Vol. 2, No. 23 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 FREE V e n t u r a BREEZEYour Hometown Paper Alcoholic 307,000 Beverage attend VC Fair Permits in A total of approximately 307,000 peo- ple attended this year’s Ventura County Ventura Part 3: Fair. This was less then last year’s atten- dance of 321,338 which was a record. Rev- Hazardous enue was also down almost $500,000. The Fair management was still very product, handle happy with this turnout during these tough economic times and the very un- with care usually cold overcast weather that oc- curred during the Fair. by Tim Pompey Many Venturans who enjoy the fire- Fenwick works closely with the works from their homes and other loca- downtown owners to help with security training. He meets regularly with the Res- taurant and Bar Association to discuss problems and find creative solutions to The Fair management security issues. He wants to establish a was still very happy good working relationship with busi- nesses, be a community resource, and with this turnout... allow owners to work together to solve their problems. But he’s also got tools to help him tions in town could barely see them be- with enforcement. The new CUP ordi- cause of the overcast skies. nance passed in 2005 helps. He’s got a The first time attempt to reduce the full-time alcoholic beverage officer to en- overcrowding at the motorsports events sure compliance with the ordinance. The by having attendees pay $5.00 additional officer, Derek Donswyk, works closely to watch the racing events was very suc- with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Com- cessful as the events drew sellout crowds mission (ABC). He serves as the local eyes of about 4,000 people for each event. and ears for compliance with the ABC There were many fans that were un- and provides enforcement of relevant city happy with this policy that they didn’t ordinances. In addition, his department know about and could not attend the rac- helps regulate what’s known as an “enter- ing and demolition derby events because tainment permit,” required by the city if a they were sold out. business wants to provide music See the opinion section for some Continued on page 2 Where’s Sheldon? readers comments. tainability and working toward a stron- November City ger business community. Monahan will be running for a record Council ballot ninth consecutive four-year term. A for- mer mayor of Ventura, Monahan points will be crowded to the decisions he has made as a council by Rebecca Wicks member as evidence he is “not afraid to make hard decisions that affect your ev- Fifteen people will be running for City eryday life.” Council this November. Four will pre- Summers believes he has been a posi- vail. This year’s election will most likely tive voice for the community outlining prove to be an interesting one with a bevy a number of projects he has personally of candidates and three contentious bal- worked on from restoring police officers lot measures including a measure aimed on school campuses to supporting land against Walmart that would ban grocery Continued on page 7 stores larger than 90,000 square feet, a building-height initiative and a half-cent Mail Box..............................................3 sales tax increase. Opinion/Editorial...............................3 Four current council members will be City News............................................4 running for reelection including Neal An- News and Notes..................................6 drews, Brian Brennan, Ed Summers and Business...........................................8 Jim Monahan. All four are leaning heav- Community Events............................10 ily on previous council work as proof of Art Scene...........................................12 On Saturday, August 8 the first ever Ventura County Fair 5K Run & Walk was held. their competence. Senior Living......................................13 This event featured an out and back course along Main St. starting at Mission Park and “I have learned that experience mat- Sports............................................14 turning around at Santa Rosa St. The distinguished judges were Jim Monahan’s daugh- ters in tough times,” said Brennan in his Schools............................................14 ter Patty Monahan, his granddaughter Rachael Hodgson, Jerry English, Sheldon Brown, candidate statement. Movie Review....................................15 Randall Richman and on his knees Newstalk 1520 KVTA’s Stickboy. Like other council members running Center Stage......................................15 Participants in the run, presented by Inside Track, located at 38 W. Main were en- for reelection Brennan, an environmental Professor Scamp...............................16 couraged to run or walk in a costume. Special awards were given for the best costumes as consultant, points to issues the council Police and Fire Reports.....................16 judged by a distinguished 6 person judging team. has addressed in recent years including The Lighter Breeze............................18 homelessness, promoting financial sus- 2 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Ventura BREEZE It’s Never Been So Easy Alcoholic Beverage the city leaders hoped to draw more clients Continued from page 1 to downtown, it’s certainly worked. Tonight or other types of entertainment. the place is swarming with guests, many of Getting To & From The Airport Finally, there’s also a city ordinance them from out of town. Downtown Ventura about “excessive calls.” If you have too many has a reputation as party central. problems with law enforcement related 12:15: We’re downtown again, cruising $35.00 one way to alcohol, Fenwick can pull your enter- east on Main. Someone from a nearby bar $65.00 round trip tainment permit. No permit, no enter- flags down Alexander and tells her that one Discounts for tainment. No entertainment means sig- of Ventura’s 10 most wanted is drinking in Groups and Charters nificant loss of customers. “It’s just one his bar. She pulls over to investigate. It’s true. Depart Ventura more tool we can use,” Fenwick says “to In five minutes or so, she has the guy hand- AMsAMsAMsAMs help ensure that a business complies with cuffed and in the car. Turns out he’s got a PMsPMsPMsPM their CUP (conditional use permit).” felony warrant for failing to appear at his s/XNARDDEPARTSMINUTESLATER *** DUI hearing. To boot, he’s got three DUIs in s.ODEPARTURESPM6TA PM/XN 11:30: We cruise downtown on Main ten years, a real no-no in California. Now he 9:30pm LAX-on Saturdays only. Street. I get a real sense of the party going on has even more serious problems and is prob- 805.650.6600 PSC 6291 Depart LAX late night. The restaurants and bars are busy. ably looking at extended jail time. We spend Holiday Inn Express AMsAMsAMsPMsPMs There’s music in the streets, people gathered more than an hour transporting and getting FREE Parking at the Holiday Inn parking lot PMsPMsPM in large groups. They flow up and down him booked into the County jail. 1080 Navigator Dr., Ventura Main Street like schools of fish, bar hopping, Dozens of partyers walk past me as I e-tickets online at www.venturashuttle.com drinking, socializing, having a great time. If Continued on page 3 The Breeze welcomes aboard the following NEW advertisers... 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TheB Ventura Breeze is your free local community news- paper published every other Wednesday and circulated premier of his movie And how would it be removed with- ● In my opinion in the last issue I ne- throughout Ventura and to many locations in Ojai. “Swing Vote” and to out being seen, perhaps hidden in a per- glected to thank R. Ellis Smith for read- entertain thousands son’s pants? ing the Ventura Breeze so thoroughly PUBLISHER Sheldon Brown of us with his band, ● I would like to thank the Rotary Club that he even reads the classifieds, that is Publisher Sheldon Brown “Modern West” of Ventura South for inviting me to be a real commitment and an avid reader. [email protected] Costner, who spent a portion of his the guest speaker at their last Monday ● Our city elections are only 3 months PET EDITOR childhood in Ventura and considers the noon lunch meeting at the Wedgwood away and we want to hear from our view- Professor Scamp area his hometown, expressed his grati- Banquet Center located at the Buenven- ers their opinions regarding the 3 ballot [email protected] tude: “Thank you, Main Street! I went to tura Golf Course. measures and your choices for city coun- junior high right over at Cabrillo. Man, The buffet lunch prepared by the cil members. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS my whole world’s wrapped up here. It’s Wedgwood was just outstanding and We really prefer to hear the positive Tim Pompey good to be home!” the group was just wonderful, extremely reasons for your choices as compared to Rebecca Wicks It was good to have him home.