Free Reception for Dr. William Hart, Author of Community Memorial Hospital Book, in Ventura on May 22nd

Author of Book on Community Memorial Hospital Honored

A free reception for Dr. William Hart, author of a recently published history of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at the Museum of Ventura County’s event pavilion. Signed copies of  “The Hospital of Choice: Community Memorial Hospital: A History,” will be available in the museum bookstore, in both hard and soft cover. Hart will donate all proceeds from sales of the book to the museum.

Hart was the first Board Certified cardiologist in Ventura County, the first procedural cardiologist in the Tri-Counties, and he founded the first Coronary Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit in Ventura County. His book chronicles Community Memorial Hospital’s 109 years of growth since opening in 1902 as the Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital, founded by brothers Cephas and Thomas Bard.

The present Museum of Ventura County shares some founding history with the hospital. Dr. Cephas Bard’s collection of artifacts, often given him in lieu of payment for medical services, formed the original exhibition with which the museum began in 1913.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Bard Hospital today at the corner of Fir and Poli Streets in Ventura

Dan Aykroyd to Sign Bottles of Crystal Head Vodka at the New Total Wine & More in Thousand Oaks on Friday, April 15th

The brand new Total Wine & More, located in the old Office Max 23,000 sq ft store next to Best Buy at 394 N. Moorpark Road, opened two weeks ago. This Friday, April 15th, from 4 pm to 6 pm, Dan Aykroyd will be at the store for a special in-store bottle signing of Crystal Head Vodka. Dan is co-founder of Crystal Head.

This premium vodka is produced using a filtering technique using Herkimer diamond crystals.  These crystals are said to contain special, magical properties that give the vodka an extra layer of purity. This vodka comes in a very unique, skull shaped bottle! Take home your own specially-signed bottle with the purchase of Crystal Head Vodka.

I called the store. Retail price of a 1.5 liter bottle is $74.99. The 750 ml bottle is $42.99.

For more information, visit www.totalwine.com or call the store at 805.494.0108.

Learn more about Crystal Head Vodka at www.crystalheadvodka.com.

National Nutrition Month Spotlight at Thousand Oaks Farmers' Market

The spotlight is on nutrition in March during National Nutrition Month.  The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market will have information available during the month of March for the community to learn about the benefits of sound nutrition.

Representatives from the Coastal Tri-County Dietetic Association will visit the Thousand Oaks Market on Thursday, March 24 during regular Market hours.  The Association will provide nutritional information and answer questions.

The theme for the 2011 National Nutrition Month is “Eat Right with Color,” which is presented by the American Dietetic Association.  The recently-released 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommended an increased focus on a plant-based diet.  Growing research indicates that fruits and vegetables are critical to promoting good health.  Studies have also shown that fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that may help protect individuals from chronic diseases.

“We are pleased to partner with area representatives who are committed to helping people realize the benefits of a balanced and healthy diet,” stated Karen Schott, Operations Manager for the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association.  “We invite the community to come and learn about good nutrition while enjoying the Farmers’ Market experience,” she added.

The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is held Thursdays at The Oaks Shopping Center at the east end Parking Lot, Wilbur Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

For more information on the Ventura County Certified Farmers’ Market Association, call 805-529-6266 or visit the website at www.vccfarmersmarket.com. Follow the Farmers’ Market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/vccfm.

Groundbreaking of "Simi at the Garden" on Tuesday, February 15th

The Simi Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church has allocated over 2 acres of their land for the betterment of our community! The land will be transformed into Simi Valley’s first community garden! We need you, the community, to come out and support this community building endeavor!

The 2 acres that will soon be transformed!

This is projected to be a big success given that this is the first community garden in Simi Valley. Our surrounding communities (ie.: Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Chatsworth, etc.) have these types of gardens, and are filled with a waiting list! Community gardens are in demand, and the fact that the SDA church has given their land for the betterment of the community shows a lot. We, as the community can show our gratitude through volunteering, sponsorships, donations, or merely lending a hand at whatever talent or resource we may possess.  It will take a big effort by all of us to get this project off the ground.

In conjunction with the garden, we will be establishing what we call a wellness program which will involve so much more than the garden itself! Emphasis will be put on public health education involving healthy lifestyle choices such as cooking classes, healthy lifestyle seminars, and community outreach.

We have many exciting things planned for this garden for both young and old.  Not only will the community members be able to come together and enjoy a healthy environment, but it will provide an outlet for community networking, health education, physical activity, and just good clean (or dirty) fun. The benefits are endless and we believe that everyone should take advantage of this opportunity to give back to your community.  It’s time we get our hands dirty, literally!

The ground breaking is scheduled for February 15 at 4pm at 1636 Sinaloa Road, at the Simi Valley Seventh Day Adventist School. Please come out and “Simi at the Garden” to show your support for your community. Call Salina Perry at 310-617-3863 for more information.

Check us out at communitygarden.org to view upcoming events, contact information, and to see the progress.  We are now a proud member of the American Community Garden Association.

Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club Features Tiger Woods and 17 Other Elite Golfers December 2-5

The Chevron World Challenge, featuring Tiger Woods and 17 other elite golfers, will be played at Sherwood Country Club December 2 to 5. I'm not a golfer but I'm amazed at how well funded this sport is. The 18 player field will split a $5 million purse, with $1.5 million going to the winner and a MINIMUM of $140,000 going to LAST PLACE! Maybe I'll sign my kids up for golf lessons. More information at www.ChevronWorldChallenge.com.

This is the 12th year of the event and 11th in a row at local Sherwood Country Club. Woods has won the event 4 times (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007). The Chevron World Challenge also raises money for 5 charities.

A friend of mine was there helping out today and took a few shots below.

Janss Marketplace to Present $10,000 Donation to Conejo Recreation & Park District on November 19th

Multiple arts and teen programs will benefit thanks to a major donation from Janss Marketplace, which will be presented during a ceremony tomorrow, Friday, November 19 at noon at Janss Marketplace, located at 215 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony with leaders and families served through the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley. Janss Marketplace will present a $10,000 donation, which the center raised in just nine days from proceeds during the October Reign of Terror Haunted House. The Reign of Terror not only ranked as one of the top 10 Haunted Houses in the U.S., but also provided the center with the opportunity to donate much needed funds to the organizations.

The Young Artists Ensemble’s Conejo Theatre for Everyone program provides opportunity for youth to perform an annual fully-produced play or musical that draws high community attendance.  The donation from Janss Marketplace will provide financial aid for low income participants and help fund performance expenses

The Thousand Oaks Teen Center is operated through the cooperative efforts of the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the City of Thousand Oaks. The program benefits teens by providing a full service activity center and recreational programs.  The Janss Marketplace donation will help fund programs and purchase computer and sports equipment.

Janss Marketplace is professionally managed by NewMark Merrill Companies, LLC, which is owned by President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Sigal.  Since 1984 he has led NewMark Merrill in a community leadership role at the company’s shopping centers in more than 36 cities. For more information about the center, visit www.janssmarketplace.net or become a fan on Facebook.

For more information about the Conejo Recreation and Park District youth programs, contact Steve Wiley at 805.495.6471.

Janss Marketplace Presents $10,000 Donation to CRPD! CRPD Employees from L to R: Jim Friedl, General Manager; Brenda Coleman, Teen Services Director; Steve Wiley, Recreation Services Manager; John Short, Vice-Chair, CRPD Board of Directors; Scott Buchanan, Recreation Supervisor, Cultural Programs; Cecilia Laufenberg, Recreation Supervisor, Therapeutic Recreation Programs

Thousand Oaks City Council Reorganization Meeting is Tuesday, December 7th

Each December, at the Thousand City Council Reorganization, City Councilmembers choose a new Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem for the coming year.  Scheduled for December 7, 2010, residents are welcome to attend the meeting and short reception that follows.

Firefighters to Run in Memory of Young Fire Crew Member Bryan Banister

Firefighters will be taking to the streets tomorrow for the Bryan Banister Marathon in memory of one of their own who died last year after being struck by an SUV. Those participating will be running 26 miles or a half marathon of 13 miles beginning at the top of Wendy Park at the Sycamore Canyon Trail head. Or some will just come to the barbecue at noon at the finish line at Russell Park in Westlake Village where Bryan Banister's Memorial Tree is planted near Fire Station 31.

Bryan was 23 when he was killed while putting fuel in his pick-up truck on the shoulder of the I-5 Freeway on Nov. 10, 2009. He and a good Samaritan who was helping him died instantly when they both were struck by the SUV.