Camarillo Artist Chuck Trunks Presents His Latest Work "Moonlit Pools"

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Announcing the world premier of yet another Chuck Trunks' piece, entitled "Moonlit Pools." This one really wowed me with its 3-D effect. And if you look carefully, well...if you just look...you just may well see something very familiar in this piece...but where's the moon!? See his other work on Conejo Valley Guide by clicking here.

I immediately thought Malibu and Ventura when I saw this piece. Here are a handful of Malibu activities and a few dozen Ventura activities.

Now if you'd like to order this piece*, Chuck has an arrangement with Pi Studio Printing in Camarillo where for only $39, you can order a 16 x 20 Luster Photo Print that would look great on your wall. You can also order a full blown, framed canvas gallery wrap in any size that will knock your socks off.

* The print comes with the moon, not the CVG bunny. Though come to think of it, 2011 (2/3/11 to 1/22/12) IS The Year of the Rabbit, so if you want the bunny, just ask for it!

Unveiling of the Norwegian Grade Historical Monument on January 26, 2011

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This is a guest post by Anne Schroeder, great-granddaughter of Nils Olsen, one of the original settlers in the Conejo Valley in the 1890s.

Wednesday, January 26th,  the community unveiled a monument commemorating the original Norwegian pioneers who built the Norwegian Grade. My great-grandfather, Nils Olsen and his sons Nick and Oscar are in the picture that is part of the monument. The picture was taken by Nil’s wife during the ten years it took them and their Norwegian neighbors to build it, from 1901-1911, working in the slack time between crops and harvest. The picture shows them with hoes and shovels. Off-camera was a horse-drawn blade and $60 worth of dynamite donated by the county.

Nils Olsen's grandchildren, including (from left), Neil Olsen, Mary Olsen Rydberg, David Olsen (great-grand-son), Gerry Olsen, and Wyatt McCrea.

The Olsen family is proud to be part of the monument, a group-effort that includes Ventura County, Cal Lutheran, Sons of Norway and the Pederson and Olsen families. Thirty five Olsen family members came from all over California to honor the men and boys who built the grade.

For three generations we didn’t realize the story was important, so as children we kept it to ourselves, afraid that our friends would think we were boasting—or worse, lying. After all, tractors and graders built grades, not a half-dozen men and a barefoot waterboy.

Today, Ventura County residents know the story of the grade and its restoration; even the hand-forged hoe that was pulled out of the earth by a grader. In the photo that graces the monument, my great-grandfather is holding that same hoe, down to the slight burl on the limb-handle. It is physical proof of a story that we thought would disappear into the distant past as has happened in so many communities. Fortunately, VC understands that the privilege of having participated in a community’s founding years creates obligation to share.

Historic photo on the monument. Nils Olsen is second from the left (with the famous hoe). My grandfather is second from the right. His brother Nick is in the middle with his back turned.

My mother, Jean Olsen Thompson, is 83, the oldest living relative of the Olsen family, and almost the

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Awe Inspiring Sunset Tonight - Sunday, January 23, 2011

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About a dozen of my friends and followers in Twitter and Facebook posted photos of tonight's amazing cloudy sunset on this beautiful night. Temps have been in the low to mid 70s here and with the clouds coming in, the sunsets have been spectacular. J.P. Gorham of Conejo Valley Cares took some great shots from his home in Thousand Oaks and with his permission I've posted a few below.

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2% Bonus for All Employees and Self Employed Individuals in 2011!

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On December 17, 2010, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 was signed into law.

Who comes up with these names?  How about something like the Cut My Taxes or Else Act of 2010?

I digress. The biggest headline is that our Social Security tax withholdings are being cut from 6.2% to 4.2% in 2011. All employees will immediately benefit from this 2% "bonus" beginning with their first paycheck in 2011. Employers will continue paying their full 6.2% share of Social Security taxes in 2011.

So basically if you make $50,000 next year, you will retain an additional 2%, or $1,000, in your pocket.  The Social Security wage limit next year is $106,800, so if you make this much or more, your benefit will be $2,136. Care to share some of that bonus? Share it with us here at Conejo Valley Guide!!

The 2% tax reduction also applies to self employed individuals, who will temporarily pay a 10.4% self employment tax next year instead of 12.4%.

The cost of this temporary tax cut is $111 billion.

So why did they include "Job Creation" in the title of this law?? Because they are going to continue allowing businesses to write-off "bonus" depreciation on large capital purchases like equipment, furniture, fixtures, etc. That's nice and all for businesses to save on taxes but I'm not so sure that's gonna directly translate into new jobs.  What they need substantial tax credit to directly compensate companies for hiring, retaining and not laying off employees, not accelerated depreciation. Just sayin.

There's a nice summary of this law on the Wikipedia website.

First 2011 Chevy Volt Ordered in Ventura County Arrives at the Murphy Auto Museum on January 7th

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The Murphy Auto Museum finally received the 2011 Chevy Volt ordered by Museum Director Dr. Dan Murphy.  It was the first order placed in Ventura County.  Dr. Murphy was able to take delivery last Friday, January 7th, at Paradise Chevrolet in Ventura. (Note from Conejo Joe: I believe Volt pricing starts in the $41,000 range). Volt is not cheap, but certainly interesting. It'll take you 35 miles gas free, then gas kicks in for another 340 miles, or a total range of 375 miles.

Epic Ventura County Sunset Last Night Captured by John B. Mueller

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John B. Mueller is a Camarillo based photographer whose work I have admired for several years. Last night he captured this "epic" shot of our Ventura County sunset from a spot where Lewis Road meets West Potrero Road at Callegas Creek in Camarillo. Stunning. Check out his website at www.johnbmueller.com and his Facebook page to see more of his work.