By Christina Stokholm

My term as Barristers’ President is at an end.  What fun we had in 2011! And we helped some people along the way, too. Our 2011 activities included Barristers’ Build Day with Habitat for Humanity; our annual darts tournament; our 3-on-3 basketball tournament, which raised money for the local YMCA; our bowling night, which raised money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation; and Judges’ Pizza Night, through which we raised money and recruited volunteers to serve Thanksgiving dinner to the local homeless. Also in 2011, the Barristers launched a series of self-help nights at the TransitionalLivingCenterin Ventura, where we assisted indigent residents who need access to our courts. It has been an honor to work with the other Barristers board members and the numerous others who have always support our group. I especially want to thank outgoing VCBA President Joe Strohman, Presiding Judge Vince O’Neill and VCBA Executive Director Steve Henderson, for their overwhelming support of Barristers events.  Now, Barristers, get ready for even more fun as the amazing, multi-talented Bob Krimmer steps in as 2012 Barristers President!

Chrstina Stokholm is an associate in the Camarillo-based Law Offices of Mark R. Pachowicz, where she practices primarily in the areas of criminal defense, business law, and civil litigation.

By Rachel Coleman

Captain William Finley from the Salvation Army reported that over 600 people are expected at this year’s “One City One Meal” event to be held on Thanksgiving Day at the Ventura County Fairgrounds from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. According to Finley, “the purpose of ‘One City One Meal’ is not only to feed the homeless and needy but also to unite different people from all different walks of life by sitting down together and sharing their life experiences over a meal.” He encourages anyone interested in attending the dinner to host a table. For example, someone like a city council member, local attorney or local business

owner can help less fortunate people just by sitting down together over a meal and sharing their experiences in overcoming difficult situations and offer much needed moral support. Not to mention that these types of contacts often result in job and housing opportunities for needy people in attendance.

Finley estimates that this year’s “One City One Meal” will cost the Salvation Army $3,500 to $4,000. The group is able to keep down the costs with donations from local businesses and local residents. The Salvation Army still needs over $2,000 to meet its goal for the event this year.
 
In addition to the Thanksgiving meal, the Salvation Army sponsors a food pantry year round which is always in need of supplies and donations. The food pantry feeds over 400 households per month. The food pantry supplies local homeless, needy families and families living in downtown hotels with living in downtown hotels with weekly boxes of food and various items such as soap, shampoo, and diapers.

The Salvation Army supplies over 400 families each year with toys for the children at Christmas time. The Salvation Army also collects much-needed donations to support its programs through the “Christmas

Kettle” campaign. Also featured during the holidays is the “Adopt a Family Project,” which fosters long term relationships with families to provide them with specific items or assistance on a case-by-case basis. For example, a father may need a new suit in order to go on job interviews or a pair of new shoes, or an adoptee may have employment or a housing opportunity to offer an adoptive family member.

The Salvation Army also provides housing to nine families and nine single women at its facilities on Oak Street in Ventura, as well as off-site housing. Finley reports the average stay at the Oak Street facility is twelve to fourteen months. The residents are provided three meals per day made in the on-site commercial kitchen. Families are provided their own private room which includes beds, bedding and a private bathroom and shower.

Residents are required to attend two counseling groups per week. The Salvation Army provides drug and alcohol counseling, therapy, and parenting classes. Finley pioneered a new twelve-week financial planning class which provides residents information on how to make long-term financial plans and how to manage their finances. In his experience, “the main reason for homelessness is the inability of people to appropriately manage the finances that they do have available. Teaching the residents to manage their finances appropriately and encouraging the residents to save up to 50% of their adjusted income while residing at the facility will result in fewer families returning to the facilities or the streets.”

 Anyone interested in making a donation to the Salvation Army, hosting a table at “One City One Meal” or serving Thanksgiving Dinner should contact Captain Finley at William.finley@usw.salvationarmy.org.

Rachel Coleman is an associate at DK Law Group in Oxnard and a member of CITATIONS’ editorial board.

 ATTENTION BARRISTERS:  The following candidates are being proposed to serve on the Barristers Board for 2012:

Robert S. Krimmer, President
Mathew M. Purcell, Vice President
Rachel Coleman, Secretary
Rennee R. Dehesa, Treasurer
Christina S. Stokholm, Past-President
Tom Adams, Member-at-Large
Amy R. Dilbeck, Member-at-Large
Katherine T. Hause, Member-at-Large
Joshua Hopstone, Member-at-Large
Chris Kunke, Member-at-Large
Brier K. Miron, Member-at-Large
Melanie J. Murphy, Member-at-Large
Kathryn Pietrolungo, Member-at-Large
Jon Schwalbach, Member-at-Large
Jaclyn Smith, Member-at-Large 

To vote in this election, click here to print the ballot, fill it out, and return it to the VCBA office by December 15, 2011.

Only Barristers may vote.  A Barrister is defined as any member of the Ventura County Bar Association who is: (1) under age 36; OR (2) has been admitted to practice law for seven years or fewer; OR (3) has been in practice for a total of seven years of fewer.

By Kathryn Pietrolungo

Judges’ Pizza Night

The Annual Judges Pizza Night is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Cafe Fiore in Ventura. This event is only open to judges and Barristers. Last year, we had around 20 judges attend and we expect the same number, if not more, this year. This event gives newer attorneys a chance to meet with judges in a social environment. In connection with Pizza Night, the Barristers joined with the Salvation Army to raise funds to feed the homeless on Thanksgiving. Please see Rachel Coleman’s article for more information.

CYLA Seeks Board Members

Mr. Carrington is “very knowledgeable. Insurance companies respect his opinion. Extensive trial experience (ABOTA), excellent mediator, fair, objective arbitrator. Extraordinarily capable and for It’s that time of the year when the State Bar of California looks for volunteers to share their expertise, energy, and commitment in service of the State Bar. The California Young Lawyers Association (CYLA) is the nation’s largest association of newer lawyers.  The association advocates issues important to our  membership before the State Bar’s Board of Governors. Serving on the CYLA Board is an excellent opportunity for newer lawyers to get involved.

In 2012, the Board of Governors will appoint seven members to the CYLA Board. Applicants must be “young attorneys,” defined as attorneys in their first five years of practice, or 36 years of age or younger. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1.  See http://cc.calbar.ca.gov/ for the application.

 By Kathryn Pietrolungo

 Did you know the Barristers meet up every third Thursday of the month? This month, join the Barristers (all attorneys are welcome) on September 15 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Victoria Pub. No RSVP is necessary. Maybe 2011 darts champion, Doug Goldwater will give you a pointer or two on the game.

Five years ago, the Barristers held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament for attorneys to compete for a trophy. Since then, the Barristers joined with the Ventura Family YMCA to host an annual “Take it to the Court” Basketball Tournament at Ventura College. This year, the tournament is on October 8, with games starting at 8 a.m. This tournament is now open to everyone and raises money for scholarships for area youth and families in need.

To keep it fair, the Barristers still have their own bracket where legal professionals play against legal professionals. This year, law enforcement personnel will have their own bracket. Form your teams and register at http://www.ciymca.org/ventura/programs/BasketballTournament.html.

Kathryn Pietrolungo is an associate at Ventura-based Anderson Kill Wood & Bender.

  “Annual Wine and Cheese Mixer “  A Special Event to Promote the Mentor Program  August 18, 2011

Pictures Courtesy of Christina S. Stokholm, 2011 Barristers President.

VC Barristers in association with the VCBA/VLSP, Inc.
Presents
The Annual Wine and Cheese Mixer
A Special Event to Promote the Mentor Program*

Thursday, August 18, 2011
5:30 p.m.

Location:
Ferguson Case Orr Paterson LLP
1050 South Kimball Road, Ventura

Please RSVP by calling or e-mailing the VCBA office (805 650-7599; bar@vcba.org)
by August 15, 2011.

*The Mentor Program pairs Barristers with experienced attorneys in requested fields. This event is open to anyone already involved with the program, or interested in participating as a mentor or a mentee. We urge all Barristers and interested attorneys to join us. There is absolutely no MCLE associated with this event. Come for the delicious wine and cheese, a chance to network with other attorneys and to find out about our program.

Sound like fun? We think so!

The Wine Rack, formerly Weaver Wines, will be pouring small production boutique wines that are organic or sustainably farmed. This is a complimentary tasting for all to enjoy. They are also raffling off a private party in the C-Street Cellar… so make sure to drop your card to win a private wine party for 4 people.

Anacapa Brewing Co. will be providing complimentary beer for your enjoyment.