All posts by admin

Vol. 11, No. 13 – Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2018 – Forever Homes Wanted

Bogey is a shelter favorite. He has been in foster and according to foster mom is house trained, learns quickly, loves his toys, was friendly with kids and takes treats gently. Bogey is also well mannered enough to be one of the few dogs chosen to represent VCAS to visit a nursing home. Bogey A668533 Ventura County Animal Services – Simi location – 670 W. Los Angeles Ave.

Hi: I’m Lady a very easy going 11 years young Labrador Retriever X who enjoys playing a little fetch. I’m in need of a new home because my elderly owner is no longer able to take care of me. I’m great with children, but no cats please. I know some basics – come, sit, shake and lay down. I love attention and playing with toys. I walk great with a slip leash across my body like a sash. I’m not reactive to other dogs except when treats are involved. I’m a great girl and I hope it’s not long before I’m a cherished member of a loving family. I’m available to foster or adopt! Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. CARL Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.

Bald Eagle breeding in full swing on the Channel Islands

Webcam viewers have been captivated watching tiny bald eagle chicks that hatched in a nest at Sauces Canyon on Santa Cruz Island.

“Now eat your dinner before daddy gets home.”

There are 13 active bald eagle nests, with at least 22 known eggs laid thus far in the breeding season. The nests includes two on Santa Rosa Island, five on Santa Cruz Island, five on Catalina Island, and one on San Clemente Island.

“This is a great start to the bald eagle breeding season,” said Dr. Peter Sharpe with the Institute for Wildlife Studies. “Since I joined the bald eagle restoration project on the Channel Islands over 21 years ago, I have seen the number of breeding pairs increase from just three to potentially 21 active breeding pairs this year.”

There are five bald eagle webcams that capture the daily growth, feeding habits, and behaviors of the Channel Islands birds. They are available thanks to the generous support of explore.org and iws.org.

“This is more fun than watching National Geographic.” Savana

Explore Annenberg installed new cameras for some of the webcams, which now provide dramatic close-up views of the bald eagles and increased viewing quality (you can even see flies).

Bald eagles disappeared from the Channel Islands in the 1960s due the effects of DDT and human persecution. The increasing number of bald eagles due to recovery efforts on the Channel Islands is evident from the growing number of bald eagle sightings on the mainland. This year, Channel Islands birds have been seen far and wide, from British Columbia and Oregon to numerous destinations throughout southern and central California.

To view the bald eagle webcams visit: explore.org. For more information on Bald Eagles visit Institute for Wild Life Studies at iws.org (locations-California-find Santa Cruz on map).

To view a recording of the Sauces Canyon Bald Eagle chicks hatching visit:

Vol. 11, No. 13 – Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2018 – Music Calendar

For more events go to VenturaRocks.com

Boatyard Pub
Ventura Harbor Village
Mondays: Milo Sledge
Tuesdays: Jason Ho
Wednesdays: Mark David McKinnis
Thursdays: Blue Grass Jam
Fri 3/30: Teresa Russell
Sat 3/31: Beach City Sound Club

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

Café Fiore
66 S. California Street
(805) 653-1266
Wed 3/28: Big Adventure
Thurs 3/29: Self Righteous Bros.
Fri 3/30: Alex Nester
Sat 3/31: Little Alice

Cask Alehouse
5952 Telegraph Road
Music at 7 pm
Sat 3/31: Sarah Lightman
Sat 4/7: Cap Quick

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
Sat 3/31: Havana Cinco

Dargan’s Irish Pub
593 E. Main Street
Sun 4/1: 4 pm Sunday Drivers

Discovery
1888 Thompson Blvd
Thurs 3/29: Kavika G & the Cosmic Geckos w/ Keith Cain
Fri 3/30: Shaky Feelin’
Sat 3/31: 2 pm OzoKidz; 8 pm Ozomatli
Thurs 4/5: Reggae Fusion
Fri 4/6: Twisted Gypsy
Sat 4/7: Backyard Bash w/ Matisyahu, Hirie, Leilani Wolfgramm, Dirty Rice, Arise Roots, The Main Squeeze, Diego’s Umbrella
Sun 4/8: Triboo Festival w/ Queen Nation, Which One’s Pink, Led Zepplica, Pettybreakers, Hollywood Stones, High Voltage, Sgt. Pepper, Santeria

El Rey Cantina
294 E. Main Street
Thursdays: Acoustic Sets
Fridays: Xoco Moraza & Friends; DJ Rouge
Saturdays: Sin Chonies

Four Brix
2290 Eastman Avenue
Music 5:30 – 7:30 pm
Fri 4/6: Fish Fry

Garage
1091 Scandia
Fri 3/30: B and the Hive; His Eyes have Fangs

Gigi’s Cocktails
2493 Grand Avenue
(805) 642-2411
Thurs, Fri & Sat: Karaoke
Sat 3/17: Deaf Pilots

Golden China
760 S. Seaward
(805) 652-0688
Karaoke seven nights a week 9 pm
Tuesdays 7 pm: Open Mic
Fri 3/30: Word of Mouth Familyu, Sessions LA, Build the Momentum, Fallout

Grapes and Hops
454 E. Main Street
Wed 6 pm; Thurs 7 pm; Fri & Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm
Fri 3/30: Shawn Jones Trio
Sat 3/30: Barrelhouse Wailers
Sun 4/1: The Tossers

Hong Kong Inn
435 E. Thompson Blvd
Mondays: Karaoke
Wednesdays: Open mic night w/ Beer Brothers
Thursdays: Gypsy Blues Band
Fri 3/30: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Big Sandy and the R&B Boogaloo
Fri 4/6: Hi Hat Entertainment presents Jimmy Z and the Ztribe
Sat 4/7: Blackstar

Keynote Lounge
10245 E. Telephone Road
Tues & Wed: Karaoke
Thursdays: Open mic night
Fri 3/30: Sean Wiggins
Sat 3/31: Wax Off

Knights of Columbus
36 Figueroa Street
Sun 4/8: 2:30 pm Old-Time Country Bluegrass

Iron and Resin
324 E. Main Street
Sat 3/31: Ironstock at noon – The Shorelines, Channel, Nobel Grizwald, Brother Earl, Danielle Stacy, the Inside Break, Moonily, Western Waters

Leashless Brewing
585 E. Thompson Blvd.
Tuesdays: Galactic Jazz
Fri 3/30: Natalie Wattre
Sat 3/31: Mark Masson & Phriends

Limon y Sal
598 E. Main Street
(805) 628-3868
Thursdays: DJ Scratch

Made West Brewing
1744 Donlon Street
Thurs 6 pm; Sat 4 pm; Sun 3 pm
Thurs 3/29: Conner Cherland
Sat 3/31: Western Waters
Sun 4/1: Alice Austin

Majestic Ventura Theater
26 S. Chestnut Street
Thurs 3/29: Todrick Hall
Fri 4/6: Bone Thugs N Harmony
Sat 4/7: Circa Survive, Hail the Sun

Margarita Villa
Ventura Harbor
Fri and Sat 6 pm; Sun 4 pm
Sat 3/31: Kyle Smith Band
Sun 4/1: Right Amount of Wrong
Fri 4/6: Blown Over
Sat 4/7: Reign
Sun 4/8: Trippin’ Wild

O’Leary’s
6555 Telephone Road
Wed: Karaoke

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

Patio at Players Casino
Auto Center Drive
Thursdays: Hermano’s Herrera Trio
Fri 3/30: Vanise Terry Band
Sat 3/31: Brandon Ragan Project

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 3/30: Blackstar

Rookees 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
Fri 3/30: DJ Lady Freaq
Sat 3/31: Dante Elephante
Fri 4/6: Anchor & Bear

Sandbox Coffeehouse
204 E. Thompson Blvd
805-641-1025
Thurs 6 pm, Weekends noon
Thursdays Open Mic
Sat 3/31: Izela Music
Sat 4/7: Peasant Boy
Sun 4/8: Ryan Zimmerman

Sans Souci
21 S. Chestnut
Sundays: DJ Darko
Mondays: Karaoke
Tuesdays: DJ Nick Dean
Wednesdays: Open mic
Thursdays: DJ Spinobi
Fri 3/30: Sin Chonies
Sat 3/31: Glam Skanks, the Cretins, Kill Em with Kerosene

Squashed Grapes
2351 E. Main Street
Fri 3/30: Emilio Barkett
Sat 3/31: Larry Cossid & his Studio C Band

Star Lounge
343 E. Main Street
Tues: Karaoke
Thurs: DJ Trovlbe
Fri 3/30: Mini Driver Band
Sat 3/31: Big River

The Tavern
211 E. Santa Clara Street
(805) 643-3264
Sundays: DJ Steezy Steve
Tuesdays: Karaoke
Metal Wednesdays
Get it Right Thursday DJs
Fri 3/30: Wild Coast w/ Young Million
Sat 3/31: Soul Infusion
Wed 4/4: Idecline, Plot, The Kane Gang

Topa Mountain Winery
821 W. Ojai Avenue, Ojai
(805) 640-1190
Music 3-5 pm
Sat 3/31: Crooked Eye Tommy

Ventura Fairgrounds
10 W. Harbor Blvd
Fri 4/6: Skull & Roses Festival
Sat 4/7: Skull & Roses Festival
Sun 4/8: Skull & Roses Festival

Vintura at the Wine Rack
14 S. California Street
(805) 653-9463
Sundays music at 2 pm
Thurs 3/29: Andy D
Fri 3/30: Epitome of Dreams
Sat 3/31: Frank Barajas & Corsican Bros.
Fri 4/6: Frank Barajas & Corsican Bros.
Sat 4/7: Rebel Rose
Sun 4/8: Toni Jannotta

Winchester’s
632 E. Main Street
(805) 653-7446
Music at 8:30 pm
Fri 3/30: Déjà vu Too
Sat 3/31: Jade Hendrix
Fri 4/6: Two’s Company
Sat 4/7; National Cat

The 805 Bar
Ventura Harbor
Music at noon Sat & Sun with Kenny Devoe
Fridays 5-7: Sing-a-long with Kenny Devoe
Fri 3/30: Carlo
Sat 3/31: Carlo

Vol. 11, No. 13 – Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2018 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

I’m so happy it’s finally Spring because with it comes longer and warmer days and just in time for Discovery’s Backyard Bash on Saturday, April 7. The all-day concert kicks off at 12:30 pm with loads of Reggae bands on the bill including Matisyahu, Hirie, Leilani Wolfgramm, Diego’s Umbrella, Rising Son and others with an afterparty that evening featuring Dirty Rice and The Main Squeeze. The following day, Discovery is hosting what they call Triboo Festival with nothing but tribute bands on the bill: Queen Nation, What One’s Pink, Led Zepplica, Pettybreakers, Hollywood Stones, High Voltage, Sgt. Pepper and Santeria.

The Skull & Roses Festival returns to the Ventura Fairgrounds for three days over the weekend of April 6 through April 8 with about twenty performances (and I’m understanding they won’t be overlapping this year). Some of the bands scheduled to perform are Cubensis, Jerry’s Middle Finger, Golden Gate Wingmen, 9 Mile Skid and Circles Around the Sun.

Champagne on Main falls on Saturday, March 31 which begins with the Spring Street Fair throughout downtown starting at 11 am and then the bubbly event starts flowing from 3 to 6 pm at participating venues throughout downtown culminating with a dance party at the intersection of California and Main.

Iron and Resin on Main Street are looking to raise funds for Help California on Saturday, March 31 with an event called Ironstock. In the house will be The Shorelines, Channel, Noble Grizwald, Brother Earl, the Inside Break, Danielle Stacy, Moonily and Western Waters. This one kicks off at noon in their backyard. There is no cover and it falls on the same day as Champagne on Main.

Quick notes: With the warmer weather, Margarita Villa in the Harbor is back to offering more music over the weekend; Ozomatli (and an earlier performance of OzoKidz!) returns to Discovery on Saturday, March 31; B and the Hive have a stop on their current tour at The Garage on Friday, March 30 (they’ve previously opened for Elvis Costello, Chris Isaak, The Goo Goo Dolls…) the opening band His Eyes Have Fangs includes skateboard legend, Tony Alva; Emilio Barkett will be holding his CD release party at Squashed Grapes on Friday, March 30. Stephanie Franco has teamed with up JT Medlen and they’re calling themselves “Two’s Company” with their first gig at Winchesters on Friday, April 6.

And finally, it’s with a heavy heart that I pass along the news that our music community has lost another valued member. The tributes to Ryan Thomas on social media have been truly moving, he touched so many lives; he was one of those consummate musicians who jammed and played on so many different projects and with so much enthusiasm. It’s truly a loss to our music community; he was way too young.

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.

Gun violence protests

Venturan’s at Government Center saying enough is enough.

by Jennifer Tipton

March 14th marked the one-month anniversary since seventeen lives were senselessly taken by a shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on February 14th.

Declared “National Walkout Day”, students from 2,800 schools across the U.S. showed solidarity for the victims in Florida by leaving their classrooms at 10am on the morning of March 14th. Many of these demonstrations lasted seventeen minutes to represent each one of the lives lost in the recent tragedy.

In Parkland, at the very scene of the shooting, students gathered on the football field and chanted, “we want change!”, rejecting requests from administrators to return to their classrooms. They then joined students from a nearby middle school to solemnly walk two miles to the memorials that had been set up to commemorate the victims.

Here in Ventura, students at Ventura High School took part as well, marching and carrying signs that read, “Students Take Action!”, “Enough! Keep Us Safe!” and my favorite, “Fear Has No Place in Our Schools!”. As they marched, the students chanted, “end the violence! no more silence!” and in one of the videos taken, you can hear a student say, “this is way more organized than I thought it would be!”.

With the video being captured by a drone, the students at Cabrillo Middle School sent out a message of love by standing together on their field and forming a heart.

Later in the day on March 14th, many other Venturans (men, women and children alike) stood on the corner of Telephone Rd. and Victoria Ave. at the Government Center making their statement about gun violence … “enough” seemed to be the word of the day.

Large enthusiastic Ventura crowd joined the March for Our Lives

A large enthusiastic Ventura crowd joined the March for Our Lives on Saturday, March 24 at Plaza Park.

Many in the crowd held handmade signs high over their heads as they marched from the park through downtown Ventura greeted by many honking horns.

In recognizing what the youth have started one sign read “I’m Joining The Party These Kids Have Just Started” and “Stop Truth Decay” was one of the funnier ones.

2018 Corporate Games kick off

Large crowds of people lined the stage area to watch the presentations.

On March 24, the City of Ventura’s 29th Annual Corporate Games kicked off with opening ceremonies Community Park located at 901 S. Kimball Rd. Deputy Mayor Matt LaVere officially opened the games during the torch lighting ceremony .

The Corporate Games opening ceremonies highlighted its 2018 theme, “Where Work Meets Play”, with a business and fitness fair from 10 am to 2 pm. Those attending enjoyed live music, dance performances, demonstrations, jolly jumpers, interactive games, arts and crafts, food trucks and more.

Eighty Ventura and Santa Barbara County businesses will participate in the six-weeks of friendly competition. The actual games to be played on this day were canceled due to the soggy grass from the previous two days rains.

Photos by Bernie Goldstein

Vol. 11, No. 13 – Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2018 – Movie Review

Thoroughbreds
Review: 3.5 palm trees out of 4

by Manuel Reynoso

Thoroughbreds is a 2017 dark-comedy, thriller film written and directed by Cory Finley. It stars Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, Anton Yelchin, Paul Sparks, and Francie Swift.

Troubled by her poor relationship with her step-dad, Lily plots to kill him with the aid of her emotionless friend Amanda.

From Amanda’s deadpan delivery, revealing her emotional ineptness; to the hauntingly sterile upbringing of Lily’s upper class lifestyle, Thoroughbreds makes its theme clear: I don’t feel anything. Now that isn’t to say you won’t, Thoroughbreds was filled with moments of dark comedy and suspense; it takes risks and is rewarded for them, well most of them. While the cinematography and directing style created a strong film-noir aesthetic, a propensity for style over substance leads to some scenes requiring you to slog through.

Thoroughbreds has a remarkably strong theme, and rode it out to the very end. The idea of not feeling emotions is a scary thought. One that this film plays with in more ways than I was expecting. The film carries the theme not just narratively, but with strong cinematography and direction. Scenes are slow and methodical, lit in the likeness of the dreary and cold setting we associate with hospitals. While I laud the commitment to the theme, there was a lot of what felt like fluff throughout the film. Many of the shots were well executed, but dragged on far too long. I appreciate the composition of the shot, just not when it stays on it for way too long. I don’t want to say this was a big deal, but I can very much see this film being considered way to slow by some.

The direction of Corey Finley to create a film that purposely felt soulless and sterile was a double edged sword. I do believe in context of the film, it proved to be an effective way to support the theme. However, in practice it feels empty compared to what one might be used to in other films. Sound design consisted more of soundscapes with various sounds and noises as opposed to the usual musical scores we may be used to. Again, I found these risks to be effective, but your mileage may vary.

I found Thoroughbreds enjoyable, despite feeling uncomfortable half the time(in the best way possible). While the film hinged entirely on not feeling anything, the same can’t be said for the viewer. I felt tense and scared one moment, and uncomfortable for laughing at this films dark humor right after. It’s worth taking the chance on something small but risky, you might just come away with more than you expected. Rated R 1h32m

Dedicated to historic preservation, education, and patriotism since 1890

Bronze marker to be unveiled at Mission.

The Mitz-Khan-A-Khan Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)will be unveiling a 24”x 24” bronze marker of California Historical Landmark No. 310 placed on the front of Mission San Buenaventura on March 31, at 9:30 a.m. This historical marker will be visible and photographed by many visitors from around the world. The mission is located at 211 East Main St. The ceremony will be followed by a reception in the mission courtyard.

Honored guests attending include:

  • Adele Lancaster, DAR State Vice Regent
  • Patti Swayze, DAR District VII Representative
  • Talin Sardarbegians, Coordinator, Office of Congresswoman Julia Brownley

Mission San Buenaventura was founded on March 31, 1782, which is 236 years to the day of the upcoming ceremony of this historical landmark. San Buenaventura Mission is the ninth and last mission consecrated by Saint Junipero Serra. Named in honor of Saint Bonaventura (1221-1274: Cardinal and Doctor of the Church), it is known as the “Mission by the Sea”.

The Mitz-Khan-A-Khan Chapter of the NSDAR was organized February 20, 1931, and is named for the Chumash Native American village of Mitsquanaqa’n, where the Mission San Buenaventura was founded.

The public is invited to attend this historical event. For further information please contact:
Angelee Conroy, Regent Mitz-Khan-A-Khan, Ventura Chapter California DAR, NSDAR at [email protected].

Vol. 11, No. 13 – Mar 28 – Apr 10, 2018 – Opinion/Editorial

• There seems to be a controversy on what the name is, of the new green pig that debuted in the recent St. Pat’s Parade. As you know, in last year’s parade Shamrock the pig died right in front of the judges.

The Ventura Breeze referred to the new pig as “the pig with no name”. Another paper called the pig Shamrock2 while a banner on the pig called it Bacon.

Speaking with some of the pig’s committee members, they all hate the name Bacon and did not approve of it being used. Also many local merchants contributed to the construction of the new pig and feel that they should have had some say in its naming.

The question also remains who owns the pig? The Elks? The pig committee? The community?

In order to resolve this controversy, I have proposed to the committee that we hold a “naming of the pig contest” that would involve all Venturan’s to select a new name.

I will keep you posted on whether this happens. In the meantime, I would love to hear what you think it should be named. Perhaps it should be called barbecue.

The original charming trolley that was no longer usable.

The new trolley.

• I am very disappointed with the look of the new Ventura trolley. To me, it just looks like one of our regular blue buses that was just shrunk. The first original trolley looked more like what I think a charming trolley should look like.

•In Mexico, there has been yet another killing of a journalist. A Mexican journalist who reported on politics and crime was recently shot dead in the coastal state of Veracruz. There have been 22 journalists slain in Veracruz since 2000.

• Congratulations to the El Camino High School ECTV Crew for winning a series of awards for their programs at CAPSTV. I have had some of the students produce my radio show on KPPQLP at CAP’S studio, and they are wonderful to work with. Read the CAPS article to learn more about these kids.

And speaking of kids, I’m very proud of today’s youths for ‘March for Our Lives’ led by survivors of the Florida massacre. Thousands of high school students and supporters gathered in Washington and across the U.S. on Saturday, March 24, to demand tougher gun laws from an older generation that’s delivered little change after years of mass shootings.

Participants in the rally thronged the presidential inaugural route on Pennsylvania Ave. Speakers from a stage at the foot of Capitol Hill proclaimed the beginning of a political movement.

•Appearing at the Rubicon for a few more days is “KING LEAR. The play is the story of “A narcissistic ruler who craves adulation, exiles those who question his authority, and neglects those on the fringes of society.” Perhaps this refers to a more recent “king”.

•The Ventura City Council voted 6-0 to forgive some water-and sewer-related fees for restoring homes destroyed or significantly damaged by the Thomas Fire. This vote also lets other homeowners petition for relief based on individual circumstances.

The council asked city staff to look at the possibility of using taxpayer money to help offset some of the permit fees related to water or wastewater reconnections.

Council Member Erik Nasarenko questioned why residents should have to pay anything when they have already paid into the system before the fire. Member Matt LaVere wondered if there were some creative ways the council could pay. The main concern is the legality of using city funds for this purpose which was on the minds of council members.

I feel that the City Council is trying very hard to be a fair as possible to fire victims while considering the use of city funds and other residents.

The Breeze has attempted to get answers from Ventura Water regarding this item and also why there was a lack of water to fight the fires, but we haven’t been successful yet

•I was disappointed at first to hear that the Buenaventura Art Gallery building, located on Santa Clara St., is being sold. But happy to find out that the sale will provide the Association with a large amount of money that will allow them to pursue other locations and affiliations within our art community. We have so many amazing artists in Ventura.

•The Gold Coast Transit District has closed several of its bus stops along downtown Main St. They say this helps speed up service on the route. I certainly hope that this is the case and the users of the bus service are happy with this. The stops were on Main at Ash, Laurel, MacMillan, Santa Cruz and Evergreen Drive. The last time that I took a bus was in 1984 for the Olympics in Los Angeles. Perhaps I should try riding a bus again.

•If you want to be even happier, move to Finland (or 16 other countries). The Nordic country is No. 1 in the World Happiness Report released by the United Nations. Following Finland in the top 10 are Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and Australia.

America was in the 18th spot, down four places from last year. Top factors for the decline include weakened social support networks, government and business corruption and a declining confidence in public institutions. I certainly hope that we don’t continue to fall based upon our declining confidence in our leadership.