One Dozen Physical Fitness Activities in the Conejo Valley That Cost Nothing

Conejo Valley Guide contains thousands of things to do in the Conejo Valley, Greater Ventura County and surrounding areas of all types...carnivals, festivals, fairs, fundraisers and all sorts of places and things to see, do and try. Let's zero in on things to do that will help make you and keep you fit right here in the Conejo Valley and nearby areas....with the emphasis on ZERO...as in cost.

The Conejo Recreation & Park District maintains the Rabbit Flats Disc Golf Course at Thousand Oaks Community Park. This 9 acre, 18 basket course will keep you moving. The only cost to you is your frisbee!

The Conejo Group Sierra Club and other local hiking groups often host hikes in the area. The Conejo Open Space Foundation tracks them here.

There are several dozen free tennis courts open to the public available throughout the Conejo Valley.

The 33 acre Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is a peaceful, beautiful respite from the daily grind...and makes for a nice hike with panaromic views of the Conejo Valley as your reward.

Local Conejo Valley hiking surrounds us. Check out Oakbrook Regional Park and dozens of other local Conejo Valley trails at Wildwood Park, Los

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Beautiful, Cool Day in the Conejo Valley After a Rainy Week

After rain and thunderstorms the better part of the week, blue skies appeared again this beautiful Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County. From my vantage point, this was a perfect day. Blue skies dotted with some clouds...and temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Just the way I like it. Cold for some, perfect for me!

For a variety of trail and hiking options in the area, CLICK HERE.

The Conejo Free Clinic Provides Medical and Legal Services to Those in Need

The Conejo Free Clinic (CFC) is 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1976 that provides medical and legal services to those who may have no access to care. The CFC provides services to over 5,000 people annually in our community.

Medical services provided by CFC include primary and preventative general medical services, pediatric clinics, including childhood and school-required immunizations, women's health services such as health exams, mammograms and other tests as well as patient advocacy services when necessary. Legal service clinics take place the first four Tuesday nights of each month.

All CFC providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, RN's, medical assistants, receptionists, etc.) are volunteers. The office is managed by a staff of four employees, supported by a 15 member Board of Directors from the community.

CFC helps those who don't have adequate access to medical car

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Effective Today, Conejo Valley Has Been Renamed Squirrel Valley!

Herbie the Squirrel smiling for the camera in Thousand OaksIt started with a little squirrel named Herbie. Herbie was known to munch on seeds and plants outside the National Park Service Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks. Herbie is pictured to the right. Cute little guy, isn't he.

Conejo Valley resident Rocky N. Bulwinckel took notice 2 years ago. Rocky, third cousin once removed of Carolyn Lawrence, the voice of Sandy Cheeks, well known squirrel character on  SpongeBob SquarePants, was impressed at Herbie the Squirrel's amicable behavior and ability to interact with humans.

Bulwinckel and his neighbors, the Rowe-Dent family of Thousand Oaks, also noticed the proliferation of friendly squirrels throughout the Conejo Valley. In fact, the squirrel population seems to have overtaken the rabbit population, namesake of the Conejo (Spanish for rabbit) Valley! Bulwinckel and the Rowe-Dents decided to pursue a change in light of this squirrely situation.

So, after two years petitioning local residents and numerous presentations to the city councils of the Conejo Valley communities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills,

Local squirrel in celebration mode. Name unknown. We call him Bubba.

Oak Park and Calabasas, it was proclaimed that, effective today, the Conejo Valley is officially renamed the Squirrel Valley!

Here at Conejo Valley Guide we enjoy and cherish bunnies. However, we have already made preparations for the transition to Squirrel Valley Guide.

Please join us by reviewing our new website at www.SquirrelValleyGuide.com!

The 3rd Annual TEDxConejo Conference is Planned for Saturday, March 31, 2012

Under the theme "Together," the 3rd edition of TEDxConejo explores the always fascinating, often inspiring, occasionally surprising and sometimes vexing interconnectedness of our world. This annual gathering is planned for Saturday, March 31st, 2012 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.

UPDATE 2/11/12: Speakers to be announced and tickets will be available very soon!

TEDxConejo, an independently organize TED event, is the Conejo V

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Fiery Conejo Valley Sunrise on Friday, January 27, 2012

Jonathan Stewart shares this early morning shot of the sunrise viewed from near his Conejo Valley home. The Santa Ana winds really kicked up today, making for some interesting cloud formations. View more of Jonathan's work at jonathanstewart.smugmug.com.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas in Conejo Valley - An Ode to 2011

"A Visit From St. Nicholas," more popularly known as "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," was first published in 1823. This poem was used as a basis to remind us of many of changes we have seen here in the Conejo Valley and other parts of Ventura County in 2011.

‘Twas the night before Christmas, in Conejo Valley

Not a person was stirring, not one Hooters rally;

Roxy’s and Jack’s Delis closed down this past year,

Yet new restaurants have been quick to appear.

In August Red Robin came to The Oaks Mall,

Two weeks ago Red Lobster opened for all;

Buddha’s Belly Asian food in October,

And Olive Garden next month. Let’s stay sober!

But wait, not so fast, have a beer, hold your knees,

There’s Tipsy Goat, Ladyface Ale and Cr

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Can You Believe It? This Is (Was) The Last Day of Summer 2011!

Thanks to local dart guru L. David Irete we have this beautiful sunset to remember the last of our summer 2011 here in the Conejo Valley. And speaking of darts, check out the Ventura County Darts Association website at www.vcda.org. Darts is a great hobby (or perhaps a sport to some)...for nearly 100 groups and clubs around Ventura County, CLICK HERE.

Beautiful Views of Newbury Park, Conejo Valley and the Western Plateau

Last Sunday I decided to hike up the hills that are adjacent to the Seventh Day Adventist Center and Home Depot/Target Plaza in Newbury Park. These hills overlook Newbury Park and provide a panoramic view of the Conejo Valley and portions of the Conejo Canyons Open Space in northwest Thousand Oaks. What an amazing view! Thousand Oaks is surrounded by a 15,000 acre ring of open space. To learn more about our open space, visit the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency website at www.conejo-openspace.org.

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Local Conejo Valley Scenes From Landscape Artist Karen Winters

Recently I caught up with landscape artist Karen Winters at ArtWalk in Thousand Oaks, where her most recent work was on display. I particularly enjoyed a colorful Catalina Island piece on display but of course her local Conejo Valley work is always great to see. Visit her website at www.KarenWinters.com and visit her blog at www.karensblog.com  CLICK HERE for previous work displayed here on Conejo Valley Guide.

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Unveiling of the Norwegian Grade Historical Monument on January 26, 2011

This is a guest post by Anne Schroeder, great-granddaughter of Nils Olsen, one of the original settlers in the Conejo Valley in the 1890s.

Wednesday, January 26^th,  the community unveiled a monument commemorating the original Norwegian pioneers who built the Norwegian Grade. My great-grandfather, Nils Olsen and his sons Nick and Oscar are in the picture that is part of the monument. The picture was taken by Nil’s wife during the ten years it took them and their Norwegian neighbors to build it, from 1901-1911, working in the slack time between crops and harvest. The picture shows them with hoes and shovels. Off-camera was a horse-drawn blade and $60 worth of dynamite donated by the county.

Nils Olsen's grandchildren, including (from left), Neil Olsen, Mary Olsen Rydberg, David Olsen (great-grand-son), Gerry Olsen, and Wyatt McCrea.

The Olsen family is proud to be part of the monument, a group-effort that includes Ventura County, Cal Lutheran, Sons of Norway and the Pederson and Olsen families. Thirty five Olsen family members came from all over California to honor the men and boys who built the grade.

For three generations we didn’t realize the story was important, so as children we kept it to ourselves, afraid that our friends would think we were boasting—or worse, lying. After all, tractors and graders built grades, not a half-dozen men and a barefoot waterboy.

Today, Ventura County residents know the story of the grade and its restoration; even the hand-forged hoe that was pulled out of the earth by a grader. In the photo that graces the monument, my great-grandfather is holding that same hoe, down to the slight burl on the limb-handle. It is physical proof of a story that we thought would disappear into the distant past as has happened in so many communities. Fortunately, VC understands that the privilege of having participated in a community’s founding years creates obligation to share.

Historic photo on the monument. Nils Olsen is second from the left (with the famous hoe). My grandfather is second from the right. His brother Nick is in the middle with his back turned.

My mother, Jean Olsen Thompson, is 83, the oldest living relative of the Olsen family, and almost the

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Looking For a Local Ventura County Social or Hobby Club?

You've come to the right place!  There are around 100 local Ventura County clubs and groups listed here on Conejo Valley Guide!  CLICK HERE to see them along with links to their websites!  There are also dozens of sports and fitness clubs and leagues here on Conejo Valley Guide (CLICK HERE). 

Now let's just take a look at the clubs that start with letter C:

• California Dressage Society - Ventura County
• California Kayak Friends Club
• Camarillo Quilters Association
• Channel Islands 4WD Group
• Channel Islands PC Users Group
• Conejo Chinese Cultural Association
• Conejo Classic Cinema
• Conejo Gem and Mineral Club

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Conejo Valley "Deal-a-Day" Website ConejoDeals.com Has Some Incredible Deals!

Looking for a great deal in the Conejo Valley? A new "Deal-a-Day" website, ConejoDeals.com launched in mid-April!

ConejoDeals.com brings huge savings to residents of the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Created by Westlake Village residents Robert Jaffe and Carlos Yniguez, ConejoDeals.com sends a daily email to its members offering 50-90% off at local businesses. Each deal remains available for purchase for just 24 hours (Friday deals are offered all weekend), but each discounted certificate is typically valid for six months.

In addition to saving you money, ConejoDeals.com gives back to the local community. For every deal purchased, $1 is donated to a local school, charity or organization.

From Conejo Joe: I've seen some GREAT deals listed! 50% discount at Nate and Al's and other restaurants, fantastic mini-spa and massage deals, 60% off a summer camp, a great lazer tage deal, and more.  Signing up costs you nothing and you get a daily email each morning showing what the latest one day deal is. This is a no brainer!

To receive a daily special deal email, sign-up for free at ConejoDeals.com!

BOGOPOD: Buy One, Get One Free, Plus Other Discounts in the Conejo Valley!

Happens all the time.  I get some coupons in the mail, tear a few out and place them on the desk or behind a magnet on the fridge.  But when I want to use the coupons, I can't find them, they have expired or I'm somewhere else.  Frustrating!

But there's BOGOPOD! www.BOGOPOD.com  provides online "Buy One, Get One Free, Plus Other Discounts" coupons for local Conejo Valley area businesses!  So if I'm at work and my wife ask me to pick up a pizza for the kids, I check BOGOPOD and, wallah, a Lamppost Pizza BOGO FREE coupon!  How about sushi? There are currently 4 different sushi coupon offerings in BOGOPOD (here's Red Coral Sushi coupons at Paraiso Dos Vientos)

Or the ever popular MB2 Raceway in Newbury Park.  MB2 discount coupons available on BOGOPOD!

Visit BOGOPOD.com for an extensive list of discount coupons for restaurants, shopping, kids, activities, home improvement, services and much more.  All you do it find the coupon, click it, print it and start saving money!  No signup, no cost!  I love the fact that you don't have to download special software to print the coupon.  There's also a search function on the BOGOPOD website that shortcuts the process of finding what you're looking for.

Now on a separate but related topic of saving money, check out "Places Where Kids Can Eat Free in Ventura County"  here on Conejo Valley Guide to find places where you can dine out and not pay for your kids' meals!

Original Conejo Valley Area Landscape Paintings by Karen Winters

Karen Winters gave us permission to display these original oil paintings here on Conejo Valley Guide. She is a published author, award-winning designer, Emmy award-winning producer and now first and foremost a talented artist based in La Canada (near Pasadena/Glendale).  Visit her website at www.KarenWinters.com and visit her blog at www.karensblog.com  Beautiful work, Karen! Thanks for sharing!

Boney Mountain as Viewed Near Circle X Ranch

"Sunset Spendor" Satwiwa Village Area of Sycamore Canyon

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Sheep to Chic: North Ranch Sheep Herding Pictures From January 1983

Photographer Scott Harrison took these wonderful pictures of Mario Palomino of Peru and 800 sheep he was tending in the hills of North Ranch before it was fully built out in January 1983. Palomino lived in a trailer along with his two sheep dogs. I don't see too many sheep around North Ranch these days! For more pictures and commentary from Scott, visit his website at www.harrysonpics.com.  Thank you for bringing us baa-ck in time, Scott!