Ventura Local Blog

Is Today a Holiday or Not?

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:48:34 +0000

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

Pierpont Inn Celebrates 100, Brings its Own Presence

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 04:52:16 +0000

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.

But it seems as if the Eagle’s Song Hotel California may have been written about the Pierpont. “You can check in any time you like, but you can never leave. There are a few guests and some former employees who have never left.

Tina Vervoorn has written about the strange activity going on inside the hotel grounds, in her article for the California Chronicle.

“We welcome the living and dearly departed here at The Pierpont Inn,” Harry Ahn, CEO says with a laugh. “We are living history here every day and are thrilled to serve as caretakers for this historic property as it nears its 100th year.”

Celebrating its 100 year birthday on September 17, 2010 the Pierpont Inn is the oldest operating hotel in Ventura County, The Pierpont Inn is designated Ventura County Landmark No. 80 and on the official registry of Historic Hotels of America.

Windy Hill Alpaca Farm’s Answer to Fire

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:59:04 +0000

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.

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/24/one-california-farms-savv_n_298198.html

2009 Jim Beam Surftag US Series

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 03:38:18 +0000

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.

Participants will include:

- Chad Compton – 4 Year Pro/ WQS surfer rated in the top 200.
- Kai Ellison – 4 Year Pro from Ventura/ Rip Curl Free Surfer.
- Sean “Purple” Hayes – 15 Year Pro/ Red Bull Athlete Performance Coach.

Sign up on line at jimbeamsurftag.com. All contestants must be 21 years old on the day of competition. The first three events will serve up a prize of $5,000 prize purse and $10,000 will go home with the winner of the final contest.

Photo Creative Commons Licensed to Flickr User Crawfish

PETA offers Wildfire Evacuation Advice for Animals

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:47:17 +0000

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:

* In the event that your area is evacuated, never leave companion animals behind to fend for themselves. They aren’t any better equipped to survive disasters than humans are.

* Know your destination ahead of time. Shelters often do not accept animals, but motels in the area will probably accept cats, dogs, and other small animals in an emergency. Call destinations in advance, and find out which ones will accommodate you and your animals. Do not plan to leave animals unsupervised in a car; they can suffer from heatstroke once ambient temperatures rise above 70 degrees, even if water is provided and the windows are slightly open.

* Place small animals in secure carriers. Dogs should be leashed with harnesses because frightening sounds and unfamiliar surroundings may make them bolt and get strangled. Take water and food bowls, your animal’s favorite toy or blanket, a towel, and enough food for at least one week.

* Put ID tags on your animals so that your companions can be found in case they get separated from you.

For more information contact:
Holly Beal 757-622-7382
Photo Creative Commons Licensed by Flickr user Foxypar4

New Wildfires Blaze in Moorpark

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:45:28 +0000

Winds spark new fires in Ventura County

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.

Heavy equipment was called in to assist the 400 firefighters already in the area. The fire has been difficult to fight because of the high sustained winds and low humidity.

Other fires started today include one in Riverside County, burning 120 to 150 acres between the cities of Norco, Riverside and Corona. Hot, dry Santa Ana winds were responsible for increasing the size of this fire also.

“Red Flag” warnings have been issued all over California due to the high wind, high temperature and low humidity conditions we are experiencing.

Graphic Video Warns Against Texting While Driving

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 04:04:58 +0000

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. Watch this video, make your kids watch. Help them understand that their whole life can be changed in the blink of an eye. Read more here.

Read more: http://parentingteens.suite101.com/article.cfm/teen_driver_menace_textmessaging#ixzz0Pp98LQL2

Green Jobs for Ventura

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:18:31 +0000

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 real 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.
The California Recovery Website expects the state to receive $85 billion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $789.5 billion in stimulus funds. This investment has the potential to create or save roughly 396,000 jobs in California over the next two years. That’s a lot of jobs. But what kind of jobs are we talking about? And who gets them?
Millions of dollars in Federal Stimulus Grants and State Energy Grants are being distributed to programs specially designed to develop a California clean energy workforce. These dollars will pay for training and certification for workers who have skills in clean technology areas, including energy efficiency, water efficiency, renewable energy and clean transportation.
These jobs will include greener versions of traditional technical areas, such as plumbing, mechanical and electrical trades. There will be high skill jobs, like computer programming and researching fuel cell technologies and entry level hands on positions requiring only short term training, such as installing solar panels and maintaining electric vehicles.
Many of these jobs don’t exist yet, but community colleges and local training agencies are gearing up to provide employers with their workforce needs. As utility companies work to meet their greenhouse reduction goals, new policies will be put into place to provide the financing and monetary incentives to make energy efficiency a no brainer decision. The premise is to enroll now and be positioned upon graduation to convert your newfound knowledge into a green technology job, especially when construction dollars begin flowing again.

Complete Results for the 2009 Point Mugu Surfer Contest

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 03:41:40 +0000

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.

Surfers See Awesome Waves at Point Magu Contest

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:24:19 +0000

Waves comparable to Hawaii’s broke boards and tested the skills of surfers from all over at the annual Point Magu Surf Contest.

See full story in the Ventura County Star.