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.

Historical Conejo Valley Pictures From Ed Lawrence

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(Originally Posted December 2008; Updated December 2011)

Ed Lawrence on December 16, 2011Ed Lawrence chronicled the growth of the Conejo Valley from 1958 to 2003 over a time that the population grew from 2,000 to 130,000.  Ed's work provides an amazing perspective on what this area was like 50 years ago to today. In June 2011, Ed sold his collection to the Thousand Oaks Library and other local community entities to preserve, digitize and make his work available for generations to come.

I was fortunate to chat with Ed in person tonight at a dinner hosted by Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks. He is 87 years old and looks great. He is currently in town working on organizing his photo collection. In his presentation, Ed included his very first photo in the Conejo Valley, a shot of Moorpark Road in 1958. Let's just say it looked nothing like Moorpark Road looks today!

The picture below shows a whole lot of sheep on Moorpark Road near the intersection of Thousand Oaks Boulevard in 1965.  I'm pretty sure what is taking place is that they are flocking to Starbucks.  I could be wrong.

Photo courtesy of Ed Lawrence

Below is another of Ed's most well known shots. A shot of the Albertson

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Local Photographer Takes Photos at Lamppost Pizza Newbury Park on Closing Day

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Lamppost Pizza in Newbury Park closed its doors last Sunday. Was sad to see another Conejo Valley blast go away (Roxy's Deli and Jack's Deli are others that come to mind). Lamppost was a big hit with kids' sports teams and others in the community and will be missed. There's another Lamppost at Kanan and Lindero in Oak Park.

Photographer Scott Harrison took these nostalgic Lamppost photos on his iPhone 4S on December 4th. He and and I both have fond memories of Lamppost - in fact he had lunch there on its last day while I had dinner with my kids that night. See more of Scott's work at www.harrysonpics.com.

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Photos of the Lunar Eclipse on December 10, 2011 From Newbury Park

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While most of us were snoozing away this morning, some were viewing the lunar eclipse. According to Wikipedia, a lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun's rays from striking the Moon. This can occur only when the Sun, Earth, and Moon are aligned exactly, or very closely so, with the Earth in the middle. Hence, a lunar eclipse can only occur the night of a full moon. Unlike a solar eclipse, which can only be viewed from a certain relatively small area of the world, a lunar eclipse may be viewed from anywhere on the night side of the Earth.

Jonathan Stewart was one of the early risers this morning, taking in the views of the lunar eclipse. The Earth's shadow completely blocked the moon from about 6:06 a.m. PST to almost 7 a.m. Thanks to Jonathan we all get to see what transpired.

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'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.

11/11/11 Facts, Figures and Fun - Celebrate!

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The day is HERE! 11/11/11! And of course 2 times today, the clock will strike 11:11:11. Time for some celebration on this once-in-a lifetime day!


Purchase a one-of-a-kind 11/11/11 art piece created by Camarillo Artist Chuck Trunks! This unique piece was hand designed by Chuck solely for 11/11/11! Visit www.printfection.com/celebrate-111111 and check out how cool it looks on shirts, mugs, Christmas ornaments, coasters and more!

Coupon Code: NoLines2011

Discount: $20 off all orders over $50.00

Dates: November 16 -21

Disclaimer: Please enter coupon code NoLines2011 before completing checkout. Discount is applied to the base price and does not include tax
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That Was One Heck of a Rainbow in Camarillo This Past Sunday

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As reported on Sunday, there was quite a beautiful rainbow at the Camarillo Town Center Shopping Center on Sunday. Well pro photographer John B. Mueller just happened to be there, and like the good photorapher that he is, had a wide angle lens with him. Target, are you looking at this amazing shot!

Visit his website at www.johnbmueller.com and his Facebook page to see more of John's work, which has also been featured before here on CVG.