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.
The U.S. Social Security Administration publishes an annual list of the 1,000 most popular baby names going back to year 1880. 134 years worth of interesting data, searchable by year, decade, state and more at www.ssa.gov/OACT/babynames.
After a 14 year run as the most popular baby boy name, Jacob was overtaken by Noah in 2013. Noah's triumph has been a gradual one. In 2003, it was the 31st most popular name, gaining popularity over time to break into the top 10 in 2009, then down to #4 in 2012 and #1 last year.
Source: Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names Database
If history is any indication, Noah could continue to be the most popular name for years to come. Prior to Jacob's 14 year win streak, Michael had been the most popular boys' name from 1961 to 1998, an amazing 38 year streak, stumbling only in 1960 when David made a brief appearance, following Michael's initial 6 year streak from 1954 to 1959.
Prior to 1954, from 1880 to 1953, the names James, Robert and John populated the #1 baby boy name spot for 74 years. Robert was there from 1924 to 1939 and 1953. James was #1 from 1940 to 1952. And John holds the American record for most years as most popular boy name, topping the list from 1880 to 1923; 44 years.
Going back 100 years ago, the most consistently popular boys names populating the t
Everyone needs a good laugh, including 3 month old babies. This father can't stop laughing after experiencing the giggles, repeatedly, from his little one. Thanks to Conejo Valley Guide Facebook follower/friend Deanna for bringing this must watch video to our attention.
Although the primary goal of this site is to highlight events, activities and things to do around Ventura County and surrounding areas, we're suckers for a great laugh. Here's another recent great laughing baby video.
If this video does not bring a smile to your face, let alone a good laugh, I don't know what will!
Click this link for over 70 activities geared towards little ones and for birthday party options in and around Ventura County check out this popular compilation.
"No Women Allowed" by Gwenlyn Norton Buenaventura Art Association will exhibit recent works by Gwenlyn Norton in a solo show, Counterpoised — One Woman’s Perspective, from June 17-July 12 at the Buenaventura Gallery in downtown Ventura.
“The artworks depict the fractured roles of the contemporary woman and how we may be poised to redefine and ease those fractures,” said Norton, who has expressed herself in many media over a 50-year art career, often about women’s issues.
This exhibition will include eight or more creations by the Oak View artist in oil paints and mixed media on canvases 3 by 4 feet to 4 feet square, plus some associated poetry, that she said represent her reflections on the 20th and 21st-century woman. Their titles include “American Burqa,” “Ageism,” “No Women Allowed,” and “Letter to Granddaughter.”
Norton’s vividly painted pieces often incorporate wood, modeling paste, paper and gel. She will be present to talk about her art and her artistic process at an opening reception 5-7 p.m. June 21 at the gallery. Among the adjectives she uses to describe her work are “bold, dramatic, twisted, distorted, unnerving, exploratory” and “asymmetrical.”
In addition to oils, Norton works in pencil, pastels, acrylics, cold glass, and in mixed media that include textures from sawdust to cheesecloth layered into her paintings.
Examples of Norton’s artistry in a range of media and subjects can be viewed online at www.gwenlynsgallery.com.
Her solo exhibition will be on view at the Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday.
For more about the show or the Buenaventura Art Association, a nonprofit artists cooperative celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or phone 648-1235 during gallery hours.
Recently we ran a drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page where we asked folks to indicate their favorite "date night" restaurant in the Conejo Valley or anywhere in Ventura County. There were nearly 150 entries in the one day drawing and the following restaurants were the top 10 mentions.
Top vote getters in a recent survey for "date night" eatery were Mastro's and The Melting Pot!1st Place: Mastro's Steakhouse and The Melting Pot (tied with 11 votes each)
3rd Place: Holdren's Steakhouse (10 votes)
4th Place: Paul Martin's (9 votes)
5th Place: Wood Ranch BBQ (8 votes)
6th Place: Blue Stove at Nordstrom (7 votes)
7th Place: Lure Fish House (6 votes)
8th Place: Bandits BBQ, Cho Cho San and Café Firenze (5 votes apiece)
Honorable mentions with 2 or more votes include Cheesecake Factory, BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, Ladyface Alehouse, The Grill on the Alley, Buca di Beppo, Outback Steakhouse and PF Changs.
Mastro's was no surprise to me. The Melting Pot had a surprisingly solid showing, with some very strong supporters. Paul Martin's, which opened in Westlake Village in December 2012, also has a very healthy showing of fans. Lure Fish House originated in Camarillo in December 2010 and has expanded into Westlake Village and Ventura. Cafe Firenze in Moorpark made a solid showing too.
Previously we ran a separate drawing asking followers their favorite family restaurants. Check it out at this link.
The Free Clinic of Simi Valley has provided continuous service to local residents since its establishment in 1971 as a non-profit, volunteer-based community service organization. It's mission is to provide medical care, counseling, dental and legal assistance to individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay. This includes those of all ages, ethnicities, religions and socioeconomic backgrounds, who are unable to use traditional sources within the community.
These services are provided through the generosity of volunteer professional. Through the efforts of over 160 volunteers, the Free Clinic had over 17,000 client contacts with 7,600+ people in 2013.
The Clinic further serves the community by assisting in the training of the next generation of professionals.
The Family Counseling Program provides those interested in becoming Marriage and Family Therapists, the necessary training and supervision, as part of the requirements for licensing in California. To date, 48 Clinic interns have become licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
Since 2006, the Free Clinic of Simi Valley and Kaiser Permanente have partnered to provide the Family Practice Residency Program. doctors in their third year of residency provide primary care to the Clinic's clients.
The Clinic's Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Program serves as a training ground for pharmacy residents. To date, there have been 13 Ambulatory Pharmacists certified through the training program.
The Free Clinic is supported by the generous contributions of numerous individuals, businesses, service clubs and private foundations. No government funds are solicited for patient care.
The Clinic offers serves on an appointment only basis at its facility at 2060 Tapo Street. The main clinic is open Monday through Thursday and the dental clinic is open Monday through Friday. Hours vary.
Support the Free Clinic of Simi Valley with a donation and learn more at www.freeclinicsv.com or by calling 805.522.3733. Or visit the Free Clinic's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/freeclinicsv.
Challenging Route to Take the World's Top Cyclists Across More Than 700 Miles of Striking California Terrain During America's Premier Professional Cycling Race May 11–18, 2014
FINAL STAGE OF RACE TO RETURN TO THOUSAND OAKS ON MAY 18TH!
The Amgen Tour of California returns to Sacramento for the start of the ninth edition of America's largest cycling race. The eight day stage race will return to a route traveling north-to-south from May 11-18, 2014 along more than 700 miles of scenic roads through some of California's most picturesque backdrops. Considered America's largest and most prestigious cycling event, the overall start of the Amgen Tour of California will begin in front of the state's Capital Building and travel through 11 host cities during the eight day event including Folsom, San Jose, Mt. Diablo, Monterey, Cambria, Pismo Beach, Santa Barbara, Santa Clarita, Mountain High, Pasadena and Thousand Oaks.
The first day starts and finishers in Sacarament. The following day, the Individual Time Trial (Stage 2) will see racers competing against the clock in the former gold rush city of Folsom. For Stage 3, the peloton will return to San Jose (the only city to have participated in all nine editions of the race), for a stage start before traveling more than 50 miles north, gaining altitude as the route winds up Mt. Diablo for a mountaintop finish.
Stage 4 start in Monterey, where the race will traverse approximately 100 miles south to finish the day in Cambria. Stage 5 kicks off in Pismo Beach as the route continues south to Santa Barbara for the Stage 5 finish. Santa Clarita will host the Stage 6 start, before riders head to Mountain High for another mountaintop finish. The peloton will return to Santa Clarita for the Stage 7 start and will finish that day in Pasadena.
Each 20-mile circuit will pass through Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, past the Rock Store at the foot of the climb, and then a very technical descent of Westlake Boulevard.
Amgen returns as the race's title sponsor for the ninth consecutive year, continuing to leverage the event to raise awareness of the important resources available to people affected by cancer—from prevention through survivorship—through its Breakaway from Cancer® initiative. (For more information, www.breakawayfromcancer.com)
The 13 Host City partners for the 2014 Amgen Tour of California include:
• Stage 1: Sunday, May 11 – Sacramento • Stage 2: Monday, May 12 – Folsom (Individual Time Trial) • Stage 3: Tuesday, May 13 – San Jose to Mount Diablo • Stage 4: Wednesday, May 14 – Monterey to Cambria • Stage 5: Thursday, May 15 – Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara
Source: Social Security Administration Popular Baby Names Database
