Happy Face Hill in Simi Valley Shown in Green and Not So Green Times

"Happy Face Hill" was created by Northridge gardener Sonny Klamerus in 1998, making it 19 years old.  This video documents the changes in its looks over the last several years. The hill is seen by westbound drivers on the 118 freeway just west of Kuehner Drive.

Happy Face Hill in mid-December 2018 looking happier than ever with some nice, bright, apparently new set of LEDs.

Happy Face Hill in mid-December 2018 looking happier than ever with some nice, bright, apparently new set of LEDs.

Final Descent of Alaskan Airlines Flight from Portland to the Hollywood Burbank Airport

Why am I posting this? Why not! I rarely have such a clear view on such a beautiful day through a window over the wing of the aircraft that is actually pretty clean. So I filmed it. Blue skies on a clear, crisp, Sunday morning in the San Fernando Valley.

Living in the Conejo Valley, all else equal, it is much easier to fly into and out of the Hollywood Burbank Airport (technically Bob Hope Airport - but I call it Burbank Airport) over the Los Angeles Airport anytime. But if usually is more expensive than LAX, with some exceptions.

In this instance, I needed a last minute flight to Portland to watch the Newbury Park High School Cross Country team compete in the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland. I preferred a direct flight. A direct flight on Delta from LAX was $750 round trip. I was determined not to pay such a ridiculous fare for a 2 1/2 hour flight.

Thankfully, Priceline has some great deals, including a non-stop flight on Alaska out of Burbank as well as two nights at the Embassy Suites and 2 days of car rental, for $200 less than Delta was offering out of LAX.

In any case, it was well worth the trip the NPHS XC team, winners for the first time of both the CIF Southern Section Division II title as well as the California State Division II title in 2018, It finished 6th overall in this prestigious event, teeing off for some even greater performances in the coming years.

To support Newbury Park High School Cross County in its annual travel, supplies and equipment needs, please consider giving a donation at bit.ly/DonateNPHSXC.

Makeshift Memorial for Borderline Shooting Victims in Thousand Oaks

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This is a makeshift memorial for the Borderline Bar and Grill victims from the shooting on November 7th. It is located at the northeast corner of Moorpark Road and Rolling Oaks Drive. **

** Note that the memorial was subsequently relocated to the entryway area of Borderline Bar and Grill, which has been closed since the incident.

There is a massive outpouring of support for the victims on display at this memorial, which was filmed here the morning of November 20th (subsequently some folks brought canopies to protect the memorial from anticipated rain on the 22nd - Thanksgiving Day).

Learn how to support the victims and their families at THIS LINK.

There is an extensive list of local fundraisers and tributes for Borderline victims and families on the Borderline Bar and Grill website at www.borderlinebarandgrill.com.

Sean Adler

Cody Coffman

Blake Dingman

Jake Dunham

Sgt. Ron Helus

Alaina Housley

Daniel Manrique

Justin Meek

Mark Meza Jr.

Kristina Morisette

Telemachus Orfanos

Noel Sparks

Letters of condolence are being accepted for the families of the victims listed above by the Thousand Oaks Police at 2101 East Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks.

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52nd Annual Country Music Association Awards Begins with Remembrance of Borderline Shooting Victims

Garth Brooks began the 52nd Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on November 14th with a remembrance and moment of silence for the victims of the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting one week prior.

Brooks said “On behalf of our country music community, I want to say that tonight’s show is lovingly dedicated to the 12 individuals whom we lost far too soon just a week ago tonight at the Borderline in Thousand Oaks, California,” Brooks said, referring to those who died after a gunman opened fire at the country dance bar. Tonight, let’s celebrate their lives. Let the music unite us with love, and their enduring memory.”

IN MEMORIAM

November 7, 2018

Sean Adler

Cody Coffman

Blake Dingman

Jake Dunham

Sgt. Ron Helus

Alaina Housley

Daniel Manrique

Justin Meek

Mark Meza Jr.

Kristina Morisette

Telemachus Orfanos

Noel Sparks

Today is the 50th Anniverary of The Release of "Hey Jude" by the Beatles

Fifty years ago today, August 26, 1968, the Beatles released the song "Hey Jude."

The song was written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon and McCartney.

Originally "Hey Jules" in support of John Lennon's son Julian during his parents' divorce, "Hey Jude" was the first single released by the Beatles' record label, Apple Records.

Seven minutes, 11 seconds in length, Hey Jude was one of the longest singles ever released at that time. It spent 9 weeks at number 1 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the longest of any Beatles song.

The single has sold over 8 million copies in the U.S. placing it in the top 50 selling songs of all time, topped by just one other Beatles song, "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

Conejo Valley Rabbit Montage and Some Local Area History

Here's a fun montage of conejo photos and footage from the ring of trails surround the Conejo Valley. If you're looking to take your own rabbit photos on the trails of the Conejo Valley, check out this compilation of over 50 local hiking and trail areas at THIS LINK

TELL ME A LITTLE ABOUT NEWBURY PARK