Cloudy and Cool Conejo Valley This First Sunday of 2013

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Darts Promoter L. David Irete captured this neat photo of the Conejo Valley before sundown tonight on this cool, cloudy, slightly rainy first Sunday of 2013. Irete is the biggest darts enthusiast in town, so make sure to follow his Facebook page.

It is supposed to be sunny tomorrow, but the rain is expected back later in the week. No worries...check this list of things to do around Ventura County with the kids when it is WET outside (unless of course you enjoy jumping in puddles!).

Here's how it looked around 11 a.m. this morning while I was running (literally) around town.

Applying for a Job is a Lot Different Than Buying a Lottery Ticket

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Originally posted in February 2011

Recently I posted a job in craigslist for an Office Assistant position. The posting listed specific job duties and requirements, from administrative to accounting to human resources, as well as other desired qualities.

We were overwhelmed with the response. Over 120 applicants within the first 24 hours and 200 in less than a week. Nearly 300 in total. A very eye opening reminder that there are a lot of people in need of jobs out there.

Let me first say that there were numerous very capable, outstanding people that applied for the job. I was very impressed by quite a number of resumes and cover letters and we are still contemplating the best candidate for a job offer.

But at the same time I was SHOCKED at how many applicants didn't treat the process seriously. Many appeared to be applying for the job without reviewing the job qualifications and editing the resume.

APPLYING FOR A JOB IS DIFFERENT THAN BUYING A LOTTERY TICKET!! Purchasing a lottery ticket is easy. Buy a ticket and hope for the best. It sure felt like a lot of people treated the job-hunting process in an equally nonchalant way!

Getting your dream job is hard work. It takes more than just submitting your resume. You must review the job requirements and make sure your resume highlights your relevant work experience. Where your experience is lacking, you need to sell yourself in the cover letter and point out what you bring to the table.

Here are some observations and advice based on some of the resumes I received.

Typos: One important requirement noted in the job posting was solid writing skills. As kind of a test I indicated that candidates should pay close to attention to proofing their submissions for typos. I literally said “Please no typos or grammatical errors in your submission,” yet the majority of applicants had typos. Now I can understand  one or two blatant typos as, heck, I’m often guilty of that myself. But when applying for a job, you’ve got to go the extra mile.  Use a Word or even Gmail editor and correct any typos, but better yet, re-read the resume several times. Or have someone else check it.

Example: "I am certain that my senior level executive/administrative assistant skills and experience when linked with thee vision of your company will serve to crea

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Cool, Blustery New Year's Day 2013 in the Conejo Valley

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Today was a beautiful, dry New Year's Day in the Conejo Valley, with cool temperatures, partly cloudy skies and plenty of wind. We were out and about around town  and plenty of people were enjoying the outdoors, appropriately dressed!

If one of your new year's resolutions is to become more active, you are in the right place! Here are some great activities to look into in 2013:

Trails and hiking around Ventura County

Hiking groups around Ventura County

Hundreds of community parks around Ventura County

Fish and fishing options around Ventura County

Golf courses and tennis courts around Ventura County

Horseback riding options around Ventura County

Running and cycling groups throughout Ventura County

"Twenty Twelve" Piece by Chuck Trunks in Tribute to Mayan 2012 Doomsday Prophecy

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The end is almost here!

December 21, 2012 is a date that signals the cataclysmic end of a 5,125 year cycle in the Mayan calendar when our sun aligns with the Milky Way galaxy. We’ve been able to read the Mayan calendar for over 100 years and the corresponding hieroglyphics have been completely deciphered for about 30 years. What does this all mean? 

Camarillo pop artist Chuck Trunks believes it means nothing more than hitting a giant, cosmic reset button.

“Twenty Twelve” is Trunks' tribute to this historic date. While the temples and dragons in the piece offer a nod toward the Mayan culture, the sundials and Stonehenge refer to the cleverness of those ancient civilizations that linked celestial movements to time. As for the magic eight balls and surfer dudes...even though 12/21/12 will pique the interest of the spiritual and scientific, it is still just another random day to do what you love and to share it with those around you. 

Visit trunksart.com for more of Chuck's signature work.

Some Great Residential Holiday Light Displays Around Ventura County

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One of our favorite winter holiday activities is driving around and looking at the light displays around town. There are colorful lights all over the place but these four really stand out! If you are aware of other neat residential Christmas light displays around Ventura County, please let us know!

The holiday light display by the Higgins family at 1566 El Dorado Drive in Thousand Oaks is a 20 minute display synchronized with music and over 150,000 lights. We're talking Disneyland in the Conejo Valley here. Spectacular!

The Fuchs residence on Via Patricia (near Via Ricardo intersection) in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park is back again this year wiith another 50,000+ light display synchronized with music. Outstanding!

A great destination each year is the neighborhood in the vicinity of Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street in Camarillo each year. Numerous homes are lit up and decorated with cartoon characters, trains, Santas, snowmen, and plenty of lights and othe

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Top Hiring Employers In and Around Ventura County as 2013 Approaches

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As we wind down another year, now is a great time to start looking for a job, or perhaps a new job. This popular list of over 275 employers in Ventura County and surrounding areas provides local job seekers with some great resources for discovering local opportunities.

Let's take a closer look at that list and highlight some of the companies that have the largest number of posted job openings as we enter 2013.

Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas) Top Hiring Employers

  • Bank of America has dozens and dozens of jobs posted in various local locations, including Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas and surrounding areas. careers.bankofamerica.com/jobsearch.aspx
  • Medical products and bioscience powerhouse Baxter International has nearly 40 posted positions at its Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks locations and another 60 jobs in Los Angeles.  www.baxter.com
  • Located in the heart of Thousand Oaks, California Lutheran University currently is looking to fill nearly 30 faculty, administrative and support positions available. www.callutheran.edu/hr
  • Westlake Village based Guitar Center has several dozen listed local positions. www.guitarcenter.com
  • Network and application testing provider, Calabasas based Ixia, has nearly 20 local job opportunities posted. www.ixiacom.com
  • Los Robles Medical Center in Thousand Oaks currently has 3
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December 2012 Thousand Oaks Police Department City Watch Update

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Here is the latest "City Watch" alert from Senior Deputy Tim Lohman of the Thousand Oaks Police Department. If you would like these updates directly from via email, click here for more information.

December has started off with complete madness as we rush out to get those gifts and attend holiday parties. This is also the month where we set our plans and goals for the upcoming New Year and prepare our New Year resolutions.

Lets make 2013, a year where we decrease crime in our communities by sending thieves a message that we will no longer be victims or allow them to profit from our losses. Be vigilant in locking doors, setting alarms, being watchful for suspicious vehicles or persons.  By working together, we can decrease crime.

With the holiday season in full swing, many of us will be attending holiday celebrations. Family, work and school parties, in addition to other social events will be attended as we celebrate the holidays with friends and loved ones.

At many of these holiday traditions, alcohol is added to the celebration. Every year members of law enforcement have come to expect the consequences associated when people drink and drive.  Driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, certain prescription medications, and illegal drugs has ruined many lives and destroyed families.  Nationally, thousands of people die or are severely injured every year as a result of someone who has decided to drive while intoxicated. 

Along with the natural consequence of having to live with the pain of having brought catastrophe on the life of another, there are other legal consequences that the dr

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