GetTheGreen.org Photo & Video Contest Gets Teens Connected with Nature

GetTheGreen.org Photo & Video Contest Gets Teens Connected with Nature 

Mountains Restoration Trust, as a partner of GetTheGreen.org Photo and Video Contest, announced that local teens, ages 13 – 18, can submit photos and/ or videos of themselves doing outdoor activities in nature to win prizes. “This contest is an ideal opportunity for teens to get outdoors and use their creativity while having fun discovering the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Debbie Bruschaber, acting executive director of MRT. Deadline for submissions is March 14 with the winners announced on March 16. Complete entry requirements are available at www.GetTheGreen.org.  

Entries will be judged on their inspiration and powerfulness in capturing experiences in nature. First place will receive $300 and a Novara bike with helmet and lock.  Two follow-up entries will win an educational award of $200, a REI Urban Traveler Daypack and $50 gift certificate. The top five entrants who accumulate the most points of multiple entries capturing different outdoor activities will receive $60 and an REI daypack.

MRT invites teens to take photos and videos at Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center at Calabasas with hiking trails, stream and homestead cabin. “Nature and the environment are the core essence of life and we hope the contest will inspire teens to get to know the outdoors around them,” said Bruschaber. The GetTheGreen Photo & Video Contest is a collaborative effort among environmental agencies, youth organizations and businesses to help youth understand how trees, parks, gardens, streams, rivers, beaches and forests are the number one sources of clean water, clean air and so much more.

Headwaters Corner at Calabasas is located at 3815 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Calabasas and offers public programs and educational workshops on the preservation, restoration and public enjoyment of the Santa Monica Mountains. Phone (818) 591-1701.  MRT receives no corporate funding or sponsorships and relies on public support. To learn more about MRT or to make a donation, visit Mountains Restoration Trust online at www.mountainstrust.org.

The Community Roots Garden is a Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunity in Oxnard

The Community Roots Garden is a non-profit community garden open to the public to come and volunteer, learn, and share food together. We are a ministry of, and are located, at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

Farming an acre with volunteers is no small feat. Many hands are needed, and we welcome yours! We invite you to come dig, weed, learn, teach, ask questions, take a shift on irrigation, bring food for potlucks, share your ideas, or donate materials or funding. You can help in whatever way you’d like. It is a rewarding project because it is tangible—you can watch it grow!—and for the simple satisfaction of working with others on something meaningful.  Working in the garden is also a fun way to complete needed community service hours.  No experience necessary. Children welcome. Se habla español.

Please bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sturdy shoes. Tools and water provided.  For more information on volunteering, call Katerina at 805-616-2326.  Visit our website at www.communityrootsgarden.org or find us on Facebook.

Play Days:  Saturdays from 9am-12pm (free meal prepared by Youth using garden harvest)  Sundays from 1-4pm (community potluck). Call for tours and info on upcoming workshops!

Local Firefighter to Bike Across U.S. to Honor 9/11 Victims - Send Off on June 29th

Local Firefighter Who Will Bike Across the US to Honor 9-11 Victims to Get Community Send-Off at Miller YMCA

Jorge Ostrovsky, a Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) firefighter and a Miller Family YMCA member, is joining other Los Angeles County firefighters as they bicycle across the United States to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9-11 and to honor those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety. This event, known as "Ride For 9-11," will start in Los Angeles July 24 and end in New York City Sept. 9. Money raised will go to the Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Miller Family YMCA will hold a send-off breakfast for Ostrovsky and nine other LACFD firefighters on Wednesday, June 29, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Y (320 Via Las Brisas, Dos Vientos portion of Newbury Park). The public is invited to this free event.

The Leary Firefighters Foundation (www.learyfirefighters.org) is dedicated to providing equipment and training to firefighters across the United States ensuring firefighters come home in the same condition they left for work. The Wounded Warrior Project, (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) provides various forms of support to wounded service members, aiding in their road to recovery. The program focuses on four main areas: Mind, body, economic empowerment and engagement.

For more information about the breakfast, call the Miller Y at 805-480-0309. For more information about Ride For 9-11, go to www.ridefor9-11.org.

Lifeguards Return to Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura for the Summer

Lifeguards Return to Harbor Cove Beach for the Summer

Beautiful views of the Ventura hills, small lapping waves, and windblown sand dunes are just a few things that attract local families to Harbor Cove Beach during hot summer days. Coined as one of the safest beaches in Ventura, locals often refer to this protected shoreline as, “Mother’s Beach.”

But two years ago, the future of lifeguard services at this hidden gem were in jeopardy due to budget changes. The safety of this beach cannot only be attributed to the breakwater that keeps it protected from high tides and large waves, without lifeguards, beachgoers at even the safest of beaches can be at risk. The Ventura Port District realized the importance of these services to the people of Ventura and visitors alike and negotiated a contract with the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation that would allow lifeguard services to remain intact at Harbor Cove Beach.

Oscar Peña, the General Manager of the Port District believes this is an important service for visitors and local residents to feel secure as they enjoy the summer season. Peña said, “The Board of Port Commissioners feels this is money well spent in our community.”

Lifeguard services will be offered now through September 5, Labor Day, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Ample showers and free parking are just a few perks of Harbor Cove Beach. Conveniently located next to the Ventura Harbor Village, spending the day at Harbor Cove Beach is a great way to relax in the sun and enjoy the laid back lifestyle of the Ventura Harbor.

Also located next to the Harbor Cove Beach is the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center with FREE daily admission from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. With a newly opened tidal pool exhibit located inside the visitor’s center and the recently released Channel Islands movie narrated by Kevin Costner, “A Treasure in the Sea” there is something for everyone.

And when lunchtime rolls around, the kid-friendly Harbor Cove Café is located right across the street and is a great place for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.

For more information about Harbor Cove Beach contact: Pat Hummer, Senior Harbor Patrol Officer for the Port District at 805-642-8618.

Off Leash Dog Park Pilot Program at Two Camarillo Parks Starts on June 13th

The Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District Board of Directors recently approved an off-leash pilot program at two parks beginning Monday, June 13. A designated area of each park is available for off-leash use Monday - Friday from 6am - 9am and 5pm - 7pm.

Mission Oaks Park: See map for designated off-leash area

Springville Park: See map for designated off-leash area

Please be considerate of others and do not allow your dog to be off-leash outside the designated times and locations. This is a pilot program and off-leash hours will be in effect until September.

Looking for another location to exercise your pooch? Check out Camarillo Grove Park.

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

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