Well, apparently many employees at the Oxnard DMV figured that it was and took the day off. The Ventura County Star reported that almost half of the 29 DMV employees didn’t show up for work today.
It is Columbus Day, my calendar says so. But with only 10 employees, what do you do? The management sent the workers to another DMV, and closed the Oxnard office.
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Well, apparently many employees at the Oxnard DMV figured that it was and took the day off. The Ventura County Star reported that almost half of the 29 DMV employees didn’t show up for work today.
It is Columbus Day, my calendar says so. But with only 10 employees, what do you do? The management sent the workers to another DMV, and closed the Oxnard office.
The State of California has a new contract where this day is not a holiday. But this contract has not been ratified as of yet. So, is it still a holiday, leftover from the contract that must be still valid?
Don’t the State employees have enough problems already? They have been furloughed, laid off, paid in IOUs, and now they will face disciplinary action for not showing up today. I’m glad I don’t work for the State.
Image Creative Commons licensed by Flickr user 00dann
Our own Pierpont Inn will enjoy its 100th birthday celebration next year, but is getting its presents early, or should I say presence.
This beautiful 99 year old Ventura landmark is getting renovations done, but these renovations seem to be stirring up old ghosts. The Arts and Crafts style building was built in 1910 by Josephine Pierpont-Ginn. It has subsequently been owned by two more women, Mattie Vickers Gleichman in 1928 and more recently Grace Ahn in May of 2009.
Cindy Harris and Doug Fieg, wanted to protect their alpacas from the recent wildfires that were threatening their Windy Hill farm.
Evacuating the animals would have put a lot of stress on then, so they tried something else.
Don’t Drink and Surf
But registration is open to the public in the Jim Beam Surftag US Series, taking place this Saturday, September 24. Join teams of the most experienced and talented surfers in California at Surfer’s Point.
Moorpark, Calif. — In the wake of wildfire evacuations in Ventura County, PETA is offering important advice for ensuring the safety of animal companions, which could help save the lives of cats, dogs, companion birds, and other animals who need to be included in evacuation plans:
Santa Ana winds have created dangerous conditions as wildfire once again threatens home and 1,500 acres of property in the northwestern area of Moorpark tonight.
Scattered ranches and homes were given evacuation orders. How many homes this involved was not specified although one small building was on fire.
This video is graphic, and not for the weak stomach. But should be seen, especially by driving teenagers. Text-messaging while driving is becoming as dangerous as drinking and driving, in terms of inhibiting a teen’s driving abilities. 50% of teens admit to texting while they are driving. 80% of all crashes happen due to distracted drivers.
The definition of a “green” job is one that pays a livable wage and has a net positive impact, either direct or indirect, on the environment, according to the Green for All website.
That seems like the responsible thing to have these days. But in this economy, in which hundreds of thousands of people are out of work and many new college graduates are starting their careers, is a green job a viable path to a rear career? It appears to be so. The Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute has found that California could gain 175,000 for the current investments in Clean Energy Technologies. So it appears new green jobs are on track to be created with help from federal stimulus money.
Thank you to the Point Mugu Naval Base Ventura County for giving the few lucky surfers who participated a chance to surf the normally off limit waves. See this for the full story and a list of the results of this exciting weekend.
Waves comparable to Hawaii’s broke board and tested the skills of surfers from all over at the annual Point Magu Surf Contest.
Crowded classes, standing room only, wait lists and long lines mean the first day of school. Budget cuts mean fewer classes, faculty and other workers at Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura colleges which started the fall semester today.
Last night the new improved, faster, simpler Facebook Lite came online prematurely. The Beta Version was released and went over like the proverbial lead New Coke balloon. It was down for a while and now it works fine. Facebook Lite is very much like Twitter with the thumbs up/down like Stumble-Upon.
After keeping bees for over 25 years this couple from China decided to invite them to the wedding. They didn’t want their buzzy friends from missing the festivities.
Li Wenhua and Yan Hongxia decided to invite several thousand of their insect pals to serve as bridesmaids and groomsmen during their wedding ceremony in Ning’an City. Just like a bee beard they attracted the bees by planting queens on their clothing and waiting for the swarms to arrive.
Giant Kaleidoscope at the Ventura County Fair
Mobile phones are becoming more and more useful. Some analysts predict that within the next five years U.S. mobile phone users will be able to make electronic payments like 15% of phone users in Japan already do.
Washington decision makers have finally come to a mutual decision: Our health care system is sick. It may be fatal.
Almost one-fifth or our nation’s economy goes to healthcare. But the health care industry is far from being a strong efficient system. We all suffer from the inequities, waste, and even dangers in the countries uncoordinated medical services.
Mobile phones are becoming more and more useful. Some analysts predict that within the next five years U.S. mobile phone users will be able to make electronic payments like 15% of phone users in Japan already do.
ABC is taking a chance on an edgier tone in the way that news is delivered. You will never see these news stories on the air. Younger news correspondents and producers are making this change to appeal to an audience that seeks its news online or on mobile devices. The daily video web feature is called The Quick Fix, looks at sometimes racier or more controversial stories and delivers them in a more conversational tone.
Ventura area surfers can expect perfect conditions, but everyone needs to be aware of larger than normal waves and the danger of riptide. Fifty knot winds that developed off of Tahiti are making their way to Southern California according to the National Weather Service.
These northward advancing swells are expected to produce a rise in surf along south facing shores this evening. This swell should peak Friday and persist through the weekend. The potential for rip currents will be high and people should be cautious when entering the ocean. Area lifeguards are preparing for large crowds as the hot weather continues.
I was reading a paper about ecology and environmentalism not long ago. It stated that although younger people have had several forms of education on the subject that most younger adults had no idea what a watershed was. It argued that a large amount of our pollution issues are a result of a lack of adequate environmental education on those issues with which we all need to be concerned.
Thanks to the Ojai Valley Green Coalition we will have a good answer to the question, “What Is a Watershed?” The 30-minute documentary film will profile our Ventura River watershed and the community members and organizations working to protect and restore it.
Here are a few of the bands who are going to put on awesome shows in Ventura and Vicinity in the coming week:
311 Special, Ziggy Marley and The Expendables will play their brand of Reggae Friday, June 5th at 6 pm at the Santa Barbara Bowl. Don’t miss this show.
Many of us have been placed in the difficult position of having to care for a parent or grandparent who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing this diagnosis can be stressful, frightening, and completely overwhelming. It is important to understand this turning point in your loved ones life and know the options that you may have to deal with it.
Local residents often find interesting ways to make their economies work when the larger economy gets difficult. Some people buy food in bulk at reduced prices, start community gardens, and work with local businesses to get the things they need.
The Ojai Economy Group is considering the use of alternative currency as a creative way to meet the needs of the local community. Not a new idea, alternative dollars or scrip have been useful in many economic downturns all over the world. Experts estimate that there are at least 2,000 local currencies across the globe designed to assist communities keep the money flowing and enable citizens to meet their daily needs.
Are you looking for something different to do? Enjoy fine wine? On Tuesday, August 11 from 7 to 9 pm, Camarillo’s Essential Wine Company will host the screening of the movie “Absolute Beginners.” This ultra-cool 1980’s musical will be introduced and discussed by Filmmaker Danielle Stallings. This film by Julien Temple is based on the book about the birth of teen culture in London of the 1950’s and 60’s and includes a great cameo by David Bowie.
Ahh.. early June, time for Father’s Day and Weddings and a million Ventura graduations. It is also the time to get in one last trip to Disneyland before everyone is out of school.
This is the last year for our Girl Scout troop. They sold lots and lots of cookies this year, so we decided to out with a bang, and blow the whole wad on three fun filled days in the Magic Kingdom, the happiest place on earth.
