editor:

I grew up the daughter of generations of hunters. I was a pretty good shot in my day, deemed best marksman at my summer camp. I named all my dolls “Annie” for Annie Oakley.

Decades later, I join those dismayed by the lack of initiative by responsible leadership in addressing the American epidemic of needless deaths by gun violence. What price are we paying for this distorted concept of “freedom”?

Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. I understand the logic. Let’s counter with a slight variation — same notion, different weapon. Cars don’t kill people, people driving cars do. We require driver ed, testing, licensing and implementation of the best and latest technology in efforts to successfully save lives. My own 19-year-old life was saved by my car’s roll cage and seat belts.

How many precious lives have we failed to save in pandering to gun-rights groups’ irrational insistence that gun ownership, concealed carry privileges and more guns make a safer America? Facts convey increases in gun ownership closely match the rise in gun deaths, along with unprecedented profit to gun and ammunition manufacturers and the paid lobbyists who fund “leaders.”

We’ve come to expect oversight and safety in our water supplies, our food sources, our building codes. Let’s delete that intentionally triggering phrase gun “control”. Let’s call it what it is, responsible weapon-safety oversight. The lives we save may be our own and countless lives of our precious children.

Berry Manter

Sheldon,

I may have missed this subject in a previous paper. Has our City ever considered helping “the elderly” in these Mobil Home Parks by stopping the insane 10% Rental Space increase every year? Most are on fixed SS income and are slowly being pushed out of their homes?

Greg Gardner

We asked the city to respond. 

Greetings from Community Development. I’m the Mobile Home Rent Administrator for the City. As an FYI there are 12 Mobile Home Parks in the City that are covered by our Mobile Home Rental Stabilization Ordinance which caps rent at CPI or 5%.  They can be found on our site here:  https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/713/Mobile-Home-Rent-Review-Board 

While it doesn’t cover every park in town, the majority of our senior manufactured home residents are covered by this ordinance. 

Let me know if you have further questions, 

Regards, 

Lee Sherman
Management Analyst II
Community Development
City of Ventura

Sheldon,

Thank you so much!
But I live in the Magnolia Home Park on the Avenue and considered outside the City.
Yearly rent continues to go up
10% every year – even with inflation.
No one seems to care. Especially the city.

Thank you!
Greg

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Dear Sheldon:
Thanks very much for publishing my dear friend Geoff obit and printing it in your Ventura Breeze.
Peace, Shayne

Sheldon:
A  rude and thoughtless comment in “As I See It” regarding the 41 year old woman having pleaded guilty for murder struck me as out of place for a person who I thought was more sensitive and caring. The lady needs help. You suggested she should be prisoned under 3 Strikes! Those crimes are due to the illness of our society. Rethink that please and follow the path of humanity please.
Bob Reeves Ojai

Bob:
I consider myself to be sensitive and caring. When you say “The lady needs help” are you suggesting that she is mentally ill and not responsible for her actions or do all people who murder need help and not punishment?

Sheldon

The development of full artificial intelligence could spell the end of the human race.
~ Stephen Hawking

Hello Sheldon,

It’s good to see you writing op eds for the Ventura Breeze again.  I stopped reading the VB after you stopped writing for it, but now I am back.  I hope you continue as I greatly enjoy your informative and incisive writing.

Best regards,

Jim Sullivan
Ventura, CA

PS. I applaud your comments about Fox News.  It’s just astonishing to me that so many people can support them and Mr. Trump.

Jim : Thanks for your comments. Truthfully, I’m very concerned about the future of this country.

Our greatest weakness lies in giving up.
The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
~ Thomas Edison

Dear Breeze:

The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society held its “Diamond Jubilee” Show at the Fairgrounds over the weekend (2 weeks ago), and it proved to be one of our largest and best, which is saying a lot since this was our 60th show!  My sincere thanks to the Ventura Breeze for helping to get the word out to our community.
Sincerely,
Jim Brace-Thompson, Publicity & Educational Outreach Chair
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society

In out last issue the phone number listed was not complete.
The City is seeking vendors and sponsors for the 46th Annual 4th of July Street Fair and Pushem-Pullem Parade. This year’s event is themed “Celebration by the Sea” and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Ventura’s Downtown District.

For questions and more information, contact City of Ventura Recreation Coordinator Allyson DesBaillets at [email protected] or (805) 654-7749.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
~ Albert Einstein

Folks:

These photos from January 19, 2023 capture the aftermath of debris deposits from heavy rains and surf on Ventura’s beach and the continuing erosion of our bike and pedestrian path and the beachfront itself. The surging Ventura River, laden with trees, plants, posts, and housing materials from way up river, empties into its estuary just west of the city, then ocean currents and high waves push it to shore.

The City is practicing a strategy called Managed Retreat, which is a form of adjustment to climate change effects. You are right to assume that there is only so far we can go before we start retreating into the city itself. The restoration aspect of this is very chancy. Rocks, old walls and abandoned infrastructure meant to shore up the coast get washed away. The dunes did stay mostly in place this time.

Robert Chianese, Ph.D.,

A man walks into a hotel and asks “Do you take children?”
The clerk replies “No, only cash or MasterCard.”
~ Bree Schultz

Editor:

In your last issue (page 8) you had a photo of the Pierpont Bay Bath House. What was that? Could you give me more information?

Thanks
Robert Allen Ventura

opinions

Re. Ventura Breeze
Vol. 16, No. 7
December 28, 2022 – January 10, 2023

“Aera Energy and the Gene Haas Foundation help Ventura Teens explore STEAM”

This article reports that Aera Energy made a $25,000 donation to the STEAM program at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura. The Aera-Ventura representative states that it is working to “improve the lives of residents in the communities where our employees live and work!”

It’s too bad that statement conflicts with Aera’s $7,400,000 contribution to the effort to defeat Measures A and B, eliminating sensible environmental requirements on the oil and gas industry adopted by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors (VC Star 5/22/22). Now they are suing the County over home and school setbacks for the oil industry and increased bond requirements, costing the taxpayers millions to
defend (VC Star 10/6/22).

It’s hard to believe that Aera Energy wants to “improve the lives” of anyone, least of all the young people who will have to live with the consequences of the climate disaster they are spending millions to perpetrate.

Don Price Ventura

Editor note: We have asked Aera to comment on this but did not receive a response from them.

Approach the New Year with resolve to find
the opportunities hidden in each new day.
~ Michael Josephson

Breeze:

Thanks for printing the article by Richard Senate. The way the Missions allowed Spanish soldiers to kill the Natives and rape their women is disgusting. They were slaves and yet no reparations have ever been offered. It was the only slavery in California except when Native American tribes made slaves of other tribes defeated in raids and warfare. I am not sure what happened back then and I question Mr. Senate’s story. The Mojave is quite far from the Ventura Mission. I have heard there was a Native American upraising around 1819. General DeLaGuerra chased Chumash fleeing and killed them all. Disease ravaged the population and without slaves the missions fell apart. Anyway, if interested, there is a great class at Moorpark College. And at Santa Barbara city college spring 2023.

Sincerely,
Maryanne deGoede

Opinion:

This time of year I reflect on what Ventura needs to  have to attract visitors.  There is a line in the Musical “Hello Dolly” I recall, Barnaby says he wants to go to New York’s Barnum’s Museum to see the stuffed White Whale.  It was something that excited him to see this unique display. That’s what Ventura needs a “White Whale” something that no one else, no other city in the west, has. It must be grand and  will serve as a magnet for tourism. But, what could it be?  I am sure the creative readers of the Breeze maybe able to come up with something that could draw people to our community. Remember–it must be unique. Here are some of my ideas: Good and bad.

1. A signature event. Santa Barbara has “Old Spanish Days,” Oxnard has “The Strawberry Festival” what do we have?  Well, most of the calamari consumed in the state come out of Ventura’s Harbor.  We could have a Calamari Festival at the Harbor with our mascot Carmen Calamari (Think a squid version of Carmen Miranda).  We could have Calamari Burgers, Calamari ice cream!  A Calamari parade!

2. A suggestion was put forward many years ago for a Steam Punk, Captain Nemo like aquarium at the harbor to honor the sea life of the Pacific Coast. It could also Honor Jules Vern the French Writer who invented the future.

3. Maybe we need a focal point for the city. A statue that will draw people from all over.  A signature image. Something non-controversial like a native American.

4. Maybe a large, ornate town clock like they have in Europe. That would ring and have animated performers.

5. Maybe a special dish that was developed in Ventura? Corn taquitos were invented here! The Ortega Chili was developed here by Mr. Ortega. That could be a creation to be celebrated!

Maybe you have some better ideas.

Richard Senate

June Fog

The cloudy mist,
A sprinkle in the air.
Fog looms heavy,
Yet the winds are near.

Early Harbor breeze,
Parts the clouds.
Breaks the June fog,
Pushes it off the pier.

By Jeff Russell

Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
~ Margaret Mead

Breeze:

“Ain’t Misbehavin’ ’’ a musical review, celebrating the Music of Fats Waller, running at The Rubicon to December 18, simply should not be missed. The set alone may be the best of the best in Rubicon’s 24 years!

I had the good fortune to attend the director’s preview last evening and became an instant fan of Wren T. Brown who is a 4th generation entertainer in his family. In 2007, Brown founded Ebony Repertory Theatre (ERT), the first African-American professional Equity theatre company in Los Angeles history where he serves as its producing artistic director from inception to the institution’s now-15-year anniversary

Rubicon has the good fortune to have Beverly and Kirby Ward at the Rubicon helm, with a Broadway singing and dancing history of their own, amazing contacts and youth education background and outreach!

Mike Merewether  24 year Rubicon supporter

Breeze:

Just finished reading the letters to the editor and the news that Sheldon is backing down or riding off into the sunset as the Opinion writer. What a mistake on his part and please tell him no..no.. no…!!! We all love him!!   Listen, the old saying is “if you aren’t made of leather, have a tough backbone” or don’t write an opinion column or run for a political office.  Last time I looked his approval rating was twice that of both Biden and Trump.  Sheldon and I both agree that the world and the human race is only doing one thing…Dumbing down.  No one reads a classic book, what is literature? and what is a true novel….and the Generation X<<Y<<and Z think that Shakespeare is a very expensive trout fishing reel! Sooooo sad…..Anyway, where do we go from here?

Christopher Dryden

Opinions

I was wondering how hiring two more police officers was a better way of helping the homeless in Ventura?? Make me understand why $400,000 is better spent on police officers than to perhaps pay for hotel vouchers or food , laundry or showers basic human needs that aren’t being met in the city of Ventura. I can surely benefit from such a bit of kindness or understanding that there are no beds in Ventura for a dual diagnosis. Please realize that anyone is just a paycheck or eviction away from homelessness. The answers to the provision of resources for the homeless isn’t being met by hiring two more people to arrest them..it’s a total misallocation of funds.

Dierdre Richmond

The only good reason to leave a party without thanking the host and hostess is if you weren’t invited.
~ Bix Bender

Sheldon:

Like myself, so many people will miss your opinion section in the Breeze, even when you’re not correct, your readers adore you. I hope this monumental change doesn’t cause readership to diminish, like it did when the Reporter sold years ago. Did you sell the Breeze?

Laural Starr

Laural: “When you’re not correct”- When is that? I’m still publisher-editor not going away. So won’t lose readers I’m sure. Actually, might gain a few Trump fans.

Sheldon:

I am going to miss your opinions.

I agree that the Constitution needs major revisions that can be done through Articles and Amendments. In the Article V, of the Constitution, The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case,shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourth of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior the the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no Sate, with its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.

For example, the Constitution of the State of California was recently changed to clarify the allowance of abortions.

Diane Garber Ventura

Diane: Thanks for the explanation. Keep sending in your opinions and we won’t need mine.

Ventura Breeze

I will not be supporting Mr. Trump in the Republican primary season. I think we’ll have better choices.

Mike Spence

Sheldon:

In the last issue you stated “Regarding my decision to stop writing my column 87.3% of readers are very upset and 20.2% are very happy. You may be a good writer but a bad mathematician that is 107.5% which is impossible.

Clair Moore Ventura

Clair: I disagree. In high school the top grade is a 4 so a 4 is 100%. But some kids obtain a 4.5 grade which is 1.125%. When I played high school sports the coach said to give 110%. When you but a dozen doughnuts 12 is 100% but they give you 13 which is 1.08%, so I’m correct.

Sincerity is everything. If you can fake that, you’ve got it made.
~ George Burns