Ventura County Residents Can Finance Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects via Property Tax Bill!

The CaliforniaFIRST Program (AB 811) allows property owners to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects on homes and businesses. For participating property owners, the cost of the project is repaid on your property tax bill over up to 20 years. Financing eligibility is based on the value of your property and the current status of property tax payments, not personal credit. 

The County of Ventura is one of 14 California counties that will be participating in the CaliforniaFIRST Pilot Program! This pilot program is schedule to launch this fall!

Under CaliforniaFIRST, the property owner repays the cost of the clean energy project through a line item on their property tax bill. The minimum financing amount is $5,000. The maximum financing amount for residential property is $75,000. The maximum financing amount for commercial property varies based on property value. The repayment period will be between 5 and 20 years. The interest rate will vary based on market conditions.

Participating in the CaliforniaFIRST program gives Ventura County an opportunity to help both the community and the environment. With rising prices in electricity, gas, and water, this program will allow property owners an opportunity to access investments in technologies that will likely protect them against rising utility costs.

Loans are entered into voluntarily and transfer to the subsequent owner (INTERESTING!) upon sale and have superior lien status above one’s primary mortgage.

Learn more by visiting www.renewfund.com/node/223 and www.californiafirst.org. Sign up to be notified when the program is available at www.californiafirst.org/signup.html.

How John Wooden Touched the Lives of a Local Family: "We Called Him Coach"

The passing of legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden last Friday brought back so many memories. I was 11 years old when he retired from coaching but have vivid memories of those exciting UCLA NCAA dynasty years. Leslie Ruttenberg, who I've befriended via Twitter, grew up in Agoura Hills with her family and graduated from Agoura High School. She moved eastward into the San Fernando Valley and about eight years ago had the good fortune to befriend Coach Wooden at a coffee shop in Tarzana.

In this touching essay, "We Called Him Coach," she describes Wooden's lasting impact on her family, and most notably, on her daughter.

McDonald's Recalls 12 Million Shrek Forever After™ Drinking Glasses

Well this is a recall that affects me as my wife bought a full set of these glasses. Today the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that McDonald's is voluntarily recalling the 4 Shrek Forever After™ drinking glasses featuring Shrek, Fiona, Puss n' Boots and Donkey. These are 16 ounce glasses that sold for $2 at McDonalds.

Apparently some of the pigment in the paint used on the outside of the glasses contains cadmium, a naturally occurring element that with long-term use can be a carcinogen and cause bone softening and kidney problems.  McDonald's says "the glassware was evaluated by an independent third-party laboratory, accredited by the CPSC, and determined to be in compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements at the time of manufacture and distribution. However, in light of the CPSC’s evolving assessment of standards for consumer products, McDonald’s determined in an abundance of caution that a voluntary recall of the Shrek Forever After glassware is appropriate."

To return your glasses and get your money back, visit www.mcdonalds.com/glasses beginning Tuesday, June 8th or call 800.244.6227.

Latest Work of Chuck Trunks Entitled "Twurfer Dude"

Chuck Trunks is a Camarillo artist who prefers to spend time on his art rather than on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and all the other social networks out there. He's not the kind of guy messing around with an iPhone in his spare time. But he does recognize many of us are that way, including "Twurfer Dude" below, who is obsessed with surfing and tweeting.

For more of Chuck's work on Conejo Valley Guide, click here.

Here are some local surf classes and activities for those looking to emulate Twurfer Dude:

Ventura Surf School

Surfclass.com (Ventura)

Surfing L.A. Surf School (Malibu, Ventura)

Rent a "Surf Bike" at Ventura Boat Rentals

Ventura Surf Club

Malibu Makos Surf Club

Ventura Makos Surf Club

Over 120 Local Summer Camps (some with surfing!)

Or just cool off in a local community pool!

Calling Local Artists! Display Your Art in a Conejo Valley Guide Header!

Conejo Valley Guide was established 2 years ago as a way to give back to the local community. I was never able to quickly find new things to do with the kids and found it frustrating asking friends, looking through dozens and dozens of websites, newspapers, flyers, etc.  That's why we now have Conejo Valley Guide, Ventura County's most comprehensive resource for not just events, but activities, groups, clubs, sports and other fun things to do. My way of giving back to those in the same predicament as me.

So my artist friend Chuck Trunks, had a great idea. How about inviting local artists to display their rendition of the Conejo Valley Guide website header.  He volunteered to put together his own version of the header, which I think is thoroughly cool!

If you are an artist located in Ventura County and surrounding areas, CONTACT ME for details. I'd love to temporarily display your talent on this website and what better way to do it than on the top header of the site!

The Ross Sisters Put on an Incredible Show in this 1944 Version of America's Got Talent!!

You've gotta watch this amazing performance...particularly the acrobatics and contortionism after the first 55 seconds of singing.  Amazing!! The Ross Sisters performed this in 1944 and perhaps were the inspiration for Art Clokey's creation of Gumby in the early 1950s!!