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Public Review Draft Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategies Report Now Available
Thousand Oaks | Vehicle Burglary Leads to ‘Bank Jugging’ Theft of Cash – On the Rise
The Thousand Oaks Police Department has seen an increase in vehicle burglaries occurring after residents have withdrawn money from their financial institution. This practice is known as “Bank Jugging.”
Bank Jugging involves a suspect or suspects who wait in bank parking lots or lobbies to watch bank customers. When the suspects see a customer that they believe has a large amount of cash, they follow the customer to another location where they commit a vehicle burglary and steal the cash. The vehicle burglary techniques range from breaking a window to picking a door lock.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department is asking the community to protect their property and help deputies fight this emerging trend by doing the following:
- Don’t leave valuable personal property inside your vehicle, or in plain view.
- Don’t leave cash in your vehicle after leaving a bank or ATM.
- When leaving a bank, attempt to conceal your cash or bank bag.
- Pay attention to people who are watching your transactions; or vehicles following you.
- Never leave your windows open.
- Park in well-lit, public areas.
- Install an audible alarm system on your vehicle.
Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. These suspects are counting on you being distracted. Please report any suspicious activity to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654-9511 or 911.
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Ventura | Arrest for Possession for Sales of a Controlled Substance
Ventura Police Department – Incident Press Release
On February 25th at 2:45 PM the Ventura Police Department Command Center received a 911 call of a possible residential burglary in progress at a residence in the 700 block of Temple St. The victim resident was not home at the time, but reported seeing a subject, later identified as Christopher Diaz, on a security camera in the backyard of the residence. Diaz was a relative of the homeowner, but did not did not have permission to be on the property. Officers responded to call and detained Diaz as he tried hiding from officers in the backyard.
Using a Ventura Police K-9, officers searched Diaz’s vehicle, which was parked to the front of the residence. The K-9, Bolt, altered to narcotics being inside. During a search of the vehicle’s interior, officers located a large quantity of methamphetamine, heroin, and oxycodone. It was determined Diaz was in possession of the narcotics for the purposes of sales.
Diaz was arrested for possession of a controlled substance for sales. He was not charged for prowling at the residence.
A review of the Ventura County Superior Court website shows that Diaz has an open case for an arrest on 02/19/19, for the charges of possession for sale of a controlled substance. He is currently out on bail for that arrest. Additionally, it showed Diaz has a prior conviction in 2017 and 2016 for possession of a controlled substance and for being under the influence of a controlled substance.
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Oxnard teen honored as BGCOP’s Youth of the Year
A freshman at Oxnard High School, Andro Mechiel aspires to attend Harvard University after high school and become a doctor in sports medicine. He has been a member of the Club for two years and has found a home for himself at the Teen Center’s Keystone Club. He says the Club was the first place where he felt truly welcome.
“After spending some time at the Club, I realized that I am worth more and that I can continue to push myself to do great things. So, I joined A.S.B, M.E.S.A., R.O.T.C. and R.O.P. at school,” said Mechiel. “Being a part of all these clubs and organizations makes me feel like I will grow into a successful young man one day – and I could not have done this without the Club. I also love to see that smile on my parents’ faces when I come home from school happy now instead of hurt and sad. I feel like I can become something big one day because of what I am willing to do.”
The Youth of the Year competition recognizes outstanding contributions to a member’s family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club local organization, as well as overcoming personal challenges and obstacles. Youth of the Year encourages Club members to reach their full potential by achieving academic success, living a healthy lifestyle and contributing to their communities. Youth of the Year honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.
“Andro is an exceptional young man who deeply cares for others. He exhibited his leadership abilities shortly after joining the Club. He found his experience so enriching, he passed out Teen Center flyers on his own hoping to help other teens who might need a helping hand,” said Erin Antrim, BGCOP Chief Executive Officer. “No matter what happens, he always looks for the best in himself and others. He is a great role model.”
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme is a nonprofit 501© (3) youth service organization. BGCOP’s mission is “to inspire and enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential, as productive, responsible and caring citizens.” Services are provided in three freestanding clubhouses in Oxnard and Port Hueneme which include a dedicated Teen Center, 11 public school program sites, one Club site in Nyeland Acres, one site at a Squires Public Housing, and the first Boys & Girls Club in a juvenile hall in the State of California. The purpose of BGCOP is to provide social, educational and recreational programs to all youth ages 6-18 years old, with an emphasis on those in underserved areas. Annual member dues are $20.00 however, no one is turned away regardless of ability to pay. Over 10,400 youth and teens are served annually. For more information, to get involved or to donate, please visit www.BGCOP.org.
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Young Artists Ensemble holds auditions for Mary Poppins, Jr.
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Young Artists Ensemble holds auditions for MARY POPPINS, JR. directed by Georgeanne Lees with Musical Direction by Susan Trewory-Culkins. Auditions are open to performers age 10-19. Auditions are held Saturday and Sunday, March 2 and 3 by appointment only at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive. Time slots begin at 9:45 am on Saturday and 12:15 am on Sunday. Actors are requested to prepare one-minute of a song and bring sheet music in the correct key, no CDs or recorded music please (contemporary music preferred). Actors must wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Auditions will last two hours and 30 minutes and will consist of cold readings from the script, singing and dancing. Callbacks will be held March 4 from 5:00-10:00pm. Performances are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays May 3 – 19, 2019. Please see web site for all details.
All participants must be at least 10 years old and not yet 20 years old by May 19, 2019. Character descriptions and all other information is available on the YAE web site. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. All cast and parents must attend a mandatory welcome meeting on Wednesday, March 6 from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. If cast, there is a $180 participation fee. Financial Assistance is available. Call (805) 381-2747 or visit www.yaeonline.com to make an audition appointment and to see frequently asked questions.
Mary Poppins, Jr. is the tale of a no-nonsense nanny with a heart of gold and a little bit of magic who helps a family struggling to break free of their assigned roles. With the help of a dancing chimney sweep, Mary Poppins turns the whole Banks Family household upside down on its way to right side up. The play has original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, book by Julian Fellowes and new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. It was co-created by Cameron Mackintosh, based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film.
MARY POPPINS, JR. is the final production in Young Artists Ensemble’s 38th Annual Family Theatre Season: The “Season of Unexpected Magic”.
Young Artists Ensemble received 19 nominations and four wins for their 2017-19 Productions. Winners in the 13th Annual National Youth Arts Awards included Outstanding Production: Grease, Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical: Nick Meyer as Danny Zuko in Grease, Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Musical: Kristen Wisneski as Marty in Grease, and Outstanding Musical Direction: Zachary Spencer for Grease. Among the many nominees were performers and creative staff from Hillcrest Players Productions Shadow of a Pout and If the Shoe Fits, and Young Artists Ensemble’s production of Madagascar, Jr.
MARY POPPINS, JR.
Auditions
WHAT: Mary Poppins, Jr. is the tale of a no-nonsense nanny with a heart of gold and a little bit of magic who helps a family struggling to break free of their assigned roles. With the help of a dancing chimney sweep, Mary Poppins turns the whole Banks Family household upside down on its way to right side up.
WHEN:
audition TIME SLOTS:
Saturday, March 2 at 9:45 am, 12:15 noon and 2:45 pm
Sunday, March 3 at 12:15 and 2:45 pmWHERE:
Hillcrest Center for the Arts
403 W. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA
HOW: (805) 381-2747 or www.yaeonline.com for audition appointment, character information and frequently asked questions.
PROCESS: Please prepare one minute of a song and bring sheet music in the correct key, no CDs or recorded music please (contemporary music preferred).
IF CAST: There is a fee of $180. Financial Assistance is available. Mandatory Parents’ meeting Wednesday, March 6, 6:00 – 7:00pm. Rehearsals are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 7:30 and Saturdays 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Jr.
PERFORMANCES
WHAT: Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, Jr. brings a new nanny with a twinkle in her eye and medicine for anything that ails to the Banks Family. Can she help them find their way back to each other? Perhaps she can, with the help of a chimney sweep and a host of family joy. Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s MARY POPPINS, JR. is the third and final production in Young Artists Ensemble’s 38th Annual Family Theatre Season.
WHEN:
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May 3 – 19, 2019
Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm
Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm
Hillcrest Center for the Arts
403 W. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks, CA
HOW:
(805) 381-1246 or www.yaeonline.com
TICKETS:
Single Tickets: $19 adults, $16 children, students and seniors.
10% discount for groups of ten or more for a single performance.
OTHER:
Free parking is always available. Accessible seating available by calling (805) 381-1246.
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HEADS UP! April Is Earthquake Preparedness Month in California – Be Prepared When The Next Earthquake Strikes
City of Simi Valley Office of Emergency Services would like to give residents an “Early Warning” that April is Earthquake Preparedness Month.
Why the month of April? It was April 18, 1906 when the historic 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck San Francisco. The earthquake was the most-destructive in California’s history. California remains vulnerable to a massive earthquake. Each year, during the month of April we encourage our residents to take steps towards becoming better prepared. Steps as simple as assembling an emergency kit, developing a family emergency plan, learning the proper way to shut off utilities at home or work, knowing how and where to receive emergency information, can really make a difference! To learn more about how to prepare for an earthquake, FEMA’s “Ready” website: www.ready.gov/earthquakes is loaded with information, tips, and videos for individuals, families, pets, schools, businesses, etc.
We also e ncourage residents to enroll in training that focuses on emergency preparedness. One course offered here in Simi is the “Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) Academy”. CERT is the “model citizen preparedness training” curriculum in the nation. In Simi Valley, this curriculum is presented in an academy format comprised of lecture, hands-on practice, PowerPoint presentations, and a skills review during a disaster scenario.
In the CERT Academy, you’ll learn; basic response skills, such as extinguishing small fires; light search and rescue; the organizational structure of incident response; and medical do’s & don’ts in a disaster environment. Using the information learned in the classroom and during hands-on exercises, you’ll discover what supplies you should have in your disaster kit and how to assist your family or workplace following a disaster when professional responders are often not immediately available.
The CERT Academy is free of c harge! Anyone 18-years or older, who lives or works in Simi Valley is eligible to participate. Each participant will receive a student workbook, a CERT start-up kit (helmet, work gloves, vest, safety goggles and flashlight) and a certificate, upon the completion of the entire course.
Enrollment in the next CERT Academy is going on RIGHT NOW! The academy is held on six (6) consecutive Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM at the City’s Emergency Operations Center located at 3901 Alamo Street. The dates for the academy are: Thursday, March 13th, Thursday, March 20th, Thursday, March 27th, Thursday, April 3rd, Thursday, April 10th, and Thursday, April 17th. A one-day disaster simulation wraps up the course on Saturday, April 20th.
If you are interested in enrolling in the next CERT Academy, the quickest way is to register online via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-simi-valley-community-emergency-response-training-cert-academy-registration-531 64850499; or you can download and print an application from our CERT webpage at: www.simivalley.org/CERT; or an application can be obtained at the Simi Valley Police Department Front Desk.
Contact Information: 
Theresa Ramirez – Emergency Services Coordinator
City of Simi Valley Office of Emergency Services
805-583-6263
[email protected]
Simi Valley Police Department
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“Common Ground” Exhibition at the Santa Paula Art Museum to Feature Meredith Brooks Abbott, Susan Petty, and Gail Pidduck
Exhibit opens with a premiere party on Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Admission to the premiere is $10.00 for members and $15.00 for non-members. Exhibit will be on view March 2, 2019 through July 7, 2019.
SANTA PAULA, CA – Three of the most significant female artists living and working in Ventura County today have joined forces for an extraordinary, upcoming exhibition entitled “Common Ground” opening March 2, 2019 at the Santa Paula Art Museum. Artists Meredith Brooks Abbott, Susan Petty, and Gail Pidduck have much in common, most especially the love they have for their ranches and gardens – scenes that they have put to paint and graphite for this show. “Common Ground” will open with a premiere party on Saturday, March 2, 2019, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. All of the works in the exhibition will be for sale. Admission to the premiere is $10.00 for museum members and $15.00 for non-members.
Abbott, Petty, and Pidduck are all award-winning artists with long-established careers whose works belong to public and private collections nationwide.
Each of the three women has built her present home and studio on a ranch not far from where she grew up – Meredith in Carpinteria, Susan in Ventura, and Gail in Santa Paula. And while each woman looks to her own garden and immediate landscape for inspiration, differences in soil and preference mean a great deal of variety in their shared exhibition. Abbott’s impressionistic paintings are overgrown with persimmons, eucalyptus blossoms, and copa de oro. Petty’s detailed compositions blossom in her painted and drawn lemon branches, hollyhocks, and birds’ nests. Pidduck’s recent experiments with light and dark come to life in her painted sunflowers, roses and freesias. In this show, three artists’ common love for nature has resulted in an uncommonly beautiful collection of artworks. “Common Ground” will be on view March 2, 2019 through July 7, 2019.
The Santa Paula Art Museum occupies two historic buildings located at 117 N 10th Street and 123 N 10th Street in downtown Santa Paula. The Museum features rotating exhibitions of vintage and contemporary art, creative classes for children and adults, family-friendly events, live musical performances, a gift shop, and more. Regular museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Regular admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors, and free for students and museum members. For more information, please contact the Museum by calling (805) 525-5554, or e-mail [email protected].
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City of Ventura 2018 Employee and Supervisor of the Year Announced
On February 19, 2019 the City of Ventura held an awards ceremony at City Hall to recognize fifteen employees nominated for the 2018 Employee and Supervisor of the Year. These awards recognize city employees who are role models for public service and exemplify the city’s commitment to excellence.
The eleven nominees for Employee of the Year were:
Lauren Armistead – Ventura Water
Ashley Bautista – Police Department
Cheryl Bucklin – Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships
Silvia Medrano – Public Works
Donald Nielsen – Community Development
Eric Padilla – Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships
Daniel Ramos – Parks, Recreation & Community Partnerships
Elizabeth Richardson – Community Development
Jared Rosengren – Community Development
Vince Tovey – Community Development
Jo Gerke-Yutuc – Finance & Technology
The four nominees for Supervisor of the Year were:
Yesania Anderson – Finance & Technology
Greg Morley – Finance & Technology
Kenny Welch– Police Department
John Willis– Ventura Water
Cheryl Bucklin, Recreation and Community Partnerships Coordinator, was selected as the 2018 Employee of the Year. `
John Willis, Wastewater Plant Supervisor, was selected as the 2018 Supervisor of the Year.
City Manager Alexander McIntyre said, “The City of Ventura has a history of the workforce acknowledging and recognizing their exceptional peers. It’s an honor and a pleasure to work with this caliber of employees!”
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Santa Paula: 2019 Cannabis Community Workshop
By Sheryl Hamlin
With a full house in the guest section, as well as in the lobby and around the dais, the Assistant City Manager opened with “this is a community meeting and we are seeking your input”. The council is currently revisiting the cannabis ordinance which currently prohibits everything except testing. The staff intends to summarize and report back to council, most of whom were in the audience.
The panel included: Ikani Taumoepeau, Assistant City Manager (ACM), Andrew Salinas, Port Hueneme Police Chief, Steve McLean, Santa Paula Police Chief and James Mason, Community Development Director. Attorney Cotti was also noted, although he did not speak.
Staff Presentations
Starting with recent history of legal changes in California, the Assistant CM moved on to five types of licenses which could be included in the city’s revised ordinance:
-retail/delivery
-manufacturing (edibles, tinctures, oils, etc)
-cultivation (indoor or outdoor )
-distribution
-testing
Note that delivery is not distribution. A licensed distributor picks up the product from the cultivator and transports it to the appropriate manufacturer, said the ACM. There does not appear to be a category of “wholesale”, although there are wholesalers.
For details on the distribution process, clilck here. The distribution license has many restrictions and responsibilities, explained here.
Not discussed at the meeting, it is clear that Distributors are the power players in the industry just like liquor industry distributors, which is evident by the limited number of distribution permits the state has granted.
In late 2018, Sacramento voted to allow cannabis delivery even in locales which ban cannabis, which means Santa Paula can be serviced by Ojai very easily with respect to delivery times. Read here
For California Cannabis information, visit this official site or click here for another California site from Public Health.
Various cities studied for offerings
James Mason, Community Development Director, explained potential regulations for locating the businesses including distances from school and best locations for cultivation, which according to their research would be near the river bed.
In addition to the type of licenses, the location of the business and the number of such must be included in the ordinance. Examples of a site issue would be how close the retailer is to a school and fearing smell how close would cultivation be to residential.
With several years’ experience, Ojai has decided to let businesses downtown in the tourist area rather than in the business district. .
To download the staff presentation, click here.
Panel Speakers
Chief Salinas of the Port Hueneme Police Department said that the city had not put limits on the number of cannabis businesses. There are five retail with two in queue and two more potential. There have been no complaints of noise, smell or traffic. With armed guards and lighting, the security is high. He has a phone app where he can view security cameras. Sales are doing well and owners are buying buildings due to their success. He mentioned youth issues and decoy operations.
Santa Paula Police Chief McClean said he realized the need for education so he visited various cities including Greenfield, California, where the Chief of Greenfield said he could smell it. The shop was clinical and secure like Fort Knox, he said. There is a uniformed, armed security guard 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Citizen Speakers
The Assistant CM announced that there would be no ceding of time at this meeting. The audience heard from 34 speakers.
Most speakers overwhelmingly opposed any types of cannabis businesses. Some advocated a “wait and see” approach”. Robert Ramirez asked about CBD, which was not on the agenda. Several cited the letter from DA Toten about the problems with cannabis. Read the Toten letter here. The concern was directed mostly to youth usage of drugs.
The In-take Coordinator for the Hillmont Psychiatric Center in Ventura said that 70% of the incoming patients are on drugs. There is a direct correlation she sees between mental illness and drug use. The information from the urine analysis usually indicates cannabis or cannabis plus other drugs like opiates, heroin or meth. She sees this every day five days a week where patients come from outlying ER’s. These patients are suffering and drugs have ruined their lives, she said. The psychiatrists have to know the type of drugs in order to plan their treatment. These patients are on MediCal which is a societal expense.
Joe Kyle reminded the audience that “prohibition never worked” and that storefronts should look like something else.
One speaker with painful Chron’s Disese said she needed the cannabis for pain and did not want to wait for delivery or drive to other cities.
One of the owners of a cannabis shop in Port Hueneme spoke saying he has three children. Most of his clients are middle aged customers, some from Santa Paula. Each package is highly tracked, he said.
Dot Voting
The Assistant CM posted a large chart where the audience could vote as to where services should be located. This will be forth coming.
The summary and recommendations from the staff will be presented in the near future.
To watch the video click here.
To download the entire staff presentation: Presentation PPT_v5
For more information on author click sherylhamlin dot com
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Soda, water, guns, and tires: They could all be taxed if California Democrats have their way
It’s a standard California Republican talking point that Democrats want to raise taxes. And it’s true that Golden State Democrats have introduced, or plan to introduce, legislation that would raise or create several new taxes.
If there’s one thing the proposals have in common, it’s that they all reflect some facet of the California Democratic Party’s larger environmental and social justice bent.
From a new excise tax on firearm sales to one on sugary beverages, from an oil and gas “severance tax” to an increase in the California tire fee, here’s a rundown on tax-and-fee-increasing bills currently under consideration in Sacramento.
FIREARMS EXCISE TAX
“Although California has the toughest gun laws in the nation, more effort is necessary to curtail gun violence,” Assembly Bill 18, sponsored by Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-Greenbrae, reads in part.
Read the rest of the story on The Sacramento Bee
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