The Conejo Valley Guide "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, highlights of local things to do, compilations and other items. Focus is on information relevant to Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara and Moorpark.
The Conejo Valley Guide® "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, local things to do, holiday event compilations, announcements and more.
One of my very favorite female recording artists, Linda Ronstadt, turns 66 years old today, July 15, 2012. Ronstadt, a top-selling artist in the 1970s-1980s, released 27 studio albums, 63 singles and has won 11 Grammy awards among accomplishments. She popularized many songs originally written and sung by others through her vocal talent, range and interpretation.
Five of my Ronstadt favorites are embedded below. Happy birthday Linda!
Perhaps my all-time favorite Linda Ronstadt song, this performance of "Long, Long Time" in 1970 makes me sit and watch over and over in awe of her voice and interpretation.
"When Will I Be Loved," written by Phil Everly and a 1960 hit by The Everly Brothers. Sung by Ronstadt, it reached #2 on the U.S. charts in 1975.
Here's a funky version of her #1 hit "You're No Good" that was originally written and performed in the early 1960s.
Every July in recent memory the cities of Moorpark and Agoura Hills have broken rank and hosted fireworks shows on days other than the 4th of July. Moorpark hosts its 3rd of July Extravaganza each year and Agoura Hills hosts fireworks shows after one of its free Sunday concerts in the park. We love this because it gives us the opportunity to see fireworks multiple times.
Tonight was no exception as the fireworks at Chumash Park in Agoura Hills started just after 9 p.m., about an hour after Platinum Groove provided musical entertainment to a massive crowd. The show seemed a bit short at about 7 to 8 minutes but apparently there may have been a glitch according to some fellow residents on the CVG Facebook Page. We watched the show from Kanan Road and, although my kids are somewhat, let's just say, annoying, in the background, it was enjoyable.
For scenes from the fireworks show in Thousand Oaks on July 4th, click here.
We enjoyed the annual Conejo Recreation & Park District and City of Thousand Oaks annual 4th of July fireworks display last night as did tens of thousands of local residents! Kudos to CRPD for their tireless work each 4th of July, bringing residents fun activities from sunup to sundown, including a pancake breakfast, home run derby, free swimming at local pools, free concert and fireworks show!
Speaking of the fireworks show, if you missed it, here is some footage. The show is roughly 20 minutes long, so here is about a third of the show for your viewing pleasure.
This is too clever to pass up. Developer Casey Pugh spearheaded a project that sliced up the original Star Wars into 15 second segments and asked the public to claim a scene and film it in any shape or form. Pugh and his team then stitched together the 474 scenes to a full-length version of Star Wars entitled "Star Wars Uncut."
Too funny. Every 15 seconds a completely new look based on the creativity of random people. Everything from high end digital animation, Lego figures, real people in costumes, sock puppets, paper bags, clay figures, you name it. Grab a group of friends and enjoying laughing out loud at the random cleverness of this unique patchwork of Star Wars storyline.
The New Hot 5 is a Utah based New Orleans style jazz band that was recently playing at a festival in France, when it discovered a herd of cows that seemed to really be entertained by their music. It started with Steve Call on euphonium as you'll see in the video. The bells started ringing as they situated themselves for a dixieland concert. Soon the whole band joined in. The rest is history...3 1/2 million YouTube views to date and a CD called "Jazz for Cows." Equal parts good amusement and good music. Visit www.newhot5.com to learn more and buy a CD.
Love how you occasionally hear cowbells chiming in. Cows are intent listeners.
2012 Video Contest for Young People: "Make a Difference"
Ages 12-25 invited to submit videos about making a difference and creating positive community change
Youth advocacy group Straight Up Ventura County has announced its 2012 video contest, open to young people 12-25, around the topics of making a difference among peers, educators and parents.
"We're looking for young people to explore topics such as how to create 'positive' peer pressure. what activities can bring awareness to destructive decisions, or people that have been an inspiration for making positive decisions around alcohol or drugs," says Katherine Kasmir, Program Director of Straight Up. "We look to the youth in our community to help make social change."
Straight Up focuses on prevention surrounding underage and binge drinking, over-the-counter/prescription drug abuse, marijuana use, and impaired driving.
Last year's contest, "The Power of Speaking Up," garnered submissions from all over Ventura County. They can be seen at straightupvc.org/contest_2011 and below!
Short videos (30-90 seconds) are preferred, but longer videos are welcome as well. The subject matter and tone can be serious or humorous, as longs as the video deals with the powering of speaking up.
A grand prize of $500 will be awarded. The deadline is March 9, 2012 and winners notified by April 20.
Downloadable rules and guidelines can be found at www.straightupvc.org/contest. Resources are available to youth and to educators in the form of educational workshops and equipment lending.
Interested parties can find out more information by contacting contest@straightupvc.org or (805) 647-4622.
Winning Entries from 2011 "Speak Up" Video Contest
WINNING VIDEO: "Out of the Mouths of Children" by Joe Lanthier's Fillmore High School Production Class (ages 16) Description: A young boy refuses to get into his brother's car after the brother has been drinking.
RUNNER-UP VIDEO: "Bobby V" by Camilo Alvea, 23, and Sergio Arias, 23 Description: A young female recounts an accident in which she was involved, in which "Bobby V" was killed.
RUNNER-UP VIDEO: "Choice" by Sophie Glander, 16, of Agoura Description: A young boy refuses to get into his brother's car after the brother has been drinking.
Conejo Valley Guide | Conejo Valley Events
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
