∙SPAN Thrift Store is now open to the public and in need of volunteers to operate day to day. If you are interested or have questions please call (805) 641-1170 to inquire.
In addition, SPAN is back and providing $10 spays and neuters for low income households with cats and dogs.
The next one is at the Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Friday, September 11th. Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.
∙Three types of dog foods sold nationwide recalled over high levels of mold by-product
By Mallika Kallingal, CNN
Sunshine Mills has issued a voluntary recall of three dog food products due to high levels of aflatoxin, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring mold by-product and can be harmful to pets if consumed in significant quantities.
Family Pet Meaty Cuts beef chicken & cheese flavors premium dog food, Heartland Farms grilled favorites beef chicken & cheese flavor, and Paws Happy Life butcher’s choice dog food have been affected by the recall announced Wednesday. The products were distributed in retail stores nationwide.
So far, no illnesses have been reported in association with these products, the FDA says, and other Sunshine Mills pet food products are not affected. The FDA says these products were recalled as a precautionary measure and no adverse health effects related to them have been reported.
“Pets that have consumed any of the recalled products and exhibit symptoms of illness including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, vomiting, yellowish tint to the eyes or gums, or diarrhea should be seen by a veterinarian,” the FDA statement says.
Retailers have been asked to pull the affected products from their inventory and customers who have purchased the products can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The potential for aflatoxin levels above the acceptable limit in these products was discovered by routine sampling performed by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the FDA says.
∙Sometimes research provides groundbreaking information that can change our lives. Other times it confirms what we already know, but provides empirical evidence to bolster nagging. A study of pet feeding practices recently published in the British Medical Journals’ Vet Record definitely falls into the second category. A survey of 3,673 English-speaking pet owners in five countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S., and the U.K.) found that only 13% of dogs and 32% of cats ate pet food and pet food only.
In the abstract of the paper, they conclude: “As an increased risk of nutrient insufficiency and associated conditions have been attributed to unconventional feeding practices, veterinarians must be aware of pet feeding trends and educate clients about the nutritional needs of companion animals.” Which seems like a lot of work to go through to get vets to tell humans to be careful about feeding their pets, but whatever works, I guess.
The Toronto Sun spoke to Sarah Dodd, the lead author of the study, who said that one of the researchers’ biggest concerns was people feeding their pets raw food: “We have concerns, particularly for potential microbial contamination (harmful bacteria) and how that can affect not only the pets in the household but also the people.” She added that people are suspicious of conventional pet food because it’s processed, and they’ve been warned about the dangers of processed foods to humans.
Pet food, Dodd said, is different: kibbles contain a nutritional balance that can’t be duplicated by homemade food alone. And then she said the thing that vets always say: before you make any drastic changes in your pet’s diet, consult their vet!Dogs possess an ability that humans can only dream of dog compass
For more up-to-the-date listings go to VenturaRocks.com
All Venues Ventura, unless otherwise noted.
The Canyon at Oxnard PACC Oxnard Performing Arts Center Parking Lot
Drive in style concerts
Fri 9/11: Generation Idol
Sat 9/12: The Long Run
Fri 9/18: Masters of Puppets
Sat 9/19: Pulley, Stalag 13, Bad Samaritans, Sidekick
Sat 9/26: DSB
Fri 10/2: Blonde Ambition
Concerts in Your Car Ventura County Fairgrounds 10 W. Harbor Blvd.
RUBICON Stage Productions
9/7 – 9/9: Music of the Knights
Thus 9/10: Metalachi
Sun 9/13: Regulo Caro
Thurs 9/17: Robby Krieger of the Doors
Fri 9/18: Foreverland
Thurs 9/24: Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band
Fri 9/25: Cypress Hill
Sat 9/26: Dirty Heads
Sat 10/24: Oingo Boingo (former members)
Concerts in the Park Arroyo Vista Community Park Moorpark, CA
Sun 9/13: The Trip
The City and surrounding areas are still not allowing live music in venues, not even outdoors unless it’s one of the drive-in style and you’re in a car, or at least next to your car in a parking lot. Concerts in Your Car in the fairgrounds parking lot continue to add shows including Robby Krieger of the Doors, the Dirty Heads and Cypress Hill.
The Canyon at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center (parking lot) seems to be focusing on tribute bands with the exception of a punk show on the 19th. They’re calling them Carpool Jam Concerts with tribute bands featuring the music of Metallica, Madonna, Journey, Doors, Billy Idol and more.
I’m always jazzed to hear local artists have new music they’ve been working on and have a new CD or EP to share; such is the case with Dan Grimm and his new EP called Before the Floor. As co-owner of Carbonite Sound out of Ojai (along with Jason Mariani), Grimm not only has some amazing resources, and contacts, but yes, talent, and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention his dry sense of humor.
Pam Baumgardner: This is your fourth release after Average Savage, Ventucky and Corvus Crow, correct?
Dan Grimm: Yes exactly
How would you say you’ve grown, or evolved? First with your songwriting, and then with the recording process.
Dan: Songwriting growth is tough to answer. There are those songs that the universe writes and you are a passenger for, and there is the crafter-grind that turns out songs through effort. The spontaneously written and finished ones are gifted to you and there is little to work on other than whatever innate melody/chord structure, and form skills have been slowly growing. The grinder songs… I guess I can say I’m writing more pointedly for purpose and delivery instead of just for therapy like you do when it’s really just for your own mind’s maintenance. So at this point, I feel like you could point me at a topic and I could likely make something or several somethings that fit the need and don’t completely suck.
Relevant to this collection of songs, though, some are very very old and the growth is the sound in studio and how I work with Dave Palmer, who continues to become more and more a main musical compadre and influence. “Space Black” was a song I liked and I wrote in college in 1999, but it took me this long to find the right composition. This version was a bunch of people in a room getting very weird and nailing something I had never been able to ask for in words before.
Tell me about the players on this EP.
Dave Palmer was the first person I asked to get involved and help produce with me. He heavily influenced the sound and within the industry he’s known to be the kind of gifted dude he was for this album and so many songs on the radio like “Feel it Still” by Portugal the Man, De La Soul, Chris Isaak, Cardi B, Bruno Mars, and more than I can even name drop. His heavy foray into movie scores was a major influence on the approach, as well. Very importantly, I also asked him to assemble the other players. His piano and synth, which are largely live, always move the song but he’s never pushy with his own parts. He had decades of songs to choose from in my library and while I knew Before the Floor had to be on this one, he had us drop two additional songs to ensure the guys had a fun day in studio, (which we did).
Matt Chamberlain was my main target for drums. He’s really hard to get and luckily just loves Dave, because I was repeatedly told only A-list cats can hope to see him show up for sessions. He’s on Bob Dylan’s new album Rough and Rowdy Ways that is garnering so much attention, and he’s been the go-to guy for Pearl Jam, John Mayer, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, The Who, Stevie Nicks, and the list literally goes on and on.
From the iconic snap on “Can’t All be Loves Songs” to the absolute genius on “Space Black Night,” he was everything I had hoped for and more. Jokingly, Palmer suggested he never repeat patterns on the lengthy Space Black Night cut, he said “I can probably do that, let’s try.” He then proceeded to nail it for two consecutive takes, which completely blew my mind, and one of those takes is the cut we are releasing.
Tim Young is probably most famous for having his own Queer Eye makeover as the shaggy guitar player in the Late Show band with James Cordon. He’s also been Beck’s live guitar player, and worked with Lady Gaga, Cher, Sting, Alisha Keys, Kermit the Frog, and many more. The solo on “Before the Floor” was played on his cigarette case amp, which is literally electronics installed into a single pack of cigarettes. The tone he got out of it is really cool and I had never seen one used before that.
Jonny Flaugher is a very bad man on bass. He’s got a very groovy pocket, and he can be busy without being pushy or disappear in the ether while supporting the song with a really nice low tonecraft. I dug his work with Ryan Adams and he’s also sort of the anthropomorphic representation of New Jersey. My truck door might still be holding a grudge from the after-recording celebration, but I’m already plotting to get him in on a bunch of recordings in the future and I stay in touch with him regularly because he’s a lovely guy on top of how talented he is on bass.
Jesse Siebenberg is a long-time friend and collaborator who plays most instruments better than most folks who just play one thing. He played steel guitar on “Can’t All Be Love Songs” just as he did for Lukas Nelson and Lady Gaga for the movie A Star is Born with Bradley Cooper. He is also the current lead man of Supertramp and son of Supertramp’s drummer Bob Siebenberg, as well as nephew of Thin Lizzy’s guitar player Scott Gorham.
I’m loving “They Can’t All be Love Songs,” I played it on the latest episode of The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour on KPPQ-LP. You must be super proud! Tell me the back story on this one.
Dan: This one was written in my most productive period as a writer when I was writing for the band milEs and living completely nocturnally in Los Angeles. The verses are extremely literal and true, but the inspiration came from the fact that the band’s singer and other writer basically only wrote love songs. The rest of the band wanted me to break that pattern, so I wrote a song about not just writing love songs… that I guess wasn’t really a departure from love songs, but it was an inside joke topically.
Jesse wasn’t supposed to play on the EP, but he came by for a listen and liked “Can’t All Be Love Songs” so much he wanted to sit in with the band. His lap steel parts on the solo sections were played live with Tim’s amp side by side, so they both had to nail the synchronized guitarmony parts without making any mistakes, as we could not edit the guitars separately.
This song and the whole album were live tracked, so everyone played as a live performance band instead of layer by layer. That has always felt more like music to me as I know and enjoy it, but it’s becoming the exception in the modern industry. We had a really good time recording all these songs and the day went by way too fast. Usually a day in the studio means late into night, but in this case, we took 2-3 takes per song… cut a few solos over again, added another layer of Dave in some select spots, and then went wine tasting by late afternoon. It was nuts.
Too funny!! I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for that session! So where do you find your inspiration to write songs. Is there a typical way for you? And are you always writing, or does it come and go throughout your life?
Dan: The plan is to always be in the midst of writing songs, though sometimes I don’t get whole songs so much as a line, or verse, or something that ends up being a bridge in a separate song later, or just a concept for a song or album. Inspiration comes from all over the place… the only time I’ve ever had writer’s block is when I’ve locked myself in a room to focus on writing songs for too long and actually robbed myself of outside stimulus. I try to have lots of processes to keep out of ruts. I do have a go-to strategy to drive inspiration though, I frequently switch dominant hands for long periods of time to rewire my brain. Thank god for computers because I’ve found my handwriting awful both left and right handed.
During these pandemic times, how are you planning to get the word out on your EP? All the usual outlets?
It will be on www.carbonitesound.com and that’s probably it. Artists are getting robbed blind by basically every service except maybe the non-streaming form of apple music and band camp, so I want to control all my material completely. I already can’t make a living off of album sales, so I’m not motivated to try to stay in the public eye and play the exposure game. For consumers streaming is great, but it’s been more damaging than Napster in my opinion.
And finally, here’s the “op-ed” portion of my column: I don’t want to get all Footloose on the City, but what a lot of people could use right now is live music to soothe our nerves. Outdoors, social distancing, no slam-dancing, in fact, how about no dancing at all, and all the while wearing a face mask when not sitting, eating or sipping on a beverage? I’m not asking for special favors, but the venues are already set up and serving outdoors, so why not let us patrons enjoy some jazz, folk, or blues? I know all the musicians in the area would love to work again. End of op-ed.
Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows (online or live) you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected], and for updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.
3 out of 4 palm trees Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.
Critical Thinking is based on the true story where in 1998 five Latin and Black students from Miami Jackson High School in Miami, Florida overcame the challenging situations in their under-served community and at home, eventually winning the National Chess Championships under the guidance of their teacher Mario Martinez (John Leguizamo) with his “never give up on them” attitude.
Most of the students in Mr. Martinez’s Critical Thinking class came there due to troubles in other areas at school, with Principal Kestel (Rachel Bay Jones) using it as more of a detention situation. When students come to the class, Mr. Martinez gives them two choices, do nothing or play chess, joking that he looks forward to the day a student would actually choose chess.
While having his students’ attention, Mr. Martinez tried to instill better choices and values that would help them to achieve success outside their circumstances. The neighborhood was so rough that a student who was walking home from school and didn’t speak English accidentally bumped into a Black girl causing her to drop her portable CD player, which she did not take well and began yelling at him. Andre Lamar (Ramses Jimenez) drove up to the situation asking her if there was a problem, to which she said this guys my problem and then without even pausing shot the teen in the head saying “there’s no problem no more”.
Mr. Martinez taught them positional chess, tried to get them to focus on the artistry of the game, and taught them that “in the game material advantage was not everything” through examples of classic chess games from unconventional chess masters such as the Opera Game authored by Paul Morphy.
Later Marcel Martinez (Jeffry Batista) ended up enrolling at Miami Jackson High from Cuba sharing his book of original moves in exchange for being schooled in traditional positional chess. Marcel was so skilled he could play 4 matches simultaneously against the team with his back turned and win every match. He became the ringer for the team after Ito’s exit due to pressures from losing his auto repair job and falling in with Andre Lamar.
The team was fortunate enough to be gifted some cross-country tickets to the national competition sponsored by the airline to attend the National Chess Championships in Southern California. Mr. Martinez had these parting words as they left to compete, “You already got the knowledge and the moves and the strategy, now it’s just about that thing, that intangible that’s part of you that you bring to the game”.
Marcel had to play the guy who had never lost a game, and when his opponent asked him to come into the bathroom to convince him for a draw, Marcel said no needing a whole point not a half a point for the team to win. When they returned, Marcel realized that his opponent’s clock had not been stopped and he had run down to only 2 minutes, while Marcel still had over 4 minutes left on his clock. Instead of taking advantage of the opportunity, Marcel let his clock wind down to match his opponent be a good sportsman, then played the game and won.
This film highlights the challenges of minorities in under-served communities, but provides inspiration with it’s message that “it doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, what Ivy League school you may go or may not go to, what prison you hopefully never step foot in because chess is the great equalizer”.
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.
Furnishing Narcotics Arrest
On August 26, at approximately 5:00 pm, patrol officers responded to Macy’s department store reference a subject overdosing on Fentanyl. Ventura City Fire personnel responded and were able to revive the overdosed victim by administering Narcan (naloxone HCI), which is used for the treatment of an opioid emergency.
During the investigation, officers learned the overdose victim was told he bought Heroin but was actually sold Fentanyl. He used too much of the narcotic and quickly overdosed. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl is often added to other drugs to increase their potency. Many users believe that they are purchasing Heroin and do not know that they are buying Fentanyl – which often results in overdose deaths.
On August 28, members of the Ventura Police Department Narcotics SCU unit completed the investigation into narcotics sales of Fentanyl, resulting in an overdose. Detectives using investigative tools were able to identify, detain, and arrest suspect 58 year old Ventura resident Robbin Parks for furnishing narcotics.
A search of the Ventura County Superior Courts shows that Parks has prior convictions for possession of a controlled substance and possession for sales of a controlled substance.
Theft of Bike and Warrant Arrest
Over the past month, there have been approximately 45 bikes stolen throughout the city of Ventura. On September 2 at 6:00 pm, the Ventura Police Department Patrol Task Force and the Street Crimes Unit conducted a crime suppression theft sting at two Ventura locations. The units left bicycles unattended in shopping areas while officers surveilled the bikes.
In the 4700 block of Telephone Rd, Cody Brown approached one of the bikes and then took it and began riding away. Officers stopped Brown and took him into custody. Brown also had several outstanding warrants for his arrest. Brown was arrested and subsequently booked at the Ventura County Jail.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Brown has been arrested for drunk in public, under the influence of a controlled substance, petty theft, and resisting arrest.
The Ventura Police Department would like to remind everyone not to leave their bikes unattended, even for a short time, without locking them. Please register your bicycles online through the Ventura Police Department website under the tab for Services.
Arson
In the evening hours of September 2, Ventura Police communications center received multiple reports of fires along the Ventura Avenue corridor as well as the Olive Street both north and south of Main street. Ventura City Fire Department responded with patrol officers and quickly extinguished the fires.
Detectives with the Ventura Police Major Crimes unit were able to identify the suspect, 35 year old vagrant Hugo Santiago, from video surveillance located in the area of one of the fires.
Detectives found Santiago and detained him without incident. Detectives were able to link Santiago with 4 different intentional fires set on September 2. Santiago was booked at the Ventura County Jail for Arson.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Santiago has previous arrests for being under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and driving without a license.
Hot Prowl Residential Burglaries / Sexual Assaults: Arrest and Update
On April 21, 2016, at approximately 5:00 am, the Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to 6600 Block of Webster St. in reference to a female victim reporting that an unidentified male made entry into her residence sliding glass door, sexually assaulted the victim, and fled when the victim awoke. The suspect was wearing gloves, dark clothes and had a ski mask.
On May 7, 2016, at 5:00 am, the Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to 600 block Atlanta Ln. in reference to a female victim reporting that an unidentified male was peeping through her bedroom window. The suspect was wearing all dark clothing and wearing a ski mask.
On June 11, 2016, at approximately 5:30 am, the Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to 1500 block of Echidna Ln. in reference to a female victim reporting that an unidentified male made entry into her residence through a sliding glass door, groped the victim’s buttocks, and fled when the victim awoke and screamed. The suspect was wearing gloves, dark clothes and had a ski mask.
On August 8, 2016, at approximately 5:30 am, the Ventura Police Patrol Officers responded to 700 block of Hill St. in reference to a female victim reporting that an unidentified male made entry into her residence through a sliding glass door left open for a cat, sexually assaulted the victim, and fled when the victim awoke and screamed. The suspect was wearing gloves, dark clothes and had a ski mask.
Meet Angus! This handsome boy is a 1-year-old black Lab Retriever who came to the HSVC as a stray in early August. Angus is very friendly and loves to play. He is also really smart! Angus is still a young pup and would benefit from some training. He would do well with an active owner who has lots of time to give him the exercise and attention he needs. Humane Society of Ventura County
Hi: I’m Stella, a sweet almost 9 year old Lab/Shepherd X who is in search of my forever home. Although I’ve been with C.A.R.L . for a short time I would much prefer to be in a home of my own. I need a quiet place to keep my owner company. I do not need any other pets in my home as I get overly excited around others. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.
Our sweet Seven loves people! She knows sit, down and shake. Seven lived with and got along with other animals, and we have found her to be friendly with the other dogs in shelter playgroups. Seven was surrendered because her owner is moving onto a boat which doesn’t allow pets. She is easy to walk and easy to have in the house. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive Seven A446751
Yelp is launching a new feature allowing black-owned companies to identify themselves. The function will ultimately make it easier for users to find and support black-owned businesses.
Businesses will have the choice to label themselves as black-owned on Yelp. The label will also act as a search attribute, making it easier for users to find black-owned businesses. Yelp has historically depended on review text to generate search results for black-owned businesses, and the company said the new label will make those results more accurate. Yelp said it saw a 25x increase in the frequency of searches for black-owned businesses compared to the same time last year.
The company’s philanthropy arm is also donating $500,000 each to the Equal Justice Initiative and NAACP Legal Defense Fund and employees will have additional mental health days off in June, the company said. The company is also matching and doubling employee donations made to various black-led and black-serving organizations throughout the month of June.
“There can be no going back to ‘business as usual’ when the protests, tweets and news cycle die down. We all have to do our part to get educated, and we must use our voices, votes and whatever power and platform we have to reject racism in all its forms, until we put an end to this oppression that has plagued our country for centuries,” CEO Jeremy Stoppelman wrote.
McDonalds Sued by Ex-Franchisees
52 Black Ex-Franchisees File $1 Billion Racial Discrimination Lawsuit Against McDonald’s. Fifty-two former McDonald’s franchisees who say they faced decades of discrimination at the fast-food chain are suing McDonald’s for more than $1 billion.
The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Tuesday, according to Yahoo. Franchisees say in the complaint that they faced “systematic and covert racial discrimination,” with McDonald’s denying them the same opportunities as their white counterparts.
The lawsuit also argues McDonald’s “systematically steered” Black franchisees to buy locations in Black neighborhoods that tend to have higher insurance and security costs while bringing in less revenue. One franchisee wrote in the complaint that Black franchisees were at such a significant disadvantage that acquiring a McDonald’s as a Black franchisee was “financial suicide.”
The franchisees say they lost more than 200 McDonald’s locations over the past decade because of misconduct by the company. Dozens of other Black franchisees were forced out of the chain over the past two decades. According to the complaint, there are only 186 Black McDonald’s franchisees, down from 377 in 1998.
The complaint added the plaintiffs’ average annual sales of roughly $2 million were more than $700,000 lower than McDonald’s national average of $2.7 million from 2011 to 2016
“These differences are statistically significant and are the result of Defendants’ racial bias and barriers within the McDonald’s franchise system,” the complaint states.
In a video message to employers and suppliers Tuesday, McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski responded to the allegations. “When allegations such as these occur, I want them investigated thoroughly and objectively,” Kempczinski said. “That’s been our approach to this situation. Based upon our review, we disagree with the claims in this lawsuit and we intend to strongly defend against it.”
In a statement to Business Insider, McDonald’s categorically denied the allegations, saying that they “fly in the face of everything we stand for as an organization and as a partner to communities and small business owners around the world.” In July, the fast-food chain promised to improve diversity at all levels of its systems, including franchisees and suppliers.
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings Donates $120 Million To Historically Black Colleges
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and wife Patty Quillin committed $120 million to two historically Black colleges and the United Negro College Fund, making it the biggest individual donation ever to support scholarships at HBCUs in a bid to “reverse generations of inequity” in the U.S.
The donation will enable 200 four-year scholarships over 10 years for students at Spelman and Morehouse Colleges in Atlanta. Along with the UNCF, each institution will receive $40 million.
The couple said in a statement: “Both of us had the privilege of a great education and we want to help more students – in particular students of color – get the same start in life.”
“As the U.S. searches for ways to start addressing the inequities faced by Black people, UNCF, Spelman and Morehouse urge other philanthropists to invest in HBCUs—institutions that improve mobility and create new generations of leaders, increasing justice, equality and opportunity in America,” a statement from Spelman read.
Spelman College president, Mary Schmidt Campbell, said of the donation: “It’s going to mean that every year we’re going to be able to identify 20 high-performing students, high-need students and say to them ‘you get to go to college debt-free.’”
Separately, Hastings donated $1 million to the Centre for Policing Equity earlier this month, in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
Hastings and Quillin added in their statement: “HBCUs have a tremendous record, yet are disadvantaged when it comes to giving. Generally, White capital flows to predominantly White institutions, perpetuating capital isolation. We hope this additional $120 million donation will help more Black students follow their dreams and also encourage more people to support these institutions – helping to reverse generations of inequity in our country.”
The philanthropic couple are longtime advocates for education reform, and in 2016 the Netflix co-founder established a $100 million Hastings Fund to expand “rich and holistic” educational experiences within communities. That fund previously donated $1.5 million to the UNCF.
HBCU endowments are notably far lower than non HBCUs. Last year, Howard University ranked the highest among HBCUs with an endowment of nearly $700 million and Spelman ranked second with almost $400 million, according to website HBCU Money. Harvard’s $39 billion endowment is dramatically higher than the total $2.1 billion endowment for all HBCUs in 2019.
Dolly Parton BLM Mural
Tourists are flocking to Nashville to see a new mural of Dolly Parton that celebrates her position on Black Lives Matter.
Mural artist Kim Radford had already decided to paint the mural of the country music icon on the side of a local music club called The 5 Spot, which was made famous for being one of the many filming locations for the TV show “Nashville.”
But as she was finishing the mural, Radford saw an article from Billboard in which Parton said she supported the Black Lives Matter movement, saying “Of course Black lives matter. Do we think our little white asses are the only ones that matter?”
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser – Concerned that America is Descending Into a race War
Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser said she fears the U.S. is ‘descending into a race war’ as violence across the country continues and the FBI probes a potential network of domestic terrorists who may be traveling to protests.
“What I’m worried about is this country descending into a race war,” Bowser said at a press conference on Monday, adding that an increase in police forces in some cities, like Portland and Seattle, has created more anger among protesters.
“And I’m worried about the continued incitement of violence from leadership who should be focused on bringing our communities together. Our police and peaceful protesters will be safer when we come together as a community and tamp down this Black-versus-white rhetoric,” Bowser added.
DC Police Chief Peter Newsham added there was evidence large groups of people were traveling to cities with large scale protests to provoke more violence and create havoc. Newsham added the FBI is now investigating potential domestic terror groups.
D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has arrested 527 individuals for curfew violations riot-related to burglary and other violations between May 30 and Sunday, according to department data. Of those arrested, 44% were from the District of Columbia, 27% from Maryland, 12% from Virginia, and 4% from other states.
Bowser also criticized prosecutors for being too soft on rioters who were arrested freeing them up to return and create more carnage.
“When we make an arrest for violent protests, we need those violent agitators to be prosecuted. … There hasn’t been a willingness from the US Attorney’s Office to prosecute them,” she said.
Protests have been occurring in the nation’s capital all summer. In June, President Trump had the Secret Service tear gas Black Lives Matter protesters so he could take a photo outside St. John’s Episcopal Church. Later the same week, protesters posted their protest signs on the fence the Secret Service installed outside the White House as an extra security measure.
Multiple cities including New York, Los Angeles, and Bloomfield, CT, have also erected large scale Black Lives Matter murals including one outside of Trump Tower, which the president called ‘a symbol of hate.’
Black Voices in History
“My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.”
It is with deepest regret and great sorrow that on Friday, August 28, Joe Brown, President of Channel Cities Jazz Club, passed away due to complications from surgery. Joe, an active member of CCJC for many years was in charge of their newsletter and served as President of the club for two years. He was a strong, tireless and decisive leader with a big heart who quietly donated resources that were essential in helping to keep doors open through the years. Our hearts go out to Gloria Brown, his wife of 27 years, who serves on the board as secretary. Joe will be missed terribly by all who knew and loved him.
The Ventura Breeze mourns the loss of one of our family. “Izzy” was the daughter of Ana Baker and stepdaughter of Jaimie Baker both part of our wonderful staff. The following was written by her parents.
It is with the greatest sorrow that we announce the passing of Isabella Mercedes Kress, our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend to so many. She is survived by her loving family: her parents Ana, Don, and Jamie; her siblings, Diego, Devin, Jack and Scarlett; grandmothers Carmen and Lucille; as well as many aunts and uncles and an extended family of her dear friends. She was known and loved by so many people from so many different walks of life including sports, music, dance, education, hospitality and her beloved culinary arts. Izzy loved life and lived it to the fullest in her short 22 years here on Earth. She was a truly special person― bright, passionate, fierce, funny, loving, and giving. She was all that a parent, sibling, or friend could ever ask for and more.
She left an indelible mark on the world through her love, loyalty, selflessness, intelligence, honesty, toughness, and incredible work ethic. She strived and succeeded in being among the best at everything she attempted. In grade school she distinguished herself early on as a star student, her talent shining through to high school where she was included in the Ventura High School Wall of Fame― a recognition given to only two or three students per year.
She loved to sing and perform at an early age and in high school she found a home in Company, the Ventura School District’s student show choir, ultimately becoming a prominent leader of the ensemble. She also distinguished herself as a member of the Track and Field team. Through her hard-work, loyalty and supportiveness of her teammates, she inspired coaches and teammates alike. Accordingly, she was voted captain of the track and field team during her senior year season.
Leaving home at the age of 18, she began her new life as an adult and absolutely thrived. She attended Cerritos Community College where she was recruited for the track and field throwing team. There, she mastered the shot put, hammer throw, and javelin and was a member of the 2017 CCCAA State Champion Falcon team. At the same time, she began to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a chef and teacher. She enrolled in the Culinary Arts Department, training in classical French cuisine. She graduated in 2019, earning her Associate in Arts Degree with Honors, along with a culinary certificate in professional cooking as well as professional baking and pastry.
Through tremendous hard work and determination, she maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA, along with earning numerous academic and athletic awards. Transferring to California State University Long Beach as an English major, she continued her academic excellence, again maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She even went on to publish two books of poetry during her busy days of studying. As always, she impressed her instructors― so much so that she was recommended for and hired as an instructor for the Bellflower School District as a teacher of culinary arts in an after-school program. Combining her deep love of cooking and teaching, she spent her first year with one class, and was about to begin teaching two classes for her second year. Her path almost certainly would have led her back to the Cerritos College of Culinary Arts as a full-time instructor, her “dream job”.
Throughout high school and college she also worked, sometimes holding down two part-time jobs in addition to being a full-time student. Like everything else, she took great pride in her work. Quoting one of her many choir solos, she loved to say, “I give good service but I’m not servile.”
She loved all kinds of music and dance, especially salsa dancing. She loved sunflowers and Sinatra, eating, running and traveling. She loved boba and pizza, but could just as easily cook a multi-course Thanksgiving feast for 20. She loved tiny food, and tiny animals. She loved baking and trying and perfecting new recipes. She loved creating cookies and beautiful cakes and cupcakes for friends. She loved the world and the world loved her back. More than anything, she loved the people in her life; her mentors, co-workers, classmates, students, friends and family, each with a huge heart full of caring, empathy, and generosity.
Although she has been taken from this Earthly confine, her spirit now knows no boundaries. She is a child of the universe and will live on in our hearts, forever inspiring us, making us smile and lifting us to higher, better places. Her family takes comfort in the outpouring of love towards her.
In lieu of flowers and to continue her legacy of giving and teaching and to promote academic and creative excellence, a memorial scholarship in Izzy’s name is currently being established in Izzy’s name and in conjunction with Ventura High School. Please contact Heidi House at [email protected].
Memorial services were held on Saturday, September 5 for Izzy at Ventura Harbor Cove Beach, located at the end of Spinnaker Drive. Attendees received a sunflower to place in the water and accompany her as she departs to her final rest at sea.
∙SPAN Thrift Store is now open to the public and in need of volunteers to operate day to day. If you are interested or have questions please call (805) 641-1170 to inquire.
