Springs Fire Photos From the Dos Vientos Area in Newbury Park Today

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This morning I was out on a run in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in the Santa Monica Mountains when I noticed what appeared to be some patches of fog blowing above the Dos Vientos area of Newbury Park. I had my camera with me so I decided to take the Potrero Ridge Trail for a better look:

It was definitely a bit odd given the winds and heat but I figured it was leftover from the early morning cloud cover we've seen in recent weeks. But an hour later I discovered it was from the Springs fire that appeared to originate near Camarillo Springs off the 101 Freeway visible from the Conejo Grade.

View of the Springs fire from the 101 Freeway northbound around 8:15AMWe're all watching the news and tracking Ventura County Sheriff's Department updates at local.nixle.com/ventura-county-sheriffs-office and hoping some relief as firefighters battle this blaze that is now at 6,500 acres and quickly growing. Here are a few shots of the fire on the Newbury Park/Dos Vientos side from local residents Renee Simon and Kim Owens.

Photo Credt: Renee SimonPhoto Credit: Kim Owens

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At the End of a Hot Weekend, the Clouds Roll In to the Conejo Valley

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Last night at sunset was a fun time to watch the cloud cover make its way into the Conejo Valley. One great viewing spot was from the Conejo Mountain Edison Power Line Road accessible via trails in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. The clouds and setting sun made for an eerie feeling as daylight turned to darkness in Ventura County.

Views towards Boney MountainViews towards the power linesThe fog rolling in to Dos VientosThe sun setting over the cloud covering the Oxnard plainThe fog creeping up into Newbury ParkAnd another view of the fog making its way past the power lines

Click this link for descriptions of other local trails and hikes in and around Ventura County!

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.

Scenes From the Ventura Farms Inaugural Concours Invitational Fundraiser Today

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The Ventura Farms Concours took place today at the private, 2,200-acre Hidden Valley ranch owned by David H. Murdock, CEO of Dole Foods Company. Murdock, with a recent net worth of $2.4 billion and ranked #613 on the 2013 Forbes World Billionaires List (#213 in the United States) opened the California Health and Longevity Center at the Four Seasons Westlake Village in 2006 and welcomed visitors to his ranch today to help raise funds to build a new Westlake Village Park and YMCA on an 18-acre site located on the north side of Thousand Oaks Boulevard, west of Lindero Canyon Road.

Ventura Farms features various gardens such as the Family Garden, Secret Garden, English Garden, Rose Garden, Grand Allee of Thai Sculptural Boulders; mined from the River Kwai in Thailand, and Redwood Allee. A herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle, Reindeer, Kashmir sheep, Arabian horses and about 800 Koi in a large lake are part of the estate's zoological interests. Fascinating architectural beauty abounds, such as the Chinese Scholar House, Sound of Water Pavilion, Poet's House, Japanese Tea House and an 18,000 sq. ft. conservatory that houses over 25,000 orchids.

So how could I pass up the opportunity to visit the ranch of a billionaire just a few miles away! Here are some photos from the event, which featured amazing cars and great food from local vendors.

Quite an appropriate car to have on hand on St. Patrick's Day

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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

Outdoor Shopping Center "The Collection at Riverpark" in Oxnard is Coming Right Along!

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The Collection at Riverpark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. If you're driving the 101 freeway through Oxnard/Ventura, you can't miss it!

The Collection is still work in process but when completed, the 650,000 sq ft center will include a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

Businesses open at The Collection as of February 2013 include a nicely appointed Target store, Century Theaters and recent additions Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers, Color Me Mine Pottery Studio, Kabuki Sushi and Massage Envy. A Menchie's Frozen Yogurt is coming soon.

Opening in Spring 2013 is the hotly awaited REI Store (March 22nd!), Whole Foods, Gen Korean BBQ, Famous Dave's BBQ, Gandolfo's Delicatessen, Bank of America and Starbucks. A 12,000 sq ft Yard House eatery has been proposed for the center.

More recently, Shea announced that later this year, a 25,000 sq ft H&M store, ROC/Republic of Couture, Charming Charlie, ULTA Beauty and Sleep Number are coming to The Collection.

Future home of Whole Foods Market at The Collection at Riverpark

The Collection also has 58,000 sq ft of office space, including current tenants Lawyer's Title and Escrow, occupying 8,000 sq ft. The center is currently about 40% leased but with buildout completed and major tenants in place as anticipated next spring, Shea Properties expects that percentage to grow quickly.

Layout of The Collection as of December 2012

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, an

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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!