Cold, Clear Saturday Makes For Wonderful Conejo Valley Views From Angel Vista

The temperatures have been particularly cold these last several days, with nighttime temps in the low 30s and highs only in the mid 50s in the Conejo Valley.  With barely a cloud in the sky, these conditions make for optimal hiking around town! This morning I took the Rosewood Trail up to Angel Vista in Newbury Park. Here are some of the views I took in.

Angel Vista has panoramic views stretching from Camarillo/Newbury Park to Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley and beyond. And a bench and picnic table to boot. It can be accessed via the Rosewood Trail off of Lynn Road (just west of Regal Oak Ct) or the Los Robles Trail. The Conejo Open Space Foundation provides a useful map at www.cosf.org/website/html/los-robles-angel-vista.html. Other trails and hiking options at THIS LINK here on CVG.

Looking to do something fun around Ventura County and adjacent areas but don't like the cold weather outside? No worries...check out one of over 40 museums around town.

Recent Progressive Insurance Commercial Appears to Feature Flo in Hidden Valley

I could be wrong, but having driven through Hidden Valley hundreds of times over the years, I'm about 99% sure that this recent Progressive Insurance TV commercial entitled "Chick Flick" was filmed right here on Potrero Road in our very own Hidden Valley in Westlake Village.

Hidden Valley view on a sunny day

Cloudy and Cool Conejo Valley This First Sunday of 2013

Darts Promoter L. David Irete captured this neat photo of the Conejo Valley before sundown tonight on this cool, cloudy, slightly rainy first Sunday of 2013. Irete is the biggest darts enthusiast in town, so make sure to follow his Facebook page.

It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, but the rain is expected back later in the week. No worries...check this list of things to do around Ventura County with the kids when it is WET outside (unless of course you enjoy jumping in puddles!).

Here's how it looked around 11 a.m. this morning while I was running (literally) around town.

"Twenty Twelve" Piece by Chuck Trunks in Tribute to Mayan 2012 Doomsday Prophecy

The end is almost here!

December 21, 2012 is a date that signals the cataclysmic end of a 5,125 year cycle in the Mayan calendar when our sun aligns with the Milky Way galaxy. We’ve been able to read the Mayan calendar for over 100 years and the corresponding hieroglyphics have been completely deciphered for about 30 years. What does this all mean? 

Camarillo pop artist Chuck Trunks believes it means nothing more than hitting a giant, cosmic reset button.

“Twenty Twelve” is Trunks' tribute to this historic date. While the temples and dragons in the piece offer a nod toward the Mayan culture, the sundials and Stonehenge refer to the cleverness of those ancient civilizations that linked celestial movements to time. As for the magic eight balls and surfer dudes...even though 12/21/12 will pique the interest of the spiritual and scientific, it is still just another random day to do what you love and to share it with those around you. 

Visit trunksart.com for more of Chuck's signature work.

Tonight, Tuesday, December 4, 2012 is Quite a Foggy Night in the Conejo Valley

Darts Promoter L. David Irete provided this neat shot of the Conejo Valley engulfed in fog tonight. There's no fog indoors tonight, which makes it an optimal night for darts, so check out the Ventura County Darts Association website at www.vcda.org. Or how about some of these other unique and interesting local clubs in Ventura County you may not be aware of.

A Memorable Conejo Valley Sunset This First Night of November 2012

Beautiful sunset tonight in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County!

Gull Wings Children's Museum Unveils Colorful Piece by Local Artist Chuck Trunks

Note: The museum closed its Oxnard location on January 10, 2016 to focus on procuring a new location.

The Gull Wings Children's Museum, previously located at 418 W. Fourth Street in Downtown Oxnard, is the only museum in Ventura County geared solely towards kids. Gull Wings recently commissioned Camarillo artist Chuck Trunks to create art that reflects the education and creativity spawned by the interactive exhibits within the museum. Trunks presented this colorful piece that is now prominently displayed on the walls of the museum.

Chuck Trunks in Gull Wings Gift Shop (Photo Credit: Claudia Pardo)

If you've never taken your young kids to Gull Wings, do it! Gull Wings is a very low key, interactive place where within the span of an hour they can dress like firefighters, explore a space shuttle, play around in a car, build LEGOs, role play in a kitchen, touch sea stars, learn about the human body, see lizards and snakes and the list goes on. My sons brought a 1st grader friend last weekend and he had a BLAST! Learn more at www.gullwings.org.