Clear View of Anacapa Island from Newbury Park this Final Friday of January 2019

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The coast was clear tonight as we viewed several of the Channel Islands from the Rancho Potrero Open Space this final Friday of January 2019. Perhaps the coast IS clear now that the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history ended today, January 25th. Or perhaps not. We will monitor the situation from one of our many perches with a view here in the beautiful Conejo Valley.

Information About Clean Power Alliance Electricity Rates in Ventura County, Conejo Valley

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As like many of you, I’ve received a number of notifications from the Clean Power Alliance and due to my sheer lack of time, desire, interest, energy, procrastination and/or (fill in the blank), have waited until now to actually investigate what this means.

So let me impart my newfound wisdom to you.

Clean Power Alliance (CPA) of Southern California was established in 2017 to provide cost competitive “clean” electricity to residents in certain parts of Los Angeles County and several other cities. It quickly grew to 31 communities, including our local Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Ventura and unincorporated Ventura County.

What CPA does is purchase renewable, clean energy, while Southern California Edison (SCE) will continue to deliver it and bill for it.

Each member city that opted in to this program established a default rate option for residents to acquire electricity from CPA via SCE. This is just a default rate. You can change it (see below). The CPA website describes these rates at cleanpoweralliance.org/rate-options/residential-rates:

  • Lean Power - costs 1-2% less than SCE’s default rate (Lean Power provides 36% renewable energy content at the lowest possible cost)

  • Clean Power - comparable to SCE’s default rate (0-1% savings) (Clean Power provides 50% renewable energy content)

  • 100% Green Power - at most, 7-9% premium to SCE’s default rate (as the name indicates, this is 100% renewable energy content)

CPA further noted that SCE has proposed a double digit increase to 2019 rates to make up for a budget shortfall. If these increases are approved, they will likely take effect in March/April 2019 and CPA rates will also change accordingly.

Your Default CPA Power Product

Here are the “default” power products from CPA that local agencies in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County areas have selected:

  • Lean Power (36%) - Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Camarillo, Simi Valley

  • Clean Power (50%) - Malibu, Moorpark

  • 100% Green Power - Ojai, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Unincorporated Ventura County

You can verify your own rate default option at cleanpoweralliance.org/rate-options.

Changing Your Default or Opting Out

As mentioned above, you are not required to stick with the default option. You can switch to a different option at any time. Do so as follows:

  • Go to cleanpoweralliance.org/rate-options and log in, using your 10 digit SCE customer number (remove the dashes), last name and zip code.

  • There you will see your account status and the other rate options. You may opt down, or up, as it were, to one of the other options, based on your current default.

You may opt out if you’d like, but be aware of the fine print: If you opt out, you will be charged a one-time account processing fee by SCE and will be prevented by SCE from returning to CPA for a minimum of 12 months.

The City of Thousand Oaks provides additional information about CPA at THIS LINK. One other item of note on that page for solar users is “Although applications for onsite solar will still need to go through SCE for interconnection to the grid, CPA will pay customers at a higher rate than SCE for any excess solar energy generated.” Sounds pretty good to me.

More Info:

Clean Power Alliance: cleanpoweralliance.org

So Cal Edison: www.sce.com

Old Mission Santa Barbara is a Cultural and Historic Local Landmark

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The Santa Barbara Mission was established on the Feast of Saint Barbara, December 4, 1786 and was the 10th of 21 California Missions to be founded by the Spanish Franciscans. The Mission continues to be the chief cultural and historic landmark in the city of Santa Barbara. Home to a community of Franciscan friars, the Mission also has a retreat center with guest rooms, conference rooms, a fully equipped commercial kitchen and dining room, a beautiful church with a large and active parish, a museum and gift shop, a cemetery and mausoleum and ten acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

The Santa Barbara Mission in July 2013

The Santa Barbara Mission in July 2013

Old Mission Church, Santa Barbara (1876), by Carleton Watkins, via Wikimedia Commons

Old Mission Church, Santa Barbara (1876), by Carleton Watkins, via Wikimedia Commons

Mission Santa Barbara is California Historical Landmark No. 309. According to the California State Parks Office of Historic Preservation website: Portions of five units of its extensive waterworks, built by Indian labor and preserved in this part, are a filter house, Spanish gristmill, sections of aqueducts, and two reservoirs, the larger of which, built in 1806, is used today as part of the city water system. The fountain and lavadero are nearby, in front of the mission, and a dam built in 1807 is located in the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, one and one-half miles up Mission Canyon. Only ruins remain of the mission's pottery kiln, guard house, and tanning vats.

The Mission, located at 2201 Laguna Street, is open daily from 9am to 5pm. Admission for self-guided tours as of January 2019 is $9 for adults (18-64) $7 for seniors (65+) and active military (with ID) and $4 for youth ages 5-17. Parking is free.

Docent-led tours (approximately 60 minutes) on most Mondays through Fridays at 11 am and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Cost for docent-led tours is $13 adults, $11 seniors, active military and $8 for youth ages 5-17. Visit www.santabarbaramission.org or call 805.682.4713 to learn more.

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Top Hiring Employers in Ventura County and Nearby Areas as We Enter 2019

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As we enter a new year, it 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 resources for discovering local opportunities.

Let's take a closer look at that list and highlight some of the companies that have the largest number of posted job openings as of January 1, 2019.

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, Malibu and Other Local Cities

Top Hiring Employers in Santa Barbara County

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.

National Park Service Contingency Plan During Federal Government Shutdown

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With our Federal government once again in "shutdown" mode for the last several days. each government agency put together contingency plans for operations in the absence of appropriations.

The National Park Service (NPS) was created on August 25, 1916 by Congress through the National Park Service Organic Act and is an agency of the United States Department of the Interior. As of 2018, the NPS maintains 418 properties, including 60 protected national parks (which includes our local Channel Islands National Park). 

According to the National Park Service Contingency Plan:

  • Parks will suspend all activities and secure facilities that operate using lapsed appropriations, except those essential to respond to emergencies.

  • Visitor services are suspended, including restrooms, trash collection, campgrounds, permits, public information, etc. (Regarding campgrounds, NPS notes that visitors will not be asked to leave but are advised that there are no services during a shutdown, including check-in/check-out services, and ensuring availability of sites upon arrival.)

  • Visitor centers, like the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park, are closed.

  • Special events hosted by the National Park Service are cancelled.

  • Park websites and social media will not be maintained.

For more information about shutdown contingency plans, visit the U.S. Department of the Interior website at www.doi.gov/shutdown.

Five Very Interesting Museums in Oxnard and Camarillo

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There are over 50 museums highlighted here on Conejo Valley Guide and each and every one of them has interesting features. Here are some additional highlights from a handful of these museums located in the Oxnard / Camarillo area.

The Mullin Automotive Museum is a 47,000 square foot amazingly pristine facility in Oxnard housing over 50 French art deco cars from the 1930s and 1940s. Mullin is open to the public only a few times a month. You will be awestruck by some of the most beautiful cars you've ever seen!

Unfortunately, on January 17, 2024, the Mullin Automotive Museum announced it will be closing its doors on Saturday, February 10th, in light of the passing of Peter Mullin in September 2023. More information at THIS LINK.

The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, known as the Camarillo Bird Museum, is a 22,000 square foot facility in a Camarillo industrial park that contains one of the largest collections of bird, bird egg and bird nest specimens in the entire world. It is open to the public only about 10 times a year.

(The Woolworth Museum items are still here, but access to the public is generally not available)

There is a vintage 1950 Woolworth building in Downtown Oxnard that has been redeveloped and now houses a restaurant and office space. But the 1st floor lobby of this 16,800 sq ft building contains a very small museum chock full of Woolworth nostalgia. This Woolworth Museum isn't large and fancy but will certainly bring back memories for you geezers out there. There is no charge to enter.

For World War II Air Force history, memorabilia and functioning aircraft, visit the Commemorative Air Force Aviation Museum located at the Camarillo Airport.  You will be treated to detailed information and history led by knowledgeable docents. You may also have an opportunity to step outside to see the aircraft directly adjacent to the runway. 

Located at the Channel Islands Harbor, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum is home to a large collection of maritime art, models and historical items. If you or your kids enjoy model ships, you will not find a better place to go than here. And the well-trained docents will be sure to impart information that is quite interesting.

Since the Woolworth Museum noted above appears to be closed, a nice addition to this list is the Pleasant Valley Historical Society Museum and Botanical Garden on Las Posas Road in Camarillo. Open only on weekends from noon to 4pm, the museum displays an assortment of vintage items and curios from the local area going back to the turn of the 20th century.

Application to Request Funds From Conejo Valley Victims Fund Now Open, through February 18, 2019

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Following the tragedy that occurred at Borderline Bar & Grill on November 7, 2018, Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF), in coordination with other local organizations established the CONEJO VALLEY VICTIMS FUND.  After immediately distributing $310,000 in cash assistance and $500 prepaid gift cards related to the Borderline shooting, VCCF is now inviting individuals affected by the tragedy to submit applications for funding.

Funding Application for Conejo Valley Victims Fund: conejovalleyvictimsfund.org
Deadline for application submittal: February 18, 2019.

100% of the funds that have been raised will be used to assist the families of those who lost loved ones, the victims who were physically injured and those present inside the Borderline Bar & Grill the night of November 7, 2018. The payments from the Conejo Valley Victims Fund are to be apportioned in accordance with the severity of the injury to the victims arising from the event. 

VCCF has partnered with Give An Hour, which will lead efforts to provide mental health, emotional and case support to victims during the application process. In addition to opening up their Provider Network for mental health support, Give an Hour providers and staff are available to help those needing assistance with the Victim’s Fund Application. Three Victim Assistance Clinics will provide assistance to those who need help with the application. Licensed mental health clinicians will be on site at the Victim Assistance Clinics to offer support. 

Victims’ Assistance Clinic Dates, Times at Community Room Engage, 660 Hampshire Road, Suite 101, Westlake Village:

  • Monday, January 14, 12:00 noon to 8:00pm

  • Wednesday, January 16, 9:00am to 6:00pm

  • Saturday, January 19, 9:00am to 5:00pm

Additionally, VCCF will host two public forums to give concerned community members and those impacted by the Borderline shooting an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions about this Draft Final Protocol which will determine the process and distribution protocols for awarding financial support to qualified applicants. The Final Distribution Protocol will be developed by the Special Oversight Committee, incorporating feedback from the Public Forum meetings held on January 3, 2019, and is subject to approval by the Ventura County Community Foundation.

The Draft Final Protocol document can be found at www.ConejoValleyVictimsFund.org. To submit your feedback on the Draft Final Protocol, please submit your comments to info@conejovalleyvictimsfund.org or attend a public forum held on:  

Thursday, January 3, 8:00am - 9:30am or 6:00pm - 7:30pm. 
at the Scherr Forum at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.   

Financial contributions are still welcome and can be made at www.vccf.org. 

For more information, please contact Vanessa Bechtel at (805) 330-6676.