FREE Ventura reeze Your Hometown Paper BVol. 3, No. 3 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 The DUI Small group of problem a voters make big decisions for matter of life Ventura & death by Rebecca Wicks by Joseph Owen With mail-in ballots nearly com- 5597 is a large number. Now, if I pleted, statistics show an estimated 27 told you this was the number of crimi- percent of registered voters in Ventura nal complaints referred to the Ventura County made some key decisions which County District Attorney’s Office in 2008 included electing four council members for driving while impaired would you be and deciding three measures in Ventura. shocked? “We had maybe a hundred people all This reporter was stunned! I had no day long,” said a polling site volunteer idea Ventura County citizens were being who asked to remain unnamed. “It’s just victimized to this extent by irresponsible sad. It’s a privilege to vote, I don’t think drivers. people get that.” This was just one statistic of many All three ballot measures for the City provided by this year’s gathering of ex- of Ventura were voted down. perts at the DUI Prevention Summit held 3 familiar faces and a new familiar one will serve Ventura for the next 4 years on the City Council With 15 candidates vying for four city on Thursday, November 5 in the Ventura council seats, this month’s election was Beach Marriott Hotel. ment Office and PLACE (Projects Link- the largest pool of candidates in close to Sponsored by the Ventura County ing Art, Community, & Environment), a twenty years. Behavioral Health Agency, this congrega- Minneapolis based nonprofit organiza- Many have suggested distrust and tion consisted of representatives from lo- tion that specializes in designing, fund- unhappiness with current council mem- cal law enforcement agencies, the health- ing, building and managing sustainable, bers as the pretext for the number of care field, and outreach programs all with mixed-use, mixed-income neighborhoods contenders. Nevertheless, the council’s the goal of helping to eliminate the deaths for creative people and businesses. makeup will stay mostly the same with and injuries resulting from driving while The SHORE project was more than a only one change. impaired. As the speakers outlined the dozen years in the making and has faced In Ventura, voters re-elected three of continued problem with drunk drivers, considerable obstacles in winding its the four incumbents including Neal one also got the sense vast improvements way through the City planning process. Andrews, Brian Brennan and Jim Mo- have been made over the last decade re- The idea picked up steam in 2000 when nahan. The new face on the city coun- garding issues of public awareness and Mayor Ray DeGuillio, in cooperation cil will be Mike Tracy, the city’s former enforcement. with the City Council, made it a prior- police chief. Supervising Deputy District Attor- ity of his administration to address the According to ballots counted so far, ney, Cynthia Nguyen, oversees the DUI issues of homelessness in the City. The Tracy led all council member candidates prosecutions for Ventura County and City eventually agreed to acquire land with Andrews second than Monahan emphasized their office has had a policy for the project. and Brennan. for many years to aggressively prosecute As a result, Project Understand- Incumbent Ed Summers came in drunk driving. Many California Coun- ing formed a blue-ribbon site selection fifth and was not reelected. ties have followed Ventura’s example and committee chaired by Rick Pearson and “I’m not sure one new council mem- Project Understanding Executive Director have copied our cutting edge treatment Councilman Neal Andrews. The commit- ber is enough fresh blood to make a Rick Pearson unveiling a plaque paying tribute and enforcement programs. tee began a four-year search for acceptable difference,” said Amy Seamer, a stay-at- to Ventura carpenter Russell Dana Bell at the Kathy Mulford heads up just such a sites. What they found was considerable home mother of two. “I’m not even sure SHORE opening treatment program through the County community opposition to the project. new council members would have even of Ventura’s Drug and Alcohol Unit in Since the City was also interested in made a difference at this point – it seems Simi Valley. Kathy stated when someone SHORE facility building a housing complex for working like the budgetary problems are huge.” is convicted of a DUI they must complete artists, the selection committee agreed to Tracy along with the three return- the alcohol school to get their driver’s has grand partner with the City to turn these two ing council members recognize the job license back. This county program is separate ideas into a single project. Col- ahead of them is anything but easy. Dif- the largest in the state with an average opening laborating with Chris Velasco, Director Continued on page 2 of PLACE, the project has morphed over of 2200 clients at any one time. Kathy by Tim Pompey Continued on page 2 the last five years into its current location Opinion/Editorial...... 3 Proclaiming that the “dream of mov- and design. Mail Box...... 3 ing people from homelessness to perma- In addition, the need for a full-servic- Election Reflections...... 4 nent housing is this day a reality,” Project es center for homeless people continues Understanding Executive Director Rick to be a community priority, due in no News and Notes...... 5 Pearson presided over the opening cer- small part to the persistent leadership of Community Events...... 9 emony of the new SHORE (Supportive the Ten-Year Strategy to End Homeless- Art Scene...... 12 Housing Opportunities in a Residential ness, the Ventura County Social Services Senior Living...... 13 Environment) housing units on the cor- Task Force, The Gateway Committee, ner of Thompson and Garden in down- and Project Understanding. School...... 13 town Ventura. Pearson also paid special tribute to Sports/Religion...... 14 With the addition of fifteen units of Ventura carpenter Russell Dana Bell, Business...... 15 affordable housing, many families either who often used the services provided by Professor Scamp...... 16 have moved or will soon move into brand- Project Understanding and donated a Public awareness programs encouraging citi- new two and three bedroom apartment large gift to SHORE with money he re- Police and Fire Reports...... 16 zens to always have a DD in their group when units built as part of the WĀV project, a ceived in a lawsuit settlement. Bell died Movie Time...... 17 attending parties or any social get together partnership between the City of Ventura’s in July 2003. In recognition of his contri The Lighter Breeze...... 18 might have prevented this tragic DUI accident Cultural Affairs and Economic Develop- Continued on page 17 2 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze

An anxious crowd (including City Manager Rick Cole and Mayor Christy Weir) watches the “big board” at City Hall as the early election results are posted on election night Small group of voters nel cuts are expected. Continued from page 1 Measure B was defeated more sound- ficult decisions will be made and options ly than any of the three measures with 75 will become even more limited with the percent of voters against it. The measure defeat of Measure A which would have in- which would have put a temporary stop creased the city’s sales tax by a half-cent to buildings higher than 26 feet through raising an estimated $8 million. much of the city while starting the pro- Fifty five percent of voters said no to cess to create a view-protection ordinance the measure. was seen by many as flawed. The monies were to be earmarked for Local resident Tim Webb appreci- a number of city expenses including po- ates the city’s views but felt the measure lice and fire officers, street maintenance wasn’t the appropriate way to go about and funding the Wright Library. preserving them. He also had grave con- The week after the election the coun- cerns about the measure deterring busi- ty’s chief librarian made the announce- ness from entering the city. ment that the Wright Library will close at “We don’t need a law that officially the end of the month. discourages construction in Ventura, the “I voted for Measure A in part to save recession is doing a good enough job at the Wright Library,” said Linda Cheney that already,” said Webb. who lives on the east side of Ventura and Measure C which would have stopped will in the future need to travel to the new superstores larger than 90,000 square downtown library. “It’s a sad statement feet when more than 3 percent of the when libraries are not a priority for a sales floor area contains groceries was community.” also defeated with 54 percent of voters Mayor Christy Weir who supported against it. the measure accepted its defeat. Resident Kelleen Almond was initially “Measure A offered voters a choice: confused about the purpose of the mea- Make those cuts permanent or restore sure and ultimately voted against it after some of the highest-priority services,” conducting further research said Weir. “Our council is committed to “I’m not high on the idea of Walmart Accounting carrying out the will of the voters.” here in Ventura,” admitted Almond. “But, since the measure won’t stop Walmart, it Management Advisory Services The city has already cut $11 million out of its annual budget purging 42 posi- seemed like the measure was pretty worth- Business Valuation tions. Additional budgetary and person- less to me.” Quickbooks Consulting DUI problem Investment Advisory Services Continued from page 1 tals test patients for alcohol or drug Tax Preparation pointed out their main focus is to elimi- use and have social workers on staff Estate Planning nate as many repeat offenders as pos- that provide counseling for substance sible through educating them in how abuse. Tax Planning to avoid the behavior that resulted in Speakers Tina Pasco from Madd their arrest. Kathy complained she still (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) and 1841 Knoll Drive, Ventura, CA 93003 interviews offenders that claim they Capt. Cliff Williams from the Califor- drive “better” after a few drinks, but nia Highway Patrol both emphasized phone: 805.654.1040 fax: 805.654.1445 controlled tests have shown this to be how effective the Designated Driver absolutely false. Kathy also mentioned Program can be. These agencies have website: www.bmk-cpa.com the financial cost for first time DUI of- aggressively instituted public aware- fenders averages about $13,000 when ness programs encouraging citizens to school, fines, court costs, and car in- always have a DD in their group when surance rate increases are added up, a attending parties or any social get to- Let us be your sleigh ride big deterrent in itself. gether where alcohol will be served. Dr. Javier Romero from Ventura Another encouraging sign is many County Medical Center and Dr. Bri- restaurants and Taverns are provid- to the airport... an Kimbrell from St. John’s Medical ing free soft drinks and appetizers to Designated Drivers in recognition for $35.00 one way Center in Oxnard provided compel- their help in trying to be part of the $65.00 round trip ling information on how alcohol and Discounts for drugs impact our families and friends. solution. Capt. Williams also says the As trauma directors for their respec- State of California will continue to Groups and Charters tive hospitals, both doctors outlined fund enforcement programs such as in graphic detail about how physically sobriety checkpoints as they have been Depart Ventura and emotionally devastating car crash- shown to be very effective in reducing 4:30am • 6:30am • 8:30am • 10:45am • 1pm • alcohol related deaths. Citizens are also 3:15pm • 5:30pm • 7:30pm es can be for both the victim and their •Oxnard departs 15 minutes later. loved ones. When one realizes 45% of encouraged to dial 911 if an impaired •No departures: 7:30pm Vta, 7:45pm Oxn, car crash victims that enter their emer- driver is spotted on the highway. 9:30pm LAX-on Saturdays only. gency rooms are alcohol related, the As a final thought, Tina Pasco sug- 805.650.6600 PSC 6291 Depart LAX size of the problem becomes clear. In gested parents can be the first line of Holiday Inn Express 6:30am • 8:30am • 11am • 1pm • 3:15pm • 2008 Ventura County lost 36 individu- defense by counseling their children FREE Parking at the Holiday Inn parking lot 5:30pm • 7:30pm • 9:30pm als to DUI crashes and injuries tallied from an early age about the conse- 1080 Navigator Dr., Ventura at 661. Dr Kimbrell described it as quences of drinking and driving. Hope- e-tickets online at www.venturashuttle.com simply “murder on the highway”. fully, in the near future we can reduce On a positive note, both hospi- these tragic deaths to zero.

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 3

Ventura Opinion/Editorial First I would like to gent well thought out manner and voted city council and other city commissions. reeze congratulate the 6 in- based upon that. Their input is important in a democracy. Your Hometown Paper cumbents (city council I think that having 15 city council I’m a little surprised, and disappoint- TheB Ventura Breeze is your free local community news- and board of educa- candidates and 3 ballot initiatives actual- ed, that prop A lost, I thought that with paper published every other Wednesday and circulated tion) and Mike Tracy ly turned off many voters, just too much only a simple majority required that it throughout Ventura and to many locations in Ojai. for their victories in involved in studying the issues and can- would pass but Venturans are telling the Sheldon Brown our recent elections. didates and making a learned decision. city council to run the city with what you Publisher Publisher Obviously enough Most people really don’t care that much have and that they don’t care to pay more Sheldon Brown Venturans felt that they are doing a for ballot measures anyway and would taxes. Now I suppose everyone will com- [email protected] good enough job to return them to their just as soon leave these matters to their plain when services need to be cut and Pet editor positions. elected officials. the lawns at our parks start to turn yel- Professor Scamp But I’m also sure that they heard of I think that the requirements for low. [email protected] the un-happiness expressed by many vot- running for city council should be made I’m afraid the first result of the failure ers at the forums that were held to real- more difficult so that there aren’t an over of it to pass will probably be the closing Contributing Writers ize that there are many issues to still be abundance of candidates. of Wright Library. I must commend the Tim Pompey resolved and that their actions are going I thought that Mike Tracy would be San Buenaventura Friends of the Library Rebecca Wicks to be very closely scrutinized as they carry a strong candidate but certainly didn’t for their tireless efforts in trying to keep Nanci Cone on running the city. expect him to be the top vote getter right it open. With our lingering bad economy ahead of Neal Andrews. I’m sorry to see Ed Summers go, I Karlene Lang they have very tough times ahead, as we With what I thought was her grass thought that he brought a lot to the Mira Reverente all do. roots following I thought that Camille council because of his business and fi- senior Advisors There were a few aspects of the elec- Harris would make a stronger showing nancial expertise and I wish him the best Nanci Cone tions that somewhat surprised me. and even though I was opposed to it I for his future and hope that he will find a Suz Montgomery I am disappointed that less than 28% was very surprised that prop B was voted way to stay involved in city politics. of eligible voters voted. That is 28% of down by a 75% vote. Perhaps her strong I also hope that some of the council Advertising Advisors registered voters which means even less ties to it hurt her election chances. candidates who came out of nowhere will Leselie Ann Matthias of Venturans that were old enough to Even though they weren’t the winners now be more involved in city politics and [email protected] vote. In defense of those that did vote I hopefully she and Brian Lee Rencher will that we will be seeing them at city council Stacey Armijo think that they really looked at the prop- still be a voice for the people and contin- meetings expressing some of what they [email protected] ositions and candidates in a very intelli- ue to make their presentations before the expressed during their candidacies. Marissa Larios The Ventura Breeze/Ojai Marissa_VenturaBreezeAdvertising@ Mailbox yahoo.com 805.245.0490 and working tirelessly on their campaign safe place for kids after school, no more son that the rest of the lanes can not to dethrone you. Don’t bother sending of Star Soto’s wonderful childrens story also be done well. ProduCtion Advisor me one of your pathetic, pandering letters times which so many children looked Thanks goes out to Doug Reid of Alfred J. Lewis of self-righteous justifications for your forward to, no more sounds of library pa- Community Services for getting volun- studioNothing actions. With this vote, you have showed trons of all ages browseing through the teers out to clean the ends of the lanes [email protected] your district, in the clearest of terms, that aisles of wonderful books, no more stu- and the stairs. Unfortunately, the City you do NOT support regular people like dent tutoring, no more of the PAWS for is just dealing with the symptom and Printing Roger Wirsing me, and please know, we heard you loud Reading program and no more parking continues to avoid tackling the prob- American Foothill Publishing Co. and clear. lot book sales. lem. Until there is a “buffer area” along Times have changed Senator Gallegly, All of this will go silent on Novem- Shore Dr between the Pierpont Commu------and it is clear that you have not. ber 30th. A victim of official inaction, nity and the constantly blowing sand, REACHING US: Regards, no lifeline was given to one of the most the stairs will continue to be unsafe, the events & hAPPenings Daniel Flores, heavily used FREE community places in beach will continue to be higher than [email protected] Ventura Ventura. the City’s and beachfront homeowner’s Some of the outstanding staff will lose retaining walls (which creates an unsafe oPinions Ventura Police Officers Association their jobs, others will have hours cutback condition where beachgoers can liter- [email protected] Ventura CA 93005 as they are transferred to other librar- ally fall from the beach onto the pave- ArtiCles And Photos Dear Police Officers Association and ies. This librarys impact on real,everyday ment below (some 10+ feet in several [email protected] PAC, people really hurts. A building full of places)). Plus the sand will continue to THANK YOU for the awesome nega- learning,smiles and life will come to an end. blow down the lanes and into the storm Advertising tive campaign job you did on Neal An- Thank you so much Wright library drains. [email protected] drews. By and through your efforts of staff and patrons for giving our commu- It is going on three years now since both labor and money spent towards nity a real sense of place. Rosemary, Dale and I met with the Pub- Ventura Breeze said negative campaigning against Mr. Jim Hines lic Works and Councilman Brennan 1575 Spinnaker Drive, 105B-393 Andrews I do believe you accomplished Ventura on this sand issue. There has been a Ventura, CA 93001 exactly what you did NOT want to hap- lot of talk and one ill conceived Sand 805.653.0791 • Fax 805.641.3158 pen, you “boys and girls in blue” got him Breeze: Management Plan that the City, State re-elected. Mike Montoya’s Park Maintenance Parks and the Coastal Commission put C On a personal note and a niece of po- Crew continues to do an outstanding job together (a plan aimed more at chang- The Ventura Breeze is printed with lice officers this is the one of those times maintaining Marina Park. Additionally, ing Pierpont Beach from a recreational soy based ink on paper with minimum I as well as others in this community who the path out to the harbor sea break is area to an Environmentally Sensitive 40% recycled content. are truly so ashamed of your actions dur- still free of sand. It had been covered for Habit Area than at protecting the Pier- ing this City Council campaign. several years and thanks to the efforts a pont Community from the encroaching At best what I would strongly suggest group of volunteers it’s back and usable. sand). Hopefully, it won’t take another is a letter of apology to both the public Senator Elton Gallegly, (Interestingly, one of our Pierpont resi- three years for the City to actually do and to Neal about your negative politick- That was the last straw. dents complained before the City Coun- the required work which is needed to ing and that in the future your organiza- Over the years, you have continued to cil many, many times to no avail. In fact, safeguard our community. tion will deal with issues and not personal fail to vote according to what people here Brian Brennan told us in a PCC meeting Murray Robertson – A Concerned Pier- attacks. Get your humility in place; it is in Ventura actually support, but when it would cost hundreds of thousands of pont Resident time to start building bridges with your you failed to vote for health care reform, dollars to accomplish but it only took the community. you really showed your true colors. efforts of a number of local high school American Unemployment Respectfully submitted, I have been patiently trying to be a kids. Go figure.) More bad news this week for many Irene V. Henry, J.D. good citizen and write you letters, urging Public Works is using a new street Americans. The unemployment rate in you to support the RIGHT of every Amer- sweeper to clean our lanes. Cleaning is our country has now climbed to 10.2%. ican to have a healthy life, and get at least To The Editor: spotty. Some streets were done well like We as Americans are all concerned about the minimal coverage for health care. At As a longtime Wright Public Library Seaward AV, the streets around the el- this, aren’t we? Then, perusing my morn- every turn, whether it was your argumen- volunteer, I was overwhelmed with sad- ementary school and Greenock LN... ing Star, I read where Kavlico is cutting tative secretary, or your reply letters filled ness as the official Library closure order but on many of the others, the street 172 jobs in Moorpark. Now, they are cut- with lies (like the one that stated that was given on November 6th. As directed sweeper did a poor job. If some streets ting these jobs not because they lack the 80% of Americans are happy with their by the county library services director, the can be done well there is really no rea- Continued on page 17 health care), you have been nothing but very popular Wright Public Library will a bump in the road for real change in this close forever on November 30,2009. I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and country. Tears streamed down our faces as besides, the pig likes it. So I decided that was the last straw. the “human” element of the librarys clo- – George Bernard Shaw I will be joining the Democratic party, sure hit home. No more will there be a Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 4 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze Election Reflections ally achieve the objectives it was intended My hopes for to serve and is probably invalid on Con- Many factors Life as a city stitutional grounds anyway, if ever chal- the next 4 years lenged in court. But, that’s a matter for will be cited by council by Neal Andrews another day. Otherwise, in general, I believe the winners and candidate In the brief time since the election of outcome of this election has given a by Tim Pompey November 3rd I’ve taken some time to try strong endorsement to my approach to losers to organize my thoughts about the elec- City government. I’ve demanded sound We take it for granted, even treat it by Rick Cole-City Manager tion and my hopes for the next four years. management with clear, no-nonsense with a sense of humor, especially when I’m so grateful for all those who measurement of performance and as- In the end, the blizzard of signs and all that signage appears in the strangest helped me win re-election because their sessment of outcomes, coupled with plethora of candidates and measures pro- places. I’m talking about local political support gave me the opportunity to con- budgeting that aligns resources to the duced a last minute surge of absentee bal- races. City Council, Board of Education, tinue to serve our community and be- highest priority goals and demands ac- lots, resulting in a turn-out of nearly 35%. etc. cause their confidence that I’ve been lead- countability and responsibility from our All the School Board incumbents were re- Still, local elections are the heart and ing our City in the correct direction was managers. elected and three of the four City Council soul of our democratic system. So, we at immensely reassuring. I’ve simply recognized that the public incumbents also won (Neal Andrews, Jim the Breeze wondered: What’s it like to run It would be a colossal understate- safety union driven compensation and Monahan and Brian Brennan.) Another for one of these positions? We picked two ment to say that this past election was benefit arrangements are unsustainable familiar face, retired Police Chief Mike City Council candidates to interview and personally troubling. No one likes to be in the long run and demand reform. We Tracy, led the field, which meant Coun- find out. castigated viciously and continuously cannot continue to sacrifice every other cilmember Ed Summers narrowly lost re- Ken Cozzens is a Buena High gradu- with false and misleading characteriza- public program in the City – libraries, election. ate and retired Ventura County Sheriff’s tions, especially by organizations that or- streets, parks, senior services, and every- Measure A, the proposed sales tax in- Deputy who spent thirty-two years with dinarily should command public respect, thing else – to the bloated compensation crease, lost 55-45%. The voters in Ventura the force. Ken actually ran for City Coun- such as the police and fire personnel of and benefits of the public safety sector. opted for a tight rein on finances. Paradox- cil back in 1971, just after he graduated our city. That is not to say we should retreat ically, five of the top six vote getters in the from high school, and again in 1973. So, It is also troubling to know that al- from our commitment to providing the Council race supported Measure A (the this time around, why did he want to run together they apparently spent as much fire and police protection that our citi- sixth, Councilmember Andrews, remained for City Council? His answer was simple as ten times what I did in this election zens deserve as our number one priority. neutral.) This means the $11 million in and straightforward. “I love the city. It’s a in their unsuccessful effort to defeat me. But, we cannot continue to do it in the city service cuts are here to stay, along wonderful town and I wanted to do what Will the next candidate who challenges way we have in the past, with dispropor- with future cuts as the economy contin- I could to help out.” their special interest agenda fare so well? tionate compensation and benefit pack- ues to struggle and the State of California It may be a local political race, but it’s Can honest candidates count on the pub- ages, huge overtime expenditures, and continues to borrow, divert or simply con- also expensive. Ken decided not to have lic to see through these kinds of allega- immense inefficiencies in service. fiscate local revenues. It also means no ad- fund raisers. “It’s a tough time for every- tions and innuendoes and evaluate them That’s our primary challenge over the ditional funding available to supplement one, especially nonprofit organizations. I for what they are in the future? Can most next years, and that’s the first challenge the County Library system to keep open have a hard time in this economy asking persons seeking public office ever hope I promise to take on for the citizens of Wright Library. people for money.” As a result, he paid to match the campaign finance power of Ventura. The so-called “view protection ordi- more than ten thousand dollars out of such strong public unions? The second challenge is to find ways nance” was decisively rejected 3-1. The anti his own pocket. Total cost came to about If there is a message here it is that we to finance the services our community big box ordinance went down to defeat by thirteen thousand dollars. “My biggest must re-evaluate our City campaign fi- needs without continually asking to a margin similar to the sales tax increase. contributor was my mom,” he says. “She nance law that permits the public safety raise taxes. I’ve always argued that the so- Voters also rejected sharp attacks. worked hard on the seniors for me.” unions to finance immense campaign lution to financing the services that our The sharpest critics of local government And then there was a little something expenditures to support their compen- residents legitimately ask us to provide did not do well in the Council race and called the Federal Fair Political Practices sation and pension benefit goals, while rests in undertaking aggressive econom- the avalanche of attack mail from the po- Act. “There are so many forms involved,” this same law prohibits a candidate from ic programs that support restoration of lice union backfired. Ken says. “My daughter helped me keep raising or spending equal sums to assert prosperity to our community. Interpreting the reasons for election track of it all.” reasonable limits. Perhaps we must come If you have good jobs right here in outcomes is always trickier than inter- Still, Ken enjoyed meeting people. “I to grips with the fact that our City’s cam- town, if your employers have new cus- preting the results. Many factors will be did a lot of walking and meeting with paign finance law was so poorly written tomers and stronger demand for the cited by winners and losers, but the bot- people. It’s a good opening line to say that it compromises our ability to actu- goods and services they provide, if more tom line remains the same: voters sig- ‘Hi, I’m Ken Cozzens, City Council candi- tourists visit Ventura, if retail stores be- naled they are looking for an economical date.’ People who knew that were willing gin to thrive again and your property approach to local government, with more to open up to me.” Council values begin to rise once more, we can af- emphasis on economic development and Overall, Ken’s thoughts on the pro- ford once all those things that our com- living within our means. But many citi- cess could be summed up in one word: Contacts munity needs and expects us to provide. zens remain fixated on maintaining ser- stressful. “Yeah, it was hard on my family Economic prosperity has always been vices they support and others continu- — my wife, daughter and son all helped These are the email address- my pre-eminent goal. I fought to have it ally insist the government take on new me out. Still, it was a good opportunity es of your city council mem- be the number one priority in our Gen- responsibilities. to meet new folks, get a better under- bers. If you think that some- eral Plan for the future of the City. If we In California, this division has gener- standing of the city.” thing in the city is wrong or had in fact made it our greatest priority, ally been on partisan lines, with Repub- It’s a big job to keep track of every- right or needs improving, we would not have had the terrible cuts licans favoring less taxes and Democrats thing and no man is an island. If he had in services we were forced to undergo in favoring more services. The polarization it to do over, Ken admits he’d do things please email them and let this recession, and the City would be a has produced a stalemate where the num- differently. “I really need to put together them know. They are here to stronger and happier place. bers simply don’t add up, squandering the an organization to run a campaign.” serve you. I believe our people have learned State’s finances and public trust. This has Still, he has no regrets about his ex- from this experience now and that we’ll produced incredible cynicism. It spills perience and may consider running again Neal Andrews have their support for balanced pro- over into local government and could ulti- in the future. “It’s a chapter in my life. I’m [email protected] grams of economic advancement over mately make counties and cities as ungov- glad I did it.” Brian Brennan the next several years that’ll provide the ernable as the State. It is not unlike the Like Ken, Mike Tracy was born and [email protected] tax base to meet legitimate requests for situation for old-line department stores raised in Ventura. A graduate of Ventura public services, maintenance of our in- that still try to maintain the appearance College and Cal Lutheran, Mike joined Bill Fulton frastructure, and provide the amenities that they have nicer stores, better service the Ventura Police Department in 1975 [email protected] that make our community a joy to live in and higher quality merchandise than the and eventually became its Chief. He re- for our people. rock bottom discounters. The only way tired in 2004. Jim Monahan These are the goals that I will strive they can hang on to customers is to pre- Again, we asked the question: Why? [email protected] for with your help. I thank you for allow- tend that everything is always on sale. In “Well,” he explains, “I’d been retired for Carl Morehouse ing me the opportunity to devote four the end, you get what you pay for. five years, had time on my hands, and felt [email protected] more years to your service. By their nature, elections never make like I had something to offer, maybe a everyone happy. But in a stable, demo- little different perspective than most who Ed Summers cratic society, elections choose our lead- serve on the Council.” [email protected] Meet with a ers and decide key measures that set our Mike took a different approach to his course. The voters in Ventura have spo- campaign. “My first surprise was how ex- Christy Weir council member ken. It is our job to live within our means. pensive it was,” he says. He lent himself [email protected] To set up a meeting with a council That means tough decisions for the City five thousand dollars to get started, then Rick Cole member for your community organiza- Council. It remains to be seen whether put the word out to friends and associates City Manager tion, neighborhood group or club call those that elected them will understand that he was running for office. Through a [email protected] Anne Hallock at 658-4739 or e-mail ahal- and support those tough decisions when series of targeted letters, plus a website, he [email protected]. they come. managed to raise about twenty thousand

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 5 Election Reflections News and Notes dollars. All in all, he ended up spending to make decisions calmly and be proac- tients and families often need emotional about twenty-two thousand dollars. His tive rather than reactive. I plan to work support as well as professional services. strategy worked. He got elected. hard to keep the needs of the students The Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse For Mike, his biggest challenges and the school sites first in our minds Association Hospice Program assists peo- turned out to be the three local ballot as we make decisions. ple in coping with the crisis of dying and measures (A, B, C). “I found the mea- Please don’t let misleading cam- death. Their program directs its services sures to be very polarizing. In some paign information cloud your mind or to the medical, physical, emotional, spiri- cases, it was the only thing that people give you a misimpression of our dis- tual and social needs of patients and all cared about. They would make up their trict. Every district is experiencing huge others in their lives. Hospice care teams mind and vote for a candidate based on changes and challenges, but the Board are available to give compassionate sup- a single ballot measure.” of Education has always made decisions Photo by David Hankins port to the patient and family 24-hours a His candidacy, however, also pro- in the best interest of children. Our day, 7 days a week. vided a very pleasant surprise. “In Ven- schools are ranked higher than most Montgomery tura, people are really engaged in the schools in the county and state. We are political process. They really care about not failing our kids. Our teachers and confesses the issues.” students are being misjudged by poor After fielding a ginormous number of He enjoyed meeting new people, and, legislation and even President Obama inquiries, Suz Montgomery is announc- in a few cases, convincing the skeptical recognizes that No Child Left Behind ing she is, indeed, married, thereby crush- to support him. “I called one woman I needs to be re-written. Our district has ing the hopes of a copious amount of knew was opposed to me and talked to improved yearly in all areas and should would-be suitors in this city and beyond. her, tried to clarify my position. After ten be applauded, not put down. Montgomery, a popular adult educa- minutes or so, she changed her mind and tion teacher, Ventura activist and long- said she was going to vote for me.” time TV personality (Schmooze with Suz) So, what is Mike looking forward to Venturans have eloped with her beau to Santa Barbara’s as he prepares to serve on the City Coun- Thirty-six Sunken Gardens on August 16. They cil? “I’d really like to focus on economic spoken spent their honeymoon at the Santa Bar- development, public safety and main- zombies gather by Christy Weir, bara Zoo with the couple’s kids, grand- taining our infrastructure.” Mayor, City of Ventura kids and endangered animals, and later In particular, he’d like to see Ventura at the Poinsettia on in San Buenaventura By the Sea. welcome more economic opportunities. Ventura voters made their choices The couple plan a huge party next “I think we need to start being more ag- heard. They re-elected three of our four Pavilion year for all friends and a special hon- gressive and open. Too often, businesses incumbents – Neal Andrews, Brian Bren- On Saturday October 24, thirty-six eymoon in a foreign land. The stealth have come to Ventura, then gone else- nan and Jim Monahan; elected former zombies gathered at the Poinsettia Pa- spouse is John Hankins of Ojai, a writer where because we turned them down. It’s police chief Mike Tracy; and turned down vilion to join in a worldwide dance of and editor who owns a news clipping ser- time to take advantage of the economic the temporary ½-cent sales tax measure, “Thriller”. As part of the official “Thrill vice and who gleefully admits, “they call opportunities that come to us.” Measure A. The World” annual event, at precisely me Mr. Suz.” Our Council is committed to carrying 5:30pm the dancers began to writhe on out the will of the voters. Our message the floor as the beginning refrains of the Velma Lomax, when we cut our budget last March was song sang through the air. that we will live within our means. Mea- Light Up A Life At the same time, dancers in nearly VUSD School sure A offered voters a choice: make those 400 locations throughout the world cuts permanent or restore some of the Campaign to joined in, setting a new world record for highest priority services through a tem- the Largest Simulation Thriller Dance Board porary sales tax increase. While I favored benefit Livings- with the Record Holder’s Republic, Thank you to all the voters in the the measure, I understand and accept the with over 23,000 dancers participating School Board election November 3rd. It voters’ choice. The City Council will con- ton Hospice worldwide. has been my honor to serve on the Ven- tinue to fund only the services and proj- Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse The local dancers began learning tura Unified School Board for the past ects that we can support with the revenue Association has begun its 25th Annual the dance in early October in workshops 16 years and now, thanks to each of you, the City collects Light Up A Life campaign. The beginning held by Louise Bretz, the Thrill the World I will be serving another four years. I can assure the residents of Ventura of the campaign coincides with National event manager for Ventura and owner of The past 16 years have been amaz- that we remain committed to these prin- Hospice and Palliative Care month, No- Connexions Dance Studio. “This is the ing. We passed an $80 million bond, ciples, although we face continuing chal- vember, and runs through the holiday first year we’ve had an event in Ventura, built new schools, refurbished older lenges, including State takeaways and de- season. The campaign goal is to raise and it was a great success,” said Bretz. ones, made many facility changes, sold clining sales tax revenues, primarily due $60,000 to benefit Livingston Hospice, To qualify for world record status, the surplus property, hired a new superin- to the drop-off in auto sales. the first Medicare Certified hospice in group had to adhere to strict guidelines tendent, offered options for student Lean times mean that we all must Ventura County. including submitting witness testimony, a learning and moved our support ser- make sacrifices, so nearly a year ago we Livingston invites all residents of video, and sign-in sheets. Dancers got into vices into one building on Stanley Av- began to carefully examine every city ser- Ventura County to support this year’s the spirit with full-on zombie makeup. enue. We gave raises when we could vice in each department for value as well Light Up campaign. Memory Stars can Thrill The World Ventura also raised and offered more staff development to as cost. This intense, three-month bud- be ordered online for $25 each at www. money for the Mossy Foot Project, a local- our employees along with keeping ben- geting exercise that saw the City Council, livingstonvna.org or by calling 642-0239. ly run charity that does work in Ethiopia efits available without cost to fulltime City staff and members of the commu- Event sponsorship is also available. to prevent and treat Mossy Foot Disease. employees. Times have been great and nity come together to “budget for out- Hospice Care is a home program, Sharon Daly was on hand at the event as we have seen many wonderful, exciting comes” resulted in an $11 million cut in which provides care for the terminally ill a witness and to raise awareness for the changes all benefiting our students and spending. Every city employee agreed to and their families. This is a time when pa- Mossy Foot Project. employees. a 5% cut in compensation and programs Unfortunately, I cannot say the and staff positions were eliminated. We same about the next four years. Educa- stated that our overall priority was to tion as we know it is in a crisis. Mon- “emphasize economic prosperity to en- ey from state and federal sources has sure sustainable funding for necessary been cut back, teachers are expected to city programs and to meet critical needs, teach standards, keep test scores high, including maintaining the high priority deal with a diverse community and do City Council has placed on public safety, all this with class sizes being raised, financial stewardship, and streets and staff development being cut back, and public utilities.” That remains our goal, threats of being laid off. The moral at and economic development will continue this point is the lowest I have seen it in to be our primary emphasis for raising years. Being a classroom teacher my- revenues to fund the services our citizens self, I understand the frustration. deserve. The good news is that Ventura Uni- As my two-year term as mayor draws fied has been very conservative with to a close, my colleagues on the City spending. As a result, we have not had Council and I wish to thank the Ventura to cut back as much as surrounding residents who voted on Nov.3. We have districts. We have been able to keep heard your voice and will honor your most programs and employees intact wishes. And we will count on your part- and are working hard to maintain cuts nership and support as we maintain a furthest away from the classroom as balanced budget and work to meet com- possible. While we are expecting hard munity needs during these challenging times, I believe that we are in a position economic times.

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 6 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze News and Notes pay them off, disguise it as payments in items on FOOD Share’s grocery list, and American journalist shares the form of construction contracts, and fellow grocers VONS and Ralph’s will pay them enough money so that could help secure monetary donations at check- pay off all the fighters under their con- out registers. Iraq war experiences trol and keep them from attacking who- “FOOD Share looks forward to build- ever. They basically took that plan and by ing additional awareness throughout the by Tim Pompey April 2006, the Americans were funneling holidays with our Tackling Hunger cam- see what was happening myself and then hundreds of millions of dollars into these paign and encourage the community to come back and just report from there as I corrupt tribal sheiks. visit all of our valued partners to help could. T: So is there a functioning government those in need,” Bonnie Weigel said. T: All right, you go to Iraq after the in- there? A major food bank distributing mil- vasion, so tell me about your first impressions? D: No, it’s akin to the government lions of pounds of food each year to those D: I knew it was going to be chaotic, in Afghanistan. Maybe not quite that in need throughout Ventura County, but still, my first time driving in there, my bad, but it’s rife with corruption. They FOOD Share collects and receives food head was swimming because it was total basically have control of part of Baghdad, year-round,. Information is at 983-7100 chaos. I’d never been in a war zone or but no, it’s not a functioning govern- or www.foodshare.com. an occupation, and you know, giant M1 ment, especially not one that represents tanks going down the street, huge con- the people because 76 percent of Iraqis gested traffic, no electricity, and no jobs. I are in favor of total withdrawal and less mean there was literally no state, so Sadd- than 1 percent of Iraqis actually support Appeals court am was removed and there was nothing their government. It’s not considered a le to replace him. It was total chaos, just Continued on page 19 sides with total absolute chaos. It took me probably about two weeks before I even started to get my head around what I was actually county in La Dahr Jamail, standing in a refugee camp on seeing. the border of Jordan and Iraq. T: After Bush made the famous victory Conchita case declaration on the deck of the aircraft carrier in Last month an appeals court upheld Dahr Jamail, author and journalist, May 2003, obviously some very bloody battles a decision made by the Ventura County went to Iraq in 2003 to write about life followed after that in Fallujah and other places. Superior Court that the defendant, Ven- in this postwar country under U.S. mili- What kind of resistance did you see that solidi- tura County was not to blame for the tary occupation. Jamail was one of only a fied after Hussein was ousted from power. Was deaths, injuries and property losses dur- handful of independent journalists who it Al Qaeda based or were there other causes ing the 2005 landslide in La Conchita. reported from inside Fallujah during the that were bringing these militias together? The appeal was filed by La Conchita siege in April 2004. He was also the only D: I talked with a lot of resistance residents who originally brought the suit American independent journalist to cover fighters, even guys who were pro invasion upon the county. the November 2004 siege of Fallujah. He when it started because they hated Sadd- Plaintiffs claimed a 270-foot-long currently writes about the Iraq war and am, but when they saw how the Ameri- wall the county built in 2000 at the bot- other related topics on his website www. cans were behaving and how they were tom of the mountain after a 1995 land- dahrjamailiraq.com. He was recently treating the Iraqi people, the home raids slide contributed to the 2005 landslide. sponsored by Citizens for Accountability, and the torture and the lack of fulfill- They maintain the wall, made of steel piles a local peace activist group in Ventura, to ment of the promises, they decided they exacerbated the deaths, property damage come to Ventura and discuss his book, had enough and they joined the resis- Bonnie Weigel with Jacob Mizraji, who at 13 and injuries incurred during the disaster. “The Will to Resist: Soldiers Who Refuse tance. So most of it was either people like years old will once again prepare and sell egg- In the suit, the plaintiff’s stated the wall to Fight in Iraq & Afghanistan,” and to that or people who were former military, plant parmesan and donate the proceeds to stood as much as 23 to 25 feet tall. share his observations about postwar and of course, we’ve all heard that one of FOOD Share. It is the second time he has done In the suit, the plaintiff’s claim the Iraq. While he was in town, The Breeze Bremer’s first colossal mistakes was dis- this for the food bank. wall impeded drainage from the hillside was granted an interview with Jamail. banding the army, so immediately over- leading it to become over-saturated ulti- The following are excerpts from that in- night you had hundreds of thousands FOOD Share’s mately contributing to the landslide. In terview. To read the full interview visit of armed, combat trained, unemployed, addition the suit states the wall in fact our website at www.venturabreeze.com. pissed off guys and that basically formed monthly food guided the landslide toward homes. T: When and why did you decide to go to the backbone of the resistance. According to the county’s lawyer Rob- Iraq as a journalist? T: Somewhere in this process I’ve heard ert C. Ceccon of Richards, Watson & Ger- D: The first time I went to Iraq was that the U.S. military hired and paid the same distribution shon, La Conchita residents were warned late November 2003 and I’ve reported militias who previously were doing the mass by the county after the 1995 landslide from there five trips now for a total of killings, paid them in cash to, in essence, be a to those in that the area stood on unsteady ground. nine months in country. I was enraged counter insurgent security force. Ceccon also stated he was happy with and decided that what I could do was go D: Yeah, that’s the Awakening need rose 37 the decision handed down by the appel- to Iraq. And, once the occupation started, groups. And that started in April 2006. late court. and, of course, that type of coverage con- Actually the Rand Corporation came out percent Ventura County Superior Court tinued of kind of glossing over the occu- with a report. They basically figured out: Judge Vincent O’Neil ruled the county pation, and, making it look as though ev- What is a good counter insurgency plan? was protected by a legal theory called “de- erything was just going swimmingly, and, So what they decided to do was to reha- during 2009 sign immunity” where the belief is that of course, what I was reading was pretty bilitate a plan that Saddam Hussein used, With FOOD Share’s current bigger substantial evidence supported the “rea- different than that. So, I decided I’d go which was to find corrupt tribal sheiks, picture of need requiring more effort sonableness of the plan or design.” to secure monetary donations, the non- In addition, the appeals court re- profit, serving more than 54,700 people ferred to a photo of the wall affirming, in need each month, has announced stra- “They show water draining through the tegic partnerships to help tackle hunger wall as it was designed to do. The wall in 2010. is not leaning. There are no bulges or New partner Crowne Plaza Ventura cracks. There is nothing to indicate the Beach hotel has established a unique sus- wall is under extraordinary stress. To the tainable agreement with FOOD Share contrary, the wall appears solid.” with its Just One Campaign which will The plaintiff’s can appeal this deci- donate $1.00 from each guest night to sion to the state Supreme Court. help feed the hungry. Heavy rain fell in the days prior to the “ Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach is La Conchita landslide which occurred on pleased to bring the ‘Just One’ sustain- Jan. 10, 2005. Ten people were killed and able program to FOOD Share to provide a number of homes were destroyed. funding for resources in securing food In August 2008, a jury found La Con- for those in need,” said Douglas Wood, chita Ranch Co. negligent in connection general manager. with the 2005 landslide. The ranch was Wells Fargo Foundation kicked off located directly above the community. the Tackling Hunger campaign with a Prior to the damages phase of the trial, a $50,000 cash donation, taking FOOD settlement was made between the compa- Share halfway towards its goal of ny and La Conchita residents. The plain- $100,000. tiffs received the ranch, all its equipment Albertson’s grocery stores donated and other assets and $5 million. The $7,500 which will provide needed food ranch was later sold for $2.5 million.

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 7 News and Notes Digital Ventura police Camera Play- launch program ground - Part 5 to combat DUI - Aperture deaths and & Focus injuries By Nelson Wallace The Ventura Police Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant In addition to affecting exposure, the for a year-long anti-DUI program aimed f / number controls the range of distanc- at preventing deaths and injuries on our Librarian Charles Johnson, of the Museum of Ventura County is very excited that the Museum’s es over which the objects in the scene are roadways. New enforcement measures to extensive collections will be ushered into a spacious new home. in good focus. This range is called “depth combat impaired driving are coming as a of field”, and the photographer controls result of a recent $137,466 grant awarded it in order to emphasize or deemphasize Museum of Ventura County by the California Office of Traffic Safety elements in a photograph. A large depth to the City of Ventura. The Ventura Po- of field means that both close and far ob- moves toward completion lice Department is dedicated to keeping jects are in good focus. This is desirable by Tim Pompey our streets safe through both enforce- for photographing your friend stand- ment and education. Rising from the dirt and gravel on tural plans and drawings, and 90 years of ing in front of the Grand Canyon. Con- “In this time of reduced budgets and Main Street, the renovation of the Mu- newspapers. versely, a short depth of field means that resources, Ventura is truly fortunate to seum of Ventura County is starting to Phase II, for which the Museum is cur- only something at a specific distance is in have the support of the Office of Traffic take shape. Surrounded by a river stone rently raising funds, will add considerable focus, while things closer or farther away Safety,” said Assistant Police Chief Ken and stucco exterior, it’s expected to be square footage around the museum’s east look fuzzy; this is good when photograph- Corney. “This grant award will allow finished some time between March and and south sides, including a new front ing your friend in front of a shrubbery, Ventura to focus on DUI enforcement June 2010. entrance, bookstore, children’s garden, when what you really want to feature is and send the message of zero tolerance to On a recent hard hat tour, museum and seminar rooms. It will also expand your friend’s face, and the details of the violators.” officials and board members took guests the museum’s capacity for gallery dis- vegetation would just be a distraction. The special DUI Enforcement and through the construction site and pro- plays, office space, and, most important Your digital camera has the capabil- Awareness grant is to assist in efforts to vided a short presentation on what will to Museum Director Tim Schiffer, edu- ity to set the aperture to give the depth reduce the number of persons killed and eventually be a thoroughly remodeled cational activities. “We hope to increase of field for the sort of photograph you’re injured in alcohol and other drug related structure. our ability to schedule tours and educa- taking. In Portrait mode, it opens up the collisions. The grant activities will spe- Front and center is the new pavilion, tional activities for kids,” Schiffer com- aperture to give smaller depth of field and cifically target impaired driving offend- a structure that will provide some much ments. “Once it’s completed, we will be thus emphasize something. In Landscape ers as well as educate the public on the needed space in downtown Ventura for able to serve thousands of schoolchil- mode, it stops the aperture down, increas- dangers of impaired driving. This will be community gatherings, large scale din- dren onsite each year without affecting ing the depth of field so that both nearby done through the use of DUI/driver’s li- ners, and perhaps a wedding or two. our other activities going on in the mu- and distant things are in good focus. cense checkpoints, warrant searches and Museum staff will also appreciate hav- seum.” In addition to controlling depth of stakeouts for repeat DUI offenders, satu- ing the extra large space for their own During the tour, Johnson provided field, a photographer also chooses what ration patrols, and court stings targeting events. The structure will include setups guests with a brief review of some of the objects in the scene will be used to drive DUI offenders with suspended or revoked for a custom-made tent that can be put Museum’s unique items, including some the camera’s automatic focus algorithm. driver licenses who get behind the wheel up and taken down as necessary. When rare pictures of the initial construction Most digital cameras offer a choice of after leaving court. all is said and done, the pavilion will be of Pacific Coast Highway south of Ven- focusing methods. The default method Drunk driving is one of America’s able to seat up to 200 guests for dinners tura, some old maps of the Mission and sets focus based on improving the entire deadliest crimes. In 2008, over 11,700 or 400 guests for lectures and special its extensive vineyard, and some ancient picture. The other choice is a spot focus people died in highway crashes involv- presentations. hand lettered manuscripts from religious method, where the camera focuses on a ing a driver or motorcycle operator with a The pavilion is the first stage in what orders in Europe beautifully stenciled in small region in the middle of the scene, blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 the Museum hopes will be a grand rede- tiny Latin letters. and doesn’t try to focus on anything else. or higher. sign that significantly expands their of- It’s a bit rough right now, but the To experiment, let’s take pictures of “Last year in California 1,029 died in fice, classroom, and display space. Once bones are being constructed. In six the same scene with the aperture con- alcohol impaired crashes, a 9 percent re- completed, many of the Museum’s exten- months, a new structure will face Main trolled for either a maximum or minimum duction in deaths from 2007,” said Chris- sive collections currently jammed into Street and the San Buenaventura Mis- depth of field, using spot focusing. topher J. Murphy, Director of the Office various nooks and corners or packed sion. A tribute to both the old mission Save whatever pictures are in your of Traffic Safety. “This grant will help away in storage will be ushered into a spa- and the ever-changing landscape of his- camera. Read your manual, and deter- keep that trend going by getting drunk cious new home. tory, the Museum’s roots are buried mine how to put your camera into and drivers off the roadways of Ventura, mak- For librarian Charles Johnson, this deep in Ventura County. If all goes as out of the spot focus mode. Read about ing it safer for everyone.” will be an exciting moment. “It allows us planned, more people, adults and chil- aperture priority. In aperture mode, most to reach our potential. For some of our dren, will come to understand and ap- cameras have one button to push to de- materials, we will be able for the very first preciate how the County took shape. crease f / number, and another button to time to make them available.” No small Not to mention, with all that new stone push to increase f / number. Cameras will Taylor steps feat, considering the Museum collections and glass, it will make downtown Ven- also display the f / number setting on the include 5,000 maps, 700 sets of architec- tura look even better. LCD screen on the back of the camera. Turn on your camera and put it into down aperture priority mode. Turn off the flash. Zoe J. Taylor, President/CEO of the Put the camera into spot focus mode. Do Ventura Chamber of Commerce has an- not use macro mode. Go outside on a nounced that she will be leaving her posi- sunny day, hold the camera in one hand, tion at the Chamber on November 30. stretch the other hand out in front of you, After 13 years she has decided that it and hold out your thumb pointing up. is time for her to pursue other exciting This will probably position your thumb at challenges and business opportunities. the closest distance your camera can focus. She stated that “I would like to take The background should be a region many this opportunity to thank you all for yards away, and contains detail (bushes, your investment and commitment to the trees, cars,...). Set your camera to the low- Chamber the past thirteen years I have est f / number (f / 2.8 maybe). Point the been privileged to serve as the President/ camera so your thumb is in the middle of CEO of the organization. I especially the picture and take a picture of it and the want to thank the many members who background. Now set your f / number to have committed their time and talent in the highest number ( f / 11 maybe) and building a strong organization. It has shoot again. Both photographs should been a pleasure serving you.” show your thumb in crisp focus. In the “I hope that our paths cross in the low f / number shot, the background will future as I will be staying in Ventura . I appear relatively fuzzy, but in the high f / wish you all the best in 2010 and may it number shot the background should be in be a better and more prosperous year for better focus. all of us.”

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 8 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze

News and Notes More on page 14 markers they start to draw an evolving questions and anxiety. The charrette is though they are part of the process and composition of streets, buildings, green their chance to be heard. not just receiving a handout. spaces and utilities. Teams vary but Teams one and two replaced the 51 For those in need of assistance this most include an urban planner, archi- individual buildings with fewer, larger year please contact Lisa Davis at 648-5032 tect, landscape architect, engineer and buildings and consolidated the individ- or [email protected]. lately, green building consultant. Each ual yards to make park space. Both ac- For those interested in hosting an contributes their special knowledge to commodated different types of housing: angel tree or would like more informa- the brainstorm: How big are the streets? family, single, live/work. Both wanted to tion on purchasing new unwrapped gifts How many parking spaces? How tall can connect to the Ventura River. It was a de- please contact Captain Bill Finley at 320- we build? fensive stalemate. 7345 or [email protected] Westview Village is a public housing The third team cheated. They drew my.org. project built in the 1950’s. It covers about stuff on the plan during their presenta- three blocks just north of downtown. tion. Somebody would say, “Well how By round two all teams were on the Grand With its’ 51 buildings deteriorating, the about picnic tables, I don’t see any picnic H.P. Wright is Lawn bandwagon at the Westview Village pre- Housing Authority wants to rebuild. tables?” He’d say, “Well they’re right here,” sentation Three charrette teams faced the same and just draw them in. It was sneaky but closing down challenge: create more housing units and nobody caught it. It would appear that H.P. Wright A charrette more open space using the existing site. Team three punched the same but- library will be shutting down on No- Two preliminary rounds called “Pin tons as the first two but it had a big offen- vember 30. (shuh-ret) is a Ups” were held at a local community sive weapon: The Grand Lawn. Instead of Apparently the failure of proposition center. Here the teams literally pin up bunch of tiny parks they’d created this A to pass was the final element in the clos- period of their ideas on the wall and try to con- big green swath all the way across the site. ing of the library. It was hoped that if it vince an angry taunting crowd to pick Touchdown! passed $500,000 of the ½ cent increase in “intense design their design. When the other teams saw it they sales tax would be used to keep it open. This was not an easy room. People knew they were beaten. They graciously Supporters of the library have man- activity” came and told us to quiet down because praised the Grand Lawn as they plot- aged to raise almost $100,000 to keep it we were disturbing the drum circle next ted ways to take credit for the idea. The temporarily open but couldn’t continue by John Burke door. Later, a gentleman from the city teams formed a committee to water to raise enough further funds to allow it It’s Charrette Season in Ventura. stood up and remind us what Misses down the design by adding in a bunch of to stay open. This month I went to one for Westview Manners had to say about comments stuff that was overlooked in the heat of Jackie Griffin, director of the Ven- Village. Unlike last months Waterfront like, “Dude, you’re crazy.” competition. tura County library system (which has Charrette, these weren’t students. These The designers were proud of saving The last round was a celebration. It 14 branches) stated that there is just no were professionals, hardened by years of the existing trees. They residents had an- was held in a big tent on the grounds of more money to keep maintaining it. all-pro charrette competition. other idea. They hated the trees! Intense- Westview Village. Parents and kids came The Foster Library, located downtown A charrette (shuh-ret) is a period of Design-Activity. out at sunset to look at the drawings and shall remain open and a lot of Wright’s “intense design activity”, markers flying, The competitors were unflappable talk to the design teams. Just as I was books will be moved there and it is hoped trace paper flying, tempers flying. It’s in- as a small but energetic committee of about to leave, they brought out the food. that Foster’s hours can be increased to tense. Teams start by gathering around a residents peppered them with questions. I stayed a little longer to investigate. make it easier for the users from Wright large map of the site, they make a tight Mostly they had questions about security. Library find time to use Foster. huddle so other teams can’t steal their Would access be controlled? Would they Will Thompson, head of the non- design. Over several days they redesign an have their own parking space? Who’d The Salvation profit San Buenaventura Friends of the entire neighborhood. watch their back when you moved their Library still hopes that future funding Using clear trace paper and colored neighbor? Uprooting 180 families raises Army toy and can be found to re-open the library next year. Citycouncil member Neal Andrews joy feels that it is very important to have Known for its bright red kettles and Wright Library stay open and stated that bell ringers at Christmas time, The Salva- he will still attempt to come up with a tion Army utilizes a variety of programs solution to the problem, or if any of our to provide hope and Christmas happi- readers have a few hundred thousand ness to families in need. One of the best dollars laying around that they would loved programs is The Salvation Army like to donate to the cause that would Toy and Joy Program. The Salvation certainly help. Army Toy and Joy shop is Christmas as- sistance program to help those in need. Qualified applicants will receive toys for Counseling pro- children, a food box for Christmas, and other items including coats. gram available The Salvation Army here in Ventura A family counseling program is be- identifies needy families through applica- ing offered by Turning Point Foundation tions taken at their Social Services office with groups in Oxnard and Ventura. The at 155 S. Oak St. Applicants are inter- Groups began the week of November 9 viewed and must provide documentation for families affected by mental illness. to insure they meet minimum poverty The counseling is available on a low guidelines and give information about fee sliding scale in Oxnard on Tuesdays children’s ages and special interests. Ap- from 6-8pm and in Ventura on Wednes- plications will be accepted every Thurs- days from 6-8pm. day and Saturday from November 19 to Please contact David Deutsch for fur- December 12 from 10 am-2 pm. ther information and to register at 746- Each applicant should bring: 5216. • Proof of residency for Ventura, Fill- more or Santa Paula • Rental receipts or rental contract Ventura County Most current pay stub or proof of in- come Human Services • Birth certificates or other ID for all of your children. Agency foster The easiest way for people to help is to sponsor an “Angel Tree.” An angel tree is parenting infor- a location where angel tags (provided by The Salvation Army) containing a child’s mation meeting name, age, and toy recommendation are Discover the rewards of foster par- displayed. enting at a Foster Parenting Informa- A Toy and Joy Shop allows parents tion Meeting. Learn how you can provide to “shop” for their children’s Christmas the healing, support and guidance that gifts. It allows the parents to choose what can transform a child at risk into a self- gifts their children will have as they know assured, successful adult. Almost 700 their kids best. It also gives the adults a children are currently in foster homes in little more empowerment as they feel as Ventura County, and every day, another

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 9 News and Notes Community Events child is removed from their home be- the products, services, support and infor- “Catalina is extremely thrilled and cause they have been neglected, abused or mation you provide. honored to play Clara and has been abandoned. Open your heart and home Stay positive about what you are hoping to for several years now,” said to foster parenting and make a difference saying Gina Biggerstaff, mother “She feels in the lives of children at risk. For more Staying positive means you want to honored to have been chosen for such information call the County of Ventura post material that shows your VIPs quali- an important role. She’s very excited Human Services Agency at 654-3456 or ties you already possess. Providing mate- and can’t wait till the shows.” go to vchsa.org/foster. rials that are encouraging, educating and Tickets are $9-$23 general, $15 for entertaining always has a strong impact seniors 65 and older and $10 for chil- on the VIPs you are reaching out. dren 10 and younger. A Sugar Plum Ventura Post about what you have done for your Cookie reception will follow each mati- existing client base. nee and is complimentary to ticket Family YMCA Never criticize another company holders. Tickets are available online at and/or person www.venturacountyballet.com, the Ox- celebrates There is a perception on the internet nard Performing Arts Center box office that vending your negative, accomplish- at 486-2424, or Ventura Visitors Center November as es the desire for revenge. In most case, it at 648-2075. only reflects poorly on the person provid- “The Nutcracker” is generously Military Family ing the negative criticism. So unless you supported by Sandra and Jordan Laby, are a well known and famous critic, do Micheline Sakharoff, Kipp Financial Month your best to keep away from the negative Group and the Law Offices of Donna As part of its ongoing commitment to criticism. C. Santo. Ventura native Jennifer Whalen will dance the family strengthening, the Ventura Family Contribute to other conversations role of Dream Clara in The Nutcracker pre- YMCA celebrates military families during This isn’t all about you, of course. sented by the Ventura County Ballet Company. the nation’s first National Military Fam- Social Media is to be social. Taking the Photo by Gene Schiavone ily Month. time to view other’s social media efforts Friends of the “The Ventura Family YMCA recog- shows your community you want to help nizes the sacrifices that members of the others. The Nutcracker Library “Happy military and their families make on a dai- How much do you add to your pur- ly basis,” said Kate Bucey, Administrative pose of your VIPs? will feature a Holidays” Book Services Director of the Ventura Family Linda P. Taylor (aka Social Media YMCA. “We celebrate National Military Diva) sums it up very nicely. First, de- cast of 135 Sale Family Month, and we are honored to cide what level of social media you want The San Buenaventura Friends of provide support to families of deployed to implement (beginner, intermediate, or dancers the Library (SBFOL) invites the public military service members.” advance). Second, determine what your Just in time for the holiday season, the to a “Happy Holidays” used book sale on For more information on the YMCA goals are in using social media. Finally Ventura County Ballet Company (VCBC) Saturday, November 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 Military Outreach Initiative and to find a and most important, research who your will showcase its full, upscale production p.m., and on Sunday, February 15, from participating YMCA, visit www.ymca.net. “niche” market” is. Focus on quality of of “The Nutcracker,” at 2 and 7 p.m. noon to 4 p.m., in the Topping Room of Eligibility forms for military personnel clients. Nov. 21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Ox- E.P. Foster Library, at 651 E. Main Street. can be found at www.militaryonesource. Peter K. Godinez and Linda P. Taylor can nard Performing Arts and Convention The weekend-long book sale offers com. be reached at [email protected] for indi- Center, 800 Hobson Way in Oxnard. high quality used books great for gift giv- vidual and companies’ desiring to better under- A first-class cast of 135 dancers from ing at low prices in all categories – featur- stand and implement social media for business Camarillo, Ojai, Santa Paula, Somis, ing religion, art, classics, history, nature, How to be a VIP results. Fillmore, and Ventura as well as profes- health, biography, special interest, books sional dancers from around the world for children, fiction and non-fiction. to Your VIPs will gather on stage to present the bal- A loading zone is reserved for patrons let. VCBC pre-professionals from Ballet in front of the Topping Room to trans- through Social Academy Ventura, the official school of port book purchases. All proceeds go the VCBC, also will dance various roles. to help pay for new books and reading Media Ventura resident Catalina Big- programs at the City of Ventura’s public by Peter K. Godinez gerstaff, 15, who has been dancing libraries. (Social Media Sales Hero) with VCBC since the age of three, was San Buenaventura Friends of the Li- awarded the much sought-after role of brary is an all-volunteer public service or- Social media is one of the initial “Clara,” a main character of the ballet. ganization. places people go when they want to learn more about you and what you stand for. So how does one present themselves through the elements of social media as a person of true value” to the right peo- ple you are hoping to connect with right now? Here are some suggestions. Kiwanis Club of Focus in on the right types of VIPs you should be connecting Ventura officers There may be the possibility you are The Kiwanis Club of Ventura has pointing your “marketing laser” at the elected their 2009-2010 officers. They wrong profile of potential clients. One are President-Matt Kohagen, President- important exercise is to sit down with Elect-Lou Cunningham, Vice President- your team and brainstorm what the ex- Mike Molloy, Secretary-Gloria Casas, isting profile of clients who you presently Treasurer-Jan Schmutte. The club se- find enjoyable to work with and are prof- lected Mike Molloy for Kiwanian of the itable. Determine what it is you do that is Year-2009. The club meets every Friday special, that no one else can duplicate as at noon at the Poinsettia Pavilion. well as you. Use the appropriate social media tools that are a fit to the VIPs you Trash schedule are reaching out. In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Are your targeted VIPs more inclined the employees of Harrison Industries to read a blog, white paper or written are taking the day off on Thursday, post? Do they prefer having audio ve- Nov. 26. As a result, customers who hicles so they may listen to particular normally have their trash and recycla- subject? Maybe using still pictures with bles or green waste collected on Thurs- short descriptions and initial benefit day or Friday will have it collected one statements will grasp their attention bet- day later than usual. ter. Are they more captivated by short The Thanksgiving holiday will not and to the point videos, communicating affect customers who have their trash the message you are attempting to send and recyclables or green waste collected out? With all of this some VIPs like the on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. option to communicate back and see The regular schedule for all custom- what others (like them) are saying about ers will resume the following week.

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 10 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze Community Events Beth Torah’s Ventura County Jewish Film Festival. Experience the transition from Thanksgiving is Broadway stage to Silver Screen of such famous hits as Oklahoma , The Sound of upon us Music, Carousel, State Fair, Flower Drum by Bill Finley, Song and the King and I. This PBS docu- Captain, The Salvation Army mentary features vintage footage and is narrated by Shirley Jones. On November 26 the Faith Commu- After the film, Kenny Larson and nities Subcommittee of the Ventura So- Patricia McPherson will again play and cial Service Task Force is once again host- sing musical selections by the compos- ing the One City, One Meal Thanksgiving ers. Light refreshments will be served. Day lunch. This event takes place Sunday, Novem- The lunch will be held at the Knights ber 22, at 3 p.m. at Temple Beth Torah, of Columbus Hall in Downtown Ventura 7620 Foothill Rd. , Ventura . Admission from 11am-2pm. All of the food will be is $10.00 paid in advance by November prepared by restaurants in Downtown 19. $15.00 at the door on the day of the Ventura. event. If you have any questions please Families and individuals alike are in- call Temple Beth Torah at 647-4181. vited to gather around a table and share a meal with their Venturan neighbors as The Ventura College Dance Department with guest choreographers bring a wide range of dance the city hosts its second annual One City to the VC Theatre Thanksgiving Day celebration. Aloha Turkey Last year’s event saw nearly 900 meals Ventura College Dance Depart- served to over 600 people. Roundup “In the traditions of old this day is ment presents Relativity Dance = about generosity and sharing, about one supports sharing a table with another,” according to Jesse Giglio, Mission Pastor at Ventura VC2 Missionary. “It’s not a hand out but an Ventura College presents another CathyJean Butter, this semester’s dance Hillsides expression of solidarity.” amazing dance concert! Guest choreog- concert is a variety of styles from aerial Volunteers are also needed. The vol- raphers Marlon Pelayo, Connor Casavan dance to contemporary work to modern Conservancy unteers will be 15 people per hour shifts and Monica Brupbacher and student cho- abstract - it really has it all. Aloha Steakhouse presents two cross- beginning at 9am with the last one begin- reographers from Ventura College Dance Ventura College Dance Department country races, a kids’ run and a family ning at 3pm. Greeting, hosting, seating, Department are presenting their dance has made a name for itself with outstand- fun event in support of the Ventura Hillsides serving, busing, cleaning...the usual op- work on December 4, 5, and 6. The shows ing performances over the last 27 years, Conservancy. The 4th Annual Aloha Turkey portunities. A design team to help the will be 8 pm on Friday and Saturday; this semester’s will not disappoint. This Roundup will take place Sunday, November night before from roughly 5pm-9pm is with a 3 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets is the last performance that will be held 22 at Arroyo Verde Park. A 1K Kids Run will also needed. are $8 for presales, seniors, staff and stu- in the Ventura College Theater before the begin at 8:30AM, followed by an 8K Run and Anyone interested in volunteering dents and $10 at the door. Directed by building is scheduled for renovation. 4K Run/Walk at 9am. Registration forms are for any shift can email [email protected] or available at the Conservancy’s website or on- call 642-0550 x581. a champagne reception, live and silent line registration at www.active.com Race day We are also in need of support for 42nd Annual auctions and a gourmet dinner. registration begins at 8am at Arroyo Corto this undertaking. The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura is picnic area. 1) The cost for this event will be around a 71 year old youth-serving organization Fees for the 8K and 4K are $25 for $2,000.00. Ventura Missionary Church Great Auction that operates five Club sites in the Ventura, adults, $20 for youth/senior and $10 for the has agreed to provide $500 in addition to The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura’s Saticoy and Oak View communities. Kids Run, plus a $5 fee for those who register the staff to coordinate volunteers, The 42nd Annual Great Auction celebration, Proceeds from the event go to on race day. In addition to T-shirts and win- Salvation Army has committed $250 plus “STEP UP FOR KIDS-OUR STARS OF support the Club’s on-going work of ner prizes, registration includes a pancake all plates, cups, napkins, and utensils. All TOMORROW!” will be November 21 at providing safe, positive after-school breakfast, hosted by the Aloha Steakhouse. checks can be payable to VMC note 4:30 PM at the Ventura Beach Marriott. and summertime programs for the Turkeys, donated by US Food Services, will “Thanksgiving.” Please contact Jesse@ The Great Auction will showcase community’s youth. be awarded to first place 8K finishers along vmc.net if you need any invoicing or are outstanding live and silent auction items Tickets for preferred seating are $1,500 with medals for 2nd and 3rd in each age willing to make a pledge. generously donated to support the youth for a table of ten or reserved table seating category. All Kids Run finishers will receive 2) Also needed are 40+ turkeys and 100 at the five Clubs in Ventura, Saticoy is $125 per ticket. For ticket reservations, medals as well as the top 10 male and female pies. Watermark and other restaurants and Oak View. This is the Club’s largest event information and/or auction item finishers in the 4K. The last day for early reg. will provide side dishes and cook the tur- fundraising event of the year. It is chaired donations contact Amanda Martinez at prices is today. Those that pre-reg. save mon- keys. VMC can store all turkeys and pies by Tareq Hishmeh, Esq. and dedicated to 641-5585 or www.bgclubventura. ey and guarantee themselves a commemora- if space is needed. Please inform Jesse the memory of Jymme Hitch Banhart who tive Aloha Turkey Roundup T-shirt. Giglio at [email protected] if you have pies served as the ‘First Lady of the Auction’ There will be lots of great raffle gifts or turkeys. for 41 years. Jewish Film this year including 3 pairs of Salomon trail 3) Even if there are no volunteer spaces Bob Lynn of Lynn’s Jewelry, the Orion shoes, $500 in gifts from Inside Track, and available for the desired time please Reception sponsor, has created a, “Stars Festival event gift certificates from Play it Again Sports, come eat, play, and fellowship and make of Tomorrow” diamond necklace to be Join them for another afternoon filled Ventura YMCA, Big Wave Dave’s Christmas new friends. featured in an opportunity drawing. with “Rodgers and Hammerstein: The Trees and various local restaurants. The black-tie optional event includes Sound of Movies” provided by Temple A holiday festive Enjoy a free COUPON! Free Delivery Buy one, get second 1700 E. Thompson event to support thanksgiving one 1/2 off! Medium, Ventura dinner at the Large, X-large a great animal 805.648.1070 cause YMCA Special! Extra Large Pizza Naturally for Paws, located at 1766 Ventura Family YMCA is inviting all E. Thompson is holding a charity gala members of the community to join them Monday & Tuesday only, 4 - 9, $10.99 event to benefit local animal care efforts. for their sixth Annual Thanksgiving Pot- This will be a fun and festive celebration luck Celebration today at 6:00 pm. Enjoy for pets and pet owners. All proceeds a fantastic potluck style feast with a vari- from this special event will be donated to ety of delicious foods, live entertainment Beach We will clean the Humane League of Ventura County and raffle prizes. any dRaIn $45 in Ojai. The Thanksgiving Potluck is a FREE including main sewer Plumbing * Photos with Santa and your four- celebration where staff, members and legged family members will be on Sat- individuals from the community join to- & ROOTER SERVICE urday, December 5 from 12 noon to gether for an evening of great company Call laRRy 653.5440 lic. 389968 3:00 p.m. Only $1.00 for a beautiful and entertainment. * Yard and area drains not included, residences onlY. color photo, a wonderful fun photo op- “The potluck is our special way to all drains and stoppages must be readilY accessible. portunity. say thank you to our members since they Call 648-7297 for more information. are the ones that truly make the YMCA

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 11 Community Events a wonderful place”, said Amber Stevens, 11/24 DJ’s ing Self, followed by a book signing. In their OFS Founders Michael Janover, Sally Ventura Family YMCA Aquatics Direc- 11/25 TBA beautiful book, painter Alice Matzkin and Janover and Khaled Al-Awar will entertain tor. 11/26 Tricky Disco sculptor Richard Matzkin explore the ex- with their remembrances of the group. You are invited to join them for an 11/27 Irie Smile perience of aging through their art, finding The evening also includes a dinner and si- incredibly fun event that will shed the 11/28 Inna Rude Mood inspiration rather than despair. Admission lent auction. Tickets are $50 with a no host spirit of thanks throughout our commu- 11/29 Project “O” to this Sunday Gathering is free. bar. nity and throughout the Ventura Family 11/30 Musician’s Brew A selection of their artwork and a video Paid Reservations required. For more YMCA. Don’t forget to bring your favor- can be viewed at the museum in conjunc- information contact Elise DePuydt at 646- San Souci at 21 S Chestnut ite Thanksgiving dish to share. tion with the current Ojai Celebrates Art 8946 or Fran Merkley at 646-3350. You may 11/18 Solorzano The Ventura Family YMCA serves exhibit. To make a reservation for the Nov. also pay online at www.ojaifilmsociety.org. 11/19 Reggae over 20,000 individuals annually through 22 Sunday Gathering call the museum at The Ojai Valley Museum’s Board of 11/20 8 Stops 7 facility memberships, before & after 640-1390. Go to www.ojaivalleymuseum. Trustees has announced its search for a 11/21 Deadbeat Sinners school childcare, day & resident camps, org and www.matzkinstudio.com for addi- museum director. “For the last two years, 11/22 Rock Night w / DJ Darko youth sports, swim lessons, teen pro- tional information. the Board has managed the museum and 11/23 Open Mic w/ Favio grams, and many more healthy lifestyles Dr. Lakshman Rasiah will give a recital is now in a position to seek candidates who 11/24 Shoddy Cons and community enriching programs. at AT HOME IN OJAI, located at 225 N. have the qualifications and skills to pro- 11/25 Stundexim The Ventura Family YMCA is located at Lomita Ave. on Friday, Nov. 27, at 6:30pm. mote and develop the potential of the mu- 11/26 GTP & the Hotsteppers 3760 Telegraph Rd. The recital will consist of arias, ariettas, Old seum”, announced Ann Scanlin, President 11/27 Adversity Breeds Creation Americana and folk songs. of the Board of Trustees. “The board has 11/28 Eric Lemaire band Dr. Rasiah was trained in psychiatry worked very hard to bring riveting exhibi- 11/29 Rock Night w/DJ Darko and neurology in the United Kingdom and tions, special events and Sunday Gatherings The 11/30 Open Mic w/Favio at the University of British Columbia. He to enhance the cultural life of Ojai. We are Canyon Club moved to Ojai with his family 25 years ago looking for someone who has a deep pas- 28912 Roadside Drive Agoura Hills Ventura events from Vancouver. Dr. Rasiah is an operatic sion for the museum and the work it is do- tenor. He was trained as a violinist in the syl- ing and has the skills to build on the mo- 91301 Nov. 21: Ventura’s First Tellabration! 818 879-5016 Box Office www.canyon- labi of the Royal College of Music, London. mentum that has been created over the last Celebrated around the world the third Singing at Assisted Living and other two years”, Scanlin said. club.net Saturday of November and now in Ven- Upcoming concerts - on sale now residential facilities gives Dr. Rasiah very The director, who reports to the Board tura! Bringing the area’s most talented much pleasure. He feels these are his best of Trustees, will be responsible for the de- DAVID LINDLEY storytellers who have performed at the listeners. velopment, execution, and management JOHN HAMMOND National Storytelling Conference, the Reception follows. For more informa- of the policies, programs and initiatives of THUR NOV 19 - $25.00 Australian Storytelling Festival, the LA tion, please call Maria at 646-2402. the Ojai Valley Museum, as directed by its Doors 6 PM Show 7:30 PM Storytelling Festival and the Ojai Story- Ojai Film Society celebrates 20 years Board of Trustees in its mission of preserv- telling Festival. Saturday, November 21st, KC & THE SUNSHINE BAND The Ojai Film Society (OFS) will cel- ing the history of the Ojai Valley. The nec- 8 p.m. at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ven- ebrate its 20th anniversary with a gala party essary skills and expertise for this position FRI NOV 2O - $35.00 tura Avenue, Ventura. Stories for all ages. Doors 6 PM Show 9 PM Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 pm at the include a proven track record in fundrais- $10 at door. For additional information, Ojai Art Center. ing, a strong understanding of non-profit DENNIS MILLER contact elaine@embodiedvoicestoryarts. Acclaimed Bass Baritone Dan Tullis management, ability to work closely with SAT NOV 21 - $55.00 - $75.00 com or call 805-407-2538. will headline the entertainment with songs a Board of Trustees and with the pub- Doors 6 PM Show 9 PM November 27, 28, 29 & December from classic films. Dan is best known in lic and private sector. This is a full-time, 4,5,6,11,12&13. Dudley House Victo- ROBERT SCHIMMEL Ojai for his show-stopping performance as salaried position. Qualified candidates rian holiday boutique. The 16th year of Joe in the musical, “Showboat.” should send a request by email for a com- FRI NOV 27 - $25.00 the boutique begins the day after Thanks- Doors 6 PM Show 8 PM Other highlights of the evening will be a plete job description to OjaiMuseumHR@ giving and continues for three consecu- special screening of “Une Vie Merveilluese,” gmail.com. Please do not telephone the AIR SUPPLY tive weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a stunning film by 19-year-old Brooks’s museum office. The goal of the Board SAT NOV 28 - $39.50 a Flea Market added on Sundays. Shop student Sean Broadbent, the recipient of of Trustees is to select in time for the ap- Doors 6 PM Show 9 PM for collectibles, crafts and unique gifts the 2009 Mary Steenburgen Film Studies proved candidate to assume the Director made by talented crafters in a turn-of- Scholarship. position in January 2010. BRIAN WILSON the-century Victorian farmhouse. Lo- GREATEST HITS LIVE TOUR cated on the corner of Loma Vista and THUR DEC 3 - $62.50 - $88.50 Ashwood , proceeds benefit the historic Doors 6 PM Show 8 PM house museum. Admission is free; call WHICH ONE’S PINK 654-8381 for information or visit their FRI DEC 4 - $19.50 website at www.dudleyhouse.org. Doors 6 PM Show 8:30 PM Downtown Ventura Holiday Events Dec.5: Downtown Ventura cultural dis- LED ZEPAGAIN trict for the kickoff of the Holiday Sea- SAT DEC 5 - $19.50 son. Enjoy downtown delicacies in the cookie stroll, enjoy the sounds of sev- eral choirs performing on street corners Ventura throughout the area and then make your way over the 225 year-old Mission San Nightlife Buenaventura for the annual tree light- Bariloche at 500 E Main Street (from ing of two Landmark 125 year-old Nor- 7:00pm to 10:00pm) folk Island Star pine trees. A reception Ojai artists and authors Richard and Alice Matzkin will appear at the Ojai Valley Museum. Photo in Figueroa Plaza will follow where Santa by Donna Granata, 2008 FOTM Portrait Series. 11/18 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz will arrive to hear children’s wishes for 11/19 Teka, Bossa Nova Music of Brazil Holiday goodies. 11/20 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz Dec.6: On Sunday from 2 – 4:30pm, dis- Holiday Hair Specials 11/21 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz cover how the holidays were celebrated on 11/22 Ignacio Lopez, Paraguayan Harp Ranch San Miguel in Old California. Cos- 11/23 Chucumite, Folk Music of Vera FREE HAIR CUT tumed guides lead small group tours into with Color Service cruz, Mexico the Adobe courtyard to observe vignettes $35 11/24 Teka, Bossa Nova Music Of Brazil of how the Olivas family prepared for (New Clients Only) 11/25 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz its holiday celebration in the 1860s. En- Expiration Date 12/1/09 11/26 Teka, Bossa Nova Music Of Brazil joy costumed Historical Skits, Live Enter- 11/27 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz tainment and Refreshments. Admission 11/28 Gilberto Gonzalez, Latin Jazz Free, but reservations recommended. Call $10 OFF WOMENS’ HAIRCUT 11/29 Ignacio Lopez, Paraguayan Harp 4726 to reserve your tour time. 11/30 Chucumite, Folk Music Of Vera Regular Price $35 cruz, Mexico (New Clients Only) 12/01 Teka, Bossa Nova Music of Brazil Ojai events Expiration Date 12/1/09 Good Bar at 533 E Main Street Ojai artists and authors Alice and Rich- 11/18 TBA ard Matzkin will be the featured speak- Ask for Rebecca 11/19 Tricky Disco ers at a Sunday gathering at the Ojai Val- 11/20 B Mikasa Band w/ We Govern We ley Museum on November 22, from 2 – 4 Located in Harbor Hair Design 11/21 Astralaliens pm. The Matzkins will give a presentation 1559 Spinnaker Drive, Suite #103 11/22 Los Dudes @ 4:00pm about their recently published book, The Ventura, 650.9014 11/23 Musician’s Brew Art of Aging: Celebrating the Authentic Ag-

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 12 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze Art Scene and Wed. Dec 2 from 11a.m. We will start Calling all decking the walls at 3p.m. Stoneworks Studios, 300 N. Ventura artists and elves Ave. Call Michele at 643-5431 for further “Deck The Walls”….Stoneworks Stu- information. dios is decorating the gallery as a Christ- mas Holiday Installation/ Open House/ Stop By and Spread Some Good Cheer Museum Installation for First Fridays Dec. 4, 6-10pm & Sat Dec. 5 10am-4pm. accepting The gallery show will be an instal- lation of Christmas stockings, wreaths, entries for Quilt ornaments, packages, table decorations made with a creative bent for the Holiday. Invitational All items must be ready to hang or The Museum of Ventura County is park on a table/ shelf, with a Holiday now accepting entries for Becoming Art label that lists your name, price, and me- At The Seams, a juried exhibition of both dium. This is your chance to make some- contemporary and art quilts, running thing special and recycle what you have. March 13 through May 31,2010. The ap- No commission will be taken. plication deadline is January 2, 2010. To Drop off is Monday Nov 30 3-9 p.m Continued on page 19

How DMV employees relax Ventura artist Laura Ray, and other sity in Richmond, Virginia which is con- DMV employees have created a won- sidered one of the better art schools on derful garden space at the DMV office the East Coast, second to Pratt in New in Ventura where employees can relax York. Portraits fascinate me, as it is a and de-stress from what can be a very challenge to capture the nuances of ex- stressful job. pression which create a great likeness. I While some might read a book or enjoy painting water scenes, and captur- take a nap in their car, others might sit in ing light in unusual ways.” a garden, such as the one several employ- “Creating art has fascinated me since ees created from an empty patio located childhood, and I am so grateful to be liv- off of the break room at DMV. ing in Ventura where art is appreciated A vacant patio and beds of dirt have and enjoyed by a very cosmopolitan au- been transformed into a delightful re- dience. I feel as if I am entering a new treat where a sandwich and a catnap can phase of creativity, with multiple projects be squeezed into a lunch hour. in the planning stages. Right now I am sidewalks and bike paths. They can be Laura Ray is a multi-talented artist working on some illustrations for a story driven only on roads and has also designed a big panel for the I have written, and I want to explore some All operators and passengers need full Santa Paula DMV office. sculpture projects.” motorcycle helmets approved by the De- She likes working on large sheets of “Life just gets better and better, and partment of Transportation. Bicycle hel- luan, which is a veneer material that is I’m convinced this is the best part!” mets do not suffice lightweight and inexpensive. She stated Laura can be reached at buggage1@ All motorized bicycles must be registered that “I studied painting and other fine msn.com if you want a mural painted on and have a special plate issued by DMV arts at Virginia Commonwealth Univer- your living room wall or anywhere else. Motorized bicycles must be equipped with items required for other vehicles, All motorized bicycles must be insured just like such as headlamps, tail lamps, stop Join in for the Ed Moses: any other vehicle lamps, adequate brakes, a mirror, a muf- fler, a horn, etc. last Tuesday Processed Art Motorized bicycles are a large source Motorized of complaints due to the fact that they Ed Moses is considered one of the are being ridden on bike paths and side- FOTM talk of founding fathers of the LA contempo- Bicycles walks at a high rate of speed. Many of rary art scene. The dynamic, diverse col- The Ventura Police Department has these motorized bicycles travel up to 25- 2009 lection of paintings on display at the Syl- been fielding a large amount of questions 35 MPH. Additionally, operators of these Unique, fascinating and at times just via White Gallery is a testament to Moses’ and complaints regarding “Motorized Bi- vehicles tend to fail to obey the rules of plain puzzling - words that describe place in art history. cycles”. The following information is in- the road. both Bill McEwen and his philosophi- His large-scale works are simultane- tended to educate the public about their The Ventura Police Department in- cally oriented sculptures. As pharmacist ously reminiscent of the American ab- usage and the laws that regulate them. tends to educate the public by distrib- and artist, his work provokes the viewer stract expressionists and the Russian There has been a drastic increase uting this information and then begin to see beyond the obvious. He believes constructionists. Despite these similari- in the amount of these “Motorized Bi- enforcing all of the laws pertaining to that the most intense activity and em- ties, he developed his own distinct style cycles” being ridden on the streets, side- motorized bicycles. phasis of nature’s construction occurs that has mutated throughout his 50 plus walks, and bike paths around the city. at transition points. years of painting. The typical motorized bicycle that we are On Dec.1 from 7-8:30pm join in for Such mutation is the product of pure seeing is a beach cruiser style bicycle with the last Tuesday FOTM talk of 2009 . spontaneity. When Moses approaches a small 20-50 cc gasoline motor attached Ventura The Tuesday Talks will resume in Febru- a canvas, there is no agenda, there is no (see photo in additional attachment). ary 2010 with 10 new artists whose life pre-image. There are only pre-experiences The following information pertains to reeze B Your Hometown Paper stories will inspire, educate and enrich and processes. It is “through these differ- the style of motorized bicycle described our community. ent processes that things start to appear,” above (a bicycle with a gasoline motor at- Available every other $10 General Admission - $5 Students Moses explains. “I am looking for that tached). Electric bicycles have some dif- and Seniors. Free to FOTM members, re- primordial apparitional figure. Things ferent laws. Wednesday at over 475 cently unemployed and students under happen that I can either project in or ex- Here is a summary of the laws regu- locations in Ventura 18. tract out and say, “I like that.’” lating the motorized bicycles: and Ojai and around Technology Development Center, “Ed Moses: Processed Art” will be on All operators MUST have a valid Driver’s 5200 Valentine Dr. display until December 5. Sylvia White License with an M2 endorsement the world at Please RSVP at 653-2501 or by email- Gallery, 1783 E. Main St. 643-8300. Gal- All motorized bicycles must be insured www.venturabreeze.com ing Mary.Galbraith@FocusOnTheMas- lery hours: Wednesday – Saturday 12:00 just like any other vehicle ters.com. p.m. – 5:00 p.m. www.sylviawhite.com Motorized bicycles are prohibited on all

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 13 Senior Living School Senior Cone-nection Rose commented, “It would be nice to get the senior living facilities involved Are Ventura schools failing? in our program. Maybe we could meet “Seniors each month at a different residence to by John Walker, isn’t helping children to learn”. Most help reach more seniors and to encour- Ventura USD Board Member, importantly in the speech he referred to age them to attend our meetings. They Member, Board of Directors, California School a proposed “growth” model that more working for could come out, enjoy a tasty lunch and Board’s Association aptly reflects real, measurable results make a difference in the community at (www.ed.gov for press release). This is After reading and hearing one of the the same time.” the model that educators across the na- seniors” recent VUSD school board race chal- To learn more about the VSCC, at- tion have suggested. It rewards schools by Nanci Cone lengers demean Ventura USD, teachers tend the next meeting on Thursday, Janu- for making real headway. NCLB has and students, our community needs to In 1975 the Ventura Senior Coor- ary 14 at 9:30 am at the Senior Recreation been beneficial, but needs to be altered know that the sky is not falling. The dinating Council (VSCC) was created Center or write them with any concerns in this respect. candidate repeatedly stated in press to represent all seniors from the City of at VSCC, 420 E. Santa Clara Street, Ven- To demonstrate inconsistencies in releases and mailers that “A shocking Ventura. VSCC Chair, Darlene Benz says, tura, CA 93001. this measurement, in Ventura County, 44% of VUSD children cannot even read “We meet the second Thursday of every even using these flawed standards, there and write at proficiency levels for their month, except for August and December are currently 12 districts scoring below grade standard.” at the Senior Recreation and we’re always Ventura Unified and 7 scoring higher At first, that statement seems star- looking for people, especially retirees, Classes to (www.ed-data.org). While the candi- tling. What the challenger didn’t say is who want to stay active and help to make date’s scare tactic appeared shocking at that the very standard by which the can- a difference in the community.” first, the truth is that US Secretary of be given at didate used to demean VUSD is currently Secretary of the VSCC, Rose Gos- Education Arne Duncan realizes that under fire by the Federal Government, som adds, “This is a great opportunity the current model does not accurately SCAN begin as misleading and not representative of for people to present important issues or measure true results. actual results and will soon change. The concerns they would like to see addressed. The good news is that VUSD has original NCLB law set arbitrary annual We have a segment of our agenda called on shown consistent, considerable growth stair step increases into place without Member and Public Communications in all areas since NCLB was put into regards to issues such as demographics, that allows seniors to get up and talk place. VUSD has 12 schools which al- November student turnover rates, language or spe- about problems they are facing or ideas ready exceed the 2014 standards. Our cial education consideration. Fortunate- they may have to help mature adults con- district is one point from the 2014 tar- ly, Federal Secretary of Education Arne tinue to maintain their independence.” 30th get standard. Twenty schools are recog- Duncan recently said on September 24, The VSCC is dedicated to: Posit Science, a San Francisco compa- nized California Distinguished Schools. 2009 that the law (NCLB) “unfairly la- Make recommendations and periodic pre- ny that develops programs that address We exceed the state and county averages beled many schools as failures even when sentations to the Ventura City Council cognitive issues, has teamed with SCAN considerably in graduation rates, atten- they were making real progress…plac- Promote health and fitness for maintain- Health Plan to present a free brain fitness dance and the California High School ing too much emphasis on absolute test ing a vital and meaningful life style class to help exercise your brain. Exit Exam. Finally, we need to acknowl- scores rather than student growth…and Present local programs on people and Steve Lehman of SCAN said that edge the excellent work and commit- is overly prescriptive in some ways while services important for living a full and there are only eight places available for ment of VUSD teachers and staff. healthy later stage of life the free introductory course. He notes, it is too blunt an instrument of reform in Advocate and educate public on critical “It has been proven that participants others”. He further said “many parents Breeze: issues such as transportation, nutrition have a five year improvement of memory just view it (NCLB) as a toxic brand that John Walker can be reached at 844-2456 and housing for later life after just 10 sessions. Anyone who par- Work closely with other organizations ticipates will receive a discount coupon and service providers including the Ven- for optional purchase of the full 40 ses- National Education Association (NEA) tura County Area Agency on Aging and sion software.” and according to Todd Sain, of Hunting- the City of Ventura Department of Com- Classes begin Monday, November 30 ton Learning Center in Ventura, it is a munity Services and run through Friday, December 11 at campaign that should be recognized by Create community-wide aging readiness SCAN Senior Resource Center, 1001 Par- the local community. through significant policy and system tridge Drive, Suite 200 in Ventura. Class “American Education Week allows changes times are 8:30-10 am and 10:30 am-12 us all to understand the many benefits Help build opportunities for making noon each of the 10 days. public schools provide our communities, the best use of talent and experience of Steve Lehman added, “If people are and honor educators who ensure that our those who desire and are able to contin- unable to make the two week commit- children receive quality education,” Sain ue working ment, daily attendance to this program said. Insure productive aging for all through or the program is already booked, they Sarah Montague and Colette Kohanim are fea- Sain has provided the following ad- advocacy education and service will be able to sample a ½ hour demon- tured in the Rimers of Eldritch vice for local parents on how they can be Develop volunteer opportunities that en- stration online at SCAN Senior Resource more active in the Ventura public school rich one’s mental and physical health by Center in January.” system: giving back to those in need. If you are interested in participat- Rimers of * Join the Parent Teacher Association To that end, each member searches ing, it will be necessary to take part in a * Attend School Board Meetings out programs to help ease the burdens demonstration session on Monday, No- Eldritch comes * Show Support for Teachers – Whether it of those struggling financially, networks vember 30 to demonstrate ability to use a is a thank-you note for helping your child with organizations such as FOOD Share computer mouse and to complete a brief to Ventura achieve better grades, a small thank-you or Gold Coast Transit to stay informed, questionnaire when you register. If you gift for the holidays. The Rimers of Eldritch by Lanford sponsors forums that are of interest to have questions or would like to attend The Huntington Learning Center was Wilson is being presented at the Ventura seniors, and invites public officials, com- these sessions, call 658-0365 and ask for founded in 1977, they provide instruc- High School Little Theater on November munity members and organizations to at- Karen. tion in reading, writing, spelling, pho- 19, 20 and 21 at 7pm. It is an intense dra- tend meetings as guest speakers. Darlene SCAN Health Plan is also offering a nics, mathematics and study skills as well ma recommended for mature audiences Benz notes, “By attending meetings you’ll free seminar on Tuesday, December 1s as SAT and ACT preparation For more of 13 years and up. Tickets are available find it is a terrific way to stay informed of at 10 am to talk about shingles. Anyone information about Huntington Learning at the door for $5.00/students and $7.00/ new programs, grants or new opportuni- who has ever had chickenpox is at risk for Center in Ventura contact Todd Sain at adults. ties in the community.” shingles since the virus lives in the ner- 654-9401. Future productions by Ventura High At the November meeting, Steve Leh- vous system in a dormant state. School will be Backstage Café (What? Im- man of SCAN Health Plan talked about This painful, ugly virus most com- prov Troupe) on Dec. 5 and Jan 9 and The new seminars available free to seniors as monly occurs in people over the age of Learn how to Winter Showcase on Jan. 22 and 23. well as new legislative proposals to the 60 and it has been estimated that up to Call 641-5116 ext 2114 for more California State Legislature that will 500,000 cases of singles occur every year take advantage information. affect Ventura seniors if and when they in the U.S. Any individual dealing with are passed. Margaret Heath of Gold weakened immune systems, emotional of insurance Coast Transit talked about the Novem- stress, immune deficiency from AIDS or ber 18th meeting at their headquarters chemotherapy, or cancer is at risk for re- American companies dealing with the proposed fare increas- activating the virus. Ventura College offers classes on the es. And Darlene, who is very active in Learn about what you can do to re- Education Week workings of insurance companies, insur- the Senior Nutrition Action Council duce your risk of reactivating this virus ance and risk management to equip in- (SNAC), discussed the new meals being or what you need to know if you begin announced dividuals, business owners and students offered at the Eastside and Westside showing symptoms. Organizations nationwide will be to take full advantage of the benefits and Cafes in Ventura as well as programs The seminar is free to seniors and honoring American Education Week, protections under the various types of in- that were axed because of California’s caregivers. Call 658-0365 for directions which takes place November 15 – 21. The dividual and commercial insurance poli ongoing financial problems. and to register since space is limited. awareness campaign was founded by the Continued on page19

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 14 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze Sports ing the district attorney breached the at- College assistant coach Jon Wyers were torney-client privilege between him and placed on paid leave and instructed not his client. to have any contact with their student- According to Bamieh Winslow sent athletes. What followed was a lengthy in- emails to him as well as a defense investi- vestigation around why out-of-state play- gator. Bamieh says the emails were then ers were paying in-state fees – a difference illegally given to third parties including of thousands of dollars. an investigator for Ventura College. In January this year, four of the Walter Johnson, the investigator hired team’s players were deemed ineligible to by the college has made a statement that play for the remainder of the season due he has “no idea what (Bamieh) is talking to fraudulent applications filed by them about.” or on their behalf. In the motion filed by Bamieh, he In February Winslow resigned as co- maintains investigators seized a comput- athletic director position and head coach er that contained emails sent by Winslow of the basketball team in February. Win- that gave detailed information regarding slow attributed his resignation to health the case. Information on the computer issues having suffered from a stroke ear- included information that will be center lier. He had planned to remain at the in the defense’s strategy and other confi- school as a full-time teacher. dential information about the case. Now Winslow faces six counts of Winslow’s lawyer will look for the grand theft and one count of theft involv- court to disqualify the district attorney ing misappropriation of public funds. Everyone who participated in the “TAKE it to the COURT” tournament was a winner including from prosecuting the case before he asks He is accused of taking money that was the winners in the Barristers division the team “Capital Punishment” with Kevin Drescher, Derek for the felony charges be dropped against supposed to be for the men’s basketball Malan, Rameen Minoui and Stephen Slyker. Winslow. program and moving it into his personal District Attorney Wendy Macfarlane bank account. He is also charged with stated she had not seen Bamieh’s motion. providing fraudulent information on YMCA basketball tournament is a She added she did ask him for details re- admission applications for out-of-state garding the emails he was referring to student athletes essentially robbing the success and he had not responded to her. college from approximately $40,000 in Last month the Ventura Family their Open Door scholarship program. In April 2008, Winslow and Ventura tuition. YMCA and the Barristers of the Ventura The scholarship allows individuals and County Bar Association held their first families the opportunity to take part in basketball tournament to help support membership and in programs regardless Religion www.unityofventura.org. the Ventura Family YMCA Open Doors of inability to pay full membership or To celebrate their relocation, Unity Scholarship program. The “TAKE it to programs fees. Church of Ventura enthusiastically in- the COURT” 3 on 3 Basketball Tourna- “The 1st Annual ‘TAKE it to the Celebrate Jewish vites the public to a grand opening cel- ment had over 150 participant and vol- COURT” 3 on 3 basketball tournament ebration on December 6. Reception and unteers, and raised over $12,000 for the was a huge success. We are so grateful to Book Month ribbon cutting will be at 9am. Service will scholarship program which helps area those people who participated, volun- be from 10 to 11:00 am. The festivities individuals and families in need. teered, and even watched our event. We by Franklin Hansen, conclude with live music and food from The Basketball Tournament was held are already working on and looking for- Jewish Book Month Committee 11am to 1pm. at Anacapa Middle School and included a ward to next year, where it will be bigger What makes a book Jewish? The au- Throughout the years, the congre- day full of family fun activities. The tour- and better” said Rich Gross, The Ventura thor’s heritage? The plot or story line? gation of Unity Church of Ventura grew nament consisted of three divisions; Men’s Family YMCA Healthy Lifestyle Director. The Yiddish grandmas? What about steadily. Now lead by Reverend Cathy Open, Over 40 and Barristers Open. If you would like more information apples? Join a few well-known authors at Norman-Casey, Unity Church of Ventura This year’s basketball tournament is on the Ventura Family YMCA or would Temple Beth Torah to discuss some great is helping people realize and express their one of two yearly fundraisers put on by like to know how you can participate or Jewish books during the Jewish Book Divine Potential for healthier, happier the Ventura Family YMCA. The funds volunteer for next years basketball tour- Month. and more successful lives. from the tournament ensure that the nament please call 642-2131 or visit www. Join these fine authors at the remain- “We are so very excited about our new YMCA can provide scholarships through ciymca.org/ventura. ing lectures: church home and to be able to make it a Shelley Savren and Elijah Imlay are place for reverence, rest, renewal, rejuve- scheduled to speak about the process of California anyway, is expected to attract nation, remembering how much we have Jewish Poetry today at 6:30 p.m. in the Ventura Race- a large entry. to be grateful for, and saying Thank you!” library Maggie Anton, author of Rashi’s J.W. Mitchell recorded his best USAC said Rev. Cathy Norman-Casey. “Unity Daughters, on Sunday, November 22 at way’s fall classic finish, ninth place, at Ventura in 1999. Church of Ventura is excited to move 10:00 a.m. Later that year he suffered severe in- forward in building a congregation and Also attend the Book Fair at Barnes honors Mitchell juries in a race at Hanford Speedway. presence in Downtown Ventura.” and Noble, on Sunday, December 6 from Ventura Raceway has long been an He succumbed to those injuries a few Fred Hulem, President of the Unity 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to help raise important player in the United States months later. Church of Ventura Board of Trustees, led money for Torah School and to buy some Auto Club’s West Coast midget racing. “We lost J.W. in a midget at Hanford,” the search for a new facility. “When I be- great Jewish books. Since the track’s founding, no track in Nick Mitchell said. “He passed away in came President of the Board of Trustees, And don’t forget the Book Swap every the United States has hosted more USAC 2000. We just want to do something here in January 2007, we were literally burst- Wednesday evening and Sunday morn- events than Ventura. for him, for J.W. This is the ninth year ing at the seams and it was obvious we ing by the temple library. Take a book So when Raceway promoter Jim Nay- since his passing.” had outgrown our small warehouse.” or leave a book, or share a great Jewish lor says the Nov. 21 ARP presents The More information about Ventura Unity Church of Ventura is a trans-de- book. J.W. Mitchell Fall Classic for USAC Midg- Raceway is available at www.venturarace- nominational community affiliated with Temple Beth Torah is located where ets might be the most important USAC way.com. More information about USAC Unity School of Christianity, the Associa- Kimball meets Foothill Road (7620 Foot- race his venue has ever hosted, you have is available at www.USAC.com. tion of Unity Churches, Silent Unity, and hill). For more information contact their to pay attention. the Daily Word. librarian at librarian@templebethtorah. Here’s why: The race is in the memory com or phone the Temple at 647-4181. of the man it is named after, the late J.W. Mitchell. Lawyer seeks Total Life “I want to make people aware of his racing career, his love for the USAC West- dismissal for Unity Church Christian ern Midgets,” said Nick Mitchell, the relocates to celebrates brother of J.W. “It’s called a Classic but I ex-basketball think it’s more of a memorial to remem- ber J.W. We want to put on a good show Downtown monumental and promote a good West Coast midget coach Nearly three years after the search be- race on dirt.” Earlier this month, an attorney for gan, Unity Church of Ventura is happy to achievement The Classic’s purse, $16,875, pays a Ventura College’s former athletic direc- announce that it has relocated to down- On Friday night, December 4, at 7 hefty $5,000 to the winner and $300 just tor and head men’s basketball coach town Ventura. p.m. and Sunday evening December 6, at to start. The money and the fact that the Greg Winslow announced he is making a Beginning November 8 Church Ser- 3:00p.m the members of Total Life Chris- race is slotted a few days before the Tur- request to have felony charges dismissed vices were held every Sunday at 700 E. tian Center and friends will celebrate a key Night Grand Prix at Irwindale, when for his client. Main Street at 10:00 AM. The church of- monumental achievement. Reverend Lu- most of the top midget teams in the In the motion, attorney Ron Bamieh fice is located at 740 E. Main Street . For ther and Mrs. Oracia McCurtis are two of country are expected to be in Southern alleges prosecutorial misconduct claim- more information, call 653 – 1059 or visit Continued on page 19

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 15 Business

Enter Francis O’Connor and his re- coming to your home and fixing mi- pair business, Autotouch. Fran came to nor exterior and interior damage, Fran Business the United States from Ireland in 1986 can rejuvenate the appearance of your and like every other emigrant to land on car without ever leaving your driveway. Spotlight these shores, he came in search of the Fran repairs bumper and panel American Dream. Owning his own busi- damage, scratches, rock chips, wind- ness made that dream a reality. Autot- shields, interiors and much more. A AutoTouch ouch, a locally-owned business provides variety of restoration systems are avail- a mobile auto appearance repair service able utilizing the latest equipment 805.377.1419 in Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo and the and state-of-the-art techniques. With [email protected] surrounding areas. What’s unique about the ability to match over 50 thousand www.autotouchventura.com Fran’s business is it’s commitment to paint colors on site and an unlimited the environment. So often, car repairs range of leather and vinyl colors, all involve pulling off a damaged part and jobs can be completed in 4 hours or Francis O’Conner came to the United Green as the throwing it away where it ends up in less. Since only the best quality prod- States from Ireland in 1986 and is living our local landfill. Fran offers the alter- ucts and methods are used, all Fran’s the American dream Emerald Isle native of repairing that torn bumper work is fully guaranteed. ing time and extends its future. or damaged windshield and at a much Traditionally this industry has tar- Fran is married to a wonderful by Joseph Owen reduced cost. Even Fran’s paints are all geted car dealerships exclusively. Now Irish lady and they’ve resided in the We all want our cars looking and water based. Save money and save the Fran puts the car owner on equal foot- Ventura area since the early 1990’s. running at their best. That’s why we environment, looks like a win-win sit- ing with the professionals in the busi- When not involved with keeping Ven- maintain and service them regu- uation to me! Fran specializes in a full ness. Anyone who owns or leases a car tura green, Fran can be found riding larly. To keep them looking good, range of interior and exterior repairs, will benefit from this service. Fran will one of his classic motorcycles en- most of us wash our vehicles every providing a bumper to bumper, com- be happy to give you a quote, not only joying the scenery in and about our couple of weeks or so. But what can plete mobile make-over for your car. on your car, but also any damage to your beautiful city. you do to fix that annoying and un- Your time is valuable and what Fran golf cart, motor cycle, boat, RV or trailer. He can be reached at 377-1419 and sightly wear and tear caused by nor- offers is an alternative to losing your Remember, a well-kept and maintained check out his website mal every day use? car to a body shop for several days. By vehicle increases its value, decreases sell- http://www.autotouchventura.com.

the extrajudicial killings and “disappear- Done”, our 2009 Festival world premiere. ances” that were a part of the daily life of The venue is being generously donated residents of El Salvador. by Cinemark Theatres (thanks to Donna Peterson built an 8’ panel with 100 Bradford), through the auspices of the City names of victims killed there and placed of Ventura Cultural Affairs Division, and it as a time capsule within the walls of his marks the first time the VFS will be showing own home. He and his wife also joined a a film in Ventura’s only downtown cinema. caravan to El Salvador to deliver goods Jacob K. Cunningham’s powerful and and cash donated by the Kennedy Foun- redemptive film about the life and chal- dation to the people of the area. lenges of Ventura’s own Kevin Natale, was a During the Gulf War in the early major hit at their Festival in March. nineties, while still serving in the mili- This is a fundraising event that will al- tary, Frank and his wife protested that in- low the film to continue it’s festival, distri- tervention as well. When a photo of them bution and outreach efforts and to offset protesting that war hit the papers the some costs of those efforts. military attempted to take disciplinary Tickets are $15 and are available in ad- action against Peterson. The American vance through: Civil Liberties Union took up the case, VFS Website- http://www.venturafilm- won it for Peterson, thus setting a free society.com/tickets.html speech landmark for military personnel Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau and all Americans. (101 S. California St. 648-2075 / tourism@ Then with the 2002 invasion and oc- ventura-usa.com w/ $2.00 processing fee per cupation of Iraq, each time one of our transaction) soldiers was killed, Peterson added each TWBD website (http://thywillbedon- one’s photo, name and age to a memorial efilm.com/Site/Home.html) wall he built in their honor. He set the This event will give Venturans and oth- wall up at numerous events in recogni- ers a chance to see this redemptive local sto- tion of the sacrifices of these individuals. ry and support the VFS and the filmmakers As the number of those killed continues at the same time. to grow and Peterson has not been able The film tells the story of Kevin Natale, to keep up. Still, as we now face possible a Ventura native who was on that day an escalation in Afghanistan, Peterson, who active, ordinary fourteen year-old boy pre- recently broke a rib in a fall, can still be paring for a league basketball game when seen loading and unloading the Memo- twenty-one year-old and deeply disturbed rial Wall as he carries it from place to neighbor Bryan Adams burst through the JA.Harold is giving Frank Peterson his Lifetime Peace and Community Service Award place. front door, pistol in hand - obsessed with the idea of settling a largely imagined score Community Service Award. - and opened fire. Though Kevin survived Ventura resi- In a show of unity, numerous local “Thy Will Be the bullet intended to take his life, he was veterans, peace, and community groups left paralyzed. Directed by Brooks Insti- dent, Frank Pe- came together to honor 78 year old, local Done” comes to tute graduate Jacob K. Cunningham, the resident, Frank Peterson. feature documentary describes not only a terson, received Peterson, who was instrumental in the big screen tragic and transformational moment, but helping to establish the UU church in it’s On Thursday Dec. 17 @ 7pm, in The- traces the aftermath of that moment and Lifetime Peace first permanent atre 2 at the Century 10 Downtown, the the ongoing transformation in a powerful- residence, the historic Terry House, de- Ventura Film Society will present a much- ly human story of courage and pathos and and Community cades ago, has worked for peace along requested repeat screening of “Thy Will Be everyday humanity. members of the Service Award church and with those in the above Venturan Frank Peterson has received groups for peace going back to the time The future is now. a Lifetime Peace and Community Service of the Vietnam War. Award from the Unitarian Universalist Peterson was in the Navy as a subma- The Breeze is available online 24/7, Church of Ventura riner during Korea and, also as an electri- along with useful links, staff biogra- In an emotional and touching cer- cal engineer in the U.S. Civil Service. emony which took place at the Unitar- Peterson is known for his quiet intel- phies and online-only goodies. ian Universalist Church of Ventura on ligence and thoughtful caring actions. Veterans Day, Korean War Veteran, Frank During the early eighties, Peterson and www.venturabreeze.com Peterson received a Lifetime Peace and his wife, Lucy Duffy, were devastated by

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 16 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze

Professor Scamp, Ph.D (Pretty Happy Dog) I have a complaint tant tips to keep dogs— and other pets — against my human safe this holiday season and throughout friends. Barking is the year. how I talk, I wish that • Poisoning: Ingesting chocolate or Dogs to Adopt I could speak their lan- sweets that contain ingredients like rai- guage (or them mine) sins or xylitol (an artificial sweetener) can Professor Scamp but this is not the cause severe health complications and Hi, I’m Stella a sweet 2 year old Ph.D case. possibly death. female German Shepherd mix. I was So when I bark I am usually trying to • Choking: Small decorations, candy rescued from Animal Regulation tell them something so instead of yelling wrappers, holiday lights and wrapping and I’m eagerly awaiting my forever “quit barking” they should try to under- papers are among the items that a pet can home. I hope I don’t have to wait stand what it is that I want or just give me ingest and possibly choke on. long. Stop by and meet me, I may a bunch of treats to shut me up. • “Bolting”: A pet can runaway when be the addition to your family that I’m very sad to hear that Wright Li- alarmed, particularly at loud noises or you’ve been looking for. brary will probably be shutting down. when surrounded by unfamiliar people. I’m a super jumper so I need a They have a wonderful service dog A pet may run outside as you open the minimum 7 foot fence, Scamp program where children read to dogs. door, or may escape unnoticed while would only need 2 feet. It has been very successful in getting you’re entertaining. I’m in need of a foster home as kids to read who have been struggling • Costumes: Antlers on a pup are cute well as a permanent home. If you to do such. (especially on me cause I’m so cute to are interested in fostering call the I hope that the program can be con- begin with) but make sure they aren’t Adoption Center at 652-1001. tinued at Foster Library. hurting it and that no small parts can There is a new federal bill that was fall off or be chewed off and ingested. Pet The Canine Adoption introduced by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, costumes shouldn’t restrict movement & Rescue League H.R. 3501, known as the Humanity and or have elastic bands, and should allow 3004 Telegraph Road Pets Partnered Through the Years (“HAP- the pet to eat, drink and eliminate when 805.652.1001 PY”) Act. It is a federal bill that would re- needed. Throughout the season, make www.carlvc.org [email protected] ward responsible pet parents by allowing time for your pet. It’s easy for extra walks them to keep more money in their pock- and playtime to fall by the wayside as rel- ets come tax time. atives and friends filter through. –10% off dog wash at Cameos Dog You all want to give your animal com- These are all wonderful suggestions Join Grooming, 1058 S. Seaward 648.3800 panions the best care you possibly can, so do keep us in mind during the holi- –$3.00 off bathing at Applause Four but it seems that pet care costs are always days and be sure to buy us some really Paws, 2008 Thompson 648.2757 on the rise and these days, it’s harder special toys and treats for us to open up ScampClub –Wed. $3.00 off Grooming, 10% off for than ever to stretch the family budget. during the holidays, we loving ripping Animals of all sorts can join the Scamp- all Seniors (Over 62) Naturally for That’s why I support the bill which would open presents. club. Email me your picture and a little Paws, 1766 Thompson 648.7297 amend U.S. tax code to allow qualifying about yourself, including your address, –50% off first grooming - 10% off fol- pet care expenses, including veterinary to [email protected]. lowing grooming at Aloha Grooming, care, to be tax-deductible. You will be in the Breeze and receive a 1076 Front Street, 643.4852 This means that when you prepare Scampclub Card that will get you the –10% off pet sitting, dog training and your income taxes, money you spent on following discounts. Scampclub mem- MORE at Prancing Pet Services, pet care that year would count as non- bers can receive: 890.1406 taxable income—and you can deduct up to $3,500 per year! This would also mean that we would Hi I’m Chablee a 14 year old Cairn Terrier get all of the care that we need. and I live in Agoura Hills. I like to eat hu- With the holidays coming up I once man food especially chicken is my favorite again want to remind you that they can Scamp and , of course, riding in the car with my be tough times for us pets so it is impor- head out of the window. And sleeping be- tant to remember us and to keep us safe. tween mom and dad (not really my mom Melanie Monteiro, the author of “The and dad but I call them that) and being a Safe Dog Handbook: A Complete Guide Club spoiled brat. to Protecting Your Pooch, Indoors and Out” (Quarry Books) offers some impor- Police and Fire Reports by Joseph Owen the Ventura County Jail on suspicion of Attempted arson on S. Mills Road Windows broken on S. Hemlock driving while under the influence of al- At 2:30 in the morning on Sunday Oct. Street Collision on E. Main Street cohol, hit and run, and child endanger- 26 a Ventura Police Officer was on pa- On Friday Oct. 30 at 5 o’clock in the On the Thursday morning of Oct. 22 Ven- ment. Nobody was physically injured trol near the Circle K Mini Mart located morning several Ventura City Police Of- tura Police Officer Marchetti was issuing during the collision. at 600 S. Mills Rd. when he observed ficers responded to a report of a female a citation to a motorist in the 2000 block Burglary on Jazmin Avenue someone crouching near a fence behind breaking out windows with a golf club of E. Main St. when 53 year old Cherie Early Sunday morning Oct. 25 Ventura the store. The person had a lighter in his in an apartment complex located at 248 Stout of Ventura drove by the traffic stop Police Officers responded to a burglary hand and had just set fire to a mass of dry S. Hemlock St. Officer Henuber arrived and collided with Officer Marchetti’s po- alarm ringing at Saticoy Elementary pine needles and leaves on a vacant lot lo- at the scene and confronted the sus- lice motorcycle. School 760 Jazmin Ave. cated behind the mini mart. pect, but was immediately struck in the The collision knocked the motor- As officers checked the school campus The officer swiftly placed the arson- upper body with the club by the out of cycle to the ground causing moderate they found a classroom that had been bro- ist under arrest and was able to partially control woman. damage. ken into. Officers continued searching the extinguish the fire before it spread to two A Taser gun eventually had to be de- Stout then fled the scene despite the school and while checking an additional vehicles parked nearby and a line of trees ployed to subdue the violent suspect. fact that her vehicle had suffered substan- classroom a suspect bolted from within that run along the 101 freeway. Ventura The attacker was identified as 47 year tial damage. Officer Marchetti radioed and began running south through the City Fire Dept. was then called in and old Stephanie Swofford of Ventura and other officers in the area regarding the campus. they completed the job of extinguishing was treated for her minor injuries, then crash, but he was unable to follow Stout Officers chased the suspect and caught the smoldering pile. arrested. Officer Henuber also suffered due to the damage to his motorcycle. 28 year old Oxnard resident Robert Padilla The suspect was identified as 64 year Within a short time Ventura Officer Mur- along Darling Rd. where he was taken into old Andrew Kirk of Ventura and was phy spotted the hit and run driver several custody. booked at Ventura County Jail for arson. blocks from the location of the collision Officers continued a search of the At the time of the fire Santa Ana and stopped Stout in order to conduct an school and found another suspect, 20 year winds were blowing and the humidity investigation. old Oxnard resident Joseph Gill, hiding in was dropping adding to the already dan- While interviewing Stout Officer a closet in the same classroom that Padilla gerous situation. Although Ventura re- Murphy noticed she appeared to be un- had previously exited from. Gill was taken cently received over an inch of rain, many der the influence of alcohol. The officer into custody without incident. areas remain dry and vegetation fires also established Stout’s 16 yr. old daugh- Robert Padilla was booked at Ventura continue to be a concern. Please report ter was in the vehicle with her at the time County Jail for possession of burglary any suspicious activity to the appropriate of the collision and the stop. tools, burglary, and resisting arrest. Joseph authorities, especially during Santa Ana Stout was arrested and booked into Gill was also booked at VCJ for burglary. wind conditions. “Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do...?”

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 17

Continued Police Movie Time Mailbox minor injuries from the blow to his asked for his note back. The teller obliged Continued from page 3 chest. and he walked out of the bank without Review of A work. They are cutting them so that they Further investigation revealed that receiving any money. No weapons was can hire cheaper labor in Mexico. We now Swofford had earlier attacked a neighbor, observed during the confrontation and Christmas Carol have 172 more Americans that are now unemployed and will probably lose their 22 year old Maximo Gonzalez with the no one was injured during the attempt- by Tim Pompey club, but he was not injured. Swofford ed robbery. health insurance. These are people that was booked at the Ventura County Jail Both would be bank robbers were last ★ ★ ★ have families. They are our neighbors. They are also an expense to Kavlico and ap- and charged with assault with a deadly seen walking east on Market St. Ventura Starring Jim Carrey, Colin Firth, Gary Old- parently nothing else. Kavlico isn’t unique on a police officer, assault with a deadly Police Officers searched the area, however man weapon, terrorist threats, resisting a po- the suspects continue to remain at large. by the way. IBM shipped 5,000 jobs to In- lice officer, and vandalism. Robbery on S. Petit Avenue Currently Playing at Century 16, Century 10 dia not because they didn’t have the work but because they wanted cheaper labor. I Fire off Highway 101 Late Saturday night, on October 31, 39 Ready for Christmas? You will be af- love our capitalist system but I also recog- The Friday morning of October 30 found year old Ignacio Angulo of Ventura was ter seeing this film. Using what director nize that the function of government is to Ventura Fire Department personnel dis- walking along the 100 block of S. Petit Robert Zemeckis calls “performance cap- set rules to protect the vast majority of us patched to a reported tree fire between Ave. when three Hispanic adult males ture,” the animated film “A Christmas who aren’t in the owner class and who need the 3300 block of Armada Dr. and the pulled up next to him in a light colored Carol” is a remarkable version of Charles a safety net including health care for those 101 Freeway. Firemen arriving at the SUV. The suspects, armed with a knife, Dicken’s famous book. With Jim Carrey times when our economic system struggles scene found several eucalyptus trees then jumped Angulo and forced him into performing a variety of roles, including to represent the interests of all Americans. ablaze along the alleyway. the their vehicle. Scrooge himself, Zemeckis and company Ed Wehan Due to the smoke and flames traffic The attackers robbed Angulo of his capture the powerful darkness and light Ventura along the freeway the California Highway personal property and then pushed him of the original story and throw in some Patrol reduced traffic to one lane. Vehi- out of the car, stabbing Angulo in the “wow” special effects that are visually Sheldon: cles were then escorted through the area process. The victim was able to struggle stunning. Forget Ellis, he’s just a verbal bully. for approximately 30 minutes until the to a home in the 9300 block of El Cajon The story itself revolves around a mi- And why read the Voice (View). Nobody else bulk of the fire was knocked down. Ave. and residents summoned help for serly man named Ebenezer Scrooge who does. The quick attack on the conflagra- the injured man. epitomizes his favorite term: humbug. I take this opportunity to compliment tion kept it from further impacting the Family members transported Angulo Counting coins in a lonely office, along the Breeze. Don’t let this childish name call- freeway and aggressive action by the fire to the Ventura County Medical Center with his faithful clerk, Bob Cratchet, ing on the part of 1 individual compromise fighters limited the burn to only about 100 where he was treated for a knife wound Scrooge is a cold soul, unwilling to give the Breeze. feet of trees and vegetation. Nearby struc- to his lower back. even a smidgen of joy to anyone. C Miller tures were continually monitored due to Purse snatching on Monmouth Blvd. Holed up one night in his bedroom, Ventura the threat of flying embers and no other Early Sunday morning, on November 1, he is visited by the ghost of his former problems were forthcoming. The cause of twenty year old Kalia Randall of Ventura partner, Jacob Marley, and warned of the SHORE facility the blaze remains undetermined. was attempting to enter her vehicle near pending visits of three Christmas spirits: Continued from page 1 Stabbing on West Center Street the corner of Monmouth Ave and Pier- Past, Present, and Yet to Come. What fol- bution, the second floor was dedicated In the early afternoon of Saturday Octo- pont Blvd. when two Hispanic males in lows is a roller coaster night that serves and named in his honor. ber 31 Ventura Police Officers responded their mid 20’s described as having medi- as a wake up call about the effects of Brenda Byer, the Case Manager for to a report of a stabbing in the 200 block um builds rushed toward her. Both sus- Scrooge’s meanness on his community, SHORE, expressed excitement about be- of W. Center St. Officers arrived at the pects pulled on the woman’s purse hang- his family, and himself. ing able to work with this project. For her, scene and found 22 year old Christian ing from her arm, causing the victim to Zemeckis is faithful to both the spirit SHORE housing is “a project that actu- Torres of Ventura lying on the sidewalk let go of the bag. and text of the original story, recreating ally ends homelessness.” For the thirty-four suffering from multiple stab wounds. The robbers jumped into a black in great detail the English accents and people who will live in these apartments, During the investigation a second compact car, then fled the area and were settings of Dicken’s novel. The film also that statement hits home. Rose Sutton and stabbing victim appeared at the Ventura last seen driving eastbound on Pierpont has a great cast doing yeomen’s work to her son recently moved into SHORE. She County Medical Center emergency room Blvd. with the their ill-gotten gains. Ven- create the diverse characters that fill out summed it up best when she called it an also suffering from multiple stab wounds. tura City Police Officers responded to the the story. But the man who holds the “intricate part of the tools needed to make The second victim was identified as 21 crime scene and checked the area for the framework together is none other than her dreams a reality.” For those who live at year old Gerardo Salgado also of Ventu- purse snatchers, but they could not be lo- Scrooge himself and, in that role, Carrey SHORE, something as basic as having a ra. Further investigation determined the cated. shines. new apartment also means they receive a stabbings were related. The victims were Fire on Poli Street Refraining from his usual over- fresh start. admitted to VCMC and both were listed Late Thursday night on October 29 a wrought comedy, Carrey successfully in critical condition. pine tree caught fire in front of the gives Scrooge depth and, dare I say it, Ventura City Detectives responded to Apollo apartments near the corner of personality. Combine that with the re- the scene and they, with their fellow offi- Poli St. and Ash St. Some shrubbery markable photography and 3D effects, cers, canvassed the surrounding neighbor- along side the apartment building also and you have a story that jumps off the hood for any leads regarding the attack. caught fire and then spread to an adja- screen (literally). You will enjoy watching The motive for the stabbings are unknown cent pine tree. Scrooge’s transformation. Even more and an investigation is continuing. Apartment residents used a garden fun — the exciting journey across time Attempted bank robbery on Market hose to slow down the fire spreading to and space, hovering at high altitudes, Street the structure until the Ventura Fire De- the palate of colors and lights. In the early afternoon on Thursday, Oc- partment arrived. Firemen then quickly Parents with small children should tober 29, a bank robber entered County knocked down the blaze and completed be aware. This is essentially an adult sto- Schools Federal Credit Union located at the cleanup of any hot spots. ry with some pretty heavy themes: death, 4591 Market St. and handed a teller a de- Gun shot on Santa Clara Street cruelty, poverty, hunger, but also love, mand note. The suspect was described as Near midnight on November 1, a citizen joy, and redemption. Prepare to do some a Hispanic male about 5’9” tall, weight- heard what sounded like a gunshot in the explaining. In addition, smaller children ing approximately 190 lbs. and around alleyway behind his home along the 1200 may find the movie very intense. 30 years old. He appeared to have a block of Santa Clara St. The man went Finally, I wish Disney, Zemeckis, and shaved head and was wearing a blue long to investigate and found 35 year old Kris- crew could have refrained from the oc- sleeve shirt, black baseball cap and black topher Brause of Ventura and a woman casional geeky jokes that pop up in the sunglasses. standing in the alleyway. The man asked film, particularly the shrinking Scrooge A second robber stood outside the Brause about the gunshot, but Brause with the helium voice. My least favorite bank near the doors and served as a look claimed to know zero about a shot being part of the film, and totally unnecessary. out. He was described as a Hispanic male fired. I guess it’s Disney. Probably can’t help about 5’9” tall and weighting about 180 The citizen then noticed a handgun themselves. lbs. The suspect was wearing a black and nearby resting on the ground. When the Still, quirks and all, this movie has brown striped Pendleton type shirt and citizen made a move to pick it up, Brause a lot of heart, not to mention all the had a shaved head with no facial hair. grabbed the gun. The two struggled for a time and energy that went into its pro- Without reading the note the teller few seconds before Brause wrestled con- duction. It’s hard to beat the warmth asked the hold up man what type of trol of the weapon. and fun of “The Polar Express,” but transaction he wanted. The suspect The citizen ran back to his home with this comes in as a close second. It’s a did not say anything, but kept his head Brause in pursuit. The citizen locked great way to kick off your Christmas. down and did not look at the teller. The himself in his home while Brause stood See it in 3D. Even better. teller then told the suspect he needed outside and fired 8-10 shots into the air Christmas? Already? Yup. One take off his hat and sunglasses before with the 9mm handgun. Brause then Christmas movie down. More to she could assist him. At this point, the retreated across the alleyway to his own teller did glance at the note and saw the home in the 1200 block of Meta St. come. This year, “Carol” will proba- word “robbery”. By now, several residents in the vi- bly rank right up there as one of your About the same time, the suspect Continued on page 20 favorites.

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 18 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze

The Lighter Breeze Solutions on page 17 The Spats

Crankshaft

Baby Blues

Shoe

Sam and Silo

Solutions on page 17

Solutions on page 17

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper Ventura Breeze Wednesday, November 18, 2009 19

Dec. 5 & 12 Saturday 1-4 na, India, everyone needs it more and more. CLAS seminar: Possible increas- Supplies are $20.00 and include 25 The U.S., Exxon now, has its foot in the quality blank cards ,4 pre cut 5x7 mats & door as of last week, and Afghanistan is all Writing a book es coming for backing. about pipelines. So, for the U.S. to actually To sign up call 340-3987 or e-mail concede and admit defeat or leave under proposal: touch- bus fares “[email protected]”. any auspices of either of these countries, Due to the impact of the prolonged then the whole empire project goes kaput. economic recession and resulting lower Quilt Invitational ing all the bases revenues, Gold Coast Transit (GCT) is Continued from page 12 Take advantage The California Literary Arts Society proposing to increase its bus and para- download requirements and entry form, Continued from page 13 (CLAS) is sponsoring a two-hour semi- transit fares for the first time since 2003. If go to the home page of the museum website at cies available. nar on book proposals, which will help approved by the GCT Board of Directors, www.venturamuseum.org. Entry is open only Registration is now open for two writers focus on their subject, choose a the fare increase recommended by agency to residents of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, classes starting in January 2010 – Insur- descriptive title, and determine whether staff would be implemented in two phases Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. ance Fundamentals, BUS V71 and Prop- they have a viable book. in 2010 and 2011. The museum is looking for quilts that are erty & Liability Insurance, BUS V72. Instructor Mary Embree believes that au- If implemented, the current adult bus fare innovative and original in design, and are Designed for business operators, the thors would benefit by preparing a book pro- of $1.25 would increase by 10-cents in Janu- a personal expression of the artist. Sub- general public and business students, the posal before they finish their first draft—and ary 2010 to $1.35 and by 15-cents in July 2011 mitted quilts must have been completed class on Insurance Fundamentals, BUS even before they begin writing their book. to $1.50. Fares for a trip on GCT’s ACCESS after January 1, 2007. V71, opens the door to the broad field of As they prepare the proposal they will learn paratransit service for people with disabilities The Museum of Ventura County is at 89 insurance, explains how insurance com- how to organize their work and set up the and senior citizens 65 and older would in- South California Street in downtown Ventura. panies operate and are regulated, the foundation for their book. This seminar will crease to $2.70 in 2010 and $3.00 in 2011. The museum is open Tuesday through Sun- functions of underwriting and claims help authors get started, and a three-session In addition to seeking public input at the day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free admission, Protection from legal liability and workshop on Book Proposals planned for public meeting, GCT invites interested parties except for some events. For general museum damage to personal and business prop- early 2010 will go into greater detail and offer to submit input through GCT’s website information, please go to http://www.ventura- erty is the focus of BUS V72, the course individual help. (www.goldcoasttransit.org), by phone to museum.org or call 653-0323 on Property and Liability Insurance. It How to complete each section of the GCT at 487-4222 or 643-3158, through offers an in-depth look at property and seven-part proposal will be explained. the mail to “GCT Planning Department, American journalist liability insurance forms and coverage’s, Embree is a literary consultant, editor, 301 E. Third St., Oxnard 93030-6048,” Continued from page 6 loss exposures, risk management and the book doctor, and author of several books in- and by FAX to GCT at 487-0925. gitimate government. It exists inside the inner workings of insurance companies. cluding The Author’s Toolkit: A Step-by-Step green zone and that sends a pretty strong Although Spring classes start on Jan- Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book. message to the Iraqis. uary 11, 2010, early registration on-line is The fee for the seminar is $10 for mem- Holiday water- T: Will we ever get out of Iraq or is our essential. bers of CLAS and $20 for nonmembers. It presence there a long term reality? While each class is a stand-alone includes handouts. Nonmembers may join color workshop D: I think it’s a long term reality. course, they are but two of four insurance CLAS at the session and pay the member Seabreeze studios, located at 244 S. T: How long? courses available at Ventura College fee. All proceeds go to the California Liter- Laurel is presenting Julie Merrill’s Holi- D: I think it’s indefinite. When you Register on-line now at www.ventura- ary Arts Society. Website: www.literaryarts- day watercolor workshop!! read the national security strategy that college.edu for BUS V71, Insurance Fun- ca.org. The seminar will be held at Bank Create your own gift cards, paint and states clearly that certain natural resources damentals, CRN 30078, and BUS V72, of Books, 748 E. Main, on Wednesday, De- mat your own artwork in certain Middle Eastern countries are in Liability and Property Insurance, CRN cember 2 from 7 to 9 pm. For reservations, 2 class workshop is $40.00 the security interest of the U.S., that’s what 31178. For further inquiries contact e-mail [email protected] or call Dec. 1 & 8 Tuesday 6-9 it’s all about. We’re in dwindling resources. James Spencer, Ventura College Business 643-3385. Dec. 2 & 9 Wednesday 6-0 We’ve already passed peak oil. Russian, Chi- Department, 654-6444, Ext. 2371. Ventura County Fairgrounds Swap Meet Every Wednesday 7am to 2pm Free Parking and Admission Antiques • Collectibles Farmers’ Market Vendor Space Available For Information call Sue Adams 818.590.5435 10 West Harbor Boulevard Planning An Estate Sale? Call Sue Adams for a Free Consultation. www.snaauctions.com

Your Hometown Paper www.venturabreeze.com Ventura Breeze 20 Wednesday, November 18, 2009 Ventura Breeze

November 27th, 28th & 29th November 27th, 28th & 29th Ventura County Fairgrounds Ventura County Fairgrounds

presents presents om e One Come All ome One C e All ~ Com age ~ C Village as Vill Christmas Christm Organized by www.helpUSAHomes.com & • Artisans • Sculptors www.MarvinHayesFilms.com • Painters • Crafters • Jewelry Fri. Nov. 27, 2009 Sat. Nov. 28, 2009 Sun. Nov. 29, 2009 • Cosmetics • Santa & Live Reindeer 10 -11 am Choir 10 -11 am Choir 10 -11 am Choir • Perfumes • The Manger, 3 Kings, • Live Bands 11 -12 pm Fashion Show 11 -12 pm Fashion Show 11 -12 pm Fashion Show • Clothing Live Camels & Animals • Musicians 12 - 2 pm David Kirton - 12 - 1 pm Tune Bandits 1 - 2 pm Theatre Play • Toys • Carollers • Santa's Elves • Shoes Kids's Reggae 3 - 4 pm Theatre Play 2 - 4 pm Tune Bandits • Face Painting • Xmas Pirates/ Pirateers • Decorations 3 - 4 pm Theatre Play 4 - 5 pm Luau Malibu Local Band • Family Photos • Light Show • Xmas Carollers/Choirs 4 - 5 pm Comedians & 5 - 6 pm Comedians & 4 - 5 pm Sade • Gourmet Goods • Fashion Show • Spectacular Light Show Poets Champagne • Comedians Poets • Baked Goods • Tree Decoration Competition 5 - 6 pm Open Forum • New Antiques • Poetry Recitals 7 - 9 pm Movie Night - • Raffle & Silent Auction 6 - 7 pm David Kirton Feature Film presented • Vintage • Theatre by the Ventura - Film Festival (TM) • Electronics/Furniture Welcome Interfaith Ministries 7 - 9 pm Movie Night - • Open Forum Feature Film presented • Hand Painted Glass Church, Mosque, Synagogue, by the Ventura - DAILY from 11- 6 pm Santa & Live Reindeer, • Fresh Xmas Trees Temple Film Festival (TM) Camel & 3 Kings / Nativity How To Participate & Help out for a Good Cause: *Schedule may be subject to change. Check online for more up to date schedule information. www.helpUSAHomes.com or www.oneofakindchristmasshow.com Buy Online Tickets just show ID on day of show T: (805) 652-0119 / 201-8200 [email protected] Go to www.OneofaKindChristmasShow.com or www.helpUSAHomes.com Email: [email protected] O. (805) 652-0119 / 201-8200 All Performers, Musicians, Bands, Luau Dancers, Choirs, Comedians, Poets, the Show Admission: Show staff and personnel reserve the right to Characters, Models, Actors, Actresses, Composers, Photographers, Film Editors, Call REFUSE entry and service to anyone at anytime. Center Personnel are donating their time, energy and effort for the show in honor of the $6.00 Adults/Students $5.00 Seniors (+65) Homeless and Homeless Prevention Fund Raising for Ventura County - What are you Parking: $5.00 per Car charged by Ventura County doing on your part? Do your Part - "Donate" for the Homeless and Homeless $3.00 Children (3-12) Fairgrounds Management (not by Show Promoters) Prevention Funds for Ventura County (We do not support Pan Handlers) Food / Beverages: Available by Ventura County How to Donate: [email protected] Fairgrounds Management (not by Show Promoters)

Sponsors *Please be advised that the show will have video taping and pictures for this event. By attending, performing, voluteering or working at the event, you are granting permission to utilize the pictures and video taping to be published for the Show's Promotions, Demo's, Commercials and Documentary.

Total Life Christian Police Continued from page 14 Continued from page 17 A contest Ventura Counties outstanding civic and cinity of Hemlock & Santa Clara St. had spiritual leaders. They have been blessed called the Ventura Police Dept. and com- with a long productive life of 77 years, plained about the numerous gunshots 54 years of marriage, and this December fired in the area. Officers immediately they will be celebrating 47 years of minis- responded and eventually surrounded try in Ventura. Brause’s home. Among their accomplishments is the When confronted by police Brause and starting and running of the Employment his female associate did the smart thing Aptitude And Placement, a free non- and surrendered without incident. Brause profit Employment center founded by was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Reverend Luther McCurtis in 1967.They reckless discharge of a firearm and his female have placed thousands of people on jobs companion was questioned, then released. throughout Ventura County, free to the Ventura City detectives obtained a warrant applicant and to the employer, without to search Brause’s home where the handgun governmental assistance. was located and recovered as evidence. We invite you to celebrate with Rever- This incident may also be related to end and Mrs. McCurtis. numerous reports of gunfire twenty Your tax-deductible gift to Total Life minutes prior in the 126 freeway corri- Be the first to identify this photo and win 2 tickets to the Nutcracker, by the Ventura County Christian Center, Inc. will help to make dor between Kimball Rd. & Victoria Ave. Ballet Company presented on November 21 in Oxnard. this celebration a success. Thank you for Anyone who might have witnessed these Email your answer to [email protected]. supporting the celebration. The church is shootings are encouraged to contact Ven- located at 660 N. Ventura Ave. tura City detectives.

Ventura Breeze www.venturabreeze.com Y ourHom etownP aper