Senior Adult Centers and Programs Throughout Ventura County

Here is a list of senior centers and programs throughout Ventura County. For more extensive information about serving the needs of seniors, visit the County of Ventura Area Agency on Aging website at www.vcaaa.org

The Goebel Senior Center is located at 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, between the Thousand Oaks Teen Center and Grant R. Brimhall Library. Open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. The 21,000 sq ft facility offers classes, events, excursions, drop-in programs and more. The facility also has meeting rooms, kitchen/dining room, billiards room, putting green, horseshoe pits and more. Senior Nutrition Program 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Suggested contribution for the meal is $4 for ages 60+. Visit www.crpd.org/adults-seniors or call 805-381-2744.

Senior Concerns is a Thousand Oaks based non-profit that serves eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County. Since 1975, the organization has provided support services to seniors, such as Adult Day Center that operates Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm, caregiver support, legal, financial, and advocate services, and Meals on Wheels. Learn more at www.seniorconcerns.org or call 805-497-0189.

The Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi is a 22,000 square foot enrichment and learning center for adults. The center provides learning programs, exercise classes, meal programs, health services, excursions, computer classes, book clubs, support groups, billiard room, social services, art classes and more. For ages 50+. The Rendezvous Café operates weekdays and offers hot lunch for a suggest donation of $4 for 60+ seniors and $9 for others (as of June 2025). Visit www.simivalley.org/departments/city-manager-s-office/community-programs-and-facilities/senior-center or call 805.583.6363.

The Pleasant Valley Senior Center is located at 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. The center is open M-F from 9am to 4pm and offers a variety of recreation and leisure program, a meal site for ages 60+ and social services for local residents. Programs and activities are not limited to Camarillo residents.

Visit www.pvrpd.org/senior-center or call 805.482.4881. More information on senior meal programs available from the Camarillo Health Care District at www.camhealth.com/senior-meals-program..

City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services offers 3 senior centers. The Wilson Senior Center at 350 N. C Street is open M-F 10am to 4pm (805.385.8028), South Oxnard Senior Center at 200 East Bard Road is open M-F 8:15am to 2:15pm (805.385.8042) and Colonia Senior Center at 126-B Amelia Court, open M-F 8:30am to 2:30pm (805.385.8163). Visit www.oxnard.org/recreation/senior-services for more information.

The Moorpark Active Adult Center is located at 799 Moorpark Avenue. The center is open M-F from 8am to 4pm and offers classes, programs and more to ages 55+. Home delivered meals available to local 60+ residents and meals offered for low cost at the center. Visit moorparkca.gov/200/Active-Adult-Center for more information or call 805.517.6261.

The City of Agoura Hills runs a Senior Recreation Program for ages 50+ at its Recreation Center, located at 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd.  The program offers fitness, social, educational and other great events and activities. Visit https://www.agourahillscity.org/department/community-services-parks-recreation/senior-recreation-program or call 818.597.7366 for more information.

The City of Ventura Senior Services program offers computer, recreational, specialty, social, health and fitness programs to 50+ at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue, 805.648.3035, and satellite sites at the Salvation Army (east Ventura), Pacific View Mall, TowneHouse, Ventura College and YMCA. A Travel Program office and special events are held at the Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara St, 805.648.2829. Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/669/Adult-Senior-Services for more information.

Ventura's Senior Lunch Program operates the “Westside Cafe” Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. $4 contribution per meal for ages 60 and up; $9 for others (as of June 2025). Nutritious hot or cold entree with fresh fruit and vegetables. Located at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue. Call 805.648.3035 for more information.

The Santa Paula Senior Center is located at 530 W. Main Street and is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone is 805.933.4272. The center offers classes, card games and meal programs to seniors. spcity.org/403/Senior-Center

The City of Fillmore Active Adult Center is located at 535 Santa Clara Avenue and is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone is 805.524.4533. Meals, games, activities and classes are offered. www.fillmoreca.com/177/Active-Adult-Center

The Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center is located at 550 Park Avenue in Port Hueneme and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The city's Senior Nutrition Program offers meals to those in need and classes are offered. Visit www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/facilities/facility/details/orvenescarpentercommunitycenter-2 or call 805.986.6542 for more information.

The Little House Multipurpose Center in Ojai at 111 W. Santa Ana Street next to Ojai City Hall is run by Help of Ojai, Inc., a non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of Ojai's seniors since 1968. The center offers programs, services, recreation and meals. Visit www.helpofojai.org or call 805.646.5122 for more information.

And for thousands of classes each year specifically geared towards seniors, check out THESE LINKS to community recreation programs throughout Ventura County.

California Has Billions of Dollars of Unclaimed Property - Claim Yours Now!

The State of California maintains billions of dollars in unclaimed property belonging to individuals and organizations.

California's Unclaimed Property Law requires "holders" such as corporations, business associations, financial institutions, and insurance companies to report and deliver property to the Controller's Office after there has been no customer contact for three (3) years. Often the owner forgets that the account exists, or moves and does not leave a forwarding address or the forwarding order expires. In some cases, the owner dies and the heirs have no knowledge of the property.

The most common types of unclaimed property are bank accounts and safe deposit box contents, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and dividends, uncashed cashier's checks or money orders, certificates of deposit, matured or terminated insurance policies, estates, and mineral interests and royalty payments, trust funds and escrow accounts. You may also find things like unused balances in prepaid cards and refunds due.

Find out more at www.ClaimIt.ca.gov.

Search the California Unclaimed Property database at ucpi.sco.ca.gov/en/Property/SearchIndex.

Search by name, address, city, property number or any combination.

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Your Individual Taxes in 2025 and Beyond

When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, 2025, it triggered the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax system since 2017. While headlines focused on Trump Accounts and repealed EV credits, the bill quietly reshaped the rules for everyday taxpayers—introducing new deductions, revising old ones, and locking in key provisions that affect how millions of Americans will file in the years ahead. Here is a high-level summary that breaks down the major individual income tax changes that could shape your bottom line from 2025 through 2028—and beyond.

TAX RATES

The new law retains the current individual income tax rate structure that ranges from 10% to 37%. The income ranges these apply to are permanently adjusted for inflation each year.

STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION

The “SALT” itemized deduction cap was raised from $10,000 to $40,000 in 2025, then increases 1% annually through 2029, before dropping back to $10,000 in 2030. However, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is over $500K, the deduction is reduced by 30% of the excess over $500K, but can’t fall below $10,000.

SENIOR BONUS DEDUCTION

The bill provides an additional standard deduction of up to $6,000 per person for seniors ages 65+ in tax years 2025-2028. The deduction is reduced by 6% of MAGI that exceeds $75K (single) and $150K (joint), which means that the senior bonus deduction phases out completely when MAGI reaches $175K single and $250K married filing jointly. You don't have to be receiving Social Security benefits to receive the deduction.

So for example, if your MAGI is $100K and you are single, you will receive an additional tax deduction in 2025 of $4,500 ($6,000 less 6% of the excess of $100K over $75K).

STANDARD DEDUCTION

The standard deduction in 2025 is $15,750 for single/married filing separately, $23,625 for head of household, and $31,500 for married filing jointly, up from $14,600, $21,900, and $29,200, respectively, in 2024. There is a regular extra standard deduction for 65+ seniors of $2,000 single and $3,200 married filing jointly (both 65+; $1,600 if one spouse is 65+), up slightly from $1,950, $3,100, and $1,550 in 2024. The standard deduction will be indexed for inflation annually.

Here’s another example. If you are married, both 65+ with income of $150K or less in 2025, you will be receiving a standard deduction of $46,700 ($31,500 base deduction + $3,200 extra 65+ deduction + $12,000 bonus 65+ deduction). Of course, if your itemized deductions are greater than your standard deduction of $46,700, we should still take the higher of the two on your 2025 return.

TIP INCOME DEDUCTION

Workers in traditionally tipped industries, such as food service, salons, and spas, can deduct up to $25,000 in tips per year from 2025 to 2028. The deduction phases out for AGIs exceeding $150K single, $300K joint filers.

OVERTIME PAY DEDUCTION

From 2025 to 2028, there is an overtime pay deduction of up to $12,500 in overtime pay per person ($25,000 for joint filers). The deduction phases out $100 for every $1,000 over MAGI of $150K single, $300K joint filers. Only the overtime premium (e.g. the extra pay above your regular hourly rate) is deductible.

PERSONAL CAR LOAN INTEREST

Taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in car loan interest for new cars purchased between 1/1/25 and 12/31/28 that were assembled in the U.S. This is an “above the line” deduction, meaning, you can take the deduction whether or not you itemize deductions. The deduction is reduced by $100 for every $1,000 over MAGI of $100K single and $200K joint returns.

EV TAX CREDITS

The tax credits for both new (up to $7,500) and used (up to $4,000) EVs expire this October, which means only three months remain to purchase an EV and potentially receive those credits (subject to current MAGI limits). These credits were previously set to expire after 2032.

RESIDENTIAL CLEAN ENERGY (e.g. SOLAR) CREDITS

Solar tax credits go away in 2026, which means taxpayers have limited time remaining this year to purchase, install, and place in service a home solar system by 12/31/25 to receive a 30% tax credit on the system. This also applies to batteries – if you have an existing solar system, you can install batteries by year-end and receive a tax credit on that purchase. If you have unused solar tax credits, they carry forward to future tax years.

ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CREDITS

These credits also go away in 2026. This applies to certain energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, heat pumps, central A/C, etc. These credits can be as much as $1,200 to $3,200 per year. They do not carry forward to future years.

CHILD TAX CREDIT

The child tax credit increases from $2,000 to $2,200 for children under the age of 17 at the end of 2025. It phases out when MAGI reaches $200K single and $400K joint.

CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS

The new law adds a permanent provision for non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 (single) and $2,000 (joint returns) in cash donations to 501(c)3 charities, beginning in 2026. In other words, you can deduct cash donations starting next year, even if you don’t itemize deductions.

The new law introduces a floor of .5% (half of a percent) of AGI for those itemizing charitable donations, beginning in 2026. What this means is that you can deduct charitable donations to the extent they exceed .5% of your AGI. So if your AGI is $200K and your charitable donations are $5,000, you can deduct $4,000 ($5,000 less .5% of $200K).

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

The bill permanently eliminates various deductions that were previously subject to 2% of AGI prior to 2018, such as unreimbursed employee expenses, tax preparation fees, investment advisory fees, safe deposit box rental, etc.

OTHER ITEMS

Moving expenses associated with work are now permanently not deductible (unless you are active-duty military moving under orders).

After 2025, gambling losses will only be deductible up to 90% of your gambling losses. It is still 100% in 2025. And remember, you must itemize deductions to claim gambling losses. I know a couple of you that this will impact.

“Trump Accounts” are a new type of tax-deferred investment account for every child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. The government funds the first $1,000. It is invested in a diversified U.S. stock index fund. Up to $5,000 of additional funds can be invested per year, plus an extra $2,500 from employers.  The funds can be withdrawn starting at age 18 for education and other specified uses. For those with newborns this year, the IRS should be coming out with information about these accounts by the end of the year.

There’s a provision in the new law that allows for a tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer for contributions made to “Scholarship Granting Organizations” that support K-12 private or religious school scholarships. The tax credit must be taken in the year of donation. It cannot be carried forward. And you can’t take both the credit and an itemized deduction for the payment.

The new law made the $750,000 cap on mortgage loan interest deduction permanent. The cap is not tied to inflation.

The estate tax exemption increases from $13.99 million in 2025 to $15 million per individual in 2026 and will be indexed for inflation going forward. If the law hadn’t passed, the exemption would have dropped to about $7 million in 2026.

View the 870 page bill at www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr1/BILLS-119hr1eas.pdf.

What's the Deal With All of Those Signs Posted at the Swimming Pool

My kids get a laugh from time to time when they notice the sign at the public swimming pool that states, "Persons having currently active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water." 

The thought comes to mind, should one have had this issue, how many people would actually remember if it was within the last 14 days. Heck, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday and what I watched on TV last Sunday.

But the sign is well intended as waterborne disease is no laughing matter. Waterborne disease outbreaks in pools have often been caused by individuals with recent diarrhea; chlorine doesn't always take care of removing the viruses or parasites that can come from those with recent symptoms.

The requirement for this and other community pool signs comes from California Building Code Chapter 31B "Public Pools," Section 3120B "Required Signs."

Section 3120B.11 "Diarrhea" indicates the sign must have letters at least 1 inch high, clearly states what is noted above, and is posted at the entrance area of a public pool. Public pools include municipal/park district pools, hotel pools, water parks, swim schools, homeowner shared pools, apartment pools, campground pools, etc. One is thus not required to post this sign at your home pool (unless you really want to).

CDC ADVICE TO PREVENT INFECTIONS FROM PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

According to this source, the diarrhea sign and a variety of other pool signs were put into law in late 2012. Some examples of other public pool sign requirements include:

• "No Diving" sign for pools with maximum depth of 6 feet or less

• "No Lifeguard" sign when applicable

• Emergency sign with 911 and nearest emergency services

• "No use after dark" sign for pools without lighting

• Artificial respiration and CPR sign

• Pool user capacity sign (1 person per 10 sq ft in spa; 1 person per 20 sq ft in pool)

So you've learned something new. If you'd like to read the entire Chapter 31B “Public Pools” of the California Building Code, or any section of the Code for that matter, visit www.bsc.ca.gov/Codes.aspx.

DOZENS OF VENTURA COUNTY AREAS SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PLAY PLACES

The Twin Ponds Conservation Area in the Conejo Open Space is Protected Land

The Twin Ponds Conservation Area in Dos Vientos is part of the open space lands of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and is protected by a conservation easement to the California Department of Fish and Game.

July 2014

January 2015

May 2016

The ponds were originally constructed in the 1920s as part of the irrigation system for agricultural and cattle ranching operations at Dos Vientos Ranch. Today they serve as important habitat for Two Striped Garter Snakes and larger animals such as deer, bobcat, coyote and mountain lions that depend on a reliable source of water. Migrating waterfowl are occasionally abundant, especially in winter.

COSCA and Fish & Game ask that we enjoy this scenic area but protect the ponds for the future and ask that we do not enter the water or allow dogs/horses to enter the water, disturb or remove any animal or plant or place any plants or animals, including fish, into the ponds.

To explore the ponds, take the Vista Del Mar Trail from one of several access points in the Dos Vientos area, including the corner of Via Ricardo and Via Rincon and the corner of Rancho Dos Vientos and Via El Cerro. This is a fun little hike to take the kids on and the ponds are only about a mile from the Via Ricardo/Via Rincon trailhead.

Twin Ponds? What ponds? The ponds are completely dried up as of August/September 2016.

January 2024

Late March 2024 - looking great!

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 needed 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.

How Do I Find the Nearest Mailbox to Me?

My wife asked me if there is a way of finding the nearest local mailbox.  Sure, we know of a couple mailboxes within a mile of our home in the Conejo Valley but it's nice to be able to find other mailboxes when you're out and about.

She used to put letters and bills and such in the mailbox for our mail carrier to pick up, but with the rash of folks swiping things out of home mailboxes, she would prefer to drop letters off into a more secure "blue" mailbox.

The US Post Office has a "Find Locations" section on its website to find a variety of locations, including post offices, approved postal providers, self-service kiosks and collection boxes (aka mailboxes). Find your local mailbox at tools.usps.com/find-location.htm. This tool on the USPS site works great and provides additional information, including daily pickup times.

And of course since there's data out there on where the mailboxes are, there are websites that take that this data and create their own mailbox map. Mailboxmap.com does just this. Simply type in your location and the map will clearly lay out mailbox, post offices and UPS stores for your mailing needs.