Exclusive Breaking News in the Conejo Valley Effective This April 2013

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We are excited to announce a partnership with the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.  In exchange for placement of the iconic Conejo Valley Guide bunny on the south side of the Plaza, Conejo Valley Guide will provide free carrot cake to all Civic Plaza attendees at shows during the month of March 2014.

Mock-up of iconic Conejo Valley Guide bunny as it will be seen from 101 Freeway

Mock-up of iconic Conejo Valley Guide bunny as it will be seen from 101 Freeway

Jacque Rabitt of the City's Cultural Affairs department stated "We are thrilled that Conejo Valley Guide has offered us an image that brightens up the building" while Conejo Joe of CVG indicated "We are proud to be offering carrot cake at the plaza to those who believe that carrot cake is actually good for them!"

The Conejo Valley Guide bunny image will cover virtually the entire wall of the Plaza that will be in full view of both directions of Highway 101. Additionally, the bunny will be lighted with solar LED lights between the hours of 8 pm and midnight each night.

In other news, the National Park Service announced its first sponsorship agreement in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area with the renaming of Boney Peak as Milk Boney Peak. Similar to branding of NCAA Bowl Games, the Milk Bone logo will be prominently displayed on the shield face of the mountain directly below the peak, as shown below.

Mock up of Milk Bone Dog Treat logo displayed on face of peak looking towards Newbury Park.

Mock up of Milk Bone Dog Treat logo displayed on face of peak looking towards Newbury Park.

NPS official Louda Barker notes that "while dogs are currently not allowed in the Boney Mountain Wilderness, hikers tend to be dog lovers, dog lovers love giving out dog treats and, well, we've been looking to monetize these mountains for awhile, no bones about it."

And finally, a Hidden Valley resident has successfully petitioned the City of Thousand Oaks Planning Commission to change zoning of a horse property to a retail clothing store. A mockup of the new Trashy Lingerie store is shown below, reflecting an earnest effort to blend the store into the surroundings.

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The Hidden Valley location will be Trashy Lingerie's second retail store; the other one is located on La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles. City spokeswoman I. C. Undrewair notes that this could be a tremendous draw for city tax revenues, particularly with Britney Spears living in the nearby Sherwood Country Club.

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APRIL FOOLS'!

Just having some fun!

April Fools' fun in prior years

Views on a Clear Day From Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

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A short walk up the trailhead of the Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park, where Lynn Road becomes Potrero Road, provides beautiful views of the surrounding area. On a clear day you can easily see several of the Channel Islands from here. Learn how to get there at this link.

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce Supports Local Business

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The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce is a member-driven, professionally-staffed nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the region's business community in the communities of Thousand Oaks (including Newbury Park), Westlake Village and Agoura Hills.

There are approximately 1,400 business and professional firm memberships in the Chamber, making it one of the largest chambers in California. It provides a range of opportunities, services, benefits and resources to local businesses looking to network and grow in the community. There are networking groups, committees, mixers, brown bag educational sessions, promotional opportunities and more.

To learn more about the chamber, visit www.conejochamber.org or call 805.370.0035. The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 600 Hampshire Road, Suite 200, Westlake Village (at the Townsgate intersection).

Scenes From the Ventura Farms Inaugural Concours Invitational Fundraiser Today

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The Ventura Farms Concours took place today at the private, 2,200-acre Hidden Valley ranch owned by David H. Murdock, CEO of Dole Foods Company. Murdock, with a recent net worth of $2.4 billion and ranked #613 on the 2013 Forbes World Billionaires List (#213 in the United States) opened the California Health and Longevity Center at the Four Seasons Westlake Village in 2006 and welcomed visitors to his ranch today to help raise funds to build a new Westlake Village Park and YMCA on an 18-acre site located on the north side of Thousand Oaks Boulevard, west of Lindero Canyon Road.

Ventura Farms features various gardens such as the Family Garden, Secret Garden, English Garden, Rose Garden, Grand Allee of Thai Sculptural Boulders; mined from the River Kwai in Thailand, and Redwood Allee. A herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle, Reindeer, Kashmir sheep, Arabian horses and about 800 Koi in a large lake are part of the estate's zoological interests. Fascinating architectural beauty abounds, such as the Chinese Scholar House, Sound of Water Pavilion, Poet's House, Japanese Tea House and an 18,000 sq. ft. conservatory that houses over 25,000 orchids.

So how could I pass up the opportunity to visit the ranch of a billionaire just a few miles away! Here are some photos from the event, which featured amazing cars and great food from local vendors.

Quite an appropriate car to have on hand on St. Patrick's Day

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Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park Backed by a Cloudy Thousand Oaks Sunset

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For quick access to great views any night in Thousand Oaks, one need not go far. One such sunset viewing standout is Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park. Lizard Rock is just over a mile from the main entrance to Wildwood Park at the east end of Avenida de los Arboles. Walk/run/hike over Mesa Trail towards Lizard Rock and you will be treated to beautiful views of the surrounding spaces where shows like Gunsmoke and The Rifleman were filmed.

The entrance area and dirt parking lot at the Wildwood Park main trailhead.Lizard Rock in the distanceTaking in the surrounding sceneryAlmost thereI guess it does kind of look like a LizardView from on top of the lizardLet's call it a night

TSA to Allow Small Pocket Knives and Some Sporting Goods Carry-Ons Starting April 25

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Update 4/22/13: National news sources have indicated that the TSA has delayed implementing these proposed changes to carry-on policies. No other details at this time. So you can leave those lacrosse sticks and 2.36 inch pocket knives in your checked bags for the time being.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced yesterday that certain items currently prohibited as carry-ons will become allowed on board beginning April 25, 2013.

TSA has decided that allowing the following items as carry-ons will free up more time to find really bad stuff like explosives:

  • Small Pocket Knives (with non-locking blades smaller than 2.36 inches and less than 1/2 inch in width)
  • Small Novelty Bats and Toy Bats: Bats 24 inches or shorter in length or 24 ounces or less; or bats longer than 24 inches and less than 24 ounces.
  • Ski Poles, Hockey Sticks, Lacrosse Sticks, Billiard Cues, Golf Clubs (up to 2 golf clubs).

It will be interesting to see if TSA will actually free up time with these new rules given they'll have to whip out the scales and measuring tape to determine if a plastic bat is over 24 ounces or if a pocket blade knife is shorter than 2.36 inches. I'm looking at a ruler right now and am having a hard time discerning exactly what .36 inches is. Ah ha, I've figured it out now from the following handy TSA chart...2.36 inches equals 6 centimeters!

They really drill into the details in the following chart. Might be a great time to start selling non-locking pocket knives with half inch wide, 6 cm blades and non-molded grips to take advantage of these new rules!

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Outdoor Shopping Center "The Collection at Riverpark" in Oxnard is Coming Right Along!

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The Collection at Riverpark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. If you're driving the 101 freeway through Oxnard/Ventura, you can't miss it!

The Collection is still work in process but when completed, the 650,000 sq ft center will include a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

Businesses open at The Collection as of February 2013 include a nicely appointed Target store, Century Theaters and recent additions Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers, Color Me Mine Pottery Studio, Kabuki Sushi and Massage Envy. A Menchie's Frozen Yogurt is coming soon.

Opening in Spring 2013 is the hotly awaited REI Store (March 22nd!), Whole Foods, Gen Korean BBQ, Famous Dave's BBQ, Gandolfo's Delicatessen, Bank of America and Starbucks. A 12,000 sq ft Yard House eatery has been proposed for the center.

More recently, Shea announced that later this year, a 25,000 sq ft H&M store, ROC/Republic of Couture, Charming Charlie, ULTA Beauty and Sleep Number are coming to The Collection.

Future home of Whole Foods Market at The Collection at Riverpark

The Collection also has 58,000 sq ft of office space, including current tenants Lawyer's Title and Escrow, occupying 8,000 sq ft. The center is currently about 40% leased but with buildout completed and major tenants in place as anticipated next spring, Shea Properties expects that percentage to grow quickly.

Layout of The Collection as of December 2012

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, an

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