Make Networking a Habit

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This is a guest post from Stuart Fried, a local career and job search coach with over 28 years of experience. Learn more at www.careerspecialist1.wordpress.com.

We hear so much about networking, networking, networking, and it seems to have almost become a bad word, and something we avoid, unless we have to do it!

I’ve blogged numerous times about why and how you should be networking; I’ve also spoken to numerous job support groups, professional associations and student groups about the value and necessity of networking.  Many other career coaches and small business consultants harp on the same subject.  Yet, we know that the vast of majority of us only network when we seemingly have to.

I have had many clients vocally agree that they should be networking, and then they go back to job searching on the internet job sites.  I have had many others say that they don’t have time or need to network as they’re working and not looking for a new job.  I wrote specifically about why you sho

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City of Thousand Oaks Approves 35 Foot Tall Chuck E. Cheese Sign Along 101 Freeway

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This morning, in an emergency session, the Thousand Oaks City Council approved immediate construction of a new Chuck E. Cheese sign along the 101 Freeway to replace the aging Auto Mall sign.

Mock up of 35 foot tall Chuck E. Cheese sign to be erected in place of Thousand Oaks Auto Mall sign.

Mock up of 35 foot tall Chuck E. Cheese sign to be erected in place of Thousand Oaks Auto Mall sign.

"Thousand Oaks is a family-friendly city," indicated Mayor Andy Fox "and we want everyone who drives through the 101 artery to be made well aware of that through the magic of Chuck E. Cheese."

Though the sign is considered large by local standards at 35 feet high by nearly 37 feet wide, and will flash bright neon lights from dusk until dawn, the sign is not expected to distract drivers. However, on weekdays between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. a drive-up ticket redemption stand will be operated under the sign to enable parents and children to redeem their Chuck E. Cheese tickets for prizes.

Chuck E. Cheese representative Ivgota Hedache remarked "We are excited to literally become part of the landscape of this beautiful city."

In other news, the Conejo Recreation and Park District has plans to construct a 197 foot long Slip n' Slide at Conejo Creek Park. Check back soon for details.

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Scenes in Moorpark: Rolling Green Hills Under Dark Cloudcover

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Local photographer Patrick Taillon took these picture of rolling green hills under dark cloud cover while at the Moorpark College campus yesterday, March 26th. He used an Olympus XZ-1 camera with it's built-in photo filters for these pics. For more of Patrick's work, visit his website at www.patricktaillon.com.

Ventura County Watershed Protection District Website Provides Real-Time Rain Data

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The mission of the Ventura County Watershed Protection Districtis to protect life, property, watercourses, watersheds and public infrastructure from the dangers and damages associated with flood and stormwaters in Ventura County. VCWPD has jurisdiction over about 200 miles of channels throughout the County.

One feature on the VCWPD website is the ALERT (Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time) map that shows rainfall totals at over 100 locations throughout Ventura County. If you look at the 2-day rainfall totals as of today, March 21, 2011, you will see some very dramatic rainfall totals, confirming the massive drenching we experienced in the Conejo Valley yesterday, leaving downed trees all around town. Here are some 2-day rainfall totals (note that this is provisional data and VCWPD does not warrant the accuracy of the data):

  • Newbury Park: 5.5 inches (measured at the NP Fire Station)

  • Thousand Oaks Civic Center: 5.4 inches

  • Camarillo Airport: 4.0 inches

  • Ventura County Government Center: 3.8 inches

  • Simi Valley: 3.7 inches

  • Moorpark: 3.1 inches

  • Agoura Hills: 4.1 inches

www.vcwatershed.net/fws/rain-map

That's a lot of rain in such a short period! Need sandbags? Here's a list courtesy of the Ventura County Fire Department.

Extreme Downpours on this 1st Day of Spring

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Yes, today is the first day of spring. But who would have known through the torrential downpours and 40 to 50 mile winds today. The storm has taken its toll on trees. In my 10 minute drive through Newbury Park today, I saw probably 20 of them down. Stay dry and safe. Thousand Oaks resident and executive coach Scott Leese of Dynamic Coaching Strategies caught this photo of a fallen cedar at the Thousand Oaks Library today.

 

The Road to an Island of Solace

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Guest writer was homeless and out and about around the Conejo Valley at the time he wrote this. He has since regained his footing and is doing great.

Today after wrestling with the cold all night inside my van, I woke up tired at the crack of light.  I grow more and more impatient with my homelessness.  My tears again are a simple reminder that I’m still alive. My schedule will first take me to McDonald’s, where I will enjoy a dollar coffee, free Wi-Fi and where I’ll wait until I have to go to work.  I have little money, and less gasoline to keep my 4-wheel home moving.  My on-going battle with a head-cold has left me congested, and my energy level has yet to return to normal.

Lately the cold, wet weather has interfered with what work I am blessed with, and as a result at times I sometimes feel miserable.  In a number of stories that I’ve written recently, I’ve expressed a increasing level of unhappiness with my life, and my homelessness.  I’m reminded of Viggo Mortensen from the movie “The Road”, a post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive by any means possible.  Like Viggo, I want a clear course but have no map that will lead me to any island of solace.

An older gentleman sitting a few tables away glances over, and kindly asks me

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Watching the Sun Set Down the Camarillo Grade by John B. Mueller

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Photographer John B. Mueller took this great shot of the sunset looking down the Camarillo grade. I've tried capturing this shot while driving down the grade but have never been successful. John did it right by actually getting out of the car at Camarillo Grove Park, climbing the hills and waiting for the right moment. Kudos and thanks to him for sharing it! Visit his website at www.johnbmueller.com and his Facebook page to see more of his work.

Speaking of Camarillo. Here are some upcoming Camarillo events, things to do in Camarillo, fitness and sports activities in Camarillo and kids fun and activities in Camarillo.