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Housing Trust Fund Ventura County is changing the affordable housing market

Housing Trust Fund Ventura County (HTF Ventura County) is helping to successfully change the landscape of Ventura County’s affordable housing market. Its three newest funding projects would not be possible without ongoing community funding support and grants.

Recently, HTF Ventura County was notified by the U.S. Department of the Treasury that it is one of 73 recipients of a Technical Assistance grant. The $125,000 grant doubles to $250,000 due to State Proposition 1’s fund matching program. “Earlier this year we set a lofty $5 million fundraising goal by the end of 2019,” stated Linda Braunschweiger, CEO of Housing Trust Fund Ventura County.

Ventura’s Willett Ranch, located at 54 and 55 Willett Street, is part of the new Solana Heights residential community. It will include the new construction of 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments for extremely low income seniors, with 15 apartments designated for permanent supportive housing for homeless households. It is estimated that 75-80 seniors will become residents of Willett Ranch. Construction is set to begin in November.

Ventura’s El Portal Building, located at 1238-1288 North Ventura Avenue, is a two-story building constructed in 1929. After falling into disrepair, Triad Properties, a nonprofit corporation associated with the Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura purchased the mixed-use property with plans to reconfigure 33 current living spaces, storage and commercial space into 28 to 30 more suitable apartments for homeless individuals, those with special needs, and very low income adults. HTF Ventura County provided a $700,000 construction loan to kick-off the project.

HTF Ventura County is the local trusted leader in helping to increase affordable housing options throughout Ventura County by leveraging public-private partnerships to provide low-cost, flexible loans early in the housing development cycle. As of July 2019, HTF Ventura County has invested $4.7 million through its revolving loan fund, creating 143 affordable apartments and homes for very-low, low- and middle- income employees, transitional age foster youth, veterans, farm workers, and the homeless.

Vol. 13, No. 2 – Oct 23 – Nov 5, 2019 – Police Reports

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.

Suicide Attempt

On Oct.12, at 2:23pm, officers were dispatched to a call of a female possibly threatening to jump off the California St. overpassing at Highway 101. An officer responding to the call saw the victim, later identified as a 61-year-old female, sitting down next to the railing on the south side of the bridge. As the officer was approaching the subject she suddenly stood up and jumped over railing. The victim landed on the right shoulder of the freeway which was approximately 20 feet below.

Upon landing, the victim sustained severe non-life-threatening injuries to her legs. She was not hit by any passing vehicles.

Officers immediately stopped the southbound lanes of the highway and rendered aid until Ventura City Fire personnel arrived on scene. The subject was treated at the scene and later transported to VCMC for treatment of her injuries. She will undergo a mental health evaluation when released.

The southbound lanes of Highway 101 were reopened after approximately 15-20 minutes.

Stolen Vehicle Arrest

On Oct.19, at 2:18pm, Ventura Police officers located what was believed to be a stolen vehicle in the parking lot of the Bayshore Motel. The car was occupied by three subjects and was seen leaving the motel parking lot. As the car drove away, the officers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the area of Dos Caminos Ave. and Central Ave. The driver of the vehicle (Snyder) pulled over, and the was contacted.

During the investigation, it was learned that Snyder was in possession of a shaved key that he used to steal the vehicle. He was also in possession of illegal drugs. One of the passengers in the vehicle (Coke) was a wanted parolee. The other passenger was cleared and was released. David Snyder 9-20-75, Ventura resident, Dustin Coke 7-31-99, Ventura resident.

No one was injured during the incident. Snyder was arrested for felony possession of a stolen vehicle, burglary tools, and possession of narcotics. Coke was arrested for his felony parole violation. The car was returned to the owner.

World Mental Health Day there is hope. Suicides are preventable

Dr. Pilar Sumalpong, Mark Schumacher, Christine Ray, Jason Meed, Dr. Sevet Johnson and Roberta Griego were featured speakers.

by Jill Forman

Every year in Ventura County, nearly 93 people die as a result of suicide. The World Health Organization has designated Suicide Prevention as its theme for2019. Turning Point Foundation hosted a community townhall with a panel of Ventura County mental health professionals. Their goal was to gather insight and ideas on suicide prevention across Ventura County

Attendees were a mix of medical and mental health personnel, social workers, family members affected by suicide or attempted suicide, and other involved citizens. Supervisor John Zaragoza, whose life has been impacted by such an event, came by and gave a brief but heartfelt speech.

The panel members were:
Marie Linauro (moderator) – Turning Point Foundation
Roberta Griego – NAMI (National Association for the Mentally Ill)
Dr. Sevet Johnson – Ventura County Behavioral Health
Jason Meek – Turning Point Foundation
Christine Ray – parent and advocate
Mark Schumacher – Turning Point
Dr. Pilar Sumalpong – Vista del Mar

All these dedicated and articulate experts had insights into the problem of suicide and what can be done to prevent it. Here are basic elements that were stated over and over as vital foundations of any programs.

Communication: Don’t be afraid to talk about the subject, to admit that it’s real and can happen in any family. It is a scary subject; admit that and talk about it anyway. Share stories. The only way to decrease the stigma and shame is to be open about it. With a person in danger, admit that it’s an option, let them steer the conversation and talk about it. Be a true friend and listen, validate their viewpoint.

Education: Know the signs when someone is in danger, perhaps increased stressors, and statements of hopelessness, “This is too hard.” This education needs to be started in school, at young ages. Know the risk factors, especially with trauma. “An educated community is a healthier one,” emphasized one panel member. Professionals as well as community members can come together to learn, to hear where someone in danger can be referred. Major life transition can be a danger point; someone coming out of the military, or jail, or mental health is at risk if they are not helped to merge into “normal” life. Other danger points are death of a spouse or family member, job loss, financial difficulties, health issues, divorce and anything that radically changes someone’s life.

Change In Public Attitude: Suicide has to be made a safe and palatable topic. The difficulty is that unless it has occurred in a family or circle, people don’t “get it.” It needs to be discussed with compassion and empathy, not dismissed as “weak” or “selfish.” It is not a shameful act. One panel member told about his mother being so ashamed of her husband’s suicide that she moved out of the area so she’d be where nobody knew. What a terrible thing, that she felt she had to cut herself off from everyone she knew. These were the people that could have been supporting her, in a different scenario. The stigma comes from fear that it could happen to someone we know, so we distance ourselves from even the thought of even that possibility.

Accessibility: Help has to be available to all, and affordable. The person in danger needs to be guided to services, to be reassured they are not a failure, that they are doing the best they can. As one panel member said, “Show them they’re worth it!”

Interagency collaboration is the key to successful programs. Public Health, schools, Behavioral Health, and law enforcement are all necessary components and need to coordinate their efforts. As the agenda for the meeting said, “With awareness, commitment and action we can save lives. Together.”

Housing Authority Scholarship Program awards scholarships at ceremony

Housing Authority 2019 Scholarship recipients included Justin Arbaiza, Karen Torre and Daisy Sumaya

The Housing Authority City of San Buenaventura (HACSB) Scholarship Program awarded a total of $9,000 in scholarships at its annual awards ceremony held Sept. 26 at the Museum of Ventura County. The scholarships are awarded to low-income students currently living in HACSB affordable communities and are funded by the HACSB’s associated resident services nonprofit, Cocina Sin Fronteras, through its annual Haunted Housing Run/Walk event. Since its inception in 2015, a total of 25 scholarships have been awarded.

The scholarship awards are $2,000 each for students attending a four-year college/university and $1,000 each for students attending community college or technical/vocational school. This year’s $2,000 scholarship recipients include Daisy Sumaya, California State University, Channel Islands; Haley Howard, Ottawa University, Arizona; Karen Torres, California State University, Channel Islands; and Andrew Coronel, University of Southern California. This year’s $1,000 scholarship was awarded to Justin Arbaiza, Ventura College. The recipients’ areas of study include engineering, biology and psychology.

Ventura College Vice President for Student Affairs Damien Peña, Ed.D. gave an address and presented the awards. HACSB staff and board members, including board chair John Polanskey and HACSB CEO Denise Wise, were also in attendance. Musical entertainment was provided by Ventura Music Festival and Thousand Oaks Philharmonic young artists Stephen Saw, Esther Kim, Dara Moayer and Vibiana Cardenas.

“We are thrilled to be able to recognize these students for their hard work and to contribute toward their higher education goals. Education creates opportunities, access and choices; it is key to breaking the cycle of poverty,” said HACSB CEO Denise Wise. “The Housing Authority Scholarship Program is one example of the many programs HACSB offers housing residents and program participants to help them learn and grow to maximize their potential and improve their quality of life.”

This year’s Haunted Housing Run/Walk will take place Saturday, Oct. 26, at San Buenaventura State Beach, 901 San Pedro St., Ventura, with 100 percent of proceeds going to fund the 2020 Housing Authority Scholarship Program. The Haunted Housing Run/Walk offers both a 5K and 10K with chip timing on a fast, flat oceanfront course along the Ventura Promenade. Races begin promptly at 8 a.m., followed by the free Kids Dash at 9 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the top three overall male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K. All 5K/10K race participants receive an event t-shirt, bib and specially designed participation medal; breakfast burritos and donut holes will be served after the race. The family-friendly event will have free face painting, a jolly jump and a photo booth for all to enjoy. Costumes are encouraged with prizes awarded for best adult and best children’s costume.

Registration for the 2019 Haunted Housing Run/Walk is open through Oct. 23 and is available online at https://runsignup.com/Race/CA/Ventura/HauntedHousingRun.

The Housing Authority of the City Of San Buenaventura (HACSB) is the largest residential landlord in the City of Ventura, currently managing 295 public housing units, 705 nonprofit affordable rental units, and more than 1,500 Section 8 vouchers. The agency is actively working to increase the supply of affordable housing and to improve the quality of life for hundreds more of the low-income residents of the City of Ventura. http://www.hacityventura.org/.

Ventura City Fire Dept. crews respond to explosion

On Oct.20, at 5:07pm, the Ventura County Fire Communication Center received multiple reports of an explosion in the area of E. Harbor Blvd and Monmoth Way. Ventura City Fire Dept resources were dispatched and the first arriving fire engine company reported an explosion in an underground high voltage electrical vault. SoCal Edison was requested and arrived within minutes to assist with the investigation and the restoration of power to the area. As a result of the incident, power to the area was interrupted for two hours and a section of sidewalk sustained moderate damage.

Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn

Big River is a rollicking river adventure. Photo by Michael Lamont

Rubicon Theatre opens the company’s 22nd Season with the Tony Award-winning musical Big River: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Big River is a rollicking river adventure based on Mark Twain’s timeless 1884 novel.

In the story, the irrepressible, rebellious young Huck resists polite society and takes off on a raft with Jim, a runaway slave. On their journey, Huck and Jim encounter wild extremes of greed, bigotry, kindness and love. Twain’s many memorable characters are brought to vivid life – from the Widow Douglas and her stern sister to two uproariously funny con men; from Huck’s partner in crime Tom Sawyer and their rowdy gang of pals to the lovely Mary Jane Wilkes and her trusting family. Propelled by a soul-stirring score of country, pop, gospel and bluegrass music created by Roger Miller (“King of the Road”), Big River is a theatrical celebration of pure Americana and a powerful and timely coming of age story.

Rubicon’s Big River is the fulfillment of a long-held dream for husband-and-wife team Kirby and Beverly Ward, both Broadway and West-End veterans. This production marks their third journey on the river. (They serve as Director/Choreographer and Associate Producer/Associate Director, respectively.) Kirby and Beverly have envisioned an environmental revival of the show with ensemble members who sing, play multiple characters and also play instruments. Their vision was to revisit Twain’s timely tale with an integrated group of storytellers who have a sense of urgency because of the show’s relevance to the present time.

The Ventura We Love

by Jeffrey Russell

It runs between Carpinteria and the Sun,
Breathes ocean air that stuns,
Seafood and Tacos delicious to the tongue,
Ventura’s a moon over the mission flung,

Tranquil sky’s that drop foggy tears,
Her moon is full of passion that appears,
With many hikes to new frontiers,
Meditate on the Cross it’s Hill so near,

The pier jets out for a Pacific view,
As Waves dance on the ocean blue,
Two trees on a hill to set the mood,
Our Harbor to hook your fishy food, 

Channel Islands adrift to navigate the day,
A Botanical Garden blooming new bouquets,
With a view to heaven her secret passageway,
Thank you Ventura your a full Calendar holiday.

Ventura County nonprofit announces dessert fundraiser

Get ready for desserts galore at Step Up Ventura’s Decadent Dessert Harvest Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Poinsettia Pavilion, 3451 Foothill. All proceeds from the event will go to benefit the County’s most vulnerable homeless population — children ages 1 – 5.

This inaugural event for the organization will feature donated desserts and beverages from local businesses as well as a DJ, dancing, light hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. Ticket prices start at $25 per person. Platinum Event Sponsors include James and Gunilla DeArkland, Silver Development & Associates, Charlotte & Piewacket, and Concours Motors, who are helping to underwrite the festivities. Businesses interested in sponsor opportunities or donations should contact Event Coordinator Jennifer Dawes at [email protected] or (805) 665-3385.

Since 2016, Step Up Ventura, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has worked tirelessly to change the lives of homeless children by providing therapeutic services and access to childcare and preschool to help them connect, heal, and learn. The group also helps homeless families become self-sufficient by working to break the cycle of homelessness where it begins…. in early childhood.

For more information, visit www.stepupventura.org

Vol. 13, No. 2 – Oct 23 – Nov 5, 2019 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Blue Agave
185 E. Santa Clara
Fridays: Mariachi Band; DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesday-Thursday 6 pm, Friday & Saturday 7 pm
Thursdays: Bluegrass Jam
Wed 10/23: Karen Eden
Fri 10/25: Teresa Russell & Stephen Geyer
Sat 10/26: Shorebreak
Tues 10/29: Shorebreak
Wed 10/30: Finnhead Dave

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Thursdays, Friday & Saturdays: DJs
Sunday 2-7: DJs
Sat 10/26: Bomba Fiya, Lay Low (6-9 pm)

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
Wed 10/23: Big Adventure
Fri 10/25: Action Down
Sat 10/26: Cosolive
Tues 10/29: Donna Greene
Wed 10/30: Self Righteous Bros.

Cantara Cellars
126 Wood Road, Suite 104
Camarillo, CA
Thursdays: Karaoke
Sat 10/26: Ignition (6-9 pm)

Casa Bella
391 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Danny D.

The Cave
4435 McGrath Street
5:30 – 8:30 pm
Weds & Saturdays: Varon Thomas
Thurs & Fridays: Warren Takahashi

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Music 7 pm; Sundays 4 pm
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Sun 10/27: Karen Eden & the Bad Apples
Thurs 10/31: Sound Effect

Dargan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
593 E. Main Street
Sun 11/3: Sunday Drivers (4 pm)

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Fri 10/25: Masters of Puppets
Sat 10/26: DSB
Sun 10/27: Sgt. Pepper (5 pm)
Thurs 10/31: Emo night Class of 05
Fri 11/1: No Motiv, Out of Trust, Slowtrip, Omega Point
Sat 11/2: Cubensis

Duke’s Griddle n Grill
1124 S. Seaward
Wednesdays: Karaoke

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: DJ
Saturdays: DJ

Four Brix Winery
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 6 – 8:30 pm Friday; 12 – 4 Sunday
Fri 10/25: Karen Eden & Bill Macpherson
Fri 11/1: Johnny & the Love Handles
Sun 11/3: JJ Frank Duo

Garage
1091 Scandia Avenue
Sat 10/26: The Guitar & Whiskey Club, Fallen Saints, Soup Hat, Sik Sik Sicks

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic
Thursdays 6 pm: Open Mic

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed & Thurs 6 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 4 pm
Tuesdays: Tango
Wednesdays: Gypsy Jazz Jam
Fri 10/25: Late Night Union
Sat 10/26: Colette Lovejoy Band
Sun 10/27: Shawn Jones, acoustic (4-7 pm)
Sat 11/2: 50 Sticks of Dynamite

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
10/26: Idecline, Civil Conflict, Psychotic Barnyard, Bootleg Brigade, Guttural Riot, Plot

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues, Wed and Sun: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 10/25: DJ AVG
Sat 10/26: Johnny Hellhole

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tues: Open Mic, The Listening Room
Sat 10/26: The Alpine Camp Band

Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
Fridays: DJ
Saturdays: DJ
Sundays: Instone (1-4 pm)

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Sat 10/26: The Youngsters
Sun 10/27: Milo Sledge Trio
Sat 10/2: Left Hand Lions
Sun 10/3: RJ Mischo

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Thurs 10/24: The Distillers
Fri 10/25: Cannibal Corpse
Sat 10/26: The Story So Far, The Frights, Hunny & Just Friends

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor Village
Fri & Sat 7 pm; Sun 4-7 pm
Fri 10/25: Misunderstood
Sat 10/26: Brian Faith Band
Sun 10/27: Doc Rogers Band
Sun 11/3: Road Brothers

Namba
47 S. Oak Street
Fri 10/25: Spooktacular
Sat 10/26: Jonathan McEuen
Sat 11/2: Hip Hop Help Showcase

Oak and Main
419 E. Main Street
Tuesdays: Beer Bros. Open Mic
Sat 10/26: Trapt
Sun 10/27: Tantric

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke

Paddy’s
2 W. Main Street
Wednesdays: Karaoke
Fri & Sat: DJs

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Fri 10/25: The Ramblers

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D.

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Wed 10/23: Grade 2, Form Rank, Broken Cuffs
Sat 10/26: Bar Stool Preachers, Dad Brains

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 10/26: Steve the Singer
Sun 10/27: Satin Sounds
Sat 11/2: Feather
Sun 11/3: Rob Duquette

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke w/ Brian Parra
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 10/25: Sin Chonies
Sat 10/26: Black Star

The Shores Restaurant
1031 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard
Thursdays: Karaoke
Fri 10/25: B&V Duo
Sat 10/26: Alan Wright Band
Fri 11/1: Karen Eden
Sat 11/2: Brandon Ragan Project

The Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Thursdays: DJ Terry
Fri 10/25: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 10/26: Crosscut 805

The Sushi House
1127 S Seaward Avenue
Music 1 – 3:30 pm
Saturdays: Gary Ballen

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Thursdays: DJ Nick Dean

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
Music Saturdays: 5-7; Sundays 4-6
Sat 10/26: Mark Masson Duo
Sun 10/27: Danny McGaw (ticketed event)

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 7:00 pm; Sundays at 5 pm
Fri 10/25: National Cat
Sat 10/26: Blown Over
Sun 10/27: Hot Cuppa Three
Fri 11/1: Jon Gindick
Sat 11/2: The Tossers
Sun 11/3: Karen Eden and the Bad Apples

The Winery Ventura
4756 Market Street

1901
Speakeasy
740 South B Street, Oxnard
Fri 10/25: Tex Pistols
Sat 10/26: Chris Murphy

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at 11 am – 1 pm Fri & Saturday
4-7 pm Saturday
Saturdays: Kenny Devoe
Sundays: Kenny Devoe

Vol. 13, No. 2 – Oct 23 – Nov 5, 2019 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, I’m finding many venues are having their costume parties the weekend before with a few on Halloween; but there are several celebrating Dia de los Muertos the days following, so almost two weeks of spooky fun at hand. Let’s start with HallowQueens, this one features bands with female lead singers on Saturday, October 26, at The Garage with The Guitar and Whiskey Club, Fallen Saints, Soup Hat and Sik Sik Sicks. Nasty Nights, the Halloween Edition, lands at the Hong Kong Inn with Idecline, Civil Conflict, Psychotic Barnyard, Bootleg Brigade, Guttural Riot (LA) and Plot (SB); and then the Alpine Camp Band hosts a Halloween Ball at Leashless on that Saturday as well. On Halloween, Copa Cubana has Sound Effect, there’s Discovery’s Emo Night performed by Class of 05, and there will be DJ’s hosting costume parties at Star Lounge, The Tavern, and Bombay’s.

Something new for downtown, many venues will be celebrating Dia de los Muertos the days following Halloween. On Saturday afternoon, November 2 from noon to 6 pm, Chestnut will be shut down with lots of festivities for the entire family including strolling entertainment with Mariachi, Hermanos Hererra and Folkloricos. That evening, the Ventura Theater has Columbian group, La Sonora Dinamita (Cumbia music), and 50 Sticks of Dynamite will host Dia de los Muertos party at Grapes and Hops. Everyone is invited to dress to impress, I trust there will be loads of painted faces that day and night.

Quick Notes: Namba’s Spooktaculara Halloween Variety Show is Friday, October 25; Oak and Main has Trapt on Saturday, October 26 and Tantric on Sunday October 27, advance tickets available on their website and Facebook pages; there will be a special event at Topa Mountain Winery as they host Taste of Ojai on Sunday, October 27, featuring music from the Danny McGaw Band; you can enjoy live Reggae at Bombay’s 6-9 pm with Bomba Fiya and Lay Low on Saturday, October 26; Jonathan McEuen is the featured artist for a Music and Art for Youth fundraiser at Namba on Saturday, October 26; a second open mic dubbed “Acoustic Gathering” has landed at Golden China 6-9 pm on Thursdays; Danny D. continues to croon the room with Sinatra tunes Tuesdays at Prime and Casa Bella on Thursdays; Tammy offers Tango Tuesdays with dance lessons at Grapes and Hops; No Motiv celebrates the 25th anniversary of And the Sadness Prevails at Discovery on Friday, November 1 performing along with Out of Trust, Slowtrip and Omega Point; and finally, you’ll want to set aside Friday, November 8, for the Local Love project holiday CD release party at the Channel Islands Masonic Lodge (482 E Santa Clara in Ventura), I’ll have more on this special event next issue!

Do you have any music-related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Please send all information short or long to [email protected]. For updated music listings daily, go to www.VenturaRocks.com.