Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Seeks Input on its 20th Anniversary Season!

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October 2014 will mark the 20th Anniversary of the grand opening of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. This special Anniversary season will be comprised of command performances by artists who have appeared on the Civic Arts Plaza stages over the last 20 years and we need your help.

Visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/tocap_20 and select the artists that you would most like to see return to the Civic Arts Plaza during its 20th Anniversary Season by choosing up to 5 favorites in each category.

Do check out this survey! You will be amazed at how many popular performers have appeared here in the Conejo Valley! Some of the names you'll see include comedians like Bill Cosby, Don Rickles, John Cleese, Bob Newhart, Howie Mandel and musicians such as Kenny Loggins, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Chris Botti, Cheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and over 100 others.

If an artist you select is added to the 20th Anniversary schedule, you will be eligible to win two front row seats and an opportunity to go backstage to meet the artist.* All entries are due by Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 4:00 PM.

*Winner will be chosen at random among all eligible entries. One entry per person.

To learn more about the Civic Arts Plaza or perhaps buy tickets to an upcoming show, visit www.CivicArtsPlaza.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/civicartsplaza.

Views on a Clear Day From Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

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A short walk up the trailhead of the Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park, where Lynn Road becomes Potrero Road, provides beautiful views of the surrounding area. On a clear day you can easily see several of the Channel Islands from here. Learn how to get there at this link.

Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park Backed by a Cloudy Thousand Oaks Sunset

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For quick access to great views any night in Thousand Oaks, one need not go far. One such sunset viewing standout is Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park. Lizard Rock is just over a mile from the main entrance to Wildwood Park at the east end of Avenida de los Arboles. Walk/run/hike over Mesa Trail towards Lizard Rock and you will be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding spaces where shows like Gunsmoke and The Rifleman were filmed.

The entrance area and dirt parking lot at the Wildwood Park main trailhead.Lizard Rock in the distanceTaking in the surrounding sceneryAlmost thereI guess it does kind of look like a LizardView from on top of the lizardLet's call it a night

Great Views From Boney Peak Today

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After a brief late-February heatwave, today it is noticeably cooler, with the clouds coming in. Was a great morning to make my way to Boney Peak.

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

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Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Click this link to find out how to get up there!

Visit to the New "Make Meaning" Store at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks is Fun!

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Make Meaning opened at The Oaks Shopping Mall on Monday, February 2013. Located in the outdoor shops area of the mall, upper level, south side, first store outside of the mall, Make Meaning offers seven creative experiences, including customized soap, candles, paper, ceramics, glass, jewelry and cake decorating.

This is quite a large store, open, light and airy, with an upbeat atmosphere. We stopped by over the weekend and checked it out. My son picked out a froggy piggy bank and the store was buzzing with others busy creating their own items.

The staff are called Associate Creativity Enthusiasts (ACE's), there to help you through the process. And that they were. I was able to just walk in and they kind of took over with my son while enjoyed watching him in his creative efforts. And they took care of the prep and the mess.

My son's froggy piggy bank masterpiece in it final stages. Make Meaning glazes it and fires it, then you pick it up in 4 days.

Neat selection of supplies to individualize your cake!

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Photographer J.D. Wolff's Work to Be Featured in New Gallery Show in Ventura

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Ventura photographer’s art has painterly quality in new gallery show

J.D. Wolff, a Ventura photographer who caught the shutter bug in the early 1970s, will exhibit recent images and a few favorites from his files in a February 26 to March 23 solo show at the Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery called “Day Dreams in Color.”

"Beach Town USA" Photo by JD Wolff

Landscapes are a focus for Wolff, who often adjusts color and contrast on computer to create the large-scale images he frames. Though his portfolio includes images from all over the United States, Canada and Western Europe, he said this show features primarily landscapes shot in and around Ventura County.

“I prefer printing my photography on canvas, as I often manipulate my images to make them look somewhat like paintings,” he said. “Printing on canvas gives it that extra texture and effect, which I feel most always improves the final product.”   

Wolff plans to be on hand to greet visitors 5-8 p.m. March 1 for the First Fridays Ventura Gallery Crawl and some of his local musician friends will provide live music 4-8 p.m., Saturday, March 2 for his artist’s reception. Wolff is also a

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Morning Rainbow in Newbury Park This Soon to Be Rainy Friday, February 8th

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Caught a partial rainbow in this shot from Lynn Road in Newbury Park this morning. Would have loved to see where the rainbow ended. Perhaps Camarillo.

No rain yet but the clouds are coming in for a brief appearance. Looking for things to do with the kids when the rain actually makes an appearance? Check out this list of Things to Do in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside!

Or perhaps this list of Movie Theaters Throughout Ventura County will come in handy.