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Vol. 13, No. 14 – Apr 8 – Apr 21, 2020 – Mailbox

Breeze:

Each government program appears to be mandated that it be identified by an acronym. In 2008 the country initiated TARP, the troubled asset relief program. Subsequently, between 2008 and 2012 the federal government instituted the quantitative easing  QE1, QE2 and QE3 programs. I suggest that the recently enacted financial legislation be called SOAP. First, because we are reminded, as a personal exercise, to frequently wash our hands. Second, because it might be a more suitably appropriate acronym as a Save Our Ass Program.

Roy E. Colbert
architect

Breeze:

By calling the coronavirus the China virus Trump is being a racist. If it started in Germany he would not have called it the German (or the French) virus. Trump blames the Chinese for his slow reaction because they didn’t tell him. This is the same country that he always says lies so he can’t believe anything they say so if they told him he would have just said it was a lie and that they are just trying to sell us a bunch of stuff we don’t need like ventilators.

A 30-year-old videographer in Syracuse, N.Y., said he was still shaken from a trip to the grocery store last week, when the man ahead of him in the checkout line shouted at him, “It’s you people who brought the disease,” and other customers just stared at him, without offering to help. That same day, he said, two couples verbally abused him at Costco.

Lai Ching Ojai

Breeze:

In 1933, The German Reichstag adopted the Enabling Act, which effectively granted Adolph Hitler dictatorial powers.

Fast forward to these past years when our own GOP has mostly by default, or non-action, effectively granted our President and Senate dictatorial powers!

They’ve used their dictatorial power to give tax dollars to the superrich, deny Medi-Cal to uninsured people in the GOP controlled states, and, now to give one or more trillions to corporations, where many CEO’s earn millions each year in salaries and perks.

Do you agree that US tax dollars should go to Cruise companies that are mostly owned (on paper) by foreign companies? The Cruise companies can then avoid paying all of the US taxes.

The only way to change our US History is to vote, vote, vote out of office this dictatorial President and Senate. It’s beyond my comprehension how millions of ordinary people blindly follow leaders who repeatedly pass legislation that enriches corporations and the 2-3% wealthy.

Judith A. Beay Ventura

PS: Hi, Sheldon

I really liked your editorial in the Breeze re: Scientology. I liked your analogy about a “wait and see” when a new neighbor moves in. Perfect response!

Green with Envy

 

Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.
~ Ken Alstad

Second international win for Tesla radio theatre broadcast

Every Now and Then Theatre in Ventura has won an International Communitas Award for excellence in community service volunteerism and social responsibility for their radio theatre broadcast of “Nikola Tesla: Mysterious Genius.” Co-presented with Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks, NewsTalk 1590 KVTA Radio aired the one-hour production on Halloween night 2019. Every Now and Then Theatre participants are allowed only one rehearsal, then perform. All shows benefit foster kids. No one personally profits. Recently the show also picked up an International AVA Digital Gold Award for excellence in creativity and support of altruistic efforts.

Celebrity Host Rachel Reenstra joined the select cast of top local actors revealing the mysteries behind Tesla, the nearly forgotten eccentric inventor and animal lover. Reenstra is perhaps best known currently for her hosting of ABC-Disney’s four-time Emmy nominated Saturday TV show, “The Wildlife Docs.”

From the late 1800’s on, Nikola Tesla researched and developed radio (not Marconi), alternating current (A-C), vacuum tubes, the hydroelectric generator, the Tesla Coil energy transmitter, fluorescent and neon lighting, the principles of  X-rays and radar, wireless lighting, the rotary engine, remote control weapons, the basic for robotics, laser weaponry, designs for a vertical takeoff and landing airplane, and much more. Scientists today are still pouring over his papers to discover and understand more of his ideas.

Every Now and Then Theatre is Ventura County, California’s select troupe for radio drama broadcasts since 1990. Now beginning their 31st year, the all-volunteer Every Now and Then Theatre can be found by name on Facebook and maintain a website at everynowandthentheatre.com.

Vol. 13, No. 14 – Apr 8 – Apr 21, 2020 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

As incredible as it may be, Ventura’s music scene is keeping its preverbal blood flowing. I’ve been watching so many live streaming events, where you can purchase to view and some where you can make a donation to the “tip” jar. Our artists and musicians are doing what they can to keep our scene alive. For this column, I reached out to a number of musicians and asked how they’ve been dealing with the Stay Home order.

Shawn Jones Singer/Songwriter

How is the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Shawn: Well, for the next half of the year all my work is gone. Everybody is in lockdown mode and all of the clubs all over the world are closed as well as outdoor events so there you have it. I had four international trips booked in Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Costa Rica, Ireland, Hawaii, Seattle, and local gigs that are all gone. It’s impacting me pretty severely.

Is there an upside to this?

Shawn: There is an upside to it in regard to things slowing down, having a chance to reflect, a little bit of writing here and there, inventing new ways to create and to share your music, getting things done around the house, etc.

But the downtime is also filled with chasing down new ways to make money in the music industry and looking into COVID-19 bills that have passed and grants that are possibly available for musicians and freelance gig economy people. Before we were never counted in and now, we are because of this horrible pandemic we are finally being recognized as a working class of people that have rights as well.

You have a new record ready to release, right?

Shawn: Well I was supposed to be doing a release in Liechtenstein for the new vinyl that we did that included Sam Bolle on bass and Gerry Morgan from Ireland on drums. It’s a live album from our studio live session at Little Big Beach Studios in Liechtenstein. That will have to come out in the fall at this point if everything goes well.

Additional thoughts you’d like to add?

Shawn: My heart goes out to all of those that are suffering right now so that’s kind of more the important thing on my mind and being responsible in my actions and staying self-quarantined.
I am also doing a lot of writing and trying to cut it close to the heart as possible and get to some very thought-provoking topics and issues for the next project which will come out when I am ready and since I am independent it’s when I’m ready instead of when the record company tells me I need to release it, so all I can say is it will be sooner than later!

(Shawn Jones is the king of social media, you find him on most all platforms including his official website, ShawnJonesMusic.com)

Kelly Zirbes, singer/songwriter of Kelly’s Lot

Are you and Perry (Kelly’s Husband and Guitarist for Kelly’s Lot) still working a day job?

Kelly: Perry is still working. He is finishing up a post-production sound on the new Ghostbusters movie. He can do that from home and meets with the team on Zoom for updates.

How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Kelly: We have switched gears and started planning, arranging and writing a new record featuring songs from the Facebook Word Challenge that I have been doing for a couple years. Fans give me a word and I write a song in 2 hours. I miss playing with my band but a new CD is nothing to complain about. I am blessed.

Do you find an upside to this?

Kelly: No, not with all the fear, sadness and suffering. I don’t mean to be negative, but live music helps so many and creates a community that is missing right now.

What are you doing to fill the time?

Kelly: Just writing more songs and checking in with people. We feel blessed that Perry is still working so we have reached out to those who are not working now and have helped in different ways. We all need to look to the left or look to the right and see who beside us who is hurting and do something to help.

Add anything else you’d like to share.

Kelly: If you’d like to help a local musician, just think about who you loved going out to see in your local pubs and reach out to them. Maybe they are doing an online concert or selling CDs on their websites. Maybe they need to hear from their fans, maybe they need financial help. If you are working and okay, maybe help someone who is not.  I’m sure they would really appreciate it!

(Kelly’s Lot can be found on most social media platforms as well as their official website at KellysLot.com)

Dan Grimm, Singer/Songwriter & owner Carbonite Sound

Are you still working your day job?

Dan: Hell yeah I am, and I’m surprised! When I took the job at Lynda.com to start the tech support team for online learning, I didn’t think I would be there long –– I thought I would sign a new artist contract and be writing for an artist or touring within the year. Amazingly, 14 years later, my love for the technological evolution of human learning has never been stronger. I’m having some Deja vu these days because when the economic bubble burst in 08′, Lynda.com skyrocketed with people needing to learn new skills to survive.  Linkedin acquiring Lynda.com was unexpectedly awesome, and I am proud of how many people’s lives we have helped improve with the massive platform for learning.
But sadly, the music industry as a trade has been demolished over that same time frame. Streaming services have become disastrous, live venues pay 1/10th the money they used to, and while people still value music so greatly –– there isn’t the same class of fair pay for work you see in trades like plumbing, electricians, and carpentry. I’m actively working to try to change that using every platform at my disposal, and I think every musician and industry person should be too.
How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?
Dan: I miss my band and playing in front of a live audience so much.  At the same time, it’s good for me because I have to focus on writing and getting solo demos for license instead of taking gigs. On the bright side, there is still a growing need for music behind all that streaming content most folks are binge watching. Plus, if you can’t find material to write about in these interesting times, you shouldn’t ever complain that Bob Dylan, Crosby Stills and Nash, Neil Young, or anyone in the 60’s had more things to address in their music. I’m hopeful songwriters are taking advantage of a powerful moment in history to channel powerful concepts into song.
Tell me how this all is affecting the studio.
Dan: It’s a mixed bag, the part of our revenue at Carbonite Sound (formerly Brotheryn) that comes from recording live bands is paused, fortunately, we have been so busy over the last 6 months with TV, movies, bands, and various sound projects that there is a lot of mixing, mastering, and cleanup work that can be done in isolation. This could go on for longer than we can guess, and we think it’s time we look at ways we can pivot with the post pandemic shifts that may occur. On that note, we think we have a few good ideas in the works and I’m really excited to see what we can do to improve the things we offer artists, industry, and audience.
(Find out more about Dan Grimm on his Facebook page and Carbonite Sound (clientele includes Kenny Loggins, Joe Bonamassa, Izzy Stradlin, Farrelly Brothers and more at CarboniteSound.com)

Karen Parkhouse, Singer/Songwriter of The Barrelhouse Wailers

Do you work a day job?

Karen: I don’t work a day job, but I volunteer teach choir at Balboa middle school, so that’s obviously not happening at the moment. My husband is still employed and works from home.

How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Karen: Covid has affected us by performances being cancelled through June resulting in income loss for the band.  Also, band cannot rehearse with remote communication only.  We are working on some new stuff though, and setting up recording stations at each of our houses.

Is there an upside?

Karen: The upside is learning to slow down; unfortunately, so many musicians rely on gig income, so it’s rough for some. Upside is also taking time to work on writing. I’ve set myself a daily music challenge to be creative and practice/ produce something every day and to document this time in life.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Karen: It’s tough for performers to not perform.  It’s like our outlet has been taken away.  Thankfully we live in a period that we can still express ourselves and reach an audience through social media where even tips can be sent remotely. The energy level has gone down, but support for each other has skyrocketed.

(The Barrelhouse Wailers have two CDs to date; look them up on Facebook and YouTube and on their official website TheBarrelhouseWailers.com)

Jeff Donovan, Guitarist from The Guitar and Whiskey Club

Do you work a day job? If so, are you still working?

Jeff: I used to spend my days working Monday through Friday from home, so now I spend 24 hours a day at home (except for the occasional store run). My heart goes out to the many people not in a good situation right now.

How’s the Covid-19 Stay Home order affecting you as a working musician?

Jeff: I am trapped at home with the singer of my band as a roommate – how fortunate is that? On the other hand, the rest of the band members are not able to be with us right now, so we have had to develop new material – and do live streaming as the Guitar & Whiskey Club “Lite” in place of shows with the full band.

Is there any upside to it?

Jeff: Yes, there is extra time to create music, but on the downside, I have to spend some of that time sanitizing my groceries and mail, and just about everything else in sight!

(Get the low down on the hard rockers at GuitarAndWhiskeyClub.com and most social media platforms)

Robert Ramirez from Medicine Hat

I know you injured yourself and have been rehabilitating but how has this Stay Home Order been affecting you?

Robert: COVID19 and its impact on myself and Medicine Hat has been quite a journey. This has all happened while simultaneously recovering from broken clavicle surgery. With a brand-new album, corresponding release parties and a trip to play SXSW all being cancelled, we pretty much watched all the hard work and planning slip away, like a carpet being pulled out from under us.

As is for many artists, the Stay Home order has caused us to rethink how we share our music. We’d like to do some live streaming as soon as I’m able. In the meantime, we’re coming up with different ways to get the new songs out there. Medicine Hat plans to post a song a day from the new album, on our Facebook page. We’ll include lyrics, photos and interesting notes pertaining to each track, kind of a virtual Story Tellers.  We’re trying to take advantage of this time to work on promoting, submitting the record for reviews and maybe start writing the next one!

(Medicine Hat’s new release Fences is available at www.MedicineHat.net and all streaming platforms.)

Next issue I’ll be checking in with more musicians including Guy Martin, Tommy Marsh and Jon Gindick.

Be on the alert for utility scams

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) reminded customers to be on alert for potential scams targeting utility customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. One common scam involves telling customers they must pay their gas bill immediately or their natural gas service will be disconnected. SoCalGas does not call customers seeking payment and had suspended service disconnections for customers until further notice. SoCalGas provides tips on how to recognize and respond to these scams:

Tips include–

Spotting common scam tactics such as Caller ID spoofing, phishing emails and texts, and utility imposters.

Always ask to see SoCalGas photo ID badge before letting someone inside. All SoCalGas employees on company business are required to carry a badge.

Customers are encouraged to verify the employee’s uniform and identification. Most of our authorized employees will always be in a uniform with our company logo, carry an official employee badge, and drive a company car. Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.

Visit socalgas.com/scam-alert for additional tips and information about scams.

You can also visit socalgas.com/newsroom and @SoCalGasNews on Twitter for updates.

SEEAG in the news

Topics include how to plant an outdoor vegetable garden.

Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) was selected to receive a $55,000 grant from St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) and St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC), members of Dignity Health.

The grant funds will go towards expanding SEEAG’s “Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative.” The program educates and inspires children to eat healthy by adding locally grown Ventura County specialty crops to their diet. SEEAG brings its mobile classroom van to schools where SEEAG instructors provide hands-on nutrition education to third graders. Over 2,800 students will take part in the program during the 2020 calendar year.

Each participating student receives a Wellness Swag Bag containing educational materials, produce samples, recipes and a dental hygiene kit. The grant will enable SEEAG to add a bilingual educator to the program, create five farmers market pop-ups within the targeted school districts that will provide free produce and nutritional information for families and include a jump rope in each of the Wellness Swag Bags.

“Many farmworkers’ children are enrolled in the targeted school districts. They are an important population to reach with our message,” says Mary Maranville, CEO/founder of SEEAG. “SEEAG is grateful for Dignity Health’s support of the Child Wellness Initiative, The grant is recognition that our efforts to educate children about eating healthy if very much needed in Ventura County.”

Other organizations teaming up with SEEAG to make the Ventura County Child Wellness Initiative successful are Reiter Affiliated Companies’ Sambrando Salud Program, Clinicas del Camino Real and Ventura County Public Health.

Fun, kid-friendly gardening activities from Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG)  are now available for children who are at home due to COVID-19 school closures. SEEAG, a local leader in agriculture education, conducts learning programs in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties at schools and farms where it teaches students how food is grown, healthy eating habits and proper nutrition. The program is called “Let’s Grow A Garden!”

Program lessons are now online and new lessons will be posted every Monday through summer. Topics include how to plant an outdoor vegetable garden or indoor container garden, how to select the right plants and soil, information about local agriculture and links to where families can order seeds and gardening materials online.

Co-sponsoring Let’s Grow A Garden! is Agromin. Agromin is giving away 500, 20-quart bags of potting soil (one per child), Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Follow all social distancing rules posted on site.

The program will also feature a weekly garden photo contest where students submit photos (#letsgrowagarden2020) showing the progress of their gardens with the chance to win garden-themed prizes.

No registration is required. New gardening tips and information will be posted each Monday at 8:30 a.m. on https://www.seeag.org/letsgrowagarden2020. To learn more about SEEAG, go to www.SEEAG.org.

When and what is Passover?

Passover 2020 begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 8, and ends Thursday evening, April 16. The first Passover seder is on the evening of April 8, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of April 9.

Passover is a festival of freedom.

It commemorates the Israelites’ Exodus from Egypt, and their transition from slavery to freedom. Passover or Pesach is an important, biblically derived Jewish holiday. The Jewish people celebrate Passover as a commemoration of their liberation by God from slavery in Egypt and their freedom as a nation under the leadership of Moses. It commemorates the story of the Exodus in which the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt.

Passover commences on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan and lasts for either seven

days (in Israel and for Reform Jews and other progressive Jews around the world who adhere to the Biblical commandment) or eight days for Orthodox, Hasidic, and most Conservative Jews.

A day commences at dusk and lasts until the following dusk, thus the first day of Passover begins after dusk. It is one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays.

The rituals unique to the Passover celebrations commence with the Passover Seder.

In the narrative of the Exodus, the Bible tells that God helped the Children of Israel escape from their slavery in Egypt by inflicting ten plagues upon the ancient Egyptians before the Pharaoh would release his Israelite slaves; the tenth and worst of the plagues was the death of the Egyptian first-born.

The Israelites were instructed to mark the doorposts of their homes with the blood of a slaughtered spring lamb and, upon seeing this, the spirit of the Lord knew to “pass over” the first-born in these homes, hence the English name of the holiday.

When the Pharaoh freed the Israelites, it is said that they left in such a hurry that they could not wait for bread dough to rise (leaven). In commemoration, for the duration of Passover no leavened bread is eaten.

Vol. 13, No. 14 – Apr 8 – Apr 21, 2020 – Forever Homes Wanted

Is This Your Pet? We hope so!
We are hoping the owner of this very cute Chihuahua mix will see this and bring her home. We think she is about 2 years old. She is 15 pounds and was found in Oxnard. Is she your dog or do you know where she lives? Her id number is A752732 and she can be found in kennel 262. Please call 805-388-4341. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive

Handsome Simba is searching for his forever fetch partner. If you are a German Shepherd enthusiast, you need to meet this guy. Simba is 8 years old but still has a youthful spirit. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Ventura College Foundation Marketplace closed until further notice

The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, which operates every Saturday and Sunday on the Ventura College campus, is closed until further notice. Ventura College is following the March 19 COVID-19 “Shelter In Place” executive order from California Governor Gavin Newsom so classes and public activities are no longer being held on campus.

“We know that the prolonged closure will impact many in the community who rely on the Marketplace for their fresh produce, pre-packed food and other essential items,” says Anne Paul King, executive director of the Ventura College Foundation. “For our vendors, the Marketplace is a major source of revenue. It’s a difficult time and our hearts go out to those who are affected.”

The Marketplace draws about 2,000 visitors each weekend with 200 vendors on Saturday and 300 vendors on Sunday.

“Our Foundation Board of Directors and staff are working hard behind-the-scenes so that when we are given permission, we will be ready to reopen the Marketplace as quickly as possible,” says King.

The Ventura College Foundation Marketplace has hosted vendors and patrons for over three decades and is a link between the college and the community. The Marketplace’s weekly booth space rental income supports 50 percent of the foundation’s budget including 100 percent of the organization’s operating budget.  It is essential in ensuring the foundation’s ability to deliver philanthropic support to students and the college.

Last year because of the Marketplace, the organization was able to support more than 5,800 students last year covering all education fees through the VC Promise (1,183 first-year and 363 second-year students), textbook support (1,565 served through semester lending library and 2,843 served through the resource library) and scholarship support (240 students served and 463 scholarships awarded).

Vol. 13, No. 13 – Mar 25 – Apr 7, 2020 – Opinion/Editorial

Cancel, cancel, cancel. Stay at home. Don’t hug when we need them most. What awful tough times for us all.

∙This is a very different issue of the Breeze than usual. Almost no events (including art) as Ventura shuts down. Several Coronavirus articles as well – not our usual Ventura news, but important for our readers.

If you are reading this, you were obviously able to find a copy of the Breeze. Many of the businesses that carry the Breeze are closed.

First, I want to thank and compliment the amazing Ventura Breeze staff for getting this issue out and still managing to get it into racks and businesses that are still open.

I hear so much about government taking care of hourly workers that need financial help, but it goes way beyond hourly workers. There are so many small businesses that were just managing to stay open as it is, especially mom and pop restaurants, that will probably never open again. And they employ people.

Even the Ventura Breeze is struggling. This issue has a very small amount of ads. Many of our advertisers are holding off right now until they can evaluate what the future holds for their businesses, or they are closed right now. If they are open, and you can afford to do so, please continue to buy from them.

Many newspapers, large and small, are struggling and suspending their print editions. The economic forecast for local papers was not very strong even before this pandemic so it has just been exacerbated by this. Even a London-based newspaper is shutting down its print edition.

Many small local papers have asked their readers for donations to keep printing (kind of like art patrons). So, let me ask you, our readers, would you be willing to contribute financially to the Ventura Breeze in order for us to keep printing? Let me know your thoughts and suggestions at [email protected].

During these stressful times we all need to take care of our mental health also. We all have feelings of depression and anxiety. Some finding working at home, and the feeling of isolation, very alarming. So, take some very deep breaths and try to relax. Maybe it’s time to take care of all the little jobs that need doing around the house. Marking off your “to do” list can be very satisfying.

∙ The LA Time’s coverage is 95% about Coronavirus. I wonder what happens to all of the other events making news that we know nothing about except, perhaps, online?

∙ While a national emergency like this brings out the best in people who are doing wonderful things for each other, it also brings out the very worse in some. The most terrible being scammers taking advantage of seniors. Even a leading TV televangelist recently promoted his “Silver Solution” suggesting the formula could boost the immune system and kill the virus withing 12 hours. Thankfully the government shut that down.

Phony products are being sold on Facebook and Craigslist. There is no pill, or supplement that can prevent or cure the virus.

∙The Ventura Unified School District closed all schools on Monday, March 16 through Friday, April 10 due to coronavirus concerns. There is the strong possibility that schools will not open again until after summer. So tough on families that need to go to work while their kids are in school.

∙My condolences, pain and thoughts go out to the family, friends and school mates of 16-year-old Austin Gambill who died from injuries he suffered after he was hit by a truck along Seaward Avenue last week. Gambill was a sophomore at Ventura High School where he was a member of the school’s cross-country team. The driver of the truck remained on the scene and cooperated with the police. Apparently, drugs and alcohol were not a factor in the crash just one of those awful things that can happen in life. I also feel for the truck driver who will live with that image for the rest of his life.

And Mother’s Day is not that far way. It will be a lonesome one for most people being isolated from each other.

Really odd to me we are told to keep social distancing and at the White House Coronavirus Task Force meeting speakers stand shoulder to shoulder.

∙Some desperate people have resorted to using other papers and cloth in the absence of toilet paper which is resulting in the stoppage of sewer lines. So, please don’t use the Ventura Breeze as toilet paper. Besides being too rough, we don’t want to be the cause of clogging up your sewer lines.

∙It is beyond my belief but there are still some Americans that believe that the virus is the Democrat’s way of getting rid of Trump. Italians ignored all the recommendations to prevent the virus spread and their death toll is more than the Chinese, over 4,000. We must do what we are being told to stop this awful virus from spreading. The number of deaths caused by the coronavirus worldwide has reached at least 13,000, including almost 400 in the U.S.

∙ Ralph Charette, 71, said he bought a rifle and ammunition on Saturday to protect himself and his family as a wave of coronavirus panic sweeps across the country. Charette, a military veteran, spent $1,500 at a gun shop in Germantown, Wisconsin, after encountering aggressive shoppers and empty shelves at local grocery stores. Now, if looters come knocking, he’ll be ready, he said.

As hysteria surrounding the illness drives some to stockpile groceries and toilet paper it’s also causing many to worry about a shortage of gun supplies, which is driving up demand and leading to long lines. I find this to be very disturbing. Especially in times like this when people are anxious and very up tight. Some are even suicidal. Some of these guns will be used for that purpose.

For instance, seven members of the same family were fatally shot recently in North Carolina. The suspect is among the dead. The incident is a suspected murder-suicide.

Take care of each other, and be kind.

Vol. 13, No. 13 – Mar 25 – Apr 7, 2020 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

County theaters suffer another loss – You!

Entertainment has reached crisis point as a result of the current health situation unprecedented in our lifetime (mine anyway). Broadway theaters are closed. Las Vegas is shutting down. Ventura County theaters are shuttering up. Now there are just empty seats in dark theaters. A great loss to patrons of Ventura County theatres is the recent closure of all the stage performances whether they were in progress or about to open.

I understand some auditions may still be held for future productions so there is hope for the future. But for now, theaters who were already struggling, appear to be in for a very hard time indeed. Just as with our homes and businesses, rent and utilities still must be paid. Most of our county theaters rely on paying audiences to do just that on a monthly basis.

One thing I have always loved about live theater (there are many) is that I never have to wonder if I will be able to “connect” -no Wi-Fi needed. I can be involved without truly being involved (that is, first having succeeded at being cast, learning the script, rehearsing for weeks, taking direction, tech week, personality clashes, giving up all weekends for several months and more). With so many staying home, out of school, working from home, or ill, internet lines are overloading, TV streaming is spotty and me randomly blurting out lines or songs from shows in my living room just isn’t the same as watching a fine live performance. Just ask anybody in my house.

Theater people are extraordinarily resilient. They live to entertain, and they will be ready and eager to come back when the air clears. The bigger question is, will the theaters be financially able to re-open?

In the meantime, there seems to be plenty of time to hone one’s skills, or perhaps take up new ones. Always wanted to write a play? Make a costume? Experiment with stage makeup? Build a stage prop? Now is a great time to get started. When theaters do reopen, you will be ready.

Kids could act out a part of their day for the rest of the family. It could be a group project. It can be re-living a funny situation or a testy one. There are plays about both. Who knows – it might even open an actual conversation!

I think I’ll go start writing something now myself. Who knows? Could be a whole new career track. Perhaps it will be about my adventures in the theater. There are no shortage of stories!