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Vol. 10, No. 1 – October 12 – October 25, 2016 – 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.

Homicide / Update with Arrest

On August 13, at approximately 11:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call an injured subject seen lying in the alley to the rear of the 6300 block of Whippoorwill St.  Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found the victim, later identified as a 25-year-old male, suffering from multiple stab wounds to his upper torso.  Paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.

Officers and Major Crimes Detectives are currently on scene and conducting an active investigation.  There is no additional information at this time.  An additional press release will be sent out when information is available.

VPD Detectives identified 24 year old Ventura resident Marco Vences as the suspect in the homicide. Detectives obtained an arrest warrant. On September 28, at approximately 5:30pm, Vences was located by the FBI Safe Streets Taskforce with the assistance of Albuquerque PD in Albuquerque New Mexico. Vences was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Bernalillo County Metro Detention Center. Vences will be transported back to California and booked into the Ventura County Main Jail.             

Felon in Possession of Firearm Arrest

On September 29, at approximately 3:15pm, VPD Street Crimes Unit detectives responded to the 5800 block of Valentine Rd to assist a Ventura County District Attorney’s Office investigator re: a suspicious subject that was believed to be in possession of a handgun. The detectives obtained some information that helped them to identify this subject as 24 year old Agoura Hills resident Cory Rebolledo who is currently on probation out of Los Angeles County for a robbery conviction.

Detectives observed Rebolledo enter his vehicle and begin to drive away at which time they conducted a traffic stop and detained him for further investigation.

Pursuant to Rebolledo’s probation terms detectives searched his vehicle where they recovered three handguns and a large amount of ammunition.

Rebolledo was cooperative throughout the investigation and was placed under arrest and transported to the Ventura County Main Jail where he was booked on the charges of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Forgery, Burglary, Identity Theft and Conspiracy Arrest  

On September 30, at approximately 2:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from employees at Wells Fargo Bank in the 5700 block of Telephone Rd., reporting a subject inside the bank attempting to obtain a cash advancement using a fake ID and credit card.  The subject became suspicious and fled the bank before officers arrived.  He was last seen getting into a vehicle and leaving the area.

Approximately 30 minutes later, the Command Center received a call from a bank teller at the Wells Fargo Bank inside the Vons store in the 100 block of W. Main St., reporting a subject there now attempting to obtain a large amount of cash using a fake debit card.  The subject left the store shortly after the teller called, but employees saw him getting into a vehicle which matched the description from the earlier call.

An officer responding to the call saw the vehicle on Thompson Blvd. and conducting a traffic stop near California St. The suspects were identified as 29 year old Illinois resident Glynn Ford, 24 year old Illinois resident Robert Ballard, 24 year old Illinois resident Aaron Horton.

During a search of the vehicle, officers found numerous fake out of state ID’s and credit cards with Wounded Warrior on them, computer equipment for making cards and over $30,000 in large denominations.

 Under the Influence, Resisting Arrest

On October 5, at approximately 5:30pm, VPD patrol officers responded to the area of Olivas Park Dr and Victoria Ave re: reports of a male subject who had been walking in the roadway attempting to stop passing vehicles and asking for help.

Several officers arrived on scene and began searching for this subject. Minutes later he was located hiding in some bushes near the intersection of Olivas Park Dr and Seaborg Ave.

As the officers began to assess his condition he became aggressive towards them at which time he was physically restrained to prevent him from injuring himself or the officers.

The subject continued to struggle and began kicking at the officers who requested additional units respond to assist.

As the officers attempted to control this subject he was knocked to the ground where he continued resisting and struggling. Other officers arrived and the subject was taken into custody.

The suspect was incoherent and displayed the symptoms of being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was transported by ambulance to the Ventura County Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries he received while struggling with the officers.

He was later identified as 44 year old Ventura resident Matthew Almanza, currently on probation for narcotic related offenses. After several hours Almanza’s condition was stabilized and he was transported to the Ventura County Main Jail where he was booked on felony resisting arrest charges.

None of the involved officers were injured during this incident.

Attempted Robberies with arrests

On October 10, at approximately 6am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call of an attempted robbery on the Promenade near the 400 block of Harbor Blvd.  VPD patrol officers responded and learned that three suspects had approached the victim on the promenade and demanded money from her.  The victim ran away from the suspects and was unharmed.

Approximately 45 minutes after the attempted robbery on the Promenade, another victim called in stating that three suspects approached him in the 600 block of Main St and demanded money.  One of the suspects showed the victim a handgun, which was tucked in his waistband.  That victim ran away from the suspects and was also unharmed.

Within minutes of receiving the second call, a VPD patrol sergeant observed three males walking in the area of Poinsettia Place and Laurel Street.  The sergeant detained the suspects based on the fact that they matched the description of the suspects from the two attempted robberies.  One of the victims was able to identify the suspects as the three who had attempted to rob him and brandished a gun at him.  After being positively identified as 18 year old Edwin Barrongalarza and two 17 year old juvenile males, all three suspects were placed under arrest for attempted robbery.  One of the suspects, a male juvenile, was found to have a BB gun tucked into his waistband.

Barrongalarza was ultimately booked at the Ventura County Jail for attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime.  The two male juveniles were ultimately booked at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility for attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Residential Burglary Arrest

On October 10, at approximately 9:45am, the Ventura Police Department’s Command Center received a 911 call from a witness reporting a possible burglary in progress to a neighbor’s residence in the 400 block of S. Dos Caminos Ave.  The witness reported seeing a subject, later identified as 47 year old vagrant Frank Mendoza, loitering outside the residence before he removed a screen from a window and entered the residence.

Several officers responded to the call and set up a perimeter around the residence.  Mendoza was contacted as he left from inside the residence, and taken into custody without incident.  Officers confirmed Mendoza was not a resident.

Mendoza was transported to the Ventura County Jail and booked for residential burglary.

The victim resident was not home at the time of the incident.

 

Fun time at the Ventura Harbor Village

Show your love for Italian sports cars at the 9th Annual Ventura Motorsports Gathering “Viva Italia! set at Village Main Lawn Sunday, October 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year’s themed event celebrates all things Italian and spotlights Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Maserati’s, but all sports, racing and classic cars are welcome to participate in the event.  Dine for lunch or dinner seaside to complement the event.

Gather at Ventura Harbor’s main lawn for this annual dog lovers event on Saturday, October 22, at noon with your dog and enter your pet in a Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest.  Supported by Ventura Pet Barn, the event will give prizes to pet owners for the “Most Sea-Worthy,” Cutest, “Scariest,” “Creative/Original,” and “Best In Show.”

A spook-tacular seaside is in store for the whole family at Ventura Harbor Village’s “Safe Trick or Treat” annual Halloween event planned Saturday, October 29 from 1-3 p.m.  A consistent favorite event for kids and parents, the Village provides a safe Trick-or-Treat with visits to local businesses.  The fun-filled day showcases a face painter, arts and crafts.  Kids of all ages are encouraged to bring their favorite goody bag to collect candy and treats from Harbor retailers and restaurants before enjoying lunch or other seaside treats from ice cream and smoothies.  Round out the day of fun, with a visit to the Village Arcade & Carousel or take a boat ride or pedal boat around the Ventura Harbor.

Zombies of all walks of life can join in “Thrill the World” zombie dance for the world record at Ventura Harbor Village Saturday, October 29 at 3 p.m. A celebration of dance and community inspired by the legendary Michael Jackson, the event is touted as the biggest Halloween gathering on the planet, participants can roam the Village promenade as dancers prepare to perform the classic Michael Jackson “Thriller” dance simultaneously around the globe for the world record!  This must-see event allows for novice and experienced dancers of all ages to dress in zombie wear.  Admission is free.

www.VenturaHarborVillage.com for more information.

 

 

Local Stem Cell Institute of America now offers Regenerative Therapy 

Patients are having over an 80% success rate in activity and function.
Patients are having over an 80% success rate in activity and function.

Advanced Spine & Sport Medical Rehabilitation Center of Ventura, CA, recently announced its latest state-of-the-art healing procedure: Regenerative Stem Cell Therapy. Developed in conjunction with the Stem Cell Institute of America, Advanced Spine & Sport Medical Rehabilitation Center is now offering painless injections for arthritic and/or degenerative conditions, especially those found in the knees, hips, shoulders, ankles, neck and lower back

With over 15 years of experience, serving Ventura County, Spine & Sport continues to utilize cutting-edge technology to help restore patients’ health.  These remarkable treatments repair tissue in the body that has been damaged from age, disease or degeneration. Stem Cells pinpoint the impaired areas, remove the swelling with powerful anti-inflammatory properties and then heal them by regenerating new cells and tissue.

According to Advanced Spine & Sport Medical Rehabilitation Center of Ventura chief medical officer, their patients are having over an 80% success rate and can experience a significant decrease in pain and an improvement in activity and function within weeks of treatment

Advanced Spine & Sport Medical Rehabilitation Center of Ventura is one of the first clinics in the Ventura County to offer this highly advanced form of therapy, “Our patients say the results are amazing,” said Dr. James Baranski, D.C, a national spokesperson and speaker for the Stem Cell Institute of America.

“We are so excited about the results we are seeing with our patients, more importantly, our patients are excited about living their lives and enjoying the activities they enjoy. We invite you to attend an upcoming seminar to learn more about this incredible healing technology and how it might be able to help you or someone you love finally live a pain free life.” Dr. James Baranski, D.C.

For more information visit www.americastem.com.

To register for one of these  Free Educational Stem Cell Seminars  call 312.9082.

 

 

Lloyd Properties donates 860 acres to local land trust

 

The Lloyd Ranch has been a part of the Ventura community for over a century, providing stewardship of a large section of the Ventura hillsides since the early 1900’s and contributing to Ventura’s economic vitality for decades.

On Sept. 29, 2016, The Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust accepted the donation of 860 acres of agricultural and open space land donated by Lloyd Properties.  Richard Atmore, founder of the Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust (RSBCT), approached the Lloyd family of shareholders in 2014 about donating land to achieve the vision of conservation and protection.  The Lloyd family has a long history of supporting public benefit corporations in Ventura, including a donation of the land that is now Arroyo Verde Park and the Ventura Poinsettia Pavilion.

“The donation of this parcel of land to the Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust is a significant event for the Lloyd family,” said Gary Brummett, President of Lloyd Properties.

The RSBCT’s mission is to conserve and protect the land entrusted to it while honoring the land’s heritage through informative and engaging programs, including structured public access. Working with Ventura County’s agricultural community, the RSBCT will inspire future generations to continue the protection and conservation of the county’s agricultural lands and open space. The Conservation Trust is committed to doing their part in preserving Ventura County’s rangeland, farms, air, water quality, wildlife habitat and local food supplies.

“The Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust was established to protect what matters most to the citizens of Ventura County: our quality of life,” said Richard Atmore, founder of the Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust.

Atmore’s commitment to protecting and caring for the agricultural and open space land led to a vision of establishing an agricultural land trust that could protect and conserve the land in perpetuity.  The goals of the RSBCT are to conserve and protect the land entrusted to RSBCT while honoring the land’s heritage .

For more information about Rancho San Buenaventura Conservation Trust www.venturaconservation.com

Vol. 10, No. 1 – October 12 – October 25, 2016 – Opinion/Editorial

Partial cover of our first issue.

•  The Ventura Breeze celebrates another year. This is number nine for the Breeze, – our first issue was Oct. 24, 2007.

When Staci Brown and I launched the Breeze, we didn’t know if Venturans would accept a very locally focused newspaper or if Ventura needed one. It turns our both of these things were true. Thankfully, Ventura has embraced the Breeze.

I would like to thank our wonderful and dedicated readers, our fabulous advertisers who keep us in business and our unbelievable dedicated staff (our “family”).

All of the “Breezers” deserve a wonderful thank you. And I’d like to extend a special thanks to three who have been with the Breeze from day one: Writer Rebecca Wicks, senior advisor Suz Montgomery and Alfred Lewis of Studio Nothing who designs the paper (and also acts as my personal therapist by always telling me “don’t worry we will get the issue out”).

Also, I want to extend a very sincere thank you to Breezy Gledhill whose perseverance, and enthusiasm, selling ads keeps us afloat.

Thanks to Cindy Summers for making huge improvements, and maintaining our website and to Jaime and Ana Baker for setting up and managing the Breeze booth at the many great events we attend each year and much much more.

Last, but not least, I want to give a special thanks to my wife Diane who no longer says to me, “Are you nuts getting up to write at 3am?”

Unfortunately, a sad end to year nine  was the sudden passing of Jim Spencer who was a well-known local attorney, and, with wife Shirley, wrote our theater reviews (see page XX). Shirley has decided to carry on their family tradition and will continue to write the theater reviews. Jim will be very much missed.

•  The juxtaposition of two articles on the cover of our last issue reflects on life itself. One article was about the 95th birthday celebration of art patron Helen Yunker and the other is the passing of art patron Sandra Laby at 78.

•  This will be Ventura’s first ever even-numbered year elections to coincide with state and federal elections. It will be interesting to see if the voter turnout will increase, it is usually very low.

The Ventura Breeze is not officially making recommendations, but these are my personal opinions because I have been asked to express them. My opinion really isn’t any more important than anyone else’s, but here they are.

Here’s how I am voting on the four measures (there’s more detailed explanations of them on the cover).

MEASURE “N” – the selection process for the City Council – YES
MEASURE “O” – ½ cent sales tax for 25 years – I have been vacillating back and forth on this one so better decide right now. YES, but I understand why many are opposed to it.
MEASURE “P” – extending open-space – NO – I think we have this covered already.
MEASURE “Q” – term limits: three full four-year terms – YES, YES, YES.

City Council Candidates:

Voting for Cheryl Heitmann – Has been an outstanding councilmember and mayor so deserves another term.

Christy Weir: As stated above, I believe in term limits and Christy would exceed them so to be sincere about my belief I will not be voting for her. If you don’t believe in term limits you certainly won’t go wrong voting for her. She has been an outstanding councilmember and would continue to be.

I like the following three because of their experience, the diversity that they would bring to the Council and their AGEs. Age is very important to me because we have an aging City Council. I understand that younger members might have more limited time they can commit to the council because they might be working full time, but we need them. I’m going to be sneaky here and say I’m voting for two of them (but you will never know whom).

Matt LaVere
Jeannette Sanchez-Palacios
Lorrie Brown

•  I must comment again about one of the 17 State propositions on the ballot (215 pages of information, how absurd). Proposition 60-Adult Films, Condoms: Whose job will it be to monitor compliance? If it’s a new enforcement position, how many people would sign-up for the job (or volunteer)? Will they be there with cameras to take pictures of any non-compliance performers to show as evidence to potential jurists? I know many who would pay to be on the force.

•  Just need to share this. I was part of a class action law suit against AT&T and just received a check for $0.07 (yes 7 cents). It probably cost several dollars to prepare and mail it. “Void if not presented for payment within 180 days of issuance” it said. Hope my bank can cover it.

 

 

Randolph Siple’s passing sentiments

Randolph Edward Siple, born June 5, 1933 in Glendale, California left this world on September 20, 2016.

It is with some regret that I tell you I have died, but with no regret that I have joined so many of my friends on the other side. Let me tell you a little about my life. Soon after my birth to a very liberal lady, I hit the decks a common sense conservative and a Renaissance man. (Such a person is restless in learning and studying and there is no end to it.) Because of a split family, I attended some thirteen elementary schools, two military schools, one junior high, and two high schools. No middle schools. I graduated from Stanford University in History and Political Science. Then ROTC sent me to Germany as a tank platoon leader. Once I was back stateside, I graduated from USC as a Doctor of Law. I practiced law in Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and finally Ventura counties. I was both a prosecutor and a private attorney. I joined the Navy Reserve, as an officer in intelligence and retired from that service. At one time I led a law firm of eight lawyers and designed and built the office building known as Lincoln’s Inn in Ventura. When I came to believe progressives pushed the law business into an extortion racket, I quit and started several companies, developed raw land, built homes, etc. In the process, we ended up with several ranches and a brewery (Smoke Mountain) and winery (Rincon Mountain).

Somewhere along the line, I collected some 30 cars and restored many of them. I made ship models, learned to play some 13 or so musical instruments, including the Scottish pipes. With all this, I founded and led the Swing band named “The Society Big Band”. We played in most of the hotels in Ventura, Los Angeles and specially played aboard the Queen Mary and at Avalon for New Year’s Eve. Once my small band played under the wing of the Spruce Goose in Long Beach. For over 16 years my family and I have opened our ranch, above the Pacific, to New Orleans Jass and BBQ on the first Sunday of every month. No charge. It is the West Coast Traditional Jass Club. No! Jass is correct if you know your history. I have written the following books:

The most important events have been my family. I have three sons, Shaun, Edward Darren, and Tanner, and one daughter, Heather. My wife, Susan, has been my best friend and life’s partner. We have loved each other very much and still do.

Besides being in politics most of my life, the thing which I am very proud of is that I have had many business partners and they are all my friends. To do that, you must be honest, fair and always ready to help. Since this is my last opportunity to say so, I have concluded that every society is divided into three parts. One is left and dangerous, one is the middle and waffles back and forth, and one is to the right where all the common sense folks work and play. You know where I have been.

Personally, I would rather slip out the back door with a wave of my hand and a shout good-bye, but the family will want a day to remember. So be it. Keep a scotch and soda ready, I might come back!

A memorial service to celebrate the life of Randolph Siple will be held Sunday, October 23, 2016. Please visit www.TheRoosterCrows.net for details. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/venturacountystar/obituary.aspx?n=randolph-edward-siple&pid=181624689#sthash.gY1xM1p4.dpuf

Vol. 10, No. 1 – October 12 – October 25, 2016 – Ventura Music Scene

stuff-music-sceneEbbs and flows of our music scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Nobody likes change, especially when it involves the closing of another venue which offered live music.  I’ll admit to my disappointment; especially when walking by Saturday night and not hearing upbeat live music from W20 at the Watermark.  I wanted to berate Hartley for letting us down, but you know, he and Kathy sort of deserve less stress in their lives.  It would have made the blow easier knowing the new tenants would carry on with live music, but alas, it doesn’t appear they will. I’m trusting the other venues in town to pick up the slack and help out the bands scrambling to find places to play. I always say there are ebbs and flows with Ventura’s music scene. Guess which one we’re in.

Doing his best to pick up the slack of course is Mike Toler just around the corner from W20 at Amigos. He’s got a nice line up of music scheduled including Mi6 on Sunday October 23d. He told me that he’s looking forward to the return of his friend Wes Nile and Mi6. He said, “The last time we had them at Amigos they really brought it with something I had not seen before. Imagine listening to a DJ but the DJ was being replaced by a band, and unless you were in front of the band, you wouldn’t know the difference!”

I’m glad I was able to witness the return of Cirith Ungol at the Ventura Theater during the Frost and Fire II fest. The City of Ventura was scheduled to recognize their reuniting after 25 years at the City Council meeting on Monday the 10th.  I’ve heard European dates will be coming up for them in 2017.

SteampunkFest will be held at the Heritage Square in Oxnard on October 15th and 16th. The event is being touted as kid friendly with wacky events all day. Some of the bands scheduled include 50 Sticks of Dynamite, Abby and the Myth, Cirque Des Betes, and of course the Velveteen Band. For more information and ticket prices, check out www.OxnardSteamPunkFest.com.

I’m hearing good things about the band, Big Jesus, an alt-rock band out of Atlanta, GA, who will be coming to town this month. They’ve been getting a lot of good coverage for their latest release; Rolling Stone Magazine praised them for “reviving 90’s alternative” which happens to my favorite era of music.  Actually the entire week at the Ventura Theater will be rockin’ with Yellowcard on the 19th, Garbage on the 20th, Ben Folds on the 21st, Common Kings on the 22nd and wrapping up the week will be Big Jesus opening for Good Charlotte on Sunday the 23rd.

And finally, happy anniversary (number 9)to Sheldon and the staff of the Ventura Breeze.  I would like to personally thank Sheldon for supporting Ventura’s music scene by devoting a full page to its coverage.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.

Niva Harrison celebrates 104th birthday

senior-104104 year old Niva Harrison was born in Halifax County, Va.  and grew up in South Boston, VA.  She had two brothers and four sisters, all  who have preceded her in death.  One of her favorite memories is when her family first started to bring her to the beach, when she was only 92 and putting her feet in the water and letting the ocean wash over her feet.   When it was time to go she would say ” just a little while longer” and then when it was a little while longer she would say ” couldn’t we stay just a little bit  longer”.

She loves being in Ventura and especially loves celebrating her birthday each year at the “Aloha Steakhouse” in Ventura.  She always says that she feels so very, very blessed and that “this is the best birthday she has ever had …and can’t wait until next year”