Man or La Mancha Musical Comes to Moorpark
Opening July 9th and running through July 30th is Man of La Mancha at the High Street Theater in Moorpark. Be sure and catch a performance of this great musical in the beautiful, refurbished theater. I predict that it will be a great performance. Go
here or
here for tickets. Click on the picture to enlarge
Chinese Target Southland
Read
here my Simi Valley Sophist blog about the probable Chinese espionage in the southland.
Save Our State is Ventura Based
I posted recently
here about racial tension in Baldwin Park over the inscription on a monument located on City property. There was a second demonstration Sat. Turns out the group protesting the arch is from Ventura County. Read it
here.
Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Plots to Kill Deputy in Simi Valley
William Queen went undercover for the ATF into the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. In 1998, there was a harrowing experience in a Simi Valley campground. Read it
here.
In case you did not know, Simi Valley and Ventura are exclusive Hells’ Angels territory. And Camarillo was until it gained a chapter of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang. These two gangs have been killing each other off-and-on for decades
Most of us don’t realize that these people are vicious criminal sociopaths and a threat to the citizenry.
Danzas Indigenas—Baldwin Park Battle
A battle between proponents and opponents of a monument in Baldwin Park is stirring racial discord. See my post on
SV Sophist.
Golfing for Sgt Michael A DiRaimondo
The memorial golf tournament for Sgt Michael A. DiRaimondo is Monday, 6/27/05. See my post
here.
Moorpark College Hitler Reference
It looks as if I did not understand the bigger picture when I bloged
here about the lack of civility by protestors demonstrating at a Karl Rove function using a swastika in conjunction with the pictures of George W. Bush and Karl Rove. Silly me, I thought that invoking the symbolism of one of the worst regimes of the 20th century was over-the-top. Take a look at this
video describing Hitler references.
Now that I am enlightened, I guess I should reappraise the Moorpark College Democrats for referring to George W. Bush as the "Fuehrer" in their June 14th. blog entitled, “Karl Rove Event After Action Report.” Read it
here. You will have to search for it a bit. From the home page select "Blog," then select "June Archive," and scroll down.
Kind of makes you wonder about the phrase “higher education.”
Special Invitation by SV Tai Chi Club
The Tai Chi Club of Simi Valley
Presents:
THE NATURE OF CHI
with Dr. Chris Curry
Dr. Curry will discuss the nature of chi. He will guide us through some basic techniques that can help bring about an experience of chi. All attendees are encouraged to participate. A question and answer period will follow.
PLEASE JOIN US
No experience necessary
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
7:00PM to 8:30 PM
Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District
1692 Sycamore Drive
Recreation Room
$5.00 per person
No special clothing necessary
Wear comfortable shoes
Dr. Chris Curry has a Ph.D. in Philosophy. He has been teaching and practicing tai chi and other related martial arts for 40 years. He also practices yoga with emphasis on Prana Yama Yoga.
Dr. Curry taught philosophy at Loyola Marymount University for 19 years.
Survivor Gives Back
Local resident Bob Ferber contracted chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) for which he received the then experimental drug Gleevec. He is here today engaging in two very important works that are near and dear to his heart, animal welfare and helping others with cancer. Read
here Bob’s amazing story with cancer. Read
here where he uses animals as an avenue to discuss the ramifications of cancer with others.
Simi Valley City Focus
The City of Simi Valley printed and posted the first issue of the new City newsletter entitled City Focus. The newsletter is well done and attractive. I don’t know how the public will obtain printed issues, but you can go to the City web site (see the link listed on the right sidebar of the blog) or go
here for the pdf version.
Sgt Michael A DiRaimondo
One of our own died in Iraq. He made a mortgage payment for freedom on our behalf. Go to the website for Sgt. DiRaimondo
here.
“The Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation was created in January, 2004 in honor of the U.S. Army Sergeant who was killed in action in Iraq on January 8th. Michael was on a medical mission when his unarmed Medevac helicopter was hit by a surface to air missile, killing him, three other crew members and five patients.”
“The Michael A. DiRaimondo Foundation’s sole purpose is to provide scholarships to individuals who aspire to be civilian paramedics, but don’t have the financial means to pay for the tuition.”
Go
here to learn about the Foundation’s charitable golf tournament.
Council Woman Wants Library Banners
Teresa Rochester wrote in an article in the
Ventura Star, “American flags wave from some of Simi Valley's light poles now, but in the future, banners heralding the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum would take their place, at least part of the time.”
There is no doubt that the Ronald Reagan Library is a positive feature for the City of Simi Valley. Thousands of visitors come to Simi Valley each year and undoubtedly a few leave some of their dollars with local businesses. And, the proposed Library flag idea would add color to the streets. But, should it replace the patriotic flags already present? And, should the City suport a private business and not accord other businesses in the City the same opportunity?
The Library is part National Archive and part private foundation. It is the foundation that will benefit most by the advertisement on City streets. The City presently has regulations prescribing the types of display permitted. Regulations will have to be changed to allow for commercial advertising by businesses sponsoring the Library. The City Manager is quoted, “The appropriateness of having sponsor names on the banners is one of the issues the city is looking into, along with the size of the sponsor's name,…”
I doubt that the City wants to open the City streets to general advertising, so it is not appropriate for the City to support the Library, a private enterprise. Existing methods of support are already prevalent. The support of Library functions with City personnel, while not extremely frequent, is nevertheless quite expensive. In addition, the City is looking to buy the old East Valley Sheriff’s station to use for Library parking. Read it
here.
Man of La Mancha
The High Street Theater Foundation presents the Broadway Musical “Man of La Mancha.” The production runs weekends from July 9th-30th. Be sure to catch a performance. Order tickets
here and
here. Click on the flyer to enlarge it.
Col.East & Pres. Reagan’s Missed Opportunity
Ronald Reagan is beloved for many reasons. Not the least of which was his humility and his habit of treating everyone as an equal no matter his rank in life. In that respect alone, Pres. Ronald Reagan was truly a President of the people. The same can not be said for the recent Democratic White House occupant, nor would it have been said for the recent Democratic presidential candidate, had he won the election.
President Reagan, like many celebrities, was besieged with people wanting to talk to him or get his autograph. I’ve watched Pres. Reagan being hustled about by security people intent on getting him somewhere safely, and the President reaching out to the adoring public and giving them pre-signed business cards when he was not able to stop and sign autographs. I’ve talked to Secret Service agents and local police officers who have been close to the President, and they all speak adoringly of him as pertaining to the way he treated them. They have the same feelings toward President George W. Bush and Vice President Cheney. When I inquire as to their feelings about the Clintons and Kerrys, I get a professional no comment. That speaks volumes to me. I have a theory about judging the worthiness of a political person based upon how he treats the common man. But, I digress from my main theme Of Lt. Col. East and President Ronald Reagan.
Lt. Col. Clyde B. East is one of the most decorated military veterans that this country has ever had the privilege of calling him their own. He flew in WWII, Korea, SE Asia and the Cuban missile crisis. Read about him here and here.
I had the privilege of shaking the hand and speaking for a few moments with Col. East at the first anniversary memorial for the death of Pres. Reagan at the Library last week.. Knowing his history before I had the chance to meet him, I knew that he is one of our country’s greatest warriors. I found him to be gracious and humble as well.
Col. East now volunteers his time at the Ronald Reagan Library as a docent. He has done so for over 10 years. While the President lived, the Library had a policy of allowing docents who have volunteered 1,000 hours to meet the President. Col. East was 18 months short of making the 1,000 hours when the President’s health deteriorated such that the program was cancelled. That is a disappointment for Col. East. See an article on it here.
Had Pres. Reagan known of the presence of this great warrior at the Library, it is my guess that the President would have insisted upon meeting Col. East 1,000 hours or no 1,000 hours. I’m sure that Pres. Reagan would have considered it a great honor to have been able to shake Col. East’s hand. That’s just the type of guy the President was. And as for Col. East, there he is still serving the people of this country.
I’m not the kind of person who is awed by celebrity. I would not walk across the street to see or shake the hand of most of what passes for celebrity in this country whether it is a politician, a sports star or an entertainment person. But, I am absolutely honored to have seen Pres. Reagan at the Library and to have met and shook the hand of Col. East: Two great gentlemen who served their country, each in his own way.
Protest at Reagan Library
A handful of protestors were present at the Ronald Reagan Library Saturday to voice their opinons about the presence of Karl Rove. See my posting at
Simi Valley Sophist.
Mosquito Season is Here
Did you catch the article in the
LA Times on insect repellent?
Xorro-The Be-Bop Bandito
By and far the best musical melodrama to come down the road in quite awhile. And, there have been many good ones. Don’t miss this production at the Moorpark Melodrama, AKA
High Street Theater Foundation. The show closes June 12th.
The Sun Continues to Shine on Pres Ronald Reagan
It was an overcast day one year ago today; The day that Pres. Ronald Reagan was buried in Simi Valley, CA. It was noted and remarked upon that just as the proceedings were about to begin, the sun came out and shone brightly. At the end of the burial ceremony the clouds returned and again blotted out the sun.
Today was again overcast, and it is the first year anniversary of the death of Pres. Reagan. A service was held for approximately two hundred Ronald Reagan Library visitors. We assembled adjacent to the tomb and waited for the various dignitaries to arrive and be seated. A cool ocean wind blew from the West, and we were a little chilled. When all had arrived, we were advised that we must wait another five minutes so and that the ceremony would take place at the exact time of Pres. Reagan’s death. Within those five minutes, the wind stopped and I could feel the warmth of the sun beating down upon my head and back. The overcast was gone and the sun shone brightly throughout the ceremony. A memorial wreath took its place next to an oak tree, newly planted in honor of the President. At the conclusion of the ceremony we placed small American flags along the walkways lining the area. We, as others were touched by the solemnity of the moment. One man, a visitor from Florida, wept openly. Walking from the Library, I noted that the clouds had returned and the overcast once again blotted out the sun.
Failing to warn public
Bob Munson’s
letter to the Ventura Star Editor chastises the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department and the Simi Valley Police Department for the killing of the escaped tiger and for the recent killings that ended in the death of the suspect in a Simi Valley Wal-Mart.
Munson stated, “…they killed a declawed and relatively harmless animal that was likely someone’s pet.” and “Only sheer luck and a suicide prevented more deaths.” He finishes off with, “Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks are the safest cities in the country for many reasons, but one of them is not their overrated police departments.”
The Constitutional freedoms that we enjoy in this country allow people like Munson to express their opinions, even in the local newspaper. For that matter those same rights allow me to make my own as I am doing so now. What I am wondering is, how is it that people with access to the same information come to such radically different conclusions?
Take the tiger incident for instance. Here we have an adult carnivorous animal that has been on the loose for ten days or so hiding in the brush in and around well populated areas. Now you have to ask yourself what is the likely condition of the animal? Let’s see. Tigers are not native to this country so it is highly likely that it escaped confinement. The fact that a number of animals were recently discovered unlawfully housed on a nearby property might be a clue. However, the owners of the property in question deny that they have lost a tiger. Since the tiger probably was raised in captivity it would likely have little in the way of natural hunting skills. Being fed in a cage hardly qualifies as a skilled hunter. And, since the animal is likely to have been kept in captivity for a long period of time, it would not have well toned muscles to allow it to physically accomplish the task of hunting wild prey. So, just where is this animal going to get its food? Well maybe some slow moving human might make a tasty morsel. Maybe a young child? But, I digress because Munson said it was a declawed relatively harmless animal that could have been a pet. Of course, no one knew that it was declawed until it was killed. As to the characterization of relatively harmless, I’ll bet the cat still had big teeth. No facts present before the cat was killed support a conclusion that the cat was anything less than a hungry, dangerous animal. No facts subsequent to the killing support any less of a conclusion. For instance, there was no food in the stomach of the animal, and so I’ll just bet he was just a bit hungry. And, the lack of claws could well assure that the animal could not hold on to a wild prey long enough to kill it with a bite.
As to the police conduct surrounding the search for Toby Welchel, Munson alleges police erred by not advising residents that a killer was likely hiding in the brush. I wonder how it is that the police would have come to the hiding in the brush conclusion. Welchel could have been any where. Even at Munson’s house in Newbury Park.
Finally, what are we to think of Munson’s characterizations that the two police departments are overrated? Does Munson have some additional unstated information that he has not made us aware of? Probably not. My guess is that Munson was just cranky because he not eaten before he sat down to advise us of his wisdom. I’ll bet if we gave him a big meal, we would find him to be a very nice person.
Civil War Buffs & Black Soldiers
Presentation on “Black Soldiers in the Confederate Armies” June 8th in West Hills. Read it in the
Acorn.
Gallegly to be honored at Simi club fundraiser
The Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley will honor longtime supporter
Rep. Elton Gallegly, R-Simi Valley, at its 27th annual auction, Swingin' at the Coconut Grove, June 11.
Remembering Ronald Reagan
Sunday, June 5, 2005 at the
Ronald Reagan Library.
The Reagan Lecture with Karl Rove
Saturday, June 11, 2005,11:00 AM at the
Ronald Reagan Library.
Tip A Cop
The character of a commuity can be measured by the types of events that the citizens suport. The Special Olympics in Ventura County is indeed special. Mark your calendars for Monday June 6th for the annual Tip-A-Cop fundraiser at the Simi Valley Hudson's Grill from 5-9pm. Click on the photo to enlarge the picture. Thanks to SVPD Dare Officer Michelle Bertsche for her tireless work on this event each year.
