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Just some of the artists at the Bell Arts Factory

Established in 2006 in part by a gift from the Addison Family, Bell Arts Factory is a non-profit, community-based organization that utilizes the arts as a means to deliver messages and encourage acts of greater good within our community.

432 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura 805-836-2787

Bonny Butler

Showing at the Buenaventura Art Association are Bonny Butler and Mariah Bentley

Mariah Bentley

“A 66-year-old, non-profit institution devoted to connecting the community with artists, artists with each other, and learning and growing as artists ourselves.” Buenaventura Art Association will feature photographs by Stella Kuyumjian in a solo exhibition Jan. 7-March 12, 2022, in Studio 99. “Knowing Your Identity” is the theme of these fine art prints by the Thousand Oaks resident.

 

Christy Weir

 

In her studio retired city council member Christy Weir (who was on the Ventura City Council from 2003-2020) is enjoying the time she has to devote to her first love painting.

 

In their shared studio Jane Peterson, Lauren M. Peters and Nova Clite are displaying their art from their challenge to each other to paint 100 pieces in 100 days.

Jane Peterson

 

 

Women’s Economic Ventures selected for $105,000 award

Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV) will receive $105,000 in funding to aid small businesses that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant, awarded by Wells Fargo’s Open for Business Fund and NALCAB – the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders will help increase access to capital for small businesses in low- and moderate-income communities (LMIs), especially those owned by women and minorities in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

WEV was selected as one of 15 nonprofit lenders across the country that have a track record of providing small business lending and development services to low-wealth populations that have traditionally had difficulty accessing capital.

“WEV is grateful to have been chosen for this award and we are ready to deploy the funding to assist small businesses in low-moderate income communities in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Small business entrepreneurs in LMIs need the improved access to capital Wells Fargo and NALCAB have made available and WEV is prepared to help them access it. Within the last two years, WEV has doubled our number of bilingual staff, increased online training programs, expanded access to business training programs, and provided innovative entrepreneurial funding,” said WEV CEO Kathy Odell. “We look forward to seeing what the grantees will achieve with these funds.”

NALCAB, a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is the hub of a national network of more than 140 member organizations that are anchor institutions in geographically and ethnically diverse Latino communities in 40 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. NALCAB’s mission is to strengthen the economy by advancing economic mobility in Latino communities. Approximately 70% or more of those served by the NALCAB Network are Latino, 20% are Black and more than 40% are immigrants.

The Open for Business Fund was created in July 2020 to provide capital and expertise for businesses hardest hit by the pandemic. Wells Fargo is donating roughly $420 million in gross processing fees from participating in the first round of PPP and has already helped a projected 148,000 small businesses keep an estimated 253,000 jobs nationwide (through September 30, 2021). The Open for Business Fund will continue to award grants to nonprofits serving small businesses through the end of 2021. ###

Women’s Economic Ventures is dedicated to creating an equitable and just society through the economic empowerment of women. WEV is a business resource network for anyone looking to start a business, grow a local business, or improve their business skills. WEV provides small business training, advisory services, financial literacy programs and small business loans in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. While WEV’s focus is on women, it welcomes people of all gender identities into the WEV community. Business courses, programs and loans are provided in both English and Spanish.

Safe driving

“Are we there yet?”

Have you been worried about your driving? Have your family or friends expressed concern? Changes in your health may affect your driving skills over time. Don’t risk hurting yourself or others. Talk with your doctor about any concerns you have about your health and driving.

As you age, your joints may get stiff, and your muscles may weaken. Arthritis, which is common among older adults, might affect your ability to drive. These changes can make it harder to turn your head to look back, turn the steering wheel quickly, or brake safely.

See your doctor if pain, stiffness, or arthritis seem to get in the way of your driving.

If possible, drive a car with automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, and large mirrors.

Be physically active or exercise to keep and even improve your strength and flexibility.

Think about getting hand controls for both the gas and brake pedals if you have leg problems.

Your eyesight can change as you get older. It might be harder to see people, things, and movement outside your direct line of sight. It may take longer to read street or traffic signs or even recognize familiar places. At night, you may have trouble seeing things clearly. Glare from oncoming headlights or streetlights can be a problem. Depending on the time of the day, the sun might be blinding.

Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, as well as some medicines, can also cause vision problems.

If you are 65 or older, see your eye doctor every year. Ask if there are ways to improve your eyesight.

If you need glasses or contact lenses to see far away while driving, make sure your prescription is up-to-date and correct. Always wear them when you are driving.

Cut back on or stop driving at night if you have trouble seeing in the dark. Try to avoid driving during sunrise and sunset, when the sun can be directly in your line of vision.

Trouble Hearing

As you get older, your hearing can change, making it harder to notice horns, sirens, or even noises coming from your own car. Hearing loss can be a problem because these sounds warn you when you may need to pull over or get out of the way.

Have your hearing checked at least every 3 years after age 50.

Discuss concerns you have about hearing with your doctor. There may be things that can help.

Try to keep the inside of the car as quiet as possible while driving.

Dementia and Driving

In the very early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, some people are able to keep driving. But, as memory and decision-making skills get worse, they need to stop.

People with dementia often do not know they are having driving problems. Family and friends need to monitor the person’s driving ability and take action as soon as they observe a potential problem, such as forgetting how to find familiar places like the grocery store or even their home. Work with the doctor to let the person know it’s no longer safe to keep driving.

Vol. 15, No. 06 – Dec 15 – Dec 28, 2021 – Opinion/Editorial

∙ On this issue’s cover we have an article titled “Obtaining construction permits and developmental approvals made easier.” I support this action; it still contains provisions for all of the departments and approvals required to obtain building permits.

Some people felt that the process should be very difficult and cumbersome and time consuming to dissuade people from building. This is like putting speed bumps on streets every 5 feet to slow drivers down. This is not the way to regulate construction. That is the job of planning and zoning restrictions.

∙ The City of Ventura’s City Hall will be closed from Friday, December 24, 2021, through January 1, 2022. Normal business hours resume on Monday, January 3, 2022. Public safety services will continue regular 24/7 operations.

∙ Ventura’s veterans’ affordable housing project has received $74,100 on a unanimous City Council vote. This will help to get construction going early next year. The funds came from the city’s Successor Housing Agency Fund. In May, $545,000 was also approved from the fund.

The “Ventura Springs” project will be home to 122 units with two manager’s units. The project will be located at 10866 Morning Glory Road adjacent to the existing Veterans Home of California and is being developed by Los Angeles nonprofit affordable housing developer, A Community of Friends.

It is wonderful that Ventura is expanding its facilities for our veteran’s – especially for those that are homeless.

∙ We seldom need to deal with officer related shootings in Ventura. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has found a Ventura police officer was justified when fatally shooting a man after a pursuit ended on Harbor Boulevard last year. The DA’s office routinely investigates officer involved shootings to determine whether the use of force was legally justified.

The shooting occurred on Nov. 5, 2020, involving Officer Joaquin Ortega, a 24-year veteran of the Ventura Police Department, and Javier Magaña, a 32-year-old Oxnard resident.

∙ The chief justice of the United States, John Roberts, warned that the Supreme Court risks losing its own authority if it allows states to circumvent the courts as Texas did with its near-total abortion ban. In a strongly worded opinion joined by the high court’s three liberal justices, Roberts wrote that the “clear purpose and actual effect” of the Texas law was “to nullify this Court’s rulings.” That, he said, undermines the Constitution and the fundamental role of the Supreme Court and the court system as a whole.

I think our Supreme Court system is greatly flawed, changing major laws based upon the president’s political views and ability to replace justices when possible.

∙ President Joe Biden is facing significant skepticism from the American public, with his job approval rating lagging across a range of major issues, including new lows for his handling of crime, gun violence and the economic recovery, a new ABC/Ipsos poll found. As the White House confronts rising and widespread concern about inflation, Americans are especially negative on how the Biden administration is managing this issue.

∙ Guns in The News

Four people have been killed and 8 other people are injured and a suspected shooter is in custody after a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. Reportedly the 15-year-old shooter’s father bought the gun used in the shootings, a semi-automatic 9mm Sig Sauer, just 4-days prior to the shooting in spite of the fact that his son has had major disciplinary issues at the school. In fact, the teen posted a photo of the weapon with the caption, “Just got my new beauty today.” Parents James and Jennifer Crumbley are each facing four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Perhaps they should have given him an iPad for his birthday like other kids receive.

Two people were killed in Elmore in a shooting that officials believe is a result of domestic violence, Vermont State Police said. Troopers responded to a reported domestic altercation at a home on King Road around 7 a.m.

An Ohio man has been convicted in the fatal shooting of two teens he found smoking marijuana inside a vehicle in his garage. Victor Santana, 65, of Dayton will be sentenced later this month after being convicted of murder and felonious assault. Santana shot the two 17-year-olds when he found them inside his detached garage late at night. He wanted to use the state’s new “stand your ground” defense.

Germarcus David, 29, has been arrested in the fatal shooting of his four young children and their grandmother after they were found inside a Lancaster home.

∙ This is too funny not to share. In July of 2020 a Michigan woman came across a website, “Rent-A-Hitman”, that promised to “handle your delicate situation” privately and in a timely manner.

She wanted her husband killed, and now she is in jail.

The site boasted having almost 18,000 field operatives who can do a job anywhere in the United States. It features testimonials from satisfied clients, including a man who wrote that Rent-A-Hitman “handled my disgruntled employee issue promptly while I was out of town on vacation.” So, she filled out a form on the site, seeking consultation for her issue.

I’m starting a site called “Send us $1,000 with a self-addressed envelope and we will send you $5,000 in return.”

∙Anti-Asian hate crimes increased by 76% in Los Angeles County last year. This is a trend in many other areas in America as physical and verbal attacks against Asian Americans rose. Human Relations Commission President Guadalupe Montana stated, “It did not help that the former president repeatedly referred to COVID-19 as China virus and kung flu.”

∙One Texas school district advised teachers to present opposing views of the Holocaust.

Perhaps this is what teachers will say to their students?

“Students, you must remember that in Germany some Jewish kids were riding their bikes on the sidewalk nearly hitting some people and this really upset some Germans.”

∙Amazing how quickly times have changed. The California State Fair is returning in 2022 with a new competitive category cannabis. The fair is going to honor the best marijuana in the state. I understand they have had 23,000 people apply to be judges.

∙San Diego County is set to dispatch mental health professionals to respond to people in crisis instead of sending police officers and sheriff’s deputies. Officials hope it will improve the constant struggle that most city’s have in the handling of people struggling with mental illnesses. In a future issue we will have an article on how Ventura Police handle such calls and conditions.

 

 

Finding dementia care and local services

A person with dementia will need more care as symptoms worsen over time. Problems with memory, thinking, and behavior often present challenges for those with dementia as well as for their family members. Whether the disease is in early or late stages, there are support systems, resources, and services that can help.

While it can be difficult for some to admit they need assistance with care or caregiving, it is okay to ask for help. In fact, when it comes to caregiving, taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do.

There are many different types of care available depending on the level of help or care you need.

Day-to-day support can be found through adult day centers and respite services. These options provide short-term care for a person with dementia and allow the caregiver to take a break. Day-to-day support may include supervision, meals delivered to the home, and/or transportation.

Long-term care in the home may be provided by unpaid family members and friends or by paid service providers and can involve general care or medical care. Home care services often focus on everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and ensuring the person with dementia is safe. Home health care services involve licensed medical professionals and require a doctor’s order.

Residential care may become necessary as a person with dementia requires more care and supervision than can be provided at home. Assisted living facilities may be able to provide enough support in the early stages of dementia, whereas nursing homes may be more appropriate for people who are no longer able to live safely at home. Continuing care retirement communities are multi-level care facilities that provide living accommodations and health services. A resident can move between multiple levels of care as needed.

Hospice services provide end-of-life care and comfort for people with dementia and their families. These services can be received in the home or at a residential care facility, hospital, or hospice facility.

Opera Santa Barbara presents Handel’s comedy Semele

Opera Santa Barbara kicks off the new year with its third company premiere of the season: a 90-minute adaptation of Handel’s comedy Semele, set in Hollywood’s silent movie era. Performances take place Friday, January 14, at 7:30pm and Sunday, January 16, at 2:30pm at the Lobero Theater. Tickets are now on sale at the Lobero Theatre.

George Frederick Handel, known to everyone as the composer of “The Messiah”, was one of the most successful opera composers of all time. Semele, with an English libretto based on Greek mythology, premiered in London in 1744, and caused an uproar with its baudy subject matter: Jupiter, king of the gods, pursues a romantic relationship with the mortal princess Semele.  When his wife Juno finds out, she promptly plots Semele’s demise.  In Opera Santa Barbara’s production Jupiter becomes a movie mogul with a roving eye, and Semele an ambitious ingenue who encourages his advances at her peril.  The score is filled with vocal pyrotechnics and comic shenanigans.

“Handel is one of the greatest opera composers of all time. No other composer exults the human voice like him.  Yet opera lovers often stay away from his operas because of their length”, said Opera SB’s Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas. “This version of Semele is only 90 minutes long and contains some of Handel’s greatest tunes. Now more than ever we need to start the new year on a lighthearted note.  Semele is our New Year’s toast to Santa Barbara for a happier 2022.”

Santa Barbara-born and Metropolitan Opera National Council Award winner soprano Jana McIntyre sings the title role;  the cast includes Sarah Coit as Juno; Robert Stahley of the Los Angeles Opera Young Artists Program as Jupiter; Music Academy of the West alumn Logan Tanner as Athamas; Colin Ramsay in the dual role of Kadmus and Somnus; Christina Pezzarossi as Ino; and Chrisman Studio Artist Sunwoo Park as Iris.

The production will be directed by Los Angeles-based Sara Widzer, who made her company debut with “Carmen in your Car” in December 2020.  Rising star conductor Emily Senturia, with recent appearances at Washington National Opera, Houston Grand, Boston Lyric, and Wolf Trap Operas, makes her Opera Santa Barbara debut conducting members of the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra.  Projection Designer Yuki Izumihara, choreographer Nicola Bowie, Lighting Designer Helena Kuukka, wig and makeup designer Heather Sterling, and Costume Designer Stacie Logue complete the all-female creative team.

“The great thing about Baroque opera is that there is so much freedom of interpretation,” said conductor Emily Senturia. “Working on music from this era is such terrific fun because even though it’s centuries old, reinventing it through new ornaments, new tempos, and new choices is part of the process.”

All patrons must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or negative test within the last 72 hours accompanied by picture ID.  Patrons are required to wear a face covering while indoors. Detailed health protocols can be found on the Lobero Lobero website

Reserved tickets can be purchased online at lobero.org, and are currently priced at $149 and $99.  A limited number of You Decide! Tickets (pay-what-you-can) are also available by phone through the Lobero Box Office, at (805) 963.0761, thanks to a generous grant from the Holly and Walter Thompson Foundation, Bank of America, N.A. Co-trustee.

Vol. 15, No. 06 – Dec 15 – Dec 28, 2021 – Police Reports

by Cindy Summers

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.

Carjacking with Arrest

On December 2, at approximately 11:30 pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 9-1-1 call from a witness regarding a possible carjacking that had just occurred in the 300 block of S. Borchard Dr. The victim was reportedly laying on the ground after having been beaten by the suspects, who stole her car.

Upon arrival, officers located the victim, a 46-year-old female, who had major injuries. The victim reported that she had been parked on Borchard Drive and got out of her vehicle, preparing to make a charity donation at a nearby collection facility when another vehicle stopped near her, and several subjects got out. She was approached by 3 to 4 females who demanded money and property.

When she said she had no money, the female suspects began to beat her until she fell to the ground. At that point, a male suspect got into the victim’s vehicle, which still had the keys in the ignition, and shouted to the female suspects that they should take the vehicle. The victim got up and reached into the driver’s window of her car to attempt to grab the keys and prevent the theft. The male suspect struck her forcefully, possibly with a blunt object, knocking her down and causing a major facial injury. The suspects drove off, some in the victim’s vehicle and others in the original vehicle they arrived in.

Patrol officers searched the area and located the stolen vehicle as the suspects were driving it nearby. Officers attempted an enforcement stop, but the driver fled in the vehicle. The driver, a 17-year-old male, crashed the vehicle several blocks away. The suspect driver was seriously injured and was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. At the time of this writing, he remains in the hospital in serious condition. There was one passenger in the vehicle, a 15- year-old female. The female was identified as one of the perpetrators in the crime. She had minor injuries, was treated at the hospital, and has since been booked at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Center for Carjacking, Attempted Robbery, and Conspiracy.

The outstanding suspect vehicle was described as a black sedan or hatchback. There are at least two suspects outstanding. They are described as appearing “young,” possibly in their late teens or early twenties. The juvenile suspects who were apprehended were residents of the city of Oxnard. The victim was transported to the hospital for medical treatment and is expected to fully recover. Anyone with information about this incident or the identities of the outstanding suspects is asked to call the Ventura Police at (805) 650-8010.

Attempted Murder Arrest

On November 18, at approximately 1:00 am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a subject screaming for help at California St and Thompson Bl.

Officers arrived on scene and located a male victim suffering from a single stab wound to the throat. Ventura City Fire and AMR Ambulance were summoned to the scene and the victim was transported to the Ventura County Medical Center where he underwent emergency surgery for a life-threatening injury. Ventura Police Detectives began to investigate the stabbing and took countless hours attempting to locate potential witnesses or video evidence of the crime. Based on physical evidence, witness, and victim statements investigators identified 31 year old Ventura resident Armando Garcia as the suspect.

The ensuing investigation revealed that the victim and suspect were involved in an altercation at Santa Clara parking structure when the suspect got upset and stabbed the victim one time in the neck. The suspect fled from the location as the victim ran for help.

On December 6, at approximately Ventura Police Department detectives located Armando Garcia and arrested him for an arrest warrant related to this case.

Garcia was booked into Ventura County Jail for attempted murder. The victim has since recovered from his injury.

Garcia has prior arrests for assault with a deadly weapon with gang enhancements, felon in possession of a deadly weapon, an additional arrest for assault with a deadly weapon, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Attempted Residential Armed Robberies with Arrests

On December 6, at approximately 12:00 am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call to the 100 block of Reata Ave regarding an attempted armed robbery. Officers arrived in scene and contacted the victims who said they were unloading groceries from their vehicle when they were confronted by two suspects armed with handguns. The suspects demanded money from the victims and attempted to enter the victim’s residence. The victims did not comply with the suspects, and they fled in a vehicle parked nearby.

On December 7, at approximately 5:30 am, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call in the 5000 block of Shenandoah St. regarding suspicious circumstances. Two suspects were at the victim’s residence knocking on the door stating they were security officers from the complex and they needed them to come outside. The victim called the police as the suspects remained at the front door.

Officers arrived on scene and immediately detained one suspect wearing a security jacket. The second suspect was stopped in a vehicle attempting to flee the area. The ensuing investigation revealed that the suspects were the same from both incidents. The suspect that was detained in from of the residence on Shenandoah St was in possession of two loaded handguns. The suspects were identified as: 30 year old Oxnard resident Joseph Felix Damion and was arrested for two counts of attempted armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery. 27 year old Los Angeles resident Kang Sooyoung and was arrested for two counts of attempted armed robbery, two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery, felon in possession of a loaded handgun, and a violation of parole. No victims were injured during the commission of these crimes

Child Luring Arrest

The Ventura Police Department, in conjunction with the Ventura Unified School District, has been investigating several cases of an individual who had been on the Ventura High Campus without authorization. The subject, identified as 28 year old Ventura resident Dylan Thoele, was first contacted on November 16 by school staff and was advised he was on campus illegally and not to return while school was in session.

On November 23, Thoele returned to campus and was contacted by School staff and fled prior to being contacted by the police. Thoele returned to the campus later in the day and was arrested by School Resource Officers for misdemeanor trespassing while he was engaging school children in conversation.

On December 8, Thoele returned to campus and was seen by school staff having inappropriate conversations with students on campus. Ventura Police Department arrived on campus, but Thoele had left prior to officers arriving. The Ventura Police Department conducted an investigation with the Special Victim’s Unit that culminated in the arrest of Theole later that day at approximately 4:30 pm. Theole was booked into the Ventura County Jail for felony child luring with the intent to commit sexual acts.

The Ventura Police Department and the Ventura Unified School District maintain a strong collaborative relationship focused on the safety and security of students and staff on campus.

Stabbing with Arrest

On December 8 at approximately 7:00 pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 9-1-1 call of a disturbance inside a residence in the 3700 block of Dean Drive. Upon arrival officers located a female victim in her 20’s suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officers provided first aid to the victim and, based on the severity of her injuries, immediately transported her to a local hospital in a patrol car.

After a brief standoff at the residence, the suspect was arrested, 24 year old Ventura resident Tommy Kelley. The investigation revealed the victim and the suspect are relatives. They got into an argument, which resulted in the suspect stabbing the victim several times. Family members then called 9-1-1. The victim is currently in stable condition at the hospital. The suspect was booked at Ventura County Jail for resisting arrest (misdemeanor) and assault with a deadly weapon (felony).

Residential Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, Possession of Narcotics and Firearm, Carrying a Loaded Firearm in a Vehicle Arrest

On November 28, at approximately 11:30am, it was reported to the Ventura Police Department that property had been stolen from a garage in the 1700 block of Daffodil Ave. The Ventura Police Street Crimes Unit was able to identify 31 year old Ventura resident Victor Michael Flores as the suspect of the burglary. On December 9, at approximately 10:00 am, detectives located Flores in the 9000 block of Telephone Rd. Flores was detained and found to be in possession of stolen property, illegal narcotics, and a loaded firearm.

Flores was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for residential burglary, possession of stolen property, a prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a firearm and narcotics, and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Flores has prior convictions for stealing a vehicle, DUI, carrying a loaded handgun, and has been arrested for felony evading, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of controlled substance, and elder abuse.

Tuba Christmas

Photos by Jill Forman

Tuba Christmas was held on Sunday, Dec.5 at noon at the Pacific View Mall.  Players ages ranged from 13 to 82 from all over Southern California including local high schoolers.
Dr. Julie Judd was the conductor.

Vol. 15, No. 06 – Dec 15 – Dec 28, 2021 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Elite Stages Non-traditional Holiday Offering

To usher out 2021, the Elite Theater in Oxnard brings an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus to the stage. Not your average light-weight holiday fare full of cheery songs and well wishes. Instead, it is a feast of blood and bitter tongue.

This version, adapted and directed by Bill Walthall, offers a panoply of variations on the Bard’s theme of rivalry, revenge, and retribution. The cast is all-female, save for one. The title character is renamed Tita, played by Sindy McKay-Swerdlove. She embodies her role completely, complete with haircut and tattoos. Well done. She is flanked by an army of Goths, followers and soldiers waiting to do as she bids.

Most of the character names from the original were not changed, simply made to fit within this premise. Warrior women works well, and one quickly dismisses any necessary gender mentions. The character of Aaron the Moor is managed capably by Stan McConnell, the sole male in the cast, who maintains a critical role in the story.

The production utilizes multiple levels of the theater to good advantage, adding depth to the action. Props are used sparingly, allowing the actors freedom to bring the Bard’s words into focus. Costuming has a Mad Max feel to it, giving the staging an almost futuristic and timeless ambiance which has been proven to work well for Shakespeare’s writings.

The acting acumen of the cast is uneven, keeping in mind that this is community theater, and everyone must start somewhere. Shakespeare is not the easiest of trials for any actor, seasoned or not, and I was impressed with the line delivery throughout regardless of recitation style. Every line deserves to be heard.

The main characters are all experienced and solid. Backing up Tita is Theresa Secor as Marcus Andronicus, Tita’s sister. She and Swerdlove deliver exceptionally passionate performances. Also of note are Alyssa Carmen as Tamora, Queen of the Goths, and Ashely Maimes as Lavinia, Tita’s daughter.

To minimize the bloodshed (this is touted as the Bard’s bloodiest play), a murder coach (Prof. John Comstock) is credited in the program. Director Walthall cleverly staged bodies to disappear into a great pit or otherwise go out of sight. The many killings are then implied by movement adjustments and costuming enhancement.

The first act was strong and powerfully played as the story unfolded and the audience adjusted to the “look” of the action. However, the second act seemed to me to downgrade into periods of melodrama in delivery and characterization, eliciting laughs as one after another individual was dispensed with and dragged offstage, to return as another minor character.

Andronicus is an unusual choice for season’s end, but it does serve as a reminder that despite a challenging year we have managed to survive and move forward. The Elite is struggling to continue as well. Your support is appreciated.

Andronicus continues through December 19 on the South Stage at the Elite Theater. www.theElite.org or 805-483-5118.