∙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.

∙I want to thank one of our wonderful readers for suggesting that we provide the Ventura Breeze at the 24 Hour Fitness located on Telegraph. We now have a rack there with the Breeze for your reading pleasure. Just don’t take it in the pool – it is not waterproof.

∙Do spiders like looking at themselves in mirrors? Why else would all rear-view mirrors contain spider webs?

∙ Recently, President Donald Trump criticized two Washington Post reporters, saying they “shouldn’t even be allowed” at the White House following a story critical of the administration’s record (shame on them, maybe they thought that we live in a democracy)?

“The Washington Post’s @PhilipRucker (Mr. Off the Record) & @AshleyRParker, two nasty lightweight–reporters, shouldn’t even be allowed on the grounds of the White House because their reporting is so disgusting & fake,” the President tweeted.

He was also upset about press coverage of the crowds at Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) campaign events, complaining that his rallies don’t get the same treatment.

“They do stories so big on Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren’s crowd sizes, adding many more people than are actually there, and yet my crowds, which are far bigger, get no coverage at all,” Trump tweeted,  using his derisive nickname for the Democratic presidential hopeful.

Thank goodness he doesn’t read the Ventura Breeze, otherwise our staff would not be allowed into the White House. Just to be safe, when we go there, we will be sure to wear Richard Nixon masks.

∙ We have decided to not include an article regarding the terrible boat tragedy. By now, everyone is well-aware of what occurred, and I don’t feel there is really anything we can add. Our very deepest symphony and love goes out to the families of those that perished and to the survivors who will need to deal with this for the rest of their lives.

The only thing to mention is that federal authorities have launched a criminal investigation into the tragedy.

∙ The Center for Disease Control (CDC) is investigating vaping as a possible cause of progressive and often severe respiratory distress, sometimes first diagnosed as pneumonia or bronchitis. Several vapors have recently died from complications stemming from vaping. Maybe we were better off when kids only smoked cigarettes.

∙The following editorial (in part) appeared in The Sacramento Bee:

“If you believe newspapers play an essential role in strengthening democracy and holding powerful leaders accountable, now is the time to speak up about Assembly Bill 5. The bill, as currently written, could force many California newspapers out of business.”

“It’s unlikely that Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, sought to create an existential threat to California’s free press when she authored AB 5. But in what seems like an unintended consequence of the bill, AB 5 would basically make daily delivery of the print version of the newspaper nearly impossible. Some papers have said they may turn to mail, meaning a day-late newspaper and increased subscription rates for consumers.”

“That’s because the bill would require newspapers to treat newspaper carriers as employees rather than independent contractors. This would disrupt and destabilize the newspaper industry at a time when accurate, credible news is most needed — and most threatened.”

“By requiring newspapers to extend employee benefits and protections to all newspaper carriers, AB 5 would make newspaper delivery economically impossible. The loss of print revenue from scrapping the print edition of the paper would then deal a severe blow to both the newspaper industry’s viability and mission.”

Although this bill wouldn’t affect the Breeze, it is extremely important today to keep all newspapers in circulation. This bill could force some publications to scrap their print editions and rely solely on online publishing.

It really doesn’t matter if the papers are conservative or liberal, it is a complete and total freedom of the press that is vital to helping make a democracy work.

∙ Just hours after a mass shooting took place in West Texas, a Texas Republican state representative said he opposes stricter gun laws and that people should instead be “praying for protection.”

Republican Matt Schaefer posted on Facebook that “so-called gun-control solutions” won’t “stop a person with evil intent,” and that people should instead pray for victims and those with “evil intent.”

Great idea, I’m sure that he is the very first person to come up with such a simple solution. The next time someone starts shooting at you just start praying (and running as fast as you can).

∙We would love to hear more success stories of Venturan’s recovering from the Thomas Fire. Please let us know if you have one to tell.

∙ This headline appeared in the VC Star: “Suspect arrested in Ventura stabbing death at ‘infamous’ building.” I find this editorializing that it was ‘infamous’ very disturbing as if it was the building’s fault. The article went on to say, “this dilapidated property”.

The 58-year-old woman died after being stabbed inside her west Ventura apartment and investigators have identified Ventura 54-year-old Doyle Alan Johnson as the suspect. Johnson and the victim were acquainted.

The article failed to tell us if Johnson drove an old beat–up Ford, so I don’t think that we have all the details needed to decide if he did it.

∙Hundreds of people were shocked recently when they went to pick up their mail from their PO Boxes at Coffee Dock & Post in the Harbor only to find it closed and gone. The business closed overnight, with no warning (or access to the boxes). The USPS was cooperative and delivered the mail to Coastal Postal for a few weeks. The mail is being held at the main post office until September 1. Go speak to Bill P. at the counter and he will give you two boxes full of mail to sift through. After September 1, all mail will be returned to the senders.

∙Rather ironic that Steve Bennett, Ventura County Supervisor, is suing the city of Ventura over its refusal to release records related to how the City responded to the fire and water shortage during the Thomas Fire. Steve started out his political career as a Ventura City Council member. He filed the lawsuit as a private citizen.

He is not the only one that has been frustrated with the lack of information released by the City about the fire, especially why water became unavailable. We haven’t had any luck obtaining information as well.

∙ Federal scientists announced that July 2019 was the Earth’s hottest month on record (I know it snowed in places). The global temperature for July was 62.13 degrees, which was 1.71 degrees higher than the average for the 20th century. It beat the previous record warm month, which was July 2016. Records date back to 1880.

July’s heat comes on the heels of what was the hottest June on record. Some might call this global warming, but not me of course.

Scientists are warning that a major heatwave in Greenland could lead to significant melted glacier ice this summer – 440 billion tons, to be exact. Maybe we shouldn’t buy Greenland yet until we see if there is still room to build the Trump Tower Hotel there.

Of course, living in Ventura we know that this is all nonsense. Global warming? Where is it? Marine layers have been blocking our sun. Experts tell us when it is hot inland, we get overcast skies.

The marine layer develops offshore, where low clouds develop when air sinks over the cold ocean water. A contrast in temperature (between hot inland air and cool ocean air tends to draw the marine layer on to land).

∙President Donald Trump has criticized Jewish Americans who vote for Democrats, saying, “It shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.” Oh great, now I am disloyal and have no knowledge. On top of this, like the Devil, I’m left-handed. Three-strikes and maybe I’m out.

Next, he might send me back to where I came from, Detroit (No, not Israel never been there). The remark led critics to argue the President was dabbling in the anti-Semitic nonsense of “dual loyalty,” which questions the loyalty of American Jewish citizens. Halie Soifer, executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, called the comments “yet another example of Donald Trump continuing to weaponize and politicize anti-Semitism.”

J Street, a liberal advocacy group focused on a resolution between Israel and the Palestinian territories, said, “It is dangerous and shameful for President Trump to attack the large majority of the American Jewish community as unintelligent and ‘disloyal.”

∙Less than two weeks before his scheduled trip to Denmark, Trump announced on Twitter that he has postponed his visit to Copenhagen after the Danish Prime Minister disputed his interest in buying Greenland as “absurd.” Former premier Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated, “It must be an April Fool’s Day joke.” No joke I’m afraid. I wish that it was.

Obviously, I’m back commenting on Trump. Can’t wait to receive emails from Trump supporters.

∙CVS pharmacy had a special sale – buy a specific brand of 12 rolls of paper towels at a discount. I looked and looked and only found one that was labeled 8=12. I took it to the counter and said, “I only count 8 rolls.” Was told that they were big so equaled 12 rolls. I handed the clerk a $20 bill and told him “This is really $40,” but he wouldn’t accept it.

•A team from New York University Langone School of Medicine may have explained why people who have suffered cardiac arrest and seemed to have crossed over and “come back” to life.

Study author Dr Sam Parnia stated, “They’ll describe watching doctors and nurses working and they’ll describe having awareness of full conversations, of visual things that were going on, that would otherwise not be known to them.”

He said these recollections were then verified by medical and nursing staff who reported their patients, who were technically dead, could remember details of what they were saying.

People often claim that this is evidence of an afterlife or the separation of the body and the soul.

But scientists have increasingly attributed these out of body experiences to physiological processes and it is believed they are as a result of unusual brain activity caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Death of brain cells can take hours even though patients are declared dead.

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will now consider public assistance, education, household income and health to determine whether to grant legal citizen status. Using this criterion many, many existing legal citizens would have their citizenships revoked.

∙ Okay, I have changed my mind for the last time (soft promise). The Breeze is non-political except for my comments and possibly the “Mailbox” letters. Perhaps when I speak about Trump I should put “Trump comments included” above my article, so Trump supporters don’t get upset. As always, if you disagree let us know at [email protected].

∙Per our cover story, long-time City Councilmember, Neal Andrews, has passed away. He very often was the only no vote on the City Council. I respected that but seldom agreed with him. He did follow his beliefs, however.

Also, on the cover is an article about current City Mayor, Matt LaVere, announcing his intent to run for County Supervisor (perhaps inspired by Steve Bennett who followed the same path).

He told me, “I love being Mayor – it truly has been one of the great honors of my life. And I still have a lot I want to do in the next 16 months as Mayor. But it is exhausting if you do it right, and so I’m ready for my next challenge.”

Great that he is willing to take this next step to continue his service to the community.

∙Congratulations to daughter Staci Brown, our local MADD Program Specialist, for her presentation at a recent City Council meeting to two Ventura police officers for their contributions to reducing DUI problems. She, and Mayor Matt, presented them with MADD pins.

∙ And more congratulations to Ventura Breeze staff member Mary Thompson for winning first place at the Fair for her Olivas Adobe booth.

∙ There have been more mass shooting deaths than days counted so far this year.

The Gun Violence Archive, a not for- profit organization, defines mass shootings as incidents in which four or more people were shot or killed. In 2019, more than 520 people have died in mass shootings and at least 2,000 have been injured, according to them.

I understand that people kill people and not guns, but when 10 people can be killed, and dozens injured in 30-seconds, it’s so much easier using a gun.

∙As of July 31, ownership of the VCReporter went to Times Media Group, a corporate media company based out of Arizona. Publisher David Comden has been removed. Lots of luck to David for the future. Maybe he wants to become an account executive for the Breeze.

∙Any women in Saudi Arabia over 21 can now obtain, renew and use a passport for travel. They no longer need permission from a man. New regulations also allow them to be a head of household and register births, deaths, marriages and divorces, and have custody over minors. I certainly hope that Saudi men can handle having complete control removed from them.

∙The California Transportation Commission has allocated $52.3 million for new paving for some lanes on a stretch of Highway 101 in, and near, Ventura. The project will improve 21.6 “lane miles” in our area. Work is expected to start late next summer so you don’t need to take short-cuts quite yet.

∙ The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered 44 vaping products, including items sold for hookahs and e-liquids, to be pulled from shelves in the United States. These products can’t be legally sold, according to the agency, because the companies behind them do not have the proper marketing authorization. The news arrives amid the FDA’s ongoing investigation of a possible link between vaping and seizures.

I love it when some vape users defiantly blow huge amounts of smoke in the air to show how cool they are.

∙An attorney says a Montana man charged with assaulting a 13-year-old boy who refused to remove his hat during the national anthem believed he was doing what President Donald Trump wanted him to do (I thought that the devil made him do it).

Speaking of Trump, he joked about his rally crowd sizes while visiting victims of the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, according to a video obtained by CBS affiliate KDBC. Speaking to medical professionals at a hospital where victims were being treated, Mr. Trump compared the crowd size at an El Paso rally in February to that of presidential candidate, Beto O’Rourke.

Mr. Trump praised the medical officials treating the victims, telling them, “They’re talking about you all over the world.” He then pivoted to boasting about the attendance at his February rally and mocking the relatively small size of the counter-rally held by O’Rourke.

“I was here three months ago,” Mr. Trump said. “That place was packed …that was some crowd. And we had twice the number outside. And then you had this crazy Beto. Beto had like 400 people in a parking lot, they said his crowd was wonderful.”

What can I say? This is so sad that it speaks for itself.

∙The federal government has continued to separate migrant children from their parents despite court orders that was meant to reduce this practice. Some families are being separated never to see each other again. And some kids are even dying. I know that some people will say “it’s the parent’s fault for being here illegally, so blame the parents.”

Even if this is true you can’t punish little kids because you think that their parents are stupid – lots of parents are stupid.

∙From the Associated Press: “Davon Jones doesn’t have to look far to see the irony in President Trump’s tweets saying that Baltimore is a rat and rodent infested mess. His apartment, owned by the President’s son-in-law, has been invaded by mice since he moved in a year ago.”

“Jared Kushner’s family real estate firm owns thousands of apartments and townhomes in the Baltimore area. Residents have complained about mold, bed bugs, leaks and plenty of mice and they say management appears in no hurry to fix the problems.”

∙The Ventura County Fair opened today. Some people living in Ventura forget that this is the “Ventura County’ Fair and how lucky we are that it is held right here in our backyard. So, take advantage of it being local. There is certainly something for everyone at the Fair.

∙ The Trade Desk, a Ventura-based global company, is returning to where it all started – picking up space again behind City Hall in the incubator area. The Trade Desk has agreed to pay for upgrades to the elevator, lobby, parking lot and other amenities. According to the five-year lease, The Trade Desk will pay $21,394.80 per month for the large vacant spaces.

They need to be commended for staying in Ventura and hiring even more Venturans. They have several other office locations in Ventura also. Because they’ve been so successful, they could have moved their HQ office pretty much wherever they wanted to at this point (closer to a major airports), so it’s great they’ve chosen to stay in Ventura. A very successful local story.

∙Eight teens were hospitalized in Wisconsin last month with seriously damaged lungs., the state Department of Health Services has reported. All eight patients, who live in Milwaukee, Waukesha and Winnebago counties, tested negative for infectious diseases and reported vaping in the weeks and months before their hospital admission.

Regarding vaping, to reduce access and combat marketing that targets youths, the Ventura City Council has directed staff to prepare an ordinance that would ban retailers from selling flavored tobacco products and vape juices.

The Council wants to consider the possibility of banning online sales to Ventura residences, prohibiting new tobacco retail licenses from opening within 1,000 feet of a school and ensuring existing tobacco retail licenses within those zones not be transferable.

Staff will also put together recommendations for establishing an annual retail licensing fee in an amount enough to provide the necessary funding to enforce this new ordinance.

Mayor Matt LaVere and councilmember Cheryl Heitmann introduced the policy consideration. It was approved by the full Council.

As you might know, I am concerned about vaping but never comfortable with local governments banning products that are legal (like marijuana).

∙ According to the National Weather Service, Anchorage, Alaska saw its highest temperature on record recently with residents celebrating July 4 with 90-degree temperatures. Several locations through southern Alaska saw their single hottest day on record. This, of course is not global warming.

∙In a series of leaked diplomatic cables, Britain’s ambassador to the United States described President Trump as “radiating insecurity” and his administration as diplomatically “clumsy and inept,” a withering assessment that threatened to damage bilateral relations at a delicate moment for Britain. I, of course, would never make such a statement.

∙Mad Magazine has stopped publishing new material after 67 years. It will only feature vintage Mad content and only be sold at comic bookstores or mailed to subscribers. Hate to see things that I grew up with go away. Maybe time to get rid of my slide rule and land line.

∙Talking about changing times, Berkeley has now re-named manholes as “maintenance” holes to be gender correct. More than two dozen terms will be changed with gender-neutral words.

Before some of you male readers go bonkers saying how stupid this is, you should think about being called a policewoman or firewoman if that is your job. This is how women feel when being called policemen or firemen.

∙Gannett (publisher of the VC Star) – and many other newspapers – is in talks to combine with Gatehouse Media in a deal that would merge the two largest newspaper firms in the U.S. (by circulation).

If the deal goes through, approximately one in every six newspapers in the U.S. would be owned by a single company. The entire newspaper industry has gone through major consolidation and closings because of the growth of large online companies and the competition for advertising dollars.

So, let’s support the Ventura Breeze, and other city papers throughout the country, so we can keep the local papers alive and well.

∙With the two recent large earthquakes, many folks ran outside presuming that is a safe place to be. Experts have always warned the public against leaving a building and going outdoors during a quake. The safest place to be is to remain inside protected from falling debris, dropping power lines and falling trees.

When inside, quickly find a place where things cannot fall on you. And make sure you don’t have heavy paintings or other items and decorations over your bed.

∙San Francisco has released data that reports that their homeless population has increased about 30% from 2017. This does include homeless people in jails, hospitals in residential treatment facilities who will be homeless once they are released.

When California, and other states, began closing the large mental hospitals and facilities (locally Cal State University in Camarillo) about 50 years ago, the plan was to give local communities funding to provide facilities for this population. When President Kennedy, in 1963 signed the Community Mental Health Act, the idea was to provide neighborhoods with housing and funding to provide care and housing.

People who should be in mental health care and obtaining support are in our jails and our streets because of their mental illnesses.

Ventura and the County have made some strides to solve this problem but there is much, much more to do. The next time you see a mentally ill homeless person you might consider the fact that they have no other place to go. And they are not capable of holding a real job or making correct life decisions.

Sheldon is on vacation enjoying beautiful Ventura. These are snippets from previous articles for your reading pleasure.

∙A teenager died when he was struck by a train in Ventura. The incident happened on the tracks near Hurst Avenue and Ocean Avenue, according to a Union Pacific official. The 17-year-old male from West Hills was struck by a southbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train. Authorities say that his death appears to be a suicide.

Immediately, some accused the City Council because Union Pacific had removed their fences that kept people from crossing over the tracks. These fences were owned by Union Pacific and were on their property. They removed them because of the opposition to the fences by some folks living in midtown who crossed over the tracks to get to the beach.

The City Council certainly gets some things wrong, but this wasn’t one of them. Can’t blame them for everything

∙The City Council has authorized the City Manager to execute a Funding and Services Agreement not to exceed $250,000 to the Museum of Ventura County. I agree with this decision. In addition to local visitors, the museum brings outsiders to Ventura.

It passed the council with one opposing vote, which came from Councilman Jim Friedman. When running for council Jim said he would only approve funding for “core” projects. I don’t agree with him but can respect that he is “sticking to his guns.” Is it still okay to use that phrase?

∙If you made $60 million (or more) playing basketball you could make comments like this one and still be a great role model for kids: “Once I saw that story, I just seen a kid turning into a man. This is my career and I’m taking this. I done had enough.”

∙ Now that we have city council districts (four have been elected by district for now – but all council members will eventually be based upon districts when currents terms are up) – I think that these four should have quarterly townhall meetings to hear what the concerns (and likes) are from their constituents.

They are: Sofia Rubalcava, Deputy Mayor – District 1; Lorrie Brown, Councilmember – District 6; Jim Friedman, Councilmember – District 5; Erik Nasarenko, Councilmember – District 4.

These are their emails if you want to contact them: 

[email protected];[email protected];[email protected]; [email protected].

If you don’t know what district you are in, go to https://map.cityofventura.net/java/ccvd/ for a district map and enter your address to find out what district you are in.

∙ H. Parker Hospitality has decided not to continue negotiations with the Ventura Port District for the purchase of two parcels in the Harbor at the end of Spinnaker Dr. Their plans were to build a high-end hotel/spa and hybrid hostel.

The stated reason is that the District was not able to provide ‘clean’ title for land. There are probably other reasons, but this was their stated one.

These are great parcels and will certainly be considered by other developers (oh no, the dreaded word) as soon as the title situation is resolved. About 30-years ago, the District filed for bankruptcy which, apparently has caused some concerns about the ownership of the parcels and clear title.

∙We are one of only nine cities in California to make Fortune Small Business magazine’s list of the 100 best places to live and launch a small business. We were No. 68.

∙It just got a little harder to open a store that sells firearms and ammunition in Ventura.

The City Council voted 7-0 to approve an ordinance that limits where in the city these businesses can be located.

Once the new rules become law, a firearms business won’t be allowed to open if it’s within 500’ of a “sensitive use,” a designation that includes schools, parks, religious institutions, day care facilities and residential zones. Such stores will need to be at least 200’ away from a similar business.

The new rules limits stores to three areas based upon the zone. Limited Industrial (M-1), General Industrial (M-2) and Manufacturing Planned Development (MPD).

Even though I don’t like guns much I’m not sure limiting where stores can be located serves any purpose at all.

•During the approximately eight years publishing the Breeze prior to Trump being elected president, I never have made political comments regarding Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals because it was always just Washington doing business as usual. But, I have some real problems with the Trump presidency and feel that I must comment.

Other than an occasional political cartoon or my column, the Breeze never takes a political view in our news coverage. We are not as liberal a paper as some think.

There are some readers who say they love the Ventura Breeze, but they won’t read it anymore because of my very limited words or the occasional editorial cartoon not supporting Trump.

I think that’s a ridiculous reason to stop reading the Breeze, especially if you otherwise like it. There are approximately 30,000 to 40,000 words in each issue of the Breeze, so my comments (most of which are just quoting others) are about.003% of the words in the paper.

And if you do disagree with me, you have an opportunity to be heard in the Breeze. In fact, I’m only one voice, so if several readers write in disagreeing, that is even a stronger voice than mine. So, let’s hear your comments at [email protected].

• Per the cover article in this issue, the Board of Education has hired Dr. Roger Rice as the new Superintendent of Ventura Unified School District (VUSD). He sounds very qualified, but so has the several others in the position that have recently come and gone. I certainly hope he stays around long enough to help the VUSD get even better.