The Parent Project® Training Program for Parents of Adolescent Children - Upcoming Ventura County Classes Available

/
ParentProject_logo.gif

The Parent Project® was created for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents between the ages 11 and 19. Parents learn and practice specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors - truancy, alcohol and other drug use, gangs and other criminal behavior, running away, violence and suicide. Parents are self-referred or can be referred to Parent Project classes by officers in the field, juvenile detectives, diversion programs, court systems, mental health professionals and school officials.

This program is available locally in various Ventura County locations.  Many programs are free or charge only a small fee for a Parent Project workbook. Sessions generally are 10 weeks.

Some upcoming local Parent Project classes as of January 2016 are below. Providers and costs vary. Click the link above to register online for most classes, or call the phone numbers below.

  • Camarillo: Camarillo Police Department is offering Monday night sessions 3/14/16 to 5/23/16. No charge for sessions. Workbook $20. Call 805.388-5155
  • Moorpark: Moorpark USD is offering Spanish language classes 1/5/16 to 4/26/16 on Tuesday nights from 6:15-9:15PM
  • Oxnard: Free Spanish language classes 3/3/16 to 5/12/16 from 6-9PM at Channel Islands High School and 2/2/16 to 4/12/16 at Pacifica High School (both Spanish and English)

Additionally, Loving Solutions is a program designed for parents of 5-10 year olds with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) offered locally from time to time.

Previous sessions have also been offered in Simi Valley, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Ventura and Westlake Village. For more details about the Parent Project program, visit www.parentproject.com.

Hike to Sandstone Peak, the Highest Point in the Santa Monica Mountains

/
Sunset views from Sandstone Peak toward the Conejo Valley

Sunset views from Sandstone Peak toward the Conejo Valley

At an elevation of 3,111 feet, Sandstone Peak is the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. It should be on everyone's "bucket list" of local hikes, with its sweeping views to the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands and inland to the Conejo/Simi Valleys.

There are some steps, then some trekking, to reach the top from this sign. You've made it!

There are some steps, then some trekking, to reach the top from this sign. You've made it!

The final ascent involves some rock climbing; not for everyone, but not too bad.

The final ascent involves some rock climbing; not for everyone, but not too bad.

Sandstone Peak is also known at Mount Allen, dedicated by the Boy Scouts of America to W. Herbert Allen, who donated nearby land at Circle X Ranch used for campouts.

Plaque dedicated to W. Herbert Allen, along with logbook, is at the peak of the mountain

Plaque dedicated to W. Herbert Allen, along with logbook, is at the peak of the mountain

The hike itself is a challenge, about a 30 minute to 1 hour, 1 1/2 mile trek from the trailhead at a dirt parking lot off of Yerba Buena Road. For me, an even bigger challenge is the winding drive up Decker Canyon to Little Sycamore Canyon Road, about 14 miles from the heart of Thousand Oaks but about a 30 to 40 minute trip. If your kids get motion sickness, be careful!

LittleSycamoreCynRdSign.JPG

After the tight curves of the 23 (Decker Canyon) you turn right on Mulholland Drive West to Little Sycamore Canyon Road, which connects to Yerba Buena. Get ready for some tight twists and turns. Drive carefully!

The trailhead is just west of Circle X Ranch, 12896 Yerba Buena Road, Malibu. More information and photos at this link. There are some other amazing things to see up here, including "Balanced Rock," "Split Rock" and "Echo Cliffs' from the Mishe Mokwa Trail up there.

Views from the peak towards the Channel Islands, floating in cloud cover.

Views from the peak towards the Channel Islands, floating in cloud cover.

The Rose Parade Post Parade Showcase of Floats is Something You Have to Do at Least Once

/

Everyone at some point here in the Greater Los Angeles/Ventura County area should try to see the Rose Parade in person, as early and as cold as the parade usually is.  But if that isn't your cup of tea, then you MUST see the post parade showcase of floats at the end of the parade route on Sierra Madre Boulevard in Pasadena.

The Rose Parade Post Parade Showcase of Floats lasts just a few days each year, beginning the afternoon after the Rose Parade. Several streets are sectioned off for several miles as you get to walk around and check out these beautiful floats up close. 

As a reminder, Rose Parade floats are required to be completely covered by flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark. These floats are spectacular pieces of art!

A couple things to keep in mind is to allow for plenty of time as this is an extremely popular event. There are parking and shuttle options, or you can drive around and attempt to find parking in surrounding neighborhoods. You may have to walk a mile to get to the entrance and there is an admission fee ($10 in 2016).

I told you it gets crowded. See for yourself!

I told you it gets crowded. See for yourself!

I made the mistake of allowing my youngest to ride his scooter from the car to the event, at which point we were quickly told "no scooters" or other such items. I asked if I could carry it. Nope. So off we went, back to the car, and back we came. It was clear why they don't allow such items here...there were literally throngs of people on hand admiring the floats.

RoseParade2016_1.JPG

Along with the floats, there were plenty of food and beverage vendors and other activities along the route. Do wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to be done to see all of the floats!

For more information and parking/shuttle options, visit www.tournamentofroses.com or call 626.449.4100.

California Minimum Wage Increased from $9 to $10 Per Hour on January 1st

/

Since July 1, 2014, the minimum wage in California has been $9 per hour (up from $8 per hour effective January 1, 2008). But effective last Friday, January 1, 2016, the minimum wage increased to $10 per hour, an 11.1% increase for those earning the minimum wage.

The 2014 and 2016 increases were driven by legislation enacted on September 25, 2013.

The Federal minimum wage has stood at $7.25 since July 24, 2009. $7.25 in 2016 dollars equates to about $6.55 in 2009 dollars.

To learn more about California minimum wages, visit www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/faq_minimumwage.htm. Federal minimum wage laws are at www.dol.gov/dol/topic/wages/minimumwage.htm.

SheepFlock.JPG

However, if you are a California sheepherder (there must be one or two in Ventura County, right?), you have your own minimum monthly salary that increased from $1,600.34 effective July 1, 2014 to $1,777.98 effective January 1, 2016.

Why is there a separate minimum wage law for sheepherders in California? Well back in 2000 hearings were held by the Industrial Welfare Commission in which sheep ranchers lobbied for an exemption for general minimum wage rules for sheepherders. 

There are not many commercial sheep producers in California and it was estimated that only 300 to 400 sheepherders, mostly foreign nationals, existed in 2000 in an occupation that "remained largely unchanged over many centuries." Flocks range generally from 800 to 1000 sheep (that's way more than I need to count myself to sleep).

Long story short: Due to the unique nature of the job of sheepherder, it was deemed appropriate to apply a different minimum wage law for this particular profession.  Based on a 2,080 hour work year, a sheepherder's wage in 2016 translates to $10.26 per hour, slightly more than the average minimum wage worker. Not baa'd.

Looking for a job that perhaps earns more than the minimum wage? Don't be a sheep! Check out THIS LIST of over 300 employers in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

July to December 2015 Restaurants New and Restaurants Adieu in Ventura County

/

Here's the latest compilation of restaurants in the Conejo Valley and throughout Greater Ventura County that opened, announced plans to open or closed during the period July through December 2015.

(Click here for previous 2015 activity.) Let us know of any we missed!

Restaurants That Have Opened Since June 2015

Ventura County Fire Department Offers Free Car Seat Safety Inspections

/
CarSeatInspection.jpg

For those of you with kids looking for some help in ensuring your child safety seats are properly in place, consider the Ventura County Fire Department Child Passenger Safety Program.

Members of the Department are trained and certified through the National Highway Transportation Safety Association as a Car Seat Safety Technicians. The Program educates parents on proper use and installation of child safety seats. The department provides free car seat inspections, installation guidance, product recall checks and informative literature.

Program locations are near the Camarillo Airport, CHP Ventura, Thousand Oaks, CHP Moorpark and Moorpark Family Resource Center. More information at this link.

Volunteers from the VCFD Child Passenger Safety Program are knowledgeable and friendly!

Volunteers from the VCFD Child Passenger Safety Program are knowledgeable and friendly!