Ventura County Reporter |December 20, 2018 by venturacountyreporter

OXNARD SCHOOL DISTRICT, OXNARD REPUTATION IN FOCUS • SANTA PAULA ODD FELLOWS TRAIN DISPLAY • MANDALA EXPRESS

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CONTENTS 4 6

DEPARTMENTS

COVER

Winning: 2018 brings an array of perspectives for our annual photo contest

Volume 42, Issue 51

OPINION

Editor’s Note: The enlightened Mr. Scrooge Sharper Focus: Pop Quiz No. 5 by Raymond Freeman Letters

Advice Goddess___________________ 28 After Dark _______________________ 16 Free Will Astrology ________________ 28

NEWS

Challenging stereotypes: Oxnard author fights negative reputations in book about Oxnard by Chris O’Neal At-will no longer: Oxnard School District aides now regular staff after board votes by David Michael Courtland Reality Check: Making the call for suicidal thoughts, depression by Dita De Soto In Brief by Chris O’Neal Kindness Corner

Legal Advertising _________________ 29 Happenings ______________________ 26 Surf Report ______________________ 25

Cover: Recently hiked Pipiwai Trail in South Maui and came across a giant bamboo forest. Wanting to get a different perspective I gently laid my camera down facing up and set my camera to a 10 second timer while I attempted to climb the bamboo.

11 ART + CULTURE

Christmas Express: The Santa Paula Odd Fellows train display brings joy to the holiday season by Alicia Doyle On the Bookshelf: Ladies and Gentleman . . . The Penguins! by Ivor Davis by Alicia Doyle

12 MUSIC

Bass instincts: A conversation with Grammy-winning multi-genre bass player Thundercat by Bill Forman for Last Word Features Night Moves: Blue Christmas

PHOTO BY T SHERRI FARLAND

vcreporter.com

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23 FILM + MEDIA

Ralph Breaks the Internet: Ralph goes viral by Tim Pompey

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OPINION Editor’s Note

The enlightened Mr. Scrooge T he coming of the holidays and what they bring each year is as predictable as sunrise and sunset. For Christmas it’s easy: Buy a tree and trim it right, hang the sparkly lights and make sure to get the glittery wintery scenery cards in the mail on time. On each card properly note which ones get “Love, St. Nick” and which will read “Happy Holidays” versus “Merry Christmas” — lest someone is offended on Dec. 25. It’s a strange thing to be under the spell of obligation and sincerity, to give to those we love some pots and pans and maybe some gloves and nice lotion for hands, etc. The special ones might get some homemade art, but the ones who don’t appreciate it are missing the whole point of “from the bottom of my heart.” Others will nosh on the proverbial bones they got — a gift from others or for the self — because if you don’t participate in some consumer way, the spirit of Christmas, a time to give and receive, may just die off and it appears very few want that. Starting right after the Thanksgiving turkey is wrapped up and put in storage containers, Christmas movies pop up on all the network channels, from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation to some rendition of old Ebenezer Scrooge. Earlier this week, Disney’s computer animated A Christmas Carol came on. Near the end of the movie, Scrooge is seen fre- falling down a cavern to hell where his coffin appears and he shouts out in a panic to the foreboding Death: May I have a second chance to sponge away the writing on that stone? Death does not answer and Scrooge falls quickly to his grave and for some viewers, there is a hard thud in the heart. What would my grave marker say? What did I do that was so wrong? Why is this happening? Well, that thud hits particularly hard if you are an Ebenezer Scrooge. For others, it’s obvious we are treating each other poorly and we just don’t know how to stop. But the truth is, we can elevate each other up no matter the position or title, parent or child, teacher or student, throughout the whole year. As an old man, Scrooge was certain he had it made, the so-called good life with money stashed away — but at what cost? It wasn’t until Death knocked on his door

Letters

MERRY CHRISTMAS What does Christmas mean to you? Does it mean the bigger and most expensive gifts the better? Or does it mean only on Dec. 25 we

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— December 20, 2018

that he saw the bigger picture, that whatever was on his grave stone, however he was to be remembered, truly pained him. A few scenes forward after this great revelation, there Ebenezer goes! So excited his life has begun again! And he’s going for it with glee even though it’s just a little bit at a time. He’s not dumping everything he has out of guilt or fear. He gives the first kid he sees a shiny coin — a good way to start his new life and a new year. That is the Christmas miracle. Being generous from the heart — as much as is comfortable, plus enjoying the beautiful music, the fun decorations and good cheer. Why can’t it last all year? The heart feels so alive and warm! And then something happens. The New Year comes quickly as well as those obligations for change so that this time next year it will be better somehow. And that potential of betterment feels as if it’s a Lotto ticket — when will I win? In reality, we set ourselves up with a heavy obligation right at the beginning of the year and then many of us fall down the barrel of futility and redundancy. But thank goodness for the holidays, because without them, we would just be on an endless treadmill to work and consume and hopefully things will be better this time next year. And so it goes, this Christmas time. But there is hope that the Ebenezer Scrooges will see themselves for who they are and how they appear to the world and aim for change for goodness all year. No matter the pain, the hurt, the injustice or fear we experience, choose generosity, happiness and positive connections — to know this and act on it, that’s a true gift. Just remember, keep your chin up! To all this Dec. 25, have a wonderful . . . well, have some wonderful time off. For those who have to work, we thank you for your service to those who don’t. For the coming of the New Year, let’s think about what are reasonable achievable expectations. Perhaps 2019 is to be more like the enlightened Scrooge. For those who have something in mind, send us your New Year’s resolutions and for those who want to share with our readers, we will reserve some room in the last issue of the year. So put some thought into it and if you care to share, email editor@ vcreporter.com.

give someone a present of gratitude or obligation? Or does it mean we only acknowledge the Christ-child born perfect without sinful blemish like “us” human beings one day out of a whole year? Or does it mean the most degrading of all things that “big jolly fat man” that delivers presents through the chimneys

“only” for those that are “good”? What does Christmas mean to me? Christmas means giving of yourself on a daily basis, whether it be a beautiful, genuine smile or handshake. Giving time of day speaking to a “broken heart.” Reaching out to the lost and lonely (everyday). You see, God – Jesus Christ just didn’t die for the good and rich. He died for all of us — black, white, Chinese, Mexican, Indian, and the whole entire “universe,” even all the animals. He’s a God of love — unconditional love! No matter what you say or do to hurt or even kill others, he will always love you. He’s awesome and an almighty God and He should be acknowledged “everyday” through especially your money-making jobs. Seek Jesus through prayer. He loves you so much. Let us forsake the jolly ol’ fat man who only looks at the good and put him bowing before the throne of Jesus Christ. After all, good ol’ Saint Nick never wanted to be worshiped. He was just a giving person that also had sin like you and I. After all, if he was as fat as he appears to be, he had a gluttonous problem. It’s obvious he’s not perfect! Jesus is, and that is why the whole world separates Jesus and Santa as two different holidays (except spiritually poor America.) Poor America! We are such a lost country. I know from being in Switzerland (personally), that Dec. 5 ( I believe) they give gifts of appreciation to family members, friends, etc., and on Dec. 25 they go out and do some “hearty” Christmas caroling in the streets, celebrating with hot cocoa, popcorn, sweets, and even a champagne toast to our God of creation for being so “cool” to us. Let us find the true meaning of Christmas this year and bow down before the child-Christ manger and give Him all the credit for us being here! God Bless you with a big smile and Merry Christmas!!!

MANAGING EDITOR Michael Sullivan ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Nancy D. Lackey Shaffer STAFF WRITER Chris O’Neal CONTRIBUTORS Michael Cervin, David Cotner, David Michael Courtland, Ivor Davis, Emily Dodi, Alicia Doyle, Dane Edmondson, Raymond Freeman, Daniel Gelman, Chuck Graham, Steve Greenberg, Jason R. Hill, Chris Jay, Daphne Khalida Kilea, Carl Kozlowski, Karen Lindell, Kelly McCartney, Jim Medina, Paul Moomjean, Mike Nelson, Tim Pompey, Dave Randall, Kimberly Rivers, Emily Savage, Kathy Jean Schultz, Alan Sculley, Linda G. Silvestri, Kit Stolz, Mark Storer, Sabriga Turgon, Charles Ward, Alex Wilson, Leslie A. Westbrook, Kateri Wozny ART DIRECTOR • PRODUCTION MANAGER T Christian Gapen GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Bret Hooper, Victoria Linares SALES TEAM LEADER Warren Barrett ADVERTISING SALES Jon Cabreros, Caitlynn Hoehn, Barbara Kroon, Kelly Spargur, Dave Stephens RECEPTION/LEGALS Tori Behar ACCOUNTING Yiyang Wang BUSINESS MANAGER Linda Lam HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGER Andrea Baker PUBLISHER David Comden

For advertising information, call 805.648.2244 For classifieds, ext. 200 For display, ext. 207 EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICE 700 E. Main Street • Ventura, CA 93001 Fax 805.648.2245 The Ventura County Reporter is distributed every Thursday in Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills. The Reporter is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. The Reporter may be distributed only by Reporter authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of the Reporter, take more than one copy of each Reporter issue. The Reporter is copyright ©2018 by Southland Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means without permission in writing by the publisher. An adjudicated Newspaper of General Circulation (SP50329). Submissions of all kinds are welcomed. However, the publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. A stamped, self-addressed envelope must accompany all submissions expected to be returned. Subscriptions are $99/yr.

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VP OF OPERATIONS David Comden PRESIDENT Bruce Bolkin

The Critical Line

by Steve Greenberg

VCREPORTER.COM

Sharper Focus

Pop Quiz No. 5 by Raymond Freeman

however, be arrested for felony campaignfinance violations involving hush money As usual, jot down your ideas as you go. for sex, paid in cahoots with “fixer” Michael The answers are below. Cohen who “flipped” and implicated him in federal court. 1. Why does President Trump lie so much? 2. According to the Washington Post, Trump 2. How many times has Trump lied since has told over 6,420 lies. taking office? False. The European Union sets 3. 3. Trump right that “the Germans are bad, Germany’s tariffs. very bad, on trade”? 4. The Economist considered Trump is worse 4. Was The Economist impressed when interthan King Henry VIII with his “displays of viewing Trump in May 2018? dominance.” He is incoherent: “Trumpo5. Per The Economist, what are America’s nomics offers no lasting remedy for Ameri“economic ills”? ca’s economic ills.” 6. Are there any other expert manipulators America’s principal economic ills are low 5. besides Trump? wages, low taxes on the wealthy, stagger7. What is “shareholder value”? ing inequality, crumbling infrastructure 8. Which captain of industry called it “the and soaring national debt. These are fixable dumbest idea in the world”? by reverting to the progressive taxes and 9. What is a “right-to-work” state? other policies of President Eisenhower’s 10. Will increasing minimum wage administration. create unemployment? 6. For one horrendous week I listened to Rush 11. Which advanced country has the worst Limbaugh. He deflected all factual questions class system? toward unabashed ideology. The callers fell 12. How did this happen? Client: for the trick. He and his ilk are experts at 13. Is thereJohnson a remedy? Family Dental making things “stand to reason,” meaning Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have far-right-wing mythology . 1st proof, check Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the ANSWERS: 7. “Shareholder value” mandates 1. Trump gotPLEASE rich by lying and THIS cheating. Point- TO NOTICE: FAX PROOF (805) 648-2245 ASAP that corporations be run solely for the benefit of their ing out his lies therefore has no effect. He shareholders. lies to display his power. He could eventually,

8. Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, their agenda, giving us the ludicrous idea told the Financial Times that shareholder that money is “free speech,” to tilt elections value is the “dumbest idea in the world.” He toward the wealthy and to attack labor championed it for 30 years, but came to realunions. The GOP then stirred in Reaganize (like Henry Ford) that low wages result omics, gerrymandering, voter suppression, in low sales and hence low profits. Morethe absurd Electoral College, the undemoover, Germany’s outstanding economic succratic Senate, and cooked on Low for 40 cess comes from its rejection of shareholder years. The result is “oligarchy” (President value. By law, labor unions sit on the boards Carter) where the average worker gets only of large companies. the crumbs left over from the banquet. Yes. Take control the White House and 9. In right-to-work states, workers need not pay 13. union dues even if they receive union benCongress by electing more progressives. efits. Hence, union membership declines and Appoint four more justices to the Supreme wages decline, giving right-to-work states Court, creating a liberal majority 8-5 on a America’s highest poverty rates. bench of 13 (allowed by the Constitution). 10. In a letter to President Obama, 600 econoThen pass court-proof laws to level the mists stated “a minimum-wage increase playing field again. Republicans are tercould have a small stimulative effect on rified this will happen, so they steal electhe economy.” Workers spend their extra tions with dirty tricks, knowing the current money, so businesses employ extra staff, Supreme Court allows them to. to serve the extra demand, created by the This is my last Sharper Focus. My goal extra spending. In his book Dream Hoarders Richard 11. as stated in February 2013 was “to penetrate Reeves states “the US is more calcified by the obscurity surrounding economic, financlass than Britain.” America effectively has cial and political matters.” It was a pleasure a caste system like India. “Conservatives” doing so. I still offer my free presentations on gradually destroyed the prosperous middle economics, aimed at ordinary people in coffee class created by FDR. bars, appropriately called “Coffee Bar Eco12. Republicans pulled it off with help from the nomics.” Contact me at freemanry@aol.com if AD PROOF secretive Federalist Society. They appointed you would like me to speak. extremists to the Supreme Court. ConserFinally, I suggest you follow Prof. Robert Ad Executive: Kelly Spargur (805) 648-2244 vative majorities of 5-4 then struck down Reich, President Clinton’s first Secretary of a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd laws not to their liking (e.g., the 1965 Vot- Labor. He explains economic matters superbly . off “FINAL PROOF box,became date andEconomics sign at the ing Rights Act,(APPROVED)” which magically is bottom not, as I often hear, “just theory.” “unconstitutional” in 2013). And they wea- It follows the money andISSUE: explains12/6/18 the world ponized the First Amendment to justify around you. Goodbye and good luck for 2019. ♦

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news

Challenging stereotypes

In Brief

Oxnard author fights negative reputations in book about Oxnard

COUNTY ENDS YEAR ON FISCAL HIGH NOTE

by Chris O’Neal chris@vcreporter.com

or author and scholar activist Martín Alberto Gonzalez, the joke just isn’t funny anymore. In his book, 21 Miles of Scenic Beauty … and then Oxnard: Counterstories and Testimonies, Gonzalez pushes back against the stereotype that beauty ends at the county line and addresses negative stereotypes residents of Oxnard have endured for decades living in the minds of outsiders. “Do you know people are telling these stories about you?” Gonzalez asks his students about the impression outsiders have of his city. “Growing up I didn’t know this either because I didn’t get a chance to leave Oxnard.”

VCReporter: Tell me about that title. Martín Alberto Gonzalez: The title is intentionally misleading; the book is the exact opposite of what the title alludes to, so to speak. The title is inspired by Oxnard having a negative reputation. I’ve noticed that people who are not from Oxnard and even people from Oxnard talk badly about Oxnard, about how dangerous it is and that it’s criminal ridden. The title was inspired by Psychology 101. In psychology, you learn a concept called subliminal messages, which are hidden messages to brainwash us to think in a certain way. The argument I make is a funny one in the first chapter, that we get the first subliminal message before we even get to Oxnard. We get it when we’re in Malibu. Sometimes people forget that Oxnard is the biggest city next to Malibu. When you take the PCH, you pass a sign that says “Malibu, 21 miles of scenic beauty.” After the 21 miles, the joke is that you enter Oxnard, specifically, south Oxnard, that’s what the titles is inspired by. Oxnard is a city that is constantly forgotten, where the people get neglected, where the schools don’t invest in youth as much as they could. It’s a way to bring in some readers that I probably wouldn’t catch in the first place.

Why did you write this book? I tell people that for a long time it was just a joke for me and I didn’t think it was serious that Oxnard was neglected. I didn’t

Kindness Corner HABITAT HOMES FINISHED IN TIME FOR HOLIDAYS IN OXNARD Several Oxnard families will have homes for the holidays thanks to Habitat for Humanity Ventura County, which delivered the keys to six families last month. The homes, located in the La Colonia neighborhood in Oxnard, were built by the families themselves with help from Habitat and over 1,000 volunteers. “A Habitat home is a stabilizing force for a family,” said Darcy Taylor, CEO of Habitat for Ventura County. “We are overjoyed that these families now have the opportunity to build a better life, thanks to our supporters.” — Chris O’Neal

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— December 20, 2018

learn the truth until I left Oxnard and started meeting people who knew about Oxnard and had a misconception about what my community was. For instance, isn’t that where one of the most dangerous gangs is? Isn’t that place filled with people who will steal from you? Is that all that people know about my community? I really want to be informed about what I’m talking about, and as I was conducting my research, I found this very problematic map called the “map of stereotypes” [Judgmental Map of Ventura County California] which listed south Oxnard as “People who drove too far on PCH and weren’t expecting a scary neighborhood.”

What’s your top priority in the book to address? Schools don’t invest in kids as much as they should. I’m not saying that just because I want to see it — I’m about to become a doctor in education. What’s happening in Oxnard, for example, is that the expectations of our youth are so low that until recently the graduation requirements were not aligned with college requirements, meaning that you can go to school in Oxnard and be an A+ student and still not be eligible for college. When I share my stories with students from New York who come from wealthy neighborhoods, they ask if this is legal. It’s almost unheard of, for a student to not be provided adequate opportunities, for instance, having multiple [Advanced Placement] classes and not just one that gets full. It doesn’t make sense.

How do you combat the stereotypes? I try to speak to the youth and get them to see themselves as an investment, to see the reality. Do you know people are telling these stories about you? About your family, your older siblings? Growing up I didn’t know this either because I didn’t get a chance to leave Oxnard. I try to keep it as real as possible with them. This is a stereotype we have if you’re coming from Oxnard, especially if you look like me, a brown person. Then what I do is share an experience that changed my life, the idea that we can tell our own stories, because when you get to tell your own stories then you have the power to change whatever you want about that story. Tell me something beautiful about your community, about your older siblings who have a tattoo, that’s one way that I do it.

Give me an example of how you would change a negative story about Oxnard into a positive. In Oxnard, rent is getting very expensive. What happens is, in a two-bedroom apartment, 10 people will live in that apartment. Any outsider would say, “Look at these savages, oh my god, they don’t know how to live a decent life, look at them, they don’t even take care of themselves and it’s so difficult and crowded to be clean.” A positive aspect of that is, I would say, “Tell me something beautiful about this.” They’d say, “Oh my god, 10 people live in this apartment because they love each other so much, they want to help each other financially because they can’t afford it and want to empower each other.” ✦ For more information on and to purchase 21 Miles of Scenic Beauty… and then Oxnard, visit www.vivaoxnard.bigcartel.com.

Good news for fans of balanced budgets: The county has reported a savings of $43 million over the last fiscal year. Crediting “strong management efforts” and “thoughtful, conservative fiscal projections,” Ventura County Executive Officer Mike Powers says that he is very proud of county leadership. “The lean six sigma savings are a demonstration of the fiscal responsibility that is an organizational imperative at all levels of the county,” said Powers. “The program recently highlighted its tenth anniversary with cumulative ongoing savings of more than $33 million.” The funds include receiving $10 million in unreimbursed mental health services performed by the county since 2004. Powers says that the funds will be placed into reserves.

RIDE SHARE COMES TO NAVAL BASES

Good news for fans of ride shares: Both Naval Base Point Mugu and Port Hueneme will now allow Lyft and Uber drivers to pick up and drop off customers. Formerly, drivers were only allowed to drop off riders on the base if they had a Defense Department identification card. Now, riders will be allowed to pick up customers through a new rideshare program, which will issue rideshare credentials to drivers. Rideshare drivers must first apply for the credentials and undergo a background check. For more information and to apply, visit www.cnic.navy.mil/ ventura.

“ECOHERO SHOW” REACHES AREA STUDENTS THROUGH MUSIC

On Thursday, Dec. 20, Camarillo students are going to get a funky lesson on becoming eco-friendly citizens through the hip-hop and dance of Mr. Eco and his EcoHero Show. The Ventura County Community for a Clean Watershed invited the eccentric act to perform at local schools in an effort to educate students on the county’s watersheds and to prevent pollution in a unique way. “Teaching positive environmental behaviors to kids now will help protect our watersheds and environment for years to come,” said Lara Meeker, Water Resources Specialist for the County of Ventura Watershed Protection District. “You can really tell they get it when you hear them singing the tunes a day or a week later.” Mr. Eco and his EcoHero Show visited Laguna Vista Elementary in Oxnard on Friday, Dec. 14, La Mariposa Elementary in Camarillo on Tuesday, Dec. 18, and Pleasant Valley School of Engineering and Arts in Camarillo on Wednesday, Dec. 19. The show today will take place at Las Posas Elementary in the morning. The show features songs with lyrics that teach kids how to take action against pollution, littering, plastic waste and more. To learn more about the show, visit www.ecoheroshow.com.

OXNARD PACC OPENS NONPROFIT GRANT PERIOD

Nonprofits looking to put on a show or host an event at Oxnard’s Performing Arts and Convention Center can now submit an application for the annual rental credit program. The program invites certified 501(c)3 nonprofits in good standing with the city to apply for assistance in presenting “community-based, educational, artistic and enriching programming” on the campus of the PACC at a discounted rate. A review committee will determine awards. Last year, over two dozen nonprofits were awarded portions of $50,000 in rent credit. The application period will run through Jan. 31, 2019. For more information and to apply, contact paccinquiries@oxnard.org. — Chris O’Neal

vcreporter.com

At will no longer Oxnard School District aides now regular staff after board votes by David Michael Courtland pariah42@yahoo.com

xnard School District trustees narrowly voted on Dec. 15 not to lay off all 141 of the district’s campus aides right before Christmas, instead making them regular staff with benefits. The 3-2 vote came after hours of heated comments by aides who packed the school board’s meeting room along with supporters, earlier mounting a protest rally in front of the building. Veronica Robles-Solis, Monica Madrigal Lopez and Denis O’Leary voted against the layoffs; Debra Cordes and Jesus Vega voted in favor of them. “I’m disappointed, this was discussed in front of me, but I didn’t know the other side of the story,” said O’Leary. “I shouldn’t have had to wait until the public came forward.” The vote means that in January the district’s campus aides will become California School Employees Association (CSEA) members with the same benefits as teachers and other staff represented by the union. Until now aides have been classified at-will employees without benefits. A recently passed state law forced OSD to consider g randfathering aides into its contract with CSEA or laying them off. Assistant Superintendent Jesus Vaca recommended the board approve the layoffs and sent letters to campus aides letting them know their jobs would be eliminated on Dec. 15. The aides could have reapplied in January, but with no guarantee of being rehired. Vaca planned to let the public apply for the jobs, which would also have paid less than now. “And it’s not like it’s 50 cents, it’s dollars,” per hour difference in pay, said a campus assistant who added she was facing the loss of 25 years of seniority. “People are going to be in a bind.” Speaking at the rally before the meeting, the aide, who asked not to be named, said that when Vaca met with them he said layoffs would be “more convenient” than grandfathering them in. At the school board meeting Vaca said that’s because there are going to be fewer campus assistant jobs in January than now due to new schedules. “To place these folks is gonna be very difficult, because we cannot roll them over

‘‘

into positions that didn’t exist,” Vaca said. But campus assistants repeatedly told trustees that their jobs are not only important to children’s health and safety, but to the families depending on them. “We all have bills, we all have responsibilities, I myself am the breadwinner for an elderly mother of 86 years,” said Yazmin Gomez, adding that she has been a coach, nurse and counselor to children. “We’re more than just yard duties. We are the front-liners of the district, because we’re there in battle every day for these kids,” Gomez continued to applause. “If anything would go wrong, the first ones that would go down is us.” CSEA Vice President Efrain Cazares said OSD was misinterpreting Assembly Bill 2160, the recently passed state law that prompted Vaca to recommend layoffs. “The change to the education code was to benefit these people, not lay them off,” said Cazares, adding that campus aides are important liaisons between the community and the school district. Community leaders and activists, including Daniel Chavez, A.J. Valenzuela and Francine Castanon, were among — Yazmin Gomez the speakers against the layoffs. The meeting also drew attention from elected officials, with City Councilman Bert Perello and a representative of State Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson’s office also attending the meeting. O’Leary said later that State Superintendent-elect Tony Thurman, who wrote AB-2160, even called OSD Superintendent Cesar Morales after the meeting to clarify the intent of the law. Morales said in a Thursday email to trustees that administrators will meet with campus assistants and union leaders to work out the details of grandfathering in campus assistants. “There is no doubt about it, our campus assistants have always been and will continue to be valuable contributors in the operation of a school and in being difference makers in the lives of our students and community,” Morales wrote. “I understand this time has been full of anxiety and unknown elements associated with the transition for our campus assistants,” Morales continued. “Please join me in reminding our campus assistants of how ✦ valuable they are to the OSD family.”

We all have bills, we all have responsibilities, I myself am the breadwinner for an elderly mother of 86 years.”

Reality Check

Making the call for suicidal thoughts, depression by Dita De Soto

ilitary veteran Jason Ramirez has called Ventura’s Cemetery Park home for several nights following his release from Ventura County Medical Center’s Hillmont Psychiatric Hospital. Since discharge from the Marine Corps five years ago, Ramirez has had a difficult time adjusting to civilian life or finding successful employment, which affects his ability to maintain stable housing. Despite his former service, Ramirez does not qualify for veterans medical benefits. Being overwhelmed by his struggles and feeling abandoned by the government he served, Ramirez began experiencing a depression that he did not feel he could safely pull himself out of, requiring checking himself into the county’s emergency room. “After hours of sitting in a cold backroom, I was walked across the street to a different building that was just another cold waiting place.” He then explained that his three-day stay primarily consisted of occasional checkins with staff and watching television. Ramirez represents one in five adults in the U.S. struggling with a behavioral health illness. In the wake of the loss of several prominent public figures to suicide and others speaking candidly about their own behavioral health struggles, dialogue has been significantly on the rise. Conversation, however, is not changing the resources, cost or preventative measures. Since the 1960s, the dwindling number of psychiatric accommodations in the U.S. has given rise to a large increase in mental healthrelated emergency department visits. Places such as Hillmont Psychiatric Hospital are more of a prevention holding space than an actual care center. Nearing the end of October, Nicole V. found herself battling self-harming thoughts. “I walked into the ER because if I didn’t, I was going to kill myself.” The care provided was not what she expected for someone experiencing a dangerous mental health emergency. “I saw an MD once and had once-daily sessions with a psychiatrist,” Nicole said. “Those sessions consisted of rating my depression on a scale of 1-10 and asking if I want to hurt myself or anyone else.” Her stay occurred over a weekend, when therapy is often scaled back in terms of number and quality of sessions. Calling around to find potential options for someone in need of immediate care, most centers I spoke with primarily support eating disorders or substance-related addictive disorders. Behavioral health services were provided to patients with a dual diagnosis, the condition of suffering from both a mental illness and a substance abuse problem. For many, this leaves illequipped emergency rooms as the only option. For Nicole, whose employer-sponsored insurance does not cover inpatient mental healthcare in any capacity, the financial burden she now faces is overwhelming, making her feel even more hopeless than before seeking help. The most crucial key in behavioral health care is crisis prevention. Aside from suicide

prevention hotlines, Ventura County Behavioral Health provides outpatient services to registered adults at clinics located throughout Ventura County, but it can take months for individuals on non-emergency wait lists to access these services. Once in the program a patient can receive monthly or bimonthly visits with a psychiatrist for prescription medication, and the option to sit with a therapist as needed. The primary encouraged treatment is group meetings or group recreational activities. Ventura resident and successful small business owner Robin F. inquired about an appointment with local services after a death in her family became emotionally too difficult to manage. “I wasn’t a harm to myself or anyone else. But my depression was really low and I didn’t want to get to that place,” she said. Yet, making such a call or visiting a clinic can lead to the possibility of a 72-hour involuntary detention (5150) in a psychiatric hospital, which is exactly what happened to Robin F. “That was the last time I will ever ask for help. It’s not fair I got held because I was being responsible in my care and asking for information.” Robin experienced similar inpatient care to the others who I spoke to with. “There is a big room in the back of the ER at VCMC with chairs and a desk across the way with police. I was the only woman in the room with three men. Two were from the local jail with sheriff escorts. The other man was filthy and in a gown that was not covering everything.” After three hours of sitting in the ER, she was placed in a wheelchair and transported to Hillmont. “It was me with a couple guys. There was no structure, people just wandering around the single short hall. Staff stayed in the nurse’s station and talked to one another.” While lying scared in her chilled dark room on a crude resemblance of a hospital cot, Robin said all she could do was think. “I don’t know what they expect. If I didn’t want to die before, I did in that horrible room.” Not all persons who admit to depression are suicidal, and treating them as a suicide risk can be more harmful than helpful. Of those I spoke with, all felt regret in seeking help. “I left feeling worse than when I went in and had no real follow-up plan. I was given some suicide phone numbers and told to follow up with county,” said Jason R., who also told me that he currently does not have a working cellphone, making hotlines useless. There seems to be a severe lack of preventative services and the care feels like punishment once a crisis occurs. If those seeking help run risks of being placed on an involuntary hold in a center that cannot provide care and will result in a substantial medical bill that they can’t afford, are we offering actual help or are we giving good cause for those in need to avoid seeking treatment and assistance? ✦ Reality Check is a new column that will run periodically to shine a light on systemic failures in a variety of arenas that were created and designed to help, but often do not. If you would like your story to be considered for a future column, write realitycheck@vcreporter.com. December 20, 2018 —

—7

2018 brings an array of perspectives for our annual

PHOTO CONTEST W

▲

hat a truly stunning year 2018 has been! For all the heartache and stress there was equivalent beauty and joy. It’s a year to remember, to be certain. For this year’s photo contest, along with the unique, creative perspectives that make some images truly eye catching, we made special consideration for moments that would induce a smile, a feeling of warmth and happiness, and we were not left wanting. Congratulations to this year’s winners and honorable mentions and thank you to all who entered for sharing your special moments. For the winners, contact tori@vcreporter.com to claim your prize. — Michael Sullivan

THRID PLACE

▲

Sherri Farland “Children in good spirits after fires” Ventura HS freshmen.

SECOND PLACE Nancy Kettner “Oxnard Shores at noon on Nov. 9 as smoke from the Carr Fire spread through the south east sky above Point Mugu obscuring the sun. Shafts of light through the smoke turned the waves to a shimmering opalescent light show contrasted with the smoky sky. It was serendipity that a stop to check the surf gave us this brief but spectacular nature show.”

HONORABLE MENTIOIN

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more photos on page 35

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Justin Kaplan “Till death do us part.” “A random couple I shot in Yosemite National Park. I hiked to Taft point the evening before hiking Half Dome and ran into this couple celebrating their engagement thousands of feet above the valley floor.”

December 20, 2018 —

—9

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MUSIC

vcreporter.com vocals and being like “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Kenny f***in’ Loggins!” I actually wanted to say that on the record, but he’s in a different place now.

And then there’s “Walk on By” with Kendrick Lamar, whom you’ve obviously worked with before. Tell me about that. Well, I like to consider the songs on this album to be like a conversation. You know, like we’re having right now, where we’re sitting here and conversing back and forth and analyzing different aspects of things. And the conversation that me and Kendrick are having is, you know, two different people that have been to very dark places, and seen different terrible things. But at the end of the day it’s about not just walking by. It’s about not feeling alone, not feeling like you’re by yourself.

PHOTO BY DREW REYNOLDS

Critics have talked a lot about the jazz influences on To Pimp a Butterfly. Is it true that you played a Miles Davis recording for Kendrick in the studio during the sessions?

Thundercat aka Stephen Bruner performs at the Ventura Theater on Dec. 22.

Bass instincts

A conversation with Grammy-winning multi-genre bass player Thundercat by Bill Forman for Last Word Features

Foreman: I’m curious about collaborating with those two on “Show You the Way.” . . . I understand you worked closely with both of them on songwriting and arrangements.

Yes, it was very up close and personal with Kenny and Michael. I’d go meet them at the studio all the time, and we had already started writing other things before we hit on that song. At first, I didn’t know how it was going to translate, because my recording processes are different than theirs. These guys are hitmakers, and I

Was there any particular album that did that for you early on? Oh man, I will always point to Jaco Pastorius’ self-titled album. My dad got that for me, and it did exactly what he thought it would do. I was, like, freaked out, man. I was like, “That’s a bass? That’s how a bass can sound?” And I literally felt like, “This is what I want to do. You know, I want to be like Jaco.” So that, for me, was the album, for sure. And do you think that, with each new album, you get closer to that? I don’t know, you know? I mean, I don’t hold a candle to a Jaco Pastorius, but he’s the inspiration behind why I was unafraid to take different roles as a bass player. It’s like whenever somebody would say how things should sound, or should feel, he’s the guy who would put a backspin on it and cause it to curve. I would hope that at some point, maybe one day, something in my career would show that. F Thundercat performs on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St., Ventura. For tickets and more information, call 805-653-0721 or visit www.venturatheater.net.

nightmoves BLUE CHRISTMAS

ocal musician-about-town Doc Ventura hosted a very special holiday show at Namba Performing Arts Space on Saturday, Dec. 15. Doc the Halls was a southern-fried production with blues versions of Christmas carols, some of the Doc’s original works masterfully plucked on his wide array of guitars and a variety of special guests, including gospel singer Mark McKinney, harmonica master Jon Gindick and young musicians from the Magaña Project. Santa may have “shed a soulful tear,” but the audience was gleefully cheering on a night that was anything but silent.

PHOTO BY NANCY D. LACKEY SHAFFER

hundercat aka Stephen Bruner has never been one to drop names, although he could easily be forgiven for doing so. The 34-year-old musician won a Grammy in 2016 for his role as producer and featured performer on Kendrick Lamar’s revered To Pimp a Butterfly. He has collaborated with neo-soul chanteuse Erykah Badu and rapper Childish Gambino, and been a member of Suicidal Tendencies since high school. The son of Motown drummer Ronald Bruner and older brother of Odd Futurist keyboardist Jameel “Kintaro” Bruner, Thundercat was first championed as a bass prodigy by fellow LA native Flying Lotus, with whom he continues to work closely. But while his mentor favors avantgarde instrumental hip-hop, Thundercat’s solo efforts are more reminiscent of Earth, Wind and Fire and Miles Davis. Thundercat’s fourth album, Drunk, was released in 2016 on Flying Lotus’s Brainfeeder label. Its first single, “Show You The Way,” was an unlikely collaboration with ’80s yacht-rock icons Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald, which may be even weirder than you think. And that, friends, is where our story begins.

write music out of my bedroom. So I’d play them an idea, and we’d kind of vamp on it for a bit. We’d listen back to it, and joke around, and talk about what it could become. And then Michael would write different changes. And with Kenny, he’s the kind of guy who wants you to spitball the ideas at him, and then he’ll choose what he wants it to be. So he wanted his part to be very simple, without straining or over-extending the

Yeah, man. That was a cool moment. I played him “Little Church.” It’s one of those songs you can play for somebody that makes them close their eyes and have to go to another place, you know? And that’s what happened; he just stood there for a minute and kind of went into that space which Miles was trying to create.

December 20, 2018 —

— 11

ART+CULTURE

vcreporter.com

onthebookshelf Ladies and Gentleman . . . The Penguins! by Ivor Davis by Alicia Doyle

PHOTO BY WES EASLEY

alicia@aliciadoyle.com

Christmas Express The Santa Paula Odd Fellows train display brings joy to the holiday season by Alicia Doyle

alicia@aliciadoyle.com “Awesome” and “stunning” are common words spoken by those who see the massive model train display put up during the holidays by the Santa Paula Odd Fellows. “We know when someone comes in because there’s a gasp — especially when there’s a bunch of kids,” said event organizer Wes Easley of Santa Paula. “You can walk around the display . . . and in one visit you still won’t see it all.” Now in its 11th year, the train display is a massive undertaking that took the Santa Paula Odd Fellows about six weeks to put up this holiday season. “We’re running 18 different track lines,” said Easley, adding that two different scales are featured: the O gauge and the T gauge, with the T gauge being the “big stuff.” “We probably have about close to a quarter mile worth of track laid down,” he continued. “About 14 square feet is the layout room, which is our lodge room. We have seating for 60 people, so you can come in, sit in comfortable chairs and watch as long as you want.” Cost of admission is free to those 4 and under, $2 for ages 5-11 and $4 to those 12 and up. The train display is inside the Odd Fellows Clock Tower located at 868 E. Main St. in Santa Paula. “It’s our building . . . and has been here in this location since 1886,” Easley said. “It’s a historic, beautiful old building and guests are very comfortable coming here to see the train display.” He noted that the Santa Paula Odd Fellows are a fraternal organization, which is a part of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). It was founded in the U.S. in 1819 as a breakaway organization from the English order. “Once the largest fraternal organization in the U.S., its numbers have declined as, unfortunately, most civic/ fraternal groups have in the past 70 years,” Easley said. The Santa Paula IOOF lodge 314 was founded in 1886 on Main Street. “The lodge building burned down in a great fire, which destroyed a good portion of Main Street Santa Paula in 1903,” Easley said. “We brought it back to life in the form of the beautiful town clock building built on the original site at 868 E. Main St. and it was rededicated in 1905. The Odd Fellows have quietly worked from our prized location,

12 —

— December 20, 2018

being part of and helping our community since then.” The model trains currently on display are privately owned by members of the Santa Paula Odd Fellows, and admission fees to this year’s display will be donated to a “to be determined” relief group for victims of the recent fires, Easley said. In other event highlights, “we’re raffling off an iPad and we’ve got other little things for the kids to do, like puzzles and little contests that don’t cost anything,” he added. This year’s train display “is completely different” in that “it’s really emphasizing Christmas,” Easley noted. He described it as a “winter wonderland in your living room on Christmas morning.” For instance, the display includes “10 incredibly decorated Christmas trees that are each themed,” he said, “and we have something that’s always been one of our most popular things for kids — a little section carved out for Halloween. We call it our Nightmare Before Christmas.” There are also nutcrackers of various types and sizes spread out throughout the display, “and for anybody that can guess the correct number of nutcrackers, we’ll give them a prize at the end of the show,” Easley said. There’s a special attachment that people have to trains, he said, “whether it be a small train that’s going around your Christmas tree up to the largest train built in the United States, which is just a humongous monster. People love them because they represent cuteness — and awesome accomplishment in their construction.” People come from all around the county and state — and sometimes beyond — to see the display. A glance at the Odd Fellows Facebook page will show rave reviews from fans as far away as San Jose and even Oregon. “We have seen kids grow up as they return every year,” Easley said. “We have become a tradition to many families. It gives us great pride and we are honored that families do us this favor.” And each year, the display is totally different. “Each year you visit, you can be guaranteed it will be the first time that you you’ve seen it.” ✦ The train display can be viewed through Dec. 30 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 3 to 8 p.m. inside the clock tower building located at 868 E. Main St. in Santa Paula. To schedule a private tour, call 805-766-4400. For more information, visit Santa Paula Odd Fellows on Facebook.

ondon-born Ivor Davis first came to America in the early 1960s, and was appointed West Coast correspondent for the London Daily Express in l963. His first big assignment: to travel with and get to know the four members of a new pop group from Liverpool who were tearing up the world with their music: The Beatles. Davis’ subsequent journalism career included covering major events in North America. And while he is the author of several nonfiction works, his experience touring with one of the world’s most famous bands helped inspire his most recently work, his first-ever children’s book, Ladies and Gentlemen...The Penguins! “I borrowed liberally from the Beatles and other sources to produce this kid’s book,” said Davis, now a resident of Ventura. The Penguins is available on Amazon, as well as through his website, www.ivordavisbooks.com, where folks can purchase an autographed copy. Published in December, the book is a tongue-in-cheek story about four penguins from the Falkland Islands, a remote British territory, who decide they want to be bigger than, well, the Beatles. Davis got the idea for the book while doing a lecture on a Princess cruise line that made a stop at the Falkland Islands. “I was absolutely flabbergasted,” Davis recalled. “There were 3,000 human beings and 1 million penguins, so I went to visit the penguins. While I was there I thought, what would happen if English penguins on this island decided they wanted to be rock stars?” “I try to make it suited for the kids to know what different kinds of penguins there are, because there are many different breeds. And at the same time, I have a spoof about the Beatles,” Davis explained. “The penguins become famous, and their first big hit song is, ‘I Wanna Hold Your Flipper.’ ” The penguins go on “to great success” and become so successful that the Queen of England takes notice, honoring them with prestigious OPE (Order of the Penguin Empire) medals. His book includes a section about everything you wanted to know about penguins but were afraid to ask. There’s also an interactive illustration in which readers are asked to find the four names of the real Beatles that are hidden as well as fun facts about the Falkland Islands and even a penguin kids can color. Most recently, Ladies and Gentlemen...The Penguins! attracted the attention of composer and singer Alan Shapiro, who was inspired to write the song, “I’m a Penguin.” “When I gave him the book he said, ‘do you have a penguin song?’ ” Davis remembered. “Alan woke up one morning and composed the song. I like that because that’s exactly how Paul McCartney did his songwriting. Alan did this for me, so I’m thrilled. It will climb the Hit Parade.” ✦

Book readings of Ladies and Gentlemen...The Penguins! with live music by Alan Shapiro are slated to take place on Jan. 19 at 1 p.m. at Very Ventura Gift Shop, 540 E. Main St. Ventura; and Feb. 3 at noon at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St., Ventura. For more information, visit www.ivordavisbooks.com.

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roduced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. n the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent DEADLINE FOR of AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RE PLEASE NOTE: hing, plus any applicable fees. All advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland p OK to run Date:_______________________________

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Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the expre

Publishing, plus any applicable fees. Signature:Southland __________________________

This proof is to check for accuracy and is not intended to show quality of reproduction.

Limited Edition Mink Boston Shearling

p OK to run

Date:__________________________

p OK to run

Signature: _____________________

with correction

Gear up on tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, footwear and more Ventura’s Outdoor Store

Celebrating 40 years in Downtown Ventura

518 E. Santa Clara St., Ventura • (805) 643-7043

36 West Santa Clara St., Ventura (805) 648-3803 www.realcheapsports.com December 20, 2018 —

— 15

AFTER DARK

vcreporter.com

AD PROOF

e Inn

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

(805) 648-2244

over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and ceive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. X THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

Ventura Harbor

www.brophybros.com 805.639.0865

ISSUE: 10/4/18 Howie Mandel and Jeff Dunham team up for an evening of comedy and song for the benefit of Borderline and Woolsey Fire victims. The duo performs at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. All proceeds will go to the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s Disaster Relief Fund.

✰ = Highly recommended

correct

p address is correct

DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS

To get your show listed in After Dark, send all pertinent information to nancy@vcreporter.com no later than Monday of the desired publication week. erratic nature of entertainp expiration date is correct Due to pthe spelling is correct ment booking, information contained is subject to change and not guar12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TOhere THAT ISSUES RELEASE. anteed. Call venues ahead to confirm.

SUPPORT MUSIC! d by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of LOCAL Southland Publishing. lacement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of Thursday, 12/20 us any applicable fees. p OK to run LIVE MUSIC Date:_______________________________

or accuracy and is uality of reproduction.

p OK to run

with correction

Keynote: Jam night, 8 p.m. Leashless Brewing: Jam session with

guest, 7-9:30 p.m.

Mark Masson, 6 p.m.

Hong Kong Inn: Tom Scott and L.A.

Red Cove: Music Club Open Jam, 7 p.m. Rock & Roll Pizza: 7-10 p.m. Sandbox: 6-8 p.m. with John Cater Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: New

Keynote: Reign Leashless: Jason Ho, 8 p.m. The Manhattan of Camarillo: Jeanne

Express

Tatum Duo, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Bogie’s: David Garfield, 7 p.m.

Copper Blues: Norteno y Banda, 9 p.m. Deer Lodge: Jazz Night with Simon

Golden China: 9 p.m. Hangar Bar and Grill: 6-9 p.m. Lookout Bar: 7-10 p.m. Garyoke with

COMEDY

The Shores: 8:30 p.m.

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: Lowell

Café Fiore: Rick Whitfield Signature: __________________________

Hong Kong Inn: Patrick Warburton and the Bearded Pearl Clams ✰

MadeWest Brewing: Hannah Jobus,

6-8 p.m.

Gary Ballen

DANCING, TRIVIA, ETC.

The Canyon: Country dance lessons, 6:30

Ojai Valley Woman’s Club: Irish Christmas in America, 7 p.m. ✰

p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.; Line dancing and two-stepping with DJ Josh Kelly and special guests

Star Lounge: Karen Eden, 7 p.m. Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza: Brian

Enegren Brewing: Trivia Night, 7 p.m. The Manhattan of Camarillo: Trivia Night,

Wilson Presents the Christmas Album Live, 7:30 p.m. ✰

The Vine: Rose Valley Thorns, 7:30 p.m. Vintura: Ben Buttner, 7-10 p.m. COMEDY

Levity Live Comedy Club: Denise Carter and friends, 8 p.m. ✰

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: Elijah Tindall and friends, 8 p.m. DJS Azar’s Sports Bar: DJ Chris, 9 p.m. Bogie’s: Momentum Thursdays house music, 9:30 p.m.

— December 20, 2018

Four Brix: Frank Barajas, 5:30 p.m. Grapes and Hops: Guy Martin Greater Goods: Towse, Bonnie Boy and

Blood Comedy Open Mic (Green Room), 8 p.m. KARAOKE GiGi’s: 8 p.m. with KJ Steve Luke; free pool

Phillips, 7-10 p.m.

16 —

OPEN MIC Boatyard: Bluegrass Jam

Sans Souci: DJ Spinobi The Tavern: Get Right DJ, 10 p.m.

7-9 p.m.

Pirates: Salsa night, 9 p.m.

Friday, 12/21 LIVE MUSIC

Azar’s Sports Bar: Decadent Decades Café Fiore: Front Loaders The Canyon: The Spazmatics, 9 p.m. Chinaland: House Arrest and DJ Andy B.,

9 p.m.

Crown and Anchor: Teresa Russell, 5

p.m.

Deer Lodge: Maclovia, 9-11 p.m. El Rey (Ventura): Xocoyotzin Moraza and

friends, 6-8 p.m.

Ojai Underground Exchange: With Out Rage and friends, 7:30 p.m.

Star Lounge: CRV Vintura: Vanise Terry and John, 8-11 p.m. Winchester’s: Acoustic DNA, 8:30 p.m. Levity Live Comedy Club: Paul

Rodriguez, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. ✰

Sanders and Dougie Almeida, 8 p.m.; The Harbor Queens Drag Show, 9:30 p.m. (Green Room) DJS Bogie’s: Club Night, 9 p.m.

Bombay: DJ Erok and DJ Cam, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

El Rey (Ventura): DJ Rogue, 9 p.m. Pirates: DJ J Scratch, 9 p.m. The Tavern: Last Resort Club, 10 p.m. KARAOKE

GiGi’s: 9 p.m. with Steve Luke Golden China: 9 p.m. La Dolce Vita: 9 p.m. Lookout Bar: 9 p.m. with Captain Kirk

Saturday, 12/22

LIVE MUSIC 805 Bar: Kenny Devoe, 12-6 p.m.

Azar’s Sports Bar: Action Down, 9 p.m. Continued on Page 20

AD PROOF

2018 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019 Client: Crowne Plaza

Ad Executive: Dave Stephens

Happy New Year

(805) 648-2244 A New

Year’s Eve Party “Under the Tuscan Moon”

Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD Monday | Dec 31 | 8 pm - 1:30am WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. Deadline for Ad Changes is 12:00 Noon the Tuesday prior to that issues release. ISSUE: 12/6/18

Deluxe Package $699

Two Night Stay For Two On December 30th & 31st, 2018 Two Tickets To Dinner & Party Open Bar Starting At 8pm New Year’s Day Breakfast Buffet with Mimosas or Bloody Marys For Two Free Self Parking

Room, Dinner & Party $499

One Night Stay For Two On December 31st, 2018 Two Tickets To Dinner & Party Open Bar Starting At 8pm Free Self Parking

Room & Party $399

Event Includes • A Fancy Fare with Dancing to “Crosscut Band” until 1:00 am One Night Stay For Two On December 31st, 2018 • Multi Course Gourmet Steak & Fresh Seafood Plated Dinner Two Tickets To Party Only • Mediterranean Pasta & Dessert Bars Open Bar Starting At 10pm • Inside or Waterfront Heated Enclosed Patio $89.95 AD PROOF • Complimentary Photo Booth Free Self Parking per person +tax/gratuity • Champagne Toast at Midnight hores Restaurant Ad Executive: Jon Cabreros (805) 648-2244 • Festive Decorations & Party Favors this proof over •carefully indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and No Host and Specialty Cocktails and Full Bar offerings

Dinner & Party $199

”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval One Ticket To Dinner & Party roof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. Open Bar Starting At 8pm Make Your ISSUE: 12/20/18 LEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

Reservation Today! 650-5350 COMMENTS: Write the number on(805) the ad that Located in Beautiful Ventura Harbor

One Ticket To Party Only Open Bar Starting At 10pm

Live Music

Lynn@TheGreekVentura.com corresponds to your comments/corrections

1583 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura CA 93001

www.TheGreekVentura.com

1. ____________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________

Drinks and Dancing Through the Night

_______________________________________________

ST: 3. ____________________________________________ umber is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct

OTE:

Party Only $100

p spelling is correct

_______________________________________________ DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. 4. ____________________________________________

g produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. r than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of _______________________________________________ blishing, plus any applicable fees. p OK to run 5. ____________________________________________ Date:_______________________________

to check for accuracy and is p OK to run VENTURA BEACH _______________________________________________ to show quality of reproduction. with correction Signature: __________________________

NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Date:_______________________________ Signature: __________________________ This proof is to check for accuracy and is not intended to show quality of reproduction.

TICKET SALES: HTTPS://CPVENTURANYE. BROWNPAPERTICKETS.COM *Additional Nights Available 12/28 & 12/29 At $150 per Night*

450 E. Harbor Boulevard Ventura, CA 93001 805-648-2100 December 20, 2018 —

— 17

The Pet Pages

ISSUE: 10/18/18

NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

red nso o p S by Pet na Oha spital t: Pet Page HintsHo

Tap Into A Growler of Your Favorite Brew!

AD PROOF AD PROOF Client: Ventura Highway Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon (805) 648-2244 Ad Executive: DianePlease Newman (805) check this proof over648-2244 carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and

“Final Proof”. If we receive no proof check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS on IS.the If this proof meets your approval We12/20/18 are passionate 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. ISSUE: NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP ISSUE: 12/20/18 E: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

64oz Growler AND A Fill for $ 20 00

about . . .

SUPPORTING RESCUES

Our team is here to serve your pets’ surgical needs Orthopedics, Soft Tissue, and Oncologic Surgery

No Fatty Foods For Fido!!!

Brittney with her foster “Casper” posing just after a beautiful hike.

www.VetSurg.com

2859 Loma Vista Road, Ventura

805-850-2180

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVALABLE!

Happy Holidays from Ventura Highway!

Ventura County Animal Services has implemented new, It’s perfectly fine to include our pets in the festivities when it comes lifesaving programs since becoming a no-kill shelter five Client: NAWBO Ad Executive: Caitlynn Hoehn (805) 6 AD PROOF AD PROOF to gifts or jaunty hats and Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proo years ago. While their Foster Care program saved 2,931 Client: SPARC Ad Executive: BarbaraClient: KroonEast Ventura (805) 648-2244 “Final Proof”. If we648-2244 receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your Animal Hospital Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (805) sweaters, but say no to companion animals last year, they need additional families AD PROOF onProof”, the 1st “2nd proof,Proof”, check off Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will havePlease a “1stcheck Proof”, Proof”, and this“2nd proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st and“FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. those puppy eyes when to help careafter for underage kittens, seniorProofs, pets and long-stay Ask “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof the 1st or 2nd AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval ISSUE: NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP they beg for a taste of Ad Executive: DianeonNewman overly - Horizon (805) 648-2244 the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, dateAbout and sign at the bottom. on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date sign at the bottom. dogs who need a break from shelter life. Learn moreand at www.vcas.us/foster.

WHERE ONLY THE FISH ARE FLAT

fatty foods, chocolate, this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Doggy ”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN ASNOTICE: IS. If this PLEASE proof meets your approval nuts, uncooked meat Day Care roof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. or cookie dough. Don’t

LEASE FAX THIS PROOF (805)and 648-2245 ASAP forget that TO alcohol

tobacco products are for human party animals only!

ISSUE: 10/18/18

24/7 SPECIALTY AND EMERGENCY VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Too!

Save Lives While You Save Money! Great Selection of CHECK LIST: Merchandise

CHECK LIST: p phone number is correct

$25 OFF Any Exam Coupon Code DIS200

*New Clients Only. Offer expires 12/31/18.

p address is correct

p expiration date is correct

p spellin

DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES

Some of our services include:

CHECK LIST: • DVDs EMERGENCY & TRAUMA • CRITICAL CARE • INTERNALpMEDICINE phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct correct This proof is to check p forspelling accuracy is and is • CDs to show quality of reproduction. ULTRASOUND & DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY • ENDOSCOPY • SURGERY not intended DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. PLEASE NOTE: LIST: 24 HOUR ICU HOSPITALIZATION All is advertising by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. e number is correct p address is correct p expiration date correctproduced p spelling is correct Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. E NOTE: p OK to run Date:_______________________________ tising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. This proof is to check for accuracy and is p OK Ventura to run 374 E. Main St., • 805-648-8915 other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of with correction Signature: __________________________ not intended to show quality of reproduction. Sunday-Wednesday 10am-6pm Thursday - Saturday 10am-9pm d Publishing, plus any applicable fees. p OK to run Check our Facebook page for adoption locations. Date:_______________________________ of is to check for accuracy and is p OK to run Pet Adoptions Every Saturday 11am-3pm __________________________ 5280 Valentine Road, #120,Signature: Ventura, CA nded to show quality of reproduction. with correction

S.P.A.R.C. Second Chance Store

www.HorizonVets.com

PLEASE NOTE:

SERRA CENTER, CAMARILLO FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 ~ 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

All advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of South Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the ex Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. p OK to run p phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling is correct Date:_______________________ • Jewelry This proof is to check for accuracy and is p OK to run DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY not PRIOR TO THAT RELEASE. intended to ISSUES show quality of reproduction. with correction Signature: __________________ PLEASE NOTE: • Clothing All advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted Care property of Southland Publishing. • Preventative • Furniture Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of • Surgical & Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. • Books p OK to run Date:_______________________________

Locally owned by Board-Certified veterinary specialists, Dr. Sarah Gray, Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Nancy Scott, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega

(805) 856-0290

20th ANNUAL BRAVO AWARDS

Signature: __________________________

NOW OPEN IN VENTURA

— December 20, 2018

N.Wood Rd, Camarillo, CA 93010 805-484-9600 • flatfishbrewing.com

www.ohanapethospital.com • 805.658.7387 DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES 4692 N. Ventura Ave.,Date:_______________________________ Ventura Proud supporter of Ventura County Animal Services IS 12:00 NOON 805-643-DOGS • vhluxuryboarding4dogs.com

THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE.

18 —

126 ISSUE: 12/20/18

ISSUE: NOTICE: PLEASE FAX 12/20/18 THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

All Proceeds Go To: Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center www.santapaulaarc.org

p OK to run

with correction

Dental Care Signature: __________________________ • Wellness Plans NOMINATIONS NOW OPEN! • Advanced We are looking for the best of the best women in business and leadership! Do you know our Woman Business Owner of the Year? Diagnostics Do you know an innovative woman blazing new trails? • Acupuncture Please consider nominating strong, elevated women you know in business and leadership who are in “fearless pursuit of success!” • Herbal Medicine

10225 Telephone Rd. Ventura 805-647-8430 www.EastVenturaAnimalHospital.com

NOMINATE AT NAWBOVC.ORG For more information, contact us! t (877) 629-2682 e BRAVO@NAWBOVC.org w NAWBOVC.org December 20, 2018 —

— 19

The Pet Pages

ISSUE: 10/18/18

NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

red nso o p S by Pet na Oha spital t: Pet Page HintsHo

Tap Into A Growler of Your Favorite Brew!

64oz Growler AND A Fill for $ 20 00

about . . .

SUPPORTING RESCUES

Our team is here to serve your pets’ surgical needs Orthopedics, Soft Tissue, and Oncologic Surgery

No Fatty Foods For Fido!!!

Brittney with her foster “Casper” posing just after a beautiful hike.

www.VetSurg.com

2859 Loma Vista Road, Ventura

805-850-2180

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVALABLE!

Happy Holidays from Ventura Highway!

WHERE ONLY THE FISH ARE FLAT

LEASE FAX THIS PROOF (805)and 648-2245 ASAP forget that TO alcohol

tobacco products are for human party animals only!

ISSUE: 10/18/18

24/7 SPECIALTY AND EMERGENCY VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Too!

Save Lives While You Save Money! Great Selection of CHECK LIST: Merchandise

CHECK LIST: p phone number is correct

$25 OFF Any Exam Coupon Code DIS200

*New Clients Only. Offer expires 12/31/18.

p address is correct

p expiration date is correct

p spellin

DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES

Some of our services include:

S.P.A.R.C. Second Chance Store

www.HorizonVets.com

PLEASE NOTE:

SERRA CENTER, CAMARILLO FRIDAY, APRIL 12, 2019 ~ 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Locally owned by Board-Certified veterinary specialists, Dr. Sarah Gray, Dr. Amy Rhoades, Dr. Nancy Scott, Dr. Melissa Herrera and Dr. Theresa Ortega

(805) 856-0290

20th ANNUAL BRAVO AWARDS

Signature: __________________________

NOW OPEN IN VENTURA

— December 20, 2018

N.Wood Rd, Camarillo, CA 93010 805-484-9600 • flatfishbrewing.com

THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE.

18 —

126 ISSUE: 12/20/18

ISSUE: NOTICE: PLEASE FAX 12/20/18 THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

All Proceeds Go To: Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center www.santapaulaarc.org

p OK to run

with correction

10225 Telephone Rd. Ventura 805-647-8430 www.EastVenturaAnimalHospital.com

NOMINATE AT NAWBOVC.ORG For more information, contact us! t (877) 629-2682 e BRAVO@NAWBOVC.org w NAWBOVC.org December 20, 2018 —

— 19

AFTER DARK

PHOTO BY MANUELA DEI GRANDI

vcreporter.com

AD PROOF

nt: Chris Shea

Ad Executive: Kelly Spargur

(805) 648-2244

check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and Irish Christmas in America comes to the Ojai Valley Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval Woman’s Club on Thursday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. e 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom.

ISSUE: 6/15/17

CE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

Continued from Page 16

Family Christmas, 3-5 p.m.

Boatyard: Two’s Company, 7-10 p.m. Bombay: Winter Wondersound with

Ventura Theater: Thundercat, 8 p.m. ✰ Vintura: Déjà Vu Too, 8-11 p.m. Winchester’s: Kenny Devoe, 8:30 p.m.

Medicine Hat, Old Soul, Rose Valley Thorns and others, 1-11 p.m. ✰

Café Fiore: Holgers Heroes The Canyon: Boogie Knights, 9 p.m. ✰ Copa Cubana: Havana Cinco, 7-10 p.m. Deer Lodge: Cliff Beach with the Gabe Rosen Trio, 9:30 p.m.

nt: Golden China

COMEDY

Levity Live Comedy Club: Paul Rodriguez, 7 and 9:30 p.m. ✰

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza: Howie Mandel and Jeff Dunham, 8 p.m. ✰

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: Lowell

Sanders and Dougie Almeida, 7 and 9 p.m. Discovery: Fishbone with Kyle Smith, 8 AD PROOF DJS p.m. ✰ Client: 805 Bar-Copa Cubana Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (8 Bogie’s: Sweet Saturday Club Night, Grapes and Hops: Ray Jaurique and the Ad Executive: Barbara Kroon (805) Please check this proof over648-2244 carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2n 9 p.m.

)

Uptown Brothers

“Final Proof”. If we receive no proof WILL ASDJIS. this proof meet e check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD Bombay: DJRUN Erok and Cam,If10 p.m.Greater Goods: Betty’s Xmas Dance 1st proof, check your off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date1:45 anda.m. sign at the bottom. Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN ASon IS.the If this proof meets approval Party, 9-11 p.m. e 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. IS NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS Harbor PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 Chinaland: DJ D.Y. and DJ J Scratch, Cove Café: Saturday Ukulele Jam ASAP 9 p.m. ISSUE: 12/20/18 CE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP with Pineapple Players, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Healthy, Happy, Covered

CHECK LIST: FREE Consultation is correctdatepisaddress address p is phone correctnumber p expiration correct is correct p spellingpisexpiration correct date is correct

Hong Kong Inn: A Rockin’ Sleigh Ride with the Rockin’ Henrys, Angie and the p spelling is correct Nightmares and Seatbelt, 7 p.m. ✰

Certifi ed Health Insurance asPRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. DEADLINE FOR PRIOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PLEASE IS NOTE: OR AD CHANGES 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE.

Keynote: Los Locos Leashless Brewing: Doc Ventura MadeWest Brewing: The Collective, 4-6 property of Southland Publishing.

LowSouthland as Publishing, $1/Month Insurance All advertising produced by the department on department of Southland Publishing, is production the copyrighted propertyofofSouthland Publishing.is the copyrighted p.m. Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s is prohibited without the express consent of rtising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consentpublications of Agent The Manhattan of Camarillo: Jeanne FREE Medi-Cal Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. Tatum Duo, 6:30-9:30 p.m. fees. p OK to run p OK to run Date:_______________________________ Ojai Underground Exchange: Jonathan Enrollment Date:_______________________________ McEuen, 7:30-9:30 p.m. This proof is to check for accuracy and is p OK to run s p OK to run The Shores: Teresa Russell, 9 p.m. not intended to showSignature: quality of reproduction. __________________________ with correction Signature: __________________________ uction. with correction FREE Medicare

Chris Shea (805) 901-6972

CA License #0635106

Star Lounge: Shawn Jones The Tavern: The Black Stripes, 10 p.m. Topa Mountain Winery: Patricia Avis

KIDS WELCOME at OPEN MIC NITE! With Attending Adult - TUESDAY 7PM

KITCHEN OPEN TILL 1:30 NIGHTLY VOTED #1 OPEN MIC EVERY TUESDAY NIGHT

VOTED #1 KARAOKE

K LIST: ne number is correct

E NOTE:20 —

Consultations

EVERY NIGHT IN THE LOUNGE!

GOLDEN CHINA R E S T A U R A N T

❐ address 760 is correct expiration is correct ❐ spelling is correct S. Seaward❐Ave., At the date 101 Fwy. • 652-0688 FAX: 652-0822 • www.goldenchinaventura.com

DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. — December 20, 2018

ertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of

El Rey (Ventura): 9:30 p.m. KARAOKE GiGi’s: 9 p.m. with Steve Luke

Golden China: 9 p.m. Lookout Bar: 9 p.m. with Blue Jay The Shores: 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, 12/23

LIVE MUSIC 805 Bar: Kenny Devoe, 12-3 p.m.

The Canyon: Do It for My City benefit show with The Neighborhood and other local acts, 7 p.m. ✰ Continued on Page 22

New Years Eve with the

ESTRADA BROTHERS Prefix Dinner with 3 Entrees Champagne Toast 2 Seating’s Call for reservations

805-642-9463

s l D t n

Ventura Harbor Client:

Star Aphrodites

Lounge is

AD PROO

Keynote LOUNGE

Ad Executive: Kelly VENTURA Spargur COUNTY’S (805) 648-224

OPEN Please check this and proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and VINYL SHOP Better Than Ever!

GRADY’S RECORD REFUGE

“Final Proof”. If December we receive20th no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approva 7-10pm Mon., December 31 2 SHOWS! on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. ACOUSTIC THURSDAY ISSUE: 12/20/1 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF 648-2245 ASAP w/ KAREN EDENTO (805)Thurs., Dec. 20 with Friday, December 21st 9pm Fri., CRV Dec. 21 Saturday, December 22nd 9pm

New Year’s Eve!

FRITZ COLEMAN

SHAWN JONES

and

LENNY SCHMIDT

East Coast Celebration from 5:30 - 9:00pm

West Coast Celebration

(805) 644-1500

LOS LOCOS Tuesday 9pm to 1am KARAOKE Sat., Dec. 22

Used & New Vinyl BUY • SELL • TRADE

Wednesday & Sunday Nights

LPs • CDs • 45s • 78s • DVDs & VHS 8-Tracks Reel-to-Reel • 12” Singles • Collectibles

10245 Telephone Rd., Ventura 647-9390 • keynotelounge.com

phono accessories!

JUKEBOX KARAOKE

from 9:30 - 2019

1559 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura

JAM NIGHT REIGN

343 E. MAIN VENTURA 648-4709

Your Boobs Are Our Business! Aphrodite’s offers COMPLIMENTARY BRA FITTINGS and features designer lingerie to fit all moods, sizes and budgets.

Extended Holiday Hours Mon. - Sat. 11am-7pm Sunday 11-5pm Through Christmas!

Something for EVERY-Body. Bras 30A - 46K petite small to 6x corsets 32 - 52

Needles & Belts • Phono Repair Vinyl Cleaning • Sleeves

Transfer Your Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

Client: Saul’s Loan & Jewelry

(

Please check this proof over carefully and all corrections clearly. You will have Recordings toa “1st CD!Proof”, “2 Lingerieindicate Store 17 years in a row! “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL AS IS.Gift If this proof mee MakesRUN A Great on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. Voted Best

NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS •PROOF TO Lingerie • Bridal Wear(805) & Registry 648-2245 ASAP

648-5565

• Designer Labels • Bachelorette Party Accessories CHECK LIST: 2546 E. Main St., Ventura • Unique Adult Toys & Novelties •Lotions & Postions p phone number is correct p address is correct puntil expiration ispen correct p spelling 7 Days thrOugh X-Mas is corre CK LIST: DATE NIGHT: Open 10pm Fri. & Sat.date O REAR PARKING 477correct E. Main St., Ventura • 805-652-0082 ddress is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling is correct hone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling is CHECK LIST: Day of the Week THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGESOpen IS Every 12:00 NOON PLEASE NOTE: CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE! www.aphroditesOnline.com p phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct p spelling isGIFT correct AD NOTE: CHANGES ISDEADLINE 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR THAT ISSUESTHE RELEASE. FOR AD CHANGES IS TO 12:00 NOON TUESDAY PRIOR TO THATdepartment ISSUES RELEASE. All advertising produced by the production of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publish ASE

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Need Extra Money for The Holidays?

PLEASE NOTE:

We Loan On ANYTHING OF VALUE!

Lots of great Jewelry Items on Sale Now!

All advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrigh Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is pr Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. p OK to run Date:__________

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DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEAS

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This proof is to check for accuracy and is not intended to show quality of reproduction.

p OK to run with correction

Signature: ________________________

FREE & EASY LAYAWAY PLANS

Saul’s Loan & Jewelry Located in downtown Oxnard since 1946

532 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard, CA

805-483-7036 Open till 10:00 p.m.

Lic. #56040996

December 20, 2018 —

— 21

AD PROOF ent: Burger Barn Ad Executive: Warren Barrett (805) 648-2244 Adover Executive: Warren (805) 648-2244 se check this proof carefully and indicateBarrett all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and

AFTER DARK

al Proof”.allIfcorrections we receiveclearly. no proof after 1st aor“1st 2ndProof”, Proofs,“2nd AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval indicate You willthe have Proof”, and he 1st1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF date andyour signapproval at the bottom. r the or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN(APPROVED)” AS IS. If this box, proof meets (APPROVED)” andPROOF sign at the ISSUE: 12/20/18 ICE: PLEASEbox, FAXdate THIS TO bottom. (805) 648-2245 ASAP

vcreporter.com

ISSUE: 10/11/18

TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

AD PROOF

rill

Ad Executive: Dave Stephens

T F G & (805) 648-2245 M ediTerranean C uisine

(805) 648-2244

over carefully and indicate corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, and heall reshesT eive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval reek box, date and sign at the bottom. off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)”

X THIS PROOF TO

Bombay 12/20/18 hosts a Winter Wondersound concert with several local bands — including Medicine ISSUE: Hat, Old Soul, Rose Valley Thorns and many more — performing on Saturday, Dec. 22, 1-11 p.m.

ASAP

Book Your Holiday Party

Continued from Page 20 Copper Blues: Aguilas de Oxnard Mariachi,

12:30 p.m.

Discovery: Holiday Jamboree benefiting Conejo Valley Victims Fund, 3 p.m.

ZZZ correctZZZ p address is correct

Harbor Cove Café: Yacht Rock Sunday

Open p expiration date is correct p spelling correct La Fonda del Rey: Live is music brunch, 11 daily

a.m.

am 2632AD E. Main St. IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY8:30 MadeWest Brewing:RELEASE. Milo Sledge Trio, DEADLINE FOR CHANGES PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES

1876 E Main St., Ventura 3-5 p.m. Ventura • 805.648.4200 AD PROOF d by the production department of Southland Publishing, the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. (805)is653-7276 The Manhattan of Camarillo: Derrick stephensmarketandgrill.com placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of Morales, 5-8 p.m. ters Ad Executive: Dave Stephens (805) 648-2244 lusover any applicable fees. Topa Mountain Winery:and Natalie Gelman, of carefully and all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2nd Proof”, p OK to run 2-4 p.m. Salmon indicate Date:_______________________________

receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof meets your approval Vintura: Epitome of Dreams, 3-6 p.m. ck accuracy off “FINAL (APPROVED)” or andPROOF is p OK to box, rundate and sign at the bottom.

Winchester’s: The Swillys, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Signature: __________________________ quality of reproduction. with648-2245 correction ISSUE: 12/20/18 FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) ASAP COMEDY

Levity Live Comedy Club: Paul Rodriguez, 7 p.m. ✰

Let Us Cater Your Next Party!

Stephen Geyer and Pat Milman, 1-4 p.m. DJS Q Club: Tacos and Turntables, 8-10 p.m.

COMEDY GiGi’s: Comedy Night hosted by Artie Lopez, 9 p.m.

Pirates: DJ Rick Rock, 7-11 p.m. Sans Souci: DJ Nick Dean, 10 p.m.

Levity Live Comedy Club: Fresh Drunk

OPEN MIC

Leashless Brewing: 7:30 p.m. with the

Beers Brothers

O’Leary’s: 805 Comedy Underground, 9 p.m. The Tavern: 9 p.m. KARAOKE

Azar’s Sports Bar: 8 p.m. with DJ Franchize

Golden China: 9 p.m. Keynote: 9 p.m. with Leigh

DANCING, TRIVIA, ETC. Duke’s: Trivia night, 7 p.m.

Garman’s Pub: Trivia Quiz, 7 p.m. Grapes and Hops: Tuesday Night Tango,

Stoned Comedy Tour, 8 p.m. OPEN MIC Azar’s Sports Bar: Hump Day Music Jam Night, 8 p.m.

Grapes and Hops: Bluegrass Jam, 6-9

p.m.

Harbor Cove Café: Ukulele jam, 10 a.m. Lookout Bar: 7-10 p.m. with Tommy

Foytek

Rock City Studios: 7 p.m. Sans Souci: Hosted by Sin Chonies, 10 p.m.

KARAOKE

Golden China: 9 p.m. Keynote: Jukebox Karaoke, 9 p.m. O’Leary’s: Steve Luke and the Lions Den,

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: Lowell

6:30-10 p.m.

9 p.m.

Paddy’s: 9 p.m. hosted by Robin DANCING, TRIVIA, ETC. Anacapa Brewing: Trivia Night, 8 p.m.

Sans Souci: DJ Darko KARAOKE GiGi’s: Industry Night Karaoke, 8 p.m. with Steve Luke

Institution Ale: Trivia Night, 7-9 p.m. Lookout Bar: Team Trivia, 7:30 p.m. Waterside: Trivia night, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, 12/26

Sanders, 7 p.m. DJS Bombay: DJ Cam, 2-7 p.m.

LIVE MUSIC Café Fiore: Big Adventure

CK LIST: Golden China: 9 p.m. Pirates: Frank Barajas, 5-9 p.m. one number is correct p address is correct p expiration date is Jukebox correct pp.m. spelling is correct Keynote: Karaoke, 9 dress is correct p expiration date spelling is correct 566 is E. correct Main St. • p 643-7855 La Fonda del Rey: 3 p.m. DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE. SE NOTE: Lookout Bar: 5-8 p.m. Garyoke with Gary Downtown AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO Ventura THAT ISSUES RELEASE. Ballen vertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing.

Bar Rincon at Whole Foods: King Trivia,

7 p.m.

Bogie’s: Salsa lessons, 6:30 p.m.; Salsa music, 9 p.m.

La Dolce Vita: Trivia Night, 7 p.m.

DANCING, TRIVIA, ETC. epartment Southland Publishing, is theincopyrighted property of Southland Publishing. se other thanofthe placement of advertising any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of Chinaland: Salsa and Bachata classes, Winchesters Gprohibited rill & saloon g in Publishing, any of Southland Publishing’s publications is without the express consent of and plus any applicable fees. 8:30-9:30 p.m. Ventura’s Original Ale House p OKCraft to run Date:_______________________________ The Garage: King Trivia with Lamar Miles, EVERY p OK to run now presents 8 p.m. I C WEEKEND! oof is to check for accuracyDate:_______________________________ and LI is V E pMU OK toSrun Signature: __________________________ tended show quality of&reproduction. pto OK to run FRIDAYS SATURDAYS 8:30 - with 11:30 PM • SUNDAYS 2:30 - 5:30 PM correction Monday, 12/24 __________________________ on. with correction Signature: KARAOKE Friday, Dec. 21 ACOUSTIC DNA The Garage: Manic Monday, 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 KENNY DEVOE Golden China: 9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 23 THE SWILLYS

orrect

Friday, Dec. 28 CRV ACOUSTIC Saturday, Dec. 29 MARK MASSON Sunday, Dec. 30 THE CATTERWAILERS • Steaks • Burgers • Seafood • Cocktails • Salads

get social with us to see upcoming acts @WinchestersGrill

632 E. Main St., Ventura

p address is correct(805)p653-7446 expiration date is correct www.winchestersgrill.com

Outlaws: Hosted by Rockin’ Robin Sans Souci: 10 p.m.

DANCING, TRIVIA, ETC.

Bottle & Pint (Newbury Park): King Trivia, 7 p.m.

Copper Blues: 7 p.m. Poinsettia Pavilion: Poinsettia Pavilion Ballroom Dance Club, 7:30-9:45 p.m.

Tuesday, 12/25 p spelling is correct LIVE MUSIC

Lookout Bar: Teresa Russell and Mom, DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE.

22 —

— December 20, 2018

y the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publishing. ement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited without the express consent of

Have a rockabilly holiday at the Hong Kong Inn this weekend! The Rockin’ Henrys are joined by Angie and the Nightmares and Seatbelt for A Rockin’ Sleigh Ride on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m.

FILM+MEDIA

Client: Journey Home

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

VCREPORTER.COM

24/7 365

Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2n “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof mee on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

.com

• Articles • Contests • Listings • Blogs See current annuals like our Dining Guide & Wedding Guide

For Advertising Information Call:

805-648-2244 Client: La Rouge

BHappy

Ad Executive: Warren Barrett

HolidaysB

Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “Final Proof”. If we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN AS IS. If this proof m on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP

RalphRalphBreaks the Internet goes viral

Meaningful & Inspiring Gifts v Winter Solstice gifts v Crystals & Jewelry CHECK LIST: v Sacred Art & Decor p phone number is correct p address is correct p expiration dateCertificates is correct p spelling is corr Meanwhile, Mr. Litwak has installed WiFi in the v Gift arcade, but it’s considered out of bounds for any of the

tjpompey@gmail.com Ralph Breaks the Internet Directed by Phil Johnston, Rich Moore Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson Rated PG for some action and rude humor 1 hr., 52 mins.

oor Ralph! First, he wants to be a hero and causes untold video game havoc. Now he’s forced to endure the same kind of nonsense most of us put up with every day in our Internet universe. I don’t know how you feel about living online these days, but to me, his second fate is much worse. He’s annoyed by all the distractions. I know exactly how he feels. Funny how the same Ralph, so charming in the original, can be so . . . commercialized, shall we say, in his sequel, Ralph Breaks the Internet. Maybe it’s just more fun to remember how video games used to be cheesy and charming. On the Internet, all that fun is blotted out by popup ads and digital traffic. It’s been six years since Ralph (John C. Reilly) decided to shake up the video world in Wreck-It Ralph. Now he’s happy with his work and hangs out every night at Litwak’s Family Fun Center with his gal pal Vanellope von Schweetz (Sarah Silverman) from the game Sugar Rush. But Vanellope is bored with the same racetrack and the same results every game. She wants something different. Ralph in his typical bullish manner decides to build her a new racetrack. Unfortunately, it causes a conflict between Vanellope the driver and the gamer with the steering wheel. When the steering wheel breaks, Mr. Litwak (Ed O’Neill) cannot order a replacement because the designers of Sugar Rush have gone defunct. One of the gamers finds a wheel on eBay, but it’s much too expensive. As a result, Mr. Litwak shuts down Sugar Rush and leaves all its characters homeless.

‘‘

by Tim Pompey

O Journey Home

from

2950ISJohnson Dr THE Ventura video characters. andDEADLINE Vanellope decide break FORtoAD CHANGES 12:00 NOON TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT ISSUES RELEASE v JourneyOm.com PLEASE NOTE:Ralph Client: O’Connor Pest Control Ad Executive: Diane Newman (8

in, track down the offer on eBay and bring back the All advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property of Southland Publi steering wheel. Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. You will have a “1st Proof”, “2n AnyInuse the placement ofIfadvertising inno any of Southland publications is prohibited the express cons theother onlinethan world, Ralph and Vanellope baffled. “Final Proof”. weare receive proof after thePublishing’s 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN ASwithout IS. If this proof meet Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. Just finding eBay is one Ralph,check in his typical on challenge. the 1st proof, off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. crash-forward fashion, manages to run up the bid on the p OK to run Date:______________________________ IS NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP steering wheel $200for to accuracy $27,000. Now, This proof is tofrom check andif ishe doesn’t p OK to run come up with the 24 hours, loses his bid fornot intended to cash showinquality ofhereproduction. with correction Signature: _________________________ ever. No steering wheel, no Sugar Rush. But how does

Happy Hour Blowout Special ONLY $35 Thursday’s 2 - 6pm

one make that much money on the Internet? For Ralph and Vanellope the simple answer is . . . steal a car. For directors Phil Johnston and Rich Moore, the challenge here is to make the Internet charming and funny. Book your appointment today The approach they choose is tongue in cheek. Disney in particular has allowed them much leeway to poke fun at Stations available for Rent their characters. What’s lurking in the picture, however, are the huge corporate logos common to adult Internet users. The film vaults continuously between the characters’ sense of CHECK wonderLIST: and the Internet’s search 2104 E. Main St., Ventura engines number and marketing tools. p phone is correct p address is correct p expiration date is High) correct ps (across from Ventura While the movie is high energy (805) 667-8533 with ample adventure and wit, DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO THAT PLEASE it’s alsoNOTE: an openly commercial Allskyline advertising produced by the production department of Southland Publishing, is the copyrighted property o for Internet marketing. Take for than example the effort of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited withou Any use other the placement behind making Ralph’s videos a Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees. viral sensation. Yes, some of it is p OK to run funny, but it’s also a YouTube looThis proof is to check accuracy and is p OK to run kalike posing as a children’s adventure. Andfor of course, to show of reproduction. with correction we all have to deal not withintended the 800-pound gorillaquality that these videos exploit — the wonderful world of spam. While there are some entertaining moments and some charming moments, and even some thoughtful moments as Ralph and Vanellope test their friendship, I might think twice about who should go see this. And I also wondered: Does this movie imply that young children are already so immersed in the Internet that they would be comfortable with all the tools on display? Perhaps it’s also a consideration for parents CHECK wrestling with how much InternetLIST: to share with their children. In Ralph, it’spallphone there fornumber kids to watch; a is correct p address is correct p expiration date is correct whole, visual, high-powered world of advertising, all aimed at little eyes. ♦ DEADLINE FOR AD CHANGES IS 12:00 NOON THE TUESDAY PRIOR TO TH

While the movie is high energy with ample adventure and wit, it’s also an openly commercial skyline for Internet marketing.

Date:___________________

Signature: ______________

PLEASE NOTE:

20, 2018 — copyrighted — 23 proper All advertising produced by the production department of SouthlandDecember Publishing, is the Any use other than the placement of advertising in any of Southland Publishing’s publications is prohibited wi Southland Publishing, plus any applicable fees.

IN GOOD TASTE

vcuncorked

vcreporter.com

Special attention to detail by Mark Storer NABU Wines 2649 Townsgate Road Westlake Village, Suite 200 805-778-1100 http://nabuwines.com NABU Wines in Westlake Village has been breaking down barriers since its doors opened. Named for the relationship owners Greg Barnett and Jeff Bailey have with vineyards in the Malibu Hills American Viticultural Area (AVA) and Napa Valley’s AVA, the winery is the first to produce varietals from both areas. “When you visit NABU, you’re visiting the full-production facility of the Malibu wines off the mountain,” said Barnett, who was recently named president of the Malibu Hills AVA. “It’s the only tasting room we have so far, so you get to taste both our Malibu and our Napa wines.” That unique marriage is what inspires Barnett, a graphic designer and music promoter by training. “I’ve been making wine for 18 years,” Barnett said. On Friday and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., the winery features live music bringing in local singers, songwriters and bands along with area food trucks. Additionally, Pitfire Artisan Pizza of Westlake Village provides delivery to your table if you order from the winery. Barnett’s skills as a designer have not gone to waste in the winery’s interior and the light, open and airy feel with a large quartz-topped bar is as inviting as it is attractive. On the wall is a dart board suitable for shooting a few rounds and Barnett even keeps a couple of acoustic gui-

tars available in case the muse descends while sipping. It is the wine, however, that keeps people coming back. The live music is a draw, of course, as is the convenient location. But Barnett and Bailey focus on the boutique, small-batch nature of the wines they make chosen from vineyards that they handselect. That attention to detail along with weekend live music and food have garnered NABU a best wine bar award in the Los Angeles area. For full disclosure, I’ve known Barnett since our teenage years and as a certified sommelier, I volunteered to help do tasting notes for the wines, so I’ve tasted through a number of the vintages. The 2016 Malibu Coast chardonnay is full of lemon fragrance and pear, apple and citrus and a nice vanilla core. The winery produces a blend called 140 Founders Blend, an homage to Barnett’s and Bailey’s friendship and partnership which began via Twitter 140 characters at a time. It’s 60 percent cabernet sauvignon and 40 percent merlot, a Bordeaux blend that’s rich and deep purple with great cassis and dark fruit and berry flavors. The 2015 merlot from the St. Helena region of Napa has dark plum and berry flavors, excellent mouth feel and finish. ♦ NABU is open Thursdays 5-9 p.m., Fridays 5-11 p.m., Saturdays noon-11 pm and Sundays noon-6 p.m. Live music with by the glass or bottle pricing with local food trucks happens on Friday and Saturday evenings from 8 p.m. until closing. Tasting includes six wines for $20 and is a mash-up of the Malibu and Napa wines.

The 2016 Malibu Coast chardonnay boasts citrus, pear, apple and vanilla flavors. 24 —

— December 20, 2018

A sushi burrito, veggie roll and a big portion of chow mein makes for an epic lunchtime (or dinnertime) easy meal on Ventura Avenue.

Eclectic taste comes to the Avenue by Chris O’Neal chris@vcreporter.com

Mandala Express 421 N. Ventura Ave., Ventura 805-648-8969 $4.50-$10.95

case you missed it, Ventura has an unofficial “taco district” consisting of 14 Mexican restaurants along Ventura Avenue. In other words, Ventura Avenue is ripe with choice for tacos. What it lacks is, well, choice for much else. Enter Mandala Express: The Avenue’s one-stop shop for something different, though there is a unique burrito on the menu. Mandala Express comes by way of Om Thai Cuisine in Oak View, whose owners found a former Mexican restaurant on Ventura Avenue to transform into a walk-up fast diner featuring a who’s who of Asian Fusion, mostly highlighting Chinese and Japanese items. Only six or so months ago, a cart outside of the same venue cooked up carnitas for passersby. Now it serves chow mein and sushi burritos to curious Avenue residents. At its grand opening, Mandala Express hosted a DJ pumping boisterous music out onto the street. Located directly across from Bell Arts, the small eatery is incredibly unassuming with one large window and a metal door recently painted white. Inside, a few tables welcome visitors who wish to eat in. Personally, I was excited. While I love and appreciate the Avenue’s range of Mexican establishments (most of which are family owned), sometimes I just want a big bowl of noodles without having to leave the comfort of my neighborhood. Mandala Express welcomed me with a delightful aroma of garlic and chili frying on the griddle, and by the looks of the opening weekend crowd, I wasn’t the only one enticed. I chose to take my food to go as the music pumped a little louder than my stomach rumbled. You can have a combo from one to three entrees and a side, with choices ranging from orange chicken to beef broccoli. Sides include steamed or fried rice, chow mein or a green salad ($6.50-10.95). My first choice, however, was á la carte: the vegetable chow mein ($8.95). This is an old school dish that could be considered comfort food for those of us who grew up with Chinese takeout on weekends. The noodles were

cooked well, seasoned generously and tossed with fresh cabbage, carrots and onion. I watched with fleeting patience as the noodles came off the griddle and into my takeout box. Along with the noodles I ordered a vegetable roll ($4.50), which came stuffed with avocado, cucumber and seaweed salad. I expected a small portion, noting my experience at certain unnamed sushi joints — which offer vegetable rolls the size of a roll of quarters at a premium — but was pleasantly surprised by the enormity of the portion. One vegetable roll would be filling enough for lunch — along with any of the other sushi options, including a California roll, spicy tuna roll or tempura roll ($4.50 and $5.50, respectively). Lastly, because I just can’t get enough of the fusion phenomena of years past, I ordered a sushi burrito ($8.50). What basically amounts to a very large, uncut sushi roll was stuffed with avocado, tofu, seaweed salad and a teriyaki sauce, wrapped up in rice and seaweed and served in a facsimile of a carne asada burrito one could get across the way at Taqueria Tepatitlan. I also ordered a few vegetable egg rolls ($4.50) to go because, why not? We were going to have a feast on Mandala Express as a welcome-to-the-neighborhood gesture . . . might as well throw in an appetizer, too. Mandala Express wows not with creativity, per se, but with knowing how to produce classic dishes very well while serving your more modern items with expertise. The noodles were a throwback: I envisioned myself with a packet of soy sauce and chopsticks, chowing down in front of The X-Files. These noodles were what I wanted and had expected: flavorful, well done and filling. The sushi was rolled as well as you’d find at a restaurant specializing in only sushi. The flavors meld very well together, including with the seaweed, which was a nice addition to the otherwise blasé filling of avocado and cucumber. The sushi burrito stole the show with its teriyaki sauce and light tartness from the rice splashed with vinegar. A few weeks have passed since last I dined at Mandala Express, but it doesn’t appear that the crowds are going anywhere. This side of Ventura needed an option of its nature to break up the monotony, or better, to come to appreciate the wide variety of tacos, burritos, mole and what-have-you available on every block. After all, no one wants to get bored of tacos. Mandala Express stands on its own as a welcome addition to the Ventura Avenue area and, specifically, to the Taco District. ♦

AD PROOF Regency Theatre Ad Executive: David Client: Comden (805) 648-2244

Client: Canyon Club

Ad Executive:

Tide Table ♦ December 20 - 26 Please check this “2nd proofProof”, over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. Please check this proof over carefully and indicate all corrections clearly. Surf YouReport: will have a “1st Proof”, and

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“Final Proof”. we receive no proof after the 1st or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL RUN A a.m. ♦ Sunset 4:511st p.m. “Final Proof”. If we Sunrise receive6:59 no proof after the or 2nd Proofs, AD WILL ASNorth IS. If this proof Ifmeets your approval NewRUN strong on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the on the 1st proof, check off “FINAL PROOF (APPROVED)” box, date and sign at the bottom. West swell is due LOW TIDE HIGH TIDE NOTICE: PLEASEISSUE: FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP 12/20/18 NOTICE: PLEASE FAX THIS PROOF TO (805) 648-2245 ASAP Thursday with AM HT PM HT AM HT PM HT Thur 12:42

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