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Circle of Friends seeking new members

Circle of Friends, a non-profit social organization for active retired women, is welcoming new members. Please join them for lunch on Wednesday, February 6 at the Courtyard by Marriott, 600 Esplanade Drive, Oxnard to see what they are all about. The monthly luncheons feature a program and there are special interest groups that meet monthly. These groups include cooking, Scrabble, card games, walks, movies and day trips. Circle of Friends is celebrating its 23rd anniversary in June; members live in Ventura, Camarillo, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Ojai and Santa Paula.

For more information and to make lunch reservations please call Peggy Dolan at 805-630-5139. Price for the luncheon is $25; annual membership is $50.

Vol. 12, No. 8 – Jan 16 – Jan 29, 2019 – Events

Events by Ana Baker

Ventura Poinsettia Dance Club Monday nights 7:30 – 9:45p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion. Ballroom, swing, Latin and line dancing. $10 members, $12 non-members. Dance lessons 6:45 – 7:15 $5 for couple $3 for single. Call Rick 415-8842 for more information.

There will be a regular Ventura Discussion Group meeting at Main Street Restaurant 3159 Main St., Wednesday from 4 – 5:45 p.m. Several people usually stay for a drink and a bite to eat afterward. Bring an interesting topic to discuss if you can.

Ventura’s ACBL Duplicate Bridge Club offers games for all levels of play.  Learn the game, play with your peers, and earn master points while you are having fun.  There is a game every day of the week.  Check out their website at www.vcbridge.org

Country Western Line Dancing every Tuesday 7 – 9 p.m. Instruction every night. Located at the Moose lodge, 10269 Telephone Road. More information at countrylovers.com.

The members of the Ventura Investment Group meet on Mondays for an informal discussion of recent economic events.  Topics cover current events that affect stocks, funds, real estate, and interest-bearing investments.  From 10 – 11:30 a.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at Telephone Road and Main Street.  Visitors and potential members are welcomed.  There are no dues or requirements to participate, and all levels of experience are welcomed.

Musicians’ Sober Support Meetup @ FIND (A Friend in Deed) every Monday night 7-9 p.m. Bring acoustic instrument(s) for jamming after sharing support for sobriety.

Bell Arts-Studio 39-432 Ventura Ave. For further information [email protected].

The Ventura County Philatelic Society meet on the first and third Mondays each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Foothills, 6279 Foothill Rd. Admission and parking are free. Come for a great evening. Contact: Bill Garner (805) 320-1601 or [email protected]

 

 

Mended Hearts of Ventura

Come share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant.

Group meets the first Tuesday each month at Lemon Wood Mobile Park,

850 Johnson Dr. They have excellent speakers, leading cardiologists, nutritionists, dietitians from our area. Contact Richard Hatcher at (805) 644-2733.

Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) is a 12-step fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is recovery from codependence in the development and maintenance of healthy relationships. Every Friday at 6 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 5654 Ralston (enter through side door off parking lot). Further information Deva (805) 814-5650 or Maryann (805)509-4813.

Jan.17: Derek Poultney, Executive Director of the Ventura Land Trust, will present an update on the acquisition of Harmon Canyon, 2100 acres in the hills of East Ventura. East Ventura Community Council starts at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road. Karen Schmidt, Regional Affairs Manager for the Clean Power Alliance, will explain the new choices available to residents in the sourcing of electricity. A representative from Ventura’s Police Department will present an update on crime in the area. Books in good condition are solicited on behalf of Ventura Friends of the Library.

Jan.17: The regular monthly meeting of Assistance League of Ventura County will be on Thursday at the Chapter House, 913 East Santa Clara St. at 10 a.m. Men and women are welcome. There is no age requirement. Assistance League is creating “A Brighter Tomorrow for Today’s Children” through several philanthropic programs: B.U.F.F.Y. Bear, Operation School Bell®, Girls Club/Teen Club, and Assistance League School for young children with learning disabilities. The Bargain Box Thrift Shop helps fund these programs.

Jan.19: Children’s Book Reading: Ladies & Gentlemen…the Penguins! featuring Ivor Davis with musical entertainment by Alan Shapiro from 1pm-2pm.

Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery – 540 E. Main Street

Appropriate for kids ages 5 thru 10 and Beatles fans of all ages!

RSVP 805-628-3540 or thru Facebook Event Page @very-ventura.

Jan. 19 & 20: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Book Sale at the Topping Room at E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. All genres, books individually priced. On January 19, Ventura Friends of the Library members will be admitted at 11 a.m. Open for all 12-3 p.m. On Sunday, January 20, open for all 12-3 p.m.

Jan. 20: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) meet Sunday in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. The regular meeting starts at noon and at 11a.m. There will be an informal workshop where a topic on clocks or watches will be demonstrated and discussed. There will be a mart where items will be for sale followed by lunch and an informational meeting and a program at 1:00 p.m.

The program this month will be by Jerry Treiman on “Staying Alive – How the E. Howard watch survived for almost 100 years”. There is a $5 admission charge. Lunch will be available for $5.

More information about chapter 190 can be found at www.nawcc-ch190.com.

Jan. 20: 9-11am. The Nature Conservancy is hosting a walk (1 1/2miles) along the Santa Clara River which is flowing due to recent rains. Search for signs of wildlife as we explore the restoration and wetland area. Please wear comfortable walking shoes , water, layers, binoculars. Please arrive 5-10 minutes before scheduled start. There are no facilities at this location. 1368 Mission Rock Rd. Santa Paula. Amy Davis at 770-853-4715 or [email protected].

Jan. 21: The 33rd annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., birthday celebration will be held on Monday at 9 a.m. in the Oxnard Room of the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. This year’s event theme is, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly: injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The day will begin with a Freedom March from Plaza Park at Fifth and “C” Streets. with prayer at 8 a.m. Tickets for the program are $7 and are available from any member of the MLK, Jr., Committee. For information or vendor booth applications, please call Willie Claytor at (805) 985-3387.

Jan. 23: “The College Area Community Council will meet on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings include speakers and discussion on topics of neighborhood and community interest, including public safety and economic development. The Council meets in the Wright Event Center at 57 Day Rd. Free parking is available adjacent to the Event Center. Call (805) 644-8695 for more information.”

Jan.24: Portuguese Fraternal Society of America – The local chapter of P.F.S.A. (Council #128) monthly meeting on Thursday.  This meeting is open to any person of Portuguese descent, or, interested in the Portuguese culture.  Marie Callendar’s Restaurant, 1295 South Victoria Ave. at 11:30 a.m. for a 12 p.m. no host luncheon/meeting.  For more information and a reservation please call Cora Corella at (805) 483-4168, or, Yvonne Westervelt at (805) 483-4168.

Jan. 25: Like to play acoustic music? Songmakers.org welcomes instrumentalists, singers, and singer/songwriters at all levels to join in a free song circle at the Bell Arts Factory Community Room, 432 N. Ventura Ave. 7-10 p.m. Listeners welcome! Info: Mike Wittlin, (805) 750-8281.

Jan. 26: Saturday 7- 9 p.m. Once Ventura was a wild and woolly Cattle Town where gunfighters, sailors, hookers and cowboys walked the boardwalk streets and violence was no stranger. This era left many ghosts behind in the downtown of our community. Mr. Richard Senate will explore these colorful phantoms and their stories. Fee $6 Bank of Books748 E Main St. (805) 643-3154

January 26: 9-11am. Come visit Ormond beach with a naturalist and discover the flora and fauna of the wetland and beach habitat. See the endangered Snowy Plovers and beach comb on one of the least visited beaches in Ventura County. The walk is 1 1/2 to 2 miles. Wear durable walking shoes. Meet at the end of Arnold Rd, Ormond beach, Oxnard. Questions contact Amy Davis at 770-853-4715 or [email protected].

Jan. 27: The Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra, Dr. KuanFen Liu Artistic Director celebrates its 16th Season with Young Artists featuring young artists with guest conductor Daniel Newman-Lesser. Donations of $20 are appreciated. Youth 18 and under are free. For more information call 805-484-8000 or visit website www.CHICOVC.org. Sunday at 3p.m. First United Methodist Church 1338 E. Santa Clara St.

Feb. 5,19: Ventura Retired Men’s Group meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge will be held at 11:30 a.m. Social activities and a program and complimentary lunch for your first visit. Call Bob Likins at 805-587-1233 if you have any question and spend a couple of enjoyable hours.

Vol. 12, No. 8 – Jan 16 – Jan 29, 2019 – Mailbox

The Breeze:

For another example of the Thomas Fire rebuild process consider my experience.
A week after losing everything I started looking at floor plans.
A month after the fire hired an architect, met with a builder, developed some house specs.
The city says they’ll review building permit applications within 14 working days.
Though it’s known to take a couple tries to get through that it’s still reasonable.

But, it’s misleading as before you’re allowed to apply for a permit you have to go through a number of expensive and time-consuming tasks. That’s taken an entire year so far. Then there’s the Grading Permit. It starts with having your lot surveyed. Surveyor was hired inMarch and finished in May adding delay to the city-required geotech investigation. That took from March to July.

The house will be about 2000 “habitable” square-feet, the footprint a little over 3000 due to changing from two story to one. The larger footprint requires structural, electrical, and plumbing engineers, each adding some time to the process.

As built in the hillside area in the 1970’s as mine was, they didn’t do much to prepare the lot. The geotech investigation confirms this so now the city requires a “grading plan” and permit. This plan requires an engineer specializing in that. He started in September and completed in December then it got stuck in plan check at the city Land Development Section. An example of things that happened there: Land Development plan check contractor asked my geotech investigation firm for clarification of something in their report. I got to pay the geotech outfit $680 to answer the question but at least the geotech engineer has given my lot a clean bill of health, but that still does not seem to be good enough. The grading permit has been stuck in Land Development for three months.

The building permit is approved but not the grading permit. Nothing can take place until both are granted. After 13 months not a shovelful of dirt has been moved. Cost so far: $48289.

I now have an empty lot and no permission to build on it. The time and stress makes me wonder if it’s all worthwhile. It will be another year until I have a home. Two of my four neighbors are not rebuilding. I think they made the better decision. If you can find a suitable existing house, buy it.

Steve Noll

It should be noted that even though some building permits are being held up waiting for grading and soil report approvals several people have moved into their new homes already and many are now under construction so not everyone has had these problems. Sorry that Steve (and others) are having problems.

Breeze


To publisher

You are not being fair. When Clinton had his affairs he was President and Governor. Trump was a private citizen. You don’t see that difference? Both men are pathetic to do that to their wives but one was in public service while he did it.

Mike Mislinay


Editor:

It’s a sad day when a donation of any kind is not appreciated. It’s called a choice. I wonder how much Hector has donated to a cause, didn’t he choose that? People aren’t entitled to Patagonia’s money, Hector. Thank you to them for paying the business taxes and choosing our city to do business! It’s called America, not what Hector wants!

Trudy Smith

Hector’s opinion in part from a previous issue:

Yet when I saw the kudos to Patagonia I was bothered.  I’d read the news in the LA times earlier in the day and heard it on KVTA, then saw your kudos.

All day I had been wondering why a firm headquartered in Ventura; which has a significant homeless population/problem, many residence still struggling from the Thomas fires and a city that would benefit greatly from cultural philanthropic donations (Botanical gardens, as example); why would Patagonia donate to a global cause instead of putting that $10M into our city?



The truth is more important than the facts.
~ Frank Lloyd Wright

Vol. 12, No. 8 – Jan 16 – Jan 29, 2019 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

Trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss An Evening of Song & Stories with Chris Hillman at the Museum of Ventura County on Thursday, January 24. Hillman, long-time Ventura resident, was one of the original members of The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and the Desert Rose Band. I was fortunate to see Hillman perform last year at the Lobero Theater, so we are very fortunate to have him in our town in such an intimate setting. You can get tickets through the museum (this will sell out). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also loaned the museum some of his memorabilia which is on display through March 31.

Squashed Grapes continues to book jazz shows at the Hong Kong with Jazz Jams on Tuesdays nights; Jimmy Calire and Friends will be there Wednesday, January 16; Bruce Forman performs “The Red Guitar” on Thursday, January 17; it’s Nee’s Bees (features Nee Sackey, Karl Hunter) on Friday, January 18; and Bevan Manson and Friends on Saturday, January 19.

There’s a new venue in Oxnard called 1901 with a “speakeasy” themed bar, and I’m happy to report they offer live music on Friday and Saturday nights. They’re located downstairs from La Dolce Vita Ristorante in Heritage Square.

The extremely dynamic Kelly Kirbes will once again be raising funds for C.A.R.L. This is their 6th annual fundraiser for the Canine Adoption and Rescue League featuring her band Kelly’s Lot. The event will be held at Four Brix Winery on Saturday, January 26 (5:30 – 8:30 pm), featuring Scott Detweiler, Elizabeth Hangan and others in the band.

Made West will be celebrating their third anniversary on Saturday, January 26, with performances from noon until 8 pm featuring Brother Earl and the Cousins, Amargosos, Shay Moulder, Hannah Jobus and Matt Sayles.

Quick Notes: the popular “Celebration of Joni Mitchell” will be performed at Namba, on Friday, January 18; Vendo 81 plays during the Food Truck Friday at the Pacific View Mall on January 18; E.P. Foster Library will offer a free performance at noon by Opera Santa Barbara on Friday, January 18; a benefit for SPARC with Lacy J. Dalton and Dale Poune will be at the Ventura Theater (hosted by actor Malcolm McDowell) Saturday, January 19; local jazz artist, Toni Jannotta will perform her “My Little Heart Ruthie” at Bell Arts Factory on Saturday, January 19; The Rubicon presents Red Hot Mama: The Sophie Tucker Songbook for two performances on Saturday, January 19 and Sunday, January 20; traveling through town, DBT (Driven by Turmoil) and Steeltoe, will make a stop at The Garage on Friday, January 25; and the Unity Theater Collective will hold a fundraiser at Namba on Saturday, January 26 with a “Mamma Mia Sing-along.”

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

Gardens break records

With winter rains, this spring should have a spectacular showing of blooms.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens (VBG) broke visitor records recently, with over 1400 visitors on New Year’s Day, and over 600 on Christmas Day. After being closed for nearly a year after the Thomas Fire, visitors were enthusiastic about revisiting the Gardens to see how the fire affected it, as well as the dramatic physical changes made since then.

“On New Year’s we learned a lot about handling the logistics of so many visitors. Next New Years’, we hope to expand the tradition and make it more of an event, certainly with added restrooms, more parking facilities, and more docent led tours,” states Joe Cahill, Executive Director.

“We were touched by the tremendous visitor attendance and that they have shown an outpouring of financial and expressive support,” Tracy Long, President, follows up. “Our visitors are joining our membership ranks rapidly, as a way of showing their ongoing support for this gem on the hillside. With over 3,000 plants, new stone walls and steps, things have changed beautifully. And, while the plants are still small, getting many of them in the ground this time of year will give them a strong start for their future growth. With winter rains, this spring should have a spectacular showing of blooms. “

Visitors had questions about the new membership policies. The annual fee of $45 (about $3.75 per month) continues to be the most popular for locals. Membership has reached over 1,000 members.

“The family annual membership is even more affordable, at $75 for two adults in the same household—children 18 and under are always free.” Joe Cahill explains, Student groups and their adult leaders are free and can schedule free docent tours. Tuesdays are free for all visitors. Most major holidays are free. There are free scheduled guided tours offered on different days throughout the month for anyone interested in learning more. EBT cardholders are free. Membership includes free access to the gardens, discounts at local vendors, and other benefits. Each member gets several one-time free passes every year for family and friends. For non-members, the one-time only admission fee is $7.

“We are grateful to our partner, the City of Ventura, and their plans to reopen Grant Park soon,” states Barbara Brown, board member. “Visitors will be able to access the park and cross through Summit and Ferro at no charge. For hikers, runners, and walkers, Brakey Road is being considered for pedestrian-only access. Brakey provides shorter more direct access from City Hall and downtown for connectivity to Serra Cross and to over a mile of free pathways in the Ramble garden which features a growing California Native plant collection and native plant habitat restoration experiments. Visitors can look forward to the Ramble garden and pathways continuing to expand over the next 35 years. The Ramble is the largest garden of the VBG master plan.”

Free parking is available in the lots at the base of Brakey Rd in front of City Hall and off upper California Street and, of course, in the VBG parking lot. Both Grant Park and VBG will close for rain

Ventura County’s Channel Islands Gulls celebrates banner year of fundraising

The Channel Islands Gulls are pleased to announce another record year of fundraising for 11 Ventura County nonprofit organizations:

California Coastal Horse Rescue; Camarillo Hospice; Caregivers, Volunteers Assisting the Elderly; The Lighthouse for Women and Children; Many Meals of Camarillo; National Alliance on Mental Illness; Project Understanding; Ribbons of Life Breast Cancer Foundation; St. Vincent De Paul (Santa Paula); and Ventura County City Center. Additionally the Gulls made a substantial donation to the Camarillo Cares fundraiser benefitting the Borderline Bar & Grill employees, Ventura County Animal Shelter and the Hill Fire victims.

“We are absolutely astounded by the generosity of our members,” said Channel Islands Gulls president Julia Marshall. “Last year we broke our previous fundraising record, and in 2018 we raised even more money for our charities. In addition to the money we raise, we hold several drives throughout the year for our charities, providing literally thousands of dollars’ worth of food, clothing and personal items.” Marshall explained that the non-profit organizations the Gulls donate to do not receive federal funding. “We support a variety of grassroots organizations that make a difference for literally thousands of individuals living in Ventura County.”

The Channel Islands Gulls funds at their monthly luncheons and unique fundraising activities throughout the year. For more information: www.channelislandsgulls.org.

Established in 1976, the Channel Islands Gulls is a Ventura County non-profit organization whose mission is to raise money for Ventura County non-profit organizations while providing social and emotional support to its members.

Hospice distributed over 140 Christmas Blankets

Assisted Hospice, in Ventura, was fortunate again this year to distribute approximately 145 Christmas Blankets to their Hospice Patients. The timing was perfect as the temperatures are hitting an all-time low. Assisted started this campaign approximately five years ago, thanks to one of the wonderful volunteers who visited a local facility where there were no signs of Christmas for the patients and it tugged at her heart. Each year Assisted distributes Christmas Blankets in honor of the “Will Anyone Remember Me” campaign. This wouldn’t be possible without the continued support of Michael Boyko from Joseph P. Reardon’s in Ventura. Staff has as much fun distributing these blankets as the patients do receiving them. This truly puts everyone in the Holiday Spirit.

Anyone interested in Volunteering with Assisted Hospice, please contact Marianne Cody, Volunteer Coordinator, at (805) 677-7405.

Vol. 12, No. 8 – Jan 16 – Jan 29, 2019 – Harbor Patrol

12-26 1:33pm, while on patrol in the truck, officers observed several inexperienced swimmers wading in the shorebreak near Surfers Knoll. Warnings and removal from the water were conducted.
12-27 1:45pm, received a report of a small sailboat in distress, lost their rudder in the A-basin near VIM J-dock. Officers responded and towed the vessel to the L/R.
12-29 10:50am, officers received a report of vandalism in the restrooms near 1600 Spinnaker Drive. Apparently, a key card was illegally obtained by some transients and they are vandalizing the restrooms.
12-30 4:00pm, received a dispatch to a water rescue, paraglider down somewhere between the Ventura Pier and the Mandalay powerplant. Two Harbor Patrol vessels responded along with US coast guard, State Parks, Ventura Fire, Vessel Assist and Ventura County Sheriff. After all responding agencies searched the areas reported, no persons or paraglider were found. The incident was determined most likely related to a parasailing company from CI harbor.
12-31 4:30pm, while on patrol in the truck, officers observed hazardous sea conditions and very pronounced beach erosion between Surfers Knoll and the South Jetty. A large and dangerous berm exists South of Surfers Knoll.

5:30pm, received an anonymous report of illegal possession of a protected animal. Officers responded and found some evidence of a possible violation.

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2:45pm, while manning the operations center, officers received a report of a disabled 30ft sailboat in the South Basin of the harbor. Marine Safety and Harbor Patrol officers responded to the call for assistance. Upon arriving on scene, officers observed the vessel was anchored, the skipper, dressed in a petticoat and captains cap, summoned his family onto the deck of the boat. The sailboat and crew were safely towed and secured to their slip in Ventura West.

2:00pm, received a report of a 30 year old female transient endangering herself. Officers responded, found the female safe and advised not to go into the ocean because of dangerous conditions. She left Surfers Knoll area.

11:20am, received a report of a diesel spill at VWM C-dock. Officers responded on the fireboat and investigated.

7:30am, officers escorting a group of bird counters around the harbor in Boat 17 to count birds. The main area of interest is the Harbor Breakwall.

1:05am, during a recording of the rain gauge, observed very heavy surge affecting the patrol vessels from the large swell. Officers added more spring lines to secure the vessels and limiting the collisions between dock and vessels.

11:45am, received a report that the Santa Clara Rivermouth breeched. Officers responded and observed a violent burst with raging water with standing waves 5-6ft high. By-standers were warned to stand back.

6:31pm, received a dispatch to an unconscious person on their vessel in VIM E-dock. Officers responded and assisted VFD/AMR with a 61 year old male with high blood sugar and neck pain from a fall. The patient was treated on scene for the ailments and transported to local hospital for further evaluation.

Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Moorhouse Financial Services

Photo by Michael Gordon

A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting was held for Moorhouse Financial Services, Inc., 1575 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 201. Moorhouse Financial Services tailor their full range of wealth management services to wherever you are in life and your goals at each stage. Through a process that is detailed and time-tested, they go to great lengths to provide an holistic approach of custom financial planning, investment management, charitable giving and tax and estate planning strategies specifically for you. Phone 805.684.2245 fax 805.684.2248