What!? Nutella is Not That Good For You!? Who Knew!? I Want My Money Back!

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Nutella's manufacturer Ferrero, U.S.A, Inc. has settled a lawsuit that it was marketing Nutella as something healthier than what it actually is.

Plaintiffs Athena Hohenberg and Laura Rude-Barbato alleged "Ferrero has invaded the United States with ... misleading advertising strategies, played out on the labels of Nutella®, in television commercials and print ads, on the web and elsewhere, designed to and effective in persuading American consumers that Nutella® is an appropriate breakfast food, and a healthy alternative to things like jelly and syrup."

"IF YOU PURCHASED NUTELLA IN CALIFORNIA BETWEEN AUGUST 1, 2009 AND JANUARY 23, 2012, OR IN ANY OTHER STATE BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2008 AND FEBRUARY 3, 2012, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE A PAYMENT FROM A PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT."

To participate, you must submit a claim form by mail or online by July 5, 2012. The California settlement is $550,000 and claimants may receive as much as $4 for each jar, up to 5 jars, of Nutella purchased between 8/1/09 and 1/23/12.

Hmm, that's not a lot of money. I think we bought 3 or 4 jars of Nutella during that time frame. Like we're really going to remember the number of jars of Nutella bought over a 29 month period. Yes, I'll have to go back to my Nutella Purchase Journal to determine the actual count.

But seriously, if 100,000 people

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Spring Has Sprung in the Conejo Valley

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Chris Rowell of Newbury Park captured the essence of spring nicely in this colorful photo in Thousand Oaks today. Blue skies and the budding of wildflowers marks this time of year!

A great time to be outdoor for upcoming festivals, fairs and expos, and local health and fitness events. Or try some local hikes and trails, visit a botanic garden, go horseback riding and much more.

Beautiful, Cool Day in the Conejo Valley After a Rainy Week

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After rain and thunderstorms the better part of the week, blue skies appeared again this beautiful Saturday, April 14, 2012 in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County. From my vantage point, this was a perfect day. Blue skies dotted with some clouds...and temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Just the way I like it. Cold for some, perfect for me!

For a variety of trail and hiking options in the area, CLICK HERE.

Why is the Filing Deadline for Individual Tax Returns April 17 This Year?

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As most of us hopefully know by now, individual tax returns for 2011 must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 17th. Why the 17th and not the 15th this year?

Two reasons. The first and most obvious one is that April 15th falls on a Sunday. When April 15th falls on a weekend or a holiday, Tax Day is pushed to the next business day.

However, this year, Monday, April 16th is Emancipation Day, a holiday that is observed in the District of Columbia. According to federal law, District of Columbia holidays impact tax deadlines in the same way that federal holidays do; therefore, all taxpayers will have two extra days to file this year.

Emancipation Day is celebrated in Washington D.C. to commemororate Abraham Lincoln signing the Compensated Emancipation Act for the release of about 3,100 enslaved persons in the D.C. on April 16, 1862. That would make this coming Emancipation Day the 150th Anniversary of that event.

Coincidentally, it was Abraham Lincoln on August 5, 1861 that signed the Revenue Act of 1861, which imposed a federal income tax on individuals for the first time to pay for the Civil War...a 3 percent tax on annual incomes over $800. Ah yes, the good ole days.

More info on taxes but of course is available at www.irs.gov. California follows federal guidelines for Tax Day.

Camarillo Pop Artist's Latest Piece Inspired by Mid-1970s Visits to the Local Arcade

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This new piece entitled "Arcade Pop" by Camarillo artist Chuck Trunks was inspired by his visits to the local arcade to play Pac Man and Space Invaders circa 1975.  See Trunks' other work on Conejo Valley Guide here.

While arcades are not as prevalent in this day and age with the advent of Xbox, Playstation, DS, iPads, iPhones, Facebook and the like, there still are some around town:

LazerTag Extreme in Camarillo (CLOSED 3/18/12 - TO BE RELOCATED)

Big Z Family Fun Center in Simi Valley

Ventura Harbor Village Arcade

Buena Lanes in Ventura

Brunswick Zone in Simi Valley

Harley's Bowling Centers in Simi Valley and Camarillo

MB2 Raceway in Newbury Park

Golf N' Stuff Ventura