Senior Living, page 7

Vol. Vol. 3, 14, No. No. 11 10 Published Every Other Published Wednesday Every Other EstablishedWednesday 2007 February 10 – February March 1023, - 202123, 2010

Enjoy a free day at the Gardens. Ventura Botanical Gardens in The Children’s Garden at the Museum of the time of Ventura County. COVID Share your by Barbara Brown thoughts with

As fascinating as sitting in the Museum Miriam and Ivor enjoy some time at our front of our computer screens is, The Museum of Ventura County wonderful beach. sometimes we just have to get out in grow to nearly 80 feet tall and live seeks your help by sharing your thoughts the fresh air and enjoy the day. If you over 1500 years. These trees are an about how we, and museums broadly, can Up close and are looking for a place to go where you important component in the conser- better support and engage you in 2021. can socially distance comfortably, the vation mission of VBG. Why this survey? We at the Museum personal… Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) is In the Mediterranean Gardens of Ventura County care deeply about offering free admission on President’s above Rotary Plaza, you’ll notice 130 creating meaningful connections with the multi Day, Monday, February 15. newly planted olive tree saplings. In between you and our region’s history, Visiting now, after the rains and as no time, this grove will grow to create culture, and art. talented Miriam spring approaches, you’ll begin to see a quiet place to sit and contemplate But we need your help. In these tu- bursts of color. In the South African nature. These 40 cultivars will also multuous times, we need to understand Arichea Gardens, the Fynbos plantings are provide an opportunity for conserva- how we can best engage you virtually, starting to bloom with a wide range of tion and research for an agricultural when our audiences will be ready to by Ivor Davis Leucadendrons and Leucospermums resource that humans have developed return to the museum in person, and I have lived in Ventura County for 40 (including the red pincushion protea over millennia and will enable us to how we can aid the rebuilding of our years and am delighted to report that, as that looks much like Fourth of July examine what cultivars do well in community after the pandemic wanes. most already know, our community is fireworks). Also the Karoo Garden, regional agriculture as our climate “In a valuable partnership with the rich and overflowing with creative talent. located behind Summit Plateau, is changes. American Alliance of Museums, the Ventura has become a Valhalla of in full bloom. This garden boasts an Located at Grant Park in the City Museum of Ventura County is seeking culture, music and literature: Ventura abundance of aloe, which blossoms of Ventura, the Ventura Botanical your input on how we can best serve our Music Festival, The Rubicon Theatre, brightly in reds and oranges, and Gardens’ goals include encouraging community in this time of upheaval and New West Symphony, Focus on the provides the silky substance that visitors to strengthen their con- global pandemic,” says Denise Sindelar, Masters, Channel Islands Chamber Or- is part of the hand sanitizer we use nection to nature. Open Tuesday Deputy Director of the Museum of chestra,(CHICO), Camerata Pacifica and every day during this pandemic. From through Sunday from 9am to 5pm Ventura County. “Please help us by taking the NAMBA Performing Arts venue in here, you can see an expansive view — closed on Mondays. Admission is a few minutes to share your thoughts and downtown to list but a few. of the Santa Monica Mountains, the $7 but members are free, children 18 insights through this important survey.” I emphasize this because it makes my California coastline and the Channel and under are free, and EBT cardhold- The online survey takes about 9 assignment for the Museum of Ventura Islands. ers are free. Fridays are free. Leashed minutes to complete, and as a thank you County—to feature some of the most out- While you are visiting the dogs are welcome on Wednesdays for participating, there will be weekly standing talents in the County-- an even Gardens, you may want to search out and Fridays. COVID protocols are drawings until Sunday, March 15, 2021, more fruitful one. The program, “Ivor the Chilean Soap bark tree. This tree in play. Masks are required for awarding one of the following three Davis Up Close and Personal With…” provides the adjuvant, a chemical entrance and must be worn within 6 prizes: draws several hundred viewers but above compound affecting immunity, which feet of others. During the pandemic, $45 Value — MVC Swag Bag (2 mugs, 4 all it allows us to shine the spotlight on is part of the shingles and COVID-19 restrooms are closed. FREE passes, 4-pack notecards from our these local gems. vaccines. Near the Soap bark tree For more information, visit www. Research Library Image Archives, MVC My first two guests were local legends: are several Chilean Wine Palms, a VenturaBotanicalGardens.com. To Logo Lapel Pin) Musician Chris Hillman and actor protected species once used as a part stay up-to-date with what’s going on $50 Value – Autographed copy of local Continued on page 3 of wine making in Chile. They can in the Gardens, join us on Facebook. Continued on page 3

e Crown Jewel 4900 Telegraph Rd., Ventura, CA 93003 805.642.3263 License No. 565801810 in Retirement Living Come taste the magic, www.venturatownehouse.com feel the compassion, and enjoy the fun 2 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE

Cynthia Parker John Hankins Patty & Richard Scharch Donors Cypress Lane Books John Herndon Penny Barnds Dan Long John Higgins Phil & Christine Settle Thank you so much to the Dan Osborn Joseph S. Bischoff Priscilla Holmes following (and anonymous Darlene Harvey Joseph & Naomi Escobar Raeann Koerner folks) who contributed to Deborah Beattie Judith A. Beay Richard Beauregard keep the Breeze alive. You Debra Baile Julia F. Campbell Richard & Mary Jane Bauleke are very special to all of us. Debora Schreiber Julie Gaa Robert Aronson Deva Kelly Julie Harvey Robert E. Bastian Dianna Burdick Karen Carmona Roger Kida Adela Trainor Donald R. & Terry Belless Karen Flock Rosa Carbajal/DB Group Al & Megan Morris Donald Price Katherine C. Edwards MD Russell Richardson Alison Carlson Donald Rodrigues Kathleen Cressy Sandra Siepak Allsberry Family Donna Miller Kathleen Ventura Sandy Powell Alma Vilkas-Stockus Douglas Turner Ken McAlpine Sandra Siepak Amy Brown Ed Terpening Kenneth & Carolyn Weber Sharon McKinney Ann Huston Ed Wehan Kurt Triffet Sharon Rishel Anne Reisinger Elizabeth Harper Laura Swenson Shirley Lorraine Anonymous Emma Mayer Leon Russo Siri Weber Feeney Antonio Figureida Fancy Pantz Face & Body Art Linda R. McTigue Stephanie Joyce Barbara Meister Frank Hansen Lynn Mikelatos Stephen Ehret Barringer Biological Services Gene and Nell Elerding Lynn Weitzel Steve Cook Fine Art Bax & Deb Larmon Helga and Egmont von Websky Lynn Wooster-Roemer Steve Noll Bruce & Signe Smale Harold Kennedy Madhu Bajaj Susan Deason Calvin&Margaret Meuser I A Vinas Mai Pham Susan Hancock Carol Spector Iris Ruddy Margaret Figurski Susan & John Knapp Carol Bishop Jack&Shirley Ramer Mark D. Heckendorn Suz Montgomery Carole Frazier Jackey Swan Marla Brown Terri & Jim Capito Carolyn Wood James Francis Gray Martha Jaffe Terry Quick Catterall Ceramics James McPhie Mary Rae Timothy & Christy Weir Charles Hillman Jr. Jean M Bennett-Sheaks Michael Estrada Timothy Wawrzeniak Charles Wade Jean Nussman Michael Koevenig Tina Figurski Cheryl & Dennis Heitmann Jeffrey & Lorraine Altman Michael Mariani Tom Archibald Cheryl Garrison Jerry Gonzalez Michael Merewether Ventura Parkinson’s Support Cheryl Serr Jill Forman Michael Stump Group Chris Cade Jill Wilson Miriam Mack Victoria & Elizabeth Ammons Chris & Suzy Reinhart Jim and Gaylene Hinkle Nancy Cloutier Rick Victoria Usher Christina Altfeld Jim & Mary Harrison Nelson Wallace Warren & Gail Paap Christian McCusker Joanne Kaplan Norman Hudson Yolanda Soto Chuck Sill Jocelyn Hotzler Patrick and Diane Perkins Yvonne Besvold Cindy Bayer Jodeen Frank Sales Patricia Schultz Claire C. Greenberg John Cole Patti Channer Connie Perez John Darling Patty Jenkins Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 3

News & Notes Having second thoughts Up close and personal... , staged a moving concert “Out of the Continued from page 1 Ashes: Healing in Story and Song” …which about where you made your Malcom McDowell. My third program on combined the drama, the poignancy and the Feb 25th at 6:30 pm., features a lively con- passion in the aftermath of the devastating versation with local hero--Ventura County Thomas Fire. PREARRANGEMENTS? Renaissance Woman: Miriam Arichea. The For many years I have also enjoyed program is free and open to the public by just Miriam’s piano playing which greatly registering at Museum of Ventura County. enhances services at Ventura’s Temple Miriam is a musician, a lawyer, a Beth Torah as well as attending concerts teacher—and above all a mother. She began for Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra piano lessons at the age of five in the Phil- concerts under the direction of conductor ippines where she grew up. “My mom Ruth Dr. Kuanfen Liu. was a voice teacher,” she recalled, “So at a very Miriam and her cardiologist husband Dr. young age I would sit with her students and Jeffrey Brackett have three talented children clink out music on the piano.” –Josh, Arielle, and Daniel. Realizing the difficulties of making a To watch my live conversation with living as a musician, she moved to the United Miriam, log onto the Museum of Ventura — WE HONOR — States with her parents and recalls, “I wanted County website—and register for the to become an investigative reporter for the program which is free to the public. Viewers PREARRANGEMENTS New York Times.” Instead she got her law are encouraged to join the museum or make degrees at Duke University in Durham, donations. made at any other funeral home. North Carolina. In the Summer of l996 she moved to If you’re concerned about changes at the funeral home where you’ve made Ventura and quickly made her mark. She Share your thoughts with the Museum prearrangements, we have good news…we’ll honor them. handles criminal appeals as a court-appoint- Continued from page 1 ed attorney with the California Appellate legend Chris Hillman’s new memoir “Time If you would like information regarding transferring your prearrangements Project. She also coaches and coordinates Between: My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother, to our firm, or any other way we can help, please call us. the Ventura High School mock trial and and Beyond” academic decathlon teams. $60 Value — FREE Individual/Family In 2014 she was the recipient of the Museum Membership, OR, if you’re already 2014 Ventura Mayor’s Arts Award for Arts a Member, an upgrade to our Associate Level Educator. Membership (includes North American Re- I first met Miriam several years ago when ciprocal Museums membership) I participated in a hugely successful Beatles Survey at https://bit.ly/MVC2021Survey acapella concert to benefit the Rubicon To learn more about how visitors like Theatre which utilized the talents of the you engage with us, we are participating in a JOSEPH P. REARDON BOYKO & REARDON Rubicon’s impressive Harmonix student national survey of museum-goers, sponsored FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION choir. I was impressed with her utter ded- by the American Alliance of Museums. This 757 E. Main St. • Ventura, CA 93001 15 Teloma Dr. • Ventura, CA 93003 ication and the long hours she invested in survey will help us more effectively share our 805-643-8623 805-765-4137 rehearsals in search of perfection. work with the communities we serve. To learn FD#883 FD#2390 In May 2018 at the Museum, Miriam more about the Museum of Ventura County, ReardonFuneral.com ® along with actor- producer Brian McDonald visit www.VenturaMuseum.org. ©adfinity

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n Congratulations units will be for the property managers. History Month. He urged Americans to our senior account The HOME Investment Partnerships to “seize the opportunity to honor the Member, Ventura Chamber of Commerce executive Breezy Program provides funding from the Depart- too-often neglected accomplishments of Gledhill for her 10 ment of Housing and Urban Development Black Americans in every area of endeavor years with the Ventura for low and moderate-income housing throughout our history.” The Ventura Breeze is your free local community Breeze. Without her projects which could be used for this purpose. n Perhaps we haven’t come as far as newspaper published every other Wednesday Sheldon Brown bringing in advertis- Councilmember Lorrie Brown we think. A small Louisiana cemetery and circulated throughout Ventura and to many Publisher-Editor locations in Ojai and the Channel Islands Harbor ers, there would not be stated, “My father is a veteran and he’s that denied burial to a Black sheriff’s located in Oxnard. a Ventura Breeze. very fortunate to have a home. But I deputy held an emergency meeting and n Being on the Ventura City Council know that’s not always the case with all removed a whites-only provision from Publisher-Editor has been a great stepping-stone for higher the veterans here in the county.” its sales contracts. H. Creig Vizena, board Sheldon Brown political office. Ventura councilman n My wife and I recently received president for Oaklin Springs Cemetery [email protected] Erik Nasarenko has been appointed as vaccine shots at the fairgrounds. Very well in southwest Louisiana, said he was Publisher Emeritus Ventura County’s district attorney. Erik smoothly run, (and it didn’t even hurt). stunned and ashamed to learn two days Staci Brown is a senior prosecutor for the county. n I think schools should open as soon earlier that the family of Allen Parish Voting 5-0, the Ventura County as possible. Students being stuck at home Sheriff’s Deputy Darrell Semien had Assistant to the Publisher Board of Supervisors chose Nasarenko and trying to learn has been detrimental been told he could not be buried at the Ana Baker over six other candidates. to their development. More so than the cemetery near Oberlin because he was Contributing Writers Other city council members who virus itself. Because of social media, kid’s African American. Richard Lieberman • Shirley Lorraine have moved up are Steve Bennett, (AD today have little enough human contact But this certainly helps. North Sheli Ellsworth • Veronica Johnson 37) who went from the city council to to begin with. “I spoke with grandma Carolina will no longer issue or renew Jill Forman • Pam Baumgardner being a Ventura County Supervisor to today.” “How did she sound?” “I don’t specialty license plates depicting the Elizabeth Rodeno • Mira Reverente an Assembly member, and Matt LaVere know, we texted.” Confederate battle flag. The state’s James Francis Gray • Amy Brown n Carol Leish • Cindy Summers who was recently voted in to become a Often times it feels as if our two major Division of Motor Vehicles said the Ventura County Supervisor following in political parties are more concerned about agency had received complaints about Contributing Photographers the steps of Bennett. being right then they are about the welfare plates featuring the Confederate flag. Richard Lieberman • Michael Gordon Nasarenko would have to win election of the country. If Democrats make a n Guns in the news: in June 2022 or in a subsequent runoff to COVID-19 proposal Republicans are au- Gunfire left two people dead and Distribution keep the job after the appointment expires. tomatically opposed to it. If Republicans three wounded outside a strip club in Jaime Baker • Mary Thompson Replacing him on the city council has make a proposal (even if it was the same western Pennsylvania. Alfred J. Lewis • Richard Lieberman James Gray • John Murchison become very controversial - see the article one) the Democrats oppose it. No wonder A man in Pennsylvania shot and killed a in this issue regarding this. they frequently don’t achieve enough. couple in a murder-suicide over a snow n Very glad to see County (and For instance, the Senate approved a removal dispute. Account Executives Breezy Gledhill • Cindy Summers therefore Ventura) restaurants are now measure that would let Democrats pass Six people, including five small allowed to serve customers outside the relief plan through the chamber children, died and a second adult was Web/Online Advisor again. Hopefully, schools will be able to without Republican support. Vice injured after a gunman opened fire at an Cindy Summers open soon. So many students are falling President Kamala Harris was in the Oklahoma home, police said. The five Print Production behind in their studies. chair to cast the tie-breaking vote 51-50. children fatally shot were ages two, three, Alfred J. Lewis/studioNothing n The Ventura City Council has It just can’t be that every Democrat liked five, six, and nine. Printing approved the last funding to get the it and every Republican doesn’t - they just n Over the past few weeks Rep. CA Web Print, Inc. (626)281-8989 planned $60.5 million Ventura Veterans vote along party line. Frustrating. Marjorie Taylor Greene have been ------n CONTACT US: Home development off the ground. February is Black History Month. making outlandish, stupid conspiracy Events & Happenings The council voted to allocate up to Black History Month was first proposed theories. One of those is that the 2018 [email protected] $660,000 in federal HOME funding for by black educators and the Black United wildfires in California were caused by Opinions the 122-unit affordable housing project Students at Kent State University in Jewish space lasers. [email protected] located on a 9.6-acre city-owned site at February 1969. The first celebration of Everyone knows that the fires were Articles and Photos 10900 Telephone Rd. Black History Month took place at Kent started by lizards that live in our sewers [email protected] The complex will be adjacent to the State one year later, from January 2 to and were smoking pot when their existing 60-bed Veterans Home of Cal- February 28, 1970. matches started sewer gas burning and The Pet Page [email protected] ifornia. Of the project’s 122 units, 120 During the celebration of the United it spread throughout California in the Advertising will be low-income rental apartments ex- States Bicentennial, President Gerald sewer system. Shocking that an intelli- [email protected] clusively for veterans. The two remaining Ford officially made February Black gent woman like her did not know this. I hope this clarifies it for you. Ventura Breeze n Donald Trump has funneled PO Box 832 Mailbox thousands of dollars from his donors Ventura, CA 93002 Breeze: I don’t know much about it but it into his private business after his loss in Phone 805.653.0791 Just picked up your newspaper as was there in the 30s or 40s. The old the 2020 presidential election. The former we left Andreas today. Thoroughly Pierpont has a great history too. president’s reelection campaign moved enjoyed the historical piece about the Patricia Richards Dodds roughly $2.8 million from donors into C Lagomarsinos and the classic Koch Patricia: the Trump organization over his term, The Ventura Breeze is printed with home. A lot of good reporting in a Thanks for the kind words and now you including at least $81,000 since he lost the soy based ink on paper with minimum very small space, it covered a lot. Most know more about the bath house. election, according to Forbes. This is based of us are sick of politics and want to The Ventura Public Bath house opened in on campaign finance reports submitted to 40% recycled content. learn more about the history of this 1919 and was located at the end of California the Federal Election Commission. wonderful place. Did you know there Street and is now where the parking structure/ n California climate advocates are used to be a bathhouse in Ventura? Aloha Steakhouse resides. celebrating the announcement from the Biden administration to halt oil and gas leasing on federal lands and waters. Advocates with the Protect the Pacific Two things are Coalition mention the need to protect the U.S. coastal economy from the risks infinite: the Vintage post cards courtesy of the of oil spills, addressing the climate crisis Museum of Ventura County and the need for healthy oceans. universe and President Biden also issued a series of executive orders to take swift climate human stupidity; action. This included an Executive Order on 30x30, a commitment to protecting 30% of our nation’s lands and waters by and I’m not 2030. The 30x30 Executive Order follows on the heels of California Governor sure about the Newsom’s statewide commitment to Learn more at: 30x30 last year. universe. https://venturamuseum.org/re- search-library-blog/ventura-coun- tys-75000-pleasure-mansion/ We encourage you to send your opinions – Albert Einstein to [email protected]. Please limit them to about 300 words Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 5 Community Events

a drug that blocked AIDS complications Ventura events – and he survived. Feb. 11: The Midtown Ventura Achieving success as a chemical Community Council will hold their engineer and computer sales executive, monthly meeting on Thursday Doug found his true calling as a highly at 7 p.m. The special guest speaker innovative landscaper. Give Me Time of the evening will be Mayor Sofia is the inspiring story of Doug Halter’s Rubalcava. MVCC has always had a lifelong dedication to AIDS and LBGTQ tradition of giving new leaders in our causes and his groundbreaking contribu- city an opportunity to informally speak tions to the culture and civic renewal of about what inspired them to become his chosen home, Ventura. 748 E. Main more engaged in public service, their St. (805)643-3154 background and other topics of their Feb. 28: Art City Studios is thrilled to choosing to help attendees become better present Fitness Palooza, an interac- acquainted with our new Mayor. The tive, outdoor, COVID-19 compliant Mayor will be speaking after their health and fitness event for all ages “Spotlight” guest. in the Art City Stone Garden (aka First on the agenda that evening will Ventura Stone Henge). The event be an up-to-date report of the COVID-19 takes place from 10am-2pm, and entry 19 vaccination status from a county and classes are donation based for all representative who will also be able to participants. answer some questions. Fitness Palooza brings outdoor yoga Darrick Brunk, Special Operations classes to all, aerial demonstrations, live Commander with the Ventura Police De- art, music and vendors offering healthy partment, will give a very brief update on and holistic products and programs. activities of concern for neighbors to be Sign up for a yoga class, bring a mat and aware of in the community. spread out among the garden’s monu- MVCC is also bringing back their mental stone sculptures for classes led by “Spotlight on Volunteers/Non-Profits” live instructors with DJ Down N Going which gives an opportunity to give a short spinning motivating flow style tunes. overview of an organization. Tammy Aerialists of all levels from Ventura Glenn, Executive Director of Caregivers: County & Santa Barbara Trapeze Co will Volunteers Assisting the Elderly will be performing aerial demonstrations speak about their local organization. throughout the event to inspire viewers The latest information from Ventura to move, stretch and flow. Water/Wastewater on the new rates Interact with Art City Sculptor Andy for both departments. Ventura Water Lewis as he sculpts stone and try for General Manager, Susan Rungren, and yourself to chisel some stone under his Assistant City Manager, Akbar Alikhan guidance. will speak and will take questions Vendors bring healthy, holistic afterward as time is allowed. products and programs in a farmer’s The virtual meeting will be from market style setting for outdoor local 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You must register shopping. ahead of time for the meeting to be able Art City Gallery and Studios will to participate by going to their website be open throughout the event for walk at midtownventura.org and the link will throughs. See breathtaking stone sculp- be sent out ahead of the meeting. tures, fountains, stone monuments, onyx For further information or questions stone lamps and more. Walk through please call Dan Long at 805 653-6573 or the breezy Art Gallery to see the bright, send an email on their website. colorful paintings of Mike Tine. Feb. 18: Meeting of the East Ventura Community Council, at 7:00 p.m. will consist of a Candidate Forum 2021 is a new in which those persons interested in being appointed to the newly vacant District 4 City Council position will beginning have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public. David Maron, for the Ojai Vice-Chair of the Ventura County Civic Alliance, and well-known moderator Studio Artists from the League of Women Voters, will by Veronica Johnson officiate at the Forum. Questions for the candidates may be submitted ahead of 2020 was a challenging time for time to [email protected]. the Ojai Studio Artists. The annual The Council represents those who live tour was cancelled for the first time east of Victoria Avenue, and the public is since 1984. Planned exhibitions of encouraged to attend and participate. many individual artists, art fairs, The meeting will be held online via artist talks, and individual endeavors the Zoom application. Go here to register: were cancelled as well. However, 2021 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/ may be a new beginning as the Ojai register/WN_sx_vUZdeQ4aFylf7dIKh3w Studio Artists venture into unknown You will first need to download the Zoom territory. app on your computer or smart phone. Second Saturday tours will resume You do not need an account. If you miss this coming spring. All of the artists the meeting, you can always view later on who participate will adhere to strict the website, www.eastventura.org. COVID-19 guidelines, making it a For more information, contact EVCC safe experience for all. Planning is Chairperson, Deborah Meyer-Morris underway for the October Studio at [email protected]. Artists tour, from October 9th to Feb. 27: Bank Of Books on Saturday the 11th. Should issues with COVID 1-3 pm Doug Halter - Book Signing change the Ojai Studio Artists plans, – “Give Me Time – The life and Times they will let the public know. of Doug Halter” – Doug Halter and The Ojai Studio Artists have his partner were shocked to learn also been working on a Panel Project that they had AIDS and only a few fundraiser. Their artists have created months to live. Doug’s partner grew various types of work on an 8x10 sick and passed away, but Doug miracu- panel. This project has been a source lously got into the first successful trial of Continued on page 11 6 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE News & Notes

jeopardy. Although our community’s Many Ventura restaurants are now open for outdoor dining so enjoy eating outside. conservation efforts have reduced water use by 20 percent, Ventura’s rain-dependent water supplies remain gallons of treated wastewater from costly, will offer lasting water security vulnerable to future droughts. the Ventura’s Water Reclamation for our community. Currently, the Additionally, results of ongoing Facility is discharged into the Santa City is undergoing a Water and litigation will likely limit or reduce Clara River Estuary each day. This is Wastewater Rate Study to ensure suf- the amount of water the City can water that could be better used for ficient revenue is available to operate withdraw from the Ventura River, our community. and maintain our existing systems which currently accounts for roughly This initiative will divert treated and to invest in these forward-look- 20 percent of Ventura’s water supply. wastewater to an advanced purifica- ing projects. Rates must be continu- Groundwater—which supplies tion facility where it will be purified ally reviewed and adjusted to repair more than half of Ventura’s water— is to drinking water standards and and replace aging infrastructure, expected to continue to decline due injected into local groundwater meet regulatory needs, improve water Susan Rungren Ventura Water General to recent regulations. basins. This approach will provide a quality, and secure water supply. Manager. To maintain essential services and new, drought-resistant water supply, In Ventura, water and wastewater protect our water resources, Ventura offering up to an additional 3,600 rates have remained low compared Ventura’s Water must continually invest in our water acre-feet of water per year, represent- to neighboring communities. It has and wastewater systems. Investments ing approximately 23 percent of the been nearly three years since Ventura security requires will allow us to improve water quality, City’s existing supply. Water has increased rates. Results of replace old pipelines and aging infra- VenturaWaterPure will use an the recent rate study has shown that investment now structure, meet regulatory require- advanced water purification process an annual rate increase of 7 percent ments, and secure water supply for to produce safe, high-quality drinking for water service and 6 percent for by Susan Rungren the future. water. This purification technology wastewater service is needed over Did you know Ventura is one of the The City has a two-pronged is currently used throughout Califor- the next five years. For the average largest cities in Southern California approach to address our critical nia, in other states, and internation- homeowner, this adjustment will to rely solely on local water supplies? water supply challenges: recycle the ally. VenturaWaterPure will address amount to an average annual increase Rainfall feeds the Ventura River, water we already have, and access ad- Ventura’s water needs by provide a of $7.76 to a monthly bill, for the Lake Casitas, and local groundwater ditional water supplies through the reliable, sustainable water supply. next five years. basins to meet all the water needs of State Water Project. The City currently holds an enti- Rate increases are rarely conve- our community. The VenturaWaterPure Project tlement from the State Water Project nient, but now is the time for us to Water is at the core of our identity will help us keep the water we already but cannot currently take direct invest in our water and wastewater and the future of its security is in have. Currently, 8 to 9 million delivery due to a lack of infrastructure systems. Deferring project costs, im- to deliver that water. The State Water provements, and upgrades comes at No Delay in Trash & Recyclables or Green Waste Interconnection Project will enable a high price. Safe, clean, and afford- Pick Up Due to the Presidents Day Holiday Ventura to access the water we have able water is vital to life, the local had rights to since the 1970s. A new economy, and our community. We Presidents Day will be celebrated on Monday, February 15. We will have 7-mile pipeline will allow Ventura to hope that our ratepayers, business- regularly scheduled trash and recyclables or green tap into its State Water entitlement, es, and policymakers will continue waste collection the week of February 14-20 in the addressing anticipated cutbacks in to partner with us to ensure a sus- Cities of Ventura and Ojai. existing local supply sources. Ad- tainable and resilient future for our Thank you and Happy Holiday ditionally, the pipeline will enable community. deliveries between regional agencies More information on the Water and E. J. Harrison & Sons during emergencies. Wastewater Study is available online To order services & pay bills online go to www.ejharrison.com 805-647-1414 These critical investments, while at www.VenturaWaterRates.net. Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 7 Senior A s s i s t e d L i v i n g ~ M e m o r y C a r e iving

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Lily Duarte, Director of Wellness for Cypress receives a dose of the vaccine from Vi Nguyn, Pharmacy Manager. Inset photo Gina Salman and Chai Nguien, Manager and Pharmacist at Von’s. Call today for Cypress Place Senior Living current partners with Vons Pharmacy to incentives! administer COVID vaccines by Richard Lieberman Cypress Place Senior Living in Ventura members and residents have voiced feelings has partnered with Vons Pharmacy to admin- of happiness and relief. Staff and residents ister the COVID-19 vaccine to residents and have been extremely patient which I am staff at the senior living center. The vaccine grateful for.” DISTINCTIVE clinic took place at the center on January 26, “Thank goodness we have been so in- 2021. In compliance with state regulation credibly fortunate and appreciative of the ASSISTED LIVING the center was able to offer its residents, who support we have gotten from the Vons’s & MEMORY CARE must be seventy-five or older in compliance pharmacy; they support our flu clinic with state regulations for “first tier” group. As every year and they have pulled through We care for your loved one part of the U.S Government’s Pharmacy Part- for us and we are eternally grateful.” Said as if they were a member of nership for Long-Term care communities will Gina Salman. have access to the vaccine over the next several Chai Nguien is a pharmacist for Vons our own family. And through weeks in the first phase of distribution. and helps in coordinating vaccine events small group activities and Director of Wellness at the center Lily and she works closely with the department We offer assistance safe social distancing, our Life Duarte, after receiving the vaccine said, “It of health of Ventura County in setting up felt like the beginning of a new road.” Duarte these types of events. “We currently have the so you can continue Enrichment team encourages a fourteen-year veteran at the center. “This Moderna vaccine, sometimes we even have to live your life meaningful connections and has been an amazing experience, it has been extra doses” she said. “I think we are all doing engaging activities. We offer a long time coming,” added Duarte. “We are our best right now and I think we are doing a to the fullest. happy to be on the forefront of protecting good job, this is new for everybody from the compassionate care to make our residents and staff members and bring county, state and federal level.” She added. life easier. our community back to a sense of normalcy.” Access to the COVID-19 vaccine adds Executive Director, Gina Salman was thrilled another preventive measure bolstering the at being able to offer to long term residents center’s commitment to the safety and well Come see for yourself! the first round of vaccinations. being of residents and employees. Cypress Call to take a tour and meet our “Today represents hope for my staff and remains open offering its services to seniors residents. We had planned this for weeks and who may need their services. compassionate care staff. giving the vaccinations and finishing it is a The senior community also continues to representation of hope and, we have talked provide informative seminars to the public 805-650-1114 about a reflection of gratitude, this experi- at large, all done virtually due to Covid-19. RFCE# 5658000683 ence has been difficult, but it really made us The next seminar, titled “Moving Made Easy 4964 Telegraph Road, Ventura, California 93003 think about what we are grateful for and how – Dealing With Downsizing” will he held on much we really have. The Director and staff February 18, 2021 at 1:00pm. 8 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE

Your Local Insurance Senior Living Resource Center proportionately impacted by the coronavi- only modest funding increases this fiscal Specializing in Medicare • Long Term Care rus, using culturally competent messaging year, and much more is needed. Investments • Dental for older adults in communities of color The National Council on Aging Life Insurance and hard-to-reach areas in partnership (NCOA) is a trusted national leader Estate Planning with community-based organizations that working to ensure that every person can 5808 Telephone Road • Suite 200 • Ventura, CA 93003 serve older adults. age well. Since 1950, their mission has 805.684.6480 www.alegacys.com NCOA supports wider access for older not changed: Improve the lives of millions adults to job training and placement of older adults, especially those who are programs to enable them to reenter struggling. Learn more at ncoa.org and @ “Older Americans—especially women the workforce quickly as the economy NCOAging. and people of color—have been the hardest reopens. NCOA seeks expanded funding hit during this pandemic, and they desper- for programs like the Senior Community ately need health and financial support,” Service Employment Program and said NCOA President and CEO Ramsey continued unemployment insurance for Alwin. “COVID-19 has laid bare our workers of all ages. Unemployment rates nation’s long-standing inequities based on for workers aged 55+ have remained higher age, race, gender, and income. It has created than those of mid-career workers through- an even greater urgency to enact solutions out the entire pandemic, according to The now that enable every American to age with New School Schwartz Center for Economic NCOA supports President Biden’s vaccine goal health, security, and dignity.” Policy Analysis. to administer 100 million doses in the first 100 NCOA is encouraged by the emerging NCOA calls for policymakers to days. details of the new Administration’s protect and strengthen programs that COVID-19 response plan, as well as the bi- enable older adults to remain independent. Good morning, I can’t remember if I paid my NCOA calls partisan action late last year that included This includes increased federal funding to credit card could you tell me?” funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution states for Medicaid and home care services for equitable to high-risk and underserved populations, and enhancements to the Supplemental Dementia may vaccine greater food benefits, and extended rental Nutrition Assistance Program. Even before assistance. But much more relief is needed. the pandemic, over 25 million Americans cause problems NCOA is urging action on four fronts. aged 60+ were economically insecure, living distribution and NCOA supports President Biden’s at or below 250% of the federal poverty COVID-19 vaccine goal to administer 100 level. with money expanded job million doses in the first 100 days of his NCOA seeks more federal funding for Administration. The proposed $415 billion local organizations, such as senior centers management training is essential to speed vaccination, testing, and area agencies on aging, that are on The National Council on Aging contact tracing, and purchasing of supplies the frontlines of the pandemic, ensuring years before (NCOA), a trusted national leader working and personal protective equipment (PPE) older adults do not go hungry and have the to ensure that every person can age so desperately needed across the country. supports they need. This includes health diagnosis well, urges the New Administration and The nation needs a coordinated national promotion and disease prevention services People with Alzheimer’s disease Congress to move quickly to protect older vaccination plan that is fully funded and that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and related dementias may start having Americans from a resurgent COVID-19 implemented with flexibility for munic- and nursing home placement. While trouble managing their finances several pandemic by building upon the relief bill ipalities to address local needs. The plan demand for these services has increased, years before their diagnosis, according to passed in December, 2020. must ensure equitable access to those dis- Older Americans Act programs received new research supported by NIA. Published Customize Your Move-In Special for a Limited Time!

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111 North Wells Road, Ventura, CA 93004 RCFE#565802467 © 2021 HSL Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 9 Senior Living online in JAMA Internal Medicine, the study before diagnosis. This difference confirms is the first large-scale analysis of people’s previous findings suggesting that people ability to manage their money before and with higher education levels can have less after a dementia diagnosis. severe dementia symptoms. Common symptoms of dementia, The researchers point out some limita- including memory and cognitive limita- tions of the study: By using only Medicare tions, can lead people with dementia to have claims data, the study might have missed trouble handling money and paying bills, some cases of dementia, and additional in- so repeated financial mistakes can be an formation from utility bills, rent payments, early sign of the disease. The new study, led or medical collections might have helped by scientists at Johns Hopkins University, to provide a clearer picture of money linked Medicare claims data to credit card problems. Also, the findings might not payments and credit reports to examine apply to married couples or older adults dementia-related money problems. The re- in assisted living facilities, because those searchers analyzed information from 1999 people might have help handling their to 2018 on more than 81,000 Medicare finances. beneficiaries, about a third of whom were The study’s results help show that the diagnosed with dementia within this period. period during which an older adult might All study participants were at least 65 years be at risk of financial mismanagement old and lived alone. The researchers studied and scams may be longer than currently the number of missed credit card payments understood and point to the need for and credit scores for seven years before and early diagnostic tools and policies to help four years after a dementia diagnosis and protect older adults. The researchers also compared this information against data noted that improved support services from people without dementia. and financial guidance could help people The study found that people who had with dementia and their caregivers get dementia had more missed credit card the resources they need to maintain their payments as early as six years before their financial security and independence. diagnosis and were more likely to have This research was supported in part by lower-than-average credit scores two-and- NIA grant R21AG053698. a-half years before their diagnosis. After These activities relate to NIA’s diagnosis, people with dementia had even AD+ADRD Research Implementation more missed payments and lower credit Milestone 9.M, “Develop diagnostics/bio- scores than people without dementia, and markers in asymptomatic individuals,” and this trend continued for at least three-and- 9.N, “Determining the value of screening a-half years after diagnosis. Results also for clinically relevant cognitive impairment showed that among people with dementia, in the absence of a cognitive complaint.” those who had lower levels of education Reference: Nicholas LH, et al. The had increases in missed payments seven financial presentation of Alzheimer’s years before diagnosis, while people who disease and related dementias. JAMA had higher education levels had increases in Internal Medicine. 2020. Epub Nov 30. doi: missed payments only two-and-a-half years 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.6432.

INDEPENDENT LIVING, ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

MOVING MADE EASY: DEALING WITH DOWNSIZING Thurs., February 18•1:00pm

Join us for a fun and interactive seminar where we will discuss common challenges seniors face when moving and provide moving tips for seniors before, during, and after a move.

Presented by: Lorine Stoikowitz, Gentle Transitions

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A MERIDIAN SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY Lic # 567609978  Voted BEST RETIREMENT COMMUNITY in Ventura! 10 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE The Pet Page

n The first dogs have such as the Near East. arrived from Delaware “For dogs, it could almost have been and are settled in their anywhere: cold Siberia, the warm Near East, new home. South-East Asia. All of these are possibilities Scamp Club “Champ is enjoy- in my mind,” Pontus Skoglund explained. (Scampclub pets are not for adoption.) ing his new dog bed n According to MedVet, cancer affects one Dedicated by fireplace and in four dogs and one in five cats, and is the to Scamp Major loved running No. 1 disease-related cause of death for dogs around the South and cats in the U.S. Lawn,” the White House said in a press Dr. Bobbi Musgrove, of Premier Pet release. Champ lived at the vice president’s Clinic in Tahlequah, said it’s a lot harder My name is Niki Wright, my dogs residence during the Biden’s time there, to detect symptoms of cancer in animals name is Louie. He’s a 6-year-old and Major was adopted by the family in than in people. French bulldog. He loves his 2018 from a Delaware pet rescue. “Unfortunately, a lot of the things people beach walks and playing in the n To some extent, dog genetic patterns have as symptoms when they are coming water when it’s warm. And his mirror human ones, because people took down with cancer are easier to detect because most favorite is spending time their animal companions with them people know those aren’t normal,” Musgrove with grandma because she spoils when they moved. But there were also said. “In dogs and cats, they tend to hide those him with toys and treats. important differences. kinds of symptoms, even though they’re very For example, early European dogs well domesticated. They are still technically were initially diverse, appearing to prey and they’re not necessarily going to show originate from two very distinct popula- us when they have symptoms of pain.” tions, one related to Near Eastern dogs Big changes dogs or cats may make if and another to Siberian dogs. they are feeling ill include loss of appetite, But at some point, perhaps after the decreased physical activity, or major behavior onset of the Bronze Age, a single dog changes. Surprisingly, cats may come off as Join Scamp Club lineage spread widely and replaced all friendlier, and that could indicate an illness. Animals of all sorts can join the ScampClub. Email me your picture other dog populations on the continent. “A lot of people think that a dog or a cat anda little about yourself to [email protected]. This pattern has no counterpart in the might vocalize when they’re in pain, but in You will be in the Breeze and become world famous. genetic patterns of people from Europe. fact, that’s not generally the case unless it’s an Anders Bergström, lead author and injury-type of pain,” Musgrove said. “They’re post-doctoral researcher at the Crick, said: not going to cry if they have pain associated “If we look back more than four or five with a tumor somewhere.” Lost pet? Go to LostCatVenturaCounty.com or thousand years ago, we can see that Europe Among the types of cancers dogs and LostDogVenturaCounty.com - free websites for finding and was a very diverse place when it came to cats are most at risk for are skin cancer, lym- posting when you’ve lost or found a cat or dog. dogs. Although the European dogs we phosarcoma, spleen, liver, and bone and joint. see today come in such an extraordinary “There’s not just one [cancer] that’s array of shapes and forms, genetically they the most common, but we do tend to see derive from only a very narrow subset of dogs and cats getting lymphosarcoma, the diversity that used to exist.” and it can pop up in numerous systems An international team analyzed the throughout the body,” Musgrove said. whole genomes (the full complement of The process for detecting cancer in an DNA in the nuclei of biological cells) of 27 animal begins with a physical exam. ancient dog remains associated with a variety “There aren’t as straightforward of tests of archaeological cultures. They compared for dogs and cats as there are for people. We these to each other and to modern dogs. don’t have what’s called a ‘PET’ scan and we The results reveal that breeds like the don’t have genetic blood work or markers Rhodesian Ridgeback in southern Africa that are specific for certain tumors,” and the Chihuahua and Xoloitzcuintli in Musgrove said. “It’s all going to depend on Mexico retain genetic traces of ancient if I feel a mass in the abdomen. We take an indigenous dogs from the region. X-ray and then maybe do an ultrasound, and The ancestry of dogs in East Asia is then we would potentially get a diagnosis complex. Chinese breeds seem to derive based on getting a sample like a biopsy.” some of their ancestry from animals like More often than not, surgery will be the Australian dingo and New Guinea initially recommended by a veterinarian, with singing dog, with the rest coming from radiation or chemotherapy following. Lucky German Shepherds Champ and Major are living in Washington, DC. Europe and dogs from the Russian steppe. “For skin cancers, there’s probably a Greger Larson, a co-author from the decent percentage in the realm of 60 to 90 University of Oxford, said: “Dogs are our percent,” Musgrove said. “For tumors that This ’n’ That oldest and closest animal partner. Using arise in other places — a lot of them, by DNA from ancient dogs is showing us just the time we diagnose them, have already engaging programming in their homes, how far back our shared history goes and metastasized or spread. The chance of delivering a wide variety of programs to will ultimately help us understand when cure with surgery drops down to probably KPPQ-LP for distribution. and where this deep relationship began.” somewhere in the realm of 30 percent.” KPPQ-LP local producers include Dogs are thought to have evolved from Musgrove said a good step in detecting Nadine Piche, Kathleen Good, Craig Rosen wolves that ventured into human camps, cancers in its early stages would be to have and El Camino High School students. The perhaps sniffing around for food. As they pets get physical exams annually. DJs feature interviews and stories with were tamed, they could then have served “We recommend an annual physical local organizations on topics that include humans as hunting companions or guards. exam for any pet that’s less than 6 years of the Ventura County Library system, STEM The results suggest all dogs derive age. Generally speaking, we’re not going to CAPS radio personalties informing Ventura. programs at local schools, local artists, from a single extinct wolf population - or see cancers arise at a young age, just like in the Bike Hub, Surfrider and youth poets. perhaps a few very closely related ones. If people,” Musgrove said. “Anything over 6, we Music disc jockeys Pam Baumgardner, there were multiple domestication events do recommend semi-annual exams because KPPQ-LP 104.1 Mark Levitt, Kevin Wallace, Doc Ventura around the world, these other lineages did then we can be better at staying on top of it.” and Shaun Kinsey produce engaging not contribute much DNA to later dogs. Another recommendation Musgrove CAPS Radio music shows featuring a broad range of Dr Skoglund said it was unclear when has for pet owners to get their furry loved musical genres. or where the initial domestication occurred. ones insured before it’s too late. Rockin’ and KPPQ-LP CAPS Radio is also a “Dog history has been so dynamic that you “Just like in people, you cannot wait great place to find information about can’t really count on it still being there to until your vet says they believe your dog Rollin’ in Year 4 the emergency services available in our readily read in their DNA. We really don’t or cat has cancer to get insurance. You KPPQ-LP, the vibrant radio division community. During the current pandemic, know - that’s the fascinating thing about it.” have to have it in advance; otherwise, it’s of CAPS Media launched in 2017 has every Friday and Saturday morning at 11, Many animals, such as cats, probably a pre-existing condition and it won’t be grown steadily in a few short years to KPPQ-LP broadcasts recaps of Ventura became our pets when humans settled down covered,” Musgrove said. become one of the most engaging and County’s weekly VC Recovers COVID-19 to farm a little over 6,000 years ago. Cats National Pet Cancer Awareness Month go-to sites in Ventura. The station broad- updates. were probably useful for controlling pests started in 2005, and was created by Nation- casts 2/47 everyday at 104.1 FM, and KPPQ is the place to share your love such as mice, that were attracted by the waste wide and the Animal Cancer Foundation streams worldwide on capsmedia.org and of music or passion about the people and generated by dense settlements. This places with a goal of raising money and increasing myTuner. Week in and week out KPPQ-LP features of Ventura County. Everyone in- their domestication in cradles of agriculture awareness to fight the leading killer of pets. member/producers create innovative and terested in learning more about KPPQ-LP Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 11

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Boat Concessionaire for Channel Islands National Park Book online ISLANDPACKERS.com or Call 805.642.1393 This ’n’ That including how to become a DJ, can contact Deputy Mayor Joe Schroeder (District 7), Elilzabeth Rodeno, KPPQ-LP managing Lorrie Brown (District 6), Jim Friedman director and creative force at radio@ (District 5), Doug Halter (District 2), and capsmedia.org. Elizabeth will set up a Mike Johnson (District 3). time for online training in order to get Due to the COVID-19 emergency the Prepare for your voice on the air on KPPQ-LP Ventura. CAPS Media Center is closed to Members And, if you have an important event to and the public until further notice. CAPS announce or want the community to learn Member/Producers can submit program- power outages about your organization send a note to ming via the online portal at capsmedia. Elilzabeth Rodeno for distribution on org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS with a Generac KPPQ-LP . public access television Channel 6 and on KPPQ-LP FM 104.1 is Ventura’s CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM. publics radio station. It belongs to you. All of us at CAPS Media hope everyone home standby We are here to get your voice and your is Staying Safe and Healthy during these story out to the community. KPPQ-LP challenging times. generator may be small in stature, but the reach is powerful: KPPQ reaches nearly 100,000 people right here in Ventura. 2021 is a new beginning The entire CAPS team congrates Continued from page 5 REQUEST A FREE QUOTE! Ventura City Council member Erik of support for their scholarship fund. To Nasarenko for his recent appointment to see which panels are still available, visit their be the new District Attorney for Ventura website at ojaistudioartists.org. 8339567991 County, selected by the Ventura County Hi Everybody, greetings from the Supevisiors to be the new District Attorney Ojai Storytelling Festival. Hope this finds for Ventura County. At CAPS we have had you healthy and strong. Maybe like me, you the pleasure of working with Erik for the find yourself starving for stories. I have the past 7 years as Deputy Mayor (2013-15), perfect antidote to provide a positive jolt in Mayor (2015-17) and most recently as these challenging times--An online concert District 4 representative. We all greatly with Bill Harley, Grammy winning musician appreciate his collaborations with us and and storyteller and one of my favorite tellers. FREE7-Year Extended Warranty* his dedication and strong leadership for Not only will you have a highly entertaining our community. experience, but Bill has graciously offered A $695 Value! Erik’s departure creates an open to donate 20% of the ticket sales to the Ojai position on the city council for District Storytelling Festival. A definite win-win for O er valid December 15, 2020 - March 1, 2021 4, (which is roughly east of Victoria and you and for us. Here are the details: north of the 126 freeway). You can purchase tickets for the the The council is in the process of whole series (4 concerts) or as many as reviewing applications for candidates to you wish. The next show is Feb. 12 and Special Financing Available represent District 4 and is on schedule to it is geared for adults. The other 3 are Subject to Credit Approval appoint a new council member by February designed for famlies. You can view any of 25th. Everyone at CAPS look forward to the ones you purchase until April 12 so if *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the working with the new representative along you are unable to view one on the specific generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. with her or his colleagues on council: date of the show, you can catch the missed Mayor Sofia Rubalcava (District 1), episode at your convenience. 12 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE

want. how we want, we don’t need the offers are in the making. I’m releasing money to express our emotions and two songs at a time starting in March. talent. Record companies get money Pam: Post pandemic, what’s the plan? off of us artists for a talent that was Darren: Post Pandemic plans? Good given to us for “FREE.” Money has not question, unfortunately I don’t even been a topic amongst the parties have an answer for that; nobody involved, this is not a get-rich scheme. knows, however there is one thing I Pam: Tell me about the songwriting and know, and that is I smell a unity of recording process. musicians fed up with the industry Darren: I do all the music songwriting, standards of red-tape communism. some are complete songs, I even sing We are treated like other lead on a couple of them. On a few of country’s Olympic athletes, in other the songs the vocalist would write the words, treating our own athletes With the Stay-at-Home order in the 805. I put out a post on Facebook lyrics. See a big part of why this project in the amateur ranks. Pay to play? lifted, venues are doing their best to stating I need a female vocalist for is doing well, is because I asked some F!@# that! BANDS SHOULD NOT get stabilized yet again. I’ve seen one an unplugged duet I wrote called of these bands and artists to step out PLAY for FREE ever AGAIN!! The or two postings on social media about “Insanity” out now on all platforms, of their normalcy. As an analogy, I went internet evened the playing field, solo artists playing during dinner one the response was overwhelming. I had to the supermarket and bought all the Coronavirus gave ME the chance or two nights a week (Peirano’s and the bands and solo groceries for the to see all this can be achieved by us Cave), so it’s a start. Meanwhile, I’ve artists lining up shindig, I took artists. DistroKid killed the record reached out to another musician to like Stalag 13, I the ingredients to executive star, LOL. [DistroKid is talk about his latest project. Decline, Ill Repute, the chefs whom an digital platform founded in 2013 I met Darren “Zorba” Cruz back Raging Arb, Night I’m working with for musicians to upload their music in the 90’s when we added the Ska Demon, The and said, `You into online stores and streaming Daddyz to our regular rotation at 96.7 Question, Rising think we can services] the Bus, Ventura’s own alternative rock Son members, make a great meal Don’t forget to tune into the Pam station. He’s been in many projects my reggae band, with this stuff, Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP between then and now including Irie Collaboration, that we would be out of CAPS Media at 104.1 FM here Ites and Strand Quentin. I caught up All A Blur, proud to serve? in Ventura where you can hear the with Darren for a quick Q&A on his Bobby Campbell, Then we started first single,“Insanity,” from Free Love most recent enterprise to get the story Brandon Cruz, cooking it up in Project 805. My show airs Tuesdays at behind Free Love Project 805. Dalton Cruz,and some of our fancy 5 pm with repeats on Fridays at 5 pm Pam: How did this project come about? more. I also did restaurant studios and Sundays at noon. You can also The Free Love Project 805 started in March, Darren: The Free Love Project 805 a song with Peter such as Armand’s listen via the MyTuner app on your 2020. started as my idea in March 2020. It was DiStefano (Porno Captains smart device or online at CapsMedia. just supposed to be a couple of songs I for Pyros guitarist) called “Closer” a Quarters Recording Studio, Somis org/radio. Every show I feature artists wrote and recorded with some friends 60’s vibe rock ‘n’ roller. Sound Studios. Chingaso Records, out of the 805 and artists who come to from other bands because we always Pam: So then you are the brainchild behind MegaSound Studios. We have cooked the 805 to play as well as a handful of talked about doing a collaboration. I all this, well done! up 10 killer dishes so far, 5 are almost indie artists I’ve come across. had songs I wrote in Puerto Escondido Darren: Yes, to be clear I got sober over done. Do you have any music-related Oaxaca Mexico, sitting around, not a year and a half ago, had I not had Pam: How has the response been on social news or upcoming shows (online my band’s genres. I was listening to some time under my belt none of this media? or live) you want help publicizing? Santana”s Supernatural Album. He would be going down. Darren: The response has been Please send all information short or is my idol, I started hearing all the Pam: Why the name Free Love Project 805? excellent, I’ve been on KTYD, Channel long to [email protected], and different styles and artists, I thought to Darren: This is a totally DIY project 3 news, and there’s been a write up in for updated music listings daily, go myself this is genius, I can do that here with no funding, no rules, when we the VC Reporter. Other local media to www.VenturaRocks.com.

way we operate because of the pandemic. and then get screened further (such as a Most of our services are still available, yard check for dogs), before proceeding but by appointment only. The second with the adoption.” How should thing that I would like our community “The number one way to support our to know about is that we’ve had a sig- efforts,” according to Cooper, “is through nificant downturn in donations since financial donations through our website, a new council the beginning of the pandemic. I am or by credit card over the phone, or by sure that the reasons vary greatly, but mailing in a check. As a nonprofit, we member be from our point of view, we still need to rely solely on the support/generosity of offer our services. However, with fewer our community. We are often confused selected for Adoption Counselor Josephine Maxson with resources and decreased donations, with national organizations, such as the some wonderful dogs to adopt. things have become very challenging.” HSUS (Humane Society of the U.S.), or “Not having the public on the property the ASPCA (American Society of Preven- District 4? Humane Society (during the pandemic), has certainly been tion of Cruelty to Animals). We are our With Ventura councilman Erik strange for the animals and staff who own nonprofit and receive no funding Nasarenko being appointed as Ventura of Ventura have become accustomed to having that from either the national or local govern- County’s District Attorney is became interaction. Raising awareness for the ment. We also need in-kind donations, necessary for the city council to decide County during compassionate care of all animals is a key such as: towels and blankets; unopened how to select a new council member. component of our mission,” according to bags of dog and cat food; and, toys for During its City Council meeting the Pandemic Cooper. “And, without that person-to-per- cats and dogs. A complete list of items, on February 1, 2021, the Ventura City son interaction, our opportunity to which is on our Amazon wish list, is Council approved an appointment by Carol Leish educate diminishes. We are also closed to updated daily. It’s at: https://www. process to fill the District 4 vacancy. The Greg Cooper, Director of Community volunteers who have traditionally helped amazon.com/hz/wishlist/genericitem- Council voted to accept applications to Outreach, of the Humane Society of with socializing the animals. Our kennels sPage/2LHNG8JV4F1VO?type=wish- fill the vacancy by appointment under Ventura County, said: “I think that the staff have picked up that slack so that list& encoding=UTF8. Section 705(c) of the Charter. most important thing that I would like every dog, cat, and horse on our property Remember that the Humane Society Breeze reader Lynn Arneill-Brown to educate the community about is our still receives a tremendous amount of in- of Ventura County continues to be open stated “The city council voted to shelter is Ojai is ‘OPEN’ for most of teraction.” now. Cooper said, “We ask for patience appoint a council member as opposed our services. However, we are closed for Cooper said, “We adopt out dogs, and understanding from the public to allowing District 4 citizens to vote. casual visits.” cats, horses, and occasionally other during the pandemic. We want to ensure It’s an important issue because District “Out adoption rate for cats and dogs domesticated animals like birds and people that the animals are very well 4 specifically said they wanted the vote. is about the same now compared to before hamsters. Before the pandemic people cared for and we can still provide most of The entire citizenry of District 4 are the pandemic,” according to Cooper. “We could come to the Shelter and browse. our services. Please call: (805) 646-6505, incredibly disenfranchised by what has had initially closed last March (2020), to all We have initiated an appointment-only and look to our website: www.hasvc. happened. “ adoptions and intakes due to the Stay-at- system for adoptions. Now, we ask that org for the most up-to-date informa- City Manager Alex McIntyre Home orders, but readily initiated an appoint- people look at the photos and bios of the tion if you’re interested in adopting an explained “The Charter outlines how to ment only system for most of our services.” available animals on our website, www. animal.” Yes, animals are/can become an fill a vacant council seat. Council has the “We do want the community to have hsvc.org, then request an appointment to important part of our families. authority to fill it by appointment if it access to our services,” according to visit. From there, the adoption process is Editor: First of 3 articles about pet decides to do so. Also, the estimated cost Cooper. “But we want the community pretty much the same. Thus, if it’s good adoption agencies in Ventura County. of the election is at $89,000 plus addi- to understand that we have changed the fit, they need to fill out an application Next issue will be about CARL. Continued on page 14 Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 13 Police Reports by Cindy Summers was about to leave. The suspect, 48 year old Oxnard resident Spencer Brown, was Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura detained and arrested without incident. Police Department and are not the opinions of He was charged with unlawful driving the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned of a vehicle and possession of a stolen are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty vehicle. in a court of law. A review of the Ventura County Arrest for Battery Causing Serious Superior Court website shows Brown Bodily Injury has prior convictions for narcotic sales, On January 29, at approximately transportation for sale of narcotics, and Fireboat, officers observed several fishing no injuries or sickness apparent. But, 10:15 pm, a Ventura Police Officer was possession of a stolen vehicle. violations near the Harbor Entrance. officers were contacted by a bicyclist who working patrol in the area when he The investigation is ongoing and Fishermen were warned of the violations had an injured seabird. Rescue volun- witnessed 27 year old Ventura resident anyone with information regarding the and moved their hoop nets to legal fishing teers were contacted and picked up the James Cobb striking the victim, who fell crime should contact the Ventura Police areas outside the breakwall/sandtrap. injured bird for treatment. to the ground. Cobb began to stomp on Department at (805) 339-4416. 1/22 4:54pm, received report of a 1/31 12:47pm, received a report of an the victim’s head very forcefully as the semi-truck that drove against traffic from injured seabird, a cormorant, at the launch officer approached to intervene. The beachmont to Anchorsway dr. Officers ramp. Officers responded and found the victim was unresponsive and had a head responded and were able to contact the bird was captured by a bystander. Pos- injury. Cobb ran away but officers quickly Harbor Patrol driver and warn about wrong way traffic. session of the bird was taken into a cage, located him nearby. Cobb was arrested f The driver advised he would update his awaiting rescue volunteer. or Battery Causing Serious Bodily Injury Blotter companies GPS so that the mistake does 12:55pm, while on patrol in Rescue B17, and Assault likely to Cause Great Bodily Just a few of the things the Harbor Patrol not occur in the future officers observed a vessel engaged in Injury. The victim was transported to tends to. 1/23 10:03pm, received report of hoopnetting in an extremely shallow area the Ventura County Medical Center for transients in the restrooms of the VHV in the sandtrap. The vessel was moved treatment and is in stable condition. 1/19 9:30am, received report of a boatyard. Officers responded and found to safer water, outside of the breakwall. A review of the Ventura County large powerboat that lost moorings and homeless as reported. 3 persons were Shoaling occurred because of the Superior Court website shows that is colliding with the Fish&Wildlife vessel removed from the private restrooms and month-long Northwest swell event that Cobb has prior convictions for Robbery, secured nearby. Officers responded by warned about trespassing. deposited 200 cubic yards of sand there. Assault, Trespassing, Petty Theft, land and sea to resecure the cabin cruiser. 1/24 12:07pm, received report of a 2/1 11:51am, observed a 25ft motor Resisting, Obstructing, or Delaying a The response was successful, damage pollical protester screaming racial slurs vessel inbound and listing heavily to port. Peace Officer, Public Intoxication, Pos- minimal. and throwing a political figures’ picture Officers responded and escorted the session of Drug Paraphernalia, and Pos- 2:51pm, received a “Mayday” call on VHF 16, at an individual parked too close to the vessel to the launch ramp and dewatered session of Alcohol as a Minor. report of a 50ft catamaran breaking from disturbing party. the vessel so they could haul it out on a Stolen vehicle recovery with arrest its endtie moorings. Officers responded by 1/29 7:03am, while on patrol in the trailer. The vessel was recently repaired. On February 5, at approximately 1:00 vessels and vehicle to VIM I-dock to assist vehicle, officers observed the Santa Clara 3:45pm, received a walk-in report of a lost am, a patrol officer observed a vehicle employees re-securing the SV. River berm is nearing breaching. Further person, 89 y/o female who wandered off. that had been reported stolen in the 1/20 10:30pm, while on patrol observation showed the water is starting Officers located the missing person at City of Oxnard. The vehicle was at a gas contacted by village security and assisted to flow towards McGrath along with nearby business unharmed. station and was occupied by one adult with removing 5 transients drinking, heavy erosion from recent swell events. 7:07pm, observed a sailboat secure to the male. The officer made a safe approach playing music & charging cellphones at 1/30 7:12pm, received a report of an VPD longdock. The weary sailor was in with cover officers and conducted a VHV. injured sealion near VIM L-dock. Officers search of berthing due to a long voyage traffic stop on the vehicle as the driver 1/21 6:33pm, while on patrol in the responded and observed the mammal, from Santa Barbara harbor. This ’n’ That

THE BOOKMARK ences of my life…the biggest outpouring on any task, from organizing book sales to care and seeking medical attention at the of community support I’ve ever seen. serving as President and Treasurer, which onset of any symptoms.” About Libraries Citizens who loved libraries and whose is required to sustain a vibrant Friends For cardiac emergencies such as voices hadn’t been heard.” After Wright of the Library organization and access to stroke and heart attack, the emergency and Friends closed, Ventura had only one larger libraries for residents of our city.” departments at SJRMC and SJPVH are library, Foster (downtown) and a smaller safe and ready to care for the community. by Jill Forman branch on the Avenue. A delay in care can make all the difference Upcoming Event - Zoom program Kathy was inspired by her participa- Month of in health outcomes. on Law and Race, in association the tion and became President of the Friends The comprehensive cardiac program Glendale Public Library – Feb 4 at 6:30- in 2010. We used to tease her that she awareness serves at St. John’s features: emergency heart 8:00. Information at vencolibrary.org, was “President for Life,” but she stepped care, various treatments for heart under Events tab down in 2018 and took on the very as a reminder disease, including non-invasive cardiol- Reading Challenge - “WinterRead.” difficult job of Treasurer. She is moving ogy services, surgical heart, and vascular Log books read and activities, write to Tucson, but has continued to serve to make heart interventions, electrophysiology treat- reviews, earn badges…who knows, maybe in that position, attending meetings via ments, beating heart surgery, minimally there will be prizes! Sign up at Vencoli- Zoom and sending out financial reports health a priority invasive valve repair/replacement, and a brary/beanstack.org. to the Board using email. St. John’s Regional Medical Center dedicated outpatient cardiac rehabilita- Change in Hours - Walk-up hours Kathy says, “The best thing for the (SJRMC) and St. John’s Pleasant tion program. have been cut back at some libraries. city is to have as many libraries, and Valley Hospital (SJPVH), members of To learn more about cardiac services Selected library workers are currently types of libraries, as possible. This can be Dignity Health Central Coast, recognize at St. John’s Hospitals, please call St. functioning as Disaster Workers for the accomplished with community partner- American Heart Month and the impor- John’s Cardiovascular Coordinator, County, reassigned to the Fairgrounds ships between public and private entities; tance of cardiac health, even during the Lorraine Herrick, RN, at 805.216.0502. for help with the vaccine administration that is the way of the future to make COVID-19 pandemic. Heart disease is the St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital program. The hours at all branches have citizens’ lives better in so many ways.” number one cause of death in the United in Camarillo and St. John’s Regional been updated on the VCLSA website. Mary Olsen, current Friends States, and the medical experts at St. Medical Center in Oxnard are members Online Bookstore News - ONLINE President, says “Kathy Thomson has been John’s urge community members to take of Dignity Health Central Coast, an inte- BOOKSTORE for Valentine’s Day! a passionate advocate for libraries. She action toward better heart health. grated network of top quality hospitals, VFOL Online Bookstore has just never misses an opportunity to remind Adopting healthy habits such as ex- with physicians from the most presti- added a large donation of puzzles everyone she encounters about the great ercising regularly, maintaining routine gious medical schools, and comprehen- and novels to our offerings. If you are value of libraries. During her term as cardiac screenings, eating heart-healthy sive outpatient services - all recognized for searching for a romantic read for Valen- president, she tirelessly promoted the res- foods, and alleviating stress can have a quality, safety and service. Both hospitals tine’s Day or to give as a gift, we have you toration of library service to the east side positive impact on overall health and are supported by an active philanthropic covered. Check out our great gift ideas of Ventura after the closure of Wright. help prevent heart disease. Foundation to help meet the growing for unique finds. Under her leadership, Ventura Friends “The pandemic has been incredibly health care needs of our communities. Friends of the Library say a huge of the Library played a significant role stressful for many and has deterred Hospitals in the Dignity Health Central thank you to Kathy Thomsen. Kathy in bringing the Hill Road Library to our some individuals from keeping up with Coast region also include Arroyo Grande joined the Friends in 2009, in response to community. routine health screenings, including Community Hospital in Arroyo Grande, the threatened closure of Wright Library She also presided over bringing the cardiac care,” says Robert Streeter, MD, French Hospital Medical Center in San (branch on the campus of Ventura Friends into the digital age, recognizing Chief Medical Officer of St. John’s Luis Obispo, Marian Regional Medical College, closed in December 2009.) our need to expand our communications Regional Medical Center. “We encourage Center in Santa Maria. Learn more at Kathy says that, even though Wright was to include a website, Facebook page and our community to make their health a DignityHealth.org/PleasantValley and not saved, “It was one of the best experi- e-newsletter. She has been willing to take priority by keeping up with their routine DignityHealth.org/StJohnsRegional. 14 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE

This ’n’ That (Horoscope, crossword and sudoku can be found at www.venturabreeze.com)

Committee Head and they work symbiot- in Channel Islands National Park. ically with each other. During construction of the new pier This decision is disturbing Operations handles all of the internal at Scorpion Anchorage, the park boat con- affairs and resource distribution. Com- cessioner, Island Packers, offered alternative on several levels munications handles all of TeensForAll’s destinations for visitors to experience the Park by Venturans for Efficient & social media and releases press releases. resources. Now that construction is complete, Responsible Government (VERG) Partnerships Committee finds organiza- they will again provide service to the main tions, collaborations, and opportunities artery of Channel Islands National Park. No one makes a lifetime commit- 2020 report shows revenue fell more than that allow TeensForAll to grow. Outreach Scorpion offers a beautiful backdrop ment based on a single moment in time. $5.2 million below budget in those three plans and coordinates all of TeensForAll’s for picnics, hiking or camping as well as a Yet, the Ventura City Council made just areas. events and makes sure all of the events user-friendly beach area with access to one of such a commitment. In November 2020, The Result Of Their Actions are planned out thoroughly and have all the Marine Reserves. Snorkel with the diverse they awarded step and merit raises to In June, Councilmember Jim needed resources. The Design Committee sea creatures of the kelp forest or take a kayak city employees based on revised sales tax Friedman warned of an “absolute creates all of the images utilized by tour through the sea caves with Santa Barbara figures. This decision is disturbing on financial disaster” in the coming years TeensForAll. The Finance Committee Adventure Company. several levels: if the city doesn’t continue to cut develops a budget and fundraisers for Island Packers will also continue to offer The city staff led the Council to spending. Yet, the City Council awarded TeensForAll. Finally, Journalism is all of daily trips to Prisoners Harbor on Santa Cruz believe financial conditions were over $719,000 in pay increases to city TeensForAll’s writers and makes up the Island, regular service to Anacapa Island, improving based on very short-term employees. bulk of TeensForAll’s members. weekend trips to Santa Rosa Island, and special statistics. What Can We Do? All of these Committees work together day trips to lesser-known island destinations. The people benefiting from the salary Every budget cycle, our City Council through TeensForAll’s government style. There will also be multi-island day trips and increases were the ones making the rec- makes long-term decisions based on the For example, if the Outreach Committee inter-island camper shuttles to expose visitors ommendation. short-term data they receive from city needs to plan an event they would to the great diversity of the Channel Islands. Our elected officials failed to question staff. contact the Operations Committee to Along with their regularly scheduled the rosy picture the staff presented during Staff isn’t always right. No one has see if the project is approved. If approved, Winter Whale Watches, they plan to also offer the pandemic economic shutdown. examined the budgeting process recently. the project would then move to Finance extended Wildlife Cruises, most of which will How Did We Get Here? Periodically, it would be a good idea to for a budget proposal, then to Design include a brief cruise along the shoreline of one In the city’s fiscal year 2020-2021, have independent, outside consultants to create promotional images, and then of the iconic islands. the Ventura City Council faced a $12.0 provide an unbiased analysis of Ventura’s it would be sent to Communications to Island Packers continues to operate safely million budget deficit due to Califor- budgeting. promote. This is just one example of how under pandemic protocols, including: nia’s coronavirus shutdown. Among the Editors Comments the TeensForAll structure of government Passenger loads limited to under 50% solutions city staff recommended was the We believe the City Council made the works. The TeensForAll Cabinet which capacity to better facilitate social distancing option to ‘defer’ $1 million in employee November decision to award the step and merit is made up of all the Committee Heads Island Packer employees are health screened step and merit salary increases until increases on flawed forecasts from staff. The vote on any initiatives for TeensForAll before every shift financial conditions improved. Council decided based on a September bump in to implement or create. TeensForAll Eating and drinking permitted outside As a provision of the FY2020-21 the sales tax revenue for the first four months currently has four blogs which are: Teens- cabin area budget, former-Mayor Matt LaVere, of the fiscal year 2020-21. And the data didn’t ForChange, TeensForNature, TeensFor- Passengers in office or boats are required the City Council and all the bargaining include the all-important Christmas season Women, and TeensForHope. to wear face covering. units agreed to freeze employee step sales tax revenue. All of TeensForAll’s blogs go through Office and boat crew wear appropriate and merit increases as a down payment At a higher level, citizens should be an editor and are approved by a demo- PPE when in contact with the public on the massive reductions necessary in concerned about this process. The same people cratically elected Speaker and every week, Office and vessels are sanitized during the year ahead. who prepare the reports used to decide salary 2-3 blogs are posted. TeensForAll also has stops and between runs What Was The New Projection increases are the same people who get the raises. many interactive aspects on their website Follow us on social media, or check That Justified The Step And Our concern isn’t with the exact budget such as a bi-monthly podcast where our website frequently for specific details Merit Increases? numbers. We question using numbers provided members discuss events occurring in about these and additional opportunities To everyone’s surprise, the September by the very people who enjoy the increases. the world. There is also a pen-pal finder to visit the National Park and National sales tax report was higher than an- And we’re disappointed by the elected where teenagers can fill out a form and Marine Sanctuary. ticipated. The city staff projected that officials that failed to question staff’s rosy pro- find a new friend amidst the pandemic. General Fund would be $1.657 million jections in the middle of a pandemic. Some of TeensForAll’s current initiatives higher than forecasted. The City Council We hope that the new Council will be more include: Partnering with organizations, How should a new council member seized this as the ‘green light’ to reinstate rigorous in asking questions when preparing tutoring elementary school students, Continued from page 12 the employee step and merit raises. next year’s budget. organizing a beach and park clean up tional costs. Total estimate is $100,000.” At the November 9, 2020 meeting, day, and writing to frontline healthcare The City Council’s options to fill the the Council rescinded the suspended workers and elders in retirement homes. vacancy are controlled by the following: step and merit salary increases for city TeensForAll Teens can join TeensForAll to become If a vacancy occurs on the Council, employees. The suspension lasted from a part of a team, gain experience working the date upon which such vacancy March to November 2020. team welcomes both independently and with others, occurred shall be determined as soon as Was The Decision To Grant Step building leadership skills, develop an un- possible by the Mayor in accordance with And Merit Increases Logical? any and all teens derstanding for topics discussed, and be the provisions of this Charter relating The Council made its November able to be a part of something meaning- to vacancies. Within 30 days after such decision based on data presented on to apply ful. You can find all of their applications determination, or within 60 days after September 23, 2020, a month and a half TeensForAll is a completely teen-run on the “Join Us” section of their website. the vacancy occurred, whichever is earlier. The Council received no updated organization which was founded by TeensForAll also has an interview process first, the Council by majority vote of data on which to decide. If they had, the Xavier Ramirez a 10th Grader at Buena to simulate applying for a job. However, it the remaining members, shall appoint decision might have been different. High School in September of 2020. is not as nerve wracking as applying for a a person to the vacant office to serve What’s Happening With The Xavier said he started TeensForAll job. After applying, teens will be contacted until his successor is elected at the General Fund? because he wanted to create an inclusive after they apply to sign up for an interview next succeeding municipal election The $1.657 million General Fund environment where teens no matter race, time. Similar to a job interview our inter- and qualifies. If the Council fails to surplus presented in September 2020 religion, sexuality, gender, or beliefs has viewers ask a set of questions. fill the vacancy by appointment as was misleading. Yes, sales tax revenue a place to represent themselves, find new The TeensForAll team welcomes any provided herein, it shall forthwith was higher, but that didn’t account for friends, make change, and gain valuable and all teens to apply to join and check order a special election to be held to the excess. Two unique, one-time events experience that can help them later down their website which can be found at www. fill the vacancy for the remainder of inflated the figures. in the road in any career they choose. teensforall.org and their social medias of the unexpired term. However, no such The General Fund received $2.0 TeensForAll discusses social justice, Tiktok and Instagram are: _teensforall_. special election need be ordered if the million from the CARES Act funding. female empowerment, mental health vacancy occurs less than eight months The city also received a donation from awareness, and climate awareness. The before a municipal election. the Marion Schwab Trust. TeensForAll team chose these issues in Four of the six remaining coun- Without these two rare revenue specific because they feel like these issues Island Packer cilmembers chose to move forward with infusions, the city would have had $2.4 are beneficial for teenagers to gain more appointing someone to fill the vacancy. million less revenue than the city staff led knowledge about. While TeensForAll is now running Two council members, Jim Friedman the Council to believe when deciding to based in Ventura California, members and Doug Halter voted against the move, award the raises. come from all over the U.S. & Canada. to Scorpion saying they wanted the decision to be What’s more, the city staff failed TeensForAll is run by a Cabinet made by the District 4 voters. to mention the City Council’s risks to and has seven committees. The seven The council had the option to leave the General Fund. Player’s Casino Card committees are: Operations, Communi- Anchorage the post vacant until a special election Room sales taxes, parking violations, and cations, Partnerships, Outreach, Design, Island Packer Cruises, established in could be held in November. Not appoint- Parks & Recreation programming were Finance, and Journalism. Each of Teens- 1968 will begin to run regular trips for day ing someone to fill the seat would mean below budget. Mr. Coon’s November ForAll’s committees have one designated visitors and campers to Scorpion Anchorage Continued on page 15 Ventura BREEZE February 10 – February 23, 2021 15 Showtime A View from House Seats Streaming Performances Continue by Shirley Lorraine Theaters are anxious for the days there is no cost for these entertain- when audiences can attend a live ments. performance. Actors and audience Conejo Players Theatre offers members alike throughout the streamed performances of “Nat’s county long for the ability to Last Struggle”, a one-act, one-man entertain and be entertained. show about Nat Turner, who led a Until there is clearance to gather, slave rebellion in Virginia, 1831. streaming performances continue An adaptation of “The Confessions at many venues. They are certainly of Nat Turner” the 1967 Pulitzer worth checking out. Prize-winning novel by American NAMBA Performing Arts Space writer William Styron, the piece invites audiences to catch two per- relates some of the suppositions formances to delight and amuse. and lore of the uprising. The play At 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, stars John L. Adams as Nat Turner. February 14 and Sunday, February Streamed performances are 28, upon pre-registration, they Friday, Saturday February 19 and will ‘Share the Love’ in a 2 per- 20 at 7 p.m., and Sunday, February formance digital concert series 21 at 2 p.m. Tickets available at of music, dance, and theater. The www.conejoplayers.org ‘IN PERFORMANCE’ streaming Get involved from the comfort series kick-starts the return of of your own home! Namba’s thriving arts community. Ojai Arts Center Theater Doc Ventura hosts an evening is offering an opportunity for where ‘the music flows smartly, the persons 55 and older interested vibe is unique, and the showman- in learning the craft of acting to ship superb’. Doc will be joined a Sage to Stage Senior Theater by Cathy Butter of Aloft Dance Acting Workshop. The workshop Theatre and Gary Best of Ventura will take place via Zoom on six Improv to bring music, dance sequential Wednesday afternoons movement and laughter into your from 3:15 – 4:45 p.m. Dates are living room. February 17, 24, March 10, 17, 24. The February 14th show Registration is required no later features music by Olivia Willhite than February 15 to participate in and Mark McKinney, choreo- this free workshop. graphic work by Pamela Pilkenton, Whether you have stage experi- Megan and Shane Tice, and ence or not, the workshop will be and after Legarski led Cody on a wild Jessie James Keitel. The end of each improv comedy scenes featuring interactive, informative, and fun. goose chase, shot him in his vehicle episode leaves viewers on the edge of Tom Mueller, Katherine Kasmir, Led by OACT frequent director and had Ronald bury both with a their seats, hanging in moments hard Monique Rosario, Amy Nash and Gai Laing Jones, the workshop will backhoe. Legarski expressed his dis- to imagine the outcomes with sur- more! be geared to the age group. For a pleasure with Ronald kidnapping prising conclusions. Register at www.nambaarts. finale, there is to be a by-invita- the teens, as they were only targeting Rated: TV-14 com to join in the fun. (805) tion-only showcase on Wednesday, prostitutes in truck stops to capture 9 Episodes – 60 min 628-9250 or visit the website for March 31 at 7 p.m. and sell across the Canadian border. additional information. While Brush up your stage skills or Ronald lived at home with his donations are always welcome learn some new ones! Sign up right overbearing mother Helen (Valerie How should a new council member (and help keep the theaters alive), away. You know you want to. Mahaffy) who knew he was a sexual Continued from page 14 deviant and when hearing the news District 4 would go nearly a year without report regarding the missing girls, a representative on the council. Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers with Danielle’s boyfriend Justin in questioned if he was involved. They “To me, the residents from District Montana, but never arrived. Justin had a very dysfunctional and psy- 4 have clearly spoken. They want a voice contacted his parents Cody and Jenny chologically troubling relationship. based on their vote, not ours,” Friedman Big Sky Hoyt, who were former police officers, She would constantly belittle him said. Hulu to ask them to look into the girls about doing something with his life If a special election could be held whereabouts. Cody owned his own and Ronald even still slept with his sooner than November councilmem- private detective firm with his partner mother at times. bers said they would have supported Cassie Dewell, but their newly formed Trooper Legarski had his own that choice. The rules, however, only romantic relationship created tension problems at home with a failing allowed for special elections in March with Jenny, even though they were marriage, and his wife Merrilee Brooke or November in 2021. Since any election Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, formally separated due to relation- Smith) had just recently found a new must be called at least 88 days beforehand, 4 being best. ship issues. friend to talk about her lonely nights. no dates in March would be available. The girls had taken an alternate Unfortunately for her it was Ronald, On February 18, the East Ventura route due to an accident on the in- who was creating a backup plan in Community Council meeting (see events) Storyteller David E. Kelly (“Big terstate where they were rude to a case Legarski turned on him now that will consist of a Candidate Forum in Little Lies”) continues with his com- truck driver on the road, who later there was so much media about the which those persons interested in being pelling way in creating episode cliff- kidnapped them when their car kidnappings. appointed to the newly vacant District hangers with his new ABC series Big stalled leaving them stranded in the Big Sky averages 4 million viewers 4 City Council position will have the Sky where private detectives Cassie middle of nowhere. The truck driver, a week and is the first prime time opportunity to introduce themselves and Dewell (Kylie Bunbury) and Cody Ronald Pergman (Brian Geraghty) series to feature a non-binary actor, answer questions. Hoyt (Ryan Phillippe) join forces with had already picked up one victim, his estranged wife and ex-cop, Jenny Jerrie Kennedy (Jessie James Keitel) at Hoyt (Katheryn Winnick) to search a local truck stop as part of a sex traf- for two teenage girls who disappeared ficking ring he was involved in with on a remote Montana highway and local Montana State Trooper Rick are in a race against time after they Legarski (John Carroll Lynch). discover that numerous girls have Cody contacted Legarski to gone missing in the area. inquire about the girls, and though Sisters Danielle (Natalie Alyn Legarski stated he hadn’t seen them, Lind) and Grace (Jade Pettyjohn) he shared that there were numerous Sullivan took off on a road trip girls that had gone missing in the from Colorado to spend some time area. Cody left to meet with Legarski 16 February 10 – February 23, 2021 Ventura BREEZE