The Ventura Breeze is holding an “un-official” Name The Green Pig Contest for the pig that was back in the St. Pats Parade. Send you suggestions to [email protected]. They will be submitted to the pig committee for consideration. The Breeze will select our winner and the lucky person will win ham and eggs at their favorite restaurant.
Patty Jenkins sent her suggestions even before the contest started. “ShamHock” or HamSchock.
Photo by Michael Gordon
Remembering Professor Scamp 2002-2017
• SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income cat and dog friends.
Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Friday, April 20th.
Please call to schedule an appointment 584-3823.
For the homeless April 27 at 110 N. Olive, Ventura.
• Favorite dog breeds in America
by: Victoria Usher
Labradors continue to be America’s most popular purebred dog for the twenty-seventh year in a row. German Shepherds come in second place, Golden Retrievers come in third place, and Frenchies come in fourth place according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) rankings.
After that the Bulldog is fifth, the Beagle is sixth, the Poodle is seventh, the Rottweiler is eighth, the Yorkshire Terrier is ninth, and the German Shorthaired Pointer is tenth.
The versatile, sociable Labrador has had the longest-ever reign as the top dog. The French Bulldog went from being in the seventy-sixth spot to being in the fourth spot in just twenty years and the downsized Bulldogs with the pointed ears have become a favorite among city dwellers who value compact, relatively quiet dogs. Both the Siberian Husky and the Australian Shepherd have also jumped into the top twenty in the last decade.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have estimated that there are about seventy million pet dogs nationwide and that there are over seventy-four million pet cats nationwide. Animal-rights activists say that purebred fads drive puppy mills, consign other dogs that are not purebred to shelters, and prioritize looks over health. The AKC argue that breeding preserves specific traits that can actually be helpful to police when picking K-9s or helpful to households when choosing suitable pets. But whether purebred or mixed breed, “the most important thing is that you love the dog that is yours and that you responsibly own it and care for it,” says AKC spokeswoman Gina DiNardo.
• Cesar’s dog training advice: “My dog is eating feces” JoAnn
Dear JoAnn,
Eating feces is normal with many different animal species. In dogs, it is not part of the digestive process, but it is a normal cleaning behavior in mother dogs with pups. Some dogs eat stool even without puppies in a misguided attempt to clean either the yard or their kennel. This can easily turn into a habit.
Malnourished dogs who lack nutrients in their diet or are unable to digest the nutrients in their food may resort to eating partially digested food in poop in order to meet their nutritional needs. Consult your vet about the best diet for your dog, and also to rule out any existing medical problem associated with coprophagia, the scientific name.
After addressing dietetic needs, and ruling our medical conditions, you’ll have to break the habit. There are two approaches to stopping the behavior. The most common approach is to use either Adolph’s meat tenderizer or a product called “For-bid”. These products are supposed to give the stool a bitter flavor when eaten. In my experience, these products are only successful some of the time. Another approach that may work better is to find the stool in the yard and cover it with a hot sauce, such as Habanero sauce, that will be uncomfortable to eat but cause no real damage.
Dr. Sherry Weaver
•Let’s face it, dogs are territorial animals by nature. They like to protect their territory, their family, and their belongings. Territorial marking is different from urination because it is only a small amount to make other dogs aware that this is their territory. When people notice that their dog has been marking around the house, it is not usually done out of spite, but out of insecurity.
For a dog, this insecurity may be a sense that their area is under siege by another person or animal inside the house, or even outside in some cases. Territoriality is not always a bad thing, but it is definitely bad for your home, because it involves urination around things or places that “belong” to the dog; exposure to the scent later can also trigger re-marking. What you can do about it in the next issue.
by Cindy Summers
Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Sexual Battery Arrest
On March 26, at approximately 3pm, the female victim was walking in the area of the 3500 block of East Main Street. The suspect, 23 year old Ventura vagrant Dylan McTaggart, approached her, yelled lewd comments and sexually battered her. The suspect fled prior to officers arriving; however he was located by officers. The investigation revealed he committed the sexual battery and that he is a registered sex offender. He was booked into Ventura County Jail for misdemeanor sexual battery.
Recovered Stolen Vehicle Arrest
On March 30 at 1am, while patrolling in the area, patrol officers saw a reported stolen vehicle drive past them. The officers followed the suspect vehicle to where it pulled into the 7-11 parking lot on Bristol Rd. The officers contacted the driver of the vehicle, 42 year old Ventura vagrant Manuel Alamillo, and took him into custody without incident.
Alamillo was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for possession of a stolen vehicle.
Hit and Run, Driving Under the Influence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felony Resisting Arrest
On April 2, at approximately 7am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call of a hit and run traffic accident that just occurred in the 900 block of Woodstock Ln. The caller reported the suspect vehicle, a black Ford pickup, struck a fence and pole before fleeing the scene.
As officers were responding to that location, additional callers reported a second hit and run accident that just occurred in the area of Harbor Blvd. and Seaward Ave., describing that a similar vehicle hit another motorist and fled. The driver of that victim vehicle followed the suspect, later identified as 36 year old Ventura resident Caden Everett, and caught up to him at the intersection of Seaward Ave. and Thompson Blvd. The victim tried to stop Everett by pulling in front of him and using his vehicle to block him from driving a way. At that point, Everett used his vehicle and starting forcefully pushing the victim’s vehicle out of the way. He then continued, being chased again by the victim and a witness. At the intersection of San Nicholas St. and Evergreen Dr., the victim and witness used both their vehicles to block Everett in until officers arrived. Chances are high that a hit and run accident lawyer will become involed in the case.
When the first officer arrived and contacted Everett, he was uncooperative and refused to exit his vehicle. Everett started fighting with the officer as he tried to remove him from the vehicle. He was taken to the ground and arrest.
After being medically cleared from VCMC for an injury he sustained during the arrest, Everett was booked into the Ventura County Jail for Hit and Run, Driving Under the Influence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, and Felony Resisting Arrest.
Arrest for: Attempt Theft from unlocked vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Active Warrants
On April 6, at approximately 1am, a resident in the 3000 block of Foothill Rd. observed two subjects on Foothill Rd outside of his parked vehicle. Concerned about theft, the resident watched from inside his home. While observing the two, one of the subjects, later identified as 48 year old Ventura vagrant Richard Hunt, entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and began rummaging around in it. The other subject was described as a white male in his 20’s stood outside of the vehicle. The resident shouted at the subjects and the unknown white male entered into a gray 2000 Volvo parked nearby and fled the area. Hunt, left behind by his accomplice, fled on foot. The victim followed Hunt while calling the Ventura Police Department Command Center 911 emergency line.
With the description given by the caller, officers arrived on scene and saw Hunt running south on Dos Caminos Ave. When Hunt saw officers, he began to flee through yards and crossed over onto Estrella St as officers gave chase. Hunt attempted to hide in several backyards and continued to flee from officers, but was ultimately detained as he attempted to flee through an alleyway off of Dos Caminos Ave.
Hunt was positively identified as the subject who had entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle. Hunt also had 4 outstanding warrants. Hunt was transported to the Ventura County Jail and booked for an attempt theft, resisting arrest, and his warrants.
The second subject was not located.
The Ventura Police Department would like to remind citizens to remove all valuables from inside of your vehicles and keep the doors locked.
To opinions
I made the rally and march Saturday and have to say, Venturans’ are the most polite and carefully lead community I have meant in a long time. We stayed off the street and waited for every street crossing light and stop sign. By the time we got back to the park, we were essentially spread out single file. I can’t believe that would get anyone’s attention. I would never advocate for any violence, of any kind. However, making cars stop and staying in a powerful group makes a statement. I was told we didn’t have a permit. Well, we can’t all be arrested. We need to understand civil disobedience and march to be heard.
Chris Rae Ventura
Editor:
I have just one question that perhaps you have already answered in the paper. What happened to Ventura Hardware? I hope you have an answer. They were there one day and gone the next.
Bill Garner
Bill:
They just decided after many years there that it was time to retire and close down. Was a great store because they had one of everything.
Oooops, in our last issue we incorrectly labeled this photo it should have read “Chef Jason Collis of Plated Events”
Many of us spend half of our time wishing for things we could have if we didn’t spend half our time wishing.
~ Alexander Woollcott
This wonderful and whimsical bird is just a small sampling of the exciting art of Jaime Baker. To see much more of his work go to Way Outta Line Caricatures on Instagram and Facebook.
Also on Exhibit at the Buenaventura Gallery is Stories A Mini Open Competition now through April 14
Come see the award winners and read the stories behind their creation!
Amanda & Vinny: An Isla Vista Night First Place by Julie English
“I opened a Snapchat from a friend and said immediately…”
Come view the rest of the story.
by Jennifer Tipton
The Family Justice Center is a program of Alliance for Hope International that serves more than 150,000 survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in the United States each year. Hope International was contracted by Ventura County in 2016 to assist in the development process for the creation of a Family Justice Center, a collaborative effort which will bring all services together in one location for the victims of trauma and abuse and their children.
According to Ken Corney, Chief of Police for the City of Ventura, “it’s long overdue”. In 2012, Ventura County law enforcement agencies received 7,478 domestic violence calls.
After many years of working in partnerships and multi-disciplinary approaches in addressing child abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, elder abuse, and human trafficking, Ventura County, under the leadership of District Attorney Greg Totten, decided to pursue the creation of a Family Justice Center model.
District Attorney Totten tells us, “victims are traumatized and then thrown into a system that is spread out and difficult to navigate, the Family Justice Center will pull all of our existing services together under one roof”.
And because the system is so hard to navigate, many victims become frustrated and return to their abuser. Between 2009 and 2013, Ventura County experienced 24 deaths resulting from family violence.
The Alliance team met with survivors in Ventura who had experienced the criminal justice system and it became apparent that victims were fearful because they didn’t understand the process and needed help navigating it. While they appreciated brochures, they needed more personal assistance, but they said the courthouse was the scariest place to seek help and all the continuances made the process even more difficult. Some described having to go to 15-20 different places for services and it was traumatic to repeatedly tell their story. They unanimously endorsed the Family Justice Center model.
The plan is to partner with K-12 school districts, law enforcement and victim advocates amongst others. Agencies will include provision for legal assistance, transportation, medical and financial services.
Currently, the estimated costs of family violence in Ventura County are between $2.6 million and $10.4 million per year. The Ventura County Family Justice Center Prospectus, April 2016 makes the business case for the Center, current plans for funding include creating a justice center foundation and grant writing.
The primary objective is to provide a safe place to go but the 24-hour facilities also proposes to offer transportation, job training, a dance studio, a community garden and an ice cream parlor.
For more information visit www.familyjusticecenter.com.
Two Ventura women are joining forces to exhibit their artistic visions and range in an April 18-May 19 show at the Buenaventura Gallery in downtown Ventura.
“Encaustic & Stone” will feature two- and three-dimensional pieces by Joyce Lombard and Virginia Buckle, both longtime Buenaventura Art Association members with numerous awards to their credit. They will attend a 5-7 p.m. reception on April 28, the second Saturday of the monthlong show.
Lombard, who will give a demonstration and discuss at 2 p.m. May 6.
Buckle plans to exhibit 11 sculptures and six paintings and collage pieces; Lombard will have about 25 encaustic and mixed media works on display. Concurrent with their show will be a juried exhibition of artworks by BAA members.
Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. For more information, visit the nonprofit cooperative’s website, www.buenaventuragallery.org, or call 648-1235 during gallery hours.
A Conversation with Tim Hauf Sunday, April 29 – 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Oxnard’s Levity Live at The Collection, 591 Collection Blvd. To learn about Tim visit www.TimHaufPhotography.com
We can explore the world’s most interesting places without leaving home. Pick up Sunset, Smithsonian Magazine or a National Geographic publication and chances are you’ll be in touch with the photography of Tim Hauf. Tim Hauf has been a professional photographer since the early 1990s. Although he grew up in North Dakota, spent 30 years in Ventura County and now lives in Washington State, Tim is very much a citizen of the world. His deep connection to the land – whether nearby in the Channel Islands, Patagonia or the Himalayas – informs his work and allows us to vicariously admire and revel in Nature’s infinite variety.
Admission is $15 for general public; $10 for seniors. Free to Focus on the Masters Members. RSVP required at www.FocusOnTheMasters.com or 653.2501.
Special invitation to Educators & Students:
The Artist Spotlight and panel discussion is open to students attending as a class assignment free of charge. FOTM is happy to assist with tracking attendance and sign-in sheets. Reservations required.
Join for AfterGLOW, a celebratory supper at Ventura home of Dennis Mitchell and Richard Sanders immediately following the program. Please bring a warm wrap as you may wish to enjoy the hosts’ magical garden. Paid reservations are essential and required prior to April 24. We expect this AfterGLOW to sell out.
$30 FOTM members, $40 Non-members.
Maps will be given to paid guests at the interview.
Southern California homeowners and renters who have registered for disaster assistance with FEMA following the December wildfires and January mudslides and flooding, are encouraged to stay in touch as their applications are processed.
Financial help for home repair, temporary rental assistance, personal property loss and other losses or damage not covered by insurance may be available to applicants in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
Applicants can track their application and should notify FEMA of changes to their mailing address, phone number, email address or if they receive an insurance settlement. Any necessary documents can also be uploaded directly by going online to DisasterAssistance.gov. Applicants can also call the helpline at 800-621-3362; TTY 800-462-7585. Those who use 711 or Video Relay Service may call 800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time seven days a week.
As of close of business March 27, 691 households have received more than $4.2 million in assistance from FEMA. The U.S. Small Business Administration has approved 381 loans for businesses, homeowners and renters for more than $40.4 million.
Significant efforts have been made with the removal of debris from basins and creeks in Santa Barbara County. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers removed 326,908 cubic yards of debris from 11 basins that provide protection to downstream neighborhoods and properties in Santa Barbara County. USACE is also assisting Santa Barbara County clear debris from nine creeks. Work is complete in eight of nine creeks, for a total of 47,306 cubic yards removed.
CalRecyle has been working in Ventura County to remove debris from private property and conduct soil sampling. So far CalRecyle is 71 percent complete with private property debris removal in Ventura County and expect to be complete by mid-April.
Debris removal is critical to reopening roadways and facilitating further recovery, but is also essential to helping communities prepare for increased flood risks that follow major fires for several years. All residents of Southern California who live near burned areas should be carefully monitor the weather and follow local emergency recommendations. Residents can increase their financial protection by buying insurance now. Click here for information on flood risks after fire, go to or visit California Department of Water Resources for more information.
For more additional updates on California recovery, visit the disaster web page at www.fema.gov/disaster/4353, Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/femaregion9 and WildfireRecovery.org.
