past programs
November 5
Bob Warnagieris talked to the group about Electronic Warfare (EW).
Bob covered the beginnings of EW in WWII, what EW entails, and the current importance in the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
October 15
Mel Felix gave a presentation on historical photographer, Edward Curtis. Between 1900 and 1930, Curtis traveled across the continent photographing more than seventy Native American tribes.
October 1
Ventura Community Development Director, Rachel Dimond, provided VSMG Members with an important update on the General Plan, our city’s long-term blueprint for guiding future growth and development for the next 25 years. The updated Land Use Designation Map is available for review, and we encourage all community members to share their feedback now through October 21, 2024. This is an opportunity for you to provide your insights that will help shape Ventura’s future development, housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability
September 17
Mack Douglass, Emergency Services Manager, Ventura Police Department spoke on Ventura's new emergency evacuation plan
September 3
Cheryl Aronson, Real Estate Agent, will discuss Homeowners Insurance challenges.
August 20
Keith Taylor, Ventura County Assessor, will touch on Prop 19, Prop 13 and the tax rolls.
August 6
Kellie Tyndall, with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office, spoke about scams targetting the elderly.
July 16th
Leona Rollins, Ventura Housing Services Manager, discussed the Ventura Homelessness Program.
June 18th
Kathleen Wheeler is with the Climate Coalition, concerned with climate change and exploring all sorts of clean energy.
June 4th
Andy Soter has spent 30 years as a stock broker and 28 years counseling and teaching. He addressed US fiscal policy, financial mangement and investment.
May 21st
Gina Dorrington, Ventura Water General Manager - topics included how the water department works and plans for the future.
past programs
May 7th
Jeff Lambert, Ventura City planner, talked about city development projects: requirements, schedules, land use, State role and more.
April 16th
Kerry Minadeo, speech pathologist, spoke about senior cognitive issues.
April 2nd
Grand Jurors Tom Hamlet and Barbera Jakubanis spoke about the Ventura County Grand Jury processes and cases.
March 19
Our VSMG member, Mel Felix gave us a presentation on his remarkable photographic/artistic pictures. He is sharing another 40 or so of his unique artwork.
His presentation last year was enthusiastically received and we are looking forward to his next showing.
March 5
Phil Chandler, owner of Right at Home, Ventura, is passionate to provide care to families experiencing Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Seeking to empower and better the senior community in Ventura County, Phil Chandler became a Certified Senior Advisor. He started his program with a discussion on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s issues, related support groups and wrap it up with housing options for whatever state an elderly person might be.He understands the desire of seniors to remain independent in their homes. His desire is to offer an affordable, high-quality solution to those that need care in their home. Additionally, he wants to give the family peace of mind that their loved one is being taken care of appropriately with respect and compassion.The Ventura County Office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, Inc., a senior home care and staffing company providing care since 1995. Their mission is to improve the quality of life for those they serve. They do that by providing high quality in-home caregivers to serve you. https://www.rightathome.net/ventura-county
Feb 20th
Our VSMG member, Ken Webster, told us about his experience as a US Navy Carrier pilot with over 300 carrier landings. He has a broken Tail-Hook as a souvenir of his flight history.This was a great program. Ken is a very modest Naval Aviator with a number of records to his name. Thanks for a great program, and for your service.
Feb 6 th
Our speaker was Robert Hamming, Immediate Past Division Commander, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division 7, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. He provided us with boating safety information --and explained the seriousness of alcohol related water deaths.