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Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – A View from House Seats

by Shirley Lorraine
Suspense fuels The Birds at SPTC

The sound of furiously flapping wings permeated the theater as the lights dimmed. Feeling appropriately claustrophobic, brief flashbacks of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film flew through my mind as I awaited the Santa Paula Theater Center’s production of The Birds by Conor McPherson, adapted from the story by Daphne DuMaurier.

McPherson’s stage play focuses on just part of the story using a technique of short scenes punctuated by inner narrative by a key character, mysterious music and the ever-present sound of birds hitting the windows in what can be described as nature exploding with rage. No one knows why the birds have gone crazy and caused mass havoc, only that their attacks seem to follow the high-tides. Protecting one’s own self from the onslaught becomes a physical as well as emotional competition leaving no clear winner. The single interior setting provides a feeling of tentative safety for both the actors and the audience. Until it doesn’t.

In watching this intense psychological thriller, one must first discard any memories of the Hitchcock film. Watch instead the smoothly chilling performances by Taylor Kasch, Kathleen Boswell, Juliana Acosta and Allen Noel as they tread across the mine-field of emotions each brings to the party.

The initial relationship which brought two strangers (Kasch and Boswell) to be taking refuge in an empty house is complicated and incomplete. Just as they are coming to terms with their seemingly inevitable mortality, a third person (Acosta) enters the scene, causing the dynamics to shift. They are wary of the man across the lake (Noel) who provides a brief and thoroughly intimidating appearance colored by his own survival agenda. The fact that they are each expendable heightens the action.

The play is performed without an intermission to break the tension which builds in what I found to be a slowly-paced choppy sequence of insights and vague references. Perhaps it was just me, but I found myself struggling to understand what was happening beyond the obvious. And there apparently was a lot going on with all the characters, either unspoken or assumed, which I just didn’t get from the script itself. Acosta’s character in particular took a while to gel for me as she seemed to fluctuate between childlike innocence and conniving maturity, sometimes within the same sentence. She often spoke quickly and with low tone so I had some difficulty hearing her sometimes.

Don’t get me wrong. The performances are solid and unnerving. However, do not compare this version to the movie taken from the same tale. Treated as a short story piece standing on its own merit, the staged The Birds is a taut thriller capturing a snapshot of a disastrous time, albeit with some plot holes requiring the audience to fill in the gaps with shifting sands.

The play continues its chilling run with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. NOTE that the curtain rises on Sunday matinees for this show at 4 p.m. instead of the regular 2:30.

www.santapaulatheatercenter.org/805-525-4625
Friday & Saturday eves 8 PM, Sundays 4 PM through July 30
Adults $24, Students and Seniors $22

Hilda Kilpatrick Art Show at D A Davidson & Co.

Hilda Kilpatrick Art Show at D A Davidson & Co.
60 S. California Street, Suite 301 (3rd floor above Lure Restaurant)
Show runs until September 28. Artist Reception: Saturday, July 15, 6-8 pm
Hours open for viewing: Monday – Friday 8:30 am-4 pm

“The inspiration in my subject matter derives from the notion that the scenery may be drastically different in a few years, or gone altogether. Environmental changes, overpopulation, urban growth are but a few factors that attract me to capture the current landscape.” https://www.hildakilpatrick.com/contact/

Solo exhibition by artist Jane Peterson at NAMBA Arts Space

Dab Art is pleased to present Circumstantial Evidence, a solo exhibition by artist Jane Peterson at NAMBA Arts Space in Downtown Ventura( 47 S Oak St ) with an opening reception on Saturday July 15 6 – 9pm.

In this body of work, Peterson continues to explore the spectrum of human emotion, adopting a “forensic” approach to her subject matter. Each piece contains the elements of a story; objects in context with an environment. Clues are there in terms of shape, smell, and texture.

Peterson aims to create a new form of realism where narrative truth is found in the simple relationships of objects. Her deceivingly simple imagery and textual juxtapositions convey the temporal coexistence of these objects in both the real and the imagined world.

Jane Peterson earned her M.F.A. from the University of Iowa, and has shown extensively in galleries in New York City, as well as Northern and Southern California. She works from her studio located at H Gallery + Studios in Midtown Ventura.

Make love at the Museum and not war

Experience the Summer of Love at the Museum of Ventura County

In the summer of 1967, nearly 100,000 people including artists, activists, writers and musicians from across the country, converged on San Francisco, igniting a cultural revolution; the season became known as the Summer of Love. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historical movement, the Museum of Ventura County is presenting a summer series of events featuring notable speakers, movies, concerts, lectures and documentaries significant to the time.

July 8: Summer of Love tent-pole event features two tribute bands, a Volkswagen car show, button-making, food and a cash bar. Admission is $10/members, $15/non-members.

July 8 through Aug. 27: A community-based pop-up exhibit, curated to showcase the Ventura County community’s connection to and reality of the Summer of Love, titled Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out:

July 22: Screening of the Woodstock Music and Art Fair, which took place two years after the Summer of Love, and on the country’s opposite coast. The showing starts at 5 p.m., with doors opening at 4 p.m. Admission is $10/members, $15/non-members. No-host bar available.

July 28: Presentation of the 1967 Best Picture, In the Heat of the Night, starring Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger. Screening at 7 p.m. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Admission is $5/members, $10/non-members. No-host bar available.

Aug. 10: Drummer Fito de la Parra talks about his life in rock ‘n roll, from his start as a house drummer at the Tom Cat Club in Torrance to joining the up-and-coming blues band Canned Heat. The lecture, “Bringing the Heat,” will run from 7-9 p.m. Admission is FREE/members, $5/non-members.

Aug. 17: Ventura County Poet Laureate, Phil Taggert, will perform readings from the works of writer Charles Bukowski. The event is from 6:30-9 p.m. Admission is $10/members, $15/non-members. No-host bar available.

Aug. 26: Grateful Dead Tribute Band Cubensis will pay tribute to the era’s significance as an epoch in the evolution of popular music. 5-8 p.m doors open at 4 p.m. Admission is $15/members, $20/non-members. No-host bar available.

Museum of Ventura County, 100 E Main St. Visit venturamuseum.org for a full schedule of events and exhibits. 653.0323 for more information. Open Tuesday – Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – The Pet Page

•  Estella is a sweet, affectionate 2 year old Pit Bull. She and her human are homeless and are being helped by Buddy Nation. Buddy Nation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization devoted to helping the pets of Ventura’s homeless, including veterinary care.

Estella needs your help

Estella is going lame and losing the use of her back legs. She needs double ACL surgery – Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Her surgery is scheduled for the end of July and will be done by Dr. Ian Holsworth of VetSurg. Although VetSurg has given a discount, the estimated cost will be $6,000. Buddy Nation has raised about half that amount.

Please donate if you can, in any amount. All monies should go directly to VetSurg, marked for Estella/Buddy Nation. VetSurg – 2180, 2859 Loma Vista Road.

•  The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Detention Services Division launched a new interactive inmate program named ‘R.U.F.F. Road” (Rehabilitation Utilizing Furry Friends) in January ,2017. The 16-week collaborative program allows inmates who are instructed by expert dog trainers to train shelter dogs in preparation for adoption.

The Sheriff’s Office has established a partnership with Pivot Animal Assisted Education Outreach, a non-profit organization that aims to give dogs facing euthanasia at local shelters a second chance by providing them training that makes them more adoptable. The inmates will teach basic obedience, house training, and socialization skills through positive reinforcement.

This program allows inmates a chance to give back to their community by training dogs to be well-behaved American Kennel Club Good Citizen Pets. While the dogs learn good behavior, trust, and skills that improve their adoption chances, the inmate’s gains patience, confidence, self-pride, communication and job skills.

Pivot is one example of many organizations willing to work tirelessly to find and save last chance shelter dogs using inmates in county jails.

On June 21 the Ventura County Sheriff’s office held the inaugural graduation ceremony for the canine training program. The event was held at the Todd Road Jail Facility. The guests of honor were dogs Brando, Buddy, Chance and Lipit.

For more information about Pivot, please visit www.pivotareo.org.

•  Gavel the Puppy (Vice-Regal Dog) and Fair Play

By Victoria Usher

“Can you believe that I was fired because I was too friendly” Gavel

In Queensland, Australia the title of Vice-Regal Dog has been given to a German Shepard puppy who goes by the name of Gavel. He was originally enrolled in a police dog academy with the Queensland Police Service but he was kicked out of the 16-month program early for being too friendly and now he is known as one of the fanciest dogs in the world. Aren’t dogs supposed to be friendly?

Since April of 2016, Gavel has been living at the official residence of the Queensland Governor, where the Governor himself decided to give Gavel a job that was perfect for him and his friendly personality.

“He has outgrown four ceremonial coats, undergone a career change and brought untold joy to the lives of the Governor, Mrs. de Jersey, Government House staff, and the thousands of Queenslanders who have since visited the estate,” the office of Governor Paul de Jersey stated. Since Gavel’s promotion to Vice-Regal Dog became official in February, he has been working hard welcoming guests and playing with tour groups at the Governor’s house and the office at the Governor’s house has also begun posting photos of Gavel’s best moments on social media. “We hope Gavel is with us for a long, long time into the future.”

Proud dogs and trainers at new interactive Ventura County Sheriff’s inmate program. Photos by Michael Gordon

•  16 years old Sherlock Patterson has passed away. A great little Doxie, rescued from a hoarder/breeder, born blind due to inbreeding, but that never stopped him … he raced down the back steps into the yard and traveled to New York and San Francisco without a misstep. Sherlock is very missed by his family – 2 and 4 footed.

Attorney John Andersen appointed to executive committee

Attorney John Andersen, a partner with the law firm Ferguson Case Orr Paterson, has been appointed to the executive committee of the Trusts and Estates Section of the State Bar of California, commonly referred to as TEXCOM. Anderson is a certified specialist in estate planning, trust and probate law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. His appointment to the committee will take effect in September 2017 and will run through 2020.

Andersen holds a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA and law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 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.

Prowling, evading arrest, petty theft, and possession of paraphernalia

On June 20, at approximately 9:15pm, an alert citizen called the Ventura Police Department to report a suspicious person possibly casing a house in the neighborhood. The suspect, later identified as 25 year old Venture resident Joe Osuna, had parked a bike in front of a residence and then walked around the side of the house. Officers arrived on scene as Osuna was returning to his bike and attempted to contact him. Osuna ran away from the officers but was apprehended after a short foot pursuit onto the beach. Osuna was found to be in possession of illegal drug paraphernalia, as well as a lawn ornament that had been stolen from the victim residence.

Osuna was arrested and will be booked at the Ventura County Jail for prowling, evading arrest, petty theft, and possession of paraphernalia.

Residential Burglary, Possession of Stolen Property, and Conspiracy Arrests

On June 21, at approximately 4:40am, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from an alarm company reporting a residential alarm being activated in the 6000 block of Loma Vista Rd. Relaying information through the alarm company’s dispatch, the homeowner reported that someone had broken into the residence and fled on foot after taking property. One of the items taken was a cellphone.

Officers responded to the scene and contacted the victim homeowner. Additional officers began checking the area. While checking the area officers contacted a subject, later identified as 25 year old Oxnard resident Jesus Flores, who was found walking several blocks away from the location of the burglary.

In addition, another officer found a suspicious parked vehicle on another nearby street. At the time, this vehicle was not connected to Flores, although appeared to have contained stolen property inside.

As residents began waking up, several more crimes including additional thefts from vehicles and a burglary to a shed were being reported by residents throughout the same neighborhood. Suspecting the suspicious parked vehicle was somehow involved, additional officers responded to watch the vehicle.

Approximately 1 hour after the original residential burglary was reported on Loma Vista Rd., officers observed a subject, later identified as 28 year old Oxnard residetn Gregorio Solorio, enter the vehicle and leave. A patrol officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle.

When officers searched Solorio, he was found to be in possession of the cellphone stolen from the earlier residential burglary. A large amount of stolen property was also found during a search of the vehicle. Officers were able to determine Solorio and Flores were involved in the crimes. Both were taken into custody.

Street Crimes Detectives assisted in the investigation and based on information they were able to obtain, later conducted a search warrant of a residence in Oxnard. During the search of the residence, numerous stolen items were found and recovered. A third suspect, later identified as 28 year old Oxnard resident Rudy Ramirez, was arrested at the residence.

At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined Solorio, Flores and Ramirez were responsible for committing approximately 10 residential burglaries throughout the city of Ventura over a 3 month period. All three suspects were booked into the Ventura County Jail for multiple counts of residential burglary, possession of stolen property and conspiracy.

Much of the stolen property that was recovered during the investigation has been returned to the owners.

Anyone with information or feel they may be a victim of a crime related to this investigation is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4428.

Felony Resisting an Officer, Battery on a Police Officer, Criminal Threats, Trespassing

On June 23, at 7:45pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from the Pacific View Mall security reporting a subject disturbing and refusing to leave. It was reported the subject, later identified as 23 year old vagrant Nathan Journigan, had previously been warned numerous times by security not to return to the property.

Upon arrival, officers contacted Journigan and at the request of security, he was again told to leave the property and warned about trespassing.

Several minutes later, Journigan was observed entering back into the mall. Officers located him in the food court and as they started to escort him out, Journigan began to resist and spit in the face of one of the officers. He then made verbal threats to harm the officers.

Journigan was arrested without further incident and later booked into the Ventura County Jail for felony resisting arrest, misdemeanor battery on a police officer, criminal threats, and trespassing.

Prowling, Resisting Arrest and Unlawful Entry Arrest

On June 25, at approximately 12:30am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a call froma resident in the 700 Blk of Saratoga Ave regarding a suspicious male subject seen in their backyard. Officers responded to the area, but were unable to locate the subject. As the officers were in the neighborhood looking for the subject, they saw a male, later identified as 43 year old Ryan Burchell running down Vernon St. Officers told Burchell to stop, but he refused and ran into a neighbor’s backyard.

Additional officers responded and surrounded the neighborhood in an attempt to locate Burchell. Burchell jumped into several neighbors’ yards and then opened the backdoor to a residence. The resident confronted the Burchell as he was standing in the rear doorway. Burchell then ran towards the front of the residence where officers confronted Burchell and took him into custody without further incident.

Burchell was identified as the subject in the backyard of the house on Saratoga Ave. Burchell is on active parole and was ultimately arrested and booked into the Ventura County Jail for prowling, resisting arrest, unlawful entry of an occupied dwelling and a parole violation.

Robbery

On June 25, at approximately 5:40pm, the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a call from a concerned citizen who reported that WINCO Loss Prevention Officers were in a struggle with a male subject who was refusing to cooperate with them. When officers arrived on scene, the suspect was detained and brought back to the Loss Prevention Office.

During the investigation officers learned that the suspect, 26 year old Ventura resident Michael Hansen, had been seen earlier that day removing property from the store without paying for the items and he was able to flee on a skateboard before he could be detained by store employees. At around 5pm, the Loss Prevention Officer noticed Hansen had returned to the store and began visual surveillance of him. Hansen entered the store and again took items without paying for them, and as he exited the store two Loss Prevention Officers attempted to detain Hansen, and retrieve the stores property. Hansen refused to cooperate and swung a one gallon container, striking one of the Loss Prevention Officers in the head and knocking him to the ground. The two Loss Prevention Officers were able to detain Hansen, until the VPD Patrol Officers arrived on scene.

Hansen was arrested and booked at the Ventura County Jail for Robbery. The Loss Prevention Officer received minor injuries as a result of this incident.

Anyone with information or is a witness to this crime is asked to contact the Ventura Police Department at 339-4488.

Manufacturing a controlled substance and Child Endangerment Arrest

On June 26, at 10:45pm, VPD Patrol Officers conducted a probation search at a residence in the 300 Block of Rodgers St. During the search, officers located several items consistent with those used to convert marijuana in to honey oil. Due to the potential danger these items pose, officers evacuated all of the occupants, which included (3) male juveniles, and notified VPD Detectives.

Street Crimes Unit Detectives responded and confirmed the items in the residence were consistent with those used to make a drug conversion lab, specifically marijuana butane honey oil (BHO). Detectives subsequently obtained a search warrant and seized all of the items. During the investigation, it was determined that 55 year old Ventura resident Robert Schlichter resided at the residence and obtained the items in an attempt to extract honey oil from marijuana.

Schlichter was booked at the Ventura County Jail for manufacturing a controlled substance, manufacturing concentrated cannabis with volatile solvents and child endangerment, all felony charges. Nobody was injured as a result of this incident.

Armed Bank Robbery

On June 30, at 2:09pm, the Ventura Police Command Center received a call from an alarm company reporting a robbery alarm being activated at Rabobank, 1171 S. Victoria Ave. Shortly after the call, an employee of the bank called 911 and confirmed that a robbery did in fact occur. Upon arrival of the officers, they determined the suspect had already fled the bank and was last seen leaving the area on a small BMX style bicycle, westbound through the shopping center. Hispanic male, 30’s, wearing a white construction type hardhat, bright fluorescent yellow vest and black pants.

During the investigation officers learned the suspect entered the bank and approached one of the open teller windows. At the counter, the suspect produced a black semi-automatic handgun from inside a large envelope he was holding and demanded money from the clerk.

The clerk gave the suspect an undisclosed amount of money, and he fled the bank.

Vol. 10, No. 20 – July 5 – July 18, 2017 – Forever Homes Wanted

Hi: I’m Brave Heart. People were living in a car in a park (not in Ventura County). Law enforcement received a report of “shots fired” in the park. Sadly several people were shot dead. Immediately, I attacked the shooters and drove them off (this account has been verified by police report). I was taken to the local animal services. A long story short I ended up at C.A.R.L.

C.A.R.L. was astounded at how friendly and loving I am. All I want to do is be with someone who cares. I might want to live in a home where someone is home almost all the time. I am not sure about living with other dogs, hope to work on making friends while I am at C.A.R.L.

Canine Adoption and Rescue League C.A.R.L. Call 644-7387 for more information.


Johnny (A661101) is a very friendly guy who loves to chat and is particularly skilled at convincing people to give him treats. We think he’d make a great mascot for Temptations or Party Mix. He’d love to get to know you in kennel 323 in Camarillo. Stop by and let him brighten your day or better yet, adopt him and let him brighten your life. Ventura County Animal Services – Camarillo location – 600 Aviation Drive