Photo by Michael Gordon
Rowan Boutique held a ribbon cutting at their new Ventura location located at 1058 S. Seaward Ave. They are a beachside women’s clothing boutique embodying the quintessential California lifestyle. The girl is a lover of all things beachy, furry, and bubbly with salty hair and skin, sunrise to sunset.
Phone: (805) 628-3194
Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
A League of Their Own – Amazon Original Series
“A League of Their Own” highlights an actual time in history during the mid 1940’s when women played professional baseball while the men were away fighting in World War II. Scouts scoured the country for talent and looks, and tryouts were held in Chicago in 1945. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was the brilliant idea of Morris Baker, famous at the time for his candy bar company, which sponsored the league of four teams: the South Bend Blue Sox, the Racine Belles, the Kenosha Comets, and the Rockford Peaches.
Each team had a home they shared in their team’s hometown, which was monitored by an assigned chaperone and where they were taught how the league wished them to appear in public. “Beauty lessons” were from Vivienne Hughes, who explained that their conformity was the price of freedom in a man’s world. They were required to wear makeup in public, not allowed to wear pants outside the house (or be fined) and all dates had to be accompanied by the chaperone.
The series focuses mainly on players from the Rockford Peaches, coached by a previous major league pitcher named Casey “Dove” Porter (Nick Offerman). Carson Shaw (Abbi Jacobson) played catcher and was married with her husband off at war. Greta Gill (D’Arcy Carden) played first base and was quite charming, beautiful and single. Jo DeLuca (Melanie Field) was the team’s best hitter and had been best friends with Greta since they were children. Lupe García (Roberta Colindrez) who was the team’s pitcher referred to as the “Spanish Striker”. Jess McCready (Kelly McCormack) was a very competitive Canadian player constantly fined for wearing pants in public.
Another aspect of the series focused on a young talented black pitcher named Maxine “Max” Chapman who was denied trying out due to racial issues so was trying to get a shot with the male dominated Negro League. Clance Morgan,(Gbemisola Ikumelo) was Max’s very supportive best friend and a comic book artist trying to make a profession from her hobby. Max had been trying to get on the local factory team the “Screws” but didn’t initially have a job at the factory so wasn’t allowed to play. The factory was only hiring men, so Max applied as “Max” and got a job, but unfortunately blew her shot when her nerves got the best of her at practice.
Though Carson was married, she found herself attracted to Greta’s charm and charisma. Greta seemed as though she had some experience at intimacy with women, but also was quite stunning and liked the attention men showed her on and off the field. The two had a rendezvous, which confirmed Greta’s suspicions regarding Carson’s attraction to her, but confused Carson as she had never been with anyone other than her husband. There was also the danger of getting caught in a time where gays and lesbians were considered sexual deviants and persecuted by society.
Coach Porter ended up abruptly leaving the team, so the chaperone assigned Carson to coach the Peaches. Carson didn’t look at herself as a leader and did not want to coach, which caused a problem with Lupe as she felt she should coach the team. After losing several games, the league decided that to boost ratings they would take the best players from the Peaches and move them to the top two teams. The Peaches made some changes and made a comeback winning all the rest of their games in the season sending them to the playoffs against the Blue Sox.
“A League of Their Own” series has a great cast, costuming and sets and shares much more about social issues of the time and things off the field than the 1992 movie with the same name.
Runtime: 8 – 1hr Episodes
by Shirley Lorraine
Family Upset Looms in Uncle Vanya
Ah, Uncle Vanya. Considered one of Anton Chekhov’s great masterpieces of theater, the production now playing at the Santa Paula Theater Center is a slightly updated adaptation by Conor McPherson. Little seems changed, save for periodic references to more twentieth century concerns such as climate change, reforestation and the medical profession. And, of course, the addition of a few F-bombs, the addition of which added nothing except a disconnect with the references to turn of the previous century.
Despite this jarring reminder of our current consciousness, the play remains timeless in nature. It is, perhaps, the origin of the “play about nothing,” a format borrowed freely by Jerry Seinfeld. The location is a bit hazy. Originally set in Russia, now possibly Ukraine, the setting is anywhere of a remote nature. Every so often a hint of an unidentifiable accent was heard but was not pronounced enough to associate specifically.
The action, or more precisely, inaction, takes places in a country house maintained by relatives of a recently returned member of an extended family. Taking up a tiresome residence, the Professor settles in to write a multitude of opinion pamphlets which, it is suspected, no one actually reads. The Professor demands central attention, bringing along his much younger and quite fetching supremely bored wife who is then sought after by several of the parties involved.
The play explores unrequited love, misplaced passions, the daily dreariness felt by Uncle Vanya, the primary caretaker of the property for the last 20 years, family interactions and conflicts. Everyone seems to be in a state of ennui, merely existing from day to day. The real drama begins when the Professor announces he plans to sell the house. Emotional chaos ensues. Throughout, the characters provide a panoply of comic relief in their desperate struggle to maintain their lifestyles.
Casting by Director David Ralphe is simply brilliant. Each of the actors melt into their roles as second skin. The key character, beleaguered and underappreciated Uncle Vanya, is played by Brian Robert Harris, to near perfection. Yelena, the beautiful young bride, played by Jessi May Stevenson, provides volumes of soulful depth in a mere disdainful glance or a slight movement. Ron Feltner as the alcoholic Dr. Astrov is forceful. Nancy Solomons Barker channels Sophia of the Golden Girls in her portrayal of the aged Nana. She has many quite amusing lines. Tom Hall is marvelous in his persona of the Professor, a man oblivious to the contributions and needs of others.
Erin Hollander plays Sonja, a young girl who assists in the house maintenance and yearns for a relationship she will never have, handling the role beautifully. L.J. Noel and Allan Noel complete the cast as Vanya’s mother and Telegin, adding to the comedy immeasurably.
The play is extremely well done. Casting is outstanding. The set designed by Nick Caisse is simply stunning.
Uncle Vanya continues through September 25. Reservation (805) 525-4645, or www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.
∙ What heat wave? As I sit here listening to the sea lions bark their heads off it is 111 in Ojai and 72 here (wow we had a 97 day).
∙A Ronald McDonald Family Room is set to open at the Ventura County Medical Center on Sept. 12. Thanks to Amy Towner, Dr. Fankhauser, Christine Petti, the amazing women of NCL Juniors Ventura County, Supervisor Matt LaVere, and the many others who worked for years to bring this vision to reality. This room will provide much-needed resources for families in the midst of their darkest hours. And thanks to the hard work and generosity of so many, it will be the first Ronald McDonald Family Room in Ventura County.
∙Recently the Ventura Police held a DUI checkpoint. 1,152 cars passed through the checkpoint with the following results.
12 drivers cited for VC12500(a), Unlicensed Driver
2 drivers cited for VC14601.1(a), Suspended Driver
1 driver cited and released on scene for a Suspended Driver’s License Misdemeanor Warrant
1 driver cited for 23222(b)(1), Open Container Marijuana
Even though they don’t usually result in many DUI arrests, I think the checkpoints serve a good purpose to get drivers thinking about not driving after drinking. And, the checkpoints are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, so they don’t cost Ventura anything.
∙I have great respect for Liz Cheney, and it has nothing to do with Trump. She is very conservative so I don’t agree with her policies, but I respect her for doing what she feels is best for the country knowing that she will never get elected again.
We have a serious problem in this country with politicians voting strictly on being re-elected to their positions and not what they feel is necessarily best for the country. The political system in this country is a mess and something needs to be done to straighten it out.
If Democrats sponsor a bill, Republicans oppose it. If Republicans sponsor the same bill Democrats oppose it. Not based upon what is best for the country but what will get them re-elected.
Perhaps we shouldn’t have professional politicians and their term should be a one time for six years, so they don’t need to be concerned with elections and will do what they think is best for the country. Then go back to a real job.
Also, something needs to be done about the Supreme Court which is out of touch with even the will of the people. They should not serve for a lifetime and perhaps should be selected by a general election and not appointed. Maybe serving only one time for eight years.
And using the constitution as a basis for their decisions probably doesn’t make a lot of sense. For instance this is from the Bill of Rights, “No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.”
∙A U.S. Marines veteran, and former NYPD officer has received the longest sentence yet in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. Thomas Webster was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Not sure why he received the longest sentence but glad that those that participated in this insurrection are going to prison.
∙So happy that New Mexico’s governor has signed an executive order pledging $10 million to build a clinic that will provide abortions and other pregnancy care. I certainly hope other states follow suit. Sixty percent of the nation think Congress should pass a law guaranteeing access to legal abortion nationwide.
∙Guns in The News
One person was killed and four others were injured in a shooting on the Coney Island boardwalk the NYPD said. While officers investigated the scene, a witness walked up and told them about a second scene at 7 Mile and Wyoming. Police said a 28-year-old man was fatally shot at that location.
A gunman carrying an assault rifle entered a Safeway in Bend, Ore., killing two people and sending terrified shoppers running.
A poll by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows 71% of Americans say gun laws should be stricter, including about half of Republicans, the vast majority of Democrats and a majority of those in gun-owning households.
Eight in 10 Americans perceive gun violence is increasing around the U.S., and about two-thirds say it’s increasing in their state.
∙When Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) made the following ignorant statement, I thought it would be hard to top but it wasn’t.
“Unattractive women who “look like a thumb” shouldn’t complain about losing abortion rights because they’re the least likely to get pregnant” he said in a speech to college students at a conservative conference in Florida.
“Have you watched these pro-abortion, pro-murder rallies,” Gaetz asked the crowd at the Turning Point USA Student Action Summit in Tampa. “The people are just disgusting. Why is it that the women with the least likelihood of getting pregnant are the ones most worried about having abortions?”
“Nobody wants to impregnate you if you look like a thumb. These people are odious from the inside out,” the congressman continued. “They’re like 5′2″, 350 pounds, and they’re like, ‘Give me my abortions or I’ll get up and march and protest.”
As amazingly ignorant as that was, perhaps what Lindsey Graham said was even worse because it could result in deaths. Following the FBI’s retrieval of at least 184 classified documents from former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) appeared on Fox, claiming there would be “riots in the streets” if Trump is prosecuted.
∙ The average low temperature in July was 63.6 degrees, which beat the previous record set in 2011 by a few hundredths of a degree. The mark is not only the hottest nightly average for July, but for any month in 128 years of record keeping, said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration climatologist Karin Gleason. July’s nighttime low was more than 3 degrees warmer than the 20th century average.
∙Quick help for suicidal thoughts and other mental health emergencies are now easily accessible as 9-8-8. It’s designed to be as easy to remember and use as 911, but instead of a dispatcher sending police, firefighters or paramedics, 988 will connect callers with trained mental health counselors.
It’s Back-to-School time here in Ventura and we all have a thing or two to learn. I learned that the citizens of Ventura know how valuable of a resource their water is. You took the conservation message to action, and we reported a record drop in water demand in July; 1,195 acre-feet. That’s 34 acre-feet less than June and an overall 28.58% reduction in water usage since we started tracking in 2013! Great job Ventura, and let’s keep it up!
We have spent the summer reaching out to all of you and offering tools and suggestions to reduce our water usage. Thank you for your suggestions and we will look to implement them.
Right now, there is state legislation that is being proposed to set a legal limit on indoor water consumption. The practices we adopt today will have us better prepared for any future limits. Ventura Water will continue to look towards sustaining our water sources and securing additional sources for the future. We are committed to ensure Ventura has a reliable water supply for generations to come.
As the summer ends, staff is focusing on funding opportunities and project design development. The VenturaWaterPure program was recently awarded over $14 million in federal grant monies by the Bureau of Reclamation, to add to the $4.2 million we had already received. This grant will help to make your rate dollars do more to achieve a new water supply and protect the unique environment of the Santa Clara River Estuary. Design and permitting for our projects are moving along and progress is happening.
There are some really great things taking place and you should be proud to be a part of it. Thank you, Ventura!
Respectfully,
Gina Dorrington
∙ I am so very sorry to report that the most wonderful person, Breezy (Deena) Gledhill, has passed away from cancer at only 45 years old. Last summer, Breezy told us she was cancer free, which was incredible news. But, cancer does what it wants and returned with a vengeance. Her spirit through all of this was unbelievable and an inspiration to all who knew her.
Breezy first approached me over 10 years ago to become an account executive for the Breeze. With that name, I immediately hired her. Without her, the paper would not exist as her ability to positively interact and engage people was a rare talent.
I considered her to be my adopted daughter and will miss her always.
∙ The 2022 Fall Chamber Business Expo is on Thursday, August 25, 4-6:30pm at Four Points by Sheraton, Ventura Harbor. The Breeze will have a booth there right by the finger food buffet (and several restaurants will offer food). Come say hello, have some food, meet local merchants and enter a chance to win a free ad in the Breeze.
∙The Ventura City Council has approved raises for City Manager Alex McIntyre and City Attorney Alex Heglund.
Each will receive a 5% cost-of-living increase and a one-time lump sum worth 1.75% of their salary. Councilmembers approved the increases at their August 1 regular meeting.
Councilmember Mike Johnson voted against the raise, noting that the council already approved a 2% merit increase for McIntyre in March.
McIntyre’s annual salary will increase from about $280,000 to more than $294,000. Heglund’s annual salary will rise from $237,000 to more than $248,800.
These are in keeping with what other cities pay for these services. Think of McIntyre as the head of a very large corporation.
∙ A new location is coming to the Downtown Farmer’s Market very soon.
The community is invited to the grand re-opening of the Downtown Ventura Certified Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 27, at its new location on Main St. starting at Palm St. continuing west to the San Buenaventura Mission. A ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Chamber of Commerce will take place at 8:00am.
The Downtown Ventura Farmers’ Market is hosted every Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm and operated by the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association (VCCFM). I like the existing layout that can be meandered through as compared to the lineal one that will be on Main but will hold my final opinion after shopping there.
∙ The total attendance for the 2022 Fair was 270,486. A little less than the last one in 2019 of 302,783. I think this is still a good turnout, as some people are still concerned about COVID (and maybe Monkeypox). Plus, many people have become accustomed to not going out.
∙ Jim Duran has announced that he will be running for the Ventura City Council in the upcoming November elections in District 6. He stated, “I do not take this decision lightly and I believe this is the time for me to serve.” Based on my experience “I see an opportunity to make some very positive changes in our city.” More about him and other candidates in future issues.
∙Ventura attorney Maureen Houska, 57, has been selected to serve as judge with the Ventura County Superior Court. The appointment was announced by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Houska is a founding partner of Woo Houska LLP, a firm in Ventura that specializes in representing public entities, business, law enforcement, school districts and public transit.
∙ Gold Coast Transit District (GCTD) announced it has been selected as a recipient of a grant award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in the amount of $12,117,144 to purchase hydrogen fuel cell electric buses, install a new hydrogen fueling station, and implement a robust workforce development and training program.
The grant award, made under FTA’s Buses and Bus Facilities and Low and No-Emission Vehicle programs, is part of the FTA’s announcement to invest $1.66 billion into 150 transit agencies across the nation, in efforts to meet President Biden’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The funding will be used to replace thousands of older bus models, with new zero-emission transit buses across the country.
∙ Shortly before having their opening ribbon-cutting (as reported in the Breeze), Ventura city officials have ordered the Crown Classics and Hot Rods dealership to stop construction after it was determined that the building unsafe and that the business failed to obtain required building permits. The decision came days before their grand opening on July 30.
Building inspector Tim Fiske said he knew Crown Classics was renovating the exterior of the former Toys R Us building on Johnson Ave. but was not aware major construction had taken place inside.
Also, a city fire inspector noticed the overhead sprinklers were painted over and the fire alarm wasn’t operational. After red-tagging the building, the city gave Crown Classics permission to move forward with the grand opening event on the condition the public not enter the building.
Boy, you need to get the right permits to avoid major issues. I can only imagine how much this delay will cost them. Reminds me of several years ago when the Pierpont Inn stated making major structural changes without permits to part of a building and was red tagged and still has not re-started construction.
∙ With great sadness, Oxnard Mayor John C. Zaragoza and the City Council joined the community in mourning the loss of Supervisor Carmen Ramirez, who passed away recently following injuries she sustained as a pedestrian involved in a vehicle collision.
Supervisor Ramirez served on the Oxnard City Council for ten years prior to being elected
Ventura County’s District 5 Supervisor in 2020. She worked as a longtime legal aid attorney serving low-income communities in Ventura County.
Said Mayor Zaragoza, “I offer my sincere condolences to her husband, Roy Prince, and her family. We will miss Carmen tremendously. We worked together often, while I was serving as Supervisor and she was Oxnard’s Mayor Pro Tem, and this camaraderie continued when she was elected Supervisor and I served as Mayor. She was passionate about environmental justice and creating a better future for our City. Her kindness, love and deep compassion for the community was felt by everyone. She will be dearly missed.”
The Ventura County Fair’s Board of Directors, management, and staff are proud to report that the 2022 Fair was a success. Celebrating the finest from throughout Ventura County, the 147th year picked up where it left off three years ago when the pandemic hit. “Bringing the County’s only legacy event back and ensuring that it will continue to serve the community for generations to come was the goal of our staff as we endured three years of difficult uncertainty,” said CEO Barbara Quaid, “dedicated staff stepped to the plate creatively and with passion to keep the doors open and make sure the Fair gates opened this year.” Visitors came from near and far to enjoy “A Country Fair with Ocean Air” during the 12-day run, August 3 through August 14.
The Ventura County Fair’s mission is to preserve, promote, and showcase agriculture and the traditions of Ventura County, this was accomplished with competitive livestock and horse shows, agricultural exhibits and baking contests. The Junior Livestock Auction, held on Friday, August 12 was the culmination of yearlong livestock production projects for Ventura County Youth. Proceeds from the Auction are used to further their educations and the agriculture industry in Ventura County. At this year’s auction 291 lots were sold for a total of $1,500,000.
Total Attendance for 2022 was strong at 270, 486; a difference of -10.67% from 2019’s attendance of 302,783.
“For us the focus is never about the numbers of people coming into the gates, but about the quality of the experience our guests have and about the number of smiles we see as Fair visitors head home,” said CEO Barbara Quaid, adding “We are grateful to have finally been able to bring the Fair back to our deserving community. We are committed to offering a clean, safe and fun experience that will create cherished memories that will last forever.”
Besides being a fun time, the Fair benefits the community in many ways. This year at our “Feed the Need” food drive for Food Share, we collected a total of 2,810 pounds of food and some cash donations, which will be used to purchase meals. Through these donations they will be able to provide a total of 2,401 (1.2lbs = 1 meal / $1 = 3 meals) meals to those experiencing food insecurity in Ventura County.
As is the case every year, overall success would not be possible without the tremendous support of the sponsors and the community. While the gates have closed on the 2022 Ventura County Fair, planning is already underway for the 2023 Fair.
by Richard Lieberman
The Ventura Police and fire department held a community block party on Saturday, August 20, at the police and fire headquarters located on Dowell Drive in Ventura. The event was free to all Ventura residents. The block party gave Ventura residents an opportunity to engage with both officers and firefighters in a fun and family-oriented event. Included in the event were several activities for both adults and children including K-9 demonstrations, CSI experience, SWAT rescue vehicle, police motorcycles, child fingerpainting, police station tours, coloring contest, face painting and a visit from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office helicopter.
The Ventura Fire Department showcased events such as Jaws of Life vehicle extraction demonstration, Kid’s firefighter challenge course, fire prevention information, fire sprinkler demonstration, fire engines, hazardous materials vehicle and an ocean rescue vehicle.
Several Ventura dignitaries attended the event including Ventura Chief of Police Darin Schindler, City Manager Alex McIntyre, and Ventura Council Member Doug Halter.
“I got here a little early and people were already showing up before the official start time and interacting with the police officers and the employees everyone just seems excited to be here” said Schindler. The event was a great place for citizens to interact with their local police and fire personnel. It was a great way for residents and kids to meet police and fire personnel in a fun, family-oriented venue.
“This is great community policing, exactly what I was hoping for, and I knew it would be great because we have a great community and I have a great staff.” He added.
With over 25 cold cases including homicide, missing persons, and unidentified deceased individuals stemming from 1970 to 2018, the Ventura Police Department has released a webpage with the basics of each case hoping the public can assist in filling information gaps. The webpage can be found at www.CityofVentura.ca.gov/ColdCases.
“We have a commitment to the victims of these crimes; their families have waited a long time for answers and by sharing information, this brings a little hope,” said Major Crimes Detective Sergeant Bill Dolan. “Every tip that is shared, no matter how small, has the potential of being the missing piece of information.”
The webpage provides short summaries of unsolved cases that occurred within the Ventura Police Department’s jurisdiction. The webpage will be updated routinely with other cold case information as more details become available.
The Ventura Police Department has created this webpage with the hope new information will be received to further the investigations into these cases and bring closure to families and loved ones. The webpage also serves as a tribute to those who have lost their lives but have not been forgotten.
The Ventura Police Department remains steadfast in bringing justice to the victims and their families, no matter how much time has passed.
Any new information can be provided via email at [email protected]. You can also make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest you could receive up to $1000.
The Taste of Local is Back!
Totally Local VC the Farm to Fork experts invites you to join them at this years
4th Annual Taste of Local event on Sunday, Sept 11, at the beautiful lawns of Ventura County Credit Unions Corporate office in Ventura. All food and samples are included in the admission price.
The Taste of Local is about bringing together farmers, chefs and community to celebrate our local harvest and the diversity of great food we have right here in Ventura County. It’s sure to be the epicurean event of the year! Over 60 area chefs, wineries, brewers, farmers and purveyors are expected to showcase their expertise during the 4th annual Taste of Local event.
Ventura County agriculture helps to feed our community and the world.
Ventura County is one of the top agricultural producers in the world and that translates into one of the best cuisine scenes that Californian has to offer. Locally grown, locally produced and locally owned are some of the key ingredients at the Taste of Local Festival. Guests have an opportunity to meet and chat with chefs, farmers and purveyors as they taste and learn about the bounty that is Ventura County.
Stop in to booths like the locally grown build your own strawberry short cake bar. Sponsored by the California Strawberry commission, Limoneira lemonade stand and our locally sourced grazing stations.
Taste, sample and sit back and enjoy the sounds of the Rose Valley Thorns and Spencer the Gardener
The Taste of Local showcases local brewers at its “Home Brew Challenge”. Guests sample and vote for there favorites as local brewers compete for top awards for the best home brews in the county.
Competing Ventura County bartenders will craft drinks from local grown ingredients. Attendees will sip (sample size) cocktails made from local farm-fresh ingredients and vote for their favorite. The winning cocktail will be crowned Ventura Counties signature cocktail and be featured at local restaurants throughout Ventura County.Edible Ojai, Ventura County magazine hosts the Farm to Fork Education Tent!
Don’t miss the workshops hosted by some of very own local experts!
We always offer a diverse selection of workshops at the event such as Brewing 101, Coffee Bean to Cup and cooking demos by Sweet Arleen’s.
Ventura County is known as one of the top agricultural producers in the world and that translates into one of the best cuisine scenes that California has to offer. Locally grown, locally produced and locally owned are some of the key ingredients in this year’s Taste of Local event.
More information on the Taste of Local:
https://totallylocalvc.com/taste-of-local-festival About Totally Local VC’s Agricultural Education Foundation.
