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Vol. 12, No. 3 – Nov 7 – Nov 20, 2018 – Movie Review

Bohemian Rhapsody
Movie Review: 3.5 Palm Trees out of 4 Palm Trees

by Victoria Usher

Bohemian Rhapsody is a 2018 biographical film about the British rock band Queen.

Queen was a British rock band and they were one of the most popular, most talented, and most influential bands ever. They had a unique style of music that people adored, and they also had exciting and refreshing personalities that people could never get enough of. The film Bohemian Rhapsody is set in the 1970’s and it observes the legendary band, Queen, as they work their way up to super stardom, all while paying extra special attention to the front man Freddie Mercury (played by Rami Malek) and showing the rest of the band members as the supporting actors. The film tells Queen’s story all the way up until the band’s show stopping Live Aid performance at Wembley Stadium in 1985. Casting was done extremely well for Freddie Mercury as well as for the rest of the band members. The chemistry between all of the actors on screen truly makes you feel as though you are watching the real band interact. There are real events and real struggles shown throughout the film that Freddie Mercury went through during the course of his life. A few of Queen’s greatest and most well-known songs such as “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “We Will Rock You”, “Somebody To Love”, and others are played throughout the film in order to help set the mood, set the tone, and also to help go along with the plot in a special and unique way.

I believe that this was a wonderful film that any person who is a true fan of the band Queen would enjoy watching. One of the specific things that truly keeps you enthralled during the entire film is Rami Malek’s phenomenal performance as Freddie Mercury, the leading man from the band Queen. He allows himself to be completely taken over by his character and become Freddie Mercury. He captures the hearts of all the people watching him.

Directed by Bryan Singer. It was produced by Brian May, Graham King, Jim Beach, Roger Taylor, Dexter Fletcher, Jane Rosenthal, Donald Sabourin, and Richard Hewitt. The screenplay was by Anthony McCarten. The story was by Anthony McCarten and Peter Morgan. The film stars Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, and Mike Myers. The cinematography was by Newton Thomas Sigel. It was edited by John Ottman. The casting was done by Susie Figgis. The production design was done by Aaron Haye. The costume design was done by Julian Day. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

(Rated: PG-13) (Running Time: 2h 14m)

The Honor Guard and Color Guard perform honorable farewells at military ceremonies and burials

Each member of the Honor/Color Guards were pinned with the American flag.

by Ana Baker

On October 26th the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurses Association hosted a thank-you event at the Poinsettia Pavilion to honor the Marine Corps League – President Ronald Reagan Det#597/VFW Post 10049, Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, and 1st Memorial Honors Detail who provide details Honor/Color Guards throughout the county.

The Honor Guard and Color Guard perform honorable farewells at military ceremonies and burials for their fellow veterans. They take time away from their jobs and daily lives to perform the veterans’ final farewell, rain or shine. The comfort and pride that these amazing volunteers give is priceless. The ceremony includes folding the flag, presenting the flag, carrying out gun salutes and playing taps. They have performed over 175 events this year alone. This was the first time the Honor Guards and the Color Guards have been publicly recognized for their efforts.

The Ventura County Veteran Services Office and Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association have been honoring veterans and thanking them for their service to our nation for the past four years. In attendance at Friday’s event were, Mike McManus, County of Ventura – Veteran Services Officer and a Senior Master Sergeant, USAF (ret), Nancy Frawley from Assembly woman Jacqui Irwin’s office, friends and family members of veterans. A special thank you to the Poinsettia Pavilion who donated the space for this great event.

Each member of the Honor/Color Guards were pinned with the American flag and presented certificates of recognition from Congresswoman Julia Brownley’s office as well as Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin’s office.

Diana “Dinah” J. Davis the business manager for Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association who organized the event said, “It is time to give back and say thank you to these great men and women who serve our community with the Honor Guard and the Color Guard”.

For more information about the military honor and color guards contact the County of Ventura Veteran Services Office at (805) 477-5155.

For more information about Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association’s “We honor Veterans” program, visit their website at www.lmvna.org.

The selection committee sought a person who needed a little help to “shine”

JR Luna, Rita Luna and this year’s Wheels to Shine Recipient Cheyanne Dominguez. Photo by Journey Zephyr-Wade Hak.

Concours Motors’ owner Gerardo “JR” Luna created “Wheels To Shine” in 2017. His team purchased a 2000 Volkswagen Golf and restored and rebuilt it to donate to a deserving person .

The selection committee sought an outstanding person who needed a little help to “shine,” and would use the car to give back to Ventura.  Last year, the car was awarded to Marina Limon Porter, a local insurance agent and hard-working mother of one.

She is actively involved with Step Up Ventura—an organization that provides therapeutic services and access to childcare and preschool for children ages zero to five who are affected by or at risk of homelessness.

In Concours Motors’ second annual giveaway, Cheyanne Dominguez was awarded a Volkswagen Beetle 2000. At 20, Cheyanne has endured significant challenges, including losing her father, Oscar, to homicide.  Currently, Cheyenne dedicates a tremendous amount of time to helping others—she is a leader at her church’s youth group, where she mentors middle school and high school-aged girls. She prepares meals and serves them to the homeless, at Catholic Charities on Ventura Avenue. This year, she helped raise enough money to fund a trip to Uganda, where her team facilitated seminars about reproductive health.

Financial restriction and a lack of reliable transportations hindered Cheyanne’s ability to further her education; having a car will ensure that Cheyenne can eventually transfer to a four-year university and pursue a career in government, to work toward causes including ending homelessness and support families affected by violence. JR Luna says, “If we can give a car away every year, and we’re in business for another 25 years, we can change 25 lives. That’s pretty impactful.”

Vol. 12, No. 3 – Nov 7 – Nov 20, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I am sorry to report that Hi Hat Entertainment has decided to close their “figurative” doors once the Hong Kong Inn closes their literal doors at the end of November. As a supporter of the music scene, I do my best to report what’s good and what’s right about our music community, but I would be remiss if I didn’t give a hearty shout out and thanks to Jerry and Jan McWorter who have brought us amazing Blues shows to Ventura the past ten years. I was hoping they would continue after finding another home base, but after some soul searching they have decided to pull the plug. Meanwhile, the shows will continue for a few more Friday nights with Morry Sochat featuring Mondo Cortez on November 9, Shari Puorto Band on November 16, and a huge blow out farewell show on November 23 with Deke Dickerson & the Eccofonics, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps as well as Hot Roux featuring two-time Grammy award winner, Albert Lee.

Ones to Watch Productions have been busy bringing a number of shows to the area, the next one will feature Chris Pierce and The Brambles in an intimate setting at the Ojai Underground on Friday, November 9.

Just a word of warning about December 1 as there are several events planned on the same day. Let’s start with Totally Local VC’s One-Year Thomas Fire Remembrance concert at the Libbey Bowl with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy; then there’s the 4 Kids 2 Kids’ 18th annual toy drive and concert at the Ventura Beach Club with Ray Jaurique and the Uptown Brothers; and finally “the social event of the year” with the holiday street fair and Ventura Winter Wine Walk downtown Ventura. All three events promise to be a good time, so choose wisely!

Quick Notes: Joe Vandenberg, singer/songwriter, will be at Namba on Friday, November 9; The Ventura Theater has Andy Grammer on Friday, November 9, The Selector on Saturday, November 10 and SuicideGirls on Saturday, November 17; The Freedom Ledges with their unique brand of dirty Blues and Rock & Roll will be at Oak and Main on Saturday, November 10; Noble Grizwald return to Saloon BBQ on Saturday, November 10; Allvaret from Sweden play The Garage on Saturday, November 17; Yachtley Crew cruise into Discovery on Saturday, November 17; and Broadway star, Lesli Margherita, plays the Rubicon Theater for two days in a brand new concert, “This Broad’s Way” on November 17 and 18th.

And finally, my condolences going out to family, friends and musicians who are grieving the loss of George Hawkins, Jr. who passed away after a lengthy illness on October 26, 2018. He touched many a soul, was a musician’s musician and a good friend to so many.

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.

Legal victory secures protection for Santa Clara River Steelhead

Conservation groups have scored a key courtroom victory for endangered Southern California steelhead harmed by operation of the Vern Freeman Dam on the Santa Clara River.

In a 152-page decision issued by Honorable Judge David O. Carter, the court found United Water Conservation District violated the federal Endangered Species Act by clearly causing past, ongoing, and future harm to steelhead as a result of the dam’s barrier to fish movement and diversion of water. Finding that United “dragged its feet” on critical solutions, and that “United has proved itself unable and unwilling to tackle the two key problems repeatedly identified as perpetuating harm to steelhead,” Judge Carter ordered measures needed to prevent the harm from continuing and to allow for steelhead recovery.

The 1,200-foot-wide, 25-foot-high Freeman Dam’s ineffective fish ladder, combined with United’s diversion of the Santa Clara River’s flow at the dam, prevent steelhead from returning to their prime upstream spawning habitat in the river and migrating to the ocean.

Southern California steelhead are a federally protected, endangered anadromous fish that mature in the ocean but return inland to spawn in freshwater upstream. The Santa Clara River historically supported thousands of steelhead and is critical for the recovery of steelhead throughout their range.

The court’s ruling requires United to immediately ensure the river has sufficient flows for steelhead to swim the 10.5-mile stretch of river to and from the ocean. In addition, by January 2020, the court’s ruling requires United to fully design both a 400-foot wide notch and a hardened ramp solution to allow fish to migrate past the dam, and to construct the fish passage option acceptable to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Filed in federal court in June 2016, the lawsuit was decided after an 11-day trial with testimony from some of the most esteemed steelhead and fish passage experts.

The groups were represented at trial by lead counsel Christopher Sproul of Environmental Advocates; Jason Weiner, senior attorney and general counsel of Wishtoyo Foundation; Geneva EB Thompson, staff attorney for Wishtoyo Foundation; and Heather Kryczka of Environmental Advocates.

The Wishtoyo Foundation is a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 700 members consisting of Ventura County residents, Chumash Native Americans, and the general public that enjoys, depends on, and visits Ventura County’s inland and coastal waterbodies to protect, preserve, and restore the ecological integrity and water quality of Ventura County’s inland waterbodies, coastal waters, and watersheds. www.wishtoyo.org

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.6 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

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Extra instruction now available for students grades K-5

Ventura Deputy Mayor Matt La Vere spoke on behalf of the City Council. Photos by Michael Gordon

A ribbon cutting was held for Project Understanding Tutoring Center located at Portola Elementary School, 6700 Eagle St.

The Tutoring Centers at Project Understanding provide extra instruction for students grades K-5 with volunteer tutors in one-to-one interaction.  Students are recommended by their instructors.

Project Understanding currently has 11 tutoring centers throughout Ventura County, in El Rio, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Saticoy and Ventura. There are many students, Kindergarten – 5th grade, in need of assistance with their school work.

At the ribbon cutting Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere stated “Many people know the good work that Project Understanding has been doing in our community for over 40 years. They have helped hundreds of individuals go from homeless to housed, and have kept thousands from becoming homeless because of their food pantry. However, what many people don’t know is the incredible work Project Understanding does with our local youth. With the opening of the Portolo Elementary School tutoring center, Project Understanding now has 12 tutoring locations, providing free tutoring services to students throughout our community. Education is the critical key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and through its tutoring centers, Project Understanding is working to ensure Ventura’s youth have all of their educational needs met.”

Focus on the Masters Volunteers 6th Annual Holiday Gift Shop

Focus on the Masters Volunteers presents their 6th annual Holiday Gift Shop located at the home of Chris & Kevin Beirne, 310 Cruzero Street in Meiners Oaks.  Their charming home is the perfect setting for unique, hand-made and lovingly crafted gifts by our local artists.

This is a great chance to meet with artists and friends, and shop for those special people on your list. The wine, gifts and wish lists happy hour on Saturday, Nov.17th from 4 – 7 will surely make your shopping extravaganza even more festive!

The Holiday Gift Shop will feature a variety of one-of-a-kind items including colorful quilts & totes, jewelry, decorative gourds, unique wearable art, charming felted wool creatures, ceramics, paintings and much more.  All items are produced by FOTM volunteers, staff, and outstanding Ventura County artists.

Proceeds benefit FOTM’s Learning To See Outreach and other outstanding arts education programs. To learn more about Focus on the Masters, visit www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or call 805.653.2501.

Give thanks for good health by giving blood or platelets

The American Red Cross urges people to share their good health this holiday season by donating blood or platelets for patients in need.

A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with holiday activities and travel. However, medical treatments and emergencies that require blood don’t stop for the holidays. The Red Cross is thanking those who carve out time to give Nov. 21-24 with a long-sleeved T-shirt, while supplies last.

Patients like 6-year-old Ava King will continue to need transfusions critical to their care this holiday season. Ava has Diamond-Blackfan anemia, which impacts her body’s ability to produce enough red blood cells.

“We are so thankful for blood donors, because Ava relies on blood transfusions every month to stay alive and thrive,” said Ava’s mother, Tina King. “It’s truly a gift!”

By giving blood or platelets, donors may give patients more time – and more holidays – with loved ones. Make an appointment to donate blood or platelets by downloading the free American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Another way to help keep the blood supply strong this winter is to host a Red Cross blood drive in December, January or February. To learn more about hosting a blood drive and to sign up, visit RedCrossBlood.org/HostADrive.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities Nov. 16-30

Ventura

Ventura

11/20/2018: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Knights of Columbus, 36 S. Figueroa St.

11/26/2018: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, visit rdcrss.org/driver.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or Twitter at @RedCross.

Community Stories

Claire Villegas and Eleana Newton of ECTV recording in the KPPQ radio station.

by Elizabeth Rodeno

El Camino High School students are continuing their weekly program with a host of stories covering issues that mean so much to them. Their bi-lingual show is covering many issues important to the Spanish speaking community and sharing culture and history. Other shows the young producers are lining up include an arts focused show at Art City and a series of music shows with performances and interviews. They are also on the radio producing up a storm. Stay tuned.

The Ventura Police Community Foundation Heroes Among Us Gala featuring a CAPS produced tribute video was a great success. The successful event honored heroic community members.

As the one-year anniversary of the Thomas Fire and the incoming holiday season, the calendar is getting packed full of events to honor and support our community. We are honored to be able to be part of the story by letting the community share their stories. The Museum will be hosting events as will other venues including Libbey Park in Ojai. Sheldon and The Breeze will help keep you in the know.

Don’t forget we continue to air the Thomas Fire Stories project every Friday at 6pm on CAPS Channel 6. CAPS Radio – KPPQ-LP is broadcasting them regularly on 104.1fm and on the myTuner app available on your phone and smart speaker. Tune in Thursdays at 5:30pm on KCSB 91.1fm in Santa Barbara to hear them too.

There is much more to hear on KPPQ. Our talented hosts bring the city to life and share knowledge about local and world affairs. Tune in and be surprised by your community programming. There is something for everybody. Come be part of it and share the voices of the community.

Do you have an upcoming event? Would you like people to learn more about your organization? Use CAPS Media and CAPS radio to be part of your media plan. Send in your print ad to post on our television bulletin board. Do you have copy for a Public Service Announcement to air on KPPQ? There are many ways we can support your organization. Please contact us at [email protected] or call us at 806-6568-0500.

Community Member engagement is CAPS Media Center mission. We are here to support members in creating an informed and educated community through electronic media. Both our television channels and radio are venues to share stories and ideas with the community. Become a member, take the Orientation, enroll in classes and create powerful and entertaining media to share with us.

Orientation classes for media makers are held the first Thursday of every month. Go to capsmedia.org for more information.