Department of Navy Temporarily Suspends Public Visits to San Miguel Island

On Friday, April 18th, Naval Base Ventura County issued the following press release regarding San Miguel Island, the westernmost of the Channel Islands.

Effectively immediately, public visits to San Miguel Island (SMI), part of the Channel Islands National Park (CINP), are temporarily suspended.

Due to safety concerns, the Department of the Navy, which is the land owner at SMI and is represented locally by Naval Base Ventura County, has asked the National Parks Service via the CINP Superintendent's office to halt all recreational visits to the island.

The island was used as part of a bombing range during and after World War II. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety while the Navy conducts a risk assessment and, if necessary, clean-up at the island. The length of the closure will depend on the risk assessment findings, but the island will likely not reopen to visitors this year.

"The Navy is dedicated to the conservation of our national resources, of which the Channel Islands are a unique and critical piece," said Capt. Larry Vasquez, NBVC's commanding officer. "But the safety and wellbeing of NPS personnel and those who visit San Miguel Island are our highest concern. We are working closely with our federal partners to ensure the park is a safe and inviting place to visit."

For more information regarding Naval Base Ventura County, please call the NBVC public affairs office at 805-989-9234.

For more information about National Parks Service programs at CINP, call the NPS public information office at 805-658-5725.

The National Park Service issued the following press release:

In the interest of public safety, the U.S. Navy is closing San Miguel Island until further notice due to recent concerns of possible unexploded ordnance. San Miguel Island was an active bombing range from WWII through the 1970s.

San Miguel Island is owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed by the National Park Service under a memorandum of agreement. Pursuant to the Authority of the Superintendent under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 section 1.5 (a)(1)&(2) and section 2.1(a)(2) San Miguel Island is closed to all public entry.

More on the Channel Islands National Park.

Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands Boat Rides with Island Packers

City of Calabasas to Host Delegation of Special Olympics Athletes in 2015

The City of Calabasas will serve as a host city for a delegation of Special Olympics athletes before the opening of the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

About 7,000 participants from 170 nations will compete in more than 20 sports between July 25 and Aug. 2 next year at arenas including USC and UCLA. Among the competitions are aquatics, gymnastics, kayaking, basketball and soccer.

Calabasas will be one of 100 Southern California cities participating in a four-day pre-games celebration— hailing athletes from around the globe.

Host towns are responsible for providing accommodations, meals, activities and local transportation for the athletes and their sponsors.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/special-olympics.html to find information about volunteering and  sponsorship opportunities.

Santa Paula Rotary Announces Cancellation of 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Paula Rotary recently announced the cancellation of the 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch "due to actions taken by the University of California and the Hansen Trust Advisory Board" Approximately 20,000 people visit the patch each year.

Hay mazes at the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in a previous year.

According to the press release, the Santa Paula Pumpkin Patch Committee attempted to work with the Hansen Trust to permit the Pumpkin Patch to run for an additional transitional year while a new venue was sought. But "UC chose to discriminate against the Rotary Club by establishing new conditions and barriers which are not uniformly applied to other UC campuses and property throughout the state, or even at the Hansen Trust, making it impossible for the Rotary operated Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch to continue" according to the Rotary. More background on the situation at www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com/information.html.

To justify its actions, UC/Hansen Trust stated that the professional exhibits provided by the Resource Conservation District, United Water Conservation District, Limoneira, CoLab, Calavo, the Cattleman’s Association, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Associates Insectary, FFA petting area & Briggs 4-H seed exhibit were of poor quality and no educational value. The educational hayride script and school program, developed by Hansen Trust staff, were also deemed educationally meaningless.  Interestingly, 63% of the people visiting the Pumpkin Patch last year (a significantly higher number than the total visiting the farm for the entire remaining 11 months of the year) said they learned something new about agriculture during their visit.

To learn more, visit www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com. The Rotary Club of Santa Paula encourages the public to share your thoughts about the actions taken by UC and the Hansen Trust with Ms. Janet Napolitano, President, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607 or President@ucop.edu.

Ventura County Sheriff's 2014 "Dispatcher of the Year" Award Recipients Announced

Ventura County Sheriff’s Technical Communications Specialists Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer have been selected as the 2014 “Dispatcher of the Year” award co-recipients. They will be honored at the annual Dispatcher Awards Banquet in Ventura on April 10, 2014. Gloria and Jeff were selected by their peers and supervisors to receive this award, which is presented to the outstanding dispatcher for their exemplary work and contributions to public safety and the residents of Ventura County.

Gloria Nieves has been an employee with the Sheriff’s Office for over 35 years and Jeff Mercer has been with the department for over 29 years. During their time with the Sheriff’s Office, both Gloria and Jeff have become accomplished dispatchers and have established themselves as consummate team players. In addition to challenging and rapidly evolving situations in their primary assignments, they are also trainers for newly hired dispatchers.

Sheriff dispatchers answer, assess, and refer 9-1-1 calls, as well as business calls that come into the Sheriff’s Office. They are responsible for dispatching and coordinating patrol responses to calls for service and, at times, responsible for up to 70 patrol deputies in the field in Sheriff’s jurisdictions throughout Ventura County.

Dispatchers are among the first responders to emergency incidents and are often described as calm, professional, and proficient. Peers have noted that Gloria and Jeff are highly skilled due to their established experience and their outstanding critical communication skills. They are both exceptional in their everyday duties and play a big role in bringing substantial patrol incidents to safe and positive outcomes.

Congratulations to Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer as co-recipients of the 2014 Sheriff’s “Dispatcher of the Year” award.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office via Nixle at local.nixle.com/alert/5172632/?sub_id=1449546.

Southbound 23 to Southbound 101 Freeway Restriping During Widening of 101

Update 3/10/14:

Last week, the SR-23 connector to the 101 south was reduced to one lane as part of initial work for the project. This change resulted in significant traffic impacts, leading Caltrans and City staff to pursue potential alternatives. Those conversations also resulted in the following:

1. Beginning with Tuesday morning's commute, the south 23 connector to the south 101 will be restored to two lanes, while work continues on the project.  
2. The project team is working together to explore alternatives regarding future construction activities on the connector.

Other updates 3/7/14:

• Northbound US 101 Connector to Northbound SR-23 reduced to one lane (in effect 24/7)
• Southbound SR-23 Connector to Southbound US 101 reduced to one lane (in effect 24/7). *Caltrans is working with the project contractor to minimize the duration of this connector lane reduction.
• Northbound Hampshire Road to Northbound US 101 on-ramp has been reduced to one left turn lane (in effect 24/7)
• Conejo School Road at US 101 undercrossing has been reduced to one lane only between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.; flaggers on site to direct traffic
• US 101 Southbound off-ramp at Moorpark Road closed nightly between
  9 p.m. and 6 a.m. (ongoing utility relocation work)
• Northbound Moorpark Road at US 101 undercrossing lane reduction nightly between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Dates and times subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather.

An update from the 101/23 Freeway Interchange Improvement Project team:

On Thursday, March 6 commuters experienced significant delays traveling on the southbound SR-23 transition to the southbound US 101 freeway as a result of striping modifications made recently on the connector. As part of the US 101 / SR-23 Interchange Improvement project, the southbound SR-23 connector to the southbound US 101 freeway will be reduced to one lane during construction, in order to accommodate for the widening of the US 101 freeway mainline. The project team is currently exploring all options to improve the striping delineation to help motorists navigate the new reduced lane configuration. In addition, the team will be exploring opportunities to add additional signage in the area to provide advanced notification to alert motorists traveling through the interchange. 

The City of Thousand Oaks and Caltrans are aware of the delays caused as a result of this lane reduction. We apologize for the inconvenience this caused to motorists who were caught off guard. Delays are expected in the area as the team explores options to improve the striping and add additional signage in advance of the lane reduction. To minimize delays, use an alternate route if possible or allow extra time to reach your destination.

We are committed to providing proactive public outreach support to minimize impacts to the traveling public and to help commuters avoid delays due to unanticipated construction / maintenance activity. Additional information will be provided as soon as it becomes available and the team is making every effort to ensure advanced notice is provided in the future.

CLU Receives $4.67 Million Scholarship Endowment From Estate of John R. Manken

CLU receives $4M scholarship endowment

Late donor got student aid, wanted to pay it forward

California Lutheran University has received its largest-ever donation for scholarships, a $4.67 million estate gift from a Pacific Palisades educator.

The endowment funded by John R. Manken’s bequest will provide about $240,000 each year in Manken Family Scholarships to students who are seeking teaching credentials or majoring in math, physics or religion. This will boost the university’s scholarship outlays from endowed funds by about 20 percent.

Manken died of a heart attack at the age of 89 on March 27, 2012, but CLU just received the funds. About $23,000 can be distributed in 2014 and the full awards will be available in 2015.

The child of a couple who ran a plumbing business, Manken received a scholarship to attend college and wanted to give others the same opportunity. He earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree and a doctorate in music from the University of Southern California, but after a year touring as a concert pianist he decided that wasn’t the life he wanted. He returned to USC and earned a doctorate in educational administration. He had a 40-year career as an elementary school teacher and principal and retired in 1993.

Manken, a Lutheran, first connected with CLU when he came to the Scandinavian Festival on campus in 1988 and met the university’s vice president of development. An only child who never married and had no descendants, he began working with Della Greenlee, the now retired director of scholarships and foundation relations, to establish the scholarships to be funded upon his death by the bulk of his estate. Prior to his passing, his only gifts to the university were two oak and glass display cases that hold a collection of Reformation-era Bibles and rare religious books that were donated by his friend.

Della Greenlee with the late John R. Manken (Photo Courtesy CLU)

Straight Up Ventura County 2014 Youth Drug and Alcohol Awareness Video Contest

Straight Up Ventura County announces return of youth video contest; seeks videos from young people ages 12-25; focus on drug and alcohol awareness 

Straight Up, the Ventura County-wide youth advocacy project, has opened its most recent video contest for submissions from young people in Ventura County.

Entrants can choose from topics on underage and binge drinking, impaired driving, prescription drug abuse (and the links to heroin use) and the impact to the adolescent brain with marijuana use. 

2011-2012 California Healthy Kids Survey results showed that Ventura County youth continue to abuse prescription drugs and use heroin and marijuana. For example, 20% of 11th graders and 14% of 9th graders have used prescription pain medications to get high. Marijuana use doubled for 5th graders between 2009 and 2012. Heroin continues to be an escalating problem -- several young people in Simi Valley and elsewhere have fatally overdosed in recent years. Often, the problem starts with prescription drug abuse with the user "graduating" to heroin for similar effects. 

Alcohol use and impaired driving also continue to be a local issue. In Ventura County, alcohol use is highest among 18- to 20-year-olds not old enough to legally purchase it, and is a factor in nearly half of all teen automobile crashes.

The contest is open to Ventura County young people 12-25 years of age who live or go to school within Ventura County. Short videos (30-90 seconds) are preferred, but longer videos are welcome as well. A grand prize of $500 will be awarded, as well as several runner-up prizes. Entries must be received by Friday, May 16, 2014. Winners will be announced on Friday, May 30.

Downloadable rules and guidelines can be found at www.straightupvc.org/contest. Information sessions, training and equipment lending can be made available. Call 805.647.4622 with any questions.

Straight Up Ventura County (a project of Ventura County Behavioral Health Department Alcohol and Drug Programs) works closely with young people to raise awareness and create change around the issues of alcohol and drug abuse. Advocacy training, reality improv workshops and video projects are some of the way youth can get engaged and become empowered.

Winner of the 2013 contest:

US 101 / SR 23 Interchange Improvement Project Closures Begin February 10th

On Monday, February 10th, Southern California Gas Co. will begin performing utility relocation work in preparation for the start of construction on the US 101 / SR-23 Interchange Improvement Project. This work is expected to continue intermittently through mid-March 2014.

The following closures will be in effect for approximately the next two to three weeks, to facilitate this work:

• Southbound 101 Moorpark Rd. off-ramp will be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., nightly, Monday through Friday, through mid-March.
• Northbound  traffic on Moorpark Rd. at the US 101 undercrossing, will be reduced to one lane only, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., nightly, Monday through Friday, through mid-March.
• Conejo School Rd. will be reduced to one lane only, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily, Monday through Saturday, through mid-March.  Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic and maintain traffic flow.        

To avoid delays, please plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination if your trip involves any of these routes.

Additional lane reductions and/or closures will take place over the next few weeks as utility providers work to relocate their equipment before construction begins on the US 101 / SR-23 Interchange Improvement Project. The project team will make every effort to provide advanced notice of this work to assist the traveling public.

View Ramp/Lane Closures for Utility Relocation in a larger map

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised these dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather.

Source: www.toaks.org/10123