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Vol. 13, No. 9 – Jan 29 – Feb 11, 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.

Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm Arrest

On January 14, at 9:45pm, Ventura Police patrol officers received information that 23-year-old Reymon Young, who was a guest at the hotel, was in possession of a gun. The suspect is prohibited from possessing any firearms. He also had active felony warrants out for his arrest. After several hours, patrol officers were able to make contact with the suspect in the parking lot area of the hotel and arrested him for the outstanding warrants. After the arrest, officers were able to search his room where they found and recovered the firearm. The additional charge of felon in possession of a firearm was added to his arrest.

Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Felon in Possession of Ammo Arrest

On November 30, at approximately 3am, an unknown suspect broke into multiple locked garages and stole a large amount of military-issued property and construction equipment. Ventura Police Patrol identified three separate victims of the burglary.

During the investigation, Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Detectives identified a suspect, 33 year old Santa Paula resident Vicente Flores, as a person involved in the crime. On January 15, SCU served a search warrant at Flores’ residence in Santa Paula and located property stolen from the burglaries. Detectives also found ammunition and narcotics during the search. Flores is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing ammunition.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Flores has been convicted of narcotics offenses, theft, forgery, burglary, vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and felony resisting arrest.

Narcotics Arrests

On January 17 at 2pm, Ventura Police Department SCU Narcotics unit was conducting proactive enforcement in the downtown area of Ventura.

Detectives were monitoring the area using various surveillance tools. Investigators identified behavior consistent with potential narcotic sales, recognizing a habitual narcotic offender Whitney Byrd. Investigators contacted Ventura Police patrol units patrolling in the area who conducted an enforcement stop on two subjects. The two subjects were detained and arrested for narcotics-related offenses.

Robert Farrell, 41-year-old Ventura resident, was arrested and booked into Ventura County Jail for possession of narcotics for sales and an outstanding warrant for narcotic sales.

Whitney Byrd, 30-year-old Ventura resident, was arrested for an outstanding warrant for possession of narcotics and booked into Ventura County Jail.

A search of the Ventura County Superior Court shows that Whitney Byrd and Robert Farrell both have numerous prior arrests and convictions for drug-related crimes, including narcotics sales.

Residential Burglary, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

Sometime between the dates of January 15-19, when the owner of the residence was not at home, an unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s house and stole property and car keys and then took the victim’s car. Ventura Police Patrol responded and placed the vehicle in the stolen vehicle system, and the Lojack system was activated.

On January 20, a Ventura Police Street Crimes Detective found the stolen vehicle utilizing the Lojack system. This detective is also a member of VenCATT. Detectives observed the suspect, 23 year old Jared Russell, enter the car and drive away. A Ventura Police Department K-9 unit assisted SCU and VenCATT in stopping the stolen vehicle and taking Russell into custody. While taking Russell into custody, the detectives located stolen property from the residential burglary as well as illegal narcotics.

Russell was arrested and transported to the Ventura County Jail, where he was booked for burglary, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of methamphetamines, and a felony warrant.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Russell has been convicted of narcotics offenses and domestic violence offenses. Russell also has multiple out of state felony warrants.

Carrying a Loaded Firearm, Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition,

On January 19 at 7:30pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a suspicious subject loitering near a parked vehicle in the 1200 block of Conway Ave. Officers responded to the call and contacted the subject, later identified as 25-year-old Ventura resident Erik Lopez.

During the investigation, officers learned that Lopez was on probation and conducted a search of his vehicle. As a result of the search, officers found a loaded handgun concealed near the driver’s seat, ammunition, body armor and property which belonged to a state law enforcement agency that was possibly stolen. Officers also found a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Lopez was arrested for multiple charges including carrying a loaded firearm, prohibited person in possession of a firearm and ammunition, felon in possession of body armor, possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Lopez has prior convictions for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, false imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance, and disobeying a court order.

Audubon events

Feb 1, 8:00 a.m., Restoration Work Day, Hedrick Ranch Nature Area, Leader: Sandy Hedrick (805) 340-0478

Arrive at 8:00 for self-guided birding which usually yields some interesting birds. Restoration work from 9am – noon. Long pants and boots or closed shoes are required. Bring water, gloves & sun protection.

Feb 8, 8:30 a.m., Soule Park, Leader: David Wappler (805) 620-2676 / Adele Fergusson 805-415-4304

Situated in east Ojai, this large park offers grasslands, large deciduous trees and riparian habitat that bring out winter feeding flocks of sparrows, bluebirds, & warblers and year-round habitat for thrashers, woodpeckers, raptors and more. A section of Thatcher Creek that serves as the north border of the park will be enjoyed. Join us for an easy, flat walk around one of our most scenic birding spots.

Feb 11, 7:30 p.m., Ventura Audubon Society Monthly Program at the Poinsettia Pavilion – 3451 Foothill Road, Ventura (Free to the Public): The Salton Sea Update. Speaker: Andrea Jones, Director of Bird Conservation for Audubon California

To learn more about the threats facing the Salton Sea, as well as about efforts that have and are currently being taken to conserve it, come hear Andrea Jones’ talk. Andrea will highlight why the Salton Sea is critically important to over 400 species of birds, describe which of those species are most threatened, and explain how Audubon is engaging in new solutions that will benefit both birds and people.

Feb 15, 9 a.m., Ventura Settling Ponds, Leader: Frank DeMartino / Adele Fergusson (805) 415-4304

Enjoy a morning of mostly waterfowl birding with gulls, terns, ducks, herons, grebes, and even warblers. Spotting scopes are always welcome. Entrance at the corner of Spinnaker Drive and Angler Court off Harbor Blvd.

Feb 22, 8 a.m., Emma Wood State Beach, Leader: Tevin Schmitt (661) 904-1563

At the entrance to Emma Wood State Beach, we will be searching the scrub for sparrows and warblers. We will follow the path that leads through the willow forest (often finding wrentits and other secretive birds here) and finally across the sand dunes to the Ventura River Estuary. The estuary is always an exciting place to bird, and target birds will include: Snowy, Black-bellied and Semipalmated Plovers, Willet, Whimbrel, Black Turnstone, Red-necked Phalarope and Forster’s Tern. There will be a fair amount of walking, so please dress appropriately in layers and comfortable shoes.

Please do not leave valuables in your car, and be sure to lock your vehicle.

Special Love Local Art exhibit at VCPG Gallery Feb. 8, 9 and 14

Many people equate ceramics and romance with Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore in the movie Ghost, but seriously, no potter we know keeps a pottery wheel next to their bed! So, if you are looking for the true romance of ceramics for this Valentine’s Day we suggest you head over to the Ventura County Potters’ Guild (VCPG) Gallery in the Ventura Harbor. Over 35 member artists are turning out hearts and other unique gifts. Nothing is more personal than something handmade and the Gallery has hundreds of pieces, reasonably priced, for you to choose the perfect gift for family, friends, and that very special person.

February 8, 9 and 14 the VCPG Gallery will be doing a special Love Local Art exhibit outside the Gallery with hand-building demonstrations between 1 – 4 PM February 8th by Gayle Swanson and February 9th by Christine Watte. The Gallery will join the Harbor festivities on February 14 and will have sweets available while supplies last.

February featured artist Gayle Swanson has been making art her entire life and her love for color has followed her work in acrylics, watercolors, and clay. She is known for her vibrant, ocean-inspired turquoise glazes and bright flora colors of Oregon’s forests. We invite you to meet the artist and watch her Valentine demonstration of making heart-shaped jewelry holders, hangings with pockets, and shakers.

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.

Visit Ventura wins an Adrian gold, four years running

The VVCB staff is proud to be winners again.

Continuing a four-year streak, the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau (VVCB/Visit Ventura) was honored with another prestigious gold award from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) at the 63rd annual Adrian Awards, the world’s largest global travel marketing competition.

At the awards gala, held at New York’s Marriott Marquis on January 21st and attended by nearly 1,000 hospitality, travel, and tourism marketing executives, HSMAI recognized the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau for their innovative welcome of the 2019 Amgen Tour of California bicycle race. VVCB painted Ventura’s ambigram brand mark in a big way (48-feet long and 17-feet high) on the streets and the roofs of buildings, shouting Ventura’s community pride to the skies and thanking North America’s biggest professional cycling race for coming to town.

“With the eyes of the world focused on Ventura, we wanted to unleash a joyous visual extravaganza to celebrate America’s biggest professional cycling race and draw attention to our special town,” said Marlyss Auster, President & CEO of the Ventura Visitors & Convention Bureau. “But, just as important as highlighting Ventura pride, our ambigram (the same viewed backward and forward) brand mark also highlights our town’s belief. You see things as you see them. You be you. Everyone is welcome in our town.”

This marks the fourth year in a row VVCB has received an Adrian gold. Past winners of this coveted award include such industry giants as Choice Hotels International, Visit California, Hilton Worldwide, Marriott International, and Royal Caribbean International. VVCB’s string of wins are a “little engine that could” fairy tale come to life.

“It’s a remarkable streak, but for those who know the work of the VVCB it’s not surprising,” said Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere (also a huge cycling fan). “Instead of thinking outside the box, they just put aside the box altogether. Our town welcomed the riders and the race in one-of-a-kind fashion. We were all proud to be Venturans.”

VVCB’s work was judged to be exceptional by expert hospitality, travel, tourism, and media professionals. Judges were asked to evaluate each entry based on its own merit and success in achieving its objectives.

Winning entries are viewable in the winners’ gallery on the Adrian Awards website. Visit www.AdrianAwards.com for more information on the event and competition and to view the Adrian Awards Winners’ Gallery.

Visit Ventura is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures, tourism revenues, and local employment opportunities through the promotion of Ventura as a travel destination. For travel and accommodation information or a free copy of the Ventura Inspiration Guide, the public can write to the Ventura Visitors Center, 101 S. California Street, Ventura, CA 93001; call (805) 648-2075; visit www.visitventuraca.com; email [email protected]. Follow VVCB on Twitter @visitventura or become a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/visitventura.

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their partners and is the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue through programs such as the Marketing Strategy Conference, Adrian Awards, and HSMAI ROC. Founded in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org, HSMAI Facebook, HSMAI Twitter, and HSMAI YouTube.

Radiant You

by Carol Leish

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line. You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world”—Lucille Ball

Since happiness is essential for you, as women, for your lives, come to Radiant You, which is an upcoming 1-day retreat for women in Ventura. It is being sponsored by Ladies Luncheon, Ventura, which is a monthly women’s networking group that has been meeting for over 10 years. By being with other women, you will be able to create a sisterhood within community and to bond to make friendships and relationships with each other. Nurturing the inner and spiritual beauty within you, as women, will radiate within all areas of your lives. “This event will be guiding women to be able to achieve ultimate self-love. This will be able to translate into their health, wealth, and mind,” according to founder, Laurie Ann Meyer. “The speakers are choreographed for exactly that reason, in order to share with you.”

The day at Radiant You will include: Veronica Clark, who will focus on energy healing and self-love; Dr. Catie Wyman Norris, who will focus on nutrition; and, Jackie Ulmer, who will focus on business strategies. You will be inspired as you learn from these various speakers. You will also enjoy light movement from acupuncturist and yoga instructor, Krystal Pearson.

This special day of Radiant You will include: a continental breakfast; lunch; along with the opportunity to shop from a variety of local vendors. By wearing your most comfortable clothing, you will be able to enjoy participating in light movement, through yoga and relaxation techniques. By bringing a journal and writing materials, you will be able to write down important things that you will be learning during the day. You will be receiving yoga mats as a gift upon arrival, along with other giveaways.

The Radiant You event is on March 7, 2020, since, March 8, 2020, is International Women’s Day, in which, “An equal world is an enabled world.” You can celebrate women’s achievements. You can raise awareness against bias. And, you can also take action for equality,’ according to, International Women’s Day Charity Partners.

Thus, to be a part of Radiant You for $97, from 8:30am-2:30pm, at the Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill Rd., Ventura. Please register at: www.TheLadiesLuncheon.com/Radiant-You.

“Class Picture”, Sandy Hook Elementary School

I saw your editorial of Jan15-28, 2020 where you talked about gun violence and thought you might be interested in this. In 2013 I made an art piece which I called “Class Picture”, Sandy Hook Elementary School.

 It’s in the Ventura County Art Council show “Decade” (http://vcartscouncil.org/atrium-gallery/calendars-of-competitive-shows/ ). It can be seen at the Ventura County Government Center, Hall of Administration, 800 S. Victoria Ave. until Feb.24 on the 4th floor.

Jim Rinde

Never Not Once at the Rubicon

Sydney Berk plays Eleanor and Melanie Cruz plays her mother Allison in the West Coast premiere of Never Not Once. Photo by Veronica Slavin

Rubicon Theatre Company of Ventura begins the new year with the West Coast Premiere of Never Not Once, a powerful, compelling and timely new drama by Carey Crim. Never Not Once is about the families we choose, and the secrets that can pull them apart. The production is helmed by Brit Katharine Farmer, who has directed acclaimed Rubicon productions of Gulf View Drive (Ovation Award, Best Production of a Play, Larger Theatre), Incognito (West Coast Premiere), Heisenberg with Faline England and Joe Spano, and South Pacific (all Critic’s Choices in the L.A. Times).

Please note that Never Not Once contains strong language and sexual themes and is recommended for mature audiences.

Never Not Once runs from Wednesday, February 5 through Sunday, February 23, 2020. Performances are Wednesdays at 2 and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Low-priced previews are available Wednesday, February 5 at 7 p.m., Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. and Friday, February 7 at 8 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, February 8 at 7 p.m. with a pre-show party downstairs at Rubicon beginning at 6 p.m. with champagne, hors d’oeuvres and photos, and a post-show gathering with the cast hosted by Water’s Edge on the Harbor. Talkbacks are scheduled following all 7:00 p.m. Wednesday performances (except the first preview).

A new Coffeehouse Mixer Night for students is scheduled for the third Thursday of the run (February 20) at 7 p.m. with $20 tickets for all college students (plus the $5 handling fee). The price includes complimentary pizza and wings and one free beverage starting downstairs at 6 p.m. A special talkback particularly focused on the perspective of the college-aged characters in the play will follow.

Never Not Once is held at Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main Street (the corner of Main and Laurel). Ticket prices range from $25 to $59, with special discounts for students, seniors, teachers, Equity, active members of the military and groups of 15 or more. For more information, or to purchase tickets, go to www.rubicontheatre.org or call 805.667.2900.

VCCCD College Libraries launch new web capabilities

Students of Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges rely on their libraries’ websites for their studies, conducting more than 734,245 searches a year. Now students will have streamlined and improved search options. The libraries at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges recently launched upgraded web pages on each college’s website.

The updated interface connects the VCCCD colleges through one search bar, allowing users to search and request resources from any of the three colleges. The new system is the same type that both the UCs and CSUs currently use and is the culmination of a yearlong state-funded project to provide all California community colleges with a shared library systems solution.

“We have 225,000 print items in our libraries alone,” said Peter H. Sezzi, librarian and library department chair, Evelyn & Howard Boroughs Library, Ventura College, “so this was a large undertaking for us. It is more than worth it, as our current and future students will greatly benefit from the enhanced library resources we can provide.”

Chancellor Greg Gillespie added, “By investing in the services our colleges offer, we are investing further in students’ journeys and providing them with the necessary tools to accomplish their academic goals.”

The Ventura County Community College District is a member of the 115-campus California Community College system, and serves more than 32,000 students annually. The District’s three colleges–Moorpark, Oxnard, and Ventura–offer programs in general education for degrees and certificates, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, career technical education, and provide opportunities to engage in co-curricular campus activities. For more information, please visit vcccd.edu.