Why Are There No Ventura County Cities on MONEY Magazine's America's 100 Best Small Cities List?

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The August 2010 issue of MONEY Magazine published its annual list of "100 Best Places to Live in America." I have subscribed to MONEY for years and each year my wife reviews the list and tells me 3 other places she would like to consider moving to. To which I reply:

I LIKE IT WHERE WE LIVE!

Curious, I reviewed MONEY's 2010 list and there was not a single Ventura County city on it.

MONEY's methodology was to start out with the 746 U.S. cities with a population of 50,000 to 300,000*, remove median incomes greater than 200% or below 85% of the state median, retirement communities, large job losses and poor education scores, then rank the remaining cities based on housing affordability, education, arts/leisure, health care, safety and other factors. *This methodology eliminates fine cities like Agoura and Moorpark from consideration.

Then they whittle down the list based on economic factors and visit 30 of the cities to select the winner.

Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo and Oxnard, all cities between 50,000 and 300,000, are nowhere to be found on the list.

I looked back at MONEY's Top 100 lists going back to 2005 and only once, Simi Valley in 2006 (#35), has a Ventura County city been included on this list. Something ain't right here!

Well it should be noted that Newbury Park, albeit not officially a city (it is part of Thousand Oaks), made it to #71 on the 2005 list. But that was 5 years ago!

Why is it that cities like Piscataway, NJ, Centreville, VA, Roswell, GA and Stillwater, OK made the list but not a single city from Ventura County has made the list  going back to 2006!?

MONEY, are you reading this? Come visit Ventura County why doncha and check out what we have to offer! Yah, all right, it is still a bit pricey to live here, but we have hundreds of things to do and all sorts of local events year round,  kids' activities and plenty more!

No offense, but I'm not leaving the Conejo Valley for Owensboro, KY, Gilbert, AZ, O'Fallon, MO or Millcreek, PA any time soon. I'm staying put right here in America's #1 county, Ventura County! :>

For the record though, here are the top 10 cities on the 2010 list: Eden Prairie, MN, Columbia/Ellicott City, MD, Newton, MA, Bellevue, WA, McKinney, TX, Fort Collins, CO, Overland Park, KS, Fishers, IN, Ames, IA and Rogers, AZ.

The Sun Was Beaming on the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Today

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Local resident Sarah Roth was visiting the beautiful Gardens of the World with her family today when she took this photo of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza across the street. It looks like a sunbeam coming out of the sky! It was a perfect fall day after a night of light rain, with highs in the mid to upper 60s. Yet another great day to be out and about in the Conejo Valley.

An Angel Watching Over

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Guest post from one of my favorite local bloggers, Leslie Rosenthal, who grew up in Agoura and now resides in the San Fernando Valley. She is a single mom who writes in a way that I think any parent can really relate to.  Check out her blog at www.leslierosenthal.wordpress.com.

There’s a line in the movie Rocky V where Rocky talks about Mickey being an angel watching over his shoulder and  there is a flashback scene where Mickey says, “If you ever get hurt and you feel that you’re goin’ down this little angel is gonna whisper in your ear. It’s gonna say, ‘Get up you son of a bitch ‘cause Mickey loves you.’ “

I know this because I have seen every Rocky movie  about a zillion times and if you know me, you know that I am a hard-core Rocky addict.

The movie series Rocky is a classic underdog tale where incredible people come into Rocky’s life and make a difference forever.  Mickey, Apollo, Adrian….to name a few.  Perhaps that is why I like it so much. The notion of people making a difference in one’s life.

As you all know, my daughter and Coach Wooden had a special relationship which I have chronicled here before.   It would give me great joy to think that perhaps he is whispering in her ear his infinite wisdom on a daily basis; “Be quick, but don’t hurry.”  Or perhaps he is just reminding her how to tie her shoe laces the right way…or his way.

Today, I think that angel of Coach Wooden might have been present.

I took Shayna out to an unexpected lunch today to where else…yes, our favorite neighborhood coffee shop, VIP’s.  Also known as Coach Wooden’s favorite coffee shop.

It was quiet there and we had the place almost to ourselves. Karen, our favorite server was there and she knew right away what Shayna would want because it was after 12 noon, which is Shayna’s cut off time from cheese eggs and turns into time for a Patty Melt.

When the yummy Patty Melt arrived on rye bread, I had a feeling something might happen. Something big. Something that would make this meal one we would never forget. Shayna just might lose that loose tooth – which would be her first tooth ever.

A few bites in, it happened. Just like I thought. I looked over and the tooth was officially “snaggled” and there was some blood in her mouth. I didn’t say a word to her. I waited. Quietly. Patiently as she chewed on that meat.  And then it happened!

“MOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!”  I turned casually to her as she screamed,  “MY

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Holiday Season Safety Tips from the Thousand Oaks Police Department

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From the Thousand Oaks Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau (www.vcsd.org)

It is that time of year again where criminals will begin looking for opportunities to make their holiday season more enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you have a happier holiday.

Holiday Tips At Home

  • Be extra cautious about locking doors and windows when you leave the house, even for a few minutes.
  • When leaving home for an extended time, have a neighbor or family member watch your house and pick up your newspapers and mail.
  • Indoor and outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer.
  • Leave a radio or television on so the house looks and sounds occupied.
  • Large displays of holiday gifts should not be visible through the windows and doors of your home.
  • When setting up a Christmas tree or other holiday display, make sure doors and passageways are clear inside your home.
  • Be sure your Christmas tree is mounted on a sturdy base so children, elderly persons or family pets cannot pull it over on themselves.
  • If you use lights on your Christmas tree ensure the wiring is not damaged or frayed. Frayed or damaged wiring can cause a fire.
  • Place your Christmas tree in water or wet sand to keep it green.
  • Never place wrapping paper in your fireplace.

Strangers at Your Door

  • Be aware that criminals sometimes pose as couriers delivering gifts.
  • It is not uncommon for criminals to take advantage of the generosity of people during the holiday season by soliciting donations door-to-door for charitable causes although no charity is involved.
  • Ask for their identification, and find out how the donated funds will be used. If you are not satisfied, do not donate.
  • Donate to a recognized charitable organization.

Hosting a Party

  • Have non-alcoholic beverages available for party guests.
  • Find alternative transportation for intoxicated guests.
  • Arrange for an official designated driver for your party who will not drink at all.

Attending a Party

  • Have something to eat before consuming alcoholic beverages.
  • Eat high protein foods that will stay in your stomach longer and slow the
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Love This Logo Rainbow

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I recently argued with a friend over the value of a logo. He thinks a logo doesn't make a difference. I think a good logo leaves a digital imprint that provides a reminder of the products and services a company has to offer. In any case, this logo rainbow put together by Dan Meth I thought was quite cool looking and with his concurrence I present it here for all of you.

Speaking of logos, I should have asked Dan why he neglected to include the world famous logo of Conejo Valley Guide in this rainbow.  It would have been dead center! Maybe next time...

Halloween is Near, Black Cat Has No Fear!

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I came across these really neat photos via a friend in Facebook. Los Angeles based digital special effects designer David Ridlen was outside his home a few weeks ago and noticed his neighbor's cat Lucy was perched on top of their chimney. And the moon floated directly above the fearless feline. Amazed at what a great image that was, David scrambled and grabbed his HD video camera and snapped these still shots.  Though the resolution of the shots is not high, it certainly turned out some really cool shots for this home stretch into Halloween! I love these pics!!

 

 

For nearly 40 things to do through Halloween weekend, CLICK HERE!