SENT EMAIL ~ Media View ~ April Issue #25
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From: Joel Anderson [mailto:editor@ojaiandventuraview.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 6:12 AM
To: David@vcreporter.com
Subject: Fwd: An Open Letter to the VC Reporter, Chris Jay, [Chris] Mastrovita, and [Mike Michel] Cicero.
David Comden, publisher VCReporter
re: Ventura County Music Scene Letter
Dave,
I am forwarding you an E-Mail/Letter I received at The Ojai and Ventura VIEW yesterday from D-FLOx. Perhaps you will find this Email/Letter useful. Have you seen it? I do know your schedule keeps you busy, you may not be involved in the day-to-day hands-on operations or maintenance of your editorial/entertainment depts, or you simply may not have had the opportunity to read the email/letter. At any rate, I would be interested in your thoughts re: D-FLOx's letter?
Joel Anderson
editor, The Ojai and Ventura VIEW
editor@ojaiandventuraview.com
www.OjaiandVenturaVIEW.com
Begin forwarded message:
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An Open Letter to the VC Reporter, Chris
Jay, [Chris] Mastrovita, and [Mike Michel] Cicero
To be fair, I would first like to applaud the VC Reporter for dedicating an entire issue to local music. I begin with a compliment, because the rest of this letter is dedicated to the fact that said recent issue, was a dismal failure.
I don't intend to diminish the talent or importance of the artist covered, but the tragic fact remains: The "Local Music" issue failed to include one single mention of the most actively growing music scene in Ventura County, the one that belongs to Heavy Metal.
In this letter, I will systematically highlight some of the "minor" points that your insular rag overlooked. [Michael Michel] Cicero, Chris Jay, and Chris Mastrovita, I'm calling you out by name to pay close attention, because despite the fact that all three of you have been in music scene for years, perhaps age is getting the better of you and you require a wake up call.
1) Ascending Chaos Productions
Despite the fact that the VC Reporter believes that the majority of it's readers ane getting drunk at Bombay's three nights a week, there still exists a thriving and growing all-ages scene. A music scene is nothing without the kids. NO ONE in this town is doing more for the all ages scene then Gabi Chaos from Ascending Chaos Productions. She has personally bankrolled massive all ages shows for the past 2 years all over Ventura and Santa Barbara County, and booking national acts like CATTLE DECAPITATION, and VITAL REMAINS. But maybe the VC reporter was unaware of this scene, oh wait... "Ventura County's extreme metal scene is still alive and speed-picking, and Sunday night's packed death metal match-up at Knights of Columbus Hall was manifest proof of that fact (Mastrovita, VC Reporter Aug. 20th, 2009)." So Chris, was your omission of heavy metal just a case of amnesia or blatant laziness?
2) Warbringer
Perhaps you weren't aware that the majority of Warbringer's members are from Ventura, signed to Century Media, and recently opened up for bands like SLIPKNOT, and MEGADETH just to name a few. I wonder if Chris Jay knows anything about being in an internationally successful band from Ventura, and getting no recognition for it?
3) The Oxnard Hardcore/Deathcore Scene
For better or for worse, these kids are here to stay, and it's lasting generations. Opening this massive can warrant's pages and pages of material, and it's an atrocity that the VC reported neglected to at least pay some sort of mind to hundreds of kids continuing a tradition of hardcore music that has evolved into local bands with huge draws like GRAVESLUT. Last time I check, Oxnard is Ventura County too.
On Monday, April 26th at 6pm, we'll have Gabi Chaos as a special guest on The Dungeon Awaits Podcast, and we'll be dedicating an entire 2-hour radio show to discussing your "Local Music Issue", or the lack of local music rather. (www.errorfm.com) We'll be featuring exclusively 805 local bands, national acts and local acts, and picking up the pieces where your journalism is broken. As epic as the metal scene in Ventura County is and always will be, the only thing epic about your local music issue, is how it failed.
D-FLOx
"Blood, Fire, and Death"
www.thegauntlet.com www.thedungeonawaits.com
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VCReporter Publisher Provides Lengthy Response to The Ojai and Ventura VIEW re. Letter from 'D-FLOx'
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From: david@vcreporter.com
Subject: RE: An Open Letter to the VC Reporter, Chris Jay, [Chris] Mastrovita, and [Mike Michel] Cicero
Date: April 22, 2010 8:19:46 AM PDT
To: editor@ojaiandventuraview.com
Joel: I received it.
David
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~ Serenity Therapy ~ VIEW Public Service AnnouncementTM
Passive Communication is a style in which individuals have developed a pattern of avoiding expressing their opinions or feelings, protecting their rights, and identifying and meeting their needs. Passive communication is usually born of low self-esteem. These individuals believe: "I'm not worth taking care of."
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MEDIA VIEW - VIEW Issue No. 10, January Desperate Times: How the Mainstream Press is still screwing UP the U.S. ~ Toughie Times for not so 'Local' Corporate Chain-Print Rags, and they blame the internet for their lack of Soul & Journalistic Integrity...
Tough times for not so 'locally' based corporate chainpapers has meant the discerning post-economic-crash 'press' consumer has perhaps begun to read through their lines with their pocket books.
The LA Times (Tribune Co.) has declared bankruptcy, the Star Free Press (Scripps closed Ventura offices) is in the process of stripping out 20 more employees, VCReporter (Southland Publications chain-based corporate faux-alternative, Pasadena/LA owned) is shrinking its pages, seeking interns, and one of their editors is actively looking for employment elsewhere. They're also having difficulty communicating with area merchants. Has anyone noticed the Ojai Valley News (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Buchanan Communications-based chain paper) recently reduced the width of its paper from 13 11/16" to 11 15/16"? Shrewd... And one of their prime star writers has called it splittsville, permanently and for far elsewhere away from the Ojai Valley...
Could it be that these corporate chains have become overindulgent, fat, lazy and put themselves in the position of requiring an emergency intervention diet of light vittles, cornmeal and grits ? Surely every so often you'll see one (or two or three) of these chains eat one healthy apple (in the form of a 1/2 way... decent well-intended-by-the-writer news story), but that's all make believe facade intended to keep their paper mache rep. looking healthy.
When Otis Chandler retired as owner of the Times he was not happy, later in 1999, when the other controlling interest side of the Times family formally made the editorial dept. accountable to the advertising dept. This meant Times news gathering was further watered down in deference to the big bucks corporate Times advertisers' whim. And boy did they whim...Otis was particularly not happy at this sell out and said to reporters at the time that Times management had been "unbelievably stupid".
No wonder the U.S. of A. has been getting a lemonsqueezing all these years... What with Wall Street's cozy "wink-wink" love affair with the look-the-other-way corporate-media and corrupt government‚ ah the vestiges of zero press accountability ala No Rules Wall Street free-for-all.... One need only scan their littered pages to notice that there is a distinct absence of hard news and a Plethora of Press Releases (PR - propaganda) presented as "news" stories, ie: Ventura Breeze, others, etc. But wait, show pity ?
Perhaps it's not the mainstream media to blame ? Perhaps they have simply become a complacent and willing victim of greedy corporations and bad governance.... As in the Stockholm Syndrome (remember Patty Hearst ?); a psychological response sometimes seen in an abducted hostage (corporate media), in which the hostage shows signs of loyalty to the hostage-taker (greedy business and improper government influence), regardless of the danger or risk in which they have placed themselves. An object of pity or... Could watered down corporate rags simply and finally be getting their just due from too many years of business as usual (soft news peddling) in their unnatural sleepover with big government and payola-corporations ?
Time will tell... Look and Listen... can you hear the soul sucking sound ?
- editor
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MEDIA VIEW - Is the 1st Amendment Urban Blight ?
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View Issue No. 10 December
- Joel Anderson, editor, Jan. 09 Issue
Is He the "Media" or a Government Puppet ? Ventura VCReporter Publisher's Cozy Relationship with City Government: Tries to Shut Down the First Amendment in Ventura
Editors Note: The following email was recently received by the Ojai and Ventura VIEW advertising dept. from Pasadena-based corporate-chain faux-alternative VCReporter Publisher David Comden, (after standard business hours - 9-5pm). Is Dave operating as a City Official, Merchant, Publisher, or just as a businessman trying to corner the local advertising market, or all of the above ? I wasn't aware Dave was an elected official for the City of Ventura, at any rate......
Sent: Tues. March 17, 2009, 5:42 pm
From: david@vcreporter.com
To: advertise@ojaiandventuraview.com
Notice Regarding Changes to the Newspaper Rack Ordinance
March 17, 2009
Dear Publishers and Distributors :
The Downtown Ventura Organization, in conjunction with the City of Ventura, is developing a new set of rules and regulations regarding newspaper racks and vendor boxes for Downtown Ventura. This letter serves as the first contact regarding such changes.
At last count, there are over twenty different publications with a wide variety of racks and boxes in style, materials, color, etc... Our intent is to develop a new ordinance that helps to make Downtown Ventura more organized, attractive and safe.
There will be a meeting at 3pm, Thursday, April 9 at Jonathan's at Peirano's Restaurant, 204 E Main Street, downtown Ventura (across from the Mission) to discuss proposed changes to the present ordinance.
All publishers are invited to this meeting to hear the proposed changes and learn how they can be part of the process. Please RSVP by Monday, April 6 to jerry.breiner@earthlink.net to let us know if you plan to attend this meeting.
Contact Jerry Breiner, DVO Downtown Operations Team (DOT) Committee Chair at 805-794-7323 for more information.
See you Thursday, April 9th!
David Comden
Publisher
Ventura County Reporter
Ventana Monthly Magazine
Office 805-648-2244 ext 220
VIEW EDITOR'S NOTE: I wonder if all racks will be required to be painted VCReporter Red ? What great sense of (L.A.) community Dave has.... to donate his precious time to such a uh... cause as stifling the First Amendment - and so cheery about it ! Looks like Dave is Working Overtime..... !
Has Ojai Crept into the Deep Dark Underworld
of Dictatorial Fascism ?
With the Long-awaited resignation of Mayor Joe DeVito (effective Dec. 31), Ojai City Manager Jere "Not Elected" Kersnar has called for the Ojai City Council to choose Joe's replacement out of concern for the costs of a "Special" election.... But what of the cost of disolving the electoral process altogether ? Disolving Democracy ? Check out the Dec. 8 Ojai City Council Meet, 7:30pm. And how 'Cowboy' Jere do what he wants, contrary to the Voting Process of the Ojai City Council, See the November, Issue 20 Online, Page 2, Ojai's Raggedy Edge
October 17th, 8:11PM, Saturday
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SHELDON'S THEFT/VIDEO INCIDENT... Shifty Character... Waaaaa?
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Crime: Theft and Destruction of Ojai and Ventura VIEW papers
Location: Ventura, 400 Block East Main Street, Zander Building
Suspect: Elderly Gentleman identified by witnesses as Sheldon Brown, publisher/editor, Ventura Breeze
Immortalized by Zander Building Security Tape
Watch the Video ...and Decide for Yourself ~
THE VIDEO LINK: Click Here: Watch the Theft and Destruction Video: Click Here www.YouTube/OVVtaView
Scene 1/Camera1: The Theft - 8:11PM Suspect seen wandering into hallway, removes stack of the VIEW from designated spot on private display case, (owned by Carlson Jewelers). Suspect folds and tucks stack of VIEW under his right arm. Suspect observes eyewitness, then approaches table (antique washing machine) where the Breeze is displayed, furtively looks over shoulder, shuffles copies of the Breeze, leaves stack of the VIEW on washing machine. Wanders length of hall with hands in pockets, until eyewitness disappears in doorway, then hangs a U-turn and removes his hands from pockets as he approaches wash stand. Suspect picks up stack of the VIEW from washing machine and again tucks them under right arm, picks up stack of the Breeze in his left hand and carries both toward exit, depositing Breeze on Carlson's display case, in the spot designated for the VIEW. Exits building, turns left under cover of darkness of night with VIEW under arm.
Epilogue: Eyewitness finds stack of approximately 70 copies of the Sept. and Oct., 2009 Issues of The Ojai and Ventura VIEW in city trash receptacle outside. California Law, (Bill AB 2612), designates the theft of free newspapers as a misdemeanor, establishes fines for stealing newspapers and possible jail time for second offenders. The bill was signed into law in 2006 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. The law made legislative findings regarding the importance of free newspapers and that the unauthorized taking of such newspapers to be detrimental to the public interest. This activity interferes with First Amendment rights by "(3) Depriving the public of the opportunity to read or enjoy the newspaper, and (4) Harms a business competitor."
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The Ojai and Ventura VIEW is offering a Reward to anyone else providing electronic/photographic evidence of the Theft or Destruction of VIEW papers. Ron Rowe and Mary Long will personally present a bottle of hand-picked Charles Shaw Cabernet or Merlot. For More information stay tuned !
When the public's access to information is restricted or censored, the public suffers. When an individual, or government, or other media source or media/government cohort seeks to restrict the Press and First Amendment right to Free Speech, the public suffers. When this is done in the midst of an election, the voting public and ultimately our democratic and free way of life suffers. With the U.S. in such recent dire straits, the free discussion of ideas now more than ever, is necessary to provide a way out.
- Joel Anderson, editor, VIEW
Right Here Folks: The Wild,Wacky and Zany World of Ivory Tower Boy Sheldon Brown and the Ventura Breeze.... Sheldon cited by the Ventura P.D........
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VENTURA PD CRIME: VIDEO INCIDENT: Posted Sun. Oct. 25 - BREAKING NEWS: CAUGHT ON TAPE - Theft of The Ojai and Ventura VIEW - Video () The Nature of Politics.... The Ivory Tower's Boy:Sheldon Brown: First , then , then the half-truths...
Why indeed (See Above, Right) did Sheldon Brown advocate Theft of the VIEW ? Aug., 2009 Issue 17, Page 5: Blows it agin.... Find Out How Ventura Breeze/Publisher/Building contractor "L.A. Sheldon Brown" Stiffed an Oxnard Church, See Below. Churches No Longer Safe in Vta. County ~ "...I have no intentions of returning any money." - Sheldon 'A Million Excuses' Brown, Lil' Sheldon Beyond Reproach ?
Do You Feel Sorry for Sheldon yet ?
Media VIEW from October, Issue 19
Money Honey, by R.Ellis Smith
Ventura's L.A. Breeze Blows it agin......
Your 'Local'- L.A. (mistaken) Transplant
In a recent issue of the Breeze Mr. Sheldon Brown makes a plethora of mistakes, the first one is his mistake about the Measure "C" and what it will do to "Big Box" stores. He says it will limit them to 90,000 sq. ft. It appears it will only limit to 90,000 sq. ft., if they are selling groceries.
The next mistake is when Mr. Brown states that the Star reduced it's size by 1.5 inches, in reality the difference in size is only about .5 inch, all Mr Brown had to do, what with his being a "building contractor and all" (see VIEW Aug., 2009 Issue 17, Page 5) was to pull out his trusty tape measure.
The biggest mistake was when he accused the Juice and Java store of closing because of mismanagement and strange hours, when in reality the store had only moved location. When a customer wrote in to complain to Mr. Brown, instead of apologizing and publishing a corrected story, went on the defensive and actually chastised the writer saying he had no reason to apologize. L.A. Sheldon used the old stand by and said that "others" felt the same way he did; of course he failed to name the "others". Seems the owners of Juice and Java could have a case for libel, defamation of character.
Mr. Brown should really get out of the media business and go back to his shady method of building contracting (see VIEW Aug., 2009 Issue 17, Page 5). At least then he could make mistakes and simply ignore them, but what the hell, he's ignoring his mistakes now too!
PS: One other area that seems to be a bit overblown is his remark that the Breeze advertising revenue is increasing with each issue, I certainly don't see any new ads.
Rellis Smith
rellis39@sbcglobal.net
www.californiachile.com
"I don't want to talk about it right now, really..."
- Former Ventura Breeze Ad Rep., Oak View
Tom, Judith, and JT Erickson
House Fire: Help Change Friends Lives - Community Pull Together
Dear friends,
Thank you for taking time to read this and help a neighbor and wonderful Ojai family.
Tom, Judith and JT (Erickson/Brosius family) along with Corie and Ben were all caught in a fire last night (Sept 24) at 3 am in their home. Luckily everyone is safe and unharmed. They have lost one cat and one is still missing. Their puppy is black with soot, but ok. Most of the house and content was burnt, a car and a van too.
Your support can be offered in many ways. Please read below.
Some immediate needs:
Because Judith and Tom literally only have what they were wearing, they need clothes, food and gas money. Gift cards from Vons, Trader Joes, restaurants, gas stations and cash are most helpful. Specific clothes sizes are below. An account is being set up at the Ojai Community Bank. Please drop by and make a donation.
It was like pulling teeth to get this list of items that were lost in the fire. They do not want to impose on anyone, but as a community we know all these items are in surplus somewhere around and they can be put to stellar use here to help them rebuild their lives.
Thank you so much everyone for pitching in.
Please send all emails with responses to info@MadeinOjai.com or jangelgabriel@gmail.com. We will pass the messages on. Items can be dropped off at either of these generous stores:
Made in Ojai ~ 323 East Matilija - (805) 646-2400 ~ 11-6 weekdays, 11-5 Sat, 10-4 Sunday
Or
Vickie's Thrift Store ~ 922 East Ojai Avenue ~ right next to Georgios on Ojai Avenue.
Thank you Vickie and Roberta !
Clothes:
Judith - 5' 1" tall
Pants - medium drawstring, dark colors
Tops, medium to large, loose fit
Shoes -soft/cushy thong sandals (flip/flops) size 6 1/2 - Judith has a very wide foot with some nerve complications so she is in pain and these soft open sandals are best
Tom -
Pants - size 32/30
Shirts - t-shirts medium, button down/short sleeved - small
Shoes -
JT - age 18
Pants - size 28, trim legs, dark colors
Shirts - t-shirts large
Shoes - size 8 - skate style shoes
Other Needs:
1) Help with laundry- all the things that made it, need to be washed. (Some sheets, blankets, JT's t-shirts). If someone could take these things home and wash them and bring them back, that would be great. They will also need for the Laundromat:
a. Laundry detergent
b. Fabric softener
c. Eventually, a washer and dryer
2) Towels, beach and bath towels for all three.
3) Someone to spend some time on the internet and find the name of the cleanser and "magic" sponge that takes soot off of things.
4) Several folks to help Judith sorting through piles Friday and the weekend at the house and rescuing items. Bring some of the following:
a. Boxes and bins to store stuff in (lots of these so they can sort)
b. Rubber gloves or work gloves
c. Cleaning rags
d. Cleaning detergents
e. Hose
f. buckets
5) Someone to wash all the kitchen stuff and pack it up
a. Most of the kitchen stuff is ok, just covered with soot, so hauling it away, washing it and packing it in bins with labels until they have a new abode.
6) Storage space- need a couple places to store what they can store the salvaged items until they find a place
7) Carpentry tools for Tom
He builds chicken coops. Call Rocky Kemp 660-6569 or Tom Hardy 223-5517 to coordinate tool donations.
8) Skateboard with trucks and wheels- (7.75 deck, size 52 or 53 wheels, trucks to fit board, grip tape, bearings) approx. cost $150. Donated parts or a gift certificate for a skate shop.
9) Musical instruments for JT's band
a. Drum set
b. Amps (bass and two guitar amps)
c. Bass guitar
d. Electric guitars (2)
e. Acoustic guitar (Tom's)- standard size
10) 5 bikes - Ben's, Corie's, JT, Tom's and Judith's were all burnt
11) Laptop
12) Color printer/scanner
13) Printer and office supplies, ink, paper, etc.
14) Mouse/keyboard for desk top
15) Desktop computer
16) Twin or double bed
17) Full size bed
18) Massage table - Corie is a masseuse and it was in the garage and is no longer
19) CD player
20) TV, DVD player
21) Digital camera
22) Video camera
23) Restaurant gift certificates - They love Reuben's, Boccolis, Jim & Robs, Carrows is handy, breakfast works well at Cafe Emporium and Eggs n' Things. They admit to loving Taco Bell too.
Offerings so far:
1) Vicki's Thrift - donation drop off spot, meeting Thurs night at 7pm - 646-1769
2) Temporary housing - Gabriel Family- Gridley Road- 798-4111
3) Storage - Skye Khabir 798-2462 - 723 Fernando-
4) Doggy sitting - Dulanie Ellis and Doug LeBarr
5) Help of Ojai after Red Cross steps out
6) Made in Ojai - dropping point for donations ($ , clothes and food)
7) Pepper Tree Retreat - extra food from this weekend's retreat (Judy will deliver)
Thank you everyone ! We hope none of you will ever have to experience this tragedy.
Some friends
On behalf of the Erickson/Brosius family
Judy Gabriel
RetreatsofOjai.com
Read J.T.'s X-Games "On the Spot" Interview in the August, Issue 17 Online, (page 15) - - Editor
Ojai Still no Skate Park....
(from Issue #5 August, 2008)
Skateboard Legend Tells Ojai How It Is - Says,"Every Town Needs a Skate Park"
I recently sat down with Jason Jessee and Jennifer to talk about Bikes, Cars, Skateboardin' and livin' under the grid in Ojai. I asked him what he thought of Ojai's forever 'temporary' Skate Park...
I lived in Ojai for a year and I rode by the Ojai Skate Park on the way to the Santa Paula Park. I go to Santa Paula to Skate because they have a concrete park and they just have the best park. Ojai was well.....because it just wasn't really... The Ojai one is knarly, it's wood and it's super small. I have just pulled into the parking lot and just tripped out on it. There are some super good skaters. There is a handful of dudes that I'd see skateboarding there who are really good. I checked it out....there's a few kids who are super rad and they probably just don't want to take the bus; it's a hassle to go to Santa Paula.
We've been confused the whole time we've been here, like....why isn't there a big park here ? There are all these kids from, everywhere and boarding school kids and "that" is all they have. There's just THAT skate park... it's tacky.
Big O is where I actually started in Orange County when I was a kid and then Del Mar, and Upland Skate Park. Skateboarding has been my life since I turned pro when I was 17.
It's hard to break into skateboarding and then it's impossible to get out. Like I can't escape, it's everywhere now and it's such a big part of my life. I got everything I needed to get done with by the time I was 19. It was nice....I got to go everywhere, Australia, Europe, Canada, Hong Kong just all over....everywhere -- skating made my life complete for sure. I still don't regret any of it. I love it, still, and I'm 38 and I started when I was 11. I skate board and surf and that's all I wanted to do forever...
I don't think Skateboarding is going anywhere. It's not like rollerblading, I don't see that anymore, thank god. You know, your mom wore those, not you and your friends. You skate board and surf. That's just how I was raised you know.
Skate boarding feels better, they're not strapped to your feet. You can do so many things with them. There's a hundred and eighty uses for them. You can use them for a shovel, a ladder, you look cool in front of girls when you're younger. You can do so many things with them it's amazing. You can use them as a defense shield if people are throwing rocks at you. A ladder for your girlfriends room. haha...it's really amazing. An outlet for artists....
There's nothing negative about a skate park it's just all good, it's healthy. It's not true that skate parks are drug attractions. If people think their kids are doing something then, perfect - at least they will know where they are. If you believe the drug thing, that garbage is everywhere, at least with a skate park the kids are where you can watch them.
Jennifer: "my son was depressed the whole time he lived here because there was nothing to do. He's sixteen -- tried to skate down at Starbucks and they called the police on them. Where are they supposed to go ?"
Look at it this way, it's job security for the police. A skate park is good no matter what. If the city has the money lets do it...get it going ! They need to do something for the kids and it's even more terrible if they don't.
The first time I ever skate boarded I was nine-years-old, it was on Red Hill in Tucson, my dad took me and he told me to zig zag and instead I went straight down the hill and I got super hurt. I totally remember, honestly thinking, I should have listened to my dad... and then I got thrown....I remember the whole thing... he ran down the hill, threw me into the car and took me to the hospital and they had to pick all the gravel off. But I didn't care I was into skate boarding and I was going to do it no matter what.
When I worked for this company in '92 we started a push to get a skate park in your town. Consolidated Skateboards, I worked there for 10-years. They would send packets to skate shops to help towns get their own skate parks. It worked. Now it's amazing, so cool, every town should have one. You have to have one if your a kid. Skateboarding is super super cool, it's just different. Maybe people are threatened because most skate boarders are free thinkers and all.
Now I'm doing a shoot for Vans and I'm doing some stuff for leather tooling in Japan -- some custom stuff. I'm also doing some stuff for Obey.
More info. www.automodown.com
www.thedrivenskateboards.com
Letter - Representative Nava
To: Pedro Nava, Assemblyman (D-Ventura-Oxnard-Santa Barbara, 35th District)
Subject: Help Citizens Please !
Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009
Dear Mr. Nava,
I do not know if you can actually do anything about our problems here but I feel you do need to be informed.
The City of Ventura is unfairly targeting housing and trying to raise money for their coffers by proactively enforcing housing codes that they have ignored for 30 - 50 years. The code enforcement division is unfairly bullying, seniors, poor people, people of color. They talk their way into our homes without informing us of our right to seek a warrant.
They threaten homeowners with $400 a day fines. (8th amendment- cruel and unjust fines!).
They are telling me that I owe them $14,000.00 for past fees/fines ?
Is this cruel and unusual treatment ?
I am at present unemployed even though I hold a master's degree.
I have no health insurance for my family. My home is my only hope for any type of retirement. I feel that the City of Ventura is trying to take this away from me. I feel stressed in these economic times. This city is
causing me sleepless nights and depression.
Please look into this by contacting this email for Camille Harris: camille_harris@hotmail.com
She will send you news articles and more detailed information about our situation. They have targeted over ninety families at present. Many are elderly and poor. They will force them out !
If you are unable to help then please pass this on to anyone who can. A lawyer from out of Ventura county will help.
I thank you for taking time to read this.
Sincerely,
Michael Pedziwiatr
(Tax paying, law abiding citizen)
From The Rose, Vol. I, Issue I, April, 2008, with Special Updates ~ What Country Folks Haven't Learned About City Folks...
"When Fluffy (or Fido) Goes Missing"
By Mary M. Long
Hey everyone, your cat (or dog's) not "missing" your cat (or dog) was lunch. Forget the posters with proffered rewards for lost beloved pet because guess what Coyotes don't read !!!
Yep, Coyote attacks are up and Mr. Wiley thinks nothing of four-pawing it right into downtown Hollywood or your front porch to pick off a mouthful of fat domesticated cat. What's your cat missing by a "boring life indoors?" He's missing the opportunity to be eaten, run over, poisoned or kidnapped. Yeah, kidnapped!!! Are you aware that if your "Sammy" ventures into your wacky neighbors yard he can be airlifted to the County Shelter as a "stray". In some Shelters unclaimed cats are mistaken for "feral" cats and euthanized as unmanageable. If Fluffy goes missing it's unlikely you will ever see his furry little face again but check the animal shelter just in case a misguided neighbor has dropped him at the Pound. Guess what, only five percent of "found" cats are ever reunited with their owners. Coyote attacks are on the rise in California as the coyote population proliferates and is losing fear of people. Check it out... I have had them stalk me while I'm riding my horse or stop right in front of my car and stare me down? You think that yelling at them is going to scare the beejesus out of them think again.....and, oh yeah, don't even bother chasing them in an effort to retrieve Fluffy unless you can fun over 40 mph! Yes if you care for kitty, confine him.
If you really think he's missing the joys of the great outdoors you can always build an enclosure in your backyard which will let Kitty play in the sunshine without letting him venture into the great and perilous world.
The Humane Society reports that the average life span of a free-roaming cat (or small dog...) is about three years, compared to 12-18 years for the indoor kitty. Don't weaken when you see Tabitha sitting at the window drooling over the prospect of nabbing a freewheeling bird. Buy kitty a window perch and give him the gift of a long and happy life.
Mary M. Long
PetViews@OjaiandVenturaView.com
PRESS RELEASE
19th Annual Ojai Mardi Gras
Masquerade Ball - Sat, Feb. 21, 2009
It's time once again to do as they say in New Orleans: Laissez les bons temps rouler !
Let the good times roll ! The 19th Annual Ojai Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball is just around the corner. Join the revelry on Sat., Feb. 21, starting at 7:30pm, at the Ojai Valley Woman's Club, 441 E. Ojai Ave. in downtown Ojai. Presented by the Ojai Mardi Gras Wake Up Krewe and Foundation of American Roots Music (FARM), this year's event is a tribute to Venice, home to one of the world's biggest Mardi Gras celebrations. The Ojai theme is "Venetian Vibrations: Unmask Your Passion !"
The Ojai Mardi Gras Band, in its current incarnation as Sisters of Mercy and the Italian Stallions, will keep the dance going with a collection of irresistible grooves culled from years of exploring the music of New Orleans. The 9-piece band, led by John Zeretske and featuring vocalists Patricia Cardinali and Connie Early, will include special guest headliner Doug Legacy, renowned Zydeco accordionist and keyboardist.
Doug Legacy, one of the founding members of the nationally known Zydeco Party Band, has spent a lifetime writing and making music. He has performed with Oingo Boingo, Todd Rundgren, and Paul McCartney among many others. His vocals, piano, and accordion will add that athentic Cajun blues sound to this year's all-star band.
But wait ! There's more ! Rondia's Kitchen will return with her signature spicy roasted chicken wings and other Southern homestyle cooking. FARM will set up a no-host bar to serve beer, wine and cocktails to those 21 and older (ID required). The Art Krewe will present their annual offering of visual delights to accent the Venetian theme. An exhibit of their artwork is on display at the Ojai Coffee Roasting Company, 337 E. Ojai Ave., for the month of Feb. The Ojai Mardi Gras Art Show features masks, feathered fans, paintings by Lyle Mathews, and other work in various media.
So does it sound like a party yet ? Well, don't forget about the Costume Contest with prizes in several categories including King Robaire's Grand Prize for Excellence in Costume Design. For those needing masks for their costumes, Vicki's Pink Thrift, 922 E. Ojai Ave., has a few Venetian style masks in stock if you hurry.
In honor of Lyle Mathews, the late founder of the Ojai Mardi Gras who succumbed to cancer after the second annual event, the Wake Up Krewe donates proceeds from the dance to someone in the community with a terminal illness or pressing medical need. This year's designee is Denlow Enlow, former Ojai resident and son of the late Harmony Kaufer of Ojai. Four years ago, Denlow was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the progressive neurodegenerative disease commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which has left him with severe mobility issues. To learn more about him and his condition, visit the online newsletter of the Living/Dying Project at www.livingdying.org/ldp07_news.pdf
Advance tickets are now on sale for $20 at the following outlets: Ojai Creates ! 606 E. Ojai Ave.; Cardinali Brothers Music, 139 W. El Roblar Dr. in Meiners Oaks; Studio Sauvageau, 334-B E. Ojai Ave.; Ojai Coffee Roasting Company, 337 E. Ojai Ave.; and Soultonic Studio, 442 E. Main St. in Ventura. Admission will be $25 at the door. For more info, call the Mardi Gras Hotline at 805-646-7843.
- Lanny Kaufer
re The Fake 'Voice' (2008 version) vs. The Real 'Voice' 2007 to previous...
From Rosa San Marchi e-mail, Mar. 30, 2008: "However, as the house was packed up and we had to start thinking about catching up with our own lives, Ray made it clear that he wanted to round up the writers and advertisers and get another issue out. We explained to him that after really digging into the business affairs and investigating the possibility of doing just that (putting out another issue), the simple truth had become clear: Jeff was the Voice, and the Voice was Jeff. There was no registered business, no discernible business plan, no clear bookkeeping, no real record of assets and no last will or plan to pass anything on. His tax forms spell it out in black and white: it was just Jeff San Marchi DBA (doing business as) the Voice. As we initially requested, and what seems clear, is that the 'Voice' as we've known it passes on with Jeff." -- Rosa San Marchi (daughter of Jeff San Marchi), e-mail dated March 30, 2008, 1:30 pm.
EDITOR'S NOTE: As shown above, Ray Alpern was not "appointed" editor/publisher of the "Voice".
VOICE ' Jeff SanMarchi Daughter, Rosa SanMarchi Requests the 'VOICE' name be Retired with Jeff's Passing - VIEW Respects Daughter's Wishes
----- Original Message -----
From: Rosa San Marchi
To: katesmith2@earthlink.net
Cc: jaimages@aol.com ; sespe@sespewild.org ; mary1573@sbcglobal.net ; fpecar4525@aol.com ; rellis39@sbcglobal.net ; rhjrowe@aol.com ; beachdogs2@juno.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 1:27 PM
Subject: Clarification of San Marchi's Request
We would like to clarify a misunderstanding on the part of Kate Smith.
In the email we sent to all concerned parties on Sunday, March 30th we requested that "the 'Voice' as we've known it passes on with Jeff."
We are not giving our blessings to this venture of re-invigorating "the Voice".
Our request is that you start a new venture in the tradition of, but not under the banner of, Jeff San Marchi's "Voice". As we stated before, the "Voice" that we all knew, loved and sometimes loathed - can not, will not exist without him. We know more than anyone how hard it hurts to let it go, to admit that, but it is the truth.
We are also requesting that we not be included in anymore email conversations.
Respectfully, Ana & Rosa San Marchi
In Salute of our many Veterans, without which our enjoyed freedoms would not be possible, the VIEW pays honor to our men and women in arms. Oak Views Sanford Drucker (far left), Landis Potter and grandson, Jordan (top right), and city councilman Joe DeVito with color guard (below) at Libbey Bowl, May 26, Memorial Day.
Sheba Update: With the blessing of Bart's  Books, Sheba is being sponsored by folks of the Ojai and Ventura VIEW ! Dr. Janet McNeil gives Sheba the seal of approval (right) for good patient behavior.....
"She has a lovely personality"" said Dr. McNeil.... Ventura Veterinary Hospital has given Sheba a complete senior cat tune-up, and is treating her for several conditions relating to stress and age. Thank You Dr. James Gray and Dr. Janet McNeil!
- Mary M. Long, May 24, 2008
 2008 - Nordhoff High School Thespians prepare for dress rehearsal Thursday for Opening Night of "Our Country's Good".
Performances: were Thursday & Friday with proceeds benefitting the Nordhoff Theatre Dept.
info. Director John Slade, 640-4343, ext. 1820
Small Townie - Ojai City Revenue Watch - Ojai Getting too BIG CITY ?
Ojai Citizens be warned, Ojai's parking mini-truck ticketmeisters are patrolling the lazy backstreets of Ojai (Eucalyptus Street)... ticketing cars for minor parking infractions. Just witnessed a plumber getting a ticket for parking 'backwards' to unload tools/materials. As if the trades in this economy aren't strapped enough ??? Is the city really that desperate for revenue ?
- Editor, May 8, 2008
R. Ellis Grand Pooh-Bah
How Do Small Businesses Compete ? Higher Overhead ?
Toss Da Bums Out... ...the Ventura "Breeze" a Breath of Hot L.A. Air...
It never seems to amaze me how some people that have the stage to write their opinions without regards to the other folks in town really have no business expressing their views on subjects they have no real knowledge about.
In the latest issue of the Breeze, (May 7, 2008) Mr Sheldon Brown, owner, publisher, and wanna-be writer, let loose with his ill thought out views on the fact that he had noticed "another thrift shop has opened on Main Street. Treasure Chest he says that in his wizened opinion these people have no business opening a "thrift store" in the "Downtown" area of Ventura. He goes on to say that the "Downtown" area is really not helped with yet another "Thrift Shop."
His elitist contention is that the "low class" folks that shop at the thrift shops do not spend their money by frequenting the restaurants or other shops in the downtown area and worse of all they take up valuable parking space. His brainstorm of an idea is for the folks that own these buildings, spend hundreds of thousands of dollars by cutting off the rear third of their buildings and putting in parking space so that "more desirable" tenants will move in. Mr. Brown doesn't seem to take into consideration that when the folks that own these buildings spend hundreds of thousands of dollars revamping the spaces to suit his idea of "more conducive areas" they will of course have to raise the cost of renting these newly renovated buildings in order to recoup their cost. Probably somewhere around the area of $10.00/sq ft or more. So a newly shrunk building would cost the new "conducive" business about $10,000 per month for a 1000 sq ft store. Now I really don't think that the business people of the city of Ventura are ready for rents at $10,000 per month, but then what the hell do I know ?
Mr Brown being a recently "new" inhabitant of our city wasn't around when the downtown area was kept vibrant by a plethora of "Thrift Shops". I know for a fact that people would come from Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and other distant locations just to shop in those "Thrift Shops". They would also spend money on eating, and shopping in other stores in the area. It is really a shame that Mr. Brown has such an elitist attitude, It makes me wonder if the folks that advertise in his rag expect only the "well to do" folks will read their ads and frequent their businesses.
Mr Brown would do his self and his rag a real favor is he would restrain from interjecting his truly elitist opinions.
- Rellis Smith
rellis39@sbcglobal.net
In This Issue: Ron Rowe's Wine and Roses
In tribute to Jeff, "The Show Must Go On," and what better month - than April, a month for new beginnings, among the Romans. This month was sacred to Venus, "Spring," when birds do sing ! To quote "Tennyson" "Can trouble live with April day's, or sadness with the summer moon's."
Spring madness continues here in Ojai. This weekend the town's parking spaces were full of bike racers, their families and watchers. Don't look for a quiet slow weekend, Earth Day is at hand, The Wheeler Gorge Bird Walk, and lots more exciting fun filled events. Music Festival, Golf, Tennis, etc.
Did you know, including 2007, seven of the eight warmest years on record, world-wide have occurred since 2001, the National Climate Center reported the ten warmest years have all occurred since 1997, still don't believe there's a global warming !
Speaking of climate change, a group of British scientists have studied the colors in over 500 paintings of sunsets, including "Turners" 19th century water colors and oils, in hopes of gaining insights into the cooling effects caused by volcanic eruptions. The vivid sunsets painted by Turner are revered for their use of color and light and for their influence on the impressionists. They will help scientists track global warming and climate change, by measuring the red and green in the paintings. The scientists aimed to calculate the amount of dust in the atmosphere, the greater the pollution, the redder the sunset, check out the journal "Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics," for more info.
The Mortgage Banker's Association is having trouble with the new mortgage on its new Washington D.C. headquarters. Its lenders are demanding additional money down and its interest rates will be 1 percent higher than the association expected when it agreed to buy the building. -- shed a tear for the mortgage bankers. Ah well "That which grows fast wither's as rapidly and that which grows slow -- endures."
The ban on smoking in bars has affected romance and flirting, the classic pick up line - "Do you have a light," has been retired, efforts to replace it have not been successful, "I have lost my phone number, can I borrow yours"? or "You know what would look great on you ? Me", are rather obnoxious - flirting has now moved outside the bar where smokers huddle together. A new pick up line is -- "Would you like to go back to my place for a smoke !"
Speaking of love, a survey by "Princeton" has found that two thirds of middle class women and half of the men polled said they would marry for money, the average base price was $1.5 million. Sociologist Pamela Smock said - "I am shocked. It's against the notion of love and soul mates".
Wise sayings, "People who have what they want are fond of telling people who haven't what they want, that they really don't want it."
To politicians, "Be sincere, be brief, be seated." -- "If you can fake sincerity, you will be re-elected, advice to Prez Bush, "There is no instance in history of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare."
An Indian Holy man Yanagi Kondaian, 80, claimed his right leg had magical healing powers and anyone who touched it would have their wishes granted, alas thieves heard about the magic leg, they went to his Village, got him drunk and amputated the magic leg, police are baffled, Yanagi, is upset he said "why did this happen", I have always been good to people ! Why indeed.
Americans bought more lap-tops in 2007 than faster desktop P.C. technology. Cheaper parts and widespread wireless helped push the shift, technician, Dae Spicer said --- "It's not a computer anymore. It's a companion, it's your memory, it's your teacher and your entertainer." Yes--- as long as it doesn't crash.
Here comes the bride ! All dressed in white-two-ply-extra soft toilet paper, that's right, Jennifer Cannon of Lexington Kentucky was married in a public restroom, the brides gown consisted of Charmin Ultra-Soft Toilet Paper Fashioned with glue and tape, and well it takes all kinds in this funny world. Have any wine drinkers tried "The Wind Collar" ? It's a magnetic wine collar that improves the taste of wines, and wine critic and judge Anthony Dias Blue goes out of his way to Praise it. He claims "simply pooring a glass of wine with the collar in place has an immediate and salutary effect on the wine molecules, resulting in a smoother, softer and more balanced taste. It improves flavor and bouquet as you pour. Wow that means a two-buck-chuck-charles-shaw would taste like an estate bottled premium wine. Cost $34.25 call 800-622-5221 order - Wine Collar.
Let me know your opinion.
I would like to close with a tribute to Jeffrey San Marchi.
"Do not stand at my grave, and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow. I am the sunlight on refined grain, I am the gentle autumn rain, when you wake in the morning hush. I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet, birds circling in flight. I am the soft starlight at night. Do not stand at my grave and
weep-I am not there-I do not sleep-I am.
And so it is Namaste, Jeff. May the Peace of God which
Passeth understanding be with you. May God Bless You
and Keep you, may he give you Peace now and for evermore.
Comments welcome
Ron Rowe, Ojai
RHJRowe@aol.com
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The Ojai and Ventura VIEW
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Libbey Bowl 'Bury'...ed ?
Copyright, June 2009, www.OjaiandVenturaVIEW.com VIEW June 2009, Issue # 15
- by Joel Anderson
Editor's Note: Ojai needs to avoid massive costly mistakes such as those made by Disney Concert Hall. Disney incurred some $110 Million in overages due to defective acoustical and aesthetic design in the original planning, engineering and design.
Internationally respected and Grammy Award Winning Acoustician and Sound Designer Fred Vogler was elected to oversee the acoustical redesign.
Vogler, who is Acoustician, Head Lead mixer and Sound Designer for both the Hollywood Bowl, and the Disney Concert Hall is considered one of the top sound engineers in the world.
Vogler was sound engineer for the Ojai Music Festival under Pierre Boulez in 1996, and is familiar with the acoustic issues of Ojai's Libbey Bowl. He also participated in the $18 million rebuild of the (acoustically similar) Hollywood Bowl, completed in 2004. Vogler said he hopes Ojai's Libbey Bowl rebuild is successful, and would like to be contacted as he has a personal interest in the bowl being suited to the LA Philharmonic and other world class musicians and touring groups. In addition to his extensive classical sound engineering, Vogler has also sound engineered live rock acts and LPs for The Rolling Stones, The Who, Rod Stewart, Simon and Garfunkle, multitude motion picture sound tracks, etc. etc.
The VIEW contacted former Ojai Mayor and Architect David Bury last August with Vogler's name. Vogler has not been contacted by the City of Ojai or Bury.
"I participated with the group of consultants for the new Hollywood Bowl sound system. Because of the historic significance of the Hollywood Bowl, like Libbey Bowl, a lot of people were worried about rebuilding that.
If the Ojai City Council is really serious about rebuilding the Libbey Bowl, they have to start by consulting with people in the L.A. Philharmonic... or people within the industry who can provide a skill level and experience... There's only about half a dozen across the United States who are qualified. They absolutely need to hire a sound designer and an acoustician. I think it's crazy to go into designing a venue without getting advice from these people.
The architect doesn't have to know sound, but they need to bring in a team of sound engineers who can advise them. I have colleagues who have banded together to consult for that purpose. There's a lot of incompetence out there... you need to get a good sound engineer on board and a good acoustician and the city will not only save a lot of money, but avoid costly mistakes. You want someone who's had a lot of experience with live sound.
"There's certain needs that are specific to live concerts. In a live show there's no stopping and going back and fixing it. All these moving parts have to be choreographed so that there's not chaos but there's a fantastic show. At the end of the day, you have to connect that performer with the audience and all the technology has to get out of the way of that connection.... It's a tough gig. It requires making decisions on the fly and having the tools at hand to deal with what can happen. It usually takes about 10 to 15 years of dealing with this to get a pretty solid perspective.... There are plenty of really talented people who do it and there's plenty of incompetence, too.
"People refer to Ojai as kind of an upscale artistic community, so there's a really high expectation level for Ojai to produce quality. It has to be done right. You don't want some schlocky distorted amplification system," said Vogler.
Public discussion of the sound engineering of the Ojai Libbey Bowl rebuild has been sparse to non-existent. Instead, public sentiment has been primarily focused on maintaining the aesthetic, historical and architectural qualities of Libbey Bowl.
Last year, Libbey Bowl's rebuild costs were estimated upwards $3.5 million.
To date, the City of Ojai has allocated some $1 million, $500,000 of which funded March 12, 2008 for the now completed conceptual design.
Additional funding, the Ojai Civic Association, donation; $100,000, and a large commitment of $1 million from the Ojai Music Festival (OMF).
With the recent economic climate, it is unclear where the additional $1 to $1.5 Million is coming from. Fundraising efforts are underway.
Joel Anderson, editor
www.OjaiandVenturaView.com
more info. www.LibbeyBowl.org
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From the Looney Bin.... READ BELOW: Why is Sheldon Attempting to Muzzle the VIEW ? Why indeed ? We Publish !!!
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Published in the VIEW, August 2009, Issue 17, Page 5
*The Story Sheldon Brown Ventura Breeze Would Rather 'Disappeared'..... Is the 'Media' Impervious to Criticism?
NOTE: The California Architects Board was created in 1901 by the California Legislature to fulfill the mission of protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the public through the regulation of the practice of architecture in California. It is one of numerous boards, bureaus, commissions, and committees within the Department of Consumer Affairs responsible for consumer protection and the regulation of licensed professionals. The Board establishes regulations for examination and licensing of the profession of architecture in California, which today numbers approximately 22,000 licensed architects and approximately 11,000 candidates who are in the process of meeting examination and licensure requirements. More info. www.cab.ca.gov
Oxnard Church Left Without Proper Facilities To Feed The Needy - Contract with Mr. Sheldon Brown, Architect?
Oxnard: August, 2009, Ojai and Ventura VIEW - Does Sheldon Have a Clue ?
- by R.Ellis Smith
I recently received an e-mail from Mr. Jim Fry, General Contractor relating a story about a contract he entered into with Mr. Sheldon Brown owner and editor of the Ventura Breeze, ('the only local newspaper'). Mr. Brown had been running a classified ad in his own newspaper looking for part time work as an "Architect" wanting to do remodels or additions.
It seems Mr. Jim Fry, a general contractor, had a remodel job for a church at 333 W. Seventh Street in Oxnard and entered into a written contract on 11/13/2008 with Mr. Sheldon Brown to do all of the plans and drawings for the remodel project. The cost Mr. Brown quoted was to have been $9,600.00 for the entire job and take 3 to 4 weeks. As the project progressed, Mr. Brown presented his drawings/plans to the plan check department of the city of Oxnard to a Mr. Steve Newman of the plan check department and was advised that his plans did not meet the cities code requirements, not once, not twice, but a total of four times.
I talked to Mr. Newman of the Oxnard plan check department and he related that he had tried to help Mr. Brown by pointing out the discrepancies that needed to be fixed and, each time Mr. Brown returned with the plans, the problems had not been attended to. During the time, from 11/2008 to 7/2009 Mr. Brown was paid not only the $9,600.00 but also a mistaken overage of $1,550.00 plus an extra charge, Mr. Brown said, was needed of $1,235.00. Mr. Fry has been in contact with Mr. Brown; because the contract was never finished he has asked Mr. Brown for a refund of the $1,550.00 plus the $3,500.00 for the final set of plans that were never approved.
On July 28, 2009 Mr. Sheldon Brown e-mailed Mr. Fry and in no uncertain terms told him that he would "prepare a long response in a few days but I have no intentions of returning any money."
Mr. Fry is still waiting for the aforementioned "long response".
Mr. Fry has now had to hire another Architect to do the job because the Church is unable to use their building because of lack of restrooms and other problems that would have been alleviated if Mr. Brown had finished his contracted job as he told Mr. Fry he would
do.
Since I received this information from Mr. Fry, I contacted Mr. Steve Newman of the city of Oxnard for confirmation which I received. I contacted the Oxnard business license department and was told that Mr. Brown's city business license has been inactive since 2003, and I have contacted Mr. Sheldon Brown by email twice asking for his input on this story. As of this writing I have not received any reply from Mr. Brown.
Rellis Smith
rellis39@sbcglobal.net
www.californiachile.com
EDITOR'S NOTE: The VIEW has still not received a response from Mr. Brown on this. Do You Feel Sorry for Sheldon yet ?
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Rose Vol I, Issue I: Peter Milhado on Avoiding Spiritual Poverty and the Shopping Cart Syndrome
www.DrPeterMilhado.com
Rose Vol I, Issue I: R. Ellis Speaks Out on Ventura City Hall in: "One Hell of A Mess"
Rose Vol I, Issue I: Ron Rowe's Leashes End, and Wine and Roses
View Vol I, Issue 2: Also in this issue, read Alasdair Coyne's Global Warming Pt II, "An Emerging Spirit Of Global Cooperation Has The Potential To Unite The Peoples of the Earth as Never Before."
Ojai City Council Votes toDemolish Libbey Bowl -- Will They Do It Right, or Just Another Case of Political Cronyism?
- and Decide for Yourself, Watch the Libbey Bowl Vote: Video Click Here On YouTube/OVVtaRose
Save Libbey Bowl
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Esther Wachtell
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Peter Strauss
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Ojai Chamber of Commerce
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Why Geocon Corp. Is NOT Qualified to Build Ojai's Skate Park!
| Feb/2010: Ojai SKATEPARK UPDATE: Stalling Saga Continues.... City Attorney==>Ojai Unified School District==>Tainted City Council in a 'Lovefest & Heel Dragging Relationship' - Townsfolk Getting Impatient.... |
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Dateline: Ojai and Ventura View: Feb. 2010, Issue #23, Pg. 3
by Joel Anderson
Nearly two years since non-profit Skate Ojai successfully raised $1/4 million (before the June 30, 2008 fundraising deadline imposed by the City of Ojai) to build Ojai's skatepark, contractor bids were finally opened Jan. 25th. Of the five interested contractors, two exceeded the agreed budget, one did not submit a bid and the two remaining contractors submitted bids within the skatepark budget. Mike Culver is Ojai's Public Works Director, who oversees the process.
-California Skateparks appears to have submitted a detailed itemized bid within budget, as per the City of Ojai's requirements. Geocon Engineering, Inc. on the other hand, submitted a bid which contained incomplete information, and other information which was submitted, is now in dispute.
"I'm not supplying any guarantees that I'll be there doing it.... I got tired of people calling me up and bugging me about a job that.... you know I wasn't really going to be able to do."
Geocon's bid does not appear to meet the basic qualifying criteria set by the city. Despite this, the city is still trying to figure out if Geocon does qualify, which is wasting more significant time. In a City of Venice public document (dated Nov. 7, 2008) from the General Manager of that city, Geocon now appears to be in "deja-vu" all over again.... They had also been the low bidder on the Venice Beach Skate Park, but were disqualified because according to the "Report of General Manager," "That the Board: 1. Find the bid of GeoCon Engineering, Inc., to be non-responsive for its failure to meet the minimum qualification requirements...."
-For the Ojai bid, as with Venice Beach, Geocon had also listed "Morse Park" (Elk Grove, Ca) as a "skatepark" on their submitted bid; however, according to staff of City of Elk Grove, Morse Park is not a skatepark, but rather it is merely "a large, multi-use park (soccer field, baseball fields, softball fields, dog park, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc.)" Although Morse does contain some skatepark facilities, it consists only of 3 small on grade skating elements, not the specialized in ground skatepark Ojai is getting. Additionally, Geocon lists Vallejo (Wardlaw) and Escondido (all wood) on their submitted bid. These parks were contracted in 2005, before Geocon Engineering, Inc. was incorporated so Geocon was neither the prime contractor nor the subcontractor on those projects).
-Ojai had required a "List of [licensed] Subcontractors" from those submitting, in order to qualify their bids. Geocon has stated they would hire no-"none" (as noted on their official bid) sub-contractors; but would qualify their own "employees."
-Geocon president George Zadrozny, had listed a Wally Hollyday as his number "1." Geocon employee, of "Shotcrete Personnel" (The critical process requiring licensing, by which the concrete is applied).
-The VIEW phoned Mr. Hollyday to find out if he was in fact Geocon's number "1." employee and/or a licensed contractor. He said he was neither an employee of Geocon, or a licensed Shotcreter, but was in fact a "designer" (who had actually and originally co-founded the other bidder, California Skateparks, but as a Designer/business owner, not a contractor).
-Hollyday said, "I've got my own thing goin' on..... I just didn't want him [George Zadrozny-Geocon] using my name to get the job, so I don't know whatever happened with it.... I kind of left him hanging a little bit. He was looking for me to qualify for Shotcrete, and then I wouldn't do that.... yeah shoot the Shotcrete. I just try and stay more involved in my own designs. I may end up being up there working on it, but uh....I'm not supplying any guarantees that I'll be there doing it.... I got tired of people calling me up and bugging me about a job that.... you know I wasn't really going to be able to do."
Epilag: Ojai's Building Dept. has again shelved the question of skatepark contractor selection indefinitely or..... until city attorney, Monte Widders spends more time, studying bids, submitted bids, etc., etc.... And so, of the 4 submitted bids, California Skateparks appears to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and thus qualified to do the job.
The current "Ojai Skate Park - Project Timeline" (see city website at www.ci.ojai.ca.us) had projected the Ojai Skatepark "Construction Phase" was to commence Feb. 2 and be completed by mid summer, or July 23. Construction has not yet begun.
- Joel Anderson
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by Joel Anderson
Nearly two years since non-profit Skate Ojai successfully raised $1/4 million (before the June 30, 2008 fundraising deadline imposed by the City of Ojai) to build Ojai's skatepark, contractor bids were finally opened Jan. 25th. Of the five interested contractors, two exceeded the agreed budget, one did not submit a bid and the two remaining contractors submitted bids within the skatepark budget. Mike Culver is Ojai's Public Works Director, who oversees the process.
-California Skateparks appears to have submitted a detailed itemized bid within budget, as per the City of Ojai's requirements. Geocon Engineering, Inc. on the other hand, submitted a bid which contained incomplete information, and other information which was submitted, is now in dispute.
"I'm not supplying any guarantees that I'll be there doing it.... I got tired of people calling me up and bugging me about a job that.... you know I wasn't really going to be able to do."
Geocon's bid does not appear to meet the basic qualifying criteria set by the city. Despite this, the city is still trying to figure out if Geocon does qualify, which is wasting more significant time. In a City of Venice public document (dated Nov. 7, 2008) from the General Manager of that city, Geocon now appears to be in "deja-vu" all over again.... They had also been the low bidder on the Venice Beach Skate Park, but were disqualified because according to the "Report of General Manager," "That the Board: 1. Find the bid of GeoCon Engineering, Inc., to be non-responsive for its failure to meet the minimum qualification requirements...."
-For the Ojai bid, as with Venice Beach, Geocon had also listed "Morse Park" (Elk Grove, Ca) as a "skatepark" on their submitted bid; however, according to staff of City of Elk Grove, Morse Park is not a skatepark, but rather it is merely "a large, multi-use park (soccer field, baseball fields, softball fields, dog park, playgrounds, basketball courts, etc.)" Although Morse does contain some skatepark facilities, it consists only of 3 small on grade skating elements, not the specialized in ground skatepark Ojai is getting. Additionally, Geocon lists Vallejo (Wardlaw) and Escondido (all wood) on their submitted bid. These parks were contracted in 2005, before Geocon Engineering, Inc. was incorporated so Geocon was neither the prime contractor nor the subcontractor on those projects).
-Ojai had required a "List of [licensed] Subcontractors" from those submitting, in order to qualify their bids. Geocon has stated they would hire no-"none" (as noted on their official bid) sub-contractors; but would qualify their own "employees."
-Geocon president George Zadrozny, had listed a Wally Hollyday as his number "1." Geocon employee, of "Shotcrete Personnel" (The critical process requiring licensing, by which the concrete is applied).
-The VIEW phoned Mr. Hollyday to find out if he was in fact Geocon's number "1." employee and/or a licensed contractor. He said he was neither an employee of Geocon, or a licensed Shotcreter, but was in fact a "designer" (who had actually and originally co-founded the other bidder, California Skateparks, but as a Designer/business owner, not a contractor).
-Hollyday said, "I've got my own thing goin' on..... I just didn't want him [George Zadrozny-Geocon] using my name to get the job, so I don't know whatever happened with it.... I kind of left him hanging a little bit. He was looking for me to qualify for Shotcrete, and then I wouldn't do that.... yeah shoot the Shotcrete. I just try and stay more involved in my own designs. I may end up being up there working on it, but uh....I'm not supplying any guarantees that I'll be there doing it.... I got tired of people calling me up and bugging me about a job that.... you know I wasn't really going to be able to do."
Epilag: Ojai's Building Dept. has again shelved the question of skatepark contractor selection indefinitely or..... until city attorney, Monte Widders spends more time, studying bids, submitted bids, etc., etc.... And so, of the 4 submitted bids, California Skateparks appears to be the lowest responsive and responsible bidder and thus qualified to do the job.
The current "Ojai Skate Park - Project Timeline" (see city website at www.ci.ojai.ca.us) had projected the Ojai Skatepark "Construction Phase" was to commence Feb. 2 and be completed by mid summer, or July 23. Construction has not yet begun.
- Joel Anderson
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