Ventura County Area School Start/End Dates, Winter Breaks and Spring Breaks 2010-2011

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Summer is nearly done and Labor Day is fast approaching!  We were talking about kids going back to school at work today when we realized that everyone is on different school schedules...from Conejo Valley to Moorpark, Camarillo, Ventura, etc.  Why??  Beats me.  But being the analytical, investigative type of guy that genetics thrust upon me, I did a little research on...WHEN DOES SCHOOL START AROUND HERE!!??

I created this list for informational and amusement purposes only.  Please be sure to double-check school start dates with your local school to be sure!

1ST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THE 2010-2011 SCHOOL YEAR!

Tuesday, August 17th: Santa Paula Union High School District

Wednesday, August 18th: Oxnard School District (Elementary/Middle Schools)

Wednesday, August 18th: Fillmore Unified School District

Monday, August 23rd: Carpinteria Unified School District

Monday, August 23rd: Saint Bonaventure High School

Tuesday, August 24th: Hueneme School District

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Ventura County Residents Can Finance Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects via Property Tax Bill!

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The CaliforniaFIRST Program (AB 811) allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on homes and businesses. For participating property owners, the cost of the project is repaid on your property tax bill over up to 20 years. Financing eligibility is based on the value of your property and the current status of property tax payments, not personal credit. 

The County of Ventura is one of 14 California counties that will be participating in the CaliforniaFIRST Pilot Program! This pilot program is schedule to launch this fall!

Under CaliforniaFIRST, the property owner repays the cost of the clean energy project through a line item on their property tax bill. The minimum financing amount is $5,000. The maximum financing amount for residential property is $75,000. The maximum financing amount for commercial property varies based on property value. The repayment period will be between 5 and 20 years. The interest rate will vary based on market conditions.

Participating in the CaliforniaFIRST program gives Ventura County an opportunity to help both the community and the environment. With rising prices in electricity, gas, and water, this program will allow property owners an opportunity to access investments in technologies that will likely protect them against rising utility costs.

Loans are entered into voluntarily and transfer to the subsequent owner (INTERESTING!) upon sale and have superior lien status above one’s primary mortgage.

Learn more by visiting www.renewfund.com/node/223 and www.californiafirst.org. Sign up to be notified when the program is available at www.californiafirst.org/signup.html.

Conejo Valley "Deal-a-Day" Website ConejoDeals.com Has Some Incredible Deals!

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ConejoDeals_mdm.jpg

Looking for a great deal in the Conejo Valley? A new "Deal-a-Day" website, ConejoDeals.com launched in mid-April!

ConejoDeals.com brings huge savings to residents of the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Created by Westlake Village residents Robert Jaffe and Carlos Yniguez, ConejoDeals.com sends a daily email to its members offering 50-90% off at local businesses. Each deal remains available for purchase for just 24 hours (Friday deals are offered all weekend), but each discounted certificate is typically valid for six months.

In addition to saving you money, ConejoDeals.com gives back to the local community. For every deal purchased, $1 is donated to a local school, charity or organization.

To receive a daily special deal email, sign-up for free at ConejoDeals.com!

History of the Museum of Ventura County and Current Renovation Projects

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The Museum of Ventura County celebrates, preserves and interprets the art, history and culture of Ventura County, the California Channel Islands and the surrounding region through collections, exhibitions, events, education programs, publications and its research library, and serves as a gathering place for the community.

The Museum first opened in 1913 in the newly built Ventura County Courthouse (now Ventura City Hall). Known as the Pioneer Museum, its collections of artifacts and curios were the legacy of Dr. Cephas Bard, a Pennsylvania doctor who came to Ventura after the Civil War. A compassionate man with wide-ranging interests, Dr. Bard accepted historical objects in lieu of cash payment for his services. Priceless Chumash, Spanish and Mexican-American objects from his collection are on display in the galleries today.

Museum of Ventura County - A Brief Story
View more presentations from shbenner.

 

In 1977, the Museum moved to its 15,000 square foot building on Ventura’s Main Street, near historic Mission San Buenaventura. The Museum is currently at work on a major project to expand its facility in Ventura by adding a public plaza, a pavilion for meetings and special events, expanded galleries and

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McDonald's Recalls 12 Million Shrek Forever After™ Drinking Glasses

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Well this is a recall that affects me as my wife bought a full set of these glasses. Today the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that McDonald's is voluntarily recalling the 4 Shrek Forever After™ drinking glasses featuring Shrek, Fiona, Puss n' Boots and Donkey. These are 16 ounce glasses that sold for $2 at McDonalds.

Apparently some of the pigment in the paint used on the outside of the glasses contains cadmium, a naturally occurring element that with long-term use can be a carcinogen and cause bone softening and kidney problems.  McDonald's says "the glassware was evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory, accredited by the CPSC, and determined to be in compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements at the time of manufacture and distribution. However, in light of the CPSC’s evolving assessment of standards for consumer products, McDonald’s determined in an abundance of caution that a voluntary recall of the Shrek Forever After glassware is appropriate."

To return your glasses and get your money back, visit www.mcdonalds.com/glasses beginning Tuesday, June 8th or call 800.244.6227.

Camarillo Passes More Restrictive Smoking Regulations Effective May 28th

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On April 28th, the City of Camarillo adopted a new Ordinance 1053 that extends smoking restrictions in the city, joining other local cities of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Calabasas in an effort to clear the air for non-smokers.

Here are some of the restrictions. Visit the City of Camarillo website for more information about the new law.

Public Places: Wherever the public is permitted or invited, indoors or outdoors, including streets and sidewalks if: 1) they are designated “No Smoking” by City Council Resolution, 2) they are part of a public event, or 3) they are within 25 feet of a no-smoking area.

Dining Areas: Any location, including streets and sidewalks, established for and used by the general public for the consumption of food or drink. This includes bar and restaurant patios, sidewalk cafes, food booths at public events, etc.

Recreation Areas: Any area open to the public for recreational purposes, whether publicly or privately owned and regardless of any fee requirement. This includes all parks, playgro

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Ventura County Sheriff's Department Website Now Includes Dispatches, Twitter/Nixle News Feeds and YouTube Videos

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NOTE: This was originally posted in April 2010. I believe the CAD described below was replaced with the interactive Crime Maps now used to post information and incidents, arrests, calls for service and the like.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department recently upgraded its website to incorporate a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) display, YouTube video updates, press release updates via Nixle and a Twitter feed. So if you are looking for up to date Ventura County crime information, definitely check out the VCSD website at www.vcsd.org.

The CAD display is pretty interesting. It is updated every minute with details (time, location, nature of call) and can be viewed by anyone. There is a short delay placed on activity display

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