East Ventura County Sheriff Watch Update - June 23, 2011

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Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

The following is a summary of recent crimes in the unincorporated areas surrounding Thousand Oaks.

Oak Park

Forest Knoll Drive – Theft from Vehicle 5-31-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered victim’s unlocked vehicle when it was parked overnight in the street in front of residence and removed property from the center console. 

Dubonnet – Grand Theft from Vehicle 6-02-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle when it was parked overnight in the driveway of the residence and removed property from the rear seat and trunk.

Locust Ave – Vehicle Burglary 6-09-11 – Unknown suspects smashed the front passenger side window of the victim’s locked vehicle when it was parked overnight in the driveway of the residence.  Suspect(s) reached in and removed victim’s property.

Aspen Oak Court – Grand Theft from Vehicle 6-14-11 – Unknown suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle when it was parked overnight and removed property.

Casa Conejo

Alice Drive – Theft from Vehicle 6-12-11 – Unknown suspect(s

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Photos From Today's Amgen Tour of California Final Stage in Thousand Oaks

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The final stage of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California flew into Thousand Oaks this afternoon as the entire city geared up for the excitement. While I wasn't there because I was entertaining my kids in Santa Barbara, Marcella Ketelhut of local Los Robles Hills Winery made me feel like I was with some awesome photos. Learn more about the Tour results and this year's overall winner, Chris Horner, at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

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6th Annual Amgen Tour of California Final Stage Will Finish in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, May 22nd

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Route details have been announced for Stage 8! Race starts in Santa Clarita at McBean Parkway and Magic Mountain Parkway to the 126 West through Piru/Fillmore. Then it cuts south to the hilly Balcom Canyon Road to Stockton Road, then east on Los Angeles Avenue in Moorpark. From there it goes south on Tierra Rejada Road on to Moorpark Road and the Norwegian Grade...ouch! Up and over the top of the grade to Olsen Road west, then boy is it gonna be a blistering pace down Lynn Road! The cyclists will turn left (east) on Hillcrest to what looks to be Old Conejo School Road (adjacent to The Lakes), and from there it will be another 5 lap, 4 mile per lap circuit that includes Thousand Oaks Boulevard and ends at the T.O. Civic Arts Plaza (Thousand Oaks Blvd and Conejo School Road). There will be miles and miles of great race coverage in Thousand Oaks!

Amgen Tour Street Closure Map in Thousand Oaks this Sunday

View 2011 Amgen Tour City of Thousand Oaks Route with Street Closu­­res/­R­oad Blocks in a larger map

The 6th Annual Amgen Tour of California will take place over 8 days, from May 15-22, 2011. This year's event starts in a new location, South Lake Tahoe, on May 15th. From there it goes to North Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, Auburn, Modesto, Livermore, San Jose, Seaside, Paso Robles, Solvang, Claremont, Mount Baldy, Santa Clarita...and, finally...THOUSAND OAKS once again in the 8th Stage finale on Sunday, May 22nd. Over 800 miles of riding. The Thousand Oaks final stage will finish at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

Last year's final stage in Thousand Oaks had 128 cyclists and 63 finishers. Hopefully we will see many of the same from last year's top 5, winner Michael Rogers, 2nd place David Zabriskie, 3rd place Levi Leipheimer (winner of the 2007, 2008 and 2009 events), 4th place Christoper Horner and 5th place Ryder Hesjedal. Lance Armstrong rode in the 2010 event but had to bow out after a crash in Stage 5.

For more information, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com or the City of Thousand Oaks Stage 8 website at www.amgentourconejo.org.

By Law, California 7th-12th Graders Must Receive Whooping Cough Vaccine by July 2011

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AB 354: The New 7th – 12th Grade California Immunization Law
California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch

Whooping cough is a serious disease that causes coughing fits that can last for months. It can be deadly for infants. In recent years, whooping cough has been increasing in the United States. In 2010, whooping cough was widespread in California.

Starting July 2011, a new law (AB 354) changing California immunization requirements for all students entering 7th-12th grades goes into effect. The law requires:

  • This coming school year (2011-2012), all students entering into 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th or 12 th grades will need proof of an adolescent whooping cough booster shot (called “Tdap”) before starting school.
  • For the next school year (2012-13) and future school years, all students entering into 7th grade only will need proof of a Tdap shot to start school.

This law includes current students, new students and transfer students in both public and private schools.

Tdap is a booster vaccine for older children, adolescents, and

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City of Thousand Oaks Approves 35 Foot Tall Chuck E. Cheese Sign Along 101 Freeway

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This morning, in an emergency session, the Thousand Oaks City Council approved immediate construction of a new Chuck E. Cheese sign along the 101 Freeway to replace the aging Auto Mall sign.

Mock up of 35 foot tall Chuck E. Cheese sign to be erected in place of Thousand Oaks Auto Mall sign.

Mock up of 35 foot tall Chuck E. Cheese sign to be erected in place of Thousand Oaks Auto Mall sign.

"Thousand Oaks is a family-friendly city," indicated Mayor Andy Fox "and we want everyone who drives through the 101 artery to be made well aware of that through the magic of Chuck E. Cheese."

Though the sign is considered large by local standards at 35 feet high by nearly 37 feet wide, and will flash bright neon lights from dusk until dawn, the sign is not expected to distract drivers. However, on weekdays between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. a drive-up ticket redemption stand will be operated under the sign to enable parents and children to redeem their Chuck E. Cheese tickets for prizes.

Chuck E. Cheese representative Ivgota Hedache remarked "We are excited to literally become part of the landscape of this beautiful city."

In other news, the Conejo Recreation and Park District has plans to construct a 197 foot long Slip n' Slide at Conejo Creek Park. Check back soon for details.

ConejoJoeOnly170px.jpg

Ventura County Watershed Protection District Website Provides Real-Time Rain Data

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The mission of the Ventura County Watershed Protection Districtis to protect life, property, watercourses, watersheds and public infrastructure from the dangers and damages associated with flood and stormwaters in Ventura County. VCWPD has jurisdiction over about 200 miles of channels throughout the County.

One feature on the VCWPD website is the ALERT (Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time) map that shows rainfall totals at over 100 locations throughout Ventura County. If you look at the 2-day rainfall totals as of today, March 21, 2011, you will see some very dramatic rainfall totals, confirming the massive drenching we experienced in the Conejo Valley yesterday, leaving downed trees all around town. Here are some 2-day rainfall totals (note that this is provisional data and VCWPD does not warrant the accuracy of the data):

  • Newbury Park: 5.5 inches (measured at the NP Fire Station)

  • Thousand Oaks Civic Center: 5.4 inches

  • Camarillo Airport: 4.0 inches

  • Ventura County Government Center: 3.8 inches

  • Simi Valley: 3.7 inches

  • Moorpark: 3.1 inches

  • Agoura Hills: 4.1 inches

www.vcwatershed.net/fws/rain-map

That's a lot of rain in such a short period! Need sandbags? Here's a list courtesy of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Extreme Downpours on this 1st Day of Spring

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Yes, today is the first day of spring. But who would have known through the torrential downpours and 40 to 50 mile winds today. The storm has taken its toll on trees. In my 10 minute drive through Newbury Park today, I saw probably 20 of them down. Stay dry and safe. Thousand Oaks resident and executive coach Scott Leese of Dynamic Coaching Strategies caught this photo of a fallen cedar at the Thousand Oaks Library today.