On Sept. 13, The Lexington Assisted Living held a BBQ lunch to honor Ventura’s first responders. Enjoying the event were Ventura Chief of Police Ken Courney (on the right), fellow officers, residents of Lexington and Lexington Executive Director Eric Terrill.
5440 Ralston Street. Ventura, CA 93003(805) 644-6710
∙Wow, another fiscal year ending for the Ventura Breeze. Our next issue will be Vol.13 No. 1. Who would have thought that we would still be publishing after all this time in the age of digital news? A tribute to our wonderful readers and advertisers. More about this in our next issue.
∙Reader Zila Hawkins sent me the following request. “I have been hearing cats get taken almost every night by coyotes. I was hoping you would post a notice to make sure that people bring their beloved pets inside every evening and make sure that they are watched if they have to go out at night.”
Happy to do that, a good reminder even though it’s difficult keeping some cats inside. Our cat Savana is an indoor cat and seems to be okay with just looking out the window but some cats are just not happy inside and they’ll spend all day and night meowing and even scratching the door go out so they probably have to be let out and hope that the coyotes don’t get them.
∙First time ever that we have two art pages. Wonderful that Ventura has so many great artists and art events and venues.
∙ Scientists have finally identified the genetic differences associated with left-handedness, a trait found in 10% of the human population.
What’s more, those genetic variants result in differences in brain structure, which might mean that left-handed people have better verbal skills than the right-handed majority.
While previous research into twins has indicated that genes are at least partially responsible for controlling handedness, the new study, conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford and published in the journal Brain, is the first to identify which genetic variants separate the lefties from the righties.
The research could suggest a potential correlation between left-handedness and superior verbal skills, said Akira Wiberg, a Medical Research Council fellow at the University of Oxford who worked on the study.
I think that means that us lefties have a big mouth.
∙The Thousand Oaks City Council has voted unanimously to allow a second medical marijuana dispensary to open in T.O. It will be operated by Leaf Dispensary, if it secures the needed permits. In July, 2018 the council selected Thousand Oaks based Legendary Organics to open the first such dispensary located in an industrial park.
When, oh when, will our City Council get on board with this and leave the money here? We are losing many many dollars.
∙Sorry to say that Ralphs on Victoria has removed the multi newspaper rack so you can’t pick up the Breeze at that location but there are still over 500 places that you can. So enjoy
∙On the final day of California’s legislative session, the state’s newspaper industry won a temporary reprieve in a fight regarding payment for carriers.
The Assembly voted 62-4 to send AB170 to the governor’s desk. AB170 gives publishers a one-year extension to comply with a new landmark labor measure, AB5, that would reclassify many workers now considered independent contractors, including newspaper delivery people as employees.
Temporary work or temporary employment (also called odd jobs or gigs) refers to an employment situation where the working arrangement is limited to a certain period of time based on the needs of the employing organization. Temporary employees are sometimes called “contractual”, “seasonal”, “interim”, “casual staff”, “outsourcing”, “freelance”; or the word may be shortened to “temps”.
This new gig law is opposed by many who feel that its purpose is to get more employees to become dues paying union members. There are many independent contractors don’t feel exploited by their employers. The law is also so interpretive, and unclear that it could be years and end up in the courts for clarification before being implemented. Many small businesses are really going to struggle with this and could go out of business.
∙ “Wow! Yet another big storm heading to Puerto Rico. Will it ever end? Congress approved 92 Billion Dollars for Puerto Rico last year, an all-time record of its kind for “anywhere” stated Trump.
As he has frequently, Trump dramatically overstated how much money Congress has allocated for recovery because of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Congress had allocated $42.7 billion, with less than $14 billion reaching the island. This large figure cited by Trump is an estimate of potential storm-related liabilities over the next 20 years (but he is close for him).
∙It is about time that America’s gun debate is finally happening at the corporate level. Something needs to be done. The chief executives of 145 companies have sent a letter to the US Senate seeking expanded background checks and “red flag” laws which would let courts remove guns from people who might threaten themselves or others. Amazing how many guns that are purchased for security are used to kill a family member(s) or for suicide.
On Sept. 20, at 9am, three people were transported to Ventura County Medical Center after a two-vehicle head on collision on Harbor Blvd. near Schooner Drive. Police and firefighters arrived on scene to find one victim trapped in a passenger van surrounded with gasoline leaking from the vehicle. The occupants of the second vehicle had self-extricated. Firefighters extricated the trapped victim, provided fire suppression to control the gasoline hazard, triaged and treated the accident victims.
Bankers Investment Counseling is pleased to announce that Andrew H. Killion (that’s him on the left with Philip Caruso) of Ventura has joined the firm as Vice President.
Mr. Killion started his career in financial securities as an account executive with Dean Witter in 1992 and will be working alongside Philip Caruso, President of Bankers Investment Counseling (BICC) who has been with the firm since its earliest days in Ventura County.
Andy and his wife Tina are native to this beautiful town we all call home. He enjoys sailing, golf, reading and is the founder of the VC Caregivers Sailathon. This unique boating event has raised tens of thousands of dollars for Caregivers, Volunteers Assisting the Elderly. In 2011 Andy wrote a book about his personal experiences owning and operating a business during the great recession. In 2013 he and his son Jack walked the northern route of the Camino De Santiago in Spain.
by Richard Lieberman
At the September 9th City Council meeting Alex D. McIntyre, City Manager presented a proposal to authorize the City manager to hire a full time Outreach Homeless Services Worker to be assigned to the city for a period of 19-months.
McIntyre explained,” When consistent outreach and engagement with the homeless population occurs, unsheltered individuals are much more likely to be receptive to available services and start their journey into shelters and permanent housing.” Currently there is no outreach worker for anyone in the homeless population to connect with making it less likely for a homeless individual to seek available services. When anyone in the homeless population reaches out to city staff, the Ventura Police Patrol Task Force or the Downtown Ambassadors there is currently no dedicated outreach worker to contact. “This outreach worker funded in partnership with the County, will be responsive to the various aid groups and will be able to refer directly to our year-round shelter, “he added.
He also added,” Proactive outreach is a necessary tool to support the efforts of our upcoming shelter and build relationships with homeless individuals in our community. The City relies heavily on local social service groups to provide outreach; however due to funding trends there is not a strong base of outreach workers who are not tied to heavy caseloads. Currently there are only nine social workers for the entire county of Ventura, all who work reactively rather than proactively due to the large homeless population and lack of adequate grant funding.”
The new position will be an employee of the County Human Services Agency. The goal of this new position is to keep the outreach worker on the streets five days a week, connecting with new and current homeless individuals. The new outreach worker will help with setting up appointments, registering the homeless in programs and reducing barriers towards permanent housing.
Counsel Considers Extension of Outside Counsel Services to Represent City in a Lawsuit Filed September 19, 2014.
The City Attorney Gregory G. Diaz requested the City to extend a legal services agreement with the law firm of Best, Best and Krieger LLP in the amount of $1,300,000 to continue representation.
The lawsuit filed by the Santa Barbara Channelkeeper against the State Water Resources Control Board and the City of Ventura is to seek immediate relief relating to the City’s use of water from the Ventura River. The City has been litigating this case since it was filed on September 23,2014 and continues to this date.
It is important to recognize that Ventura River water is an essential part of the city’s water supply. The City has maintained water rights on the Ventura River for more than a century. The city filed a cross-complaint in September 2018 seeking to bring into the law suit all other cities that use water from the Ventura River. The court agreed with the city that it could bring in other users of the river water supply.
The costs of this lawsuit most significantly occur in the area of the scientists and experts needed to appropriately evaluate the watershed, and the sensitive species and habitat and develop a judicial solution to the matter. The city’s attorneys have requested a more accurate and detailed report on the Ventura River Basin to show the effects of ground water pumping on River flows, and the impact of dams and other diversions upon the river flows and habitat.
At this crucial time in the lawsuit the city attorney is recommending the city counsel authorize an additional $1,300,000. The council approved the recommendation. The City Attorney added, “We recognize that this is going to continue to be a complicated, complex and expensive ligation matter; however it is one that is important to the City in order to protect its water rights to ensure and adequate water supply is available for city users, while also addressing the needs of the environment.
∙Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) presents a blues and roots music festival from noon to 6p.m. Oct. 12 at Promenade Park on Figueroa Street in Ventura. There will be live bands, food, beer, wine and a raffle. Entry is $25.Live entertainment acts scheduled include the bands Kelly’s Lot, Crooked Eye Tommy, Jim Gustin & Truth Jones, plus special guests.
Proceeds from CARL Fest will support the nonprofit’s efforts to save, care for and find ‘forever families’ for dogs who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. Many are pulled from Camarillo Shelter or Simi Valley shelter. Currently, the no-kill organization has more than 70 canines available for adoptions. Foster homes are always needed and welcome as well.
You can see some of the rescue’s dogs at regular adoption events at a location near you from 12-3pm; Pet Barn in Ventura, every Saturday; or Pet Food Express in Thousand Oaks, 2nd Saturday each month. Other places are Petropolis in Camarillo (4th Sat. monthly (Except Sept) 10am-2pm); Petsmart in Camarillo (third Sat., 12-3pm), Petco in Westlake (1st. Sat. monthly, 12-3); as well as places in Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme.
While awaiting their forever homes, the dogs are housed by generous volunteer foster families or at our boarding/kennel facility in Santa Paula. We have dedicated volunteers who walk, visit, play with or bathe the dogs there, but could always use more volunteers. Let’s find homes for these precious pooches!
While the dogs are in Project Second Chance, C.A.R.L. provides necessary veterinary treatment, vaccinations, etc. Choose from canines of all sizes, ages, different looks and varied personalities. Dogs in their adoption program are placed in pre-screened, loving and secure homes. CARL makes a lifetime commitment to all their dogs.
CARL’s mission is to advocate for animal welfare, seeking to end the needless deaths of companion animals through its adoption, education, and outreach programs. They rely entirely on donations and do not receive government, state or city funding.
The rescue’s new thrift store helps their mission to help animals. All proceeds go directly to help the animals. The new store location is at 2750 E Main St, Suite B, next to Smart & Final.
For more information, call 805-644-7387 or go to carldogs.org and you can always find dogs to adopt in the Ventura Breeze.
∙A service dog with a specialized skill that can help save the lives of a homeless military veterans is getting a much-needed surgery, thanks to Gold Coast Veterans Foundation (GCVF). The 165-pound, white Samoyed mix named Leo ventures into homeless encampments throughout Ventura County and is able to make an immediate connection with homeless military veterans, who are often resistant to being contacted and engaged in social services.
Rafael Stoneman, Leo’s companion, is the director of GCVF’s Mobile Veteran Outreach program that provides care and services to homebound and homeless veterans. Stoneman, once a homeless veteran himself, has a degree in psychology and addiction counseling.
“Leo is our secret weapon in the battle to end veteran homelessness in Ventura County,” Stoneman said. “Homeless veterans immediately clam up or disappear when law enforcement, county mental health professionals, or social service workers try to engage them. But Leo breaks down all the barriers and gets the conversation started faster than any person could. They immediately sense they can trust him.”
On Thursday, Sept. 12, a group of influential foundation leaders and government agency representatives came together to formally recognize how important Leo and Rafael’s work is. GCVF Chairman Dennis Murphy recounted how their efforts recently saved the lives of veterans and their families, including one newborn infant. A recognition plaque from Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin was presented.
But in order for Leo and Rafael to continue their work, help was needed. The enormous animal suffers from hip dysplasia, which makes it difficult for him to walk the streets and alleyways where he works his magic. Surgery is his best chance to get his mobility back.
With this in mind, the highlight of the evening was a check from the GCVF board for $5,000 to cover the cost of the surgery.
“When we make a connection and have a real talk, the veterans become interested in their VA healthcare, PTSD counseling, getting sober and coming back to the world,” Stoneman said. “Leo’s a big part of saving these veterans’ lives.”
Mobile Veteran Outreach brings comprehensive help, services and support directly to homeless military veterans. All services are free of charge. For more information, visit http://www.gcvf.org or call 805-482-6550.
Gold Coast Veterans Foundation, a nonprofit uniquely focused on disrupting the root causes of veteran homelessness in Ventura County, California, offers comprehensive services for low-income, at-risk, homeless and disabled veterans. For more information, visit http://www.gcvf.org.
∙Dog owners, if you’ve been waiting to give up your pet’s pig ears, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that now is the time. A warning about a multistate salmonella outbreak tied to the treats has been updated to include all pig ear products.
“A total of 127 people infected with the outbreak strains of Salmonella have been reported from 33 states,” the CDC stated.
FDA, CDC warn dog owners not to buy pig ear treats or feed them to pets
Animals and their humans can get sick from simply handling these treats or caring for a dog who has eaten one.
The CDC recommends that adults and children wash their hands after playing with or feeding their pet. Owners should discourage their pets from licking humans’ faces after they eat or from licking open wounds. Pet food should also be stored away from human food to avoid any contamination.
The CDC and the US Food and Drug Administration are also advising retailers not to sell pig ear treats.
Mitzi (2002-2019)
She was such a beautiful little lady, she will be missed by Tony who said “She was the best faithful friend I ever had. The memories of Mitzi will last forever for the rest of my life.”
by Carol Leish
The Diversity Collective of Ventura County’s (www.diversitycollective.org) mission statement, according to program manager, Joseph Fummers, is: “To advocate and celebrate those in the LGBT community and those affected by AIDS.” The Diversity Collective is the organization of these annual events: Ventura County Pride; AIDS Walk Ventura; and, The Diversity Gala. According to, Joseph, “At our recent Ventura Count Pride: 2,500 people attended; 100 vendors participated; and, we raised $80,000.”
“In 2014, the Diversity Collective, Ventura County, became a nonprofit 501c3,” according to, Joseph. “We give cultural proficiency trainings, and talks about HIV; AIDS; and, about the LGBT community in order to educate and advocate, since there is too much stigma and misinformation within the community.” He also emphasized that, ‘Besides their being males and females, there are also those who are intersex, who are 1.7% of the population, which is as common as those who are redheads.”
These programs include: The Rainbow Umbrella Program, which is for youth between the ages of 13-23, that meets Friday evenings from 5:30-7:30; HIV & AIDS free testing every third Monday of the month; LGBT AL-ANON that meets Sunday mornings at 11:00; and, free counseling: Call Nathan, of the Coalition for Family Harmony at: (712) 624-4447 in order to set up a free counseling session.
Thus, in order to eradicate stereotyping and stigma towards those who are either: LGBT; physically and/or mentally disabled; and/or because of sexism or racism, let’s all realize that becoming more aware makes us all realize that we are all more similar than different.
Diversity Collective, which is located at 2471 Portola Ste. 100, in Ventura, offers various programs. Their phone is (805) 644-LGBT (5428).
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Back in the day as Program Director of KXBS the Bus here in Ventura in the 90s, one of our local bands that did pretty well for themselves was No Motiv. Well they are getting back together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their release And the Sadness Prevails. They’ll be playing a handful of shows including one at Discovery on Friday, November 1. Tickets are only $13 (in advance, $15 day of). Out of Trust, Slowtrip and Omega Point will also play.
Speaking of Discovery, along with giving local bands a stage to play and bringing amazing tribute and Reggae bands to town, they’ll have Good Riddance (supporting new album, Thoughts and Prayers) on Saturday, October 5 and English punk rock band, Subhumans on Monday, October 21.
You’ll want to hold a spot for these events coming up, so mark down on your calendar now so you don’t miss them, both fall over the same weekend too. First there’s CARLFest Blues & Roots Music Festival at Promenade Park on Saturday, October 12 with Kelly’s Lot, Crooked Eye Tommy, Jim Gustin & Truth Jones plus some special guests; and then there’s the Seaside Highland Games at the Fairgrounds over the entire weekend, October 12 and 13 with Sligo Rags, Cockswain, Seven Nations and Nerea playing on a number of stages.
Quick Notes: Limon y Sal hosts live bands on Saturday afternoons 1-4 pm; Dallas Hodge (worked with Canned Heat & Steve Marriott) returns to Grapes and Hops on Friday, September 27; The Garage hosts The Pretty Uglys, Amo Corps, Rising Elijah and Electric Children on Friday, September 27; Caught Red Handed plays Cantara Cellars on Saturday, September 28;
Hip Hop, R&B artist Mo Stylez has a show at Knights of Columbus on Saturday, September 28;
there will be a free Chamber concert with woodwind quintet at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on Saturday, September 28; The Rubicon Theater’s run of “I Dig Rock and Roll” will come to an end on Sunday, September 29; The Dead Kennedys play with The Living End at the Ventura Theater on Friday, October 4; The Native Howl is on tour and will make a stop at Oak and Main on Saturday, October 5; The Colette Lovejoy Band plays Pier under the Stars on Saturday, October 5; and finally, Four Brix Winery is launching a SunDay FunDay the first Sunday of the month with Charlie Baker playing October 6.
Congratulations to Polly and Steve Hoganson for pulling off another wonderful Topa Mountain Music Fest at Libbey Bowl. I was so grateful to have been asked to emcee; it was truly a remarkable day with extraordinary talent all day long and for such a great cause. Net proceeds go to Stand Up to Cancer and the Glioblastoma Foundation.
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.
Multiple 911 calls were received at the Fire Communication Center to report a large vehicle on fire in the 2600 block of N. Ventura Ave. Fire personnel arrived on scene within minutes of the initial call and found a large RV and multiple passenger vehicles on fire in a storage facility. Fire personnel performed a primary search to ensure that there were no occupants in the RV or the vehicles and began an aggressive fire attack. The fire was contained to the RV and 4 passenger vehicles and firefighters knocked down and extinguished the main body of the fire within 23 minutes of initial 911 call.
The Ventura City Fire Department would like to remind the public to ensure that all residences and businesses have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and have an evacuation plan.
Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. Jewish Year 5780 at sunset on Sept.29 (The Jewish calendar date begins at sundown of the night beforehand. Thus all holiday observances begin at sundown on the secular dates listed, with the following day being the first full day of the holiday.) In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American New Year.
There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.
The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.
No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in temple, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.
The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”
Yom Kippur on Oct.9, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Some Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.
Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) that commences with Rosh Hashanah.
Happy New Year to a few famous Jews:
Albert Einstein, Sigmund Freud, Karl Marx, Leon Trotsky, Harry Houdini, Marx brothers, Steven Spielberg, Sandy Koufax, Irving Berlin (Ironically, his compositions included “White Christmas” and “Easter Parade”) ,Mel Brooks, Dustin Hoffman and Peter Sellers.