After thorough discussion, research, and public comment, the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) Board of Trustees unanimously approved a motion at the August Board meeting to construct and install underlit solar carports on existing parking lots at Ventura, Oxnard, and Moorpark colleges. This action dovetails with the Board of Trustees’ adoption of Resolution in Support of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability in April, which outlined support of future initiatives to positively impact sustainability and climate change.

In their comments, Trustees mentioned the benefits of cost savings to the District and the environmental benefits of a reduced carbon footprint.

“For many students, questions of sustainability are real and immediate in ways that we have not seen before,” said Trustee Josh Chancer. “Climate change is going to have significant impacts in their own lifetimes. The energy and enthusiasm of students for our environment can lead the rest of us in the right direction.”

Added Trustee Larry Kennedy, “I believe it’s a good use of our resources to move forward with innovation that will help us reduce our carbon footprint.”

The three colleges will have a combined eight megawatts of solar power. Ventura College’s underlit solar carports will be at two existing parking lots, and at Oxnard College they will be on the north and northwest sides of the campus. The Moorpark College solar carports will be located on the campus’s north and northeast sides. Each college will also have EV chargers. Construction at the campuses is expected to begin in 2020 and be completed before the end of the year.

About Ventura County Community College District
The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges- Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura- offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit www.vcccd.edu.

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Article courtesy California Teachers Association and Fillmore Unified Teachers Association

The 200 Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) members were seen wearing red on the first day of school, August 12, to protest bad behavior by Fillmore Unified School District managers. Fillmore teachers are at impasse in negotiations with this financially healthy district over a living wage and health care.

“There is no other expenditure more important than investing in a stable and highly qualified team of educators to work directly with our students,” said FUTA President Tammy Ferguson. “We want to attract and retain the best teachers for our students. Educators simply want a living wage and health benefits for their families.”

Teachers are outraged district managers gave salary hikes and health benefits to district administrators while offering the professionals who work with students every day a low salary proposal plus a plan that significantly reduces and limits health benefit payments for only FUTA membership.

“What kind of school district spends more for administrators and management positions than any other school district in Ventura County, but consistently keeps their educators the lowest paid in county? What kind of school district treats one group of employees disparagingly by giving them less money for health benefits?” Ferguson asked.

“It is beyond my comprehension that the School Board and Superintendent would willingly treat our educators with such little respect knowing they are on the front lines of educating the students and the face of Fillmore Unified,” she added. “Our students deserve better. Our educators deserve better.”

FUTA declared impasse in June. A state mediator appointed by the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) will now be brought in to help the parties reach an agreement.

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Submitted by Santa Clara Valley Boys and Girls Club

“What a great day this was for over 300 youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley” commented CEO Jan Marholin. The 5th Annual STEM Day for Kids was July 12th located at the Santa Paula Club site. There were over 28 Ventura County Agencies that participated and had hands-on activities for the kids. Some of the participating agencies were Limoneira, Ventura County Sheriff’s Department , Crimson Mainstream, Channel Islands National Park and so many more. California Resources Corporation had a wonderful hands on oil and gas simulation with a number of their employees working with the youth. A big thank you to all of the museums that participated and Dr. Phil Hampton from Channel Islands University with his mechanical arm was a show stopper. Fillmore Rotary and Fillmore Fire Foundation did BBQ lunches for all. It was a great day!! Thank you to everyone who helped make this day happen!!

Hannah Ellsberry, Camarillo
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Jorja Garcia, Oxnard
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2019 marked the 10thyear of the annual Ventura County Poster Contest for students in grades 5 through 12. Entries were submitted from every corner of the County. Each piece of art was a personal interpretation of the Fair that reflected the theme “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” as well as each artist’s vision of what the Fair means to them. All of the artwork will be on display in the Youth Expo at the Fair. Of the 58 unique entries the three top prize winners in the 10thannual VC Fair Poster Contest have been selected. These are their stories.

Daríanna Vásquez, Santa Paula
1stPrize

I am 18 years old. I go to Vista Real Charter School and I live in Santa Paula. My main hobby and passion is Art, I use primarily Color Pencil, Acrylic and Oil paint. I was fortunate enough to help paint the sets for my middle school's play, which helped me establish a desire for others to see my work and improve my skills.
In High school I took a full year of art, before going to independent study. In that time I found out about Vita Art Center in Ventura where I took their Teen Art Class for about two years. I'm planning to go to Ventura College and I hope to pursue a possible career in Graphic Design.
My parents have taken me to the Ventura County Fair since I was very little and we go almost every year. My favorite part has always been going to see the Art/ Photography Displays and seeing all of the different Animal Pens. To me the fair always marks the end of Summer, getting to celebrate my mother's birthday, and the beginning of the new school year. I enjoy being able to have a fun time with my family and seeing what my community has to offer. I will especially look forward to this year's Fair as it is the second year I have been able to display my art. Thank you for choosing my poster as the winner! I greatly appreciate this opportunity.

Hannah Ellsberry, Camarillo
2ndPrize

I am a 17 year-old Camarillo resident and a student of Gorman Learning Center, completing both 11th and 12th grade this year; I skipped a grade. My interests include drawing, sewing, playing video games, creating my own characters, writing stories, and spending time with my friends and family. My friends have been some of my biggest encouragements; sharing with me many tips and techniques to try out, or giving me new ideas and encouragement when I can't think of anything to draw. I personally don't think I would have continued in my art without them. I haven't decided fully what I want to do now but I think I might pursue becoming either a 3D animator or an illustrator.
Ever since I was little the fair has been one of my favorite annual traditions my family has. I especially enjoy going to visit all the animals and walking through the garden displays. I don't really have much interest in any of the games or rides besides the Ferris wheel. I find it to be an exhilarating experience to reach the top and be able to see the mountains and the ocean in one clear view. Other things I really enjoy about the fair would be the horticulture and agriculture displays, and wandering through the pavilions admiring all the products and services available. I lastly enjoy going into the art pavilion and just taking time to look at each piece on display and analyzing all the small details, appreciating the amount of time and effort each artist put into their displayed piece. I am definitely looking forward to see all that this year's fair has to offer!

Jorja Garcia, Oxnard
3rdPrize

I am a 14 year old living in Oxnard, CA and I attend Hueneme High School finishing up my freshman year. I am a straight A honors student who is also in recovery from a knee surgery I had in February due to a basketball injury. Currently I have been focusing on my drawing and painting skills in a Visual Arts class at school after being a self taught artist until now, and I have been making art since I was about 3 years old. Last year, I had sold over $2,000 worth of my artwork for an academic summit at Harvard University and in 2017 won 3rd place in this same poster contest for the Ventura County Fair. In the future, I hope to attend a 4-year university on the East Coast or here in California studying topics like biology or mathematics while also furthering my skills in visual/fine arts.
I had entered this poster contest because of my outstanding love for the Ventura County Fair. Since I was born, every summer for my birthday my family has brought me here as a tradition to celebrate and have fun. Growing up with the fair I have enjoyed heart racing rock concerts, amazing food like funnel cakes and kettle corn, to adrenaline rushes from carnival rides. I love the traditions always being made and the ones I have passed on to younger cousins and friends here. The fair means family fun to me allowing new memories to be made annually. The Ventura County Fair has never disappointed me and continues to excite me every year.

The Ventura County Garden Club has elected a new slate of officers for their 2019 - 2020 meeting year. The new officers were welcomed at an installation luncheon held at the Saticoy Country Club in Somis, on Wednesday, June 5th (2019). They are:

President ------------------- Carol Beckerdite
Vice-President ------------ Christine Gallagher
Secretary ------------------- Jacqualin Starr
Treasurer ------------------ Carolyn Tulberg
Fillmore Director -------- Ari Larson
Santa Paula Director --- Louise Oseguera
Ventura Area Director -- Jenny Kinney

The outgoing Vice-President, Marlene Wait, was presented with an appreciation gift for serving the past year on the Board.

During the luncheon, the Club also celebrated one of its long-time members, Geneva Montes, on the occasion of her 98th birthday.

The Club will not be meeting during July and August. If you have any questions you may contact Jacqualin at starrjacqualin@yahoo.com or (805) 816-6019. Have a beautiful summer!