California Law AB 1536 Allows Hands-Free Texting in Cars Beginning January 1, 2013

From the One More Reason to Stay Off the Roads Department. In July Governor Jerry Brown signed into law Assemblyman Jeff Miller of Corona's measure AB 1536 he refers to as the "Freedom to Communicate" bill.

AB 1536 states:

Existing law prohibits a person from driving a motor vehicle while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send, or read a text-based communication, except as specified. This bill would remove that prohibition if the person is using an electronic wireless communications device that is specifically designed and configured to allow voice-operated and hands-free operation to dictate, send, or listen to a text-based communication, and it is used in that manner while driving.

Miller's press release proudly states: "Today marks a huge victory for commuters as AB 1536 will now make it easier to utilize new technology to its full advantage, allowing Californians to communicate safely and responsibly while on the road," and ..."I (Miller) am thrilled to announce that Californians will now be able to communicate with friends, family and business partners while driving because it is currently against the law to operate text based functions while driving."

OK, so how does this work? Well remember, you still can't hold your phone or press any buttons on the phone. It does have to be hands free.

AB 1536 states "write, send, or read a text-based communication" means using an electronic wireless communications device to manually communicate with any person using a text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as a text message, instant message, or electronic mail. I suppose "not limited to" would include things like Tweets, Facebook posts, etc.

We've had our "no texting while driving" law in place since January 1, 2009. It was only a matter of time that an exception be made. Allowing hands-free text messaging no doubt is much more important than things like unemployment and education in our state, right?

Ford has a voice-activated system called "Sync" in its cars that, among other things, allows you to listen to incoming texts on your phone and "respond with a set of up to 15 preset outgoing messages such as 'Can't talk right now' or 'Where are you?'"

Yay!! Can't wait to get in the car to text my friends and family!! Yippee!!

Gull Wings Children's Museum Unveils Colorful Piece by Local Artist Chuck Trunks

Note: The museum closed its Oxnard location on January 10, 2016 to focus on procuring a new location.

The Gull Wings Children's Museum, previously located at 418 W. Fourth Street in Downtown Oxnard, is the only museum in Ventura County geared solely towards kids. Gull Wings recently commissioned Camarillo artist Chuck Trunks to create art that reflects the education and creativity spawned by the interactive exhibits within the museum. Trunks presented this colorful piece that is now prominently displayed on the walls of the museum.

Chuck Trunks in Gull Wings Gift Shop (Photo Credit: Claudia Pardo)

If you've never taken your young kids to Gull Wings, do it! Gull Wings is a very low key, interactive place where within the span of an hour they can dress like firefighters, explore a space shuttle, play around in a car, build LEGOs, role play in a kitchen, touch sea stars, learn about the human body, see lizards and snakes and the list goes on. My sons brought a 1st grader friend last weekend and he had a BLAST! Learn more at www.gullwings.org.

November 6, 2012 Presidential General Election Registration and Key Voting Dates

The State of California has made it easier to register to vote by offering online voter registration for this coming November 6, 2012 Presidential General Election.

To register online, visit rtv.sos.ca.gov/elections/register-to-vote to start the online process or learn more at registertovote.ca.gov. The system will search the DMV database for your California driver license or ID card, date of birth and last four digits of your SSN. The Ventura County Clerk and Recorder Elections Division will contact you when the registration is approved or if additional information is needed.

You can also register to vote the old fashioned way by picking up a paper voter registration application at the Ventura County elections office, library, DMV or post office. More info at www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm.

To vote for the November 6th election you must register by October 22, 2012!

Beginning October 8th, you may vote at the County of Ventura Elections Division, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 805.654.2664 or 800.500.3555 for additional information.

If you receive a Vote by Mail ballot, you may mail that in starting October 8th. However, keep in mind that Vote by Mail ballots must be received by the Elections Division office or any Ventura County polling place no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Completed Vote By Mail ballots may also be dropped off before Election Day at any of the 10 City Clerk’s offices countywide or in the 24-hour ballot drop off box located in front of the Hall of Administration at the Government Center in Ventura.

I love having the option of voting by mail. For many years I've been on "Permanent Vote by Mail" status and automatically receive my ballot so I can let it sit on my desk as I procrastinate until Election Day. If you want to receive a Vote by Mail ballot, either on a one-time or permanent basis, complete the form on the back page of the Sample Ballot you received in the mail. It must be received by 5 p.m. on October 30th (one day before HALLOWEEN!).

To find out if you are registered to vote, the Ventura County Clerk and Recorder Elections Division website has a handy tool where you type your name and date of birth. If you are registered, they tell you where your polling place is, not to mention the date you registered and what your party affiliation is (hmm, this seems overkill to me...if you know someone's name and birth date, you can find out their party affiliation).

I noticed when using the tool that you have to type the exact name you registered under. Nicknames or shortened names don't work. Visit recorder.countyofventura.org/elections/voter-lookups/am-i-a-registered-voter to check this feature out.

NOW GO ON, GET OUT THERE AND VOTE!

Spectacular Conejo Valley Double Rainbow on This Stormy 10.11.12 Thursday

Today was quite an unusual day of clear skies, rain, thunder, lightning and....rainbows! Chris Rowell of Newbury Park captured this outstanding shot of the double rainbow hovering above the Conejo Valley late this afternoon. You don't see rainbows this clear that often!

It had been awhile since we had rain around here! But apparently the sun is coming back this weekend. That's a good thing because there are quite a number of pumpkin patches around town awaiting visitors. See you there! And for nearly 100 upcoming Halloween events from now through Halloween night, visit bit.ly/VCHalloween.

King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas Features The Biggest Loser and Much More!

Recently I visited the King Gillette Ranch, off of Las Virgenes Road and Mulholland Drive in Calabasas. While parking my car, noticed a group of about 10 pretty large people on a walk. I didn't think too much of it, until a few minutes later, when I came across The Biggest Loser building on the King Gillette property shown below.

Since I've never watched The Biggest Loser, I had no idea it was filmed in our backyard here in the Santa Monica Mountains. An hour later while driving back to Mulholland Drive, I passed a group of The Biggest Loser participants who were walking and jogging. Several of them waved and smiled at me. Apparently they are now in the midst of taping Season 14, which will begin airing in January 2013. I did not see Jillian Michaels, who is coming back to the show this season.

But there's much more in store at King Gillette Ranch and it is well worth going out of your way for! The recently opened Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center features a wealth of information about our Santa Monica Mountains and has an array of interesting and interactive exhibits for all ages. The staff is really nice and eager to help visitors out. Parking is covered and free for two hours, as is admission into the Center.

Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor CenterThe 588 acre King Gillette property is also home to numerous interpretative programs year round. Learn more at lamountains.com/parks.asp?parkid=670. A short hike up the hill adjacent to the Gillette Mansion and The Biggest Loser set gets you to Inspiration Point, where you will be treated to some fantastic views of the surrounding Las Virgenes mountains. Go check it out and have fun!

View of King Gillette complex from Inspiration Point

Drop, Cover and Hold On in the Great California ShakeOut on October 18, 2012

The Southern California (West) area is highly susceptible to earthquakes and earthquake related effects. Numerous earthquake faults crisscross southern California and no one within the area resides more than 10 miles from an active fault. In addition to damage caused directly by groundshaking and related groundfailure, other hazards such as fires can easily start during and shortly after an earthquake.

The driving force of earthquakes in California is movement along the San Andreas Fault and the many associated faults within the San Andreas Fault System that form the tectonic boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates. Along this boundary, the Pacific Plate is moving slowly to the northwest relative to the North American Plate. The Pacific plate underlies most of the Pacific Ocean, as well as all California west of the San Andreas fault. When most people think of earthquakes in California, the San Andreas Fault is usually the first thing to pop in their minds, and while the San Andreas Fault is the longest fault in the state it is by no means the only one to be concerned with. Many other faults are found directly beneath our cities in some of the most densely populated areas.

Because you live in the Southern California (West) area, it is likely that a damaging earthquake will occur and affect you during your lifetime. You decide your fate. You decide your future. The steps you take now can mean the difference between your success or failure after the next big quake.

Start preparing on Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 10:18 a.m. by participating in the Great California ShakeOut drill! Joins millions of other Californians and over 100,000 Ventura County participants who will Drop, Cover and Hold On on that date.

Learn more about the Great ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org. Register for the California ShakeOut at www.shakeout.org/california/register/index.php.

 Now, about that Drop, Cover and Hold On drill (more at www.shakeout.org/california/dropcoverholdon)

• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!)
• Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
• HOLD ON to it until the shaking stops.