Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise "Simi Smiles" Peace Project Rock Exchange at Corriganville Park

Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise recently installed a community peace themed rock exchange at Corriganville Park, 7001 Smith Road, Simi Valley.

Through the efforts of Simi Sunrise, the city of Simi Valley has been established as an International City of Peace, one of 375 Cities of Peace in 70 countries.

To encourage the community to promote peace, students were invited to design hand-painted rocks to spread peace, love and friendship. Over 500 rocks with these themes were created and were placed in a large peace sign formation adjacent to the Corriganville Park parking lot.

Learn more about the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise at rotaryclubofsimisunrise.org.

More on the International Cities of Peace movement at www.internationalcitiesofpeace.org. Other local Cities of Peace include Ojai, Santa Barbara and Los Angeles.

The Story of Jungleland in Thousand Oaks

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is located on historic land in many respects. The land was originally part of "Rancho El Conejo," a Spanish land grant. Egbert Starr Newbury purchased 2,259 acres of this land in 1874 and built a home here (more on Newbury and his local legacy at THIS LINK).

After a drought in 1876-1877 bankrupted the Newbury family, the land was foreclosed and sold to the Crowley family in 1887, who built a successful ranch on the land. In 1910, Frank Crowley's parents built him a five bedroom, two story home on the land that is located at 2522 Pleasant Way. The Crowley family lived on the ranch until 1922.

The "Crowley House" went through several ownership changes through the years but is now maintained by the Conejo Recreation and Park District and is considered a Ventura County Historical Landmark.

One of the subsequent owners of the Crowley House was Louis and Kathleen Goebel. In 1925, Goebel purchased former Newbury/Crowley land where the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza currently stands.  It cost him $50. Louis Goebel soon opened Goebel's Lion Farm, where he trained lions and rented them to movie studios.

"Home of Goebel's African Lions" circa 1929 (Courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library)

As travelers passed through town, they wanted to see the animals. Goebel capitalized on this in 1929, when the site became "Goebel's Wild Animal Farm," a theme park that became very popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The 170 acre site housed all sorts of animals...elephants, tigers, giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees and more. Additionally, many TV shows and movies were filmed there, such as Tarzan, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Birth of a Nation.

Goebel's Wild Animal Farm was home to Leo the Lion, of MGM Pictures fame. Over the years, other animal celebrity residents included Mr. Ed, the talking horse, Bimbo, the elephant from Circus Boy and Tamba, the chimpanzee in Tarzan films and "Bedtime with Bonzo" starring Ronald Reagan and Diana Lynn.

Goebel sold Jungleland in 1946 and the park was renamed the "World Jungle Compound." Ten years later it was sold again to executives from 20th Century Fox and was renamed "Jungleland." After five years, the business slid and Goebel was able to purchase it back in 1961. 

In between Goebel's Lion Farm and Jungleland, from 1946 to 1955 the tourist destination was called the "World Jungle Compound" (Courtesy of CONEJO THROUGH THE LENS, THOUSAND OAKS LIBRARY.)

Five elephants at Goebel's Lion Farm (from the Ethel Nixon Collection (via Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library.)

At its peak popularity, the 170 acre Jungleland compound had all sorts of activities - shows by tiger trainer Mabel Stark, and others, elephant rides, tortoise rides, ducky boat rides, train rides, safari tram buses and even a sky tram. Animals included elephants, lions, tigers, hippos, camels, llamas, giraffes, orangutans, chimpanzees and a variety of others.

Jungleland closed in October 1969 after its popularity continued to drop - a combination of increased competition (Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, etc.) and the fact that Highway 101 diverted drivers around the theme park. The park operated for 43 years and its 1,800 animal occupants were sold at auction. 

So...when you stroll through the grounds of the Civic Arts Plaza and The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, close your eyes and see if you can envision all the animal excitement that took place here just a few generations ago in the heart of Thousand Oaks.

Jungleland sign after the theme park closed in 1969. (Image courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library.)

Louis Goebel and Jungleland plaque outside the Civic Arts Plaza.

More on Jungleland on the Stagecoach Inn Museum website at stagecoachinnmuseum.com/jungleland.

Some photos from around 1965 (from a private collection):

State of California Smog Check Program Requirements

I was about to renew my auto registration online as I’ve done mindlessly for many years, until I looked more carefully at the notice and I read the dreaded “STOP: SMOG Certification Required” imprinted near the top of the notice. I’ve owned the minivan for eight years and wondered, why NOW!?

The California Smog Check Program has been in place since 1984.and is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, or BAR. BAR licenses independently owned smog check stations throughout the state.

THE BASICS

The BAR indicates a smog check is required EVERY OTHER YEAR as part of the vehicle registration process. It is also required when a vehicle changes ownership or when it is registered for the first time in California.

Every other year? That can’t be, because this was the first time I’ve been asked to do a smog check in the eight years since I owned the car, right?

The BAR goes on to explain that gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year 1976 and newer require a smog check, with the following exceptions:

• Eight model years and newer do not require a biennial smog check.

• Four model years and newer do not require a change-of-ownership check.

In English, this means you need to add 8 to the model year of your vehicle to determine when you need to start doing biennial, or every other year, smog checks. For example, my 2014 minivan needs a smog test starting in 2022. And if I purchase a used 2018 vehicle in 2022, it would be subject to a smog check.

SMOG CHECKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR:

• 1975 or older vehicles

• Eight model years or newer vehicles

• Four model years or newer vehicles changing ownership

• Electric vehicles

• Motorcycles

• Tricycles (OK, I decided to throw this in to make sure you were paying attention.)

• Diesel vehicles model year 1997 and older

• Diesel vehicles with a gross weight of over 14,000 pounds

OTHER

Wait a second, my 2014 minivan is eight years old. Why this year, not next year, for the first smog check? Because the state assumes that model years are released in the calendar year prior to a vehicle’s model year. So regardless whether I purchased my brand new 2014 minivan in 2013 or 2014, it is assumed to be one model year old in 2014. That means, it is theoretically turning nine model years old in 2022. Hence, the need for a smog check for the first time in 2022.

If your smog check passes, hurray! The smog “certificate” is electronically submitted to the DMV and you are on your way to renew your vehicle registration. If it fails the test, you need to get it fixed, or you can visit a “smog check referee” for a second opinion.

“But I don’t want to get a smog check!” Well, then buy an electric car or a model 1975 or older car. Or buy a new car before your car turns eight model years old. Or move to a state like Alabama that doesn’t require emissions testing.

Banning Dam (Lake Eleanor Dam) in Thousand Oaks is a Ventura County Historical Landmark

Banning Dam (also referred to as Lake Eleanor Dam) was designated as Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 120 in May 1988. Built in 1889 at 37 feet high and 140 feet long at its crest, the dam is located in a gorge adjacent to Westlake Boulevard, just south of Potrero Road. It is considered either the first or second concrete arched dam built in California.

The 8 acre Lake Eleanor can be seen as you are driving on Westlake Boulevard/Decker Canyon or you can do the Lake Eleanor Open Space Hike in Westlake Village for a view of the lake from above.

The lake and surrounding 529 acres of open space is fenced off from the public to create a habitat for wildlife. The area include rugged hills, rocky outcrops, freshwater marsh habitat, oak woodland and coastal sage scrub. Hawks and other large birds often use the outcrops for nesting sites and the area supports several species of rare/endangered plants.

The Lake Eleanor open space was acquired by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency in 1986. Banning Dam was designated City of Thousand Oaks historical point of interest No. 9 in May 1988.

Banning Dam

All About the New Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for Tax Years Beginning in 2023

Prior to 2022, the federal “Nonbusiness Energy Credit” allowed for a lifetime tax credit of a maximum of $500 for installation of certain energy-efficient exterior doors, windows, skylights, certain roofs and insulation. It also could be used for the purchase of certain central air conditioners, electric heat pumps, gas water heaters and certain other appliances.

The property must be installed in your personal residence and the credit was based on 10% of the cost of the purchases. There were additional credit limits of $200 for exterior windows and skylights, $300 for heat pumps, central AC and water heaters, $150 for furnaces and boilers and $50 for qualified main air-circulating fans. This credit was extended through 2022 and is claimed on Form 5695, filed with your federal tax return.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 brought dramatic changes to this tax credit and renamed it the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (let’s call it EEHIC). Instead of a $500 lifetime cap, there’s a $1200 ANNUAL cap, and the credit is based on 30% of the purchase price, increased from 10%. Additionally, there is a separate $2,000 per year cap allowed for qualified heat pumps and heat pump water heaters, biomass stoves and boilers.

EEHIC covers two main categories of purchases - Energy Efficient Home Improvements and Residential Energy Property.

Energy Efficient Home Improvements include insulation materials, exterior windows, including skylights, and exterior doors that meet certain Energy Star requirements.

Residential Energy Property covered by EEHIC must meet or exceed certain high-efficiency standards and includes the following:

• Electric or natural gas heat pumps and heat pump water heaters

• Central air conditioners

• Natural gas, propane or oil water heaters, furnaces and hot water heaters

• Biomass stoves or boilers, oil furnaces and hot water boilers

• Improvements to or replacements of panelboards, sub-panelboards, branch circuits or feeders with a load capacity of 200 amps or more

What efficiency standards must be met? Here are some examples:

• Natural gas water heaters: ENERGY STAR certified models > 0.81 UEF (Uniform Energy Factor) for tanks less than 55 gallons and > 0.86 UEF for tanks greater than or equal to 55 gallons.

• Tankless gas water heaters: ENERGY STAR models with > 0.95 UEF are eligible. 

• Exterior windows and skylights: Must meet ENERGY STAR “Most Efficient” criteria. See www.energystar.gov/products/most_efficient

Home Energy Audits are another new category included in the EEHIC. This is an inspection and written report by a certified auditor that identifies energy efficiency improvements, including an estimate of energy and cost savings.

In addition to the annual $1200 and $2000 tax credit caps mentioned above, there are additional annual caps as follows:

• $250 cap on each exterior door, up to a total of $500 per year

• $600 annual cap on exterior windows and skylights

• $150 annual cap on home energy audits

• $600 annual cap on each Residential Energy Property item

How is the cost determined? Does it include installation? The cost of Energy Efficient Home Improvements (e.g. insulation, windows, doors) DO NOT include labor. Residential Energy Property (e.g. water heaters, central air, heat pumps), DO include the cost of labor. See IRS FAQs at THIS LINK posted 12/22/22 for more details.

How long is EEHIC in place? From 2023 through 2032 (at the current time).

Does EEHIC apply only to my primary residence? Yes for Energy Efficient Home Improvements (again - insulation, windows and doors). For Residential Energy Property, it can be in any U.S. home owned by the taxpayer.

Is the EEHIC carried to future years if I can’t use it? No. If your taxes are lower than the credit, lucky you! But no, any unused credit is not carried forward to future year tax returns.

How do you claim the EEHIC? Form 5695, filed with your federal tax return. Starting in the 2024 tax return, taxpayers will need to provide the qualified product identification number for any items purchased

Confused? Yes, so am I. But with this summary, your own research, dealers/retailers and your CPA, you’ll get this nailed down and take advantage of these new tax credits.

For a nine page IRS Fact Sheet about the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit as well as the Residential Clean Energy Property Credit (e.g. solar credit, which is back to 30% from 2022 through 2032, then 26% in 2033 and 22% in 2034), visit www.irs.gov/pub/taxpros/fs-2022-40.pdf.

Learn more about Energy Star qualified products at www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits/non_business_energy_property_tax_credits.

One example of how to maximize the credit. Let’s say you’d like to replace 20 exterior windows on your home. The windows cost $400 apiece, excluding labor. If you install them all in one year, the cost would be $8,000 plus installation. $8,000 times 30% equals $2400, but your EEHIC is limited to $600, for a net cost of $7,400 plus installation. If you want to maximize the credit, you could buy 5 windows a year for 4 years at a cost of $2,000 per year, plus installation (ignoring inflation). By stretching the purchase over 4 years, you increase the tax credit from $600 to $2,400, for a net cost of $5,400 plus installation. Something to think about.

My Practical Experience

So I went to Home Depot to look for windows and water heaters that are qualified for EEHIC. I found a couple water heaters that met the requirements but the windows I had no clue which one did. So I thought, maybe I could figure it out by going back to the IRS Q&As at THIS LINK, which had a link to the ENERGY STAR website. So I entered my local zip code, which took me to a list of tax credits by product type at THIS PAGE. So I clicked Windows & Skylights Tax Credit at THIS PAGE. Then I clicked “Find Eligible Products” at THIS PAGE. Under Building Products I found the Windows, Door & Skylights category, which had a link to a “NFRC Directory” at THIS PAGE, where there are links to searches by region for the National Fenestration Rating Council. There’s no definition of what is in each region. So I guessed the Southern region, which I searched by product type, like Single and Double Hung Windows. From there, I saw a list of “Energy Star Partner” names. I picked Milgard, which then gave me a list of Milgard product lines that I’m going to assume meet the ENERGY STAR “most efficient” requirement (though it doesn’t clearly state that anywhere). So where do I buy these theoretically qualifying products? The site didn’t tell me. Bottom line: You’re probably going to have to just ask the retailer which products meet the IRS requirements as the IRS has not made this process easy.

Mount Pinos in the Los Padres National Forest is the Highest Point in Ventura County

At 8,847 feet in elevation, Mount Pinos is the highest point in Ventura County. It is located in the northernmost tip of Ventura County in the Los Padres National Forest, near the Kern County border.

From Thousand Oaks, plan on about a 1 hour, 45 minute, 100 mile drive to get to the Mount Pinos parking area at the "Mt. Pinos Nordic Base," where you will find plenty of parking. The Base is at an elevation of 8,300 feet, which means you only have 547 feet of elevation gain to hike to the peak.

Plenty of parking available here at Mt. Pinos Nordic Base. The trail to the summit is to the left.

The hike to the top is about two miles along a wide access road shaded by pine trees much of the way. It is a fairly easy hike, with no significant challenges. Easy enough for kids and adults alike, though at this elevation your breathing may be a bit more labored than normal.

Take a deep breath of fresh air as you experience the 50th highest and 11th most topographically prominent summit in California.

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Trail to the Mt. Pinos summit is largely tree-lined. You may trip on a pine cone or two!

You will notice a radio tower up ahead with about a 1/2 mile to go to the peak. You will come across a fork in the road. Turn right to get to the actual peak. Continue towards the left (west) for a Chumash interpretative area.

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At this juncture of the trail, you will notice a radio tower up ahead at the summit of Mt. Pinos

The interpretative area has several benches and an interpretative sign. The Chumash name for Mount Pinos is Iwihinmu. The Chumash call the summit Liyikshup, the center of the world.

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A view from Mount Pinos summit.

Of course, you'll find snow up here in the winter months.  There are no ski lifts, but cross country skiing, tubing and snow play are available....right here in Ventura County.

You may also find stargazers situated in the parking lot with high powered telescopes.

There are campgrounds available on Mount Pinos, including the following:

• Mt. Pinos Campground is available from May to November, with 15 reservable sites (must be made eight or more days in advance) and 4 first-come, first-serve sites. Picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, no water. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10990

• The McGill Campground is available May to November, with 54 reservable campsites and 18 first-come, first-serve campsites. Picnic table, BBQ, fire rings, vault toilet, no water. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recarea/?recid=10989

• The walk-in Chula Vista Campground is located adjacent to the Nordic Base area and is free of charge and open May to November. It is a first-come, first-serve walk-in campground. www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lpnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=10982&actid=29.

Directions to Mount Pinos: From I-5, take Frazier Park exit (Frazier Mountain Park Road). Go west approximately 6 miles. The road name changes to Cuddy Valley Road. Continue on it up Mt. Pinos. The road name changes to Mt. Pinos Highway.

Check traffic and weather conditions before you go, particularly during snow season. Good to have chains on hand.

Frazier Mountain Community Snow Play Visitor Page at www.facebook.com/groups/2579680555601233

Chinese Year of the Water Rabbit Starts Today, January 22, 2023

Lunar year 2023, starting today, January 22nd, through February 9, 2024, is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.

The Rabbit is the 4th animal on the Chinese zodiac, which also includes the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Twelve animals in all, on a 12 year rotation. The Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture.

2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit. There are five elements associated with the Zodiac signs - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water. Combined with the 12 zodiac animals, each combination of animal and element rotates in on a sixty year cycle. Those born in Water years are agile, easygoing, approachable, and adaptable.

Celebrity Water Rabbits include Michael Jordan, Johnny Depp, Quentin Tarantino, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Beals, Phoebe Cates, Mike Myers, Helen Hunt and Lisa Kudrow.

Rabbits are, of course, the namesake of the Conejo Valley, and we are so close to the Pacific Ocean that the Year of the Water Rabbit is particularly special for residents of this beautiful area.