"The Bark Side" - Another Memorable Commercial From Volkswagen

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My wife called for me to come upstairs. "Why?" I asked, hoping it wasn't important enough to interrupt my post-dinner, pre-midnight snack. "You've gotta come up here" she said. "All right" was my reply, as I  gently placed the Fritos bag on the counter with Coors Light bottle sitting next to it. I begrudgingly climbed the stairs and there she was with my 8 year old lying in the bed. "Watch this!"

So I did. "The Dark Side" is entitled as these dogs belt out a familiar Star Wars tune in a capella fashion. Very funny! Volkswagen, you've outdone yourself again! Admittedly I've never owned nor driven a VW but I sure like your commercials!

On a related note, looking for dog parks around town? Here are a few.

Conejo Creek Equestrian Park in Thousand Oaks

Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park

Dog Parks in Camarillo (Camarillo Grove Park, Mission Oaks Park, Springville Park)

College View Park in Moorpark

Simi Dog Park (behind Big Sky Park)

College Park Dog Park in Oxnard

Calabasas Bark Park

Mitchell Edelson Dog Park at Soule Park in Ojai

Little Red Riding Hood Run Towards Boney Mountain in Rancho Sierra Vista

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Dianne Avery of local Dianne Avery Photography captured this photo of "Little Red Riding Hood" running in the direction of Boney Mountain from Rancho Sierra Vista section of the Santa Monica Mountains in Newbury Park.

While Little Red Riding Hood has issues with Big Bad Wolf in the fairy tale, it is mostly coyotes she has to deal with back there, and most of them are too busy chasing rabbits to mess with her. Love the juxtaposition of the red cape with the natural colored surrounds. Thanks for sharing, Dianne!

Today Was Just Another Typical Mid-Winter Day in Southern California

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OK not quite mid-winter yet but we're several weeks into it. But we've seen nothing but clear, sunny skies most of this winter 2011-2012 so far. Just another sunny, perfect day in Southern California. We enjoyed outdoor activities all around town this weekend, culminating at the beach adjacent to the Mugu Rock. As we hiked and played around the rocks and beach, I'm thinking, did winter decide to take a break this year?

I was impressed by the two fishermen shown above. They were in the same spot on the beach for several hours. I never saw them move, nor did I see them catch a fish in the time we were there. And they were still there when we left. Patience is a virtue.

'Tis The Season for Santa Barbara Filmmaker's "Roadside Santa" Documentary

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My kids and I always wave at Santa Claus facing the 101 freeway as we drive north through Camarillo and Oxnard. Since 2003 this 20 foot Santa has resided in the unincorporated area of Nyeland Acres, bringing smiles to the faces of passersby.

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Constructed in 1947, near the community of Carpinteria, Santa Claus was part of a roadside attraction known as Santa Claus Lane, a two-lane roadway that paralleled the south side of U.S. Highway 101, just west of the City of Carpinteria.  Between the late 1940s and the mid-1960s, Santa Claus Lane featured a thriving array of stores restaurants, motels, and a post office, as well as attractions, including a child’s train, small zoo, and pony rides, that catered both to travelers and nearby communities.

For over six years, Santa Barbara filmmaker Jody Nelson has chronicled the history of this popular Santa that will be made into a full-length film, "Roadside Santa." Through melding stories of community residents, interviews with scholars and activists, archival footage and stills, the documentary explores themes of cultural transition in California as experienced in the disparate communities that Santa has called home. “Roadside Santa” illuminates how the residents of Nyeland Acres have welcomed Santa to their neighborhood and reinvented him as a potent and positive symbol of community identity, demonstrating the adaptive capacities of new immigrant communities and American culture alike.

UPDATE Nov 2015: It does not appear that this film has been finalized as an fyi.

The video below highlights some some of the scenes, stories and interviews, as well as the popular annual Santa to the Sea Half Marathon that supports a toy drive for local underprivileged kids. Watch it! You'll learn about our own Ventura County Roadside Santa and how he brings joy to the local community.

Nelson is nearly finished with the film but is still interested in Santa Claus Lane photos, film footage and memorabilia from the 1940s to present day, Santa Claus Lane stories from people who lived/worked there and the whereabouts of the miniature train and carousel that used to reside there. She also seeks additional funding to help finalize the film and bring it to film festivals and perhaps TV.

Learn more by visiting www.nelsonfilms.com or at this Facebook page or calling Jody at 805.403.0602. She can also be reached at jgirlsb1@gmail.com.

Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula Opens Sept 25th

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The Museum of Ventura County's Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula opens to the public on Sunday, September 25, from 11:00 am to 5:00 p.m., with special free admission, docent led tours and live music by the Lynn Mullins Pickup Band. The long awaited realization of more than 40 years of effort and dedication by many supporters, the Agriculture Museum is appropriately housed in the landmark 1888 restored Mill building at 926 Railroad Avenue, beside the railroad tracks and depot in Santa Paula's historic downtown.

Insects: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, features the museum’s own beehive and magnified images of bees taken with a scanning electron microscope by artist and photographer Rose-Lynn Fisher. The exhibit also focuses on the threat posed to farmers by the tiny but frightening Asian Citrus Psyllid insect. Eight vintage tractors, dating from 1914 to 1955, are found throughout the building, including one upon which children can sit. The machines are part of a rotating display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements. display of the museum’s nationally recognized collection of farm implements.

Permanent exhibits using rare historical photographs and interactive elements, tell the story of Ventura County’s farming and ranching tradition. Starting wi

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

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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.

10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Events Around Ventura County

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There are a number of special events planned around Ventura County in remembrance of those who perished in the terrorist attacts on 9/11/01 10 years ago. They are summarized below.

You cannot miss the annual display of 2,977 flags at Pepperdine University in honor of those who died in the attacks starting September 9th through the 19th. This is a touching tribute that you have to experience in person. You may also sirens and horns at this venue by local fire/emergency crews in support of the heroes of 9/11. You can't help but get emotional during this tribute.

For the 10th anniversary, Pepperdine hosted other events on 9/11, including a reading of the 2,977 victims' names from 11am-3pm, film screening of United 93 at 1pm and remembrance ceremony at 4pm.

The 4th Annual Ride to the Flags event started at Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu in the morning and culminated in over 700 motorcycles riding to Pepperdine via Oxnard/Hidden Valley on 9/11.

Fire stations in Oxnard participated in the National Moment of Remembrance at 10am across the city.

10th Anniversary of 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at the Ventura Government Center at 11am will featured a ceremony, helicopter fly-over, bagpipes and musical tributes.

10th Anniversary of 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony at Constitution Park in Camarillo started at 4pm with tributes, flag ceremony, moment of silence and patriotic music.

The 6th Annual Simi Valley Freedom Walk started at 4:30pm at Reagan Library and ended at Rancho Madera Community Park. Featured ceremony, fly-over, musical performances and 1.8 mile walk.

9/11 Twin Tower Survivor Judith Francis discussed "What Really Happened at the Twin Towers on Sept 11, 2001" on 9/11.

Cal Lutheran University presented two 9/11 Memorial Concerts in Thousand Oaks

By the Sea with the Buenaventura Art Association 9/11 Remembrance family arts and crafts event at Ventura Harbor Village

The life of Chad Keller, a Santa Barbara resident killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, was honored, along with a benefit performance of "I Was Greta Garbo" at the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara.