Christmas and Other Holiday Season Events Around Ventura County

Hop onto the holiday bandwagon and check out some of these dozens of events in and around Ventura County, most of which are FREE! Christmas parades, Santa visits, carnivals, train rides, holiday runs, holiday home tours, boutiques, nativity displays and lots of holiday music and entertainment!

This list will be updated regularly as we move our way through the Thankgiving and Christmas holiday season! Submit additions here.

Do contact event coordinators as things sometimes change! Also, some events require RSVP. 

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES:

• 12/5-12/8: Simi Valley Community Christmas Creche Exhibit
• 12/5-12/8: Thousand Oaks Repertory Theatre "A Christmas Carol"
  
• 12/6-12/8: No Room at the Inn Nativity Display in Camarillo

• Sat/Sun 12/7-8: Arctic Lights Event at America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College
  

• Sat/Sun 12/7-8: Cancer Support Community Holiday Homes Tour and Boutique
• Sat/Sun 12/7-8: Footworks Youth Ballet Performs "The Nutcracker" in Oxnard
• Sat/Sun 12/7-8: 2nd Annual Dickens Christmas Festival in Simi Valley
• Sat/Sun 12/7-8: Visit Santa Claus at Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark
• Sun 12/8: 6th Annual Holiday on the Hill Event at Reagan Library
• Sun 12/8: Holiday in the Park at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley
• Sun 12/8: Knights of Columbus Holiday Craft Boutique in Oxnard
• Sun 12/8: Winter Celebration Event at Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas
• Sun 12/8: Christmas Concert and Advent Celebration at UMC of Westlake Village
  
• Sun 12/8: Los Robles Master Chorale "Holiday Treasures" Concert in Agoura Hills
  
• Sun 12/8: Celtic Harp Holiday Program at Thousand Oaks Library
• Sun 12/8: "Gift of Winter" Christmas Concert at CLU Thousand Oaks

• Sun 12/8: 6th Annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Relay and 5K in Oxnard
• Sun 12/8: Outdoor Christmas Festival at Calvary Community Church Westlake Village
  
• Sun 12/8: Meadowlark Service League "Homes for the Holidays" Event in Camarillo
• Tue 12/10: Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Show at The Commons at Calabasas
• Tue 12/10: Master Children's Choir Christmas Concert at San Buenaventura Mission
• Tue 12/10: Pet Photos with Santa Claus at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• Tue 12/10: Livingston Memorial Hospice Light Up a Life Event at Pacific View Mall
• Wed 12/11: Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Camarillo Ranch House
• Wed 12/11: Hospice Tree of Life Ceremony at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks
  
• Wed 12/11: Holiday Tea & Tour at Reagan Library
• Thu 12/12: Santa Claus Make an Appearance at the Santa Paula Community Center
• Thu 12/12: Annual Festival of Lights "Sankta Lucia" at CLU Thousand Oaks
• Thu 12/12: Virgin de Guadalupe Event at Pacific View Mall Ventura
  
• Thu 12/12: A Charlie Brown Christmas with David Benoit in Thousand Oaks
  
• Fri 12/13: Gold Coast Concert Chorus Holiday Concert in Camarillo
• Fri 12/13: Village Voices Chorale Holiday Concert in Thousand Oaks
• Fri/Sat 12/13-14: Live Nativity Exhibition at Faith Lutheran Church in Moorpark
  
• Sat 12/14: Holiday Craft Party at Simi Valley Library
• Sat 12/14: A Fairgrounds Christmas at Ventura County Fairgrounds in Ventura
  
• Sat 12/14: Kwanzaa Celebration at Cal Lutheran University
• Sat 12/14: CRPD Jingle Bell Hike in Thousand Oaks
  
• Sat 12/14: 52nd Annual Camarillo Christmas Parade and Holiday Carnival
• Sat 12/14: Village Voices Chorale Holiday Concert in Thousand Oaks
• Sat 12/14: Gold Coast Concert Chorus Holiday Concert in Camarillo
• Sat 12/14: Los Robles Master Chorale "Holiday Presence" Concert in Newbury Park
  
• Sat 12/14: Photos with Santa and Cookie Decorating at Malibu Country Mart
• Sat 12/14: Free Photos with Santa at Hollywood Storage Center in Newbury Park
  
• Sat 12/14: 48th Annual Parade of Lights at Channel Islands Harbor
• Sat 12/14: Winter FUNderland at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum
• Sat/Sun 12/14-15: Visit Santa Claus at Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark
• Sun 12/15: Camarillo Community Band Holiday Concert
• Sun 12/15: Annual Las Posadas Celebration at Cal Lutheran University
• Sun 12/15: Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus Candlelight Holiday Show in Newbury Park
• Sun 12/15: Conejo Civic Ballet Performs "The Nutcracker" in Thousand Oaks
  
• Tue 12/17: Pet Photos with Santa Claus at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• Tue 12/17: Thousand Oaks High Schools Bands Holiday Concert
  
• Wed 12/18: Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Camarillo Ranch House
• Wed 12/18: Brooke White Christmas Concert at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
• Thu 12/19: Las Posadas Event at Pacific View Mall Ventura
• Fri/Sat 12/20-21: Ventura Harbor Boat Parade of Lights and Fireworks
• Sat 12/21: Winter Wonderland at Ventura Harbor Village
  
• Sat 12/21: Holiday Movie Extravaganza at Simi Valley Public Library
• Sat 12/21: Free Photos with Santa at Hollywood Storage Center in Newbury Park
• Sat 12/21: Santa and His Reindeer at Malibu Country Mart
• Sat 12/21: Moorpark Civic Ballet Performs "The Nutcracker" in Thousand Oaks
• Sun 12/22: "By Heaven's Light" Christmas Cantata at UMC of Westlake Village
  
• Sun 12/22: "An Irish Christmas" at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza
• Wed 12/25: Annual Conejo Community Christmas Dinner at Thousand Oaks H.S.
  
• Tues 12/31: New Year's Eve Celebration at Reagan Library

ONGOING HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES:

• Various: Local Schools Perform at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks
• 11/13-1/20: Holiday Ice Skating Rink at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks
• 11/15-1/21: Ice Skating Rink at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard
• 11/15-12/24: Santa at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard
  
• 11/1-2/17: Woodland Hills Outdoor Winter Ice Rink
• 11/29-12/15: Victorian Holiday Boutique at Dudley House Museum in Ventura
  
• 12/6-1/1: 8th Annual Winter Fantasy Music & Light Show in Downtown Oxnard
• 12/6-12/22: Elite Theatre Company Performs "A Christmas Carol" in CI Harbor
  
• 12/7 - on: Heritage Square Christmas Tours in Downtown Oxnard
• 12/8-12/25: Christmas Tree Lane Open in Downtown Oxnard
• 12/8-12/25: Historic Oxnard Nativity Scene Unveiling
• 12/11-12/19: 7th Annual Holley Trolley Tours in Downtown Oxnard
  
• 11/29-12/15: Christmas at the Farm at Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark
• 11/29-12/28: Live Snowfall Experience at Four Seasons Westlake Village Fri/Sat
  
• 11/17-1/5: "A California Christmas" Tree Display at Reagan Library
• Various: Holiday season train rides at Fillmore & Western Railway
• Weekends: Strolling Carolers and Brass Quartet at Camarillo Premium Outlets
  
• Through 12/24: Santa Claus will be at The Oaks Mall
• Through 12/24: Santa Claus will be at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura
• Through 12/24: Snow Princess/Snow Prince Shows at Simi Valley Town Center
  
• 11/15 to 12/24: Santa Claus will be at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard
• Through 12/24: Santa Claus at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks
• 11/29 to 12/24: Santa Claus at The Promenade at Westlake
• Through 12/24: Santa Claus at Simi Valley Town Center
• 11/7, 14, 21: Santa Claus at Las Posas Plaza in Camarillo
  
• 11/26 to 1/2: Reindeer Romp at the Los Angeles Zoo
  
• 11/30 to 12/31: Newbury Park H.S. Baseball Boosters Christmas Tree Lot
• December: Nightly California Sleigh Rides at Ventura Harbor
• Various: Special Holiday Tours at Adamson House in Malibu
• Various: Newbury Park High School Band Go Caroling Around Town
• Weekends of 12/7-8, 14-15: Family Holiday Fun at Hagle Tree Farm in Somis
• 12/7 to TBD: Awesome Residential Holiday Light Show in Thousand Oaks
• 12/8 to 12/26: Christmas Tree Lane in Downtown Historic Oxnard District
  
• Ongoing: Great Residential Light Display on Gemini/Waverly in Camarillo
• Ongoing: Residential displays on Walter/Brisbaine in NP and Gold Hill Cir in TO
  

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SPY Exhibition at Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley

Recently we stopped by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum to check out the new SPY: The Secret World of Espionage exhibit. This 12,000 sq ft display is a collaboration between the CIA, FBI and other organization to provide the public a unique opportunity to see over 300 historic spy gadget and documents. The West Coast premiere of SPY is right here in Ventura County at the hilltop Reagan Library in Simi Valley!

Check out how a simple coin has been loaded with a tiny poisonous needle meant to be used as a suicide device; or how an insect-sized robotic dragonfly, called an insectothopter, was designed to gather intelligence from the air as the world’s first miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicle; or what a fake movie script looks like that was created in order to rescue diplomats from Iran and inspired the movie ARGO.  See the actual cockpit from one of the world's nine remaining A-12 Oxcart spy planes. View objects like a KGB poison pellet-firing umbrella, spy cameras, tear-gas pens, shoes with hidden compartments, and even a hollow molar the East German secret police created to conceal a microdot in a spy's mouth.

Bring the kids! There are several interactive features to the exhibit too, including a laser maze to escape from and a voice disguise machine. And of course the rest of the museumis packed with interesting, interactive historical items and exhibits.

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.  Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  The Museum is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.  For Museum Admission fees, please visit www.reaganlibrary.com.  Museum exhibit tickets may be pre-purchased at www.reaganlibrary.com/tickets.  For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit www.reaganlibrary.com/spies.

The collapsible Welbike was designed for British Special Operations Executive and OSS Agents to use as a getaway vehicle behind enemy lines during World War II. It could be delivered by parachute and deployed in ten seconds. The Welbike could travel up to 30 miles per hour, and go 90 miles on one tank of gas. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)This family-friendly exhibit includes fun and entertaining interactives for people of all ages, allowing visitors to disguise their voice, disguise themselves, and go through an actual laser maze. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)

This KGB Umbrella, which fires poisonous pellets, was used to assassin Bulgarian defector and BBC reporter Georgi Markov in London in 1978. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)This optional CIA-issued suicide pin gave U-2 pilot Gary Powers the choice between life and death. The pin was coated in saxitoxin – a lethal shellfish poison – and concealed in a silver dollar. Upon capture, Gary Powers chose not to use it. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)

Ventura County Area Daily Deals, Coupons and Other Bargain Hunting Websites

Launched in November 2008, Groupon popularized the deal-a-day concept for daily discounted "coupons" or gift certificates good for deals at local retailers and service providers, such as spa treatments, classes, restaurants, massages, tanning salons, haircuts, offering 50% to as much as 90% off retail price.

An entire industry has been spawned by Groupon and there are now hundreds of daily deal sites around the world. Locally here in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County, ConejoDeals.com was the first site to launch a daily deal program, back in April 2010.

Deal-a-day sites can be addictive. Some people I know buy deals all the time, while others like to take a look every now and then. Generally you purchase a deal, pay, print the certificate and use it before it expires.

Below are websites that offer daily deals, anytime deals and/or good old fashioned coupons in the Ventura County area*:

ConejoDeals.com - Daily deals centered in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas.

Conejo Valley Corridor - Offers a discount card fundraising program that benefits local schools and non-profits while offering everyday discounts at over 85 local area businesses.

SimiDeals.com - Companion site launched by owners of ConejoDeals.com.

Groupon Ventura County - Groupon started this VC daily deal site in October 2010.

LivingSocial.com Ventura County - Came to Ventura County in April 2011.

Amazon Local Ventura County - Daily deal aggregator with both local deals and deals from national chains and online merchants.

Bogopod.com - Has both everyday printable coupons and limited time vouchers that are usually available a day or two. Covers businesses throughout Ventura County.

Restaurant.com - Offers an array of discount gift certificates at local restaurants. Worth checking out. Do be aware of minimum purchase requirements when you buy.

MOGL.com - Sign up and receive 10% cash back when you dine at over

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Christmas 2013 Residential Holiday Light Display on Gemini/Waverly in Camarillo

As in years past, many homes on Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street in Camarillo are lit up and decorated with cartoon characters, trains, Santa, snowmen, and plenty of lights and other decorations this holiday season. Drive the route or park and walk. It is worth going out of your way for! From the the 101, take Arneill north past Ponderosa to Dunnigan. Turn right on Dunnigan and Gemini is the 4th street on your right.

Here are some scenes from this display in prior years.

Homeless Shelters in Ventura County Offering Hot Meals and Overnight Cots

Many of Ventura County's homeless find comfort in the warm, dry places open to them for sleeping overnight. Most shelters offer food--a hot meal for dinner, sometimes a pastry or bagel for breakfast and sack lunches for the road. Some facilities have showers. All depend on volunteers. Sometimes volunteers come forward to offer entertainment during dinner--a youth group singing, a bell choir. Or, more practical volunteers give free haircuts. Clothes and toiletries are donated.  Each shelter is an opportunity for those with compassion to help men, women and children in need.

Some people find shelter rules too hard to follow and so they live on the street even in cold, rainy weather. For instance. no pets are allowed and some do not want to be separated from their furry companions. But the rules are meant to keep the shelters safe.

Children and adults who sleep in a shelter must show proof of a recent, within 60 days, clear TB test before they will be allowed in a shelter. It's the law. Ventura County Public Health Clinics will provide free TB tests to shelter users. Anyone intoxicated or behaving in a disorderly manner will not be allowed inside any shelter site.

Some shelters, such as the one at the Oxnard Armory, require a one time intake interview and a photo taken upon entry. Shelter I.D. cards are issued.  Toiletries and a change of clothes are only allowed when brought inside in a clear plastic bag provided. There is limited, unsecured space for overnight storage of personal items.

Here is a List of Homeless Shelters available in Ventura County (courtesy of County of Ventura Human Services Agency) (Info current as of November and subject to change, so call first)

Our Place Shelter, 538 E. Thompson Blvd., Ventura, operated by Turning Point Foundation is open year round. Serves homeless mentally ill/single men and women with place to sleep, showers, meals, laundry facilities, mail and phone and case management. Capacity is 10. There is a waiting list. 805.652.2151.

Ventura County Rescue Mission, 234 E. 6th Street, Oxnard open year round. Provides place to sleep, hot meal, shower for up to 35 single men for up to 10 consecutive nights. Check-in at 5:30 p.m. Call 805.487.1234.

West County Winter Shelter at the Ventura National Guard Armory, 1270 Arundell, Ventura. Open to families and singles. Check in 6pm, exit 6am. Capacity 125. Hot meal, place to sleep, shelter. Hot meal served 6:30pm to 7:30pm. 805.385.1800

Lighthouse Womens & Childrens Mission--Emergency Shelter, 104 N. Hayes, Oxnard, operated by The Rescue Mission Alliance year round. Serves single women, mothers with children (boys up to 10 years old). Provides a place to sleep, hot meals and shower. Capacity for 30. Call 805.385.7200.

Simi Valley P.A.D.S. has rotating meal sites year round and overnight

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The. Most. Awesome. Holiday. Light. Show. You. Will. Ever. See. In. Thousand. Oaks!

UPDATE FALL 2013: The Higgins' are back this year, beginning Saturday, December 7th through the holiday season! They have created something new and even bigger this year with Norbert, Santa's little mouse. Children can stop by and clap their hands or stomp their feet to save Norbert from a freezing blizzard! Yes, not only have they outdone themselves again this year, they've made their massive Christmas light display interactive! The show runs close to 30 minutes long.

Shows are anticipated to run nightly from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm weekdays and until 10:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays., when you can look for Valerie and Ed Higgins at their table with hot chocolate with whipped cream, hot cider and cookies! They will also, weather permitting, have a Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank collection barrel on hand, so bring some canned, bottled, boxed and other non-perishable food items if you can.

Located at 1566 El Dorado Drive in Thousand Oaks. Take Janss Road east off the 23 Freeway, turn right on El Monte Drive (past the Thousand Oaks Library), then left on El Dorado. Be mindful that of the neighbors!

FALL 2012:Recently I received an email from the Higgins family of Thousand Oaks. The Higgins may have the most entertaining and fun residential holiday light show in the Conejo Valley.

Photo of the Higgins' holiday light show in 2012.According to Ed Higgins, this amazing display was constructed with over 150,000 lights, over 3 1/2 MILES of hard wire extension cords, 192 digital channels and over 1,000 feet of Cat 5 cable in the "Old Oaks" section of Thousand Oaks at 1566 El Dorado Drive.

Higgins admits "we're nuts" but they obviously

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Bright Orange Sunset Captured Over the Pacific Ocean in Malibu Tonight

Suzy Demeter of Suzy Demeter Photography noticed this bright tangerine colored sunset over the Pacific tonight from her vantage point in Malibu. It started with a simple yellow and ended with blazing fiery red. Welcome to December in Southern California!

Channel Islands seen in the distance

"The Roots of our Lives" Living Time Capsule at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

The Roots of our Lives "Living Time Capsule" located at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated in 1964 after a majority vote on September 29, 1964. Thirty years later, City leaders decided to do something very special by creating a "Living Time Capsule" designed to grow over the years.

In the front of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, on the east side behind the large Mary and Richard Carpenter Plaza Park sign, is "The Roots of our Lives," an area that contains the living time capsule.  What actually led us to this area was a geocache that is hidden in here. Learn more about the joys of geocaching at this link.

Here is the enscription on a sign next to the "Living Time Capsule" bench in that area.

"At time capsule is encased within the bench below the specially designed oak tree and mountainscape relief with the time capsule theme, "The Roots of our Lives." It is filled with documents and artifacts reflective of the City of Thousand Oaks' rich historical heritage, and current public and private activities.

It is called "A Living Time Capsule" for it was designed to grow as our City grows, with each succeeding generation contributing to the contents of four time capsule containers. This is accomplished through a unique program, whereby:

• A group of fifty ten year-old children were designated "Guardians of the Time Capsule" at the dedication on October 9, 1994. They will be back for the next opening of the time capsule when a new generation of "Guardians" will be chosen. This process will continue for the next three openings of the time capsule.
• At its dedication on October 9, 1994, two of the four time capsule containers were filled and sealed.
• The third container will be filled and sealed at the time capsule's opening on the City's 50th Anniversary, in the year 2014. This process will be repeated with the fourth container, on the City's 75th Anniversary, in the year 2039.
• A final opening of all four containers will take place on the City's 100th Anniversary, in the year 2064."

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Christmas Tree Lane in Downtown Oxnard is a Fun Residential Holiday Display

Every holiday season, one of Ventura County's biggest residential light displays lights up the historic section of Downtown Oxnard on F and G streets between 5th and Palm. Worth a visit! And check out the holiday decorated pagoda at nearby Plaza Park. More information at www.oxnardhistoricdistrict.com.

For the 2013 holiday season, Christmas Tree Lane will be showing off its colors. Decorations are typically on from 6PM to 10PM every night, starting the 2nd Sunday of December (the 8th) through December 26th. Ho Ho Ho!

Video and photos below from prior year Christmas Tree Lane displays.

Christmas Tree Lane Visitor Tips from Oxnard Historic District website:

Visitors are asked not to walk in private yards or driveways, unless allowed by residents.

Visitors can walk the route (the best way to fully take it all i

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Winter Ice Skating Rinks in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

We are now in the holiday season here in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County.

For a number of years, The Lakes at Thousand Oaks has transformed into a winter wonderland as the lake adjacent to Claim Jumper is transformed into a beautiful ice rink.

2013 is no exception as the Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes opened on November 13th and will stay open 7 days a week until mid-January 2014!

But wait! There's ANOTHER outdoor ice skating rink in Ventura County this holiday season as The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard announces its own ice rink opened on November 15th. This rink will be open daily, with the exception of Thankgiving and Christmas, through January 21, 2014.

The Woodland Hills Outdoor Ice Rink is also back again this year, having opened November 1st at the Westfield Promenade, just 16 miles from central Thousand Oaks. This is actually 4 miles closer than The Collection at RiverPark, though a bit more traffic on the way there. This 7,000 sq ft ice rink will be open until February 17, 2014! Over 3 1/2 months of outdoor ice skating fun in Woodland Hills!

Of course there's also year-round indoor ice skating available in Ventura County at Channel Islands Ice Center off the 101 freeway in Oxnard and the Iceoplex Ice Skating Rink in Simi Valley.

Or if the thought of ice skating gives you the shivers but you enjoy rolling around with wheels under you feet, check out THIS LIST of local roller skating and skateboarding venues in and around Ventura County.

Forty-Seven Things to Do In Thousand Oaks

The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated on September 29, 1964. Most of Newbury Park was annexed by the city in the 1960s/1970s. Casa Conejo, Newbury Park's first planned community built in the early 1960s and the Lynn Ranch area of Thousand Oaks are unincorporated areas of Ventura County that technically are not annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks. Why that is, I'm not sure. The City of Thousand Oaks also annexed the Ventura County portions of Westlake Village in 1968 and 1972. A  bit complicated, eh?

Enough history for now! Let's look at the future...like tomorrow or this coming weekend. Here are 47 things to do in the City of Thousand Oaks in random order.

1. Enjoy peace and serenity at Gardens of the World
2. Muvico Theaters at The Oaks Mall
   
3. Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
4. Conejo Creek Bike Path
5. Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks
   
6. MB2 Raceway Indoor Go Kart Facility in Newbury Park
   
7. Make Meaning Store at The Oaks
   
8. Hike the Western Plateau
9. Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park
   
10. Chumash Indian Museum/Oakbrook Regional Park in Thousand Oaks
    
11. Boost Your Average Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village
    
12. The Landing at Westlake Lake in Westlake Village

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The Immaculate "Gardens of the World" in Thousand Oaks is a Cultural Landmark

Dedicated to the residents of the Conejo Valley in December 2001, the Gardens of the World is a beautiful tribute to various cultures of the world. The 4.5 acre site is located in the heart of Thousand Oaks at 2001 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, literally across the street from the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and sandwiched between a strip mall on one side and Mastro's Steakhouse on the other side.

Gardens of the World is privately-owned and operated by the Hogan Family Foundation, Inc. You will find peace and serenity here in gardens representing England, France, Italy and Japan, as well as a Mission Courtyard which features murals of the 21 remaining California Missions. There are benches dispersed throughout the gardens for relaxing and enjoying the peace, beauty and serenity.

There's also a Resource Center where the work of local artists is often displayed. And since 2003, Gardens of the World has hosted a great Jazz Series on Sunday afternoons in August in the traditional American Bandstand area.

Gardens of the World is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.gardensoftheworld.info or call 805.557.1135 for more information. Parking is available on Thousand Oaks Boulevard and limited parking is available in a parking lot on site.

English Rose Garden

Italian Chain FountainFrench GardenPagoda in the Japanese Garden with koi pond

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 showed a marking at what looked to be the exact location that I saw and indicated there was a residential burglary. Then I looked at other weeks in the 'hood and found another burglary and reported suspicious vehicle. While of course it is disturbing to hear of crime close to home, it is great information to know and share with your neighbors to be aware of what's going on.

While the crime maps can be a bit clunky to use, if you're patient, you'll find what you need. For example, if you reset the map to look at a different geographic area, time frame or incident type, once again you will need to use the arrow keys to move around, then zoom in/out to where you need to go. It would be awesome to have a feature where you can simply type in an address, but that feature is not available.

Viewing these maps will really give you a feel for how busy our local police are. For example, in the five days ended 4/11/13, there were 597 calls for service, 111 arrests and 60 reported crimes/incidents in the Thousand Oaks area alone. Calls for service include descriptions like responding to alarms, burglaries, juvenile problems, following up on a resident's well being, suspicious vehicles, shoplifting, prowlers, fights, disturbances and more.

To explore crime maps in your area (Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, and Thousand Oaks, as well as unincorporated areas of Ventura County), visit www.vcsd.org/pr-crime-map.php.

Conejo Valley Meal and Shelter Program Providers

The following Conejo Valley locations take part in a program that provide year-round meal on designated nights of the week.  And from  December to March, both dinner (6:30 pm) and overnight shelter is offered.

This is a wonderful program and a benefit to all. This information is current as of December 2013. Subject to change. Call in advance to confirm.

Mondays:

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1 W. Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks
805.492.1234

Sleeping facilities for up to 15 people during winter months. Visit
www.htlcto.org/archives/2012/08/26/winter-shelter for more information.

Tuesdays:
Calvary Community Church
5495 Via Rocas, Westlake Village
818.991.8040

Wednesdays:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
32111 Watergate Rd., Westlake Village
818.889.1491 
www.wpcwestlake.org/index.php/missions/neighborhood

Thursdays:
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
588 Camino Manzanas, Thousand Oaks
805.498.4502

Meal site from April-November www.epconline.org/#/events-ministries/missions

Thursdays:
 Chinese Christian Church of Thousand Oaks
218 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks
805.379.0882
Meal and overnight site from December-March  sites.google.com/site/ccctohomeless

Fridays:
Thousand Oaks United Methodist Church
1000 E. Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks
805.495.7215

Saturdays:
St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church
2475 Borchard Rd, Newbury Park

805.498.3602

www.stjulieschurch.org or specifically www.stjulieschurch.org/Outreach/MealandWinterShelter.aspx - meals served for up to 50 people and shelter for up to 30 during winter months

Sundays:
St Patrick's Episcopal Church
1 Church Rd, Thousand Oaks
805.495.6441
Meal site from April-November

www.stpatschurch.org

 
Temple Adat Elohim
2420 E. Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks
805.497.7101
Meal and overnight site from December-March

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. vccfarmersmarkets.com/ventura

VENTURA: Wednesdays 3pm to 7pm at corner of Kellogg and Ventura Avenue. Visit theharvestgathering.vpweb.com for more info.

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! vccfarmersmarkets.com/thousand-oaks  NOTE: OPERATORS NOTED VIA FACEBOOK THAT THIS MARKET IS CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAYS FROM 11/28 (THANKSGIVING) THRU 1/2/14, RE-OPENING 1/9/14.

VENTURA: Thursdays 3pm to 7pm at Ventura Community Park, 901 South Kimball Road Visit theharvestgathering.vpweb.com for more info.

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