Sapwi Trails Community Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Thousand Oaks on September 22nd

The Conejo Recreation and Park District announces its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Sapwi Trails Community Park on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 9 am to noon.

This 145 acre park is located in the open space between Erbes Road (at Scenicpark Street) on the west and Westlake Boulevard east, with Avenida de los Arboles on the north.

The park has numerous features, including disc golf course, trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, playground, bike park, terraced areas with picnic benches and more.

The park will not have irrigated turf.

More information at www.crpd.org/sapwi.

Ventura Ranch KOA is Open While Rebuilding But With Limited Services and Amenities

The Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula was significantly affected by the December 2017 Thomas Fire and was closed for awhile as a result.  However, it is now open and taking reservations, but with limited services, amenities, and activities as they continue the process of rebuilding.

All electric and water RV sites are now open and many tent sites are available. New cabins are being built, and along with the safari tents, teepees and pool, are expected to be open by the end of June. 

Learn more at koa.com/campgrounds/ventura-ranch.

Malibu City Council Bans Single-Use Plastic Straws, Stirrers and Cutlery

The Malibu City Council voted to prohibit the sale, distribution and use of single-use plastic straws, plastic stirrers and plastic cutlery within the City during the City Council meeting on Monday, February 12 in order to protect the environment from plastic pollution. The ordinance goes before the Council for a second reading and vote on February 26, and, once finally adopted, will go into effect on June 1, 2018.

The ordinance is part of the City’s campaign to eliminate the use of all kinds of single-use plastic items in order to reduce the plastic pollution that has become pervasive and devastating to the environment. An estimated 500 million plastic straws are used and discarded every day in the United States — enough to wrap around the earth 2.5 times. In California, the annual “Coastal Cleanup Day” has tracked the amount of trash collected since 1992, and plastic straws and stirrers are the sixth most common item collected. Plastic cutlery is the fifth most common item collected. 

The ordinance also covers the commercial use and distribution of compostable and biodegradable petroleum or biologically based straws, stirrers, forks, spoons, and knifes, since these items are not easily composted and often cause issues at compost facilities. In other words, the City will only allow the commercial use and distribution of straws, stirrers, forks, knifes, sporks, and spoons that are made from non-plastic materials, such as paper, wood, bamboo, etc. 

Plastic straws, stirrers, and cutlery never biodegrade. The plastic is broken down into smaller pieces that become difficult to manage in the environment. Nearly all plastic, regardless of whether it has been recycled, still exists. It is estimated that there are over five trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean. Tiny plastic fragments in the ocean are eaten by marine wildlife and enter the food chain. 

To raise awareness among the business community of the need to eliminate single-use plastic straws, the City will provide a box of environmentally safe paper straws to each local food service business. The paper straws, which carry the City’s “Keep it Clean Malibu” slogan, will demonstrate to both businesses and consumers that the single-use plastic straw can be easily replaced. For those who wish to use them, sustainable, reusable straws and cutlery are available in metal, wood, glass, bamboo and other materials. 

To read the staff report or learn more about the City’s efforts to reduce plastic pollution, visit www.MalibuCity.org/plastic.

Malibu previously banned polystyrene foam products effective January 1, 2017. That ordinance bans the sale or distribution of food ware, meat and fish trays, packing materials ("peanuts" and shipping boxes), coolers, ice chests and similar containers and other items made of polystyrene.

CSU Channel Islands to Become Completely Smoke and Tobacco-Free on August 23rd

Beginning on Aug. 23, 2017, CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will be completely smoke and tobacco-free. CSUCI is taking this step to comply with an executive order from the CSU Chancellor’s Office declaring that all CSU campuses must be smoke and tobacco-free.

The Smoke & Tobacco-Free policy prohibits smoking, the use or sale of all tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vapor devices. Ashtrays on campus will be removed and signage will be changed to reflect CSUCI’s new policy.

“We never established formal smoking zones, but they cropped up over time,” said Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Cindy Derrico. “Now we are going to place signs outside of buildings to indicate that smoking is not allowed.”

The following smoke-emitting products will not be allowed: cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, pipes, hookahs, vapor devices, e-cigarettes or any other vapor devices. Marijuana has never been allowed.

Also not allowed are tobacco and/or nicotine in any form whether smoked, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or ingested by any means. FDA approved tobacco cessation products are exempt.

The Smoke & Tobacco-Free policy pertains to University-owned undeveloped or leased property, including parking lots, private vehicles on University owned, undeveloped or leased property and in any vehicle owned, leased or rented by the University.

The CSU-wide policy is pursuant to CSU Executive Order 1108. To read the order, visit www.calstate.edu/eo/EO-1108.html.

Derrico doesn’t foresee any problems, adding that enforcement of the ban will be up to the community.

“We are expecting people on the campus will honor this request if people forget or are unaware of the ban,” Derrico said. “We would like people within the campus community to politely request that people not smoke. The only time we would engage in strict enforcement or conduct referral would be if people were unresponsive to the request or behaved in an aggressive or inappropriate manner.”

Smoking cessation products for students will be available at the Student Health Center. Employees seeking help to quit tobacco and nicotine products can view employee benefits at: www.csuci.edu/hr/benefits/health-dental.htm.

For more information on the new mandate, visit the University’s Smoke & Tobacco-Free website at: www.csuci.edu/legal/smoke-free.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CSUCI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CSUCI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CSUCI’s Social Media.

Simi Valley Police Department Reports Arrest of 12 Baby Formula Theft Suspects in Four Days

The Simi Valley Police Department (SVPD) reports that five suspects were arrested today for theft of baby formula, bringing the total number of baby formula theft arrests in Simi Valley in the last four days, in three incidents, to 12.

Today at 2:32 P.M. SVPD received a report that a theft of baby formula had just occurred at the Vons Supermarket at 1855 E. Cochran Street. Four male suspects ran out of the store with numerous cans of baby formula. They were seen leaving the area in a brown SUV.

Based on a description of the suspects and their vehicle, SVPD was able to track down the vehicle and five suspects, Jamal Dixon (20), Aarion Thomas (18), Onwuatuegwu Ngwudile (21),
Randle Posten II (22) and Solomon Leslie (19) were taken into custody.

The baby formula stolen today had an approximate value of $730 and was recovered from the suspects' vehicle. In addition to the formula stolen from Vons, another $2,000 to $3,000 in formula was recovered from the car.

On July 17th at 5:58, Los Angeles residents Mya Usher (18), Morgan Pecantte (20) and Champagne Dubose (21) were seen stealing baby formula from the CVS Pharmacy at 3935 E. Cochran Street in Simi Valley. They were also caught by SVPD and a large quantity of baby formula was recovered from the car. 

In another incident, four suspects were arrested. 

All 12 suspects are residents of Los Angeles and are believed to have come to Simi Valley intent on stealing baby formula.

7/19 SVPD Release: local.nixle.com/alert/6065777

7/17 SVPD Release: local.nixle.com/alert/6062045

So this begs the question...why? Well, perhaps due to the cost they are buying and reselling the formula. Maybe, or mayby not. One savvy CVG Facebook follower did a quick search and discovered a report from the Retail Association of Nevada that baby formula thefts are a growing national problem. Large-scale organized crime rings are stealing baby formula to manufacture illegal drugs; cans of powdered baby formula are used as mixers for drugs like cocaine and heroin. Yikes.

CSU Channel Islands to Launch Mechatronics Engineering Program in Fall 2018

CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) will launch its Mechatronics Engineering program in fall 2018.

The program will accept 24 students for fall 2018, increasing that number by 24 each year until the total number of Mechatronics majors admitted each year is just under 100.

With about 300 engineering jobs available in Ventura County each year, University administrators, faculty, lawmakers and the community saw the need for qualified engineers and began working toward adding the major at CSUCI years ago.

The program comes to the University during newly invested President Erika Beck’s tenure. Once the engineering major is launched, CSUCI will be one of less than a dozen universities in the nation that offers a Mechatronics degree.

Mechatronics is a quickly-growing area of engineering that includes aspects of control theory, computer science, electronics, and mechanics.

Plans are already in the works to apply for accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a nonprofit, non-governmental accrediting agency for programs in applied science, computing, engineering technology and related fields.

ABET accreditation provides assurance that a college or university program meets the quality standards of the profession each graduate intends to enter. CSUCI plans to seek ABET accreditation within four to five years.

The long term advantages to pursuing a degree in Mechatronics are many. Those who graduate with a degree in Mechatronics can expect great career mobility because of the expertise they will have in a variety of engineering skills.

Salaries for these graduates are also promising. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that median annual wages for all specialized engineers that are not categorized was $92,680 as of May of 2013. The middle 50 percent of these professionals earned between $68,610 and $117,930 yearly.

The demand for engineers is high along what’s known as the “101 Tech Corridor,” which includes companies like Amgen, Haas Automation, Teledyne Technologies, and HRL Laboratories, plus an ongoing need for Naval Base Ventura County at their Point Mugu and Port Hueneme facilities.

CSUCI is one of just three CSUs to offer the Mechatronics degree, the other two being CSU Chico and CSU San Luis Obispo.

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CSUCI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CSUCI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CSUCI’s Social Media.

Assisted Living Facility Being Built at the Top of the Conejo Grade in Newbury Park

Update 7/4/17: Photo showing progress to date. Photo shows smoke in the air from a 50 acre fire on the north side of the 101 on the Conejo Grade near Camarillo Springs exit. Firefighters nailed it as usual, the smoke cleared, and fireworks went off without a hitch.

Progress being made on the 130 unit Sage Mountain Assisted Living facility adjacent to the 101 in Newbury Park.

Posted 10/20/16:

Grading has started at 3499 Grande Vista Drive in Thousand Oaks

What's that you see going on at the top of the Conejo Grade on the north side of the 101? Grading is underway for the 130 unit Sage Mountain Assisted Living facility. This facility will contain 98 assisted living units and 32 memory care units, including studios and 1 bedroom apartments.

See a conceptual mock-up of the facility from the eastbound 101 at THIS LINK. 

Address of the project is 3499 Grande Vista Drive, Thousand Oaks.
 

The view down the Conejo Grade from this location.

2017 Summer Meal Service Sites in Ventura County

If you know of folks with school aged children in need of a meal during the summer months, there are some useful tools available to help them. 

An example of what you receive when you text "food" to 877877. 

No Kid Hungry has made this simple. Just text “food” to 877-877 (or “comida” for a reply in Spanish). You will receive a prompt reply asking for your address or zip code. After submitting that, you will be given local meal site options. No Kid Hungry developed this system with the USDA.

Or you can visit www.fns.usda.gov/summerfoodrocks to find a meal site via on online map.

Lastly, you can also visit the California Department of Education website at www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/summersites17.asp to find local meal sites throughout California. Or drill down specifically to Ventura County sites at www.cde.ca.gov/ds/sh/sn/ap/summersites.asp?year=2017&countyname=Ventura.

Generally the sites are open from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm but contact the specific site to verify. The Conejo Valley USD sites are open until 1 pm. There are no income parameters associated with this program. You just need to be between the ages of 2 and 18.

(Special thanks to Katrina R, who tipped us off to the handy No Kid Hungry text system.)