TSA to Allow Small Pocket Knives and Some Sporting Goods Carry-Ons Starting April 25

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Update 4/22/13: National news sources have indicated that the TSA has delayed implementing these proposed changes to carry-on policies. No other details at this time. So you can leave those lacrosse sticks and 2.36 inch pocket knives in your checked bags for the time being.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced yesterday that certain items currently prohibited as carry-ons will become allowed on board beginning April 25, 2013.

TSA has decided that allowing the following items as carry-ons will free up more time to find really bad stuff like explosives:

  • Small Pocket Knives (with non-locking blades smaller than 2.36 inches and less than 1/2 inch in width)
  • Small Novelty Bats and Toy Bats: Bats 24 inches or shorter in length or 24 ounces or less; or bats longer than 24 inches and less than 24 ounces.
  • Ski Poles, Hockey Sticks, Lacrosse Sticks, Billiard Cues, Golf Clubs (up to 2 golf clubs).

It will be interesting to see if TSA will actually free up time with these new rules given they'll have to whip out the scales and measuring tape to determine if a plastic bat is over 24 ounces or if a pocket blade knife is shorter than 2.36 inches. I'm looking at a ruler right now and am having a hard time discerning exactly what .36 inches is. Ah ha, I've figured it out now from the following handy TSA chart...2.36 inches equals 6 centimeters!

They really drill into the details in the following chart. Might be a great time to start selling non-locking pocket knives with half inch wide, 6 cm blades and non-molded grips to take advantage of these new rules!

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Outdoor Shopping Center "The Collection at Riverpark" in Oxnard is Coming Right Along!

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The Collection at Riverpark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. If you're driving the 101 freeway through Oxnard/Ventura, you can't miss it!

The Collection is still work in process but when completed, the 650,000 sq ft center will include a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

Businesses open at The Collection as of February 2013 include a nicely appointed Target store, Century Theaters and recent additions Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers, Color Me Mine Pottery Studio, Kabuki Sushi and Massage Envy. A Menchie's Frozen Yogurt is coming soon.

Opening in Spring 2013 is the hotly awaited REI Store (March 22nd!), Whole Foods, Gen Korean BBQ, Famous Dave's BBQ, Gandolfo's Delicatessen, Bank of America and Starbucks. A 12,000 sq ft Yard House eatery has been proposed for the center.

More recently, Shea announced that later this year, a 25,000 sq ft H&M store, ROC/Republic of Couture, Charming Charlie, ULTA Beauty and Sleep Number are coming to The Collection.

Future home of Whole Foods Market at The Collection at Riverpark

The Collection also has 58,000 sq ft of office space, including current tenants Lawyer's Title and Escrow, occupying 8,000 sq ft. The center is currently about 40% leased but with buildout completed and major tenants in place as anticipated next spring, Shea Properties expects that percentage to grow quickly.

Layout of The Collection as of December 2012

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, an

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Great Views From Boney Peak Today

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After a brief late-February heatwave, today it is noticeably cooler, with the clouds coming in. Was a great morning to make my way to Boney Peak.

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

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Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Click this link to find out how to get up there!

Visit to the New "Make Meaning" Store at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks is Fun!

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Make Meaning opened at The Oaks Shopping Mall on Monday, February 2013. Located in the outdoor shops area of the mall, upper level, south side, first store outside of the mall, Make Meaning offers seven creative experiences, including customized soap, candles, paper, ceramics, glass, jewelry and cake decorating.

This is quite a large store, open, light and airy, with an upbeat atmosphere. We stopped by over the weekend and checked it out. My son picked out a froggy piggy bank and the store was buzzing with others busy creating their own items.

The staff are called Associate Creativity Enthusiasts (ACE's), there to help you through the process. And that they were. I was able to just walk in and they kind of took over with my son while enjoyed watching him in his creative efforts. And they took care of the prep and the mess.

My son's froggy piggy bank masterpiece in it final stages. Make Meaning glazes it and fires it, then you pick it up in 4 days.

Neat selection of supplies to individualize your cake!

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Snow on the Santa Susana Mountains this Brisk Wednesday, February 20th

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Marcella Ketelhut of local Los Robles Hills Winery grabbed her camera for some shots of snow blanketing the Santa Susana Mountains today after last nights brief storm. This was a rare and welcome sight this winter season in the Conejo Valley.

Snow means skiing! Click HERE for several local ski clubs in the Conejo Valley/Ventura County area!

Photographer J.D. Wolff's Work to Be Featured in New Gallery Show in Ventura

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Ventura photographer’s art has painterly quality in new gallery show

J.D. Wolff, a Ventura photographer who caught the shutter bug in the early 1970s, will exhibit recent images and a few favorites from his files in a February 26 to March 23 solo show at the Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery called “Day Dreams in Color.”

"Beach Town USA" Photo by JD Wolff

Landscapes are a focus for Wolff, who often adjusts color and contrast on computer to create the large-scale images he frames. Though his portfolio includes images from all over the United States, Canada and Western Europe, he said this show features primarily landscapes shot in and around Ventura County.

“I prefer printing my photography on canvas, as I often manipulate my images to make them look somewhat like paintings,” he said. “Printing on canvas gives it that extra texture and effect, which I feel most always improves the final product.”   

Wolff plans to be on hand to greet visitors 5-8 p.m. March 1 for the First Fridays Ventura Gallery Crawl and some of his local musician friends will provide live music 4-8 p.m., Saturday, March 2 for his artist’s reception. Wolff is also a

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Children's Medical Services Available to Qualified Ventura County Residents

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The Ventura County Health Care Agency (VCHCA) has several Children's Medical Services to improve healthcare services for Ventura County infants, children and teens. The programs are described below.

Californa Children's Services (CCS) is for children under age 21 who have chronic medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer; traumatic injuries; and infectious diseases that cause major medical problems. CCS is funded with state, county and federal support.

If a child’s condition is eligible, VCHCA can provide lab tests, x-rays, physician services, hospital care, physical and occupational therapy through the Medical Therapy Program (MTP) and obtain certain medical equipment.

To qualify for CCS (as of January 2013), the indvidual must come from a family income of less than $40,000 or whose out-of-pocket medical expenses for a child who qualifies are more than 20% of family income. Or the child has Healthy Families medical insurance coverage.

The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program assures access to preventive health care for eligible infants, children, and teens.  CHDP Public Health Nurses assure comprehensive health check ups by certifying physicians and clinics. These health check-ups include a complete health physical examination, growth and development check, all needed shots and lab tests, dental, vision, and hearing screening and appropriate health education information.

Children eligible for CHDP include those with Medi-Cal from birth through 20 y

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