 1stphobic proof, community check off to fly to Berlin, where her ultra-Orthodox sect based in the WilliamsThe Iffour-parter followsyour the approval saga of on Esther (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. burg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

“Esty” Shapiro (played by Israeli actress Shira mother has been living for years and where 4/16/20 EASE FAX THIS PROOF TOthe (805) 648-2245 ASAP Satmar originated from city of Szat- Haas, who looks like a young Mia Farrow), aISSUE: she finds friendship with a bunch of music márnémeti in Hungary, where it was founded 19-year-old Satmar Jew living in Williams- academy students. in 1905 by Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum. Following burg. She is trapped in an arranged marriage Much of the dialogue is in Yiddish, an odd World War II, it was re-established in New which is on shaky ground as the couple has combination of Hebrew and about 75 percent York, becoming one of the largest Hasidic struggled to start a family. She reaches a crisis medieval German and the primary language spoken by the Satmars. Yiddish words like chutzpah (cheek or gall) and schmuck (fool) have (thanks to the popularity of American Jewish comedians) crept into everyday American dialogue.

The series has become a hot talking point — so much so that Netflix is hoping to do a second season. What has amazed me about the show’s appeal is that it seems to have crossed all religious backgrounds and ages. I had an animated conversation with some local Catholic friends; one colleague admitted she was intrigued. My 14-year-old granddaughter was both fascinated and appalled when she watched the series with her mother. In one early scene, before Esty’s wedding, the teenage bride is given a clumsy lecture on what to expect when she enters the conjugal bed on her wedding night.

16 —

— April 23, 2020

“We get better information in my elementary school sex-education FLASH [Family Life and Sexual Health] class, which is mandatory in Seattle schools from fifth grade onwards,” said the wiser-than-her-years teen.

Rabbi Lisa Hochberg-Miller of Ventura’s Temple Beth Torah noted that “part of the appeal is it is a secretive community and there’s always fascination about seeing a community . . . from the inside . . . and watching how they act and seeing their insight and their mindset — and how they practice in their homes.” She thought that the filmmakers “have characterized and shown aspects of the Hasidic world very authentically . . . in a very nonjudgmental way . . . I appreciated that I wasn’t being emotionally manipulated to be for or against it.”

There is some irony in asking a female rabbi to comment on a story centered on a society that would consider as sacrilege the very idea of a woman leaving home to become a religious leader. Had Hochberg-Miller grown up in an ultra-Orthodox Jewish community such as the Satmar, she would never have been given the chance to make her indelible mark as a distinguished rabbi. Jewish women in the United States were not allowed to become rabbis until 1972, and then only within the Reform movement.

It is this tension between the modern mindset and a strict adherence to tradition that helps make Unorthodox such a compelling watch.

Gift Certificates

20% OFF

Any future stay Expires 4/30/20.

Call for Purchase (805) 207-8600 Thank you to all my wonderful customers and our community. We appreciate your business and look forward to seeing your Kitties soon.

- Carri

WE ARE OPEN!

APPOINTMENT DROP OFF & PICK UP HOURS

AD PROOF MONDAY- FRIDAY: 9:00AM -12:00PM • 4:00PM - 5:30PM SATURDAY: - 12:00PM • SUNDAY: 9:00AM -11:00AM Ad 9:00AM Executive: Warren Barrett (805) 648-2244

Client: Geico

Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, andUnit “Final Proof”.

If we receive no proof207-8600 after the 1st or 2nd 2443 Portola Rd., A, Ventura • (805) Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom kittylandresort.com ISSUE: 1/9/20 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

REAL. LOCAL. SAVINGS. CHECK LIST: p phone number is correct PLEASE NOTE:

p address is correct

p expiration date is correct

p spelling is cor

DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSU

All advertising produced by the production department of Times Media Group, is the copyrighted property of Times Med use other than the placement of advertising in any of Times Media Group’s publications is prohibited without the exp Times Media Group, plus any applicable fees. p OK to run Date: _______________________

This proof is to check for accuracy and is not intended to show quality of reproduction.

p OK to run

with correction

Signature: ___________________

See how much you could save on car insurance today.

805-487-7847 1620 East Gonzales Road, Oxnard

Saving people money on more than just car insurance.® Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Motorcycle and ATV coverages are underwritten by GEICO Indemnity Company. Homeowners, renters and condo coverages are written through non-affiliated insurance companies and are secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. GEICO Gecko image © 1999-2019. © 2019 GEICO

April 23, 2020 —

— 17

ADVICE GODDESS

Opener Sesame!

I’m a single woman. I’d love to get into a relationship. Often, when I’m at a bar, I see a guy I’d like to chat up, but I won’t even approach because I don’t know what to say. Are there some pickup lines men love to hear?

— Looking There are a number of lines men would love to hear from a woman — among them, “I’ve really enjoyed my drink, and now I’d like to enjoy you” and, “Don’t you have a tattoo I should be licking?”

However, there’s what men love to hear, and there’s what’s actually effective when you’re seeking a relationship that lasts long enough for you to learn to pronounce the guy’s name: “Is that Fred, like ‘Fred’?”

by amy alkon

Evolutionary psychologist Maryanne Fisher and her colleagues researched which pickup lines, used by women on men, are most effective.

“Effectiveness,” Fisher writes, “was defined as success in securing a phone number or agreeing to meet again.”

Pickup lines fall into three categories: “direct,” “innocuous,” and “flippant.” “Direct lines clearly convey interest” through unambiguous requests and flattering remarks, explains Fisher — for example: “Want to have a drink together?” “You have really nice eyes,” and “Can I have your number?”

Innocuous lines, on the other hand, “hide the intention of the speaker and act more as conversation starters.”

Examples include: “Can you recommend a good drink?” “I’ve seen you before; do you work here?” and “Where did you get that tattoo? Did it hurt?”

Flippant lines involve humor — or, um, attempts at it, like an example Fisher references from previous research: “Can I get a picture of you so I can show Santa what I want for Christmas?” Another flippant charmer: “Is that really your hair?”

Fisher explains that, like innocuous lines, “flippant lines are theorized to

protect the user from rejection, as they can disguise a failed attempt as a simple question or a joke.” Unfortunately, both flippant and innocuous lines also seem to “protect” the user’s target from knowing that the purveyor is interested.

Fisher’s research, like previous research, found that men preferred

Direct lines were less effective for less attractive women — except when they were scantily clad.

Also, men will tell you they love when women ask them out. (Of course they do. It’s like they’re standing on a dock fishing when, out of nowhere, a plate of perfectly cooked salmon flies out of the water and lands on the bench beside them.)

Unfortunately, evolutionary psychology research suggests that for women, overt pursuit of men, like asking them out, is a risky strategy.

The research comes out of what evolutionary biologist Robert Trivers, in 1972, called “parental investment theory”: Because women have a high potential cost from any sex act — pregnancy and a kid to feed — they evolved to be the choosier sex, and men coevolved to expect female aloofness, especially from women with high “mate value.” When women seem too eager, men tend to devalue them, seeing them as desperate or just hookup material.

Synthesizing Fisher and Trivers, my takeaway is that you should be unambiguous in showing interest in a guy — and ideally, repeatedly unambiguous.

Use flattering remarks to make your

Your goal should be flattering a guy into understanding that you’re interested in him. direct pickup lines to the innocuous and flippant ones. This isn’t surprising. Men tend to be bad at picking up hints, and many are terrified of overestimating a woman’s interest and waking up to their name hashtagged with #MeToo. When a woman uses a direct pickup line, and especially when she spreads additional direct lines around in conversation, she’s telling a guy she’s interested in seeing more of him, as opposed to seeing whether she should Mace him.

Unfortunately, there’s some nuance to the Fisher team’s findings — what might be called (sorry!) beauty inequality. Direct pickup lines were preferred by men when the women using them were really attractive.

interest plain, but stop short of highly sexual remarks, which are likely to mark you as hookup fodder, or asking a guy out. Your goal should be flattering a guy into understanding that you’re interested in him. This allows you to see whether he’s got real interest in you — enough for him to lay his ego on the line and hit you up for your number.

Do this regularly — being flirtatiously forward — and you should come to understand that you have the power to summon men into your life.

Maybe not all the men you want, but more than you would have thought.

This, in turn, should keep you from going all desperate — to the point where you seek out men you’d previously, um, overlooked...like that construction worker: “Hey, you! You in the hard hat! You had me at ‘Those boobs real?’” (c)2020, Amy Alkon, all rights reserved. Got a problem? Write Amy Alkon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail AdviceAmy@ aol.com. @amyalkon on Twitter. Weekly podcast: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon Order Amy Alkon’s new book, “Unf*ckology: A Field Guide to Living with Guts and Confidence,” (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2018).

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY ARIES

(March 21-April 19):

In the future, when the coronavirus crisis has a diminished power to disrupt our lives, I would love for you to have more of the money you need to finance interesting new experiences that help you learn and thrive. Now is a good time to brainstorm about how you might arrange for that to happen. For best results, begin your meditations with vivid fantasies in which you envision yourself doing those interesting new experiences that will help you learn and thrive.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20):

Renowned Taurus composer Johannes Brahms (1833–1897) completed his first symphony when he was 43 years old—even though he’d started work on it at age 22. Why did it take him so long? One factor was his reverence for Ludwig van Beethoven, the composer who had such a huge impact on the development of classical music. In light of Beethoven’s mastery, Brahms felt unworthy. How could any composer add new musical ideas that Beethoven hadn’t already created? But after more than two decades, Brahms finally managed to overcome his inhibition. He eventually produced four symphonies and scores of other pieces, and left a major mark on musical history. For you, Taurus, I see the coming months as a phase comparable to the time when Brahms finally built the strength necessary to emerge from the shadow that had inhibited him.

GEMINI

(May 21-June 20):

A Gemini friend sent me and three of her other allies a poignant email. “This note is a tender apology to those of you whom I’ve hurt in the process of hurting myself,” she began. “I want you to know that I have been working hard and with great success

18 —

— April 23, 2020

by rob brezsny

to eliminate my unconscious tendency to hurt myself. And I am confident this means I will also treat you very well in the future.” I received her message with joy and appreciation. Her action was brave and wise. I invite you to consider making a comparable adjustment in the weeks ahead.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22):

The Ojibwe are indigenous people of North America. Professor of Ojibwe studies Anton Treuer writes that in their traditional culture, there have been men who act and dress like women and women who act and dress like men. The former are called ikwekaazo and the latter ikwekaazowag. Both have been “always honored” and “considered to be strong spiritually.” Many other Native American groups have had similar arrangements.

Transcending traditional gender behavior is not unique to modern Western civilization.

With that as inspiration, and in accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to explore any inclinations you might have to be your own unique gender. The time is ripe for experimenting with and deepening your relationship with the constructs of “masculine” and “feminine.”

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22):

“The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes,” wrote Nobel Prize-winning poet Czesław Miłosz. Wow! If a highly respected genius like him has spawned so much nonsense and ignorance, what about the rest of us? Here’s what I have to say about the subject: Each of us should strive to be at peace with the fact that we are a blend of wisdom and folly. We should be tenderly compassionate toward our failures and weaknesses, and not allow them to overshadow our brilliance and beauty. Now would be a good time

for you Leos to cultivate this acceptance and perform this blessing for yourself.

VIRGO

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22):

Helen Traubel (1899–1972) was best-known for her opera career, although she also sang in concerts, nightclubs, and musical theater. But in her autobiography, she confessed, “Opera bored me.” She reminds me of Georgia O’Keeffe, famous painter of flowers. “I hate flowers,” O’Keeffe said. “I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move.” Now of course most of us have to do some things that we don’t enjoy; that seems to be a routine part of being human. And since the coronavirus arrived in our midst, you may have been saddled with even more of this burden. But I’m happy to inform you that the coming weeks will be a favorable time to brainstorm about how you could do more of what you love to do once the crisis has abated.

LIBRA

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

What’s the current state of the relationship between your ego and your soul? Is there an uneasy truce between the ambitious part of you that craves success and recognition and the lyrical part of you that yearns for rich experiences and deep meaning? Or do those two aspects of you get along pretty well — maybe even love and respect each other? Now is a favorable time to honor your ego and soul equally, Libra — to delight in the activities of both, to give them plenty of room to play and improvise, and to encourage them to collaborate in ways that will further your well-rounded happiness and health.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21):

Scorpio author Voltaire (1694–1778) was a crusader for freedom of thought and civil lib-

erties, as well as a key player in the Enlightenment. He was very prolific. In addition to producing 2,000 books and pamphlets, he carried on such voluminous written correspondences with so many interesting people that his collected letters fill 98 volumes. Would you consider getting inspired

by Voltaire’s approach to cross-pollination?

According to my calculations, the next phase of the coronavirus crisis will be a favorable time for you to intensify your communication via the written word.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21):

I like musician David Byrne’s views on what constitutes meaningful work. It’s not just the tasks you do to earn money. “Sex is a job,” he says. “Growing up is a job. School is a job. Going to parties is a job. Religion is a job. Being creative is a job.” In other words, all the activities he names, to be done well, require a commitment to excellence and an attention to detail. They are worthy of your diligent efforts, strenuous exertion, and creative struggle. I encourage you to meditate on these thoughts during the coming weeks.

Identify what jobs you want to get better at and are willing to work hard on and would like to enjoy even more than you already do.

CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19):

At its best and brightest, Capricornian love isn’t frivolous or flighty. It’s not shallow or sloppy or slapdash. When Capricornian love is at its highest potency, it’s rigorous, thoughtful, and full-bodied. It benefits anyone who’s involved with it. I bring this up because I expect the coming weeks to be a Golden Age of Capricornian Love — a time when you will have the inspiration and intelligence necessary to lift your own experience of love to a higher octave.

AQUARIUS

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18):

I hope you’re not one of those Aquarians who regards stability and security as boring.

I hope you don’t have an unconscious predilection for keeping yourself in a permanent state of nervous uncertainty. If you do suffer from those bad habits, you’ll be hard-pressed to stick to them in the coming weeks. That’s because the cosmic energies will be working to settle you down into a steady groove. If you cooperate, you will naturally enhance your ability to be well-anchored, calmly steadfast, and at home in your life. Please don’t resist this opportunity.

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20):

I foresee the likelihood that you’ll be having brilliant and evocative conversations with yourself in the coming weeks. Your heart and your head may become almost blissful as they discuss how best to create a dynamic new kind of harmony. Your left side and right side will declare a truce, no longer wrestling each other for supremacy, and they may even join forces to conjure up unprecedented collaborations. The little voices in your head that speak for the past will find common ground with the little voices in your head that speak for the future — and as a result you may be inspired to formulate a fresh master plan that appeals both.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes and daily text message horoscopes.

The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

posed action.) The inde- Request for Special No- 93036. YOU ARE FUR- tura Blvd., Ste. 100, Capendent administration tice (form DE-154) of the THER ADVISED as follows: marillo, CA 93010. This business is conducted by: A CorAt the hearing the Court must authority will be granted filing of an inventory and choose and implement one of poration. The registrant comunless an interested per- appraisal of estate as- the following permanent menced to transact business son files an objection to sets or of any petition or plans for the child: adoption, under the fictitious business the petition and shows account as provided in guardianship, or long term name or names listed above good cause why the court Probate Code section foster care. Parental rights on: 6/15/2010. I declare that should not grant the au- 1250. A Request for Spe- may be terminated at this all Information In this statehearing. the ment Is true and correct (A thority.805.648.2244 ex.200 | tori@vcreporter.com cial Notice form is availContact Tori Behar | Deadline is Monday, 11 a.m.On for 07/01/2020, Thursday publication Human Services Agency will registrant who declares inA HEARING on the peti- able from the court clerk. recommend termination of formation as true any materition will be held in this Attorney for Petitioner parental rights. The child may al matter pursuant to Section c o u r t a s f o l l o w s : ROBERT A. ARABIAN be ordered placed in long 17913 of Business and Pro06/10/20 at 9:00AM in SBN 177963 term foster care, subject to fessions Code that the registhe regular review of the Jutrant knows to be false is Dept. J6 located at 4353 GIFFORD, DEARING & venile Court; or, a legal guilty of a misdemeanor punProbate E. VINEYARD AVENUE, ABERNATHY, LLP guardian may be appointed ishable by a fine not to exOXNARD, CA 93036 515 S. FIGUEROA ST. ceed one thousand dollars for the child and letters of NOTICE OF PETITION IF YOU OBJECT to the STE 2060 ($1.000).) /s/ Ojai Oil Comguardianship be issued; or, TO ADMINISTER granting of the petition, L O S A N G E L E S C A adoption may be identified as pany, Sarah Powell Monroe ESTATE OF: you should appear at the 9 0 0 7 1 Allen, Sarah Powell Monroe the permanent placement GARY MAURICE hearing and state your 4/16, 4/23, 4/30/20 Allen, Assistant Secretary. goal and the Court may orTHOMAS NOTICE - in accordance with der that efforts be made to objections or file written CNS-3359352#/30061 CASE NO. 56-2020subdivision (a) of Section locate an appropriate adoptobjections with the court 00541246-PR-LA-OXN 17920, a fictitious name ive family for the child for a before the hearing. Your Summons statement generally expires period not to exceed 180 To all heirs, beneficiaries, appearance may be in at the end of five years from days and set the matter for c r e d i t o r s , c o n t i n g e n t person or by your attorSUPERIOR COURT OF the date on which it was filed further review; or, parental creditors, and persons ney.

CALIFORNIA in the office of the county rights may be terminated. who may otherwise be in- IF YOU ARE A CREDITCOUNTY OF VENTURA. clerk, except, as provided in You are entitled to be present NOTICE OF HEARING BY terested in the WILL or OR or a contingen t subdivision of section 17920, at the hearing with your attorPUBLICATION WELFARE & estate, or both of GARY c r e d i t o r o f t h e d e where it expires 40 days after ney. If you cannot afford an INSTITUTIONS CODE MAURICE THOMAS. any change in the facts set attorney, you are entitled to cedent, you must file §366.26 forth in the statement pursuhave the Court appoint counA PETITION FOR PRO- your claim with the court J 072414 ant to section 17913 other sel for you. A thirty-day conBATE has been filed by and mail a copy to the HEARING DATE: than a change in residence tinuance may be granted if FREDRICK THOMAS in personal representative 07/01/2020 address or registered owner. necessary for counsel to prethe Superior Court of appointed by the court TIME: 08:30 am A new fictitious business pare the case. At all terminaCOURTROOM: J1 California, County of within the later of either name statement must be filed tion proceedings, the Court In the matter of the Petition of VENTURA. before the expiration. The filshall consider the wishes of (1) four months from the the County of Ventura HuT H E P E T I T I O N F O R date of first issuance of ing of this statement does not the child and shall act in the man Services Agency reof itself authorize the use in best interest of the child. Any PROBATE requests that letters to a general per- garding freedom from parentFREDRICK THOMAS be sonal representative, as al custody and control on be- order of the Court perman- this state of a fictitious busiappointed as personal defined in section 58(b) of half of Jonathan Fleischer, a ently terminating parental ness name in violation of the rights under this section shall rights of another under Fedrepresentative to adminis- the California Probate child. To: Lindsay Fleischer, be conclusive and binding eral, State, or Common Law ter the estate of the de- Code, or (2) 60 days Unknown father, and to all upon the minor person, upon (see Section 14411 ET SEQ., persons claiming to be the cedent. the parent or parents, and Business & Professions from the date of mailing THE PETITION requests or personal delivery to parents of the above-named upon all other persons who Code). This statement was person who is described as authority to administer the you of a notice under sec- follows: name Jonathan have been served with cita- filed with the County Clerk of estate under the Inde- tion 9052 of the Califor- Fleischer, Date of Birth: tion by publication or other- Ventura on April 6, 2020. wise. After making such an PUBLISHED: Ventura pendent Administration of nia Probate Code.

02/11/2020, Place of Birth: order, the Court shall have County Reporter; 4/16/20, Estates Act . (This au- Other California stat- Santa Barbara, CA, Father's n o p o w e r t o s e t a s i d e , 4 / 2 3 / 2 0 , 4 / 3 0 / 2 0 a n d thority will allow the per- utes and legal authority name: Unknown, Mother’s change, or modify it, but this 5 / 7 / 2 0 . / 3 0 0 6 8 sonal representative to may affect your rights name: Lindsay Fleischer. shall not be construed to limtake many actions without as a creditor. You may Pursuant to Welfare and In- it the rights to appeal the or- F I C T I T I O U S B U S I N E S S titutions Code Section NAME STATEMENT FILE der. If the Court, by order or obtaining court approval. want to consult with an s366.26, a hearing has been Before taking certain very attorney knowledge- scheduled for your child. You judgment, declares the child NO. 20200330-10005484-0 The following person(s) is i m p o r t a n t a c t i o n s , able in California law. are hereby notified that you free from the custody and (are) doing business as: control of both parents, or however, the personal YOU MAY EXAMINE the may appear on 07/01/2020, one parent if the other no REAL PROPERTY MANrepresentative will be re- file kept by the court. If at 8:30 a.m., or as soon as longer has custody and con- AGEMENT LIMITLESS, 325 quired to give notice to in- you are a person inter- counsel can be heard in trol, the Court shall, at the E. Hillcrest Drive #130, Thouterested persons unless ested in the estate, you Courtroom J1 of this Court at same time, order the child re- sand Oaks, CA 91360, VenJustice Center 4353 tura County, State of Incorferred to the licensed County they have waived notice may file with the court a Juvenile Vineyard Ave. Oxnard, CA or consented to the pro- Request for Special No- 93036. YOU ARE FUR- adoption agency for adoptive poration / Organization , CALIFORNIA, B.L. MADISposed action.) The inde- tice (form DE-154) of the THER ADVISED as follows: placement by that agency. ON, INC, 325 E. Hillcrest The rights and procedures pendent administration filing of an inventory and At the hearing the Court must described above are set forth Drive #130, Thousand Oaks, authority will be granted appraisal of estate as- choose and implement one of in detail in the California Wel- CA 91360. This business is unless an interested per- sets or of any petition or the following permanent fare and Institutions Code conducted by: A Corporation. son files an objection to account as provided in plans for the child: adoption, Section 366.26. You are re- The registrant commenced to or long term transact business under the ferred to that section for furthe petition and shows Probate Code section guardianship, foster care. Parental rights good cause why the court 1250. A Request for Spe- may be terminated at this ther particulars. Michael J. fictitious business name or names listed above on: N/A. I should not grant the au- cial Notice form is avail- hearing. On 07/01/2020, the Planet, Executive Officer and declare that all Information In Clerk, County of Ventura, thority.

Human Services Agency will this statement Is true and able from the court clerk.

State of California. Dated: recommend termination of A HEARING on the peti- Attorney for Petitioner correct (A registrant who de04/08/2020 by: Crystal Jimeparental rights.

The child may clares information as true any tion will be held in this ROBERT A. ARABIAN nez Deputy Clerk, Children be ordered placed in long material matter pursuant to c o u r t a s f o l l o w s : SBN 177963 and Family Services Social term foster care, subject to Section 17913 of Business Worker.

06/10/20 at 9:00AM in GIFFORD, DEARING & the regular review of the Juand Professions Code that 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7/20 Dept. J6 located at 4353 ABERNATHY, LLP venile Court; or, a legal the registrant knows to be CNS-3359086#/30062 E. VINEYARD AVENUE, 515 S. FIGUEROA ST. guardian may be appointed false is guilty of a misdeOXNARD, CA 93036 for the child and letters of meanor punishable by a fine STE 2060 Fic. Business Name IF YOU OBJECT to the L O S A N G E L E S C A guardianship be issued; or, not to exceed one thousand adoption may be identified as dollars ($1.000).) /s/ B.L. granting of the petition, 9 0 0 7 1 F I C T I T I O U S B U S I N E S S the permanent placement MADISON, INC, Lisa Madisyou should appear at the 4/16, 4/23, 4/30/20 NAME STATEMENT FILE goal and the Court may oron, Lisa Madison, Secretary. hearing and state your CNS-3359352#/30061 NO. 20200406-10005633-0 der that efforts be made to NOTICE - in accordance with objections or file written The following person(s) is locate an appropriate adoptsubdivision (a) of Section objections with the court (are) doing business as: 1) ive family for the child for a 17920, a fictitious name GOLDEN STATE SELF before the hearing. Your period not to exceed 180 statement generally expires S TOR AGE, 2 ) GOL D E N days and set the matter for appearance may be in at the end of five years from STATE STORAGE, 400 W. further review; or, parental the date on which it was filed person or by your attorVentura Blvd., Ste. 100, Carights may be terminated. in the office of the county ney.

CA 93010, Ventura marillo, You are entitled to be present clerk, except, as provided in IF YOU ARE A CREDITCounty, State of Incorporaat the hearing with your attorsubdivision of section 17920, OR or a contingent tion / Organization, CA, Ojai ney. If you cannot afford an where it expires 40 days after creditor of the deOil Company, 400 W. Venattorney, you are entitled to any change in the facts set tura Blvd., Ste. 100, Cacedent, you must file have the Court appoint counforth in the statement pursumarillo, CA 93010. This busisel for you. A thirty-day conyour claim with the court ant to section 17913 other ness is conducted by: A Cortinuance may be granted if than a change in residence and mail a copy to the poration.

The registrant comnecessary for counsel to preaddress or registered owner. personal representative menced to transact business pare the case. At all terminaA new fictitious business appointed by the court under the fictitious business tion proceedings, the Court name statement must be filed within the later of either name or names listed above shall consider the wishes of before the expiration. The fil(1) four months from the on: 6/15/2010. I declare that the child and shall act in the ing of this statement does not all Information In this statedate of first issuance of best interest of the child. Any of itself authorize the use in Is true and correct (A ment order of the Court permanletters to a general perthis state of a fictitious busiregistrant who declares inently terminating parental ness name in violation of the sonal representative, as formation as true any materirights under this section shall rights of another under Feddefined in section 58(b) of al matter pursuant to Section be conclusive and binding eral, State, or Common Law the California Probate 17913 of Business and Proupon the minor person, upon (see Section 14411 ET SEQ., Code, or (2) 60 days fessions Code that the registhe parent or parents, and Business & Professions from the date of mailing trant knows to be false is upon all other persons who Code). This statement was guilty of a misdemeanor punor personal delivery to have been served with citafiled with the County Clerk of ishable by a fine not to extion by publication or otheryou of a notice under secVentura on March 30, 2020.

Classifieds | Legals LEGAL

Choose us for your next legal notice!

tori@vcreporter.com | (805) 648-2244 Ext. 200

wise. After making such an

ceed one thousand dollars

forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner.

A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see Section 14411 ET SEQ., Business & Professions Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on March 30, 2020.

PUBLISHED: Ventura County Reporter; 4/9/20, 4/16/20, 4/23/20 and 4/30/20./29991 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. 20200310-10004789-0 The following person(s) is (are) doing business as: JON MAR BAR, 467 Alpine Ave., Ventura, CA 93004, Ventura County, Jonathan Rey Marrufo, 467 Alpine Ave., Ventura, CA 93004. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on: 03/10/20. I declare that all Information In this statement Is true and correct (A registrant who declares information as true any material matter pursuant to Section 17913 of Business and Professions Code that the registrant knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1.000).) /s/ Jonathan Rey Marrufo, Jonathan Rey Marrufo. NOTICE - in accordance with subdivision (a) of Section 17920, a fictitious name statement generally expires at the end of five years from the date on which it was filed in the office of the county clerk, except, as provided in subdivision of section 17920, where it expires 40 days after any change in the facts set forth in the statement pursuant to section 17913 other than a change in residence address or registered owner. A new fictitious business name statement must be filed before the expiration. The filing of this statement does not of itself authorize the use in this state of a fictitious business name in violation of the rights of another under Federal, State, or Common Law (see Section 14411 ET SEQ., Business & Profession s Code). This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Ventura on March 10, 2020.

PUBLISHED: Ventura County Reporter; 4/2/20, 4/9/20, 4/16/20 and 4/23/20./29929

Health/Beauty Khabir Southwick, Naturopath, Ayurvedic Herbalist, Herbal treatments for weight-loss, inflammation & pain, high blood sugar, all digestive conditions, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, skin conditions, liver detoxification & nitetime urination. Call 805visit 308-3480. www.KSouthwick.com

CLASSIFIEDS and LEGALS Deadline: Monday at 11am for Thursday Contact: Tori Behar (805) 648-2244 Ext. 200 Email Your Ad: tori@vcreporter.com Visit us 9am-5pm at: 700 E. Main Street Ventura, CA 93001

Online 24/7

vcreporter.com

Theraputic Massage

Oriental Massage Best Massage In Town!

$10 Extra

• Deep Tissue Massage • Hot Stone Therapy

Hours: Open Every Day! 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

1 HR. FOOT REFLEXOLOGY 1 HOUR FULL BODY w/ Herbal Foot Bath $35

$49.99

2802 E. Main St., Ventura • 805-648-2869

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Call us to place your ad online!

805-648-2244 ext. 200 April 23, 2020 —

— 19

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR VENTURA COUNTY WATER PROVIDERS:

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR VENTURA COUNTY WATER PROVIDERS:

REST ASSURED, REST ASSURED, YOUR TAP WATER A MESSAGE FROM YOUR YOUR TAP WATER WATER VENTURA COUNTY PROVIDERS IS SAFE AND ISREST SAFEASSURED, AND RELIABLE. RELIABLE. YOUR TAP WATER IS SAFE AND The Coronavirus (COVID-19) does not present a threat to our water supplies.

RELIABLE. Ventura County water providers :

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) does not present a threat to our water supplies.

Ventura County water providers continually monitor and test the quality of your water, and are committed to providing a safe supply.

You can be certain your continually monitor and test the quality If you have questions or drinking water remains safe, of your water, and are committed to concerns please contact your The Coronavirus (COVID-19) does not local questions water provider,or or visit If you have providing supply. available, and plentiful. presenta asafe threat to our water supplies. www.calleguas.com. concerns please contact your Ventura County water providers local water provider, or visit You can bemonitor certain continually and your test thedrinking water quality ofsafe, your water, and are and plentiful. www.calleguas.com. remains available, committed to providing a safe supply.

20 —

— April 23, 2020