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The Museum of Ventura County honors The City of Ventura’s 150th Anniversary

Minnie got her name from missionaries who taught her to read
Minnie got her name from missionaries who taught her to read

The Museum of Ventura County presents “Ventura @ 150: Celebrating the City of Good Fortune”, a commemorative exhibition that celebrates the city’s sesquicentennial opening on April 1.

Large-scale portraits of early Ventura residents from every sector of the community transport visitors to San Buenaventura’s early days, when the character and direction of the city was being formed. Six-foot high panels with descriptive captions tell the story of men and women who migrated here or were born here and enhanced the community, such as:

Carlos Luis “Charley” Hall – Born in Ventura in 1904 and baptized at Mission San Buenaventura.

Minnie Soo Hoo Bock — Born in Santa Barbara in 1978 to merchants Yee Sing and Chin Shee, Minnie got her name from missionaries who taught her to read, write and speak English.

LeRoy Gibson, Sr. – Born in 1909 in Wewoka, Oklahoma, LeRoy Gibson became a professional boxer, traveling throughout the country under the nicknames “Wichita Wildcat” in Kansas, and the “Bon Bon Kid” in Boston.

Theodosia Burr Shepherd – Ms. Shepherd was known as “the Flower Wizard of California.”

For fun, the Museum’s curators have created a special section, called “Dr. Bard’s Cabinet of Curiosities” that shows artifacts collected over the years by the not-so-well known residents and donors to the Museum of Ventura County, such as:

Finally, there are silver items called “cock gaffs”, which are curved metal pieces attached to the ankles of birds for cockfighting; the notable aspect is that they were crafted by a nationally renowned silversmith based in Ventura named Jesus Mardueno, who made bits and spurs in town.

A large photographic of the city of Ventura from the hills, made from glass plate negatives dating back to 1880, shows visitors how the city developed along Main St.  Visitors will be able to leave a sticky note where they or their family lived, filling up the map with generations of residents’ “marks.”

This exhibition was sponsored in part by a gift from Regent Properties.

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Mailbox

Dear Editor:

Ventura’s Mayor believes that we will feel better if we pay another $340 to a Ventura City general fund versus it going into a State fund! Really? Aren’t I still out $340?  I feel better already.

Mayor Nasarenko is campaigning for this tax increase on the premise that Ventura voters will support a tax that is kept and spent locally. He fails to make it clear that $340 out of every household budget is still $340, regardless of where and how it is spent. To the average taxpayer, more taxes paid out of their household budget will reduce their ability to pay rent or their mortgage. It cuts into their food budget, their travel and vacation capability, as well as their medical care and their own future retirement.

Mayor Nasarenko also feels that citizens should be willing to tax themselves because there will be a Citizen’s Oversite Committee. When has any oversight committee, appointed by the city, ever challenged spending after it has been spent?

Finally, he fails to remind voters that there is no guarantee that the $340 will be spent on any, or all, of the city needs. No post-audit citizen’s oversight committee will be able to track City spending because all of the records are kept and controlled by the City.

An oversite committee has no power to reverse any spending after the fact. It is a smoke screen to give voters a false sense that a citizen’s oversight committee can put any concerns about “how funds are spent” to rest. The fact remains that once that tax is passed, no one will look at the tax again and no reversals will ever happen.

With a current surplus and better than expected revenues, there is no need to tax citizens more.

Robert Alviani
VREG Chair

Breeze (June, 1866):

I am sick and tired of walking around Ventura and finding  an excess of horse manure everywhere that I go. On the promenade, Plaza Park, in our river bottoms, downtown.

When I attempt to cross Main St. there is so much horse dung that I can hardly make it. Can’t the VPD make the carriages use a side street or are they too busy arresting people for exceeding the 5MPH speed limit and arresting horse thieve? I’m not going to approve a sales tax of .0000078% until the VPD protects me from horse dung.

And at the same time I see our police department making arrests because bar patrons are spitting at spittoons and missing.

Isn’t our tourist trade important? Let the bar patrons enjoy spitting and clean up our city from manure so that tourists enjoy coming  here.

Homer Victoria
Ventura

 

 

 

opinion floresEditor:

End of Vince Street off Avenue. Is this a hillside coming down one heavy rain??

Laura Flores

 

 

 

Each man is good in the sight of the Great Spirit. It is not necessary for eagles to be crows. Now we are poor but we are free. No white man controls our footsteps. If we must die, we die defending our rights.

~ Sitting Bull – Lakota Sioux-1866

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Person to Person

To celebrate Ventura’s 150th Amber Hansen asked a few Venturan’s why they like living here.

person to person Matt LaVereMatt LaVere

I was born and raised in Ventura, and I’m blessed to be able to raise my own family here as well. Ventura has great beaches, parks, schools and is truly a family-friendly city. And not only does Ventura have a rich cultural history, but I believe we have far more potential than any beach town in California, and I think our best years are ahead of us!

person tp person suzzaneSuzanne Blanco

I love Ventura because I can drive 7 minutes to our harbor and paddle outrigger canoes with the Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club…the view of our city’s landscape from offshore is amazing!

 

person to person brasiliaBrasilia Perez

I love Ventura because it has given me a place to call home through the people I’ve met and the opportunities I have been given to be a part of our greater community… With so much history, with the laid-back, positive vibe we carry, and with people who lift each other up, -not to mention the perfect weather- why would anyone want to live anywhere else?

person to person LupeLupe Contreras

I love  the weather and my wonderful friends here. I am 102 so have lots of memories about Ventura. I remember when Highway 1 went through Ventura to Santa Barbara and the roads were made of wood. I love downtown and particularly the mission.

person to person hendricksBill Hendricks

Ventura is a place that shouts “home”. It’s not solely connected to a structural space, but strongly attached to an energy twisted inside of our community. Cheers

 

person to person StaciStaci Brown

I like living in Ventura because my family lives here, we have great musicians that play our local venues and it’s beautiful.

 

Changes in the Breeze

Breeze-StarIn major news in the newspaper industry it has been announced that the Ventura Breeze has purchased the VC Star for $10,500,000 cash. Respecting the history of the Star Free Press the paper will be renamed the Star Breeze Press. Sheldon Brown will be publisher, president, CEO and CIA and Savana Brown has been named editor. The Savana selection was a surprise because it was thought that Professor Scamp would be chosen as editor. Scamp has hired an attorney to investigate whether his age (almost 14) was the reason he was not given that position.

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Music Scene

The Barrelhouse Wailers performing at City's 150th anniversary picnic.
The Barrelhouse Wailers performing at City’s 150th anniversary picnic. Photo by Marie Gregorio-Oviedofoto

Ventura Rockin’ 150 Years!!!
By Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Ventura certainly rocks, and it’s been officially rocking for 150 years as of April 2, 2016.  In honor of its major milestone, The City is celebrating with a free family fair and picnic at Plaza Park.  Along with carnival games, activity booths, races and contests, an historic treasure hunt and a truly affordable old fashioned-barbecue, there will be live music with The Swilly’s, Ventura Jazz Orchestra Sextet featuring the vocal stylings of Donna Greene, The Barrelhouse Wailers and the Mighty Cash Cats.

And then, in conjunction with celebrating The City’s 150th anniversary, Ventura Education Partnerships will feature a concert with hometown heroes, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Mission Park. Tickets range from $25 and up to benefit music and arts in our schools.

Robert Ramirez and Michelle Votrian just returned from SxSW (annual music festival and conference in Austin, TX), so I asked Ramirez what made them decide to make the trek and he told me, “With friends out there, we just needed a show. Then we were invited to perform at Leeann Atherton’s Full Moon Barndance which is considered by the locals, the unofficial close to SxSW and a tradition, with non-stop music and food for 8 hours; it’s the place to be on Sunday. Every artist and band that played was a working band, some from Austin, some touring and some from Europe and Australia. Except us!”

The other evening, I dropped into Squashed Grapes to catch Mark Schulman’s set; he had put on an inspirational drum clinic in conjunction with Pulse Drumming before the show. Schulman is currently Cher’s drummer and has toured with Pink and others. He brought with him Eva Gardner on bass (Pink, Mars Volta, Cher) and Julian Coryell (Alanis Morissette, Carole King, Jewel) on guitar and vocals. The house was rockin’ a tad bit more than usual and I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  In April, make plans to catch the return of Doug Webb with Danny Carrey of TOOL on April 2, drummer Joey Heredia (Stevie Wonder, Sheila E, Sergio Mendez) on April 16, Sandra Booker (Harry Connick Jr is quoted as saying, “her voice was made for jazz.) on April 23 and Frank Potenza and Friends return on April 30.

And staying with jazz for just a bit, the California Jazz & Wine Fest will be held on April 17th at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village with the Tom Scott Quintet, Doug Webb Group and several of our local musicians including the Barrelhouse Wailers.

There will be a benefit concert for the Mare Louise Foundation on April 9 at Sandbox Coffeehouse featuring local artists, Marianne Turner, Xocoyotzin Moraza and Devin Johnson.

And finally for rap fans, don’t miss Tyler the Creator at the Ventura Theater on April 2.

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. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Events

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.

Apr. 1 and 17: The Ventura County Library System will be commemorating National Poetry Month by holding a county-wide Haiku Poetry Contest. Participants will be able to submit their own original haiku at library locations or online at tiny.cc/vclhaiku. Entries will be judged by Ventura County Poet Laureate Phil Taggart. For additional  information, contact Bernadette McDowell, City Librarian,  486-5460; Ron Solórzano, City Librarian, at  218-9146; or Deya Terrafranca, City Librarian,  218-1258.

Apr.2: Audubon- 8:00 a.m. Work Day Hedrick Ranch Nature Preserve.  Leader: Sandy Hedrick 340-0478.  Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required.

April 2: Family Fair and Picnic at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura. Come join your family, friends and neighbors for an old time gathering from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.  There will be carnival games, races, pie eating contests, a scavenger hunt throughout downtown Ventura, musical performances, an old-fashioned barbecue and much more.

Apr. 2: Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club, paddling club is hosting its annual open house on Saturday, at 10 a.m. The event is open to the public ages 14 and up and all abilities are welcome.  Attendees can try their hand at Hawaiian-style outrigger canoeing under the guidance of experienced club members at the equipment site located in the vacant lot at the end of Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor.

For more information [email protected]

April 3: Dudley House Museum 197 N Ashwood Ave from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. Free.

In honor of the 150th Birthday of San Buenaventura, there will be historic party line skits 1895-1903. Reenactment of “party line conversations” researched, written and directed by Lynn Weitzel.

April 6: E.P. Foster Library will have a Family Legacy Writing Workshop.

Celebrate Ventura’s history, turn your family history into interesting stories, and make your ancestors come alive on paper. The library will host this two hour writing workshop that focuses on defining and writing the stories that make up our community’s history. Workshop to take place in the Topping Room from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free

April 3: Sunday, Free stage show. Everyone invited. First Sunday of Every Month

Old Time Country Bluegrass Gospel Music Association, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Located at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd. More Info call 517-1131.

Apr. 3: On Sunday, Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions are holding their monthly meeting at Bell Arts Factory, 432 N. Ventura Ave. from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Mary Watkins, core faculty member at Pacifica Graduate Institute and a member of the national Steering Committee for Psychologists for Social Responsibility, will discuss how you can imagine the world you want to live in, and seek a path that can help bring it more fully into existence.

Apr. 3: The 1892 Dudley Historic House Museum will be open for docent-led tours from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and, in conjunction with the City’s 150th anniversary celebration, will present skits throughout the afternoon. Come and listen in as the Dudleys gossip on their party line telephone. Admission is free. The museum is located at the corner of Loma Vista and Ashwood 642-3345 or visit www.dudleyhouse.org.

Apr. 5: The Poinsettia Pavilion will host their monthly free Foothill Food Truck Fest of 2016 Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The event includes gourmet food options served up by your favorite food trucks, beer, wine and margaritas.  Live music by “The Ramblers”.

Dine indoors where they enjoy live music or outdoors on the patio with a panoramic view.  Proceeds fund ongoing improvement projects for the non-profit meeting and banquet facility.

Apr. 6: 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, cooking etc. Ventura Museum Pavilion located at 100 E. Main Street. No charge for meeting and no reservation is required. Shelba Cole Robison Subject: The Poets of BCNN from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For additional information, please visit bcnnwomensclub.org 988-0795

 

Apr. 6,7: There will be a “Scrub Event” April 6 and 7 at CMH 8th Floor Auditorium 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.  This Gift Shop Sale is a fundraiser for the Auxiliary and all proceeds are donated back to CMH.

As we prepare for the opening of the new hospital, there will be additional volunteer service shifts available.  Please go to CMH website to begin application process or stop by the Auxiliary front desk and pick up an application.

Apr. 7: Ladies Luncheon. Eat, meet, greet and shop at one of Ventura’s Best Networking Events from 11:30 a.m. to 1p.m.  Doors open at 11:15 a.m. $27 Online $30 at the door. Sit-down Luncheon Buffet

Located at The Wyndham Garden Pierpont Inn in the Pavilion Room 550 Sanjon Rd.

Limited seating available so pre-register today. When you register by March 29 at 12 p.m. you will be on the attendee list. Register at: www.theLadiesLuncheon.com. Ventura Breeze publisher Sheldon will be the first male invited to attend the Ladies Luncheon (lucky ladies).

Apr. 8: The Ventura Jazz Orchestra and the Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club invite you to a very special event. The 2nd annual Mentor/Protégé Spring Swing Extra Large Big Band Bash. Join the party on Friday, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and dance to the talents of featured vocalists Donna Greene and protégé Emmy Hilgers, who will sing to the wonderful melodies of Ventura Jazz Orchestra professionals and top Ventura County high school musicians. Admission is $15 at the door to the Poinsettia Pavilion Ballroom, 3451 Foothill Rd. Refreshments and parking are free. For more information, call 648-1143.

April 8, 9, 14, 16: Performances for The Waiting Room are Friday, 8th and 9th at 8 p.m. and Thursday, 14th through Saturday 16th at 8 p.m. free preview performance Thursday, 7th at 8 p.m. with two matinee performances in the Helen Yunker Auditorium in the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, 4700 Loma Vista Road. General admission $15, student and senior tickets $5. This production contains strong language and adult content that might not be suitable for children under the age of 13. For more information Jay Varela 289-6261 or [email protected].

Apr. 8: “Creating a Power Point Presentation” will be presented to the Ventura Beginners PC Users Group by Martha Navarrete on Saturday, in the Cypress Place Independent Living third floor lounge. The workshop is on more Miscrosoft Word features.  The group meets 9:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. All beginners and intermediates are welcome. Call 648-1368 for further information.

Apr. 8: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution February luncheon meeting will feature the program “Is Our Constitution Relevant”, presented by Ms. Diana Johnson. 11:30 a.m., in the Garden Room, Marie Callender’s.  Lunch is $20.  For additional information Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992.  For information http://pattonpatriots.org.

Apr. 12: Ventura Sail and Power Squadron presents Seamanship 2016 course.  Class sessions will focus on maneuvering and handling a boat, Rules of the Road, Anchoring, Emergencies at Sea and much more.  Class will meet from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday nights beginning April 12 and ending on June 6th. Located at the Ventura Yacht Club 1755 Spinnaker Dr.  Cost of class texts and material for Ventura Sail & Power Squadron members is $60 and nonmembers is $90.  To reserve a place call 646 7675 .

Apr. 13: The Ventura County Camera Club will hold a critique meeting on Wednesday, at 7 p.m. Located at the Poinsettia Pavilion. A professional photographer from the area will critique member’s prints and digital images. Each month a special topic is chosen which features some interesting aspect of photography. Anyone with an interest in photography is welcome and admission is free. Only members may submit images for critique. For more information 908-5663 or  WWW.VenturaCountyCameraClub.com

Apr.16: Join Publisher Sheldon and wife Diane on Herman Bennett Foundation’s

“Train Ride Adventure” Fundraiser! Train Ride, Scavenger Hunt W/ Prizes, Museum, Lunch & Live Auction! Enjoy a 4 hour train trip (w/ 2 stops) on a vintage 1940s locomotive through the scenic country side. Benefitting the Foundation’s Spay & Neuter Programs Across Ventura County.

Help control the local animal population and prevent the needless deaths of cats and dogs. Scamp will love you. Tickets available by phone at 445-7171. Also, visit their affiliate Save-A-Life Thrift Stores (888-876-0605) in Camarillo that directly supports the Foundation.

Visit hermanbennettfoundation.org for more information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Police Reports

Child Molest Investigation

VPD Detectives were actively investigating a child molest allegation on Sean Curtis, owner/operator of the United Studios of Self Defense, located at 1746 South Victoria Avenue.

Upon entering the business to serve the search warrant Detectives from the Ventura Police Department Major Crimes Unit encountered Curtis who immediately armed himself with a handgun. Detectives retreated from the business and upon doing so a gunshot was heard coming from inside. A camera-equipped robot was used to examine the scene to see if anyone was in the business with Curtis. Curtis was later found deceased inside the business from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Two ten year old girls were allegedly molested by Curtis. The most recent incident was reported in the past week.

6-Year Old Arrested

On March 18, at 2a.m. the VPD observed a car speeding and swerving on the 101 Freeway. When the officers pulled the driver over they were shocked to find that he was only 6-years old and under the influence of an illegal substance (12 candy bars). He was also driving on a suspended license.

He was taken to juvenile hall and picked up by his parents who grounded him for one week for being out past his curfew. Because of his age his name cannot be revealed.

Stolen Vehicle Recovery

On Thursday, March 17th, at 5:36 p.m., a VPD Patrol Officer witnessed a vehicle commit a traffic violation near the intersection of Darling and Petit.

The officer attempted to turn his vehicle around in order to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle for the violation. As the officer attempted to catch up to the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle accelerated quickly and ran two stop signs, before losing control of the vehicle which came to rest in the front yard of a residence at the intersection of Medford and Sterling.

James Moug, who was found to be the driver of the vehicle, was taken into custody without further incident. The vehicle he was driving was stolen, reported earlier that day. Moug was also found to have an active warrant for his arrest.

Moug was transported to the VCMC where he was treated for minor injuries. He was later booked into the VC Jail.

Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle

On Saturday, March 19th, at 8:19 p.m., a K9 officer attempted to stop a vehicle in the area of Alyssum Lane and Zinnia Way for a vehicle code violation. The vehicle did not stop for the officer and continued driving into a nearby neighborhood. After initially failing to stop, the driver did yield and pulled into a driveway of a residence. The driver provided the officer with a false name and he was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana without having a medical recommendation. During the investigation, his real name was discovered, Jeffrey Forehand, and a records check revealed he had a warrant for his arrest out of San Diego County. During a search of the vehicle, officers found a loaded handgun hidden in the front seat area as well.

Possession of a Handgun

On Sunday, March 20th, at 8:57 a.m., VPD officers conducted a probation search at a room at the Motel 6 located on 3075 Johnson Drive. The occupants, Jose Machado and Sean Quolas, initially denied the officers entry to the room, but the officers were able to gain entry. The officers found a loaded handgun hidden inside the room and additional ammunition for the gun was found in Quolas’ possession. A large quantity of methamphetamine, along with evidence of drug sales, were also found inside of the room.

Vehicle Burglary with Arrest

On Monday, March 21st, at 12:11 a.m., an alert citizen returned to his vehicle to retrieve miscellaneous property. As the citizen approached his vehicle, he observed the passenger door open and a suspect moving around inside his vehicle. The victim returned to his residence and contacted the police. Within minutes officers arrived and the victim directed them to his vehicle.  As officers approached the victim’s vehicle, the suspect exited the front passenger door.

The suspect, David Rixman, was detained by officers. At the conclusion of the investigation, it was discovered that the suspect had observed the victim’s vehicle parked along the south curb line of Telegraph Road. The suspect parked his vehicle approximately one hundred feet east of the victim’s vehicle. The suspect returned via foot where he gain access into the vehicle and removed the dashboard and vehicle stereo as officers arrived. The suspect was arrested and later booked into VC Jail.

Death Investigation

On Sunday, March 20th, at 10:40 a.m., the VPD received a call in reference to a deceased male found in a residence located in the 400 block of South Evergreen Street. Officers responded to the location along with VC Fire and located the victim who had suffered a gunshot wound. VP Major Crimes Detectives and an investigator from the VC Coroner’s office responded to the scene and are conducting an investigation.

VPD investigators discovered information that on the 20th, there was an argument at the victim’s residence between the hours of 6:30am-7:00am. Witnesses heard what appeared to be a gunshot followed by a vehicle leaving the area. The Ventura County Coroner’s Office has ruled Arnold Ikeda’s death as a homicide. The autopsy concluded that Ikeda died from a single gunshot wound to his leg. Investigators do not have any suspects at this time.

Resisting Arrest

On Wednesday, March 23rd, at 4:30 p.m., the VPD received a call from a family member of the suspect, Antonio Ramon, reporting that he was acting delusional and threatening to harm himself. It was also reported he was armed with a screwdriver.

One officer arrived on scene and confronted Ramon outside of the business. When Ramon saw the officer approaching him, he went to a parked vehicle and retrieved a hammer from inside. Ramon then raised the hammer and began advancing towards the officer while making threats to harm him. The officer drew his firearm, at which time the family member stepped between Ramon and the officer. After several commands to drop the hammer, Ramon complied and was taken into custody without incident.

Ramon was also found to be in possession two screwdrivers. He was arrested and later booked into the VC Jail for felony resisting an officer and criminal threats.

Commercial Burglary

On Thursday, March 24th, at 2:50 a.m., VPD officers responded to a burglary alarm at the Cabrillo Pharmacy located at 146 North Brent Street. The alarm company verified they could see a subject inside of the business as officers were responding to the scene.  Once on scene, the officers surrounded the business and discovered the point of entry by the suspect. He had used a large rock to break the glass the door and enter the business.

The suspect took several bottles of Promethazine/Codeine and a small amount of money from the pharmacy before making their escape. The alarm company could not provide a description of the suspect, and the surveillance video footage was unavailable.

 

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Two on the Aisle

An Oops at An Open Table
by Jim Spencer and Shirley Lorraine

Ventura’s Flying H Group Theatre Company is well known for presenting unusual and edgy works not often seen this side of Los Angeles.  Its current offering, An Open Table, is no exception.

Billed as a world premiere, the piece is performed in a single act. It is set inside an upscale Chicago area restaurant and purports to follow the actions of a disgruntled group of servers (waiters, to the general public) who want to make a statement about disrespectful and ungrateful patrons in a most socially unacceptable manner.

The set is impeccable and elegant. Director extraordinaire Taylor Kasch has once again given the cast full rein to pull out all stops, and they do. Actors James James, Eric Mello, Javiera Torres, Shelby Maloney and Marques Williams play the deranged restaurant crew. All give superbly tight performances within the limitations of the script.  Maloney even performs on roller skates, no small feat in the intimate setting full of tables, chairs, and……more.  Brenda Evans’ role as the sole living restaurant patron is unique – performed almost entirely bound, gagged and lying on the concrete floor.

In dramatic criticism perception is everything.  From our perspective the script of An Open Table is a big “Oops” because it is based on the acceptability of urban terrorism and the killing of innocent people as a means of making a statement over perceived slights…and the remorseless mastermind gets away free.

Here’s the premise of the script that is characterized as a “dark comedy.”  Unhappy servers methodically plan and actually carry out the cold blooded murders of ten innocent restaurant patrons and then put their bodies in a wood chipper to make a statement. Some of eatery staff are machine-gunned by police, but the primary killer and mastermind gets away scot free with his girlfriend.

We see little difference between the play’s plot line and the urban terrorism scenarios experienced in the random massacre of journalists at a Paris newspaper by those who disagreed with its editorial policy; or the bombing of a hotel full of tourists; or the killing of innocents awaiting an airplane in Brussels.

We don’t find such human slaughter, mutilation, and the promotion of urban terrorism for revenge as being lightly or darkly funny, as being justified, or in any way edifying or instructive as art. In our view, it is simply not entertaining.

Although the playwright reportedly has extensive academic, performance and writing credits, none of the characters have any redeeming qualities. Their actions are cloaked with an abundance of “adult” language which often, as in this case, covers the fact they have nothing to say that tickles the intellect, shares a truism or insight, or justifies their existence.

In this instance we feel the Flying H Group Theatre Company made a play selection error that falls short of its past successes.

An Open Table continues for adult only audiences until April 9 at 6368 Bristol Rd (Montalvo area), Ventura. Curtain: Thursday (4/7 only), Fridays and Saturdays – 8 p.m.  Sunday-4 p.m. Reservations recommended. Tickets: $15. On line: www.anopentable.brownpapertickets.com. or cash or check at the door.  901-0005

Vol. 9, No. 13 – March 30 – April 12, 2016 – Movie Review

Batman v. Superman/1 Palm Tree
by Eduardo Victoria/[email protected]

The DC Cinematic Universe is proving to be a tired experiment by only the second film, the awkwardly titled Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. In a sea of undeveloped ideas, poorly written characters, and a general lack of respect toward source material are some truly wonderful seeds for what could have been a towering standard of the superhero genre. Director Zack Snyder delivers plenty of eye candy and lets wonderful performances take center stage in a film with a lackluster script by Chris Terrio and David Goyer.

18 months after the leveling of Metropolis by Superman and General Zod (Michael Shannon), Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) searches for a mysterious “White Portuguese,” who he believe holds a mineral that can be used to incapacitate or cripple Superman, who he views as a threat to world security. Haunted by the death and destruction of everyone killed in his company’s building, he will take no chances against the Man of Steel (Henry Cavill). Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) and Senator June Finch (Holly Hunter) also see Superman as a threat and seek to destroy him.

For a film with “Superman” in the title, Snyder and Goyer spend the length of their entire film completely misunderstanding and, dare I say it, slapping the character around to the point of painting him as a terrorist. The film brilliantly sets up how the world would react if an almighty figure of his type were to appear. However, the opposite side is never explored. Never once does the film bother to paint superman as a heroic figure other than on the surface

The biggest crime caused by the film is the terrible script by Goyer and Terrio. The destruction of Metropolis is never touched on after the film’s opening. The most we get is a memorial for the victims that has a giant Superman statue, however Luthor, who is controlling the media, is painting Superman as a terrorist with the world seemingly agreeing with him. It’s these types of inconsistencies that plague the film from start to finish. Never once are motives explored other than for the Batman character.

The films brilliant scenes featuring Jeremy Irons as Alfred acting opposite Affleck are cut way too short, something that will hopefully be explored in the upcoming film The Batman. In the darkest incarnation yet (very close to Frank Miller’s interpretation), Alfred paints the picture that the Dark Knight has lost it, coming very close to the villains he aimed to stop for so many years. Snyder is a great visual director, but unfortunately, none of the visuals matter when a vague story and characterizations of beloved characters act in ways that simply don’t make sense.

Batman’s side of the film was handled well, for the most part. Ben Affleck paints a troubled, disturbed, and angry portrait of a man who has seen one too many people he cares about die. Carrying over from Man of Steel, Henry Cavill and Amy Adams have absolutely no on-screen chemistry together. To round out the leads, Jesse Eisenberg is so over-the-top and miscast as Luthor, it’s almost as if he were pulled from a Tarantino film and dropped into the DC universe.

Die-hard fans will find things they like, but that may not be case for the average moviegoer (accessibility was something Christopher Nolan did extremely well with his Dark Knight Trilogy). For the first time in history, we’re able to see a film with two of the greatest comic book characters ever created and the end result is a build up with no pay off.

Rated PG-13. Now playing at Century Downtown 10. 153 minutes.