On August 27-28 Spencer Makenzie’s 7th Annual End of Summer Block Party the Throw Down was held at the closed street next to 806 Thompson. The 2 day event featured a free live concert on Saturday night, fine food and one of the world’s largest cornhole tournaments. This has become an end of summer event not to be missed.
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Vol. 9, No. 25 – September 14 – September 27, 2016 – Answer In A Breeze
Answer In A Breeze
I see grading being done behind the Golden China Restaurant off of Seward. What is going there?
Nate Samuel
Nate: This will be a 120-unit Marriott Residential Inn. 2-5 stories, the 5th story is a small portion of it. Should be completed in about 6-months.
If you have a question you would like answered send it to [email protected] and we will try to get an answer for you.
Vol. 9, No. 25 – September 14 – September 27, 2016 – Movie Review
Hell or High Water / 4 Palm Trees
by Eduardo Victoria/[email protected]
Hell or High Water is a film about characters, who, for the most part, have been marginalized and forgotten by the system, each finding different ways to survive amidst the fringes of society. The film captures how violence is a permanent stain that marks us and our families for generations, each exploring the cost of crime and a dog-eat-dog mentality that perpetuates a cycle of self-destruction. It is a modern western that confronts head-on a broken financial system meant to keep people forever in debt.
A divorced dad named Toby (Chris Pine) and his ex-con brother, Tanner (Ben Foster). After the death of their mother, the two are desperate to save their family’s ranch, attempting a focused blitz on the small chain of banks threatening to foreclose on their land. The stakes are personal, with Toby trying to secure a future for his family, while Tanner relishes the thrill of it all, welcoming the chance to do right by his brother. After setting their plan into motion, a fierce Texas Ranger named Marcus (Jeff Bridges) and his partner Alberto (Gil Birmingham) set the brothers in their sights, with director David Mackenzie finding accessibility through some unexpected humor and a hypnotic pace. The performances are easily career highs from everyone involved.
There’s a lot going on in Mackenzie’s film, which takes a simple premise and adds sharp moral and cultural complexities. Mackenzie’s characters meet in the middle, united by their fight against time. Toby is looking towards his legacy while Tanner is trying to make up for lost time. Marcus is facing mandatory retirement while Alberto is forced to protect a way of life which didn’t spare his ancestors.
Mackenzie (armed with an economical script from Taylor Sheridan) really finds his footing by celebrating the moments between the frames – quiet, introspective scenes before the gun fights or moments of violent retribution. The film finds unbearable tension through this restraint, building up to the torrent of chaos we know is coming by investing us in the lives that hang in the balance.
It’s through this that the film feels totally lived in, with cinematographer Giles Nuttgens’ photography contrasting intimate conversations with Texas’ vast, barren landscapes. As the film assuredly builds to an explosive conclusion, Mackenzie uses modern social context to highlight the diminishing cost of a life amidst capitalist America. Hell or High Water is one of the year’s absolute best, with searing chemistry from Ben Foster and Chris Pine bringing a critical look at a problem with no immediate solution.
Rated R. 116 minutes. Now playing at Cinemark downtown 10.
ENCORE will teach you computer skills
ENCORE is a hands-on, self-paced training program for people 50+ who want to learn computer skills for job or personal use. There is no charge for tuition – just an annual $10 registration fee. You follow written materials and receive help from a teacher as needed. It is not a traditional lecture class where you have to be at the same point as everyone else. Select only the modules you want:
Career Development • Job Seeking Skills • General Math & English • Office Machines & Telephones • Keyboarding • Internet Basics & Email • Microsoft Office Programs.
To register call 289-7925 and ask about the next start date. M/Tu/F 8-10 am or 10 am-12 pm
Fruits and veggies can keep you healthy
by Gloria Forgea, R.N., M.B.A. Director of Community and Professional Relations, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association
Most people know that eating fruits and vegetables is important for good health, but most of us still aren’t getting enough.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits can help you:
- Lower your risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer
- Prevent obesity and high blood pressure.
- Maintain or reach a healthy weight
- Keep your body strong and active
- However, many people don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables.
- Fewer than 1 in 4 adults eat the recommended amount of fruits every day.
- Fewer than 1 in 7 adults eat the recommended amount of vegetables every day.
Here are some ideas to help you and your family fit more fruits and vegetables into your day:
Keep a bowl of fruit handy where the whole family can see it.
Cut up fruits and veggies ahead of time so they’re ready for quick, healthy snacks.
Spread the word about programs that support local agriculture
Remember, eating more fruits and veggies can be fun – and it’s worth it!
Community Appreciation Breakfast held at Ventura Townehouse
by Samantha Crisp, Director of Marketing
August brought twenty-two of our finest Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 Seabees to the Ventura Townehouse’s monthly Community Appreciation Breakfast in honor of their efforts. Lt. Michael Hall did a fine job coordinating efforts for this Battalion to get here. I would later discover why- they are a self-contained unit that moves quickly and quietly in the background of things. Thanks to resident “Hink” Hinkle, for discovering through a newspaper article where to find them working. I made the call to the job site and Lt. Michael Hall called me back. He made it all so easy.
The Seabee are currently helping construct the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s training center in Santa Paula on Wheeler Canyon Road. They have been working on creating a disaster infrastructure, general construction and landscaping for the past three years.
They are participants in the U.S. military’s Innovative Readiness Training program that sends service members to work on civilian projects while training for construction skills. They are trained in combat also.
The Seabee’s arrived to an impressive sunrise Thursday morning. As they arrived resident Irene Olsen played the Navy Seabee song on the piano. Ken Rizza, resident and former Seabee, brought along a cloth with the Seabee Navy insignia on it that he draped over the podium for the visiting Seabee’s. CMI Sutton of the Seabee’s started us out with the Pledge of Allegiance and Otis “Hink” Hinkle, retired Seabee Captain, gave us a little history background of the Seabees.
CM1 Dan Sutton started the program with introductions of the troop and where they are all from and how they all decided to become Seabees. They are from all over the United States. Many of them have served all over the world.
The 20 men and 2 women surprised us by singing their Seabee song – acapella! These fine people gave very moving words as they spoke about their families and duty to. EO2 Williams, a young man, stated he joined on a whim by friends daring him and it was the best decision that he ever made
The residents had a lot to say, too. By a show of hands about 1/3 of the room noted they had served in the military. Clara Jackson, resident, remembered serving the officers by making chili for them. Many residents spoke of family, wives at home and taking care of things while loved ones were away and making sure they were volunteering at the VFW or other military clubs.
These Seabee’s sat amongst each of the resident’s tables making them feel very special even though we were honoring them.
When we asked the Seabees if they would not mind stopping in our Alzheimer’s community-they did not hesitate for one minute to go over to see the retired military there. I have no words to tell you how moved, truly moved, we all felt listening to each of these fine people about their service and dedication to all they take on. I am comforted and inspired that they are here for us and I hope they know we will be here for them-waiting for them to come home and holding down the home front.