California Lottery "Lucky Retailers" in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

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The California Lottery was created by ballot measure Proposition 37, approved by 58% of voters on November 6, 1984. Current law (Assembly Bill 142, passed in 2010), limits administrative expenses of the Lottery to 13% of sales, with 87% of sales going back in the form of prized and contributions to education.

Since inception in 1985 through the California Lottery's most currently issued financial report as of June 30, 2015, the Lottery has sold $85.1 billion, contributed close to $29.4 billion to schools, paid $45.9 billion to Lottery winners and another $5.6 million as compensation to retailers.

What happens if you win a big Lottery prize? Your name is public record, as is the name and location of the retailer that sold you the winning ticket, the date you won and of course, the amount. For most Lottery draw games, you have 180 days to claim your prize; however, if you win the Powerball or Mega Millions, you have a year to claim your prize. You will receive your first (or in most cases, only) check with your prize winnings six to eight weeks from claiming your prize.

So how do you win "a big one?" I wish I had the answer. One idea to ponder is to pursue purchasing tickets at retailers that seem to have the winning touch.

The Lottery has a "Lucky Retailers" database that shows, of its 22,000 retail locations, over 4,000 retailers considered "lucky." Lucky is defined as, within the last calendar year, either 1) sold at least one winning ticket of $100,000 or more; 2) paid out an average of 400 or more winning tickets per week or 3) paid out an average of $4,000 or more of winning tickets each week. You can access this searchable list at https://www.calottery.com/Where-To-Play and search for “only Lucky Retailers.”

What most interests me is retailers in Ventura County that meet parameter #1; selling at least one $100,000+ ticket over the previous calendar year. So let's take a look at which local retailers meet that parameter as of late November 2016. It is actually quite a short list!

  • Hi-Time Liquor, 140 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks

  • 7-Eleven, 609 Rancho Conejo Blvd, Thousand Oaks

  • Mobil, 855 N. Wendy Drive, Newbury Park

  • 7-Eleven, 1840 Cochran Street, Simi Valley

  • Simi Valley Smoke Shop, 2902 Cochran Street, Simi Valley

  • 76 Station, 2605 Stearns Street, Simi Valley

  • Shell Station, 1604 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo

  • Log Cabin Liquor, 2457 Alameda Avenue, Ventura

  • Pat Holden Liquor, 860 South A Street, Oxnard

  • Goode's Liquor, 1271 Saviers Road, Oxnard

  • 7-Eleven, 2201 E. Gonzales Road, Oxnard

  • Superior Grocers, 2401 Saviers Road, Oxnard

That's it! Pretty short list!

Prior to the "Lucky Retailers" program, here are Ventura County area retail locations that sold at least two winning tickets of $1 MILLION or more from 1985 to 2013:

  • Allan's Market Wine & Lotto, 2521 N. Ventura Road, Port Hueneme (This is the only retail location in the entire state of California during this time frame that sold SIX winning $1 million or more Lottery tickets!)

  • 7-Eleven, 2201 E. Channel Islands Blvd, Oxnard (3 winning tickets)

And there you have it! Learn more about the California Lottery at www.calottery.com.

La Conchita, Located on Western End of Ventura County

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La Conchita is an unincorporated, beachside community of about 300 residents in the westernmost section of Ventura County.

We all pass by La Conchita as take the 101 to Santa Barbara. From time to time, though we pull off the 101 at Santa Barbara Avenue, where we are promptly "greeted" by the sign shown below after crossing the railroad tracks.

The WARNING sign indicates "The La Conchita Community is a geologic hazard area. County officials advise against entry into the hazard area. Based on the present information known about ancient landslides and the 1995 and 2005 landslides, the following geological hazards are present:

  1. Catastrophic Failure: The large ancient landslide mass located above the Community could potentially fail, impacting residences within the Community AT ANY TIME AND WITHOUT WARNING.
  2. Mudflows: Mudflows could potentially impact all residences and access roads within the Community.
  3. Catastrophic Failure and Mudflows: Should both events occur simultaneously, the Community could be impacted.
  4. No excavation (removal of earth material) or grading should be performed in the Community without recommendations from a geologist and/or geotechnical engineer and review by the County of Ventura, Public Works Agency.

THERE IS NO WARNING SYSTEM FOR THESE HAZARDS. ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK.

What prompted this dire warning is what happened on January 10, 2005. After 26 inches of rain poured in 16 days in the area, 400,000 tons of mud slid down the bluff above La Conchita, taking the lives of 10 residents, destroying 13 homes and seriously damaging 23 others.

Preceding the 2005 landslide were landslides in 1995 that demolished 14 homes (no lives were lost). Experts indicate that landslides have taken place here for quite a long time.

The community of La Conchita (Spanish for little conch shell) was first established in 1924 with the creation of 200 mostly single family residences.  It is a beautiful little beach community with quick access to the beach via a tunnel under the 101. I can see what keeps folks here. But let's hope that if and when additional landslides take place, the remaining homes are not impacted.

Reference: U.S. Geologic Survey Report "Landslide Hazards at La Conchita, California"

Top Hiring Employers in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and Adjacent Areas as 2016 Winds Down

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what where
job title, keywords or company
city, state or zip jobs by Indeed

As we wind down another year, now is a great time to start looking for a job, or perhaps a new job. This popular list of over 300 employers in Ventura County and surrounding areas provides local job seekers with some great resources for discovering opportunities close to home.

Let's take a closer look at that list and highlight 36 of the companies that have the largest number of posted job openings in late November 2016 as we wind our way down towards 2017. These 36 companies alone have well over 1,800 current job opportunities.

Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas) Top Hiring Employers

Simi Valley/Moorpark Top Hiring Employers

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura Top Hiring Employers

Top Hiring Employers in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Barbara, Malibu and Other Local Cities

Click here for some practical resume submission tips. And of course, don't limit yourselves to just these companies! Check out the more comprehensive list at this link.

what where
job title, keywords or company
city, state or zip jobs by Indeed

An Enjoyable Visit to the New Krispy Kreme Doughnut Shop in Oxnard

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The new Krispy Kreme Doughnut store in Oxnard opened in late September and it took me a couple months to get over there for the first time with my youngest son and his friend.

I do not consider myself to be a doughnut* connoisseur. As someone who exercises daily and tries to eat moderately healthy, donuts are an occasional extravagance. If someone brings a box of donuts to the office, for sure, I'll be one to partake. But I generally don't go out of my way for a donut.

There was a Krispy Kreme in Oxnard that closed its doors eight years ago; located on Rose Avenue, it is now a Chick-fil-A. I've tried Krispy Kreme doughnuts from time to time, but never actually stepped foot into a Krispy Kreme store.

So at 6PM on a Sunday night, we stopped by. I figured it would be quick. Drive by any donut shop in the Conejo Valley on a Sunday night, and, in the unlikely case the shop is open, there will not be many customers in there.

I was shocked. The place was bustling! There were at least 15 to 20 people in line. But we didn't mind the wait; it was actually kind of a unique experience waiting to purchase doughnuts at Krispy Kreme. Why? Because you get to see their signature glazed donuts made just a few feet away, through a full-length window. It was an impressive site that you just don't get to see at most other donut shops!

Freshly made doughnuts just a few feet away, tantalizing us.

Freshly made doughnuts just a few feet away, tantalizing us.

We bought a dozen and a half doughnuts - glazed, filled and otherwise - packed to take home. The kids each ate a donut in the back seat. (Not to worry, we ate a healthy dinner at the massive Whole Foods Market at The Collection at RiverPark before the doughnut splurge.) From the back seat of the car I heard mostly "chomp, chomp, chomp" for a minute. Apparently the kids enjoyed them.

The doughnut celebration continued when we arrived home. My older son does not like donuts filled with anything...cream, jelly, etc., which is a good thing because I do enjoy such doughnuts. He opted for one of the fresh-baked glazed doughnuts. 

We're a bit partial to doughnuts filled with delicious innard like cream, custard and jelly.

We're a bit partial to doughnuts filled with delicious innard like cream, custard and jelly.

You could not ask for a fresher doughnut than the glazed doughnuts from Krispy Kreme. Whereas all the other doughnuts are stored in bins, when you order the glazed doughnuts, they retrieve them from where they were just made, literally minutes ago.

So I asked my oldest if he enjoyed the doughnut. He said he barely had to bite it, it was so soft, moist and delicious. It practically melted in his mouth. Gotta eat them while they're hot.

I did notice that Krispy Kreme doughnuts are perhaps a bit more sweet than the average donut. I was ok with that, but based upon my review of the Krispy Kreme Oxnard Yelp page, I was not alone in that observation. Not everyone is a fan.

This is also 24/7 drive-thru Krispy Kreme. Other than Starbucks and other fast food eateries, this is the only drive-thru donut place that I'm aware of in the area. The line of cars did look particularly long though, perhaps due to the fact that only one customer at a time can determine which doughnuts will be occupying their Krispy Kreme box.

Our precious cargo was contained in these fancy boxes.

Our precious cargo was contained in these fancy boxes.

So while I won't necessarily drive 20 miles (40 miles round trip) out of my way for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, I would definitely take a detour off the 101 at the Vineyard offramp to indulge myself from time to time.

Krispy Kreme Oxnard is located at 220 Riverpark Boulevard (at Vineyard), next to a 24 hour McDonald's.  Store hours are 5:30am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 5:30am to midnight on Friday/Saturday and as mentioned previously, the drive-thru is open 24/7. Yes, if you're hungry and can't find anything in the Conejo Valley, do note that fresh doughnuts and McD's are available 24/7, 20 miles away in Oxnard.

* Krispy Kreme uses the more traditional spelling of "doughnut" vs the shortened spelling "donut" made more popular by Dunkin' Donuts, not to mention Winchell's Donuts, Yum Yum Donuts, Spudnuts Donuts and most every other donut shop in town! Here, we use the doughnut spelling when specifically referencing Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

My Favorite Tree in the Conejo Valley Resides in Rancho Sierra Vista, Newbury Park

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Taken on Saturday, April 16, 2016

Taken on Saturday, April 16, 2016

Rumor has it there are, at least, 1,000 oak trees, in the Conejo Valley. My favorite tree in the Conejo Valley is this lone oak at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park.

This oak tree stands there, in a field, all alone, in the shadow of Boney Mountain in the foreground, year in, year out, come rain, or more usually, come shine.

In times of drought, in times of natural disaster, like the Springs Fire of 2013, this lone oak has withstood the test of time.

Through good times and bad, this tree is there for me, and for all of us, standing tall in the face of the hot summer sun and soaking in the winter rains.

I've never touched this lone oak nor have I ventured beneath its branches. But I have admired it, mostly from afar. And I know this tree appreciates me. Sitting still, smiling in the summer sun, feeling comfort in the vast open space of the Conejo.

After a brief rainstorm in November 2016

After a brief rainstorm in November 2016

California State Senate Bill No. 3 to Will Increase Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour Over Next 6 Years

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In April 2016, Governor Brown signed into law Senate Bill No. 3, that, among other things, will increase minimum wage in California to $15 over the coming years. 

On January 1, 2016, the California minimum wage increased from $9 to $10 for all employers (with the exception of California sheepherders...which you can read about more HERE).

The planned increases to get to $15 are outlined below and vary based on if the employer has 26 or more employees or 25 or fewer employees.

Employers with 26+ Employees

  • 1/1/17 to 12/31/17: $10.50/hour (5% increase)
  • 1/1/18 to 12/31/18: $11/hour (4.8% increase)
  • 1/1/19 to 12/31/19: $12/hour (9.1% increase)
  • 1/1/20 to 12/31/20: $13/hour (8.3% increase)
  • 1/1/21 to 12/31/21: $14/hour (7.7% increase)
  • 1/1/22 until adjusted again: $15/hour (6.7% increase)

If your employer has 25 or fewer employees, there will be a year lag in the increases. So in 2017, there will not be a change in the designated minimum wage if you work for a company in that range.  The first increase (from $10 to $10.50) will take place effective 1/1/18 and the final increase highlighted above (from $14 to $15) will take place effective 1/1/23.

So, if you are a minimum wage employee at a smaller company, you will be making slightly less than your "larger" company counterparts in California until 1/1/23.

After 2022, the minimum wage will generally be increased by the lesser of 3.5% and the inflation rate.

Why Does the Label On My Peanut Butter Say CONTAINS PEANUTS?

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PeanutButter_label.JPG

So the other day I was making my son, the son without peanut allergies, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and glass of milk. I glanced at the label on the peanut butter jar and noticed "CONTAINS PEANUTS." highlighted in bold, below the ingredients, which clearly lists "dry roasted peanuts" as the main ingredient. Interesting.

WheatBread_label.JPG

Then I grabbed the bag of Sara Lee 100% Whole Wheat bread, looked at the label, and saw that in addition to the multiple mentions of wheat in the ingredients, it also says CONTAINS WHEAT, MILK AND SOY. Like we didn't already know the WHEAT bread contains WHEAT!

Milk_label.JPG

After putting the finishing touches on the PB&J, slicing off the crusts and cutting the the sandwich in half, it was time to pour the milk. Sure enough, underneath the ingredients of this Trader Joe's milk carton that clearly indicates milk three times in the ingredients, is the statement CONTAINS MILK.

Isn't this a bit overkill!?? Does someone think I'm stupid? (Don't answer that.)

The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) of 2004 initiated new food labeling requirements for eight food groups that, according to the FDA, are the source of 90% of food allergies in the U.S. Food allergies affect 2% of adults and 5% of children.

The eight foods, all proteins, are milk, eggs, fish (e.g., bass, flounder, cod), Crustacean shellfish (e.g., crab, lobster, shrimp), tree nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanuts, wheat and soybeans.

Source: FDA.gov: FALCPA requires food manufacturers to label food products that contain an ingredient that is or contains protein from a major food allergen in one of two ways:

The first option for food manufacturers is to include the name of the food source in parenthesis following the common or usual name of the major food allergen in the list of ingredients in instances when the name of the food source of the major allergen does not appear elsewhere in the ingredient statement.

The second option is to place the word "Contains" followed by the name of the food source from which the major food allergen is derived, immediately after or adjacent to the list of ingredients, in type size that is no smaller than the type size used for the list of ingredients.

I've underlined the statement that puzzles me. If the allergen appears elsewhere in the ingredient statement, it would appear the label meets FALCPA labeling requirements. Yet, the labels shown above all include the redundant "CONTAINS (PEANUTS/WHEAT/MILK)" statement anyways. Why, why, why? I suspect the manufacturers figure, why not. Maybe someone will blog about it and give us free publicity.

Eggs_label.JPG

So later on, after the kid's belly was full, I thought, what other allergens lurk in our fridge? Ah ha! Eggs! It took me a bit longer to find the label on the egg carton, hidden on the inside cover (hey, I don't cook much). I was actually a bit disappointed to NOT find the statement "CONTAINS EGGS" on the label. Darn it, now I'm left to wonder, are these really eggs?

To learn more about FALCPA requirements, visit www.fda.gov or download an actual pdf copy of the law at www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/GuidanceRegulation/UCM179394.pdf. Joking aside, it's a great law that helps food allergy sufferers more clearly identify foods that could cause them much grief.