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Three downtown Ventura galleries will host artist receptions on Saturday, May 21.

Buenaventura Art Association (5 – 7pm), Fox Fine Jewelry (6 – 8pm), and Gallery V (6 – 8pm).

Buenaventura Art Association presents the 4th Annual Collage and Mixed Media Open Competition from May 17 – June 11.  The reception is May 21 from 5 – 7pm with award presentation at 6pm.

Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara Street, (805) 648-1235, buenaventuragallery.org.

Fox Fine Jewelry presents “An Affinity for Light” with works by Christine Beirne and Sparkle Taylor from May 19 – July 10. An Artist Reception will be held on May 21 from 6 – 8pm. Kris Sheppard, Magic Castle member, will perform (http://krissheppardmagic.com/).

Fox Fine Jewelry, 560 E. Main Street, (805) 652-1800,

Gallery V presents the group show “A New Earth” from April 30 – June 5. An artist reception will be held on May 21 from 6 – 9pm.

Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery V, 540 E. Main Street, (805) 628-3540, [email protected], very-ventura.com. Hours Sunday – Thursday 11 – 6pm; Friday and Saturday 11 – 10pm.

 

 

Applications and guidelines now online for Ventura 2016-2017 Cultural Funding Program

Applications and guidelines are now available online for the City of Ventura 2016-2017 Cultural Funding Program at www.cityofventura.net/cfp. Apply by Thursday, June 23, for the City of Ventura Office of Cultural Affairs 2016-17 Cultural Funding Program Grants. The program is open to any Ventura-based arts non-profit.  All organizations will be required to provide proof of their 501(c)3 status or that of their Ventura County  based fiscal agents. $90,000 will be awarded on a competitive basis to non-profit arts organizations, with grants ranging in size from $1,000-$20,000.

Grants range in size from $1,000-$20.000. Organizations whose annual budgets are less than $10,000 are only eligible to request $1,000 and do not have to submit California Cultural Data Project information. Applicants are asked to make a specific grant request.   The request may not exceed 10% of annual budget.

Organizations are required to submit financial information via the California Cultural Database Project at www.caculturaldata.org (unless their annual budget is less than $10,000). In addition to the California Cultural Data Project, applicants will submit a projected year end (2016/17) operating budget on a supplied form, and the last completed fiscal year-end budget. Artistic samples will be required and the artistic samples form submitted. Past applicants must have submitted a Final Report from the previous year to be eligible for future funding.

For more information contact Georgeanne Lees 658-4720 or [email protected].

Focus on the Masters presents Where Art Lives

art FOTMFocus on the Masters presents Where Art Lives, a self-guided tour of Ventura homes where art is collected, displayed and loved on May 21-22, 11:00 to 4:00.  The tour includes 10 private homes and one law office.  The ticket price is $30 for Focus on the Masters members and $35 for the general public.  To encourage younger arts enthusiasts, a special pricing scale called “Pay Your Age” has been established.

Focus on the Masters believes anyone can be a collector.  Tour organizer, FOTM volunteer Mary Galbraith, feels that passion should be the driving force in collecting.  “Owning an original work, especially when it has been created by someone known to the collector, is especially thrilling.  Our appreciation of The Cellist by the late Seco is enhanced by our friendship with that wonderful artist.”

The tour will be of homes in the City of Ventura.  “Art lives everywhere – in a tract home, a condo, a seaside home or an office,” says Aimee French, whose home is one on the tour.

To purchase tickets for the tour online, go to FocusOnTheMasters.com and click on Where Art Lives.  Or, call FOTM 653-2501.

Focus on the Masters is a non-profit arts education organization that documents and celebrates the lives and works of artists who have gained mastery of their medium and have gained a presence in the community.

 

“A celebration of the New” by Gerald Zwers

Gart galleryVallery V  is pleased to present “A New Earth” a group show featuring the work of Gerald Zwers, Mary-Gail King, Carlos Grasso, Jack Halbert, Julie Maechler, Susan Guy and Kirk Mann.  “A New Earth” is an awakening to the fluidity of life. Artist reception will be May 21st, 6pm-9pm. 540 E. Main Street .805-628-3540.

Tomi Murphy Japanese collection at Gallery 113

art MurphyTomi Murphy was born in Tokyo where she grew up.  She moved to California in 1976 and worked as a software developer for 33 years.  After retiring, she focused on photography which she always enjoyed working with.  She specializes in wedding and other events, portraits, and travel photography.

She has had  several solo exhibits of her photographs.  She has her Japanese collection currently showing at Gallery 113 in Santa Barbara.  She will be showing her Cuban collection in July at Buenaventura Art Association in Ventura.

She also makes jewelry using an old Japanese braiding technique called Kumihimo.  It has been a widely used technique in Japan for hundreds of years.

Her photographs and jewelry are sold at The December Store & More at the Ventura Harbor.  You can also see her work at tomimurphy.com.

Photo Realism by David Grizzle

art GrizzleDavid Grizzle  moved to Ventura with his wife in 2010 from San Pedro. “I am originally from Texas and I spent 12 years (1998 to 2010) touring the south as a musician before turning to my visual art full time. I am self-taught. I work with acrylic on different mediums. My style has been described as Photo Realism. One of my last shows, “Fear and Loathing in San Francisco” was a success and was dedicated to the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

I was living on Santa Cruz St. when Joshua Pemberton (owner of Discovery Ventura)introduced himself with his card on my door. He had hear through my neighbor that my wife and I had just had our son, and he wanted to reach out and apologize for any construction noises. Which was very nice of him. So I called him up and I asked him how they were going to decorate Discovery. I showed him my art and we sat down for a lunch and hit it off…and the rest is history. Several of his large paintings can be seen at Discovery Ventura, 1888 Thompson.

You can see much of his amazing talent at www.davidgrizzleart.blogspot.com.

Vol. 9, No. 16 – May 11 – May 24, 2016 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

4-11 4:00am, officers assessing a fishing vessel that collided with the South Jetty and partially sunk and is submerged.  Three fishermen were rescued from the accident.  U.S. coast guard is investigating the incident.

 
4-13 3:54pm, received a dispatch to a medical at the launch ramp.  Officers responded and assisted a male who suffered a head injury.  He was transported to local hospital for further evaluation.     
4-16 2:23pm, received a report of a water rescue from Ventura PD.  Officers responded to assist a capsized sailboat near the Ventura Pier.  When officers arrived they righted the vessel and the vessel left the area in no distress.

3:32pm, received a report of a PWC in distress south of the Harbor.  Officers responded, deployed a rescue swimmer and assisted an exhausted male to shore where he was eventually transported to local hospital by AMR.
4-17 3:14pm, received a dispatch to an unconscious person at marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assist Ventura fire with the medical.

4:41pm, dispatched to a water rescue at Greenock Lane jetty.  Officers assisted three swimmers caught in a rip current.

9:53pm, received a dispatch to an assault victim at the four points Sheraton.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura PD, Ventura fire with an injured female.  Ventura PD took over the domestic dispute investigation.   
4-18 9:26pm, received a dispatch to an overdose at the four points Sheraton.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura PD and Ventura fire with a female.
4-19 10:17am, received a dispatch to a medical at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted a female suffering from emphysema.
4-20 11:55am, received a report of a disabled jetski off the South Jetty.  Officers responded and towed the craft to the launch ramp where it was released.

11:37pm, received a dispatch to a medical at the marina mobile home park.  Officers responded and assisted an 82 year-old male complaining of chest pain.
4-25 8:45am, received a report of a large purse seiner colliding with several moored vessels in Ventura Isle marina.  Officers assisted U.S. coast guard with the investigation of the boating accident.
4-26 6:36pm, received a request for a tow of a disabled vessel in the keys.  Officers responded and towed the vessel back to its slip in the keys.
4-27 4:20pm, received a request for a tow from a disabled sailboat entering the harbor.  Officers responded and towed the vessel to its slip in VWM.
4-29 10:21pm, observed a vehicle crash into the gate at the end of Spinnaker Drive.  Ventura PD and fire were requested and responded to investigate.  No injuries were sustained and a passenger in the vehicle was investigated for intoxication in public.
4-30 12:15pm, received a dispatch to an injured person on the North Jetty near the sand trap.  Officers responded and assisted Ventura fire and AMR.

 

 

Vol. 9, No. 16 – May 11 – May 24, 2016 – Police Reports

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.

Pursuit/involving Stolen Vehicle

On April 26, at approximately 12:30am, a Ventura patrol officer observed a vehicle matching the description of a reported stolen vehicle in the area of Thompson Blvd and Fir Street. The officer initiated a traffic enforcement stop in the area of Thompson Blvd and Oak Street. The driver, 35 year old Ventura resident Blas Hernandez, failed to stop, entering the northbound 101 freeway from Oak Street.  Hernandez continued driving and began accelerating at a high rate of speed entering the 33 freeway where officers initiated pursuit.

Hernandez continued to evade officers while committing several vehicle code violations.  Hernandez entered the bike path west of Crooked Palm Rd where he exited the stolen vehicle and fled on foot, but was quickly apprehended by pursuing officers.  Hernandez was the sole occupant of the vehicle and had an outstanding no bail felony warrant for a prior stolen vehicle.

Felony Resisting Arrest

On April 27, at approximately 1:15pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a relative of the suspect, later identified as 28 year old Ventura resident Miru Kim, stating he was making threats and wanted officers to check on him at his residence in the 5300 block of Gillespie St.  The caller was calling from a different location.

Officers arrived on scene, and contacted Kim inside of his residence.  Kim was acting hostile towards officers and started fighting with them.  In an attempt to subdue him, one officer deployed a Taser.  During the struggle, Kim grabbed the officer’s Taser and tried to physically take it from the officer.  Kim continued fighting until additional officers arrived and were able take him into custody without further incident.

Two officers were slightly injured as a result of the incident, although they remained on duty.

Strong Armed Robbery

On April 27, at approximately 3pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call from the 15-year-old victim reporting he was the victim of a robbery.  The suspect was last seen leaving the area eastbound on Oneida St. on a bicycle.

During the investigation, officers discovered the victim and a 16-year-old friend were walking on Petit Ave., when the suspect approached them on a bicycle.  He threatened to harm the victim with a gun, telling him to give up his backpack.

Officers checked the area, but were unable to locate the suspect.  No one was injured as a result of this crime.

Major Crimes Detectives conducted follow-up and identified the suspect as 21 year old Ventura resident Christopher Czechorowski, who is currently on parole for robbery. The VPD received information the suspect was staying at Motel 6 on Johnson Dr. Detectives located the suspect and arrested him with-out incident. The suspect was booked at the Ventura County Jail for robbery and a parole hold.

Possession for Sales Arrest

Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit Detectives concluded a month-long investigation into reports of suspected methamphetamine sales occurring in Ventura. The suspect was identified as 59 year old Casitas Springs resident Orville Dixon.

After obtaining evidence of Dixon’s involvement in these crimes a search warrant was obtained for his residence and vehicles. On April 28, at 9am, Street Crimes Unit Detectives detained Dixon in his vehicle in the area of the Ventura County Government Center.

Detectives then responded to his residence and served the search warrant. During this search a large quantity of methamphetamine, narcotic paraphernalia, and a small quantity of cocaine was located.

Prowling Arrest

On April 28, at approximately 9:30am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received several 911 calls from residents in the area of the 1300 block of Aliso Pl. reporting a subject walking in the street carrying an axe.  Prior to officers arriving on scene the suspect, later identified as 42 year old vagrant Charles Luckey, was observed entering the backyard of a nearby residence.

Officers arrived on scene and located Luckey still in a backyard, where a female resident was home alone.

 

Vol. 9, No. 16 – May 11 – May 24, 2016 – Two on the Aisle

Intrigue abounds in Framed at the Elite
by Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine

Now through May 22 Oxnard’s Elite Theatre Company it is presenting a world premiere murder mystery thriller entitled Framed.

The story has multiple murders, multiple lawyers, multiple potential culprits, and possibly multiple frame-ups. It is full of twists and turns. One moment the identity of a guilty party appears clear, and the next the same party seems in the clear. The script is engaging, entertaining, highly credible, and well worth your time.

First, there’s a murder. Voice over clips of TV news reports about the crime effectively set up the plot and move the audience right into the action.

The accused’s seasoned attorney, Eugene Murray (Larry Swartz), confers with a colleague, Thomas Russo (Alexander Schottky), about possible strategies in defending the case as all the evidence points to the guilt of his client, played by Olivia Heulitt.  New circumstances begin to emerge to suggest the defendant may have been framed after Russo, who is known for his outlandish and headline-hunting tactics, joins the case.

But that’s only the beginning.  A subsequent murder and other complications send the story cascading in various directions – leaving the audience and detective Olivetti (Ken Johnson) the job of deductively connecting the dots to see if they form a frame.

The play’s author, Richard Weill, is both a trial attorney and an experienced playwright. Consequently, the script bears an uncommon authenticity, as well as being literate, concise and cogent. His characters offer valuable insights on the differences between being “innocent” and “not guilty,” plus richly balanced observations about the impact of the media on the justice system.

The characters spend a lot of time talking about legal issues, which makes the play predictably wordy.  To counterbalance the wordiness, director Judy Blake appropriately keeps the tempo fast paced. Each act was only 45 minutes long. But this positive technique has a slight downside. The verbal action is often so rapid that major points can easily be missed. There isn’t time to savor the intellectual morsels playwright Weill shares through his characters.

All new works benefit from fine tuning. In this play there is a surprise ending. It is presented abruptly, almost without warning, and then the curtain falls. Boom! The show is over. In our view the audience is not given enough time to fully take in what happened before the house lights come up. Some type of short closing epilogue scene could wrap up the storyline.

By their nature, mystery thrillers are roller coaster rides. Good ones require top notch casts to make the experience real for the audience.  Lead by Alexander Schottky as brash defense attorney Thomas Russo, the ensemble at the Elite is more than up to the job. It does a marvelous job of engaging and transporting the audience through all the twists and loops on the search to find out who did it and who, if anyone, was framed.

Framed plays Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. until May 22, 2016 at the Elite Theatre Company, 2731 Victoria Ave. (corner of Channel Islands Blvd. & Victoria Ave), Oxnard.

Tickets: $15.  Info, reservations and tickets 483-5118. www.elitetheatre.org.