Supermoon 2013 Rising Over Boney Mountain Captured By Jonathan Stewart

Local photographer Jonathan Stewart got to work when most of us were sound asleep last night to capture these great shots of the 2013 "Supermoon" rising over Boney Mountain, overlooking us here in the Conejo Valley. Thanks to the help of his Celestron 1200mm telescope, we can enjoy what he was able to see in real-time. For more of Stewart's work, including many great international shots, visit the Jonathan Stewart Photography website at www.jonathanstewartphotos.com and "Like" his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JonathanStewartPhotos.

Somehow Jonathan was able to catch an aircraft flying past the supersized Supermoon in this shot.

Remember the Cinco de Mayo Supermoon of 2012? He caught that one too quite nicely.

Only One in Five Adults Meet CDC Physical Activity Guidelines - Time to Fix That!

One in five adults meet overall physical activity guidelines

About 20% of U.S. adults are meeting both the aerobic and muscle strengthening components of the federal government's physical activity recommendations, according to a report recently published in  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (catchy name, eh?), a journal of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that adults get at least 2½ hours a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking, or one hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging, or a combination of both.  The guidelines also recommend that adults do muscle-strengthening activities, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or activities using resistance bands or weights.  These activities should involve all major muscle groups and be done on two or more days per week. 

The report finds that nationwide nearly 50 percent of adults are getting the recommended amounts of aerobic activity and about 30 percent are engaging in the recommended muscle-strengthening activity.

The report also found that the West (24%) and the Northeast (21%) had the highest proportion of adults who met the guidelines. Women, Hispanics, older adults and obese adults were all less likely to meet the guidelines.

For more information about the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, including ways to get and stay active, visit www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity.  Learn more about CDC's efforts to promote walking by visiting www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/walking.

Here in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County with such great weather year-round, it should be easy to meet CDC's Physical Activity Guidelines. Here are some local options:

Upcoming 5K and 10K runs

Running and cycling groups and activities

Gyms and fitness facilities

Pilates

Gymnastics and dance facilities

Martial arts

Swimming

Local hiking and trails

Russell Fischer Business Collection Premieres at the Camarillo Public Library

The Russell Fischer Business Collection premiered at the Camarillo Public Library on Wednesday, May 22. 

Russell Fischer was a local citrus farmer who passed away in 2005 at the age of 93, leaving an $11 million estate to the Ventura County Community Foundation to be split among five non-profit entities, including the Camarillo Public Library.

The Library was bequeathed a total of $2,764,149.07, according to Camarillo Mayor Charlotte Craven, at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Fischer asked that the library funds be used on business related resources.  The grand opening marked the initial phase of growing the collection, which will eventually include business related print books and electronic books, online training videos and databases.  The library also has created a workspace area that is well suited for business research and collaboration. The library also plans to incorporate events, seminars and training workshops with a focus on business related topics.

After the ribbon cutting ceremony, Lynda Weinman of Lynda.com gave a keynote speech, sharing the story of how she and her husband founded and grew the company into a leading provider of online education, helping millions of individuals around the world.  Lynda.com subscriptions will be available to the public at no charge on a number of computers in the Russell Fischer Business Collection.

The collection is located on the 2nd floor of the library. For more information, visit www.camarillolibrary.org or call 805.388.5222.

Nonprofit Cats and Dogs International, CANDi, Saves the Lives of Stray Animals

Cats and Dogs International, CANDi, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving the lives of stray cats and dogs through spay, neuter and adoption programs. Recently, CANDi funded chemotherapy for a cancer-stricken dog called Luna.

The Story of Luna from Nuvue Cinema on Vimeo.

Cancún is a world-renowned tourist destination which is lesser known for its vast stray dog population. In Mexico, many workers earn the equivalent of $4 per day and spay surgery is not feasible, costing up to several weeks worth of pay for the average worker. CANDi programs provide the resources necessary to address the stray animal issue in situations where local governments and animal groups are not in a position to help. Thousands of cats and dogs have been spayed and neutered annually as a result.

It was during a vacation in Cancún that photographer Tracey Buyce came face-to-face with the staggering stray dog issue. She knew she had to help and discovered CANDi’s founder, Galati, through an internet search. She was back in Cancún four months later, volunteering at one of CANDi’s twice-annual free spay/neuter clinics, and soon came on board as CANDi's official photographer.

Returning to Bonfil, Mexico with CANDi again in January 2013, Buyce spotted Luna, a neglected and skeletal dog. After gaining permission from her owner to give Luna up, she had her examined and diagnosed with starvation and cancer. Luna is currently undergoing treatment and chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Leon, and CANDi volunteers in Mexico.

Buyce made it her mission to find a loving home for the gentle dog and posted Luna’s story on Facebook. She received a response almost immediately from Jenny Witte, founder of Mamatoga, a parenting website and magazine in New York, wanting to adopt her. Buyce flew back to Mexico to bring Luna back for a homecoming with her new family in Saratoga Springs on March 18th. The touching result is shown in the following video.

Luna Part Deux from Nuvue Cinema on Vimeo.

Visit Luna's Facebook page here. See more of Tracey Buyce's work at www.traceybuyce.com.

About CANDi: CANDi’s mission is to save the lives of stray animals at international tourist destinations through advocacy, education and humane, sustainable population management programs supported and funded by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers. Founded in 2006, CANDi is the innovation of CEO and President Darci Galati, an animal lover with 20 years of experience working in the tourism industry. "CANDi’s programs are viable, long-term solutions to animal overpopulation in resort areas that can be copied and applied worldwide,” says Galati, whose organization is supported by the tourism industry, travelers and pet lovers. For more information about CANDi visit www.candiinternational.org.

Not So Ancient Chinese Secret: Always Order "To Go" at Panda Express

We are not lacking for Panda Express eateries in Ventura County, with 17 locations throughout the area and neighboring areas ranging from Simi Valley, Agoura Hills, the Conejo Valley, Ventura, Port Hueneme, Santa Paula and Oxnard.

When asked "is this for here or to go," traditionally I have always said "for here" when indeed planning to eat at Panda (which is usually the case) and "to go" when the plan is to take the food with me.

But on a recent visit to Panda Express with a buddy, he insisted that I order "to go" although we fully intended to eat there. "Why?" I asked. Because you get a LOT more food, he said. But is that right to order to go when you know full well you'll be eating at the restaurant?  Aw, what the heck. So I gave in and ordered "to go." And yes, I do agree, you do appear to get more food in the "to go" container than you receive on the plate.

At the End of a Hot Weekend, the Clouds Roll In to the Conejo Valley

Last night at sunset was a fun time to watch the cloud cover make its way into the Conejo Valley. One great viewing spot was from the Conejo Mountain Edison Power Line Road accessible via trails in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. The clouds and setting sun made for an eerie feeling as daylight turned to darkness in Ventura County.

Views towards Boney MountainViews towards the power linesThe fog rolling in to Dos VientosThe sun setting over the cloud covering the Oxnard plainThe fog creeping up into Newbury ParkAnd another view of the fog making its way past the power lines

Click this link for descriptions of other local trails and hikes in and around Ventura County!