Los Robles Master Chorale Performs Six Concerts of Serious Works a Year

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By Nancy Needham

Singers from areas that include Ventura County, Santa Clarita and Pasadena come together in Oak Park once a week for three hours to rehearse serious choral works.

The Los Robles Master Chorale, a 100-voice community choral ensemble, has performed in Ventura County for over 34 years. Membership has more than doubled since it began on the campus of Moorpark College in 1978.

"Those who come to listen will hear excellence in music. They will always come again," Master Chorale Executive Director Lenard Geres said.

The singers are all talented volunteers. Many are trained professionals. Their artistic director Lesley Leighton is on a mission to preserve Southern California's rich choral music tradition. She's a long-standing Los Angeles Master Chorale member and principal artist who has traveled the world performing.

The Master Chorale performs at local churches four times a year with two performances at Christmas time. The Consort Singers, a 26 member group taken from the Master Chorale, perform twice a year--in the fall and spring. The Master Chorale has yearly auditions in June.

For more information, visit www.losroblesmasterchorale.org.

Rain, Rain Go Away! On Second Thought, I Take That Back! Stay For Awhile!

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This so-called winter here in Ventura County has been so lacking rain that this weekend's winter final thunderstorm is something to appreciate. We could have used more of this throughout the winter but hey, we'll take it, even this final winter weekend before Spring begins in a few days.

What to do when it is raining outside? Well here are some ideas:

Horace Bristol 1930s Photos at Santa Paula Agriculture Museum March 3 to May 20

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Horace Bristol’s Compelling 1930s Photographs On Exhibition At Agriculture Museum

More than two dozen images by famed LIFE Magazine photojournalist Horace Bristol are on exhibition March 3 through May 20 at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. Horace Bristol Photographs: Selections From the 1930s features not only work from his best known Grapes of Wrath series, but other selections from the 1930s period, including such diverse images as a never before exhibited aerial photograph of a Santa Paula orange orchard, and a migrant child pitting apricots. The exhibition is in the Agriculture Museum’s Reiter Affiliated Companies Visitors Center and Calavo Hall.

 

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Spectacular Sunset Last Night in Malibu

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Did you miss the spectacular fire-red sunset last night in Southern California!? Among the dozens and dozens of photos posted to Facebook, this one, posted by the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, really stood out! It was taken from the Chart House restaurant in Malibu on PCH by Christopher C. Webb. Thanks for sharing! Learn more about Four Seasons Westlake Village at www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage or call 818.575.3000. Locals...think about a relaxing weekend staycation at Four Seasons Westlake Village!

Speaking of Malibu...here are some things to do there.

"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.