Spectacular Sunset Last Night in Malibu

Did you miss the spectacular fire-red sunset last night in Southern California!? Among the dozens and dozens of photos posted to Facebook, this one, posted by the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, really stood out! It was taken from the Chart House restaurant in Malibu on PCH by Christopher C. Webb. Thanks for sharing! Learn more about Four Seasons Westlake Village at www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage or call 818.575.3000. Locals...think about a relaxing weekend staycation at Four Seasons Westlake Village!

Speaking of Malibu...here are some things to do there.

U.S. Mail First-Class Letter Rates Increasing by a Penny on January 22, 2012

The U.S. Postal Service announced in October that First-Class mail single letter rates will increase by 1 cent, from 44 cents to 45 cents, on Sunday, January 22, 2012. This represents a 2.2% increase. So save a penny and eliminate the hassle by buying some of those "Forever Rate" stamps before the price change!

It has been nearly 3 years since the last price increase for First-Class mail in the U.S. The last increase was a 2 cent increase effective May 11, 2009.

Who actually uses mail these days for paying bills? Do what I do and start utilizing online bill payment services. Paying bills online allows me to save money on stamps, save time (no more handwriting, tearing, stuffing, licking and mailing) and headache. Click here for more information. I use online billpay and direct debit/credits for 95% of my bills.

"The Bark Side" - Another Memorable Commercial From Volkswagen

My wife called for me to come upstairs. "Why?" I asked, hoping it wasn't important enough to interrupt my post-dinner, pre-midnight snack. "You've gotta come up here" she said. "All right" was my reply, as I  gently placed the Fritos bag on the counter with Coors Light bottle sitting next to it. I begrudgingly climbed the stairs and there she was with my 8 year old lying in the bed. "Watch this!"

So I did. "The Dark Side" is entitled as these dogs belt out a familiar Star Wars tune in a capella fashion. Very funny! Volkswagen, you've outdone yourself again! Admittedly I've never owned nor driven a VW but I sure like your commercials!

On a related note, looking for dog parks around town? Here are a few.

Conejo Creek Equestrian Park in Thousand Oaks

Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park

Dog Parks in Camarillo (Camarillo Grove Park, Mission Oaks Park, Springville Park)

College View Park in Moorpark

Simi Dog Park (behind Big Sky Park)

College Park Dog Park in Oxnard

Calabasas Bark Park

Mitchell Edelson Dog Park at Soule Park in Ojai

Little Red Riding Hood Run Towards Boney Mountain in Rancho Sierra Vista

Dianne Avery of local Dianne Avery Photography captured this photo of "Little Red Riding Hood" running in the direction of Boney Mountain from Rancho Sierra Vista section of the Santa Monica Mountains in Newbury Park.

While Little Red Riding Hood has issues with Big Bad Wolf in the fairy tale, it is mostly coyotes she has to deal with back there, and most of them are too busy chasing rabbits to mess with her. Love the juxtaposition of the red cape with the natural colored surrounds. Thanks for sharing, Dianne!

Incredible Color Photos from 1939 to 1943 From the Library of Congress

Bound for Glory: America in Color was a 2006 exhibit of little known color images taken by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information. The exhibit included 70 prints made from color transparencies taken from 1939 to 1943, capturing post-Depresssion and pre-World War II America. These are downright incredible shots. I've selected 3 of my favorites from the bunch below. View them all at myloc.gov/Exhibitions/boundforglory. Thanks to the Library of Congress for making these available.

Russell Lee Shepherd with his horse and dog on Gravelly Range Madison County, Montana, August 1942. Reproduction from color slide. LC-USW36-847B. LC-DIG-fsac-1a35022. FSA/OWI Collection. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (2)

John Vachon. Grand Grocery Company. Lincoln, Nebraska, 1942. Reproduction from color slide. LC-USF351-268. LC-DIG-fsac-1a34273. FSA/OWI Collection. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (5)Jack Delano. Connecticut town on the sea. Stonington, Connecticut, November 1940. Reproduction from color slide. LC-USF351-31. LC-DIG-fsac-1a33831. FSA/OWI Collection. Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress (40)

Today Was Just Another Typical Mid-Winter Day in Southern California

OK not quite mid-winter yet but we're several weeks into it. But we've seen nothing but clear, sunny skies most of this winter 2011-2012 so far. Just another sunny, perfect day in Southern California. We enjoyed outdoor activities all around town this weekend, culminating at the beach adjacent to the Mugu Rock. As we hiked and played around the rocks and beach, I'm thinking, did winter decide to take a break this year?

I was impressed by the two fishermen shown above. They were in the same spot on the beach for several hours. I never saw them move, nor did I see them catch a fish in the time we were there. And they were still there when we left. Patience is a virtue.

Full Service Delis in the Conejo Valley

There's a lot of places where you can buy a roast beef sandwich, but there's only a handful of delis in town that make it that really THICK deli style way.  You know, thick enough to feed two people, thick enough take out half the meat, bring it home, and make 2 more sandwiches out of it.  Price references below were current as of January 2009.

Brent's Deli, established in Northridge in 1967, opened its second location at 2799 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village (in front of the Westlake Hyatt) in Summer 2006.  Phone is 805.557.1882.  Their website at www.brentsdeli.com contains a menu.  This place was immediately popular.  Big, beautiful, well-appointed restaurant.  Great place to have breakfast!    A roast beef sandwich with a side order and pickles is $11.95.  Sounds pricey, but when you see the size of the sandwich you'll understand.  The only minor complaint I have about Brent's is that they don't have a kids' menu.  I've never been disappointed here.

NOTE: The VC Star reports that Roxy's is closing its doors at this location the morning of 6/26/11 but is seeking another location. Established in 1991, Roxy's Deli WAS located at 1345 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (just east of Rancho Road).

Agoura's Famous Deli is located at 5915 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills.  It was opened in 1997 by the Lovi family.  Though I don't get over there often, I have enjoyed the food there when I have.  This deli doesn't have the ambience of Brent's or Roxy's, but they serve excellent, New York style food  In fact, I believe the food at Agoura's Famous Deli is better than at Roxy's...just my humble opinion.  Same $11.95 price here for a roast beef sandwich.  Website picklesdeli.com and phone 818.889.9113.

A friend of mine loves the soup at Pickles Deli in Newbury Park, located in the Kohl's Center at 1940 Newbury Road.  My 5 year old loves the chicken strips and hot dogs there.  My 2 year old loves the eggs.  So you can't go too wrong there.  Pickles was opened by the Lovis (see Agoura's Famous Deli) in 1996.  Once again, $11.95 for a rare roast beef sandwich.  Staff are always very pleasant.  Website picklesdeli.com and phone 805.480.4800.

Jack's Deli WAS located at 966 Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village, but it was announced that they closed their doors on Sunday, November 20th, 2011.

The Old New York Deli & Bakery Co. has been in business in Camarillo (4972 Verdugo Way 805.484.DELI) since 1994 and it is a popular joint.  On 11/18/08 they opened a new location at 2700 Teller Road, Newbury Park (805.375.DELI) in the new Loehmann's Shopping Plaza (that has since closed). They have tables but unlike the other delis listed you order from the counter and seat yourself.  So this place is kind of a combination of a bagel/bakery shop and a deli.  The menu is pretty large like the other delis, which to me makes the ordering process intimidating because you're standing there with your neck craned up at a menu the size of the Bible while they await your order.  So to alleviate this just grab a paper menu as you walk in the door. 

The food is pretty good!  Roast beef sandwich is $8.59.  The Turkey Reuben was o.k., though a tad dry.  The hot dog was huge and delicious on a homemade bun!  The fries were decent.  The onion rings were a bit soggy but I'd try them again.  Baked goods are awesome.  Nice selection of colorful little cookies for the kids (AFTER their meal of course!).  Every single employee I've interacted with in both locations has been very nice.  They seem well trained, friendly and focused on the customer.  I tried the FREE WiFi with my laptop in Newbury Park and it worked well, with download speeds at moderately fast 2.9 Mbps.  Visit www.OldNewYork.com for more information and a menu.

Feel free to submit additions to us or add comments to this post!