Earth Day is April 22nd! Click here to find local Ventura County Earth Day Events!

Ventura County Batting Cages

Please Support Nephcure Walk 2010 in Thousand Oaks April 25th!

Advertise on Conejo Valley Guide!

23 Years in the Conejo Valley! (818) 338-1117 ***adobe@century21.com *** WE'RE HIRING!

17th Annual Senior Concerns Love Run 5K/10K in Westlake Village June 6th

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

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H1N1 Swine Flu Updates, Statistics and Information

Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County!

USSD Kidfest 2010 at Conejo Creek North Thousand Oaks on March 20th! FREE!

Ventura County Area Jobs!

25th Anniversary Great Race! Don't Miss out! March 27th!

 

Ventura County Birthday Party Places and Ideas!

What's the Big Idea? Event in Thousand Oaks on March 27th!!

 Restaurant Rewards Programs, Birthday Clubs in the VC!!

Kids Eat Free Places Around Ventura County!!

Upcoming FREE Ventura County Area Events!!

 Thousand Oaks Near The Lakes! 10% Off! Use Promo Code CVG10

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

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Hot Outside!? Cool Indoor Activities in Ventura County!

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Kids' Activities and Sports in Ventura County!

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Sunday
14Mar2010

City Corps of the Central Coast/Ventura

City Corps of the Central Coast / Ventura is committed to youth development through volunteerism and civic responsibility.  Through a myriad of experiential service learning projects and youth mentoring, City Corps integrates life skills, creative ideas, energy and capability with leadership, vocational skills, accountability and positive social relationships. By virtue of sharing a common goal, void of obstacles they may otherwise face such as race, gender, class, culture, age, level of functioning, family experience, physical appearance, personality, and gang affiliation, City Corps provides teamwork, self-development, and meaningful connections between youth and their communities.

City Corps Members, ages 12-24, are exposed to experiential learning and hands-on training through a variety of projects including community outreach and beautification, environmental stewardship, care and hospitality, festivals, art and music events, townskeeping & graffiti abatement.

More information at www.venturacitycorps.org or 805.653.2351.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark

Since 1985, the Boys & Girls Club of Moorpark (200 Casey Road) has been at the forefront of youth development, working with young people from all social, economic and family circumstances. The Club has sought to enrich the lives of all youth in the community and is dedicated to ensuring these young people will have greater access to quality programs and services that will enhance their lives and shape their futures.

The Club is working to help youth from all backgrounds, with special concerns for those who don’t have the same opportunities as others, to develop the qualities needed to become responsible citizens and leaders. We recognize that our members from families of all socio-economic backgrounds face many of the same difficult choices in today’s world and that they all benefit from the unique programming offered through the Boys & Girls Club.

The Club offers young people what they need and want most—adults who respect and listen to them; a safe environment where they can have fun and be themselves; and interesting, constructive activities that channel youthful energy into challenging pursuits.

We serve young people from throughout the greater Moorpark area, from every elementary school and middle school in Moorpark.

More information at www.bgcmoorpark.org or call 805.529.1140.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Club of Ventura

The Boys & Girls Club of Ventura serves more than 3,000 children each year, many of them from disadvantaged circumstances.  The numbers keep growing, but with the ongoing community support, Ventura's children will continue to have a safe, friendly and educational place where they can have fun, learn, play and grow. The Club's mission is to  provide a positive place for all youth, and quality programs to help them become healthy, responsible, confident and productive members of our community. Learn more by visiting www.bgclubventura.org or call 805.641.5588.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley

The Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley was established in 1970 by the Jaycees as the Simi Valley Boys Club. It opened with 100 members. In 1974, the Club closed for 10 months due to lack of adequate financial resources. In 1977, the Club began to serve girls and in 1979, changed the organization's name to The Boys & Girls Club of Simi Valley. In 1996 it moved into a new 25,565 sq. ft. facility (2850 Lemon Drive) that afforded us the opportunity to serve thousands of children. The organization continues to grow and now serves over 10,000 children between the ages of 6 and 18 per year. The mission of the Boys and Girls Club of Simi Valley is to provide a positive, safe, healthy and fun environment that empowers youth to become responsible individuals and citizens of tomorrow. Learn more at www.bgcsimi.com or call 805.527.4437.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Clara Valley serves the children of Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula with its mission to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.  The organization is a non-profit and an affiliated Club of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  It offers programs and services that promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. In every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult care or supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them. To learn more, visit www.bgcscv.org or call 805.525.7910.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Oxnard and Port Hueneme has been providing quality programs to youth since 1954. The two clubs merged in 1997 to become the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme. In 2004 the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme opened 9 new school sites and in 2006 it added 11 additional sites in the Ocean View, Hueneme and Rio School Districts. Currently the Club has 3 full service clubhouses, one Public Housing Unit and 13 school sites. Samuelsson Clubhouse, the historic club located on 7th street, reopened on June 11, 2007. 53 years after it had originally opened. The Martin V. Smith Clubhouse opened in October of 2001. In addition, the first club located in a Juvenile facility in the state of California opened in January 2007 at the Ventura County Juvenile Justice Facility.

More facts about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme:

  • The Boys & Girls Clubs in Oxnard and Port Hueneme has been providing quality programs to youth since 1954. The two clubs merged in 1997 to become the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme.
  • Operate 3 full service facilities, 13 School sites, the first Club to open in a Juvenile Justice Center in the State of California, and 1 low income housing project, serving the Greater Oxnard and Port Hueneme communities.
  • Serving youth 6 to 18 years of age.
  • Serve more than 7,200 youth members. Average daily attendance at our collective sites 1300 youth.
  • Provide quality programs year-round, five days a week.
  • Offer specialized teen programs and dedicated sites.
  • Never turn a child away due to economic hardship.
  • Is a recognized leader in youth development with professional staff-based in dedicated, youth-based facilities.
  • Is a member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the largest and fasted growing youth development agency in the nation.

Visit www.positiveplace4kids.org or call 805.815.4709 to learn more.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo

The Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo (1500 Temple Avenue, Camarillo) has been in the forefront of local youth development since 1967, when the club was founded. The Boys & Girls Club of Camarillo is open to all youth between the ages of six and eighteen, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay. To encourage the participation of as many boys and girls as possible, the club maintains fees at an affordable $60 per year, and scholarships are available. No one is ever turned away for financial reasons.  Learn more at www.bgccam.org or call 805.482.8113.

Sunday
14Mar2010

Kids Events at The Oaks Mall

Kids Club Is Back!! The first Thursday of each month from 10 am to 10:45 am -  usually at the Outdoor Food Court Patio.  Visit www.shoptheoaksmall.com or call 805.495.2032 for details.

Update 3/14/10:

Kids Club events planned starting 2/4/10 through 11/4/10.

Thursday, April 1, 2010: Ester the Great Grand-daughter of the Easter Bunny. Ester will delight you with music and interactive song.

Saturday
13Mar2010

Samuelson Aquatics Center Community Pool at CLU

The Community Pool at Samuelson Aquatics Center is the result of a unique collaboration between the University, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the City of Thousand Oaks.  This year-round facility includes shade structure, picnic tables, outdoor showers, classes and more. The seven-lane pool will serve as a warm-up pool for CLU athletes during competitions.  It is available to the local community, swim clubs and master swimmers.

Samuelson Aquatics Center is located on the Cal Lutheran Campus at 100 Overton Court, Thousand Oaks (CLICK HERE) or basically the center is at the corner of Olsen Road and Mountclef Blvd (enter Overton Court from Mountclef).  Visit www.crpd.org or call 805.241.0894 for more information.

Recreational swim hours vary but the pool is open 7 days per week during the spring/summer. Spring pool hours March to May. Pool heated to at least 82 degrees! 

Friday
12Mar2010

Gamez on Wheelz Mobile Video Gaming

Gamez on Wheelz is the Ultimate Birthday Party Experience!

Let Us Bring Our Games to You! We bring a Mobile Video Game Theater to YOUR location!  It is packed with the latest video games and most exciting gaming environment right to your door to make your party or event a winner every time! Play the most popular games with your family, friends or co-workers in climate-controlled comfort. Gamez on Wheelz offers the latest in Xbox 360 and Wii games like: Halo ODST, Modern Warfare 2, Rock Band 2, Madden 10, Super Mario Bros, Just Dance and more!

Got a birthday party to plan? Gamez on Wheelz does birthday parties, corporate events, game nights, team parties, block parties, family reunions, fund raisers, staff appreciation days and more. Our standard mobile video game theater can accommodate up to 25 gamers playing at a time, making it easy for you to provide tons of fun or a great team-building experience for any age group.

Gamez on Wheelz was designed by gamers for gamers. It’s packed with state-of-the-art electronics, a killer lighting and sound system and multiple flat-screen HDTV’s that virtually immerse you in the ultimate gaming experience. We also have an optional interactive Rock Band stage equipped with guard rails, lights and fog machine so you can jam out like a rock star! No other mobile game truck in America offers the combination of today’s latest games in a totally immersible environment like we do.

www.gamezonwheelz.com

Contact us today at 805.804.3092 or vcevents@gamezonwheelz.com

Tuesday
09Mar2010

Birthday Parties at Thousand Oaks Community Center

The Thousand Oaks Community Center is offering a fun and easy way to throw your child’s next birthday party.

With lots of locations and eleven themes to choose from, every party is customized to you and your birthday child’s needs. Our parties are an excitement packed celebration planned and hosted for children 3-12 years old that include decorations, balloons, crafts, and games!

Packages start at $275 for a 2 hour party. For more information or to reserve a date call a party host at the Thousand Oaks Community Center on 2525 N. Moorpark Road at 805-381-2793.

Sunday
07Mar2010

Kids Club and Kids Eat Free Tuesday Nights at Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas

The Sagebrush Cantina announces it will be hosting Tuesday night’s Kid’s Club, a local family community event offering free entertainment and activities geared toward families with kids ages 10 and under. The weekly Tuesday family night event offers activities such as face painting, gymnastics and disco dancing with a variety of featured entertainment which will include magic, reptiles, puppets, jugglers and bubble shows.

During Kid’s Club the cantina offers families a Kids Eat Free special with one free child’s meal with every adult entrée ordered or a $3 kid’s special meal with drink. Kid’s Club runs from 4:30 – 7:30 pm, rain or shine. Kids Eat Free pricing runs from 4:00 pm until closing.

For more information on Kid’s Club, call the Sagebrush Cantina at  (818) 222-6062, email sagebrushcantina@earthlink.net or visit www.sagebrushcantina.com. The restaurant is located at 23527 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. It is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, 11:00 am to closing, Monday through Friday. The cantina now also serves Saturday breakfast  beginning at 8:00 am. Sunday Brunch is served from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm with regular menu offered from 2:30 pm to closing.

 

Wednesday
03Mar2010

Programs After School - Art Classes in Thousand Oaks

 

Programs After School for Kids Art Classes is a wonderful childrens' art studio located right across from The Lakes in Thousand Oaks. 

Programs After School is very different from regular kids art class.

We are very affordable! We have our own studio so we don't pass on facility fees to our customers and we are local without the burden of out-of-state franchise fees.

We believe that children should not be excluded from an art enrichment experience.

Our classes are innovative not repetitive and dull, strongly academic with our unique hybrid of Montessori and Waldorf methods surrounding the learning of the art masters, drawing and painting techniques, and most importantly our classes are pure fun.

The children attending our classes often find themselves learning "by mistake" and they are in a warm, relax environment where they are free to take risks with their creativity.

We actively engage and connect with the children in their classes, providing a fun and stimulating experience from beginning to end and we have very low student-to-teacher ratios.

If you are looking for that uniqueness in the visual art experience you want for your kids, combined with a fun academic approach, offered by a local company popular with homeschooler associations and local schooling districts, fostering academic achievement through art, then please check out our website or call us for information. Our studio hours do vary.

We are proudly local and our own young children are in these schooling districts - so we understand the issues facing local parents in our community.

We are also providing work for local teachers and we love what we do.

We offer a very wide Birthday Party selection from over 10 themes ! What more could kids want?

Our Field Trips are popular with local elementary schools and Mom’s Clubs.

Our classes for younger kids are 45 minutes, once a week for 6 weeks. For older kids (7 - 13) the classes are for one hour.

We recently introduced a fun baby class "Baby van Goo Goo and You" for 18 months to 36 months - to drool for!

Apart from the baby class, our classes are drop off. You can relax and go for a stroll and some shopping around The Lakes.

Don't fuss leave the mess to us!

Programs After School for Kids Art Classes is located opposite The Lakes at 2219 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite 105,  Thousand Oaks.

Member of the Thousand Oaks & Westlake Village Chamber of Commerce & Education Committee.

24/7 Online enrollment at www.programsafterschool.com or call us at (805) 404-8240

Great testimonials from parents and kids !

Friday
26Feb2010

Kids Club at The Commons at Calabasas

Join us every Tuesday at 6:00pm at The Commons at Calabasas (4799 Commons Way) for a weekly dose of fun, including music, dance, arts, crafts, entertainment and so much more!

March Kids Club Events:

MARCH 2: PUPPETS ON PARADE

Scott Land is the most highly sought after puppeteer in Southern California! His puppets have appeared in films and on television! He has the magic touch to make puppets come to life right before your eyes! You will be amazed with the skill of this highly talented performer!

MARCH 9: JUGGLING with JULIEN

This performer comes all the way from France with the most unique style of juggling you will ever see! He has toured the world with his show and has been critically acclaimed at each stop! Join us for a truly unique presentation that will fascinate young and old alike!

MARCH 16: FAMILY MAGIC and COMEDY

Jersey Jim brings some of the funniest magic you will ever see! He uses humor and a whole lot of audience participation to create a good time that young and old will enjoy! This performer gets rave reviews from the Jersey Shore to the Malibu Coast!

MARCH 23: MUSIC and FUN with TEACHER DAN

Teacher Dan is a critically acclaimed music teacher and has a show full of fun and interactive music for young and old. He performs some familiar songs and some new ones too. Everyone will be up and moving in this fun musical show!

MARCH 30: LEAPING LIZARDS

We will learn about some fascinating creatures when the O’Gradys pay us a visit! If you thought you knew everything about snakes and lizards, think again! We will see an assortment of cold-blooded creatures up close and personal!

For more information, contact The Commons at Calabasas management office at 818-222-3444 or view our full Calendar of Events at www.shopcommons.com

In addition to the Kids Club, The Commons has beautiful grounds where you can take a stroll and enjoy turtles, Koi fish and ducks. Your kids can have a quick bite at Johnny Rockets, Pick Up Stix, Las Salsa, or Corner Bakery and finish the evening with a sweet treat from Crumbs Bakeshop or Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt.

Thursday
25Feb2010

Kid's Club at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks

The Lakes at Thousand OaksThe Kids Club at The Lakes meets selected Wednesday mornings at 11 a.m. Call 805.497.9861 for more information. Events are outdoors; rain generally cancels events but call first.

Events vary from puppet shows to storytellers to musicians, petting zoos, arts and crafts, etc. for preschoolers and their parents. These are outdoor events and are weather permitting. Contact The Lakes for more information at 805.497.9861 or www.shoplakes.com.

In addition to the kids club, The Lakes has a small playground area that is geared toward the younger kids, an expanse of grass and 2 beautiful lakes, waterfall, fountain, etc. This is a nice park-like setting that makes you forget the fact that you are look ing straight out at Thousand Oaks Boulevard. Stop by, dine outside with the kids at California Pizza Kitchen or Nate ’n Al Delicatessen, and while they wait for their food they can practice their shots on the putting green at Nate ’n Al Delicatessen.

One more bonus: The Lakes is next door to the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, which has an outdoor courtyard with trees and paths that are fun for the kids to explore.

Upcoming Kids Club Events (updated 2/25/10):

Wednesday, March 3: World of Puppets - Colorful puppet characters come to life in a show that's full of music and stories. Children will enjoy classic tales revisited in a brand new way and learn about patience, persistence, self-control and lots more.
 
Wednesday, March 10: Music and Fun with Teacher Dan - Enjoy a show full of fun and interactive music with familiar songs and some new ones too. Everyone will be up and moving in this fun musical show.

Wednesday, March 17: Marionette Mayhem - Scott Land's puppets have appeared in film and on television. See Scott make puppets come to life right before your eyes!
 
Wednesday, March 24: Dress-Up and Play-Time with Claire - Direct from the UCLA Theater Arts department, enjoy a show by Claire, a trained singer/songwriter who has focused her energy on developing interactive music and story-telling for children. 
 
Wednesday, March 31: Clowning Around with Pup
pets - Join us for a very special presentation of interactive music and puppet improvisation! Enjoy a show where puppets interact with the children in an engaging and memorable way that is sure to impress.
Monday
22Feb2010

Ventura Harbor Village Carousel and Arcade

The arcade and carousel at Ventura Harbor Village makes for quite an entertaining time and a great place for celebrating a birthday - a 2 hour private party room rental with hot dogs, soda, 36 horse carousel and arcade access and prizes is only $8.50 per person (minimum 6 people) or $9.50 for pizza.  Or just stop by with the kids on a day at Ventura Harbor Village, stopping by The Parlor (805.658.2837) for burgers, hot dogs and delicious onion rings (our experience today!), grab an ice cream, check out the boats, try a whale watching expedition, etc etc.  We love this place and it never seems too crowded.  Learn more at http://venturavillagecarousel.com/.

Ventura Harbor Village is at 1567 Spinaker Drive, Ventura.  Call 805.644.3234 for the Carousel/Arcade.  Visit www.venturaharborvillage.com for more info.

Saturday
20Feb2010

Boost Your Average Community Batting & Sports Center in Westlake Village

Boost Your Average (BYA) is the Conejo Valley's premier indoor Baseball and Softball batting cages and multi sport training center. The 15,000 sq ft BYA facility was built for the training of both boys and girls equally in the sports of baseball and softball.  Each of our nine lanes are equipped with the most accurate state of the art pitching machines that pitch both baseballs and softballs in every lane. Four of our lanes are fully automatic token operated cages where the batter can select baseballs or softballs from within the lane.

Our exclusive 3,500 ft. indoor open practice field is fully turfed for fielding drills. It is also equipped with baseball and softball pitching mounds, two tee and soft-toss nets. When used in conjunction with one of our batting lanes it makes it the perfect practice combination for teams.

BYA is located at 2326 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village. Learn more at www.BoostYourAverage.com or call 805.370.1025.

Note from Conejo Joe: We stopped by very recently and were impressed by the size and layout of the facility and friendliness/helpfulness of the staff.  We also met Bryan, the owner, who was very helpful. Check it out!

Saturday
20Feb2010

Pandora's Paintbox Craft Studio - Newbury Park

Pandora's Paintbox Craft Studio in Newbury ParkPandora’s Paintbox® is a walk-in craft studio   The studio is also available for parties. Open Tuesday through Sunday, hours vary.  Located at 1610-1 Newbury Road in Newbury Park.  For more info visit www.pandoraspaintbox.com or call 805.498.2222.

February 2010 Note: Pandora's Paintbox will continue providing walk-in crafts but will also house Brooker Tracker Racing, providing racing, service, parts, track time, classes for RC car enthusiasts.  More information on the BT Facebook page (future website will be www.brookertracker.com.

Thursday
11Feb2010

Brandon's Buddies Free Kids Club in Calabasas

Brandon's Buddies is a FREE KIDS CLUB that meets every month at Brandon's Village at Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.  This playground is the first fully-accessible playground in the region. The day may include Integrated Play, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts, Entertainment and Treats.  Please feel free to bring a sack lunch.

All children with and without disabilities and their families who want to spend a great day playing in the sunshine and making friends are invited to participate!

Brandon's Buddies gives children with disabilities the opportunity to play with their typically-able peers, while giving their parents a chance to share experiences and advice with other parents/caregivers.  It gives children without disabilities the chance to get to know their peers and gain greater awareness and compassion.

For more information, visit The K.E.N. Project website at www.kenproject.com or call 818.222.8118.  Or visit the KEN Project calendar at www.kenproject.com/calendarofevents.html

Note from Conejo Joe: The group meets USUALLY (some exceptions) the first Saturday of each month from 11 am to 1 pm. But make sure to check in advance.  Or just show up.  The park is awesome!

Upcoming dates (as of 2/11/10): March 6th, April 3rd, May 1st, June 5th, July 10th, Aug 7th, Sept 11th, Oct 2nd, Nov 6th, Dec 4th.

Saturday
06Feb2010

Knuckleheads Gym - Newbury Park

Knuckleheads Gym provides a fun gym workout experience for kids by using the latest interactive computer game/exercise technology. Their equipment couples with their "101" unique sport specific workout programs providing smart, entertaining exercise.  The gym is geared towards kids ages 5 to 15.  It is located at 2080 Newbury Road, Suite C, Newbury Park (in the Vons plaza).  Visit www.knuckleheadsgym.com or call 805.499.8700 for more information.