Malibu Sunset Last Sunday

The same day I ran the Malibu Marathon last Sunday, November 14th, Personal Trainer BB of B Fit By BB took this neat picture of the sun setting in Malibu while traveling on PCH. Kind of looks like a big shiny star. To contact BB, call 805.607.7194.

Love This Logo Rainbow

I recently argued with a friend over the value of a logo. He thinks a logo doesn't make a difference. I think a good logo leaves a digital imprint that provides a reminder of the products and services a company has to offer. In any case, this logo rainbow put together by Dan Meth I thought was quite cool looking and with his concurrence I present it here for all of you.

Speaking of logos, I should have asked Dan why he neglected to include the world famous logo of Conejo Valley Guide in this rainbow.  It would have been dead center! Maybe next time...

Halloween is Near, Black Cat Has No Fear!

I came across these really neat photos via a friend in Facebook. Los Angeles based digital special effects designer David Ridlen was outside his home a few weeks ago and noticed his neighbor's cat Lucy was perched on top of their chimney. And the moon floated directly above the fearless feline. Amazed at what a great image that was, David scrambled and grabbed his HD video camera and snapped these still shots.  Though the resolution of the shots is not high, it certainly turned out some really cool shots for this home stretch into Halloween! I love these pics!!

 

 

For nearly 40 things to do through Halloween weekend, CLICK HERE!

Wagon Wheel Motel, Restaurant and Bowling Alley in Oxnard

The Wagon Wheel Motel and Restaurant complex used to stand at the corner of the 101 and PCH in Oxnard at the northern edge of a 64 acre plot slated to be redeveloped into a European-themed development with 1,500 residential units and retail space. The distinctive western-themed office, motel and restaurant were originally built in 1947. The restaurant closed in 2005 and the motel closed in 2006. Built in 1953, the Wagon Wheel Bowl finally closed its doors in May 2015. The bowling alley was designed by Arthur Froehlich, who also designed Hollywood Park Racetrack and Hanna Barbera Studios in 1962.

This motel was built when western movies were at their peak popularity. My kids would have loved this place with rustic wood beds, chairs and lamps, windows made out of wagon wheels, lamps made out of branding irons and spurs, etc.  Even the street names in the area are western-themed...Pettitcoat Lane, Winchester Drive, Saddle Ave, Spur Drive, etc.

Previous update: On 10/25/10, the VC Star reported that final briefs have been filed by the San Buenaventura Conservancy, which would like to preserve the complex as a historic site. Though it seems many people want these dilapidated buildings torn down to make room for 1,500 homes and commercial space, some would like to preserve it.

Wagon Wheel Office and Restaurant Before Closure in 2005

Local Nature Photographer Says Winter Sunsets Are The Best

Ventura County is so close to the ocean, yet most of us don't usually get down to the beach often enough. Now, with winter bearing down on us, we surely won't make it down to the beach.  That's too bad, because winter sunsets are the best according to local photographer Greg Clure.

Why winter?  Ventura County beaches are mostly south facing, which means during the summer when we are more likely to be at the beach, the sun is difficult, if not impossible, to include in your sunset photos. The sun is too far north.

With the approaching Winter Solstice (December 21st) the sun's path across the sky travels a more southerly route. As each day goes by up to this date as it reaches its southern most path and then begins to move north each day thereafter.  As a result, you will be much more likely to capturing a beautiful sunset photo during the winter. Winter also means fewer people at the beach, so you'll likely have your favorite beach all to yourself.

Clure shares three of his local sunset images taken during winter below.  Greg adds, "When taking sunset images that include the sun, be sure to meter the bright sky near the sun but don't include the sun and you will generally get the best exposure for the entire scene."  If you would like to see larger versions of the images below or other fine art images of nature, visit Greg's website at www.gregclurephotography.com.

Check Your DUI Test Results Online Via the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Website

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department announced that, beginning October 1st, people arrested for driving under the influence can obtain their test results via their website at www.vcsd.org.

Simply scroll down and find the "DUI Results" icon (or alternatively, click the "Alcohol Test Results" link in the footer, and you will be brought to a page (shown below) that requires you to submit your first/last name, date of birth and date of test (if you were REALLY inebriated, perhaps you won't remember this).

After submitting the information, you will see your test results. Hopefully you failed this particular test. You will then be allowed to print a copy that you can proudly display on you wall (if you failed) or provide to your attorney (if you "passed").

This site provides the same information that individuals can obtain by presenting their information at the Forensic Sciences Laboratory. The site was developed with funding provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, to bring new technologies and enhanced services for alcohol testing to Ventura County.

PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE!

This is one post I hope none of you out there have to make use of!

Tattoos - A Sure Sign of Youth

The economy has been in the doldrums for awhile now but one growth industry, as far as I can tell, is the tattoo business.

As someone just barely into the Baby Boomer (age 46 to 64) group, I've never quite understood why one would feel a need to permanently imprint something into their skin. Heck, I must be an old geezer, as 85% of my fellow geezers, according to a 2010 Pew Research Center study, "Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next," have never had a tattoo on their bodies.

On the other hand, in Pew's January 2010 phone survey of 2,020 adults, fully 38% of 18 to 29 year old "Millennials" have tattoos. Wow! And fully 50% of tattooed Millennials have 2 to 5 tattoos and 18% have 6 or more! We're talking a major growth industry here.

The Pew Report also indicated those Millennials not attending college were much more likely (47%) than Millennial college attendees (30%) to have tattoos. And Democratic/Independent leaning Millennials are more likely than Republican Millennials to have tattoos (44% vs 31%).

Gen Xers (ages 30 to 45) have a 32% tattoo rate, while only 6% of the age 65+ "Silents" group (not exactly sure where they get that name from) have tattoos.

Yes indeed, the tattoo industry has indeed been a growth industry over the years. According to the website vanishingtattoo.com, in 1936 Life Magazine indicated 6% of Americans had tattoos, whereas a 2003 Harris poll determined that grew to 16%. Heck, when us Baby Boomers hit the dust, that rate could grow to 35%, 40% or more!

So if you are an old dude like me and you'd like to feel young, consider getting a tattoo. As for me, I'm seeking ways to take advantage of this situation...I wonder just how many of those Millennials will regret some of those tattoos. Perhaps the tattoo REMOVAL industry will be the next big investment opportunity!