Aerial View of Central Thousand Oaks, Including Tarantula Hill, in 1957

Walt Dibblee opened his commercial studio in Ventura in 1949 and as Ventura County grew, the demand for aerial photography expanded. Walt bought a plane, learned to fly and for the next three decades photographed the cities of Ventura County from above.

The 1957 aerial shot above took place on a foggy day and captured Tarantula Hill on the right and what is now Conejo Community Park and the prominent Conejo Valley Botanic Garden hill in the foreground.

While we don't have an aerial shot of this scene from today, here's a look from the Los Robles Trail.

More recent view of Tarantula Hill from the Los Robles Trail East; The Oaks Mall in the foreground.

Walt's son Steve continues the tradition today with over 30 years of professional experience. Steve has shared some of Walt's work from the mid 1950s to the late 1960s at VenturaViews.com.

See other scenes from the smaller hill near Lynn Road and Gainsborough Road southwest of Tarantula Hill looking east and looking west.

The Golden Anniversary Oak in Front of Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza

The Golden Anniversary Oak monument is located directly in front of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and City Hall at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

The monument, presented by Thousand Oaks City Council on June 17, 2014, is dedicated to the residents of Thousand Oaks as part of the city's 50th anniversary.

The Valley Oak (Quercus lobata) is symbolic of the community's vision to preserve and protect these majestic, indigenous trees.

NEARLY 50 THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS

Views in 1957 Looking West From Lynn and Gainsborough Roads in Thousand Oaks

In another post we showed a photo taken by Walt Dibblee from the mountain ridge at the northwest corner of what is now Lynn Road and Gainsborough Road in Thousand Oaks in 1957 facing east. This one faces the west, towards the Conejo Grade.

Gainsborough Road west of Lynn Road is Camino Dos Rios, which it appears the road in the photo above could possibly be, but is hard to tell. What is clear however is that back in 1957 there wasn't a lot of development in Thousand Oaks. Below is a photo taken from the same spot on a bit of a gloomy day in the Conejo Valley in February 2015. While the background scenery looks so much different, I felt a chill in my spine as I stood at the top of that hill on the same dirt, rock formations and vegetation, not to mention mountains in the distance, as Walt Diblee experienced 58 years ago.

See more of Dibblee's photographs from the mid 1950s to the late 1960s at VenturaViews.com where you also have the option of acquiring high-resolution prints of these blasts to the past. Thanks to Steve Dibblee for sharing some of his late father's work with us here on Conejo Valley Guide and at www.facebook.com/ConejoValleyGuide.

Compilation of 15 Local Conejo Valley Based Charities to Support in the New Year

As we begin a new year, let's take a look at some local non-profit 501(c)3 charities that are doing great things for the local Conejo Valley community!

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley has supported and promoted the arts in the Conejo Valley since 1969. The non-profit works with the Conejo Recreation & Park District and Conejo Valley Unified School District in supporting local programs including children's music instruction, choral and theatre programs, youth theater, summer concerts in the park, the annual Thousand Oaks Arts Festival and more.

The Conejo Valley based Center4SpecialNeeds ("Bridging the Gaps for Children with Special Needs") offers financial support, educational workshops, networking and other resources for families with children that have developmental disabilities.

The Westlake Village based Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara has provided cancer education, support and hope to thousands of local residents and their families since 1991. Programs are provided free of charge in English and Spanish.

The Conejo Free Clinic’s Medical Services Program serves over 5,000 patients each year with physician and nurse care, lab testing, imaging, prescriptions, referrals and follow up, all without charge.

Established in 1995, the Conejo Open Space Foundation raises funds to promote and maintain the open space and multi-use trails of Conejo Valley.

Founded in 1977, Hospice of the Conejo, is a volunteer hospice and grief support center providing end-of-life services to those of all ages in the community at no cost.

Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank has provided food assistance to friends and neighbors in need since it was founded in 1971.

Based in Thousand Oaks, Musicians on a Mission California provides access to music through instrument "gift-aways," mentorship, and performing opportunities for our youth and members of the community.

Since 1998, the Westlake Village based My Stuff Bags Foundation has given rescued children across the country bright blue individual duffels filled with toys, books, a stuffed animal, school supplies, clothing, personal toiletries, and a security blanked - providing a little happiness and hope to these children.

Conejo Valley based PAUSE4kids was formed in September 1999 and serves hundreds of families with special needs children in the Ventura County area. The organization's goal is to "fill the gaps" by helping to provide whatever is needed for children with special needs that is not now readily available.

With a 13 acre site in Newbury Park, Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship teaches adaptive horseback riding to children and adults with physical and cognitive disabilities and provides physical, occupational and speech therapy specializing in using the movement ofthe horse to improve specific medical conditions. Since 1994, Ride On has given over 100,000 safe, effective and individualized lessons and therapy treatments and currently serves 200 individuals each week.

Serving the Conejo Valley since 1975, non-profit Senior Concerns serves the senior community and especially frail and special-need seniors, caregivers and families by providing quality programs, appropriate resources and educational outreach. raising funds and developing and administering quality-of-life programs for seniors with special needs. All programs are offered without regard for the ability to pay. Senior Concerns serves Ventura and western Los Angeles counties, special-need seniors, families, health professionals, caregivers and the community at large.

Thousand Oaks based Many Mansions provides well-managed, service-enriched, affordable housing to low-income residents of Ventura County and its surrounding communities. 

The Thousand Oaks Police Charitable Foundation was organized to promote community welfare through support of public safety and volunteer programs.

The United Cancer Advocacy Action Network (UCAAN) is a Thousand Oaks based non-profit founded by a young cancer survivor that provides support, hope and financial resources to cancer patients, warriors and survivors with any form of cancer, any age, anywhere across the country.

This list is just a fraction of the non-profit 501(c)3 organizations that operate in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Fora more comprehensive list, visit the Local Charities section of the site as well as the Local Service Organizations section.

Another Rendering of the Camarillo Ranch House by Artist Linda Dark

Camarillo resident and artist Linda Dark enjoys capturing local Camarillo scenes in oil paint.  Some of her work is showcased at www.camarillolandmarks.com. 

Built in 1892, the Camarillo Ranch House is a grand, three-story, 15-room home built by Adolfo Camarillo in the Queen Anne Victorian style. Here she captures a frontal view of this landmark. A previous piece by Dark from the southeast is displayed here.

Scenes From the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 13th

The U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials took place on the Los Angeles Marathon "Stadium to the Sea" course on Saturday, February 13, 2016. 

The men's race started at 10:06 a.m. with a field of 211 qualifiers who ran qualifying marathon times of under 2 hours, 19 minutes (or sub 1:05 in a half marathon) between August 1, 2013 and January 17, 2016.  A total of 86 men met the "A" standard time of under 2 hours, 15 minutes, receiving funding support to get to the race.

Start of men's race (Photo Credit: Carl Pytlinski)

The women's race had a field of 246 qualifiers who ran a qualifying time of under 2:45 in the marathon (or 1:15 in a half marathon). A total of 42 women met the "A" standard of 2 hours, 37 minutes. A total of 11 "masters" women (age 40+) qualified, which was quite impressive.

Start of women's race (Photo Credit: Carl Pytlinski)

It was a warm winter day in Los Angeles, with temperatures in the mid 60s in the morning, reaching high 70s towards the finish of the race. And the race started mid-morning to accommodate TV broadcasts...unlike typical marathons that start early in the morning.

A total of 108 men completed the marathon course, including the top three, who are now slated to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. The overall men's winner was 29 year old Galen Rupp, who was actually competing in his first full marathon!  His time of 2:11:12 earned him his 3rd trip to the Olympics, having competed in the 10,000 meters at the 2008 Olympics and 10,000 and 5,000 at the 2012 Olympics. Rupp took the silver medal in the 2012 10,000 meters, the first American male medalist in the 10,000 since 1964.

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Keflezighi and Rupp in the lead  (Photo Credit: Carl Pytlinski)

Following Rupp in 2nd place was three-time Olympian and now 40 year old master's runner Meb Keflezighi, who finished in 2:12:20. Meb is a sensation indeed, having earned the silver medal in the 2004 Olympics, the first American medalist since Frank Shorter in 1976. After missing the 2008 Olympics with a hip injury (though he still finished 8th in the Olympic Trials), he went on to compete at the Olympic level again in 2012 with a 4th place overall. Rounding out the top three was 27 year old Jared Ward in 2:13.

A total of 149 women completed the 26.2 mile course, with the top three spots going to 32 year old Amy Cragg in 2:28:20, 32 year old Desiree Linden in 2:28:54 and 34 year old Shalane Flanagan in 2:29:19. This will be Cragg's and Linden's first visit to the Olympics. Flanagan holds the 2nd fastest American marathon time ever (a 2:21:14 at the 2014 Berlin Marathon) and this will be her 4th visit to the Olympics, having competed in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 games.

Cragg and Flanagan  (Photo Credit: Carl Pytlinski)

Congratulations to all of the competitors and best of luck with some solid training to those who have earned the right to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games!

And for 26.2 training tips to complete your first marathon

Marathons within a one hour radius of Ventura County

Some extremely fit looking runners at the 2016 Olympic Marathon Trials  (Photo Credit: Carl Pytlinski)

A Look at Websites Owned...and Not Owned...by the 2016 U.S. Presidential Candidates

Back in the early days of the Internet when folks were using dial up connections and AOL, some said that if you were smart, you would buy website domain names associated with your name. I never did, but I'm thinking some folks running for the office of President of the United States wish they had. Let's take a look at the shenanigans.

Jeb, you blew it! JebBush.com redirects to Donald Trump's Presidential candidacy website DonaldJTrump.com. Sneaky, sneaky, Mr. Trump. Bush's election website is Jeb2016.com. JebBush.org and JebBush.net both are just ads.

So DonaldJTrump.com works fine and DonaldTrump.com and Trump2016.com redirect to it. DonaldTrump.net is not currently functioning. DonaldJTrump.org is owned by someone that espouses immigration reform.

Navigate to TedCruz.com and you'll see a large black box with the statement "Support President Obama. Immigration Reform Now!" Ted, ya blew it! Cruz's actual election website is www.tedcruz.org. TedCruz.net is just ads.

ChrisChristie.com is Christie's candidacy page; he ended his campaign on February 10th. ChrisChristie.net belongs to Chris L. Christie, a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist from what appears to be New York. ChrisChristie.org redirects to ChrisChristie.com.

CarlyFiorina.com redirects to CarlyforPresident.com, which is, or I should now say was, indeed Fiorina's candidacy website (she also withdrew on February 10th). But someone else grabbed CarlyFiorina.org, which indicates: "Carly Fiorina failed to register this domain. So I'm using it to tell you how many people she laid off at Hewlett-Packard. It was this many:" Then proceeds to display 30,000 :( frowny faces, ending with "That's 30,000 people she laid off. People with families." CarlyFiorina.net is under construction.

Former candidate (he withdrew February 3rd) RandPaul.com is indeed Paul's candidacy page, with both RandPaul2016.com and Paul2016 redirecting to it.  RandPaul.org redirects to the website of the "American Solidarity Party," the "only active Christian Democratic party in the United States."  His name is not mentioned on the site. RandPaul.net just has ads.

MarcoRubio.com is Rubio's site and he is the only candidate who owns and redirects both the .net and .org domains to his .com site. Nicely played, Marco! Someone named Amber Butler owns Rubio2016.com as a speculative play.

BenCarson.com, MikeHuckabee.com, JohnKasich.com and BernieSanders.com are the candidates' sites, whereas the .net and .org domains are not connected to them. Carson2016.com, Huckabee2016.com, Kasich2016.com and Sanders2016.com are all owned by domain squatters.

HillaryClinton.com is indeed Clinton's campaign website. In December 2015, HillaryClinton.net brought up a full screen image of Trump, Hillary, Bill and Melania, all smiles, with a text overlay of "$ Special Interest Group." As of February 2016, however, HillaryClinton.net redirects to donaldjtrump.com. HillaryClinton.org is a bunch of ads...don't click it. Hillary2016.com is a commentary website not associated with Clinton.