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

Sheldon

Thank you for all you have done.  We gained a number of new members thanks to the info in The Breeze.  I love the Breeze and I think you do a bang up job.

Lauraine Effress BCNN

Breeze:

Several years ago, I met Sheldon Brown and was invited to write for the Ventura Breeze. It’s been a wonderful experience to be a part of our hometown paper. Now, I have finally published my first book Off the Chart: A Nurse’s Journey of Heart and Humor. It’s a memoir of my nursing career here in Ventura; but along with my own stories, I share the stories of some very remarkable co-workers and patients that I’ve met along the way. In fact, it was their stories that drove me to write this book. In the world of nursing, they say if it wasn’t charted (documented) it wasn’t done. These are the stories behind the scenes in healthcare; the ones you’ll never read in a nurse’s notes. The book is not intended to be limited to the medical community; there’s information that should interest everyone from eighteen to eighty-eight! And of course, you can’t write a book about healthcare during a pandemic and not talk about that too.

Available at barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com

I’ve also created a website/blog for nurses to share their off-the-chart stories at nursingoffthechart.com

I’ve done 99 articles for the Ventura Breeze, and (if he’ll still have me), I plan to make number 100 something super special!

Jennifer Tipton

Hi Sheldon

I had a brother who was a quadriplegic in the 80’s and we worked hard developing handicap parking in California along with several paralyzed associations. It was always designed to help people who couldn’t walk. Today, it seems every Dr is willing to issue these plaques if someone has a pimple on their butt. I’m sick of these so called handicap people parking in spaces where real disabled people who can’t walk have their space stolen by one of these “entitled” people park.

Today topped it all. I saw a Harley (2 wheeled) parked in a handicap zone at a restaurant where there was plenty of spots available right next to the spot. I would love to know what others feel about this situation as it has to stop.

Leon Rousso

William Greenberg
What is so funny about triangle shaped bike wheels?
Larry Chiro

Larry:
You will need to Google Pythagoras to figure it out so I won’t tell you.
William

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.
~ Plato, ancient Greek Philosopher

Hi Sheldon,

Just a quick note to tell you how much I have enjoyed reading the Breeze during the year and a half since I moved to Ventura.

I never miss scanning the Opinion/Editorial section as I always find it informative, and appreciate your often pithy humor.

Keep up the good work, and don’t let any bad tempered readers get you down!

Sincerely,
Fereva May Lawrence
(Former Editor of the Outlook newspaper in La Canada Flintridge)

To Patricia at the Ventura Breeze

(From Sherry): I wanted to express our appreciation for your helpfulness on Saturday, September 3rd, at the 2022 Aloha Beach Festival. My husband Don, was having trouble getting up and so you and another lady as well as some volunteers helped him out. Also you provided him with bottled water, which was very much appreciated on such a hot morning. I’m not sure of the name of the lady who was with you, also from The Breeze, who was very helpful, too. 

(From both of us): We’ve lived in Ventura for decades and before that we were regular visitors here. We’ve always found it to be the friendliest town out of the various places that we’ve lived. We also wanted to express our condolences to you and your colleagues in regards to the recent passing of your Breeze staff member Breezy Gledhill. It seems that this has been a year  of losses of people who we have heard about like Breezy or others who we knew somewhat like Suz Montgomery. We also lost someone who we knew who was the leader of  the Santa Monica Astronomy Club who recently died of complications from cancer. Your cousin, William Schallert, and his grand nephew sometimes liked to attend the meetings there. We belonged to the Club a long time ago but still keep track of their activities through Zoom.

Again, thanks for your help,

Sincerely,
Donald A. and Sherry L. Berry

Patricia- Thank you for your kind words. The other Breeze staff member was Yana Khiyod.

Breeze:

I am much in favor of education, but in the face of falling enrollment and already high housing prices, it seems wrong to me to be asking the public to support this bond measure which is not an insignificant amount and will add to inflation and increased housing costs when we already have a housing affordability and supply issue. The school district holds so much land, much of which is not in use, and could be sold to finance needed building upgrades. (Do we really need air conditioning in our moderate climate, with school out during summer? I don’t have AC at our home and do ok with just fans)

I am open to other views, but with nearly ½ of our population being renters who unrealistically may expect owners to bear this cost without passing it on, I think renters and policy makers need to consider the ramifications

Now if it were a bond issue to support new housing on school land for teachers or staff , that would be another matter

Mike Merewether

Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.
~ John Lennon

Letter to the Editor

The United Water Conservation District plays an important role in managing sustainable water supplies in Ventura County. Mohammed Hasan serves on the Board of Directors for District 3 representing the Ventura area and is on the ballot for re-election in November. He has been an effective voice on United’s board.

I have known Mohammed for more than 30 years and am well aware of his experience as a civil engineer and water system manager. He has designed water system improvements throughout the County and has been applying his considerable knowledge and experience to United. Besides engineering, his generous public service extends to social, environmental, and educational causes.

His engineering voice on the United board provides an important perspective for their planning and deliberations. Voters in Ventura have the opportunity to re-elect Mohammed Hasan to the United board in November, and should do so.

Phil White
105 Layton St
Ojai
805-804-7625

Dear Ventura,

All is not well in VUSD. Ventura Unified faces a swath of teachers and staff angry at an unfair and dishonorable contract offer.

Responding to students’ needs, teachers and school staff have thrown themselves into the social and emotional well-being of Ventura’s young. They have been mentor and counselor to students, an open ear and heart in the face of fire, pandemic, economic inflation, increasing anxiety, social instability and academic recovery. They have worked overtime, online, in person, facing the perils of infection, the fragility of vulnerable students, and the discontent of society at large. The district has failed to treat teachers and school staff with the level of care that teachers and staff have shown students.

Do not believe VUSD’s Facebook posts, intended to paint a picture that all is well. Had the district turned the camera on August 23rd, their post lauding VUSD’s “Celebrate” rally would have painted a different picture: teachers and school staff, dressed in red, carrying signs and banners, chanting and proclaiming their outrage and disappointment at the district’s failure to honor, appreciate, and respect their work.

Speaker and student, Gino Caceres, understood the situation better than the district, ending his story of resilience by thanking teachers and staff for “taking care of us.” His success was their success. The value and the worth of teachers and school staff continue to fall on deaf ears as the district refuses to expedite negotiations for an expired contract.

Teachers and staff of VUSD ask parents and the community to stand up for their kids by standing by their teachers and school staff. Teachers and staff cannot continue to care for the academic, emotional and social needs of students while facing financial insecurity and emotional distress in their own lives.

Sébastien P. DeClerck
Vice President, Ventura Unified Education Association
Teacher, Pacific High School, Ventura

Editor note: We asked the VUSD to respond to this but they didn’t.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
~ Martin Luther King

Mr. Brown,

I was cleaning out my emails and, oh my, I never saw this. My sincere condolences. Breezy was so sweet and helpful to me whenever we interacted. This makes me so sad. Thank you for sharing with me Mr. Brown.

Please take care.

Michelle Michel

Dear Sheldon:

Sending well wishes and peaceful thoughts to you and the Breeze family. Breezy was wonderful.

Lysa Urban

Sheldon:

Thanks for your sponsorship of the 2022 Music Under The Stars Concert Series. The ads helped us sell out the 8 concerts in record time. Thank you for everything.

Kathryn Dippong Lawson- Public Art, Cultural Education & Historic Site Supervisor

Sheldon

Right on about Liz Cheney. Smart, honest and responsible. Exactly what we need in American politics. As for Lindsey Graham and Matt Gaetz, we need them out of office and out of sight.

r.a.lombardi

Our Wooden Pier
The pier is steady below,
For it lifts the high tide.
A pounding of coastal waters,
Against the growl of the sea.

A riptide is stirring below,
While a wooden pier takes on water.
for it holds onto the seashore,
And stables our wooden ship.

All hands-on deck,
“it’s a tempest through.”

by Jeffrey Russell

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
~ Marie Curie