Sheldon

You thought the three-strike law (sic) prevents this scenario? Really? An editor who can’t distinguish between arrests and convictions?

Fred Pierce

Fred: Worse even I’m the publisher-editor. Thanks for the clarification. That is what you were doing correct?

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Dear Editor:

I have something I must say… Why don’t people call or talk to each other anymore? There are many folks these days that appear to be so attached to their devices that social skills have fallen by the wayside! Between social media and texting there is an apparent disconnect of humankind. I have called friends only to get a text message back and others have told me they only text and won’t answer their phone or return voice mails. It seems so impersonal and robotic. I asked one friend (in a text) – “why don’t people talk to each other anymore?” (hint hint) and she responded with yet another text so long she could probably have published it as a short novel. Texting contains no inflection of the words sent, therefore interpretation is up to the recipient. I have observed entire families dining out and instead of talking with one another, they are each on their individual devices, except for the young ones who appear so lonely and lost, the eyes pleading for human interaction. It’s so sad!

Jennifer Tipton Ventura

Jennifer: Couldn’t agree more. Recently I was having lunch and a couple was sitting next to me with 2 teen age kids and all 4 staring at their phones the entire time while eating. How sad for the lack of communicating.

Sheldon

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The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
~ Bertrand Russell

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Congratulations to the Ventura Breeze

I want to thank all of these folks for the kind words celebrating our ten years. Congratulations certainly need to include all of the wonderful Breeze staff over the years who made this all possible.

Sheldon

If there is anything worth noting in town Sheldon is there with his signature blue cap and camera. The Breeze is the go to paper for what’s happening in town- thank you Sheldon!!! Happy Birthday!

Michael and Angela- Very Ventura

Very Ventura

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Sheldon is . . .

Approachable, but prefers not to approach.

One who speaks his mind.

A lover of writing, responding and conversing.

The last one to leave a conversation.

Dedicated and softly determined.

Proof of the impact one person can have on a community.

Thank you Sheldon!

Debbie Fox Fox -Fine Jewelry

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Hearty and heartfelt congratulations on 10 years of publishing the Ventura Breeze! The Breeze has truly become a treasure to the city of Ventura. It wouldn’t be possible without your wonderful dedication, guidance, and caring for the audience you serve so well. To you and all your staff, congratulations and keep up the great work!

Your friends at Cypress Place Senior Living

Mike Macke -Senior Director of Sales & Marketing

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Wow. Ten years already? Congrats Sheldon! You and the Breeze newspaper are part of what makes Ventura a great community.

Best regards,

Lysa Urban

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Have always loved reading the Breeze. The local coverage is so important to our community. Let’s us all keep up on what is going on in Ventura!

Cheryl Heitmann -Ventura City Council

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I am so grateful to have The Breeze in our community. I look forward to reading it cover to cover every couple weeks. Thank you Sheldon and Breezy for bringing us the best newspaper in Ventura!

Ashley Pope -SpiceTopia

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Congratulations Sheldon and thank you Ventura Breeze for 10 years of reporting on important local issues and fostering a stronger community through information that is accessible to all citizens.

Mark Watkins -Ventura City Manager

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I can’t believe it’s been 10 years! The Ventura Breeze is the perfect Hometown Newspaper! Grateful for you Sheldon and the Breeze team.

Adela Trainor- Berkshire Hathaway

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Golden Future Expos sends a huge congratulations to the Ventura Breeze Newspaper on their 10 years of success! You are a tremendous asset and source of information to the community … here’s to 10 more!”

Toyia Moore- Event Director

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When my husband and I moved to Ventura years ago, the Ventura Breeze was my go-to paper to discover the ins and outs of this sweet town. We’ve come to love this beachside gem and the wonderful people who live here! Thank you Sheldon for making us feel so quickly part of this awesome community.

Teryn Bonime -Keller Williams Realty

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I want to say Congratulations to the Breeze on 10 years. Your information and entertainment is essential to Ventura. We love the Breeze!

Christine Cardoso-Moore- RE Broker KW West Ventura County

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I love the Breeze not only as a reader to catch up on lighthearted local news, but also as an advertiser, it represents what Ventura is… a friendly, small town with a heart.

Melody O’Leary-Namikas -Berkshire Hathaway

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Thank you for the shout outs that help our nonprofit spay and neuter hundreds of animals. Your pet page is a big hit! I was reading it long before we started placing ads with Breezy. You keep us informed on what is happening in Ventura. Big Thanks!

Valerie Bereman – SPAN Thrift Store

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The Breeze is the most honored Newspaper. Not because it reports, but it reports for others!

The Breeze is a Great Local Newspaper. It networks for all local shoppers!

Susie Lamey -Heritage Honey

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I can’t believe it has been 10 years that you have been published! I am so incredibly proud of you. What an accomplishment!! Who would have thought that with the help of your “wonderful daughter”, your idea would manifest into an essential platform for this community!

I thank the staff that has continuously supported you and many thanks to the community who “loves” and supports the Ventura Breeze! It just goes to show, that if anyone has an idea-go for it!

Staci Brown- Publisher Emeritus and “wonderful daughter”

Congratulations on your 10 year anniversary! We all love the Breeze newspaper!!!!

Cherryl Connally -Island Packers

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I can’t believe it has already been 10 years since the Breeze has published its 1st paper. From the moment I met you, I was impressed with your vision, tenacity and passion for the City of Ventura. The Breeze has proven to be Ventura’s hometown paper. From the beginning, you were determine to get Ventura news in our homes and that is exactly what has happened. Because of you, we can celebrate the happenings taking place in our city. You include the items that are important to us and for this I am very grateful. I could not image the city of Ventura without The Breeze. Thank you for your incredible contribution to our community.

Blessings,

Pastor Jim Duran

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Happy 10th Birthday Ventura Breeze!! 10 years is pretty miraculous for any paper – especially one that is free! I am extremely grateful to be a part of this unique, local paper. This is a community effort and I’d like to express my gratitude to all our supporters, advertisers, readers, everybody involved in the making of each issue, as there are so many, and of course Scamp (RIP), Sheldon and Diane. You’re making history!

Breezy Gledhill -Senior Account Executive

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We smaller clubs and organizations thank you for always posting local activities, speakers, and continuing growth programs available to our community. Our American Contract Bridge League Unit offers games and classes for every level of bridge enthusiast. Sheldon, maybe we can get you to the tables soon !! Thank you as always.

Susan Lang

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Sheldon’s sense of humor always puts me in a better mood-never know

what he is going to do or say like a box of chocolate, never know what you’re going to get 🙂

Connie De La Rosa- Contributing Writer

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Congratulations Sheldon on achieving this significant milestone! In the past ten years, you have done a wonderful job growing your organization and covering the news in our community. It is always such a pleasure reading the Breeze and getting up-to-date on the who-what-when-where and why of Ventura. I also want to thank you for your community support of the non-profits here. Your generous coverage makes a big difference. Here’s to the next ten years!

Warmest regards,

Barbara Brown -BBM&D Strategic Branding,

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Wow ten years of pure excellence! Happy Anniversary Sheldon. Thanks for your commitment to provide excellence in your articles about our community. I am humbled by your dedication to the nonprofit community as you continue to report the importance of each.

Congratulations my friend and here’s is too another ten!

Be kind to one another

Jann Huling

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Happy 10th Anniversary Ventura Breeze! Thank you for your coverage of local events and happenings. A special thank you for always including some news about the Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival. Congratulations to Sheldon and staff for all of your efforts. I am looking forward to the next 10 years!

Barbara Hinton -Founder and Director Ventura Art & Street Painting Festival

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My wife, Trisha and I were having lunch with friends at Spencer Makenzie’s Fish Company on Thompson in Ventura way back then. We were reading the first issue of the Ventura Breeze newspaper. Congratulations on giving us a great local newspaper. Wow, ten years, where did the time go? Hats off for you and Staci. Your wife has to be a Saint, too.

Sincerely,

James Francis Gray -Contributing Writer

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The comment I hear the most about The Ventura Breeze is that it’s truly Our Hometown Newspaper. I always answer back, “The very Soul of Ventura”.

Karen Helen- Distribution

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When I first heard about the Breeze, I said, That dude is crazy!

And I was right, but that’s not a bad thing.

The Breeze is a joy to read, and a real hometown paper.

Sheldon is even crazy enough to let me write for him occasionally, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

Jill Forman -Contributing Writer

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Congratulations to you and the entire Ventura Breeze team — 10 years is an incredible run! Thanks for your service to this community in covering local news, big and small, and for making sure important issues were covered in a fair and impartial manner. I always look forward to picking up my copy of the Breeze and seeing what’s on the Publisher’s mind!

Matt LaVere -Ventura City Council

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The Breeze is truly a hometown newspaper. Sheldon and his team have a pulse on what is important to Venturans and they produce a publication that speaks to us as locals; even if for some, we haven’t been here for generations.

Jeffrey Lambert, AICP -Ventura Community Development Director

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Sheldon Brown is handsome, wonderful and brilliant. I love drawing for the Breeze for 10 years.

Bill Green- editorial cartoonist (remember I’m being funny about handsome, wonderful and brilliant)

Sheldon is amazing and wonderful and a joy to work with, he is much too old to be doing this.

Richard Lieberman- rather old himself Contributing Writer

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10 years is a wow! Sheldon is amazing and a joy to work for…! But in my own words: So proud to be a part of the Ventura Breeze! As a registered nurse for many years, being given the opportunity to explore new horizons and to pursue a passion for writing combined with my passion for people and my hometown? Priceless! Happy 10th anniversary Sheldon! It’s been such a privilege-best boss ever!

Jennifer Tipton –contributing writer

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Bob Barker had just retired and the O.C. and the Sopranos had just ended. Unfortunately for all, Keeping up with the Kardashians had just premiered and Donald Trump and Vince McMahon were going head-to-head on WWE’s WrestleMania 23 “The Battle of the Billionaires”. Media was a shambles, thus 2007 was known as the “great void”. Sheldon knew he had to do something to fill it…thus the Ventura Breeze was born. Instantly his enterprise was named Small Business of the Year. And the great void was filled. Amen.

Murray Robertson

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Sheldon Brown is the quintessential Man About Town, keeping local Venturans informed on what is happening politically, socially, and culturally. He is at every event in town, keeping tabs on the pulse of VTA, and happy to engage with anyone who approaches him. Thank you for your excellent journalism and for offering us a free paper! One more quick note of appreciation: your unabashed opinion section that is infused with hearty doses of Sheldon humor! Keep it coming!

Beth Morris -(who wishes she could beat Sheldon on the tennis court)

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I’ve been reading the Breeze since it was an infant, a toddler and now a precocious pre-teen, which means ‘talented’, ‘articulate’, and “having mature qualities at an unusually early age.”

All this and more from a talented, articulate and mature senior named Sheldon. Can hardly wait what the Breeze will be like as a smartphoned, pierced and tattooed teenager.

John Hankins- journalist

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In this age of digital media and shrinking community news, it’s been a pleasure having the Breeze in Ventura the past decade. Happy anniversary, and please keep the ink flowing.

Erik Nasarenko -Ventura Mayor

Breeze:

Paul Petersonhas offered wonderful suggestions for perhaps a new perspective for the Ventura County Museum. To include art within its confines or to house it in the historic First National Bank building is a well-thought out idea that could propel the Museum towards its lofty goals.

The story of Ventura, both past and present, can be vividly and dynamically told to the people who live here as well as to those who visit through art. There are plenty of reasons to love Ventura. Including art in the Museum as envisioned by Mr. Peterson will go a long way towards enhancing and articulating this affection.

Charlotte O’Brien

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Dear friends of Ventura:

The Building Industry Association (BIA) continues to wage war against the residents of the City of Ventura. A little over one year ago, in the mist of severe water shortages, Ventura passed its Water Net Zero ordinance which required developers to pay their fair share for the costs of new potable water supplies – supplies which are required because of new housing developments.

Because new developments generate a need for costly additional water supplies, Ventura passed the Net Zero ordinance, an ordinance giving developers the option of either: 1) creating no net new water demand (net zero) or; 2) paying an in-lieu fee.

Since the Building industry is accustomed to free-riding on the backs of taxpayers, it objected to the new ordinance and filed a lawsuit against Ventura. The lawsuit, filed in Ventura County Superior Court in August 2016 seeks to overturn Ventura’s Net Zero ordinance.

This past year, Ventura residents have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees to respond to the BIA lawsuit. Ventura’s attorneys have demurred to the lawsuit, a legal argument which suggests that BIA does not have a legal case. On August 18, 2017 Judge Glen Reiser ordered the BIA to submit a new “red lined” version of their brief to be filed before September 1, 2017. However, the lawsuit is likely to continue for years.

Current residents gain nothing from new developments. However, residents are asked to pay for the escalating costs of public services, escalating costs triggered by overpopulation, overdevelopment and overshoot.

Let’s halt all new developments in Ventura until the BIA ceases its attacks on Ventura residents.

Charles Spraggins
www.Saveourwaterventura.org

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Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.
~ William S. Burroughs

Breeze:

“Age and Citizenship requirements – US Constitution, Article II, Section 1. No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident …”

So how did we end up with a 16-year old president?
Nate Spencer-Ventura

Nate:
The 16-year olds that read the Breeze are going to be very offended.

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Breeze:

The Ventura County Museum recently received new funding and a six-month window to produce results Venturans can see and enjoy. It’s a lot to ask in a short period. Perhaps it requires a new perspective, outside the box.

The current building could be re-imagined as the Ventura County Art Museum. It’s perfect for that purpose both by design and layout. More importantly the art community says the county needs an art museum. Most current displays are already art more than objects. Then use the new wing as a place for all current VC artists to show their best work.. and there could be artists present doing their work for people to see and buy. Then it becomes the center for art in the county and creates a steady traffic flow to the building for two purposes. Art history and current art side by side in the complex but separate.

Then walk down Main Street to the iconic intersection of Main Street and California and see a truly historic building on the southwest corner…once the First National Bank (home to six banks over the years and currently has no occupants) and looks like it would be perfect as the Ventura County History Museum.

It is historic all by itself, built in 1926 and designated a historic landmark in 1978! Step inside and you could walk through dramatic displays of Ventura history from Chumash to Serra to surfing, unfolding before you. Then you walk upstairs and see the room where an iconic literary and television character was created known around the world, Perry Mason, by author Erle Stanley Gardener. Be in the room where it happened.

And next to that a display about favorite son Kevin Costner, also of interest to locals and tourists and then a Johnny Cash exhibit. There is no place in town to pay homage to Johnny cash or our other sons and daughters of note, adopted and otherwise. The VC History Museum could become that place as well. With this kind of marketable appeal these places can become active attractions and cash positives rather than drains on the city’s coffers. All Venturans could benefit, enjoy art and celebrate our history, and for tourists, it’s just a short walk from the beach.

Paul Peterson

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Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe
that something inside them was superior to circumstances.
~ John Barton

Sheldon:

Thank you again dear Sheldon & all of your crew that works so hard on our fabulous hometown paper, the Ventura Breeze!

For the second time this year you helped a lot of folks find our PD Support Group meeting including a wonderful lady from Sacramento who was visiting Ventura. She told us that she had picked up a Ventura Breeze, was so impressed to find our detailed article in print and decided to see how our support group worked as she coordinates one in Sacramento. We also had the second largest number of attendees this year with just over 60 folks. So thank you again for the generous space and support you give the Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group! 🙂 We love the Ventura Breeze!!

Yours truly, Patty Jenkins
Volunteer Coordinator
Ventura Parkinson’s Disease Support Group

Patty:
And we love you.

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Dear Sheldon,

I’m not sure I formally thanked you for our Kids’ Arts coverage in the Breeze. Soooo, thank you for the 4th of July & Surf Rodeo articles & pictures. We appreciate what you do to keep Ventura informed & in the know.

Lynne Thurston

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In our last issue we had the article “Disaffected seniors are fighting for their mobile homes” by Jared Brewer. Some of the article got cut off. Computer’s fault I’m sure. Here is the rest of the article.

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.

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You must push yourself beyond you limits, all the time.
~ Carlos Castaneda

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

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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.

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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

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

 

Dear Concerned Ventura Residents

For the fourth time in eight months the Ventura County Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) rejected an application by the City of Ventura to expand its boundary.

The application was for a new development known as Northbank, which is a project to allow for the construction of 193 residential units in East Ventura near Saticoy.

LAFCO heard the proposal on four occasions: November 16, 2016, February 15, 2017, April 19, 2017, and again on July 19. LAFCO has not been convinced that Ventura has an adequate long term water supply for its new developments.

LAFCO’s CEO showed that the Ventura’s own documents demonstrate that Ventura has a water deficit. Apparently, Ventura believes that there is “water aplenty” but they are unable to explain “where it is”. LAFCO Commissioners are simply doing the job required under California law. Also, it is the obligation of the City of Ventura to fulfill its commitments to provide necessary information.

The people behind the Northbank project may be rightly frustrated, but Save Our Water Ventura is more concerned about our current residents.

How can Ventura continue to give away scarce water supplies? Isn’t it time for a water connection moratorium?

Charles Spraggins, Save Our Water Ventura

Charles

The City reviewed its water capacity and confirmed there is adequate water supply to expand the City’s boundary and accommodate new construction in east Ventura. While current water supplies are indeed strained due to the drought, there is an adequate amount to serve this and other projects that have been in the works for many years now. We agree that the long-term sustainability of water supplies is vital. That is why the City is working hard to diversify its water portfolio and augment supplies with new sources. This includes a potential connection to the State water system within the next 3-4 years and the construction of an Advanced Purification Facility for Potable Reuse by the year 2023. These projects will not only augment existing water supplies and improve system reliability, but will also have the ability to enhance the quality of drinking water on the east end of the City.

Joe McDermott

Acting Ventura Water General Manager

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Sheldon,

Please know I so much appreciate the attention the Breeze brought to Estella’s (the dog) situation and her need for help to get her surgery and medical treatment paid for. As a result of Estella’s photograph and story on The Pet Page in the July 5 – July 18 issue of the paper much more needed money was donated. Thank you so very much. I am sure the entire Buddy Nation crowd feels the same way I do.

Also thank you for letting us know about the passing of precious Sherlock Patterson. Your paper was the only way some of us found out. To honor Sherlock’s precious life and memory I made another donation to the Estella fund in Sherlock’s name.

Many, many people in Ventura depend on the Breeze as an important source of community news. Thank you for making this possible.

Betty Okrent

PS: I also thought information about the R.U.F.F. program was vitally important. I do hope other communities adopt similar programs. And the article about Gavel was perfectly delightful. I most certainly enjoyed it. So thanks again.

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No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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Dear Sheldon:

Thank you again for putting Estella’s pic & plea in The Breeze(needed medical treatment). It has brought in well over $1,000 in a week … yay! The best people read The Breeze, that’s for sure.

Cappi Patterson

I second that thank you Sheldon! Such amazing and compassionate people are in the world. It helps restore my faith in humanity when I see people pull together to help the innocents. Because of your piece in the Breeze we are so close to our goal! Thank you!!!

Debi Reeves, President & Founder Buddy Nation helping the homeless dogs of Ventura

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Dear Mr. Brown

Just want to say “Thanks” again for your coverage of our Harbor Gallery 1st Yr. anniversary and my exhibit at the Ojai Art Center. The pictures are great, and Mary-Jo looks wonderful! She also sends her thanks to you — we need all the publicity we can get at our little gallery and the turn out that day was terrific! We will help keep our customers aware of your special paper.

Karen Wu

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Sheldon:

I like your coverage but wish you had said Mark Watkins made $300,000 last year.

Historic Preservation is out of control and just adds cost and delay; 40 year old test is ridiculous, and notable architect is over reach ( Where is the marquee now from Mayfair Theatre that sat in the dirt for years after all the fuss and $$ the city spent in having it moved) No mention of Ventura Realty four prior suits against the city.

Mike L Merewether

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Breeze:

A recent report paints an interesting picture of bottled water marketing practices, claiming the industry has been working to convince consumers that bottled water is more pure than tap water despite no evidence to support the claims. The report claims bottled water costs over 1000 times more than tap water per fluid ounce and uses more than 2000 times more energy to produce; the purity of tap water is better regulated and in fact, most bottled water is filtered tap water, anyway.

According to a Scientific American article, bottled water is ripping off consumers to the tune of 1900 times the cost of tap water, and bottlers aren’t revealing where their water comes from: “…18 % of the 173 bottled waters on the U.S. market today fail to list the location of their source; a third disclose nothing about the treatment or purity of the water inside their plastic bottles.” The Natural Defense Council reports that 90 percent of the money consumers pay for bottled water actually covers everything but the water itself: bottling, packaging, shipping, marketing and other expenses, and profits.

Nate Spencer-Ventura-who drinks tap water that is cold

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The easiest person to deceive is one’s self.
~ Edward Bulwer-Lytton

Breeze:

It seems all the schools and Cities are headed over to the Harbor beaches these days instead of State Parks. Who wants to pay $10 when you can park for free or what bus driver wants to pay $100 when they can park for free. Plus less vagrants and a lot more amenities. The Harbor is doing things right.

Christy’s (City council member Christy Weir) article on the Santa Clara Homeless Camps was truthful much like something Rob Orth would have written. If you’re in the trenches you get a much better perspective. Note that Cheryl (City council member Cheryl Heitmann) was also over there in the riverbed with Christy.

Pokeman…the City is great at issuing permits…but it ends there…no attention to detail. Just recently they posted via email that the Mountain to Sea marathon was to be on Saturday…it was on Sunday and I got my notice in the snail mail on Wednesday days after the event. Better late than never I guess.

Robert Georgeson

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Thanks Breeze:

Ventura Breeze Newspaper is a huge supporter and we are so happy to call them a partner in making Ventura an even better place to call home. A huge round of applause to Ventura Breeze for their support of the 5K and 1 Mile Survivor Walk!

YMCA

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Hi, Sheldon –

A belated thank-you for your story in the Ventura Breeze about the 2017 CFMS-AFMS National Gem Show! We enjoyed a terrific show and all three days saw fantastic foot traffic! On behalf of the hosting Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, our sincere thanks for your help in getting the word out to our local public!

Best regards,

Jim Brace-Thompson
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society

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It is not enough to be busy, so are ants. The question is, what are we busy about?
~ Henry David Thoreau

Editor:

Every time that I try to go to the harbor I can never find a place to park. Especially when it is really hot in other places and those “out siders” come here to cool off. I know that tourists are important to the harbor businesses but they can’t find a place to park either. Are there any plans to add a parking structure?

Deena Hill

Deena: We hope so because things could get worse because two future projects might be happening in the Harbor. See my column on page 4 for a brief description of them. I would assume that they will provide for parking on-site.

Sheldon

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Editor:

I think that the planning commission’s vote approving further enhancements to our auto center is very important. I hope that the city council approves this also when it goes to them. Unlike Oxnard’s auto center (you must drive through it on the way to several big box stores) the only time one drives past our auto center is to look at cars or play poker. Development behind the center will correct this and the street certainly needs widening.

Frances Paredes

Breeze:

I needed to share this. I’m on the Surfliner stopped at the Ventura stop and saw the conductor get a Breeze! I talked with her and she said she gets one to see what’s going on in Ventura. She’s looking forward to having every other weekend off so she can spend a weekend in Ventura. She mentioned interest in the fair.

Jean Scott

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Breeze:

I think the spending of way over $2 million for the new bridge enhancements on California is absurd. The only difference that I see is a not very good looking higher rail. I certainly hope that it didn’t cost Ventura all of that money.

Chuck White Ventura

Chuck:

More than half of the funding (57%) for this project is from transportation grant funding with 53% from Federal Transportation grant funding and 4% from local Transportation Development Act (TDA) funds. The balance of the funding is from state gas taxes (37%), and the City’s Public Art Fund (7%).

Perhaps you will like it better when the new lighting poles are installed.

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Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
~ Helen Keller

Dear Sheldon and Diane:

As a dog owner myself I share in understanding your deep sadness upon losing Scamp. Your article of looking for him and he not being there tore at my heart for you . Scamp was the lucky one to have you two as his loving parents.

Our sincerest condolences.
Teryn & Bart Bonime

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Publisher:

As a 30 yr. resident and avid reader of the Breeze I am shocked at this article about (name withheld).  Yes sadly this is about my son. It was a rental car and not a car stolen and all this will be resolved by him and the courts.  I am writing because with so very many daily awe full confirmed crimes/stories  reported  why  you would choose to report a “non incident”  as  news worthy?  Not what I have enjoyed or known of and about the Breeze to report?

I would rather see the names and faces of people I should truly be looking out for in our neighborhoods, albeit the Ventura star helps with that.

Respectfully,

(name withheld)

 

Name withheld

Why are you calling a police report an article? We write articles and just report police reports. Do you really expect us to somehow play jury and decide who in each police report is innocent or guilty? That is for a judge or jury to decide.

If this was indeed a rental car (name withheld) will be  eventually found innocent or the case won’t even go to court. When this happens please let us know and we will be happy to report that to our readers.

We have police reports in every issue that you have enjoyed.

The following is at the beginning of our police reports. “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.”

Thank you

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Sheldon:

Les asked me what I wanted for  wedding present.

“A dog.” I answered. “I want two things I never had growing up: a dog and a Christmas tree.

She moved house to house with us from Berkeley to El Cerrito to Richmond to Altadena to Los Angeles. She lived to be 12 years old. In old age she developed painful arthritis and heart problems. We opted to put her to sleep. It seemed the humane thing to do, yet I still feel guilty about that decision.

For months after she was gone, I swear I could hear the tinkle of her license hanging on her neck. I’d look around, call her name.

Es Cole

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Good morning Sheldon,

I want to let you know that a contribution to Buddy Nation has been made to honor  the life and memory of precious Scamp.  We were all very saddened to read the news that Scamp had passed. I know he soared very high when he left his earthly body behind, because he was so loved.

Sending love and light for your journey of healing.

For Them

Debi Reeves, President & Founder

Buddy Nation helping the homeless dogs of Ventura

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Dear Sheldon Diane and Savana:

We wanted to extend our condolences to you upon learning the Ventura Pooch Parade, that professor Scamp has crossed over the rainbow bridge.  We have enjoyed reading his column for several years and appreciated his insightful perspective on things.

In addition to his illustrious career Scamp was also a member of your family and you must miss His presence very much .

We’ve recently had to say goodbye our first dog Rosie, and  had to make difficult quality of life decisions regarding how and when to say goodbye so we can empathize with your loss .

Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family.

Katherine Warren and Pete Dibble

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There is nothing more provocative than minding your own business
~ William S. Burroughs