Restaurant Rewards Programs and Birthday Clubs Around Ventura County

It's nice finding Kids Eat Free deals around Ventura County but there are also dozens of local rewards program and birthday clubs that give you something for FREE!!!

This list includes programs where you get something for signing up or for being a repeat customer...a free burger, a coupon, dessert, etc. Excluded are programs that do not provide an obvious freebie (i.e. only sends you promotional emails).

These deals often change, so click through to the restaurant website to confirm the deal is still good. Let us know of any changes, broken links or additions!!

VENTURA COUNTY AREA DAILY DEAL AND PRINTABLE COUPON WEBSITES!

Freebirds World Burrito

Fanatic Rewards Card: Earn points and exchange for food and t-shirts

Locations: Ventura, Simi Valley, Agoura Hills

Fresh & Easy

Friends of fresh&easy Program: Earn a point for every dollar spent. Redeem points in increments of 100 for $1 to be spent at the store. Basically a 1% rebate!

Locations: Various locations around Ventura County

IHOP

Pancake Revolution: FREE meal for signing up, on your birthday and on the 1 year anniversary of signup!

Locations: Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Fillmore, Carpinteria

Islands

Tiki Link: Free gift on your birthday and special promotions.

Locations: Agoura Hills, Newbury Park, Simi Valley

Click to read more ...

Suburban Primitive Paintings by Ronald Walker at Buenaventura Gallery Opening 3/25

“Bridge of Time” by Ronald Walker

Ronald Walker got started in art at Ventura schools and one of his paintings earned first place in Buenaventura Art Association’s 30th anniversary Open Competition in 1984. He’s returning three decades later — in BAA’s 60th anniversary year — for a solo exhibition opening March 25 at the downtown Ventura gallery.

"Suburban Primitive Paintings by Ronald Walker" will be on display through April 19 with more than two dozen of his 11-by-14-inch works in gouache on Claybord, a clay-coated wooden panel. Walker, who now teaches art and produces it in Orangevale, a northeastern Sacramento suburb, will travel south for an opening reception 5-7 p.m. March 29.

Walker left Ventura to pursue art studies, earning a master’s in painting at Central Missouri University and an MFA in painting and drawing from the University of Kansas. Walker has shown his works professionally for 33 years, garnered numerous awards in group exhibitions and mounted more than 30 solo shows, including one at BAA in 1987.

“I love Ventura; both my wife and I grew up there,” he said. “My wife still has a lot of family living there and we both have many longtime friends. I am at heart a Venturan (third generation). I rejoined the BAA to keep contact with the artists there.”

His singular style evolved from a quest to “paint what I know,” said Walker, after he observed “how many students seemed to be producing work that most likely had little personal connection to them, i.e. images of people hanging or being tortured. … I grew up in the suburbs and had not experienced war, extreme violence or any such thing.”

He had an interest in primitive art, he said, and knowing that humans and their problems have changed little in 60,000 years led Walker to explore what he came to call Suburban Primitive art, which is influenced by both the Dadaist and Symbolist art movements.

“Much of my work is autobiographical in nature, with some recurring themes such as flux (change), containment and a sense of mystery, wondering what it’s all about,” Walker said. “It serves as a type of metaphorical roadmap of my life which explores the inners aspects of my habitation in and movement through the suburban experience.”

Some personal imagery shows up often in his paintings, such as roads standing for change, fish representing freedom (and containment), and chickens, a childhood image dealing with both change and mystery.

Walker, the busy father of two, also ha

Click to read more ...

Things to Do Around Ventura County When It's Really, Really Hot Outside!

It's sure hot out here! What's there to do around town that will cool me off!?Looking for things to do when its really, really HOT outside!? This list of mostly indoor activities is somewhat random in order so take a close look and you'll find something cool to do in and around Ventura County.

Conejo Valley/Agoura Hills/Oak Park

• Gymboree Play & Learn in Thousand Oaks
• MB2 Raceway Indoor Go Kart Facility in Newbury Park
• Hitting Zone Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village
• All-Stars Athletics Indoor Batting Cages in Newbury Park
• MVP Indoor Batting Cages in Newbury Park
• Build-a-Bear Workshop at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• Make Meaning Store at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Agoura Hills
• Boost Your Average Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village
• Kids World (formerly Bright Child) in Oak Park
• Hideout Indoor Playground in North Ranch (Thousand Oaks)
• Chuck E. Cheese's in Thousand Oaks
• Monthly Kids Club activities at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• Monarchs Gym in Newbury Park and Agoura
• My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Thousand Oaks
• The Play Destination Indoor Playground in Agoura (ages 0-6)

Click to read more ...

Purchase a Snoopy License Plate to Support California Museums

The California Association of Museums (CAM) recently announced a new program called the Snoopy Plate initiative! CAM has partnered with the California DMV to issue a special license plate featuring Snoopy, the world's favorite beagle. Snoopy license plates are now on sale at www.snoopyplate.com.

Proceeds from the official Snoopy license plate will support California’s museums through a new competitive grant program.

Each plate will feature a reproduction of an original Snoopy drawing by PEANUTS creator Charles M. Schulz. Snoopy will be doing his happy dance, probably in anticipation of a visit to a local museum in and around Ventura County (and other parts of California).

Sequential Snoopy license plates are just $50. Personalized plates are $98. Once 7,500 applications have been received, the DMV will put the plates into production and, voilà, a Snoopy license plate and museum grant program are ours!

So, don’t hesitate! Go to www.snoopyplate.com today to sign up for your Snoopy license plate, or to get more information. And, ask your friends and family to help us achieve this goal.

Learn more about the California Cultural and Historical Endowment Program Snoopy Plate initiative at resources.ca.gov/cche/SnoopyPlate.html.

Thousand Oaks Charity "The Greater Contribution" Raises Funds to Fight Poverty Around the World

The Greater Contribution (TGC) is a Thousand Oaks based non-profit organization founded in 2006 by four women seeking to make a "greater contribution" to the world. It is an all-volunteer group that works to raise funds to fight poverty and raise awareness of the issues relating to poor people worldwide.

TGC provides "micro loans" ($50 to $300) to the world's poorest women and their families to enable them to create or expand a small business.  In many of the poorest countries of the world, these businesses are the only way families can work their way out of poverty.  Loans are repaid every 90-120 days and the money is loaned out over and over again, thus multiplying the number of people who can begin the journey out of poverty.

I spoke with Karon Wright, President, Executive Director and Co-Founder of TGC:

Micro loan borrower displays her new chicken coop!Who does TGC help? Those in the most impoverished nations of the world -- those struggling to live on less than the equivalent of $2/day. Our mission is to be a leader in the worldwide movement to eliminate extreme poverty by 2015.

How do you channel money to those in need and how does the money get repaid?  The money is transmitted to a monitored bank account in East Africa.  The loans are repaid every six months to the same account through our program director.

How else does TGC help these people?  TGC and our local partner on the ground in Uganda, Women’s Microfinance Initiative, will send a group of student interns there this month,  taking laptop computers and installing an internet café.   We are making grant applications to obtain funding for a nurse to be available in this remote village several days a week to provide badly needed health care. TGC will soon be selling aprons, handbags and jewelry made by the women of Buyobo. The women borrowers have been able to save money for a foundation for a new school.  The economy of the entire region has improved.

Another borrower with her pots.How many people do you help and where?  We focus on the countries in greatest need – those in East Africa.  Since inception, TGC has funded over 7,500 micro loans, benefiting over 39,000 people!

Why do you choose women entrepreneurs? We grant loans to women entrepreneurs because women are the hardest hit by poverty -- 70% of those living in dire poverty are women and because once a woman gets a micro loan and establishes a small business, her husband and children typically get involved.  So, we are really loaning to the whole family.

How can people help?  People can visit www.GreaterContribution.org to donate and to find other ways that they can help.

The Greater Contribution is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Favorite Kids Activities Around Ventura County as Voted by CVG Facebook Fans

Yes, it actually rained here in the Conejo Valley last week!

Last Sunday, we ran a drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page and asked entrants to indicate their favorite activity with the kids around town. On that rainy Sunday we had quite a bit of response. So with no further ado, let us highlight activities receiving the highest number of mentions. Do take note that the question was asked in open-ended fashion; we did not mention any of the hundreds of kids' activities compiled here on Conejo Valley Guide.

In the upper echelons of popularity, the most frequently noted family favorite activities were <drum roll> Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark, the Thousand Oaks Library, Sky High Sports in Camarillo, the Santa Barbara Zoo and local parks. Underwood was the clear top mentioned activity, with the others close on its heels. Some of the specific parks called out included Conejo Creek Park North (including the popular duck pond), Thousand Oaks Community Park (near TOHS) and specifically the "Ant Hill" at that park, Borchard Park in Newbury Park and Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.

The Ant Hill at Thousand Oaks Community Park. Bring cardboard to slide down on!

The following activities were mentioned by CVG followers at least several times: Scooter's Jungle in Simi Valley, hiking and nature trails, Paint A Dream at the Simi Valley Town Center, the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, Lazertag Extreme in Simi Valley, Chuck E. Cheese's, Oak Park Community Park Duck Pond and Splash Pad, Rockin' Kids Play Center at the Simi Valley Town Center and Kids World (formerly Bright Child) in Oak Park. Also called out by several parents as a great activity was the Conejo Youth Basketball Association.

Other mentions by the family friendly Facebook crowd included bowling, Lowe's/Home Depot kids' workshops, Gardens of the World in Thousand Oaks, My Gym Thousand Oaks, Kids Club at The Oaks, Pump It Up Ventura, Kidspace Children's Museum in Pasadena, Create Studio in Westlake Village, Gymboree, Reagan Library, Camarillo Airport (the Waypoint Cafe is a great place to dine and see the planes) and Patriot Airsoft in Newbury Park.

Rounding out the list are Clubhouse Fun Zone in Ventura, playground at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, horseback riding, the beach, Ventura Harbor Village, Wildwood Park, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, playground at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch, California ScienCenter in Los Angeles, Make Meaning at The Oaks, Conejo Rec & Park District programs, geocaching, We Rock the Spectrum in Agoura Hills, Gull Wings Children's Museum in Oxnard and the Kids' Adventure Garden in Thousand Oaks.

Who doesn't love "Cosmic Bowling" pictured here at Harley's Bowl Camarillo. Especially with the bumpers up!

Underwood Family Farms				IIIIIIIIIII
Thousand Oaks Library				IIIIIIIII
Sky High Camarillo				IIIIIIII
Santa Barbara Zoo				IIIIIII
Local Parks				IIIIIII

Daylight Saving Time is Back Again on the 2nd Sunday of March

Daylight Saving** Time is coming back again! Yes, this will take place on Sunday, March 9th, 2014, at 1:59 a.m. When the clock strikes 2 a.m. that morning, you will lose one hour of beauty sleep. Daylight Saving Time begins in most of the U.S. on the 2nd Sunday of March.

So try to get to bed early the night of March 9th or you might feel grumpy on Monday! Especially when you realize it feels a lot darker that morning. But the good thing is it'll be a lot lighter out at dinnertime!

** Contrary to what many of us think, it is called Daylight Saving Time, not Savings Time. Make sure to correct anyone who says it wrong if you really want to get on their nerves. But the reality of it is that we're not saving any daylight, we're just shifting it around.

MY VENTING SESSION ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME :>

Easter Egg Hunts and Other Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County

Here at Conejo Valley Guide we have a special place in our heart for Easter fun! The bunnies of the Conejo Valley and surrounding Ventura County areas are planning ahead to make this Easter memorable.

We have the Germans to thank for the Easter Bunny concept, which came about in the 1500s. Hares and bunnies are signs of fertility and eggs signify rebirth. The Germans brought Easter traditions to America and it wasn't until after the Civil War that Easter became widely celebrated. Now we celebrate by gorging ourselves on candy!

Easter Sunday 2014 i s April 20th Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. As a result, Easter Sunday ranges from March 22nd to April 25th. So complicated!  Easter next year is April 5, 2015 for you advance planners.

Upcoming Easter season events and activities in and around Ventura County:

March 22-23: Annual Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark 

March 29-30: Annual Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

April 5-6: Annual Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Saturday, April 12: Conejo Recreation and Park District Conejo Springfest in Thousand Oaks

Saturday, April 12: Cottontail Day at Ventura Harbor Village

April 12-20: Easter on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark

Sunday, April 20: Easter Bunny Makes an Appearance at Ventura Harbor Village

Friday, April 18, Easter Hoppening Event at Malibu Bluffs Park

Saturday, April 19: Easter Eggstravaganza, Arts and Crafts Fair in Camarillo

Saturday, April 19: Spring Egg Hunt and Arts and Crafts Fair in Oak Park

Saturday, April 19th: Annual City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt and Carnival

The Parent Project® Training Program for Parents of Adolescent Children - Upcoming Ventura County Classes Available

The Parent Project® was created for parents with difficult or out-of-control adolescents between the ages 11 and 19. Parents learn and practice specific prevention and intervention strategies for destructive behaviors - truancy, alcohol and other drug use, gangs and other criminal behavior, running away, violence and suicide. Parents are self-referred or can be referred to Parent Project classes by officers in the field, juvenile detectives, diversion programs, court systems, mental health professionals and school officials.

This program is available locally in various Ventura County locations.  Many programs are free or charge only a small fee for a Parent Project workbook. Sessions generally are 10 weeks.

Some upcoming local Parent Project classes as of March 2014 are below. Providers and costs vary. Click the link above to register online for most classes, or call the phone numbers below.

• Simi Valley: Simi Valley Police Department is offering a 10 week session on Tuesday nights that began 1/14/14 through 3/18/14. Call 805.583.6219. Free ($20 deposit)
• Thousand Oaks: Thousand Oaks Police Dept is offering 10 sessions on Thursday nights at Horizon Hills School in Thousand Oaks beginning 3/20/14. Call 805.371.8362. Online registration also available.
• Thousand Oaks: Ventura County Sheriff's Office is presenting Spanish language sessions on Thursday nights starting 3/27/14. Call 805.449.2760. $20 textbook fee. Classes free.
• Ventura: Pacific Coast Center for Family Counseling is currently offering 10 sessions from 11/5/13 to 1/7/14. Call 805.794.0646. These classes do have registration and per session fees.
• Camarillo: VC Sheriff and Camarillo Police Department is offering Tuesday night sessions that began 2/4/14. No charge for sessions. Workbook $20. Call 805.388.5131.
• Camarillo: Spanish language classes currently offered Thursday nights that began 1/9/14 through 3/13/14 by the Pleasant Valley School District. 805-445-8664
• Moorpark: Moorpark USD is offering Spanish language classes on Tuesday nights that began 1/7/14 through 4/22/14. (805) 805-5151

Previous sessions have also been offered in Oxnard, Ojai and Westlake Village. For more details about the Parent Project program, visit www.parentproject.com.

Quicken Loans and Warren Buffett Team Up For the 2014 NCAA March Madness "Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge"

According to a post on WarrenBuffet.com, Warren Buffett's holding company Berkshire Hathaway and Quicken Loans have teamed up to offer $1 billion to someone who is able to pick a "perfect" NCAA March Madness bracket. Registration for the Quicken Loans Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge opens up on March 3rd.

What is a perfect bracket? That means picking the correct winner of every single game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament that begins on March 18, 2014. Berkshire Hathaway is ensuring the grand prize. I think they're good for the money, given the company has over $200 billion in net assets (assets less liabilities) as of September 2013.

The chances of winning are 1 in 9,223,372,036,854,775,808, which in words is nine quintillion, two hundred twenty three quadrillion, three hundred seventy-two trillion, thirty-six billion, eight hundred fifty four million, seven hundred seventy-five thousand, eight hundred and eight. This actually gives me some incentive to play POWERBALL, with its much better chances of winning the prize at 1 in 176 billion!

Is this really $1 billion!? Well, kind of. If you take the winnings over 40 years, you'll receive $25 million each year. Or you can take a lump sum of $500 million up front. I think I'd go with that option. Of course, if there are multiple winners, you'll split the proceeds.

Quicken Loans is also giving away $100,000 to the top 20 scoring brackets! They are capping contest entires to the first 10 million registrants, thought they may expand that at their discretion. The contest is open to legal, 21 and older residents of the U.S. and District of Columbia.

Follow the Quicken Loans Billion Dollar Bracket Challenge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/notes/quicken-loans/quicken-loans-billion-dollar-bracket-challenge-short-form-rules/10152185833560489 for details and official rules.

Upcoming 5K,10K and Other Ventura County Area Running and Fitness Events

"Race Day" by Camarillo artist Chuck TrunksStart training for upcoming 5K, 10K, half marathon and other Ventura County endurance events! We've made it easy for you to find a local race by tracking local events!. So go on, get moving, lace up those shoes and start training! CLICK HERE for local running/cycling groups and clubs!!  Training for a marathon...check out 26.2 Training Tips for Your First Marathon!

CONEJO JOE'S TRAINING BLOG 

Sat, Mar 15: 2nd Annual HOPE4Kids Festival and 5K/10K in Thousand Oaks

Sat/Sun, Mar 15-16: Coyote Backbone Trail 68 Mile Traverse in Santa Monica Mountains

Sat, Mar 22: 29th Annual Great Race of Agoura Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run

Sun, Mar 23: Healthy Kids Running Series in Camarillo (Ages 3 to 14)

Sat, Mar 29: Inaugural "Never Surrender" 5K Mud Run in Santa Paula (CANCELLED - TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER)

Sun, Mar 30: Healthy Kids Running Series in Camarillo (Ages 3 to 14)

Sun, Apr 6: Healthy Kids Running Series in Camarillo (Ages 3 to 14)

Sat, Apr 12: 1st Annual Run to Cure Brain Cancer 5K/10K in Camarillo

Sun, Apr 13: Healthy Kids Running Series in Camarillo (Ages 3 to 14)

Sat, Apr 19: Santa Barbara Chardonnay 10 Miler and 5K

Sat, Apr 26: Ventura County Heart Walk 5K Walk in Ventura

Sun, Apr 27: 2nd Annual Ojai Half Marathon, 10K and 5K

Sun, Apr 27: 8th Annual Gator Run 5K, 10K, Kids 1 Mile in Simi Valley

Sun, Apr 27: Healthy Kids Running Series in Camarillo (Ages 3 to 14)

Wed Apr 30 to Aug 27: Nite Moves Run/Swim Duathlon Series in Santa Barbara

Sat, May 3: 2nd Annual Run For Your Health 5K Run/Walk in Camarillo

Sun, May 4: 4th Annual The Oaks Mile and 5K Run in Thousand Oaks

Sat, May 10: 2nd Annual Santa Paula Police Memorial 5K Run/Walk

Sat, May 10: Mud Crazy 5K at Mission Oaks Park in Camarillo

Sat, May 17: XTERRA Malibu Creek Trail Challenge 22K/6K in Calabasas

Wed May 21: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Sun, May 25: Mountains 2 Beach Marathon and Half Marathon in Ojai to Ventura

Wed May 28: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jun 4: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Sat, Jun 7: 4th Annual City Impact Ventura Beachfront Half Marathon and 5K

Sun Jun 8: 21st Annual Senior Concerns Love Run 5K/10K in Westlake Village

Wed Jun 11: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Sun, Jun 15: Father's Day 5K/10K and Kids 1K Fun Run at Ventura Promenade

Wed Jun 18: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jun 25: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jul 2: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jul 9: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jul 16: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Wed Jul 23: Boogie Nights 5K Series at the Ventura Promenade

Sun, Sep 7: 2nd Annual Ventura Marathon and Half Marathon

Sun, Nov 2: Santa Clarita Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K

Sat, Nov 8: 6th Annual Santa Barbara Marathon and Half Marathon

Sun, Nov 16: 6th Annual Malibu Marathon and Half Marathon

Previous Events - Want to see what ya missed!?  CLICK HERE

For great running shoes from local businesses that know a lot about them, try the following:

Future Track Running Shoe Store (Agoura Hills)

Tri Running Shoe Store (Camarillo)

Road Runner Sports (Newbury Park)

Foot Pursuit Run Shop (Simi Valley)

Inside Track Running Shoe Store (Ventura)

A Guide to Free Fun, Food and Festivities Around Ventura County

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, the adjective "free" comes from the Old English "frēo," which is pretty much useless information to me. The more relevant definition to most of us is "not costing or charging anything." Now we're talking!

There are thousands of FREE things to do, see, eat and experience in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and surrounding areas. Conejo Valley Guide is dedicated towards unearthing these FREE things year-round, from Kids Eat Free deals around town to annual events.

Here are some links to FREE (and nearly free) dispersed throughout this website:

Free upcoming events in and around Ventura County

Free activities around Ventura County for all ages

Free activities geared towards kids in and around Ventura County

Restaurant rebates and rewards programs and Birthday Clubs around town

The popular compilation of Kids Eat Free deals around Ventura County

Free admission days at museums in and around Ventura County

National Park Service Free Admission Days

Free (and nearly free) summer movies in and around Ventura County

Local Ventura County area Freecycle groups

Not quite free but of interest nonetheless:

Daily deals and coupon websites for the Ventura County area

Metrolink Rewards discounts on Southern California attractions

Auto Club discounts on local products and services

Save money on local products and services by buying gift cards at Costco

Free Admission Days at Museums in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

The "Do Something" section of Conejo Valley Guide highlights over 250 things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, including over four dozen museums. Let's take a closer look at the museums on the list that offer free admission days. The information below of course is subject to change, so be sure to contact the museums first to confirm.

Historic Dudley House Museum in Ventura is open the 1st SUNDAY of the month most of the year and admission is free (donations encouraged).

Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park is open year-round free of admission.

Admission is free year-round at the Reagan Ranch Center Exhibit Galleries in Santa Barbara on State Street in front of the Amtrak Station.

Ojai Valley Museum offers free admission the 1ST FRIDAY of each month.

Santa Barbara Historical Museum offers free admission year-round; donations are welcomed.

Santa Barbara Maritime Museum offers free admission the 3RD THURSDAY of each month.

Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula offers free admission on the 1ST SUNDAY of the month.

The unique Woolworth Museum in Downtown Oxnard is free to enter year-round.

Channel Islands Maritime Museum offers free admission on the 3RD THURSDAY of each month.

Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar offers free admission year-round to its showcase of vintage cars.

Admission to the Conejo Valley Art Museum is free year-round.

U.S. Navy Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme offers year-round free admission.

Free admission at the Museum of Ventura County in Downtown Ventura the 1ST SUNDAY of the mo

Click to read more ...

Epic Footage of Hawk in Pursuit of Squirrel

I don't know who shot this footage and how they did it, but it is amazing. Hawk and squirrel playing a game of cat and mouse. Watch it to see the final score.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office Provides Useful Crime Maps Online

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office services the County of Ventura and the five contract cities of Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks, as well as unincorporated areas of Ventura County. There is a wealth of information on the VC Sheriff's website at www.vcsd.org, including the phone numbers for patrol stations.

One tool on the VC Sheriff website that I find to be quite useful is the Crime Maps. Crime maps provide approximate locations of arrests, calls for service and crimes/incidents by jurisdiction, in five-day increments going back up to 35 days.

Example Crime Map from www.vcsd.org website

As you can see from the example above, each incident is highlighted with a marker that shows, when you click it, the date and a brief description of the incident. Using the "zoom in" feature allows you to see actual street names on the map...however, as the VCSD disclaims, these represent approximate locations; actual street addresses are not included in the descriptions.

That said, I was curious one night when I passed a patrol car and sheriff's investigation van parked at a house nearby. The Crime Map sho

Click to read more ...