Free Public Outdoor Wi-Fi Service in Downtown Ventura is Now Available

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Free Public Outdoor Wi-Fi Access in Downtown Ventura

The City of Ventura announced last week that free wireless broadband service has been launched in the public spaces of Downtown.  Residents and visitors can stay "connected" through the network, provided by the Downtown Parking Management Program, to access the Internet, retrieve e-mail, or surf the Web without being connected to network cables.

The network, "Downtown Ventura Wi-Fi", offers wireless broadband service outdoors along Main Street beginning at Fir Street and continuing to the Museum of Ventura County between Poli and Santa Clara Streets.

Service is available daily during the hours of 6am - Midnight.  Users can access the service for a total of one hour, to assure use by the maximum number of persons at any given time. No special settings, user names or passwords are required.

Locate the network icon on your wireless device to connect.   Users must agree to accept the Terms and Conditions of use before connecting; the agreement also identifies and warns users of the potential security risks associated with the use of a non-secure public network.

Visit www.cityofventura.net for more information.

Perhaps It's Not a Good Idea to Post Your Whereabouts in Facebook and Twitter

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This Ventura County Sheriff's Department news release is a case study in why you don't want to tell people where you're going in Facebook, Twitter and elsewhere on the Web! Though in this case, it was a friend of the victim who made that mistake. But the good news is...the GPS system in the computer's software allowed Sheriffs to recover the computer from the culprit. Nice!

On February 18, 2011, Sheriff’s deputies from the Moorpark Patrol Station responded to a residential burglary call in an unincorporated area outside of Moorpark.  Suspect(s) had entered the residence and had stolen a laptop computer.

Moorpark Station Detectives interviewed the victim and learned that a friend of the victim had innocently posted on FaceBook that the victim and his family were visiting Universal Studios on the day of the burglary.  Detectives also learned that the stolen computer was equipped with a GPS system embedded into the computer’s software.  Through the use of the GPS, Moorpark detectives were able to track the stolen computer to a hotel room in the City of Ventura.

With the assistance of patrol deputies from the Headquarters Station, Moorpark detectives contacted the suspect, Arnold Ikeda, at the hotel room, and arrested him for possessing the stolen computer.  Ikeda was also charged with several drug related offenses, as a subsequent investigation showed that he was also involved in narcotics sales from the hotel room.  During the investigation, a second suspect, Desiree Lovio, arrived at the location and was also arrested on drug related charges.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office is reminding everyone who uses social networking websites to do so responsibly.  Be cautious of the information you post on these sites as criminals have the ability to learn of your daily activities and use the information to facilitate their crimes.

Local Storm Related Rescues This Weekend by the Ventura County Sheriff's Aviation-Search and Rescue Unit

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On 03/20/2011, at about 4:45 PM, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office began receiving calls of overdue hikers in the Ventura County backcountry. It was quickly determined that many of these missing individuals were all associated with a professional hiking group - the “Los Padres Sierra Club.” The reporting parties said the club members had not returned from an overnight camping trip in the Los Padres National Forest. The number of missing club members was believed to be around 20 to 30 members.

As the information developed further, it was learned that this group of hikers set out into the forest on Saturday morning, 03/19/2011, in the face of the on-coming storm. The club then split into three separate groups, with each group being led by a Sierra Club “team leader” and each group hiking in a different area of the forest. The information as to exactly where these three groups planned to hike was limited. According to the reporting parties, their plan was to spend the night in the mountains and then hike out Sunday morning.

Through interviews with concerned family members, it was determined the three groups were likely in or around the Middle Matillija, Middle Lions Camp, and Potrero John areas of the Los Padres National Forest. All three of these areas can be accessed off of Hwy 33, above the City of Ojai. Sheriff’s personnel were also able to obtain vehicle information from the reporting parties, so Search and Rescue (SAR) resources were immediately deployed to the above-mentioned areas to try and locate the missing vehicles at the various campgrounds and/or trailheads that dot the area. A Sheriff’s helicopter was also dispatched to assist with the search, however the helicopter was unable to access the mountain areas due to the high winds, rain and poor visibility generated from the powerful storm system.

The Upper Ojai Mountain Rescue Team was able to locate several vehicles believed to belong to the Sierra Club hiking parties in the areas of Lion’s Camp and Potrero John. The SAR Team checked the immediate area around these locations, however they were unable to hike down the trails due to swollen and treacherous water crossings that had developed due to the heavy rains and large amount of storm run off. As a result, and due to safety concerns, the decision was made to suspend further rescue operations until the next morning.

As the Ojai SAR Team was leaving the area, the SAR Team Captain (Bill Slaughter) noticed some lights coming from a ridge top. The area where the lights were coming from was on top of a steep cliff. Believing the lights to be associated with some of the missing Sierra Club hikers, a ground based search and rescue operation was immediately initiated. Members of the East Valley Mountain Rescue Team responded to assist the Ojai SAR Team with the rescue. SAR members were given assignments to try and access the area on foot. At about 11:00 PM, SAR members made contact with (4) four of the missing Sierra Club members – all of whom were in a very precarious situation. The four members ex

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New Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center at Cal Lutheran to be Dedicated on March 25th

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CLU to dedicate Child Development Center
Facility has children’s kitchen, outdoor learning areas

A dedication for the new $2 million Fredrickson Family Early Childhood Center at California Lutheran University will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 25.

Children from the center will perform and donors will be honored during the ceremony, which is open to the public. Afterward, people can take self-guided tours.

The 4,738-foot facility provides more than double the space of the renovated house where the center had been located. It has an infant room and laundry, which will enable teachers to care for six babies in addition to the 50 toddlers and preschoolers they can currently serve. The kitchen has a child-sized island that will allow teachers to provide hands-on cooking and baking experiences for the chil

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The Vicious Cycle: Grief and Depression

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Guest writer was part of the "invisible" homeless in the Conejo Valley at the time of writing this post. He has since regained his footing and is doing great.

(Photo Credit: Lesley Bryce Photography in Camarillo)

Why do I feel the need to regularly return to the last place that made me happy?  I can’t afford the gas to drive there, yet I believe that I have too.  I sometimes think it’s therapeutic, and all I have left.  I guess it’s because I miss my dogs terribly, and driving there brings me marginally closer to the good times I had with them.

My dogs loved and cared about me even with all my problems.  They didn’t want to leave the minute the money ran out.  They didn’t blame every bad choice or unfortunate circumstance on me.  They unconditionally stood by me during the good and bad times.  They truly are a man's best friend.  Sadly, they’ve been gone for nearly six months now, and my grief offers me no re

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Camp Helping Hands® Partnership to give President’s Volunteer Service Award

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Camp Helping Hands® Partners with the White House to give campers President’s Volunteer Service Award

Thousand Oaks summer camp Camp Helping Hands® announces its new partnership with The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation.  As a service-learning camp, Camp Helping Hands campers and volunteer staff members can apply their summer camp service hours toward attainment of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The Council created the award as a way to honor outstanding volunteers and to inspire others to help out in their community. Most colleges today emphasize service as a requirement for acceptance, so this is an award kids can proudly put on their resumes and college applications.

“This recognition is also something that our campers can refer to for the rest of their lives. It’s a wonderful way to emphasis to kids how service is such an integral and valued part of our nation's past and present," co-founder Anne Marquart said.

Depending on which award the participant earns, they can receive a President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin, a personalized certificate of achievement and a congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama.

Levels range from Bronze Level for kids who complete 50 to 74 hours, to Gold Level for kids who complete over one hundred hours. The highest award, the President’s Call to Service Award, is given to kids of all ages that complete 4,000 hours of service over a lifetime.

Camp Helping Hands is excited for its campers and volunteer staff with The President’s Council.

“Not only does this partnership validate the need for a program like Camp Helping Hands, but it also allows us to honor our campers, which will no doubt help further their lifelong commitment to service,” co-founder Meredith Cornelius said.

About Camp Helping Hands

The Camp Helping Hands project began when co-founder Cornelius realized her upper-middle class six-year-old daughter was spoiled. Understanding that her daughter was incapable of knowing what life is like when you don’t always have what you need, she decided it was time for her to learn compassion and empathy by volunteering her time to help others not as fortunate as her.

After researching service areas of interest on the Internet, they found a definite lack of programs accepting young children as volunteers.

Cornelius saw this as an opportunity and thought a summer camp would fit the bill. She knew this project was too big to tackle alone, so longtime friend Anne Marquart was asked to join the team as partner and co-founder.

The camp will take place at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks from July 18 to August 7, 2011. Service excursions will include trips to the Agoura Animal Shelter, Waste Management, Join the Farm and Community Roots Garden.

For more information about Camp Helping Hands, visit www.camphelpinghands.com or call 805-244-5071

National Nutrition Month Spotlight at Thousand Oaks Farmers' Market

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The spotlight is on nutrition in March during National Nutrition Month.  The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market will have information available during the month of March for the community to learn about the benefits of sound nutrition.


Representatives from the Coastal Tri-County Dietetic Association will visit the Thousand Oaks Market on Thursday, March 24 during regular Market hours.  The Association will provide nutritional information and answer questions.

The theme for the 2011 National Nutrition Month is “Eat Right with Color,” which is presented by the American Dietetic Association.  The recently-released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended an increased focus on a plant-based diet.  Growing research indicates that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health.  Studies have also shown that fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that may help protect individuals from chronic diseases.

“We are pleased to partner with area representatives who are committed to helping people realize the benefits of a balanced and healthy diet,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association.  “We invite the community to come and learn about good nutrition while enjoying the Farmers’ Market experience,” she added.

The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end Parking Lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, call 805-529-6266 or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarket.com. Follow the Farmers’ Market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vccfm.

California Health & Longevity Institute Shares Ten Easy Ways to Improve Your Diet

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Nutrition Director of California Health & Longevity Institute at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village Offers 10 Ways to Improve Your Diet (March is National Nutrition Month)

In honor of National Nutrition Month in March, Paulette Lambert, RD, CDE and director of nutrition at California Health & Longevity Institute located within Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, offers 10 easy ways individuals can improve their diet for optimum health.    “These simple strategies can promote weight control, optimum nutrition intake, longevity and even reduce our impact on the environment,” said Ms. Lambert, a registered dietitian and certified diabetic educator.  

Her recommendations include:

1. Eat 7-10 servings of fruit and vegetables daily.  Two cups of cooked vegetables, two cups salad (excluding iceberg lettuce) and two to three pieces of fruit ensure adequate antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber to lower risk for chronic disease.

2. Consume less animal protein.  Too much causes increased risk for CHD and cancer.  Limit to 9-10 oz. per day for men, 6-8 oz. per day for women and children.

3. Limit sugary “treats” to one to two per week.  

4. Avoid all sugar drinks including juices.  Limit calories in drinks to no more than 10 calories/8 oz.

5. Eat evenly throughout the day to avoid a high glycemic overload.  Three meals and one or two snacks are adequate for most of us.

6. Decrease condiments to one or two tablespoons to lower sodium intake, thereby reducing the risk for hypertension.   Even those with low blood pressure now should keep this in mind as it increases with age.  Studies show a high the sodium intake in younger years increases risk for hypertension at earlier ages.

7. Focus on real, whole food -- the less processed the better.  Look for foods with few ingredients.  For example, choose a cereal that has two to five ingredients, not 25!

8. Eat vegetarian protein three to five times per week to lower risk for chronic disease as well as reducing the impact of a high protein diet on the environment.

9. Spend food dollars on quality meats and poultry, not quantity. Cleaner, sustainable meats cost more, but are healthier for both you and the environment sure and the environment

10. Buy organic dairy when possible to avoid antibiotics and hormones that are added to factory livestock production.

To help guests and local residents learn out to these strategies into action, California Health & Longevity Institute offers the Wellness Kitchen hands-on cooking class and dining experience taught by registered dietitian-chefs.    In March, Wellness Kitchen class themes include “Family Meals in Minutes” and “Simple Healthy Cooking” where guests learn to make recipes such as Southwest turkey chilli and curried butternut squash and lentil.  Wellness Kitchen special events include “Meals that Heal,” where participants learn how to lower cholesterol and treat and prevent heart disease by preparing foods that maximize vitality and health. Young chefs ages 10 to 16 bake up fun in a “Junior Bread Bakers” class focusing on recipes for whole grain muffins, breads, biscuits and rolls.