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Vol. 13, No. 6 – Dec 18 – Dec 31, 2019 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Plaid Tidings hits all the right holiday notes

The holiday season is a time to enjoy familiar tunes, tons of laughter, friendship and all things red, green and festive. The Rubicon Theatre Company brings all this and more to their stage as 2019 comes to a close.

Plaid Tidings, a special holiday edition of the popular musical Forever Plaid, tells the story of a quartet of lovable, slightly nerdy musicians whose careers are cut short in an auto accident one fateful night. They are given the opportunity to come down to Earth to perform the holiday show they couldn’t complete in life.

And what a show it is. Written and directed by the Original Creator, Stuart Ross, Plaid Tidings is simply heavenly from start to big finish. It has warmth, an abundance of humor, great harmonies, toe-tapping choreography, and four highly multi-talented young men with sparkles in their eyes to delight the audience throughout. For me, it is one of those shows I didn’t want to end, it was so captivating and enjoyable.

All four of the Plaids come with extensive theater credits and it shows. Sean Bell, Adolpho Blaire, Zak Edwards and Joshua David Cavanaugh each bring a wide range of skills to delight and amuse. They each shine in their solo areas as well as complementing each other beautifully.

Interspersed with holiday tunes are familiar refrains from the 50’s and 60’s such as “Hey There,” “Fever” and “Matilda” (with a twist). The Plaids even geta little heavenly help from Rosemary Clooney and inspiration from Perry Como.
A three-minute rendition of an entire Ed Sullivan Show features well known elements and much hilarity as the four frantically pack in more than one would think possible. It’s great fun and a bit nostalgic.
Accompanying the quartet is a piano and a bass, led by Musical Director Andrew M. Chukerman. The seemingly simple setting is like a magician’s box of tricks, with props and details appearing in surprising ways. The entire theater is strung with holiday lights, adding to the beauty and the general festivities to sustain the holiday mood.

Ross made some alterations to the ever-in-progress script to customize some areas for Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre, adding a quite personal element to the performance. The actors speak directly to the audience at times and even enlist the assistance of a few to move their story along. He also makes use of some of the actor’s special talents, such as Edwards on accordion, a soft-shoe for Bell and more. As Ross relates, he enjoys “creating a special and unique production” for each cast and the theater in which they perform.

If you love holiday music and can attend only one holiday performance this season, I heartily recommend this one. Take your family. Share it with a friend. Enjoy.
Plaid Tidings runs through December 29. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m. Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Rubicon Theater, 1006 E. Main St, Ventura. (805) 667-2900 for tickets. Prices vary.

Vol. 13, No. 6 – Dec 18 – Dec 31, 2019 – Forever Homes Wanted

This gorgeous German Shepherd mix had a home, but lost it when a family member became allergic to him. Chief’s family said he loves people of all ages and gets along with other dogs. Chief likes playing with balls and squeaky toys and knows sit and down. This friendly, affectionate, attentive guy will be a great family dog. Ventura County Animal Services – Simi location 670 W. Los Angeles Ave. Chief A741932

Hi: I’m Tucker an older Shih Tzu (like Scamp) in need of a new home. I was rescued from Animal Services and I’m thankful C.A.R.L. is giving me the chance to find my forever home. I know people will pass me by because of my age, but I know my special someone is out there. I hope they come for me soon. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L.CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Vol. 13, No. 6 – Dec 18 – Dec 31, 2019 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Tuesday
11-26

 2:40am, dispatched to an incident at 1198 Navigator Drive. Officers responded and assisted VWM security with a medical with a local transient.

4:10pm, received a report of a vessel only secured with one line in the keys. Officers responded and secured the vessel to the dock, that was under repair.

Wednes
11-27

 9:00am, while manning the operations center, officers observed an unusually high tide of 7ft from the tide measurement stick at the long dock.

Thursday
11-28

 12:20pm, dispatched to an unconscious patient in the Harbor Town resort. Officers responded and assisted a 97-year-old male with nausea and shortness of breath. The patient was further assisted by VFD/AMR.

4:50pm, National Weather Service contacted officers and advised of a severe storm cell headed towards Ventura Harbor. A large dark cloud/cell was observed just offshore of the harbor. The cell headed south making landfall over Channel Islands Harbor.

Friday
11-29

 10:45am, received a report of a vessel taking on water, bilge pumps won’t stop pumping. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 17 and found the vessel in VIM. The constant water pumping was a water-cooled heater, not taking on water.

4:56pm, dispatched to a hang glider crash landed into the water. Officers responded in RescueBoat 19 with multiple agencies to investigate. City fire was able to ascertain that all the hang gilders have safely landed on the beach.

Saturday
11-30

 2:56am, dispatched to an unresponsive person in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded with VFD/AMR and found the patient unresponsive. Life saving efforts including CPR and AED were used to revive the patient. Unfortunately, the patient was pronounced dead by medics later.

2:00pm, received a report of a vessel taking on water in VWM A-dock. Officers responded in Rescue B-17, de-watered a 40ft motor vessel. The source of the leak was discovered and mitigated with assistance from a local diver.

Monday
12-2

 7:10am, while on patrol officers observed large surf, 4-6ft with strong rip currents throughout harbor beaches. Water temp has fallen to 58 degrees.

7:57am, dispatched to a medical in the Ventura Marina Community. Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire and AMR ambulance with the call.

11:00am, received report of a diesel spill from one of the fishing fleet.

Thursday
12-05

 5:20pm, while on patrol in Rescue Boat 17, officers observed several small vessels engaged in hoop netting at the breakwall. Safety inspections were conducted, and all the vessels were found in compliance with equipment.

Friday
12-06

 7:30am, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers met with an organizer of the body surfing competition at South Beach. Organizers were concerned with the hazardous conditions and looking for safety advice.

Saturday
12-07

 7:20am, Beach Hazard Assessment: 6-8 ft NorthWest swell with enormous rip currents throughout Harbor Beaches. Officers meeting with body surfing organizers to assess conditions and raise safety concerns and mitigations.

12:00pm, Harbormaster and several officers participating in a “paddle-out” for Ventura City Firefighter at Harbor Cove. The fireboat was used in the ceremony

1:24pm, received a report of a boating accident at Ventura Isle Marina. Officers responded to investigate, minor damage was observed and the owners of the two involved vessels agreed to arrange for repairs amongst themselves.

10:00pm, while on patrol in Rescue Boat 19, officers contacted several fishermen hoop netting near the detached breakwall. They advised the fishermen of an incoming storm cell. Most advised they were heading in.

Sunday
12-08

 7:55am, while performing pre-operational checks, officers observed mud and debris flowing out of the Barranca in the keys.

3:15pm, observed an inexperienced body boarder without fins or a wetsuit in Small Craft Advisory conditions at South Beach. Officers made contact with the individual and removed for the dangerous situation.

7:00pm, officers on patrol in Rescue Boat 17 experiencing very rough conditions out side the breakwall. Made contact with a small skiff engaged in hoop netting, attempting to convince the skipper to call it a night, to no avail.

Monday
12-09

 11:30am, officers in Rescue Boat 19 were removing the swim buoys from Harbor Cove for the winter.

2:10pm, received a report of a submerged skiff in the South Basin of the Harbor. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 19, found the hazard, dewatered and towed it back to the patrol dock. The skiff will be destroyed.

Tuesday
12-10

 2:05pm, officers observed a vessel secured to the District longdock without permission. After a lengthy process, the vessel was removed and left the Harbor

 

News from your City Council

by Council Member Christy Weir

On December 2, the Ventura City Council approved the Olivas Park Specific Plan, which will extend Olivas Park Drive to Johnson Dr, to provide a better connection between East Ventura and the Harbor area. This will be a “complete street” project, and include wide sidewalks, a landscaped median, separated multi-use trail for bicyclists, in addition to the traffic lanes. The Olivas Park Plan specifies opportunities to make improvements to this vital area adjacent to the Santa Clara River, golf course and Auto Center, to benefit the residents of Ventura.

In response to the growing public health crisis caused by vaping, especially among teens, the Ventura City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to ban the sale of flavored tobacco products, establish a tobacco license fee and prohibit the sale of all tobacco products within 1000 feet of schools. We affirmed that the City of Ventura continues to prioritize the health of our youth above the profits of businesses that sell harmful teen-targeted products.

Women’s Economic Ventures honors local graduates, business owners and Million Dollar Club Inductee

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) hosted a Celebration of Small Business on December 11 at the Ventura Beach Marriott to honor local entrepreneurs making a big impact in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. The event spotlighted the 2019 graduates of WEV’s business training courses, announced the People’s Choice Award winner, inducted a new business into the Million Dollar Club, and featured a shop local market & business mixer.

More than 300 guests attended as local entrepreneurs shared a common thread – how their businesses have been positively impacted by the support of WEV’s business training, consulting and loan programs. WEV programs helped start or expand more than 4,500 businesses on California’s Central Coast, and are offered in both English and Spanish.

Ren Ostry

Ren Ostry, millennial founder of Kitchen Catch was named the 2019 People’s Choice Award winner for her seafood business. By offering sustainable, lesser-known seafood, along with recipes, Kitchen Catch is supporting our California harbor communities and transforming the way consumers think about, buy and enjoy seafood. Ostry said, “Thanks directly to skills I learned at WEV, we’re already starting January 2020 with a single order of 30,000 pounds of fish, and we have plans to offer frozen Kitchen Catch products nationally by the end of the year.”

Cynthia Torres

Reaching one million dollars in annual revenue is a milestone achieved by less than 2% of woman-owned businesses, and less than 4% of male-owned businesses in the U.S. The Million Dollar Club honors WEV client businesses who have achieved this extraordinary milestone. WEV’s CEO Elect, Kathy Odell, introduced this year’s Million Dollar Club inductee, Cynthia Torres, CEO of New Dawn Counseling and Consulting, Inc. in Oxnard.

Torres’ company was incorporated in 2016 with a mission to empower individuals and families to improve the quality of life by providing culturally appropriate mental health, education, resources, and wellness services. Torres told the audience, “I came to this country 20 years ago with $800 in my pocket and lots of dreams and aspirations.” Today, as a million dollar business owner, Torres said, “My challenge to aspiring female entrepreneurs is let’s change the statistics and correct that 2% number!”

Odell remarked that, “WEV is successful because we provide a continuum of services and programs to help our clients start, grow and thrive in business – from assessing entrepreneurial readiness to long-term mentoring and consulting. We are thrilled Cynthia chose to launch her business here in our area, and that WEV has been part of her impressive entrepreneurial journey.”

Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV provides training, consulting and loans to help entrepreneurs start, grow and thrive in business. WEV serves Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV targets its services toward women, it helps men as well. Services are provided in both English and Spanish.

Since 1991, WEV has provided business training and consulting to more than 14,000 women and men throughout Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. WEV has made over $5 million in business loans, and helped more than 4,500 local businesses start or expand. WEV-supported businesses have created nearly 9,000 jobs. WEV is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women’s Business Center, and a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI).

Answer In A Breeze

Q: There has been an extremely long freight train sitting for weeks on the track next to Vista Del Mar. Do you know why?

Charles Moore

A: Charles:

We asked Ventura City Manager Alex McIntyre to help with this. This is his response. Odd though that this has never happened before. By the way these cars are for transporting vehicles.

Sheldon

We spoke with the folks from UP and shared with them our concerns. They’re fully aware of the situation.

We are told it is a capacity issue within the overall rail system. It has to do with the overwhelming amount of freight moving through southern California.

We don’t yet have a date on when they plan to move the freight train.

I hope this helps.

Alex

Have a question, send it to [email protected] and we will try to get you an answer?

Vol. 13, No. 6 – Dec 18 – Dec 31, 2019 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura  Police Department and are not the opinions of  the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned  are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty  in a court of law.

Arrest of San Diego County Homicide Suspect

On November 28, at approximately 8am, the San Diego Police Department Communications Center received a call of an injured man in the 3100 block of Sports Arena Boulevard in San Diego. When the officers arrived, they found a man with significant trauma to his neck. The man was transported to the hospital, but unfortunately did not survive his injuries.

The investigation revealed the victim had an altercation with the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Forrest Robert Brantley. At some point in the altercation, Brantley used a weapon to cause traumatic injuries to the victim’s neck area. After the homicide, detectives received information that Brantley was in the City of Ventura, but there was no information available about his specific whereabouts. Officers with the Ventura Police Department and Ventura County Community College Police were sent to multiple locations where possible sightings had occurred, but Brantley was never found.

On December 4, at approximately 10am. officers with the Ventura Police Patrol Task Force saw Brantley walking near Junipero Street and Santa Clara Street in Ventura. He was detained and arrested for a parole violation and the San Diego County homicide.

A review of superior court data bases show Brantley has been arrested thirty-four times since 2000. The charges included burglary, robbery, elder abuse, drug related offenses and property crimes. At the time of his arrest on December 4, he was on active parole for attempted robbery, burglary, elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon.

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit and Arrest

On November 29, from 6:45pm to 8pm, officers responded to a call of a stolen vehicle. Once on scene, the victim informed the officers that she had parked her SUV in the driveway of her home around 6:45pm when she came out of her house around 8pm she noticed that the SUV was gone. The officers completed a stolen vehicle investigation, and a report was filed.

At approximately 10pm a Ventura Police Sergeant saw the SUV driving westbound on the 126 Freeway passing Victoria Av. traveling at over 100 MPH. He began following the SUV as it continued on the 126 freeway to northbound 101 Freeway, and eventually exiting at Seaward Av. As the SUV exited the freeway, other VPD units arrived to assist, and a pursuit of the vehicle was started.

During the incident, the juvenile driver drove erratically and made multiple vehicle code violations. Eventually, the driver drove south on Norwich Ln, which deadends at the beach. Having nowhere to go, the driver exited the SUV and ran onto the beach. The SUV came to a stop when it ran into a brick wall at the end of the lane. Two other male passengers also exited the SUV and ran in the opposite direction of the driver and were not chased.

After running from the vehicle and onto the beach, the driver went back into the neighborhood to try and get away from officers. After an extensive search, he was found in a backyard on Martha’s Vineyard by a Ventura Police K9 “Jag” and taken into custody. During the incident, the juvenile suffered a minor injury to his hand and was treated at a local hospital. He was arrested for felony possession of a stolen vehicle and evading.

Carjacking and Resisting Arrest

On December 1, at approximately 6:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from a victim reporting that his vehicle was in the process of being stolen. The victim said he was sitting in his vehicle with the engine running, when the suspect approached it and started banging on the passenger’s window. He confronted the suspect, later identified as 28 year old Michael Pacella, who aggressively approached him and made threats to harm him. Pacella then got into the victim’s vehicle and started driving off, when he realized the victim’s dog was in the backseat. Pacella stopped the vehicle, just as a Ventura Police K-9 officer arrived on scene.

When additional officers arrived, Pacella was ordered out of the vehicle and physically resisted attempts to take him into custody. The K-9 officer deployed his dog, which allowed officers to arrest Pacella without further incident.

Pacella was treated at the scene by Ventura City Fire, before being transported to VCMC for treatment of his injuries. After being medically cleared, Pacella was arrested for carjacking, resisting arrest and driving under the influence.

No one else was injured as a result of this incident.

Felony Domestic Violence Incident with Arrest

On December 10, at approximately 11am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 hang-up call from a residence in the 200 block of Burl Ave. On callback, the female victim reported she was involved in a physical domestic with her boyfriend, later identified as 19 year old Ventura resident Daniel Vargas. When officers arrived on scene, Vargas was reportedly inside the residence and when contacted by phone, said he was not going to cooperate with officers. Vargas also threatened officers and said he was armed with a knife.

As officers continued to negotiate with Vargas on the phone, it was determined he had left the residence prior to officers arriving on scene and was on foot in the area.

Ventura Police motor officers began helping with the search and located Vargas on the bike path near the Community Park on Kimball Rd. Vargas, who was still armed with the knife (see attached), displayed the knife in a threatening manner towards the officers and fled onto Highway 126. Additional officers responded and attempted to detain him. At one point, Vargas raised the knife up and while advancing towards officers, threatened to harm them if they did not shoot him. Officers continued to give Vargas orders to drop the knife, but when he refused to comply, officers deployed a taser. The taser was not effective in stopping Vargas, who continued to advance towards the officers. A Ventura Police K-9 officer then deployed his K9 (Bolt), which allowed officers to take Vargas into custody without further incident.

Vargas was treated at a local hospital for his injuries. After being medically cleared, Vargas was arrested for attempted murder, felony domestic violence, false imprisonment, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, and felony resisting arrest.

The female victim received non-life threatening injuries as a result of this incident and treated for her injuries. No officers or the K-9 were injured.

Train Boxcar Vandalism Arrest

On December 11, at approximately 4pm, Ventura Police Cadets monitoring security cameras for the Ventura City Maintenance Yard observed three male suspects spray painting a boxcar on the railroad tracks south of the yard. The cadet notified the Ventura Command Center Supervisor, and officers were dispatched to the location. Through a coordinated effort, the officers were able to surround the area and stop 20 year old Ventura resident Vincent Saucedo as he attempted to run away. The two other suspects separated and were able to getaway. During the investigation, officers found graffiti paraphernalia on Saucedo as well as paint on his hands matching that found on the boxcar.

Saucedo was arrested for felony vandalism, misdemeanor obstructing a peace officer and trespassing on railroad property. No one was injured during this incident, and Saucedo was booked at the Ventura County Jail.

Addict in Possession of a Firearm Arrest

On December 12, a Ventura Patrol Officer saw the suspect, 27 year old Ventura resident Jose Crespin, driving in the area of Main St. and Emma Ave. Crespin is known to the officer from prior contacts and the officer was aware that Crespin was driving on a suspended driver’s license. The officer made a traffic stop on Crespin in the parking lot of Smart and Final.

During the stop, the officer asked Crespin to exit the vehicle and asked if there was anything illegal inside the car. Crespin told the officer that there was an unloaded gun in his backpack. Based on this information, the officer continued his investigation and found the unloaded handgun, ammunition and drug paraphernalia. Based on his investigation, the officer asked a DRE officer to assist and conduct an evaluation to determine if Crespin was under the influence of an illegal substance.

Upon completion of the DRE evaluation, Crespin was arrested for felony possession of a firearm by an addict, possession of ammunition by an addict, carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. No one was injured during this arrest, and Crespin was booked into Ventura County Jail.

City of Ventura repurposes water for local park landscapes

City’s Urban Forestry Department’s new 4,000 gallon water truck doing its job.

Over the next month, Ventura Water and Parks, Recreation, and Community Partnerships (PRCP) will work together to repurpose an estimated 200,000 gallons of water during the annual main line flushing program to irrigate City parks and trees rather than discharging water into streets and storm drains. The City’s water service area is a complex system of 380 miles of pipelines ranging from 4 inches to 36 inches in diameter. Routine maintenance is required to flush out sediment, corrosion and remove “bio–film” that adheres to pipes over time.

“Water main flushing is a necessary part of maintaining and operating a drinking water distribution system to ensure high quality drinking water. Ventura Water is committed to innovative solutions that maintain water quality standards and limit water waste,” said Ventura Water General Manager Susan Rungren.

In recent years, the City of Ventura has taken a proactive approach to minimize water waste during mandatory waterline flushing. In 2017, Ventura Water began operating the Neutral Output Discharge Elimination System (NO-DES) unit, a state-of-the-art truck that connects to fire hydrants and circulates, filters, and puts water back into the distribution system saving millions of gallons of water.

Beginning on the Westside and moving East, the City of Ventura will be flushing at approximately 200 locations where water mains end and pose water quality challenges. Instead of running the water to waste it will be captured and transported using the City’s Urban Forestry Department’s new 4,000 gallon water truck and applied to turf and trees at Arroyo Verde Park, Camino Real Park, Barranca Vista, Chumash Park, Hobert Park, and Community Park in addition to linear park spaces and city trees.

“Overseeing Ventura’s 42 parks and being water efficient remains a top priority for the Parks Department,” Nancy O’Connor Director of PRCP explained. “We share common goals as public servants to be good stewards of our precious local resources. It’s always a win for both the City and our community when we collaborate with other city departments like Ventura Water to save money and water.”

Ninth Annual Thanksgiving Outreach Dinner

by Jill Forman

It started as a family dinner…

Jeri and Joe Bendot, the residential caretakers of Community Presbyterian Church, had a Thanksgiving dinner for their family in the Fellowship Hall ten years ago.

The following year, they asked their friends from the park to join them.

The next year, the park folks asked their friends.

And so the tradition was started.

This year, close to 700 meals were served to anyone who came. Almost 100 volunteers set up, served, bussed tables, washed dishes, socialized with the diners and did whatever else needed doing. Other church and community members had donated money, made tons of food, worked for two days previously as prep cooks, all the many tasks that go into such an ambitious feast. Many churches are involved, and Community Presbyterian sponsors the dinner

And a feast it was: turkey and its trimmings, ham, potatoes, yams, vegetables of every type, salads, rolls, coffee, and lots of pies.

Greeting the diners was a lovely lady named Jean, who has been doing that job for years.

City Council Member Christy Weir enjoying Thanksgiving with Jean.

Adding to the joyful atmosphere was a versatile musician named Chris Stockdill who played the piano, guitar, flute and a melodious drum-like instrument “made out of a propane tank.” He also sang a few songs. His volume was perfect, everyone could hear him and still talk.

Jeri Bendot was everywhere: overseeing the food distribution, helping wash dishes, sitting and chatting with several tables of guests, greeting, still smiling despite what had to be an exhausting week. Joe, in a colorful tie-die, was a genial host. They even did an impromptu dance that got cheers.