How to Be Coyote Aware in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County

Living in the Conejo Valley, surrounded by thousands of acres of open space, most of us come into contact with coyotes from time to time. Coyotes are a vital component of rural and urban communities, deserving of respect for their adaptability, resilience and intelligence. Below are some tips on coyote awareness, courtesy of Project Coyote.

Facts:

• Coyotes are members of the dog family; they are curious, adaptable, and learn quickly.

• Coyotes often mate for life, are devoted parents, and are highly communicative (barks, yips, howls).

• Coyotes weigh 18-35 pounds in the West.

• Coyotes may be more protective of dens/territories during pup rearing (April-Aug).

• Coyotes eat large numbers of rodents and rabbits, as well as fruit, vegetation, insects and carrion. They help keep ecosystems vital, healthy and clean.

• Coyotes are naturally wary of people but can habituate to our presence and the reliable food sources that we provide.

Safety:

• DON’T FEED COYOTES. Their life and your safety depend on coyotes remaining wild and naturally wary of people.

• Remove attractants; pick up trash, secure garbage, and feed pets inside. Don’t leave food or pets outside at night.

• Walk dogs on leashes, especially during pup rearing season (April-Aug). Pick up your small dog if you see a coyote and don’t let pets roam.

• If approached, don’t run. Wave arms, make noise and walk toward the coyote until he retreats. Be “Big, Bad and Loud.”

• Avoid areas where coyotes may be denning or feeding/hiding pups.

• Appreciate coyotes from a distance. Share this information with family and friends.

Additional information found on the City of Calabasas website at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/environmental-igr-division/living-with-coyotes-in-calabasas.

All About the Previously Owned Clean Vehicle Credit

NOTE: New legislation signed in July 2025 eliminates the Previously Owned Clean Vehicle Credit beginning in October 2025.

A brand new tax credit, the Previously Owned Clean Vehicle Credit, came about from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. This new credit applies to pre-owned all-electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell electric vehicles purchased on or after January 1, 2023 through 2032. The credit, which is non-refundable, is 30% of the sales price, up to a maximum credit of $4,000.

As with pretty much every tax law, lawmakers made sure to make the requirements for this credit as confusing as possible. Here are the main parameters:

• The sales price, exclusive of taxes ad fees, much be $25,000 or less.

• The model year of the car must be at least two years prior to the calendar year the car is purchased.

• The car must be purchased from a licensed dealer, not a private party.

• The buyer’s modified adjusted gross income (AGI) cannot exceed $150,000 for married filing jointly taxpayers, $112,500 for head of household filing status and $75,000 for other taxpayers, in either the year of purchase or the previous year.

• The buyer cannot be claimed as a dependent by someone else.

• You can’t claim the credit more than once every three years, based on the actual purchase date of the car.

• The credit is applicable per taxpayer; the IRS as of this writing has not clarified if both spouses could claim the credit within the same three-year period. (That said, in theory they could file separately in the years they claim the credit.)

There are other specifics listed at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml#requirements.

Another important detail is that vehicles are only eligible for the credit for the first qualifying sale taking place on or after August 16, 2022. In other words, a used clean vehicle is not eligible for the credit after the first time, after 8/16/22, it is re-sold for $25,000 or less. How in the world will we know if that’s the case? Ask the dealer. They will know. What this means is that two cars with the same make, model and features offered at the same price of $25,000 or less…one them could be eligible for the credit while the other one is not.

As mentioned above, this is a non-refundable credit. This means that if you take the credit on your tax return, but your federal taxes are less than the credit, the excess goes away.

But wait…there’s a solution for that beginning in 2024! Starting this year, the credit can be transferred to the dealer and applied towards the sales price. The dealer, in turn, will receive the full credit from the IRS. The only catch is that you have to meet the AGI requirements mentioned above. If you file your tax return and do not meet those requirements, you’ll have to pay back the credit with your return. Whether you claim the credit at the dealer or on your return, you have to report the purchase on Form 8936.

Let’s use an example:

George is single and decides he wants to purchase a used EV. George expects his income to be $90,000 in 2024, but his 2023 return showed $70,000 in AGI, which qualifies him for the credit in 2024. He goes to the CarMax website and searches for electric cars at a price of $25,000 or less that are shown at www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxused.shtml.

George finds a 2013 Chevy Bolt for $13,000 but it shows it has had two owners. If it was already re-sold by a dealer to the 2nd owner after 8/16/22 for $25,000 or less, it is not eligible for the credit. The dealer will be able to tell you if this is the case. But let’s assume the previous sale took place before that date. George purchases the car for $13,000 plus sales taxes, license fees, etc., less the credit, because he chooses to transfer the credit to the dealer. The credit is 30% times $13,000, or $3,900. Enjoy your used Chevy Bolt, George! (Let’s hope the car’s battery still holds a decent charge.)

Looking for information on NEW clean vehicle car tax credits? Visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml.

U.S. 101 in Ventura County is Designated "The Screaming Eagles Highway"

As you drive U.S. Route 101 northbound in the Conejo Valley just past the Westlake Boulevard offramp, you’ll see a sign that says "The Screaming Eagles Hwy 101st Airborne Division."

The sign was authorized by Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 54 (ACR-54) Screaming Eagles Highway: 101st Airborne Division, in 2003.

The 101st Airborne Division ("Screaming Eagles") is a specialized modular light infantry division of the U.S. Army trained for air assault operations. It was formed in World War I on July 23, 1918 and has been involved in every major U.S. war since then.

The 101st Airborne Division was instrumental in the success of the D-Day Invasion, the Operation Market Garden in Holland, in Bastogne for the Battle of the Bulge, in Vietnam for Operation Nevada Eagle, and in many other courageous missions worldwide. 

In recognition of the 101's significance for military personnel of the 101st Airborne Division, the Assembly designated the 44 mile section of the 101 in Ventura County as the Screaming Eagles Highway.

The sign was unveiled in September 2005. The same sign is placed on the southbound 101 just south of the Bates Road offramp on the Ventura/Santa Barbara County border.

Casita Valdez Mexican Restaurant Operated in Thousand Oaks From 1961 to 1979

(Image courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library.)

Louie and Dee Valdez opened Casita Valdez out of their home at 159 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, in 1961. It was expanded in 1963 by converting the garage into a dining area, then the adjacent home was acquired to further expand the popular Mexican eatery. It was remodeled as seen here in 1975. It operated until 1979, when it was sold to Henry Valdez (not related to Louie and Dee), owner of Enrique's Mexican Restaurant in Van Nuys. Enrique's Mexican Restaurant operated until 2009. Tipsy Goat opened here on March 17, 2011. And there you have the history of 159 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Sundial Memorial at Hueneme Beach in Port Hueneme

Just 25 miles west of Thousand Oaks is Hueneme Beach Park, a beautiful 50 acre park on the beach with a fishing pier, bike/walking paths, volleyball, picnic tables, BBQ pits, the Surfside Seafood snack bar and more.

24 hour fishing pier at Hueneme Beach Park

One other feature at Hueneme Beach is the Alaska Airlines Flight 261 Sundial Memorial that commemorates the 88 passengers and crew who lost their lives aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261 near Anacapa Island on January 31, 2000. The flight was en route from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San Francisco and Seattle.

The Memorial features a 36-foot diameter concrete plaza with a curving sand wall and seating area and a raised sundial in the center.

The Memorial features a 36-foot diameter concrete plaza with a curving sand wall and seating area and a raised sundial in the center. The monument was designed by by well known Santa Barbara sculptor James “Bud” Bottoms. The sundial’s bronze dolphins and triangular blade (gnomon) cast a shadow on the 20-foot diameter dial face oriented to Pacific Standard Time. Names of each of the victims are inscribed on individual bronze plates mounted on the perimeter of the dial.

The crash site is located between the mainland at Port Hueneme and Anacapa Island, one of the smallest islands in the Channel Islands chain, 14 miles offshore. Families of the lost passengers and crew dedicated the sundial as both a memorial to their loved ones and a work of public art in gratitude to the residents of Port Hueneme for their compassion and tireless assistance in the recovery effort. This is a touching and lasting tribute to those who lost their lives on this flight.

Access the Sundial Memorial from Hueneme Beach parking lot B off Surfside Drive near the gazebo. More details at www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=930.

BEACHES SPANNING FROM CARPINTERIA TO MALIBU

Throwback: Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Thousand Oaks

Lupe's Mexican Restaurant operated at 1710 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard for 69 years. Martha Zuniga opened the original eatery, Lupe's Mexican Cafe, in 1947. It was named after her 3rd daughter.

The popular eatery was rebuilt and enlarged in 1965 and again in 2009, when it was expanded from 1500 sq ft to 3100 sq ft. Martha passed away in 1997. Lupe continued operating the restaurant until the property was sold in 2016. When it closed, it was the oldest continuously operating eatery in the Conejo Valley and one of the five oldest eateries in Ventura County.

Today, 1710 on The Blvd is a mixed use property with 36 townhome-style apartments and Denino's Pizzeria.

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.