Five New Sports to Be Added to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020

Copyright: epicstockmedia / 123RF Stock Photo

Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee approved the addition of baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing to the 2020 Olympic Games to be held in Tokyo.

This will mark the first appearance of these sports at the Olympics, except for baseball/softball which was last on the Olympic program at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The additional sports will not be binding on future Olympic games and will not impact existing Olympic sports. In total, inclusion of the new sports will add 18 events and 474 athletes. These new sports are anticipated to attract a younger generation of athletes to the Olympics.

Without knowing these five sports were to be added to the next Olympics, we ran a local restaurant drawing on the CVG Facebook Page, asking entrants to indicate what additional sport they would like to see at the next summer Olympics. Here's the interesting assortment of responses we received:

• Softball, surfing and karate all received a number of mentions
• Hula hooping
• Dodgeball
• Auto racing
• Ukelele playing
• Donut eating
• Handball
• Pickleball
• Wake boarding
• Yo Yo-ing
• Netball
• MMA
• Shuffleboard
• Shopping
• Bowling
• Extreme video gaming
• Lacrosse
• Football
• Billiards
• Hopscotch
• Juggling
• Tiddly winks
• Belly flopping
• Pokemon Go
• Disc golf
• Jousting
• Competitive eating
• BMX racing
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Roller Derby
• Cheerleading
• Mini golf
• Synchronized juggling
• Speed knitting
• Ballroom dancing

A clever group of folks we have on our Facebook page.

Funny Bunnies on a Conejo Valley Trail This Overcast Late June Morning

With the name Conejo Valley, I guess one could assume there are a lot of conejos, or rabbits, in our midst. One would be correct in that assumption, at least based on my own experience.

This morning, under foggy, cool, skies, the bunnies were out in force. They didn't seem to be foraging for food, however. They were playing, goofing off, annoying one another.

They looked like they were playing tag. Whatever it may be, they were quite involved in this activity, as I was able to stand there, not much more than 10 yards away from them, camera in hand, capturing some of their frolicking.

Speaking of trails, here's a nice compilation that will keep you moving over the coming summer months. And when you're tired of running around and it starts getting hot, try this list of summer free and $1 movies around Ventura County. Or hop on over to a local gym/fitness facility.

Last but not least...watch out for those coyotes!

Debunking the Blog Post That Says Thousand Oaks is the 2nd Snobbiest City

Over the last few days I've noticed quite a bit of buzz about a recent blog post on a real estate website called "These Are The 10 Snobbiest Mid-Sized Cities in America." The reason people have been sharing the post is that Thousand Oaks is ranked #2 on the list.

Huh? Snobby? I feel compelled to respond.

How do they define snobby? According to Merriam Webster online, a snob "is someone who tends to criticize, reject, or ignore people who come from a lower social class, have less education, etc."

But how do you actually measure this in order to to determine which cities are the "snobbiest?" The blogger chooses eight "sorts of things snobs would like." She decides that a city is snobbier if residents have higher incomes, higher home prices, more education, private schools, art galleries, performing arts and country clubs and less fast food eateries per capita.

Talk about arbitrary.

She looks at these factors only "for 100 mid-sized cities." Why just 100 cities? What is mid-sized? 50,000 people? 100,000? She doesn't say. Given there are well over 9,000 cities in the U.S., limiting yourself to just 100 is also arbitrary. From what I could gather, the 100 cities are roughly in the range of 125,000 to 210,000 residents. That leaves out cities like Beverly Hills, Calabasas and Santa Barbara. And well over 9,000 other cities.

If I were measuring snobbyness, a survey of residents would be in order. This blogger did no such thing. Fast food restaurants? Somehow out of the 100 cities on the list, Thousand Oaks ranked 16th lowest in terms of fast food eateries per capita. But the underlying data from "the 2010 Census" is not provided. I can count at least 50 fast food places in the Conejo Valley. I'd love to see her underlying data. Heck, we've got 3 McDonald's,10 Subways, 2 Chick-fil-A's. How is that snobby?

How could a city with a Chuck E. Cheese's be called the 2nd snobbiest "mid-size" city!!??And how could a city with both a Chuck E Cheese's and a Hooters be the 2nd snobbiest city?

Each of the eight factors are equally ranked. Thousand Oaks ranked 3rd out of 100 in median home price and household income. Yes, it costs a lot to live here in paradise, which means we need to earn more to pay for it. Does that make us snobbier? Fully 25% of the ranking is based on these two factors. Six of the "top 10" cities on this "snobbiest" list are in California...largely because, yes, it costs more to live here. Does that make us snobby?

One of the 8 factors is "country clubs per capita." Sheesh, most people I know have never been to the Sherwood Country Club or North Ranch Country Club. Yet we are called snobby because they are situated here.

And of course we are ranked 8th lowest in terms of percentage of residents with college degrees. Obviously more education equals snobby, right? Most college graduates I know show no signs of snobbyness. Heck, I don't think I became a snob, or snobbier, when I received my master's degree. Or maybe I did!? Hmm, I'll have to ponder that as I look for my Grey Poupon.

Movoto is a real estate website that generates traffic with nonsense posts like this one. The fact that I'm writing about it means they are doing a great job at attracting attention.

COMPILATION OF FUN LOCAL TRAILS AND HIKES IN VENTURA COUNTY

Another Outstanding Baby's First Laugh Video Guaranteed to Make You Smile

Everyone needs a good laugh, including 3 month old babies. This father can't stop laughing after experiencing the giggles, repeatedly, from his little one. Thanks to Conejo Valley Guide Facebook follower/friend Deanna for bringing this must watch video to our attention.

Although the primary goal of this site is to highlight events, activities and things to do around Ventura County and surrounding areas, we're suckers for a great laugh. Here's another recent great laughing baby video.

Baby Laughing Hysterically at Dog Eating Popcorn is Sure to Bring Joy to Your Day

If this video does not bring a smile to your face, let alone a good laugh, I don't know what will!

Click this link for over 70 activities geared towards little ones and for birthday party options in and around Ventura County check out this popular compilation.