What's the Deal With All of Those Signs Posted at the Swimming Pool

My kids get a laugh from time to time when they notice the sign at the public swimming pool that states, "Persons having currently active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water." 

The thought comes to mind, should one have had this issue, how many people would actually remember if it was within the last 14 days. Heck, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday and what I watched on TV last Sunday.

But the sign is well intended as waterborne disease is no laughing matter. Waterborne disease outbreaks in pools have often been caused by individuals with recent diarrhea; chlorine doesn't always take care of removing the viruses or parasites that can come from those with recent symptoms.

The requirement for this and other community pool signs comes from California Building Code Chapter 31B "Public Pools," Section 3120B "Required Signs."

Section 3120B.11 "Diarrhea" indicates the sign must have letters at least 1 inch high, clearly states what is noted above, and is posted at the entrance area of a public pool. Public pools include municipal/park district pools, hotel pools, water parks, swim schools, homeowner shared pools, apartment pools, campground pools, etc. One is thus not required to post this sign at your home pool (unless you really want to).

CDC ADVICE TO PREVENT INFECTIONS FROM PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

According to this source, the diarrhea sign and a variety of other pool signs were put into law in late 2012. Some examples of other public pool sign requirements include:

• "No Diving" sign for pools with maximum depth of 6 feet or less

• "No Lifeguard" sign when applicable

• Emergency sign with 911 and nearest emergency services

• "No use after dark" sign for pools without lighting

• Artificial respiration and CPR sign

• Pool user capacity sign (1 person per 10 sq ft in spa; 1 person per 20 sq ft in pool)

So you've learned something new. If you'd like to read the entire Chapter 31B “Public Pools” of the California Building Code, or any section of the Code for that matter, visit www.bsc.ca.gov/Codes.aspx.

DOZENS OF VENTURA COUNTY AREAS SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PLAY PLACES

4th of July Fireworks, Parades and Other Events Around Ventura County

America's 249th birthday is Friday, July 4, 2025! Here is a compilation of local holiday events and activities in celebration of Independence Day.

Fireworks Display Summary for 2025:

• Thursday 7/3: Moorpark, Fillmore

• Friday 7/4: Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Simi Valley, Ojai, Camarillo, Ventura, Channel Islands Harbor, Santa Paula, Santa Barbara, Woodland Hills

• Sunday 7/6: Agoura Hills (Drone Show)

4th of July celebration parades to take place in Westlake Village, Ventura, Ojai, Channel Islands Harbor and Carpinteria (June 28).

Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park

The annual Conejo Recreation and Park District and City of Thousand Oaks 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular is launched from the hill behind the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Best viewing will be at Janss Marketplace and The Oaks Mall parking lots. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Patriotic music simulcast by KHAY 100.7.

Other CRPD 4th of July events around town include a $5 family Pancake Breakfast and Home Run Derby in the morning at Borchard Park in Newbury Park, Concert in the Park at 5pm at Conejo Community Park and free swimming from noon to 4pm at CLU and NPHS pools.

Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks once again will be hosting a free viewing of the fireworks along with live music and family activities starting at 5pm on the 4th. Wristbands required to gain access to entertainment and activities on the rooftop of the parking garage starting at 5pm. (Two additional paid ticket options for early access available at THIS LINK.)

Independence Day Festivities at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park will take place on Wednesday, July 2nd from 1-4PM.

Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks at 200 West Bethany Court once again opens its incredible views to the public with a 4th of July Fireworks Viewing from its parking lot. Starts at 6pm and fills up quickly - they have free children’s activities, inflatables and more. BBQ available for purchase. www.bethanyto.org

Pancake Breakfast from 8am to noon at the Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge, 158 N. Conejo School Road. Pancakes, bacon or sausage links, coffee and juice for $6. Live music from 2-5pm featuring Unkle Monkey.

4th of July Essentials

Westlake Village

The Westlake Village 4th of July Parade and Party in the Park starts at 9:30am at the corner of Lakeview Canyon and Agoura Roads, culminating at Berniece Bennett Park.

The City of Westlake Village presents its 10th Annual Fireworks Spectacular Show from the Westlake Village Golf Course, with additional viewing locations available. Activities begin at 6pm, including family-friendly activities, music and food trucks. The show will start at 9:10pm.

Moorpark (3rd of July)

The City of Moorpark presents its 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Arroyo Vista Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road once again. A fun family event with festivities (games, food, entertainment) starting at 4pm. Tickets are $8 in advance; $10 at the gate. Onsite parking $5 (advance purchase only.)

Simi Valley

The Reagan Presidential Library 4th of July Celebration is back this year from 10am to 3pm on July 4th, featuring patriotic music, family entertainment, games, crafts and more.

The Kiwanis Club of Simi Valley presents the Star-Spangled Rock & Country Jam and Fireworks Celebration on July 4th at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 E. Los Angeles Avenue. Gates open at 3pm. There will be music, food and craft vendors, beer and wine, shopping and a free kids’ fun zone. And of course, fireworks! Event is free of charge but VIP passes are available.

Calabasas

The City of Calabasas is hosting the Lakeside Fun Run 4 and 2 mile runs in the morning and Summer Splash Party at the Tennis & Swim Center from noon to 5pm, as well as a pet show at 11 a.m.

Camarillo

The City of Camarillo is hosting a July 4th Fireworks Show at the Camarillo Premium Outlets again this year at 9pm. Park and enjoy the fireworks. Last entry is 8:45 pm.

Free recreational swim at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center, 1030 Temple Avenue, from 1-4 pm.

Oxnard/Channel Islands Harbor

The Channel Islands Harbor 4th of July Family Parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at Albacore Way, travels north up Harbor Blvd. and ends at Cabezone Circle, home to Marine Emporium Landing. Then from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. there will be farmers’ market vendors and other activities at Harbor View Park.

The Channel Islands Harbor will be offering activities and entertainment all day, followed by Fireworks by the Sea at 9pm on the 4th of July.

The educational tall ship Mystic Whaler will be hosting a viewing party for the Fireworks by the Sea from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. Guests will view the fireworks from Mystic Whaler's deck while they enjoy snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/MysticOceanAdventures ($55 adults, $35 12 and under).

Heritage Square Oxnard is hosting a 4th of July concert from 4-8:30pm featuring two bands. Table seating available at www.oxnarddowntowners.org/event-details/fourth-of-july-at-heritage-square-the-gamble-band-the-soul-revival-band or sit on the lawn and enjoy the music for a requested donation of $5.

Ventura

The City of Ventura 4th of July Street Festival and Annual Pushem-Pullem Parade are back this year, with the parade starting at 10am, street fest on Main Street and side streets with artisans, food booths, vendor displays and live music.

Ventura Rotary hosts its Annual Fireworks Show and Family Picnic this year on July 4th at the Ventura College Athletic Fields starting at 5pm, featuring a family picnic, live music, kids' fun zone, followed by fireworks show at 9pm. Tickets $12 ($13 day of event) for ages 13+ and $6 for ages 4-12. Family of 4 pre-sale pass is $36 (online only).

Ojai

The annual Ojai Independence Day Parade will take place at 10am on Friday, July 4th.

Live music and fireworks show will take place on July 4th at Nordhoff High School Stadium, starting at 6 pm (gates open at 5:30pm). Fireworks will begin at 9:15 pm. Presale tickets for the nighttime event are available at www.4thofjulyinojai.com. $13 (plus fees) adults, $6 (plus fees) for kids, $30 (plus fees) family of 4 pass. (pre-sale)

Free concert on Thursday, July 3rd at Libbey Bowl at 6pm featuring the Ojai Band.

Pancake breakfast at Chaparral Auditorium, 414 East Ojai Ave from 7am to 10am on July 4th hosted by the Ojai Lions Club. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for kids.

Fillmore

The Sespe Creek 4th of July Car Show, Chili Cook-Off & Cornhole Tournament will take place in downtown Fillmore on Friday, July 4th from 9 am to 4 pm.

The City of Fillmore is hosting its annual fireworks show on Thursday, July 3rd at 9pm at the Fillmore Middle School athletic field, 532 A Street. Residents and visitors will be able to enjoy the show from their homes and city parks. www.fillmoreca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=233

Santa Paula

The City of Santa Paula invites the community to a day of celebration capped by a spectacular Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular at the new Santa Paula Creek Regional Sports Park at Harvest at Limoneira (301 Harvest Loop). Festivities kick off in the afternoon from 4-8:30PM and include live music at the amphitheater, food trucks, face painting, lawn games, inflatable jumpers, and the City Corps Wagon Train. The fireworks show begins at 9:00 PM. Admission and parking are free.

Agoura Hills

There will be a fun Patriotic Drone Show after the free concert at Chumash Park on Sunday, July 6th (featuring DSB - Journey Tribute).

Woodland Hills

Valley Cultural Foundation presents a July 4th Extravaganza at 6pm, featuring live music, then fireworks at 9pm.

Carpinteria

The 28th Annual Rods and Roses Classic Car Show will take place from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, June 28th in Downtown Carpinteria, followed by an Independence Parade at 3:30pm.

Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara is planning fireworks at West Beach at 9 p.m. this year and there will be other festivities during the day.

Malibu

The City of Malibu does not host a public fireworks display but the LA County Fire Dept approves permits for private fireworks displays off of barges in the ocean.

Incident with Janye Mansfield's Six Year Old Son at Jungleland Thousand Oaks in November 1966

In November 1966, actress Jayne Mansfield was at Jungleland in Thousand Oaks with her three children, Zoltan (6), Miklos (7) and Mariska (2). Zoltan was attacked by a "tame" lion during the visit. The lion had the boy's head in its jaws before zoo employees were able to pry the lion off. Zoltan eventually recovered, after spending a month at Conejo Valley Hospital.

Manfield died in a car crash in June 1967. The two other adults in the car also died on impact. Her children were asleep in the back seat and they all survived. They were subsequently raised by their father*, Hungarian bodybuilder/actor and 1955 Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay. And we all know his daughter, award-winning actress Mariska Hargitay.

Mansfield sued Jungleland for $1.6 million, which is about $14 million in today's dollars. Jungleland closed its doors and filed for bankruptcy in October 1969. Zoltan received an out of court settlement of $10,000 from Jungleland in bankruptcy. (Note that while the Mansfield incident was not exactly good publicity for Jungleland, the park had already faced financial challenges with the popularity of newer theme parks, Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm.)

Looking to learn more about Jungleland? Stop by the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park, which has a number of artifacts on display.

More information about Jungleland at THIS LINK.

* In 2025, Mariska announced that her biological father is actually singer Nelson Sardelli, not Mickey Hargitay.

The Twin Ponds Conservation Area in the Conejo Open Space is Protected Land

The Twin Ponds Conservation Area in Dos Vientos is part of the open space lands of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and is protected by a conservation easement to the California Department of Fish and Game.

July 2014

January 2015

May 2016

The ponds were originally constructed in the 1920s as part of the irrigation system for agricultural and cattle ranching operations at Dos Vientos Ranch. Today they serve as important habitat for Two Striped Garter Snakes and larger animals such as deer, bobcat, coyote and mountain lions that depend on a reliable source of water. Migrating waterfowl are occasionally abundant, especially in winter.

COSCA and Fish & Game ask that we enjoy this scenic area but protect the ponds for the future and ask that we do not enter the water or allow dogs/horses to enter the water, disturb or remove any animal or plant or place any plants or animals, including fish, into the ponds.

To explore the ponds, take the Vista Del Mar Trail from one of several access points in the Dos Vientos area, including the corner of Via Ricardo and Via Rincon and the corner of Rancho Dos Vientos and Via El Cerro. This is a fun little hike to take the kids on and the ponds are only about a mile from the Via Ricardo/Via Rincon trailhead.

Twin Ponds? What ponds? The ponds are completely dried up as of August/September 2016.

January 2024

Late March 2024 - looking great!

Ten Things To Do in the City of Moorpark

The City of Moorpark has the distinction of being the youngest city in Ventura County,  incorporating July 1, 1983.

According to the Moorpark Historical Society, the city originated when land investor Robert W. Poindexter of Los Angeles and his wife Madeline purchased the plot of land that is now Moorpark after Southern Pacific Railroad announced plans to relocate its tracks Los Angeles to San Francisco route from the coast to Chatsworth.

For many years, Moorpark was mostly farmland, with dry land crops including apricots, hay and lima beans, then later, walnuts and citrus when irrigation systems were improved. Moorpark became known as the "apricot capital of the world" and held an annual apricot festival by the late 1920s

So where did the name Moorpark come from? Apparently, Poindexter named the community after the Moorpark Apricot. Simple as that. Heck, he could have named it Poindexter!

So in any case, Moorpark is now a full-fledged city of 12.8 square miles with a population of approximately 35,000. Here is a selection of over 10 things to do within the City of Moorpark.

• The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College is a five acre zoo housing 200 exotic animals as part of the Exotic Animal Training & Management program. Great place for a quick weekend wild animal fix right here in our backyard.

• Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park is a 3,000 acre wilderness area with over 12 miles of trails.

• Ambush Paintball and Airsoft Park

• Moorpark City Library

• Underwood Family Farms offers fresh produce, kids' activities, special events, farm animals and more.

• High Street Arts Center

• Poindexter Skate Park

• Tom Barber Golf Center Driving Range

• Arroyo Vista Recreation Center

• 18 community parks in Moorpark

• Take a tour of Apricot Lane Farms

• Lucky Strike Bowling Lanes and Arcade

For more things to do in Moorpark, visit the Do Something, Kid Fun and Fitness & Sports sections of the site. And of course the Events Calendar highlights daily goings on around the county.

A DOZEN FUN THINGS TO DO IN SIMI VALLEY

State of California Smog Check Program Requirements

I was about to renew my auto registration online as I’ve done mindlessly for many years, until I looked more carefully at the notice and I read the dreaded “STOP: SMOG Certification Required” imprinted near the top of the notice. I’ve owned the minivan for eight years and wondered, why NOW!?

The California Smog Check Program has been in place since 1984 and is administered by the Bureau of Automotive Repair, or BAR. BAR licenses independently owned smog check stations throughout the state.

THE BASICS

The BAR indicates a smog check is required EVERY OTHER YEAR as part of the vehicle registration process. It is also required when a vehicle changes ownership or when it is registered for the first time in California.

Every other year? That can’t be, because this was the first time I’ve been asked to do a smog check in the eight years since I owned the car, right?

The BAR goes on to explain that gasoline-powered vehicles, hybrid vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles that are model year 1976 and newer require a smog check, with the following exceptions:

• Eight model years and newer do not require a biennial smog check.

• Four model years and newer do not require a change-of-ownership check.

In English, this means you need to add 8 to the model year of your vehicle to determine when you need to start doing biennial, or every other year, smog checks. For example, my 2014 minivan needed a smog test starting in 2022. And if I purchase a used 2018 vehicle in 2022, it would be subject to a smog check.

SMOG CHECKS ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR:

• 1975 or older vehicles

• Eight model years or newer vehicles

• Four model years or newer vehicles changing ownership

• Electric vehicles

• Motorcycles

• Tricycles (OK, I decided to throw this in to make sure you were paying attention.)

• Diesel vehicles model year 1997 and older

• Diesel vehicles with a gross weight of over 14,000 pounds

OTHER

Wait a second, my 2014 minivan is eight years old. Why this year, not next year, for the first smog check? Because the state assumes that model years are released in the calendar year prior to a vehicle’s model year. So regardless whether I purchased my brand new 2014 minivan in 2013 or 2014, it is assumed to be one model year old in 2014. That means, it is theoretically turning nine model years old in 2022. Hence, the need for a smog check for the first time in 2022.

If your smog check passes, hurray! The smog “certificate” is electronically submitted to the DMV and you are on your way to renew your vehicle registration. If it fails the test, you need to get it fixed, or you can visit a “smog check referee” for a second opinion.

“But I don’t want to get a smog check!” Well, then buy an electric car or a model 1975 or older car. Or buy a new car before your car turns eight model years old. Or move to a state like Alabama that doesn’t require emissions testing.

Take Advantage of AAA Membership Benefits and Discounts

The Automobile Club is a non-profit service organization with over 51 million members, including 6 million in Southern California.  If you are not already a member, you should consider becoming one.

Basic “classic” membership is $57 per year (as of June 2025). Membership provides for up to 4 service calls per year, with tows up to 7 miles, discounted rental cars, emergency fuel delivery, locksmith service, access to AAA offices and services, free maps and travel planning, etc. Upgraded plans (AAA Plus and AAA Premier) are available, with enhanced benefits, such as much longer towing benefits.

But where membership can really pay off are savings on products and services.  Here are a few that really stand out (updated June 2025...subject to change).

• Getting a AAA rate on hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, and Best Western can save you 5% or more on your rooms.

• AMC Theatre Black Tickets good for seats across the country for $12.75, which is a 20% savings over average retail prices. Also save on tickets at Regal and Cinemark theatres.

• $2 off admission to the Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena.

• Save over 40% on admission at Knott's Berry Farm.

• Up to 20% off when you purchase advance tickets to Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach at an AAA branch and 10% off at the gate or online.

• Save 30% on a 1-day general admission to Universal Studios Hollywood

• Save up to 56% off passes to Six Flags Magic Mountain.

• Save 5% at the gate at LEGOLAND California Resort and up to 20% off of tickets purchased in advance

• Save up to 60% on tickets to Sea World San Diego

• Planning on a multi-day visit to Disneyland? Save by buying passes at a AAA office

• 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks at Dave & Buster’s

Hundreds more discounts listed on the AAA website. There's also a free AAA iPhone and Android app to find AAA discounts in your area.

So even if you don't think you'll need roadside assistance or towing, it could really pay off having a AAA membership.  Visit the Auto Club of Southern California website at www.calif.aaa.com/home.html for more information.