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Vol. 13, No. 15 – Apr 22 – May 5, 2020 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight
by Cindy Summers

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness – Netflix

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

 

 

 


The Tiger King reality series has consumed the attention of over 30 million stay at home viewers and centers around the everyday life of Joe Exotic aka Joseph Maldonado-Passage, a zoo owner in Oklahoma best described as a “gay redneck, gun-toting, mullet-sporting, tiger-tackling polygamist. Joe’s GW Zoo profited most on the breeding and petting of baby tiger cubs, earning up to $10,000 per cub, though can only be used for cub-petting until 12 weeks old, thus causing Joe to accumulate over 200 tigers in his zoo, along with hundreds of other animals and a unique cast of misfit employees from very colorful backgrounds.

Joe catches the eye early on of producer Rick Kirkham, who agreed to produce his internet show Joe Exotic T.V. while also filming a reality TV show Kirckham named the Tiger King. Having an extensive background in journalism and early beginning in Inside Edition, as well as tons of professional equipment, Kirkham’s production brought Joe’s shows to the next level gaining him a larger audience of fans.

Someone who was not a fan of Joe was Carole Baskin, owner of the Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary in Tampa, Florida, having inherited millions from her husband who strangely disappeared without a trace just over a decade earlier. Baskin didn’t believe in the private ownership of big cats, and was totally against the practice of cub-petting, constantly seeking ways to use her fortune to put Joe out of business. This infuriated Joe, who constantly staged mock shootings, beatings and various ways to kill Carole on his internet show, where he was the flamboyant star bad mouthing Carole and blowing up things.

Joe had a huge ego, running for President and after losing ran for Governor of Oklahoma, passing out condoms with his picture on them. Cub-petting was a good way to attract young partners, and Joe married John Finlay when Finlay was only 19 years old. A few years later and while still married to Finlay, Joe also married 19 year old Travis Maldonado. After 11 years, Finlay left the threesome and married the office secretary who worked at the zoo. Neither Finlay nor Maldonado had been in a gay relationship prior to being with Joe, and neither actually considered themselves gay. Joe’s third husband Dillon Passage was gay and his only husband at the time.

The other well known cub-petting operation was a 50 acre preserve run by Dr. Bhagavan “Doc” Antle in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, but Doc’s facility and clientele were very upscale compared to Joe’s struggling G.W. Zoo. Antle lived with a guru in his teen years and was exposed to tigers and other animals living freely and peacefully among humans. Doc’s tours start at $350 per person and go up to $600 and more. Doc is also one of Carole Baskins targets in her quest to shut down cub-petting operations across the country.

There so much crazy here to keep up with; arson, meth mayhem, shady investors, friends turned informants, business partners burning evidence, accidental shootings and tigers tearing arms off all right in front of cameras – you just have to watch it as every episode dives deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole the world has come to know as Joe Exotic. Viewers will be thoroughly shocked and entertained by the many unpredictable twists in the series, including Joe’s jailing for hiring someone to kill Carole Baskin, and there’s an 8th episode with comedian Joel McHale hosting an aftershow interviewing various cast members online during the stay at home orders.

Rated: TV-MA (violence, language, sexual content, drug use, animal harm. intense scenes)

7 Episodes – 45 minutes each

Vol. 13, No. 15 – Apr 22 – May 5, 2020 – Mailbox

Editor:

During one of his coronavirus presentations Trump was asked what parents should tell their kids who need to stay home. He said, “Tell them that they should be proud to be Americans.” I told my 3-year old that and she said ”what is an American?” So, I don’t think that helped much.

Larry Etod

Breeze:

Those who believe Trump has no responsibility in this Pandemic are wrong. Trump and his base have treated Covid-19 as a political problem. Covid-19 is a Public Health Problem!

Trump and his administration were warned by world wide scientists in November of 2019 of this problem. Trump called it a “Democratic hoax” and “fake news”. In March, “it’s under control”; add these comments to his more than 10,000+ lies!

The inaction of this Administration has led to more deaths and increased the economic fall out.

This Pandemic has forced our Country to finally expose the weakness of employer based healthcare. I support Biden’s plan to include Medicare as an option as a prelude for Universal Health Care in the US.

We are all in this together; let us vote to make both political and policy changes so we can “Make America Great Again”!

Judith A. Beay

Dear Editor,

As we all see hopeful signs of opening up the Country again, I know there are many people who will think its a bad idea and we should wait until the Covid-19 virus is gone and we have a vaccine or this, that and the other happens first and we’ll all be safe and no one will die again from this terrible plague. Right now we are living in a great Country that has not suffered a food shortage for at least 100 years. That could change if we do not make every effort to safely open up all businesses as soon as reasonably possible. Farms, hardworking farmers and their crews are where the food supply starts. Farmers have been able to provide a surplus of food and livestock products for this Country for decades that, even though you see some shelves empty at the stores now, you can be assured those products are still on their way thanks to the food supply chain that again, starts with farmers.

Without demand for food products from restaurants, schools, colleges, sporting events, hotels, theme parks, cruise ships, concerts, holiday celebrations, etc etc, farmers will not have a big enough market to sell to that allows them to make a profit that sustains their ability to continue to operate. You may have seen the coverage of dairy farmers having to dump milk down the drain or other farmers plowing fields of lettuce back into the ground as demand has dropped significantly with the closer of our entire Country and in fact, the world. What you are not seeing are the grain silos, potato cellars and the many warehouses still full awaiting demand for those and many other farm products. If the demand does not come soon, or at least the signs that it will come soon, Farmers will not have a reason to plant more crops this spring and we could start going down that terrible road of food shortages. Think about this: “The Virus” has taken many lives, but without food, we will lose more lives of all ages than we will have lost to this plague. Let us all be smart, safe, and be very courageous; support the gradual and cautious re-opening of our great Country because doing so will save millions of lives and livelihoods, also – all over the world!

Patty Jenkins

Editor:

We are now in the throws of the Coronavirus Pandemic and the death count grows with alarming regularity for the nation and the world with each passing day. But, we must remind ourselves that, like all pandemics in the past, this will end in time.  In 1918 450,000 Americans perished of the Spanish Flu (100,000 in the month of October alone).  Our knowledge of viruses and health is many times greater now than a century ago., we shouldn’t expect those kinds of numbers today. Estimates of 60,000 may well be too high as fewer cases than expected are reported.   The lockdown has impacted the numbers and bought us time to discover new ways to treat the sickness and excelled work on a vaccine   that will control this new influenza.  Some have suggested the lockdown should continue on for as long as four to six months.  That would reduced the nation to a staggering depression that would pull the whole world into starvation and political ruin. This would be worse than the great Depression of the 1930’s that saw the rise of fascists  and stimulated a World War. That would not be a welcome solution.   The lockdown will end, in stages, with those at risk staying home, and those who have had the sickness returning to work. The key is in testing. Germany and South Korea has pointed the way in the use of tests and  lowering the death rate.  I believe, with quick and easy testing, this lockdown and the pandemic could be ended in a month, perhaps as soon as the 5th of May.   If it is everyone will have a reason to celibate Cinco de Mayo. The drink of choice?  Corona Beer!

Richard Senate

Today’s public figures can no longer write their own speeches or books,
and there is some evidence that they can’t read them either.
~ Gore Vidal

Vol. 13, No. 15 – Apr 22 – May 5, 2020 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

Monday
4-6

 9:20am, received a report of a vessel discharging diesel from it bilge pump. Officers responded and discovered a sheen in the area around the vessel at VWM D-dock. The owner was contacted, he hired an individual to remove what fuel was left in the vessel and cleaned up recoverable fuel. USCG was advised.

Tuesday
4-7

 5:10pm, while on patrol in Rescue Boat 19, officers received a report of a Sport Fishing vessel with a cabin door to the wheelhouse unsecured and banging loudly from 30 knots of West wind. Officers were able to secure the door.

Wednesday
4-8

 7:33am, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers enforced beach closure to a group of surfers not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

10:50pm, dispatched to an assault victim in the Harbor Cove parking lot. Officers responded and assisted VPD with the call. The patient refused treatment

Thursday
4-9

 3:45pm, while on patrol, officers observed a suspicious vehicle in the Ventura Marina Community. After a brief investigation, it was ascertained that the driver was delivering food to a space in the park. He was assisted in locating it.

Friday
4-10

 7:15am, officers changed the electronic message board on Spinnaker Drive to inform the public that, “ BEACH CLOSED, NO BEACH PARKING, CITATIONS BEING ISSUED.”

10:20am, officers en route to enforce beach closure, no beach parking, no stopping on Spinnaker Drive and limited parking in the Harbor Village lot.

10:30-7:00pm, hundreds of warnings and educational contacts about closures and restrictions throughout the Harbor Village, Launch Ramp and beaches were issued to many persons heading to and arriving at the harbor.

8:25pm, received a report of a commercial fishing vessels’ bilge alarm sounding in Ventura Harbor Village. Officers responded and found the vessel afloat in normal position, not in danger of sinking. The owner was contacted to secure it.

Saturday
4-11

 10:00am, received a report of a bilge alarm sounding in VHV commercial slips. Officers responded, found the vessel and contacted the owner who assisted with entry where water was found. The bilge was pumped and the alarm turned off.

10:50am, officers along with Courtesy Patrol enforcing new parking regulations along Spinnaker and in the Ventura Harbor Village. Hundreds of contacts made.

12:52pm, received a report of a vessel aground near the Mandalay Power Plant. Officers responded in Fireboat to assist Tow Boat US with the vessel. Eventually the vessel was pulled off the beach. No one was injured.

2:49pm, received a complaint that poor signage around a nearby harbor was resulting in a lack of social distancing. The caller mentioned that Ventura Harbor was a good example of what signage should look like. Officers advised the caller of the correct department to complain to of the nearby harbor.

11:50pm, received a report of a transient female trespassed onto a vessel, unbeknownst to whom that the owner was onboard. More in the next report.

Answer In A Breeze

Q. I know that some restaurants are selling mixed drinks to go. Are bars allowed to sell alcoholic beverages to-go? I thought that was illegal.

Charles Gavin

Charles: For once a government agency has acted logically and quickly in order to help restaurants to survive. We asked the ABC that governs this to respond. This is their response. A little too detailed but explains it well.

The answer is “it depends”.

I would need to know what type of ABC license they hold, and whether or not they are complying with the directives under the Notice of Regulatory Relief issued by the Department to assist on-sale licensees with being able to continue to generate income as they shift business models to “to-go only” business.

Under current law, all bars and restaurants holding ABC licenses are permitted to sell alcoholic beverages in manufacturer, pre-packaged, and pre-sealed containers, to consumers for consumption off the licensed premises. They may sell only the types of alcoholic beverages that are allowed to be sold under their license for consumption on the premises, except for distilled spirits, and Type-75 licensees may only sell to-go beer that they produce on their licensed premises.

Some licenses are subject to a specific license condition prohibiting off-sale privileges. Notwithstanding this, in accordance with the Notice of Regulatory Relief (“Notice”) the Department issued on March 19, 2020, the Department will not be enforcing some of the statutory restrictions. As stated in the Notice licensed bars and restaurants may sell any alcoholic beverages to-go that they are allowed to sell under their license for consumption on the premises, in manufacturer pre-package and pre-sealed containers. This includes distilled spirits (for those licenses allowed to sell distilled spirits) and, for Type-75 licenses, alcoholic beverages other than beer produced on the premises. In addition, the Department will not be enforcing any conditions that prohibit off-sale privileges or that restrict the hours of service although the statutory prohibited hours will still be enforced; alcoholic beverages may not be sold between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. each day.

In addition to businesses that hold ABC licenses for bona fide eating places (restaurants; license types 41, 47, and 75), businesses that operate as bars (holding license types 40, 42, and 48) that have kitchen facilities and actually prepare meals on the licensed premises, may also sell alcoholic beverages to-go in the same manner that the Department has provided for restaurants. This means that any beer, wine, or distilled spirits (as applicable) may be sold in containers filled by the retailer as long as:

The container is sealed with a secure lid or cap and in a manner designed to prevent consumption without the removal of the lid or cap;

Such alcoholic beverages are only sold in conjunction with a bona fide meal prepared on the licensed premises for pick-up or delivery; and

The required notice is provided.

The sealing of a lid with holes in it by some method that cannot be easily removed by a customer after the sale is acceptable.

It is the responsibility of the delivery person to verify the age of the customer purchasing the alcoholic beverages to ensure delivery is not made to underage persons. The licensee is ultimately responsible for the delivery of alcoholic beverages.

Have a question, send it to [email protected] and we will try to get you an answer!

Aera Energy aids Ventura County nonprofits amid pandemic’s economic toll

As the nation reels from the economic crash of the COVID-19 lockdown, Aera Energy is supporting local communities in significant ways.

Since late March, Aera has donated $355,000 to mid-California nonprofits hit hard by increased calls for community help. These have come as California’s coronavirus restrictions close businesses and schools and force major job losses.

Aera’s financial donations have gone to COVID-19 relief funds in areas where the longtime oil and gas producer operates, including Kern, Monterey, Fresno and Ventura counties. Aera is Ventura County’s largest onshore oil producer.

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) was an early recipient. One of the first major companies to step forward last month, Aera donated $50,000 to the Camarillo-based nonprofit. VCCF directed the donation to its Rapid Response Fund and created a community challenge to generate additional contributions to address the COVID-19 crisis. A strong response enabled VCCF to provide more than $500,000 directly to its nonprofit partners by April 9 to help them provide food, housing and other assistance to the community.

“The Ventura community benefitted quickly and immediately from the monies the Foundation was able to disburse to those in need,” said Michele Newell, Aera’s public affairs representative in Ventura.

Other Ventura area organizations receiving Aera donations include:

Westpark Community Center on Ventura’s Westside. Aera has provided the nonprofit with more than 500 reusable shopping bags. These are expediting food distributions and promoting safe delivery by enhancing social distancing.

Health Care Foundation of Ventura County’s “Gown Brigade.” Aera delivered a supply of industrial trash bags in mid-April to Ventura County Medical Center for the Gown Brigade to use the bags to fabricate much-needed isolation gowns. These will help protect healthcare workers on the front lines.

Gas cards for local hospital staff. Through Western States Petroleum Association, Aera and other members provided 22 $50 Visa gift cards to help local hospital staff with expenses and show appreciation for their ongoing efforts.

Aera’s crisis support comes as the oil and gas producer deals with its own COVID-19 impacts. More than a month ago, Aera moved more than 800 employees to home offices to work remotely. Its crisis management response team continues to meet daily to address employee needs and support field operations amid historically low oil prices.

“At our field locations, Aera employees are essential workers,” Newell said. “We have taken steps to ensure their safety through social distancing, additional protective equipment such as masks and face shields, daily symptom checks and more. We are continuing to safely and responsibly produce the energy that fuels California.

 

Bartering Ventura-Style (second of two parts)

If you needed toilet paper Scotty Gray’s tree had them. And you thought only money grew on trees.

by Mira Reverente

For some, the sense of belonging and community was a draw.

Guinevere Heath just moved to Ojai from Ventura, and was looking for some furniture so she composed her first post. In a short amount of time, she received a dresser, shelves, tables and other small furnishings. “I knew I needed to give something back,” she said.

Heath started baking muffins, loaves and cakes, and would drive all over the county to drop off her goods. She loves getting ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder and the like to sustain her baking because she has zero income from her home bakery due to the pandemic.

Mary Campbell also found herself out of a job when the hair salon she was employed at closed down. Making ends meet by taking on odd jobs like DoorDash, she worried about her 67-year-old mother.

“I am in and out of the house all-day, everyday, bringing in who-knows-what-germs from my jobs,” she said. So she asked the group if anyone had a spare mini-fridge, a hot plate and a coffee maker, so she could keep her compromised mom in another section of the house. In five minutes, she was astounded to receive everything she had asked for.

Calhoun is proud of this tremendous movement, of service-oriented folks just coming together to help and take care of one another. “I worry about the homebound seniors, the immuno-compromised folks and families who are trying to survive on one or zero income,” she said. “I want them to ask for help and connect with someone.”

For Amy Lyons, the group helps soothe the feeling of isolation. A bookkeeper whose hours have been dramatically reduced, Lyons feels at home in this virtual community of selfless strangers. She said, “There’s so much negativity everywhere else, but in Ventura County, we have this.”

The barter system or the exchange of goods and services without money, is nothing new. According to various research, the history of bartering can be traced back to 6000 BC, introduced by Mesopotamian tribes and adopted by Phoenicians and Babylonians. In the US, bartering became hugely popular during the Great Depression due to the scarcity of money.

Gray has vivid memories of bartering in young adulthood, apprenticing with his dad who was a handyman. “I remember him exchanging labor and materials for food, among other things,” said Gray. “Back then, they used the honor system or notes, something you would probably call gift cards nowadays.”

The most requested and posted items are fruits, vegetables, water, baking supplies, cleaning supplies, kids’ art supplies, books, homemade masks and of course, toilet paper. Calhoun said, “I posted on there that members shouldn’t always expect an even trade. It won’t always work that way.”

Post-pandemic, Calhoun sees the group and its mission of service continuing on. She said, “Bartering is a lost art. I want the group to thrive and branch out. I want to see people be of service not only during desperate times, but also when times are good. ”

For more info or to join: www.facebook.com/groups, search for Ventura Free Barter & Trade

Girl on a Bicycle

by Patty Jenkins

I inhale deeply, the beautiful fresh sea air,
Eyes closed now I can almost smell it
Remember it with every breath inhaled
Now inside.

The waves sooth my mind as they flow into my senses,
Pulsing, soothing, reaching the depths of my soul.
Sea mist sprinkles like fairy dust upon my thirsty face, eyelids, cheeks, lips.
Now inside – eyes closed, I remember

Her cheerful little bell greets you before you see her smiling face –
The Girl on the Bicycle.
She glides oh so smoothly on the promenade
In sync with the waves; up and down, back and forth, east to west
Her basket full of curious fuzzy creatures.

I can feel my muscles relaxing now, my breathing slowing,
Now inside my mind goes willingly to our precious Ventura jewel,
Our beautiful lovely life-affirming always enduring promenade
Gateway to our sea, our souls!

I will stay inside; memory and hope my sanctuary.
Soon we will be free again, we will emerge like butterflies from our cocoons
We will all have saved lives! – Perhaps even our own!
Outside! Outside! Outside again we will ALL SOAR!

And I hope to hear her joyful bell again and see her peacefully gliding along – ,
The Girl on the Bicycle
With her curious fuzzy creatures and her beautiful smile.
Ocean mist dancing on my face, sea air filling the depths of my heart, my soul
Breathing in life deeply again – life Outside!
All is well – we are all here together again -Outside!

Gold Coast Recycling to reopen its Buy-Back Facility

The Buy-Back Center at Gold Coast Recycling reopened on Monday April 20; hours of operation are 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays.

Located at 5275 Colt St. in Ventura, the Buy-Back Center has been closed for the past month, to protect the safety of customers and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. All residential and commercial recycling services, provided by E.J. Harrison & Sons through Gold Coast, have continued uninterrupted.

In reopening, the buy-back facility requires all customers to wear gloves and masks for items to be accepted, and all recyclables must be bagged and separated into categories of plastic, aluminum and glass. Items not separated will not be accepted.

Gold Coast Recycling remains one of the few recycling centers still fully operational in Southern California. For additional information, call 805-642-9236.

John D. Kim named Chief Operating Officer for Kaiser Permanente

“John has spent more than a decade in hospital leadership within Kaiser Permanente”

Kaiser Permanente announced that John D. Kim has been appointed chief operating officer for the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills and West Ventura service areas. John will be responsible for day-to-day hospital operations, continuing care, capital projects, quality/regulatory services and operations support, as well as provide oversight of the West Ventura market.

Previous to this position, John served as the Area Quality Leader and Patient Safety Officer for the Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento service area, comprised of a 241-bed Level II Trauma Center and six medical office buildings. Under his leadership, the hospital was recognized by the AHA/ASA with Stroke Gold Plus Achievement award and Congestive Heart Failure Silver Plus Achievement award; achieved designation as a Primary Stroke Center; and received an A-rating by the Leapfrog Group.

“John has spent more than a decade in hospital leadership within Kaiser Permanente, said Murtaza Sanwari, senior vice president and area manager, Kaiser Permanente Woodland Hills and West Ventura service area. “He brings a wealth of experience in hospital leadership and has a proven track record of success, having worked in Kaiser Permanente’s Southern and Northern California regions.”

John holds both a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master’s of Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern California.

Ventura County Library continues to provide services

Ventura County Library continues to provide services during the COVID-19 emergency while staff and customers are sheltering at home. Many library services continue to be available.

eBooks and eAudiobooks are available in our CloudLibrary collection at: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/venturacountylibrary/Featured. Ventura County Library has recently dedicated extra funds to this collection to aid our customers during the County’s Stay Well at Home order.

eLibrary online resources at https://www.vencolibrary.org/elibrary including streaming music and movies, reference resources, newspapers, language learning, and literacy resources.

Don’t have a card? Check our Get a Library card page [https://bit.ly/VCLcard] to get a temporary number.

Due to the local COVID-19 emergency all Ventura County Library branches have closed and all programs and events canceled.

During this time, due dates for borrowed materials are being automatically extended, with no late fines assessed. Once the library reopens, customers may return materials. Until then, customers are asked to enjoy the items at home. Book drops are locked during our closure.

Placing holds is suspended and we encourage customers to keep lists of items and place holds once we reopen. The holds queue for materials is also paused, and when we reopen customers will have one week to pick up held items.

Ventura County Library is in constant communication with other departments, local officials, and health authorities. Stay updated on the latest regional developments of COVID-19 at https://www.vcemergency.com.