∙We have a cover article about the new wonderful homeless facility called the ARCH. I attended the ribbon cutting and was impressed with the very large gathering, which included many Ventura city and county dignitaries. It is a joint venture between the city and county. I love the fact that residents can bring their dogs – there is a nice fenced dog area. The facility houses only 55 people, but a suggestion was made to set up tents in the large parking area when it’s raining so more people can at least keep dry during bad weather.

Mention was made of council member Neal Andrews who passed away before he could see his dream of a shelter come to fruition. He was constantly trying to provide for the homeless.

I have heard some say, “Why should I work to live inside, and they don’t need to?” These are the same people that say, “Get those bums off of our sidewalks and parks.” We can’t have it both ways. A country like this shouldn’t have people sleeping like dogs.

∙I’m certainly sorry to see our first murder in Ventura. The alleged murderer was from Santa Paula. Certainly not happy to see gang members coming here, as has been stated.

What I don’t understand is that I thought that there was a three-time strike rule that kept people in prison who commit many crimes.

The Ventura County Superior Court records shows that the murder suspect, Raymond Bolanos has prior convictions for carrying a concealed firearm, gang enhancement and a hit and run.

I thought that there was a three-time strike rule that kept people in prison who commit many crimes.

Another suspect, Julian Nunez, was arrested for a parole violation warrant and has prior convictions for carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a felon and battery with serious injury. And a third suspect, Stephanie Sanchez, has a prior conviction for possession of a loaded firearm.

And in another case (see police reports), suspect Flores was arrested for burglary, possession of stolen property, and felon in possession of ammunition. Flores has been convicted of narcotics offenses, theft, forgery, burglary, vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, and felony resisting arrest.

∙Freelance writers and newspaper carriers (that might be me) would be exempted from a broad new California labor law that aims to give wage and benefit protections to people who work as independent contractors (the law requires that many workers be treated as employees rather than independent contractors).

The measures face an uphill battle in part because they were introduced by a Republican, Sen. Patricia Bates of Laguna Niguel, in a legislature dominated by Democrats who support the labor law, and because the law’s author opposes at least one of the rollbacks.

∙Per the CAPS Media Center’s article in this issue, the local community radio station KPPQ-LP is celebrating its third birthday. I previously hosted a program on the station, but time would not allow me to continue with it in a manner that I wished. It was great fun, and I recommend you should consider pursuing your own show. On Sunday, February 9, the station they will have an Open House where you can tour the facility and learn more about starting a show (along with saying hi to me).

∙According to a report presented to the City Council, the city is expecting a surplus of about $200,000 in its $120 million general fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year. This isn’t much surplus so the city must balance its budget. The council will have to decide on some combination of spending cuts, revenue increases and money out of reserves before the new fiscal year starts on July 1.

City Manager Alex McIntyre told the council, “Some level of cuts to city spending and services seems likely. The city’s ability to raise revenue quickly is limited, and spending from reserves should be a last resort, undertaken only when there’s a clear path out of using reserves.”

∙The world experienced near-record global temperatures in 2019, federal climate scientists said. The year capped what the scientists said was the warmest decade in modern times.

∙How ironic – a 4-year-old Indiana boy died after he was accidentally shot with his father’s gun while the two were play wrestling. The child, Tripp Shaw, and his father were playing on a bed. The handgun, which had been concealed on the small of the father’s back, fell and discharged one bullet.

∙Just imagine that you have a 16-year daughter who is so amazing that Time magazine named her (Greta Thunberg) their “Person of the Year.” And then, your president, a climate change skeptic who has claimed it is a “hoax,” texted it was “so ridiculous” that Time named Thunberg their “Person of the Year.” Greta must work on her Anger Management problem, then go to a good old-fashioned movie with a friend. “Chill Greta, Chill!” I think that he is the one that should chill since a 16-year old can disturb him this much.

Trump also said to cheers from the crowd, “I’m also approving new dishwashers that give you more water so you can actually wash and rinse your dishes without having to do it 10 times — five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10. Anybody have a new dishwasher? I’m sorry for that. I’m sorry for that, it’s worthless. They give you so little water. You ever see it? Air comes out. So little water.” He claimed that people are forced to take plates out and wash them “the old-fashioned way.”

Good grief. Is this really an issue that the President of the United States should be concerned with. Wonder when the last time was that he actually ran a dishwasher?

∙Interesting facts about Ventura from the 2019 State Of The Region Report by Ventura County Civic Alliance (comparing Ventura County cities).

Ventura is third in annual per pupil spending ($10,967). Fillmore number one at $12,146.

Number eight in owner-occupied homes (46%).

Number five in average monthly apartment rent ($1,823). TO is number one.

Number one in miles of bike lanes.

Not a desired number but has the highest homeless count. Just a little above Oxnard.

Also, not a desired number one – has highest crime rates per 1,000 population. Oxnard is number two.

∙Happy to say (because Venturan’s enjoy the venue) that Oxnard’s City Manager Alexander Nguyen has announced the Oxnard Performing Arts Center Corporation (PACC) has concluded negotiations with the City of Oxnard to keep part of the facility open through March 1.

Negotiations are also being finalized between Oxnard and nonprofit OPACC for long-term management and the possible new operator of the center, Sterling Venue Ventures. Sterling Venue is the owner of multiple entertainment venues including The Canyon in Agoura Hills and Libbey Bowl in Ojai. The main 1,600-seat auditorium is closed right now.

∙A retiree, 71-year old Carl Butz, has canceled an around-the-world trip to save California’s oldest weekly newspaper, the Mountain Messenger, which was set to shut down when its publisher/editor, Don Russell, 70, retires this month. The paper began in 1853 as a twice-per- month publication. Carl is taking over the Mountain Messenger, which is based out of his hometown of Downieville and covers two rural counties northeast of Sacramento.

If any retiree’s wants to cancel their vacation and take over the Ventura Breeze maybe it is time for me to take up skydiving and relax.

∙The low-flying helicopters that have been flying over Ventura are not a government conspiracy, as I’m sure some think (like contrails). It is Southern California Edison inspecting its equipment. During the last few months Edison crews have inspected more than 30,500 lines, poles, transformers, cross-arms, insulators and other equipment.

∙I feel so lucky. I was in my car and heard an ad for a product that I wanted to purchase. But in order to get the super deal, I had to call within 10 minutes. Unfortunately, it took me an hour to get home. When I did get home, they still let me spend my money and buy it. Isn’t life wonderful?

∙Between mandatory lessons being dropped from Common Core in 2010 and the continued advancement (if this is what this really is) of technology, cursive writing being used in our day-to-day lives is dying. Apparently, the signing of checks will be a thing of the past. As will most human contact.

A bill proposed by Assemblywoman Angela McKnight, D-Hudson New Jersey, is hoping to guarantee students still learn how to write and read in cursive by requiring that schools add it back to the elementary school curriculum.

McKnight stated there is research that supports that learning cursive can help children across the board with their “cognitive, motor and literacy skills, and may help students with learning disabilities like dyslexia read and write with greater ease.” She said cursive is practical, calling it “a vital skill children will need for the rest of their lives.”

∙ By not acting on it, the Supreme Court has agreed that unless cities have a place for the homeless to live they must allow them to sleep on city property (don’t worry, not on your property) ,which I certainly agree with.

From an article in the LA Times: “In any case we’re heartened the message has been sent that homelessness is not a crime and that solutions to the problem must be found that do not violate the rights and most basic needs of the homeless. We hope the Boise decision will move the conversation and the planning away from enforcing ordinances to getting more shelter and housing online quickly.”

The Ventura shelter is having a grand-opening on January 23, from 11am-2:30pm. 2323 Knoll Dr.

∙Before entering the realm of politics, who do you think said this? I won’t give any hints.

“In order to get elected, President Obama will start a war with Iran.”

“A 22-year-old man faces several charges after police say an assault-style rifle he had possession of went off in the back seat of a car, killing the driver. Loved ones are mourning the loss of Annalysa McMillan, who was shot and killed five days after she turned 19. Police say McMillan was driving her car Tuesday afternoon in Marion, Indiana, when she was shot in the back. She later died from her injuries.”

Hopefully this year the government will underwrite research (it is in the works) on firearm violence. If approved, it would set aside $25 million for the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to fund research on safer gun ownership, violence and suicide prevention.

Regardless of how one feels about gun ownership we cannot continue to have so many gun deaths – the majority of which are committed by people who know each other. The constitution “may” guarantee gun ownership, but it doesn’t guarantee people killing each other with guns for no good reason. Some understanding of gun killings might help prevent so many senseless killings. They must stop.

∙Even though it is for the entire county, you might want to read the Draft Environmental Impact Report (general plan) available and submit any thoughts/concerns that you have about its recommendations that might impact our region. You can view it at https://vc2040.org.

∙ Per our cover article, the County of Ventura has selected Ashley Bautista as their new Public Information Officer following the retirement of Bill Nash. She will report to County Executive Officer Mike Powers. I’m happy for her, but sad at the same time. Ashley was great at keeping the media informed about news and events in Ventura – will miss her, but it’s wonderful that she has this new position.

∙ Hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and anything else that you might celebrate.

A different Happy Hanukkah came from astronaut Jessica Meir. The daughter of an Israeli doctor who moved to Sweden and later to the US, she joined the International Space Station crew in September. Two weeks later, she participated in the first all-female spacewalk.

∙ Reader Clyde questioned me calling some famous artists lefties. Even though some of the artists I mentioned (Michelangelo for instance) sometimes painted with their right hands, they were left-handed. In those days, some lefties did some things right-handed (maybe the nuns wacked their left hands with a ruler). One reason was the amount of time that it took for oil paint to dry which would be smeared when painting with just one hand. Us old lefties had this problem with ink pens.

By the way, if a person does some things right-handed and some left-handed that is not being ambidextrous. Ambidextrous means doing everything equally well with both hands and is very rare. A person who does some things with one hand and the other is called “mixed-handed” or “cross-dominant”.

A few more famous lefties: Vincent Van Gogh, Julius Caesar, Babe Ruth, Mozart, Oprah, Bonaparte, Bill Gates, Joan of Arc and Bart Simpson (maybe the most important one).

∙ Venturans for Responsible and Efficient Government (VREG) has excellent (and sometimes controversial) opinions regarding Ventura politics and city council. Always worth reading and deciding for yourself. www.vregventura.org click on “READ MORE”.

∙ Ventura County’s first permanent, year-round homeless shelter opening has been delayed and is scheduled now to open in late January instead of late December, as originally hoped. They had some construction and inspection delays.

Still only a 55-bed facility but at least some homeless will have a warm place to go to during winter (and other times). Too bad not open during this very cold and wet winter we are having so far.

Regarding the homeless, the Supreme Court has refused to consider whether state and local governments can make it a crime for homeless people to sleep outside. The justices won’t hear a case from Boise, Idaho which basically says homeless people can live on the street if they have nowhere else to live.

The question was whether the homeless can be prosecuted using laws designed to regulate public camping and sleeping. The court’s refusal to take up the issue is a setback to states and cities with a growing homeless population (about 40,000 in LA). Boise wanted a federal appeals court ruling overturned allowing them to prosecute people who sleep on streets when they claim shelter beds are unavailable.

This means that our police department must allow people to sleep on city property, so don’t blame them for this situation. Obviously, if they are committing crimes the same rules apply to them but being homeless and sleeping on the sidewalk are not crimes. We are, I hope, still a country of laws and this is now one of them.

∙ Regarding wind turbines, Trump had this to say. “I’m sure it makes sense to some but not to me. But they’re manufactured tremendous — if you’re into this — tremendous fumes. Gases are spewing into the atmosphere. You know we have a world, right? So the world is tiny compared to the universe. So tremendous, tremendous amount of fumes and everything. You talk about the carbon footprint — fumes are spewing into the air. Right? Spewing. Whether it’s in China, Germany, it’s going into the air. It’s our air, their air, everything — right?”

Can’t argue with that, or understand it.

The president also claimed in April that noise from turbines causes cancer, a claim that has no scientific research behind it. Republican Sen. Charles E. Grassley called Trump’s statement “idiotic.”

∙ It was a violent year in the United States. In total, there were 41 mass killings, which are defined as instances when four or more people are killed, excluding the perpetrator. More than 210 people were left dead in the mass killings, 33 of which were mass shootings, according to a database compiled by the Associated Press, USA Today, and Northeastern University.

The highest profile shootings usually involve a gunman opening fire in a crowded place, but that is not a reflection of mass killings as a whole. The majority of the killings involved people who knew each other.

For instance, a 66-year-old man living at an apartment complex in Westerly, Rhode Island shot two employees and another resident before apparently killing himself. Hardly the reason why he purchased a gun, I would assume. Babcock Village apartments is an affordable housing complex for elderly and disabled people in the beachside town.

∙At a meeting in December, the City Council agreed to extend CAPS’ contract for one month, until the end of January.  I thank the council members for the extensive discussion and decision that they had and for not closing CAPS’ doors on December 31.  But, obviously the future of CAPS is still in question. So please let your council members know of your support for CAPS and for any of your city concerns. They are there to represent you. A few members are still “at large” but eventually all members will represent specific districts.

Erik Nasarenko, Councilmember – District 4 – [email protected];

Cheryl Heitmann, Councilmember – at large – [email protected];

Matt LaVere, Mayor – at large – [email protected];

Christy Weir, Councilmember – at large – [email protected];

Sofia Rubalcava, Deputy Mayor – District 1 – [email protected];

Jim Friedman, Councilmember – District 5 – [email protected]

Lorrie Brown, Councilmember – District 6 – [email protected]

∙ Happy holidays and new year to our wonderful readers and advertisers.

∙In our last issue, I made what I thought was a tongue-in-cheek comment about doctor’s visits, which prompted this response from an “Anonymous Family Doctor.” I understand why he/she wants to remain anonymous and I do appreciate the fact that he/she took time out of their busy schedule to send this. I certainly understand how crazy a doctor’s day can be and that they don’t know if a patient will come in with a cold or pneumonia (or if patients run late).

Dear Editor,

As a family physician in Ventura seeing up to 23 patients per day, with 20 minute appointment slots per patient regardless of the reason for their appointment, I was a bit offended by your insensitive comment “I think doctors should arrive 15 minutes early for appointments so that patients don’t need to arrive 15 minutes early (as directed) and sit for an hour.” In the Vol. 13, No. 3 – Nov 6 – Nov 19, 2019 – Opinion/Editorial.

These 20-minute appointments include the time it takes the nurse to take vital signs, make sure the patient is up to date with all necessary vaccines, preventative health measures, write down the reason for the patient visit, and make any small talk. This may allow me 10 minutes to get a history, do a physical exam, perform any necessary procedures, counsel and educate patients on necessary or unnecessary labs, vaccines, or preventative tests they may or may not need.

I hate running late and always apologize to patients when I do. No matter how late I’m running, I never rush patients, give them my full attention and provide them the care they need and deserve. I went into medicine because I truly care about people.

Out of respect to the patient in front of me, all the other patients I have to see, and myself, I make a huge effort to stay on time. Patients are technically allowed 3 concerns per visit. Patients often have more concerns and need more than the allotted time, which can make time management difficult. It is also not uncommon for patients to show up late and the policy where I work is that no matter how late a patient arrives for their appointment, I still have to see them. In the past, doctors would not only NOT see patients who arrived late, but they would fine them. There is nothing more frustrating than the first scheduled patients in the morning or afternoon to show up late, which will throw off the morning or afternoon.

We are now in a patient-centered era, focused on customer service with direct access meaning patients can e-mail me at any time and expect to hear back within 24 hours. These e-mails are usually answered in the early morning, between patients, during lunch breaks, or in the evenings. With just over 2,000 patients, this makes for a lot of e-mails and long days.

This is just a glimpse into the life of a primary care doctor, which is why burnout is so common.

With the advances in the health care system, a solution albeit imperfect, may be to create access to a doctor’s schedule for patients see if the doctor is on time or running late with the understanding that all it takes is one patient to show up late or need a little extra TLC to delay the doctor’s schedule.

A tip for the editor and breeze readers is to schedule their doctor appointment first thing in the morning or right after lunch. Plus, studies have shown that doctors don’t perform as well later in the day, so it behooves the patient to make an earlier appointment. Also, always bring a book, magazine or smart device (or the Ventura Breeze, editor comment) so you have something to do while waiting.

I would like nothing more than to be on time for all of my patients, but with the current healthcare system, it’s a challenge.

Anonymous Family Doctor

∙People in Ventura have noticed a helicopter flying around the community lately. No, not looking for a crook, it is Edison conducting aerial inspections. They are also doing these with drones.

∙Sales of flavored vaping products have been banned in Ventura. Tobacco-flavored vaping products – which are used by some adults to break (supposedly) their cigarette use – were exempted. The city (and county) bans affect retail outlets, and Ventura has taken the additional step of banning online sales within city limits (which of course can’t really be controlled but it sounds nice). I am all for this.

∙The number of journalists imprisoned globally for their work in 2019 remained near record highs, as China tightened its iron grip on the press and Turkey, has stamped out virtually all independent reporting. Protests in the Middle East has led to a rise in the number of journalists locked up in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. This is why I never send a journalist further then Ojai. All jokes aside, this is a terrible trend.

∙The Ventura City Council unanimously passed an emergency eviction ordinance to halt “no-cause” evictions until Jan. 1, when a new statewide tenant protection law takes effect. There has been a rise in evictions ahead of the law, which will ban evictions without a “just cause” and caps annual rent increases.

City Attorney Gregory Diaz explained that the ordinance is not a criminal law. If a landlord violates the ordinance, the city attorney won’t file a criminal complaint and the city won’t file a civil complaint. The ordinance can be used as a defense for tenants who bring a landlord to court.

The council also approved a name for the new city/county year-round homeless shelter, which will be opening soon. The shelter is named The ARCH, which stands for “All Roads Connect to Housing.”

I think this name will be confused with The ARC of Ventura County, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

∙Regarding possible impeachment, what I find sad (regardless of one’s political affiliation) is that voting is completely along party lines. Not sure if this serves our country well. Lindsey Graham said it better than me; “I am trying to give a pretty clear signal I have made up my mind. I’m not trying to pretend to be a fair juror here,” Graham said, adding, “What I see coming, happening today is just partisan nonsense.”

∙ The Harbor is accepting proposals from business owners who want to lease part, or all, of the Village Carousel and Arcade space at the Harbor. That includes the arcade’s current owner who could move into a smaller space. Todd Mitchell, the harbor’s Business Operations Manager, said he would like to see some type of “family entertainment” remain.

By a 5-0 vote, the Ventura Port District Board of Commissioners has approved a “request for proposals” for the building that houses the business. The Ventura Harbor will move ahead with plans to remodel the building and split it into as many as four rental units.The District plans to spend more than $600,000 renovating the building.

I understand that there is opposition to this, but the Harbor must be run like a business and be as profitable as possible.

∙Marijuana retail shops will soon open in Oxnard, but the question their city council must answer is where? I know—– they could be opened in Ventura. Oh wait, not approved here. Too bad.

∙I hate to see businesses close that I grew up with. The Catalina Casino (Avalon Theater) will stop showing movies. Commissioned by William Wrigley Jr., Catalina Casino opened in 1929, marking the 10-year anniversary of Wrigley’s 1919 purchase of Catalina Island. Beginning in 1934, the casino hosted big bands which were broadcast by CBS continually until the war. At its peak, Kay Kyser and his band had over 6,200 people dancing to his music there. Many other big bands appeared there.

It was even the first theatre built for “Talkies”. No, I didn’t see talkies there.

∙The City of Ventura has been collecting more than it spends under Measure O, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2016. The half-cent sales tax brings in about $13 million per year, and in three years, it has collected about $11 million in unspent funds.

The city is in the early stages of drafting a five-year plan for Measure O spending. The City Council has approved “strategic principles” for that plan. Those principles will be focused on projects that were specifically mentioned in the text of Measure O.

Measure O was passed as a general sales tax, which means the city has broad discretion to spend it on almost anything. This was not what most of us thought when we voted for it.

“Everything qualifies” as potential Measure O spending, stated Ventura City Manager Alex McIntyre.

Part of the money is being spent on the city’s share (with the County) of the homeless shelter that’s set to open very soon. I believe this to be money very well spent.

There is a citizen’s oversight committee for Measure O, which makes recommendations to the City Council.

∙I thought that you should know about this finding. A pair of physicists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University in Russia recently proposed an entirely new view of the cosmos. Their research takes the strange idea that we’re living in a computer simulation and our entire universe is part of an immeasurably large quantum system spanning “uncountable” multiverses. I always thought that earth was part of a ball and earthquakes happened when aliens played catch with us. Maybe I’m wrong and they are correct.

∙Gangs in Mexico have repeatedly sawed through new sections of President Trump’s border wall in recent months by using commercially available power tools, opening gaps large enough for people and drug loads to pass through.

After years of touting the impenetrability of a border wall, President Donald Trump stated that, “We have a very powerful wall. But no matter how powerful, you can cut through anything, in all fairness. But we have a lot of people watching. You know cutting, cutting is one thing, but it’s easily fixed. One of the reasons we did it the way we did it, it’s very easily fixed.”

I get it. We built a real crummy wall so that it is easy to repair. BRILLIANT.

∙Here’s a look at the top 10 fattest states in the U.S. (actually the states aren’t fat, the people who live in them are):

Mississippi, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Delaware and Ohio.

∙A new report by 11,258 scientists in 153 countries from a broad range of disciplines warns that the planet “clearly and unequivocally faces a climate emergency,” and provides six broad policy goals that must be met to address it.

The study, called the “World scientists’ warning of a climate emergency,” marks the first time a large group of scientists has formally come out in favor of labeling climate change an “emergency,” which the study notes is caused by many human trends that are together increasing greenhouse gas emissions.

∙ Scientists claim they have traced the homeland for all modern humans to a region of northern Botswana, south of the Zambesi River. Funny you don’t look Botswanian.

∙Former GOP Sen. Jeff Flake has urged Republicans in Congress to not support President Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection bid, saying they have a moral obligation to put their principles first even if it means risking their careers.

Flake, a longtime Trump critic who has before argued that the Republican Party should not support the President in 2020, made his case in an op-ed published in The Washington Post titled “Fellow Republicans, there’s still time to save your souls.”

Also, Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Ill.) criticized President Trump for quoting a pastor saying impeachment could trigger a “Civil War like fracture” in the country.

“I have visited nations ravaged by civil war,” Kinzinger tweeted. “I have never imagined such a quote to be repeated by a President. This is beyond repugnant.”

Former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent told CNN’s Ana Cabrera that House Republicans are “absolutely disgusted and exhausted by the President’s behavior.”

∙ No, this is not a Woody Allan movie A Maine man was killed after being shot by a device he had installed on the front door to protect his home from intruders. He forgot to protect his home from himself. Van Buren Officer Chandler Madore and the Van Buren Ambulance Service arrived to provide medical assistance to Cyr and discovered that the front door of Cyr’s home had been “outfitted with a device designed to fire a handgun should anyone attempt to enter the door.”

∙In SmartAsset’s third annual study on America’s most livable mid-sized cities, San Buenaventura came in at number 22. The top five were all in Colorado. They assessed the affordability and livability of mid-sized cities in the U.S. “We looked at a variety of economic factors, such as income inequality, unemployment rate, home value and housing costs. Ventura cracks the top 25 in our study. Mid-sized cities can be great places to live, offering an urban feel without the congestion. With rising housing costs driving some residents out of big cities, smaller metropolises may provide a more affordable alternative.”

The full report on the study can be found at this URL if you want to read the report: https://smartasset.com/checking-account/most-livable-mid-sized-cities-2019.

∙Recently there were more than 65 quakes in Ventura, most of them likely too small to be felt by people other than those who were directly above the epicenters. According to experts, while this might be unnerving, earthquake swarms don’t necessarily signal that the “big one” is about to happen.

Lucy Jones, perhaps Southern California’s pre-eminent earthquake expert (TV star, and maybe future president) stated that Thursday’s quakes were “really, really normal. Most quakes don’t happen alone. Every quake has a few percentage chance of being followed by something bigger. That includes the M3.2 being followed by a M3.4. The chance of a M3 being followed by a M5 is less than 1 in 1000.”

∙Shareholders have approved New Media Investment Group and USA TODAY owner Gannett to join forces and create the largest U.S. media company by print circulation, and one that will also vie for the biggest online news audience nationwide.

In separate votes, shareholders of each company approved New Media’s $1.13 billion acquisition of Gannett. The combined company will be called Gannett and will own more than 260 daily publications, as well as hundreds of weeklies. I would think that they would have a few million laying around to buy the Breeze.

∙My heart goes out to the three teenagers killed in Santa Clarita. Yes, three because the shooter killed himself. His family and friends are just as devastated as those of the two that he killed. Luckily, he only had a simple pistol and not an automatic gun or there would have been many more deaths (who would have ever thought that anyone would ever say that was lucky).

The killer was on the track team, a Boy Scout, church goer, good student, had a girl friend. Not an evil bad kid. Our concerns should be why are young people killing?

Also, five members of a family, including three young boys, have died and another boy was hospitalized with injuries in an apparent murder-suicide in San Diego.

During a press conference, police said it appeared the couple was going through a divorce and a restraining order had previously been filed. I doubt if the family owned a gun for this purpose but, other than for the purpose of keeping the family safe from bad guys.

Ten people were shot, four fatally, in what police are calling a “mass casualty” shooting at a backyard football watch party in southeast Fresno, Fresno police said Sunday.

Three people were killed Monday in a shooting at a Walmart in Duncan, Oklahoma, police said.

I know that people kill people, but it sure is easier using guns.

∙The Sears at Pacific View mall in Ventura is among the latest closures announced by the company that owns the chain, an announcement that follows the decision to close the Camarillo Kmart.

I hate to see that happen. They were such a part of my (and other old folks) growing up. Reading the Sears catalog was a great pleasure.

∙The first time you picked up a ball-point pen (or finger paint) as a small child, you probably felt more comfortable and more natural drawing with one of your hands other than the other one. In my case the left hand.

Excluding the small number of truly ambidextrous people (those who can use their right and left hands with equal ease not somethings lefty and some righty) humans have a dominant hand.

About 85 to 90% are right-handed, and there’s no population on Earth where left-handers are in the majority (except at the Ventura Breeze).

There have been some downsides for us lefties. Until recently, we have had to use scissors, desks, knives and notebooks (still true) that were designed with righties in mind. Many lefties were forced, against their natural inclination, to write with their right hands (the devil is a lefty – maybe that is where this came from). We have been discriminated against and eyed with suspicion. “Right” in English also means “correct.” The etymology of the word “sinister” can be traced back to the Latin word for “left.”

A few famous lefties that you may have heard of are; Leonardo da Vinci, Napoleon Bonaparte, Barack Obama, Charlie Chaplin, Rembrandt, Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Fidel Castro, Bill Clinton, Breezy Gledhill, John F. Kennedy Jr., Albert Einstein, Alfred J. Lewis, Isaac Newton, Ludwig van Beethoven, Paul McCartney and Mark Twain.

∙Washington (CNN): A federal judge assailed President Donald Trump for his repeated attacks on various legal decisions and judges, stating the President’s bombastic criticism is feeding into a “destructive narrative.”

US District Court Judge Paul Friedman said Trump’s personal attacks on judges are helping “undermine faith in the rule of law itself.”

“This obviously is a trend we’re seeing throughout public life, but I would suggest, the stakes in attacking the judiciary have graver implications,” Friedman said in remarks as part of a lecture series at a federal courthouse in Washington. “And regrettably, the current President of the United States is feeding right into this destructive narrative.”

∙ On Oct.2, Ventura Port District’s Board of Port Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution No. 3379, a slip rate increase policy, which allows the marina master leases to govern the process for slip rate adjustments.

Ventura Port District General Manager Brian Pendleton said there will be no significant change that the policy just clarifies the procedures for slip rate increases.

Even though it was stated that “there will be no significant change,” the Board of Commissioners approved an average 5% increase for slip fees at Ventura Village Harbor Marina, which takes effect Jan.1, 2020.

The rate increase will apply to full-time, seasonal, weekly and daily rates, with the weekly rate going from $4 per foot to $4.30 per foot and daily rates increasing from $1.50 per foot to $1.65 per foot. Rates were last raised in 2015.

∙I think doctors should arrive 15 minutes early for appointments so that patients don’t need to arrive 15 minutes early (as directed) and sit for an hour.

∙ The reason I don’t get very excited when the US kills an Islamic State leader is that they have confirmed the death of its founder and leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and announced a successor (the same as the drug cartels do).

In an audio message released through its central media operation, the group announced that Baghdadi’s successor is Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi. He is basically unknown outside of ISIS and is hailed in the message as “emir of the believers” and “caliph” of the group’s alleged caliphate. In the announcement, both Baghdadi and former ISIS spokesman Abu al-Hassan al-Muhajir were praised as “martyrs.”

Killing their leader makes great headlines but doesn’t real accomplish anything. In fact, it makes their hatred of America even stronger.

∙AEG has announced that they will put the Amgen Tour of California race on hiatus for the 2020 racing season. “This has been a very difficult decision to make, but the business fundamentals of the Amgen Tour of California have changed since we launched the race 14 years ago,” said Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and executive vice president of AEG Sports.

The race has become California’s largest annual sporting event, contributing more than $3.5 billion to the state’s economy over the years. Each year since 2006, the cycling road race has showcased some of today’s best known and most decorated international cyclists, including numerous World, Olympic and National Champions.

I real loss for Ventura as we are a tour stop and the race is viewed by a large amount of viewers (racers spend the night here at State Beach on their way to Los Angeles).

∙Washington (CNN): “The White House is urging all federal agencies to cancel their subscriptions to the New York Times and the Washington Post.”

It follows President Donald Trump’s recent statement that the White House would “terminate” its existing subscriptions with the two newspapers, which have been the frequent target of the administration’s criticism through Trump’s candidacy and presidency.

“The New York Times, which is a fake newspaper — we don’t even want it in the White House anymore. We’re going to probably terminate that and the Washington Post,” Trump said on Fox News’ “Hannity”.

“They’re fake,” the President added. “You take a look at the New York Times and you take a look at the kind of reporting they do, it was all — it turned out to be all wrong.”

He also went on to say, “We’re building a wall on the border of New Mexico. And we’re building a wall in Colorado,” Trump said. Colorado, located directly north of New Mexico, is not on the US-Mexico border.

Later, Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis responded to Trump’s remarks on Twitter.

“Well this is awkward …Colorado doesn’t border Mexico,” Polis wrote. “Good thing Colorado now offers free full-day kindergarten so our kids can learn basic geography.”

Not reading the New York Times and the Washington Post is fine with me as, long as they keep reading the Ventura Breeze which never has fake news. And building a wall in Colorado is okay if it keeps the illegal New Mexicans from going into Colorado.

∙ Proposition 47 was a referendum passed five years ago that critics say effectively gives shoplifters the green light to commit crimes as long as the merchandise they steal is less than $950 in value. The decision to downgrade theft of property valued below the arbitrary figure of $950 from felony to misdemeanor has resulted in thieves knowing they can shoplift and only be charged with a misdemeanor and not go to jail. Police seldom even bother dealing with them.

The referendum was passed by a wide margin in 2014. The idea behind it was to reduce certain non-violent felonies to misdemeanors in order to free up resources to focus on violent offenders. Perhaps a good idea but setting the limit at $950 is much too high.

∙As measles cases keep rising, scientists have discovered another danger of the disease. The measles virus can wipe out the immune system, making people more susceptible to other illnesses.

The phenomenon is called “immune amnesia,” and a new study shows how it works. The measles virus appears to erase the body’s immune memory, destroying an average of 40 of the antibodies against other viruses and bacteria. This means people who get measles are more susceptible to other illnesses such as pneumonia and flu.

Measles can also lead to serious complications and even death. In 2017, measles killed 110,000 people around the world and infected 6.7 million. The measles virus is one of the most infectious diseases that exists.

Measles vaccine rates are dropping worldwide, with measles cases tripling between 2018 and 2019, mostly because of problems with vaccine access or vaccine refusal.

∙Congratulations to Pam Baumgardner for being elected to the Board of Directors at CAPS Media. You can read all about it in the CAPS article in this issue. Pam, of course, covers music in the Ventura Breeze with her Ventura Music Scene appearing on page 20.

∙California health officials have issued a warning that people stop vaping immediately, joining a growing list of health experts advising caution for e-cigarette use following recent reports of severe lung illnesses, and deaths attributed to their use.

∙I love funny information on packaging. The box on a frozen pizza that is heated at 400 degrees in the oven states “Caution Product Is Hot”. I always wondered if 400 degrees was hot.

And speaking of funny stuff a man faces life in prison after admitting in federal court that he tried to buy ricin for the purpose of poisoning his wife.

What is funny about this? He pleaded guilty to a violation of a federal prohibition on biological weapons. Apparently poisoning your wife is not a crime unless you violate federal law.

∙On the cover we have an article regarding our water situation. Soon water will cost so much that I will be taking baths in wine (you can bring the cheese and crackers).

∙Recently there was a fire off the freeway below Vista Del Mar. There were several fire engines on Vista Del Mar looking for small fires caused by flying ambers. They put out several so now I understand why they were there. Good job.

∙ I don’t normally put opinions in my article but feel that these are important enough to have here. They are two emails sent by readers.

To opinions:

In this week’s Breeze, 10/9/19, Shirley Lorraine wrote an excellent opinion for the Breeze regarding the lack of manners and foul language displayed in public by mostly young people.   You took the opportunity to politicize her comments with what you considered a snarky dig at our current president.  Do we not have enough anger and division in the country?  Please tell us, or at least think about; how is what you’re doing helping the country?  

Mabrie Kidd

Mabrie:

We certainly do have enough anger and division in this country, but it certainly isn’t my doing (I don’t think I’m that powerful). I don’t think criticizing the president of the United States (not a “young people”) for saying b_ _ _ s _ _ _ is a non-constructive attack on our president. Shouldn’t young people look at our president for guidance for what is right?

If this doesn’t bother American’s things are even worse then I thought they were. I think the country is always better served by the press speaking out, that is what a democracy is about.

Sheldon

Once again, I read your opinion article on 19/9. Interesting, but it seems like you cannot resist the need to end with a meaningless, derogatory. This does not serve you, the newspaper, or our community in any way. Report the news, give your opinion if you must in a constructive way.

Dave Cristofar.

Dave:

Once again, some readers don’t think that I have the right to express my feelings. The only thing that I can think of constructive is to get him out of office.

Okay, the good news I won’t comment about Trump in the future but I will use the words of others and Trump supporters can get mad at them. And, as always, I welcome emails explaining why Trump supporters do support him instead of emails just telling me to shut-up.

Starting with this.

“I’ve been dealing with my feelings about Trump’s unprecedented move to expose the Kurdish men, women, and children to ethnic cleaning, just to satisfy his promise to the Turkish and Syrian “strongmen” to gain their support in his next election.”

“Let’s be clear about some facts. The Kurd’s are among the bravest and reliable allies the US has ever had. They were instrumental in our efforts to keep heavy weapons out of the hands of Muslim extremists in Europe, and in defeating ISIS and the remnants of other extremists who will now regroup and attack US and Allied interests everywhere.”

“This decision ranks among the most egregious acts on the part of any U.S. president; ever. I am hearing from brothers in arms who work side by side with the Kurd’s in Kirkuk and Moselle. There were Kurdish men and women fighting alongside every US combat unit. That is why we entered into a compact with the Kurds to protect their homeland as strongly as we protect our own.”

“Trump and his party have shown that there is nothing they will not stoop to in order to curry favor with the sworn enemies of this country. That is the definition of cowardice and collusion.”

Tom Baines (he spent a career in military intelligence before becoming an attorney)

∙From a current police report.

“ On 10/3/19, Lopez again entered the store and stole a large amount of property and was able to flee before Loss Prevention could detain him.

A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Lopez has prior convictions for burglary, theft, identity theft, possession of narcotics and domestic violence. I thought “3 strikes” was supposed to prevent this type of behavior.

∙ “By labeling Democratic-voting Jews as disloyal, the White House is spreading a hateful lie and attacking a powerful and quintessentially American ideal. How shameful.”

Lev Golinkin

∙Ventura Mayor Matt LaVere has announced the winners of the 15th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards and invites the public to attend its reception on Friday, November 15, 2019, from 5:30-8:00 p.m., at the Museum of Ventura County. More about this in our next issue.

Congratulations to:

Artist in the Community – Larissa Strauss
Creative Entrepreneur – Stephanie Hogue
Arts Leader – Denise Sindelar
Arts Educator – Mario Boccali
Emerging Artist – Juan Manuel Cisneros

∙Wow, another year of publication of the Ventura Breeze. As we commence Vol.13, No.1, there are so many people to thank. Our advertisers, who keep us in business, and also are helping to support another local business. Plus, all the wonderful people that contribute to our community newspaper; our writers, photographers, distributors (you can see all their names to the left in our masthead). And especially our dedicated, very intelligent readers.

A special thanks to Account Executive Breezy Gledhill, who keeps the money coming in, and works so hard to keep our advertisers happy. To Alfred J. Lewis, at Studio Nothing, who makes the paper look so nice (both are lefties like me). And, also to Cindy Summers, who maintains our website (and other things).

When my daughter, Staci, and I launched the Ventura Breeze thirteen years ago we weren’t sure that it would last for even one year, so to all, again, a hearty thank you.

∙ Ventura has been voted No.1 on Zillow’s list of cities with the most pleasant weather in the country! Said Zillow, “Like a trip to the beach, we’re here for good weather, so without further ado, the number one pleasant weather city on Zillow’s list is … Ventura, California. The natural beauty on the Central Coast, just south of Santa Barbara, is casual, artsy, and outdoorsy, with first-rate beaches, surfing, and hiking. And with close proximity to farms, wineries, and the bountiful Pacific, there is no shortage of fresh, delicious food and drink to indulge in.

We knew it all along, right? Now a bunch of outsiders are going to move here. How dare them – no one should have moved here after I did.

∙ Our Building Official (head of the building and safety department) Yolanda Bundy has accepted a position with the City of Malibu as their Environmental Sustainability Director/ Chief Building Official. A very big loss for Ventura. She is very well respected in the industry and by her staff. She will be missed.

After getting us through the aftermath of the Thomas Fire, Community Development Director Jeff Lambert (her boss) left to go to Oxnard and now Yolanda. We seem to lose department heads at an alarming rate.

∙The city of Ventura is part of a coalition of 33 California counties and cities asking the Supreme Court to review a federal court ruling that cities cannot arrest or punish people for sleeping on public property unless adequate shelter space is available.

Boise v. Martin dealt specifically with the city of Boise, Idaho, it is now set a precedent and is binding on all federal trial courts in California and other western states.

Said the ruling by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers nine western states,

“Cities cannot criminalize indigent, homeless people for sleeping outdoors, on public property, on the false premise they had a choice in the matter.”

The decision means cities can no longer enforce their ordinances unless they can provide enough shelter space available for their homeless population. The Supreme Court is expected to decide whether to hear the case next year.

So, we can’t just blame our city council and police department for not taking immediate action.

Pursuant to this, Ventura’s first year-round homeless shelter is hoping to open in January in the county-owned building at 2323 Knoll Drive.

The Ventura Social Services Task Force is hosting workshops to give the community more input on the proposed shelter.

The 55-bed facility is a joint venture between the city and county, with the two splitting the estimated $1.2 million annual operating costs.

∙Some good news for veterans – the new 41,000-square-foot VA clinic is scheduled to open in 2021, at 5250 Ralston St., which was where the VC Star operated for many years. The building has been empty for a very long time.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, announced the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has agreed to lease the site. The property will be developed into an outpatient clinic. The VA will pay an annual lease of $3.1 million along with a lump sum payment of $9.7 million to develop the new space, according to Brownley’s office.

∙ On our cover is news about our five new police officers, of which three are women. Congratulations to all of them.

∙Finally, Ventura’s City Council has approved new rules on the delivery of recreational and medicinal marijuana within city limits. The ordinance, adopted by a 7-0 vote, followed a change in state law that mandated deliveries be allowed by state-licensed cannabis operators, so the Council had no choice.

The deliveries can be made from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with restrictions, under the new ordinance. Between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., marijuana can’t be delivered within 600 feet of a public or private K-12 school. The Council’s next step should be to allow dispensaries in Ventura.

∙I just found out that “no trump” in bridge is a really good hand, so I’m going to start playing the game (will it take more than a week to learn?).

Speaking about Trump, I finally figured him out. He wants to be impeached so he could star in a TV reality show called, “Impeach the President”.

On this show he would play a very inept President (he could fake it) who does stupid things, and an “expert” panel would decide if a President could be impeached for these actions.

How “Not to Run a Democracy101.” President Trump again suggested starting his own global news network to “put some really talented people and get a real voice out there. Not a voice that is fake.”

∙Wow, another fiscal year ending for the Ventura Breeze. Our next issue will be Vol.13 No. 1. Who would have thought that we would still be publishing after all this time in the age of digital news? A tribute to our wonderful readers and advertisers. More about this in our next issue.

∙Reader Zila Hawkins sent me the following request. “I have been hearing cats get taken almost every night by coyotes. I was hoping you would post a notice to make sure that people bring their beloved pets inside every evening and make sure that they are watched if they have to go out at night.”

Happy to do that, a good reminder even though it’s difficult keeping some cats inside. Our cat Savana is an indoor cat and seems to be okay with just looking out the window but some cats are just not happy inside and they’ll spend all day and night meowing and even scratching the door go out so they probably have to be let out and hope that the coyotes don’t get them.

∙First time ever that we have two art pages. Wonderful that Ventura has so many great artists and art events and venues.

∙ Scientists have finally identified the genetic differences associated with left-handedness, a trait found in 10% of the human population.

What’s more, those genetic variants result in differences in brain structure, which might mean that left-handed people have better verbal skills than the right-handed majority.

While previous research into twins has indicated that genes are at least partially responsible for controlling handedness, the new study, conducted by scientists from the University of Oxford and published in the journal Brain, is the first to identify which genetic variants separate the lefties from the righties.

The research could suggest a potential correlation between left-handedness and superior verbal skills, said Akira Wiberg, a Medical Research Council fellow at the University of Oxford who worked on the study.

I think that means that us lefties have a big mouth.

∙The Thousand Oaks City Council has voted unanimously to allow a second medical marijuana dispensary to open in T.O. It will be operated by Leaf Dispensary, if it secures the needed permits. In July, 2018 the council selected Thousand Oaks based Legendary Organics to open the first such dispensary located in an industrial park.

When, oh when, will our City Council get on board with this and leave the money here? We are losing many many dollars.

∙Sorry to say that Ralphs on Victoria has removed the multi newspaper rack so you can’t pick up the Breeze at that location but there are still over 500 places that you can. So enjoy

∙On the final day of California’s legislative session, the state’s newspaper industry won a temporary reprieve in a fight regarding payment for carriers.

The Assembly voted 62-4 to send AB170 to the governor’s desk. AB170 gives publishers a one-year extension to comply with a new landmark labor measure, AB5, that would reclassify many workers now considered independent contractors, including newspaper delivery people as employees.

Temporary work or temporary employment (also called odd jobs or gigs) refers to an employment situation where the working arrangement is limited to a certain period of time based on the needs of the employing organization. Temporary employees are sometimes called “contractual”, “seasonal”, “interim”, “casual staff”, “outsourcing”, “freelance”; or the word may be shortened to “temps”.

This new gig law is opposed by many who feel that its purpose is to get more employees to become dues paying union members. There are many independent contractors don’t feel exploited by their employers. The law is also so interpretive, and unclear that it could be years and end up in the courts for clarification before being implemented. Many small businesses are really going to struggle with this and could go out of business.

∙ “Wow! Yet another big storm heading to Puerto Rico. Will it ever end? Congress approved 92 Billion Dollars for Puerto Rico last year, an all-time record of its kind for “anywhere” stated Trump.

As he has frequently, Trump dramatically overstated how much money Congress has allocated for recovery because of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Congress had allocated $42.7 billion, with less than $14 billion reaching the island. This large figure cited by Trump is an estimate of potential storm-related liabilities over the next 20 years (but he is close for him).

∙It is about time that America’s gun debate is finally happening at the corporate level. Something needs to be done. The chief executives of 145 companies have sent a letter to the US Senate seeking expanded background checks and “red flag” laws which would let courts remove guns from people who might threaten themselves or others. Amazing how many guns that are purchased for security are used to kill a family member(s) or for suicide.