Great job

Recently, Ben Douglas and Allen Garcia of Ventura worked eight hours clearing debris and plant matter that had accumulated on the sidewalk and parkway along Loma Vista, across the street from Ventura College.

They filled an entire pickup truck with debris. The debris collected because of an inadequate retaining wall on the hillside, which empties down onto Loma Vista.

I have walked with my dog along Loma Vista from Teloma Drive to Seton Hall four days each week for many years. Each time I passed the unsightly area, I would promise myself to call the city and find out just why this eyesore was not cleaned up, but I did nothing Thank you, Messrs. Doublas and Allen, for helping to keep Ventura beautiful.

— Marlene Reinhart, Ventura

Dr. Fischbein super

Last year I was plagued by severe pain in my left lower abdomen, which quickly turned into severe back spasms. I saw seven doctors (two were from the emergency room, one from urgent care). One general-care doctor told me that my spasms were merely as a result of poor posture.

Finally, I saw someone who misdiagnosed my problems as kidney stones. The day after Christmas, after a full year of terrible off-and-on pain, I was told that my kidneys were clear, but something had shown up on my ovary. My CAT scan was sent to my OB/GYN who called within minutes of receiving my results. He immediately took over and made a special trip to see me in Camarillo on a day that he was scheduled to be in his Century City office.

He showed my husband and me care and compassion that seems rare in a time when doctors are terrified of being human. I can't express how his professionalism, his manner and efficiency put our minds at ease. At last, someone was taking care of me.

My doctor is Dr. Stuart Fischbein and on Jan. 31 he removed a tumor that had been allowed to grow so large it caused my ovary to twist and eventually die. Our family will forever appreciate Dr. Fischbein and only wish we had more doctors like him.

— Tiffany Mulligan, Camarillo

Welcome! Welcome!

There are many things that have an inviting embrace to them and we humans, being creatures of habit, respond well to these things. We daydream about our upcoming vacations; we write endless books on comfort everything, from comfortable quilts to comfortable shoes. We even refer to some of our fuel as comfort food. So, please do not be surprised that I am any different.

Someone once said that we associate with others because of the way we feel about ourselves when in their presence. I tend to accept that, as the opposite is equally true, isn't it?

Someone who is unpleasant, we tend to avoid. Right now, on my heart is a restaurant owner, who by her innate character and charm embraced my party as if we were VIPs. Not only did we enjoy a lovely meal, we were introduced to various staff and the conversation was, well, easy, just easy. The atmosphere was equally inviting, and you could dress casually or formally and still be OK.

I was a visitor to your city, yet if I called Ventura home, I could easily see myself eating there almost daily, (and I am more of a homebody) having tea there with pals, or even engaging in business meetings. It is like coming home and I am so grateful for the Vagabond Café. After all, it really is great to go where everyone knows your name.

Thank you, Vagabond and Ventura!

— Ruth Noyes, Fallbrook