All posts by admin

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Movie Review

This issue does not have a movie review so enjoy this Hollywood gossip:

Hollywood
by Tony Rizzo

We told you that Daniel Craig, who said, “I’d rather slash my wrists than do another Bond film,” was sure to sign for the next Bond movie, tentatively titled “Bond 25.” What was really happening was that Craig was already contracted for the next Bond film, which producers conveniently didn’t tell us because they were trying to get Craig to sign for an additional 007 film. They stood by while columnists rambled on about Idris Elba and Tom Hiddleston as the next Bond. That’s why he’d been offered $150 million to return for an additional Bond film.

To sweeten the deal, Christopher Nolan, riding high on rave reviews for “Dunkirk,” is all but set to direct, something producers knew would appeal to him as well. Quite a raise in pay grade for 007; Craig was paid “only” $39 million for his last Bond film, “Spectre.”

Oscar-nominee and Emmy-win- ner Benedict Cumberbatch will do at least three more films as “Doctor Strange”: “Thor: Ragnarok,” due Nov. 3; “Avengers: Infinity War,” due May 4; and the untitled “Avengers” sequel, due May 2019. Somewhere in between he’ll star in another “Doctor Strange,” now in development. When a film costs $165 million and grosses $670 million, you can bet a sequel is in the works.

In addition, he has “The Current War,” with Michael Shannon, Nicho- las Hoult and Tom Holland (“Spider- man”), due Dec. 22; the animated fan- tasy “Magik,” with Matthew Goode; will be the voice of Shere Khan in the new live-action “Jungle Book” (out October 2018); and will voice the Grinch in a new animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” opening November 2018. Could it be that he and wife Sophie Hunter, who have two young sons, wanted animated films the boys can watch?

Mark Wahlberg, who hit it big with “Transformers: The Last Knight,” will have “Daddy’s Home 2,” with Will Ferrell, John Cena, John Lithgow and Mel Gibson, opening Nov. 10. The original “Daddy’s Home” cost $69 million and grossed $243 million. He’s currently shooting the Ridley Scott crime drama “All the Money in the World,” with Michele Williams and Oscar-winners Kevin Spacey and Timothy Hutton, for a Dec. 8 release. Mark has been producing and star- ring in “Wahlburgers” since 2014 and exec produces the Dwayne Johnson HBO series “Ballers” (which returned July 23 for season three) and the USA series “Shooter” with Ryan Phillippe (which began season two on July 18).

© 2017 King Features Synd., Inc.

Rock on the Dock

It’s all hands on deck as the Rock on the Dock Concert Series launches at Ventura Harbor Village every Saturday this September from 3-6pm featuring an electrifying line-up of musicians performing free to the public on a floating stage in the Ventura Harbor. Visitors to the series catch the show from the water aboard kayak or from the promenade.

Kick off the Labor Day weekend with the not-to-be-missed spectacle of the shimmer from the heat of the September sun on the waters of Ventura Harbor September 2 and continuing the 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.

Dine and relax as the entertainment plays on, surrounded by scenic harbor and mountain views. Rock on the Dock is presented by Ventura Port District and sponsored by Ventura Boat Rentals:

An appealing bonus of Rock on the Dock is the free admission and free parking. For more information, visit www.VenturaHarborVillage.com or call 477-0470.

Across Ventura County, disaffected seniors are fighting for their mobile homes

Residents at Buenaventura Mobile Home Estates are in a bitter dispute with management. Photo by Michael Gordon

by Jared Brewer

For decades, mobile and manufactured homes have afforded those of advanced ages and fixed incomes a viable way to achieve homeownership at a considerably reduced price point.

Interested parties need only pay a monthly “space rent” to their parks on top of the price of their unit. And for the most part, owning a mobile home remains the cheaper alternative to paying a mortgage on a standard wood-framed home. In recent years, however, precipitous rent increases compounded by deteriorating tenant-management relations have left many—particularly seniors—feeling disheartened, distraught, and even desperate.

Take residents at Buenaventura Mobile Home Estates who are currently embroiled in a bitter dispute with La Cumbre Management over the park’s new capitalization plan. The plan, which took effect July 1, has already initiated blanket rent increases. And while costs pertaining to capital improvements may be passed along pursuant to the city’s rent-control ordinance, these costs are distinguished from routine maintenance. The Mobile Home Rent Stabilization ordinance defines “capital improvements” as “…the addition, substantial repair or replacement of any improvement to a unit or property within the geographic boundaries of a mobile home park which materially adds to the value of the property and appreciably prolongs its useful life or adapts it to new uses…”

Some have contended that the new costs under the plan constitute maintenance, not capital improvements. In an op-ed to the VC Reporter, Buenaventura resident Leo Lewis enumerated some of these costs, which included replacing the park’s electric golf cart, pool heater, and painting the shuffleboard and clubhouse structures. “Capitalization means items that are new or additional items to the park, or new construction,” said Lewis. “Why are the above maintenance items being charged off as capitalization? They are repairs or replacement items.”

Beyond Ventura, residents of the Ojai Valley Estates mobile home park are fighting a rent increase of $588.83 per space per month for all but one of the park’s 90 spaces. They are scheduled to plead their case before the Ventura County Mobile Home Rent Review Board on August 24.

So why not just leave? The simple truth is that it’s not that simple. For most, relocating a unit is far too expensive—in most cases between $2,000 and $5,000 for shorter distances and upwards of $8,000 when longer. And that’s only if a new spot can be found in the first place. “Most of us are living on small pensions,” said Jill Martinez, a retired Presbyterian minister with over 30 years of experience working in affordable housing. “And every $100 increase devalues our units by $10,000. We’re simply getting priced out of the market. There’s no place else for us to go. It’s

not pretty for a bunch of seniors to be going down the street pushing shopping carts. But I’ve seen them out there. And government affordable housing is closed for 10 years. We’ll all be dead by then.”

Many disgruntled residents have turned to political activism to voice their concerns. Hence, the foundation of the Ventura Manufactured-Home Residents Council (VMRC), which assembles delegates from nine of the dozen or so mobile homes in the city of Ventura to confront salient issues. The council coordinates with the Golden State Manufactured-Home Owners League (GSMOL), a statewide volunteer organization that promotes resident rights primarily through legislative advocacy. The VMRC convenes the third Wednesday of each month (barring August) at one of the nine mobile home parks. For more information, including the location of next month’s meeting, contact President Craig Hull at 223-5635.

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Mailbox

Dear Sheldon (Governor) Brown:
This is in response to your Editorial of 8/2/17. You are entitled to your Opinion/Editorial, but you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover as you did re the Ventura County Museum. I have to walk 6 blocks on my WW II disabled legs to the bus stop and then make two transfers to get to the Ventura Museum. But it has always been worth the effort as I had been a speaker at the Museum once and other times as part of the audience. The last visit was one of the best with four UCLA Doctors who spoke on cancer.

It’s what is in the museum that is of importance. Just as you don’t marry a girl by her beautiful dress but by other qualities like personality thoughtfulness, kindness, Inner beauty. Even the Reagan Library/museum is more beautiful and meaningful on the inside than the outside.

Unfortunately, you had not attended the Museums many other programs such as the one of the Japanese American WW II incarceration. Even the Librarian/curator of the Japanese American museum in Little Tokyo was a recent speaker which you neither attended nor reported on. I was a speaker also, but did not see you.

As the editor/owner of the Breeze. you have the right and opportunity to criticize and mention both sides of the situation. Obviously you had not attended the recent gala and SRO educational forum by the four UCLA MD Professors sponsored by the Museum. You would have enjoyed even the violin quartet, wine, et al.

Forgive my critical response as I was a former editor of our high school weekly and also of our English language teachers monthly in Japan. I also shouldn’t be criticizing a fellow reporter/writer. I really do enjoy the “Ventura Breeze and it’s even free!

Ted Wakai

Ted;
Thank you for taking the time to write this and express your different opinion. I wish more readers would. And double thanks for fighting for our country.
(it should be noted that his opinion was reduced in size)
Sheldon


In our last issue Mike L Merewether asked “Where is the marquee from Mayfair Theatre that sat in the dirt for years after all the fuss and $$ the city spent in having it moved?”

One of our smart readers (they are all smart) Sharon Krumdieck told us that it is at the Seabee Museum so we sent our star photographer Richard Lieberman there to take a photo of it.


Sheldon:

I must agree with your opinion in the August 2 issue about the city funding of the Ventura County Museum. The Museum must get its house in order and strive to fulfill its mission to preserve and tell the story of Ventura County. I know that the new Director, Ms. Brokaw, will do a great job. If anyone can turn the museum around it is this accomplished woman. I believe Ventura County needs its own Art Museum. We have grown and should have a museum of art to rival that of Santa Barbara County. We have the art and we are becoming known as an art capital in the west. We also need an expanded history museum to tell the elaborate story of this blessed corner of California. These two museums –each with its own mission– could well make Ventura a cultural hub of the Southcoast.

Richard Senate, Ventura



The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat.
~ Lily Tomlin

 

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Zuma a 10 1/2 year old American Staff Terrier X who enjoys a romp in the kiddie pools. Look into my soulful eyes and you’ll see what a special girl I am. I get along with some dogs and I love my people. I still have a lot of pep in my step and would make a great companion for an adult only home with no cats. I love to cuddle and wouldn’t mind snuggling up to you in bed. Please consider me when you’re looking for a new member to the family. Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. Adoption Center-call 644-7387 for more information.


Hi: I’m Tilly a typical, spunky Wiredhaired Dachshund. I’m only four years old so have lots of years to entertain you with my antics. And I am sooooo cute. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive.Tilly A668529

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine
Camarillo Stages The Last Five Years

Currently playing through September 10 on the Camarillo Skyway Playhouse stage is the Drama Desk award-winning musical The Last Five Years. The musical is performed by only two characters and is essentially two one-person shows being presented simultaneously. Book, music and lyrics penned by Jason Robert Brown tells a story of unfulfilled expectations based on his own failed marriage.

Jamie Wellerstein (Daniel Cohoon), a budding novelist, relates his story in forward fashion, walking the audience through their five-year relationship from meeting to dissolution. At the same time, aspiring stage actress Cathy Hiatt (Darrienne Lissette) tells her version of the story in reverse order – from the end going back to the beginning. The two follow distinct individual career paths that pull them apart instead of allowing them to work as a couple. They talk but they don’t communicate. The result then was no surprise.

In the early 2000’s the show garnered numerous awards and accolades. The approach is different while the plot points are intimately familiar. Performed almost entirely in song, the show by some definition, could be categorized as light opera. What little dialogue is present is used to accentuate certain incidents rather than explain what is going on between the characters. In fact, except for one song where the timelines meet, the two do not interact – they perform separately.
Because it is almost continuous singing, both actors are stretched throughout the show. The taped accompaniment was kept at a level that each seemed to struggle vocally at times to rise above. This resulted, for me (and a few others in the audience overheard discussing at intermission), in increased volume which then lost clarity. I was unable to make out quite a few lines that just weren’t clear. They were, however, loud. Musically, the score was nice although the song lyrics provided little variety in type or tone. One doesn’t go out humming the score.

Both Cohoon and Lissette do have strong voices and often pushed them to Voice-worthy pitch. For me, however, that doesn’t work so well in musical theater, especially when the story is told through the songs which makes catching the lyrics critical to the plot. Fortunately, the premise is stated in the program as I would not have been able to discern the two varying viewpoints without assistance.

Cohoon’s character of Jamie is given almost rock-star enthusiasm in contrast to Lissette’s more pragmatic approach. Jamie’s disillusionment over the five-year relationship is told in ways that make him sound whiny and self-absorbed (which Cathy alludes to in song). I felt that if both were presented with more sensitivity than power the impact would have been greater. Too, perhaps because the Skyway Playhouse has concrete walls, more careful modulation of amplification is required than of other theaters.

The bare-bones setting, designed by Director Eric Umali, provided no distractions which allowed all the focus to be placed on the two actors and their stories. Occasional projections on the blank flats offered generalized city background.

The Last Five Years runs Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m., Sundays, 2 p.m. through September 10
Camarillo Skyway Playhouse
330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo
Camarillo Airport
(805) 388-5716 or  [email protected]
Adults $20, Students, seniors and military, $15, Under 12, $10

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – The Pet Page

•  At the end of a road
By Mary-Jo Murphy

“Does anyone want a dog? Tim’s going to shoot that Border Collie.”

I was on a road trip, 40 miles off Highway 80 in Nevada, wandering around a historic site where Mark Twain had tried his hand at silver mining. The woman was delivering mail and an opportunity that changed my life.

Tim, in turn, promised not shoot her.

Tim lived in a run-down trailer. Tragically widowed months before when his wife died in an off-road vehicle accident, he already had two Border Collies when his stepdaughter abandoned another. Tim’s work took him away for days at a time. The one-year old pup was more than an inconvenience, and it was clear that arranging a rescue was beyond this grieving man.

Another dog was the last thing on my mind. Back home, I had only Karl, a Shepherd-Pitt Bull mix. I was in no hurry to fill the emptiness left by Pumpkin, a goofy, willful Labrador.

I can’t be responsible for every dog in trouble, I told myself as I reluctantly made my way across the dirt road, biscuit in hand. I was prepared to resist. After all, not all dogs are a match.

Approaching the chain-linked enclosure I noticed her nose was bloody. Tim explained, somewhat annoyed, that the doomed dog had just gotten into the garbage. I concluded she had found the trash preferable to the contents of her food bowl, a combination of unnatural shades.

Classically beautiful, her brown eyes made intense contact that I was later to learn was natural for the breed. I spoke quietly to her, offering the treat through the fence. She showed no interest.

Her gaze remained strong, but she offered no response to my overtures. Taken by her elegance but torn by reluctance, hers and mine, I reached my fingers between the metal fence. I wanted to touch her, to reassure her that though I might not be her liberator, I was at least friendly.

As I did, she moved close to my outstretched hand, resting her neck contentedly against my welcoming caress.
“I can’t take her now. I’ll come back for her. I promise.”
Tim, in turn, promised not shoot her.

All the way to Cheyenne, anxious thoughts filled my brain. At the first opportunity, I called Tim. “Is she still there? I am coming back for her.”
Tears of relief filled my eyes as I heard his monotone reply.
“She’s here.”

A week later, on the deserted road toward Unionville, I felt jumpy. What if Tim hadn’t kept his promise? What if…?

Ten years later the what-ifs still echo. What if I hadn’t decided to explore Samuel Clemens’ historical site? What if I had arrived a few hours later? What if the postal woman hadn’t been delivering her mail at that exact moment? What if Sam hadn’t been there at the end of the road, wagging her tail, joyfully greeting me on my return?
No need to ask. We forever dog owners know how this works.

• With National Homeless Animals Day approaching and the cost of owning a pet ranging from $227 to more than $2,000, depending on the type of animal, WalletHub (A website)took an in-depth look at 2017’s Most Pet-Friendly Cities.

In order to determine where Americans’ furry and slimy companions can enjoy the best quality of life without breaking the bank, WalletHub’s analysts compared the creature-friendliness of the 100 largest cities across 21 key metrics. The data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability.

Most Pet-Friendly Cities Least Pet-Friendly Cities
1 Scottsdale, AZ 91 Charlotte, NC
2 Phoenix, AZ 92 Anchorage, AK
3 Tampa, FL 93 Philadelphia, PA
4 San Diego, CA 94 Buffalo, NY
5 Orlando, FL 95 Santa Ana, CA
6 Birmingham, AL 96 Boston, MA
7 Austin, TX 97 New York, NY
8 Cincinnati, OH 98 Honolulu, HI
9 Atlanta, GA 99 Baltimore, MD
10 Las Vegas, NV 100 Newark, NJ
Key Stats
Columbus, Ohio, has the lowest average veterinary care costs (per visit), $33.25, which is 2.5 times lower than in New York, the city with the highest at $84.47.

Miami, Florida, has the most veterinarians (per square root of population), 88 times more than in Newark, New Jersey, the city with the fewest.

St. Paul, Minnesota, has the lowest monthly dog-insurance premium, $33.71, which is 2.4 times lower than in New York, the city with the highest at $80.78.

San Francisco, California, has the most pet businesses (per square root of population), 23 times more than in Laredo, Texas the city with the fewest.
Of course Ventura would have been number one if we were a bigger city!

To view the full report and your city’s rank, please visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendly-cities/5562/

• Biggest Adoption Event of 2017! Clear The Shelters
Saturday, August 19, 2017 (10AM – 6PM)
Camarillo Animal Shelter & Simi Valley Animal Shelter
To find homes for every homeless dog and cat!
Each $20 dog and cat adoption comes with $998 worth of services, gifts and coupons. An additional $20 pet license fee may apply.

• Is wagging related to smell?

Yes. Many of a dog’s identifying smells are in the anal glands. Those sacs transmit how a dog is feeling — anxious? playful? — and the essence of who the dog is. To greet one another dogs wag, basically dispensing their personal odors from their rumps.”

Researchers have found that dogs have 300 million olfactory receptors, compared with about six million for humans. No wonder they can smell a hot dog several blocks away.

• On Sunday, September 24, from 9am-noon an Animal Career Fair will be held at Ventura Pet Wellness & Dog Training Center located at 3521 Arundell Circle #B in Ventura. This event is free to the public!

Are you interested in a career with animals but aren’t sure what is available or how to get into the field? Attend the Animal Career Fair where you can meet animal professionals from different fields and ask questions about their careers.

Vol. 10, No. 23 – Aug 16 – Aug 29, 2017 – Police Reports

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.

Stabbing

On August 4, at 11:53pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a 911 call of a stabbing victim outside Rookies Bar, 419 E. Main St. Officers, along with Ventura City Fire and AMR personnel, responded to the call and found the victim, later identified Nathan Little, suffering from a single non-life threatening stab wound to his torso. He was immediately transported to VCMC for treatment of his injuries. The suspect was last seen fleeing from the scene on foot northbound on Oak St.

Officers began checking the area and located the suspect, later identified as 29 year old Santa Paula resident Jaime Vazquez, several blocks away in the Downtown parking structure. Vazquez was taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, officers learned from bar security that the victim, who was working as a security guard, and Vazquez got into a verbal argument over Vazquez cutting in line outside the bar. A physical altercation occurred, and the victim was stabbed. Vazquez and a couple of his friends fled from the area on foot.

A second involved subject was located, but was not arrested. At the conclusion of the investigation, Vazquez was arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for assault with a deadly weapon.

Resisting Arrest

On August 4, at 6:10pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a cyclist reporting a suspicious subject walking on the Ventura River bike path carrying two large machetes.

When one of the patrol officers arrived on scene he saw the subject, later identified as 31 year old vagrant Armando Mendoza, walking near the intersection of Olive St. and Main St., and attempted to stop him. At the time, Mendoza was carrying a 3’ long machete and a large pair of cutting shears. Mendoza refused orders by the officer to stop and began running towards a nearby shopping center. He then ran into an open Vons Store, still carrying both weapons.

Officers pursued Mendoza into the store and chased him until he entered a restroom towards the back of the store.

Once the area of the store surrounding the restroom was safely cleared of customers and employees, and it was determined Mendoza was inside the restroom by himself, officers gave him orders to come out. Mendoza refused to exit on his own, so with the assistance of a police K-9, officers entered the restroom and took Mendoza into custody after forcing their way into a locked restroom stall.

Mendoza was found to still be in possession of both weapons, although never threatened anyone with them. He was arrested for resisting arrest and booked into the Ventura County Jail.

Residential Burglary Arrests

In May 2017 the Ventura Street Crimes Unit detectives began an investigation into several residential burglaries that had occurred in the east end of Ventura. Numerous items of property, jewelry, and credit cards were stolen during these crimes.

One suspect identified as 40 year old Oxnard resident Frank Orta JR was determined to be on active parole for burglary. He did not have any permanent address which made it difficult for detectives to track him down. The second suspect identified as 39 year old Ventura resident Stephanie Bura also had no permanent address however her vehicle was often seen parked in front of a residence on Amherst St.

On August 4, Street Crimes Unit detectives served the search warrant on Amherst, however, Bura was not present. During the search of this residence detectives located stolen property, stolen mail, and other evidence linking Bura the recent string of burglaries.

Later that same afternoon VPD patrol officers responded to a report of a residential burglary in progress on the east end of Ventura. The suspects fled in a vehicle and witnesses provided the responding officers with a license plate and description. A short time later the suspect vehicle was observed entering the 101 freeway from Rose.

The male that was apprehended was identified as Frank Orta Jr. he was arrested and transported back to VPD to be interviewed by detectives. Orta made several incriminating statements and was later booked into the Ventura County Main Jail for residential burglary and a parole violation.

On August Street Crimes Unit detectives canvases several areas of Ventura and Oxnard and at approximately 9:30 am they observed the outstanding suspect Stephanie Bure driving north on Ventura Rd. A marked police unit was called in to make a stop and Bura was taken into custody without incident.

Bura was interviewed by detectives and also made incriminating statements re the burglaries and credit card theft. She was later booked into the Ventura County Main Jail on one count of residential burglary, seven counts of forgery, eleven counts of commercial burglary, and twelve counts of identity theft, all felony crimes. Her bail was set at $750,000.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about this crime please contact the Ventura Police Department Street Crimes Unit at 805-339-4325.

Commercial Burglary, Conspiracy, and Resisting Arrest

On August 11, at approximately 5:30am, a concerned citizen saw two subjects break a window at College Liquor and enter the store. The citizen called 911. Officers arrived on scene shortly after as the two juveniles were exiting the window with stolen property. Both males fled on foot, but both were apprehended after short foot pursuits.

The two conspired together to break into the business to steal alcohol and tobacco. The juveniles caused significant damage to the business while trying to make entry. Both were lodged at Juvenile Hall for the above listed offenses.

Residential Burglary

On August 13, at 4:50pm the Command Center received 911 calls from residents in the 1300 block of Saratoga Ave., reporting that several subjects had been prowling in the area and were now attempting to gain access into a neighbor’s residence.

As officers were responding the witnesses observed two males and a female enter the residence through an unlocked rear door. Moments later, the three were seen exiting with a large amount of stolen property. The suspects placed the property into a vehicle and were in the process of fleeing when officers arrived. A traffic enforcement stop was conducted and all five occupants in the vehicle were taken into custody.

All are Ventura residents. Luke Forehand 23, Austin Capelli 20, Kendall Sanders 26, Tara Riley 38, Alexis Keirn 19.

All suspects were placed under arrest and booked into the Ventura County Jail for residential burglary, possession of stolen property and criminal conspiracy. Forehand was additionally booked for an outstanding parole violation warrant.