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Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine

The Devil is in the Details

The bombardment of information is a daily and relentless state of being these days. From every direction we are fed tidbits, whole bits and teasers which may or may not be true. Therein lies the crux of the conflict in the Rubicon Theatre Company’s current production of The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell based on a true-ish story by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal.

The show opens the Rubicon’s Silver Anniversary season with this premiere production mounted by the Fountain Theatre West Coast. Through a collaboration between the two theater companies, Ventura audiences can now enjoy this extraordinary work. All three of the actors, Ron Bottitta, Jonah Robinson and Inger Tudor, performed in the premiere production in Los Angeles and brought their roles to the Rubicon stage.

Writers can be finicky about the words they place on the page. They may use flexible criteria for their choices, as D’Agata (Bottitta) shares, for the sake of the story, its emotional impact and readability. Fact-checker intern Fingal (Robinson) takes his work seriously and seeks what he feels is the absolute truth in the facts. Editor (Tudor) wants a terrific story to pull her failing publication back into the limelight.

The three of them become engaged in a verbal battle as they each stand their ground for their viewpoint to be heard. The result is a fascinating in-depth discussion of detail, accuracy and facts versus story, emotion, and readable flow.

Fingal finds many tiny discrepancies in the facts as presented by D’Agata. Some are so small as a differing second of time in two different reports. The question becomes does that small difference bear enough weight to require changing? D’Agata says no, Fingal says yes. Both are right, and both are wrong.

The 90-minute discourse is presented without intermission. I and others in the audience were completely absorbed in the minutia of the discussion which raised so many questions to explore. Keeping in mind that every single person will have a different perspective on a situation depending on myriad factors, is it even possible to have a single accurate fact? Where does the point of compromise become more important than absolute accuracy? Is such a thing even possible? And to whom does it matter?

All three actors present viable arguments. The performances are exemplary, the writing is tight and introspective. This is a piece that sends the audience on a wild ride of internal “exploration of the creative process, journalistic integrity and the blurry boundaries between fact and fiction.”

The Rubicon has chosen an extraordinary work to open their 2023-2024 season. The Lifespan of a Fact will have you laughing, pondering and questioning everything you read, hear or see from this point forward. Of course, that’s just my opinion.

The Lifespan of a Fact continues with matinee and evening performances through October 21. www.rubicontheatre.org for all details.

Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – Community Events

Events by Ana Baker

The Ventura Senior Men’s Group continues to meet for a social lunch and program at the Poinsettia Pavilion in Ventura on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Men of all descriptions are welcome to stop to sample our shenanigans. Lyle Hotzler at 805-341-9820

Do you want to Play Bridge? Join us for ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge games every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 12:30 p.m. All levels of play, and we will guarantee to have a partner for you if you need one. Lessons are available. Contact: Richard 805-850-8011 or Rose 805-659-9223 or [email protected]. All Welcome.

The Ventura County Philatelic Society’s meetings are held every first and third Monday of the month at the Church of the Foothills, Ventura. Meetings start at 7:30 p.m. Website with more information can be found at https://venturacountyphilatelicsoc.org.

Monthly Beach Cleanup First Saturday of every month! Meet your neighbors and help keep our beach looking fresh. Hosted by Pierpont Beach Community Council in partnership with Surfrider. Meet up at the end of Seward near the beach. (1140 S Seward St) 8:30–10:30 a.m. Arrive any time during the timeframe. Fun for the whole family! Supplies provided BYO water.

Oct. 19: The East Ventura Community Council (EVCC) will meet virtually at 7 p.m. Visit the EVCC website at https://eastventura.org/ for the Zoom meeting link. The agenda includes the East Ventura police report from Cmdr Brown and a presentation from the City of Ventura Manager, Mr. Bill Ayub.

Our newly appointed City Manager, Bill Ayub, wants to meet and connect with East Ventura community members. The City of Ventura announced the appointment of Bill Ayub as our new City Manager in August 2023.

Ms. Rollins, the City of Ventura’s Housing Services Manager, will speak on the Housing Services Division’s plan to host the East Ventura Housing Forum at Juanamaria Elementary School in November.

Oct. 25: The Channel Islands Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (CICEGA) will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the United Methodist Church, 291 Anacapa Drive, Camarillo, CA 93010. All experience levels are welcome. For more information, email [email protected] or visit our website at https://www.channelislandsega.org.   

Oct. 25: The College Area Community Council will hold a Zoom meeting on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Council meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month and include speakers and discussion on neighborhood and community interest topics, including public safety and economic development. An invitation and link to the meeting will be sent to everyone on the CACC mailing list. CACC represents citizens in the area bounded by Mills Road on the west, Hill Road on the east, city limits on the hillsides on the north, and the 126 Freeway on the south. Visit the College Area Community Council website @ https://caccventura.com to learn more, to be added to the mailing list, or to access a link to the Zoom meeting.

Nov. 1: The Ventura County Garden Club celebrates its 100th Year Season in 2024. The Club is excited to offer our members a unique opportunity to tour the Ambritz Kingdom of Plants in Carpinteria. The tour begins at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Following the tour, we will enjoy an optional lunch at Garden Cafe, 3811 Santa Claus Lane, Carpinteria. VP Kathleen Cressy organized this event. We welcome new members. For more information, visit our website at VenturaCountyGardenClub.com.

Nov. 14: Ventura County author Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo will visit the Hill Road Library to discuss her recent book, Threads of Awakening, which details her years practicing traditional Tibetan textile art. Through her remarkable journey, she discovered that a path is made by walking, and some of the best paths are made by walking off course. In this talk, Leslie will reveal the unique stitches of an ancient needlework tradition, introduce the Buddhist deities it depicts, and share the extraordinary possibilities they embody. This event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Linda Cherry, Librarian, at (805) 677-7180.

The Hill Road Library is located at 1070 S. Hill Road. Service hours are Monday through Wednesday, 10 – 6 p.m., Thursday, 2 – 6 p.m., Friday through Sunday, 10 – 2 p.m.

Nov.18: Group: Channel Islands PC User Group (CIPCUG) Online AND Live at our temporary location, Ventura County Computers 2175 Goodyear Avenue, Unit 117 (805) 289-3960 Discussion, Tutorial, and Q&A sessions centered around Computers, email, the Internet, AI, and social media brokers such as X, Facebook, and Google. Events begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m. All CIPCUG events may be attended online. Due to limited space, live attendance is reserved for members. Details for connecting to online events are emailed before the event. To receive connection instructions, please sign up on our website at www.cipcug.org

Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – Movie Review

Streaming Spotlight by Cindy Summers
The Burial – Prime Video

4 out of 4 palm trees

Based upon a true story, “The Burial” is a great David and Goliath type story of a small family funeral business that took on foreign corporate greed. In 1995, Jeremiah O’Keefe (Tommy Lee Jones) was 75-years-old and the proud patriarch of a family with 13 children and 24 grandchildren in Biloxi, Mississippi. He was a funeral director and owner of a 100-year-old family funeral home business that had grown into eight locations and provided funeral insurance across the state.

Jeremiah had experienced some trouble maintaining the minimum financial requirements to own funeral homes and the state insurance commission temporarily suspended his license. Jeremiah sought the counsel of his personal lawyer and friend for over 30 years Mike Allred (Alan Ruck) who suggested that he sell three of the eight funeral homes he owned to fix his financial woes. He recommended selling to a company in Canada called the Loewen Group owned by Ray Loewen, who was purchasing independently owned funeral homes all throughout the US and Canada.

They scheduled a meeting with Loewen in Canada, and when Jeremiah met Mike at the airport, Mike learned Jeremiah had invited a young black attorney who was a friend of his son’s from college named Hal Dockins (Mamoukou Athie) to join the team and attend the meeting they had scheduled with Loewen. Mike was noticeably uncomfortable due to some very obvious racist views, but Jeremiah just went about heading to Vancouver to meet Loewen on his yacht.

The Loewen Group owned over 1,000 funeral homes, nearly 500 cemeteries, several hundred insurance companies and were gearing up for what they smugly referred to as the “Golden Era of Death”, when the Baby Boomer generation would begin to reach their “age of demise”. Loewen calculated this shift would result in a minimum increase of 60% in deaths nationwide and wanted to capitalize on this profit potential by buying all the funeral homes he could find.

Jeremiah struck a deal with Loewen to have them purchase three funeral homes and Loewen agreed he would not sell insurance in Mississippi as not to compete with Jeremiah’s business. Four months went by, yet Loewen hadn’t closed the deal and it seemed as though Loewen was trying to stall Jeremiah until he ran out of options that would eventually result in him losing his family business, which then Loewen could obtain for practically nothing.

They filed a lawsuit in a neighboring county that was 70% black, which would mean the jury would be composed primary of black citizens. Hal knew that Mike would not do well as lead counsel with a black jury, and suggested they consider another lawyer for the team. Hal had come to know about a charismatic personal injury lawyer named Willie Gary (Jamie Fox) in the black community, who had not lost a case in twelve years and suggested they seek his assistance with the case.

Willie originally refused, stating that he was a personal injury lawyer and that this was a contract law case, but was impressed with Jeremiah’s background and integrity so agreed to work the case. The team thought they had an advantage now with a black attorney as lead, only to find out that Loewen hired a hot shot female black attorney named Mame Downes (Jurnee Smollett) along with a team of black attorneys to support her.

Though Willie and the team had limited expertise in contract law, they were determined to be triumphant in their quest to expose the Loewen Group for racial injustice and corporate corruption.

Runtime: 2h 6m

Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – Mailbox

Dear Sheldon,

Thank you for your donation of free add space in the Breeze for our Pooch Parade. It was a wonderful event and I hope you enjoyed the day.  We’re grateful for your continued support!

Dee Vitrano
Board Secretary
Canine Adoption & Rescue League

Our wonderful reader Sean McSherry sent us a very nice card and the following note.

“Dear Ventura Breeze. Thank you. Your newspaper is great and enjoyable. Happy anniversary. Sincerely, Sean McSherry.”

Thank you Sean, nice you took the time to do this.

Breeze:

I sent this to our city council (note this was larger, has been reduced to print here):

I’ve waited all this time to send this letter, hoping the closure of Main Street for Main Street Moves would be rescinded. No such luck. Main Street remains closed. And for me, it’s a tragedy.

I’ve lived in Ventura County since 1976. Some of my happiest shopping moments have been driving down Main Street, parking in front of a favorite store, and spending money! Buying stuff! Going to the movies! Having a meal! All because I could park and easily enter a store.

But now you’ve made that impossible. I’m a senior now, and mobility is an issue. Safely walking is difficult. And dangerous (because of those stupid brick chevrons in the sidewalk — do you know how easy it is to catch your toe on the raised lip of the cement? I’ve fallen 3 times! For me, the chevron sidewalks are more falls waiting to happen.

If I want to go to a store or restaurant that is directly on a corner, perhaps I’ll be lucky enough to snag one of the few parking spots on the corner. And then I can struggle in. But if there is no parking there, or if the store I want to go to is in the middle of the block, I have to go in back of the stores, into the few parking spots available.

So what you’ve done is put all of Main Street out of reach for me. I’m old. I’m disabled. I can’t walk like young people. But I have money to spend, I just can’t do it on Main Street. The old Ventura I’ve loved for 50 years is out of reach.

And if all else fails —cancel Main Street Moves. I can’t imagine the shopowners on Main Street are making money. There are too many alternative places to shop and people will vote with their feet if they don’t like the inconvenience and obstacles Main Street Moves presents.

Sincerely,
Kristine Lundquist

I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought,
but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
~ Albert Einstein

Cirith Ungol will be winding down their careers on a high note this next year

Year 2016, Cirith Ungol in front of Ventura City Hall after receiving Proclamation thanking, congratulating and celebrating the band.

Cirith Ungol will be winding down their careers on a high note this next year.
Ventura is full of musicians who live and breath music. It’s one of the reasons I love this town so much. One of those bands is Cirith Ungol whose history sounds like a rock opera, and if I didn’t know Robert Garven (drummer) personally, I would have laid money that their story was pure fiction.

From practicing in a bedroom here in Ventura in the 70s to playing arena festivals in Europe, it truly is an inspiring story. And though the point of this article isn’t to provide their history (I hope a book and/or movie will be in the works), the point is to pay homage to Cirith Ungol who will be winding down their careers on a high note this next year.

In 1992, after releasing four albums, a number of band personnel changes, and frustrations with the industry, the stress took its toll, and the band officially called it quits. Then in 1998, co-founder, Jerry Fogle died of liver failure. There would be calls for the band to reunite, requests for interviews, and a growing fan base in Europe, but the two remaining core members, Garven and Tim Baker had become “civilians” working their normal jobs and living uncomplicated lives for just about twenty-five years. Then in 2015, Garven, Baker, former guitarists Greg Lindstrom and Jimmy Barraza got together and started to play in a rehearsal space where I’m told, the magic was rediscovered. After bassist Flint declined to rejoin, Jarvis Leatherby of Night Demon (huge fan of the band), stepped in.

Then 2016 Cirith Ungol headlined the Frost and Fire II festival at the Majestic Ventura Theater. I was there that night and the packed house of metal fans from around the world cheered and welcomed back the band with open arms. In Garven’s words, “When the ancient stars aligned, Cirith Ungol crawled out of its ancient slumber, to wreak havoc on an unsuspecting world.” Two days later, the City of Ventura declared October 10, 2016 to be Cirith Ungol Day.

Fast forward to today, after playing metal festivals in Europe to packed stadiums and venues, Cirith Ungol has announced they will retire from live performances at the end of 2024.

Cirith Ungol will release their sixth full-length album, Dark Parade this month via Metal Blade Records and will play a special record release show on October 20 at the Roxy in West Hollywood. Not only will this be the bands first Los Angeles live performance in thirty-five years, but it will commemorate The Roxy’s 50th anniversary with the band playing their new release in its entirety followed by a full set of their classic material.

I can’t imagine what a thrill it has been since reuniting and playing to packed crowds, but it couldn’t have happened to a better group of guys. Congratulations Cirith Ungol!

Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – Ojai News & Events

Ashford Gordon, Blues Guitarist and Vocalist will appear at Feros Ferio Winery, 310 E Ojai Ave, Saturday, October 21, 4-6 PM, featuring Eric Monteith on Bass Guitar for 2 sets of Classic, Standard and Original Blues. No cover charge!

California Coastal Horse Rescue (CCHR) in Ojai, will host its Octoberfest Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Ranch at 600 West Lomita Avenue in Ojai.

The community is invited to this event, which includes a beer and wine garden, live Bluegrass band, vendors, pony cart rides, food trucks, crafts for children, and, of course, the stars of the day – the CCHR horses. Suggestion donation is $10 per person; children 10 and under are free.

An all-volunteer, non-profit organization, CCHR’s mission is to rescue abandoned, abused, neglected and slaughter-bound horses and provide them with a second chance at living healthy, happy and productive lives.

What: Family Octoberfest

Where: California Coastal Horse Rescue; 600 West Lomita Avenue, Ojai

When: Sunday, October 22, 2023; 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Admission: $10 per person; kids 10 and under free. Parking Free

The Ventura County Creative Artists will hold their semi-annual art exhibit, Nov. 4 and Nov. 5 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at Bert Collin’s West Hills Gallery at 1545 Cuyama Rd., Ojai. The multi-media show, “Fur, Fin & Feathers” will highlight animal art among other subjects. This will be an art and fun-filled afternoon. Meet many of the artists in person, and watch demonstrations of some of the techniques and materials used. Pastels, oil, acrylic, encaustic and watercolor will be among the varied mediums exhibited at the show. Many of the artists are talented in pet portraits, not to mention humans. With holidays around the corner this is a good place to shop and also plan a portrait (pet or human) commission.

Pier Under the Stars

Photos by Patricia Schallert and Yana Khiyod

Ventura’s premier food and beverage tasting benefit for the historic Ventura pier, Pier Under the Stars was held on October 7. It was held on the beachfront promenade near the pier. Great food, music and drinks

 

 

Vol. 17, No. 02 – Oct 18 – Oct 31, 2023 – Ventura Music Scene

by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com

We have two huge events landing on the same day, Saturday, October 21, celebrating two different municipalities. Both offer up great live music, so it’s going to be tough deciding which camp you want to hang out with. First, it’s Ventura County’s 150th anniversary with a free family festival followed up with a ticketed event (EventBrite) at Santa Paula Veterans Park with Big Bad Voodoo headlining along with Rey Fresco, Mariachi Camarillo, Whiskey Business and the Charles Law Band.

Then across the hills it’s Ojai Day with live music 11 am to 10 pm featuring Buck Moon, Spencer the Gardener, Beau Red & the Tailor Maide, Those Darn Amigos, Sick Boy, Van Allen Twins, Virtual Nobodies, Dylan Cunningham and Dan Grimm. May the best camp win!

Once you have this special weekend chocked full of live music choices behind you, it’s time to look ahead at Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, and the week leading up to it. I’ve been seeing costume parties pop up as far ahead as the week before, so it’s best to map out your choices and where you’ll be meeting up with friends. I recommend (as always), going to VenturaRocks.com and use the calendar to search “Halloween” for all events leading up to the big day, currently there are 18 listed.

Head’s up for this one, the Ventura Harbor’s Thriller Zombie Dance Flash Mob will be held on the main lawn around 2:15 pm on Sunday, October 29. I’m thinking “flash mob” implies it’s a seemingly random act…but if it’s being publicized…then it’s just a performance. In any case, you’re welcome to join in, if you’re dressed up in costume.

Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo will host The Black Market Trust on Saturday, October 28. The band features world class musicians and will perform material from the Great American Songbook infused with a romantic and virtuosic flavor, added with some intricate vocal harmonies and a dash of Rat Pack-style comedy. Find out more at StudioChannelIslands.org.

I saw a “Save the Date” post on social media for Skull and Roses 2024 which will return to the Ventura County Fairground April 19 – 21. Plenty of advance notice so you don’t plan a vacation that same weekend.

Tickets are on sale now for the next Chick Singer Night returning to the Sound Palace in Oxnard for a show on Saturday, November 4. This time they’ll feature Erinn Alissa, Jess Bush, Rachael Lynda, Lois Mahalva and Elyia Frantz.

Quick Notes: Namba has a punk show with Frequency Within, Intenable and Promotive on Friday, October 20; there’s a free Ojai Pops Orchestra show at Libbey Bowl with Miriam Dance on Sunday, October 22; Dead Kennedys play the Ventura Music Hall on Saturday, October 28; and Tony Ybarra plays a intimate concert at Logan House at Beatice Wood Center for the Arts on Sunday afternoon, October 29;

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.

The Bookmark About Libraries and Friends

by Mary Olson

Ventura Friends of the Library are sponsoring 2 events as part of the celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Ventura County.

In the 1950’s, Ventura County had its own version of the Trial of the Century. We are welcoming Deborah Holt Larkin back to town to speak about her memoir: A Lovely Girl: The Tragedy of Olga Duncan and the Trial of One of California’s Most Notorious Killers. Both events are free and open to the public.

Deborah Holt Larkin was ten years old when her father, the court reporter for the Ventura County Star-Free Press, was immersed in the trial of Olga Duncan’s killers taking place at the Ventura County Courthouse (now Ventura City Hall). Larkin’s memoir tells the story of this stranger-than-fiction murder case and the influence of her reporter father’s work in her early life.

On Saturday, November 4, 10 am to noon at the Atrium at City Hall, you can hear all about this true crime saga from Deborah Holt Larkin. She tells us, “In between the carefully researched true crime procedural chapters, the thread of the story winds back to chapters of my coming-of-age memoir about our quirky family life and my dawning realization that sometimes terrible things can happen to good girls. That evil can hide behind a mask of
normalcy.”
Please park behind the City Hall. Books will be available for purchase and book signing will follow the talk.

Then, on Sunday, November 5, Deborah Larkin will be the guest speaker at Ventura Friends of the Library Annual Membership Meeting at 2:00 pm in the Topping Room in E.P. Foster Library, 651 E. Main St. Some of our members will remember her father, Bob Holt, whose deadline reporting and whimsical columns appeared over the course of 34 years in the Ventura Star-Free Press. Books will be available for purchase and signing by the author.
A brief business meeting for Ventura Friends of the Library will follow the talk.

Hill Road Library will also host a 150th Anniversary event.
Living History at the Library on Sunday, October 22, 12 to 1 pm.
History comes alive through the performance of Connie Korenstein’s historical figures of Ventura County! Miriam Knox Dudley, of the Dudley House in Ventura, one of the last pioneer farm houses within the city limits, pays a visit to attendees to tell the story of growing up in a farming family in 1892. This event is sponsored by the Ventura County Library Foundation and is free and open to the public. For additional information please,
contact Timothy Furgal, Regional Librarian, at (805) 486-5460 or [email protected].

And on Monday, October 23, 4:30 to 5:30 pm at Hill Road Library Angelina Leaños, 2021-2022 Ventura County Youth Poet Laureate, will host a workshop for youth ages 10-17 to
develop and craft poems celebrating life in Ventura County. Participants are encouraged to bring their notebooks and favorite pens; supplies will also be available at the event. Poems from this workshop will have the opportunity to be shared during the county’s 150th Anniversary celebrations. (Participation in the celebration events is not required to attend the workshop.)