2008 City of Camarillo Crime Statistics

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department has published 2008 crime reports for areas in its jurisdiction at www.vcsd.org/crime_stats/index.html and the City of Camarillo statistics are shown below (Thousand Oaks statistics here). The overall reported crime rate dropped by 3% in 2008. Violent crime in Camarillo was down a notable 18% in 2008, while residential burglaries grew by 38% (117 reported crimes). Overall, nice job, Camarillo!

There were 17.2 reported crimes per 1000 residents in Camarillo, or 1 crime for every 58 residents (comparable statistic in Thousand Oaks is 1 out of 66 residents). Los Angeles County crime rates are roughly double these rates.  Stay vigilant!

2008 City of Thousand Oaks Crime Statistics

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department has published crime reports for areas in its jurisdiction for 2008 at www.vcsd.org/crime_stats/index.html.  The good news is that overall crime is down by 8% (9% when population growth is factored in)!  Violent crimes were basically flat year over year.  Burglaries are down by over 27% overall in 2008!  The only negative news to report is that there was a 21% increase in the number of arsons in 2008, representing an increase from 14 reported arsons in 2007 to 17 arsons in 2008.  Thanks to the Sheriff's Department and all of you for keeping crime rates in our area low!

Rostropovich the Rock Star Cellist Performs "Dance of the Elves"

Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich was known as one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century.  He was born in 1927, moved to the U.S. in 1974 and died in 2007.  He was a masterful musician; truly a "rock star" of his generation.  Rostroprovich completely nails David Popper's "Dance of the Elves" in this 2 1/2 minute video.

Link to a 1,474 Megapixel Photo of Obama's Inaugural Address

Click here for a link to an incredible panoramic picture of President Obama's inaugural address last Tuesday.  David Bergman, the New York City based photographer who made the image, did it using a Gigaspan Imager that allowed him to patch together 220 Canon G10 images over a 6 1/2 hour period for a file that is almost 2 gigabites and about 60,000 x 25,000 pixels. 

The picture has a Gigaspan Viewer that allows you to zoom in and discover very small details, kind of like an "I Spy" book.  Take a look and see if you can find Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas apparently sleeping, a guy with a Green Bay Packers cap, Aretha Franklin with her very uh, unique green cap, sitting behind a man missing half his head (an apparent small imperfection in the photo patching process), Denzel Washington wearing a blue cap and standing, Yo-Yo Ma taking a picture with his iPhone and if you scroll closely enough, you can almost make out the notes on the sheet music of the Marine Corps band.  Take a look at this amazing picture!

Photos of an SUV in The Lakes in Thousand Oaks on Thursday Evening

A buddy of mine was at The Lakes in Thousand Oaks last night and was witness to the aftermath of an SUV (Slightly Underwater Vehicle) literally driven into one of The Lakes' lakes.  According to the Ventura County Star, the driver was involved in an accident on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, then shifted into reverse, ending up in the lake.  He was arrested for felony drunk driving.  This happened just after 6 p.m. last night.  Thank God no one was injured, not even a duck.

You know, this could make a good ad for the off-roading capabilities of this SUV.

Another fine picture of SUV in The Lakes. Hmm, maybe he just couldn't find a parking spot? Or was he thirsty?

Or perhaps the driver just wanted a better view of the beautiful fountain at The Lakes.

This is the way The Lakes usually looks during the day. Beautiful setting. Looks much nicer without a car in there.

Obama, Bush, Clinton, Reagan, Kennedy, FDR Inauguration Addresses

Obama gave a great inaugural speech today with appropriate tone - sober, yet still optimistic and reassuring to the American people.  There were no "Ask not what your country can do for you.  Ask what you can do for your country." or "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." zingers, but it is worth watching, more than once. 

Given the historic significance of this day, I felt compelled to assemble the following collection of inauguration speeches, including Obama, Bush (2001), Clinton (1993), Reagan (1981), Kennedy (1961) and FDR (1933) for your viewing pleasure.

Grab Those Dancing Shoes and Have a Ball in 2009

After tomorrow's Presidential Inauguration there will be quite a bit of dancing going on.  In fact, there will be 10 Inaugural Balls, including the Commander-in-Chief's Ball, Neighborhood Inaugural Ball, Youth Inaugural Ball (for ages 18 to 35, which sadly I am nowhere near eligible for), Obama Home States Inaugural Ball (Illinois and Hawaii only), Biden Home States Inaugural Ball (Delaware and Pennsylvania) and the Eastern, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Southern and Western Inaugural Balls.

So with all the dancing going on in Washington DC, why not consider local dancing options here at Conejo Valley Guide!?  You have no excuses not to kick up your heels in 2009.

Click Music, Art and Dance Groups and find links to all types of dancing groups, including:

• Boots and Slippers Square Dance Club
• Buckles and Bows Square Dance Club
• Cam-a-Lot Round Dancers of Somis (more square dancing!)
• Conejo Civic Ballet Company
• Conejo Valley Cloggers (for those into wooden shoes)
• Conejo Valley Folk Dancers
• Country and Rhythm in Motions Dancers
• Country Lovers Western Dance Club
• Happy Squares Square Dance Club
• Molecular Midriffs Tribal Belly Dance Troupe (hmmm, now this sounds interesting)
• Moorpark Civic Ballet and Dance Theatre
• Trail Dusters Square Dance Club
• Ventura Bachelors and Bachelorettes Square Dancing Club

Is it my imagination or is square dancing extremely popular in Ventura County!?

Or how about learning how to dance at a local venue:

• Academy of Dance in Westlake Village 
• Agoura Hills Dance Center
• Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Westlake Village
• Ballet Arts School of Dance in Westlake Village
• Belly Dancing at Bodysattva in Thousand Oaks
• Pole Dancing at Poleates (now we're talking!)
• Retter's Academy of Dance in Agoura
• Simi Dance Center
• Vertical Vixens Pole Dancing (no comment as my wife reads this)
• Dance Instruction at Bobbie's School of Performing Arts
• Oakley Ballet Center
• Or take some local community dancing classes, which are always inexpensive, fun and a nice way to dip your toes (so to speak) into learning something new:  Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Moorpark.

If you are aware of other dancing classes and venues not found on this site, Contact Us and let us know!