Here's the Scoop on the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center at Cal Lutheran University

Located at California Lutheran University here in Thousand Oaks, the Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center is home to the Kingsmen Men's Basketball, Regals Women's Basketball and Volleyball teams.

This $18 million, 96,000 sq ft facility that opened in August 2006 was named after its primary donors, John "Jack" Gilbert and his wife Carol. Jack passed away on August 2, 2012 at the age of 91. Gilbert was chairman of the board of Zero Corp. and, later, TOLD Corp., a former member of the CLU Board of Regents, a self-made, self-educated entrepreneur, and the owner of one of the first Social Security cards issued in 1936. He was the first recipient of the Hall of Fame Award presented by the Ventura County Economic Development Association in 1989 and, in 2010, was inducted into the Tri-County Business Hall of Fame. He received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from CLU in 1990.

In addition to CLU sporting events, the Gilbert Arena is also available for rentals. The facility has a capacity of 2,200 and can be rented for concerts, banquets, weddings, conferences, team practices and more. Visit awww.callutheran.edu/event_services/venues for more information.

To learn more about sports at CLU, the only college based in the Conejo Valley, visit www.clusports.com.

Happy Face Hill in Simi Valley Has Brought Smiles to 118 Freeway Drivers Since 1998

Perhaps the most visible cultural icon in Simi Valley is "Happy Face Hill" seen by westbound drivers on the 118 freeway just west of Kuehner Drive.

Although Northridge gardener Sonny Klamerus does not own the land used to display his creation that has been there since 1998, apparently it is here to stay, even with 66 townhomes in development at the base of the hill.

They say the Happy Face is 150 feet wide, which is half the length of a football field!

I've driven by it dozens of times and was impressed at how nice it looked after the recent rains. The smiley face becomes a bit brown and barren looking, though still visible, for large stretches of the year.

According to this LA Times article, others in the community, including the Rotary Club and other citizens have made adjustments to the smiley face to tidy it up. Others have installed solar light

Perhaps every city needs a Happy Face Hill.

"Have a Nice Day" as you drive through Simi Valley westbound on the 118 Freeway!

Views From Angel Vista Peak on This Sunny Winter Day in the Conejo Valley

Today is January 17, 2015 and we are not quite one third of the way into the winter season. But winter weather has taken a break for a bit. Skies are blue and visibility is outstanding today, as can be seen here from Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park. Santa Cruz and Anacapa Islands can clearly be seen past the Oxnard Plain on the beautiful day.

Angel Vista Peak can be accessed via the Rosewood Trail off of Lynn Road (just west of Regal Oak Ct) or the Los Robles Trail (either the Thousand Oaks side accessible at South Moorpark Road and Greenmeadow Ave or Newbury Park side off of Potrero Road).

Secret Santa and Local Sheriff's Department Surprise Kansas City, Missouri Residents

CBS Sunday Morning covers the Secret Santa of Kansas City, Missouri and how he teamed up with the Jackson County Sheriff's Department to the surprise and delight of local residents. Great story!

California's New "Three Feet for Safety" Bike Passing Law Takes Effect September 16th

Beginning September 16, 2014, a new law takes effect that requires motorists that are passing a bicycle on a highway to have at least 3 feet of clearance from the bicycle. Violations of this new Three Feet for Safety Act (AB 1371) can result in a $35 fine. The fine increases to $220 if the driver collides with the bicyclist while in violation of the law (which if you think about it how would they not be violating the law if they collided...hmm).

This law basically clarifies the existing law, which says cars must pass bicyclists at a "safe distance."

Now let's say you're driving on a two-lane highway like Potrero Road in Thousand Oaks where there's no bike lane and cars are coming the opposite direction as you approach a group of cyclists. What should you do? Obviously slow down so that you can pass with at least 3 feet of clearance after cars coming the other way have passed. Just make sure you're not crossing a double yellow line.

Two lane Potrero Road in Hidden Valley

According to the California Bicycle Coalition, this law does not prohibit a bicyclist from passing a car by less than 3 feet. But that's because bicyclists present much less risk to car drivers than vice versa.

One may think, how in the world will anyone know if it is 3 feet vs 2 1/2 feet, etc. Short of attaching a yardstick to the side of your car, I guess we'll have to use our best judgment.

Speaking of bicycles...click here for some fun bike paths in and around Ventura County.