The Conejo Valley Guide "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, highlights of local things to do, compilations and other items. Focus is on information relevant to Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara and Moorpark.
The Conejo Valley Guide® "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, local things to do, holiday event compilations, announcements and more.
Jonathan Stewart shares this early morning shot of the sunrise viewed from near his Conejo Valley home. The Santa Ana winds really kicked up today, making for some interesting cloud formations. View more of Jonathan's work at jonathanstewart.smugmug.com.
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.
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.
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)
Simi Dog Park (behind Big Sky Park)
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!
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)
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.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
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