November 7, 2019 THOUSAND OAKS
Triple duty Firefighters from Station 30 in T.O. were first to arrive Your Community Partner Since 1998 at Borderline Acorn — Page 15 Circulation 39,305 | www.theacornonline.com | Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, North Ranch and Westlake BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers FOR A FRIEND—Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Don Aguilar kisses a paver brick he placed in memory of Sgt. Ron Helus on Nov. 1 at the memorial healing garden at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks. Families and friends of the 12 people killed at Borderline Bar and Grill on Nov. 7, 2018, were invited to lay stones with messages inscribed on them.
HEALING GARDEN Putting the pieces back together DEDICATION By Dawn Megli him that he was her hero and that WHERE [email protected] she and the couple’s son, Jordan, Conejo Creek Park North Remember the 12 miss him every day. 1379 E. Janss Road Twelve months. Twelve lives. See pages 12-13 as we remember Ron Helus, Cody Coffman, “Love you forever,” it read. Thousand Oaks It’s been one year since the Justin Meek, Alaina Housley, Noel Sparks, Blake Dingman, Jake Helus told the Acorn she wants shooting at Borderline Bar and Dunham, Kristina Morisette, Telemachus Orfanos, Sean Adler, her husband of 29 years “to be re- WHEN Grill claimed the lives of a dozen Dan Manrique and Mark Meza Jr. membered for the hero that he was Today, 3:15 p.m. innocent victims. Last Friday and that night, how selfless and brave Gates open 2:30 p.m. Saturday, families of those lost will be dedicated today—the one- On the back of her paver that he was to go in and save so many in the massacre met at Conejo year anniversary of the shooting. she positioned near the pond in people.” She said that in the wake PARKING Creek Park North to set in stone Before they placed the symbolic a pavilion bordered by Mexican of the tragedy she has seen more Once spots at the park are Untitled-2the memories 1 of their loved ones. pieces of stone in the ground, they sage, agave and oak trees, Karen love, compassion and kindness full, drivers will be directed11/1/2019 4:25:53to PM The families of the victims had wrote messages on the bottom to Helus, the widow of Borderline coming from the community than Conejo Creek South, where the opportunity to lay down pavers the sons, daughters, fathers and hero Sgt. Ron Helus, wrote a words can describe. they can catch a shuttle. at the memorial healing garden that husbands they lost last November. message to her husband telling — Please See Page 10 Hearts heal, bonds deepen LEANING ON EACH OTHER— for resilient Borderline crew The staff of By Dawn Megli [email protected] Borderline Bar and Grill meet up Oct. 27 at When Brian Hynes put his house up as collateral to get a loan to pur- Conejo Creek chase the Borderline Bar and Grill at the age of 27, his stepmother created Park North. Last a painting of the building at 99 Rolling Oaks Drive and gave it to him as year’s shooting a gesture of goodwill for his new endeavor. took five of their That painting hung on the wall in his office at Borderline for over a coworkers. The decade. When law enforcement allowed him back into the building for bar’s owners say the first time following their investigation into the Nov. 7 shooting that they intend to claimed 12 lives—five of whom were his employees—the first thing the reopen. 39-year-old did was find that painting and hang it back up on the wall. Twelve months after the shooting, the painting is now mounted behind Hynes’ desk at his new office in Westlake Village. The building on Rolling JOSEPH A. GARCIA — Please See Page 22 Acorn Newspapers
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Survivors press pastBORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER last November Shooting changed their lives, leading them to find their purpose
By Dawn Megli [email protected] the Scherr Forum. When Tait speaks on Friday, After Alexis Tait survived the she will be wearing an angel shooting at the Borderline Bar wing necklace and Grill that killed 12 people, in honor of Mo- including one of her best friends, risette. Tait has Kristina Morisette, her mom gave spent the past her some words of advice: “You year making sure have a purpose in life. Go live that her friend your purpose.” isn’t forgotten. So the 24-year-old quit her job She celebrat- as a waitress to enroll in college to ed Morisette’s study to become a developmental 21st birthday pediatrician specializing in chil- at her friend’s dren with special needs. She said graveside. She the shooting made her and other brought a wrist- survivors stronger. band that said Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers “It gave us a backbone. Noth- “Verified 21,” a DIFFERENT WAYS TO COPE—Borderline shooting survivors Fernan Diamse, above, and ing’s getting in my way now,” she shot glass and a Tori Hiott, left. Diamse, 36, visits the healing garden on Friday. Hiott, 23, wears silicone said. “I’m meant to help others.” bottle of liquor Untitled-2 1 bands in memory of the Borderline shooting while enjoying11/1/2019 4:25:53 PMtime with friends. Tait has helped others by cre- so they could cel- ating a private Facebook page for ebrate her birth- shooting, but the 248 survivors of the shooting day with tequila shots, just like he lost two close friends—Dan No Delay in Trash & Recycling or Green Waste so they can stay connected and they had always planned. Manrique and Justin Meek—in Pick Up Due to the Veterans Day Holiday share updates, like when survi- Tait said she still feels her the massacre. Months after the The Veterans Day holiday falls on Monday, November 11. The vors had the opportunity to lay friend’s presence. As the commu- tragedy, Diamse was on the Cal collection of trash and recyclables or green waste will not be affected down a paver stone in the healing nity commemorates the one-year Lutheran University campus in the cities of Thousand Oaks & Newbury Park during the week of garden at Conejo Creek North anniversary of the shooting, she with Meek’s mother, Laura Lynn, Veterans Day, Nov. 10-16. Park that was built as a memorial wants to make sure that those who when he heard someone call out to the tragedy. were killed are never forgotten. “Fern,” which was Meek’s nick- Thank you and Happy Holiday The Simi Valley resident will “Forgetting means gone, name for Diamse. Newbury Disposal also share her story onstage Nov. 8 and they’re not gone,” she said. Diamse looked around, but
at the Thousand Oaks Remembers “They’re still with us.” there was no one there. 1-800-41-TRASH
To order services & to pay bills online go to www.ejharrison.com 45T17I community storytelling event at Fernan Diamse survived the — Please See Page 18
ONE AMGEN CENTER DRIVE THOUSAND OAKS, CA • WWW.AMGEN.COM 45AT62T
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
InvestigationBORDERLINE ONE incomplete YEAR LATER By Becca Whitnall [email protected]
A year after the deadly shoot- ing at Borderline Bar and Grill, the 45TC314S Ventura County Sheriff’s Office has yet to finalize its investigation into the massacre. Officials say they expect to have a resolution soon. BIO-IDENTICAL “We are in the final stages,” sheriff’s department spokesper- HORMONE THERAPY son Sgt. Marta Bugarin said. “The one thing the sheriff doesn’t For all your wellness needs: want to do is put information out Functional Medicine, IV prematurely.” Vitamin Therapy, and Weight Loss 23ATMSC44K Sheriff Bill Ayub, who took Increase Your Energy, Your Libido and office just two days after the Nov. Your Overall Sense of Well-Being! 7 shooting that left 12 innocent RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers people dead, hasn’t released any WHAT’S NEXT?—The entrance to Borderline Bar and Grill on Rolling Lose up to 30 lbs in 30 days with the new details about the incident Oaks Drive remains boarded up. Most expect the building to be HCG diet – call today!! since holding a pair of joint press demolished at some point, but there’s been no official word. Saving marriages (and sanity) for 17 years. conferences with other investiga- tive agencies late last year. sis unit is examining Long as part learn, the more we can prevent Christine Farrell, MSN, FNPC Jane Hammond, PA-C Ayub said his department of an ongoing study into mass future shootings,” Bugarin said. Associate Clinical Professor, UCLA would not release its findings to shooters. The FBI declined to discuss its 343 S. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91361 | (818) 865-8500 the public until the Ventura County “It’s basically an info-gath- investigation with the Acorn.
Untitled-2district 1 attorney’s office had com- ering mission on each of these Details that have been provided 11/1/2019THOUSAND 4:25:53 PMOAKS pleted its own review, which won’t incidents, and the more we can — Please See Page 16 Acorn To Advertise Call (805) 367-8232 begin until the sheriff’s department finishes its own.
‘The one thing the sheriff doesn’t want to do is put information out prematurely.’ — Sgt. Marta Bugarin sheriff’s office spokesperson
“We are in frequent commu- nication with the sheriff’s office,” said Stacy Ratner, the D.A.’s super- vising attorney for the major crimes unit. “But they haven’t actually submitted the investigation yet.” The D.A. is involved because of the determination that VCSO Sgt. Ron Helus—who rushed into Borderline to confront the shoot- er—was killed not by 28-year-old Ian David Long but by a bullet fired by California Highway Patrol Officer Todd Barrett. Helus was struck five times by bullets from Long but the fatal shot came from Barrett’s rifle, Ayub said during a news conference last December. The two men were involved in a frantic firefight with Long when the bullet struck Helus, piercing his vest and hitting his heart, according to the Ventura County medical examiner. So in addition to investigat- ing the mass shooter’s actions and motives, the sheriff’s office is reviewing the CHP officer’s conduct, standard procedure in all officer-involved shootings, Bugarin said. “That adds to it because when we’re finished with the investiga- tion, we have to submit it to the D.A.,” she said. Ratner said she was hesitant to give a timeline as for how long the district attorney’s analysis will take without having seen the report but said once it does, the office will make public its findings, as it does routinely. Ayub said he expects Barrett to
be cleared of any wrongdoing. 45T67I Along with the sheriff’s de- partment, the FBI took part in the Borderline shooting investigation. The bureau’s behavioral analy-
005_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 11:36:01 AM Page 6 November 7, 2019 Thousand Oaks Acorn OPINION EDITORIAL ATHOUSANDco rnOAKS Vol. 21, Number 45 30423 Canwood St., Suite 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301 PHONE: (805) 367-8232 OFFICE/SALES FAX: (805) 367-8237 EDITORIAL FAX: (805) 764-4432 E-MAIL: [email protected] HOURS: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Mon. - Fri. CLOSED LEGAL HOLIDAYS PUBLISHER Jim Rule ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Lisa Rule MANAGING EDITOR John Loesing EDITOR Kyle Jorrey ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLLER Andy McGinnis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Marilyn Burin, Donna Bondy Courtesy artwork EDITORIAL STAFF WRITERS HEALING ART—At left, a Thousand Oaks Becca Whitnall, Jonathan Andrade, Strong logo created by Brynn Hutchinson, Melissa Simon, Hector Gonzalez, Dawn Megli, Ian Bradley, a teacher at Banyan Elementary School. Christina Cox, Victoria Talbot Above, a commemorative Borderline SPORTS EDITOR Strong painting done by longtime resident Eliav Appelbaum “Buffalo” Bob Rickards. COPY EDITORS Carol Pond, Mark Wyckoff, Lisa Kranz TYPESETTERS/PROOFREADERS In moving forward, how far have we really come? Sally Carpenter, Ela Lindsay Well, Thousand Oaks, we’ve made it. this issue is a testament to that—but can we We’ve never seen fit to engage in the PHOTO EDITOR Richard Gillard Today marks exactly one year from the day 12 look them in the eye and say we’ve done national gun debate, and we don’t have all STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS beautiful souls were ripped away from us inside everything possible to ensure no one else has the answers on what measures will work to Michael Coons, Joseph Garcia Borderline Bar and Grill. Brothers, sisters, best to feel their pain, to live their reality? keep weapons out of the wrong hands. We just ADVERTISING DIRECTOR friends, cousins, nephews, nieces. Unimaginable Sure, there have been some changes here know there’s more to be done. So what can we Nick Oliveri horror heaped upon unimaginable horror. and there. California’s governor approved as a community do besides push for common- ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Will it get better two years from now? Three? Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin’s bill to prevent sense legislation, better security practices and Mona Uttal, Jennifer Carlo-Valdez, It’s impossible to say. We know this date should gun violence by allowing family members or improved mental health outreach? Diane Verner, Richard Singer, be, now and forever, a day when we put aside police to petition a judge to get a court order We should practice compassion, like Michael Sue Martin, Stacey Janson, Steve Saenz, Lois Lorback petty differences and come together in love. that temporarily prohibits someone from having Morisette, who, after losing his youngest child We’ve often heard individuals remark that a gun. There are new restrictions on buying at Borderline, has made it a mission to raise CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Mary McCarter the shooting “feels like just yesterday.” or acquiring ammunition, fees for permits to awareness about mental health and help young In some respects, they’re right. carry a concealed weapon, and efforts to raise people in need of emotional support. ADVERTISING ASSISTANT Kim Cummings As we’ve toiled the past few months the minimum age for purchasing any type of As we turn the page on this year of grief, RECEPTIONIST preparing this issue, one question kept surfacing: firearm. All aim to do the right thing. it’s time to let our tears become our teachers Marilynn Band, Bobbie Radford How much has really changed since Borderline? But don’t we owe Blake, Jake, Kristina, and find a purpose in our pain as we embark PRODUCTION MANAGER The outpouring of love and support to the Mark, Alaina, Sean, Justin, Tel, Noel, Dan, on a new chapter in Thousand Oaks. Let’s do David McMartin families and survivors has been remarkable— Cody and Ron more? it #TOgether. LAYOUT AND DESIGN Sarah Ely, Timm Sinclair, West Maätita, Charmaine Castillo, Kerri Schiff DEADLINES Honor the 12 by spreading kindness, humor, courage EDITORIAL: Friday at 11:30 a.m. By Lorrie Dingman that you’ll likely never forget. The choose to love others and promote RETAIL ADVERTISING: Special to the Acorn ultimate sacrifice was paid by Sgt. a culture of kindness and grace? Monday at 12 noon Ron Helus as he courageously Over the last year, many of the REAL ESTATE ADVERTISING: Nov. 7. stopped the evil rampage that was families have poured themselves Friday at 12 noon CLASSIFIED DISPLAY: For many years, that box on underway. into finding an outlet for their Monday at 3 p.m. the calendar brought my heart As we stand at this marker and grief, looking for ways to honor LINE ADS: special joy. It was both the cele- look back, our entire community the one they lost by helping an- Tuesday at 4 p.m. brated birthday of a good friend continues to be challenged with other person. As I have cried out published by and a day I marked to remember what to do next. When everything to God for answers, the word I
2001 Member the faithfulness of God toward seems to have changed, how do we keep hearing is revival—revival California Newspaper Publishers Association our family. move on? of the heart, and the knowledge But on what seemed an ordi- Over the last 12 months our that showing love to one another nary Wednesday night, that date families have spent a lot of time can really make a difference in Policies on letters to the editor took on a tragic new meaning. On pondering, praying, deeply griev- someone’s life that is starving for and other editorial material Nov. 7, 2018, our collective world ing and trying to make sense of the it. Revival of unmerited kindness came crashing down. senseless. As the rest of the world toward people who have not The Thousand Oaks Acorn welcomes In unison, our community cried inevitably goes ahead, we find our- shown kindness toward us. Re- Letters to the Editor and other comments Courtesy photo and suggestions. Letters must not exceed out in pain and disbelief—how selves trying to figure out exactly vival of compassion toward those 350 words and individuals cannot have could such a horrific thing happen TREASURED MEMORIES—Lorrie how a person moves on from such we may not agree with or who we more than one letter published within a here, of all places? Dingman with her son Blake at the a thing when a huge piece of your don’t understand. four-week period. Letters must be received by 5 p.m. Sunday for publication the following Our initial response to this trag- beach in 2018. heart is not only missing, but has I’m crying out for the revival Thursday. Holidays advance the deadline by edy was an irrational one. “NO . . . been violently ripped away from of people with faith in God to lead 24 hours. Handwritten letters are acceptable we can’t accept this. This cannot be Hurting along with the families your grasp. the way with compassion. if they are legible. Please include your address real.” And yet, as we arrive here at of the victims are the 248 survivors This tremendous loss doesn’t As we look at the last year and and phone number, even on emails, for verification purposes only. Anonymous letters, the one-year mark of the unimag- who were there that night. Our only affect our todays; it piles onto what we have lost, I pray that peo- those without names, are not accepted. inable loss of 12 unique individuals hearts grieve with each of you as the reality that our son will not be ple will slow down and really listen We refuse to print letters already seen in at Borderline, I can personally you work to put behind you all that a part of any of the tomorrows we to one another, realize what is truly daily newspapers. The Thousand Oaks was witnessed, and we encourage Acorn reserves the right to edit or reject all attest to the depth and reality of it. had planned in the future. important and sift out what is not. editorial material. Please email to tonewstip@ The loss of such young, beauti- you to live your lives purposefully Most of the families have dis- When you think of our 12 theacorn.com; fax items to (805) 367-8237; or ful and promising lives has pierced and to the fullest. Honor those who covered there’s no “getting over loves, remember them, and honor mail them to the Thousand Oaks Acorn, 30423 our families to a depth that cannot were taken by living the best life it.” You don’t just accept it and go them by spreading the things that Canwood St., Ste. 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. adequately be expressed. We know you can and by spreading good- on with your life as it used to be. they were made of: courage, self- The Thousand Oaks Acorn is a newspaper of this loss has been felt not just by ness whenever possible. You’re different. It colors every- lessness, humor, true friendship, general circulation for the City of Thousand us, the families of the 12, but by Our gratitude is not enough to thing you see and it’s inevitable forgiveness, bravery, loyalty, pa- Oaks, County of Ventura, State of California give to all of those who stepped tience and most of all, kindness. (Case No. 2019-00524396). Adjudicated the whole community. You’ve that it changes you. The question a newspaper of general circulation in grieved with us and prayed for us, into harm’s way to rescue, to clear each of us in this community must Dingman is the mother of Blake accordance with the laws of California, of and we have appreciated all of the the scene and to protect. With challenge ourselves with is: How Dingman, one of the 12 killed at the Superior Court of Ventura County, dated ways that you have supported us. bravery and courage each of you will it change us? Borderline on Nov. 7, 2018. She April 3, 2019, and qualified for publishing in a newspaper in Ventura County. No one was left untouched by walked into an unknown situation Will we choose to become and her husband, Dan, have lived this tragedy. and selflessly witnessed things bitter and angry or will we instead in Newbury Park for over 48 years.
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers
PRIVATE MESSAGES—At right, Victoria Rose Meek, left, and her mother, Laura Lynn, lay a paver brick in memory of Justin Meek. Borderline victims, their families and first responders were invited to write a message on a paver before they were cemented into the ground Nov. 1.
healing to take place in all of our shield others from the hail of bul- cated his life to supporting other of ladybugs. lives and to move forward taking lets. Victoria Rose, who survived military vets after they were Koscak said she wants her Pieces Ron and all of the memories we the shooting and still works as a discharged from the service. brother to be remembered for his From Page 1 — have with him along with us.” promoter for Borderline Night at She said the reality of losing her heart and his ability to connect “The last year has been noth- Victoria Rose Meek and her The Canyon in Agoura, said she brother is still sinking in for her with people even as they were ing short of beauty coming from parents, Roger and Laura Lynn, wants her brother to be remem- family a year later. hurting. She said she wants the ashes,” she said. “Our hopeUntitled-2 1 put down stones in honor of Jus- bered as a “hometown hero.” “We still have moments when 11/1/2019Thousand 4:25:53 PM Oaks to remember the for the next year is for more tin Meek, 23, who died trying to On the back of her paver, she we grab our phones to text him or 12 that were lost as well as how promised her brother that she expect him to come through the the town pulled together in the would live every day for him and door. Sometimes we go to order aftermath of the tragedy, which never give up. food and say, ‘Wait, there’s one she compared to the nation’s “Thank you for being the best missing,’” she said. “Those are response after the attacks of 9/11. big brother in the world and the the moments you don’t even see Lorrie and Dan Dingman best guardian angel in all the it coming.” said their 21-year-old son, heavens,” she wrote. “See you They placed Dan’s paver Blake, was a fun-loving goof- on the other side, big bro.” on Nov. 2. The family wrote ball who loved to make people Gladys Manrique Koscak “Semper Fi” and drew a flag on laugh. He was also a true friend lost her brother in the Nov. 7 the back. Dan’s 4-year-old niece, who always had an ear to listen shooting. Dan Manrique, 33, Sophia, with whom he had a spe- and was never too busy to offer was a Marine veteran who dedi- cial relationship, drew pictures help.
City of Thousan
2020-21 CDBG Program - Needs Assessment (Community Development)
Effective November 1, 2019 through December 16, 2019, the City of Thousand Oaks invites interested parties to assist in identifying the unmet needs of the City's lower-income persons and households that could potentially be addressed with the City's annual Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) entitlement funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. CDBG funding is dependent upon Congressional allocation in the Federal Budget.
The City invites applicants to apply for a portion of the City's CDBG funding for an activity that primarily benefits lower-income persons for community development activities and public service activities. Visit the City's website (www.toaks.org) and select the Community Development Department (COD) webpage to access the following application. Application submittal deadline is December 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m.
Activities for Community Development Projects Proposal The City estimates a budget of $417,300 for the2100 period Thousand July Oaks 1, Boub·ard2020 through • Thousand June Oaks, CA 91362 30, 2021 for projects such as Low-Income HousingPhone 805/449.2121 Rehabilitation • Fax 805/449.2125 or Non-Profit • www.toaks.or g Owned Public Facility Rehabilitation.
Activities for Public Services Proposal The City estimates a budget of $88,000 for the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 for public services that primarily benefit lower-income households.
The Public is welcome to attend an Administrative Hearing scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2019 in the Board Room at City Hall (Civic Arts Plaza), 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, California 91362. Comments on the community development needs may be submitted in writing, by no later than December 16, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. to: City of Thousand Oaks, Attention: Lynn Oshita, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362. Please mark submittals: "FY 2020-21 CDBG Needs Assessment."
For more information, please contact Lynn Oshita at [email protected] in the City's Community Development Department.
DATED �/?OJ LO, 2 AA- �� C nthia M. Rodriguez, City Clerk V u PUBLISH: November 7, 2019
cdd:\480-10\H:\COMMON\Housing & Redevelopment\2020_CDBG\2020 LEGAL\Needs\CDBG Program-Needs Assessment final Acorn.doc 45T11K 45T56W
010_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 3:22:32 PM Thousand Oaks Acorn November 7, 2019 Page 11 BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER JUDAYSIA Lorrie said she and her hus- Introduces...VOLUMTECHNICS band can’t believe a year has A unique haircutting technique passed without one of Blake’sBORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER that builds body into fine, limp and incredible hugs; his bright, warm thin hair. Judaysia is internationally smile; or the loving notes he left trained in London, Milan and Paris. around the house. “There’s a date stamp in Call for an our office that I stamp the mail Appointment with each day. Every day that 818-880-4630 I turn the dial, it brings tears,”
www.judaysia.com 30T18I she said. “Another day without our handsome ginger, another day we don’t hear his laugh or his loud truck coming down the street.” Kathy Dunham said her son, Jake, had many physical obsta- cles in life—he was a hemophili- ac who lost sight in one eye at the THANKSGIVING BUFFET age of 7—but no one would ever know because that’s not what he MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers GIVE THANKS talked about. She said he “lived THE RIGHT SPOT—Wendy Anderson Sparks, left, Lacy Williams and Traditional holiday classics, carving station, his life for his family, friends, Sparks’ husband, Tony, decide where they want to lay their paver bricks chilled seafood selection, decadent desserts, motorcycles, trucks and boats.” in memory of the Sparks’ daughter Noel at the healing garden at Conejo kids buffet and much more. “Jake lived for today and lived Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks. his short life to the fullest in his short 21 years, and I know he “I just feel like he got robbed,” named his newborn daughter would want to hug and thank all she said. “He was ready to show Noelle in honor of his late sister. those that meant so much that were everybody the person he was Wendy and Tony said they part of his journey,” she said. meant to be.” still feel their daughter’s pres- Michael Morisette said he Fran Adler lost her husband, ence and want her to be remem- Untitled-2 1wants his daughter Kristina to Sean, in the shooting. She said bered for her caring heart and the 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM be remembered for her big smile, trying to find just one memory way she reached out to young her laugh, her sense of humor of her husband after 28 years people through her ministry. and her willingness to go the was difficult. But one that came On the back of their paver, they extra mile to make someone feel to mind was a past family movie wrote Noel’s favorite motto: special, oftentimes by bringing night when their boys, Dylan and “Life is love.” them a cake. Derek, were younger, huddled on Wendy said Nov. 7, 2018, was $65 Adults $30 Children (6-12) He said that while this year the couch and watching “Goose- a day of spiritual darkness, but the Hours: 10am-3pm | Reservations: 805.557.4710 has been one of heartbreak, it bumps.” year since the shooting has been has also been a new chapter, “Sean decided that he would filled with light. 880 South Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village one where his family has been scare the heck out of them,” she “That was the day the devil @ hyattregencyWestlake 45AT68T surrounded by new friends, in- said. “He was sitting on the floor came to town,” she said. “But we cluding the families of the other in front of them and as soon came together as a community THOUSAND OAKS Borderline victims, who have as the jump scare happened he and chased him out.” Acorn facebook.com/thousandoaksacorn surrounded them in love. threw a stuffed dolphin back at “We never would have known them, and they went up in the those people if this horrible thing air screaming like crazy. We al- wouldn’t have happened,” he ways had fun as a family, always said. “It’s hard to say that some- laughing.” thing good came out of something “We miss Sean’s smile, his so tragic, but you have to learn to hugs and his laugh,” she said. look for things like that, too.” “I miss talking about the crazy Marc Orfanos said that when people on the roads and running his son Telemachus became an ideas by him for even the silliest Eagle Scout at 17, he set a life things. The boys miss having a goal for himself: “I want to mean ‘guy’ to talk to.” something to other people more Wendy and Tony Sparks laid than myself.” down pavers in honor of their “I think that he achieved that,” 21-year-old daughter, Noel, Marc said. “That’s what I’d like who worked in youth ministry at him to be remembered for, the Calvary Community Church in fact that he achieved his goal.” Westlake Village. In September,
Tel’s mother, Susan, said the Noel’s brother, Joseph Edwards, 31AT16T people who knew and loved Tel “keep us going.” She said her 27-year-old son “meant something to many people.” “He was the friend that ev- eryone loved. I think that’s a good legacy,” she said. “He was a good man. That’s what we’d like Tel to be remembered as.” Sheri Coffman said she and her husband, Jason, want every- one to remember that their son Cody died a hero. She said their faith assures them that they will see him again and they know he is watching over them. “We are so incredibly proud of his courage and bravery. He was kind, loving and funny, and we know that he would not want us to be sad even though we miss him terribly,” she said. “He would want us to smile, to laugh, to spend time with our loved ones and live life to the fullest.” Theri Ramirez said that if she could say anything to her son, Borderline victim Mark “Marky” Meza, it would be that she was always proud of him. 45TMS57W
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
REMEMBERINGBORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER THE 12
JAKE DUNHAM ALAINA HOUSLEY Born June 12, 1997 Born July 27, 2000 Thousand Oaks Napa, Calif.
ake Dunham was born at Los he’s messy, but she’s kind. JRobles Hospital and made SIt’s how Alaina Housley de- many return trips to the medical scribed herself on her prolific center on Janss Road in the years Instagram account where she had that followed. He had hemophilia last posted on Halloween 2018, and lost sight in one eye at the age a week before she was gunned of 7, but his mother, Kathy, said down along with 12 others at he never let that slow him down. Borderline. “He ignored his disabilities,” The 18-year-old Napa Valley she said. native was a freshman at Pep- Jake loved anything with an perdine University, where she engine, including boats, motor- majored in English and was in- cycles and trucks. He received his Courtesy photo volved in the school’s choir. She Courtesy photo first dirt bike for Christmas when an event in his honor: the Jake Dunham was a 2018 graduate of Vintage “Be kind to one another. Respect our he was 7. His favorite pastime Memorial Time Trials. High School, where her mother, differences. Maybe if we are all a little bit was racing and camping in the Twelve months after his death, Kathy Hannah Housley, teaches. more supportive of one another, in Alaina’s desert, especially at Dirt Diggers now frequently uses her son’s favorite catch- Hannah and her husband, name, we can save one more life, stop one in Ridgecrest. A memorial bench phrase, “Hold ’er wide,” a term that means Arik, have started Alaina’s Voice more shooting and help one more person,” bearing Jake’s name now sits in going full throttle. She promised to carry on Foundation, which is on a mis- the Housleys stated at a Nov. 18 memorial the place he loved so well. in his memory. sion to end gun violence by held at her former high school. The 21-year-old used to race “We all love you so much Jake. We will inspiring hope and kindness in “We can make this world a better place. at Jump Champs, an off-roadingUntitled-2 1 ‘hold ’er wide’ down here for you until we communities through education, While her body11/1/2019 is 4:25:53 gone, PM her voice will venue in Glen Helen. This Decem- can see you again,” she said. “WE LOVE music and mental health initia- live on.” ber, Jump Champs will dedicate YOU!” tives. To learn more, go to alainasvoice.org.
CODY COFFMAN ‘TEL’ ORFANOS Born Aug. 29, 1996 Born April 20, 1991 Ventura Westlake Village
ike so many Ventura County early a year since Telema- Lyouths, Cody Coffman was N chus Orfanos, 27, was killed happiest when he was on the field in the Borderline shooting, his of play. Growing up in Camarillo, family has only just been able he excelled in football and base- to move his belongings out of ball, and when he wasn’t playing his bedroom. sports, he was helping out, serving They’re not sure what to do several seasons as an umpire for with everything, but they plan to the Camarillo PONY Baseball keep his books. Association. “He loved to read, so we’re He hoped to one day umpire going to keep those,” Susan high school games and beyond. Schmidt-Orfanos, his mother, said. Acorn file photo Courtesy photo Appropriately, one of the first They’re honoring his memory gifts provided by the new Cody Community Park in Camarillo. by working to ensure that no one “That turns people right off, they don’t want Lee Coffman Foundation—a The spirit of the 22-year-old, known for else goes through what they’ve to hear that. You have to say ‘gun safety.’” $500 scholarship to put toward his sense of humor and perpetual smile, gone through—losing a loved Tel’s family want him to be remem- college—went to one of his fellow lives on in his younger siblings, brothers one to gun violence. bered the way Tel himself asked to be umpires, Jordan Smart. Dominic, 7, and Joshua, 9, and the sister he They’ve become public ad- remembered. His mother quotes from Tel’s A photograph of Coffman, never knew—Aurora Lee—who was born vocates for the cause and have Eagle Scout project binder. along with his chest protector Nov. 29, three weeks after the shooting. learned how fine the line is they “I believe my purpose in life is to mean and face mask surrounded by 12 According to survivors, Coffman can be have to walk. something to someone beside myself,’” gold stars, are mounted together counted among the heroes of Borderline, “You can’t say ‘gun control,’” she read. “And he meant something to and hang in the umpires’ room having shielded four of his friends before Tel’s dad, Marc Orfanos, said. many people.” at the sports fields at Bob Kildee being struck himself.
MARK MEZA JR. ‘ RON HELUS Born Nov. 19, 1997 Born July 21, 1964 Santa Barbara West Hills, Calif. nstead of throwing a birthday ew names have lived on as pre- I party for Mark Meza Jr. on Nov. F dominately in the past year as 19, 2018—when he would have that of Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. turned 21—his friends and family Ron Helus, who died fulfilling his gathered the day before to remem- life’s purpose—protecting others. ber “Marky,” one of the youngest Just this week signs were re- victims of the Borderline shooting. vealed renaming a 3.4-mile stretch Instead of getting to raise a glass of the 101 Freeway in Thousand to toast him, his mother, father and Oaks the Sgt. Ronald Lee Helus three siblings began raising funds Memorial Highway. Tarantula Hill by creating a foundation (mark- Brewing on Thousand Oaks Bou- mezafoundation.com) in his name levard is releasing “4-SAM-3,” a Courtesy photo to help victims of gun violence. golden lager named for the fallen Courtesy photo Meza, a former Carpinteria an old soul who was a self-proclaimed ma- hero’s call sign. The Rotary Club Highway Patrol officers. High School and Santa Barbara ma’s boy. She said the 20-year-old loved puns, of Moorpark now awards the Ron Wife Karen and son Jordan have carried J City College student, had recently “dad” jokes, skateboarding and photography. Helus Scholarship of Valor to local on as best they can: Karen remains active with started working at the bar and grill She said she wants her son, who loved to youths who are interested in pursu- the department, and Jordan is pursuing a career as a busboy and food runner. He dance to Michael Jackson videos as a child, to ing a career in law enforcement. after graduating from college. had an interest in creating music be remembered as a sweet and genuine soul And yet none of it seems enough Helus’ name is never far from the lips of and photography and is remem- who was always smiling. to repay Helus for his actions on his colleagues in the sheriff’s department, bered for being generous to a fault “He had a genuine love of life,” she said. Nov. 7, 2018. Reports suggest the who love to share stories of his humor and and wanting nothing more than to “He made people feel loved and warm and shooter never took another life— mentorship. “Ron brought out the best in us,” make people happy. cared about. He had the best hugs that made besides his own—after being con- said Dep. Kevin Alldredge, who pulled Helus Theri Ramirez said her son was you feel good no matter what.” fronted by Helus and two California out of Borderline.
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
REMEMBERINGBORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER THE 12 JUSTIN MEEK NOEL SPARKS Born Aug. 31, 1995 Born Aug. 27, 1997 Portsmouth, Va. Thousand Oaks oel Sparks grew up playing ustin Meek was a man of many at Conejo Creek Park North talents. The 23-year-old had N J every Sunday. A year to the day a beautiful singing voice, which after the 21-year-old’s death, the earned him a place in Cal Lutheran City of Thousand Oaks is unveiling University’s Kingsmen Quartet. a healing garden in the park where He also played water polo for the she played as a child and dedicating university on Olsen Road. it to her and the 11 other victims of CLU has dedicated a bench and the Borderline shooting. a flagpole on campus in honor of The Moorpark College student their late alumnus. was a gifted dancer, singer and His younger sister Victoria cellist who performed with the Rose has also dedicated this past Courtesy photo Conejo Valley Youth Orchestra and Courtesy photo year on social media to him. She the worship team at Calvary. “goodness and love.” has honored her older brother’s like he used to be,” she said. Her father, Tony, said his daugh- “I gave her everything. And by everything, memory by sharing one photo of The 21-year-old said she wants her brother ter was defined by her kindness. I mean from my soul,” Wendy said. “I thought him each day on Facebook. She to be remembered as “the nicest, friendliest, “She was just into loving people she’d have all those years to live.” calls it 365 Days of Justin. most compassionate person you’ll ever meet.” and helping people,” he said. “Her Tony said he misses greeting her when She started the ritual because Victoria Rose said the past year has shown heart was so good.” she walked through the door of their Simi she was having a hard time “try- her she has a bigger family in the Borderline Noel’s mother, Wendy, said Valley home. ing to find a new normal without community but she misses Justin’s smile, his her youngest daughter was an “I miss kissing her forehead,” he said. Justin in it.” hugs and how he always knew what to say to “old soul” who was loyal and Her parents said Noel still makes her “I did it for myself to feelUntitled-2 like 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM cheer her up on hard days. kind. She home-schooled Noel presence known to them in small ways. he’s still part of my everyday life “He’s our angel,” she said. and said she trained her for “She’s still encouraging me,” Wendy said.
BLAKE DINGMAN DAN MANRIQUE Born July 15, 1997 Born Aug. 5, 1985 Thousand Oaks Mexico City
lake Dingman, 21, always wore warrior with a huge heart, Ba baseball cap with a pair of A Dan Manrique, 33, found sunglasses on top of his head and his calling in life after four years a smile on his face. His mother, of active duty in the U.S. Marine Lorrie, said she wants her son to be Corps, including a deployment remembered as someone who was to Afghanistan to fight the War funny, capable and caring. on Terror. “We hope that people will In addition to giving his life to remember those things about him Jesus Christ, he connected with and will strive to be a person of Team Red, White and Blue, a compassion as they remember nonprofit that seeks to build com- him,” she said. “Mostly, we want Courtesy photo munity among former members Courtesy photo him to be remembered.” of the military through physical She said the past year has ues to rest on the knowledge that Blake is activity and social events. Manrique’s sister, Gladys, said she been difficult as she; her hus- with Jesus and they will see him again, but Manrique spent the morn- still feels supported when she sees cars band, Dan; and their son Aidan they will always wonder what he would have ing of Nov. 7 moving into a on the road with #BorderlineStrong and watch Blake’s friends move on made of himself and mourn the family he did new apartment in Ventura, #TOStrong stickers. with marriage, babies and ca- not get to have. where he planned to live with “Having the names (of the 12) not reers. When she looks at group “But we hope and pray that out of the his friend and fellow veteran forgotten is really important. I also hope photos of his friends, she won- ashes of this tragedy, something good may Fernan Diamse. The two made the community doesn’t forget how the ders where her oldest son would be born here in this community,” she said. plans to meet at Borderline that community reacted,” she said. “Remember have been in the picture. The family plans to start a scholarship in evening with another friend, Jus- the kindness that people showed. I want Lorrie said her family contin- his honor. tin Meek. Only Diamse survived. people to hold on to that the most.”
SEAN ADLER KRISTINA Born April 30, 1970 MORISETTE West Hills, Calif. Born April 20, 1998 ean Adler, 48, was working Simi Valley S security the night of the shoot- ing. He left behind his wife, Fran, n her job as hostess, Kristina Mo- and their two boys, Dylan, 18, and I risette was one of the first faces Derek, 13. that patrons would see when they “The last year has meant entered Borderline Bar and Grill. learning to live with a new nor- Her father, Michael, said she’ll be mal—Dylan graduating from high remembered for her big laugh, her school and moving on to UCLA, big smile and her sense of humor. Derek moving through middle He said his 20-year-old daughter school, prepping for high school genuinely cared for others and al- next year (and) me learning how ways reached out to people in need. Acorn file photo Courtesy photo to budget time and money so that She helped her friends through bad we keep moving forward, at the and he focused instead on opening Rivalry days and difficult break-ups. help and resources it needs as it recovers from same time spending as much time Roasters, a coffeehouse at 2355 Tapo St., “She had this way of investing last November’s tragedy. together as possible,” Fran said. with his partner, Chris Curtis. in people,” he said. He said that, had Kristina survived, she “We’ve met so many new Initially Curtis tried to keep the doors Michael said his daughter, who would have been the first person to offer families and had so many new open in memory of Sean. The shop perma- was the youngest of three children, support to her friends. He gave his campaign experiences.” nently closed earlier this year. was a talented baker and artist. a motto in honor of his daughter’s big heart: Adler attempted to join the Los Looking to next year, Fran said, her hope Since her passing, Michael has “Kristina Kares.” Angeles County Sheriff’s Depart- is to continue healing, moving forward and launched a mental health and emo- Michael said 2020 for the Borderline com- ment in 2017 at the age of 47, but enjoying time with family and the new tional wellness campaign to make munity will be about healing and resiliency. a heart attack derailed his plans, friends they’ve met since the tragedy. sure that the Borderline community “Everybody needs to be included in the his daughter loved so much has the healing and recovery process,” he said.
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Portraits paintedBORDERLINE on ONE YEAR a LATERcanvas of love By Dawn Megli [email protected]
Daggi Wallace paints love at face value. After the Borderline shooting, the artist reached out to the fami- lies of the Borderline victims and offered to create pastel portraits of their late loved ones. “I thought maybe this is what I can do to provide some comfort in some small way,” she said. “I feel blessed to be able to provide that.” Wallace, an award-winning artist, lived in Thousand Oaks at the time of the shooting. She said the tragedy felt personal because her youngest daughter, Sam, used to frequent Borderline and knew Justin Meek, who was killed in the shooting. “It hit close to home. Literal- ly,” she said. Wallace has created portraits
of seven of the Borderline victimsUntitled-2 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM and is in the process of complet- ing her eighth. She bases her creations on photos provided by the families rather than images Courtesy photo pulled off news sites or social A HEALING TOUCH—Above from left, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Senior Dep. Virginia Tinoco, artist media channels. Daggi Wallace, Michael and Martha Morisette, and victim’s advocate Kelly Muklevicz of the Ventura County Several local businesses sup- district attorney’s office. Wallace presents her portrait of Kristina Morisette, one of the victims of the ported Wallace’s effort to give Borderline shooting, to Morisette’s parents. From top left are Wallace’s portraits of Dan Manrique, Justin each family a portrait. Museum Meek, Noel Sparks, Alaina Housely, Cody Coffman, Jake Dunham and Morisette. Quality Art Services in Camarillo donated free frames, and Total Graphics in Thousand Oaks pro- vided Wallace with free boards so she could mount her pastel creations. Wendy Sparks, who lost her daughter, Noel, in the shooting, said Wallace studied photos and videos of the 21-year-old to make sure she was able to accurately re-create her eyes and mouth. “She put all she had into No- el’s painting,” Sparks said. “She worked at capturing the essence portraits forever.” comes emotional after she paints Wallace is a master pastelist posed to oil paints and watercolors of Noel’s inner personality.” “Her artwork is unbelievable,” the eyes because it seems like the of the Pastel Society of America because it is a medium composed Kathy Dunham, whose Dunham said. “The two portraits subject is looking back at her. and an eminent pastelist of the of nearly pure pigment and doesn’t 21-year-old son Jake was killed I have that she did look real, like “There’s a certain blending International Association of Pas- fade or crack with age. in the shooting, loved Wallace’s you can just take that person right where I’m actually sort of moving tel Societies. She taught herself “I love the immediacy of it. portrait of Jake so much that she out of the frame.” the pastel around their faces so it how to paint and draw as a child There’s nothing between me commissioned an additional por- Because she applies the pas- feels like I’m almost sculpting growing up in West Berlin, where and the piece,” she said. “I get trait of him with his sister Alexa. tels with her fingers, Wallace said, them or touching them,” she she relocated to in September. my hands dirty. I don’t have any Dunham said she is grateful she feels a connection with the said. “It’s something that usually The mother of two said she brushes to clean, and the colors to Wallace and “will treasure the people she paints. She often be- makes me cry.” loves to work in pastels as op- are so vibrant and pure.” Michael Morisette, who lost his daughter Kristina in the shooting, said Wallace spent several afternoons with his fam- UCLAUCLA is the is theleader leader in breast in breast imaging imaging ily over the course of planning, painting and presenting his daughter’s portrait. He said Wal- With the first accredited mammography center, With the first accredited mammography center, lace even invited them to see the breastbreast ultrasound ultrasound and totallyand totally digital digital facility facility in the in the work while it was in-process so Southland, UCLA has led the way in leading -edge they could provide feedback on Southland, UCLA has led the way in leading -edge the unfinished product. medicinemedicine that thatoffers offers complete complete peace peace of mind. of mind. “It looks so life-like,” he said. “We were so blessed that she A betterA better UCLA’sUCLA’s Imaging Imaging and Interventionaland Interventional Centers Centers was willing to give one to all the in thein Valley the Valley provide: provide: families. She spent so much time inside inside and and out out on ours.” • 3D •Tomosynthesis 3D Tomosynthesis • Digital• Digital mammography mammography Wallace said the remaining Borderline families can get in • Breast• Breast MRI MRI • Image• Image guided guided touch with her whenever they breast biopsies • Breast• Breast ultrasound ultrasound breast biopsies want to request portraits of their loved ones. She said she sometime starts working on the Borderline por- traits while she is teaching group 2723527235 Tourney Tourney Rd., Ste Rd., 1500, Ste 1500,Valencia Valencia 661-253-5858 661-253-5858 workshops so she can focus on the technique of her art without 3070030700 Russel Russel Ranch Ranch Rd., Ste Rd., 110, Ste Westlake 110, Westlake Village Village 818-661-6570 818-661-6570 being overwhelmed with vicari- uclahealth.org/radiology/breastuclahealth.org/radiology/breast ous grief. But she always com- pletes the portraits in solitude. “I finish them by myself,”
SC/SCM SC/SCMshe said. “And that’s when the 39AT54I tears come.”
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Date Date 9.6.19 9.6.19 ColorsColors4/0 4/0 Trim TrimN/A N/A ProductionProduction Mgr MgrAndrew AndrewEdelstein Edelstein MaterialsMaterials Date DateTBD TBD PublicationPublicationSanta ClaritaSanta ClaritaMagazine Magazine Bleed BleedNo BleedNo Bleed Project ProjectMgr Mgr Sheryl EvansSheryl Evans InsertionInsertion Date DateTBD TBD AdvertiserAdvertiserUCLA UCLAHealth Health Live Live9.403”w9.403”w x 5.527”h x 5.527”hClient Client UCLA HealthUCLA Health Client ContactClient Contact Justin StantonJustin Stanton 014_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 11:24:02 AM PublicationPublication Contact: Contact: [email protected] [email protected] AlternateAlternate Contact Contact
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
The longest shiftBORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER Station 30 in Thousand Oaks was first to respond to bar
By Dawn Megli to offer their condolences. [email protected] “I just had to stop,” he said. Gonzalez, who has been in When Ventura County Fire the fire service for 30 years, said Station 30 responded to the shoot- tragic incidents like the one at ing at the Borderline Bar and Grill Borderline impact him more on Nov. 7, they arrived in time deeply since he’s become a father. to hear the volley of gunshots “Having kids makes it harder. after Sgt. Ron Helus entered the You don’t get over something like building. They also heard break- that,” he said. ing glass as patrons escaped from Weston Valdillez is a fire- the bar and “a fog of humans” fled fighter assigned to Station 30. into the night. He helps run VCFD’s Explorer While local police and fire program for young people ages agencies hold active shooter 14 to 20. training exercises several times Valdillez was tasked with a year, VCFD Battalion Chief entering Borderline to assess Darin Anderson said “it was and check the vital signs of the nothing like the drills.” victims. “It was surreal. It felt like life When he went in, he prayed he went into slow motion all of a wouldn’t come across any of the RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers sudden,” the 52-year-old said. teens he knew from the program. TEAMMATES—Ventura County Fire Department Battalion Chief Darin Anderson and Capt. Martin Anderson, who was the initial After failing to find a pulse on Gonzalez of Station 30 in Thousand Oaks (near The Oaks mall). Firefighters from Station 30 were the first VCFD incident commander forUntitled-2 the 1 seventh victim, “it all blended to respond to the scene of last year’s deadly mass shooting at Borderline. Hours11/1/2019 4:25:53later, PM they were called to the shooting, said that while fire together,” he said. contend with not one but two raging wildfires approaching the Conejo Valley from both sides. crews are typically able to come “You want to be able to say to the rescue on emergency calls, you were there and you did help there was nothing they could do to save someone, but it was just rescue the 12 victims that night. sad that we really couldn’t at “Most of our calls have a hap- that point,” he said. “It was like py ending. We’re here to help. We watching a movie. There was GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE want to make every situation bet- nothing you could do but you saw ter, but that was one we couldn’t everything that happened.” fix,” he said. The 28-year-old said the trau- Martin Gonzalez was the cap- ma of the Borderline incident THIS HOLIDAY SEASON tain at Station 30 near The Oaks didn’t hit home until two weeks mall on Nov. 7. He rode in the am- later when he was released from bulance with a mortally wounded the Woolsey fire and he went home Helus to deliver him to Los Robles and saw photos of the shooting Regional Medical Center, then victims in news coverage. returned to Borderline. “I just remember seeing pic- Gonzalez, 54, has three daugh- tures of them living their lives,” ters who frequented the country he said. “It kind of hits you all music dance hall. While he was of a sudden when you’re not in staged outside the scene, he texted an emergency situation. It just his wife. all hits you and you don’t know “Are the girls home?” how to react. It’s every type of His daughters weren’t at emotion.” Borderline that night, but the Valdillez, who attended the Newbury Park resident would memorial service for Blake Ding- learn that one of his daughters’ man and Jake Dunham, said the childhood friends, Jake Dunham, thing that has helped him the most was among the victims. since the shooting is leaning on The fire crew who responded his fellow firefighters, particular- to Borderline were assigned to ly the ones who responded to the fight the massive Woolsey fire call with him. the following day. Gonzalez Anderson, a Thousand Oaks would remain assigned to the fire High School alum who has two for two weeks. teen daughters, compared the During a break in the fire- trauma he feels to “a scab that fighting effort, Gonzalez got never goes away.” permission to visit Jake’s par- Like Valdillez, Anderson said ents, Ken and Kathy Dunham, it has helped to process the inci- to pay his respects—provided dent with other fire personnel who BALLET - JAZZ - HIPAccount HOP - CONTEMPORARY Name - TAP - MODERN he listened to his radio for fire were there. updates or return orders. “We all share our portions. It MUSICAL THEATRE - BREAKDANCE3 x 8 - ACRO/TUMBLING - POINTE Gonzalez took an engine com- helps because we have something VOICE - ACTING - TURNS/LEAPS - LYRICAL - ADULT CLASSES pany and briefly stopped by the in common,” he said. “I get goose- Dunhams’ Newbury Park home bumps when I think about it.” 2019-2020 Class Schedule is Available at: www.thrivedancecenter.com Online Registration is Open. Reserve Your Spot Today!
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Cops on front lines ofBORDERLINE helping ONE YEAR families, LATER community heal By Dawn Megli [email protected]
Thousand Oaks Police Chief Tim Hagel was born and raised in T.O. As a kid, he climbed the giant valley oak trees near where the shuttered Borderline Bar and Grill now stands, as well as the trees that now surround the healing garden built as a memorial to the 12 lives lost on Nov. 7, 2018. Twelve months after the dead- liest mass shooting in Ventura County’s history, the Thousand Oaks High School alum told the Acorn he never could have imag- ined as a child how he would be called to serve his hometown this past year, or how honored he would be to do so. He said that while he was in a position of leadership, residents gave him back a thousandfold the amount of support he gave to the city. “This was not about defining a community by its sufferingUntitled-2 and 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM tragedy but by its ability to come together, to help each other rise up and continue, and to come out on Photos by MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers the other side stronger, better and MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION—Thousand Oaks Police Chief Tim Hagel prepares to lay his paver brick at the memorial healing garden Nov. 1 more compassionate to all mem- at Conejo Creek Park North. Hagel, who lost his former partner and longtime colleague Ron Helus at Borderline, has spent hundreds of hours bers of our community,” he said. with families and survivors since the Nov. 7, 2018, mass shooting. “This was not about defining a community by its suffering and tragedy but While each Borderline victim’s by its ability to come together,” the sheriff’s commander and T.O. native says. family has a Ventura County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned weeping and sometimes laughter. the Conejo Valley and graduated to them to offer support, Hagel has “The 12 Borderline families from Agoura High School. He has been a primary point of contact have all become my family. I don’t worked for VCSO for 33 years and with the grieving families. He said say those words lightly,” he said. “I had a locker near Sgt. Ron Helus. he and the families have shared hold each one of them in my heart.” The day after the shooting, he late-night phone calls, meals, Capt. Don Aguilar grew up in was assigned the grim task of no- tifying the families of the victims who weren’t at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center—the dedicated re- u unification center—of their loved ones’ fate. Since the shooting, Aguilar said, the thing that has helped him the most is helping others, whether that BOUTIQUE means helping connect other sher- iff’s deputies to the mental health . resources they need or attending v birthdays and graduation ceremo- shooting, and after her brother, Jus- what,” he said. nies for the Borderline families. tin, was killed at Borderline Nov. The father of two said it’s nice “At the end of the day, we are 7, Aguilar traveled to Coronado to to work in the community where defined by the love and support we support the Meek family at a me- you grew up, but going through give to each other,” he said. morial service for the 23-year-old. a tragedy like the Conejo Valley Aguilar knew Borderline survi- “It’s important realizing you experienced last year “makes it all vor Victoria Rose Meek before the have to lend yourself out no matter the more worth it.” “When things really go bad, you find out what you’re really made of in life,” he said. “I can’t even tell you the amazing things this community has done.” VALLEYx OUTREACH Investigation 2 X 8 From Page 5 — to the public suggest that Long, Valley Outreach Synagogue an ex-Marine machine gunner and and Center for Jewish Life Afghanistan war vet, entered the crowded bar at 11:18 p.m. Nov. 26670 Agoura Road | Calabasas 7 armed with a Glock .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol and seven high-capacity magazines, each loaded with 30 rounds. RELIEF MART Long used two magazines, u firing off more than 50 shots, the 2 X 5 final shot a fatal one to his own u u head, Ayub said. Individuals who were inside Borderline during the shooting have told the Acorn that Long—a 2008 graduate of Newbury Park High School—used smoke bombs to disorient the crowd. They’ve also said he was observed multiple Valley Outreach Synagogue & CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE times at the bar in the weeks lead- www.vosla.org ing up to the shooting, including 45AT21C Questions call: 818 | 882 | 4867 on Halloween, when he came 37AT38D dressed in combat fatigues.
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Shooting inspiredBORDERLINE several ONE YEAR pieces LATER of legislation By Becca Whitnall prayers and promises from some legislators the state’s gun laws. . . .” Irwin said. “These community members to tailor policies to [email protected] to change laws. bills provide the tools that are necessary meet community expectations and to raise On the federal front, those promises hav- to proactively keep our communities safe awareness of the restraining orders as a tool. Leaving a dozen innocent people dead, en’t come to fruition despite some attempts, while respecting the rights and due process In the case of Borderline, Ventura County the Borderline massacre was the second with many bills written but not passed. On of responsible gun owners.” sheriff’s deputies had made contact with the deadliest shooting in the U.S. last year, the state level, however, where regulation The first, introduced as AB 12 for the gunman seven months before the shooting with only the Parkland, Fla., tragedy—17 was already tight, it’s a different story. 12 Borderline victims, extends the duration after he got into a loud argument with his dead—resulting in more victims. On a single day in October, Gov. Gavin of a gun violence restraining order from mother at their Newbury Park home. Those events topped the FBI’s list of 27 Newsom signed a package of 15 gun-relat- one year to a maximum of five years with County mental health specialists were active shooter deaths in 2018. The bureau ed bills, earning praise from those in favor judicial discretion and subject to earlier called to the scene and interviewed the defines an active shooter as one or more of even more stringent gun laws and finding termination or renewal by the court. shooter but did not make the determination individuals actively engaged in killing or opposition by those concerned about Sec- It also broadens who can request the that he should be committed for involuntary attempting to kill people in a populated area ond Amendment rights erosion. restraining order. Along with AB 61, writ- treatment, an order known as a 5950. He with at least one firearm. Excluded from “Gun violence is an epidemic in this ten by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San was allowed to keep his gun. the FBI’s count are gang- and drug-related country, one that’s been inflamed by the Francisco), it would allow employers, co- Irwin’s third piece of gun legislation ad- shootings. inaction of politicians in Washington,” workers and school staff members, in addi- dresses suicide. AB 645 requires gun shops, Though the FBI does not release a run- Newsom said Oct. 11. “While Washington tion to immediate family members and law gun packaging and the state’s firearm safety ning count, there have been several more has refused to act on even the most basic enforcement, to request that a court, after certification exam to provide information mass shootings since the beginning of 2019. gun safety reforms, California is once again notice and a hearing, issue a gun violence about the National Suicide Prevention A man opened fire in his workplace, leading the nation in passing meaningful restraining order. Lifeline. killing five employees and injuring five gun safety reforms.” The bill allows for the simultaneous ap- “In 2015, half of all gun-related deaths in police officers and a civilian in Illinois in On the same day, the National Rifle As- proval of a search warrant for firearms and California were a direct result of suicide, and February; a gunman killed 12 people at a sociation’s Institute for Legislative Action ammunition when such a restraining order this issue disproportionately affects veterans. Virginia Beach city public works building issued a statement claiming the governor is issued, and it clarifies that there is no 24- . . .” Irwin said. “AB 645 is a common-sense in May; five people were killed after a was “continuing the assault on our Second hour grace period for temporary emergency measure to ensure that individuals in crisis shooter opened fire on an Indian reservation Amendment rights in the Golden State.” restraining orders that would enable owners have immediate access to a lifesaving re- in Washington in June; five people were “These new laws pile onto the hundreds to hide, sell, transfer or use their firearm in- source.” killed that same month in San JoseUntitled-2 during1 of existing laws and, like the others, will stead of handing it over to law enforcement. As part11/1/2019 of National 4:25:53 PM Suicide Preven- a four-hour standoff; and 16 people were be equally ignored by criminals,” the NRA The law goes into effect Sept. 1, 2020. tion Week in September, U.S. Rep. Julia shot, four fatally, including the gunman, stated, vowing to take action on the laws. Working hand in hand with AB 12 is Brownley (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced at the Gilroy Garlic Festival on July 28. Among the bills are three by lo- AB 339, which requires law enforcement a similar bill, HR 4271, inspired by Irwin’s Twenty-two people were gunned down at cal Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin agencies to develop and adopt written legislation. If passed, the bill will, on a a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, in August and (D-Camarillo), introduced in February policies and standards regarding the use federal level, require firearm manufacturers nine more two days later during a shooting the same week the Assembly adjourned in of gun violence restraining orders. Irwin’s and retailers to include warning labels that at a bar in Dayton, Ohio. Most recently, five memory of the Borderline shooting victims. hope is that the new law will provide an provide the number of the National Suicide people were killed at a Halloween house “After the Borderline shooting . . . I opportunity for local police and sheriff’s Prevention Lifeline. party last week in Orinda in the Bay Area. worked with local law enforcement officials departments to work with their frontline It now sits with the House Committee on Each of the incidents generated thoughts, who recommended these changes to improve officers, mental health professionals and Energy and Commerce for consideration.
A man, 20, was cited for hit-and- SHERIFF’S BLOTTER run driving on Sunset Hills Boulevard at Erbes Road. Newbury Park Oct. 25 A burglar broke into a home in In the 2000 block of Hopewell Oct. 25 the 2400 block of Haymarket Street. Court, a 31-year-old man was A 39-year-old man was arrested arrested for public intoxication. for shoplifting from Kohl’s in the 1900 Vandalism occurred in the 400 block of Newbury Road. block of Avenida de Los Arboles. A man, 30, was arrested for being drunk in public and possessing Police cited a man, 33, for Someone broke into a car in The drugs in the 1200 block of Avenida shoplifting from Target. Oaks mall parking lot. de Los Arboles. A vandal damaged a car in the Oct. 26 Items were stolen from an 100 block of Pepper Road. A 19-year-old woman was unlocked car in the 2800 block of arrested for trespassing in the 1700 Appalachian Court. Oct. 26 block of E. Avenida de Las Flores. Two thieves punched a Target Oct. 30 security guard and made threats A woman, 48, was arrested for A woman, 29, was arrested in the before fleeing with stolen goods. trespassing in the 2400 block of 200 block of Green Moor Place for Pleasant Way. DUI and hit-and-run driving. A burglar broke into a car in the 2300 block of Michael Drive. Two cars parking at The Oaks A man, 37, was arrested for were broken into. trespassing and being under the Someone broke into a car in the influence of drugs in the 400 block 1900 block of Gila Court. Oct. 27 of Bedford Place. In the 200 block of N. Moorpark Oct. 27 Road, a woman, 28, was arrested for A wallet was reported stolen in A thief stole items from a car being too drunk to care for herself. the 100 block of Wedgewood Circle. parked on Lucas Court. Two men, 26 and 27, were Oct. 31 Oct. 28 arrested for vandalism in the 200 In the 300 block of E. T.O. On Rancho Conejo Boulevard block of N. Moorpark Road. The Boulevard, a man, 35, was arrested at the 101 Freeway, a man, 30, was 26-year-old was also booked for for being too drunk to care for arrested for DUI. battery. himself. Someone damaged or took part In the 200 block of Moorpark A woman, 70, was arrested for of a vehicle parked in the 3900 block Road, a 32-year-old woman was vehicle tampering and striking an of Mountain Creek Drive. arrested for being drunk in public. officer at Olsen and Moorpark roads. Oct. 29 A victim reported an unlawful A 25-year-old man was arrested A 21-year-old woman was offensive physical contact in the 200 for vandalism in the 200 block of arrested in the 3400 block of Gerald block of N. Moorpark Road. Brazil Street. Drive for identity theft and possession of drugs. Assault with a deadly weapon At N. Moorpark and E. Wilbur was reported at Sunset Terrace at roads, a victim reported that Someone damaged or took part the Janss mall. someone exhibited a firearm, made of a vehicle parked in the 800 block criminal threats, vandalized property of La Grange Lane. One Love Church in the 100 block and disobeyed a restraining order. of N. Skyline Drive was burglarized.
Oct. 30 45TSC303S A man, 33, was arrested for Oct. 28 Westlake/T.O. shoplifting and trespassing at Target. A thief stole a bicycle in the 500 block of Laurie Lane. Oct. 23 Someone smashed the front A victim reported a money scam windshield of a car in the 2400 block Someone tried to pass a forged in the 700 block of Via Colinas. of Michael Drive. check at a business in the 3000 block of E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Oct.26 Bed Bath and Beyond reported Thousand Oaks Gasoline was syphoned from a a grand theft in the 100 block of S. truck in The Oaks mall parking lot. Westlake Boulevard. Oct. 22 A thief stole property from an Oct. 29 Oct. 27 elderly adult in the 3500 block of N. A man, 30, was arrested for A victim reported criminal threats Moorpark Road. identity theft in the 2900 block of in the 1600 block of Castleview Camino Graciosa. Court.
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MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers SUPPORT OF FRIENDS—Tori Hiott, left, Taylor Young and Alexis Tait share a glass of wine Oct. 29 at ARE YOU SELLING YOUR VEHICLE? Stonehaus in Westlake Village. The friends, who survived the shooting at Borderline, get together regularly, most often to laugh and have a good time, but also, on occasion, to cry and remember their lost friends. Consign Your Car, SUV or Truck,Untitled-2 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM psychology degree at CLU. He sitization and reprocessing. Classic Cars Paid for or Not Welcome! Survivors has been attending one-on-one “God had some plans,” Marty We Guarantee the Sale of your counseling, practicing mindful- said. “He pulled the strings and I From Page 3 — ness and participating in equine was just there.” Vehicle or We’ll Buy it!* therapy to deal with the shoot- Marty said the hardest part of (*Subject To Agreed Upon Value) “I heard it too,” Laura Lynn ing’s aftermath. Nov. 7 wasn’t the gunfire. said. “I’ve been trying to dig “For me, the shooting wasn’t Bring in your vehicle and let us: The pair decided the location through my layers,” he said. hard. It was the changes and ac- • Family Owned Since 1993 • Determine the selling value would be the perfect place for a Diamse was at Borderline on cepting the fact that I wasn’t the • Best Location in the Conejo Valley • Recondition it for sale memorial bench in honor of Justin Nov. 7, 2018, to celebrate his birth- same anymore and that my life • Open 7 Days a Week • Call us for an Appointment Meek. The spot, which overlooks day, which fell on the following wasn’t the same,” she said. FREE DETAIL Kingsmen Park, is the same place day. When shots rang out, he used Marty said her appreciation When You Consign Your Vehicle where the 23-year-old used to a stool to smash out the window for Ron Helus’ sacrifice is deep- hang his hammock on campus. near the DJ booth so patrons could ened every time a survivor cele- (805) 496-3370 | www.AllenMotors.com Diamse, a 36-year-old Navy escape. The makeshift memorial at brates a birthday. combat veteran, is finishing a Borderline sits beneath the window The 28-year-old said her ex-
motors.com 2594 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks 20ATMSC08W he smashed out. perience surviving the shooting “Everyone looks at that me- has inspired her to dedicate her morial, but it’s more than just a life to protecting others. She is memorial to me,” he said. “It was in the process of trying to join the our exit.” U.S. Army, which is complicated Three months after she sur- by the fact that she is a French vived the shooting, Margot Marty citizen, so she is appealing to was at the makeshift memorial at officials in D.C. to help her cause. Borderline. After the Army, she said, she It was Valentine’s Day. wants to join law enforcement. That’s where Marty met Karen “It was just life-changing,” she Helus, the widow of Borderline said of the shooting incident. hero Sgt. Ron Helus. The two Tait, Diamse and Marty all laid became fast friends, and Marty, a down pavers at the healing garden French immigrant, now calls Kar- on Nov. 1. en Helus her “American mama.” Tait said that putting down The two meet for lunch, go stones in the place built as a line dancing and traveled to memorial to the friends they lost Washington, D.C., together. Mar- last year was meaningful because ty gave Helus flowers for Moth- it means “we are part of it with er’s Day and urged her to start a them.” form of trauma therapy known as “Borderline lives in all of us,” EMDR, or eye movement desen- she said. “It’ll always be with us.”
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018_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 2:32:54 PM Thousand Oaks Acorn November 7, 2019 Page 19
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Untitled-2 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM Why sit in a group seminar when you can have a CRPD employees go the distance personal consultation? By Becca Whitnall just went.” you saw complete fear.” [email protected] It only took Dodwell about Later, additional staff members five minutes to get to the building, arrived to help, though, some For many who grew up in the and when he arrived, police were said, they felt completely helpless city, the Thousand Oaks Teen already there, silently lining the watching parents repeatedly dial 26 years in business Center evokes memories of gam- rails leading in. cellphones of children they still in Simi Valley ing tournaments, dances and even “I had keys in my hand and was hadn’t heard from by late morning. graduations, but for a handful of opening the door and said, ‘Good Among those who came to of- Comprehensive estate families, it’s where they spent the morning,’” Dodwell recalled. “I’m fer support was the Outreach team, planning services worst moments of their lives. still kicking myself for saying that, made up of three members who Steve H. Murphy, President, In the very early morning of all the things to say.” work jointly for the Conejo Valley CA. Attorney since 1994 “ As a retired Superior Court hours of Nov. 8, 2018, it became For some time, he and a city Unified School District and CRPD 1985 Yosemite Ave., #125, the family reunification center for maintenance worker were the only to connect with kids who may be Judge, I recognize excellent legal service. That’s why I had LPS Simi Valley, CA 93063 the Borderline incident, a place staff members at the city-owned, experiencing various troubles. Tel: 805-581-9192 for families to go to await word CRPD-run facility. With no official Team member Pete Martinez prepare my living trust. Steve Murphy and his staff are thought- www.lpstrust.com from or about their loved ones duties other than being there, they received a call from his sister ful and their rates are reasonable. known to have been at the bar and walked over to the Goebel Adult about the shooting sometime in the They take the worry out of estate grill the night of the shooting that Community Center next door and very early morning and so, without planning. They have my highest SAVE took 12 lives. commandeered coffee and a coffee direction, he went to work. respect and recommendation.” 10% While mass shootings and maker so they could set up one of “No one called me to come; I Jack A. King, Simi Valley resident with this ad other disasters were something the rooms as a refreshment station. just knew,” he said. “By the time I 06TMS17W local law enforcement officials had “It wasn’t until about 3:30, I got there, everyone was settling in. trained for, Conejo Recreation and think, when people started coming From that time on, it’s a big blur.” Park District staffers were about in,” he said. “As people came in, — Please See Page 20 to step into the unknown as they IRS PROBLEMS opened their doors for what would be the first in a series of tragedies. RESOLVED “I was the one that got the call in the early morning . . . that Ask Kash your local Tax Expert there had been a shooting at Bor- derline and the teen center was Tory from Westlake asks: going to be like a reunification “Can I deduct the sales tax center and I needed to go open I paid to buy a car in 2018 on up,” said Jay Dodwell, a 30-year my return?” CRPD employee. “It was around 2:30. I didn’t look at the clock, I Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act you can still write off state David’s and local tax payments if you Beauty Supply itemize, but the total annual deduction is limited to $10,000. Former IRS Agent $ .95 Hair With Over 35 Years of Experience 9 Cuts “...We regained our piece of mind” “...Kash saved our marriage” • “...I can sleep peacefully now” $ Hair “...We strongly recommend Kash Chandani CPA” 25 Color CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE CONSULTATION. 1-800-LESS-4-IRS • 1-800-537-7447 $ Partial WWW.LESS4IRS.COM 25 Highlights Visit our website for client testimonials. KASH CHANDANI new clients only
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the names of those who were killed. Martinez said. “They needed to Blake Dingman and Jake Dunham hold on to somebody.” CRPD had spent a lot of time at the center, That morning and afternoon, From Page 19 — Dodwell said. And when the young just yards away, recreation super- Martinez said his role at first people’s friends showed up at the visor Patty Hamm and director was just to support others in any center, staffers knew them, too. Julie Spivack were at the Goebel way he could: to open doors and “Seeing the friends of the young Adult Community Center. pass out tissue boxes. ones, being included in that group “The Goebel Center was The teen center staff recognized hug is something very special,” closed, and we were just prepar- ing rooms for the families, where they’d learn about their loved ones. Unfortunately, most of it was NEW LOCATION bad,” Hamm said. “The families would come over and they’d go into the room and come back out, and it was just heart-wrenching.” The single consolation was Before After that most families had plenty of support with them. Courtesy photo “There weren’t just moms and WHEN DUTY CALLS—Rochelle Callis, a Conejo Rec and Park District dads there by themselves,” she administrator, tends to an evacuee at the Thousand Oaks Community PattyCake Cosmetics said. “They had relatives and the Center on Nov. 8, the first night of the Woolsey fire. friends of the kids, too.” Eyelash & Makeup Studio By the time staff members broken out. beyond, such as a woman who Est. 1975 left—the last of them closed the Switching gears had evacuated without her heart centers around 5 p.m.—they The teen center wasn’t the first medicine. A staff member drove Specializing in Safe & Toxic-Free were emotionally and physically CRPD facility to serve as an evac- her back to her house to get it and, exhausted. uation center. During a late lunch, along the way, picked up her dog Individual Eyelashes Dodwell left a little earlier. He staffers were discussing whether and cat. noticed what he thought might be the Borchard Community Center As the Hill fire swept by, the Erin MacMillan smoke as he drove home in the would be activated as an evacua- flow of people coming into the early afternoon but figured his Sola Salon Studios #22 tion site for the Hill fire; it would shelter slowed, and Gunning sent 15% off eyes were so red they could have be a few hours before the Woolsey much of the staff home. Then the 43A Thousand Oaks Blvd. been playing tricks on him. flames threatened the city. Woolsey fire evacuation orders your service “I was told to go home, so I As they were discussing it, a came. For New Clients (next to Big 5) when you bring went,” he said. “I put my head news report announced Borchard “It was wild. We hit capacity in this ad Appointments: Text/Call down for about half an hour and would, in fact, be activated. within an hour, and they had folks (805) 797-5593 then got another phone call saying, Recreation supervisor Kurt in their cars in the parking lot and ‘You know what . . .’” Gunning, who oversees the parked all the way down Reino Follow me on Instagram @pattycakecosmetics It was all hands on deck back Borchard Center, said he was in and in the shopping center across 26T308S at the teen center—the fires had a head fog already because of the the street,” Gunning said. “I don’t shootings. Gunning, who also know what the final number was. teaches at Cal Lutheran Universi- Easily hundreds.” ty, said he had two students who Around midnight, Duerr got a Karen A. Sue, DDS Our office would like to reach out to the families, friends and survivors affected from had been at Borderline. None of call from CRPD General Manager Lorraine I. Neri, DDS both the Borderline tragedy and Woolsey fires. his staff had been there, but they Jim Friedl saying the teen center Our hearts go out to all those who’s lives have knew people who were. was going to reopen, this time as Carla Abboud, DDS been forever changed. We stand with you. Gunning was watching the an evacuation center. Its doors had #TOSTRONG #BORDERLINE12 flames crest the nearby hill when closed from the earlier tragedy he got the call that the Red Cross only seven hours earlier. was activating the center as a The first night of evacuations shelter. was chaotic, as might be expected Though the staff was limit- given 75% of T.O. was under evac- Newbury Park Dentistry ed—it would be an hour before uation orders, said Friedl, who was recreation services manager Tim called to evacuate his own home Duerr could get there from CRPD in Agoura Hills as well. for Children headquarters at Hillcrest Center The teen center quickly be- for the Arts due to traffic and came overwhelmed with people, 2277 Michael Drive, Suite 2 closed roads—the team was doing Duerr said. what it could to make people com- “We had no more room, a line Newbury Park, CA 91320 fortable. It was another two hours out the door, all the cots were full, before the Red Cross arrived. the gym was totally full and people Most evacuees were residents were camping in their cars,” he 805-498-2802 from a senior community at the said. “And it was scary because end of Old Conejo Road, and some you could see the flames on the needed help that went above and hillside next to us, and the wind www.newburyparkdentistryforchildren.com 45AT74I was blowing toward us. People were getting a little panicky.” THINKING OF THAT But they kept coming. Before WHO SHOULD YOU HIRE? long, Hamm and Spivack were back at the Goebel Center, which opened to catch the overflow. Even DREAM KITCHEN? that wasn’t enough, however, and the district soon opened the Thou- sand Oaks Community Center. That was Duerr’s next stop. He arrived as Melissa Ruwhiu, who oversaw the center, was arriving with her mother-in-law, 3-year-old daughter and dog in tow. Ruwhiu was evacuating and, with the other centers full, was heading to a place she knew was safe. Following them were evacu- ees, many with animals and others with health issues. No matter what was asked of them, CRPD staff delivered, said FIND OUT NOW! Rochelle Callis, recreation and community services administrator. WWW.BBB.ORG/TO “I’m just so proud of the staff. Everybody just stepped up. No- 42T57I body complained and everybody just did what we needed to do,” SERVING S O S VENTURA COUNTIES she said. “Yes, it was a time we hoped not to have, but that’s what START WITH TRUST we do, we get the call, we step up, we help.”
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
PRICELESS—A painting of Borderline hangs over Brian Hynes’ desk at his office in Westlake Village. Hynes received the artwork as a gift from his stepmother shortly after he bought the bar in 2007.
people together tighter,” Hynes Borderline. Employees said. “We’re just taking care of “We have to make all of this the community that’s taken care work,” he said. “We have no From Page 1 — of us forever.” choice.”
Untitled-2 1 While the Borderline employ- Hynes started going to Border- 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM Oaks Drive remains shuttered as ees have been receiving workers’ line when he was 14. He and his Hynes and his business partner compensation payments since brother would attend the all-ages Troy Hale, 33, work to figure the shooting, Hynes and his team family night on Sundays when the out what the future holds for the have been supporting themselves former Charley Brown’s restau- JOSEPH A. GARCIA/Acorn Newspapers country music dance hall. through their event company, rant was known for serving choc- SOLIDARITY—Borderline employees Melissa Rackley, right, and Lacy “We want to make sure it’s Homegrown Events, and the Bor- olate chip cookies. Fuller embrace while getting their first glimpse of the new healing the right thing to do,” Hynes said. derline Strong clothing company. When Hynes took over the bar garden on Oct. 27. “Everybody wants us to reopen. 13 years later, he hired childhood A lot of people want to go back to friend Mel Rackley, who even- shooting up the bar. Then Frawley Nov. 6, but no one wants to deal ‘A lot of people tually rose to the rank of general heard the crack of windows as Borderline Strong with exactly what happened.” want to go back to manager. Rackley, 40, said her patrons started to escape. While they navigate the un- favorite thing about Borderline He called Hynes, and Frawley, Party in the Park certainty of reopening their busi- Nov. 6, but was always the people. Hynes and Hale raced to the bar. WHERE ness—the building, which is “It’s like family,” she said. The group arrived at the scene no one wants to Conejo Creek Park North owned by someone else, was built In some cases, that’s literally before Sgt. Ron Helus entered the 1379 E. Janss Road in 1972 and requires extensive deal with exactly true. Rackley and Hale both met melee. Hynes and Frawley pulled Thousand Oaks updates to comply with modern what happened.’ their spouses at Borderline. their cars into the street to provide building codes—Hynes and Hale On Nov. 7, 2018, Rackley was cover for frightened patrons as WHEN have spent the past year putting — Brian Hynes filling in for her friend, Borderline they left the parking lot. Sat., Nov. 9 on a series of events to provide Borderline owner bartender and Las Vegas shooting “It was like warfare,” Frawley 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. venues for the Borderline family survivor Lacy Fuller. After Fuller said. of employees to come together. survived the 2017 massacre on the They stayed through the night to They declined to take any HOW They have started Borderline strip, she told Rackley that if any- support survivors and staff as they of the proceeds from this year’s For tickets, look up Borderline nights at clubs in Agoura, Santa thing ever happened at Borderline were interviewed by investigators. fundraising events—including Strong: Party in the Park Clarita and Montclair. Working she would hide in the attic. Within hours, Hynes would open the Jan. 6 fundraiser at Boc- at eventbrite.com. Cost is $5. with the company’s entertainment caccio’s that raised $460,000— When shots rang out at College his home to staff that were dis- director, Noel Frawley, the trio has opting instead to make sure Night, Rackley thought about placed by the wildfires the next day. also hosted the Round-Up Coun- all the money raised went to what Fuller had said and led a Frawley said the incident separate ways. We all stay con- try Music Festival, KHAY Fest, help the survivors and families group of six other people into the changed his outlook on life. He nected and we all still care about OakHeart Country Music Festival of the victims. rafters and out of harm’s way. got married in September. each other,” she said. and the Santa Barbara Country Though the location remains “She saved us,” Rackley said “Things got a lot clearer after Hynes said Thousand Oaks’ Music Festival. undetermined, Hale, 33, said of Fuller. Nov. 7 about what’s really import- response to the shooting “showed “Every family tragedy brings they’re committed to reopening Frawley called in sick Nov. 7, ant,” he said. “Don’t procrastinate.” the rest of the world who we are.” and Justin Meek, who Frawley Rackley said she has spent “The community had the op- was grooming to take over his the past year healing. She attends portunity to show who they are nightclub duties, covered for him Borderline night at The Canyon in after the shooting to the rest of MEJICO that night. Frawley was lying in Agoura every other week. the world but they’ve always been GRILL & TEQUILA LOUNGE bed when he received a call from “It’s not like this incident that community,” he said. “And 45T19K the DJ. She said someone was happened and we all go our own Thousand Oaks has shown that time and time again.” Frawley said that after the shooting, “we learned that the Bor- derline is bigger than the building.” “It has a life of its own. It’s a community of people. It’s more than the four walls,” he said. “I know in my heart that this Bor- derline that everybody knows and loves will be back in some form to call their home again.” YOU’RE NOT ALONE Make Your Holiday Celebration Reservations Today If you or someone you know needs help, take action now TACO TUEDAY, ALL DAY by calling the National Suicide $3 Signature Tacos Hotline at (800) 273-TALK Catering To Your Home Or Office (8255), or the Ventura County Private Party Room Available Crisis Service Line at (866) Happy Hour Daily 998-2243, or 911. All services 2-6pm are available 24/7/365. Dial 211 for a directory of mental health 29008 Agoura Rd. • Agoura Hills • 818-865-3700 • MejicoGrill.com 14ATS28C resources. Sunday-Thursday 11:30am-9pm • Friday & Saturday 11:30am-10pm
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BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
Creating a place BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER to remember How T.O.’s healing garden came to be
By Becca Whitnall innocent victims whose lives were [email protected] taken at Borderline Bar and Grill on Nov. 7, 2018. At first it was just another job “I had no idea it had anything for Thousand Oaks resident Dale to do with what happened at the Labato. Borderline,” he said. An expert in large stone fab- Lobato said creating the 12 rication work, Lobato’s creations stone benches had personal mean- can be seen decorating large ing to him: He was 20 when his commercial sites and multimil- 24-year-old brother died. lion-dollar homes from Calabasas “You just think a stone job is to Camarillo. one thing and it turns out to be so When a contact at Santa Paula much more,” he said. “It was real- Materials called him this summer ly like I was meant to be involved and asked if he could help find with this, to be able to support the and cut a dozen 20-ton granite community.” boulders in a matter of eight The benches were meant for RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers weeks, Lobato embraced the a new healing garden at Conejo sand Oaks and Conejo Recreation HOW THOUSAND OAKS HEALS—Above, a 30-foot-tall coast live oak challenge. Creek Park North that was to be and Park District turned to local tree is delivered to the site of the healing garden in September. The Only later would he learn the dedicated exactly one year to the vendors to supply, assemble and 50-year-old specimen was donated by a local nursery. Below, a view giant stones’ special purpose: day of the shooting. Working on a finalize the memorial’s features. Untitled-2 1 of the 12 granite slab benches that were 11/1/2019cut by 4:25:53 a PM local craftsman. The They were to represent the 12 short timeframe, the City of Thou- Many, like Robert Crudup of healing garden will be dedicated today, Nov. 7, in a special ceremony Newbury Park, also offered help. at Conejo Creek Park North. See details on Page 1. Crudup oversees BrightView’s 400-acre nursery in Fillmore. On banking done different Nov. 7 of last year, he couldn’t have been farther from home. Crudup was in Australia when he saw news of the shooting and the Two Premium Savings Rates – fires that followed on TV. “There was nothing for two Just For You. days but Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park,” Crudup said. He said that as soon as he heard about the healing garden, he want- ed to be a part of it. 13-Month Certificate1 “I knew there would be some sort of effort to provide healing,” APY* he said. “I said the right thing to % do is we can find the right tree.” With that, his team reached out 2.10 MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers $1,000 minimum deposit kinecta.org/savings We will never forget the victims of the tragedy at Borderline Nov. 7, 2018, as well as the devastation from the Hill High-Yield Money Market2 APY* and Woolsey fires immediately following. % Our hearts are forever broken for 2.00 STICKLEY FALL SALE with a minimum balance of $100,000 the familiesTHROUGH of these OCTOBER horrible 28. events. No monthly minimum balance fee3 kinecta.org/money-market We’ll always stand together as a community and will keep the memories
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024_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 3:02:51 PM Thousand Oaks Acorn November 7, 2019 Page 25
BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
RICHARD GILLARD/Acorn Newspapers MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers HEAVY LIFTING—At left, a work crew uses a large crane to offload one of the giant granite benches for the healing garden from a big rig. According to a plaque now in place at the site, the “garden was created in tribute to the people of Thousand Oaks and the spirit they showed in the aftermath of the tragic events of Nov. 8, 2018.” to CRPD Senior Park Planner Andrew Mooney and invited him to Fillmore to choose the right specimen. The coast live oak is between 50 and 75 years old, Crudup estimates, and is about 30 feet tall with a canopy about 20 feet Time Flies... wide. Like many of BrightView’s JOIN US FOR OUR ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION trees, the oak gracing the healing garden has gone through its ownUntitled-2 1 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM healing process. “The tree is one we collected in an environment where it was going to be destroyed,” Crudup said. “When we get a tree to the nursery, we tend it and care for it and bring it back to its former glory.” He said he was glad to make the donation to his community and be a part of its healing as well. “I had only been in the Border- line once, many years ago when I moved to Southern California,” he said. “But it was a heart-stopping moment when I was watching (news of the shooting) on TV. That was my community, right down from my house.” The tree will receive nourish- ment from a special source. Instead of trashing the thou- sands of flowers left at the spon- taneous Borderline memorial that sprouted up on the northeast corner of Rolling Oaks Drive and Moorpark Road shortly af- ter the shooting, the city saved as many as possible and turned them over to Growing Works, a planting projects operation run by the Turning Point Foundation, a county nonprofit that offers treat- ment and job skills for adults with mental illness. Growing Works turned the flowers into soil-en- riching compost. “We had volunteers help dig a compost area for us, and we had a truck come in and they brought all the flowers that were picked up from the memorial site,” said Growing Works assistant manager Marie Tyler. “We pulled all the Let’s Celebrate Together! notes or bits of remembrances people left and then we composted all the flowers, and at the end of Wednesday, November 20th (September) they came and picked up the compost.” Members of varied local busi- 3 – 6pm nesses also stepped up to contrib- Hor d’oeuvres, refreshments, entertainment and fun prizes ute to the overall effort, supplying Looking forward to seeing you on the 20th! materials and labor to put in hard- 45AT61W scaping, landscaping and a ring of 12 fountains in an existing pond at Conejo Creek. The Acorn was RSVP BY NOVEMBER 15TH: tapped to contribute wording for one of the garden’s two plaques. “In the end, it really is a com- munity garden,” CRPD General 805.375.0695 Manager Jim Friedl said. “Both in the sense that so many people and 3499 Grande Vista Dr, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 entities contributed to it, and also License #565802462 that it’s a place for everyone.”
025_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 2:54:36 PM Thousand Oaks Acorn November 7, 2019 Page 37 FAMILY COMMENTARY /// Coping with trauma Recent winds, fires spark memories of disaster Listen to By Joelle Vessels yourself how you are doing? call 211, our region’s largest Special to the Acorn How your neighbor is doing? referral contact center, to receive November’s Most of all, have you asked your a list of available mental health How are our kids, one year children and grandchildren? resources for you and your fam- stories out? They learn about resilience from ily. In our response work over Thousand Oaks Remem- As fires again rage in our our communication. Have you the last year, we have seen that bers: Stories from November backyard, it feels too familiar, communicated? gathering together is helpful to 2018, a live storytelling event, too soon. Only one year ago, As parents and friends of many people. will take place Fri., Nov. 8 at our community experienced twin young people, we can mitigate To make it easier to provide the Scherr Forum, 2100 E. tragedies. the effects of something that most connection and communication Thousand Oaks Blvd. The terror of the mass shoot- of us have never experienced for survivors, we’re planning The purpose of the event ing at Borderline Bar and Grill before. There are resources out our second Unite Gathering for is to remember and honor the brought our darkest night. Less there for the parents, teachers, mid-November. The Unite Gath- lives of those lost at the Bor- than 24 hours later, the devastat- school counselors and other ering is a survivor-driven social derline Bar and Grill shooting ing flames of the Woolsey fire lit helpers who want to respond meetup where survivors and and take time to reflect upon up that dark night. to those who are families affected and listen to the experiences of Glued to our televisions hurting. by the shootings those affected by the tragedy. and social media accounts, we Acorn file photo The organi- In our response at Borderline The lobby will open at watched these events transpire TRAUMA SURVIVORS—Many zation I work work over the and the Route 91 6:15 p.m. with displays of with raw emotions—fear, anxi- of those affected by last year’s for—Interface Harvest Festival collected stories and artwork. ety, anger, guilt, sadness, grief, tragedies were 21 or younger. Children and last year, we have unite to support Appetizers and refreshments shock, dismay—and our children Family Ser- seen that gathering each other as will be available. The theater watched as well. They may profoundly mourn vices—exists peers. doors will open at 6:30 p.m., They watched the adults the loss of a home or a loved to strengthen together is helpful to Events such as and the event will begin at 7. in their lives respond to what one. They may smell smoke and families. many people these are beauti- During the evening, Bor- might be the most intense ex- immediately become agitated. We offer ful opportunities derline survivors, families of periences our community has Some might numb themselves mental health services to over for connection and healing, and victims, first responders and encountered. The twin tragedies with substances, sex, relation- 500 children, youths and adults there are several happening this community members will forever marked the childhood, ships or technology. annually. If you or a young per- week in our community. share their stories. adolescence or young adulthood These stress reactions are son you love is feeling strongly Thousand Oaks Remembers All proceeds from ticket of an entire generation of young common reactions to all types affected by the events of last will host one such event at 7 p.m. sales ($15 each) will be donat- people. of trauma; they are not always year, please seek support. Turn Fri., Nov. 8 inside the Scherr ed to Interface Children and Many of them and many of us visible or discussed. They are to one another. Forum at the Bank of America Family Services to go toward are trauma survivors. also not a sign of weakness. You can talk to family and Performing Arts Center. the long-term recovery efforts The young survivors among Many community members friends about your needs; they This storytelling event will for those affected by the Bor- us may still react to reminders of all ages experienced anxiety want to know. You can ask loved mark the one-year anniversary derline shooting and the Hill of Borderline or Woolsey. and grief after only an indirect ones about their needs; they need of the tragedies from November and Woolsey fires. They may have acute mem- experience with these events. to share. 2018: the shooting at Borderline For more information, go to ories of not being able to get to With the return of the winds, You can visit our website or — Please See Page 38 thousandoaksremembers.com. loving family during evacuations fires and evacuations, many of after having been at Borderline us are remembering a compound the night before. They may panic trauma never before seen in in large crowds. Ventura County. Have you asked
5K RACE & 1K Life Tribute
5KRUNFA MILY 1 K R UN /WALK RACE/ WALK & 1K
RUNFA MILYNOV 1 K R UN /WALK / 28,WALK 2019 Carol Maxine Doody NOV 28, 2019 became a manager in charge of the Tax Deeded Land Auction. She excelled in her career but was happy to retire and move with Bill to Merlin, Oregon. Maxine and Bill loved creating WWW.TURKEYDAYDASH.ORG their beautiful home and garden and it quickly became “Party WWW.TURKEYDAYDASH.ORG PACKET/T-SHIRT PICK-UP & RACE DAY: Central,” where they hosted REGISTRATION - 6:30AM countless celebrations and IN-PERSON REGISTRATION NOVPACKET/T 26: 1PM—-7SHIRTPM | NOV PICK 27: 11AM-UP— &5PM RACE1K - 7:30AM DAY: | 5K - 8:00AM parades with much loved family IN-PERSON REGISTRATION REGISTRATION - 6:30AM and friends. Her family, home, NOV 26: 1PMROAD—7 RUNNERPM | NOV SPORTS 27: 11AM —5PM 1KDRESS - 7:30AM UP ON | RACE5K - 8:00AM DAY FOR 1714 Newbury Road OUR COUTUME CONTEST! garden and friends were truly her Newbury Park, CA 91302 pride and joy. ROAD RUNNER SPORTS DRESS UP ON RACE DAY FOR 1714 Newbury Road OUR COUTUME CONTEST! Carol Maxine Doody, age 90, Always a lover of life, in her Newbury Park, CA 91302 passed away peacefully in her 80’s Maxine began dating Col. THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS home on Oct. 18, 2019. William Doody, MD, and in 2014 THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS Maxine was born in Kansas City, they were married. Dr. Doody Missouri, on June 17, 1929. In preceded her in death in 2017. 1943, Maxine and her family Although their time together was moved to Hollywood, where she brief, they enjoyed every moment. graduated from Hollywood High Maxine is survived by her three School Class of 1946. children, Karen Hamilton (Craig), In 1947, Maxine married William Jeff Fulton (Radmila) and Carol Bell Fulton, who preceded her Ann Porter (Gwen Walden) her in death in 2001. They lived in five Grandchildren and four (soon Granada Hills for 40 years where to be five) Great Grandchildren they lovingly raised their three and her sister, Beverly Archer. coTHE rn children. A celebration of Maxine’s life A Newspapers Maxine started working part- will take place at Pierce Brothers CONEJO VALLEY YMCA time for the LA County’s Tax Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 4031 N. Moorpark Road,CONEJO Thousand VALLEY Oaks, CA YMCA 91360 Collector’s office. With her 805.523.7613 • F 805.523.8831 www.conejoymca.org 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, 4031 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand• Oaks, CA 91360 dynamic personality and Westlake Village on Nov. 16, 805.523.7613 • F 805.523.8831 • www.conejoymca.org leadership skills, she quickly 2019 at 1 p.m. 45T24K 45ATMSC75I
037_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 1:57:32 PM Page 38 November 7, 2019 Thousand Oaks Acorn SCHOOL DAYS The ‘Conejo Way’ on display By Dawn Megli homes in the fires that followed. shooting and fires. [email protected] Colleen Briner-Schmidt, “The whole situation, as hard president of Unified Association as it was, brought out the best in The twin tragedies last No- of Conejo Teachers, said the us,” she said. vember hit close to home for education community respond- Superintendent Mark Mc- Conejo Valley Unified. Teach- ed by donating furniture and Laughlin said, “Last year was ers and students knew many of home goods to those displaced a tough year.” He said that the Borderline victims, some by the fires, as well as hosting a while staff wanted to focus knew the shooter and a handful lemonade stand that raised over on wrapping hands of support knew both. Still others lost their $52,000 to benefit victims of the around the district’s students and employees, CVUSD had to deal with not just the shooting and the fires, but also a visit from Westboro Baptist Church MOORPARK COLLEGE in January and a hit-and-run in DAWN MEGLI/Acorn Newspapers February that nearly took the STILL GOING STRONG—A #TOStrong banner hangs outside Los life of administrator Lisa Solis. CLASSES START Cerritos Middle School in Thousand Oaks this week. The banners and “There’s a lot to be proud others like it can be found across CVUSD campuses since last year’s of in this community,” he said. twin tragedies. “We have really great kids. We JANUARY 6 have very engaged and support- check in once a community has when it came to caring for ive parents. It just goes to show students during those difficult Apply online NOW for Spring enrollment. suffered from such crises.” what the Conejo Way is about, “Nov. 8 was probably the times, teachers relied on the which is putting others first.” hardest day of my career from wisdom of Mr. Rogers: “When I Assistant Superintendent the standpoint of you saw and was a boy and I would see scary Lisa Miller said the district were part of a community that things in the news, my mother has striven to provide support was really aching and break- would say to me, look for the to those who need it. She said ing,” she said. helpers. You will always find there’s an “ongoing need to Briner-Schmidt said that people who are helping.”
musical and dance performances November 2018, we can help our from local artists. children learn about resilience by Coping Tickets, $15, are available showing them how to talk about From Page 37 — online at tinyurl.com/TORem- emotion, how to seek help when Nov8th. Proceeds will fund the necessary and how to connect as and the Woolsey and Hill fires. next Unite Gathering. a community. Attendees will come together What we witnessed last year Joelle Vessels is director of
42ATMSC63I to hear stories told from var- has an enduring effect, and we youth and mental health services ious perspectives within the must do the work of remember- for Camarillo-based Interface A NEW CAREER WITHIN A YEAR! Thousand Oaks community to ing well. Children and Family Services. moorparkcollege.edu remember and reflect. As we reflect on the anni- For more information about the The evening will also include versary of the twin tragedies of organization, go to icfs.org. FAITH COMMENTARY When tragedy struck, community ran to the aid of their neighbors By the Rev. Tom Stephen horror of the night. those they loved, not knowing if our hope, that’s our real disaster.” And then we stood again. We Special to the Acorn On Nov. 7, 2018, some from they were dead or alive. In the midst of the fires, we stood with an inner assurance of our Thousand Oaks community Little did we know then that stood together and we did not faith, proclaiming that evil will A year ago this week, we stood were standing when they saw a our community would be running lose hope. As the Hill fire raged in not win, fires do not bring ultimate on overpasses in solemn silence. murderous rampage begin. again the following evening. Newbury Park, we stood together destruction and there is a God who As our first responders stood at And then they ran. We ran to pack important doc- and found hope at our community loves us and will give us strength to attention, we watched the proces- Heroic men and women ran to uments or favorite possessions as vigil at the Civic Arts Plaza (now endure. Hope’s light began to break sion that took the body of Sgt. Ron protect friends from the shooter. the fires began to rage. We ran to the Bank of America Performing through the darkness. Helus to Ventura. First responders ran into Border- warn neighbors of the fires that Arts Center, Thousand Oaks). As the months have passed, Earlier that morning, some of line Bar and Grill to stop others were bearing down on our com- As evacuations began from the we have continued to stand strong us stood in shock at the city’s teen from being killed. Others ran from munity. Firefighters ran (and flew) Woolsey fire, we met each other in together. We discovered both our center, or the Survivor Assistance the bar to protect themselves and to confront the fires that threatened parking lots or evacuation centers resolve to be a community and Center, trying to comprehend the others. Family and friends ran to our homes and friends. We ran to with encouraging words and hugs the resilience to not let disaster stores to buy water and food for of love. Within days, we had chil- or horrific events define us—we Fellow Conejo Residents: shelters for those who evacuated. dren selling lemonade—standing have been defined by tangible In all of this, we stood and on street corners to support the compassion for each other. I am a Family Service Counselor at Pierce Brothers we ran together. And together we firefighters who continued on the I believe that when we stand Valley Oaks Memorial Park and a resident of the discovered there was hope and that front lines. together in love and compassion, Conejo Valley since 1967. Like you, I have suffered hope gave us strength. On that first weekend, many we can begin to see a world that loss, both sudden and natural and, in my work, have The Dalai Lama once said, in our community gathered in God intended it to be. A world in witnessed families struggle with deciding what their “There is a saying in Tibetan, our places of worship to not only which the image of God, that is loved one would want— and what they could afford. ‘Tragedy should be utilized as stand together, but also to kneel. imbedded in our spiritual DNA, a source of strength.’ No matter To kneel in our grief. To kneel in begins to show itself in a pow- I will happily meet with anyone who wants information what sort of difficulties, how our dependence. To kneel together erful way. to make plans in advance. Please don’t leave the painful experience is, if we lose in God’s grace. — Please See Page 41 information-gathering and decision-making to shocked, grieving and financially unprepared loved ones. King of Glory to install Peace Pole on Sunday The choices are varied and numerous and there Newbury Park’s King of Glory Lutheran Church two locations, King of Glory member Sue Meser are options and financing for all budgets. Our free will dedicate a Peace Pole at the end of its 9:30 a.m. suggested a fundraiser for the congregation to buy planning guides set the industry standard. worship service Sun., Nov. 10. its own Peace Pole. On the pole, the message “May Peace Prevail The pole was purchased and the work of creating a I’d like to help. Please call me with your funeral/ On Earth” is displayed in a variety of languages, prayer space around it was led by Melody Faltin, with cremation/burial/urn placement questions. including English, Arabic, Chinese, German, Greek, assistance from David Faltin and Mike Knudson. (818) 889-0902 Hebrew, Korean, Spanish and Braille. The Peace Pole is near the upper entrance to the Julia Seebode TOHS 1974—still local after all these The local area has other peace poles, including church and is open for the community to come and ones at Cal Lutheran University and Holy Trinity pray for peace. years. CA Lic. Ins. 0M50751 / COA 509 45A01K Lutheran Church. After a retreat walk between the King of Glory is at 2500 Borchard Road.
038_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 11:53:48 AM Page 42 November 7, 2019 Thousand Oaks Acorn HEALTH BORDERLINE ONE YEAR LATER
36 consecutive hoursBORDERLINE ONEof YEAR community LATER service entire life in Ventura County, November 2018 not counting a short stint in the was trial by fire for military. He served for 2.5 years in the Air Force as a firefighter Red Cross manager before returning to the area and By Thomas McMahon taking a job as a 911 dispatcher in Special to the Acorn Santa Barbara. Later he worked with Ventura County Fire dispatch, Scott O’Connell’s longest work and in 2018 he earned a certificate shift of his life started suddenly in emergency management and with a phone call at 3 a.m. The homeland security from UCLA. date was Nov. 8, 2018. As part of that course, he an- The caller’s report was urgent: alyzed international statistics on There was a shooting at Borderline active shooters. He completed the Bar and Grill. O’Connell, then certificate program in September disaster program manager for the 2018. The following month— American Red Cross in Ventura Oct. 20, 2018—O’Connell took County, was needed to help run a new job in the Red Cross’ a reunification center for families Camarillo office. whose loved ones were caught in After leaving his T.O. apart- the hail of gunfire. ment in the predawn darkness of Just three weeks on the job, Nov. 8, he drove a short distance O’Connell rushed out the door to the Thousand Oaks Teen Center. of his Thousand Oaks apartment Hours earlier, a gunman had with hardly enough time to say entered Borderline and opened ROB VARELA/Acorn Newspapers goodbye to his wife and two young fire. Twelve people were killed, at ANSWERING THE CALL—Norita Cassou, Red Cross volunteer, and Scott O’Connell, Red Cross administrator, daughters. least 10 others were injured, and the get together for a panel discussion last month to share their experiences dealing with disaster relief.
He would not sleep again Untitled-2for 1 shooter turned a gun on himself. 11/1/2019 4:25:53 PM over 36 hours. The scene at the teen center people just waiting to see what’s Vital support with them the terrible news. Road to the Red Cross was bleak. happening with their loved one,” Norita Cassou, a Moorpark “On the one hand, I was glad O’Connell, now 31, grew up “It’s kind of a surreal expe- O’Connell said. “Everybody was resident who has been volunteer- that I could be there for them, in Camarillo and has lived his rience because you have a lot of just tense and on edge.” ing for the Red Cross for nearly for sure,” Cassou said. “On the 15 years, reported to the center other hand, it’s very hard to watch around 9 or 10 a.m. to serve as somebody go through what they a case worker and spiritual care went through.” provider. She looked on as Ventura The Red Cross team tended County sheriff’s deputies led the to the family members’ physical families away one by one to share needs—namely breakfast. Local 38AT69I 11AT15C
042_TOAcornIssue45.indd 1 11/6/2019 2:04:09 PM Thousand Oaks Acorn November 7, 2019 Page 43
Courtesy photos PLACE TO GO—The Goebel Adult Community Center is transformed into a shelter for evacuees of the Hill/Woolsey fires last November. At one point, nearly 75% of Thousand Oaks was under evacuation orders.
McDonald’s and Starbucks lo- During the fires, the Red Cross and Kate Henry (senior disaster cations donated food and coffee. worked with government agencies program manager) didn’t get any THANK YOU Available For O’Connell said those businesses’ to run five shelters: one in New- sleep for a long time.” to our quick response was an example bury Park, two in Thousand Oaks, Henry and Nicole Maul, re- Same Day of the partnerships that are im- one in Camarillo and one in Simi gional communications manager, First Responders Emergency portant to have in place before a Valley. Here again, O’Connell saw had driven from the San Luis for your Consults disaster occurs. the importance of readiness. Obispo area to the teen center early courage & sacrifice Monday - Friday “We have those relationships,” “We have trainings we do with on the morning of Nov. 8. to keep our 9am-6pm O’Connell said, “so we can call a the cities to make sure that when O’Connell said that, ideally, community safe. store manager at 4 in the morning a disaster does occur, all of us are Red Cross shifts are limited to Pegah Pourrahimi, DDS and say, ‘Hey, can you donate 50 playing from the same playbook,” 12 hours, but the convergence of We are forever grateful Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Egg McMuffins?” he said. three disasters made this an ex- 555 Marin Street, Suite 150, Thous. Oaks • 805-379-1167 45T64W The Red Cross team continued As the flames spread, Conejo traordinary situation. Also, major its support work for the families Valley residents flocked to the freeway and road closures due throughout the morning and into shelters; at one point, over half to the fires meant more residents the afternoon. Then around 3 p.m. the valley was under evacuation needed to use the shelters, and the Nov. 8, O’Connell got his second orders. In rows of folding chairs closures impeded the arrival of alarming phone call of the day: and cots, evacuees chatted and more support, namely Red Cross Two wildfires had broken out in checked for fire updates. Many volunteers from other areas. the area, and shelters were needed didn’t know whether their houses Lessons learned to take in evacuees. had escaped the flames. In the year since the Border- Be prepared O’Connell and others worked line shooting and the Hill and With no time to process the through the night. Woolsey fires, O’Connell has scene he’d just witnessed, O’Con- “There was so much going witnessed the community’s re- nell hopped in a Red Cross SUV on and so much to do, you didn’t silience and its support network. and drove to one of the organiza- really have time to get tired,” he Along with the Red Cross, many tion’s storage containers placed said. “You noticed it when you got local organizations and residents throughout the region. the chance to sit down.” have provided assistance for “Preparedness is what we try Ready to rest those affected by the tragedies. to get citizens ready for: Be pre- Around 3 p.m. Nov. 9, O’Con- “That’s the perfect model . . . pared by having a kit and making a nell went off duty. It had been 36 use people from the community to plan,” he said. “Internally, we call hours since he got the call about help the community,” he said. it readiness. We have to be ready Borderline. In that time, he had O’Connell now lives in Ca- to respond.” gone from the family reunification marillo and has moved into a At the container, he loaded center to one evacuation shelter to new role with the Red Cross: re- his vehicle with blankets and another evacuation shelter. gional disaster officer for Central other supplies then headed to the This was his third week on the California. He said the events of Borchard Community Center in job with the American Red Cross. November 2018, painful as they Newbury Park, which would serve “I was so impressed by him were, present an opportunity to as one of the evacuation shelters. that he was able to get every- review plans and resources to The Red Cross operates evac- thing together, get everybody to better prepare for emergencies. uation shelters under agreements respond,” Cassou said. “He and “Unfortunately,” O’Connell with local agencies, in this case Doug Graham (disaster program said, “every disaster is a learning the Conejo Recreation and Park manager volunteer counterpart) experience.” District. The shelters provide for
evacuees’ basic needs, including ® meals, medical assistance, cots and charging stations. JUST SLEEP “Cellphones are really becom- by dr. hall ® ing more of a basic need for peo- ple, and we’re adapting to that,” O’Connell said. Brief break By 10 p.m., O’Connell saw that everything was under control at the Borchard shelter, so he left for home. The break didn’t last long. After taking a shower, he got another urgent phone call: The teen center—which hours earlier had served as the reunification center for the Borderline families—now had to be reopened as an evacua- tion center, with the Woolsey fire Come visit our store in T.O. ripping through the Conejo Valley. To make matters more compli- NEW Therapeutic Mattresses! cated, O’Connell’s apartment now 100 N. Rancho Rd., Ste 4 fell under the evacuation orders. Plaza Level He told his wife, Cassandra, to Thousand Oaks, CA. wake up their two girls and go to Mon-Fri, 10-5pm, Weekends by Appt. Only her parents’ house in Thousand Oaks, which was outside the 805.379.5007 evacuation area. Meanwhile, he continued his marathon workday Dr. Raymond Hall, DC JUSTSLEEPBEDS.com by heading back to the teen center Bring this ad to receive 10% off any mattress (limited time only) 45ATMSC35C to open another shelter. 42T24K
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