Free Concerts and Live Music All Summer Long Around Ventura County

We have before us another great summer of free (and almost free), live music throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas this summer. This preliminary list is GROWING! Rock, jazz, pops, R&B, reggae, Celtic, classical, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Classic Rock, Latin, Tribute Bands, you name it!!!

This list of course is subject to change. Contact event organizers to confirm.

This 2013 list is VERY preliminary and we will be making updates as we get them! Start marking your calendars for a great summer of music!

Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Newbury Park

• May 27 to Sept 2: Free Concerts in the Park in Thousand Oaks
• May 31 to August 30: Free Summer Concert Series in Westlake Village (Fri/Sat nights)
• August: Sunday Afternoon Free Jazz at Gardens of the World Thousand Oaks
• Starting May 31: Free Saturday Night Live Music at The Promenade at Westlake
• June 19 to Aug 28: Free Summer Concert Series at Janss Marketplace (Wed nights)

Agoura/Oak Park/Calabasas/Woodland Hills

• Sundays, 6/16, 7/7, 7/21, 8/4 Summer Concerts at Chumash Park Agoura Hills
• Saturday, June 22: Music in the Park in Oak Park
• June 2 to August 25: Free Concerts on the Green, Sundays in Woodland Hills
• June 9 to Sept 15: Free Summer Sunday Concerts at Calabasas Lake

Moorpark/Simi Valley

• June 15, July 20, August 17: Saturday Music in the Park Series in Simi Valley

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura/Beyond

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Make a Splash: Stay Healthy Under the Sun and In the Water This Summer

Make a Splash!

Stay healthy under the sun and in the water this summer - a reminder from the CDC

As schools let out and summer approaches, remember to stay healthy and safe under the sun and in the water. Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer in the United States, and melanoma is the most deadly kind of skin cancer. Just a few serious sunburns at any age can increase a person’s risk of skin cancer. We all share the water we swim in, and each of us needs to do our part to help keep ourselves, our families, and our friends healthy while swimming.

To help protect yourself and others from disease and germs, here are a few easy and effective steps to take this season:

• SEEK shade- especially during midday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight are the greatest during the late spring and early summer in North America.
• PROTECT your body- wear clothing that protects the skin such as a wide-brimmed hat to shade the face, head, ears, and neck; and wraparound sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays as possible (sunglasses safeguard the eyes from UVA and UVB rays, protect the tender skin around the eyes from sun exposure, and reduce the risk of cataracts).
• APPLY sunscreen- sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection. Remember to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, and toweling off.
• CHECK pools– before getting into the water, check the pool to see if it is at the proper chlorine level (1–3 mg/L or parts per million [ppm]) and pH (7.2–7.8) to maximize germ-killing power.
• KEEP the poop and pee out of the water while swimming- don’t swim when ill with diarrhea; chlorine and other disinfectants don’t kill germs instantly; mixing of chlorine with pee and sweat uses up the germ-killing chlorine in the pool and creates those chemicals that sting your eyes and make you cough.
• DON’T swallow the water you swim in.

Enjoy your time outdoors and in the water, and take steps to be healthy.

Here are some great outdoor activities in and around Ventura County this summer:

Beaches spanning from Carpinteria to Ventura

Beaches spanning from Oxnard to Malibu

4th of July festivities and fireworks

Water parks, splash pads and community swimming

Summer concerts in the park

Over 140 Summer Camps and Programs In and Around Ventura County

Calvary Community Church K-5 Conejo Valley "Adventure Weeks" Summer Camp 6/17 to 8/9!

Looking for a summer camp within range of Ventura County? Here's a list of over 140 summer day camps and residential camps and programs in the area. Actually, there are hundreds and hundreds of individual camps available. We've attempted to categorize the camps into 3 main groups; Traditional/Learning, Sports and Music/Arts, though many camps cover many fun activities all in one.

Know of more? Submit them here!

No doubt there will be some typos/errors on this list, so let us know if you find one.

Traditional Day/Overnight/Learning Camps

1. Adventure Weeks Day Camp at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, grades K-5 in the fall, June to Aug, fun trips each Thursday, www.calvarycc.org or 818.575.2257
2. America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, Junior Safari Zoo Camp, ages 6-14, various sessions all summer, www.moorparkcollege.edu/current_students/teaching_zoo/junior_zoo_info.shtml or call 805.378.1441
3. Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes, 10 weeks of camps in Thousand Oaks, Agoura, Calabasas, Newbury Park, Jun to Aug for grades 1 to 12 www.bgcconejo.org or 805.449.1309
4. Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme Summer Day Camps, ages 6-13, 3 locations bgcop.org/programs/Daycamps.html
5. Boys & Girls Clubs of Simi Valley "Summer Club" www.bgcsimi.com/p_summer.html
6. Camarillo MMA Summer Camp basic first aid survival skills, basic rifle safety, weapons. etc. cammma.com/category/summer-camp
7. Camp Calabasas at DeAnza Park in Calabasas for all ages www.campcalabasas.org/Summer-Camps-2012.html 818.878.0162
8. Camp Conejo Girl Scout Day Camp in Thousand Oaks last week of June for girls ages 5-11. Theme of camp is "Going for Gold" campconejo.shutterfly.com Campconejo@gmail.com
9. Camp Cottontail at Castaic Lake (previously Malibu), overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 16 www.campcottontail.com
10. Camp Funtastic day camp in Camarillo www.pvrpd.org/recreation/community/day/funtastic.asp or 805.482.1996 x18
11. Camp Gan Israel at Chabad Jewish Center in Camarillo in July for 2 to 5 year olds www.chabadcamarillo.com
12. Camp Helping Hands service/learni

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Remaining Trails in Pt Mugu State Park, Sycamore Canyon to Re-Open Tomorrow

Today the National Park Service announced that all major trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area burned areas in Pt Mugu State Park will re-open tomorrow, Friday, May 24th, including Sycamore Canyon Fire Road, the trail to the Danielson Monument, Sycamore Canyon and La Jolla campgrounds, etc., as long as the trails are authorized, marked and mapped. Expect some trail closures for repair intermittently. Here are some before and after shots of a few scenes in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Pt Mugu State Park.

View looking down Sycamore Canyon on May 5, 2013.View from top of Sycamore Canyon on February 10, 2013.

Another post-Springs fire view down Sycamore Canyon.Another view looking down Sycamore Canyon on 2/2/13.Boney Mountain Trail sign in Rancho Sierra Vista post-Springs fire 5/5/13.Boney Mountain Trail sign in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa on 2/10/13.Bench at Sycamore Canyon Overlook on 5/14/13.Bench at Sycamore Canyon Overlook on 2/10/13.

Free and Nearly Free Movies All Summer Long Around Ventura County

Stay cool this summer with several hundred FREE and nearly free movies in and around Ventura County and surrounding areas! These movies are at local movie theaters, parks, libraries and other locations!

Movies/dates subject to change. Contact organizers to confirm. List is preliminary...

Calabasas: $1 Movies at Regal Grand Palace Stadium Tues/Wed 10am (6/18 to 8/14)

Calabasas: City of Calabasas Movies Under the Stars, Fri nights (6/21, 7/12, 8/2)

Camarillo: Free Movies in the Park on Fri Nights (4 Locations) - 8 Movies June 21 to August 23

Camarillo: $1 Movies at Regal Palace Stadium Tues/Wed 10am (6/18 to 8/14)

Camarillo: Camarillo Arts Council Movies at Constitution Park (6/29, 8/17)

Malibu: Malibu Country Mart Free Summer Movie Series on Sundays (6/9, 7/14, 8/11)

Malibu: Free Summer Movies at Malibu Bluffs Park on Saturdays (6/1, 7/27, 8/24)

Ojai: Free Summer Movies at Libbey Bowl on 6/21, 7/19, 8/16

Oxnard: Century RiverPark Summer Movie Clubhouse $1 Family Movies on Tuesday mornings (6/11-8/13)

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The First and Only Netball Court in Thousand Oaks at Oakbrook Neighborhood Park

On the recent Mother's Day Sunday I was out and about with the kids giving their mother the ultimate present - peace and quiet. We ate breakfast and explored, but of course, the Conejo Valley. One park I hadn't seen for some time was the recently renovated Oakbrook Neighborhood Park at the corner of Erbes and Pederson Roads in Thousand Oaks.

This 14 acre park more than doubled in usable size last year with the addition of a jogging/bike path, grassy areas, basketball court, expanded playground area, restroom and even several horseshoe pits. I was thoroughly impressed at the upgrades.

Then we noticed something odd. The backboards were missing on one of the basketball courts! Wait a second...how could this happen?? Seemed pretty odd to us!

As my kids were laughing I noticed the large sign explaining the game of netball, a sport I'd never heard of in my nearly half century on this earth. Well, now I know a little bit about netball. With a little investigating on the Conejo Recreation & Park District website I learned that this is the first (and as of May 2013) the only netball court in Thousand Oaks.

CRPD has placed this sign explaining some netball basics to clueless folk like myself.

The seven minute video below proved extremely useful in providing the basics of netball, a sport consisting of two teams of seven players looking to score goals in the baskets while holding the ball for no more than three seconds at a time. Looks fun!

Nonprofit Cats and Dogs International, CANDi, Saves the Lives of Stray Animals

Cats and Dogs International, CANDi, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of stray cats and dogs through spay, neuter and adoption programs. Recently, CANDi funded chemotherapy for a cancer-stricken dog called Luna.

The Story of Luna from Nuvue Cinema on Vimeo.

Cancún is a world-renowned tourist destination which is lesser known for its vast stray dog population. In Mexico, many workers earn the equivalent of $4 per day and spay surgery is not feasible, costing up to several weeks worth of pay for the average worker. CANDi programs provide the resources necessary to address the stray animal issue in situations where local governments and animal groups are not in a position to help. Thousands of cats and dogs have been spayed and neutered annually as a result.

It was during a vacation in Cancún that photographer Tracey Buyce came face-to-face with the staggering stray dog issue. She knew she had to help and discovered CANDi’s founder, Galati, through an internet search. She was back in Cancún four months later, volunteering at one of CANDi’s twice-annual free spay/neuter clinics, and soon came on board as CANDi's official photographer.

Returning to Bonfil, Mexico with CANDi again in January 2013, Buyce spotted Luna, a neglected and skeletal dog. After gaining permission from her owner to give Luna up, she had her examined and diagnosed with starvation and cancer. Luna is currently undergoing treatment and chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Leon, and CANDi volunteers in Mexico.

Buyce made it her mission to find a loving home for the gentle dog and posted Luna’s story on Facebook. She received a response almost immediately from Jenny Witte, founder of Mamatoga, a parenting website and magazine in New York, wanting to adopt her. Buyce flew back to Mexico to bring Luna back for a homecoming with her new family in Saratoga Springs on March 18th. The touching result is shown in the following video.

Luna Part Deux from Nuvue Cinema on Vimeo.

Visit Luna's Facebook page here. See more of Tracey Buyce's work at www.traceybuyce.com.

About CANDi: CANDi’s mission is to save the lives of stray animals at international tourist destinations through advocacy, education and humane, sustainable population management programs supported and funded by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers. Founded in 2006, CANDi is the innovation of CEO and President Darci Galati, an animal lover with 20 years of experience working in the tourism industry. "CANDi’s programs are viable, long-term solutions to animal overpopulation in resort areas that can be copied and applied worldwide,” says Galati, whose organization is supported by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers. For more information about CANDi visit www.candiinternational.org.

Elderly Oklahoma Tornado Survivor Discovers Pet Dog Alive During Television Interview

The tornado that devastated Moore, Oklahoma has been terrifying to see. This interview with an elderly woman who survived the tornado is touching in several respects. She is asked what it was like during the tornado; she says she was sitting on a stool with her dog in her arms in a small bathroom. Before she knew it she was lying in rubble. She called for her little dog and indicates the dog is missing and somewhere in the rubble.

The interviewer then asks "Are you able to comprehend yet what happened here?" and I love the woman's response, given with a grin "I know exactly what happened here. Exactly." Then "What do you think of all this, this is your neighborhood...I can't imagine.." and her reply "This is life in the big city." Literally a second later they discover the woman's dog, a little black terrier, alive in the rubble, to the joy of this woman and to all of us.

Blue Star Museums Program Free Admission to Active Duty Military at 1,800+ Museums

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 27, through Labor Day, September 2, 2013.

Free admission is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military  - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.

Local area museums in Ventura County, Santa Barbara and nearby areas that are participating in the Blue Star Museums program include:

• Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas
• Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard
• Channel Islands Maritime Museum
• Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
• Santa Barbara Museum of Art
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
• Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula
• Strathearn Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley
• Museum of Ventura County in Ventura

For a complete list of museums participating in the Blue Star Museums program, visit www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums.

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

America's 237th birthday is July 4, 2013! Here's the annual list of local fireworks, parades and other festivities throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas that are planned for this coming Independence Day!

Confirmed fireworks in Thousand Oaks, Moorpark (July 3rd), Simi Valley, Calabasas, Channel Islands Harbor, Ojai, Fillmore, Agoura (July 7th), Woodland Hills, Camarillo and Santa Barbara.

Parades in Westlake Village, Channel Islands Harbor, Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara and Newbury Park.

Family festivities and fun all over the place...concerts, carnivals, swimming, games, tournaments, face painting, 5K/10K runs, etc.!

(Contact us with updates)

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 of the Arts in Thousand Oaks. Best viewing will be at the Oaks Shopping Center and Janss Marketplace parking lots. Fireworks start at 9 p.m. Call the Conejo Recreation and Park District for more information at 805.381.1247.

Other CRPD 4th of July events around the city include a Pancake Breakfast and Home Run Derby in Newbury Park, Concert in the Park featuring the Conejo Pops Orchestra and Free Swimming!

Janss Marketplace once again will be hosting a free viewing of the fireworks along with free music and family activities starting at 5pm on the 4th.

Stop by the 3rd Annual Miller Family YMCA 5K/10K, Classic Car Show and Parade the morning of July 4th in Newbury Park!! Kids fun zone, entertainment and more.

The Oaks mall will also be an official viewing location for the City of Thousand Oaks fireworks, with live music and kids' crafts starting at 6pm on the Muvico lawn.

Speaking of Muvico, there will be a free screening of The Smurfs at 10am on July 4th.

Ice Cream Social and Patriotic Celebration at Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park from 1-4pm on July 4th in honor of its own birthday and the Country's. Free barbershop music, ice cream and more!

Bethany Church on the Hill in Thousand Oaks once again opens its incredible views to the public with a 4th of July Celebration starting at 5pm. Free music, family fun, food for sale and some of the best views of the Thousand Oaks fireworks display in town!

Westlake Village

The 44th Annual 4th of July Parade starts at 9:45am followed by music, inflatables, games, popsicles, etc. at Berniece Bennett Park until noon. Boy Scout pancake breakfast before the parade!

Moorpark (3rd of July!)

The City of Moorpark presents its 3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza at Arroyo Vista Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. Gates open at 3:45 p.m. $5 per person. Food booths, games and

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Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks is a Perennial Family Favorite

On a recent visit to Conejo Creek Park North, located at 1379 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, we were surprised when we found dozens and dozens of koi in the lower pond area, cohabitating with the ducks.

Where did they come from? We don't know, but there are sure fun to watch.

Conejo Creek Park North is one of the nicest, widest appealing parks throughout Ventura County. You get almost everything at this park. This 44 acre park has two ponds with a stream connecting them, two separate play areas, a beach-style volleyball courts, a NEOS game, multiple large, shaded picnic areas. a fitness trail about 2/3rds of a mile that circles the park, plenty of shade trees and multiple large, grassy areas. Something for everyone.

Topping it off is the fact that the park is adjacent to the beautiful Thousand Oaks Library, Goebel Senior Center and Thousand Oaks Teen Center. We often park at the library, check out some books, then walk, scooter or ride across a bridge to the park. It is a great way to spend the day.

Conejo Creek Park North is extremely popular for larger events on the upper grass area adjacent to the largest picnic structure. There is plenty of parking available. And in the middle of the park is a jungle-like trail area that I enjoy exploring with the kids. We also see birthday party celebrations here pretty much every weekend that we visit.

To learn more about Conejo Creek Park North, visit the Conejo Recreation and Park District website at www.crpd.org. To learn about other parks we enjoy in and around Ventura County, click THIS LINK.

Non-Profit Mi Casa de Angeles Improves the Lives of Impoverished Children in Peru

In 2009, Westlake Village resident Gabriella Brignardello founded Mi Casa de Angeles, a non-profit organization with a mission of improving education and empowering children in impoverished areas throughout Peru. At the time, Gabriella was a 15 year old La Reina High School student with family ties to Peru through her father, who is originally from Lima. Now 18 and a freshman at Stanford University, Gabriella continues to be inspired to make a difference in the lives of Peruvian children in need.

Mi Casa de Angeles Founder/CEO Gabriella Brignardello with Peruvian children.

To date, Mi Casa de Angeles has raised over $100,000 in the United States through various fundraising events and an additional $50,000 with partners in Peru. The organization has launched two projects in Peru. A pilot program was initiated in August 2012 involving sponsorship of a highly trained teacher through Enseña Perú (Teach Peru) serving impoverished students that cannot afford private education.

More recently, the organization broke ground in the construction of a nursery/preschool in the shantytown of Pachacutec in Lima.  Mi Casa de Angeles is working with two Peruvian non-profits, Sembrando Juntos and Lincos, to provide local children, ages 0 to 5, with a higher quality of education. The video below provides insight into this worthy endeavorr.

Groundbreaking Ceremony of the First School – March, 2013 from Mi Casa de Angeles

To learn more about Mi Casa de Angeles and how you can help, visit www.micasadeangeles.org. In the Events section of the site do take a look at the annual Benefit Fashion Show in Westlake Village, planned in late June.

Nottingham Festival Renaissance Faire Coming to Ventura County in Summer 2014

Nottingham Festival is a traditional Renaissance Faire, Elizabethan Village & Marketplace, coming to Ventura County in late summer 2014.

The Nottingham Festival has been in development for no less than 12 years! Since the Renaissance Pleasure Faire left Agoura moved to San Bernardino and then Irwindale, there has been a desire to bring a more accessible regional faire back to Ventura County.

A group of dedicated volunteers from the community, along with Actors' Repertory Theatre of Simi and the non profit Simi Valley Cultural Association, is making that dream a reality.

In late summer of 2014, the Nottingham Festival will recreate the magic and revelry of an Elizabethan field and marketplace, replete with actors, vendors of various goods and merchandise, strolling musicians and jugglers, horse tournaments and special events, plus several theatrical stages featuring children's theatre, exotic dancers, musical performers, a community theatre stage and of course, more bawdy offerings such as "Gammer Gurton's Needle" for the adults.

During the week, the reenactors will offer field trips for school children who will be able to experience first hand (and hands-on) the lifestyle and handicrafts of the 16th Century.

To learn more about the festival, visit its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NottinghamFestival.

Farmers' Markets and Farm Fresh Produce Around Ventura County

Looking for fresh produce in Ventura County? "Lettuce" help you! There are over 15 farmers' markets in and around Ventura County throughout each week, not to mention another dozen or so stores and Community Supported Agriculture programs that sell organic produce.

Times, dates and places subject to change. Let us know of any updates!

FARMERS' MARKETS (In "day of the week" order)

VENTURA: Wednesdays 9 am to 1 pm at Pacific View Mall in front of Red Robin. Call 805.529.6266. www.vccfarmersmarkets.com/Ventura_(Midtown).html

OXNARD: Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm at Plaza Park (5th and C Streets). Call 805.643.6458. www.coastalpacific.info/oxnard.php

THOUSAND OAKS: Thursdays 1:30 pm to 6 pm at the Oaks Shopping Center east parking lot. Produce, flowers, food and more! www.vccfarmersmarkets.com/Thousand_Oaks.html

VENTURA: Thursdays 3pm to 7pm at Ventura Community Park, 901 South Kimball Road (previously located at Ventura Moose Lodge) Visit the East Ventura FM website at theharvestgathering.vpweb.com for more info.

MOORPARK: Fridays 2 pm to 7 pm at Miller Parkway and Los Angeles Avenue (Village at Moorpark Shopping Center - Petco and Staples parking lot) (805) 290-5670

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Portions of Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park Opened This Morning

As announced yesterday, the National Park Service has opened certain sections of Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park this morning. Due to the extensive fire damage to roughly 70% of the 1,170 acres, most areas will not be initially be accessible. The public will not have access into Sycamore Canyon, the "Waterfall," Danielson Monument and other areas until the National Park Service deems these areas suitable and safe. I explored the area early this morning and indeed, under the cloud cover, there was much devastation to be seen...though no structural damage that I could see other than this bench overlooking Upper Sycamore Canyon.

This bench overlooking Upper Sycamore Canyon put up a good fight.Danielson Road trail to the Waterfall, Monument and Boney Mountain Wilderness is currently closed, though Hidden Valley Overlook to the left is accessible.A bit of cloud cover in Newbury Park this morning after two blistering hot days.Scenes from the Hidden Valley Overlook trail amid charred hills.

More photos on the CVG Facebook page at THIS LINK.