"Newbury Park Rocks" Group Proves to Be Quite Popular on CVG Facebook Page

Image courtesy of Newbury Park Rocks Facebook Page

I didn't think much of it when a Facebook Page called "Newbury Park Rocks" contacted us to share a little about but what they do. 

So what do they do? Well, apparently this is becoming "a thing" throughout the country. The group paints, hides and finds decorative, painted rocks in the Newbury Park area.

Grab a rock and paint something whimsical, funny, inspirational and/or uplifting on it. After it dries, place it somewhere, partially hidden, such that someone will discover and enjoy that rock.

Well that certainly is a fun idea! So I thought, OK, I'll make mention of it on a Monday late morning, on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page and I'm sure a few folks will find it interesting.

Well on one count, I was right. Some folks did indeed find it interesting. But I was wrong on "a few," as over 160 people have clicked the "Like" button and the interest has been very strong. I'm certain other rock hiding groups will pop up throughout Ventura County.

Cute idea!

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Comment on Their Favorite Local Hamburgers

In a recent survey on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, followers were asked what their favorite hamburgers were in the local area, including the Conejo Valley and adjacent areas.

What prompted the question was a 2017 Harris Poll EquiTrend® that concluded on a national level that the top burger restaurants in America currently are:

1. Five Guys Burgers and Fries
2. In-N-Out Burger
3. Shake Shack
4. Wendy's
5. Culver's
6. Whataburger
7. McDonald's
8. SONIC
9. Smashburger
10. Steak 'n Shake

Out of the top 10 above, burgers available in the Ventura County area currently include Five Guys, In-N-Out, Wendy's, McDonald's and Smashburger. 

We asked a more specific question - what is your favorite burger. A bit of a popularity contest. The winner, hands down, was In-N-Out Burger, with 39% of the vote. The closest competitor was Habit Burger, with 17% of all votes.

Five Guys is a much newer brand to our local area and thus I suspect only a fraction of folks that have eaten at In-N-Out Burger for nearly seven decades have actually tried a Five Guys burger.  It received only one mention in our survey.

Other eateries that were mentioned by 4-8% of commenters were Hook Burger, Red Robin, Stacked and Umami Burger.

Others mentioned at least once included BLVD BRGR in Old Town Camarillo, Twisted Oak Tavern in Agoura, P&L Burger in Thousand Oaks, BJs, Freddy's Steakburgers in Westlake Village, Finney's Crafthouse and Kitchen in Westlake Village, Grinder Restaurant in Moorpark, Dog Haus in Thousand Oaks, Wood Ranch BBQ, Lucky Dogs at Janss Marketplace, Smashburger, Winchesters Grill in Ventura, Little Craft Creamery in Thousand Oaks, the Scratch Food Truck, Fusion Grill, Vintage Grocers, Cheesecake Factory, Breakfast Cafe, Ranch Hand BBQ and Marmalade Cafe.

So if you're looking for a good burger, this list may come in handy. Feel free to comment on your own best burger in the local area.

Driving Potrero Road From CSU Channel Islands to the Top of the Grade in Newbury Park

Top of the Potrero Grade before the descent towards Camarillo.

Potrero Road is a two-lane alternative from Newbury Park to Camarillo that takes you through some twists and turns at the top before straightening out a bit after the initial drop. Here's what the reverse drive looks like, just east of CSU Channel Islands up to just before the Rancho Potrero Open Space after cresting the the top.

If you a driving a big rig...forget this road and head back towards the 101. Trucks with over two axles are forbidden from taking this route with a 7% grade (with the exception of local deliveries).

For those that live in Newbury Park, Potrero Road is a nice way to get to beaches at Point Mugu State Park, including Sycamore Cove and Thornhill Broome.

CLICK HERE FOR PUBLIC BEACHES STRETCHING FROM MALIBU TO OXNARD

Ventura County Courthouse (now San Buenaventura City Hall) on National Register of Historic Places

Ventura City Hall (aka San Buenaventura City Hall) was originally built as the Ventura County Courthouse in 1912. Located at 501 Poli Street on a hill overlooking the City of Ventura and the Pacific Ocean, it has a terra cotta exterior, copper sheathed dome and Italian marble foyer.

The Courthouse was in use until 1969, when it was deemed to be an earthquake risk. However, the City of Ventura purchased the building from the county and renovated and made structural improvements to it. The building has functioned as Ventura City Hall since 1974.

It was designated State of California Landmark No. 847 in December 1970 and named to the National Register of Historic Places in August 1971.

Ventura County Court House photo dated February 1971 (Photo Credit: City of Ventura).

The original architect of the Courthouse was Albert C. Martin, who also designed Grauman's Chinese Theater (now TLC Chinese Theatre) in Hollywood.

According to the City's website, the 200-foot frontage by 135 foot depth annex was completed in 1932, after five years of work supervised by architect Harold Burkett. Between the first and second floor windows of City Hall are 24 faces, each depicting whimsical friars' faces which serve as a historical reminder that the City of San Buenaventura was one of the nine original Mission towns founded by Father Junipero Serra and Franciscan friars in 1782.

According to the City's website, significant restoration to the building's terra cotta exterior took place in 1987-88 and 2004-5. In 1987-88, it took 16 months of steam cleaning to restore 3,600 terra cotta tiles on City Hall West, including replacing 959 damaged tiles. In 2005, the complex's entire façade was restored, repairing 10,000 blocks by sanding and repainting, replacing 100 damaged blocks and installing a water repellant over the walls and joints.

The end result is that this is one beautiful, can't miss, historic building in Ventura County. More on Ventura City Hall at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1098/Ventura-City-Hall.

One of the 24 friars' faces on the building taken February 1971 (Photo Credit: City of Ventura).

Conejo Rambler and "Mister Buttons the Clown" at the 1963 Conejo Valley Days Parade

In Spring 1963, soon after the effort to incorporate the City of Conejo (subsequently Thousand Oaks) was initiated, the Conejo Valley Days Parade took place. Back then, Thousand Oaks was still an unincorporated town in Ventura County.

In 1963, at 2594 E. Ventura Boulevard (later changed to Thousand Oaks Boulevard) in Thousand Oaks, was Conejo Rambler. Today, Allen Motors occupies that spot. 

Seen in the photo below is what appears to be a 1963 Rambler Classic Cross Country station wagon. The sign on the car indicates it was loaned for use in the parade by Conejo Rambler. Sitting on top of that station wagon is "Mister Buttons the Clown." No word on whatever happened to Mister Buttons the Clown, who does not appear to be wearing a seat belt in this shot.

What to Do When Someone Appears Suicidal on Facebook

Someone connected to me as a friend in Facebook posted a single word on her page tonight. The word was "Suicide."

The actual post

To be honest I don't recall why this person connected with me as I don't remember her from high school decades ago. But I am connected with her and, like others, her post caused me concern. I couldn't ignore it.

The first 10 or so comments were pleas to her. "Can I help?" "Are you ok?" "??" "What's going on?" "We're all concerned" "Where are you?"

There was no response from the woman and the comments changed: "Can somebody message her daughter?" "Has anyone contacted her?" "Do you know her?" "I tried messaging her" "Her voicemail is full"

I took it upon myself to call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255 to ask for advice. The problem was that no one really knows where this person is.

After about a minute, I spoke with someone on the Hotline and she indicated in this situation, that Facebook has a "Report Suicidal Content" function at www.facebook.com/help/contact/305410456169423 that allows users to report direct threats of suicide. I did so. As did others.

Facebook's response was "Thanks for reporting this to us. We take these situations very seriously. We'll review the information you provided and may contact the appropriate authorities to follow up on this matter. If you encounter a direct threat of suicide on Facebook, you should contact your local law enforcement or suicide prevention agency right away. If possible, you should also encourage the person who posted the content to contact their local suicide prevention agency. Please rest assured that these reports are kept confidential."

Thankfully one of the individual's friends knew the address she had moved to and contacted law enforcement. An officer is currently checking on her. No word as of yet.

As a product of the pre-smartphone days, I find it maddening to see messages like "I texted her" "I messaged her" " I sent a friend request to her daughter" etc.  Sometimes you just have to get on the phone and call. And that's what one of her friends did.

But the good news if Facebook has provided a platform for several dozen friends of this woman to work together in real time, share information and take an action.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Share Their Favorite Desserts at Local Eateries

As part of a one day ticket drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, we asked folks to tell us their favorite desserts at any restaurant in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Boy oh boy did we get the best compilation of great sounding desserts EVER! 

We are going to share these comments with you but be sure to keep in mind, eat desserts only after finishing your dinner. To quote a Pink Floyd lyric "If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!" ("Another Brick in the Wall" 1979)

And here they are, in no particular order:

• Pastries from Champagne Bakery
• Strawberry Shortcake at Boccali's in Ojai
• Butter cake at Mastro's Steakhouse Thousand Oaks (mentioned 27 times)
• Pizookie at BJ's Restaurant in Thousand Oaks (mentioned 44 times)
• Cinnamon Puffs from Pizza Nosh in Agoura Hills
• Creme Brulee at Aroha Restaurant in Westlake Village
• Richie's Magic Bar at Pearl District (mentioned 2 times)
• Warm peach cobbler at Lazy Dog Restaurant
• Cheesecake Factory (mentioned 42 times - banana, Oreo, strawberry, chocolate fudge, key lime, tiramisu, Limoncello, banana cream, red velvet, Snickers, peanut butter, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Linda's Fudge Cake, Dulce de Leche Caramel, Godiva, Peanut Butter)
• Apple fritters at Best Donuts
• Chocolate cake at Bandits' BBQ
• Banana cream pudding in Mason jar at Public School 805
• Carrot cake at Boney Mountain Tavern (mentioned 2 times)
• White chocolate pretzel cheesecake at Lazy Dog Restaurant
• Creme brulee or cobbler at Blue Stove in The Oaks Mall (mentioned 2 times)
• Donuts and cupcakes at Karma Baker (mentioned 3 times)
• Carmelized almond bowl with white chocolate laced chantilly cream and fresh berries at Mediterraneo in Westlake Village
• Creme brulee at Lazy Dog Restaurant (mentioned 2 times)
• Cheesecake with blueberries at Stonefire Grill 
• Creme brulee or pecan pie at Mastro's
• Cannoli at Roma Deli in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
• Blackberry crumble at Lure Fish House
• Salted chocolate chip cookie at Urbane Cafe
• Banana cream pie at Paul Martin's (mentioned 3 times)
• Sprinkles Cupcakes (mentioned 4 times)
• Fudge brownie sundae at Bandits BBQ
• Key lime pie at Mastro's
• Green tea ice cream at Kabuki
• The Wonderbar at Pearl District (mentioned 2 times)
• Apple strudel at Jeanette's Edelweiss in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
• Mountain High Mud Pie at Red Robin
• Chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot (mentioned 7 times)
• Ice cream sundae at Stacked
• S'Mores at Holdren's in Newbury Park
• Menchies Frozen Yogurt
• Kona Pie at Islands
• Butter cake with vanilla ice cream at California Pizza Kitchen (mentioned 3 times)
• Fried cheesecake at Sutter's Mill in Simi Valley
• Tiramisu at Marcello Ristorante in Thousand Oaks
• Brownie ice cream sundae at Pickles Deli in Newbury Park
• Brownie at Stonefire Grill (mentioned 3 times)
• Bread pudding at Twenty88 in Camarillo
• Donuts at Dunkin' Donuts
• Deep fried ice cream at Cisco's
• Chocolate Dome at PF Chang's
• Caramel apples from Newberry Candies in Thousand Oaks
• The gooey center of a Cinnabon
• Black and white cookie at Brent's Deli (mentioned 2 times)
• Chocolatine French Cafe
• Salted caramel cheesecake at Blue Stove
• The Melting Pot - any dessert
• Sweet quinoa cake from Grabbagreen in Thousand Oaks
• Cinnamon chips at Snapper Jack's Taco Shack in Camarillo
• Ice cream at Lure Fish House
• Dessert sampler at Holdren's in Newbury Park
• Chocolate cake at Brent's Deli (mentioned 2 times)
• Apple pie at Stella's in Newbury Park
• Banana spring rolls at PF Chang's
• Baklava at Mama's Hummus
• Spotted dick at Crown and Anchor in Thousand Oaks
• Pavlova at Aroha Cuisine
• Shave It (mentioned 4 times)
• Gelato at Urban Pizza
• Banana pudding bread at Cafe Firenze in Moorpark
• Carrot cake at Stonefire Grill (mentioned 6 times)
• Shakes at In-N-Out Burger
• Apple fritters at Rolling Pin Donuts in Camarillo
• Little Calf Creamery in Thousand Oaks (mentioned 26 times)
• McDonald's strawberry and cream pies
• Molten chocolate cake at Lure Fish House
• Lava cake at Chili's in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
• Macaroons from Lemonade
• Ice cream at Rite Aid (mentioned 2 times)
• Creme Brulee at Tuscany in Westlake Village (mentioned 2 times)
• Cotton candy at Zin Bistro in Westlake Village
• Fried ice cream at Yolanda's in Camarillo (mentioned 2 times)
• Molten Chocolate Cake at Marmalade Cafe in Westlake Village
• Salted caramel pudding from California Pizza Kitchen
• Fruit cobbler at Lazy Dog Cafe
• Chocolate mousse cake at Blue Stove (mentioned 2 times)
• Eclairs at Brent's Deli
• Carrot cake at Old New York Deli in Newbury Park
• Mud Pie at Holdren's
• Ice cream sandwiches at Stacked
• Raised chocolate donut at Foster's Donuts
• Nutella and Biscotti Semifreddo at Cafe Firenze
• Frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti
• Nutella cheesecake at Lemonade in Westlake Village
• Chocolate chip brownie sundae at Lazy Dog Cafe (mentioned 2 times)
• Chocolate cake at Paul Martin's
• Chocolate souffle at Mastro's
• Berry cobbler at Lure Fish House
• Chocolate lasagna at Olive Garden
• Brownie sundae from Sunset Terrace
• Florentine art dessert at Mediterraneo
• Churros (Nutella filled) at Sabor (mentioned 2 times)
• Baskin Robbins (mentioned 10 times)
• Cannoli at Italia Deli & Bakery
• Baklava at Baba's Kitchen
• Nothing Bundt Cakes (mentioned 14 times)
• Black Forest Cake at Paul Martin's
• Strawberry cake at Jeannette's Edelweiss
• Sticky rice at Sawadee Thai in Camarillo
• Neapolitan Shake from In N Out Burger
• Pastries and tiramisu at Al Mulino Eataliano
• Hot fudge sundae at McDonald's
• Sticky coconut rice and mango at Bangkok Avenue
• Strawberry shortcake at Country Harvest in Newbury Park
• Pizza cookie at Topper's Pizza
• Peruvian cookies at Mouthful Eatery
• Baklava at Mediterranean Pita Grill
• Flan at Don Cucos
• Fruit tart at Viktor Benes
• Butter cake at Lazy Dog Cafe
• Ras Malai and Gulab Jamun at Anarbagh in Westlake Village
• Cold Stone Creamery (mentioned 3 times)
• Wild Cherry Yogurt
• Carrera's Bakery (mentioned 15 times for items like triolgia, fritelle, gelato, cannoli)
• Tifa Gelato (mentioned 6 times)
• Sweet Arlene's (mentioned 6 times)