Seven Fun Activities With the Kids in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

There are thousands of things to do in and around Ventura County with or without the kids. Here are some of my family's favorites. For more options, visit the Kid Fun, Do Something and Local Events - Kids sections of CVG!

1. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a fun getaway up north because in addition to the permanent exhibits, there's usually a great temporary exhibit that is educational and fun, like the annual Butterflies Alive! display during the summer months. My kids love the outdoor "backyard" area of the museum, with its trails, rocks, stream, tadpoles and other fun activities. It is just a nice place to get out and explore.

Backyard of the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

2. Malibu beach areas along PCH, including Leo Carrillo and Malibu Lagoon State Beach are great places to check out the tidepools and play around. The Malibu Lagoon area is also close to the Malibu Pier, Malibu Country Mart and Legacy Park, which provides a variety of things to do in close proximity to one another.

3. As a reward for good behavior we frequent local frozen treateries (Is that a word?). There are over 80 places focused on selling ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato and other frozen treats around Ventura County. One of my kids is a big Baskin Robbins fan, another is a Tutti Frutti connoisseur and both of them are raving Dippin Dots fans (there is a store in Ventura).  Paciugo Gelato at The Oaks mall is also a fantastic place. But frankly, we love most all of the places on this list.

4. Golf N' Stuff, unmistakably adjacent to the 101 freeway off Victoria in Ventura, has a diverse assortment of fun activities and is open literally 365 days a year (yep, all holidays included). Though my 6 year old's temper is legendary on these mini golf courses, we still have a great time. And after he tosses his golf club into the pond, we blow off steam in the large arcade, knock into things in the bumper boats and cars and partake in other fun. And even in the heat of the summer, it stays cool here!

5. It's always fun to see a movie at a local movie theater with the kids, and here's a list of over 150 movie screens in 17 theaters around Ventura County. Not only is it a great way to beat the heat, but it's great for temporarily getting them to stop beating on each other! And you can't beat the experience of seeing a movie in a large movie theater. Always a treat that my kids love.

6. You can't go wrong with Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks because of many reasons...it is quite large and flat, making it an optimal place for riding bikes and scooters and playing on the grass, it has several decent play areas geared towards younger/older kids, the ponds and creek that run through the park are awesome and the ducks are quite entertaining and the park is adjacent to the awesome Thousand Oaks Library, Teen Center and Senior Center, linking it with so many other activities and things to do.

7. I am not ashamed to admit that I'm OK with going to Chuck E. Cheese's in Thousand Oaks and Ventura. The kids of course love CEC for the obvious...games, win tickets and cash them in for junk  they'll never use. I get that. It's fun, loud and exciting in there. I don't mind so much because a) I can order a beer and a chicken sandwich and I'm pretty content, b) some of the games...skeeball, basketball, football tosss...I myself enjoy playing (hey, guess I'm just a kid at heart) and c) if I want to read the paper or mess around on my iPad, I can do so and not worry too much about the kids.

There you have it. Perhaps I will be following this up with another list soon...

27th Annual Open Competition at Buenaventura Gallery in Downtown Ventura

Call for entries for 27^th annual open competition at Buenaventura Gallery

Jack Halbert "On The Midway"

Buenaventura Art Association announces a “Call for Entries” for the 27th Annual Open Competition at the Buenaventura Gallery in downtown Ventura’s cultural district.  The exhibit will run from January 8 through January 26, 2013. Deadline for entries is midnight December 31, 2012.  Over $1,500 in cash prizes and membership benefits will be awarded at a rece

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Portable North Pole Provides a Free, Personalized Video Message From Santa!

Portable North Pole is back for a 5th year this holiday season with FREE personalized video messages from Santa! You've gotta try this! Check out Santa's message to me, Conejo Joe, at this link!

Portable North Pole lets you customize a video for Santa fans of all ages by asking you variety of questions, such as if you have been naughty, nice, or both, gender, name, location, special efforts you have been asked to make this year, the type of present you are interested in and more! You can also upload up to 3 images that will be displayed in the video.

With Portable North Pole, kids and adults alike can experience the magic of Santa and his village at the touch of a button via their persona

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

Looking for things to do when its really, really HOT outside!? This list of mostly indoor activities is somewhat random in order so take a close look and you'll find something cool to do in and around Ventura County.

• Scooter's Jungle Indoor Play Facility in Simi Valley (opened 12/20/12)
• Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place in Camarillo
• Boost Your Average Indoor Batting Cages in Westlake Village
• Bright Child in Oak Park
• Over 40 local area public beaches from Carpinteria to Malibu

• Imagymnation Gymnastics Center in Simi Valley
• 17+ libraries in the Ventura County area
• Gull Wings Children's Museum in Oxnard (ages 2 to 12)
• Gymboree Play & Learn in Camarillo, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks (ages 0-5)
• Channel Islands Ice Center
• Make Meaning Store at The Oaks Mall
• Lakeshore Learning Free Crafts on Saturdays in Ventura
• 150 movie screens around Ventura County
• MyParty Playhouse in Agoura

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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 Sept 2012 and subject to change)

West County Winter Shelter is open from December 1 to March 31 (funds permitting) at locations that can vary from year to year. Call 805.385.1800 for specific location.  Families and singles welcome. Hot meals and place to sleep provided beginning at 6 p.m., dinner 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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. Call 805.652.2151.

Ventura County Rescue Mission, 234 E. 6th Street, Oxnard open year provides place to sleep, hot meal, shower for up to 60 single men for up to 10 consecutive nights. Check-in at 5 p.m. Call 805.487.1234.

Lighthouse Womens & Childrens Mission--Emergency She

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Go Bowling in Ventura County - Fun For All Ages!

As you can see in Conejo Valley Guide, there is no shortage of things to do in Ventura County.  But how many of you have bowled recently?

Archeologists found ancient bowling balls and bowling pins in an Egyptian gravesite in the 1930s that date back to 3200 B.C., thus making bowling the world's oldest documented sport.  The first indoor bowling alley was Knickerbockers of New York City in 1840.

But who cares about that!  Here are 6 reasons to go bowling:

• You don't have to dress up. In fact, you can rent ugly shoes to bowl.
• Retractable bumpers make bowling more fun little ones and terrible bowlers like me.
• Bowling teaches kids math and geometry skills. Well, kind of.
• While it is a fun family activity, it is also great for teambuilding. Or so I hear.
• Bowling is an activity where striking is a good thing.
• Close proximity and availability of cold beer to the bowling alley. 

So go support one of these 6 local bowling alleys.  You will have fun.  Bring the little ones.

• Brunswick Zone Simi Valley
  
• Buena Lanes Ventura
• Harley's Bowling Centers in Camarillo and Simi Valley
• Ventura Bowling Center (Closing its doors 12/2/12)
  
• Wagon Wheel Bowl in Oxnard

Bowling in the Conejo Valley!!?? Nope. Not since, 1995, when the 40 lane Conejo Village Bowl, located where Borders was until January 2010 and various county medical services will soon reside.

1924 Chevrolet Housecar Exhibit at Murphy Auto Museum Recalls Dust Bowl of 1930s

The Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms in the 1930s caused by severe drought and improper farming methods. The Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard is currently exhibiting a 1924 Chevrolet Housecar and other items that recall the Dust Bowl and the families that traveled and lived in cars in California looking for work.

Photos courtesy of the Murphy Auto Museum

In mid-November, documentary "Dust Bowl" by Ken Burns premiered on PBS. The film chronicles this period of American history in which the frenzied wheat boom of the "Great Plow-Up," followed by a decade-long drought during the 1930s nearly swept away the breadbasket of the nation. Visit www.pbs.org/kenburns/dustbowl for more information.

Payroll Taxes For U.S. Employees Set to Increase Beginning January 1, 2013

The last few years, we have enjoyed (for lack of a better word) a 2 percentage point reduction in our 6.2% Social Security (FICA) tax rate, to 4.2% of wages earned during 2011, temporarily extended through 2012 by the aptly named Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011.

Unless the tax rate is extended again, in 2013 we will once again be paying into Social Security at the rate of 6.2%. That means $1,000 less to spend next year if you make, say, $50,000 per year.

Social Security is also referred to as Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance (OASDI). Social Security has a nicer ring to it I suppose.

The 6.2% OASDI withholding rate has been in place since 1990. The statutory OASDI rate started out at 1% on employee wages from 1937 to 1949 and increased about 20 times through the years until it reached its current 6.2%.

Though the Social Security tax rate itself hasn't increased over the last 22 years, actual taxes paid have indeed grown as the annual maximum wage base has increased.

In 2013, the FICA wage base increases from $110,100 to $113,700. Th

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Just in Time For the Holidays! Gingersnap Streusel Pumpkin Pie Recipe

Originally posted November 2010. Here's the latest recipe from chef Jill Fisher! Jill, a licensed Personal Chef, teaches cooking classes at Conejo Valley Adult School and Williams Sonoma in Thousand Oaks and has written articles for local food magazines such as 805 Living. 

CLICK HERE for Jill's other recipes published in Conejo Valley Guide!

Gingersnap Streusel Pumpkin Pie

1 flaky pie crust, unbaked

2 cups crushed gingersnap cookies (about 40)

1 cup chopped pecans

½ cup powdered sugar

¼ cup melted butter

1 15 oz can pumpkin

1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

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November 2012 Thousand Oaks Police Department City Watch Update

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

November kicks off the busiest shopping season of the year. During this time, many people feel rushed and stressed to get much accomplished.  Do not become complacent giving thieves an open invitation to make your home or vehicle a big gift box this holiday season.

When you park your vehicle at your home or out, make sure you roll up the windows, lock your vehicle, take the keys, and insure your valuables are concealed or removed.

While out shopping, be aware of your surroundings; scan the area from time to time. Avoid concentrating so hard on shopping that you fail to keep track of your surroundings, others near you, or your personal property.

Shop with friends or a relative if possible there is safety in numbers. As you

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Thousand Oaks Named to BICYCLING Magazine List of Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities

BICYCLING Magazine recently published a list of the top 50 bike-friendly cities in the United States for 2012. The list was completed based on cities with populations of 95,000 or more (roughly 300 U.S. cities are in this category) based on input from various sources, including the League of American Bicyclists. To make the list, BICYCLING indicates the city must also possess a robust cycling infrastructure and vibrant bike culture.

Congratulations goes out to the City of Thousand Oaks for placing 38th on this list! Thousand Oaks was one of only 3 Southern California cities to make the list, which included Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The top 10 cities named on the list were: Portland, Oregon, Minneapolis, Boulder, Colorado, Washington, DC, Chicago, Madison, Wisconsin, New York City, San Francisco, Eugene, Oregon and Seattle.

BICYCLING noted the 2011 addition of the 1.2 mile Conejo Creek Bike Path and the Conejo Valley Cyclists' recruitment of 300 cyclists for the 2011 Ride of Silence as factors in the City's ranking. The Conejo Creek Path connects Gainborough Road to Conejo Creek Park, Thousand Oaks Library and Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

Conejo Creek Bike PathThe City of Thousand Oaks maintains approximately 80 miles of bikeways, including about 3 miles of bike paths, roughly 54 miles of bike lanes and other 20 miles or so of bike routes. The City takes bicycling very seriously...the City Council adopted a comprehensive Bicycle Facilities Master Plan in November 2010 to help prioritize future improvement projects around town.

Conejo Valley Cyclists is a popular local bicycling club offering beginning to advanced recreational rides as well as race paced training rides. The club organizes the extremely popular annual Cruisin' the Conejo bike ride in the spring of each year. Visit www.cvcbike.org to learn more.

Also popular is the Amgen Cycling Club, which is a non-profit organization open to the public. Visit www.velogen.org for more information.

And of course, since its launch in 2006, the Amgen Tour of California is the biggest bike race in the United States. Learn more at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. In 2011, the final stage of the tour was right here in Thousand Oaks!

Amgen Tour of California 2011 (Photo Credit: Marcella Ketelhut of Thousand Oaks)

And finally, check out the City of Thousand Oaks "Bikesafe" website at www.toaks.org/government/depts/public_works/streets/bicycle/home.asp for tips and information to ensure safe bicycling around town.

Mugu Rock at Point Mugu

Point Mugu is an unincorporated part of Ventura County that is derived from the Chumash word Muwu, or beach. Other than the Naval Base, probably the most well known fixture in Point Mugu is the Mugu Rock. Mugu Rock is a large rock formation that was formed when Pacific Coast Highway was built and cut through the mountain that now resides on the other side of PCH. Before PCH was built, a road went around the rock, where a chain link fence has been placed keep people away from this hazardous area adjacent to the Pacific Ocean.

Mugu Rock is located just a few miles near the northwest tip of PCH before it veers north towards Oxnard. It is about a 10 mile drive from the Camarillo Premium Outlets and about 20 miles from the heart of Thousand Oaks taking either the 101/Lewis Road route or the slightly slower, curvy and interesting Potrero Road route.

Professional landscape and wildlife photographer Greg Clure of Newbury Park has shared a couple neat images facing Mugu Rock from the south. Visit Greg's website at www.gregclurephotography.com for more of his outstanding work.

And here is some

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Veterans Day Services in Ventura County

Veterans Day 2012 is celebrated as a Federal holiday on Monday, November 12th.  Here are some local options to honor those who have served our country.

Veterans Day 2012 has come and gone...the list will be updated again in the latter part of 2013.

On Friday, November 9th, Oaks Christian School invites the public to a

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Identify Local Sex Offenders Using California Megan's Law Website

California was the first state in the nation to initiate a Sex Offender Tracking Program in 1947, but until 1996, when California Megan's Law (CML) was initiated, information about sex offenders was not publicly available. 

Megan's Law is named after 7 year old New Jersey girl Megan Kanka, who was raped and killed by a known molester who lived across the street from her family. All states now have a form of Megan's Law.

On September 24, 2004, AB 488 was signed into law in California, providing the public Internet access to sex offender information at www.meganslaw.ca.gov. There are over 63,000 offenders in the CML database, including over 33,500 (now 40,500 as of Nov 2012) with home addresses listed due to the nature of their crimes and 12,000 (previously 30,000 - not sure why there's such a large decrease) listed by zip code only. Another 22,000 or so sex offenders are known by law enforcement but are not required to be listed on the website.

This is a website that deserves a look, particularly by anyon

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Daylight Saving Time Ends on the First Sunday of November

Daylight Saving Time ends on the first Sunday of November each year in the U.S. (with the exception of Arizona and Highway). In 2012, that will be Sunday, November 4th at 2 a.m.

At 1:59:59 a.m. on Sunday, your clocks will revert back to 1 a.m. Yes! FALL BACK!! An extra hour of sleep!

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gave us an extra month of DST by starting DST 3 weeks earlier and ending it one week later.

For my more precise readers, it is officially called Daylight Saving (not Savings) Time. So if you want to annoy your friends, correct them any time they call it Daylight SavingS time.

Also as one website I found mentioned, Daylight Saving Time is technically inaccurate, since we don't really gain daylight. It would more appropriately be called Daylight Shifting Time but I don't see that being a high priority initiative.

Falling back is probably my favorite day of the year as I thoroughly enjoy the gift of an extra hour.