Hot Outside!? Cool Indoor Activities in Ventura County!

$10 Off Diapers or Formula with Code AFF10! $49 minimum total order, new customers only.

 

Ventura County Birthday Party Places and Ideas!

 Restaurant Rewards Programs, Birthday Clubs in the VC!!

You Belong in the Zoo! Check Out These 3 Local Choices!


Tell Your Friends About Conejo Valley Guide!!

200 FREE Summer Movies!

Weekend Deal 7/30-8/1! 

FREE Summer Music Around Ventura County

Upcoming FREE Ventura County Area Events!!

Ventura County Area Jobs!

 Nearly 140 Summer Camps Around Ventura County!!

Stay Cool in the Pool! Community Pools In/Around Ventura County

 

Kids Eat Free Places Around Ventura County!!

Ventura County Farmers' Markets

Ventura County Upcoming 5K, 10K and Other Fitness Events!

 Wanna horse around? Here's where to go in Ventura County!

Marathon Training and Running Blog! Tips and Advice!

Ventura County Batting Cages

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Looking for things to do around Ventura County? Conejo Valley Guide has thousands of local events and activities! Check out Local Events, Events Calendar, Do Something, Kids' Activities and Fitness and Sports pages and you're ready to have some fun! And the "Welcome" blog has other useful information (archives).

 

Thursday
Jul292010

Free Live Music Entertainment All Summer Long in Ventura County!

There's nothing better than attending a live local performance in an outdoor venue with the family. Summarized below are concerts by location/venue, most of them FREE.

Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Newbury Park

Agoura/Oak Park/Calabasas/Woodland Hills

Moorpark/Simi Valley

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura/Beyond

Thursday
Jul292010

Thousand Oaks Police Department July 29, 2010 City Watch Update

Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Deputy Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Crime Fighters,

I hope everyone is having a great summer. While many are enjoying the beautiful weather and family excursions, the predators continue to take pleasure in victimizing the innocent. Some incidents are more frightening than others and one illustration would be discovering a stranger in your house.

This happened twice within the past month. In the first incident, the victim was upstairs when someone was pounding on the door and ringing the doorbell. The victim was busy at the time and did not have the opportunity to answer the door.  Minutes later, the victim heard an unfamiliar male voice downstairs

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Jul282010

Farmers' Markets and Farm Fresh Produce Around Ventura County

Looking for fresh produce in Ventura County? Lettuce help you. This may sound corny, but I suspect you will find this handy list of farmers' markets to be quite peachy.  Over the years, the number of such markets has mushroomed in Ventura County and it beets me how one could pass up the opportunity to shop at them! So squash those fast food thoughts, step on your acceleryator and find a grape deal at a local Ventura County farmers' market!

(Times/Dates/Places of course subject to change. Let me know of any updates or changes!)

NOTE: These are in "day of the week" order.

VENTURA: Wednesdays 8 am to 1 pm at Pacific View Mall in Ventura in the community plaza in front of Red Robin. Call 805.529.6266.

OXNARD: Thursdays 9 am to 1 pm at Plaza Park in Oxnard (5th and C Streets). Call 805.483.7960.

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

SIMI VALLEY: Fridays 3 pm to 8 pm at Simi Valley Town Center: 1/15/10 to 11/19/10 Fresh produce and baked goods, kid-friendly attractions, entertainment and more.  Held in the mall’s parking lot across from Larsen's Grill.

MOORPARK: Fridays 3 pm to 8 pm in Moorpark Miller Parkway and Los Angeles Avenue (Village at Moorpark Shopping Center)

VENTURA: Saturdays 8:30 am to noon at corner of Palm and Santa Clara Streets. Member of Ventura County Certified Farmers' Market Association. Call 805.529.6266.

NEWBURY PARK: Saturdays 8 am to 2 pm at Loehmann's Plaza parking lot (Teller  Road and Hillcrest Drive)

CAMARILLO: Saturdays 8 am to noon 2220 Ventura Boulevard in the County of Ventura Senior Nutrition Center parking lot. Proceeds benefit Camarillo Hospice. Call 805.386.3584.

MOORPARK: Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm at Moorpark College parking lot G1 near gym (Seasonal Market). Call 805.529.6266 for information (and to make sure they're open).

CALABASAS: Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm in Old Town Calabasas on Calabasas Road west of El Canon Avenue (across from Sagebrush Cantina). Call 818.591.8161. You'll find produce, flowers, wines and other foods at this farmers market.

OAK PARK: Saturdays 9 am to 1 pm in Oak Park at Oak Park High School, 899 North Kanan Road. Call 805.643.6458 for more information. Also visit www.oakparknow.com/Oak_Park_Farmers__Market.html.

WESTLAKE VILLAGE: Sundays 9 am to 2 pm at 2797 Agoura Road (Village Glen). Year round market. Call 818.591.8286.

OJAI: Sundays 9 am to 1 pm at 300 E. Matilija Street year-round, rain or shine. Produce, flowers and gourmet food for nearly 2 decades. Call 805.698.5555.

OXNARD/CHANNEL ISLANDS: Sundays 10 am to 2 pm at 2805 South Harbor Boulevard year-round. Call 805.643.6458.

AGOURA HILLS: Sundays 9 am to 2 pm in Agoura Hills at 5835 Kanan Road (Agoura's Famous Deli parking lot) www.ccfm.com/site/locations.php

MALIBU: Sundays 10 am to 3 pm at Malibu Civic Center, 23519 Civic Center Way. www.malibufarmersmarket.net

OTHER FRESH PRODUCE OPTIONS:

Underwood Family Farms Market in Moorpark (3370 Sunset Valley Road) has farm fresh fruits and vegetables as well as pickled produce, honey, nuts, juices, dried beans, farm fresh eggs and fresh cut flowers. Moorpark location is usually closed from late December through February. Open 9am to 6pm March to November (5pm after DST). Call 805.529.3690.

Underwood Family Farms Market in Somis (5696 E. Los Angeles Avenue) is open every day year-round 9am to 6pm (5pm after DST) with the exception of some holidays. Call 805.386.4660.

McGrath Family Farm in Camarillo (505 North Wood Road) is open Mid-March through December 9am to pm and offers organic fruits, flowers and vegetables.  Freeway convenient off the Central Avenue offramp of the 101. Call 805.983.0333.

Sprouts Farmers Market (600 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks) is at the corner of Lynn/Hillcrest adjacent to the Oaks Mall. Opened on 5/12/10. This is a grocery store that focuses on selling local farm fresh produce as well as a full range of other natural grocery items as well as a deli, baked goods, etc. Hours 7am to 10pm. Call 805.716.4373.

Whole Foods Market (740 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks) of course is another provider of natural foods, organic fresh produce, full grocery, prepared foods, etc. Call 805.777.4730. Open 8am to 10pm 7 days a week.

Farmers' Market Websites:

Farm Bureau of Ventura County: www.farmbureauvc.com/consumers.html

California-Grown Certified Farmers Markets: www.cafarmersmarkets.com

Ventura County Certified Farmers Markets: www.vccfarmersmarkets.com

Coastal Pacific Farmers Markets: http://coastalpacificfm.com

Wednesday
Jul282010

Look to the Skies in Ventura County this August! It's Air Show Time!

August will be a spectacular month in the skies here in Ventura County, as there will be air shows on 3 successive weekends! Check out all the excitement!

August 7-8 is the 43rd Naval Base Ventura County Air Show. This is a free show at NBVC Point Mugu and will feature U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron the Thunderbirds, flying the F-16C Fighting Falcon fighter/strike aircraft.  Also features Strike Fighter Squadron One Two Five (VFA-125) will flying the FA-18 Hornet! And much, much more! CLICK HERE for details.

August 14-15 is an Air Show at Santa Paula Airport. This show marks the 80th anniversary of the Santa Paula Airport and will feature numerous extreme aerobatic performances, including Rob Harrison, The Tumbling Bear (also will be at the Camarillo show below).  Admission $5 adults, $3 kids will benefit the Santa Paula Police & Fire Foundation and the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula. CLICK HERE for details.

August 21-22 is the 30th Anniversary Wings Over Camarillo Airshow. Dozens of aircraft will take to the sky this weekend, including numerous extreme aerobatic displays. There will be morning fly bys of experimental aircraft and a Goodyear Blimp will be present (you don't see those very often anymore!). Ground exhibits include large military aircraft F-18, C130, C-17 and many experimental aircraft. $10 admission; kids 12 and under are free.  CLICK HERE for details.

Check out these great photos from last year's Wings Over Camarillo event taken by photographer Scott Harrison. CLICK HERE FOR PICS

And there's more in September...the Newbury Park Rotary's annual Oktoberfest event will be held September 25-26 at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Camarillo. Aerobatic flying displays are planned at that event...more details to follow at www.okto-beerfest.com.

Tuesday
Jul272010

Hundreds of FREE!! Summer Concerts, Movies, Activities in Ventura County!

The Conejo Valley Guide 2010 Economic Stimulus Package is now available!  Here is our annual comprehensive list of HUNDREDS of FREE movies and other FREE or nearly FREE events and activities in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and outlying areas. 

OVER 190 FREE SUMMER MOVIES!!!

OVER 130 FREE SUMMER CONCERTS AND LIVE PERFORMANCES

4TH OF JULY EVENTS (MAJORITY OF THESE ARE FREE)

THE KITCHEN SINK...ALL OF THE ABOVE PLUS OTHER FREE EVENTS

OTHER KIDS' ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FREE!

KIDS EAT FREE PROMOTIONS AROUND VENTURA COUNTY!

YET MORE FREE OR NEARLY FREE THINGS TO DO AROUND TOWN

VENTURA COUNTY RESTAURANT REWARDS PROGRAMS OFFERING FREE STUFF!

Have a great summer and check back often as we are always adding new things to do!

Monday
Jul262010

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

Optimize your workout with Heart Rate Monitors by Polar

"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

July 1st to Aug 5th: Harbor Lights Summer Sprint Series in Ventura

July 31st: 10th Annual Ventura Family YMCA Fun & Fitness 5K

July 31st: Zest for Life 5K Run in Santa Paula

August 1st: Camarillo Duathlon Series Sprint & Olympic Courses

August 7th: Ventura County Fair 2 Mile Costume Run/Walk

August 21st: Bulldog 50K and 25K Endurance Runs at Malibu Creek State Park

August 21st: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Walk at Ventura Harbor

August 22nd: Ventura Splash N Dash (Swim/Run) Series Event #2 (Port Hueneme)

September 4th: The Oaks Mile Road Race in the heart of Thousand Oaks!

September 5th: Camarillo Duathlon Series Sprint & Olympic Courses

September 6th: Pier to Peak Half Marathon in Santa Barbara

September 11th: Simi Valley Days 5K/10K Runs

September 19th: 11th Annual Camarillo-Somis Lions Club 5K/1K Runs

September 25th: Wounded Warrior Half Marathon, 5K, Military Mile at Naval Base Ventura County (Point Mugu)

October 2nd: Agoura Hills Mile (Inaugural) and Reyes Adobe Days 5K in Agoura

October 3rd: Inaugural Camarillo Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K

October 10th: Ventura Splash N Dash (Swim/Run) Series Event #3 (Carpinteria-tentative)

October 17th: 3rd Annual Jason's Race 5K Run/Walk in Westlake Village

November 6th: 2nd Annual Santa Barbara International Marathon/Half Marathon

November 14th: 2nd Annual Malibu International Marathon/Half Marathon

May 5 to Sep 1: Nite Moves Run, Swim, Duathlon Series in Santa Barbara

Apr 27 to Sep 7: Santa Barbara Reef & Run Summer Series

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

For great running shoes from local businesses that know a lot about them, try: Future Track Running Shoe Store (Agoura Hills), Inside Track Running Shoe Store (Ventura), Foot Pursuit Run Shop (Simi Valley) and Road Runner Sports (Newbury Park).

Monday
Jul262010

Join a Local Ventura County Moms Club

Find the best babysitters at Sittercity.com. Save up to $20 now!

If you're looking for local Ventura County groups to meet up with other moms for playgroups, activities and socializing, look no further than this list (includes only organizations with websites...Contact Us for additions).

Not being a mom myself, but being married to one and knowing others that participate in a number of these groups, I can say that they provide an outstanding networking opportunity for all sorts of things...finding playmates, babysitters, sharing information, etc.

(List is current as of 7/29/10; subject to change)

Camarillo Community Church Mothers of Preschoolers

Camarillo Moms Club

Conejo Super Mommies

Conejo Valley Homeschoolers

Conejo Valley Moms

Conejo Valley Mothers and More


Conejo Valley Mothers of Multiples

Macaroni Kid Camarillo (online mom resource)

Click to read more ...

Monday
Jul262010

Birthday Party Places In and Around Ventura County

We scratch our heads trying to figure out what to do for our kids' birthday parties.  Backyard birthday parties are great, but involve planning, time and cleanup.  So here is a list and links to over 80 birthday party options in and around Ventura County, spanning from Ventura to Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Newbury Park and surrounding areas.  We hope this gives you a few new ideas.

We have attempted to categorize by "type" as best we can.  Contact us if you have something to add! And don't forget to invite us to your party!! :>

Miscellaneous Places and Ideas

Click to read more ...

Saturday
Jul242010

Free Movies All Summer Long Around Ventura County!

Here at Conejo Valley Guide we are obsessed with providing the most comprehensive and complete information on activities throughout Ventura County. But we are even more excited when we can highlight hundreds of FREE summer activities as we love being cheapskates!!  This list has over 190 movie showings throughout the county and surrounding areas.

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

Agoura Hills: Free Movies in the Park at Reyes Adobe Park, Jun 22, Aug 14

Calabasas: Regal Grand Palace Stadium at The Commons Free Movies, Jun 22 to Aug 18 (Tuesday/Wednesday mornings)

Calabasas: City of Calabasas Free Family Movies, Jun 25, Jul 16, Aug 6

Camarillo: Friday Night Movies at Camarillo Community Park, Jun 18 to Aug 13

Camarillo: Arts Council Movies at Constitution Park, Jun 26, Aug 28

Camarillo: Regal Palace Stadium Free Movies, Jun 15 to Aug 11 (Tuesday/Wednesday mornings)

Malibu: Free Family Movies at Malibu Bluffs Park, Jun 5, 19, Jul 31, Aug 28

Newbury Park: Free Family Movies at Newbury Park Library, Jul 28, Aug 23

Oak Park: Drive-In Movie at Oak Park High School on Jul 31 ($5 per car)

Oxnard: Free Friday/Saturday Night Outdoor Movies at Various Parks, Jun 19 to Sep 10

Simi Valley: Regal Civic Center Stadium Free Movies, Jun 15 to Aug 11 (Tuesday/Wednesday mornings)

Simi Valley: Free Monday Night Outdoor Movies at Simi Valley Town Center, Jun 21 to Aug 23

Simi Valley: Movies in the Park at Rancho Madera Community Park, May 21, Jun 18, Jul 16

Simi Valley: Movies at Rancho Simi Community Park, Jul and Aug ($3/person for "Dive-In" movies at the pool)

Thousand Oaks: Janss Marketplace Free Movies Under the Stars in September (Friday Nights)

Thousand Oaks: Mann Theatre Janss Marketplace Free Family Film Festival on Tues/Thurs Mornings (Jun 15 to Aug 26)

Thousand Oaks: Muvico Free Family Film Festival on Tues/Wed Mornings (June 15 to Aug 4)

Thousand Oaks: Thousand Oaks Library Free Movie Matinee 2nd Sunday of Month (Jun to Dec)

Thousand Oaks: Thousand Oaks Library Free Family Movies, Aug 11 and 25

Thousand Oaks: Free Movies in the Park at The Lakes (Tuesday Nights) (July 20 to TBD)

Ventura: Century 16 Ventura $1 Family Movies (or 10 for $5) on Wed Mornings, Jun to Aug (Yah, yah, this isn't FREE but close to it!)

Westlake Village: Mann Promenade Free Family Film Festival on Mon/Thur Mornings (Jun 14 to Aug 26)

Woodland Hills: Movies on The Green at Warner Ranch Park on Saturday nights, Jul 17 to Aug 28

LOOKING FOR MORE MOVIES!  HERE ARE OVER 150 SCREENS AROUND VENTURA COUNTY!!

Looking for a perfect sitter? Try Sittercity now.  Save up to $20 with code SITTERSAVE

Saturday
Jul242010

26.2 Training Tips for Your First Marathon!

NOW is the time to start training for a fall marathon!  Some local marathon alternatives in the October-December time frame include Long Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita and Malibu but there are many more to choose from at MarathonGuide.com.

I've run a few marathons myself. 26 of them at last count. So I have about 26.2 thoughts and opinions to impart on training for your first marathon:

1. Don't Procrastinate! The first thing you need to do is get out there and start running. Talking about it is fine, but start making it happen! Today!

2. Start Slow and Go Steady: Don't try to prove something by running 10 miles your first time out. You'll injure yourself! Unless you're already a runner with solid base mileage, start out easy, maybe 10 to 15 miles in 3 to 4 runs per week. Increase weekly mileage no more than 10%.

3. Pick a Marathon Now and Set Your Goals: Always helps to establish a goal to train for. Sign up for a marathon 6 months out now (don't wait) and you'll have the end goal in mind. You'll need the motivation as you train through the summer months.

4. Buy Decent Shoes and Change Them Often: Running is a very inexpensive in terms of equipment. So don't go cheap on the shoes. Change them often...the lesser of every 300 miles or 3 months. Your limbs and tendons will thank you for that.

5. Ramp up the Mileage: To run your first full marathon, plan to peak your weekly mileage at 30 to 35 miles per week. But once again, get there gradually, not all at once.

Click to read more ...

Friday
Jul232010

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 recently 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.

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 AfricaThe loans are repaid every six months to the same account through our program director.   For the last two years, our program has had (and continues to have) a 100% repayment rate!

How else does TGC help these peopleTGC 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

Click to read more ...

Thursday
Jul222010

Ventura County Sheriff's "East County Sheriff Watch" July 22, 2010

Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Hello there my East County Sheriff Watch friends! 

Summer is in full swing now and the weather is heating up.  It is that time of the year to spend time outdoors, next to the pool, or at the park.  For those spending time by the pool, always be mindful of the inherent dangers of children playing in and around the pool.  It is important to watch young children around the pool in order to ensure they have proper supervision.  As we know teenagers can sometimes get out of hand while playing in the pool.  Please make sure their playful acts do not create an unsafe environment.  We cannot emphasis enough, how important it is to watch small children around the pool. Unfortunately, we have already lost a child in our area because of a drowning accident. Our hope is that together, we can ensure that no more tragedies of this nature occur.

As I mentioned in the last issue of the newsletter, many of us go on vacations around this time of year.  We have seen an increase in the number of party calls in our jurisdiction.  Many times we leave our older children behind to watch our homes while we are away.  Unfortunately sometimes they invite a few select friends over to hang out.    As we know, friends will tell other friends about a get together that ultimately turns into a party.  What started off as a small get together, can quickly evolve into a large party where alcohol is being consumed by underage drinkers. We have seen an increase in under age drinking in the East County jurisdiction.  Underage drinking has wide reaching consequences.  The number of fights, vandalisms, thefts, sexual assaults, and traffic collisions rise when underage drinking takes place.  In an effort to curb underage drinking, the Sheriff’s Department has been issuing citations for the Social Host Ordinance.  The ordinance states if there are more than two underage drinkers at your home, the homeowner is subject to a civil fine.  This fine is in excess of $1,000.00.  Please help us stop underage drinking and the far-reaching affect it has on our children.

For more information about the Social Host ordinance check out this link: www.municode.com/library/clientCodePage.aspx?clientID=10165 Select Ventura County Code of Ordinances, and then type in section 6113-3 in the search box and select go.

To keep you up to date as far as crime in our neighborhoods, we are still being victimized in Oak Park with vehicle burglaries and thefts from vehicles.  We had incidents on Estrellita Lane, Bromely Drive and Oak Hills Drive.  We had another vandalism at Oak Park High School, where suspects broke windows and attempted to burn two trees.

In the area of Hidden Valley, we had a couple of vehicle burglaries and thefts, which occurred in the 1000 block, as well as the 2000 block of Potrero Road.  There was also a residential burglary in the 900 block of Lake Sherwood Drive.

Click to read more ...

Wednesday
Jul212010

Restaurant Rewards Programs and Birthday Clubs Around Ventura County

My family is always out and about, dining out at various Ventura County area restaurants.  I've got young kids so in general I'm not looking for "high end" meals...just decent food at reasonable prices.  It's nice finding Kids Eat Free deals but there is also a huge array of loyalty/rewards programs. Thus, I felt compelled to compile the most comprehensive list of Rewards Programs and Kids Birthday Cubs in and around Ventura County ever known to human civilization.

This list includes rewards programs where you actually get something for signing up...a free burger, a coupon to save money on future purchases, etc. I didn't include email programs that provide mainly promotional updates.

Keep in mind...while I attempt to periodically update and revise this list, these deals frequently change.  So click through to the restaurant website or call to confirm if your heart is set on these. Let us know of any changes, broken links or additions!!

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant

Email Club: Free entree on your birthday!

Location: Ventura

Bandits Grill & Bar

Bandits' Roundup Club: Free birthday gift, specials and more.

Locations: Thousand Oaks and Camarillo

Baskins-Robbins (Mmmm!)

Birthday Club: FREE 2.5 oz scoop on your birthday! We love this!

Locations: Newbury Park, Camarillo, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Agoura, Simi Valley (2), Oxnard (2), Santa Paula, Ventura (2)

BJ's Restaurant

KidsLink Birthday Club: Free mini-pizookie® on your kid's birthday plus special promotions.

Locations: Westlake Village, Oxnard

Black Angus Steakhouse

BA Prime Club: Free dessert for joining and FREE STEAK DINNER on your 1st birthday after joining (must be 16 or older to join)

Location: Ventura

Buca di Beppo

Click to read more ...

Tuesday
Jul202010

Over 200 Job Websites in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas!

We did EXTENSIVE homework to help you find LOCAL work in and around Ventura County. We look not only in Ventura County, but in adjacent cities like Calabasas/Agoura, Malibu, Woodland Hills, Chatsworth, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara.

There still ARE lots of jobs out there, but you have to LOOK HARDER for them and often! Don't rely only on the usual suspects like Monster and Craigslist! Go directly to the source ... corporations, hospitals, municipalities, schools, etc.

Treat the job hunting process like a fishing expedition. Be patient. Keep the fishing lines out there and check these websites often! Noted in parentheses as an fyi are the number of jobs open at a noted point in time. Don't rely on this as job postings change daily!!

For more job hunting tips, click here. I would love to hear about your success stories.  Feel free to contact me or add a comment to this blog post.

Volunteer opportunities around Ventura County!

Corporate, School, Healthcare Career Websites

Baxter: www.careers.baxter.com/us/index.html (18 T.O/WLV jobs 7/26/10)

BeyondTrust Software: www.beyondtrust.com/Careers.aspx (No Agoura jobs 7/26/10)

Blue Shield of California: www.blueshieldca.com/bsc/aboutbsc/careers/index.jhtml (13 Woodland Hills jobs 7/26/10)

BMW Group DesignworksUSA: www.designworksusa.com/dwusa/contact/california/index.html (Newbury Park - contact them)

Boskovitch Farms: www.boskovichfarms.com/contact-boskovich.php (Contact them)

Calavo Growers: www.calavo.com/careers.php (No Santa Paula jobs as of 7/26/10)

Caldera Medical: www.calderamedical.com/careers.php (2 Agoura jobs 7/26/10)

Cal Lutheran University: www.callutheran.edu/hr/ (18 staff/faculty jobs 7/26/10)

Cal St University Channel Islands: www.csucijobs.com (28 staff/faculty jobs 7/26/10)

Caminosoft: www.caminosoft.com/contact/employment.html (No Simi jobs 7/26/10)

Capstone Turbine: www.capstoneturbine.com/company/careers/ (No Chatsworth jobs 7/26/10)

Carpinteria Water District: www.cvwd.net/jobs_opening.htm (No jobs 7/26/10)

Casa Pacifica: www.casapacifica.org/ (10 Camarillo jobs 7/26/10)

CKE (Carl's Jr): www.ckr.com/careers/index.html (No Carpinteria jobs 7/26/10)

Ceres: www.ceres.net/AboutUs/AboutUs-Careers-Jobs.html (1 NP job 7/26/10)

Chatsworth Products, Inc. www.chatsworth.com/careers (No WLV jobs 7/26/10)

Click to read more ...

Monday
Jul192010

Visit the SSA Website to Estimate Your Social Security Benefits in Just Minutes

Interested in finding out what your estimated Social Security benefits will be? You can do this online in just a few minutes at www.ssa.gov. You will just need to provide your Social Security Number, Date of Birth and Mother's Maiden Name (and thus I'd suggest doing this at home...not on an unprotected WiFi Internet line).

All you do is visit www.ssa.gov website and click the "Estimate Your Retirement Benefits" link. After providing your personal information, the calculator tells you your estimated monthly benefit at age 62 (early retirement...and reduced benefits), 67 (full retirement) or age 70. This estimate is based on your actual earnings history.

Generally, if you wait until full retirement at age 67, your monthly payment will be roughly 40-50% greater than if you take early retirement. If you wait another 3 years, your payment will be another ~25% higher than normal retirement. All told, the 8 year difference (62 to 70) results in about a 75-80%

Click to read more ...

Monday
Jul192010

Stay Cool in the Pool! Community Swimming Throughout Ventura County!

Stay cool this summer and year-round at some of these community swimming pool options in and around Ventura County!

"Deep Sea Lovers" by Camarillo Artist Chuck Trunks

Conejo Valley (Conejo Rec & Park District)

Community Pool at Cal Lutheran University (Samuelson Aquatics Center) year-round facility. Recreational swimming 7 days a week. Call 805.241.0894 or visit www.crpd.org. Only $2.  Summer Schedule: Lap Swim M/T/Th/Sat 6am-8am, Sun 9am-noon. Recreational Swim M-F 1pm-4:30pm, M/W/F 7pm-9pm, Sat/Sun 12:30-4:30pm.

Newbury Park High School Community Swimming Pool is at 456 Reino Road and offers recreational swimming 7 days/week June 12 to Aug 20. Only $2. Call 805.498.6906 or visit www.crpd.org. Summer Schedule: Recreational Swim M-F 1:30-4:30pm, Sat 12:30-3:30pm, Mon 7-9pm.

Thousand Oaks High School Community Swimming Pool is at 2323 N. Moorpark Road and offers recreational swimming Mon to Fri Jun 12 to Aug 20. Only $2. Call 805.496.8564 or visit www.crpd.org. Summer Schedule: Recreational Swim M-F 1:30-4:30pm, Wed 7-9pm.

CRPD Recreational Swimming is FREE to seniors 62 and up!

Conejo Valley (Other)

Daland Swim School in Thousand Oaks offers group and individual lessons. Both of our kids learned to swim here. Nice people.

Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks has a heated indoor swimming pool and is open 7 days per week.

Triunfo YMCA in Westlake Village has indoor heated swimming and is open M-F.

Miller Family YMCA in Newbury Park offers an indoor heated swimming pool 7 days per week.

There is a Childrens' Splash Pad/Water Area at Oak Canyon Community Park, 5600 Hollytree Drive, Oak Park. Open 7 days a week through Labor Day, 10am to 7pm. More info at www.oakparknow.com/Oak_Park_Splash_Pad.html

Moorpark/Simi Valley

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District offers a large community swimming pool at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue. Open 7 days a week, hours vary. Only $3. Visit www.rsrpd.org/rec/aquatics/swimtimes.html or call 805.584.4436 for more info. Pool opens 6/28 to Aug 24th. Summer Schedule: M-F 1pm-3:30pm, Sat/Sun 1pm-4pm (starts 7/3 to 10/9).

RSRPD offers a smaller community pool at Sycamore Drive Community Center, 1692 Sycamore Drive. Open Mon to Sat, hours vary. Only $3. Visit www.rsrpd.org/rec/aquatics/swimtimes.html or call 805.584.4434 for more info. Summer Schedule: 6/12 to 8/24, M-F 1-3:30pm, Sat 1-4pm.

Visit the Childrens' Splash Pad Area at Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 Avenida Simi. Open through Labor Day weekend. FREE! Visit www.rsrpd.org/rec/aquatics/swimtimes.html or call 805.584.4400 for more info. Hours are noon to 6pm, 7 days a week.

Simi Valley Family YMCA has a heated indoor swimming pool and is open 7 days/week.

Moorpark Athletic Club (formerly Mavericks Gym) has 2 outdoor swimming pools and offers open recreational swimming to both members and non-members all summer long, only $1 for members and $3/person for non-members, Fridays 12 to 4 and Sat/Sun 11 to 5. Call the gym at 805.552.0357 for more info.

Camarillo/Oxnard

Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center offers an indoor swimming pool and an outdoor splash zone for the kids. Daily recreational swimming thru 8/29 offered for a small fee. Visit www.pvrpd.org/aquatics.HTM or call 805.987.8198 for info/schedule. $1 days every Friday 6:30pm-8:30pm!

Camarillo Family YMCA has an OUTDOOR swimming pool and is open 7 days per week. Call 805.484.0423 for more info.

Oxnard Aquatic Center is located at Oxnard High School, 3400 W. Gonzales Road. Open swimming and lessons are available Mon to Wed. Visit www.ouhsd.k12.ca.us/educational_services/athletics/aquatics/index.htm or call 805.278.0910 for info.

Ventura and Up the Coast

Ventura Community Park Aquatics Center is a blast according to my wife and kids. Competition pool, playground pool, two slides, fun, fun, fun! Visit www.cityofventura.net/cs/recreation/aquatics or call 805.654.7511 for info and hours.

Casitas Water Adventure is open all summer with a multi-level jungle gym with waterfalls, bridges and slides in a lagoon in water only up to 18" deep for little kids and a lazy river with waterfalls, bridges and jet sprays with inner tubes for the whole family. Open 7 days/week until 8/29 and Labor Day weekend. Call 805.649.2233 for more info.

Ventura Family YMCA has 2 indoor heated swimming pools and is open 7 days/week.

Carpinteria Community Pool is located at 5305 Carpinteria Avenue and is open 7 days a week thru Labor Day weekend. Day passes are $4 for kids and $5.50 for adults. Visit www.carpinteria.ca.us/PDFs/Guide.PDF or call 805.566.2417 for information.

Other Places Around Town

The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center located at 23400 Park Sorrento is open 7 days/week through Labor Day weekend. Only $3 for adults, $1 for kids and free for kids under 4. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation/tennisswim.html#aquatic or call 818.222.2782.

Malibu Community Pool at Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive is open 7 days/week during the summer. $3 per person. Visit www.ci.malibu.ca.us/index.cfm?fuseaction=nav&navid=392 or call 310.589.1933 for info.

The Fillmore Aquatic Center is open Mon to Fri. More info at www.fillmoreca.com/docs/pool.pdf or 805.524.4902.  Can't seem to find the address for this place anywhere...but Fillmore is a small town.

Water Parks Outside of Ventura County

Knott's Soak City in Buena Park (about 70 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Legoland Water Park in Carlsbad opened in May 2010 (135 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Raging Waters Water Park in San Dimas (75 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia (50 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Wild Rivers Waterpark in Irvine (95 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Friday
Jul162010

Over 100 Summer Camps and Programs In and Around Ventura County

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Looking for a summer camp within range of Ventura County? Here's a list of over 100 120 nearly 140 summer day camps and residential camps and programs in the area. Know of more? Submit them here!

Traditional Day/Overnight/Learning Camps

  1. Adventure Weeks Day Camp at Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, grades 1-6 in the Fall, June to Aug, fun trips each Thursday, www.calvarycc.org or 818.575.2232
  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 Jun to Aug for grades 1 to 12 www.bgcconejo.org or 805.449.1309
  4. Boys & Girls Clubs of Simi Valley summer programs www.bgcsimi.com/main_sublinks.asp?id=2&sid=42
  5. Camp Communicate! in Newbury Park ages 4 to 10 years, 3 3-week sessions in June through August www.CommunicationMatters.us or 805.273.3870.
  6. Camp Cottontail in Malibu, overnight camp for kids ages 6 to 16 www.campcottontail.com or 818.880.8100
  7. Camp Funtastic day camp in Camarillo www.pvrpd.org/CampFuntastic.htm or 805.482.1996 x18
  8. Camp Keystone Summer Day Camps in Agoura Hills for ages 3 to 14 (4 camps) www.campkeystone.com or 818.889.2224
  9. Camp Millionaire July in Santa Barbara www.creativewealthintl.org or 805.957.1024
  10. Camp Summertime at Calamigos Ranch in Agoura/Malibu for ages 4 to 14 www.campsummertime.com 818.706.7335
  11. Carden School Summer Program 9am to 3pm in Camarillo www.cardencamarillo.org/camp_adventure_world.htm or 805.484.0259
  12. Child Development Centers Camp Young Set in Thousand Oaks, June to August www.cdicdc.org/summer or 805.495.2104
  13. City of Agoura Hills Summer Camps brochure available at http://ci.agoura-hills.ca.us/

Click to read more ...

Friday
Jul162010

Painfully Perplexing Password Policy

I have over 250 websites where I need login/password combinations, most of which are pretty basic and never make me change the password (not to say I shouldn't change it...I should, but I don't, like most of you no doubt). But I think I've come upon the most complex, convoluted password policy ever.

This is painful!

  • At least one uppercase or lowercase letter (easy)
  • At least one number (easy)
  • At least one special character, like ! @ $ % * ( < (OK, no prob)
  • Contain no more than 2 identical consecutive characters in any position from the previous password (now this is getting painful)
  • Contain a non-numeric in the first and last positions (what the?)
  • Not be identical to the User ID (makes sense)

It is recommended that passwords should not:

  • Contain any dictionary word (OK, time to whip out Webster's)
  • Contain any proper noun or name of person, pet, child or fictional character (sorry Snoopy)
  • Contain social security number, birth date, phone number or other readily guessed info (how about my wife's measurements?)
  • Contain any simple patter of letters or numbers, such as qwerty or xyz123 (how bout xyzpdq!?)
  • Be any word, noun, or name spelled backwards (darn it, I wanted to use REDRUM!)

Geez. This takes all the fun out of password creation!! And to think every 60 days I get to read through these rules again to create a new password!

Thursday
Jul152010

Thousand Oaks Police Department City Watch Update - July 15, 2010

Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Deputy Jim DeSoto of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

Crime Fighters,

The beautiful summer days are upon us but we should not let down on our alertness for criminal and suspicious activity. The days are longer, nicer and more people, including children and young teenagers, will be out at later hours. There is nothing wrong with our children enjoying their youth and their fun-filled hobbies and activities; however; we must still emphasize upon them the importance of awareness and safety.

Three young teenagers were skateboarding along when one of the teens slowed down when he noticed a couple of people running toward him. The teenager stopped to find-out what was occurring but his two friends kept skateboarding. Unfortunately, the two hoodlums were running at the stopped teenager, one ruffian pointed a gun at the fourteen year-old and demanded money. After robbing the victim of less than $20, the thieves ran away and drove off in a vehicle. Most of us were taught the

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Wednesday
Jul142010

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

Looking for things to do when its really, really HOT outside!?  Look no further than Conejo Valley Guide for the most comprehensive list of fun activities when it's just TOO DARN HOT!

Diaper Sale! Up to 20% off

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