In another embarrassment for the United States the Summer Olympics kicked Breeze publisher Brown out of the Olympics because of the suspected use of steroids even though there was no proof that he has ever used them.
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Changes in bird breeding habits on the Channel Islands
Paul Collins, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH), will describe the effects that conservation efforts on the Channel Islands have had on breeding bird populations, during the September From Shore to Sea Lecture.
Collins will describe how, over the past 150 years, the type and behavior of breeding bird populations on the Channel Islands has changed significantly, influenced by a wide variety of factors.
Most recently, many bird species have benefited from the removal of non-native herbivores, rats, and cats on the islands, resulting in new breeding records and first time breeding records, as the species’ native habitats are restored.
Collins’ research has found not only the addition of 26 species of birds that are believed to be nesting for the first time on the islands, but also almost 150 island-specific changes in the breeding distribution and status of birds nesting on the Channel Islands.
Collins has been employed at the SBMNH for the past 43 years, where he has conducted research on a wide array of species on the Channel Islands.
The talk will be held on Thursday,September 8. The From Shore to Sea lecture series is sponsored by Channel Islands National Park to further the understanding of current research on the Channel Islands.
The lecture will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month, January through December, at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura Harbor.
The programs are free and open to the public. This lecture can also be viewed live online at: http://www.nps.gov/chis/planyourvisit/live-programs.htm.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Ojai News & Events
September 1st is the last day to join the Ojai Women’s Fund and participate in its inaugural year of community support. The Ojai Women’s Fund (OWF) is a nonprofit that feeds other local nonprofits via financial grants. Thus far, over 200 women of Ojai have joined together to pool resources to fund grant awards to local nonprofit organizations.
Membership in and donations to the OWF become powerful agents of change that will enhance Ojai’s communities through substantial financial grant awards to local nonprofits that serve Ojai’s arts, education, environmental, healthcare and social service programs.
Visit www.ojaiwomensfund.org or call 746-3096 to join, donate, and/or learn more about the OWF.
Ojai artist Shahastra will provide the cover art of the 2016 Ojai Film Festival program guide. The cover features Shahastra’s beautiful landscape Three Guardians, a pastel that depicts three palm trees set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and lush lemon groves. Executive director Maryse Gartner stated, “Shahastra’s aesthetic is perfect for conveying the natural beauty of the Ojai Valley.”
Shahastra has a long and distinguished career as a multimedia artist, teacher, and illustrator and is a member of Ojai Studio Artists, Shahastra illustrated the Magical Rainbow series of children’s books, contributed to the experiential Ojai art installation “The Walk,” and published a fifty-card reflection deck entitled “Meeting the Self.”
The Ojai Film Festival has received 407 film submissions and 67 screenplays for the 2016 competition. Featuring a range of quality films from around the world, the Festival will be held November 3 -13. More information on the Festival’s notable achievements, film submissions process, key leadership, and history is provided on its website www.ojaifilmfestival.com.
On Saturday, September 17, after an 11-year hiatus, Ojai’s Bowlful of Blues will return to Libbey Bowl, in Ojai’s Libbey Park, with performers scheduled from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m., including headliner, blues legend Arthur Adams, and featuring Mitch Kashmar, Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, Calire-Marx Organ Quartet, and rising star Jade Hendrix. Gates open at 2:00 p.m. with popular locals Richard Kaller and Annieville Blues on the lawn stage.
Food will be on hand, including fried and roasted chicken dinners by Rondia’s Kitchen. The Shrimp vs. Chef and All American Softy food trucks will also be onsite. Premium beer, wine and snacks will be available. Tickets may be purchased online; from businesses in Ojai, Ventura, Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, and Thousand Oaks; via mail; or at the box office on the day of the show. For pricing and more information, see event website, bowlfofblues.org, or email Lanny Kaufer, [email protected], or Michael Kaufer, [email protected].
The work of local visionary artist Joyce Huntington is on display at the Ojai Community Bank, 402 W. Ojai Ave., through September 16. A reception for the artist will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The show is called “Meditations” and features large, colorful works drawn from Huntington’s own meditation practice and the inspiration it gives her.
Originally from Seattle, Huntington spent most of her childhood in the desert southwest. A precocious, dance-obsessed child, she won a life-threatening death battle with polio, but the disease left her confined to a wheelchair. No longer able to dance, her creative spirit found new expression in painting. Huntington and her husband, Gerald Stanek own Frameworks of Ojai, and customers can often find her painting there.
For more information, about Huntington, her artistic process, and her paintings, visit her website: http://www.joycehuntingtonart.com.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Two on the Aisle
Night Alive is luminescent at SPTC
by Jim Spencer & Shirley Lorraine
Once again the Santa Paula Theater Center (SPTC) brings a new level of theater to Ventura County with its current production of The Night Alive, a New York Drama Critic’s Circle Award winning play for 2013-14.
Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s gripping and surprisingly amusing tale of the intertwining lives of five imperfect Irish people holds the audience in suspension for nearly two hours without an intermission. To have had one would have broken the spell and the flow for both actors and audience.
Veteran director and SPTC Artistic Director David Ralphe cites McPherson as one of his favorite playwrights, for his insights and soul-searching characters.
The members of the immensely talented cast consisting of Taylor Kasch (Tommy), Jessi May Stevenson (Aimee), Ron Feltner (Doc), Brian Harris (Ken) and Cecil Sutton (Maurice) pour their souls into the piece, interpreting McPherson’s words, as their characters mentally stumble about seeking an order in their chaotic lives that they never quite achieve as situations continue to change.
The ensemble highlights isolated zones of idiosyncrasies, each character existing in the same physical space but on a different mental plane. Each is splintered by personal circumstances that ebb and flow at a moment’s notice. Somehow they amplify the tenuous nature that is daily life.
Kasch leads the action as Tommy, a divorced, down-and-out handyman. He sets the tone with his Irish phrasing which gives even the abundant cursing a certain pleasing lilt to the ear. The piece is fraught with wording uncommon to us, although seemingly natural to the actors.
Kasch’s interactions with the slightly disadvantaged Doc, played to perfection by Ron Feltner, are a study in tenderness, friendship and loyalty. Doc is a disheveled character, both inside and out, who struggles to maintain a semblance of normality.
Through a random occurrence, their lives are changed by Aimee (Stevenson) in many ways. Adrift and needy as the others, Aimee’s broken existence becomes just one more piece of the group’s puzzling dynamics.
Upstairs lives Maurice (Sutton), Tommy’s crusty uncle who himself is seeking some kind of peace and order. Under his seemingly sour facade he harbors a soft center that shines through in the end.
The stone in the gears that move these lives forward comes in the form of Ken (Harris), a threatening force whose brief intrusion is akin to a fast-moving tornado, leaving destruction and confusion in his wake. His presence causes momentary damage that is ultimately easily dismissed as if it never happened. Life goes on.
While the piece itself presents only a minimally satisfying resolution, the exemplary staging and performances throughout are simply mesmerizing. Each of the actors, individually and as an ensemble, make this a powerful piece of theater. Kudos to SPTC and David Ralphe for expanding the awareness of Ventura County audiences.
The Night Alive plays Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. through October 2, 2016. Santa Paula Theatre Center, 125 S. Seventh Street, Santa Paula. Reservations are recommended. 525-9840 or www.santapaulatheatercenter.org. Adults $20, Seniors and Students $18. Mature themes and strong language.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Movie Review
Pete’s Dragon / 4 Palm Trees
by Eduardo Victoria / [email protected]
Pete’s Dragon is a reminder that we should never forget “the magic”. The term, as it pertains to the film is broad, but can be distilled to an innate awe and wonder, a reverence and respect for what we can’t control or take for granted on a daily basis. It’s an unsaid truth that the older we get, the more this trait is clouded and contaminated by fear. In many ways, David Lowery’s latest film feels like a wake-up call, a kid’s movie for adults. He’s created a film that is big and ambitious, but far removed from all the empty spectacle flooding blockbuster filmmaking, instead using a fantastic premise to look deeply inward to great effect.
5-year-old Pete (Oakes Fegley) is on a vacation with his parents. Driving down a secluded highway, a deer jumps out and their car goes careening off the highway. Pete is the only survivor, but just when he’s about to be eaten by a pack of wolves, a giant, green dragon comes to his rescue, instinctually feeling the boys confusion and pain, and taking him into his arms. Flash forward to six years later, and the two are inseparable. That’s all threatened, when a lumberjack and his crew begin chopping trees further into the forest than they should. Soon enough, Pete’s discovered by a kind forest ranger named Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard). She and her family take Pete in, but are curious as to how he survived in the wilderness for so long. As Pete and Elliot attempt to reunite, the aforementioned lumberjack, Gavin (Karl Urban), discovers Elliot and tires to hunt him down for his own selfish gain.
On the human side of things, the ensemble is strong on all fronts. Oakes Fegley, as Pete, is a perfect mixture of headstrong attitude and pure will. Blending feral physicality with human sincerity, he’s exactly who the film needs to embody its themes. Fegley brings with him an innocence, but also a presence that we can’t ever ignore. As Grace, Bryce Dallas Howard fits into the matriarchal role with ease, acting as the best attributes of what humanity has to offer, and helping to really sell the film’s stakes with a personal perspective. As Grace’s soon-to-be stepdaughter, Natalie, Oona Laurence is another great addition, giving Pete an understanding tether to the human world. Karl Urban and Robert Redford are welcome flourishes to the film – they don’t have the biggest roles (for good reason), but make every second count.
There are a lot of shows and films out there currently riding a wave of nostalgia, appealing to our childhoods and the simplicity of our youth. Rather than fashion a film based on obvious references or playful nods to our past, Pete’s Dragon instead embodies the sincerity of the past, showing that we need it now more than ever. It’s worth noting that the film is a period piece, taking place in the 80s, but never rubbing our faces in it – it really just wants to show an understated contrast of how times have changed and what we can learn from that. They really don’t make them like this anymore, and like that, Lowery’s created another Disney classic, a warm, imaginative and inspiring human adventure that’s sure to stand the test of time.
Now playing at Cinemark Downtown 10. 102 minutes. Rated PG.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Ventura Music Scene
Help for budding artists
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Big help from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy for our local schools! That’s $42,500 in funding to Ventura Unified School District earmarked to enhance existing visual and performing arts programs. The funds were made possible through the BBVD concert last April celebrating the City of Ventura’s 150th anniversary. I’m looking forward to seeing new upcoming artist having the chance to flourish as a result of the band’s generosity.
Local singer, Eric Harrington, recently played at Squashed Grapes to a packed house. Few knew there was a chance that drummer Vinnie Colaiuta might show up, and show up he did for the final songs of the night. Harrington told me, “What an amazing night it was, and to end it with Vinnie sitting in was just incredible, he’s just a delightful man!” Trey O’Toole from Pulse Drumming told me that Colaiuta had been working in a session all day and was afraid he might not make it, but luckily for the house, he did.
Speaking of Pulse Drumming and Squashed Grapes, watch for the Alvino Bennett (currently working with Dave Mason) drum clinic on September 10; he’ll be joined afterwards at the Grape for an awesome jam including musicians George Hawkins, Jr. on bass and vocals (Kenny Loggins & Jim Messina), Jonathan McEuen on guitar and vocals (Dwight Yoakum, NGDB, Dave Mason), Geo Evans on guitar (Cheryl Lynn, Euge Groove) and TJ, Teddy Jack Russell on guitar and vocals (Leon Russell).
Bombay’s 32nd End of Summer Party hits Ventura over the first weekend of September with three stages (including one outdoors with sand and a mechanical bull). Look for musical acts all weekend long including performances from Mandex, Highway Starr, Dirty Rice, Uproots, Shakey Feelin’ and A.D.D to name but a few.
The first ever Oxnard Jazz Festival lands at Oxnard Beach on Saturday, September 10, offering a diverse mix of Jazz, Latin, Soul, Blues and R&B with Tom Brown, Nick Colionne, Howard Hewett, O’Bryan, Quatrosound and Poncho Sanchez. You can get ticket information and more on this special event at OxnardJazzFestival.com.
Alternative/Country rockers, Porter & the Bluebonnet will be swinging through town from Austin, TX, with a showcase at Sans Souci on Friday, September 9. They’ll be on the same bill as The Jelly.
The Ventura Theater has been packing in the shows for the rest of the year. You’ll want to review their line up so you don’t miss any acts such as Jackson Browne, Pennywise, Echo & the Bunnymen, Steve Vai, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard, Ben Folds, Garbage, The Common Kings, Dwight Yoakum and more! Plus, you have the Nardcore show on September 10, and Frost and Fire with the return of Cirith Ungol on October 8. Details at VenturaTheater.net.
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.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Professor Scamp PhD
• Walden Surfboards is raffling off a custom 9’0 surfboard with the proceeds going to the Ventura Police Departments K-9 unit. The K-9 unit is mostly self-funded and it is very expensive to train and outfit the K-9 dogs. All of the officers reach into their own pockets to pay for some of the K-9 units cost because they love these dogs and they know how vital the dogs are to their own safety and the safety of our community. They are selling raffle tickets, the winning ticket will be chosen at the Bark Out Loud K-9 fundraiser, Sept. 9th.
Raffle tickets: 1 ticket for 10.00, 3 tickets for 25.00 or 15 tickets for 100.00 Available at Walden Surfboards, Cash only. Please consider buying a raffle ticket and please help me spread the word.
Walden Surfboards
853 E. Front Street
• A big thank you Professor Scamp for including LostCatVentura.com and LostdogVentura.com in the Ventura Breeze. Your help promoting these resources is very much appreciated!
Cheers Debbie
• I sure hope that this isn’t applicable to dogs who have been raised with treats (maybe my home companions won’t read this). Like I like praise but no treats?
In an experiment designed to explain the relationship between humans and dogs — whether it’s defined by a true bond or a love of food — researchers found most dogs anticipate the praise of their owner as much or more than a food reward.
“One theory about dogs is that they are primarily Pavlovian machines: they just want food and their owners are simply the means to get it,” Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University, said in a news release. “Another, more current, view of their behavior is that dogs value human contact in and of itself.”
In the early 1900s, psychologist Ivan Pavlov trained dogs to associated food with a stimulus, like a bell. Eventually, Pavlov was able to make dogs salivate using only the stimulus.
But the latest research, detailed in the journal Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience (which I read all the time), suggests dogs aren’t so single-minded.
Berns and his colleagues began their experiment by training dogs to associate three objects with three different rewards: a pink toy truck with food; a blue toy knight with verbal praise; and a hairbrush with the absence of a reward.
Over the course of 32 trials, the 13 participant dogs were presented with the three objects. The dogs’ neural responses to each stimulus were measured using an fMRI machine.
All dogs preferred a reward to none at all. Four dogs showed a particularly strong response to the blue toy knight, while nine dogs responded equally to the two types of reward. Only two dogs were consistently more excited about the pink toy truck and the food reward(my kind of dogs).
In a second experiment, researchers allowed dogs to follow one of two simple maze paths: one leading to their owner, the other to a bowl of food. Owners sat with their backs turned and praised their dog when he or she arrived.
“We found that the caudate (do they mean pawdate?)response of each dog in the first experiment correlated with their choices in the second experiment,” Berns said. “Dogs are individuals and their neurological profiles fit the behavioral choices they make.”
“Most of the dogs alternated between food and owner, but the dogs with the strongest neural response to praise chose to go to their owners 80 to 90 % of the time,” Berns continued. “It shows the importance of social reward and praise to dogs. It may be analogous to how we humans feel when someone praises us.”
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Events
by Ana Baker
Free admission stage show, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. First Sunday of every month. Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Assoc. Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. For more Information call 517-1131.
Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club meets every Monday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. Ballroom, swing, Latin, mixers and line dancing. Members $10, non-members $12, first time dancers are free. Call Rick at 415-8842 for more information.
DBSA Ventura, the local chapter of the Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA) hosts two regular, confidential, peer-led, self-help support groups in the County. Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Bible Fellowship Church at 6950 Ralston Street in Room 301 of Building 300. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or call 253-3289 for more information. 1p.m. to 3p.m. at the New Visions Center on the first and third Saturdays of the month. At 1065 E. Main. Email [email protected], visit facebook.com/DBSA.Ventura or 746-3106 for more information.
There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 p.m.to 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.
Sept. 3: Local writer Philip Brown, author of the young adult Light Runner fantasy series, will be meeting readers and signing books at Bank of Books ,748 E. Main Street, .from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Sept. 3: The Ventura Tennis Club, in cooperation with the Ventura Recreation and Community Services, is hosting a Ventura Tennis Day on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the Camino Real Tennis Park. This is a free event for vtc members and their guests.
Events will include clinics for adults and kids from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with a Tennis pro and other staff. Then there will be racquet demos. After the clinics, there will be a lunch and refreshments followed by organized doubles play.
The Ventura Tennis Club is a non-profit community based club bringing tennis enthusiasts of all abilities together for social and competitive play since 1981. http://www.venturatennisclub.com
Sept. 4: Ventura Audubon Society field trips Camino Real Park at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Raeanne Koerner 701-1919 Camino Real is a grassy park surrounded by pines and eucalyptus. Target birds will include Red Shouldered Hawk, Pacific-slope Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler and Townsend’s Warbler.
Sept. 4: Old-Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association presents free music concerts on the first Sunday of every month at the Poinsettia Pavilion from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Next session features the very lively, versatile and talented “Old Country Grass Band”. Call 517-1131 for more information.
Sept. 4: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. accompanied by period music in the parlor and upstairs library landing. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood streets in Ventura. For information 642-3345 or www.dudleyhouse.org.
Sept. 6,20: Retired men(or those nearing that status) are invited to a Tuesday, semi-monthly get-together of the Retired Men’s Group to spend a couple of hours for a sip at the bar, a song, a joke, light lunch and an interesting, informational, or even educational presentation on any variety of subjects at the Elks lodge at 2126 Knoll Drive. Call Steve Carroll for details at 642-1359.
Sept.7: The Beach Cities Neighbors and Newcomers Club, (BCNN ) is a group of active women of all ages who live in Ventura, Oxnard, or Port Hueneme and enjoy activities such as hiking, bridge, dining, wine outings, reading, mah jong, cooking etc.
For more information, please come to our monthly meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. held at the Ventura Museum Pavilion No charge for meeting and no reservation is required.
Subject: The Grand Jury “The Eyes and Ears of Ventura County Residents”. For additional information, please visit bcnnwomensclub.org or 988-0795
Sept. 8: RL Miller will speak about Climate Hawks Vote that is building grassroots political power for the climate movement. Miller is elected chair of California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus. Ventura County Climate Hub is a grassroots, non-partisan local affiliate of 350.org with the mission to create a local movement working on reversing climate change. Actions are taken to promote clean energy (off of fossil fuels) along with a localized food system for resilient communities in Ventura County.
To engage and educate voters to make candidate positions on climate change action a key factor in who they vote for and support.
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Ventura, 5654 Ralston St., rear parking lot to Fellowship Hall. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 9: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution September luncheon meeting will feature annual awards program to honor members of the chapter. The luncheon event will take place at 11:30 a.m., Friday, in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant. All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome to attend. The cost for lunch is $20 per person. For additional information or for assistance in determining your possible Revolutionary War genealogical roots, please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities, http://pattonpatriots.org
Sept. 12: Gold Coast Concert Chorus under the direction of Elizabeth Helms invites you to sing for the 2016-2017 season. Rehearsals for their holiday concert, Peace on Earth, begin Monday at 7 p.m. Registration begins at 5:45 p.m. Rehearsals will take place at Ventura Continuing Education Center, 5200 Valentine Road, in the Ron Halt Community Room in the back parking lot. No audition is required to participate in GCCC. Interested singers may register September 12th, 19th or 26th and are financially responsible for registration fee and music. This concert will be performed December 9th & 10th, 2016. For more information: www.goldcoastchorus.org
Sept.13: Wildlife of the Pantanal: with Paul Abravaya. The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland area in the world. It is mainly in Brazil but is also found in Paraguay and Bolivia. Estimated to be up to 75,000 square miles, eighty percent of the area floods during the wet season with up to fifty-five inches of rain. As a member of the Peace Corps Paul worked in Brazil and has discovered a new species of hummingbird and a new genus of mammal. He uses his photographs to educate and help people to become aware of the beauty of the natural world.
Event held at the Poinsettia Pavilion beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Sept.13&14: Community Memorial Hospital’s Auxiliary is hosting Accessory Mania Sept. 13 (10-5) and Sept. 14 (7-4) in the lobby of CMH (147 N. Brent St). There will be available a wide variety of items. Please come and shop. While shopping, pick up a volunteer application at the front desk. All services have openings.
Sept. 14: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. at the Poinsettia Pavilion. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints. Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. See the club’s web site for more information about the club and examples of member’s work or call 908-5663. WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Opinion/Editorial
• In our last issue, I commended Neal Andrews for having the courage of his convictions – because of his displeasure with the Republican National Committee he decided to stop being an active member. Some readers had a problem with me saying that because they thought I was siding with his concerns, which I wasn’t. If he was a member of the Democratic National Committee and made the same decision, I still would have applauded him. My comments had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he is a Republican.
• This Saturday is the last concert of the wonderful Music Under the Stars music series at the Olivas Adobe (Lisa Haley & The Zydekats will play). It will be another sold out performance (6 of the 9 were sold out). So next year be sure to get your tickets early for this exceptional outdoor concert series.
• We have two “articles” in this issue regarding Brooks Institute closing. My last words (I hope) on the subject.
Brooks officials said the reason they made the “difficult decision” to shut down was due to declining enrollment and significant changes in the regulatory environment. These variables made it unlikely the school could be successful going forward.
What nonsense, their enrollment over the past several years had fallen from 2,500 to 250, hardly enough to sustain an ongoing business. Their issues didn’t magically occur in the months prior to renting all of the downtown spaces and commencing construction. It seems as if they were just hoping that this move might save the school from shutting down.
Plus, the company that owned Brooks was counting on enrolling hordes of foreign students to make up the slack by bringing in foreign students which did not happen.
I feel sorry for the many people that were affected. The students, clerical staff, instructors, landlords (both the commercial buildings who now have many liens on their buildings), homeowners who rented to students, the Clocktower Inn who set aside 27 rooms for students, the contractors and sub-contractors who weren’t paid and the poor students who lost everything.
I recently met a young girl who moved here from Texas to attend Brooks and had rented a house with four other Brook’s students. Who takes care of their broken lease?
Not to mention the merchants who would have benefited from Brooks being downtown and the non-profits who were forced to relocate. For example, Focus on the Masters the non-profit art appreciation program moved thousands of art pieces, huge numbers of files and much much more to a space on a different floor in the same location behind City Hall, about ½ half the size that they were in previously. The space is now so crowded that there is hardly room to walk through it. And, they still haven’t found a new location to hold their fund raising art boutiques.
Even local taxpayers will probably not see the city recoup the $70,000 that they didn’t collect up front from Brooks as a security deposit and back rent.
Now it’s finger pointing time. I blame those who convinced the City Council that this would be wonderful (which it would have been) and the City Council (and staff) for not doing a more thorough due diligence of Brooks and taking steps to protect the City should defaults have occurred. A deeper dive would have likely raised concerns with the conclusion that Brooks was not going to be a viable tenant.
There are bonds and insurance that would have protected the City (maybe our City Attorney should have insisted on this). Taking out an insurance policy wouldn’t have cost the city anything because the tenant or contractor pays for the completion bond. Because it was the taxpayers at risk if something went wrong, this should have been done under any circumstances.
The City says that they studied Brooks’ finances and believed the school looked solid. From my perspective, it’s hard to believe that they would have come to that conclusion.
I am not personally affected, but even I’m disheartened by this, so I can imagine how depressed those are that were very personally involved and impacted.
• Moving on, new reports show if Americans would quit smoking and cut back on drinking, most cancer deaths could be prevented. Maintaining a healthy weight and exercising at least 20 minutes a day would also benefit, so get with it.
• Preparatory grading work has begun for the construction of the new 72,000 square foot Kaiser Permanente outpatient complex located right off of the freeway near Victoria. It will also include a community garden, nature walk, and amphitheater.
• Due to the lucrative smuggling industry, reports show that the amount of Chinese immigrants crossing the Mexican border into California illegally has increased drastically. A report by the Migration Policy Institute shows the Chinese are the fifth largest population of immigrants in the United States illegally. I propose that we build a wall at our border and call it The Second Great Wall of China to keep them out.
• After completing a five-year 1.7 billion mile journey through the solar system, NASA’s Juno spacecraft is now set to begin a close-up study of Jupiter. A remarkable feat, yet here on earth, “we” can’t figure out how to stop people from killing each other. As my 11-year old grandson Evin asked, “If people are so smart why do they do such stupid things?” If we only knew.
Vol. 9, No. 24 – August 31 – September 13, 2016 – Music Calendar
For more events go to VenturaRocks.com
Amigos Cafe & Cantina
546 E. Main St.
805-874-2232
Mondays: Open mic
Sat 9/3: The Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 9/4: 5 pm The Tossers; 9 pm Karaoke
Tues 9/6: Blues Bullet
Bombay Bar and Grill
143 S. California St.
(805) 643-4404
Fri 9/2 – Sun 9/4: 32nd annual Beach Party
Tues 9/6: 7 pm “Wild” Artist Open Mic
Sat 9/10: 7 pm The Vonettes and Fish Fry
The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
Weds & Saturdays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Warren Takahashi
Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: RJ Mischo & the Down Home Trio
Thur 9/1: Martin & Macias
Fri 9/2: Lorenzo Martinez
Sat 9/3: The Swillys
Sun 9/4: Artis Ford Band
Thurs 9/8: Brandon Ragan
Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
(805) 648-3001
Sun 9/4: 4 pm The Sunday Drivers
Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wednesdays: Starlight Swing Night
Thurs 9/1: Irie Essence
Fri 9/2: Red Not Chili Peppers
Sat 9/3: Tim Polecat’s Trio, Gator McMurders Rock’n Trio, Inazuma, more…
Sun 9/4: 11 am – Tribal Seeds, Hirie, The Movement, more; 7 pm Seedless, The Steppas
Sat 9/10: Nirvanish
El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: 4 pm Xoco Moraza and Friends; 9:30 DJ/Karaoke by DJ Gold Dust
Saturdays: DJ Erock
Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke
Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic
Gone West Cellars
5963 Olivas Park Drive
Fri 9/2: JJ Frank
Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wednesdays: The Swillys
Fri 9/2: Shawn Jones
Sat 9/3: Carolyn Sills Combo
Sun 9/4: 3 pm Jade Hendrix
Fri 9/9: Tex Pistols
Sat 9/10: Mandi Gomez
Sun 9/11: 3 pm : Lee Rollag
The Greek Restaurant
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun 7:30 pm
Belly Dancing, Greek music and show; DJ dancing
Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band swing night
Fri 9/2: Hi Hat Entertainment – Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps
Sat 9/3: Del Franklin
Sun 9/4: Jon & Tom
Keynote Lounge
10245 Telephone Road
Tuesday and Wednesday: Karaoke
Thursday: Open Mic
Sunday: Karaoke
Fri 9/2: Tex Pistols
Sat 9/3: Rick Miller Band
Fri 9/9: Chill Factor
Sat 9/10: Green Central Station
Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs music at 6:30; Sun at 2:30
Thurs 9/1: Erisy Watt
Sun 9/4: Skin and Bones
Thurs 9/8: Todd Hannigan, The Brambles
Sun 9/11: Gold and Gray
Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Sat 9/10: RKALiens, Agression, Stalag 13, False Confession, Strand Quentin, more…
Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat at 6; Sundays at 3
Tuesdays: Dave Rae
Fri 9/2: Vertigo Blend
Sat 9/3: Corsican Brothers
Sun 9/4: CRV
Mon 9/5: The Mighty Cash Cats
Sun 9/11: The Swillys
O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Tuesdays: Free Jukebox
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri 9/2: Patience Grey
Fri 9/9: Live Band Karoke
Sat 9/10: Dylan Schmidt & the Rhythm Souls
Olivas Adobe
4200 Olivas Park Drive
Music Under the Stars
Sat 9/3: Lisa Haley & the Zydekats (Sold Out)
Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs
Plan B Winery
3520 Arundell Circle
Sun 9/11: The Mighty Cash Cats
Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
(805) 648-1143
Sun 9/4: 2 pm Old Country Grass Band
Fri 9/9: Ventura Jazz Orchestra with Anna Kasper
Mon 9/12: Monday Night Dance Club with Wyatt Haupt
Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Encore
Saturdays: Beach City Sound Club
Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night
Rookees Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs
Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Thurs 9/1: Ventucky String Band
Fri 9/2: Anchor & Bear
Sat 9/3: Eric Tyler Experience
Fri 9/9: The Caverns
Sat 9/10: Streetlight Cadence
Sun 9/11: The Mutineers
Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 9/3: Doug Conlon
Sun 9/4: Patrick Gillham
Sat 9/10: Licity Collins
Sun 9/11: Marchal Riddle
Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: Twisted Tuesday w/ DJ
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 9/9: Porter & the Bluebonnet, The Jelly
Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main St.
805-643-7300
Live jazz music 7-10 pm
Wed 8/31: Dogfish
Thurs 9/1: The Lounge Trio
Fri 9/2: Maya Burns
Sat 9/3: Plotz
Tues 9/6: Jazz Jam
Wed 9/7: Denigris & Smith Quartet
Thurs 9/8: HO3 featuring Daniel Ross
Fri 9/9: Rachel Flowers
Sat 9/10: Barrelhouse Wailers
Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Fri 9/2: Bad Habit
Sat 9/3: Bloody Reunion
Fri 9/9: The Sheiks
Sat 9/10: Cross Cut
The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
Sunday open mics
Karaoke Tuesdays
Metal Music Wednesdays
DJs every Thursday college night
Fri 9/2: Sin Chonies
Fri 9/9: The Caverns
Sat 9/10: Nick Dean
Ventura Harbor
Rock on the Dock
3-6 pm
Sat 9/3: Carmen & the Renegade Vigilantes
Sat 9/10: Hard Times Band
VFW Hall
3801 Market Street
Saturdays: 4-8 pm Captain Ron
W20 at the Watermark
598 E. Main Street
Thurs 6 pm, Fri & Sat 9 pm, Sun 3 pm
Fri 9/2: 6 pm Karen Eden; 9 pm Dive Bar Messiahs
Sat 9/3: The Bomb
Sun 9/4: The Bomb
Fri 9/9: Rick Wakefield
Sat 9/10: Maitland Ward Allstars
Sun 9/11: Jade Hendrix
The Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
Music runs 7-11 pm, Sundays at 2:30 pm
Sundays: B&V Acoustics
Mondays: Open Mic
Tuesdays: Keith Cain
Wednesday: Danielle Stacy
Thurs 9/1: Jon Gindick
Fri 9/2: Keith Cain
Sat 9/3: Justin Spring
Sun 9/4: B&V Acoustic
Thurs 9/8: Tom & Milo
Fri 9/9: Gregg Myers
Sat 9/10: Danille Stacy
The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Sat & Sun: Noon Kenny DeVoe
Fri 9/2: Kenny Devoe
Sat 9/3: Rivera Sonnarborg Duo
Fri 9/9: Kenny Devoe