Grand Opening of Brand New Muvico Theaters at The Oaks on February 27th!

2/28 UPDATE: We went tonight to see Slumdog Millionaire in the Premiere VIP section.  Wow, what a beautiful theater!  These balcony seats are very roomy and comfortable.  Our overall experience was excellent.

Our seats were purchased in advance on the Internet. So we walked up to the self service machines, I slid my credit card through and within seconds our tickets were printed.  Loved not having to wait in a line!

We walked around a bit and checked out the arcade on the first floor.  Somewhat small, but large for a movie theater arcade.  There was an air hockey table and probably around a dozen games in there.

Bogart's Restaurant 2nd Floor of Muvico

On the 2nd floor is Bogart's Bar and Grill.  Already quite popular.  The wait was 25 minutes tonight so we did not eat at a table, but we did order from the Bogart's "premier" concession stand adjacent to the bar.  In fact, I spent $60 on food and drinks there tonight, a personal record!

For the first time in my life I ate sushi in the movie theater (the tuna roll was a bit bland though) and my wife had a glass of champagne, fried calamari, grilled artichokes, portabella mushroom flatbread (or pizza) and steak skewers, topped off with popcorn.  She didn't tell me how the food was probably because she was chewing for 2 hours straight.  That must mean she enjoyed it.

Bogart's is not yet allowed to sell alcohol at the consession stand.  But the full bar had great service and they let us bring the drinks into the VIP seats.

The concession stands downstairs had more typical movie food.  It looked pretty good.  In fact, next time I go, I'll be ordering the hot dog and curly fries for $7.  That would have been more fulfilling than my sushi roll.

The movie itself was unbelievable.  No wonder it won Best Picture.  Just amazing.  And the clear picture and perfect sound made the experience outstanding.

The exterior of the theatre is also beautiful and there is a nice connection between the new section of The Oaks mall and Muvico.  In fact, The Oaks has a large outdoor section now that looks really top notch.  Beautifully done.

Muvico Grand Opening Weekend begins on Friday, February 27th at The Oaks in Thousand Oaks! Muvico's 14-screen, 109,000 square foot theater will complement the graceful Southern California architectural design of the new and improved The Oaks. And more great news for the local economy! Hey, our 401(k) plans may be down 50%, but we can splurge a bit on local entertainment, right?

These theaters are state-of-the-art, with curved wall-to-wall screens and all digital, Sony Premier 4K (high definition) Digital Projection technology. Muvico will also feature Bogart's Bar & Grill, an upscale restaurant along with a full-service bar.

Or better yet, buy tickets starting February 24th by visiting the Muvico website at www.muvico.com. This should be a really big event as it has been several years in the making! for an overview.

Technology:

Southern California's only Sony 4K ultra high definition projection - all 14 auditoriums (stadium style)

3D capabilities in four (4) auditoriums

The latest in sound technology from JBL-Harman Pro.

General Admission

$9.50 Matinees before 4pm

$11.00 Adults after 4pm

$8.50 Seniors 55 and up, all times

$8.50 Children 12 and under, all times

Muvico Pepsi Experience and Reserved Seating

$1.00 up charge for Reserved Seating, includes Giant screen and Leather seating with spacious legroom

The Premier - (Ages 21 and older only. Valid ID required prior to entry.)

Admission includes reserved seating, a voucher for the Premier concession or Bogart's Bar & Grill, and Free popcorn

$16.00 Matinees before 4pm

$20.00 All Shows after 4pm

Additional Charges:

$3.00 up charge for all 3D features (includes 3D glasses)

$1.00 up charge for General Admission reserved seating (Select theaters only)

Boney Mountain Looks Great Year-Round but Even Better in the Spring!

These pictures were taken in years past by local photographer Nancy Lehrer.  Take a look at the 2825 foot tall Boney Peak in Point Mugu State Park today, after the recent rains, and you'll see its timeless beauty.  For a vigorous, 5 hour round-trip workout, pack a lunch and hike up to the peak with friends...but bring sunscreen and lots of fluid!  Andy pack your camera because you're gonna get some amazing 360 degree views of Newbury Park, Camarillo, Channel Islands and the Pacific. 

For more of Nancy's work, visit her photo blog at www.inancy.wordpress.com.

Our New State Budget: The Feds Giveth as California Taketh Away

Easy come, easy go.  Last Tuesday, the 17th, we heard the latest economic stimulus will bring $800 in Federal tax savings this year for married couples ($400 for single).  Three days later the California budget stalement was settled, bringing with it a variety of "temporary" tax increases.

California's budget has grown by $50 billion in 10 years (from Gray Davis' first budget in 1999-2000 to Arnold's budget today).  But revenues haven't kept up, to the tune of $42 billion.  Part of the plan to make up this difference is to 1) raise income taxes, 2) raise sales taxes, 3) reduce dependent tax credits, and 4) raise vehicle license fees.  OUCH x 4!

Let's see how much this is gonna cost us:

1. Income Taxes:  Increases .25% immediately. But if the state gets $10 billion in Federal stimulus funds, the increase halves to .125%.  The median household income in Ventura County is $85K...which translates into a tax increase of $106 to $212 per year.

2. Sales Taxes: Effective April Fool's Day (no joke), sales taxes increase by 1 percentage point, from 7.25% to 8.25% in Ventura County (our friends in the L.A. County portion of Westlake Village, Agoura, etc. will chew on a meaty 9.25% sales tax).  For a typical family spending $20K/year on taxable products, say buh bye to another $200 per year.

3. Dependent Tax Credits:  This one hurts families and single parents.   The Dependent Tax Credit on your California tax return has been sliced from $300 to $100 per dependent.  Thus a family of 5 like Conejo Joe's clan is nailed for another $600/year in damage.  Heck, I guess I shouldn't feel so bad...the OctoMom, with her 14 kids, is down $2800 in tax credits!

4. Vehicle License Fees (VLF):  Effective 5/19/09, the VLF increases from .65% to 1.15% of your car's value.  So let's say you have 2 cars with a value of $20K apiece.  There goes another $200 down the drain.

So overall a California family of five with $85K in taxable income will be down by $300 to $400 per year, even with the one-time Federal stimulus.  This is not stimulating.

But hey, what about that new Federal New Car Sales Tax Deduction!  Buy a new car by 12/31/09, you get to deduct sales taxes on the car.  So let's say you buy a new car for $25K.  If you buy it before 4/1/09, you owe $1812.50 in taxes in Ventura County.  At a 25% income tax rate you will save $453 in Federal taxes.  That's not too shabby.  But if you wait until after 5/19/09, your sales taxes increase by $250 and your VLF increases by $125, rendering the Federal new car stimulus pretty meaningless.  Bottom Line: If you buy a new car this year, consider buying it on 3/31, the last day of the 1st quarter...when dealers are hungriest to sell AND you avert the coming tax increase(s).

California Home Buyer Tax Credit: California did come out last week with an interesting home buying incentive.  Buy a brand new, never occupied home between 3/1/09 and 3/1/10, take a 5% income tax credit, up to $10K!  There are NO income limits and you DO NOT need to be a 1st time homebuyer!  There is some fine print on this however: 1) the tax credit is spread out over 3 years from the date of purchase, 2) the house must be your primary residence for 2 years, and 3) the state has allocated $100 million towards the credit.  First come, first served, once the $100 million (or roughly 10,000 new homes costing $200K or more) is used up, the credit is gone.

Brief Overview of How the Latest Stimulus Package Can Help You and Me

The $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 was signed into law by President Obama today, February 17th. For full details about this 1100 page act, visit www.recovery.gov.  I'm impressed that this website was up and running so quickly.  The site indicates it will provide detailed, transparent information about where the stimulus funding goes.

So we've seen how the bank bigwigs got their fat bonuses from previous stimulus packages.  How will this latest stimulus impact us regular guys, gals and bunnies?

Some Money Back in Our Pockets

Well those of us who still have jobs will be eligible for the cleverly named "Making Work Pay" tax credit, which will give us Federal money back of 6.2% of our 2009 wages up to a maximum of $400 (single) and $800 (married).  The credit phases out if your earnings are between $75K and $95K (single) and $150K to $190K (married).  You get the money back either by reducing your tax withholdings or by taking a credit on your tax return.  Seemed odd that the unemployed don't get this credit, but they get their own stimulus (below).

THE CALIFORNIA 2009-2010 BUDGET HAS BEEN SIGNED, WHICH EFFECTIVELY RENDERS THE FEDERAL "MAKING WORK PAY" TAX CREDIT FUTILE AS MOST OF US WILL SPEND OUR TAX SAVINGS ON CALIFORNIA TAX INCREASES.  BUMMER!  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.

Helping the Unemployed

The unemployed will receive some help from ARRA.  Unemployment benefits will temporarily increase by $25 per week.  The first $2400 of unemployment payments will be free from Federal taxes in 2009.  Unemployment benefits will be extended for longer periods for many people (I don't have the details on this as of yet). 

Lastly, anyone who has been canned from their job between 9/1/08 and 12/31/09 is eligible for a subsidy of 65% of the cost of up to 9 months' COBRA medical insurance premiums.  It phases out if your income is $125K to $145K (single) and $250K to $290K (married).  This is a nice benefit but, with all due respect, does a family earning $250K a year really need this subsidy?  Our tax dollars hard at work.

First-Time Home Buyer's Credit

Well this is quite a nice incentive to buy a house!  $8000 refundable tax credit if you buy a house between 1/1/09 and 11/30/09.  Technically the credit is 10% of the purchase price of the house, up to $8,000.  CLARIFICATION; This credit is for anyone who has not owned their own home for 3 years up to the purchase date of the new home.  This is an outstanding incentive to buy a home this year and basically get most of your closing costs covered by a tax refund!  The credit phases out when your income reaches $75K to $95K (single) and $150K to $170K (married).

Last year's 1st timer tax credit was $7500 and it has to be paid back like a loan over a 15 year period.  Oddly, the period for that program (4/9/08 to 6/30/09) overlaps the new credit.  So any of you who took advantage of the "old" credit last year, you're out of luck and will not be eligible for the new credit.  That's the breaks I guess.

Help With Education

The American Opportunity Education Tax Credit is a tax credit of up to $2500 a year for tuition and other college expenses in 2009 and 2010.  You claim 100% of the first $2000 spent and 25% of the next $2000 to receive the full credit.  This phases out for incomes over $80K (single) and $160K (married). This tax credit replaces the Hope Credit for the next 2 years unless it is extended past 2010.

Tax Preparers' Economic Stimulus

I've just covered some of the key aspects of ARRA above...there's a lot more!  Probably the biggest recipients of this latest economic stimulus package are professional tax preparers, who no doubt will be busier than ever interpreting and implementing the new tax laws.  Any of you watch the stock market today?  It was down 4% but H&R Block was only down 2%...hmmmm...maybe a safe haven stock for these Stimul-laden times.

$250 One-Time Payment to Social Security and Other Federal Benefits Recipients:  CLICK HERE

Latest Work of Local Artist, Chuck Trunks: "Strawberry Festival"

Here is the latest eye catching work of local "Precision Abstracts" artist, Chuck Trunks, entitled, "Strawberry Festival." I have seen all of Chuck's published work and have to say this is the most gastronomically enticing piece in his collection. This print reminds me why strawberries rank up there with watermelon and blackberries in my favorite fruit short list.

Check out Chuck's website at www.ChuckTrunks.com to learn more about his unique skills and see more of his work. You might end up with some of his signature work on your wall, iPod or laptop!

2008 City of Camarillo Crime Statistics

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department has published 2008 crime reports for areas in its jurisdiction at www.vcsd.org/crime_stats/index.html and the City of Camarillo statistics are shown below (Thousand Oaks statistics here). The overall reported crime rate dropped by 3% in 2008. Violent crime in Camarillo was down a notable 18% in 2008, while residential burglaries grew by 38% (117 reported crimes). Overall, nice job, Camarillo!

There were 17.2 reported crimes per 1000 residents in Camarillo, or 1 crime for every 58 residents (comparable statistic in Thousand Oaks is 1 out of 66 residents). Los Angeles County crime rates are roughly double these rates.  Stay vigilant!

2008 City of Thousand Oaks Crime Statistics

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department has published crime reports for areas in its jurisdiction for 2008 at www.vcsd.org/crime_stats/index.html.  The good news is that overall crime is down by 8% (9% when population growth is factored in)!  Violent crimes were basically flat year over year.  Burglaries are down by over 27% overall in 2008!  The only negative news to report is that there was a 21% increase in the number of arsons in 2008, representing an increase from 14 reported arsons in 2007 to 17 arsons in 2008.  Thanks to the Sheriff's Department and all of you for keeping crime rates in our area low!