Million Hearts Initiative to Prevent a Million Heart Attacks and Strokes in 5 Years

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CDC recommends ways to reduce the threat of strokes

Million Hearts’ goal to prevent a million heart attacks and strokes in five years

Every 6 seconds, someone in the world dies from stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention asks Americans to take immediate action to reduce their risk for stroke.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. About 137,000 Americans die of stroke every year, about equivalent to the total population of Eugene, Ore., or Savannah, Ga. 

A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. You can greatly reduce your risk for stroke through lifestyle changes and, in some cases, medication.

“Someone in the United States has a stroke every 40 seconds and while that is a statistic to some, it’s a life abruptly changed for the person who suffered the stroke and the person’s family,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D., M.P.H.  “We can do so much more to prevent strokes and the new Million Hearts initiative offers opportunities for individuals, providers, communities, and businesses to apply tools we have readily available today to reduce strokes and heart attacks.”

Among the actions available today to reduce stroke and heart attacks, Million Hearts seeks to improve clinical care by helping patients learn and follow their ABCS:

  • Aspirin for people at risk
  • Blood pressure control
  • Cholesterol management
  • Smoking cessation

Less than half of Americans who should be taking an aspirin a day are taking one; less than half of Americans with high blood pressure have it under control. Only 1 in 3 Americans with high cholesterol is effectively treated, and less than a quarter of Americans who smoke get help to quit when they see their doctor.

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10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Events Around Ventura County

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There are a number of special events planned around Ventura County in remembrance of those who perished in the terrorist attacts on 9/11/01 10 years ago. They are summarized below.

You cannot miss the annual display of 2,977 flags at Pepperdine University in honor of those who died in the attacks starting September 9th through the 19th. This is a touching tribute that you have to experience in person. You may also sirens and horns at this venue by local fire/emergency crews in support of the heroes of 9/11. You can't help but get emotional during this tribute.

For the 10th anniversary, Pepperdine hosted other events on 9/11, including a reading of the 2,977 victims' names from 11am-3pm, film screening of United 93 at 1pm and remembrance ceremony at 4pm.

The 4th Annual Ride to the Flags event started at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in the morning and culminated in over 700 motorcycles riding to Pepperdine via Oxnard/Hidden Valley on 9/11.

Fire stations in Oxnard participated in the National Moment of Remembrance at 10am across the city.

10th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Ventura Government Center at 11am will featured a ceremony, helicopter fly-over, bagpipes and musical tributes.

10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Constitution Park in Camarillo started at 4pm with tributes, flag ceremony, moment of silence and patriotic music.

The 6th Annual Simi Valley Freedom Walk started at 4:30pm at Reagan Library and ended at Rancho Madera Community Park. Featured ceremony, fly-over, musical performances and 1.8 mile walk.

9/11 Twin Tower Survivor Judith Francis discussed "What Really Happened at the Twin Towers on Sept 11, 2001" on 9/11.

Cal Lutheran University presented two 9/11 Memorial Concerts in Thousand Oaks

By the Sea with the Buenaventura Art Association 9/11 Remembrance family arts and crafts event at Ventura Harbor Village

The life of Chad Keller, a Santa Barbara resident killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was honored, along with a benefit performance of "I Was Greta Garbo" at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara.

City of Thousand Oaks Invites Review of Draft Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan

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Thousand Oaks Boulevard business owners and the City have looked into how to revitalize and beautify the corridor and create a pedestrian-friendly destination for years. In 2005, the Thousand Oaks Boulevard Improvement District (BID) was formed and business owners voted to fund a Thousand Oaks Boulevard Specific Plan (in accordance with Section 65450 of the California Government Code) that would lay the foundation for future Boulevard modifications and development.

Map of proposed Thousand Oaks Specific Plan boundary

The purpose of the Specific Plan is to create a unique and identifiable commercial corridor for Thousand Oaks that is an economically viable, self-sustainable and pedestrian-friendly destination.  It includes refinements to existing regulations where necessary to further the community goals and vision.

The proposed Specific Plan covers a 345-acre area located along and near an approximately 3-mile stretch of Thousand Oaks Boulevard, roughly from the Moorpark Road to Duesenberg Drive, covering about 1.8 million sq ft of existing, mostly retail and office, commercial development. The T.O. Blvd Specific Plan does not include the separate 24-acre Civic Arts Plaza Specific Plan.


View Larger Map

The City estimates that future development within the Specific Plan area is about 1.2 million sq ft of non-residential building floor area, including 861,000 sq ft of r

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Regional Art Museum Proposed for Thousand Oaks Seeks Charter Members

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The Regional Art Museum (RAM) is a proposed 30,000 sq ft multi-level art museum to house a permanent collection of visual art and worldwide traveling exhibitions. Other goals of RAM include recognizing and highlighting local artists and offering outreach programs to local schools and organizations. The RAM will be located adjacent to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza as approved by the Thousand Oaks City Council in June 2010.

The RAM is seeking public support and participation. Become a Charter Member of this non-profit 501(c)(3)  tax-exempt organization and help bring the RAM to fruition! To learn more, visit www.regionalartmuseum.org. Membership application at www.regionalartmuse​um.org/pdfs/ram-brochure-a​pp.pdf

City of Calabasas Single-Use Plastic Carryout Bag Ban Starts July 1, 2011

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CITY OF CALABASAS SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CARRYOUT BAG BAN

BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE SHOPPING BAGS OR PURCHASE PAPER BAGS AT CALABASAS GROCERS BEGINNING JULY 1, 2011


From the City of Calabasas website at www.cityofcalabasas.com/plastic-bag-ban.html

Calabasas has joined the growing ranks of municipalities encouraging residents to bring reusable bags when shopping. On February 9, 2011, the Calabasas City Council passed Ordinance No. 2011-282 to ban the use single-use carryout plastic bags that pollute our environment and constitute a high percentage of litter across the country.

As of July 1, 2011, shoppers will no longer receive disposable plastic bags while shopping at Calabasas supermarkets: Albertsons, Gelson’s, Maddy’s Market, and Ralphs and Rite Aid.

As of January 1, 2012, smaller drug stores, convenience food stores, smaller retail stores and grocers will stop offering disposable plastic bags.

Under the terms of the new law, stores will have reusable bags available for sale and will also offer recyclable paper bags for 10 cents each in lieu of customers bringing their reusable bags or simply carrying items purchased without a bag. The fees collected from bag sales will only go towards helping stores comply with the new law.

Lower income residents who participate in the California Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children program will receive either reusable bags or recyclable paper bags for free.

Shoppers are encouraged to use reusable shopping bags whenever possible. Please note that small plastic bags will still be available in stores for fruits and vegetables. Produce bags and product bags are bags without handles used exclusively to carry produce, meats, or other food items to the point of sale or to prevent such food items from coming into direct contact with other purchased items.

More information and details on the benefits of using re-usable bags at www.cityofcalabasas.com/plastic-bag-ban.html.

California's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 Takes Effect July 1st

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On Friday, July 1st, California's Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Act of 2010 takes effect. Senate Bill 183 was approved by then Governor Schwarzenegger on May 7, 2010. It requires homeowners to install carbon monoxide detectors in all single-family California residences with an attached garage, fireplace or a fossil fuel-burning heater or appliance. The same requirement takes effect on multi-unit residences effective January 1, 2013.

Combination smoke, fire and carbon monoxide alarm from the local Home DepotThe law also says "With respect to the number and placement of carbon monoxide devices, an owner shall install the devices in a manner consistent with building standards applicable to new construction for the relevant type of occupancy or with the manuf

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From Ojai with Love: Joplin Tornado Victims to be Sent Care Packages on Monday

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From Ojai with Love: Joplin Tornado Victims To be Sent Care Packages on Monday

In the late 1890's a congressman from Missouri said, "Frothy eloquence neither convinces nor satisfies me. I am from Missouri. You have got to show me." With that riveting statement, Missouri became known as the 'Show Me' state. Now some 120 years later amidst the deadliest tornado in recorded U.S. history, Missouri is needing others now to show them — care and assurance that their cries of despair and urgent needs after being hit by a killer twister are not falling on deaf ears.

Several Ojai residents, stirred by compassion at seeing the massive destruction that struck the Joplin, Missouri area last Sunday killing at least 124 people and destroying more than 8,000 buildings, are rallying to the cause.

Diane Silvester, owner of Soul Centered, at 311 North Montgomery Street, will be accepting donations for area Joplin tornado victims through Sunday, May 29 and numerous intuitives will also be donating 10% of sales from readings during Soul Centered's weekend Psychic Faire. Sequoia Hamilton, founder of Ojai Writers Conference whose hometown area is Joplin, will ship the donations to families she personally knows who "lost everything," including a high school classmate who emerged from the rubble with only one shoe.

"In a crisis of this enormous scale with about 1,500 people still unaccounted for, it's important not to overlook the stories and lives of individual persons," adds Hamilton. "So we'll be collecting items for Sheryl Gorman (age 48, shoe size 9, shirt size medium, and pants size 8 tall) a high school classmate of mine who lost her house, cars, barn, pets, horses, all her belongings .... everything. We can only imagine her grief and shock. By keeping our eyes focused on Sheryl and her famil

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