Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Professor Scamp

scampDandy’s weight was 570 pounds when it was seized, extremely underweight for a horse of his size.

•  A Simi Valley woman was sentenced in Ventura County Superior Court for the neglect and abuse of her horse. Two months prior she had been convicted of animal cruelty in connection with her lack of care for the horse.

Superior Court Judge Ryan Wright sentenced Ursula Wardzinski to 20 days in Ventura County Jail with no credits for her arrest on Oct. 6 and for a failure to appear for her prior sentencing date on Sept. 16. She also will have 36 months of probation and not be allowed to own animals for up to five years. In addition, Wardzinski will be required to pay restitution to the Humane Society of Ventura County. Wright also ordered the horse, named Dandy, relinquished to the care of the HSVC.

Twenty days? Hardly enough. Should have been 20 years.

•  The Board of the Conejo Rec & Park district is expected to approve turning three temporary off-leash dog areas in their parks to permanent status at their next meeting to be held on Nov. 5. The three parks are Walnut Grove, Estella and Kimber. The parks have been used for this purpose on a temporary use for six-months while noise and neighbors’ concerns where addressed.

Now maybe Ventura can consider adding a few more off-leash parks here. We have one that has fenced off-leash areas (one for big dogs and one for smaller dogs) and one park that designates an area at certain hours to be off-leash. I certainly think that we need more of these. Marina Park has several large grass areas one of which could be used for this purpose. Especially since there have been some problems there with people allowing there dogs to be off-leash and not cleaning up after them.

•  I like to ask questions from my veterinarian friends. I asked Dr. Jennifer Kelly, DVM at Ohana Pet Hospital (www.ohanapethospital.com) the following.

Q. My human is thinking of getting another dog to keep me company. How can I be sure we’ll get along (And they won’t eat all of my food)?

A. It always interesting how dogs will get along because all dogs have different personalities. You will probably be happier if they get you a pal of the opposite sex. It would be great if your human could bring you to visit your possible new friend at the shelter to see how you like each other before taking it home. Your humans should give you plenty of extra love and attention to make you feel secure when they bring home the new dog.

Q. My dog neighbor always has to walk in a circle before she lays down.  Is that weird?

A. This habit was actually passed down the family tree from her undomesticated ancestors.  They didn’t have a comfy doggy bed like you and your friend so they walked in small circles to create a bed in the tall grass.  It was also helpful to rid the area of any bugs or snakes hiding out (I always check around my bed first for snakes).

Q. I’m not crazy about getting shots. Do I need the Rabies vaccination every year?

A. I’m sure you got your first Rabies vaccine when you were 16 weeks old since that is required for all dogs by California State Law. That shot is good for only one year. However after that, you only need the Rabies vaccination every three years. Also, for all your cat friends there’s a feline-exclusive Rabies vaccine they should have every year ( I’ll be sure to pass this on the Savana).

•  From my friends at Paw’s Corner. Hopefully it will start cooling off, I’m tired of the heat and humidity.

Dear Paw’s Corner: Temperatures are really warming up now, and with it, I know, will come the annual onslaught of fleas on my dog, cat and all over my house. Is there any way I can get rid of fleas for good?

Flea infestations are incredibly annoying and tough to beat –even when you think fleas have been eradicated, they often come back. Winter temperatures often send these pests into dormancy or at least reduce their activity, but they return with a vengeance in spring and summer.

A pre-emptive attack could make a big difference in this summer’s flea wars. While you may not notice adult fleas on your pets just yet, flea eggs or larvae may be present on their fur or throughout the house.

Start by talking to the veterinarian about the best treatment for your pets. Many owners swear by one-month topical treatments that are applied to the back of a dog or cat’s neck, but others are leery due to potentially serious side effects. Consider alternatives if you’re not sure.

Next, treat your home for fleas — using a carpet and upholstery treatment designed for both adult fleas and their eggs. You’ll want to tackle not just the carpet and dusty corners of the house, but the furniture and any linens, such as curtains, that aren’t frequently cleaned. Keep pets out of rooms until the treatment you’re using has been vacuumed up or washed away.

Through the summer, brush your pets’ coats daily, checking for fleas. Vacuum and dust at least once per week.

Fire Department hosts National Fire Prevention Week

Fourth Graders taught fire safety at training grounds

On, October 13, and, October 14, as part of National Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 4-10), the Ventura City Fire Department and the Ventura Unified School District hosted two days of hands-on demonstrations, fire science and fire safety lessons for about 1,500 fourth-grade students, their parents and school staff at the Ventura City Fire Training Grounds. Fire safety is not just relevant for kids though. Even business owners could benefit from learning more about fire risk assessments. Fires are a deadly risk and if a business building doesn’t have the correct measures in place, deaths can happen. It is very saddening to learn that many don’t employ a fire guard at their commercial buildings. When it comes to learning about fire safety, it isn’t just homeowners who need to know this. Even if you own your own business, the idea of learning about the importance of Fire Door Installation, for example, could make your office a lot safer for yourself and the staff. Plus, it is always best to be safe than sorry.

Fire Chief David Endaya led the day’s activities. He spoke to the kids about fire prevention, what firefighters do in their daily jobs, and what it takes to become one.

youth fire daysThere were several demonstration areas at the facility, which is located at 765 S. Seaward Ave. at Alessandro Drive. One area included a simulated fire displaying how and why firefighters sometimes cut through the roofs of burning buildings.

This year’s National Fire Prevention Week focused on educating families about what causes home fires, how to prevent them, and what to do in an emergency situation. Fire prevention and safety was emphasized to the students so that they could take the information home to teach the whole family.

They were told that everyone in their families has a role to play in home’s fire safety. Both adults and kids should be familiar with smoke alarms and home fire escape planning. Ventura City Fire Department encourages you to visit www.firepreventionweek.org to find in-depth information and tools that will make your home, your work, or your classroom a safer place.

Fires spread amazingly fast due to modern construction materials and synthetic based home furnishings. Sometimes the difference between life and death can be minutes, or even seconds. A little preparedness and prevention can go a long way toward keeping you and your loved ones safe in the event of a fire.

More emergency preparedness information is available at cityofventura.net/fire or visit facebook.com/venturacityfire and youtube.com/VenturaCityFD.

Former Ventura Mayor shot by burglar

Gregory Carson became Mayor at only 33 years old.

A police report stated that on Oct. 9, at 7:50pm, in the 8200 block of Denver Street, Gregory Carson (57) had been shot in his home while interrupting a residential burglary. The shots Carson received non-life threatening gunshot wounds.

Shortly after the incident was reported, an alert Ventura Police Officer saw a vehicle that witnesses described as leaving the vicinity of the crime. The officer followed the vehicle south on Montgomery Ave. across North Bank Drive. The suspects abandoned the vehicle on Topaz Ave., and Alejandro Valdez, 26, an Oxnard resident, was immediately taken into custody. With the use of Ventura Police K-9’s and assistance from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Air Unit, Ventura Police Officers searched for the remaining 3 suspects, however, they were not located. The additional suspects were described as Hispanic males 20-30 years old.

Gregory Carson served on the Ventura City Council and as Mayor in 1991 when he was only 33 years old. He was appointed to the Ventura Port District Board of Port Commissioners on June 23, 2008 and has served on several other boards as well.

Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Police Reports

Brandishing a Firearm

On Sunday, October 18th, at 8:08 p.m., the VPD received a call from Jose Castillo, who reported a suspect brandished a firearm at him in the 600 block of Riverside Street.

The suspect, Javier Castro, had made threatening statements to Castillo while brandishing a firearm. Castillo feared for his life and called 911. Responding officers located Castro attempting to drive away.

Officers stopped the vehicle Castro was driving at Warner Street and Ventura Avenue and took him into custody. During the search of Castro’s vehicle, officers located a 9mm semi-automatic handgun, ammunition and a high capacity magazine. Castro had previously been convicted of multiple felonies and is prohibited from possessing a firearm and/or ammunition.

Evading Police

On Thursday, October 22nd, at 10:20 p.m., the VPD received multiple calls reporting gunfire on North Dunning Avenue. The callers reported seeing a silver vehicle occupied with multiple subjects fleeing the scene eastbound on Telegraph Road. As officers were responding to scene, they observed a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description driving at a high rate of speed near the Five-Points intersection.

Officers attempted to the stop vehicle but the vehicle failed to yield. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped on Howard Street, near Thompson Boulevard, and the suspect driver, Andrew Hurns, fled from the vehicle on foot. The other four occupants in the vehicle complied with officers’ instructions, and they were taken into custody safely. As for Hurns, he was eventually taken into custody after he was located hiding in a nearby neighborhood.

The subsequent investigation revealed Hurns had threatened the residents at a home on San Luis Street with a replica firearm. The victim, in fear for his safety, armed himself with a real firearm and fired several rounds at Hurns’ vehicle. The bullets struck the vehicle, but no individuals were struck by the gunfire.

The replica firearm and a small quantity of narcotics were recovered from the suspect vehicle. Hurns was booked at the VC Jail.

Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Mailbox

Dear Sheldon,

I am writing in response to your article in the Oct. 14 – 27 edition of the Ventura Breeze under “News & Notes” (p. 8), entitled ” Celebrating a successful summer for tourism in Ventura!”.

I love your publication; all I want to do is point out what I think is a math error.

The article states that, without the City of Ventura’s $4.7 million Transit Occupancy Tax, each Ventura resident would have to spend an additional $2,400 in annual taxes to maintain the same level of services.

If you are using 100,000 as the number of Ventura residents, then the amount in tax that each resident would have had to pay would be $47.

And to get to the $2,400 number cited, there would need to be just 1,958 Ventura residents.

But if you wanted to state the amount of money that each Ventura resident would have had to spend to generate that tax amount, it would be $671 – assuming the sales tax rate was 7%.

However I admit that I am not an expert at math, so would appreciate a clarification of what your article meant to say.

Sincerely,
Kathryn Heiberg-Browning

 

Kathryn:

These numbers were misleading. Your math is just fine. The $2,400 is based upon the $261 million taxable items not the 4.7 million in taxes as stated (“without the funds collected through this tax”) 4.7 million would be about $44 per person.

George Robertson

The day when thousands of visitors are on the beachfront for the 5K Color Run, vagrants, the mentally ill and lowlifes were out on the promenade and along the beachfront in abundance.  Bad for tourism.  Unsafe for our residents.  Ventura is simply not dealing with it.  I’m out there every day cycling.  It is pathetic that young mothers with babies in strollers, women joggers and the elderly like myself have to put up with this.

opinion scully

Dan Scully Sr.

This is difficult to deal with but there one is one aspect that can be handled easily… Overnight camping is illegal… All the Police Department has to do is patrol the lanes and correct the situation on the beach by removing these folks… I will never understand why this does not happen… Especially on Seaward where it is so Obvious.

Scamp:

In your last column Mindy Benezra  (regarding a photo fo puppies) had this to say. “The truth is, a litter of 8-9 Shih Tzu puppies are cute but not really and they are quite unnecessary as is every litter of puppies until we fix the problem of overpopulation of pets.”

“Once the shelters are clear of homeless dogs, we can make more Shih Tzu puppies and then they will be cute. The only solution is  to teach our kids, they are the key to fixing this problem: the next generation, the ones who have learned about the tragedy of our homeless pets, and who are responsible and compassionate enough to be part of the solution( Spay and neuter) not the problem (more puppies)…”

She calls herself CABODOGZ because she goes to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and brings back stray dogs that must go into shelters until they are adopted. Like she said we have lots of shelter dogs now so isn’t she just adding to problem by bringing stray dogs into Ventura?

Thanks  Larry Dote

Mr. Dote:

I don’t know where Mr. Dote got his information, but he seems to be misinformed on what Cabodogz is and what we do:

 First of all, I do not call myself Cabodogz.  Cabodogz is the non-profit rescue affiliate of our business Ventura Highway Luxury Boarding for Dogs. Secondly, we do not take stray dogs from Mexico. In 2010, we developed a relationship with the Los Cabos Humane Society, and began helping them place adoptable dogs, and yes…hence… the name Cabodogz…  Thirdly, Mr. Dote, no, we do not put the dogs we rescue into shelters.  We donate kennel space, food, veterinary and grooming care, etc. completely out of pocket.  We donate our time and energy to find them loving homes. We spend endless weekends at the Promenade and at Events with the dogs, pitching them in hopes of finding that special home. In early 2011, Cabodogz turned to our community and began rescuing dogs from local shelters such as SPARC and  Ventura County Animal Services.  We take in dogs that owners can no longer keep; we take in strays off the Avenue, we take in dogs that are dumped in front of our facility. In 5 years we have rescued and placed over 250 local dogs. Yes we still help our friends south of the border when we can. 

Cabodogz also promotes local adoption events and educates kids about the importance of spay and neuter.  We go to The Boys and Girls Club and do puppet shows for the little kids, we talk to the older kids, and let them tell us about their pets.  We give them literature to give their parents. We give and give and give because we love dogs.

This is what Cabodogz is Mr. Dote.  If you would like to see all the gorgeous faces we have adopted out, go to Cabodogz.com

Sincerely,
Mindy Benezra

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of the dream.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

Turning Point Foundation’s Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race at Ventura Harbor

Turning Point Foundation’s  Annual Kinetic Sculpture Race was held on October 17 in, and around the Ventura Harbor. The Race featured people-powered works of art built to travel in mud, water, sand and pavement. The vehicles were launched into the water at the boat ramp on Spinnaker. This year the mud pit was located by the launching pad and used salt water instead of fresh water as it did when it was located in the Harbor.

stuff kinetic insetThe race is meant to bring attention to the non-profit Turning Point Foundation that provides many services for the mentally ill.

For information on how you can get involved and make your own vehicle for next year visit www.kineticrace.com. For information on the Turning Point Foundation go to www.turningpointfoundation.org.

Vol. 9, No. 2 – October 28 – November 10, 2015 – Forever Homes Wanted

scamp to adopt VCASThis gorgeous girl is Summer, a 13 year old spayed brown tabby. Summer came in as a stray but it’s obvious she was someone’s cherished pet. Summer is healthy and friendly and gets along with other cats, too. She can be a bit aloof, but that’s only until she gets to know you. Give her a little gentle attention and her friendly demeanor with come out. She would love nothing better than to spend her days at your side while you read or watch TV., or waiting patiently for you to come home from work so she can listen to you talk about your day. Summer is waiting to meet you at VCAS! Animal ID: A622936

 

scamp to adopt CARLHi: I’m Nevada an active 4 year old Shepherd mix who is in need of a new home. I’m affectionate and obedient and love to play. I’m loving and gentle with small dogs, children and adults and I get along with most other dogs too, but not alpha dogs. Although active, I also enjoy hanging out on the couch with my people and hopefully you’ll let me do the same in your home too. I’m house and crate trained and I’ll even let you know if I have to go out. If I sound like the addition to your family that you’ve been looking for, stop by and meet me!  CARL

My Fair Lady coming to Ventura

The director and designers behind Rubicon Theatre Company’s acclaimed environmental productions of Fiddler on the Roof and Man of La Mancha have reunited on an intimate, two-piano chamber version of the legendary Lerner and Loewe classic My Fair Lady. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, the musical tells the story of Professor Henry Higgins, an arrogant and attractive phonetician who makes a wager that he can transform a “deliciously low” Cockney flower-seller (Eliza Doolittle) into an elegant lady by teaching her to speak more beautifully. The magnificent score includes “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face.” For Rubicon’s production, Director James O’Neil returns to the source material to explore the Shavian themes of class struggle, social reform and women’s rights.

The 17-member cast features Ovation and Indy Award-winner Joseph Fuqua as Henry Higgins, newcomer Kimberly Hessler as Eliza Doolittle, Rubicon veteran Rudolph Willrich as Colonel Pickering, Patrick DeSantis  as Alfred P. Doolittle, and Will Sevedge as Freddy Eynsford-Hill.
Sunday, Sunday, November 15.
Regular performance times and prices:
Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ($54) and 7 p.m. ($59) (Talkbacks following Wednesday evening shows except during previews)
Thursdays at 8 p.m. ($64)
Fridays at 8 p.m. ($54)
Saturdays at 2 p.m. ($64) and 8 p.m. ($64)
Sundays at 2 p.m. ($64)

Museum of Ventura County hosts a free community celebration Nov. 1st

On Sunday, November 1, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a free community celebration of music, dance, and crafts from 11am – 3pm for the whole family. Visitors can also see the artist-created altars, called ofrendas, on display throughout the museum, and have their faces painted calaveras–style for a small fee.  This annual celebration has become very popular at the Museum , highlighting the local traditions of Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos.

Entertainment includes performances by Ballet Folklórico Mestizo of Oxnard College, Ballet Folklórico de Bell Arts, and Danza Azteca Tonzatin as well as DATA (DeAnza Academy of Technology and the Arts) Mariachi.