The Beatles 50th Anniversary Collection Opening at the Loft in Camarillo on Feb 9th

"The Beatles! 50th Anniversary Collection!" is opening on Sunday, February 9, 2014 from 3 to 6 p.m at the Loft in Old Town Camarillo, followed by "Beatles Blast! Party & Jam Session."

Sessions at the Loft in Old Town Camarillo invites the community to an exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of The Beatles' legendary performance on the Ed Sullivan Show and their first concert performance at the Washington Coliseum in DC.  These iconic photographs on display (and for sale) include newly ‘rediscovered’ and uncirculated images, never seen by the public. 

The photos were taken by award-winning photographer, Fred Ward whose articles have appeared worldwide in and on the covers of Time, Life, Newsweek and National Geographic.  In addition, Ward won the ‘White House Press Photo of the Year’ and shot the cover for RFK, JFK and MLK Jr. in addition to authoring numerous books from his lifetime of travel.

Besides the Beatles photographs, the Loft will also display Beatles memorabilia from the private collection of Composer/Musician, Grant Geisman.  The exhibition is free and open to the public and will be on display through March. 

Directly following the exhibition, the Loft hosts ‘Beatles Blast! Party & Jam Session’ from 6 to 9 p.m.  The event is $50 per person and includes a small plates menu created by Chef Gael Lecolley and Beatles music performed by well-known LA musicians including Craig Copeland, Carl Verheyen, Tom Child and Gary Gibbons. 

For more information or to RSVP for the ‘Beatles Blast’ call, 805-383-3333 or visit www.sessionsattheloft.com.

About Sessions at the Loft

Sessions at the Loft, or also known as ‘The Loft’ is a unique and creative space designed for all types of visual or performing arts located at 2465 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo.  Musicians, performers and artists can create, record, rehearse, video stream and perform in a beautiful and comfortable setting.  The space can be easily transformed to accommodate a variety of uses such as a gallery for studio artists, a production & recording studio for musicians and singers or a screening room for premiers and video presentations.  In addition, the Loft is available for meetings, seminars and business gatherings or for script writers and poets to present new works in an intimate setting.  The Loft is furnished with high-end equipment for audio, video recording, production and presentation.

City of Agoura Hills Freeway Sign With Typo on Eastbound 101 Source For Comic Relief

According to the County of Los Angeles Public Library website: The name Agoura Hills originated in 1928 when the last name of well known local French shepherd Pierre Agoure, was selected as the name of the city in order to establish a permanent post office in the community. However, the "e" became an "a" for unknown reasons, either due to an error or perhaps for ease of spelling. We may never know.

History repeats itself. A few weeks ago, Bonnie Q posted a photo of the above sign on the CVG Facebook page and earlier this week I had to see it for myself earlier this week. While it is not exactly something that a spellchecker would catch, how Caltrans let this typo make it to the 101 freeway is a bit puzzling. This sign can be seen on the 101 eastbound between Lindero Canyon and Reyes Adobe Road.

UPDATE: The sign has been replaced and is now correct!

"The Best Halloween Store Ever" is Returning Again to Thousand Oaks This Year

The former Thousand Oaks El Torito on 449 N. Moorpark Roadhas once again transformed into "The Best Halloween Store Ever!" The store opened on August 24th, over two months in advance of Halloween this year!

If you like blood and gore, this store has one of the most jaw dropping displays you'll find, making ample use of what used to be the El Torito kitchen area. Not for the faint of heart. But there are other sections of the store that are a bit more tame and equally entertaining. Of course, the store sells costumes, ghoulish decor and other great Halloween items for all ages. Visit www.besthalloweenstoreever.com for more information.

Del Prado Playfield in the Dos Vientos Section of Newbury Park is Now Open

The newest park in the Conejo Valley is the Del Prado Playfield, located on, most logically, on Calle del Prado between Via Rio and Via Las Brisas in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. The park is located around the corner from Sycamore Canyon School and The Village at Dos Vientos, and within walking distance, about a half a mile, of Cypress Elementary via Kimber Drive/Via Rio.

This is a 26 acre park with a nice variety of things to do, including a unique playground area, 3 lighted softball fields with plenty of soccer space, basketball court, tennis court, two pickleball courts, plenty of walkways and, the holy grail of local parks, clean restrooms! There is also lots of available parking, well over 100 spots. Visit the Conejo Recreation and Park District website at www.crpd.org/parkfac/parklisting.asp for more information.

One of the more unique looking playgrounds around town. Never quite figured out what those green thingys are overhead but cool to look at!Like many local parks, Del Prado has a separate play area geared towards 5 and under.Pickleball. Yes, pickleball. Apparently one of the fastest growing sports in the country. I don't have a clue how to play just yet but a couple in what I'd estimate were in their 50s were playing on one of the 2 pickleball courts when I stopped by. Rackets looked like handball rackets and the ball looked somewhat like a whiffle ball that bounces on the court (which is roughly half the size of a tennis court). That's all I got for now on Pickleball but my interest is sparked and may have to actually learn how to play now.The grassy areas were quite brown on the large expanse of fields but I suspect they will be greening up a bit as we get towards Spring/Summer 2013.

Newbury Park Farmers' Market is Not Huge But Gets the Job Done

Update February 2016: The Newbury Park Farmers' Market has closed.

Update 9/27/12: Yes indeedy, the Newbury Park Farmers' Market is now located in the Newbury Park Library parking lot, adjaced to The Alamo.

UPDATE 9/24/12: I've been told that the Newbury Park farmers' market will be relocating to the Newbury Park Library parking lot (Borchard Road and Michael Drive) beginning September 29, 2012

Originally posted 12/7/10: The Newbury Park Farmers' Marketis WAS located at the corner of Teller Road and Hillcrest Drive, in the formerly Loehmann's, but now I shall call PetSmart, plaza. This is a small, no-nonsense FM that has enough selection to make it a worthwhile stop on Saturday mornings between 8 am and 2 pm. You'll find fruits, veggies and usually tamales, pastries/desserts, jewelry, flowers, other foods and miscellaneous stuff, as well as live music. And there ya have it.

For several dozen farmers' markets and other fresh produce providers througout Ventura County and surrounding areas CLICK THIS LINK.

Grand Opening of the Springville Dog Park in Camarillo on Friday, September 28th

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District & Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks celebrates the Grand Opening of Springville Dog Park at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo on Friday, September 28th from 5:30-6:30pm. All people and pooches are invited.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by light refreshments and treats for humans and pups alike.  Bring the whole family for a fun evening at the new Springville Dog Park!

Donate to Springville Dog Park! Purchase an engraved DONOR BRICK to show your support and pave the dog park entrance. Buy a brick for your favorite dog or dog owner as a gift!  What a great gift to give to any dog lover you know?  Your donation will support your local dog park and be memorialized with a personalized brick.  Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com

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Grand Opening of the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas on Saturday, June 9th

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the new Interagency Visitor Center is opening its doors with an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is nestled in the very heart of the mountains at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

This Visitor Center is the first of its kind in the Santa Monica Mountains. In one building, you will be able to interact with staff and volunteers from the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. We'll be together, standing side by side, to guide you in building your visit to our parks.

The Visitor Center will also feature new exhibits and interactive displays, exhibits by local artists, tours of sustainable features, and a native plant garden to explore. Yet, the Interagency Visitor Center is only intended to be a launching point to your greater experience. Join us to find out more about the Santa Monica Mountains and to inform your future activities in the outdoors!

There are so many things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains. With the help of the new Visitor Center, you will be able to discover opportunities you may not have considered before. Or, perhaps you may be reminded of a favorite place you would like to visit again. No matter where you land along the spectrum, the Visitor Center staff and volunteers will be your resource for how to make that happen. Come ready to explore our new Visitor Center, but also all that our mountains have to offer.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm (at a later date - this site is work in process).

Thrifty Ice Cream Brings Me Memories of My Childhood

Update July 2013: No more Thrifty Ice Cream at the Las Posas Car Wash as they have gone upscale and now have gelato! lasposascarwash.com/convenience-store

I recently stopped by the Las Posas Car Wash, 100 South Las Posas Road, and noticed something new...Thrifty Ice Cream!

The last time I was there I believe they were serving up Haagen Dazs. Thrifty, which is also available at most Rite Aid Stores (and there are currently 16 of them in Ventura County and adjacent cities), is a local brand that goes back over 70 years. It was first produced in Hollywood in 1940 and since 1976 has been manufactured in El Monte. Mmmm...always loved Thrifty Ice Cream at Thrifty Drug Stores.

A single scoop at the car wash is $1.69, which is reasonable enough...though I seem to recall a scoop costing about a quarter or so back in the day. Am I getting old or what!