by Shirley Lorraine

Usher the New Year with Laughs

In what has become a New Year’s Eve tradition, the Ventura Improv Company will be presenting a fun-filled, audience participation evening at the Rubicon Theatre. Designed to be family friendly, the event will begin with doors opening at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. performance, and end by 10:30 so families can get home and put the kids to bed, or festivities can continue at your leisure. Ringing in the new year will occur at 9 p.m., (midnight, EST). Imagine – you can toast the New Year twice!

This year’s extravaganza is dedicated to long-time improvisor and well-known actor/musician Gary Best, who passed away earlier this year. Best was a staple player and instructor at the Improv for many years. He was a songwriter and guitarist, often seen in Ventura area venues.
The Ventura Improv Company has been making people laugh and enhancing the talents of local performers since 1989. Under the guiding hands of Tom Mueller, Best and others, the company has gained recognition for ongoing excellence not only in Ventura, but on a widespread basis. These days, the award-winning company performs at NAMBA theater space, the second Friday of each month.

The evening will feature short scenes, theater games and music and an evening of spontaneous hilarity. If you have not experienced these improvised evenings yet, this New Year’s will be an enjoyable time to start.

The company also provides opportunities for learning through classes and introductions to expanding your mind and talents through improvisation techniques. These skills are useful not only on the stage, but in day-to-day situations. Quick thinking and engaging improvisation are true art forms. This company of players make it look so easy. You will be amazed at the performers’ abilities to make up scenes, sometimes even operas, on the fly. Even the musicians are improvising.

Hurry though – tickets are going fast – contact the Rubicon for availability. (805) 667-2900, www.rubicontheater.org.

May your new year be filled with love, laughter and theater.

by Carol Leish, MA

The Homeless Education Program of the Ventura County Office of Education, according to Cathi Nye, MA, the County Coordinator, “support all 20 school districts and 12 charter schools in Ventura County. This is accomplished through providing technical assistance, support, and managing the grants.”

“Over 6,800 students have been identified to receive assistance in the program. That number includes children living in double households (more than one family sharing a single-family home), which is over 80% of who we serve. 10% of students that we serve are living in cars and RV’s and motels or hotels, or in a shelter or transitional housing. We do offer resources to the local housing authority for families to get information needed to help their housing situations.”

Children and youth experiencing homelessness face unique challenges in accessing and succeeding in school. The McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program, which passed in 1987, and Title 1 Part A, provide students experiencing homelessness with protections and services to ensure that they can enroll in and attend school, complete their high school education, and continue to higher education.

The ’Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015’ (ESSA), strengthen and improves these programs and the education of over 1.3 million children and youth experiencing homelessness, from early childhood (HeadStart), through high school graduation. It makes sure that every student has access to a quality public education regardless of where they live, how they learn, or how much money their parents make.

Your child may be eligible for extra services at school. This would include: 1) Keeping your child in the last school he or she attended even if that school is in another district, since it is your decision to determine what is in your child’s best interest and, 2) Providing free school meals. Two other services would be: 1) Identifying transportation needs and working with the parent/guardian to ensure that those needs are met would be another extra service provided and 2) Providing school uniforms, supplies, and access to all school activities would be another service that your child may be eligible for.

“There is an annual event through United Way, ‘Stuff the Buss,’ which is a way to get needed backpacks and school supplies for the students in need,” according to Nye. “I also do a newsletter every other week. The one that I am currently working on focuses on how we can help brothers and sisters in the same home as the students already receiving services.”

“We just completed a coat drive. We are now looking for donated gift cards to give to students over the holidays, including kids in shelters. We will be grateful to receive gift cards up to $25 each, especially for fast food restaurants, Target, and Walmart. In the Springtime of 2024, we will be putting together hygiene kits for students. By giving, you are supporting an important cause to improve situations for these students, especially during the holiday season.”

For further information, please go to: https://www.vcoe.org/Special-Populations/Homeless-Education-Program. Contact Cathi Nye, MA, at either: [email protected] or by calling: 805-437-1559.

Thank you for caring enough to make a change for the better for these students.

by Cindy Summers

Police reports are provided to us by the Ventura Police Department and are not the opinions of the Ventura Breeze. All suspects mentioned are assumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Strong Arm Robbery

On October 18, at approximately 12:45 pm, the Ventura Police Communications Center received numerous 911 calls regarding a subject involved in a robbery in the 1100 block of Victoria Avenue. The suspect, Joshua Morales, forcefully removed the victim’s purse from her shoulder and pushed her to the ground. Morales was being followed by witnesses who heard him say he had a gun.

Officers located Morales as he jumped the fence into the condos at 1300 Saratoga Avenue. Morales was taken into custody and the stolen property was located nearby. The victim received minor injuries as a result of the fall, however no one else was injured.

Morales was booked into the Ventura County Jail for Robbery and providing a false name to officers. A search of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows Morales has prior arrests for providing a false name to officers, identity theft, petty theft, under the influence of a controlled substance, and theft of loss property.

Felony Vandalism and Resisting a Peace Officer Arrest

On October 20, at approximately 5:30 am, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received a 911 call about a male subject, later identified as Jessie Flores, actively vandalizing St. Bonaventure High School with spray paint. Officers arrived within minutes and located Flores “tagging” on the campus. Flores attempted to run from officers but was quickly taken into custody.

Flores tagged over twenty areas on the school campus and vehicles parked there, causing thousands of dollars in damage to the school and cars. Flores was arrested and booked for Felony Vandalism (over $400) and misdemeanor Resisting Arrest.

Felony Evading, Hit and Run, Reckless Driving, and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle

On October 24, the Ventura Police Department Communications Center received multiple calls regarding a motorhome driving recklessly throughout the west end and beach areas of Ventura. At approximately 7:30 am, a Ventura Police Motor Officer observed a large class C motorhome driving eastbound on the promenade near the south end of Sanjon Road. The motorhome was driving dangerously close to pedestrians on the promenade. The officer entered the promenade on his motorcycle and attempted to stop the motorhome due to the extreme danger the motorhome was presenting to pedestrians.

The motorhome failed to yield to the officer and continued on the promenade through State Beaches and onto San Pedro Street. The motorhome struck a City sign as it entered onto San Pedro Street from the promenade and then continued to evade the officer as it drove around the Pierpont area. The motorhome continued onto Harbor Boulevard, Seaward Avenue, Zephyr Court, and Montauk Lane. The motorhome collided with a parked vehicle on Montauk Lane and then proceeded back onto Seaward Avenue where it came to a stop. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 44-year-old Amie Maxwell, exited the motorhome and was placed under arrest.

It was later determined that the motorhome was stolen the previous evening from a residence on the west end of town. Maxwell was arrested and transported to the Ventura County Jail for felony evading arrest, hit and run, reckless driving, possession of a stolen vehicle, and a parole violation.

Nobody was injured during this event.

The uproarious musical “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” comes to Ventura College’s Performing Arts Department beginning October 19, jump-starting the Halloween season with a burst of merry mayhem.

Winner of four Tony Awards (including Best Musical), “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” is a British black comedy recounting the macabre life of Monty Navarro, a poor relation of one of England’s finest families (the D’Ysquiths), who are as snobbish as they are wealthy. When Monty learns he is eighth in line to the family fortune, his desperation to improve his circumstances – and impress a woman — sets him on a murderous path to eliminate those who stand between him and his inheritance.

The musical is based on a novel by Roy Horniman, and features music by Steven Lutvak, a book by Robert L. Freedman, and lyrics by Lutvak and Freedman. Despite its murderous nature, the show is surprisingly family friendly. The show’s high body count is matched by memorable tunes and hilariously witty lyrics. In its New York run the New York Times gushed “bloodlust hasn’t sung so sweetly, or provided so much theatrical fun, since Sweeney Todd first wielded his razor with gusto many a long year ago!”

One of Gentleman’s Guide’s conceits is that a single actor must play all eight doomed members of the D’Ysquith clan, singing, dancing, and bicycling through personas at a dizzying pace. At Ventura College, Jared Lantiegne (who dazzled audiences last year as Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical) will take on this chameleonic tour-de-force.

Isaiah Maldonado will play Montague “Monty” Navarro. Taylor Bernstein, who starred as the Governess in Ventura College Opera’s production of Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” will play Sibella Hallward, Lily Calhoun is Phoebe D’Ysquith, Isabella Catalano is Miss Shingle and Ivy Calhoun is Evangeline Barley. Costumes are by Anais Libunao and Sets/Lighting by Jamie Birkett.

The talented student cast will be accompanied by a live professional orchestra under conductor

Brent Wilson, who also staged the production. Wilson is the Performing Arts Department’s CoChair at Ventura College, resident guest director at Viterbo University, and director of choral studies at University of California, Santa Barbara. He served as Assistant Conductor and Chorus Master of Opera Santa Barbara for over twenty productions and conducted productions of The Consul and Don Pasquale. His production of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti for Viterbo University was awarded third prize (collegiate division) by The National Opera Association.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder” runs October 19-22, with evening performances at 7:30 PM in the Yunker Auditorium at Ventura College’s Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $15 for adults. VCPA is offering $5 tickets for seniors & students. The Ventura College Performing Arts Center is located at 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at https://ventura.vbotickets.com.

• Congratulations to the recently certified National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Certified Teams. These teams achieved FEMA certification between May and August of this year, allowing them to deploy with their task forces whenever they’re needed.

•According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), more than 3 million cats enter shelters each year in the United States. Along with shelter life, comes stress for many cats. However, enrichment activities can reduce stress.

“Dogs living in animal shelters are often taken out of their kennels for walks and play groups, while cats typically remain within the confines of their kennel for the duration of their time at the shelter,” Allie Andrukonis, postdoctoral research associate in the Montgomery County School of Animal Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and one of the researchers in the study, said.

“Despite the increasing popularity of strollers and backpacks for cats, no study has actually assessed the impact of taking a cat in a stroller or backpack on cat behavior. Our study will be the first to assess that as well as if training the cat ahead of time to hop into the stroller impacts the number of stress-related behaviors we see,” Feuerbacher said. Training the cats to be in strollers may increase their chances for adoption.

Julianna Scardina, a member of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Class of 2024, said a stroller is an excellent choice to balance enrichment and the safety of the animal and the environment.

“Some owners may not be comfortable taking their cats outside for a number of reasons like stray animals, parasites or they don’t want their cat roaming and hunting wildlife,” Scardina said. “And not all cats tolerate leash walking, so utilizing a stroller can allow pet and owner to get outdoors with less worry because it’s enclosed but easily portable.”

The study also found that human wellbeing was enriched by walking a cat in a stroller.

Confirming if strollers are the answer is not yet known, but the team is still analyzing data. The team hopes to continue their work by implementing a volunteer walk at the shelter for the cats to increase adoption rates and by studying whether walking a cat increases the human-animal bond.

We all know that cats are peculiar beings, and their happiness can set the tone for the entire household. To shine a light on the importance of feline happiness, September is recognized as National Happy Cat Month.

Cats come in a variety of personalities. Some can be high maintenance in their demands of love and attention, while others play hard to get and make their humans work for their affection. Oftentimes, cats are thought to be self-reliant, aloof and less in need of regular veterinary care than dogs.

Happy Cat Month is designed to counteract these stereotypes and ensure cats are well cared for, enriched, and receiving the preventive care they need. Whether the family feline is the friendly type or the “do not bother” variety, there are several things we can do to make sure they are living their best lives.

Regular Vet Visits

Monitor Litter Box Habits: Cats often like to express their feelings via their litter box behavior. If the family feline stops using the litter box, he is not necessarily staging a revolt.

Give Them Spaces: Spaces to climb, spaces to hide.

Scratching Posts Are A Must: Scratching is an important characteristic of cat behavior.

Add Enrichment Activities: Cats need their mental health taken care of in addition to the basics.

Give Them Safe Outdoor Access: Cats are curious about the world outside the window

Consider A Friend: Most cats enjoy the companionship of a feline friend.

Traci D. Howerton is the volunteer manager of Animal Rescue New Orleans, a nonprofit, volunteer-based, no-kill shelter..

• Scientific Reports,

Summer weather is here: time to enjoy the outdoors with our pets! Dr. Canaan Shores, a veterinarian with the urgent and convenient care service at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, offers advice to help keep your fun-filled summer safe.

Never, ever leave pet in car. Perhaps the most important warning Dr. Shores has for all pet owners is to never leave your pet alone in the car. “On a sunny 70° F day, the temperature in a car can rise to 100° F within 20 minutes and will only continue to rise,” he says.

As you and your pet start to enjoy the warmer weather, it may be a good idea to do it slowly. Dr. Shores says, “Some of those very warm, humid spring days can trigger heat stroke because dogs are not adjusted to it. Gradually expose your pet to heat and humidity in short bursts.”

Pet owners should learn the signs of heat stroke and how to prevent it.

“The early signs of heat stroke include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, abnormal gum color (pale or purple to blue), excessive salivation, and disorientation,” says Dr. Shores.

As the condition progresses, the signs may change. “The pet may develop bloody vomiting, diarrhea with blood, very small red spots on the skin or gums, bruising, seizures, and/or collapse,” he says.

The temperature of your pet will be very elevated. “Normal temperature in dogs and cats is <102.5° F; heat stroke occurs when the temperature is above 105.8° F.”

Dr. Shores wants pet owners to know pets may have clinical signs of heat stroke at lower body temperatures, so, if signs are noticed, the pet should be transported in a vehicle with air conditioning to the nearest emergency veterinarian.

If there is a delay in reaching the veterinarian, he advises, “Owners should move the pet to a cooler environment and run tepid (not cold) water over the pet and place them in front of a fan. Applying cold water, ice packs, wet towels, or alcohol to pets can be counterproductive and is never recommended.”

As soon as possible, get the pet medical attention.

Certain physical characteristics may predispose some dogs to overheating. Dr. Shores explains that dogs with brachycephalic syndrome—those with shortened snouts and flat faces such as English and French bulldogs, Boston terriers, Pekingese, and pugs—should be monitored very closely in the heat.

“Other breeds shown to be more susceptible include Labrador retrievers and golden retrievers. Pets with long hair, significant fat covering, or that are well-muscled can also be predisposed to heat stroke,” says Dr. Shores.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri. Jewish Year 5783 begins at sunset on Sept. 15. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, “head of the year” or “first of the year.” Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This name is somewhat deceptive, because there is little similarity between Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days of the year, and the American New Year.

There is, however, one important similarity between the Jewish New Year and the American one. Many Americans use the New Year as a time to plan a better life, making “resolutions.” Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time to begin introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.

The shofar is a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in temple, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded. There is a special prayer book called the machzor used for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur because of the extensive liturgical changes for these holidays.

The common greeting at this time is L’shanah tovah (“for a good year”). This is a shortening of “L’shanah tovah tikatev v’taihatem” which means “May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

On September 24, Yom Kippur also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Some Jewish people traditionally observe this holy day with an approximate 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.

Yom Kippur completes the annual period known in Judaism as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora’im (“Days of Awe”) that commences with Rosh Hashanah.