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Vol. 13, No. 12 – Mar 11 – Mar 24, 2020 – Movie Review

Movie Review by Cindy Summers
The Invisible Man

3 out of 4 palm trees
Breeze rating from 1 to 4 palm trees, 4 being best.

Finally finding the courage to leave her violent controlling husband, Cecilia Kass (Elizabeth Moss) drugged him, grabbed her go bag, met her sister Emily on a nearby road, and sped off into the night to seek shelter with her sister’s ex husband and childhood friend James, who was also a police officer. Shortly thereafter, Cecilia’s ex husband, wealthy scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), commits suicide leaving her a substantial fortune, though Cecilia doesn’t want it being suspicious that his death was a hoax. Cecilia becomes convinced through various events that her ex husband is alive and through his own research has found a way to be invisible, now using that to torment her and threaten the lives of those around her. Released by Universal Pictures, Directed and Written by Leigh Whannell and Starring Elizabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass.

Cecilia had numerous experiences proving that her ex husband was indeed alive and somehow invisible, but the problem was no one else witnessed these incidents and given the circumstances began to question Cecilia’s sanity. Following an incident where James’ daughter Sydney was injured by an invisible force framing Cecilia, she returns to her home to look for answers and finds an invisibility suit, which she hides, just prior to a violent fight with an invisible attacker.

After appearing to kill her sister in front of witnesses at a restaurant (a knife floated up from the table and slit Emily’s throat), Cecilia is confined to a mental health facility, where she learns she’s pregnant. Adrian’s brother Tom, the lawyer in charge of his estate, somehow found out about the pregnancy and visits the mental facility in an attempted to force Cecilia to take a deal based on the original agreement being hinged on her not having a felony or deemed mentally unstable.

Cecilia refuses and finds an opportunity to take Tom’s pen and stab Adrian repeatedly, who was at the meeting invisibly, which caused the suit to malfunction and flicker to easily be seen alerting the facility security. The suit was functional enough for Adrian to go on an invisible rampage killing most of the staff and implicating Cecilia as the primarily suspect, making a deal with Cecilia that because of the pregnancy he would not hurt her or the baby, but instead planned to target James’ daughter Sydney.

The invisible villain went to James’ house followed by Cecilia and attacked both Sydney and James. Cecilia used a fire extinguisher to reveal the invisibility suit and mortally shot him, only to find it was Adrian’s brother Tom wearing the suit. Police found Cecilia’s ex tied up in the basement at the house, supposedly a victim himself, though Cecilia was convinced that it was exactly like when he faked his suicide.

Knowing the only way to be free would be to lock him up or end him, Cecilia meets Adrian for dinner at their old home and tries to get him to confess to his actions while on camera. Unable to convince him to tell the truth, Cecilia uses the previously hidden invisibility suit and causes Adrian to take his own life, appearing to be an actual suicide on the home security system.

Elizabeth Moss is excellent at appearing both the vulnerable victim while also a fearless hero unstoppable against all odds in this constantly surprising story with many tense plot twists. The suspense will have viewers on the edge of their seats, experiencing over and over again the helpless feeling of watching terrible things unfold with no ability to battle an invisible villain.

R (for some strong bloody violence, and language)
110 minutes

How many calories do you need?

“Today I have only had 3 cheeseburgers with fries, I think I’m doing well”

You may need to make some changes in your food and beverage choices to achieve a healthy eating pattern. It’s easier than you think!

A healthy eating pattern is not a rigid prescription. Rather, it is a framework that lets you enjoy food that meets your personal preferences and fits your budget. To encourage healthy eating patterns, the Dietary Guidelines suggests that you:

Follow a healthy eating pattern across the lifespan. All food and beverage choices matter. Choose a healthy eating pattern at an appropriate calorie level to help achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, meet nutrient needs, and lessen the risk for chronic disease.

Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount. To meet nutrient needs within calorie limits, choose a variety of nutrient-dense foods across and within all food groups in recommended amounts.

Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and reduce sodium intake. Cut back on foods and beverages that are high in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. Aim for amounts that fit within healthy eating patterns.

Shift to healthier food and beverage choices. Choose nutrient-dense foods and beverages across and within all food groups in place of less healthy choices. Choose foods you like to make these shifts easier to maintain.

Support healthy eating patterns for all. Everyone has a role in helping to create and support healthy eating patterns, at home, school, and work and in communities.

Here’s a tip:

Writing down what and how much you eat each day will help you keep track of your total daily calories and also help you see if you are making healthy choices. Try to choose mostly nutrient-dense foods. These foods give you lots of nutrients without a lot of extra calories.

Louisa Wallace Jacobs receives Honorable Mention in Thousand Oaks Art Association Open

Buenaventura Art Association: Our Members Shine

Louisa Wallace Jacobs received an Honorable Mention for her painting, “Terra Incognita #5” in the Thousand Oaks Art Association Open Juried Show in February.

Lisa Skyheart Marshall is a featured artist and will be showing her new botanical watercolor+ink paintings, March 2-27, at Gallery 113 in Santa Barbara, reception on March 5. Her show is titled “Flowery,” and she’ll be exhibiting alongside other artists at Gallery 113, 1114 State St., #8, Santa Barbara. Painting shown here is: “Nasturtiums and Garden Spider”, 8×8.

Ventura College New Media Gallery presents Ojai artist Cara Lasell Bonewitz in “Current in the Shadows”

The Ventura College New Media Gallery is honored to present Ojai artist Cara Lasell Bonewitz in her first local solo exhibition, “Current in the Shadows.” On Thursday, March 12 from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm there will be Opening Reception.

Bonewitz’s latest body of material engagement and dedicated observation features a range of historical trends in naturalism and art, such as botanical gardens, Victorian seaweed collections and pressed flowers. Bonewitz is a graduate of Yale University and earned her master’s degree at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland.

The exhibition runs through April 9, 2020. The New Media Gallery is located at 4667 Telegraph Road. Gallery Hours are Monday – Thursday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. Parking is $2.

Vol. 13, No. 12 – Mar 11 – Mar 24, 2020 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Tuesday
2-18

 10:06am, dispatched to a suicidal person in the water near the Pier. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 19 to assist. A rescue swimmer was deployed and helped convince the swimmer to head to shore where VFD and PD were.

Wednesday
2-19

 1:01pm, received a report of a fuel spill at Daves fuel dock. Officers responded by sea and by land to find an inflatable boat had mistakenly filled the boat with 17 gallons of petro. VFD responded, the vessel isolated until the fuel is removed.

Friday
2-21

 12:40pm, while manning the operations center, observed three kayakers capsize in the Pierpont basin from strong South winds. Officers responded in Rescue Boat 19, but the kayakers were able to swim their vessels to a sandbar where they righted/dewater and re-boarded their kayaks and continued their voyage.

Saturday
2-22

 6:33am, while on patrol, officers observed two transients with a peddle boat on Harbor Blvd, detained by Ventura PD. It was determined that the property was thrown away in a roll off dumpster at the launch ramp. After explaining to the pair that the vessel was unseaworthy because it would take on water it was thrown away for good.

2:35pm, while on patrol, contacted by a couple walking near Surfers Knoll about the water quality. Advised it was due to the maintenance dredging of Venutra Harbor and showed them the Manson Construction sign explaining the operation

Sunday 2-23

 5:55am, received report of a found white husky at the Holiday Inn Express. After a brief search, the owner was located nearby and reunited with the dog.

Tuesday
2-25

 11:01pm, dispatched to an overdose/poisoning in the riverbottom near East Harbor blvd. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR/VPD with the call. The patient was found unresponsive, CPR and all other lifesaving measures were utilized for 20mins, but unfortunately rescuers were unable to revive the patient.

Friday
2-28

 7:49am, received several complaints about a speed boat operating dangerously near the Ventura Pier and surfers at the point. Reported the observation to state and federal agencies monitoring the situation.

Saturday
2-29

 5:33pm, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers contacted three novice bodyboarders near the Surfers Knoll Jetty. The group were informed of rip currents and how to survive them. Also, the advantage of swim fins.

Sunday
3-1

 9:39am, while on patrol in Boat 17, officers observed an unusual sound coming from the port shaft. After diving and investigating, cleared a braided fishing line, likely from a hoop net from the shaft. Several times a week during lobster season, hoop net lines are cleared from rescue boat shafts.

12:33pm, received a report of a lost set of keys inadvertently given to a pair of local transient women. Officers responded, contacted the pair and after lengthy “debate” were able to obtain the set of car keys. During debrief from the incident, the owner of the keys contacted officers and was reunited with the keys

1:03pm, debrief with Calif Fish and Wildlife wardens at the launch ramp.

Ojai Studio Artists (OSA) will be at The Museum of Ventura County until April 11

Bruce Grabin, Morning Clouds

The Ojai Studio Artists is a collective of 81 artists. Its mission is to encourage and support he development of art in the Ojai Valley. OSA encourages emerging artists, raises funds to award local educational scholarships and introduces the public to the talents of professional artists at work in their studios, vibrantly reflecting the meaning of community.

More information visit www.OjaiStudioArtists.org.

Vol. 13, No. 12 – Mar 11 – Mar 24, 2020 – 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.

Brandishing of a Replica Firearm, Battery on a Police Dog, Resisting Arrest and Trespassing

On February 25 at 3pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a subject armed and brandishing a handgun near the intersection of Thompson Blvd. and Garden St. Officers arrived and contacted the victim, who reported last seeing the subject climbing a fence and go underneath the Highway 101 overpass at Garden St. The subject, 37-year-old vagrant Jeffrey Wheelock, is known by officers to frequent the area and located him hiding in a crawl space under the overpass.

Officers gave Wheelock several commands to come out, but he refused and would not show them his hands. With reports that Wheelock was possibly armed with a handgun, a Ventura Police K-9, Miles, was deployed. Wheelock began hitting the K-9 in the head, and was able to further wedge himself into the crawl space. Officers trained in crisis negotiations responded and negotiated with Wheelock for approximately 30 minutes but were unsuccessful. Officers also deployed water using a fire hose in an attempt to flush Wheelock out, but he still did not come out. The K-9 was deployed a second time, at which time several officers approached the crawl space and were able to physically take Wheelock into custody.

During a search of his property, two replica firearms were located.

Wheelock was transported to a local hospital for treatment of his injuries as a result of the dog bite, and later booked for brandishing of a replica firearm, battery on a police dog, resisting arrest and trespassing.

Warrant Arrest

On February 26, at approximately 1pm, officers attempted to conduct a probation search on a Post Release Offender (PROS) in the 200 block of Delaware Dr. As the officers knocked on the front door, 39-year-old Steven Bohannan ran out of the rear of the house and started to jump over fences running from one yard to another. Bohannan does not live at the address and was not the subject of the search; however, the officers recognized him as being a wanted subject.

Officers quickly set up a perimeter and asked for additional resources to assist in searching for Bohannan. A short time later, a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter arrived as well as Ventura Police K9 officer and his partner Miles. After an extensive search, officers were able to narrow Bohannan’s location to an address in the 2900 block of Omaha Av. During the search of the residence, K9 Miles detected Bohannan hiding in a refrigerator in the garage and alerted officers. Bohannan was removed from the refrigerator and arrested for his warrants, delaying a peace officer, trespass, and possession of a controlled substance.

No one was injured during the incident. A review of Ventura County Superior Court records shows that Bohannan has been arrested in the past for burglary, possession of a concealed firearm and DUI.

Train vs. Pedestrian

On February 29, at approximately 5pm, the Ventura Police Command Center was notified by Amtrak dispatch regarding a pedestrian being struck by an Amtrak train on the railroad tracks west of Anacapa St., in Ventura. Officers and Ventura City Fire Personnel arrived on scene and found the victim adjacent to the railroad tracks. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to the train conductor the northbound train was traveling at approximately 50-55 mph, when he saw the victim intentionally lay down on the tracks. All emergency attempts were made to stop the train, but the train did not stop in time and struck the victim.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner responded to the scene. The name of the victim was not immediately determined. Once the victim’s identity has been confirmed, the coroner’s office will notify the next of kin.

The train was delayed at the scene with approximately 100 passengers on board for about two hours while the investigation was being completed. No one else was injured as a result of this incident.

Vehicle Pursuit with Arrest

On March 3, at approximately 9pm, a patrol officer saw a vehicle driving in the area of San Nicholas Street and Coronado Street that matched the description of a suspect who has committed a vehicle burglary earlier in the evening. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle. The driver failed to yield, and the officer went in pursuit of the suspect. The pursuit continued through the Midtown area of Ventura until the suspect collided with a planter in the area of Ash Street and Front Street. After the collision, the suspect fled on foot but was caught by officers near the pier.

At the conclusion of the investigation, the suspect, 37 year old Ventura resident Steven Cossel, was arrested for possession of stolen property (felony), failing to yield to officers (felony), hit and run (misdemeanor), possession of drugs (misdemeanor) and possession of drug paraphernalia (misdemeanor).

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website revealed that Cossel had numerous prior arrests over the past five years. The arrests include possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, possession of stolen property, evading police officers, obstructing police officers, under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Vol. 13, No. 12 – Mar 11 – Mar 24, 2020 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

Elite elicits strong emotions

Disease and drama meet humor and humanity on the Elite Theater stage in their current offering of Wit by Margaret Edson. A powerful, evocative study of the meaning of life and getting a grip on mortality, Wit provides a raw look at a progression of aggressive stage IV cancer through the eyes and body of Dr. Vivian Bearing, an academic who has had a lifelong fascination with and passion for language. The one-act Pulitzer Prize winning work is based on the author’s own experience as a teacher and hospital worker.

As a university professor teaching poetry, Dr. Bearing explores the works of 16th century poet John Donne to illustrate the metaphysical struggle between what is and what might be. Donne is considered by many to be the pre-eminent representative of metaphysical poetry, perhaps even greater than William Shakespeare.

Through this exploration, Bearing seeks to keep her own mind stimulated and alive as she descends into the depths of her illness. After agreeing to participate in a research study of her ovarian cancer, she re-examines her own view of relationships, compassion and the need to reach out to others.

Directed by Christine Adams, the Elite production utilizes effective minimalistic staging to bring the audience into Dr. Bearing’s hospital environment.

Sindy McKay-Swerdlove is outstanding in her poignant performance as Dr. Bearing. At one point in her treatment, the character aptly states, she is “merely a dust jacket, a human specimen.” McKay-Swerdlove gives a solid, compelling performance in a very demanding role.

Research Fellow Dr. Jason Posner (Michael Adams), a former student of Dr. Bearing, displays focused detachment as he concentrates on the disease rather than the person with the disease. Amy Hagler as nurse Susie Monahan provides the compassionate contrast who listens to the patient and attempts to ease her anxiety as the disease progresses.
Scott Blanchard is Dr. Kelekian, Dr. Bearing’s oncologist who delivers the bad news. He, too, becomes detached as the cancer progresses. The moment at grand rounds where the doctors all talk around the patient is a harsh reminder of de-sensitization that can occur.
The cast is filled out by Theresa Secor, Benjamin Blonigan, Elixeo Flores and Rebecca Spagnolia who provide additional informative sequences.

Wit is not an easy, uplifiting play to watch but it is inspiring. The subject matter will hit close to home for many. I know it did me. I left the theater reflecting on several loved ones I have lost to cancer, pondering how I could have been more responsive at the time. The play points out the absolute need for human touch and making continual connection as human beings, especially through times of hardship. It makes one think. And that’s good theater.
With a recent change in direction and help from many benefactors, the Elite Theater is experiencing a rebirth. The upcoming season promises ambitious works as well as new challenges and opportunities including Open Mic Nights, special events and a Conservatory Program for teaching the theater arts to folks 15 and older.

Wit continues at the Elite Theater 2731 S. Victoria Ave, Oxnard through March 22. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $17 for students, seniors and military. www.theElite.org, 805-483-5118.

VCPG Gallery featuring the fanciful, feminine ceramic creations of Ellen Williams

If it is March, it must be Mermaid Month at Ventura Harbor. Mythological creatures come alive and the Ventura County Potters’ Guild (VCPG) Gallery is jumping into the water for this fun event. Mermaids (and Mermen) and the sea creatures they befriend will appear adorning all forms of ceramic surfaces. Being at the beach has its benefits!

On March 21 from 1-4 PM, featured artist Ellen Williams will demonstrate how she creates her fanciful, feminine ceramic creations. Originally a painter, Ellen transitioned to clay as her canvass. Using a watercolor approach to her work, she is able to balance serious art with whimsey.

Gallery members will also have theme related art work for sale. Don’t miss out on a chance to get a glimpse of, or take home, a real ceramic mermaid.

The VCPG Gallery is located at 1567 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105 in Ventura Harbor. The Gallery is open seven days a week from 11-6. For more information visit www.venturapottersguild.org.