There are hundreds of historical things to see around Ventura County, dozens of which are covered here on Conejo Valley Guide. Let's take a look at 5 neat places to see Ventura County history to additional information.

Strathearn Historical Park and Museum in Simi Valley has a notable collection of structures and artifacts from Simi's early days. The park is jointly operated by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District and Simi Valley Historical Society. 1 to 1 1/2 hour docent-led tours of the buildings, a museum and much to see.

The Museum of Ventura County opened its Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula in September 2011. The museum is housed in the historic 18

Miscellaneous Places and Ideas

• Build-a-Bear Workshop at The Oaks
• YMCA Locations in Southeast Ventura County
• O'Ryan DelToro Balloon Artist for Hire
• One World Rhythm - Interactive Drumming
• Glamour on Wheels Mobile Parties

• Have a SWEET Birthday Party!!

  YMCA in Camarillo and Ventura
• Zoom Go Karts Mobile Parties
• Kids Adventure Garden at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
• Fun-do-mental Music - Musical Parties in Thousand Oaks
• TrebleMakers Music Enrichment
• Troutdale Fishing Party in Agoura Hills
• Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
• Stephen the Spectacular Magical Performer
• Magical Birthday Parties by Dan Ray
• Diva Girlz and Adventure Boyz Mobile Parties
• Cruzin' Mobile Slot Car Racing
• Cutie Mark Glitter Tattoos

Too funny. Every 15 seconds a completely new look based on the creativity of random people. Everything from high end digital animation, Lego figures, real people in costumes, sock puppets, paper bags, clay figures, you name it. Grab a group of friends and enjoying laughing out loud at the random cleverness of this unique patchwork of Star Wars storyline.

To learn more about Star Wars Uncut, visit www.starwarsuncut.com.

Love how you occasionally hear cowbells chiming in. Cows are intent listeners.

New Exhibit at Agriculture Museum Opens February 11

For more than 200 years, agriculture has been an enduring magnet attracting newcomers. In the new exhibit Putting Down Roots: Ventura County’s Immigrant Farmers, 1800-1910, visitors to the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula can learn about the farmers and laborers who settled here after traveling from across the country and around the world. The exhibit opens February 11 and runs through May 20 in the Finch Family Gallery.

Manuel Faria. Faria Ranch, Rincon - Museum of Ventura County Research Library

Historic photographs put faces to the laborers and farmers who came here long ago and often stayed, as have many of their descendants. Visitors are invited to conside

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

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

Free Upcoming Events (UPDATED REGULARLY)

Free Things To Do/Activities Around Ventura County

Additional Free Activities Geared Towards Kids

Restaurant Rewards Programs and Birthday Clubs with Rebates/Free Stuff

The Popular Kids Eat Free Around Ventura County List

Daily Deal and Coupon Websites for the Ventura County Area

Metrolink Rewards Discounts on Southern California Attractions

Auto Club Discounts on Products and Services

There are nearly 20 libraries in Ventura County and surrounding areas. Most of these libraries provide thousands of books as well as downloadable eBooks readable on devices such as Nook, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Android, PDF and other formats! And most of these local libraries host free and/or inexpensive events and activities like storytimes, classes, concerts more for kids, teens and adults of all ages!

The Ventura County Library system currently includes 13 libraries throughout the county.

The Camarillo Public Library is the newest library in the county.

There are 2 libraries in Thousand Oaks: The Grant R. Brimhall Library and the Newbury Park Branch Library.

The Agoura Hills Library, part of the Los Angeles County Public Library System, opened in 2001.

The City of Moorpark manages its own library.

Last but not least is the Westlake Village Library.

Why do we have Leap Years?  Our 365 day year is shorter than the 365.2422 day solar year.  A solar year is the time between two vernal equinoxes.  Vernal equinox takes place when the sun is directly over the Earth's equator.  To make up for this .2422 day difference, we add an extra day (a "Leap Day") to the calendar in certain years.

Which years are considered Leap Years?  Most of us think Leap Years happen every 4 years.  But there's more to it.  In the Gregorian calendar unveiled by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 A.D. that we use today, a Leap Year is any year divisible by 4; however, if the year is divisible by 100, it is not a Leap Year; but, if the year is divisible by 400, it IS a Leap Year.  So year 2100 will NOT be a Leap Year (not that I'll care at age 136), while 2000 indeed was a Leap Year.

Leap Year rules were simpler during the 16 centuries that Julius Caesar's Julian calendar was used (beginning 45 BC).  The rule was to add a Leap Day every 4 years.  Problem was, this did not match the vernal equinox cycle with enough precision.

Why is it called a Leap Year?  One theory is that a

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,

A new year does not necessarily bring about new beginnings as old ways and habits of the criminal mind still affect us all. The past few weeks have seen a slow and steady increase in both residential and vehicle thefts. The east end of the City has seen an increase in residential burglaries while the north end has been struck with multiple vehicle burglaries. While some criminals excel in blue-collar property crimes, the white-collar crime of identity theft is also increasing.

Unfortunately, more people are discovering unauthorized withdrawals and illicit charges to banking and credit accounts. Some are being manipulated by shysters via mailings or telephone calls and these all lead to a creditor’s continual pestering. Be vigilant and check those statements regularly.

Fill’er up

Have you ever been to any place where the access card reader did not scan the magnetic strip the first time? That is not unusual but sometimes if it is happening to everyone then, well, Houston we have a problem. Customers at a service station attempted to pay for the gasoline at the pump but were consistently denied. Sensing that a problem might exist after hours of the same complaint, the employee opened the gas pump and discovered an illegal skimming device. The other pumps were opened and another skimming device was found inside a different pump. The same sequence of events happened at another service station in a different part of the City. Beside the skimming devices, what the service stations had in common were that they were closed during the overnight hours and that gave the crooks the opportunity to place the devices inside the pumps. The next time your access card does not work at the pumps does not mean that a skimmer is attached; it only means you should be careful and remember this warning snippet.

Technology is wonderful

Lights, camera and skateboards. A group of juveniles were digitally recording themselves skateboarding. The cameras were attached to their helmets and clothing and they ostensibly were not bothering anyone or creating a traffic hazard. Things changed as a driver of a vehicle decided that they were not getting out of the street quickly enough. The driver dangerously tailgated the juveniles and forced them off the roadway. Not being satisfied and believing that he owned the street; the driver returned and again hazardously tailgated the skateboarders. The driver pulled over, got out and exchanged words with one of the juveniles. A confrontation ensued and the rotu