Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks is a Perennial Family Favorite

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Conejo Creek Park North is one of the nicest, widest appealing parks throughout Ventura County. You get almost everything at this park. This 44 acre park has two ponds with a stream connecting them, two separate play areas, beach-style volleyball courts, a NEOS game, multiple large, shaded picnic areas. a fitness trail about 2/3rds of a mile that circles the park, plenty of shade trees and multiple large, grassy areas. Something for everyone.

Topping it off is the fact that the park is adjacent to the beautiful Grant R. Brimhall Library, Goebel Senior Center and Thousand Oaks Teen Center. We often park at the library, check out some books, then walk, scooter or ride across a bridge to the park. It is a great way to spend the day.

Conejo Creek Park North is extremely popular for larger events on the upper grass area adjacent to the largest picnic structure. There is plenty of parking available. And in the middle of the park is a jungle-like trail area that I enjoy exploring with the kids. We also see birthday party celebrations all the time.

To learn more about Conejo Creek Park North, visit the Conejo Recreation and Park District website at www.crpd.org. To learn about other parks we enjoy in and around Ventura County, click THIS LINK.

Sundown at Westlake Lake on a Warm Summer Night

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Peaceful views of the sun setting from Westlake Lake in Westlake Village on a warm July night. While Westlake Lake is a private lake, you can still enjoy its beauty in many ways. Running, cycling and walking around the lake via Triunfo Canyon and other adjacent streets is quite popular. Or visit The Landing (32129 Lindero Canyon) on the southwest side of the lake to enjoy a meal at one of several lakefront restaurants such as Boccacio's, Zin Bistro Americana and The Landing Grill and Sushi Bar, all with indoor/outdoor dining. Or just stroll around, taking in the sweeping views and serenity.

Natural Gas Flame North of La Conchita in Ventura County

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Here are some views of the flame burning just north of the 101 near La Conchita. Taken from La Conchita Beach. You can often see the flame while approaching La Conchita from the southbound 101. The flame is derived from natural gas waste matter from oil drilling in the area. La Conchita Beach can be accessed via an undercrossing under the 101 from La Conchita or from Mussel Shoals on the rough or Rincon Point (via the La Conchita Bike Path).

Local area beaches in Ventura to Carpinteria

("Eternal Flame" cover by Eraina Joy.)

John Fogerty and Family Perform "Green River" with the Conejo Valley Sunset in the Background

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John Fogerty and his family have been giving weekly performances on Fogerty’s YouTube channel over the last month while in COVID-19 quarantine. John is joined by his sons Shane and Tyler and daughter Kelsy. All of their performances have been great; this rendition of “Green River” was also visually spectacular as we were treated to a birds eye view of a Conejo Valley sunset. Yes, many of you may see your homes from this vantage point, peaking into Newbury Park towards the Conejo Grade, Oxnard plain and beyond.

Shane and Tyler are members of the Los Angeles band Hearty Har.

Thank you to the Fogerty famlly for entertaining us during this coronavirus stay at home time.

Earlier videos shown below:

Virtual Performances By Well Known Singers During the Coronavirus Stay at Home Order

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We’ve been in a “Stay Well at Home” order in Ventura County since March 20th that has been extended to May 15th. All places of gathering have been closed and in my case I was looking forward to seeing Kansas perform at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks the day before the order was put into place (the concert has been postponed).

A number of well known singers have taken to the Internet from their homes to entertain us during this bizarre time. Enjoy them!

Bonnie shares a message of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic and a performance of the song "Home," which first appeared on her 1977 album, Sweet Forgiveness....
If you like this then listen to Dennis DeYoung and Julian Lennon sing "To The Good Old Days" from Dennis DeYoungs' upcoming album "26 East" on Frontiers Reco...
Neil Diamond sings "Sweet Caroline" with updated lyric for safety during Covid-19 pandemic. Stay safe out there!

Neil Sedaka has been performing daily mini-concerts on his YouTube channel since April 6th.

Carole King shares words of encouragement along with a slightly revised version of "So Far Away" during these challenging times. Listen to Carole King: https...
On Easter Sunday (April 12, 2020), by invitation of the City and of the Duomo cathedral of Milan, Italian global music icon Andrea Bocelli gave a solo perfor...

Plenty of Snow Seen From the Conejo Valley on the Saturday Before Easter 2020

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It's pretty rare to see this much, if any at all, snow in the Los Padres National Forest and Topatopa Mountains in the middle of April. Then again, it's pretty rare, actually, unprecedented, that income tax returns are not due until July 15th of this year as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Nature is working with us I guess. This nice pack of snow won't last too long so I just had to capture some of it while out on a run on Lynn Road in Newbury Park this morning.

Jungleland Tiger Trainer Mable Stark of Thousand Oaks on What's My Line, August 27, 1961

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Mable Stark was a world famous tiger trainer who began her long career in the 1920s and finished her career at Jungleland in Thousand Oaks until 1968. She was severely mauled numerous times by lions and tigers over the years but bravely continued on in her 50+ year career.

Here’s an August 27, 1961 episode of What’s My Line, with a panel that included Jerry Lewis. The panel was completely stumped as to Mable’s line of work.