Registering to Vote in California Takes Just a Couple of Minutes Online

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The 2016 primary election took place this past Tuesday, June 7th. The U.S. Presidential election is Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

There are currently 412,924 registered voters in Ventura County, consisting of 138,663 Republicans, 169,759 Democrats, 84,615 Non Partisan and 19,887 Other. Turnout for the primary election was 47.76% (updated), which is actually a significant improvement over the Presidential primary in 2012 at 32.9%. But inversely, of course, it means that a majority of registered voters in Ventura County still did NOT vote in the primary.

The estimated 2015 population of Ventura County was just over 850,000, with roughly 70% age 18 and older. This translates into roughly 600,000 residents eligible to vote in Ventura County, This means that for every two registered voters in Ventura County, there is one unregistered voter. It also means that for every voter in the primary, there were two eligible citizens who did not take part in the voting process.

With all that said, it certainly is EASY to register to vote in California. You can register in less than five minutes online at registertovote.ca.gov. And you can also, as I did, re-register if you would like to change political affiliation, or perhaps change to "No Party Preference."

The screenshots below show you the process. You of course must be an 18+ year old U.S. Citizen on election day, a California resident, and not be deemed incompetent to vote nor happen to be a convicted felon in jail or on parole.

California Online Voter Registration - Home Page

California Online Voter Registration - Home Page

Eligibility (1 of 3)

Eligibility (1 of 3)

Eligibility (2 of 3)

Eligibility (2 of 3)

Eligibility (3 of 3) - If you want no party preference, click the "No" box.

Eligibility (3 of 3) - If you want no party preference, click the "No" box.

You're done! Easy peasy!

You're done! Easy peasy!

11th Amgen Tour of California Returns to Thousand Oaks at Stage 3 on May 17, 2016

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The 2016 Amgen Tour of California, presented by AEG, will kick off this spring in the heart of San Diego for the first time in its 11-year history and conclude in Sacramento for the first time. Competing across nearly 800 miles of quintessential California terrain from May 15-22, the course will lead World Champions, Olympic Medalists, top Tour de France competitors and other elite professional cyclists south to north for only the second time since the race began in 2006, with 12 cities to host starts and finishes along the way.

The 2016 Amgen Tour will return to Thousand Oaks for a fifth time. Thousand Oaks will host the start of Stage 3 at Amgen’s campus on May 17, 2016. This stage will finish in Santa Barbara, up Gibraltar Road to the finish at 3,997 foot La Cumbre Peak.

The starting line of Stage 3 is at 1 Amgen Center Drive. It starts at 11:15 am. After a small loop at the start of the race, it will follow Rancho Conejo Blvd south and continue to Borchard Road west until the cyclists reach South Reino Road, where they turn left (south) to Potrero Road east towards Hidden Valley. Then on to Westlake Boulevard/Decker Canyon southbound to Mulholland Highway down to PCH north. From there, PCH to Las Posas Road north to  Hueneme Road westbound to Ventura Road north, then West Channel Islands Blvd. Then, North Harbor Blvd to Sanjon Road, then East Thompson Blvd to North Ventura Ave, around Lake Casitas, then onwards to the finish on Gibraltar Road to La Cumbre Peak in Santa Barbara at an anticipated time of 3:48 pm.

In addition to the men’s event, top professional women cyclists from around the world will converge during the latter half of the race to compete in the Amgen Tour of California Women’s Race, the most expansive women’s event in race history. The race will be the first U.S. event on the first-ever UCI Women's WorldTour (WWT).

The Amgen Tour of California is regarded as the most internationally respected and esteemed stage race in the U.S. and one of the largest sporting events in the country.

The 2016 Host Cities for the Amgen Tour of California include:

Stage 1 (5/15/16) – San Diego
Stage 2 (5/16/16) – South Pasadena to Santa Clarita
Stage 3 (5/17/16) – Thousand Oaks to Santa Barbara County
Stage 4 (5/18/16) – Morro Bay to Monterey County
Stage 5 (5/19/16) – Lodi to South Lake Tahoe
Stage 6 (5/20/16) – Folsom Individual Time Trial & Women’s Team Time Trial
Stage 7 (5/21/16) – Santa Rosa
Stage 8 (5/22/16) – Sacramento

More details at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.

Amgen has been the title sponsor of the race since its first year as a platform for Breakaway from Cancer®, its national initiative to increase awareness of important resources available to people affected by cancer – from prevention through survivorship. To learn more, visit breakawayfromcancer.com. 

About the Amgen Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race created and presented by AEG that challenges the world's top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course that traverses hundreds of miles of California's iconic highways, byways and coastlines each spring. The teams chosen to participate have included Olympic medalists, Tour de France contenders and World Champions. Amgen Tour of California is listed on the international professional cycling calendar (2 HC, meaning "beyond category"), awarding important, world-ranking points to the top finishers. More information is available at amgentourofcalifornia.com.

There are 542.84 Miles of Roadway in Ventura County as of April 2016

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In May of each year, California counties are required to report any changes in roadway mileage to the State Department of Finance. This report is required per Section 2121 of the State Streets and Highways Code in order to apportion gas tax funds.

In a report to present to the County of Ventura Board of Supervisors next week, the County of Ventura reports that road mileage in the county covering the period May 2015 to April 2016 is 542.84 miles. This is 1.23 miles greater than last year's total (taking into account several adjustments).

That said, in its letter to the Board, the County indicates roadway mileage actually has no bearing on the amount of gas tax funds received under the Code because funds received are actually based on the number of vehicles registered in the County.

Go figure. www.ventura.org

Los Angeles Rams to Rebrand as Los Angeles Rabbits Upon Move to Conejo Valley

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Breaking News: After several months of speculation, the Los Angeles Rams and California Lutheran University announced yesterday that the team will be establishing training operations at the Thousand Oaks campus for a period of at least two, and as many as five, years.

Founded as the Cleveland Rams in 1936, the team became the Los Angeles Rams in 1946, then the St. Louis Rams in 1995 and of course back home as the Los Angeles Rams in 2016.

After 80 years, the Rams have one of the oldest team names in the National Football League. Out of 32 teams only six - the Cardinals, Packers, Bears, Giants, Eagles and Lions - have been around longer. 

With the move to Thousand Oaks, management decided to reassess the name of the team.

Thousand Oaks is situated in the beautiful Conejo Valley. The Conejo Valley was originally named in reference to los conejos (rabbits) by Spaniards who journeyed up the coast in the late 1700s. 

Rabbits are known for their speed, agility and strong awareness of their surroundings. Rabbits' hind legs are strong and they have the ability to adapt to a variety of environments. Rams, on the other hand, are basically male sheep.

In fact, what better name can there be for this team other than the Los Angeles Rabbits!? Ravens? Redskins? Raiders? Nah, already taken. 

Los Angeles Rabbits, welcome to the Conejo Valley!

Branding Expert Bunny Hopalot indicates this to be a natural fit. "Rabbits have a natural ability to multiply quickly," she said, "which is so critical in those 3rd down and long situations where the offense can feel burrowed in the proverbial 'rabbit hole.'"

Not everyone agrees with the decision, however.

Local resident L. Merjay Phud said "I weally, weally don't like the pwospect of the Los Angeles Wabbits inhabiting Thousand Oaks. With all this commotion it will not be vewy, vewy peaceful and quiet any more."

Happy April Fools' Day!

April Fools' fun in prior years

Los Angeles Rams Training Facility Moving to Cal Lutheran Campus in Thousand Oaks

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California Lutheran University has entered into an agreement with the Los Angeles Rams to allow the team to base its training operations on the university’s Thousand Oaks campus for at least two years.

The Rams will pay for and put in two practice fields, a paved parking lot and temporary modular buildings containing offices, training areas and locker rooms on the northwest corner of the campus. They can use the area for the next two to five years while they wait for their permanent training facility to be built.

The facility at Cal Lutheran will be the home base for about 130 athletes, coaches, trainers and other staff members. Regular season practices will be held from September through January starting this year, and off-season activities will be based at the facility from March through July starting in 2017.

The Rams plan to offer opportunities to the Cal Lutheran community, including internships for students, while their operations are based on campus.

The city of Thousand Oaks has already approved construction of the fields and parking lot as part of Cal Lutheran’s master plan, and the Rams will turn them over to the university after they depart. The Rams have applied to the city for permission to install the modular buildings and approval is pending.

While the Rams are based on campus, Cal Lutheran can use the parking lot during major events such as commencement. Cal Lutheran’s athletic teams will use the fields after the team departs. The university will also be able to use infrastructure built by the Rams for future athletic facilities it plans to add.

The region stands to benefit economically as the Rams players, coaches and other employees shop, dine, buy homes and send their children to schools in the area.

“We are excited to partner with Cal Lutheran to use their exceptional campus as the temporary home for team facilities that will be outstanding for our players and football staff,” said Los Angeles Rams Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President Kevin Demoff. “The Rams look forward to becoming an integral part of the Cal Lutheran and Thousand Oaks communities as we establish our roots in Southern California.”

“We are thrilled to be part of the return of the Rams and NFL football to Los Angeles,” said Cal Lutheran President Chris Kimball. “The Rams are investing in a major remaining part of our plans for the north campus and providing internships in a variety of fields to our students. It will be a great partnership.”

The entrance to the facility will be off of Campus Drive, and the entire area will be enclosed in a fence. The facility will not be open to the public. The Rams will remove the temporary buildings and fencing when they leave.

The university has a long history of partnerships with high-level athletic teams. Cal Lutheran hosted the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp from 1963 to 1989. The 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic men’s water polo teams trained in Samuelson Aquatics Center. USA Team Handball, Los Angeles Lightning basketball and the Conejo Oaks collegiate summer baseball team have also held events on the campus.

July to December 2015 Restaurants New and Restaurants Adieu in Ventura County

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Here's the latest compilation of restaurants in the Conejo Valley and throughout Greater Ventura County that opened, announced plans to open or closed during the period July through December 2015.

(Click here for previous 2015 activity.) Let us know of any we missed!

Restaurants That Have Opened Since June 2015

Parakeets In Big Sycamore Canyon

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A flock of black-hooded parakeets call Big Sycamore Canyon home.  As seen in the images provided by fine art photographer Greg Clure, more than four dozen of these birds live in the canyon. Twelve to fourteen inches in length with mostly green bodies with black heads and beaks, they are fairly large birds.  If you are fortunate enough to see one up close you will notice the pale blue wash on the breast and red thighs.

Mostly descendants of escaped or released cage birds, these parakeets now flourish in the temperate climate of Southern California.  You can typically find them roosting in the sycamore trees at dawn and dusk above the Big Sycamore Maintenance Station at the entrance to the campground across PCH from Sycamore Cove.  During the day they can commonly be found throughout Big Sycamore Canyon from the campground up to 5 or 6 miles inland as they forage for food.  They are easy to find; just listen...they are the loudest sounding birds in the canyon.

The southern entrance to Big Sycamore Canyon is in Point Mugu State Park, located a few miles south of Mugu Rock/Pt. Mugu on PCH. It is about a 15 mile drive from the Camarillo Premium Outlets and about 25 miles from the heart of Thousand Oaks taking either the 101/Lewis Road route or the slightly slower, curvy and interesting Potrero Road route.  Alternatively, you can access Big Sycamore Canyon from the northern end at several points along Potrero Road between Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Hidden Valley at the southern edge of Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks.  A great place to hike or mountain bike, the next time you are in the canyon keep an eye out for these brightly colored members of the parrot family.

See more of Greg Clure Photography's Fine Art Images of Nature at www.gregclurephotography.com.

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