California "Poised" To Ban Rodeos

Above, from the 2019 Best of the Best Rodeo in Gallup. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first rodeo I recall ever attending was in Santa Barbara, California in 1977. I enjoyed watching the contestants. One contestant had an interesting name, Sarah "Honeybear" Hickey (see photo below), who was the 1977 Miss Rodeo California. 

The rodeo was held at the Earl Warren Fairgrounds.

Above, Sarah "Honeybear" Hickey, 1977 Miss Rodeo California.

Now it seems that the last remaining All-American patriotic spectator sport, the rodeo, is in the crosshairs of leftists California (i.e., Commiefornia). 

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that for former Golden State is poised to ban, or at least curtail, rodeos.

They begin with:

Earlier this fall, Alameda County supervisors officially banned the practice of “wild cow milking” — a timed event in which a lactating beef cow, unused to human handling, has been wrangled from the fields and brought to an arena.

There, she is separated from her calf, tossed into a rodeo ring, and attacked by three or four men who rope her, pull her tail, wrestle her to the ground and try to hold her still while one of them grabs her teats and milks her.

The move comes three years after the county banned “mutton busting” — an event in which small children are placed on the backs of scared, unsaddled sheep and try to stay on while the sheep bucks, kicks and jumps to knock the child off.

“It’s animal abuse,” said Eric Mills, coordinator for Oakland’s Action for Animals, an animal welfare organization. “It’s unconscionable to treat animals this way. Can you imagine if they did this to dogs? No one would be OK with it. So why is it OK to do this to baby calves, horses and cows?”

For those who admire a “western lifestyle,” a good rodeo performance highlights the skill, bravery and strength of a talented cowboy or cowgirl — a rider deft with a lasso, in control of wild, bucking animals, and laser-focused on a chaotic, seemingly uncontrollable task at hand. It’s this display of western grandeur, hard work, grit and sportsmanship that has likely made the Peacock series “Yellowstone” such a major hit.

But for others, the rodeo is a horror show in which terrified animals are chased around an arena, kicked by strangers, tossed onto the ground with potentially bone-crushing impact — all while loud music is blared and dozens, if not hundreds, of people yell, scream and clap from the nearby stands.

In California, there is a growing movement to ban — or seriously curtail — these kinds of performances. And lawmakers are stepping into the fray, exposing one more hot-button issue that is seemingly emblematic of the nation’s growing cultural discord.

In Los Angeles, the City Council is poised to vote on legislation that would curtail, if not eliminate, rodeo events within the city. Instead of banning particular events, the legislation seeks to ban certain devices used on rodeo animals — spurs, flank straps and electric prods — that can cause pain or injury.

I am sure glad to have left that rotten state. Leftist wackos have ruined most everything else within California, ruining the quality of life there. And now they are going after rodeos. Idiot voters have just re-elected "King Wacko" himself, Gov. Gavin Newsom. Pathetic!

To read more, go here. 

T + L: 12 Best Tropical Vacations in the U.S.

Above, Dolphin Quest at the Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that we're creeping towards summer, now's the time to start planning for a tropical vacation. Some places are already good, weather-wise, for such a vacation. 

Travel + Leisure has posted an article of 12 of the best tropical vacations in U.S. One of them is surprising, since it is in the desert of Nevada.

I have been to several of them over the years: Key West, Santa Barbara, Catalina Island, Hawaii and Las Vegas (yes, this one's the surprise). 

They begin with:

When you're dreaming of a tropical vacation, but both time and money are in short supply, you can find what you want without going too far. Whether you're on the East or West Coast, a tropical destination is just a few hours away. There are islands, beach towns, and resorts that will satisfy that longing for balmy weather, palm trees, and icy cocktails topped with fruit and tiny umbrellas.

Pack a swimsuit, shades, and sunscreen and leave the passport at home when you travel to one of these tropical vacation destinations in the U.S.

 To read more, go here.

Thank God I Wasn't Stricken In Commiefornia!

It's a darn good thing I wasn't stricken with a heart attack in Santa Barbara, California!

That city recently passed an ordinance criminalizing plastic straws.

California is unfortunately loaded with wacko liberal Democrat politicians and with feces, hypodermic needles, homeless people and trash rampant in San Francisco and other places, they concentrate on the evil plastic straw. Lunatics!

Above, St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center is in Twin Falls, Idaho, not in Santa Barbara.

James Woods On Straws In Santa Barbara

Actor James Woods hit it out of the park:

Santa Barbara Threatens Waiters With Jail For Giving Out Straws

The control freaks in Commiefornia are getting worse and worse by the day.

The latest is in Santa Barbara.

Newswars reported:

Santa Barbara, Calif., is threatening waiters with jail if they offer straws to customers. 

The city recently banned plastic straws from restaurants, bars and other food establishments in what officials claim is an environmental crackdown through the use of social engineering. 

“Prohibiting the provision of plastic beverage straws, and restricting the provision of plastic stirrers and cutlery in connection to cases where the customer requests the items will initiate a change in consumer behavior and will further serve the City’s goal of reducing plastic litter,” the city states.

Waiters will be given a written warning on the first offense, but on the second offense they will receive “fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), imprisonment for a term not exceeding six (6) months,” according to the city’ municipal code.

No, this is not a joke. This was even discussed today on the Rush Limbaugh Show.

The lunacy in Commiefornia seems to have no limits!

To read more, go here.

Clampers Invade Santa Barbara County

Above, The Beast all set up at the Clamp-out. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If anyone ever needed evidence that California is in a drought, they should go to Lake Cachuma. The lake receded to practically a puddle.

However, that didn't deter Platrix Chapter No. 2 and De La Guerra Y Pacheco Chapter 1.5 members from having a grand time at the fall 2016 joint Clamp-out. We must've had about 300 members attend the trek at Live Oak Campground in Santa Barbara County.

Glenn Thornhill and I drove in from the San Fernando Valley Friday morning and got to the site at about 12:30. Strangely, we did not see any signs indicating where the turn-off for Highway 154 was. We ended up going the long way up U.S. 101 to Buellton and headed to the site from there after driving through Solvang. Although it was "the long way around the barn", it was an easier drive for The Beast without any uphill winding roads to contend with.

The the islands of the Santa Barbara Channel were clearly seen during the drive on U.S. 101.

The weather was perfect, although a bit warm. But, at least we were comfortable at night. The Beast suffered a "minor injury" Friday night when Mr. Thornhill grabbed the screen door lever handle (photo at right) and pulled instead of pulling it down. It snapped off. I'll get a replacement tomorrow from Lichtsinn RV.

Along with the De La Guerra Y Pacheco and Platrix chaper stores selling Clamper goods, the store of the Peter Lebeck Chapter (Kern County) also hawked goodies (here's one of them). I bought three t-shirts, since most of the Clamper t-shirts I have are pretty worn. I am replenishing my ECV wardrobe. The t-shirts each have a pocket to carry my cell phone in.

The big talk at camp was the leaked 11-year-old badboy conversations of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Nobody gave them much concern it as they would fit in with ECV (maybe we should make Trump a Clamper). This week's leaks of emails of Hillary Clinton by Wikileaks are of more importance for media attention than anything Trump allegedly said or did ages ago. But you won't hear much about it from the partisan and biased media. The debate tonight ought to be a very interesting one. It is speculated that Trump will "go nuclear" on Hillary Clinton.

It was an enjoyable weekend. The next round of clamp-outs will be next year.

Here are some photos from the weekend:

Above, survival refreshments in The Beast's refrigerator. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, plenty of RVs of all kinds at the clamp-site. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Glenn Thornhill and yours truly.

Above, yours truly with a Saturday morning Brandy Alexander, a Platrix tradition.

Above, the gathering for Saturday's lunch. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, a Trump decal hawked by the Peter Lebeck Chapter store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, our group area is marked by the parachute. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Peter Lebeck Chapter's store. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, the Friday night campfire. Photo by Armand Vaquer. 

Above, one of the t-shirts I bought. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, more RVs. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Platrix Fall Trek

Above, The Beast at the Spring Clamp-out in April on the Keene Ranch near the Tehachapi Loop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This weekend will be the joint Clamp-out of E Clampus Vitus chapters Platrix Chapter No. 2 and De La Guerra Y Pacheco No. 1.5 at Live Oak Campground on the shores of Lake Cachuma near Santa Barbara.

The joint Clamp-out promises to be a fun event for those who are making the trek. XSNGH Glenn Thornhill and I will be there in The Beast.

Above, our campsite will be marked by this banner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It will be interesting to see if there's any water in Lake Cachuma (since California is still in a drought) and, if so, how much. I have passed by Lake Cachuma many times over the years (usually while en route to the Danish town of Solvang), but never stopped or camped there.

I did my shopping for beverages and snacks last night and will spend some time today loading up The Beast.

About 200 or so Clampers are expected to attend.

So, there will be a respite in blog postings while I'm there.

Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus Fall Trek Announced

Above, Clampers enjoying cigars at the Spring trek.

Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus has announced their fall trek.

They announced:

By Order of

Platrix Humbug Denny “Too Tall” Thompson

and

De La Guerra Y Pacheco Humbug Steve “What’s His Lastname”

The Brethren of Chapters #1.5 and #2 shall assemble

October 7h, 8th, and 9th

Along the shores of Lake Cachuma at

Live Oak Camp, Santa Barbara Territory, Alta California

If you are a brother in good standing of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, you can attend this joint trek.

If you would like to become a Clamper, you'll need to be sponsored by a brother. If you are interested in joining the Order by submitting yourself to the Hangman, contact me. The rites of initiation will take place at the trek and you will need to be at the clamp-site all three days.

For Clampers, details on the trek can be found here.

Satisfactory!

Reagan Ranch and Young America's Foundation

Above, the Reagan Ranch edition of Libertas.

Recently, I made a contribution to Young America's Foundation's Reagan Ranch fund.

As you are probably aware, President Ronald Reagan had a mountaintop ranch in Ventura County near Santa Barbara, California, Rancho Del Cielo ("Ranch In The Sky"). It was at the ranch, President Reagan vacationed and "recharged his batteries" while doing ranch work. This blog is named after Reagan's ranch.

After Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and he could no longer enjoy the ranch or safely ride horses, the ranch was put up for sale. Prior to this, President Clinton refused to have the ranch preserved and protected and the California State Assembly failed to act to do the same. Reagan's last visit to the ranch came on August 15, 1995.

Fortunately, Young America's Foundation bought the ranch for preservation and for future generations to enjoy and learn about the 40th president of the United States, much like Thomas Jefferson's Monticello and George Washington's Mount Vernon.

As one can imagine, the upkeep (and probably taxes) for the ranch are pricey and that is why Young America's Foundation continues to raise funds for the ranch.

Yesterday, I received a package in the mail. Inside, were a DVD, a weekly planner and the Reagan Ranch edition of the YAF magazine, Libertas as a thank-you for my contribution.

Above, the Reagan Ranch DVD.

According to Libertas, there is now the Reagan Ranch Center in Santa Barbara. The center is described as "a schoolhouse for Reaganism."

Above, the weekly planner.

The DVD is hosted by the late Charlton Heston and features son Michael Reagan. It describes what people can do to help fund the Reagan Ranch and the benefits their contributions would entitle them to along with a look at the ranch. There is one clip of the 1980 Republican National Convention during Reagan's acceptance speech where I can be seen in the audience.

They have a website for more information and contributing to the Reagan Ranch and the Reagan Ranch Center. To access it, go here.

The website for Young America's Foundation is http://www.yaf.org/.

How To Get To Reagan's Rancho Del Cielo

Above, President Reagan addresses the campaign kick-off rally in Fountain Valley, California in 1984. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Ever wondered how to get to Rancho Del Cielo, President Reagan's ranch near Santa Barbara, California?

Here's a hand-drawn map on how to get there by President Reagan:

Image: Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

The ranch is currently owned by the Young America's Foundation and the ranch house is being preserved as it was when the Reagans used to spend time there.

Timbers Of Pier Shelled By Japanese Used For Restaurant

Photographs by Armand Vaquer

Above, the plaque dedication ceremony by members of E Clampus Vitus.

The United States was attacked on December 7, 1941 by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The United States was also attacked on the mainland by the Japanese on Monday, February 23, 1942.

According to the California Military Museum website:

On 23 February 1942. the Imperial Japanese Navy's submarine I-17, under the command of Commander Nishino Kozo, surfaces shells the oil refinery near Santa Barbara. Before the war, as skipper of an oil tanker, Nishino had refueled there. The shelling does only minor damages to a pier and an oil well derrick, but creates "invasion" fears along the West Coast.

Contemporary newspaper accounts describe the attack as off the Ellwood oil fields 12 miles north of Santa Barbara, and report 16 shells fired, beginning at 7:15 p.m. on the 23rd of February 1942. Three shells struck near the Bankline Co. oil refinery, the apparent target of the shelling. Rigging and pumping equipment at a well about 1,000 yards inland were destroyed but otherwise no damage was caused. One shell overshot the target by three miles and landed on the Tecolote ranch, where it exploded. Another landed on the nearby Staniff ranch, dug a hole five feet deep, but failed to explode. Eleven other shells fell short and dropped into the sea.

Above, historical newspapers and photographs displayed at the plaque dedication ceremony.

The attack near Santa Barbara, California was the inspiration for Steven Spielberg's unfunny comedy movie 1941 (1979) (although the shelling incident was in 1942).

Above, The Timbers Restaurant is surrounded by Clampers.

The timbers from the shelled pier were retrieved when the oil company who owned it dismantled it. They were hauled and used in the construction of a restaurant located on land that was once part of Nicholas Den's Dos Pueblos Rancho by Ted Blankenship in 1952. Some of these timbers (measuring 12" x 18") contain shrapnel. The Timbers is located at 10 Winchester Canyon Road in Goleta, California.

The structure stood empty for 11 years before Santa Barbara restauranteur Sam "Shorty" Velliotes bought it and opened it as Timbers Restaurant on July 1, 1963.

On March 20, 2004, the De La Guerra Y Pacheco Chapter of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus held a plaque dedication at The Timbers, which I attended. The accompanying photographs are from the dedication ceremony.

Above, another shot of the plaque dedication ceremony.

The Timbers Restaurant is still open for business. So stop in for a meal and see some World War II history.

For more, see this article by The Lompoc Record.