It is now official. Simi Valley has annexed Moorpark. The move will dramatically increase the size of Simi Valley.

The area of Moorpark will now be known as Mo'Simi.

The move is expected to benefit both areas with increased economic cooperation. Simi Valley now has a community college. Moorpark will benefit from the many businesses in Simi Valley. What do you think will be the best benefit?

Happy April 1st

I'm not sure why the producers thought this would be good for my blog but as I want to help production companies stay local here is their announcement:

Shop Simi Valley First and film in Simi Valley First?

When you shop local you keep your tax dollars help to pay for the services we all use. If you see a great deal this weekend post it on my blog or on the Shop Simi Valley First Facebook page. You don't need to register to post a comment here.

Here is an offer from Simi Valley's Tico's Tacos:

Here is a repost of an earlier entry I wrote on the subject:

When you buy products locally the city gets a cut of the sales tax. The Simi Valley City Council and The Chamber of Commerce have hired a firm to run an ad campaign explaining that and other benefits to local people.

I don't know effective the ad campaign has been and I haven't seen a survey showing proof the city has had a return on their money. I have been critical of the ad campaign because of my skepticism over the effectiveness of such a campaign.

Personally I can't think of a single purchase that I have changed because of the campaign. I shop in Simi Valley because I live here. Has the campaign changed your purchases at all?

Click here for past blog entries I have written on the subject.

Instead of just being critical though I have chosen to help inform the public of the benefits of shopping locally. In the past I have promoted individual businesses and now I have created a fanpage on Facebook:

Click on become a fan above to join the grassroots push to inform the public of the benefits of shopping locally. For those of you that don't live in Simi Valley I will post a fanbox for your city too if you create a page.

I am not involved with the official program and I am not getting paid to promote it. But I do believe we benefit when people shop locally.

Simi Valley City Council Member Steve Sojka has a unique meet and greet at the Simi Valley Town Center where voters can get a free haircut and talk to him about his campaign for mayor. I like the idea of informal and free gatherings where people can meet the candidates. Click on continue reading for the details.

For my hip hop fans out there which rapper has a song where he says people are so busy talking about him in barber shops they don't get their haircut? I didn't directly quote the song to make it harder to google the answer.

There are new blog entries below. This is at the top because Steve Sojka's campaign won a contest.

A few months back I challenged Steve Sojka's Music Team ( really just a campaign supporter) to come up with a music video that glorifies Simi Valley. I stated that their reward would be an entry on their campaign at the top of my blog for the entire month of July. His supporter, Kyle Quiroz, did it and now he their video is the top viral campaign video for a local candidate in Ventura County history. The video is getting close to 2,500 views so far. Click here for the earlier post on the subject.

I will be posting other entries during July but during the entire month there will be an entry about Sojka at the top of my blog. There will new entries but they will appear below.

Steve Sojka's challenger is Community College Board Member Bob Huber. Although I mix commentary with news and quirky posts I try to be fair to different candidates. That's where I need your help. What suggestions do you have for a challenge to Bob Huber's team? Please post comments with your suggestions. You don't have to register to comment but as always keep it classy.

Click on continue reading for Sojka's recent press release on economic recovery and the lyrics to the song.

UPDATE:

Here is a picture of Steve Sojka putting up one of the first signs of the November election season:

The company that put together the Shop Simi valley First Campaign has won an industry award for graphic design.

I put together a Facebook Fanpage to promote awareness of why shopping locally helps your community. If you become a fan you can use the page to promote your local business or to comment on businesses you would like to recommend.

My Facebook Fanpgae is not endorsed or run by the city or the marketing team that created the Shop Simi Valley First Campaign.

Congratulations on the award.

Thanks for reading my blog. I appreciate your support.

When you buy products locally the city gets a cut of the sales tax. The Simi Valley City Council and The Chamber of Commerce have hired a firm to run an ad campaign explaining that and other benefits to local people.

I don't know effective the ad campaign has been and I haven't seen a survey showing proof the city has had a return on their money. I have been critical of the ad campaign because of my skepticism over the effectiveness of such a campaign.

Personally I can't think of a single purchase that I have changed because of the campaign. I shop in Simi Valley because I live here. Has the campaign changed your purchases at all?

Click here for past blog entries I have written on the subject.

Instead of just being critical though I have chosen to help inform the public of the benefits of shopping locally. In the past I have promoted individual businesses and now I have created a fanpage on Facebook:

Click on become a fan above to join the grassroots push to inform the public of the benefits of shopping locally. For those of you that don't live in Simi Valley I will post a fanbox for your city too if you create a page.

I am not involved with the official program and I am not getting paid to promote it. But I do believe we benefit when people shop locally.

For the month of December I am turning my blog mostly away from politics and instead toward things that unite us.

When I was really young my Father took me to the Rancho Duck Pond and we fed the ducks. I don't remember much of that day but I was lucky my Dad took some pictures. Now that I am older I appreciate how awesome it is to see the wonder and joy in a child's eyes when they go to the duck pond. Thanks Dad, you taught me well.

Months ago State Senator Tony Strickland posted a Twitter message that he was at the Rancho Park feeding the ducks. Between playing professional basketball and constantly thinking of the next office to run for he is able to fit in hanging around Rancho Park. I have at times been one of the biggest critics of Tony Strickland and at other times I have complimented him when I thought he deserved it.

His Twitter message reminded me that although many of us have major policy differences most of us are dedicated to our local communities. The Rancho Duck Park might not be that fancy and it hasn't changed much in the last few decades but it is something that makes our town special.

If you have fond memories of the duck park please become a fan on Facebook. Then go over to Theresa's Country Feed ( consider this a Shop Simi Valley First Plug)to pick up some bird seed on your way to the park.

Here is a screenshot of Tony Strickland's Twitter message:

State Assembly candidate Jeff Gorell teaches a class at CLU and recently he invited me to speak to his students on a variety of topics including using technology to lobby for issues they are passionate to support. Student Peggy Zherdev believes that we need to promote breastfeeding more and she has started a blog as a way of sharing her thoughts.

Check it out:
Peggy Zherdev's breastfeeding policy blog

Please check out her blog and leave some feedback for her project.

Peggy, have you spoken to any local leaders on what they can do to support your cause? I would be interested in how much you needed to educate them. What local businesses are breastfeeding friendly? The Simi Valley Town Center Mall has great facilities for families. ( No, Mall Spokesperson Keith Jajko you don't need to pay me for that plug.)

Continuing with my one blog Shop Simi Valley First Campaign I want to share with you my favorite local bike shop.

In this era it is easy to get great deals on the internet but the thing that makes a local bike shop great is their service. Whether it is recommending local trails ( Next Campaign: Ride Simi Valley First?), fixing up your bike, or finding out about local events this shop does a great job.

Years ago two of us in our family bought bikes at from them. We could have initially saved money over the internet but over the years the service alone has made it worth it. All of the routine maintenance is free and done quickly to get you riding again. And if you break something you can expect them to see if they can repair it before they try to sell you new parts.

Thanks to All Pro Bikes I have never been able to say my bike is being repaired as an excuse not to ride.

Click here for their website.

Has a local business recently surprised you with a good deal or great customer service? Recommend them and encourage others to Shop Simi First!

( This video above is by a young artist that I know personally. If you need creative print or video done check out his youtube channel for samples of his work.)

Instead of just being critical of the city subsidized "Shop Simi First" Campaign I am going to go on a one blog promotion campaign for our city.

I am going to be reporting on local businesses that I frequent that either surprise me with good deals or great service.If you want to help by writing a guest blog entry let me know.

Here is my first entry in a long series.

I have seen the videos that Mike Chandler, the blogger behind VoteSimiValley.com, has produced but I hadn't bothered to check it out myself.

Well, I finally bothered to check it out. Towards the end of a hot summer day I brought my family in and we ordered a monstrous dish of shave ice ( I feel uneasy not adding the D to the end but I understand it is the custom to spell it that way) that was enough two adults and a little one for under 4 bucks.

That's a great deal from a locally owned and operated business.

Click here for Tutu's website which includes live streaming video ( creepy if you ask me), the menu ( more extensive than you might think), and a coupon ( the place is already inexpensive).

I have been critical at times over the City of Simi Valley spending money on a "Shop Simi Valley First" campaign because I remain unconvinced it is effective use of government money.

This blog entry though isn't on that program. It is to give credit to Simi Valley City Council Member Glen Becerra for using his campaign funds to help local businesses while getting some buzz around his own name.

Glen Becerra is often mentioned as a potential candidate for open seat elections for the state assembly, state senate, and the US House. People might say he is doing this to improve his own standing in the community and I agree. But that shouldn't be viewed negatively. This should inspire other politicians to think of ways of promoting our communities and themselves, instead of the same tired attacks and the same cliches year after year.

Compare Glen Becerra's ad with the recent op-ed by State Senator Tony Strickland titled " Nevada looks pretty attractive compared with California". I do agree with some of State Senator Tony Strickland's arguments but I don't know if we need the constant reminders of how the failure of California State legislators, including him, to compromise continues to drag down our state.

This is the smartest political move I have seen Glen Becerra do in the years I have been paying attention to local politics. It sure beats the time he helped Governor George W. Bush campaign in Oxnard as a new type of conservative.

The Great Timm Herdt, Ventura County Star Reporter, has already reported on this ad. Click here for Timm Herdt's blog entry.

If you want to help bring shoppers to Simi Valley click on the buttons below to share it on a social network like Facebook.