Formula (Chain) Business Ordinance Since 2007 in Ojai

Since December 2007, the City of Ojai has had what’s called a Formula Business ordinance which bans new retail establishments that have over a designated number of locations with similar features such as standard menus, merchandise, decor, signage, facade, etc. Basically it’s ban of large chains (e.g. Starbucks, McDonald’s, 7-Eleven, etc.) to ensure the city maintains its small town charm.

Initially the ordinance defined a Formula Business as over 10 locations; it has since been changed to five or more locations. For more information, review City of Ojai municipal code section 10-2.1713.

This ordinance covers the 4.37 square mile City of Ojai. It does not cover other communities in the greater Ojai Valley.

Mira Monte (Spanish for “mountain view”) is an unincorporated community of approximately 6,800 residents in Ventura County that is located southwest of Ojai. Since Mira Monte does not have its own post office, addresses in this community use Ojai.

Several CVG social media followers brought up this interesting point because there are some chain establishments located in Mira Monte that have an Ojai address, such as the new drive-in Habit Burger (opened July 17, 2024), Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Taco Bell. Although these chain establishments have an Ojai address, they are not subject to the City of Ojai Formula Business ordinance. And there ya have it.

Satellite Tracking Station at Laguna Peak for the Naval Satellite Operations Center Point Mugu (Now 10th Space Operations Squadron)

UPDATE: On June 6, 2022, the Naval Satellite Operations Center that previously was responsible for the Laguna Peak station was transferred from the Navy to the Space Force, specifically, the 10th Space Operations Squadron (10 SOPS). The mission of 10 SOPS, which is headquarted at Naval Base Ventura County, is to operate, manage, and maintain assigned satellites and ground systems, providing continuous and reliable satellite communications in direct support of Fleet, Joint, and Interagency operations. Learn more at THIS LINK and about 10 SOPS at www.petersonschriever.spaceforce.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/3146952/10th-space-operations-squadron.

(Military photo of Laguna Peak.)

If you’re in the vicinity of Thornhill Broome State Beach and Sycamore Cove Beach in Point Mugu or hiking up the Chumash Trail to the La Jolla Valley in Point Mugu State Park, you’ve probably noticed some futuristic looking equipment up on a hill to the west.

That hilltop is the 1,421 foot Laguna Peak in the westernmost tip of the Santa Monica Mountains, home to the Naval Base Ventura County’s Satellite Tracking Station.

The tracking station monitors rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base and other sites and is a part of a network of satellite control facilities that includes stations in Prospect Harbor, Maine, Rosemount, Minnesota and the Lincoln Laboratory in Massachusetts.

Lewis Road Pedestrian Overcrossing in Agoura Hills

This is the Lewis Road Pedestrian Overcrossing, Caltrans Bridge #53-998, in Agoura Hills. It connects Roadside Drive at Lewis Road on the south to Canwood Street at Lewis Road on the north side of the 101. It was built in 1963 and expanded in 1973.

This is the only pedestrian bridge going over a freeway in the Conejo Valley. There is another pedestrian bridge in Thousand Oaks - the Luedtke Bridge over Olsen Road that connects the CLU main campus to the northern campus.

The Ventura County Portion of State Highway Route 1 is Named "Ventura County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway"

California State Route 1 runs along most of the coastline of California and at 656 miles is the longest state route in California. The section of SR 1 between I-5 in Dana Point and the US 101 near Oxnard is designated Pacific Coast Highway.

Sign at the indicating the north end of southbound PCH, where it connects to Las Posas Road.

In 2002, the state assembly voted to designate the section of State Highway Route 1 in Ventura County as the “Ventura County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway” in gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices California Vietnam veterans.

That same bill also designated the portion of State Highway Route 126 between the City of Santa Paula and State Highway Route 101 as the Korean War Veterans Memorial Highway.

Throwback: Tiny Naylor's Operated in Thousand Oaks from 1973 to 1987

1978 Tiny Naylor’s Ad

Tiny Naylor's operated at 50 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard (at Moorpark Road) from November 1973 to May 1984, when it became Tiny's Old Oak Cafe until February 1987. Then it became Denny's in March 1987. Denny's closed its doors in August 2012. Three years later, that spot became occupied by Dog Haus, Kebab Plus, and Urbane Cafe.

In 1978, Tiny Naylor's offered twin bacon wrapped filets, steak fried potatoes, ear of corn, choice of soup or salad, garlic bread, and dessert for $3.49.  

Throwback: Grand Opening of the Tournament Bowl in Oxnard on November 8, 1958

The 32 lane Tournament Bowl opened its doors on Saturday, November 8, 1958 at 3443 Saviers Road in Oxnard. The facility featured a cocktail lounge, dining room, coffee shop and children’s playroom. Open 24 hours!

The grand opening featured free door prizes - free souvenirs “for both men and women!” and featured appearances by future United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famers, Steve Nagy and Harry Smith.

While I don’t know the exact date the Tournament Bowl closed its doors (I believe it was the early 1990s), what I do know is that a Ralph’s grocery store is now located there.

The Tournament Bowl hosted the Oxnard PBA Open September 24-27, 1964.

The other Oxnard bowling alley in years past was the Wagon Wheel Bowl, which closed in May 2015.

Finally, a brand new Bowlero opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard in October 2021, so for now, bowling is still alive in Oxnard!

BOWLING ALLEYS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

History Tidbit - Sav-On Drugs Store in Thousand Oaks in the Early 1970s

Photo Credit: Thousand Oaks Library - Conejo Through the Lens Collection

This Sav-on Drugs store opened in the Conejo Valley Plaza, 1382 Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, in 1972. CVS acquired 700 Osco Drugs and Sav-on Drugs store in 2006, though the Sav-on brand name is now owned by Albertson’s. Sav-on originated in California in the mid 1945s, founded by Alton Clark (who later founded the aptly named Clark Drugs) and C. J. Call. Sav-on was the first self-service drug store in California.