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Vol. 15, No. 02 – Oct 20 – Nov 2, 2021 – A View from House Seats

October Spirits Abound

Santa Paula Theatre Center’s annual Ghostwalk has arisen once again. Closed last year due to the pandemic (even ghosts can get Covid), the popular October event is back on this year. Held in a different location each season, this year’s event starts and ends at the SPTC location itself, 125 S. 7th Street, Santa Paula, with much of the tour traversing nearby Ebell Park.

Tours led by enthusiastic ghost-hosts depart every 15 minutes from the main entrance. Along the way, patrons make six stops, meeting up with spirits who are speaking from the other side of the grave, telling the tales of their demise. Among the tales are sprinkled bits of Santa Paula history and familiar areas.

The tales are all family friendly, spooky, and fascinating. All ages will delight with this walk into the dark October night. Primarily the walkers stand throughout the performances, although a few chairs are provided at each stop. This year’s tour is not wheelchair accessible and takes about an hour and a bit, concluding once again at the theater building.

Ghostwalk tours are by reservation – www.ghostwalk.com or (805) 525-3073. Choose your tour time online. Masks are required and warm clothing is encouraged as evening falls swiftly. Performances are Friday and Saturday and Sunday evenings through October 30, with one Thursday, the 28th.

Halloween Radio Dramedy
The award-winning Every Now and Then Theatre’s 33rd year brings a Halloween mystery to the radio on NewsTalk 1590 KVTA on October 30 and October 31.

An original mystery “Shorty Cut Across” will be presented, hosted by former San Diego Charger running back Chuck Muncie. The commercial-free airing features numerous local talents well known to loyal audiences.
Always a well-crafted story and outstanding production, Every Now and Then Theatre this year will attempt to solve the energy crisis. Interspersed with the story will be snippets of “history on filling stations and surprising research on a future fuel possibility that could send OPEC packing.”

Tune in on Saturday October 30 at 2 p.m. or 9 p.m., or Sunday, October 31 at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. or 7 p.m. The nationwide broadcast will be accessible via the KVTA website by clicking on “Listen Live.”

Vol. 15, No. 02 – Oct 20 – Nov 2, 2021 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

October offers advice and thrills

Ojai Art Center Theatre has opened Tiny Beautiful Things, based on the book by American author Cheryl Strayed (perhaps best known for her memoir Wild) and adapted for stage by Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding). The play chronicles a true and fascinating period in Strayed’s life – one in which she ventures into the unknown with no small amount of trepidation.

Strayed apparently was a fan of an online literary magazine called The Rumpus and followed the advice column called Dear Sugar. At some point Sugar decided to retire and offered the position to Strayed. Despite knowing nothing about writing an advice column, Strayed agreed and became the new Dear Sugar.

Instead of offering direct advice, Strayed related applicable experiences from her own life to show the letter writers how she had coped with or overcome a situation. A compilation of these actual letters and her responses are what make up the book and the play.

Lynn Van Emmerik carries the bulk of the piece, portraying Dear Sugar in all her circular glory, from confusion to confidence. She is aided by a Greek chorus of three women, all dressed in black, who become the embodiment of the various letter writers. Elektra Cohen, Ashley Osler, and Isobel Roth all take on myriad personas to challenge the columnist. The result is a panoply of introspections, revelations, and realizations all around.
The letters are real, as are the situations. Due to strong language and addressing sensitive subjects head-on such as sexual assault, child abuse, death/suicide and infidelity, discretion in attendance is highly advised. As Director Bob Blough states in the program, “It is not a play for the faint-hearted. Stay with it and it will lead you to wonder, forgiveness and joy. But first it deals with the awful realities of life.”

There is also a good measure of light-heartedness, even humor, in how every situation is addressed. Presented in one 90-minute act, the audience becomes drawn into the plights and challenges, rooting for both the letter writers and the columnist, who is graphically relaying her own struggles with life. The ensemble works cohesively, each bringing both serious and playful elements to their roles.

A two-story home interior setting provides a warm, familiar, settling background to the cacophony of issues that assault her. As she sits at her kitchen table with her laptop, the consistent ping of incoming mail alternately gives her focus and a feeling of overwhelming responsibility to the letter writers. Emmerik conveys that internal pressure to the audience unapologetically.

The Art Center Theatre is busy planning their next season. The multi-talented Tracey Williams Sutton has recently taken on the role of Artistic Director for the theater so stay tuned for what promises to be a season of renewal.

Tiny Beautiful Things is playing through October 24, 2021, on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. (805)640-9897 or wwww.ojaiact.org for pricing and tickets.

Masks and proof of vaccination are required. Safety protocols are in place.

March for reproductive justice held in Ventura

The event was spearheaded by the Women’s March national organization. Photo by Patricia Schallert

The Supreme Court signaled it is prepared to dismantle women’s reproductive rights when it refused to stop Texas’ SB 8, which made abortion illegal after six weeks and instituted a bounty system on violators. On December 1st the Court is scheduled to hear Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a Mississippi case which prohibits abortion after 15 weeks.

“Roe v Wade is under attack like never before in its 50-year history,” said Miriam Mack, Justice For All Ventura County Board Member. “Our march, along with marches in over 600 communities across the country, is intended to show the Court that a woman’s right to control her reproductive destiny is a human right that must be protected.”

Hundreds of Ventura County women (and men) marched on Saturday, October 2, at noon at Ventura City Hall. Marching were Justice For All Ventura County, along with the Ventura County Reproductive Rights Network, Planned Parenthood, Indivisible Ventura, Women United for Change and others. They marched to the State Court of Appeals Building at Santa Clara Street and Figueroa Plaza.

The effort is spearheaded by the Women’s March national organization and is intended to send a message to the Supreme Court that 77% of the country wants to preserve the protections of Roe v Wade and state legislative actions to limit that right cannot stand.

The march was disciplined and peaceful and the signs sent a clear message that the protections of Roe v Wade must be preserved.

For more information go to https://justiceforallvc.org/.

A vacant lot has been transformed into a beautiful garden

The large lot behind the Museum of Ventura County, on Santa Clara, is now a permanent and temporary garden of sculptures and metal tee-pees. It opened on September 22 and included live music and a food truck.

The project, “Echoes of a Recent Past.” was created by Ventura artist Paul Lindhard from Art City Studios located off of Ventura Ave.

Many of the materials came from the buildings that were demolished across the street.

“Echos of a Recent Past” can easily be viewed from the street as folks drive by looking through the chain-link fence. It will be open during special events and accessed from Santa Clara.

Elena Brokaw, The Museum Barbara Barnard Smith Executive Director told the Breeze
“We are very thankful to Paul Lindhard for his vision and hard work. He and his team transformed an ugly empty lot into a beautiful and sustaining art installation and place of peace and contemplation. The space is not only attractive – the artwork speaks to the transformation of space, and the temporal nature of our built environment.”

Deputy Director of the Museum Denise Sindelar went on “The Museum of Ventura County had 237 attendees at the opening reception for Paul Lindhard’s Echoes of a Recent Past art and garden installation. There were musical and aerial performances set to the backdrop of the setting sun on the evening of the Autumnal Equinox. The evening began with a ceremonial Chumash blessing offered by tribal leader Julie Tumamait-Stenslie

County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez in CAPS Media studio

Recently CAPS Media produced a set of informative videos with Ventura County Supervisor Carmen Ramirez in the CAPS Media studio directed to renters throughout the county that have been impacted by COVID-19. Recorded in English and Spanish the informational videos provide renters facing eviction with clear direction on how to obtain assistance from the County and other resources. The videos and other information can be viewed at venturacountyrecovers.org

CAPS Media’s local Radio station – KPPQ, 104.1FM is adding new programming every week. New episodes of In The Women’s Room, Teen Centric and Ventura Vibe!, are being added to the scheduled. Plus new shows selected from outstanding programs throughout the country are added to the 24×7 mix on KPPQ.

The KPPQ team is also working Ventura’s creative community to develop and distribute personalized podcasts on a variety of topics. Plus the continued expanision of KPPQ has fostered a search for a media intern to help with programming, social media and more. Anyone interested in working with the KPPQ crew should send a message to [email protected].

ECTV, the award-winning student internship collaboration between CAPS Media and El Camino High school is gearing up for the new school year. Mentored by CAPS Media staff and utilizing the resources at the CAPS Media Center, El Camino high school students write, produce, direct, host, and edit magazine-style video and podcast programs on topics of interest and concern to teenagers. Student topics range from drug abuse and discrimination to racial prejudice, the climate crisis and more in their self-titled ECTV series.

The innovative program teaches students how to use digital, computer-based tools and technology to create, develop and communicate their stories. The program includes hands-on training with HD video cameras, audio recording equipment, digital editing equipment and graphic software. In addition to developing hands-on media skills the students receive high school, college, and community service credits. This year the ECTV program expands into the KPPQ study for training in radio production and podcasting.

For more information on how to become a member/producer at CAPS Media and information on programming and more, go to capsmedia.org.

Due to the COVID-19 emergency the CAPS Media Center is closed to Members and the public until further notice. CAPS Member/Producers can submit programming via the online portal at capsmedia.org for broadcast and streaming on CAPS public access television Channel 6 and on CAPS Radio KPPQ 104.1FM.

All of us at CAPS Media encourage everyone to get vaccinated. The sooner we are all vaccinated the sooner we can fully enjoy our beautiful community, and the sooner we can reopen the CAPS Media Center to our Members and the public. We hope you all Stay Safe and Stay Strong during these challenging times.

The Ventura Fire Department goes pink in October

For the 11th consecutive year, the Ventura Fire Department will partner with the Ventura City Firefighters Association and various Downtown Ventura businesses to support and promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month by selling pink, embossed department t-shirts.

Limited-edition t-shirts are available to the public during the month of October, while supplies last. Additionally, Ventura firefighters will wear pink t-shirts from October 1-15, to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and treatment in the battle against breast cancer.

This year, funds raised through t-shirt sales will be donated to Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, a local non-profit and independent grassroots organization that helps women and families affected by breast cancer by providing education, advocacy, and emotional and social support.

Residents can purchase pink shirts or donate to the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation at the following participating local businesses:

  • Anacapa Brewing Company
  • Ventura Chamber of Commerce
  • Crush Salon & Dry Bar
  • Snapper Jack’s Taco Shack, downtown location only
  • Tiki Girl 
  • Ventura Visitors Center 
  • Very Ventura Gift Shop and Gallery 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, t-shirts will not be available for sale at any Ventura Fire stations.

To learn more about the Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation, please visit www.RibbonsVentura.org.

Ventura Boys & Girls Club nearing teen center reopening

VCCAR members present check to Peter McClintock with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura.

The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Ventura was forced to close its facility in West Ventura in June over a dispute with the Ventura Unified School District over state grant requirements. Since then, club officials have been scrambling to find an alternate facility where they can reopen their teen center as a first step in reopening the entire club – a fixture in the low-income neighborhood since 1968.

Those efforts took a giant leap forward this month when the Young Professionals Network (YPN) of the Ventura County Coastal Association of Realtors donated $10,032.89 to the Boys & Girls Club – the proceeds of its wildly successful fundraising auction in August.

“We were so surprised at how much we received. It was a godsend,” said Peter McClintock, the club’s director of resource development. “The YPN group was so much fun to work with and they’re really focused on helping the community. We are so grateful.”

Patti Birmingham, the club’s CEO, said reopening the teen center is extremely important as it provides mentoring and support for teens who otherwise would have too little of either.

“Most of their parents are working two jobs at the least, and most of the parents can’t really help them with their homework,” she said. “The teens’ experiences are limited – lots of kids in that end of town haven’t even been to the beach. And that can lead to a lot of bad choices in a dangerous environment. They need a safe space and mentoring to get through middle school and high school and into a job or a career.”

Birmingham added that they are close to closing a deal and have set an ambitious date of Nov. 1 to open. At worst, they are confident the center will be open by the end of the year and expect to have between 80 and 100 teen members. The donation will be applied to the start-up costs.

The group reached out to Jack Dyer, owner of Topa Topa Brewing, who has a long track record of helping with fundraisers, and he immediately agreed to host the auction and to contribute a portion of the proceeds to the club.

While the auction proceeds will greatly benefit the teen center opening, the club is still looking for additional support for ongoing operational costs and to reopen programs for younger children. For more information, contact Peter McClintock at (805) 641-5585.

VCCAR is a professional trade association of nearly 2,000 licensed real estate agents in western Ventura County, including the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Fillmore and Port Hueneme.

St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo earn national recognition

Sherri Greif, Nurse Practitioner, Stroke Program Manager and Nicole Schumacher, Neuro Nurse Practitioner are proud of the recognition.

Dignity Health—St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo (SJHC) have received the American Heart Association’s Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines-Stroke was developed to assist health care professionals to provide the most up-to-date, research-based guidelines for treating stroke patients.

Each year program participants apply for the award recognition by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, participants also provide education to patients to help them manage their health and rehabilitation once at home.

“We are pleased to recognize St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo for their commitment to stroke care,” said Lee H. Schwamm, M.D., national chairperson of the Quality Oversight Committee and Executive Vice Chair of Neurology, Director of Acute Stroke Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.

“Research has shown that hospitals adhering to clinical measures through the Get With The
Guidelines quality improvement initiatives can often see fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates.”

SJRMC and SJHC also received the Association’s Target: StrokeSM Elite Plus award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed to reduce the time between the patient’s arrival at the hospital and treatment with the clot-buster tissue plasminogen activator, or tPA, the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat ischemic stroke.

Additionally, both SJRMC and SJHC received the Association’s Target: Type 2 Honor Roll award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet quality measures developed with more than 90% of compliance for 12 consecutive months for the “Overall Diabetes Cardiovascular Initiative Composite Score.”
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Local veteran given experimental drug

Bennett’s journey has not been an easy one.

by Sheli Ellsworth

In 1943, nine-year-old Maureen Bennett came down with meningitis—an inflammation of the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. “They’d done lumbar punctures to diagnose, and I had terrible nosebleeds. Some people told us to use brown paper or a clean dime under my upper lip to stop the bleeding–it rarely helped. I was miserable. I remember being in bed and seeing company walking outside past my bedroom window towards our front door. That was the last thing I can recall before going unconscious,” says Bennett. “I was told that I began convulsing and my parents, aunt and uncle put me in the car and raced to the hospital.” Bennett’s father tore up the road between the towns of Coleman and Saginaw, Michigan while her uncle prayed. “Dumb luck got us to the right hospital. Our family doctor had called ahead, but my dad just followed the signs that said ‘hospital’ and it turned out to be the right one.” Bennett’s temperature was 106° F.

Doctors at the Saginaw hospital told her parents that they had a new experimental medication that might save their daughter’s life. “They said, ‘We have this drug but it could leave her a vegetable; it could kill her, but it might let her live.’ My parents had no choice.” The doctors experimented with the dosage because not enough was known about the drug.

One afternoon, six weeks later, Bennett woke up from her coma. “My mom screamed and nurses came running. I couldn’t get out of the hospital fast enough. I soon went home, but I couldn’t walk. I scooted a chair around like a walker and I leaned on its back.” Maureen recovered and became her mother’s helper, caring for her five younger siblings.

The drug Bennett had been given was penicillin.

Two years later in 1945, Sottish scientist-physician Alexander Fleming, Australian pharmacologist-pathologist Howard Florey and German-British biochemist Ernst Chain shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery and development of penicillin. It is estimated that 80-200 million human lives have been saved by penicillin. Originally derived from the Penicillium mold on melons, the name penicillin was chosen “to avoid the repetition of the rather cumbersome phrase: mould broth filtrate,” according to Fleming.

Bennett’s journey has not been an easy one. She served in the U.S. Navy as a teletype operator for four years and was in the Army reserve for sixteen. Eventually, she married and had four boys. “Then my husband abandoned us and we lived in my Falcon car for a while. I eventually went to nursing school and worked as an LVN for ten years.” She also worked as a mail carrier. Bennett, who now goes by the last name Finlay, is unable to tolerate most medications which is a problem for someone her age. “The doctors think I can’t take medications because of the penicillin. I’m in pain most days, but I can’t take pain pills. They just put me out.” A resident at the Veterans Home-Ventura for the last seven years, she is now dependent on a mobility device at the assisted living facility. “But, I’m fortunate that I had someplace to go. Many are not so lucky.”

Note: Do you know (or are) a senior with an interesting story to tell let us know at [email protected].