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Vol. 11, No. 14 – Apr 11 – Apr 24, 2018 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Mark David McKinnis
Thursdays: Blue Grass Jam

Bombay Bar & Grill
143 S. California Street
Friday and Saturdays: DJs

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 4/11: Big Adventure
Thurs 4/12: Coso Live
Fri 4/13: Action Down
Sat 4/14: Rick Whitfield
Tues 4/17: Jazz Expressions
Wed 4/18: Donna Butler
Thurs 4/19: Self Righteous Bros.
Fri 4/20: Young Dempsey
Sat 4/21: Otis Hayes

Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Sat 7 pm; Sun 3 pm
Sun 4/15: Eric Knierim

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

Copa Cubana
Ventura Harbor Village
Week nights 6 pm; Weekends 7 pm; Sundays 3 pm
Tuesdays: The Jerry McWorter Trio
Wednesdays: Creative Open Mic Jazz Jam
Saturdays: Havana 5
Fri 4/13: Lorenzo Brothers
Sun 4/15: Brandon Ragan Project
Sun 4/22: Karen Eden

Dargan’s Irish Pub
593 E. Main Street
Sun 4/15: 4 pm Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Wed 4/11: John 5 & the Creatures; Hero Jr. & Stomprocket
Thurs 4/12: Ital Vibes w/ Eureka Sound
Fri 4/13: The Velveteen Band, AHTCK, Soup Hat
Wed 4/18: Alborosie
Thurs 4/19: Sensamotion
Sat 4/21: The Band that Fell to Earth

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Fridays: Xoco Moraza & Friends; DJ Rouge
Sat 4/14: DCMOFO
Sat 4/21: Rey Fresco

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 4/13: Mandii Gomez
Fri 4/20: Midlife Crisis

Garage
1091 Scandia
Thurs 4/12: Wimpy Rutherford & the Cryptics
Fri 4/13: The Lower Echelon, Guilty by Association, Jerk!
Sat 4/14: Astraeus, Molkahete, Malice Thoughts, No Biggee, Phoenixokk
Fri 4/20: The F’ing Wrath, Pink Mist, Brilliant Machine, False Claims
Sat 4/21: Publik Enema, Hymen Blasters, The Curse is Written, Rugburn

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

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6 pm; Thurs 7 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm
Sat 4/14: Alastair Greene
Fri 4/20: Brandon Ragan Project
Sat 4/21: Hunter & the Dirty Jacks
Sun 4/22: Cranberry Sauce

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 4/13: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike
Sat 4/14: Brad Stewart & the Hellhounds
Sun /15: (2:30 pm) Medicine Hat CD release party; Honey Owl, Brothers Fortune, Matt Sayles
Fri 4/20: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Morry Sochat & the Memphis Kings
Sat 4/21: MisUnderstood

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues & Wed: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 4/13: Coz Bros.
Sat 4/14: Action Down
Fri 4/20: Rick Miller Band
Sat 4/21: Sean Wiggins

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tuesdays: Galactic Jazz
Thurs 4/12: Robert Quindaro
Sat 4/14: Jason Ho
Sun 4/15: Kirby Ai
Fri 4/20: The Inside Break
Sat 4/21: Jacob (After the Smoke)

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 4/12: Sam Kulchin
Sat 4/14: Corey Leiter
Sun 4/15: The Inside Break
Thurs 4/19: Big Tweed
Sat 4/21: Tom Buenger
Sun 4/22: Will Breman

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Thurs 4/12: Nightwish
Thurs 4/19: The Expendables

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri and Sat 6 pm; Sun 4 pm
Fri 4/13: Broad Street Band
Sat 4/14: Operation 90s
Sun 4/15: Doc Rogers Band
Sat 4/21: Dive Bar Messiahs
Sun 4/22: CRV

Museum of Ventura County
100 E. Main Street
Sun 4/22: Camerata Pacifica presents: Auerbach & Schubert

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke
Fri 4/13: Live Band Karaoke

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

Patio at Players Casino
Auto Center Drive
Thursdays: Hermano’s Herrera Trio
Sat 4/21: Mighty Cash Cats

Poinsettia Pavilion
3451 Foothill Road
Mon 4/16: Tropic Star
Mon 4/23: Dick Parent Trio

Prime
2209 E. Thompson Blvd
Tuesdays: Danny D
Fridays: Mike Moody
Saturdays: Jessica Ash

Red Cove
1809 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Music Club Open Jam Night
Fri 4/13: Hey Satan, Pink Droid, Underlings, Town Troubles
Sat 4/14: The Barn Burners, The Tenderloin
Sat 4/21: (6:15 pm) Malice Thoughts, Upper/Downer, 3 Day Holocaust, Fun Abuse, Hiding Inside Victims, The Antidonts, Escape from the Zoo

Rookies Sports Bar & Grill
419 E. Main Street
(805) 648-6862
Fri and Sat: Rotating DJs

Saloon BBQ Co.
456 E. Main Street
Music at 10 pm
Wed 4/11: DJ Steezy Steve
Fri 4/13: Wild Coast
Sat 4/14: Noble Grizwald
Fri 4/20: DJs Corey Perez and Eric Lee Anderson
Sat 4/21: The Shorelines

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 4/14: The Furious Seasons
Sun 4/15: Ruby Skye
Sat 4/21: Total Recluse
Sun 4/22: Thadeus Gonzalez

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 4/13: Kings Revenge
Sat 4/14: DJ Pistolero
Fri 4/20: Stevie Char
Sat 4/21: We Govern We

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main Street
Thurs 4/12: Sabine Trio
Fri 4/13: Mike & Al Velasquez
Sat 4/14: The Barrelhouse Wailers
Thurs 4/19: L.J. and the Boyz
Fri 4/20: The White Blinds

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Sunday music 3 -6 pm
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs: DJ Trovlbe
Fri 4/13: Los Dudes
Sat 4/14: Jan Michael & the Vincents
Sun 4/15: After the Smoke
Fri 4/20: Mini Driver Band
Sat 4/21: Automatics

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 4/13: Rich Sheldon
Sat 4/14: I Want my 80s
Fri 4/20: Soul Infusion
Sat 4/21: Operation 90s

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
(805) 640-1190
Sat 4/14: (4-6 pm) Love Musket
Sun 4/15: (3-5 pm) Karen Eden
Sat 4/21: (4-6 pm) The Harlequins
Sun 4/22: (1-3 pm) Natalie Gelman

Ventura College Performing Arts Center
4700 Loma Vista Road
Fri and Sat 7:30 pm; Sun 2:30 pm
Fri 4/13: The Mikado
Sat 4/14: The Mikado
Sun 4/15: The Mikado

Vintura at the Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Sundays music at 2 pm
Thurs 4/12: Dogfish
Fri 4/13: Mark Masson
Sat 4/14: Kevin Langdon & Friends
Sun 4/15: Epitome of Dreams
Thurs 4/19: Andy D
Fri 4/20: Tommy Quayle
Sat 4/21: Rich Sheldon
Sun 4/22: Toni Jannotta

Wicked’s Brew
4561 Market Street
Wed 4/11: (6 pm) Vivien Mason & Jimmy Calire
Sat 4/14: (5:30 pm) Steve Ormond
Fri 4/20: (5:30 pm) The Ragtime Brothers
Sat 4/21: (10:30 am) Ashun; (5:30 pm) Jodi Farrell & Jim Rankin
Sun 4/22: (10:30 am) Karen Parkhouse & Hot Cuppa Three

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 8:30 pm
Fri 4/13: Jodi Farrell & Jim Rankin
Sat 4/14: Vanise Terry
Fri 4/20: Braids & Dreads feat. Dan Grimm
Sat 4/21: The Swillys

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at noon Sat & Sun with Kenny Devoe
Fridays 5-7: Sing-a-long with Kenny Devoe

Vol. 11, No. 14 – Apr 11 – Apr 24, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

This time of year, we all wait with bated breath for the musical line up for the summer concert season. While the Ventura County Fair has not yet released their roster, tickets for Music Under the Stars at the Historic Olivas Adobe, are now on sale. The series kicks off on July 14 with British Beat, a British invasion tribute band, and winds down on September 1 with Janeen Puente and her Latin Orchestra. Go to VenturaRocks.com for bands and dates.

Ventura’s Earth Day Eco Fest will be held at a new location this year at Plaza Park on Saturday, April 21, from 10 am – 4pm. This free community Earth Day Celebration features all day live music and entertainment, over 100 green vendors, a kid’s zone with recycled crafts & face paint, food trucks, all day free YOGA, green cars and more!!! Music provided by Jade Hendrix, Sea at Last, Anchor and Bear, Grace Fellows, Shelby Figueroa and Pacific Sound. Oh! And of course, there will be a full-time bike valet on site.

If you dig the sounds of true blue authentic Country women, then don’t miss Nashville Gal and her tribute to the women of Nashville at the Rubicon featuring Melissa Hammans on Saturday, April 14, with a Sunday matinee on April 15. Hammans will cover tunes from Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn.

Hi Hat Entertainment continues to bring the talent to town on Friday nights at the Hong Kong Inn. On April 13, they have the multi-award winning Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike with Anson Funderburgh; on April 20th, it’s Chicago’s finest blues harmonica with Morry Sochat and the Memphis Kings; on April 27th it local favorite roadhouse rock & blues with Kelly’s Lot; and you won’t want to miss the return of Billy Vera & the Beaters performing their #1 hit song, “At this Moment” on May 11. Get your advance tickets at HiHatEntertainment.com.

Quick Notes: Ventura College Performing Arts will perform Gilbert & Sullivan’s musical, The Mikado April 13-April 15; Medicine Hat’s CD release party is Sunday April 15 (2:30 pm) at the Hong Kong Inn; The Hymen Blasters play The Garage on Saturday April 21 with Publik Enema, The Curse is Written (out of Portland) and Rugburn; Rey Fresco’s 10-year anniversary bash will be at El Rey Cantina on Saturday, April 21; and Cranberry Sauce featuring nothing but The Beatles, will return to Grapes and Hops Sunday, April 22.

And as a final note, don’t forget we have a vital free service for our musically inclined youth. Notes for Notes, in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs, produces tomorrow’s musicians by providing a fully stocked recording studio where blossoming artists can explore, create and record music absolutely free. Find out more online at NotesForNotes.org/Ventura.

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.

Vol. 11, No. 14 – Apr 11 – Apr 24, 2018 – 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

The Ventura Retired Men’s Group welcomes interested men to their semi-monthly Tuesday lunch ($15) meetings at the Ventura Elks lodge. This regular congenial social event, besides a healthy, satisfying meal, supplies a welcome atmosphere to talk and joke, hear a speaker on a variety of relevant topics. Steve at 642-1359

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 Ventura County Philatelic Society meets 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 / 320-1601 or [email protected]

Mended Hearts of Ventura. Share if you have had heart surgery or stent implant. Group meets the first Tuesday each month at noon at Lemon Wood Mobile Homes, 850 Johnson Dr. Excellent speakers leading Cardiologists, Nutritionists, and Dietitians etc. from our area Richard Hatcher at 644-2733.

Join in on Wednesday nights with the Cross Town Hikers for a moderate-paced hike that includes views of Ventura from the cross, a walk out to the end of the pier, and a stroll along the Promenade back to the Museum. Four miles with an 800-foot elevation gain. Meet at 7 p.m. at the fountain across the street from the Mission. Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/800215670039426/

Ongoing, First Wednesday, of each month, 6-10 pm, Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club meets at the Murphy Auto Museum, Oxnard. Now exhibiting Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; in April, will have exhibit on Fridays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visitors and new members are welcome. Member initiation fee $10, monthly dues $20, $10 for Juniors. Murphy Auto Museum, 2230 Statham Blvd. www.gcmrc.com. For more information, call 229-7429.

Apr. 13: The General George S. Patton, Jr. Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution April luncheon meeting will feature a special program ” Revolutionary War Veterans Buried at Arlington National Cemetery “, presented by Compatriot Martin Spann. Starts at 11:30 a.m., Garden Room, Marie Callender’s Restaurant, 1295 S. Victoria Ave. All SAR & DAR Compatriots, friends, and visitors are welcome. If you choose lunch, cost is $20 per person. For additional information please call Bill Bays 650-3036 or Robert Taylor 216-7992. For information regarding SAR membership and chapter activities http://pattonpatriots.org.

Apr.14: Ventura Classic Car Club is launching a brand new Car Cruise Night on the second Saturday of each month through December. It is sponsored by Harley’s Camarillo Bowl and Rock & Roll Pizza. All special interest vehicles are welcome. There will be food, bowling, live music, full bar and lots of parking. These cruise nights will take place at 305 Arneil Road, in Camarillo from 4 – 8 p.m.

Apr.14: Saturday, 7am to 1pm: Yard sale to raise funds for immigrants who lost homes, employment, and wages in the Thomas Fire and its aftermath. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to 805 Undocufund, a collective effort of Ventura and Santa Barbara County grassroots organizations to assist local undocumented immigrants who have been economically impacted by the Thomas Fire and are excluded from Federal Emergency Assistance programs. Affected immigrants include our friends, neighbors, coworkers, many of whom care for our children and parents, clean our homes, cook our meals, maintain our lawns and harvest the fruits and vegetables that are the backbone of our regional economy. They need and deserve our help! Come to this SURJ-VC hosted yard sale, take home something for yourself, and contribute something to your immigrant neighbors. 84 Coronado St, Ventura.

Apr.15: Owl Festival at the 0livas Adobe will celebrate our great horned owls who call the Olivas Adobe their home. Vendor booths with “owl” crafts and items will be available for sale. Raptor Rehab will also be on-site for demonstrations.

A free family event of crafts, demos, music, tours and a live show by the OJAI Raptor Society.

11-3 p.m. 4200 Olivas Park Drive. For more information call 658-4728.

Apr. 15: The Ventura and Santa Barbara County chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) will meet Sunday, in the Campus Student Center of Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road. The meeting starts at noon and at 11 a.m. there is 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 p.m.

The program this month will be a presentation by Ernie Jenson on “Modern Time”. There is a $3 admission charge. Lunch is available for $5 more. More information at www.nawcc-ch190.com

Apr. 17: The current estimate of this year’s Ventura County tax bill for nuclear weapons will be close to $200 million. On Tuesday, join Citizens for Peaceful Resolutions on the corner of Telephone and Victoria from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. to peacefully protest the outrageous waste of resources spent on our deadliest weapons of mass destruction, nuclear weapons. Dr. Robert Dodge will report this year’s hall of shame, our tax dollars, bestowed upon the nuclear weapons industry.

Apr.19: East Ventura Community Council .A representative of the Ventura Police Department will give an update on crime and safety. Additional speakers are still being confirmed. Books in good condition are always accepted on behalf of Ventura Friends of the Library. The meeting starts Thursday at 7 p.m. at the First Assembly of God Church, 346 N. Kimball Road.

The public is encouraged to attend and participate. For more information, contact John McNally, Chairperson, EVCC: 804-7558

Apr.21: A Smart Garden is offering a free class entitled, All about Trees. Class time is 10 – 12 p.m. Learn how to select the best tree for your yard, how to plant it and how to care for it just in time for Arbor Day. There will be a raffle, refreshments and discount shopping. Space is limited. RSVP to 667-8585. A Smart Garden is located in Downtown Ventura, 33 South Palm St.

Apr. 21: Join a family friendly and free community bike ride from Ventura Harbor to the Earth day Eco fest at Ventura’s Plaza Park. The ride is approximately 5 miles on flat, city streets with bike lanes and on the coast bike path. The ride is organized by the Channel Island Bike Club. Check in time is 8:30 a.m. at the Channel Islands National Park Headquarters, 1901 Spinnaker Drive. Introductions and the ride starts at 9 a.m.

All bikes should be “ride ready” and riders wearing a helmet. Channel Island Bike Club members can pump tires if you arrive early.

April 21: The Christian Science churches of Ojai and Ventura will host a free, hour-long talk entitled “Love without limit, Life without fear,” on Saturday, April 21 at 1 p.m. at the E. P. Foster Library, Topping Room, 651 E. Main St., Ventura. This lecture will focus on bringing healing to anyone in Ventura and Ojai impacted by the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods or facing personal challenges.
Fujiko Signs, an international speaker, practitioner and teacher of Christian Science healing, will speak about the kind of prayer people around the world are looking for – prayer that brings healing and peace to their lives.
Signs worked as a market research consultant and as a Japanese language and literature instructor at colleges and universities.
All are welcome to attend. Child care will be provided. For more information, call 805-642-4891 or go to PrayerThatHeals.org.

Apr.28: Ventura Friends of the Library will hold a Bag of Books Book Sale. At the Vons at Telegraph and Victoria 10 – 3 p.m. Members of Ventura Friends of the Library can take home a bag of books for $1. For non-members, the price is $3 a bag.

Fly research (really) could help neurodegenerative disorders

To understand the link between aging and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, scientists from the National Institutes of Health compared the genetic clocks that tick during the lives of normal and mutant flies. They found that altering the activity of a gene called Cdk5 appeared to make the clocks run faster than normal, and the flies older than their chronological age. This caused the flies to have problems walking or flying later in life, to show signs of neurodegeneration, and to die earlier.

“We tried to untangle the large role aging appears to play in some of the most devastating neurological disorders,” said Edward Giniger, Ph.D., senior investigator at the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the senior author of the study published in Disease Models & Mechanisms. “Our results suggest that neurodegenerative disorders may accelerate the aging process.”

On average, the normal flies in this study lived for 47 days. To create a genetic clock, Dr. Giniger’s team measured the levels of every gene encoded in messenger RNA molecules from cells from the heads and bodies of flies at 3, 10, 30, and 45 days after birth. This allowed the researchers to use advanced analysis techniques to search for the genes that seemed to be sensitive to aging, and create a standard curve, or timeline, that described the way they changed.

When they performed the same experiments on 10-day-old mutant flies and compared the results with the standard curve, they found that the flies were “older” than their chronological age. Altering Cdk5 activity made the brains of the flies appear genetically to be about 15 days old and their bodies to be about 20 days old.

Preclinical studies suggest that Cdk5 is a gene that is important for the normal wiring of the brain during early development and may be involved in some neurodegenerative disorders, including ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, Dr. Giniger’s team found that eliminating or increasing Cdk5 activity beyond normal levels shortened the lives of the flies to about 30 days. After 10 days of age, the manipulations reduced the distance flies could climb up tubes and the alterations caused older flies to have signs of neurodegeneration, including higher than normal levels of brain cell death and degradation.

More analysis showed that altering Cdk5 activity changed the level of several groups of genes that were also affected by aging, including those that control immunity, energy, and antioxidant activity.

His team plans to continue investigating the role of aging in the process of neurodegeneration.

Make sure you are exercising safely

For this test, sit toward the front of a sturdy chair.

Don’t derail your exercise progress with a preventable injury! Here are some things you can do to make sure you are exercising safely:

Start slowly, especially if you haven’t been active for a long time. Little by little, build up your activities and how hard you work at them.

Don’t hold your breath during strength exercises. That could cause changes in your blood pressure.

Use safety equipment. For example, wear a helmet for bike riding or the right shoes for walking or jogging. Maybe even consider a heavy punching bag, can’t go wrong with the BOB XL dummy. Some people decided to use roman chairs as well which they learn about from somewhere similar to here.

Unless your doctor has asked you to limit fluids, be sure to drink plenty of fluids when you are doing activities. Many older adults don’t feel thirsty even if their body needs fluids.

Always bend forward from the hips, not the waist. If you keep your back straight, you’re probably bending the right way. If your back “humps,” that’s probably not proper form.

Warm up your muscles before you stretch. Try walking and light arm pumping first.

Visit Go4Life to learn more about exercising safely.

Measuring Your Fitness Progress

If you’ve been exercising regularly, you’ll soon be able to tell when it’s time to move ahead in your activities.

These simple monthly tests are good ways to see if you are continuing to progress and need to update your goals. Each month, you will likely see an improvement.

Endurance. Pick a fixed course and see how long it takes to walk that distance. As your endurance improves, it should take less time.

Upper-body Strength. Count the number of arm curls you can do safely in 2 minutes.

Lower-body Strength. Count the number of chair stands you can do safely in 2 minutes.

Balance. Time yourself as you stand on one foot, without support, for as long as possible. Stand near something sturdy to hold on to, in case you lose your balance. Repeat on the other foot.

Flexibility. For this test, sit toward the front of a sturdy chair, and stretch one leg straight out in front of you with your heel on the floor and your toes pointing up. Bend the other leg and place your foot flat on the floor. Slowly bend from your hips and reach as far as you can toward the toes of your outstretched foot. How far can you reach before you feel a stretch?

Vol. 11, No. 14 – Apr 11 – Apr 24, 2018 – Movie Review

Love, Simon
Review: 2.5 Palm Trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Love, Simon is a 2018 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, and based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. The film stars Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, Logan Miller, and Alexandra Shipp.

Threatened to be outed as gay by a blackmailer, Simon attempts to keep his sexual identity a secret as he attempts to learn the identity of the anonymous classmate he has fallen for over the internet.

I won’t fall into the trap of speaking as if I shared the same or similar experience growing up as an LGBTQ youth. So while I couldn’t tell you how effectively Love, Simon tells the age old story of a youth’s coming out process, It speaks volumes on the struggles one has with self-identity and love. While at times conflict can feel a bit contrived, Love, Simon was thoroughly heartwarming from start to finish. It will likely not make waves, but it’s just strong enough to give a good tug on your heartstrings.

I’m not one to ding a film for simplicity, but I can’t say Love, Simon did anything very revolutionary. It was a sweet and very charming movie, but still hit many of the same beats as other teen drama films. It has the usual themes of unrequited love, self-Identity, and acceptance one expects to find in a film of this sort. While these are important themes for all youth for sure, some felt a little underdeveloped.

The writing is where I felt a bit of a range in quality. There were some very novel moments written in the dialogue itself. It’s difficult to discuss without reducing the impact of the scene, but there was some clever wordplay throughout the film, culminating in a powerful scene thanks to said wordplay. So while this was a definite high point for me in the film, there were other moments of cliché that bring it down a bit. That along with the overall quality of the production really hurts the film.

I’m always conflicted when the cast of the film does great, but feels out of place. I am never going to get over seeing clear adults casted to play what are supposed to be children. I’m sorry if your acting chops are great, but seeing 5 o’clock shadow on a “child” takes me right out of it. I hate to sound nitpicky, but there has to be some level of realism or else my suspension of disbelief goes right out the window. Typically I go a bit more in depth on things such as camera work and other technical aspects, but I just found them to be par for the course. Not bad, but definitely not great.

I did hope that Love, Simon offered more than what I got, but there was enough there for me to recommend the film. Any gripes aside, it’s a simple story about finding love for an LGBTQ youth and every bit of that was heartwarming. Love, Simon may not be destined to become part of teen pop culture, but it’s strong enough to be memorable. Rated Pg-13 1h49m

Vol. 11, No. 14 – Apr 11 – Apr 24, 2018 – Harbor Patrol Blotter

3-22 11:25am, received a report of a hazard to navigation near Ventura West Marina G-dock. Officers responded, removed the log and towed it to the L/R.
3-24 10:50pm, received a report of an overdue boater from the girlfriend. She was concerned about the Small Craft Advisory, he wasn’t back yet and that he was 5 hours overdue. Officers searched for the vessel in its slip in Ventura Isle Marina. The vessel was found then the missing boater returned home.
3-25 12:11pm, received a dispatch to person not breathing at Ventura Isle Marina A-dock. Officers responded and assisted Ventura Fire/AMR/PD with an individual who unfortunately was deceased when responders arrived.
3-26 5:25pm, received report of a transient sleeping on the floor of the 1583 restrooms in the village. Officers responded and contacted the young male laying on the floor and issued warning for sleeping in the restroom.
 

4-1

4-2

4-3

 4:05pm, received a report of what appears to be a brush fire on Santa Cruz Island from the reporting party at Pierpont/Seaward. Advised the caller that the National Park Service fire department was conducting a controlled burn.

6:00am, observed Easter Sunday morning service being held at Harbor Cove beach while on vehicle patrol.

7:05am, while on patrol in the vehicle, officers observed a transient asleep on the curb in front of the launch ramp restrooms. Officers made contact to ensure she was ok no medical, they then advised of the no camping ordinance.

5:33pm, received report of a sick/injured sea lion near Surfers Knoll. Officers responded and assisted CIMWI (channel islands marine wildlife institute) with an elephant seal pup that was stranded on the beach. An area around the pup was blocked off to keep the public away from the pup.

Shopping for food that’s good for you

Using a motorized cart at the market might be helpful.

If you have a choice of where to get your groceries, pick a store that is clean and well supplied. If it is also busy, the stock is probably more likely to turn over quickly and items won’t be near their sell-by or use-by date. But don’t depend on that—always check the dates.

Many people say a successful trip to the grocery store starts with a shopping list. Throughout the week, try to keep a list of food and supplies you need. Keeping to a list helps you follow a budget because you will be less likely to buy on impulse. A prepared grocery list will help you choose healthy types of foods.

When making your shopping list, check your staples. Staples are nice to have around if you can’t go grocery shopping. These include items like the following:

  • Cereal
  • Flour
  • Sugar
  • Cans of low-sodium soup, fruit, and tuna fish
  • Bags of frozen vegetables or fruit

A trip to the grocery store can be a chore for anyone, but as you get older, you might have some new reasons for not going. For example, getting around a big food store might be difficult. What can you do?

  • Some stores have motorized carts, which you can use.
  • Ask if there is an employee who can help you reach things or push your cart.
  • If your store has a pharmacy department, you might find a seat there if you get tired.
  • Plan to shop at a time of day when you are rested.
  • Check with your local Area Agency on Aging to see if there are volunteers in your area who can help.

Shopping for healthy foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, might be hard where you live. People who live in rural areas or some city neighborhoods often have trouble finding larger supermarkets. Instead, they have to shop at convenience stores and small neighborhood markets. Sometimes smaller stores have limited selections of fresh foods.

You might also be able to get some help from the federal government to pay for vegetables and fruits from farmers’ markets through the Seniors Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program. They provide coupons you can use at farmers’ markets and roadside stands.

For More Information on Shopping for Healthy Foods

  • Local Harvest www.localharvest.org
  • Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 1-800-877-1600 www.eatright.org
  • National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 1-202-872-0888 [email protected] www.n4a.org
  • National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs 1-202-682-6899 www.nanasp.org
  • Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116 www.eldercare.gov

10th Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon honors and remembers

In recognition of mothers being the primary caregivers in our lives and the community, Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association will honor Carolyn Daily Menne and remember Helen Kimball Pidduck at a Mother’s Day Luncheon, Friday, April 27 at the Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo.

Proceeds from the event support Livingston’s home healthcare programs and services throughout Ventura County. Livingston is the County’s only non-profit provider of comprehensive home health, hospice, and respite care.

For ticket and sponsorship information, please contact Stephanie Montenegro at 642-0239 x793, [email protected], or visit www.lmvna.org.

Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association provides healthcare in the home for the sick, handicapped, elderly and homebound. Livingston is a community-supported non-profit agency, which provides professional, licensed home health and hospice care. Livingston is sensitive to the financial circumstances of its patients and provides needed services, including those at reduced or no charge to indigent patients.

March Mermaid Month at Ventura Harbor

A large throng gathered to enjoy, and participate in Mermaid Month in the Ventura Harbor held from March 1 – 31. From décor to artwork, to mermaid fashions, pottery and gifts, Mermaid Month was packed with the joys of being a mermaid at heart! Visitors enjoyed the mermaids, mermaid crafts and a Mermaid Parade .