Become a Penny Free Business! See page 8

Transcription

Join the Movement!
Become a Penny Free Business! See page 8
One
thousand
people kept
from
homelessness
by the
Homeless
Prevention
Fund
by Jill Forman
Over 20,000 individuals in the City
of Ventura have household incomes
that leave no room for emergencies.
One-time financial difficulties such
as a car repair, accident, illness or
job cutback can result in the loss of
housing even for employed families;
nearly half the homeless each year have
never been in this situation before.
Sometimes, all they need is assistance
to get them through this temporary
crisis, and they can keep their homes 50% of homelessness can be prevented.
On December 16, the Homeless Prevention Fund helped its 1000th individual to remain housed. Since 2007, the
Fund has assisted 381 households with
1004 people. 50 households were aided
in 2015: 80 adults and 50 children.
When a family loses its housing,
the financial and human costs are
astronomical. Living on the streets
or in substandard housing is detrimental to physical and mental health.
This puts increased demands on
local hospitals, law enforcement, and
emergency services. And, it is more
difficult and costly to get back into a
home: rent needs to be paid up front,
security deposits, and so on. It has
been estimated that up to $20,000 in
services can be needed before a family
is restored to housing.
In contrast, the Fund’s average cost
to help with a one-time rental assistance is $500 per household, or $192 per
Continued on page 20
Vol. 3,Vol.
No.9,11No. 8
Published Every Other
Wednesday
Published
Every OtherEstablished
Wednesday2007
FREE
January 20 – February
2, 10
2016
March
- 23, 2010
Alex Brunk was a 2015 scholarship winner
who received $3,500 from the VPOA.
On Saturday, January 16, the Tall Ships had their grand arrival as they sailed into the
Ventura Harbor for their three weeks of sailing adventures, cannon battles, and educational
programs for young people. The brig Lady Washington and the topsail ketch Hawaiian
Chieftain are scheduled to stay in Ventura Harbor until February 8. Photos by John Ferritto.
Back row: Michael Ellingson, Lydia Hopps, Lynn Jacobs and Mel Sheeler.
Front row: Judie Sweet, Karen Portlock and Patty Jimenez at fundraising tournament.
Healthy Women’s Program
receives funds
The Saticoy Regional Women’s
Golf Club recently held its “Tee Off 4
the Cure” fundraising tournament,
with proceeds going to the Community
Memorial Health System “Healthy
Women’s Program.”
Saticoy Country Club has a long
tradition of raising money in support
of finding a cure for cancer. The CMHS
Healthy Women’s Program offers breast
cancer screening and treatment, and
cervical cancer screening and vaccine
to women in our community who lack
access to pay for these life-saving exams.
Judie Sweet, Saticoy Club President
and Karen Portlock, Tournament Chair,
presented members of the Community
Memorial
Healthcare
Foundation
with a check for $6,700 for the Healthy
Women’s Program. The donation is
in addition to the $4,200 the SRWGC
raised at its 2014 fundraiser.
For more information about the
CMHS Healthy Women’s Program, visit
http://w w w.cmhshealth.org/distinc
tion/healthywomen or call 651-2661.
Dee Dowell
Memorial
Scholarship
Award
The
Ventura
Police
Officers
Association (VPOA) is accepting
applications for the 13th annual Dee
Dowell Memorial Scholarship. The
scholarships will be presented in
June to honor Sergeant Darlon “Dee”
Dowell, who was shot and killed on
August 7, 1978. Sergeant Dowell is the
only officer in Ventura’s history to die
in the line of duty.
In selecting scholarship recipients,
the VPOA will consider academic
achievement, school and community
service, and financial needs. Applications
must contain all required information
and be returned no later than April 23,
2016. Incomplete applications will not be
considered.
Scholarship Awards:
1st Place $5,000.00
2nd Place $3,500.00
3rd Place $2,000.00
Honorable Mention(s) $500.00
Applicants must:
• Be entering his/her freshman
through senior year in college;
• Plan a course of study related to the
field of public service;
• Ventura resident or have graduated
from a high school in Ventura within the
past three years;
• Have a grade point average of 3.0 or
better (based on a 4.0 system);
Continued on page 6
2
January 20 – February 2, 2016
Ventura BREEZE
“WEV’s
training was a
life-changing,
graduate-level
crash course
in business.”
Diane de Mailly
Owner,
DDM Metering Systems Inc
2010 WEV Graduate
Attend a FREE orientation this month!
(805) 667-8004
You can always
read the latest
Breeze on
our website
wherever
you are
The Ventura Breeze has launched a new and improved website “www.venturabreeze.com.” The site provides many new features such as daily horoscopes, weather, surf reports from Surfline, along with photos and feedback
from our wonderful readers. The site also includes our most current issue,
all past issues, funny stuff from around the web and links to events and happenings in Ventura including local movie and theater listings. We hope you
enjoy the site.
Ventura BREEZE
Haircut Package
Special
$25 for a haircut, deep condition & blowdry ($45 value)
(New clients only, 1 per person, selected stylists only, 24 hour cancelation policy)
Call NOW to book an appointment!
Ventura Harbor Village, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, #117B, Ventura
Exp. 2/17/16
805.650.9014
HOUSE
E
R
A
W
Y
R
A
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A
J
R
MONSTE
SALE
K
O
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C
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A
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L
C
OUR BIGGEST, MOST
COMPREHENSIVE BOOK SALE EVER!
Rare and not so rare, including signed books! All genres,
books on tape, low, low prices, nothing will be held back!
Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016
9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.- Reserved for Friends Members
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - General Public
Topping Room, E.P. Foster Library
651 E. Main St.
JOIN US! BECOME A FRIEND OF VENTURA’S LIBRARIES!
2016 Membership and renewals:
Student $10; Individual $20; Family $30;
Sponsor $100; Business $250; Lifetime $1000.00.
Address: P.O. Box 403, Ventura 93002
All memberships receive a subscription to our
newsletter, Ex Libris. Business memberships
receive a certificate for display.
Contact: [email protected]
Ventura Friends of the Library
www.sanbuenaventurafriendsofthelibrary.org
3
4
Ventura BREEZE
Business News
A new local entertainment destination opened on Saturday, January 16th in
Ventura. Sky Zone Trampoline Park, creator of the world’s first all-walled trampoline
playing court offer locals popular activities such as Ultimate Dodgeball, Open Jump
and SkyRobics for maximum Active Fun.
The ribbon cutting ceremony featured appearances by Sky Zone President and
CEO Jeff Platt and Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko. The celebration held activities
such as a dodgeball tournament, carnival games and a DJ playing today’s best hits.
Located at 2825 Johnson Drive. Photo by Bernie Goldstein.
VCTC NEWS
GoVentura.org
KEEP VENTURA COUNTY MOVING.
Come to a Transportation
Needs Interactive Forum
What does Ventura County need
to keep traffic flowing, people
moving, and the economy
growing? What do you need to
better navigate our region? The
Ventura County Transportation
Commission (VCTC) wants your
input on whether the existing
transit system is meeting your
needs.
Come share your thoughts at a
Transportation Needs Interactive
Forum. From relieving freeway
bottlenecks and repairing
potholes to expanding transit
service and improving bike paths,
we want to hear your ideas.
Your input will help Ventura
County’s transportation providers
understand where you need to go
and how to help get you there.
Locations and Times
Jan. 25. 6-7:30 p.m.
Moorpark City Hall, Citrus Room
799 Moorpark Ave., Moorpark
Bus Service: Moorpark Transit
(Route 2, call 805-375-5467 for
Dial-a-Ride trips)
Jan. 26, 6-7:30 p.m.
Santa Paula Community Center
530 W. Main St., Santa Paula
Bus Service: Valley Express
(Santa Paula Routes A, B)
Jan. 28, 6-7:30 p.m.
Oxnard Public Library, Meeting
Room B,251 S. A St., Oxnard
Bus Service: Gold Coast Transit
(Routes 2, 4A, 4B, 19, 20)
February 8, 1:30-3 p.m.
Camarillo City Hall, Council Chambers
601 Carmen Drive, Camarillo
Bus Service: VCTC Intercity Transit
(Route 101)
Visit GoVentura.org for more info!
Adriana Perez is Ventura BRAVO 2016
awardee.
NAWBO
Ventura
County
announces
BRAVO 2016
Winners
The National Association of
Women Business Owners (NAWBO)
Ventura County Chapter is pleased to
announce the 2016 winners of the 17th
Annual Bravo Awards. The awards were
presented at a gala luncheon at the
beautiful Serra Center in Camarillo.
2016 AWARDEES:
Woman Business Owner of the Year
- Nellie Akalp, Lifetime Achievement
Award - Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson,
Innovator of the Year - Andrea Gallagher,
Visionary of the Year - Maryann Ridini
Spencer, Community Advocate of the
Year - Lisa Rule, Education Advocate
of the Year - Dianne McKay, Young
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Allie Anderson, NAWBO Ventura
County Member of the Year - Maura
Raffensperger, Corporate Leader of the
Year - Pacific Coast Business Times.
Rising Star of the Year - Adriana
Perez, Owner of Skincare by Adriana.
Adriana Perez, is the Founder and CEO of
Skincare by Adriana located in Ventura.
She is an advanced, certified NovaLash
eyelash extensionist and a California
Licensed Esthetician. In just two short
years, Adriana has grown her business
from a rented booth in a beauty salon,
to owning her own professional esthetics
studio. Adriana is a Women’s Economic
Venture
(WEV)
graduate.
After
completing the WEV Self-Employment
Training program, she used her business
plan to better organize her goals and the
logistics of her business. She has given
life to her vision of helping women look
and feel confident and beautiful.
WEV Free SelfEmployment
Training
orientation in
Ventura County
Have you wanted to run your own
business, but don’t know where to start?
Or do you already own a business and
want to expand? Learn how to make
those dreams a reality with Women’s
Economic Ventures (WEV). WEV
provides business training to women
and who want to start or expand an
existing business.
WEV is holding a free, 1-hour informational sessions for their English
course in Ventura County. Orientation
will cover class details and help you
determine readiness for the next SelfEmployment Training (SET) course
beginning in February. (SET courses are
offered in English and Spanish in Santa
Barbara and Ventura Counties.)
Orientations are offered throughout
the year and you are required to enroll.
Location will be given at RSVP. Tuesday,
February 2. 12-1 pm
WEV’s Women’s Business Center
offers a comprehensive 14 week, 56-hour
Self-Employment
Training
(SET)
program for women and men who want
to start or grow a business. Programs are
offered in both English and Spanish in
Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties,
Continued on page 6
Ventura BREEZE
5
Opinion/Editorial
Member, Ventura Chamber of Commerce
The Ventura Breeze is your free local community
newspaper published every other Wednesday
and circulated throughout Ventura and to many
locations in Ojai and the Channel Islands Harbor
located in Oxnard.
P ublisher
Sheldon (Governor) Brown
[email protected]
P ublisher Emeritus
Staci Brown
Assistant to the P ublisher
Ana Baker
Pet Editor
Professor Scamp
[email protected]
Contributing Writers
Rebecca Wicks • Richard Lieberman
Carol Leish • Eduardo Victoria
Veronica Johnson • James Spencer
Shirley Lorraine • Sheli Ellsworth
Victoria Usher • Danielle Peak
Pam Baumgardner • Elizabeth Rodeno
Mira Reverente • Amber Hanson
Karen Helen Szatkowski
Connie De La Rosa • Gale Field
Contributing P hotographers
John Ferritto • Bernie Goldstein
Richard Lieberman • Michael Gordon
Daniel Ingram
Distribution
Jaime Baker • Fred Kastel
Mary Thompson
Senior A dvisors
Suz Montgomery • Lori Harasta
Account Executives
Breezy Gledhill • Cindy Summers
Web/Online A dvisor
Cindy Summers
P rint P roduction
Alfred J. Lewis/studioNothing
P rinting
American Foothill Publishing Co.
-----------------------------CONTACT US:
Events & H appenings
[email protected]
Opinions
[email protected]
A rticles and P hotos
[email protected]
A dvertising
[email protected]
Ventura Breeze
1575 Spinnaker Drive, 105B, Box 393
Ventura, CA 93001
Phone/Fax 805.653.0791
C
The Ventura Breeze is printed with
soy based ink on paper with minimum
40% recycled content.
We encourage you to send your opinions
to [email protected]. Please
limit them to about 300 words.
Dear Sheldon,
Thank you very much for putting the
City website number to contact for
concerns and requests. It is a simple act
and will reap real action by our good
City workers if they know of it. I have
been calling the “Graffiti number” often
and really do get action within 24 hours.
Also, I agree 100% with the goal to go to
a metric system like the rest of the world.
Why should the U.S. refuse to cooperate?
Respectfully,
Suzanna Ballmer
n I want to wish
Ventura
Breeze
writer Pam Baumgardner a speedy
recovery from her
full right knee reSheldon (Governor) Brown
placement surgery.
Publisher
I’m sure she will be
shooting hoops again above city hall
very soon.
I also wish my lovely wife Diane
(who needs to put up with me) a
happy birthday on Jan.20.
n I certainly agree that the homeless
is a serious problem here (and everywhere) but being homeless (or dirty)
is not against the law. And being
mentally ill certainly isn’t. I understand that some homeless do commit
criminal acts and should punished
for it or obtain treatment if they are
mentally ill.
Those who say “why don’t the
police and city get rid of them” need to
realize that unless they are breaking
the law they cannot just be picked up
and removed from Ventura or jailed.
I would love to hear your solutions
to this problem.
n Every year California enacts new
laws. I understand that as technology and everyday life changes we need
some new laws to address the changes.
But 807 are new this year which seems
to be a ridiculous number. These
aren’t guidelines or suggestions but
laws that the legislator had to write,
study, discuss and pass.
These are some of my favorites.
I’m not saying that they aren’t swell
ideas, but laws?
“Beer tasting events can be held at
certified farmer’s markets.”
“California community colleges
can suspend or expel students
accused of sexual assaults that occur
off campus.”
“Non-citizens in high school may
serve as election poll workers.”
“The word ‘alien’ will be removed
from California’s labor code as a
description of those not born in the
United States” (it may still be used
to describe those born on Mars and
living in the United States).
“Electrically motorized boards
may be ridden wherever bicycles
are ridden---within bicycle lanes,
pathways and roadways.”
“The State Department of Fish
and Wildlife has new power to take
action to conserve monarch butterf lies and their habitats” (my wife
Diane raises monarchs so this will
make her very happy).
“Lace lichen commonly known as
Spanish Moss is designated as California’s official lichen” (this is probably
my favorite). A lichen is a composite
organism that arises from algae or
cyanobacteria or both living among
filaments of a fungus in a symbiotic
relationship. The combined life form
has properties that are very different
from the properties of its component
organisms. Lichens come in many
colors, sizes, and forms. (I am trying
to get the Ventura Breeze designated
as California’s official newspaper.)
n I know that I said I wasn’t going
to comment on the proposed 55-unit
hillside project until further action
is taken. This isn’t specifically about
the project but about “some” of the
vindictive and insulting emails/
letters I’ve received.
As you know, I currently support
the project.
I have been accused of many things
because of my support, so I want to
speak to some of these comments.
“I have been bribed to support it.”
Okay I fess up, I asked Regent to give
me 3 of the new homes to support
the project but they only offered me
2, but I decided to support it anyway.
Actually they didn’t even offer me a
cup of coffee.
“I have some hidden motivation.”
Yes, I was hoping that I can get a free
upgrade in the bathroom tile when
I buy one of the homes. I have no
hidden agenda. I will not personally
gain in any way if they should get
built. And, I couldn’t afford to buy
one anyway.
“I think that you support it
because the new home owners will
take out ads in the Breeze.” In
5-6 years if/when these homes are
available I don’t imagine that I will
still be the publisher of the Breeze.
It would be nice though if the new
owners brought businesses, and
Mailbox
to publisher
It would be a terrible idea to close
Poli on a permanent basis. Thompson is
now the only 2 lane road to go from West
to East Ventura and vice-versa. I grew-up
using Foothill \ Poli to go surfing before
school. I know you are not from Ventura
and would like to change things as You
see fit. Why do people move to Ventura
and feel it is necessary to fix / improve
things? Why did you move here? Most
likely because of the atmosphere in
Ventura. Having lived here more than
50 years, I have seen far too many people
try to make Ventura more like Orange
County or LA after they move here. If
you don’t like the way Ventura is, move!!
David Eigner
David: Just because I think Ventura should
close the street means that I don’t like Ventura
and I should move? How absurd. So in the 50
years that you have loved here you haven’t
found anything that should change because it
might be better for Ventura? Hard to believe!
So anyone not born here does not have the
right to express an opinion?
Sheldon
Ventura Breeze:
I recently read in the American Journal
of Human Genetics (very exciting reading)
that Homo Sapiens contain 2-4% of Neanderthal DNA depending on ones lineage.
Between 40,000 and 60,000 years ago
Homo Sapiens and Neanderthal mated
which accounts for us containing their DNA.
Creationist believe that Homo Sapiens
have been in existence for only 6,000 years.
I can understand a slight difference between
science and religion but not over 30,000 years.
By the way Homo Neanderthalensis
were named after Neandertal, Germany
where in 1856 they were first discovered.
Perhaps some Breeze reader could help
me understand this.
Thank you
Donald Russell - Ventura
money to Ventura. Then the project
would be ultra-successful.
n In a previous issue describing the
portrait of Howard Boroughs by
Johanna Spinks, we stated, in part,
“Thanks to their generosity, we have
The Evelyn and Howard Boroughs
Library at Ventura College.”
We received this comment from
a reader; “While we appreciate the
Burroughs and their civic engagement, they did not pay for the Ventura
College Library, or even a significant
part of it, as your recent article
implies. Clearly the taxpayers paid for
the $25 million library.”
To clarify, the Boroughs did not
donate the $25 million to construct
the library, it was just named after
them for the contributions they have
made to the library and to Ventura.
n In keeping with several other
Ventura County cities, the Ventura
City Council, by a 7-0 vote, has banned
the commercial cultivation and distribution of medical marijuana in
Ventura.
The City Council felt it was
important to take action before state
laws become effective in the future.
Cities have until March 1 to adopt
their own ordinances. The uncertainty of what the eventual state laws will
be is why cities are taking action now.
Patients will still be allowed to
grow medicinal marijuana for their
own use. Speaking at the meeting,
Ventura resident Carlos LanderosAngel, who is a medicinal marijuana
user, urged the council to allow local
delivery.
Even though I do not have a strong
opinion (not like me) regarding
this action, I do agree with council
members Carl Morehouse and Neal
Andrews who expressed concern for
those who aren’t able to grow their
own medicinal marijuana, and who
will not be able to obtain it if both
dispensaries and delivery are both
banned. I don’t think that having
to drive up to an hour to purchase
needed medicine is appropriate.
And enforcing a “no delivery”
policy would be nearly impossible and
certainly not worth the time required
by our police department.
The Ventura Breeze is
looking for advertising
advisors to sell advertising
space in the Ventura Breeze
to businesses and
professionals in Ventura.
Part or full time. Contact
[email protected]
for more details.
I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is
like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up
by the handle.
– Winston Churchill
6
Ventura BREEZE
To tax or not to tax? That is the question
We need a tax increase
by Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko and Deputy Mayor Neal Andrews
As 20-foot waves pounded our 143year-old pier recently, causing damage
costing at least half a million dollars
to repair, Venturans were reminded of
what makes our great city so special,
but also very expensive to maintain.
Ventura is a truly beautiful city, but it’s
also Ventura County’s oldest city. It
has a stunning natural landscape that
sometimes inflicts costly damage to
our aged infrastructure. As our City
Manager likes to point out, Ventura is
like a stately Victorian home, majestic
and elegant from the outside, but upon
closer inspection it needs plenty of work,
from new plumbing to necessary electrical upgrades. Unlike nearby inland
cities that incorporated in the 1960s,
Ventura’s birth as a city occurred nearly
150 years ago, when President Andrew
Johnson occupied the White House and
the country was still reeling from the
Civil War.
As we celebrate our 150th anniversary as a city, Venturans need to both look
to our past as well as envision a better
future. What investments do we need
to make today that will create a more
secure tomorrow? How can we maintain
our great natural beauty while ensuring
that basic, core services – services like
police and fire response – are provided to
residents efficiently and effectively?
Ventura has few options under State
law. One of the most important possibilities allowed is a local sales tax because
all the money generated by it stays in our
community to support local needs. All
cities in California are required by the
State to apply a 7.5 percent tax on most
retail purchases within their boundaries.
The vast majority of those tax proceeds
Ventura City
Council to
ask voters to
increase taxes –
again
by Venturans for Responsible and
Efficient Government
(RES PUBLICA)
On April 14, 2015, the City Council
directed the City Manager to conduct
a “community survey” for a fee of
$38,000. They did that and spent
your money for a poll.
The paid consultant, of course,
was available to provide the needed
education to attract more voters at a
cost of $80,000. The Council again
voted to spend your money because
you need “education”.
The poll that the City of Ventura
commissioned asked if the citizens
would be willing to support a tax
increase, if it provided:
go to State and County government.
For example, in fiscal year 2014-2015
approximately $176 million in sales tax
was generated in Ventura, but the City
was able to keep only $24.4 million of
that amount. Basically, most State sales
taxes don’t help Ventura, leaving our
residents and City officials with a long
list of needs, but little money to meet
those needs.
And those property taxes you paid
in December? For every one dollar you
paid, only sixteen cents will come back
to Ventura. Again the vast majority was
already earmarked for State and County
government.
Because we are an old city, our sewer
systems, our water systems, our roads
and sidewalks, and our buildings need
costly attention. Like our historic
pier, the City of Ventura has unique
features that require maintenance,
care and funding, from keeping our
fire stations open and providing lifesaving paramedic response, to protecting our waterways from pollution.
One solution is to pass a local sales
tax where every penny will stay in our
community to maintain the services
Venturans want and need. A modest ½
cent local sales tax, where every penny
stays in our community to meet local
needs, would go a long way to making
sure our city is prepared for a disaster
and to maintaining critical city
services. An added plus is that tourists
and travelers will all contribute to
making our city strong as Venturans
create a local funding source now and
for generations to come.
Breeze: The City Council would need to vote
to place a tax increase measure on the ballot.
protection of local water supplies
keep all fire stations open
protect local beaches, rivers and
coastal waters from pollution
maintain and improve fire, police
and paramedic emergency response
maintain essential city services
improve services for seniors, the
disabled and veterans
Past City Councils have relied
upon poor surveys and have lost
elections both times.
Ventura has a new Mayor his
desire to tax the citizens of Ventura
is partly because taxes are lower
than Los Angeles. However, more tax
money is being sold to Venturans
under the disguise of “keep funds
local”.
Several of poll items, such as
water supply, rivers, beaches, seniors,
disabled and veterans are already
paid for by county, state and federal
agencies.
The Ventura Water Department,
independent of the city general fund,
maintains our water system with the
recent 34% increase in water rates
over that last two years. Ventura has
the funds for our aging water system.
The pier has over one million dollars
in the “pier fund” for repairs. The pier is
protected with an insurance policy that
calls for a $100,000 deductible for each
major occurrence. Therefore, no sales tax
dollars is needed for the pier.
Over the last 2 years, the City of
Ventura property taxes have increased
by 4.0%. Also over the same two years,
the City of Ventura sales tax revenue has
increased by 9.5%. Therefore, revenues
for the City of Ventura have continued
to rise.
The real reason more taxes are being
suggested is in 2015/2016, after the
employees’ contributions, the City owes
another $16,079,104 for retirements. This
is an increase of $1,017,581 over last year.
Our Mayor’s own words from his
2013 campaign:
1) Asked how pay for to improve streets,
public safety, and water resources… he
said: “By growing the economy... the city
must attract and retain businesses that
will increase its sales tax base.”
2) Asked the role of the city is to
attract a better economic vitality and
he said: “The city can bring economic
vitality to Ventura by keeping it safe
and clean, creating a business-friendly
culture at city hall, making sensible,
cost-effective loans to businesses, and
by promoting trade and tourism both
locally and globally”.
3) The action he promised was: “As
councilmember, I would like to make
Focus Area 1 a top priority, bringing
to the Auto Center area a destination
retail establishment, like a Bass Pro
Shop, and possibly a hotel to support
the Players Club casino.”
In our new Mayor’s own words,
economic vitality through increasing
the business base is the top priority.
We should keep him to his word.
To the Publisher
The Ventura Breeze
Dear Sheldon,
Let me take this opportunity to thank
you for your great newspaper. My wife and I
moved to Ventura about four years ago and
the Breeze has not only helped us adapt to
our new home, it’s entertained us along the
way. We look forward to every new issue.
My reason for writing at this particular
time is to comment on Mayor Nasarenko’s
article in the current issue, “Ventura has a
great future ahead.” I suppose it would be
quibbling to comment that this is better
than having a great future behind, so I’ll
avoid that. The mayor’s vision for a great
future includes increasing the sales tax so as
to be in line with the “industry standard.”
Perhaps this is a catchy way of claiming that
everyone else is doing it.
I would really like to see this
proposal made in a more respectful way
to those who will be paying the tax. We
have to pay taxes. Everyone knows this.
But that doesn’t mean every tax increase
is justified. If the mayor wants to raise
taxes, I feel he owes it to the city to
make a strong case with specifics, line
item by line item, not just the feel-good
generalizations he references in the
article. Additionally, if he wants a tax
increase in perpetuity, he should make a
strong case for that.
We pay a lot of taxes; a partial list would
include State and federal income taxes, auto
registration fees and taxes, gasoline taxes,
various disposal taxes, personal property
taxes, health plan taxes, sales taxes, Social
Security and Medicare taxes, phone taxes,
beverage container deposit fees and sewer
plant taxes.
What all these taxes have in common
is that once upon a time someone thought,
well, just one more little tax won’t hurt. The
problem is, collectively, they do hurt. They
make it more difficult for families to raise
children, for seniors to get by, for Ventura
retail businesses to remain competitive. If
we’re going to need to put up with a higher
sales tax, at least we should know why.
Dan Coverdale
Breeze:
Unbelievable! The first announcement out of the mouth of newly appointed
Mayor Erik Nasarenko of Ventura is that
he will be pushing for a new sales tax on
Ventura residents. I guess it should really
come as no big surprise because, of course,
it’s now payback time for Nasarenko. He
received heavy support from the Ventura
police and fire unions in his campaign
for City Council two years ago with the
understanding that he would advocate to
get a tax increase measure on the ballot to
beef up the police and fire budgets. This
is a clear tit-for-tat situation and is completely unacceptable.
But, the problem is people are on to
these kinds of shenanigans, especially in
the City of Ventura where tax increases have
been placed on the ballot numerous times
in the past and have failed, most recently in
2009. What part of “no” does Nasarenko
not understand?
People in this community are struggling right now to make ends meet in an
economy that has seen wages stagnate
over the last seven years. Let’s not impose
more suffering on them so that Erik
Nasarenko can return a campaign favor
he promised two years ago. Please join me
in opposing this ludicrous and unnecessary tax measure when, and if, it appears
on the ballot.
Sincerely,
Mike Gibson
Dee Dowel Memorial Scholarship
Continued from page 1
• Maintain a grade point average of 3.0
or better if selected as a recipient;
• Submit a resume of school and
community activities, including a copy
of transcripts through the most recent
semester;
• Submit an essay of 1000 words or less
on “Service, what it means to me”;
• Submit a letter of recommendation
from a public servant.
For additional information please
contact Officer Cameron Goettsche at
339-4462 or cgoettsche@venturapd.
org. Applications are also available at
the front desk of the Ventura Police
Department at 1425 Dowell Dr., Ventura,
CA 93003 or for download at www.
venturapoa.com.
WEV Free Self Employment Training
and provide week-by-week training on
topics including finances, marketing
and sales, public relations and advertising, legal and insurance issues, and
record keeping. After the 14 week course,
WEV SET graduates emerge with a
completed business plan and the most
important tools and resources they need
to start a new business or grow their
current business.
Orientation location is subject to
change. To find out more information
or to register for the orientation, call
456-2342 or visit the website at http://
wevonline.org/orientations. For more
information about Spanish programs
contact 456-2319.
Ventura BREEZE
7
Community Events
rary plays, as well as a wide array of educational programs and events. Founded
in 1998, Rubicon’s work has been lauded
by critics and industry professionals.
E.P. Foster
Library –
February events
Last year’s “Last Train To Nibroc” starring
Erik Odom and Lily Nicksay who return in
See Rock City. Photo by Christopher Brown.
A poignant
love story set
in 1940’s
Rubicon Theatre Company presents
See Rock City by Arlene Hutton, a
poignant love story set in 1940’s Appalachia about young newlyweds
trying to find their footing in a world
on the brink of great change. May
(played by Lily Nicksay Boy Meets
World/The Client) is a principal at the
local school, and Raleigh (Erik Odom
Twilight: Breaking Dawn/Sons of the
Prophet), is an aspiring writer.
The play begins with the couple
returning to their home in Corbin,
Kentucky after plans to honeymoon
in Rock City are derailed. There they
grapple with domestic realities and the
desire for approval from community
and family, especially their very different
mothers (played by Clarinda Ross and
Sharon Sharth).
When victory overseas results in
unexpected consequences on the
home front, the couple must confront
hidden truths and May must consider
a difficult sacrifice. The sequel to last
year’s critically acclaimed hit Last Train
to Nibroc, See Rock City stands alone
as a funny, touching and universal
portrayal of a devoted young couple
grappling with change in the advent of
a new, post-war America.
Katharine Farmer returns from
London to helm See Rock City having
directed the first play in the Nibroc
Series last season to critical and popular
acclaim. The production was nominated
for an Ovation Award for “Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre,” and was a
part of Rubicon’s “Best Season” nomination. Farmer was also the recipient of an
Indy Award for her direction (collecting
her statue on her 22nd birthday). She
has since made her West End directing
debut with Pig Farm by Greg Kotsis.
Mike Billings designs sets, lights and
projections; Marcy Froehlich is Costume
Designer, and Austin Quan is Sound
Designer.
Low-Priced Previews: Wed., Jan. 27 at
7 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. and Fri.,
Jan. 29 at 8 p.m.
Opening Night: Sat., Jan. 30, 2016
at 7 p.m. with post-show party with cast
hosted by Busy Bee Cafe.
Closing: Sun., Feb. 14, 2016 at 2 p.m.
Box Office (for single and group
tickets)667.2900.
Website www.rubicontheatre.org
Rubicon Theatre Company has
been described as, “the rising star of the
Southern California cultural constellation.” A not-for-profit professional
regional theatre, Rubicon serves area
residents and visitors with innovative
productions of classic and contempo-
ADULT PROGRAMS & SPECIAL
EVENTS
Poetry Out Loud County
Competition
2/3 @ 3 pm
High school students from across
Ventura County will recite poetry in the
hopes of moving on to regional, state,
and national contests.
Forgotten Foster Park
2/3 @ 6:30 pm
Come hear local author, Gwen
Alfares, talk about her book, Forgotten
Foster Park. Foster Park was a small
rural community that existed along
Highway 33 from the 1920s to the 1960s
and hosted such music greats as Johnny
Cash, the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee
Lewis.
Between Two Rivers - Poetry
Documentary
2/6 @ 3 pm
SOLO Press just celebrated 50 years
of publishing. This film celebrates
Glenna Luschei, found of the small,
woman run poetry press.
Plastic Pollution: How Microplastics
are Impacting Beaches in Southern
California
2/7 @ 3 pm
Channel Islands Lecture Series
Clare Steel, PhD, Environmental Science
Lecturer will present this lecture in the
Topping Room.
Assemblage Workshop
2/10 @ 6pm
Local Artist Ron Smith will conduct
an Assemblage workshop. If you loved
collages you won’t want to miss this
fun craft night. Some supplies will be
provided.
You are welcome to bring your own
supplies as well as curious and peculiar
curios for art construction.
Valentine to Ventura
Poetry Writing Workshop
2/13 @ 3 pm
Special 150th anniversary event.
Beginning to expert poets aged 13 and
up are welcome to attend and compose a
Valentine to Ventura.
Meditation and Inspirational Books
2/20 @ 12 pm
Join us for an afternoon of meditation and inspirational books. John
Landa will discuss the books that guided
him to the path he is now on. In addition
to the discussion there will be a tranquil
meditation session.
ONGOING EVENTS
Library LAB Open Workshop 2/10 &
2/24 4:30-6:30 pm
Alternating Wednesday evenings to
learn more about the 3D printer and
laser cutter—or to use them yourself!
Poetry Open Mic Night 2/4, 11, 18,
25 Thursdays 7:30-9 pm
On these Thursday nights, join this
group of writers as they meet in the
Topping Room to share their work.
Ukulele Jam Session 2/8 & 22
Mondays 7-10 pm
Locals gather to play the ukulele on
the first and third Monday of the month.
Children’s Events
Early Literacy Class 2/2, 3, 9, 10, 16,
17, 23, & 24 Tuesdays & Wednesdays
10:30am
A great way to introduce your child
to early literacy and the library.
Homework Center 2/2, 4, 9, 11, 16,
18, 23 & 25 Tuesdays & Thursdays
3-5pm H o m e w o r k
Helpers will be available to help students
in grades K through 12 with their
homework assignments.
Paws for Reading 2/6, 13, 20, & 27
Saturdays noon- 1pm
Read aloud to a registered service
dog (sign-up required).
TEEN HAPPENINGS
TAG Teen Advisory Group 2/3 & 17
Wednesdays 4 pm
Active members will get credit
towards School Community Services
Hours.
Youth Chess Club 2/1, 8, 22, & 29
Mondays 3 pm
Learn to play chess or improve your
current ability! Assisted by Class A tour
Continued on page 8
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR
2016 BRAVO AWARDEES
• Woman Business Owner of the Year
Nellie Akalp, CorpNet.com
• Lifetime Achievement Award
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, State District 19
• Corporate Leader of the Year
Pacific Coast Business Times
• Community Advocate of the Year
Lisa Rule, The Acorn
• NAWBO-VC Member of the Year
Maura Raffensperger, Your Chief Simplicity Officer
• Visionary of the Year
Maryann Ridini Spencer, Ridini Entertainment Corporation
• Innovator of the Year
Andrea Gallagher, Senior Concerns
• Education Advocate of the Year
Dianne McKay, Mustang Marketing
• Rising Star of the Year
Adriana Perez, Skincare by Adriana
• Young Woman Entrepeneur of the Year
Allie Anderson, Presh Events & Allie Anderson Designs
RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!
Mistress of Ceremonies
Mimi Donaldson
Internationally-Renowned Speaker
Speech Coach
Bravo Awards Luncheon
Friday, April 1, 2016
11:30 A.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Serra Center
Camarillo
Sponsorships and Tickets Available Online
www.nawbovc.org
Thank you to our media sponsor – The Breeze
Theme Graphics & Design by Lluvia Arras-Sanchez
8
Ventura BREEZE
Community Events
Join the Movement! Become a
Penny Free Business
The Ventura Breeze has always advocated for the elimination
of pennies from our currency. Most people dislike them and
feel they don’t add real value for anybody. It is really
ridiculous that the government still produces them. Kids
don’t even save them anymore – they’re looking for larger
denominations these days.
Recently two businesses (in Orange County) have stopped
using pennies by rounding amounts up or down. The
businesses and their customers love not dealing with pennies.
In order to promote this idea (and bring Ventura some
publicity), the Breeze is starting a movement to make
Ventura’s businesses “penny free merchants” (PFM) and
Ventura a “penny free Ventura” (PFV).
Any Ventura business that stops using pennies (by rounding
up or down) can have a free 1/16 page ad in the Breeze
(value $85.00)
Simply stop accepting pennies (we will send a spy in to make
sure) and email your ad to [email protected].
We will place your ad in one issue of the paper and on our
website for one month.
Here’s how you would round up or down:
.91 = .90
.92 = .90
.93 = .95
.94 = .95
We look forward to receiving your ads. To see more
about ad production requirements, visit
www.venturabreeze.com/advertising.
Ventura: setting
standards for the world.
E.P. Foster Library events
nament player Jack Cashman.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Makeshop 2/9 & 23 Tuesdays 3-5
pm
Building fun at the library! Makerspace event.
Lego LAB: Build, Learn, and Play!
2/2 & 16 Tuesdays 3 pm 2/6 Saturday
10 am
Exciting challenges every meeting.
Bring your imagination and experiment
with creative designs.
Dynamic Dinosaurs 2/10 Wednesday
4 pm
Become a paleontologist by examining
museum quality replicas of real dinosaur
fossils!
Valentine’s Day Crafternoon 2/11
Thursday 3 pm
A craft in the afternoon themed to
Valentine’s Day.
Dance Party! 2/12 & 18 Friday and
Thursday 10-11 am
Enjoy non-stop music and movement
for children ages 2-5 and their grownups
in the Topping Room!
FosterCon 2/27 Saturday 10 am The mini-comic festival in Downtown
Ventura.
Closed Monday, February 15th in
observance of President’s Day.
Ventura events
by Ana Baker
Would you like to meet new
friends? Whatever the reason,
Ventura’s Conversation Group is
the right place for you. This eclectic
group meets Wednesdays from 4p.m. to
5:45p.m. at the Yolanda’s Mexican Restaurant at 2753 Main Street.
DBSA Ventura, the local chapter
of the Depression & Bipolar Support
Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular,
confidential, peer-led, self-help
support groups in the County. Visit
facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call
253-3289 for more information.
Jan. 21: The East Ventura Community
Council will host a guest speaker for
the next meeting. Brian Rinehart,
Sales Manager for Enclave by Watt Communities, which is currently building 91
new homes in East Ventura along with
other topics of interest to area residents
will also be on the agenda.
The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at
the First Assembly of God Church, 346
N. Kimball Road. The public is encouraged to attend and participate. For more
information call 804-7558.
Jan. 21: Erthbound Entertainment is
proud to announce their new series
“An Evening At NAMBA” will now
be seen on CAPS TV Channel 6. The
series documents the amazing local
talents in our community showcased at
the Namba Performing Arts Space in
historic downtown Ventura.
The Premiere Episode is “Clara
Cries Nuts”, performed on December
3, 4, 5, 2015 for sold-out audiences who
support local arts programming in our
community.
The show is a brilliant parody of the
holiday classic Ballet, “The Nutcracker”
with quirky twists throughout and
gracefully performed by ALOFT Dancetheater, the resident dance company at
the Namba Performing Arts Space.
Thursday 1/21 5pm
Friday 1/22 8pm
Saturday 1/23 11am
All broadcasts are available on
Charter and Time Warner Cable Channel
6. For more information about how to
see “An Evening At NAMBA” visit http://
www.capstv.org.
Jan. 24: Channel Islands Chamber
Orchestra performs with Kuanfen
Liu, Artistic Director and soloists
Kaytlyn Becker and Alexa Constantine Young Artists Showcase
Concert. Sunday, 3 p.m. at the First
United Methodist Church of Ventura,
1338 East Santa Clara St. Ventura. $20
concert donation appreciated, youth 18
and under free.
Jan. 27: Ongoing Contacts N Coffee
morning
business
networking
meetings, held Wednesdays at 8:00
a.m. at Ventura Improv Company, 34
N. Palm Street in downtown Ventura.
Pick up a copy of the Ventura Breeze.
Members, $ 5.00 and newcomers, free.
Jan. 27: The College Area Community
Council
will
be
meeting
on
Wednesday.
The Guest Speaker will be Denise
Sindelar, Manager, Ventura Community
Partnerships who will speak about
the Library Advisory Commission. In
addition, a representative from the
Ventura Police Department will address
recent crime trends in the neighborhood
The Council, which represents citizens
between Mills and Victoria bordered by
Foothill and Hwy. 126, meets at 7 p.m.
in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day
Rd. on the Ventura College campus. Call
Jan. 28 The Ventura Moose Lodge
#1394, will host Dee Lyon, who is a
retired attorney turned world birder. She started birding in 1991 in Kenya,
Africa, got really interested in 1993 in the
Galapagos, and has since birded extensively in North America. Now traveling
the world to see birds, Finland, Russia,
Brazil, Costa Rica, India, Tibet, and
Bhutan, Africa, and now is in Thailand.
She will be handing out “bird Friendly
Plants” and step by step instructions
on how to change over a yard to a bird
habitat. At 10267 Telephone Rd at 7p.m.
Attendance is free and all are welcome. For further information call 488-6244.
Jan. 28: Portuguese Fraternal Society
of America will hold its monthly
meeting on Thursday. This meeting is
open to any person of Portuguese descent
or interested in the Portuguese culture.
The meeting will be held at Main Street
Restaurant and Steakhouse, 3159 East
Main Street at 11:30 a.m. for a 12p.m., no
host luncheon meeting. For more information and reservation, call Cora Corella
at 483-6285, or Yvonne Westervelt at
483-4168.
Jan. 30: San Buenaventura Friends of
the Library will hold a Book Sale on
Saturday. Open to the general public at
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 9 a.m. to 10
a.m. will be reserved for current Friends
members. E.P. Foster Library, Topping
Room. Rare and not so rare books for sale,
including signed books, special interest,
vintage, fiction including classics and
current hardcover and paperbacks, nonfiction including biography, science, engineering, religion, travel, cooking, history,
California history, Civil War, art, music,
self-help, education, parenting, sports,
craft books, children’s books, DVD’s,
books on cd and tape, puzzles, and more.
Jan. 31: Elite Theatre Company’s
Sundays at 7 Staged Reading
Program kicks off 2016 with Roger
Williams’ drama, Dinner in Budapest,
on Sunday, at 7 p.m. Directed by Lynn
Van Emmerik. There is no charge. Open,
first-come seating. The time: December
1944. The place: Budapest, where Nazi
bigwig Adolf Eichmann is busy dispatching to Auschwitz the last remaining large
Jewish population in occupied Europe.
Raoul Wallenberg, Sweden’s “Angel of
Mercy,” invites Eichmann to dinner at
the Swedish legation. Wallenberg’s goal
in the drama: to get the S.S. commander
to abandon his plan to empty residents of
the Budapest ghetto onto the Auschwitzbound trains.
Feb. 1 & 15: The Ventura County Philatelic Society will host their stamp
trading and camaraderie. Mondays
from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Church
of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Road.
Admission and parking are free. Come for
a great evening. Contact: vcpsforyou@
lycos.com or 320-1601
Feb. 1: 21st Annual Authors’
Luncheon presented by Assistance
League of Ventura County will feature
authors Woody Woodburn, Drew
Daywalt, and Isla Morley who will
share their insights into the writing
process, answer questions, and sign
books. At the Residence Inn by Marriott
at River Ridge. Tickets are $60 person,
includes lunch, $25 is tax-deductible.
The event will begin at 9am with a silent
auction, raffle tickets, and book sales. All
proceeds go to supporting the philanthropic programs of Assistance League
of Ventura County serving children in
our community. Please call 643-2458 for
reservations by Jan. 22.
Feb. 2: Mended Hearts of Ventura
Group meets the first Tuesday each
month at the Community Memorial
Hospital on the 8th floor from 7 p.m.
to 9p.m. Come share if you have had
heart surgery or stent implant. Excellent
speakers, leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, Dietitians, etc. from our area.
Contact Richard Hatcher 644-2733
Feb. 3: Beach Cities Neighbors and
Newcomers Club (BCNN) is a group
of active women of all ages who live
in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme
and enjoy a variety of activities
such as hiking, card games, crafts,
reading, writing, films, book discussions, cooking, gardening, dining, and
more. The next monthly coffee meeting
will be held on Wednesday, from 9:30 a.m.
to 11 a.m. in the Pavilion of the Museum
of Ventura County, 100 East Main Street.
http://bcnnwomensclub.org/
Feb. 7: The 1892 Dudley Historic
House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
accompanied by period music in the
parlor and upstairs library landing.
Admission is free. The museum is located
at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood
streets. For information please call
642-3345 or visit www.dudleyhouse.org.
Feb. 7: On Sunday, 3 pm -- 5 pm the
Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions are
holding their Monthly Meeting at E.P.
Foster Library Topping Room. Join
us as we share the newest version of the
Awakening the Dreamer symposium, a
transformative educational program that
explores the challenges facing humanity
at this critical moment in time and the
opportunities we as a human family have
to create a new future. Light refreshments.
Feb. 12, 13, 14: Bank of Books
will be giving away free romance
books daily from a large selection
of authors. Beginning February 12
thru the 14th Valentine’s Day. Come
select up to two books each day from
the special selection. Romance books
continue to be the largest book sales
of any category in the nation. Bank
of Books has a great selection, both
in the store and their warehouse. They
have given away over 300,000 books to
the community over the years, making
Bank of Books one of the most unique
bookstores in the country. Located at
748 E. Main Street.
Ventura BREEZE
enior
S iving
L
9
Pull Out Section
Emergency Preparedness
for Seniors
The Ventura Council for Seniors
(VCS) will host the first educational
forum of the year focusing on Emergency
Preparedness for Adults and Seniors on
Friday, January 29. at the Ventura Adult
and Continuing Education (VACE)
Center, 5200 Valentine Rd. The forum
will take place from 10:30 am to noon.
A catered barbeque lunch will be served
from noon to 1 pm, compliments of
the Downtown Rotary, for those who
RSVP by Monday, January 25. Please call
648-3035 to make reservations.
How prepared are you for the next
earthquake, power outage or f lood?
Has the recent storm system got you on
high alert? Most importantly, have you
packed your Go Bag? This educational
forum will help you prepare yourself in
the event of an unexpected disaster. The
featured presentation will be made by
Mr. Darryl Smith, Emergency Manager
with the Ventura County Sheriff’s
Office of Emergency Services. Mr.
Smith will provide important information that all citizens should be aware of
in case of an emergency.
Additional speakers will include Dr.
Thomas Duncan, Head of Trauma from
the Ventura County Medical Center,
Commander Tom Higgins from the
Ventura Police Department, Assistant
Chief Matthew Brock from the Ventura
Fire Department, Teri Helton from
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse
Association and John Davis from the
American Red Cross.
The Ventura Council for Seniors is
an advisory body that meets monthly to
discuss issues important to seniors, caregivers and older adults. The meetings
are held on the 3rd Wednesdays of the
month at the Ventura Avenue Adult
Center (VAAC, 550 N. Ventura Ave.)
and at the Silvercrest Senior Residence
(750 S. Petit Ave.) in Ventura. Meetings
alternate each month between the west
and eastside locations. For more information about this organization please
go to www.cityofventura.net/adult or
call 648-3035.
AARP tax aide
offers free
income tax
assistance
AARP Tax-Aide, in conjunction with
the IRS, will provide free income tax
preparation assistance and e-filing for
seniors and low-to-moderate income
adults of any age from February 1
through April 15. AARP membership is
not required.
Ventura will have three locations
and appointments are not required: Area
Agency on Aging, 646 County Square
Drive (off Victoria and Thille), Mondays
and Wednesdays, 1-4 p.m. Ventura
Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura
Ave, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-4 p.m.
Ventura Boys & Girls Club, 1929 Johnson
Drive, Fridays 8:30-11:30 a.m.
There will be two sites in Oxnard,
and appointments are not required:
Wilson Senior Center, 350 North C
Street, Wednesdays 9 a.m.-noon. Oxnard
Library, 251 South A Street, Thursdays,
1-7 p.m.
The Ojai site is by appointment only,
at the Little House of Ojai, 111 West
Santa Ana St, Thursdays noon-3:15 p.m.
Please call 646-5122.
Taxpayers must bring the following
documents for their tax return preparation: Social Security cards for themselves, spouses and any dependents,
picture ID, copy of 2014 tax return, and
all 2015 documents showing income
from all sources, including wages, Social
Security, interest, dividends, investments, self-employment, and pensions.
If you itemize deductions, please
provide total figures for each category of
deduction, including medical, charitable
contributions, property tax, mortgage
interest, etc. If you received a health
insurance statement (Form 1095-A,
1095-B or 1095-C), bring that as well.
Please note that Tax-Aide volunteers are not able to prepare returns
for married taxpayers who file separate
returns, taxpayers with rental property
income, or out-of-state tax returns.
Hospice
volunteer
training begins
in January
Join Livingston Memorial Visiting
Nurse Association’s remarkable core of
volunteers – community heroes that give
special gifts of time and compassion to
patients and their families at the end of
life.
Livingston will provide you with
training that gives you the confidence
to enter the homes and lives of others
to support them as a part of the Livingston Hospice Team. Training begins
Wednesday, January 27th from 10:30
am to 1:30 pm and continues for eight
consecutive weeks.
What you receive back is as priceless
as what you give.
For more information, contact
Maddy Hazard at 642-0239 x775 or
[email protected].
Free Fall
Prevention
Workshop
Having a strong sense of balance is
crucial in preventing falls in older adults
and their caregivers. The SCAN Health
& Wellness Center is offering a free educational workshop: Stop Falling! Home
Safety and Preventing Falls and Injuries
on Thursday, January 21 from 10 – 11:30
a.m. Join workshop leader Steve Lehman,
MPH, MBA, USC certified in fall prevention as he discusses the three keys to
preventing falls. The SCAN Health &
Wellness Center is at 6633 Telephone
Road, Suite 100. For more information or to make an appointment, call
658-0365.
Senior News Line
New Year,
New You
by Matilda Charles
Did you make a list of resolutions for
the New Year? How are you doing so far?
They say if we can keep a resolution for
21 days, we’re likely to stick with it. Here
are some ideas to make 2016 a healthier,
more active year.
Continuied on page 10
10
Ventura BREEZE
Start the New Year
with NEW SOUNDS!
Senior Living
A Tender Touch Senior Placement
The Smart Hearing
What is
Palliative and
Hospice Care?
by Connie De La Rosa
Experience!
A Palliative care program provides
patients the benefits of both home health
and hospice programs. “It is for patients
who are still pursuing aggressive treatment
• Small, barely noticeable hearing aids packed
for their illness to promote quality of life,
with incredible features.
not end of life,” states Teri Helton Program
Manager for Livingston Memorial Visiting
• Experience sounds by streaming directly to
Nurse Association. Through palliative
your bluetooth-enabled hearing aids.
care, a treatment team addresses the whole
Connects
• Discreetly adjust settings with a tap or swipe
Shown in ear.
wirelessly
family’s emotional, spiritual, and social
with your
on your smartphone.
smartphone!
needs in addition to the patient’s medical
treatment along
with providing the
necessary resources. If a patient improves
, they are then able to transition to home
health and recovery. “When the patient
$
25 VISA Gift Card
purchase of a pair of Siemens
is no longer seeking a curable treatment,
level 3 binax digital hearing aids.
with FREE Hearing Screening.
the team is already in place to transition
Everyday retail price for Siemens level 3 binax
Must have hearing loss. Call for details. Offers
is $2,895 each. Sale Price $2,395 each. Offers
cannot be combined. Limit one per customer per
into hospice care” states Teri Helton. It is
cannot be combined. Excludes previous
year. Offer expires 1/31/16.
purchases. Offer expires 1/31/16.
important to keep in mind that a patient
may improve their condition so they no
longer need Hospice Care.
Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse
Welcome Health Net Members.
Association, has been an advocate of a
more holistic patient-centered approach
when coordinating medical care. Their
main concern has always been for their
patient’s wellbeing such as meeting their
Camarillo • Ventura • Westlake Village
spiritual and emotional needs along with
Call Toll Free: 855.229.7075
their medical treatment as well as support
en Español: 800.878.0759
to their loved ones and caregivers.
How does Hospice work? Typically,
a family member serves as the primary
© 2016 HearUSA, All Rights Reserved.
www.hearusa.com
* Studies conducted at University of Northern Colorado (2014) and Oldenburg Horzentrum (2013) showed that Speech Reception Thresholds (SRT) incaregiver and, when appropriate, helps
cocktail-party situations improved up to 2.9dB for wearers with mild to moderate hearing loss using the latest BestSound™ Technology with Narrow
make decisions for the terminally ill indiDirectionality, compared to people with normal hearing. This corresponds to over 25% improvement in speech understanding.
160101 HearUSA January Ad_Ventura Breeze_4.875x7.75_to run 1-6_01.indd 1
12/24/15 1:58 PM
vidual. Members of the hospice staff make
regular visits to assess the patient and
provide additional care or other services.
Hospice staff is on-call 24 hours a day,
seven days a week which offers, Skilled
Nursing Care, Medication for pain and
symptom control, Medical Social Worker,
Chaplain Services, Registered Dietitian,
Physical, Occupational, Speech Therapist
and Bereavement Care.
Who Pays? Medicare, Medi-Cal and
other insurance cover hospice care. Livingston Hospice is a non-profit organization
and actively fundraises in order to subsidize
the cost of hospice care for patients with
inadequate financial resources in order
to serve all qualified patients of Ventura
County regardless of inability to pay.
For more information on Palliative and
Hospice care you can call 642-1608 or visit
their website www.lmvna.org.
1000
$
OFF
Ehrlich, and Dr. David Chase invited party
guests to make a donation of cash or toys
and also hosted a silent auction. $5,345 was
raised for Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties and 3
full boxes of toys were collected for Toys for
Tots. In addition, Seaside purchased several
dozen board games for the Boys and Girls
Club of Santa Paula.
Make-A-Wish Tri-Counties CEO
Shanna Wasson Taylor said, “A quarter
of the children we serve throughout the
Tri-Counties are treated at VCMC and
Santa Paula Hospital. It means so much
to us, and to the families of our wish
kids, that Seaside Emergency Associates
decided to help grant wishes through
their holiday party.”
FREE
Call for a FREE Demonstration!
Seaside
Emergency
Associates turn
holiday party
into benefit for
kids
Seaside Emergency Associates, a
leading provider of emergency room
services for Ventura County Medical Center
(VCMC) and Santa Paula Hospital, turned
their holiday party into a benefit for MakeA-Wish Tri-Counties, Toys for Tots and the
Boys and Girls Club of Santa Paula. Dr.
Scott Speier, Dr. Richard Rutherford, Dr.
Stephen Roslansky, Dr. Jeffrey Robinson,
Dr. Theodore Mandryk, Dr. Martin
The Boys and Girls Club kids are excited to
have some new games to play.
The Boys and Girls Club kids are excited
to have some new games to play during the
upcoming El Nino season. Toys for Tots
will distribute the collected toys to needy
children in the community.
The physicians and other medical
professionals of Seaside Emergency Associates provide state-of-the art emergency
medical care at Ventura County Medical
Center (a Level II Trauma Emergency
Department) and Santa Paula Hospital.
Seaside physicians have been nationally
recognized for the outstanding emergency
medicine training they provide to family
medicine residents.
New year, new you
* If you always hear about local events
after the fact, sign up for online notices
for museum exhibits, special readings at
the library, lectures and lunches at the
senior center.
* Consider taking a class. Reducing the
risk of falls and senior driving safety are
both worthwhile. Check the education
department course catalog for something
new and fun. Classes even might be free
for seniors.
* Do a puzzle a day. It doesn’t matter
what kind. Crossword, scrabble, solitaire
are all good brain stretchers. Go online to
AARP at games.aarp.org for free games.
* Get out of the house once a day. Walk
to the mailbox, set up a walking routine
with a friend (even if you have to go to the
local rec center) or pick a different place to
visit every day.
* Eat something that’s good for you at
least a few times per week, even if you don’t
especially care for it. If you don’t like green
vegetables, for example, scan the Internet
for recipes that will make them more
palatable. Do you have a smoothie blender?
Many ingredients can be combined to taste
better together.
* Consider upgrading your technology knowledge. If your grandchildren have
smartphones, think about whether you
might benefit from having that instant
contact with them, rather than waiting
until you open email to see the latest photos
from them.
* Look up old friends. If you’re not
familiar with social media, take a class, and
especially learn about the safety aspects.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
Ventura BREEZE
11
City News
Ask the Director
by Rick Raives
Public Works Director for the City of Ventura
Q.What is the City of Ventura’s Public
Works department doing to prepare
our community for the El Niño winter
season, and what can I do to get my
family ready?
A. The priority of our Public Works
department is to build and preserve
Ventura’s vital infrastructure and
to protect our environment for the
safety, enjoyment and prosperity of
our community. To accomplish these
goals, our team has been evaluating
potential problem areas throughout
our City that may be impacted by the
predicted wet El Niño season. Over
the past six months, we have taken
emergency preparedness measures
along with Police, Fire, Parks and
other City Departments, to prepare
City facilities for the heavy rains,
clean storm drains, and identify areas
where street f looding could cause
road closures, hillside areas that may
have mud slides, coastal spots that
are experiencing erosion, and other
problem areas where storm drains,
barrancas and hillside slopes could
cause damage.
On December 11, the Ventura Pier
suffered extensive damage caused
by a combination of high surf and
strong winds hitting the coastline.
Public Works immediately mobilized
to secure and close the Pier for
safety and worked with our on-call
emergency contractor to assess the
damage. An inspection of the pier
identified 13 missing piles, 17 loose
piles (disconnected from the top) and
compromised bracing in several areas
of the Pier. The cost of the repairs is
estimated about $1.2 Million, and the
City has insurance with a $100,000
deductible, which is per event.
In
early January, the contractor began
work to replace the missing piles and
repair the Pier. It is anticipated that
all the repair and maintenance work
will be completed within the next two
months.
The high surf also has impacted
Ventura’s
coastline
along
the
Promenade close to Surfer’s Point
where severe erosion continues to
occur, impacting trees, bike path,
promenade and other City public
improvements. In November, the City
Council approved emergency work
to provide additional shoreline protection and protect the Promenade
structure. Public Works is currently
developing methods to secure the
shoreline in the most vulnerable areas.
Recent storms in January caused
f looding in several locations throughout the city, while Public Works crews
focused resources on keeping areas
clear and free from debris and road
hazards during the storm.
To help Ventura residents prepare
their homes for possible f looding,
our Public Works Maintenance Yard
provides sand and bags (located
at 336 Sanjon Yard). Community
members are asked to bring their own
shovels, and take only what they need.
To report debris in the public rightof-way (streets, sidewalks) residents
may call our Debris Removal Hotline
677-3999; and to report downed
trees, call our Tree Hotline 652-4550
(during work hours) or 667-6519
for after-hours non-emergency. For
public right-of-way hazards afterhours and weekends, call our Ventura
Police Department non-emergency
line 650-8010. For downed power
lines, avoid contact and call 911.
During heavy rains, f lash f looding
can occur in our area. If there is any
possibility of a f lash f lood near you,
move immediately to higher ground.
Be aware of streams, drainage
channels, canyons and other areas
near your home, work or school that
are known to f lood suddenly.
It’s important for residents to know
when driving in flood conditions that:
Six inches of water will reach the bottom
of most passenger vehicles causing loss
of control and possible stalling.
A foot of water will float many vehicles.
Two feet of rushing water can carry away
most vehicles including sport utility
vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups.
We encourage the public to stay
informed through official sources by:
Registering for VC Alert (www.vcalert.
org) to receive emergency notifications
Checking www.vcemergency.com to
monitor conditions, closures and evacuations
Visiting the National Weather Service
for our area, online at www.wrh.noaa.
gov/lox
Connecting with their neighbors via
Nextdoor.com
Viewing our City of Ventura website,
www.cityofventura.net and in the event
of major citywide incident or disaster,
call our City of Ventura Disaster Hotline
at 805-477-3711.
Back pain to
be the focus of
CMHS Seminar
Back pain, which affects an
estimated 30 million Americans at
any given time, will be the focus of
a free seminar when Community
Memorial Health System opens its
2016 Educational Seminars series
on Tuesday, Jan 26.
Antulio B. Aroche Jr., D.O., who
specializes
orthopedic
surgery,
will lead the discussion during the
seminar to be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
in the eighth-f loor Nichols Auditorium at Community Memorial
Hospital, located at 147 N. Brent St.
Nationwide, bone and joint
health problems have become the
leading cause of disability, and
Dr. Aroche will discuss the causes
and diagnosis of back pain as well
as treatment and rehabilitation
options available to patients.
Dr. Aroche was dual fellowship trained in orthopedic and
neurosurgical spinal surgery at
New England Baptist Hospital in
Boston and completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Michigan
State University in East Lansing. He
is a member of the North America
Spine Society, American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons and several
honor societies. Dr. Aroche is on
the medical staffs of Community
Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley
Community Hospital.
Registration is free but reservations are required. Call Brown Paper
Tickets at 1-800/838-3006, or visit
cmhshealth.org/rsvp.
Future scheduled educational
seminars
include:
Minimally
Invasive Cardiovascular Care &
Common Therapies on Feb. 23 at
CMH; Advances in Cardiovascular
Care on Feb. 27 at the Soule Park
Golf Course banquet room; Hyperthyroidism on March 8 at the
Courtyard by Marriott in Oxnard;
and Innovative Management &
Treatment of Urinary and Defecatory Disorders on March 15 at CMH.
Students who receive financial support from
VCF tend to have higher completion rates.
Ventura College
Foundation to
award
scholarships
With its scholarship application
deadline on Jan. 24, the Ventura
College Foundation (VCF) is
welcoming a final f lood of applications from Ventura College students
who have completed at least 12
units. Foundation officials expect
to award more than $400,000 to
some 280 students this Spring,
for an average award of $2,000 per
student.
“Nearly all of these scholarships
are awarded based on the donors’
wishes, in honor of or in memory
of a loved one. It’s a living legacy, to
have an impact on a student and that
student’s family,” said Norbert Tan,
executive director of the Ventura
College Foundation.
Nearly half of scholarship applicants will receive some funds. Most
awards are based on a combination of need and achievement with
criteria designated by the donors,
such as students’ area of study.
Students who receive financial
support from the Ventura College
Foundation tend to have higher
completion rates than students who
don’t, according to foundation statistics. Many scholarship recipients
graduate to enter a career that allows
them to support a family, and many
students graduate from Ventura
College to pursue a four-year degree.
“Many students come to us
wanting to get a college education
but have to overcome the hurdle of
cost. The Foundation helps with
student success, enabling scholarship recipients to focus on their
studies to achieve their career
goals,” said Tan.
For more information on scholarships or to download an application, visit www.venturacollege.edu.
Students with questions should
contact the foundation at 289-6491
or email [email protected].
12
Ventura BREEZE
Community Events
Ojai news and
events
The Pastel Society of the Gold
Coast, a non-profit organization,
is pleased to present their awardwinning professional paintings at
their show and sale “I Love Pastels.”
The group has a membership of approximately thirty Southern California artists
who utilize the dynamic and diverse
application of soft pastels to express
their creativity. The PSGC’s mission
is to provide public exhibitions for it’s
members, to educate the community
through collaboration with other nonprofit organizations, and to promote the
arts in general. The paintings will be on
exhibition at the Ojai Art Center from
February 6 to March 2.
View beautiful art, listen to live
piano music, and enjoy refreshments on
February 13th at the Ojai Art Center,
located at 112 S. Montgomery Street,
from 1-3 p.m.
AARP Tax-Aide, in conjunction with the IRS, will provide free
income tax preparation assistance
and e-filing for seniors and lowto-moderate income adults of any
age from February 1, 2016 through
April 15, 2016. AARP membership
is not required. The Ojai site is by appointment only, at the Little House of
Ojai, 111 West Santa Ana St, Thursdays
noon-3:15 p.m. Please call 646-5122.
Since the 1890s postcards have
represented a quick, easy and economical way to share a trip with
friends and family. The Ojai Valley
Museum’s latest exhibition, “Wish
You Were Here: Postcards that Enticed
Visitors to the Ojai Valley” highlights
vintage postcards. The Ojai Valley
postcards are enlarged for better viewing
of interesting details. Not only are the
images often beautiful, what people
wrote speaks to earlier eras while also
pointing out how some things never
change. In an adjacent space, each visitor
is invited to write and send a contemporary postcard themselves.
Dedicated to serving
our furry friends for
over 34 years!
• Wellness Exams
• Dental Care
• Surgery & Medicine
• Vaccinations
• Nutritional Counseling
• Holistic Medicine
(Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Therapy)
Also on view are historic promotional items including brochures and maps.
Beautifully rendered early 20th century
pieces are contrasted with exuberant
items from mid-century.
The opening reception for “Wish You
Were Here” was on Saturday, January 16.
Enjoy the exhibition and a no host wine
bar for the price of regular museum
admission: $5 per adult, children 6-18
$1, current museum members and
children under 6 free.
The exhibit is sponsored by the
Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. It will be on view
through March 27.
The Ojai Valley Museum is located at
130 W. Ojai Ave. Free parking is available
behind the museum, off Blanche Street.
Gallery hours are Tuesday through
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday
noon to 4 pm. Group or school tours
available by appointment.
For more information, call the
museum at 640-1390, ext. 201, email
[email protected], or visit the
museum website at OjaiValleyMuseum.
org.
Efforts are underway to update
the master plan for Sarzotti Park,
and we need your help! Local
residents are invited and encouraged to attend a public outreach
meeting set for Monday, January 25
at 6:30 p.m. at Ojai City Hall. The
meeting will include public input and
discussion on the development of future
plans and amenities for Sarzotti Park.
The Parks & Recreation Commission is hosting the special meeting to
gather additional input on the master
plan update. An initial public outreach
meeting was held in August, and City
officials are looking forward to a large
and diverse group to participate in the
discussion.
The current draft of the plan can
be found online at www.ojairec.com.
For more information, contact the Ojai
Recreation Department at 646-5581,
ext. 390.
The Ventura County Library’s
Read Adult Literacy program is
coming to the Ojai Library. An information session for new tutors and
We treat every client like family
and every patient as if they
were our own pet!
(805) 647-8430
bit.ly/EastVenturaAHFacebook
Visit us online:
www.EastVenturaAnimalHospital.com
10225 Telephone Road • Ventura, CA 93004
SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PET: SAVE A LIFE
EACH YEAR, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HEALTHY PETS ARE
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students at the library on Monday,
January 25, at 5:30 p.m. Stop by to
learn about how adults can get free
help with reading.
If you are interested in being a
volunteer tutor, Read is now recruiting!
For more information about Read Adult
Literacy, please come to the meeting or
call 677-7160.
The Ojai Library Ukulele Club
has returned to its normal schedule
following the holiday hiatus. The
Ukulele Club meets in the north wing
of the library every Wednesday evening
from 6-7 p.m. Come join other local
ukulele enthusiasts at this fun and
friendly musical gathering. All levels of
skill are welcome.
On Jan. 30th at 2 p.m. Alice
Rene, Ojai resident, will launch her
new book at the Ojai Art Center:
The Other Side of Him is a historic
suspense novel, inspired by true events,
unfolding how even a sophisticated
young woman can become a stalker’s
target. Alice’s award-winning book,
Becoming Alice, gave a child’s perspective on the Holocaust: “Strongly
recommended. A deftly written
memoir that will hold the reader’s
rapt attention from beginning to end.”
(Midwest Book Review) Be among the
first in town to discover: The Other
Side of Him. Ojai Art Center 113 S.
Montgomery. www.alicerene.com call
News & Notes
Crooked Eye Tommy appearing on Ventura Rocks at CAPS.
CAPS Chat
Your Media Center
by Elizabeth Rodeno
CAPS Media Center has a dedicated
staff, Board, volunteers and members.
This is something most non-profit organizations would love to have. This year we
have committed to sharing our knowledge
and experience with the community.
The projects in the pipeline are many
and varied. Our team of media makers
is strong. The volunteers committed.
Ventura and its people, places and history
are our palette. Channel 6, 15 and the
web are our venues.
Our part-time staff is a great bunch –
skilled film makers who happen to have
degrees from Oxnard and Brooks. Jamie
and Aaron are out filming and editing
projects they’d like to call their own.
Aaron is having fun using his creativity to
share stories about kids and programs in
Ventura. Jamie is making Ventura Rocks
come together and pulling together the
legacies of Ventura. We have film and
animation fan Manny who started as a
volunteer and is now supporting CAPS
and is out filming projects and events.
Our rock musician programmer,
Kristina, works the mixing board at
our Ventura Rocks productions as well
as getting your shows on the air. Phil,
producer, poet laureate and teacher,
has put together a terrific training
program for young producers and
continues to work on the multi-cam
productions with Evan.
The edit bays are buzzing and the
cameras are getting a workout these days.
Our members are in the studio producing
talk shows and stand-ups. The cameras
go out all week and every week. They are
used to capture stories, events, church
services and more. These producers are
always looking for volunteers for their
shows. If you’re interested in learning
how to make video, stop by for more information, join and take the free training
classes to get you ready to go.
Ventura Rocks @ CAPS is now on
Episode 3. We invited Medicine Hat and
Crooked Eye Tommy in and have 50
Sticks of Dynamite ready to go. A big
thanks goes out to Ventura Breeze music
writer Pam Baumgardner and her beloved
music scene.
We will be launching the new and
improved CAPS Media website featuring
online class registrations, video links to
shows and a new streaming feature!!!
You’ll hear from us as we will need your
support to help make CAPS Radio a
reality. Stop by CAPS Media at 65 Day
Road or call us at 658-0500.
Tech Today with Ken May
How to sell
your electronic
devices
Happy new year! With a new year
comes new electronics, be tablets, phones,
laptops or what have you. There is a much
better solution than to just let those device
sit around and gather dust! The more
adventurous and technically inclined
may wish to hack the devices into “do it
yourself” projects, but for most of us, it is
better to simply sell them. Well, here it is in
2016, and there’s more options than ever,
and it’s very, very easy to do! Here are some
of the most popular options right now.
Auction style
EBay is the gold standard here. It is
a pretty safe bet to say that if you look
through the most recent completed
13
Ventura BREEZE
Ventura Adult and Continuing Education
Start the New Year by training for a new career!
96% of our graduates got jobs in their fields!
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Accounting and Payroll
Business and Management
CAD and SolidWorks
Computer Repair and Networking
Graphics and Web Design
Multimedia and TV Studio Production
Medical Front and Back Office Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
High School Diploma
High School Equivalency (GED and HiSET)
ESL and Citizenship
Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.
Approved for Veterans.
Programs are open entry – enroll any time!
5200 Valentine Road • Ventura, CA • 805.289.1744 •www.AdultEdVentura.edu
Gainful employment information: www.AdultEdVentura.edu/gainful.html
Dual accreditation through Western Association of Schools and Colleges and Council on Occupational Education
ON
AND C TINUIN
LT
ATION
DUC
GE
Our short-term programs can open doors to high-demand careers
U
Monday, January 25, 2016
4 PM to 7 PM
oms!
Classro er!
e
h
t
r
n
u
To
ree Din !
F
a
y
o
ip
Enj
holarsh
c
S
a
n
Wi
VENTURA AD
Attend Our Open House
VACE
1968
News & Notes
listings, you will have a very good idea
of what your device is worth on the open
market. Be sure to set your buyer filters to
not allow people with negative feedback
to bid. You may also want to disallow new
members from bidding. There is nothing
more frustrating than selling your item,
and having a non-paying bidder.
Bulletin board style
Craigslist is the go to for local, community
listings. Creeps and scammers abound, so
you want to take every precaution. Only
meet in a public place for the transaction,
and only do cash. If you have larger item,
craigslist may be the way to go, if you
want to avoid dealing with shipping.
Consignment style
These sites are starting to pop up now.
They will pick a price, you ship it to them,
the list and sell it for you. You won’t get as
much as eBay, but it is less hassle. Glyde is a
front runner here. You have to wait for it to
sell, but don’t have to deal with the seller.
I would recommend avoiding this route,
and just go for eBay or a direct sale site.
Direct sale style
This has exploded recently. Sites
like Amazon Trade-In, Gazelle and
Nextworth are some front runners. They
will pay you up front for your device. You
probably get the least amount of cash
using this method, but you get paid right
away, and it is done. It’s very easy to sell
this way, since you can just click through
a few screens to find out the value of your
item. There are even mall kiosks doing
this now, but their payouts are terrible.
In the end, there is a variety of options
out there, so you can choose the method
that your feel is right for you. It is definitely
worth spending a little time checking out
what you would get for you item from the
various sites. I have seen pricing range by
as much as $50-$100! Keep in mind that
you’ll get the most value for a working
device in good condition. If your device is
broken, eBay may be your best bet.
Mustang
welcomes
Megan Macias
Mustang Marketing continues to
expand its creative team with the addition
of a new copywriter, Megan Macias. Macias’
role at Mustang includes drafting copy for
advertisements, brochures, websites and
beyond, as well as developing social media
content, editing and proofreading, and
assisting with crafting pitches and press
releases for media outreach.
“Megan’s creative mindset and work
ethic compliment our culture and strengthen our capabilities as a full-service agency,”
said Mustang’s director of communications, Jenny Guy. “Her writing talent has
already proven to be a tremendous asset to
our clients and internal team.”
Top: Stranded by Cindy Summers. Bottom: Salvaged by Michael Gordon.
The commercial fishing vessel Day Island that became stranded on January 10 at the
beach by Woodstock Lane has been dismantled and removed by the state.
14
Professor Scamp, Ph.D
n I received this
from my friend Lyn
Fairly at KVTA.
Dear Scamp,
Last
Wednesday
night
the
6th
of Jan. a
Professor Scamp
Ph.D
young girl (around 21
years), was killed by a hit
and run driver. It was rainy and the difficult
to spy the license plate (Scamp this is similar
to a dog collar), any tips from all humans
will be appreciated. The story can be found
on the KVTA Facebook page and in the police
records. Now why this matters to you, Scamp,
is that a white, female Maltese/Poodle mix
named “Coco” was with the young girl and
took off running, not hit in the tragic accident.
We need you to put on your detective hat and
request in your column that anyone who
might have found “Coco” please contact me.
What is so sad Scamp is this young girl
was homeless and living with “Coco” in her
boyfriend’s car, he too is homeless. You know
about this because you help find homes for
dogs and cats. The boy is crushed and would
like to find “Coco” and care for her.
Respectfully,
Lyn Fairly
Coco is missing and lonely.
n Some nice doggie classes are being
offered by the City:
Basic Obedience - sit, down, name
recognition, basic commands (I know
these)
Beyond Basic Obedience - shake,
advanced commands, games, opening
beer cans
Total Recall - even more advanced
stuff, opening wine with a corkscrew
Treibball Urban Herding for Dogs mental and physical workout
Canine Body Language Seminar learn to identify anxiety, etc. in your
dog (maybe we wag our tails because we
need to pee)
To register and get more information go to www.cityofventura.net/prcp.
Ventura BREEZE
(Pretty Happy Dog)
n New York’s four-legged finest are
now officially representing the state.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation that names the “working dog” as
the official New York state dog.
All breeds trained to provide a
service are celebrated in this law, from
the German Shepherd Dog that stands
guard at Grand Central to the Belgian
Malinois that patrols with police to the
sweet Golden Retriever that leads his
visually impaired owner around the city
to the many more working dogs around
the state.
AKC President and CEO Dennis
Sprung says of the legislation: “Working
dogs provide unparalleled service to
individuals and to our communities in
a vast array of roles from search-and-rescue, to disease detection, to military and
police work, to therapy and service for
the disabled. We are extremely pleased
by this recognition of the value that all
working dogs bring to our lives.”
The inspiration for the bill is Bari,
the dog of Assemblyman Matthew
Titone (D-Staten Island), who is trained
as a therapy dog. Together they are
working with non-verbal preschool
autistic children and young adults
facing adversity, like homelessness and
drugs.
Inspired by the work Bari has done,
Titone sponsored the bill signed by Gov.
Cuomo on Dec. 23.
“Once I actually saw him working
and the result of his work, that’s when
I knew in my heart of hearts that [sponsoring this bill] was the right thing to
do,” Titone said.
I am a working dog (writing my
column) so maybe I should be Ventura’s
official dog?
n Paw’s Corner By Sam Mazzotta
My veterinarian recommended
that I buy pet insurance for my
puppy, “Max.” Should I purchase the
insurance that the vet recommends,
or can I choose my own policy? -- New
Owner in Nashville
Humans aren’t the only ones who
could benefit from a New Year’s resolution or two. Resolutions can even
help our dogs live healthier lives.
Whether your four-legged friend needs
a refresher course in training or needs
to lose some weight, resolving to do
more with your dog will help everyone
involved. Here are four ideas to start
the new year off right:
Mind your manners. Whether
you have a puppy that has yet to start
training classes or an older dog that
has forgotten his manners, training
classes teach important commands
and socialization needed to help both
dog and owner to be a responsible
member of society, not to mention
that training is a great way for dogs to
bond with their owners.
Explore
competitive
events.
Resolve to train your dog to compete
in fun events in the New Year. Agility,
obedience, and rally competitions
are a fun and rewarding experience
for all dogs. You’ll meet new people
with a similar love for dogs and watch
your pup grow into a well-behaved,
even-tempered, and physically fit
companion.
Lose those pesky holiday pounds.
Exercise is extremely important for
both you and your dog’s health. Daily
exercise is good for your dog’s heart,
lungs, circulatory system, and muscles,
in addition to helping him maintain a
healthy weight. Obesity causes many
health problems in dogs and being
overweight can shorten your dog’s life.
Help others. Dogs love helping
others and they’re invaluable in
providing service to humans - visiting
the sick, helping the disabled, locating
missing persons, and much more.
There are many ways dog owners can
put their special skills to use in their
community.
Forever homes wanted
Hi, I’m Sir Herbert, a loving 11-year-old Shih Tzu/
Lhasa Apso X who was rescued from a high kill
shelter where I was turned in by my caretakers
after my owner had passed away. I need a new
home because I love being around people and
I don’t enjoy being left alone. I love car rides,
stuffed toys, human companionship and
cuddling! I’m house trained, know how to use
a doggie door and I’ll even let you know when
I have to go outside. I’m great with other dogs,
cats and children too. I know my age and
eyesight will deter people, but I know my special someone is out there who will
see the wonderful companion I will be.
Gracie is a happy girl who wants to show off
her twinkle toes! This sweetheart is known
for her big smiles and her lively personality
she absolutely loves to dance! Turn on some
music, take Gracie onto the dance floor
and she’ll boogie ’til the sun goes down.
Affectionate, energetic, inquisitive and
well-mannered (she’s great on a leash!),
Gracie will steal your heart the moment
you meet her. While her favorite thing is
hanging out with people, she probably
should be the only dog in the household.
Basically, she wants you all to herself
because, like Jerry Maguire’s lady love, you complete her. No need to sign up
for Match.com; your perfect match is waiting here at VCAS
Blue-eyed bunny Robin loves his toys. Play and enrichment are so important for bunnies, especially
for the shelter guests at Ventura County Animal
Services who are awaiting their forever homes.
Balls, paper towel tubes stuffed with hay, and
chewable wooden blocks are perfect for a bunny’s
mind, spirit, and teeth. To see Robin at play for
yourself, visit tinyurl.com/robinbunny. To learn
more about what it takes to keep a house bunny happy and healthy, visit www.
facebook.com/VCASBunnyBrigade. Potential adopters can meet gentle Robin
at the VCAS Camarillo campus at 600 Aviation Drive and ask for ID #A632878.
Scamp Club
(Scampclub pets are not for adoption.)
Ohana Pet Hospital is a full-service veterinary
hospital specializing in the highest-quality
medical, surgical, dental and wellness
health care for dogs, cats, rabbits,
rodents and select reptiles.
Compassionate Care
for Our Ohana, Our Family
www.ohanapethospital.com • 805.658.7387
4547 Telephone Road, Suite A, Ventura
These are my next door
neighbors so I showed them
all so none of them get mad
at me.
Berkeley (the big one)
and Carter are the dogs
and white Sophie and
black Chloe are the cats.
Berkeley and Carter spend
most of the day looking
through the front gate
hoping to bark at people
walking their dogs. Carter
actually howls more then
he barks. Scamp
Join Scamp Club
Animals of all sorts can join the ScampClub. Email me your picture
anda little about yourself to [email protected].
You will be in the Breeze and become world famous.
Ventura BREEZE
15
Police Reports
by Veronica Johnson
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura
Police Department and are not the opinions of
the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned
are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty
in a court of law.
Train vs. Pedestrian
On Monday, January 4th, at 8:56
p.m., the VPD was notified by Union Pacific
officials regarding a pedestrian being struck
by a freight train on the railroad trestle
near the intersection of California Street
and Harbor Boulevard. Officers found the
victim lying on the railroad tracks. Ventura
Fire personnel pronounced the victim dead
at the scene.
According to the train conductor,
the northbound train was travelling at
approximately 35 mph as it approached
the train trestle, when the victim was seen
walking on the tracks. The victim had her
back to the train. The conductor began
sounding the warning horn, but the victim
did not respond or move from the train’s
path.
It has been determined that it was a
suicide.
Possession of a Loaded Firearm
On Monday, January 4th, at 2:45 p.m.,
the VPD received a call from a residence in
the 200 block of Ute Lane, reporting that
a female family member had just left the
residence with her husband, Fred Norris,
and that the family member had injuries as a
result of a physical bout with Norris. Norris
and the family member were visiting and
had left in a vehicle.
Officers saw the vehicle traveling on
Ventura Avenue and initiated a traffic stop.
Norris, who was driving, came to a stop.
Officers determined the female was
injured as a result of domestic violence. In
addition, officers searched Norris’ vehicle
and found two concealed and loaded
firearms inside.
Norris was arrested and booked into the
VC Jail.
The female victim refused any medical
attention.
Foot Pursuit
On Friday, January 8th, at 2:25 p.m.,
Patrol Task Force officers were investigating
an ongoing problem of trespassers and
illegal campers in the area of the 2500
block of Vista Del Mar Drive. As the officers
approached the vagrant camp, Lindsay
Fleischer and Christopher Cruz fled. They
ran onto the 101 freeway, which impacted
the traffic flow, the officers pursuing them.
Because of the safety concerns, a traffic
break was enacted on the southbound
101 freeway near Seaward which stopped
all southbound traffic in that area. As the
traffic break was set up, the suspects were
able to hide from officers, and once the
traffic break was in place, a large area search
was conducted. During the search, both
suspects were located and arrested.
Fleischer and Cruz were booked into
VC Jail. No one was injured during this
investigation.
Vehicle Burglary
On Saturday, January 9th, at 11:57 a.m.,
an alert citizen who was surfing at Surfer’s
Point saw the suspect looking inside of her
car, which was in the parking lot adjacent to
the beach. The victim paddled back to shore,
and by the time she reached the parking
lot, the suspect had opened all four doors
of the car and was inside of the vehicle,
rummaging. The victim confronted the
suspect, grabbed him to prevent him from
leaving and held him until officers arrived.
The suspect, Gordon Gleason, was
detained by officers. He had found the
victim’s hidden keys and accessed the locked
car with them. He was later booked at VC
Jail. The victim did sustain a minor injury
during the incident, but medical aid was not
necessary.
Armed Robbery
On Monday, January 11th, at 2:45
p.m., the VPD received a call of a theft that
occurred at the Winco on 4750 Telephone
Road. Officers responded to the scene and
attempted to locate the suspects, but they
were not located.
Officers learned that the suspects
selected several items in the store and
concealed them in a bag. Both suspects
exited without paying for the items and were
contacted by a loss prevention (LP) officer
for Winco. After the LP officer asked one
suspect to return the stolen items and to go
back into the store, she refused to comply.
The second suspect then brandished a Taser
at the LP officer and told the LP officer to
let her go. The LP officer backed away both
suspects fled.
On January 12th, at 1:45 p.m., the
Oxnard PD received an anonymous call
from a citizen reporting that the female
suspect, Maria Lopez, and the male suspect,
George Martinez, were seen at a park in
Oxnard. The caller had recognized Lopez
and Martinez as being pictured on social
media. Officers from Oxnard responded
to the park, Mandalay County Park, 1600
Harbor Boulevard, and detained them.
VPD took custody of Lopez and
Martinez. Both were transported booked
into the VC Jail.
Prowling
On Wednesday, January 13th, at
11:48 a.m., the VPD received a call from a
construction worker reporting a subject
prowling near a residence in the 2900 block
of Seaview Avenue. The caller was working at
a nearby residence and witnessed the subject,
Paul Parish, entering several backyards.
Officers found Parish in the backyard of a
residence and detained him.
Officers determined Parish was not
one of the homeowners and did not have
permission to be on any of the properties he
was seen entering. Parish was arrested and
later booked into the VC Jail.
Prowling
On Friday, January 15th, at 7:34 a.m.
the Ventura Police Department Command
Center received a call from a resident in the
area of the 8300 block of Balboa St., who
reported seeing two subjects walking up the
driveway of a neighbor’s residence. The caller
said they did not recognize the subjects as
living at the residence.
Officers arrived on scene and observed
the two subjects near the corner of Balboa
St. and Lakewood Ave.
As the officers attempted to detain
the subjects the male, later identified as
Domingo Cervantes(36 years, Ventura
Resident), immediately fled on foot towards
Highway 126. Officers lost sight of Cervantes
as he ran onto the highway, although several
motorists then began calling saying he was
running onto the center divider. With the
assistance of the California Highway Patrol,
vehicle traffic was briefly stopped while
officers searched the highway. Cervantes was
spotted and attempted to flee a second time,
but was taken into custody without incident.
The female, later identified as Angelica
Cacho (24 years, Ventura Resident), was
immediately detained when stopped.
She was later arrested and booked into
the Ventura County Jail for prowling,
providing false information to officers and
misdemeanor warrants.
After being treated at VCMC for a hand
injury he sustained while fleeing from
officers, Cervantes was booked into the
Ventura County Jail for prowling, resisting
arrest and a felony warrant.
Bank Robbery
On January 15th, at 3:21p.m., the
Ventura Police Command Center received
a 911 call from an employee of Chase Bank
reporting that a bank robbery had just
occurred at the bank branch at 2499 Harbor
Blvd. Upon arrival of the officers, they
determined the suspect (White Male, 55-60,
Bald, wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans and
brown shoes) had already fled the bank and
was last seen leaving the area on foot.
The suspect entered the bank and
approached the counter. He handed the
clerk a note stating he was robbing the bank
and demanded the clerk give him money. No
weapon was seen. The clerk gave the suspect
an undisclosed amount of money, and he
fled the bank.
The Ventura Police Department and
Oxnard Police Department received a tip
based on the surveillance photograph of
the suspect posted on social media. The
information led to the suspect being
identified. On Jan. 16, Oxnard Police
Department located and detained the suspect
at a residence in the 3200 block of Taffrail
Lane in Oxnard. Ventura Police Major
Crimes detectives responded and completed
the investigation. The suspect, John Mayo,
54 years of Oxnard was later booked into
Ventura County Jail on the charges of Armed
Robbery and Violation of Parole. Vagrants Booked
On January 15th, at 2p.m. officers with
the Ventura Police Department Patrol Task
Force were attempting to locate a wanted
subject who was possibly living in the Santa
Clara river bottom adjacent to the 3700
block of Olivas Park Dr.
As the officers searched the area they
located the wanted subject, Sarah Fox (
56 years, vagrant Ventura) and two other
subjects identified as William Kemp (51 years,
vagrant Ventura) and Tracy Hurst (47 years,
vagrant Ventura). All three were detained as
the officers conducted a records check.
Hurst and Kemp were also found to have
outstanding warrants for their arrests and
all three were taken into custody without
incident.
During his arrest Kemp was found to
be in possession of over three ounces of
suspected methamphetamine and a large
amount of US currency.
All three suspects were escorted out
of the river bottom and transported to the
Ventura County Main Jail and booked.
Theft of Truck
On January 17, at 4:35p.m. Ventura
Police Patrol officers responded to a theft of
a pickup truck and attached utility trailer
that had just occurred in the 7300 block of
Eisenhower Street.
Officers arrived within minutes of
the initial report and began to search the
surrounding area. An officer located the
truck on Foothill Road and attempted an
enforcement stop near Via Plaza Drive. The
driver, Carlos Hernandez (25, Riverside
resident)yielded to the officer momentarily
before fleeing westbound at a high rate of
speed. The officer pursued Hernandez as he
traveled in excess of 70 miles per hour with
the trailer in tow.
Hernandez lost control of the truck
near the intersection with Victoria Avenue
causing him to drive into the eastbound lane
where he nearly collided with an oncoming
sedan. Hernandez regained control of the
truck and continued west before turning
onto Marymount Street. Hernandez again
lost control of the truck and collided into a
parked vehicle at the south end of street. He
fled on foot after the collision, jumping into
a rear yard of residence. Officers located Hernandez a short
while later hiding in a row of shrubbery. He was taken into custody without further
incident.
He was later booked into the Ventura
County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle,
felony evading in a vehicle, resisting arrest,
possession of drug paraphernalia, felony
possession of stolen property, hit and run
and driving on suspended driver’s license.
Harbor Patrol
Blotter
Just a few of the things the Harbor Patrol
tends to.
1-06 9:55am, while securing the large
vessel in the keys, observed a massive
amount of flood water and debris flowing
out of the Arundel Baranca in the keys.
Officers had to wait half an hour for the
water to slacken before they could navigate
through the muddy water and debris.
2:55pm, received a dispatch to an ill person
at the marina mobile home park. Officers
responded and assisted Ventura fire and
AMR with an 86 year old female with severe
flu symptoms. She was transported to local
hospital.
1-08 7:00am, received a dispatch to a
hazardous condition, steam coming from
a manhole at the intersection of Harbor
and Olivas Drive. Officers responded along
with Ventura fire and it was determined no
emegency and due to the cool air temperature.
1-09 1:10pm, while on patrol, officers
sounded the Arundel Baranca and discovered significant shoaling from the recent
storm, 6ft in the center of the channel.
10:30pm, received a report of curious circumstance. Officers responded and discovered what appeared to be a bicycle accident
with various personal items left behind at
the accident scene. It is under investigation.
1-10 10:20pm, received a dispatch with
multiple agencies to a water rescue of a
grounded vessel on the beach at Woodstock
lane Pierpont. Officers responded in the
fireboat and assisted Ventura fire with the
call. Three fishermen were rescued from
a 73ft fishing in heavy surf. The vessel
remains on the beach and multiple agencies
are taking fuel and other hazardous
materials off the vessel. The disposition of
the vessel is still under consideration.
16
Show Time
The Revenant
by Eduardo Victoria
[email protected]
Walking out at the end of Mexican
director Alejandro G. Iñarritu’s latest
film, I was taken by its visual grandeur,
stunning cinematography, and incredible performances. Then I found myself
questioning why the film needs to be
two hours and thirty-six minutes in
length, when it probably could have been
wrapped up much sooner than that.
Upon further thought, this film would
have absolutely zero legs were it not for
the performance of Leonardo DiCaprio
as frontiersman Hugh Glass.
Taking place in 1820, Glass (DiCaprio)
is on a fur trapping expedition somewhere
deep within the icy tundra of the Louisiana
Purchase. Tensions run high when they
are attacked and badly crippled by tribes
native to the area. Upon further attempts
to get back to civilization and escape
future attacks, Glass is mauled by a bear
and has to be carried back to safety, trying
the patience of John Fitzgerald (Tom
Hardy). Growing impatient, Fitzgerald
leaves Glass for dead after killing his son.
Having to crawl all the way back to civilization without being able to walk and
nothing but his own knowledge of the
wilderness to aid him, Glass sets out to
avenge his son.
A simple premise and an amazing cast
can go a long way, but this time around,
Iñarritu might have stretched them too
long. Continuing the usage of abstract
imagery the director showed audiences in
his prior film, Birdman, we see glimpses
of Glass’ dead wife. About a half hour too
long, there are enormous stretches where
nothing really happens.
The savior, if that, is the amazing cinematography by two time Oscar winner
Emanuel Lubezki, who will more than
likely get his third Golden Statue for this
film. Shot entirely with natural light, the
movie is the most beautifully shot you’ll
see at the cinema all year.
DiCaprio, more so than Tom Hardy,
gives himself fully to the role. We feel his
pain, see his torment, however when it
came to playing a father, I wasn’t entirely
sold. Hell bent on giving one thrilling
performance, Leo lacks a sensitivity that
was needed for some of the film’s more
emotionally impactful scenes. The supporting cast of Domhnall Gleeson and
Will Poulter are excellent whenever they
appear on screen. Peppered throughout
were also a very multi-layered score by
Ryuichi Sakamoto and Carsten Nicolai.
Being a film with more bite than bark,
the most visceral scene in the movie will
stay with you long after the credits roll.
The bear attack is the most pulse-pounding scene in the entire film that initiates
the hell to come.
The Revenant is a visceral experience,
but not much beyond that. What could
have been a story of survival or emotional
anguish gets lost in the mish-mash of what
Iñarritu believes are two voices. In a year
full of some very magnificent westerns
(The Hateful Eight and Bone Tomahawk
are must see films), The Revenant is the
most ponderous in terms of its story
telling and visually powerful of them all.
Rated R. 156 minutes. Now playing at
Cinemark Downtown 10.
Two on the Aisle
Four Star
Theater Awards
by Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine
Luminaries from Ventura County’s
theatrical community gathered for a
night of recognition and entertainment
at the Sixth Annual Four Star Theater
Awards ceremony.
This year’s event, called “A Night of
Four Thousand Stars,” was held January
10 at the iconic High Street Art Center in
Moorpark.
The awards are presented by the Four
Star Theater Alliance, an association of
1700 E. Thompson Blvd.
Ventura
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six community theaters. The purpose of
the Alliance is to promote camaraderie,
cooperation and mutual respect among
member theaters and their constituent
participants.
Each theater group is recognized
for both an outstanding production, as
well as outstanding individual contributions by its performers, production and
technical staff members in various shows
over the course of the entire season.
During the year the productions of
each theater company are evaluated by
separate a panel of judges drawn from
the other five theaters in the Alliance.
As has been the tradition in Ventura
County, award recipients are recognized
for their outstanding work, rather than
being competitively judged as best
among the disparate forms and styles of
shows, roles and productions.
This year the awards show was skillfully hosted by Jocelyn Johnson and
Eric Umali. In addition to the handing
out of awards, each theater company
presented memorable excerpts from
one of the shows it presented during the
past season.
The Ventura Breeze salutes the Four
Star Theater Alliance and congratulates the recipients from each theater
company.
Camarillo
Skyway
Playhouse:
Outstanding production: Flowers for
Algernon. Individual award recipients:
R. Shane Bingham, Annie Sherman ,
Todd Tickner, Kimberley Demmary, Bob
Decker, Eric R. Umali, Angie Zamora,
William Carmichael, Lorna Bowen,
Erin Heulitt, Barbara Mazeika, David
Watkins, Annie Sherman, Dawn Notagiacomo, Eric R. Umali, Dean Johnson,
Ryan Kelly.
Conejo Players Theatre: Outstanding production: How to Succeed
in Business Without Really Trying. Individual award recipients: Ryan
Driscoll, Emily Vallance, Dale Alpert,
Kathleen Silverman, John Holroyd,
Rick Steinberg, Dave Parmenter, Jack
Allaway, Beth Glasner, Elena Mills,
Nick Newkirk, Miriam Durrie-Kirsch,
James Laguna, Priscilla Losey.
Elite Theatre Company:
Outstanding production: The 25th Annual
Putnam County Spelling Bee. Individual
award recipients: Alan Waserman,
Vivien Latham, Mark Fagundes,
Erin Fagundes, Shawn W. Lanz, Tom
Eubanks, Elena Mills, Arryck Adams,
Evan Patrick Smith, Will Shupe, Austin
Robert Miller.
High Street Arts Center: Outstanding production: Dreamgirls. Individual
award recipients: R. Shane Bingham,
Alison Rosenblum, Brandon McCray,
Hannah Davey, John Eslick, Ken Rayzor,
Patrick Duffy, Laurel Marion, John
Gaston, Wendy Babb, Colin Fluxman,
Kathee Boyer, Taylor Thomas.
Ojai Art Center Theater - Ojai ACT:
Outstanding production: Who’s Afraid
of Virginia Woolf. Individual award recipients: Michael Perlmutter, Tracey
Williams Sutton, Cecil Sutton, Kenny
Dahle, Steve Grumette, Sheryl Jo Bedal,
Reign Lewis, Greg Spaulding, Anna
Kotula, Brian Robert Harris, Vivien
Lathan, Tom Eubanks, Theresa Secor,
Morgan Bozarth, Suzanne Tobin, Buddy
Wilds and Jill Dolan.
Santa Paula Theatre Center: Outstanding production: The Clean House.
Individual recipients: Raymond Mastrovito, Peggy Steketee, Michael Perl, Sindy
McKay, Seth Kamenow Laurie Walters,
Gary Richardson, Barbara Pedziwiatr,
Taylor Kasch, Leslie Nichols, Javierra
Torres, Carmen Saveiros.
Professional
Variety Show in
Oxnard
by Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine
Five world class professional entertainers will materialize on stage
in the ballroom of Oxnard’s River
Ridge Residence Inn at 8 p.m. on
Saturday, January 30 to present a rollicking evening variety show filled
with comedy, magic, ventriloquism,
laughter, puppets and surprises. And
the public is invited.
The show caps off the third
annual, four day, international convention of variety artists held each
January in Oxnard. It is known as
KAX. The title comes from combining
the first letters of the co-sponsors’
names - KIDabra International and
Axtell Expressions of Ventura (K+AX
= KAX).
Attending the conference will
be magicians, comedians, ventriloquists, jugglers and other entertainers from all parts of the globe. They
gather to learn the latest tactics, tips
and techniques to further their individual success as professional, family
friendly entertainers.
The gala show at the end of the
conference is where the best of the best
perform for their peers. But the hosts
are throwing open the doors to this
part of the otherwise closed conference so the public can enjoy the talents
of these world class entertainers.
The gala will showcase the talents
of a cast drawn from the ranks of
acclaimed
international
variety
artists.
From England serving
as Master of Ceremonies will be
award winning magician Jimmy
Carlo. Other participants include
Jay Johnson, humorist and ventriloquist, whose Broadway hit, The Two
and Only, garnered a Tony Award,
plus MAGIC icon Stan Allen from
Las Vegas. Former Ojai residents
Dave and Shania Brenion will share
their innovative, colorful and nifty
approach to the entertaining attributes of balloons. From New Jersey,
the comedy magic of Christopher T.
Magician will round out the play bill.
Admission to the show is only $15
for adults and $5 for kids under 13.
Tickets for the show are available at
the hotel KAX registration booth
Friday and Saturday, and at the door.
KAX cohost KIDabra International is a world-wide association of
kid show and family performers. Its
membership includes magicians, ventriloquists, jugglers and all types of
variety performers who focus on AAA
performances - Always Age Appropriate. KAX is a midyear edition of the
conference KIDabra has been presenting for over 20 years on the East Coast.
Axtell Expressions, the other
co-host, is the alter ego of Steve
Axtell, who many consider to be the
creative successor to the Muppets’
Jim Henson. For decades Axtell has
been creating puppets, ventriloquist
figures, illusions and animatronic
characters for entertainers around
the globe. The opportunity to tour
his magical Ventura based studio is
one factor that keeps drawing world
class performers to the KAX convention each year.
For more information go to www.
kidabra.org/kax/gala.
Ventura BREEZE
Lighter Breeze
17
Solutions on page 15
Shoe
Moose and Molly
Dustin
Crock
Green With Envy
Go to www.venturabreeze.com
for your daily horoscope
Solutions on page 15
(For a beginners guide to playing Sudoku go to venturabreeze.com)
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Single
Lambs looking for romance could find
Cupid especially accommodating this
week. Paired partners also find their
relationships benefiting from the
chubby cherub’s attention.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Keep
your keen Bull’s eye focused on your
target, and shake off any attempt to
turn your attention elsewhere. You
should get some news later in the week
that might answer some questions.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your early
enthusiasm for a project might have
been somewhat premature. Although
you feel positive about it, you might
need more information in order to
make an informed decision.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Taking
on a new responsibility might seem
like the politically correct thing to do.
But even with the promise of support,
was it the wisest? Consider reassessing
your upcoming decision.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Apply
yourself to completing your task
despite all the distractions that might
be interfering with your work. Then
reward yourself with a weekend of fun
shared with people who are close to
you.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22)
A business agreement from the past
might need to be looked at again.
Use this unexpected development
to check out other matters related
to it. A weekend venture proves to be
rewarding.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22)
Don’t ignore that uneasy feeling about
making a commitment. It could be a
case of understandably cold feet, or a
warning that something isn’t as right
as it should be.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November
21) A colleague could be more supporting of one of your efforts. But it’s up
to you to make the case for it, and that
could mean opening up a secret or two,
which might be a problem for you.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to
December 21) Expect some good news
about a relative you’ve been worried
about. But don’t expect the full story to
be told -- at least not yet. A workplace
matter might face shifting priorities.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January
19) Despite some anxious moments,
you could have good reason to be
pleased with how things are turning
out. An end-of-the-week call might
hold some interesting information.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February
18) A long-overdue expression of appreciation could be offered soon. But
admit it: You never really expected it
would happen, right? Meanwhile, keep
your weekend options open.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20)
It’s a good time to dive right into a
new challenge, whether it’s learning a
computer app, or how to drive a stick
shift, or making a new friend. Whatever
it is, good luck.
BORN THIS WEEK: You see the
wisdom in honesty, and you help others
appreciate your vision.
(c) 2016 King Features Synd., Inc.
18
Ventura Music Scene
October 29 – November 11, 2014
The O’Leary’s East End Blues Band every Saturday night at O’Leary’s
Ventura Music Scene
Surf to country, blues to jazz…
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Talk about musical diversity! Let’s
start with something altogether different,
how about a Disc-o-town Hoedown
at Discovery on Saturday January 23
with karaoke, a western outfit contest,
a mechanical bull and then live country
music from Moonridge. It’s all ages with
a $10 cover charge and I’m pretty sure
line dancing will be involved.
We’d heard the rumblings of live
music coming to Ven Tiki (701 E. Main
where Bernadette’s use to be located)
and it looks like it’s true because the
venue received special permission from
the City for a one-time chance to have
the world famous Surfer Joe from Italy
play downtown; there will be no reservations. We hope they pull this one off to
a big win so they may be granted a more
permanent entertainment permit.
And speaking of having music
more often, we’re pleased that you can
find more music at the Harbor as the
Boatyard Café has been offering up
more music including the Bluegrass
Jam on Thursdays 6-9 and then there’s
the Copa Cubana’s opening pending
City approval; Andy who also owns
805 Bar and Grilled Cheese, expects
no further delays, and we’re hoping by
the time of the next Breeze issue, we’ll
be reporting on their grand opening.
After taking over ownership a few
months ago Bill Kracht, formerly of
Player’s Casino, has brought live music to
O’Leary’s with O’Leary’s East End Blues
Band performing every Saturday night
headed up by harmonica blues master
RJ Mischo, Jerry McWorter, Franck
Goldwasser,and Brent Harding; it also
won’t be unusual to see guest players sit
in from time to time.
It’s one of those special events at
Squashed Grapes that lovers of jazz won’t
want to miss; Sergio Bellotti’s Groove Experience comes to town on Wednesday,
January 27. Bellotti will also hold a drum
clinic earlier in the evening in conjunction with Pulse Drumming.
Hi Hat Entertainment brings James
Intveld to the Ventura Beach Club on
Friday, January 22, and Paul Oscher
Band on the 29th
After having sold the building last
Fall, Saana at Peirano’s has decided to
close the restaurant doors on January 24.
We’re not sure where the tango crew will
land, but we know their Thursday night
dance club will continue, and we’ll let you
know where. In fact, it’s not completely
out of the realm of possibilities that
someone else will come along and reopen
Peirano’s in the future.
And if hard rock is your game, then
you’ll want to be at Bombay’s for the
Gygax record release party on Friday,
January 29.
Finally, our condolences go
out to the family and friends of
Michael DiMauro who passed away
December 31. DiMauro’s most recent
project was the Iron Butterfly All
Star Band. Services were held at San
Buenaventura Mission on January 8.
Do you have any music related news
or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or
long to [email protected], and
for updated music listings daily, go to
www.VenturaRocks.com.
Music Calendar
For more events go to VenturaRocks.com
Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: 6 pm Danielle Stacy; 8:30 Joey’s
B’s Acoustic Blues Jam
Tuesdays: 8:30 pm The Beers Brothers
open mic
Thursdays: 5:30 pm Karen Eden; 8 pm
The Gypsy Blues Band
Wed 1/20: Amigo’s House Band with
Mark Masson
Fri 1/22: 8pm Rebel Rose
Sat 1/23: 8 pm Vinyl Gypsies
Sun 1/24: 5 pm Daniel Hawks; 9 pm
Karaoke
Wed 1/27: Amigo’s House Band
Fri 1/29: 8 pm Smokey and Friends
Sat 1/30: 8 pm Morganfield Burnett
Sun 1/31: 5 pm MI6; 9 pm Karaoke
Boatyard Café
Ventura Harbor
1583 Spinnaker Drive
Thursdays: 6-9 Blue Grass Jam
Fri 1/22: 6 pm Bobby & Steve
Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California St.
805-643-4404
Wednesdays: Tommy Marsh hosts the
Session
Thursdays: DJ Pisterlero
Sun 1/10: 5 pm Midlife Crisis
Sun 1/24: 5 pm The R&B Bombers
Fri 1/29: Gygax record release party
Sat 1/30: The Phantom Pomps
Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Thurs 1/20: Donna Butler
Fri 1/21: Whesli G.
Sat 1/22: Alex Nestor Band
Sun 1/23: Instone
Tues 1/26: Donna Greene
Wed 1/27: Big Adventure
Thurs 1/28: Rick Whitfield
Fri 1/29: Little Alice & the Cats
Sat 1/30: Soul Infusion
Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: DJ Spinobi Way Back
Wednesdays
Thurs 1/21: Through the Roots, After the
Smoke
Fri 1/22: Red Not Chili Peppers
Sat 1/23: Disc-O-Town Hoedown
Moonridge
Thurs 1/28: Through the Roots, Herbal
Rootz, Synrgy
Fri 1/29: Wishbone
Sat 1/30: Molly Ringwald Project
El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends;
9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock
EP Foster Library
651 E. Main Street – Topping Room
Fri 1/29: Massenger album release party,
Maask
The Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Fri 1/22: Mbreo CD release party, DJ
Mystic, Nuthin’Heads
Sat 1/23: Fallen Saints, Sisterook
Sat 1/30: Dwarves, Channel 3, Svetlanas,
Mother of Dissension
GiGi’s
2493 Grand Avenue
Thursdays and Fridays: Karaoke
Sat 1/23: What the Funk
Sat 1/30: Fabulous Do You Right Brothers
Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 1/20: 5 pm Melody Guy
Fri 1/22: 8 pm Ed Berghoff
Sat 1/23: 8 pm Nathan McEuen
Fri 1/29: 8 pm The Friedenthal and
Rollag Band
Sat 1/30: 8 pm Shawn Jones
Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays karaoke
Tuesdays open mic
Sat 1/30: Wishbone
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 1/22: Sean Wiggins
Sat 1/23: Action Rock
Fri 1/29: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 1/30: Tex Pistols
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
(805) 653-0721
Fri 1/29: Bone Thugs N Harmony
O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Sat: 9pm O’Leary’s East End Blues Band
Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs
The Patio at Player’s Casino
6580 Auto Center Drive
Fri 1/22: Brandon Ragan
Sat 1/23: The Uptown Brothers
Fri 1/29: The S-Curve
Sat 1/30: Soul Machine
Poinsettia Pavillion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Mon 1/25: Monday Night Dance Club
with Wyatt Haupt Band
Mon 2/1: Monday Night Dance Club
with Dick Parent Band
Prime
Tuesdays: Danny D
Ventura BREEZE
Fridays: Encore
Saturdays: Beach City Sound Club
Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Sat 1/23: 3 in the Morning
Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Friday and Saturdays
10 pm Rotating DJs
Sandbox Coffeehouse
805-641-1025
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 1/23: Peter O’Keefe
Sun 1/24: Dennis Russell
Sat 1/30: Maggies Drawers
Sun 1/31: Eight Years Gone
Sans Souci
21 S. Chestsnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karoake
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 1/23: Alligator Dave
Sat 1/24: LAMF, Brainspoon
Fri 1/29: Birdbrain, The NaVaNaX
Sat 1/30: Focke Wolves
Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 1/20: Bevan Manson & Hans Ottsen
Thurs 1/21: Cary NeNigris & the Dave
Smith Trio
Fri 1/22: HO3
Sat 1/23: Paul McCallum & Friends
Wed 1/27: Sergio Bellotti & Friends
featuring Tom Scott
Thurs 1/28: Lett, Mancini & Dutz
Fri 1/29: Tom Buckner & Friends
Sat 1/30: Barrelhouse Wailers
Tues 2/2: Jazz Jam
Surf Brewery
4561 Market Street
Music 6-8 pm
Sat 1/23: Barb B & the Ranch Hands
Sat 1/30: About Time
The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Sat 1/23: The Caverns
Fri 1/29: Dante Elephante, Welfare
Talent, Grapevine, Captions
Ventura Beach Club
281 W. Main Street
Fri 1/22: Hi Hat presents James Intveld
Sat 1/23: Eye Candy
W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Fri & Sat 9 – Mid; Sun 3 – 6 pm
Sat 1/23: The Bomb
Fri 1/29: Mini Driver
Sat 1/30: The Bomb
Sun 1/31: 50 Sticks of Dynamite
The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 3 pm
Fri 1/22: Milo and the Big Show
Sat 1/23: Coda
Mon 1/25: Jon Gindick Harmonica Camp
Band Night
Fri 1/29: Austin Grant
Sat 1/30: Danielle Stacey
The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Tuesdays: 7 pm RJ Mischo & the Down
Home Trio
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fri 1/22: Martin & Macias
Sat 1/23: 7 pm Unkle Monkey
Sun 1/24: 3 pm Karen Eden
Sun 1/31: 3 pm Smokey & Friends
Ventura BREEZE
Ventura Art Scene
19
Art , a la
Carte
Buenaventura Art Association
unveiled another dozen historical
pieces of regional art with California Climates: Fire and Ice, at the
Buenaventura Gallery in downtown
Ventura. Among the desert and snow
scenes in this addition to the California
Heritage Collection are two works by a
noted early landscape painter.
The collection is from the estate
of a late Ventura couple who spent
decades acquiring beautiful artworks
in California and worldwide. Frequent
visitors to their hometown gallery, the couple left instructions to involve BAA in offering
the works for sale.
Regular gallery hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Private
viewings of the California Heritage Collection are available by appointment. For more
about BAA or this special collection, visit www.californiaheritagecollection.com, www.
buenaventuragallery.org, or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.
Two of the pieces by Frances Elson
are in the show at Community Memorial
Hospital. The show, entitled California
Dreamin will run until April 10. One of
the pieces, Crescent city Lighthouse is a
silkscreen on glass, based on a photo taken
by husband Ed. After spending 40 years as
a physician at CMH isn’t it lovely that he
can now see himself in this completely new
way?
The work of Julie Maechler will be on display at Very Ventura.
Gallery V in collaboration with renowned local artist, Gerald Zwers, welcomes
2016 with the “New Beginnings” art show. Artist reception will be held on Jan. 23
from 6pm-9pm. The exhibit features the creative and inspirational artistry of Julie
Maechler, Mark Tovar, Margery Spielman and Gerald Zwers. Gallery V
is located inside Very Ventura Gift Shop @ 540 E. Main Street, downtown Ventura.
Exhibit runs through Feb. 28.
Baubles, Bangles & Bright Shiny Beads.
An Evening with Jo Ellen Lee and Elaine
Unzicker, Saturday, February 6, from 5:30
to 7:00 p.m. Brooks Institute Screening Room,
5301 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura
When does jewelry become art? Is
important jewelry made only with precious
metals and gems? How does jewelry transform
the wearer? These and other questions will be
explored as Mary Galbraith visits with Jo
Ellen Lee and Elaine Unzicker. Free to
FOTM Members - $10 General public, $5
students and seniors.
AfterGLOW Fundraising Event: Join
us for a celebratory supper prepared by Old
Broads Catering Company immediately
following the interview at the FOTM Archive
& Library, 505 Poli Street, Suite 405.
The AfterGLOW is $25 for FOTM
members, $35 for non-members. Paid reservations are essential & required prior to
January 29 for the AfterGLOW. For RSVP
and tickets visit: FocusOnTheMasters.com or
call 653.2501.
Tickets available online at: www.Focu
sOnTheMasters.com or 653.2501
Ventura County Potters’ Guild presents:
Ralph Bacerra and His Students by
Christy Johnson, The Ventura Avenue
Adult Center, 550 N Ventura Avenue,
January 25, 2016.
Doors open at 7 pm
Program begins at 7:45 pm.
The Ventura County Potters’ Guild
welcomes Christy Johnson, founding Director
of the American Museum of Ceramic Art
(AMOCA), Pomona, CA. She holds a BA
in English Literature from California State
University, Los Angeles, and later studied
studio art at Otis Art Institute under Ralph
Bacerra and at Pasadena City College with
Phil Cornelius.
Heed the Words
of the Wise, mixed
media, Nicole Sayre
first-place winner last
year
Buenaventura Art
Association Harbor
Village Gallery will
honor
the
three
winners of the 2015
Collegiate Student
Art
Competition
by displaying their
work in the Student
Winners
exhibition until Feb. 7, a
prelude to this year’s
10th annual BAA
Emerging
Artist
Cup contest and
show Feb. 9-28.
This
year’s
contest is free to
Ventura County
college students,
and the online
entry
deadline
is Jan. 30. For
qualif ications
and other details,
visit the website
www.buenaven
turagallery.org.
20
Ventura BREEZE
This ’n’ That
Members of the Ventura Police Department
SWAT unit explain some of the equipment
they use. Photo by Daniel Ingram.
HOT OFF THE PRESS!
AN
ANTHOLOGY
BY
Tales Told
JAMES FRANCIS GRAY
AUTHOR OF
KALI IS YOUR CODE NAME & GUMSHOE
Find this new book at many fine locations. Visit our website for info.
jamesfgray.com for video trailers, locations, booksignings!
Chillin’ with
VPD Law
Enforcement
Appreciation
Day
On Saturday, January 9 the Ventura
Police Department, Ventura Police
Community Foundation and McConnell’s Ice Cream invited the community to
come “Chill with VPD”. The community
event was held in the south west parking
lot of the Pacific View Mall nearest to
McConnell’s. Community members had
the opportunity to view a K9 demonstration, SWAT, Motors, Patrol and more.
Children attending were given a “VPD
Passport” and after they filled their
passport with stamps from VPD Officers
they submitted the passport for a free
ice cream. Community members got to
know their Ventura Police Department
and the officers.
Attendees at the presentation honoring Hewer
included several members of Hewer’s family as
well as friends and dignitaries.
Teacher of deaf
and hard-ofhearing
students
recognized
When Bruce an d
Ba rbara
Holden took thei
r first
trip to Alaska , Ta
lkeetna
Gateway to the
D enali’s
they made sure
to bring
the Breeze. They
are in
front of Rocky’s
Cabin,
the oldest cabin
in Talkeetna.
On Jan. 6, the Ventura Commerce
and Education Foundation (VCEF)
designated Heather Hewer, instructor
for deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH)
students at Cabrillo Middle School in
Ventura, California, as January’s Teacher
of the Month.
Hewer is responsible for providing
language arts, social studies, math and
science instruction for DHH students
in grades six through eight at Cabrillo
Middle School. She also spearheads a
variety of other activities and programs
for her students, including the school’s
Laurent Clerc Club — an on-campus
organization that aims to bring DHH
students and other students closer
together through cultural events and
learning experiences — and an annual
trip to the California School for the
Deaf, Riverside.
“Heather does everything she can
to encourage her students to believe in
themselves and to empower them to
achieve their goals,” said Cabrillo Middle
School’s principal, Lorelle Dawes. “She
works incredibly hard and is constantly
planning experiences to make learning
more meaningful for her students, from
preparing international foods to supplement her geography lessons to coordinating science-related field trips.”
Teacher of the Month nominees must
be credentialed teachers and display
certain qualities, such as outstanding
commitment to students, service to
school or district committees, involvement in projects on their own time
and/or participation in youth-focused
activities in the community. All principals and parent-teacher organizations
from schools within the Ventura Unified
School District are eligible to submit
nominations. For more information
about the Teacher of the Month program,
please contact Pattie Braga, chair of the
Teacher Appreciation Committee with
the VCEF, at [email protected]
or 477-4052.
Homeless prevention fund
person. A case manager works with the
recipients to ensure that a household
budget is in place that will keep their
housing costs paid for the future. Over
90% of the families are still in their
homes at follow-up nine months later.
The Fund has always been completely funded by donations from individuals
and religious institutions. There are
no administrative costs; case managers
from local social service agencies can
use it as another tool in their efforts.
All the others involved are community
volunteers. 100% of all donations goes
directly into the Fund, preventing homelessness in the city of Ventura.
In 2003, the Fund incorporated
and formed its own 501(c)-3. A board
of local supporters and businesspeople
came together to take the organization
to a new level of independence and effectiveness.
The Fund has been recognized by
the United States Interagency Council
on Homelessness as one of eight innovative programs nationwide, achieving
results in preventing homelessness.
To reach the Fund, donate or for
further information, visit Venturahomelessprevention.org or contact Sue Brinkmeyer at 626-0363.
“I didn’t know that Scamp wrote for the
Ventura Breeze. I will get his pawtograph next
time that I see him?”

Become a Penny Free Business! See page 8

Transcription

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