The Rose Parade Post Parade Showcase of Floats is Something You Have to Do at Least Once

Everyone at some point here in the Greater Los Angeles/Ventura County area should try to see the Rose Parade in person, as early and as cold as the parade usually is.  But if that isn't your cup of tea, then you MUST see the post parade showcase of floats at the end of the parade route on Sierra Madre Boulevard in Pasadena.

The Rose Parade Post Parade Showcase of Floats lasts just a few days each year, beginning the afternoon after the Rose Parade. Several streets are sectioned off for several miles as you get to walk around and check out these beautiful floats up close. 

As a reminder, Rose Parade floats are required to be completely covered by flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds or bark. These floats are spectacular pieces of art!

A couple things to keep in mind is to allow for plenty of time as this is an extremely popular event. There are parking and shuttle options, or you can drive around and attempt to find parking in surrounding neighborhoods. You may have to walk a mile to get to the entrance and there is an admission fee ($10 in 2016).

I told you it gets crowded. See for yourself!

I made the mistake of allowing my youngest to ride his scooter from the car to the event, at which point we were quickly told "no scooters" or other such items. I asked if I could carry it. Nope. So off we went, back to the car, and back we came. It was clear why they don't allow such items here...there were literally throngs of people on hand admiring the floats.

Along with the floats, there were plenty of food and beverage vendors and other activities along the route. Do wear comfortable shoes as there is a lot of walking to be done to see all of the floats!

For more information and parking/shuttle options, visit www.tournamentofroses.com or call 626.449.4100.

Sweet Escapes In and Around Ventura County

"Sweet Escape" by Chuck Trunks

Looking for something to do around Ventura County but also looking for money missing from your wallet? Not to worry, there are plenty of escapes that won't cost you an arm and a leg around town. In fact, our mission in life here is to ensure you have hundreds of inexpensive, fun options in Ventura County and surrounding areas!

Free upcoming local events

Free things to do

Free kids' activities

Kids eat free deals

Get free food and stuff at Ventura County area eateries

That should get you started...but here's some more:

Family events

Upcoming 5K/10K events

Send your kids to a local summer camp

Go on a bike ride

Swimming and water play around Ventura County

Visit a local farmers' market

Go bowling

Throw a birthday party for your kid

Visit a museum

Not enough choices? Continue exploring Conejo Valley Guide and I can guarantee you'll find something fun to do.

Neat Residential Holiday Light Display on Pathfinder Avenue in Westlake Village

Scenes from the pathfinder avenue holiday light show in 2014

The awesome holiday light display at 4903 Pathfinder in Westlake Village is back this 2015 holiday season! Starting December 4th through Christmas from 6-9PM every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, weather permitting, stop by to see "snow" falling and a light show synchronized to music, with shows running every 15 minutes.

Monday through Thursday the lights will be on. Bring your food donations for the local Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank too!

Also, on December 24 bring your family, friends and kids; there will be Elves and other holiday characters handing out candy!

The Majority of Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Plan to Relax on Black Friday

Happy Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November, but it hasn't always been that way. In December 1941, Congress passed a law signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt to change it to the 4th Thursday; previously it was the last Thursday of the month (signed into law by Abraham Lincoln in 1863). The change was made in part to distance Thanksgiving a bit from Christmas (which hasn't kept Santa from appearing at most local malls well before today).

Moving on to tomorrow, Black Friday...in a drawing and informal survey on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page yesterday, the question was asked, "what are your plans for Black Friday?" 

Based on the responses, I might have to sell short consumer retail stocks, as only 13% of the 188 responding to the survey mentioned they plan to shop on Black Friday! (And that includes one response who said he was "Amazoning.")

In fact, 4% of folks responded with "Not Shopping" I suppose to make a point....although that does not really answer the question as to what they DO plan to do.

Overall, 43% of the responses indicated a plan to "hang out" with family and/or just relax, or just SLEEP (9% indicate that) tomorrow. These folks plan to eat leftovers, relax, watch movies at home, play games and basically enjoy a day with family. Not a bad way to enjoy Black Friday.

Nearly 20% of responses indicates plans to go out and about on Black Friday, not necessarily to shop, but to enjoy the outdoors, take a hike, go to the movies, visit an amusement park, watch Santa fly from the sky at Janss Marketplace, watch kids' sports, etc.

Only 7% of responses indicated they plan to work on Black Friday. Yes, some of us still do have to work. And 5% indicated plans to get moving on holiday decorating around the house.

Other responses included "not sure," chores, travel, packing for move, buying a car, job interview, studying, party, get a facial and so on.

Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California ScienCenter Well Worth the Trip

The California ScienCenter is located in Exposition Park, about an hour-long drive from Thousand Oaks. Located adjacent to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the ScienCenter is a fantastic place to explore the world of science with the kids.

Sweetening the deal is the addition of Space Shuttle Endeavor at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion, the Endeavor's temporary home until the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is opened (currently anticipated sometime in 2018).

The Endeavor was first launched into space in May 1992 and its final mission was in May 2011, with 25 space missions and nearly 123 million miles flown. The orbiter has a wingspan of 78 feet and length of 122 feet. At 57 feet tall, it has quite a presence inside the Pavilion.

Also impressive is the array of informational displays surrounding the Endeavor, covering key milestones for all NASA space shuttles, including the Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavor. For example, we learned that the Discovery has flown the most miles of any of the shuttles - over 148 million miles on 39 missions.

In addition to the Pavilion, the Endeavour: The California Story exhibit contains artifacts and displays associated with the shuttle program here in Southern California.

Admission to the California Science Center is free of charge; parking is currently $10. Due to the popularity of the Endeavor exhibit, timed reservations are required for weekends, holidays, special events and other high attendance periods, including Thanksgiving week and school winter/spring breaks. There is a $2 fee for online, printable reservations, $3 for phone reservations.

Better yet, book the Endeavor and an IMAX film together and the $2 Endeavor fee is waived. You won't regret it as the IMAX films are spectacular.

Visit www.californiasciencecenter.org to learn more.

Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center Makes a Great First Impression

Studio Movie Grill Simi Valley opened its doors to the public tonight at the Simi Valley Town Center and I got to check it out!

The theater is located on the east side of the mall behind the new Buffalo Wild Wings. It is beautiful both inside and out.

There are nine screens in the facility with varying sizes and over 950 seats in total.

The stadium style seats look a bit airline-ish but were surprisingly comfortable and supportive and the serving trays pivot for comfort. Tons of leg room too!

When I first saw the seats I thought they didn't look very comfortable. But when I sat down, I realized I was wrong.  I usually squirm in movie chairs with my aging hamstrings, but these chairs were very supportive. I also noticed they don't seem to recline too much, but that was also a non-issue for me during the movie.

Each of the stadium style seats have trays and buttons to press for food service. Pretty darn efficient. I ordered a blended margarita and it was excellent.  A movie with a margarita, chicken nachos, tasty flatbread, burgers and more.  Everything we tried tasted great!

There's a special deal on the menu; $25 for 1 appetizer and two entrees. The price seemed pretty fair to me for the solid quality.

Enjoying a blended Cadillac margarita at the show. Plenty of mixed drinks, beer and wine available at the press of a button.

The trays can be maneuvered around to be closer or farther away from you, which was a nice convenience you don't find on, say airline seats. I was also impressed by the extraordinary leg room/distance between rows, allowing for attendants to scoot by without you having to scrunch up into your chair.

There's also a full bar and eating area in the front of the theater. A bit on the loud side in there but it was really buzzing!

My initial assessment is that the Studio Movie Grill Simi Valley will be very successful. Reasonably priced, great service, tasty food, full bar, nicely appointed and comfortable. Larn more and buy tickets at www.studiomoviegrill.com.

There are some special offers next week highlighted HERE.