The Museum Ventura County’s art instruction series, Studio Sunday, has provided a great reason for friends to gather at the museum and cultivate their inner artist. The Studio Sunday painting classes are taught by Mary Perez and Megan Bisbee of Vita Arts Center, and are open to all regardless of their level of expertise.
Pre-paid reservations are being taken now for Sunday, April 17: “Frida & A Margarita”
Master the self-portrait as Frida Kahlo did, incorporating symbolic elements and bright colors.
Each class is $40 per person, or $35 for MVC members, which includes instruction, art materials and light refreshments. Registration is limited to 40 people per class. To reserve, call 653-0323, x315, or go to the museum’s website at http://venturamuseum.org/studiosunday and pay online.
Pam Baumgardner with Dan Grimm and Whiskey for Kittens in the studios at CAPS Media. Photo by Elizabeth Rodeno
Rockin’ from the Avenue to the East End
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
I met up with owner Mike Toler at Amigos where they’ve been shaping up the menu and fine tuning their nightly music line up. A few of the band/artist residencies have been switched out and he’s offering up Reggae for downtown on Thursdays and will be creating Tuesday Bluesday in early May. Also coming in May, Mondays will be reserved for an open mic with a twist; they’ll be doing a six-week contest where winners win a paid gig at Amigos on a Sunday afternoon.
SPRP (Sunday Punk Rock Party) will be celebrating their first birthday party on Sunday April 24th 1-6 pm at the Garage on the East end of town featuring music from Mother of Dissension, The Lower Echelon, We the Underclass, The Rouse and The NaVaNaX.
Singer songwriter and powerhouse guitar player, Zack Bramhall makes his California debut Friday, April 15th at Ventura Beach Club; he’ll be joined by RJ Mischo.
The Velveteen Band is going back into the studio for their second release with a soft target of Fall 2016. The whole band is taking part in producing it and taking their time on the mixing and mastering process. Baron von Velveteen told me, “After almost 2 years as a band, we’ve really grown together as a team. At its core, this band is going to continue doing what we’ve done from the beginning, being as creative as we can, and having as much fun as possible. Fun and imagination, is the soul of this band, and this world needs to have way more of it! We hope to achieve an album, that tells that story!” You can catch the Velveteen Band on the first Friday of the month at Bombay’s.
Bell Arts Factory on the Avenue will host a screening of John Phaneuf’s film “Points of Light” with a performance by Dan Grimm on Saturday, April 16 at 7 pm. You probably know Phaneuf best as lead singer for Ill Repute, but he’s becoming quite the filmmaker. “Points of Light” highlights the inspiring lives of Barbara Flitt, Becca Porter and Al Earle. There is no cover, but a donation to Bell Arts would be appreciated.
And speaking of Dan Grimm, we’re working on the next episode of Ventura Rocks on CAPS Media with Dan Grimm in the studio featuring solo material and his new band Whiskey for Kittens. You can catch our most recent show with 50 Sticks of Dynamite on VenturaRocks.com.
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.
Ventura Police Department officers and chief honor K-9’s.
by Richard Lieberman
The National Police Dog Foundation held its annual ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Ventura. The event to honor Police K-9s and their handlers drew participants from Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Among the participants Oxnard police, Santa Paula police, Ventura police, Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and Ventura County Search and Rescue were included in the ceremony.
Held on a Wednesday in March, Norm McDaniel spokesman and Emcee of the event and a National Police Dog Foundation board member, discussed with the attendees’ budget issues that target dogs and their handlers. Police dogs and their handlers are likely targets for budget cutting and generally among the first to be cut. “So these agencies really need the support of the public and organizations like the National Police Dog Foundation to be able to provide those additional funds to put those canines and those officers back on the street to help protect us” said McDaniel of Ventura.
Among the attendees Oxnard Police Chief Jeri Williams added “the presence of a police dog can immediately defuse a situation”, Williams also said, “Just hearing that bark, just seeing the dog next to the officer, adds a different dynamic and most times ends with a better resolved situation, “
Guest speaker James Corbett of Boston, a special FBI agent penned a book “Solemn Vow” which showcases photographs of 50 police dogs and their accomplishments. “Some saved a life, some have rescued little girls, some have pulled people out of fires,” said Corbett. All the proceeds from Corbett’s book will be donated to the National Police Dog Foundation.
Attending from the Oxnard Police Department Daniel Casson came with Jax, his 3rd canine partner since 1998. “The dog is probably the most valued and used tool in the Police Department because they do so many different things.” Said Casson.
Edo and his handler Nhut Huynh an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department faced an armed suspect, and two wounded victims earlier this year. Edo was used as a diversion entering the house from one direction so officers could enter the house from a different direction to rescue the wounded victims and apprehend the armed suspect. The plan worked and Edo went first to the two wounded hostages, and then found and engaged the suspect. Edo was named Hero of the Year by the National Police Dog Foundation at the event.
Two agencies are working in tandem to give parents the extra help required to overcome challenges.
By Gail Field
When a family has trouble creating a safe place for their children because of drug use, trauma, neglect, or other serious causes, they have a place to turn to for help in Ventura County. As it stands, there’s already an open issue with the parent to child communication. Various schools across the USA have turned to alternatives to make parents more proactive and increase their engagement with their young ones. As an example, School Status has been rolled out in hundreds of schools to increase communication between the parents and teachers to better improve their educational qualities. Along with School Status and Children & Family Services of Ventura County they are working to close this barrier.
Two agencies, Children & Family Services of Ventura County and the non-profit Kids & Families Together are working in tandem to give parents the extra help they need through the Therapeutic Visitation Center, which opened in Ventura in 2014.
The work at the Visitation Center focuses on helping families who have suffered incidents of trauma and abuse by providing counseling and strategies for overcoming these challenges. Both the County and Kids & Families Together recognize that children who have suffered abuse and neglect can ultimately thrive in the care of their parents, as long as their parents work diligently to overcome issues that can create unsafe conditions.
In cases where the courts order that a child be removed from the home, the child is placed in the care of a relative or a foster family for their safety. The Therapeutic Visitation Center plays a key role in working toward the reunification of the family.
Children separated from their parents can experience a high level of anxiety, and regular visitation with the parents can be very important. At the Therapeutic Visitation Center parents can participate in a program designed to help bring harmony into the family relationships.
Family Support Specialist Savannah Eden explains: “The therapist meets with parents and children together at the Visitation Center where children are able to play with toys in the room during a session. In real time, the therapist provides counseling for the parents and models effective parenting behavior with the child. For example, children who have suffered family trauma generally do not respond to traditional ways of punishment and reward. When a clinician demonstrates respect for the child in the tone of voice and words used, the parent can see models of alternative ways to engage with the child and learn from such examples during their sessions at the Center.”
In many cases, the parent has experienced family trauma in his or her childhood as well and counseling is provided to address these issues as well. Clients are encouraged to tell the truth if they backslide or fail to meet milestones of improvement. “Here at the Therapeutic Visitation Center we give support to get the parent back on the right track,” says Eden. “It is not uncommon for parents in the therapeutic process to make mistakes along the way. We understand this, and consistently tell the clients that they must tell the truth and face their mistakes so that they may be corrected. The most successful cases are ones in which parents acknowledge their mistakes and have the courage and intent to make corrections with the help of the counselor. For example, a client may slide in their attempt to get off drugs and instead begin using them again. By telling the counselor the truth, they face up to the challenge, and the therapist can support them, helping the client to get back on track.”
The Therapeutic Visitation Center serves as the champion of the clients, encouraging them and giving them tools to get off drugs, to improve their parenting skills, and to better their relationships within the family.
By working with parents in 26 therapeutic sessions, the program helps them better understand their parenting strengths, as well as any family patterns that work against a safe family environment.
Program Manager Crystal Cummings recognizes the positive impact that family counseling and visitation can have. “With strong communication and parenting skills as well as renewed commitment, families can be happier, more stable, and mutually supportive. This stability fosters strong responsible citizens, which in turn strengthens the community as a whole.”
Drug use can negatively affect all aspects of a person’s life, impact their family, friends and community, and place an enormous burden on society. One of the most significant areas of risk with drug use is the connection between drugs and crime.
Every day, the nation’s law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal levels use investigative resources to target the supply side in the war against drugs. But even with numerous law enforcement successes in this area, the demand for drugs continues. And one of the more worrisome trends is a growing epidemic of prescription opiate and heroin abuse, especially among young people. Drug abuse is impacting all segments of society. To help raise awareness of this issue the Ventura Police Department will be hosting two community meetings in April.
The first meeting will be held on April 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Community Meeting room of City Hall. The second meeting will be held April 21 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Dr.
Street Crimes Detectives will be providing the in depth presentation on the state of drug use and its effects. The presentation is beneficial for residents concerned about crime, safety and prevention efforts.
Participants are asked to RSVP to Ashley Bautista at [email protected] or 339-4317.
March was National Social Workers Month and on March 22 the County Board of Supervisors honored our wonderful Ventura County Social Workers. That’s social worker Staci Brown right behind the green binder. If you would like to become a foster parent, please visit www.fostervckids.org.
Video games have been adapting cinematic vernacular for some time now, so it’s only fitting that films like Hardcore Henry appropriate the medium’s unique perspective to push the bounds of cinematic immersion. Filmed entirely in first person POV, what director Ilya Naishuller’s pulled off with his directorial debut is nothing short of breathtaking, appealing to those well-versed in the FPS genre (think sci-fi Call of Duty), while also standing on its own as a full-frontal assault of freewheeling lunacy.
We awake with Henry in a laboratory as cybernetic implants and limbs are being attached to his body. He doesn’t remember anything, but the scientist working on him is his wife Estelle (Haley Bennett). She mentions that he’s been virtually brought back from death, and that his synthetic body parts are the only things keeping him alive – they’ve also given him newfound strength and abilities. Before Henry can gain his composure, a warlord named Akan (Danila Kozlovsky) breaks into the lab, takes Henry’s wife and sends him on a desperate hunt through the streets of Russia. As Henry searches for the only person he cares about, he uncovers a giant conspiracy involving biomechanical soldiers and world domination.
Though the film and its vengeance angle aren’t anything new, it’s Naishuller’s understanding of video game language and his ability to transpose it to film that makes everything so fun. Smartly utilizing a simple A-B plot, story and execution work in tandem with one another, illustrating exactly what makes this type of narrative and first person perspective so satisfying.
Unfolding through a series of progressively outrageous fetch quests, there’s high-flying action spilling in and out of high class brothels, public streets, highways, and dilapidated warehouses. As the limbs rip off, bones crunch and people are set on fire, Naishuller slowly doles out our anti-hero’s true identity, keeping things fresh with a surplus of twists. It’s impressive how Naishuller manages to continually reinvent an endless hail of gunfire and keep things in perpetual motion, using Henry’s constantly shifting surroundings to his advantage and a host of villainous cannon fodder with differing skill sets.
Needless to say, nothing is sacred and no stone is left unturned – cybernetic soldiers, clones, colorful characters and even a love story round out the relentless barrage of sound and fury. It goes without saying that in a film like this, the most important performances come from cinematographers Pasha Kapinos, Vsevolod Kaptur and Fedor Lyass. Each shooting the action and story with GoPro rigs, the three are masterful architects of chaos, knowing how to use their cameras to frame each daring scene in a way that puts us right alongside the demented disorder.
The other show stealer is Sharlto Copley, who is a straight up chameleon. I don’t want to ruin the nature of his character, but it’s not what you expect, and pretty much solidifies him as one of this generation’s brightest character actors. Since he’s almost always by Henry’s side, he’s frequently the center of attention, and thus, the true lead of the film. As he transforms throughout, he fully commits to the insanity of his role and further helps to sell the film’s manic energy – even if the film weren’t crazy enough on its own, I’d see it just for him.
Thanks to a spry story, chaotic visuals and commitment to full-bore insanity, Hardcore Henry goes for broke, relishing in excess and dragging us tooth and claw into the mind of a madman. Of course, this film isn’t going to be for everyone – it’s nauseating, perverse and furiously aggressive, but it’s also those very qualities that make it so great. Already one of this year’s benchmarks for pure anarchy, this is one crowd-pleasing mixture of ballistic action and sci-fi mythos. I already can’t wait to see it again.
Rated R. 96 minutes. Now playing at Cinemark Downtown 10.
• Have you ever wanted to know the who, what, when, where, why and how of police operations? The Ventura Police Department’s Community Academy answers all your questions.
The Community Academy will take you on a ride-along with a patrol officer, show you what a SWAT team does, let you experience a simulated firearms training course, give you a look at issues officers face in our community and much, much more.
Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney addresses the attendees at the first Police Department’s Community Academy meeting. That’s me on the bottom.
The current session of The Community Academy began on March 22 and will be held on 9 consecutive Tuesday nights. Each night features a new topic, with speakers, demonstrations, and discussions.
The success of any police department depends largely upon the cooperation and support it receives from the citizens it serves. The Community Academy aims to educate residents on the capacity and operations of the department.
Classes are held at the Ventura Police Department located at 1425 Dowell Dr.
• Good grief, now there might be more items to vote on in November. The Ventura Unified School District might have tax initiatives on the ballot.
The district has two options for putting a tax request on the November ballot.
The district could ask voters to extend the $59 parcel tax that Venturan’s passed in 2012, which brings in approximately $2.6 million of revenue each year.
Or, they could join with the city to include a new sales tax on the ballot. That tax would bring in considerably more, about $20 million a year. The sales tax would require a simple majority to pass, but two-thirds of voters must approve the parcel tax to be extended.
I have said this before and still don’t get it. The state lottery and fees added to building permits bring in zillions of dollars. Where does all the go? That is why people are reluctant to vote for tax increases for a specific use – too much concern that the money will not end up being used for what was proposed.
The city found in a poll (ordered and paid by the city) that voters generally favor the proposed sales tax.
• If you think that running for office in this country has some odd requirements, look at this from India? Several states there are imposing a new requirement that candidates for local office must present proof that they have access to a working toilet. How do they prove that? Do they need to bring in dirty toilet paper?
Savana loves watching nature programs, especially when they are about birds.
• It could become addictive but check out “santacruzbaldeaglecam” and watch two wonderful Bald Eagle parents raise their two chicks on Santa Cruz Island. The “eaglets” could attempt to fly away in a few weeks and you don’t want to miss that. And, if you have a cat, be sure to let it watch as well.
• People who use the Constitution to make their points need to look at what the thinking and realities were back in the late 1700’s when the Constitution. Most of the thinking then just doesn’t apply to society today.
A good example is that our President must be a “natural born citizen”.
Article II says, “No person except a natural born Citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at time of the adoption of this Constitution shall be eligible to the Office of President.” This would exclude a person born after the adoption of the Constitution.
So why was this included in the Constitution to begin with in 1787?
“Framers of the Constitution feared that that a foreign monarch might try to take power in the new nation,” said Yale law professor Akhil Amar. He went on to say, “They were worried that a foreign duke arriving with a boat load of gold could bribe his way to take power.”
Donald Trump isn’t a foreign duke is he?
• I congratulate U.S. District Judge Christiana Snyder for ruling that the cross does not belong on the official seal of Los Angeles County. Previously, a divided Board of Supervisors voted to replace the cross on the seal atop a depiction of the San Gabriel Mission (it had been removed several years ago).
The Board was sued by several groups (some religious) who felt that the cross did not belong on a government seal, and the judge agreed with them.
Some people say that the cross is an historical symbol and not a religious one. I hardly think when a person sees a picture or drawing of a cross that they think of history and not of Jesus/Christianity. Kind of ironic, though, that the judge’s name has Christ in it.
• Happy to report that the Board of Directors of Cabrillo Music Theatre announced that the company has secured donations from members of the community, which will allow it to continue production of the 2016-2017 season!
After recently announcing the suspension of production due to a lack of resources, these contributions will provide Cabrillo with the ability to retool the organization, engage in a new focus and strategy, and to move into the future in a fiscally responsible way. See the article in this issue.
Melody O’Leary has over 16 years of experience in the real estate industry. After 13 years with Coldwell Banker, she became affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway in February 2013. She is proud to be associated with Berkshire Hathaway for a number of reasons:
Their branding is sophisticated, they have the latest innovations in marketing and technology and they are known for having the highest average sales price of any residential brokerage in the United States.
Working with both buyers and sellers, she is a skilled negotiator with extensive knowledge of the real estate market.
She favors a hands-on approach in dealing with clients and is delighted when their relationship progresses from realtor-client to long-time friends. The majority of her business is the result of referrals from satisfied clients, friends and family.
Melody said “I was born and raised in the beautiful seaside community of Ventura and I feelextremely fortunate to have lived here my whole life. I have traveled the world but I’m always happy to come home to Ventura. I love the people of my home town, who are friendly, approachable and unpretentious – a description that I’d like to think fits me as well.”
“My husband, Alex is a local dentist and together we have four grown children. One of our favorite shared interests is purchasing, refurbishing and reselling homes. My passion for interior design not only provides me with much personal enjoyment but also has proven to be an asset to my clients. I am able to help them maximize the value of their home without incurring the additional expense of a professional stager. In my free time, I also enjoy gardening, searching Flea Markets for treasures and camping in our vintage Airstream trailer, Kitty. “
Her awards include: President’s Circle for Top Sales in 2005-2012 at Coldwell Banker, among the top 100 agents at Prudential California Realty in 2013, Good Rotarian of the Year and Rotary-Paul Harris Fellow.
She is an active member in N.A.R., C.A.R., Ventura Downtown Rotary Club, and Ventura Botanical Gardens. Former member of National Charity League Juniors, former President of Mound School Site Council, Channel Islands Waterfront Homeowners Association, and Ventura High School Interact Club Advisor.
Bronze Star Medal winner honored at Buena High. Photos by Michael Gordon
On April 7 Buena High School social studies teacher Emmet Cullen received the Bronze Star Medal at a ceremony held at Buena High School. Military veteran and high school teacher Emmet Cullen was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star Medal for recognition of his service in the U.S. Army before his family, hundreds of students and dignitaries. He fought in both Iraq and Afghanistan as a sergeant.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (26th congressional district) bestowed Emmet Cullen with the Bronze Star Medal after a musical presentation by the award winning Buena High School Marching Band. She was “Was humbled and honored to be able to be at the awarding of this Bronze Star.”
In accepting the medal Emmet told the large gathering.
“Dear Students, Staff, and Special Guest Congresswoman Julia Brownley,
Thank you so much for joining my family and I in accepting this great honor. I would like to begin by thanking the uniformed service personnel present for their dedication, sacrifice and devotion to our country in this ongoing time of the global war on terror.
Thank you also Congresswoman Julia Brownley, for your offices outstanding service in helping to process this award through the Department of the Army some 9 whole years after it was initially lost. An extra special thanks to the Congresswoman for coming to Buena High School to highlight and bear witness to our many award winning programs!
It means so much to me to be able to gather here with my family, friends, colleagues, and of course the students of Buena High School. I began my teaching career with this year’s graduating class of seniors as a young-faced and frightened student teacher not 5 years ago. Imagine that, a decorated combat veteran afraid of a class of 8th graders? But there I was, terrified. Luckily, I had you, our graduating class, to train me. We have come a long way together these past years, and I could not be more proud to watch each of you walk this coming June.
I have enjoyed getting to know this year’s freshman class, and experienced your loss right along your side. We are all a family here at Buena High School, and we will continue to grow and prosper as a family over these coming years.
Thank you.”
Proud Principal Bobbi Powers said “The entire Buena community is so proud to have a hero amongst us, and we are grateful to have Mr. Cullen as a teacher serving our students.”
The Museum Ventura County’s art instruction series, Studio Sunday, has provided a great reason for friends to gather at the museum and cultivate their inner artist. The Studio Sunday painting classes are taught by Mary Perez and Megan Bisbee of Vita Arts Center, and are open to all regardless of their level of expertise.
