Top Hiring Employers in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas in Mid-May 2017

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According to the State of California Employment Development Department, the preliminary estimated unemployment rate in Ventura County was 4.6% in March 2017, down from 4.7% in February 2017 and 5.2% in March 2016. The rate was 5.7% in March 2015, 7.1% in March 2014, 7.9% in March 2013 and 9.4% in March 2012. So in 5 years the unemployment rate in Ventura County has dropped by over 50%.

There are currently an estimated 20,000 folks looking for work in Ventura County out of a labor force of 433,100. Let's take a look at local employers in Ventura County and adjacent areas with the highest number of posted job openings as of mid-May 2017.

CLICK HERE FOR OVER 300 LOCAL AREA EMPLOYER JOB LISTINGS

City of Oxnard - 24 jobs www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofoxnard

Community Memorial Hospital - 66 jobs www.cmhshealth.org/careers/job_search.shtml

County of Santa Barbara - 27 jobs www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty

County of Ventura - 48 jobs www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura

Deckers Outdoors - 29 Goleta jobs www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sbcounty

Farmers Group - 75 Woodland Hills jobs www.farmers.com/careers

Guitar Center - 35 Westlake Village jobs www.guitarcenter.com/pages/careers

Los Robles Medical Center - 63 Thousand Oaks jobs losrobleshospital.com/careers/search.dot

Medtronic - 44 Northridge jobs www.medtronic.com/us-en/about/careers.html

Orbital ATK - 27 Goleta, Northridge jobs careers.orbitalatk.com/res_joblist.html

Procore - 62 Carpinteria jobs www.procore.com/jobs/openings.php

Oxnard School District - 33 jobs www.oxnardsd.org/pages/Oxnard_School_District/Departments/Human_Resources

PennyMac - 39 Moorpark, Agoura jobs www.pennymacusa.com/careers.php

Pepperdine - 38 Malibu staff jobs jobs.pepperdine.edu/cw/en/listing

Raytheon - 75 Goleta jobs jobs.raytheon.com

Regal Medical Group - Over 50 SF Valley jobs www.regalmed.com/regalcareers.cfm?rc=car 

Sage Publications - 30 Thousand Oaks jobs  www.sagepublications.com/careers

Simi Valley Hospital - 38 jobs www.simivalleyhospital.com/career/jobs.php

Skyworks Solutions - 28 Newbury Park jobs careers.skyworksinc.com

Sonos - 39 Santa Barbara jobs careers.sonos.com

Dignity Health (St. John's) - over 100 local jobs www.dignityhealthcareers.org/careers/Search-Jobs/index.php

Engility - 37 Ventura County jobs careers-engility.icims.com/jobs/intro?hashed=0

The Trade Desk - 24 Ventura jobs thetradedesk.com/join-us/open-positions

Ventura County Community Colleges - 103 jobs www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vcccd

Viking Cruises - 20 Woodland Hills jobs www.vikingcruises.com/about-us/careers.html

Yardi - 26 Santa Barbara jobs www.yardi.com/US/CareerOpportunities.aspx

Aerovironment - 51 Simi Valley jobs www.avinc.com/careers/jobs/category/simi_valley

Amgen - 171 Thousand Oaks jobs careers.amgen.com

Bank of America - 135 local area jobs careers.bankofamerica.com/us

Blackline Systems - 29 Woodland Hills jobs www.blackline.com/careers/positions

BrightView (formerly ValleyCrest) - Over 20 local area jobs jobs.brightview.com

Centene (formerly HealthNet) - Over 100 Woodland Hills jobs www.centene.com/careers/search-jobs

Child Care Resource Center - 33 SF Valley jobs www.ccrcca.org/about/work-at-ccrc

Goodwill Industries - over 20 Ventura County jobs www.goodwillvsb.org/index.php/join-our-team

Five of My Favorite Hikes with Great Views and Scenery in the Conejo Valley

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Roughly one third of the land in Thousand Oaks is designated as permanent public open space. This includes a ring of 15,000 acres of open space with over 150 miles of trails for public use surrounding the Conejo Valley. What a spectacular feature we have here in our backyards!

Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park

Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park

Three key organizations involved with the Conejo open space:

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) holds and manages most of the Conejo open space to preserve its natural characteristics while providing opportunities for passive recreational enjoyment of the natural resources. Visit www.conejo-openspace.org to learn more.

Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee (COSTAC) is composed of hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians appointed by the COSCA Board and advises the Board by reviewing issues and making recommendations regarding open space and trails. COSTAC also coordinates activities such as Trail Watch, Trail Patrol, Trail Work, Adopt-a-Trail, Non-Native Plant Removal/Resource Management, Trails Education Days, and Public Outreach.

Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF) is a non-profit that promotes and maintains multi-use trail and open space and helps educate the public about our open space and the environment. COSF provides funding to support COSTAC programs and to create and publish open space trail maps. Visit www.cosf.org to learn more.

Now here are five of my favorite place to hike for views in the Conejo Open Space and other local areas:

Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park has arguably the most expansive views of the Conejo Valley, ranging from the Conejo Grade to Agoura Hills, as well as portions of Hidden Valley.

A bench with a view at Angel Peak.

A bench with a view at Angel Peak.

Boney Mountain in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is NOT part of the Conejo Open Space but is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Additionally, there is no "official" maintained trail to Boney Peak. That said, if you are courageous, energetic and have 4 to 6 hours to spare for a day hike, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Conejo Valley, Camarillo Grade and Channel Islands.

Views from near Boney Peak

Views from near Boney Peak

Tarantula Hill (also known as Dawn's Peak) in the heart of Thousand Oaks is easy to get to compared to more substantial hikes around town. A short walk up a fairly steep paved path off of Gainsborough Road gets you to a 1,056 foot peak with panoramic views of the Conejo Valley and beyond. Great place to catch a sunset.

Bench at the top of Tarantula Hill provides a nice spot for viewing the sunset.

Bench at the top of Tarantula Hill provides a nice spot for viewing the sunset.

Another great spot for views in the heart of the Conejo Valley is the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, a 33 acre retreat managed by a non-profit group. The only thing I don't like about this true retreat is that it closes at 5 p.m. and thus is not available for sunset views like at the adjacent Tarantula Hill. But there is so much to see in here that you must stop by.

One of dozens of benches atop the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

One of dozens of benches atop the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

Last but not least (and I've ignored some other incredible views like Wildwood Park and others) is the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space area in Thousand Oaks. You will find stunning views of the Conejo Valley to the Simi Hills from these 1,025 acres in northern Thousand Oaks.

Very picturesque views from the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space.

Very picturesque views from the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space.

For a sampling of other trails and hikes in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, click THIS LINK!

Conejo Public Art "Conejo Cottontails" Project "Rabbit at Sunset" in Westlake Village

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Conejo Public Art is a community art project organized by Art Trek and the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley.  "Conejo Cottontails" is a public art project where sponsors purchase 5' 6" cottontail rabbit that are painted by local artists and displayed to the community.

Coniglio al Tramonto "Rabbit at Sunset" at The Shoppes at Westlake

Coniglio al Tramonto "Rabbit at Sunset" at The Shoppes at Westlake

Coniglio al Tramonto "Rabbit at Sunset" was painted by Wendy Jann & Jennifer Sutman and is located at The Shoppes at Westlake in Westlake Village, adjacent to the fountain. This art piece premiered in August 2016.

A new Conejo Cottontail, "Art of the Tango," was placed at The Stonehaus in Westlake Village in April 2017.

Learn more about the Conejo Public Art project at www.conejopublicart.org.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Share Their Favorite Desserts at Local Eateries

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As part of a one day ticket drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, we asked folks to tell us their favorite desserts at any restaurant in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. Boy oh boy did we get the best compilation of great sounding desserts EVER! 

We are going to share these comments with you but be sure to keep in mind, eat desserts only after finishing your dinner. To quote a Pink Floyd lyric "If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?!" ("Another Brick in the Wall" 1979)

And here they are, in no particular order:

  • Pastries from Champagne Bakery
  • Strawberry Shortcake at Boccali's in Ojai
  • Butter cake at Mastro's Steakhouse Thousand Oaks (mentioned 27 times)
  • Pizookie at BJ's Restaurant in Thousand Oaks (mentioned 44 times)
  • Cinnamon Puffs from Pizza Nosh in Agoura Hills
  • Creme Brulee at Aroha Restaurant in Westlake Village
  • Richie's Magic Bar at Pearl District (mentioned 2 times)
  • Warm peach cobbler at Lazy Dog Restaurant
  • Cheesecake Factory (mentioned 42 times - banana, Oreo, strawberry, chocolate fudge, key lime, tiramisu, Limoncello, banana cream, red velvet, Snickers, peanut butter, White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle, Linda's Fudge Cake, Dulce de Leche Caramel, Godiva, Peanut Butter)
  • Apple fritters at Best Donuts
  • Chocolate cake at Bandits' BBQ
  • Banana cream pudding in Mason jar at Public School 805
  • Carrot cake at Boney Mountain Tavern (mentioned 2 times)
  • White chocolate pretzel cheesecake at Lazy Dog Restaurant
  • Creme brulee or cobbler at Blue Stove in The Oaks Mall (mentioned 2 times)
  • Donuts and cupcakes at Karma Baker (mentioned 3 times)
  • Carmelized almond bowl with white chocolate laced chantilly cream and fresh berries at Mediterraneo in Westlake Village
  • Creme brulee at Lazy Dog Restaurant (mentioned 2 times)
  • Cheesecake with blueberries at Stonefire Grill 
  • Creme brulee or pecan pie at Mastro's
  • Cannoli at Roma Deli in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
  • Blackberry crumble at Lure Fish House
  • Salted chocolate chip cookie at Urbane Cafe
  • Banana cream pie at Paul Martin's (mentioned 3 times)
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes (mentioned 4 times)
  • Fudge brownie sundae at Bandits BBQ
  • Key lime pie at Mastro's
  • Green tea ice cream at Kabuki
  • The Wonderbar at Pearl District (mentioned 2 times)
  • Apple strudel at Jeanette's Edelweiss in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
  • Mountain High Mud Pie at Red Robin
  • Chocolate fondue at The Melting Pot (mentioned 7 times)
  • Ice cream sundae at Stacked
  • S'Mores at Holdren's in Newbury Park
  • Menchies Frozen Yogurt
  • Kona Pie at Islands
  • Butter cake with vanilla ice cream at California Pizza Kitchen (mentioned 3 times)
  • Fried cheesecake at Sutter's Mill in Simi Valley
  • Tiramisu at Marcello Ristorante in Thousand Oaks
  • Brownie ice cream sundae at Pickles Deli in Newbury Park
  • Brownie at Stonefire Grill (mentioned 3 times)
  • Bread pudding at Twenty88 in Camarillo
  • Donuts at Dunkin' Donuts
  • Deep fried ice cream at Cisco's
  • Chocolate Dome at PF Chang's
  • Caramel apples from Newberry Candies in Thousand Oaks
  • The gooey center of a Cinnabon
  • Black and white cookie at Brent's Deli (mentioned 2 times)
  • Chocolatine French Cafe
  • Salted caramel cheesecake at Blue Stove
  • The Melting Pot - any dessert
  • Sweet quinoa cake from Grabbagreen in Thousand Oaks
  • Cinnamon chips at Snapper Jack's Taco Shack in Camarillo
  • Ice cream at Lure Fish House
  • Dessert sampler at Holdren's in Newbury Park
  • Chocolate cake at Brent's Deli (mentioned 2 times)
  • Apple pie at Stella's in Newbury Park
  • Banana spring rolls at PF Chang's
  • Baklava at Mama's Hummus
  • Spotted dick at Crown and Anchor in Thousand Oaks
  • Pavlova at Aroha Cuisine
  • Shave It (mentioned 4 times)
  • Gelato at Urban Pizza
  • Banana pudding bread at Cafe Firenze in Moorpark
  • Carrot cake at Stonefire Grill (mentioned 6 times)
  • Shakes at In-N-Out Burger
  • Apple fritters at Rolling Pin Donuts in Camarillo
  • Little Calf Creamery in Thousand Oaks (mentioned 26 times)
  • McDonald's strawberry and cream pies
  • Molten chocolate cake at Lure Fish House
  • Lava cake at Chili's in Newbury Park (mentioned 2 times)
  • Macaroons from Lemonade
  • Ice cream at Rite Aid (mentioned 2 times)
  • Creme Brulee at Tuscany in Westlake Village (mentioned 2 times)
  • Cotton candy at Zin Bistro in Westlake Village
  • Fried ice cream at Yolanda's in Camarillo (mentioned 2 times)
  • Molten Chocolate Cake at Marmalade Cafe in Westlake Village
  • Salted caramel pudding from California Pizza Kitchen
  • Fruit cobbler at Lazy Dog Cafe
  • Chocolate mousse cake at Blue Stove (mentioned 2 times)
  • Eclairs at Brent's Deli
  • Carrot cake at Old New York Deli in Newbury Park
  • Mud Pie at Holdren's
  • Ice cream sandwiches at Stacked
  • Raised chocolate donut at Foster's Donuts
  • Nutella and Biscotti Semifreddo at Cafe Firenze
  • Frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti
  • Nutella cheesecake at Lemonade in Westlake Village
  • Chocolate chip brownie sundae at Lazy Dog Cafe (mentioned 2 times)
  • Chocolate cake at Paul Martin's
  • Chocolate souffle at Mastro's
  • Berry cobbler at Lure Fish House
  • Chocolate lasagna at Olive Garden
  • Brownie sundae from Sunset Terrace
  • Florentine art dessert at Mediterraneo
  • Churros (Nutella filled) at Sabor (mentioned 2 times)
  • Baskin Robbins (mentioned 10 times)
  • Cannoli at Italia Deli & Bakery
  • Baklava at Baba's Kitchen
  • Nothing Bundt Cakes (mentioned 14 times)
  • Black Forest Cake at Paul Martin's
  • Strawberry cake at Jeannette's Edelweiss
  • Sticky rice at Sawadee Thai in Camarillo
  • Neapolitan Shake from In N Out Burger
  • Pastries and tiramisu at Al Mulino Eataliano
  • Hot fudge sundae at McDonald's
  • Sticky coconut rice and mango at Bangkok Avenue
  • Strawberry shortcake at Country Harvest in Newbury Park
  • Pizza cookie at Topper's Pizza
  • Peruvian cookies at Mouthful Eatery
  • Baklava at Mediterranean Pita Grill
  • Flan at Don Cucos
  • Fruit tart at Viktor Benes
  • Butter cake at Lazy Dog Cafe
  • Ras Malai and Gulab Jamun at Anarbagh in Westlake Village
  • Cold Stone Creamery (mentioned 3 times)
  • Wild Cherry Yogurt
  • Carrera's Bakery (mentioned 15 times for items like triolgia, fritelle, gelato, cannoli)
  • Tifa Gelato (mentioned 6 times)
  • Sweet Arlene's (mentioned 6 times)

Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is Quite Colorful in Spring 2017

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The Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is a nearly 1 mile trail between Ventura City Hall and Grant Park. The trail offers awesome views of Downtown Ventura and the coastline. And this time of year is a great time to go as there are still plenty of beautiful colors on the trail. More on the Gardens at www.venturabotanicalgardens.com.

You Will Be Amazed By How Much Google Knows About You on the Google "My Activity" Page

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If you use an Android phone, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps and other Google products, chances are Google has more data on you than you could imagine on "Google My Activity."

Google knows what searches you've done, websites you're visited, YouTube videos you've watched, what you've voice searched for and where you've been (if you use an Android phone).

Let's take a closer look at myactivity.google.com. 

Today I was at the local vernal pond at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa with my son to look at the tadpoles and frogs. My son found saw a group of tadpoles acting out The Walking Dead by apparently feasting on a dead tadpole. At his urging, I pulled out my phone and tapped the Google Voice Search icon and said "do tadpoles eat other tadpoles." And sure enough, My Activity showed that I did search for it and provided a recording of my query.

Now if you forget where you were some day and are looking for a reminder, My Activity can help you with that too. Simply click Other Google Activity then under Location History click Visit Timeline. I clicked this and "today" and saw a map of everywhere I went today while carrying my phone. Kind of creepy actually. But also potentially useful...where was I on Christmas Day 2015? Searching My Activity turned up the fact that we were actually in the Florida Keys.

Searching Location History under Other google Activity reminded me that I was in the Florida Keys on Christmas Day 2015. Google My Activity is a great memory jogger!

Searching Location History under Other google Activity reminded me that I was in the Florida Keys on Christmas Day 2015. Google My Activity is a great memory jogger!

I took a look at activity prior to January 1, 2015 to see what Google had on me and it showed all my YouTube activity, including searches and videos watched.

Some folks may get a grin out of reviewing their activity. I apparently was helping my kid with geometry homework on April 13, 2016:

So the good news is that if you don't want Google stockpiling all of this data you can do something about it. Click "Activity controls" where you can manage the tracking of your web and app activity, location history, device information, voice and audio activity and YouTube search history You can also go to "Delete activity by" and remove any or all of what has been recorded. 

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Fans Chime In On Favorite Staycation Options

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In a recent drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, folks were asked to comment on some of their favorite local area "staycation" alternatives this summer.  Here's a compilation of their responses.

LOCAL AREA HIKING AND TRAILS

LOCAL AREA CAMPING

LOCAL AREA BEACHES

Beach Options

  • Surfrider Beach in Malibu
  • Kanan to Malibu, lunch at Malibu Seafood, then El Matador Beach
  • Avila Beach
  • Leo Carrillo Beach
  • Silverstrand Beach
  • Pismo Beach

Hiking

Day Trips and Short Overnight Trips

  • Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai
  • Solvang and Chumash Casino
  • Visit Malibu, Ventura or Santa Barbara, take a walk and eat seafood by the shore
  • Disneyland
  • Santa Monica Pier / Pacific Park
  • Las Vegas
  • San Diego
  • Laguna Woods
  • Bike riding at Venice boardwalk
  • Universal Studios
  • Palm Springs / Rancho Mirage
  • Santa Barbara Pier - Stearns Wharf
  • Wine tasting in Los Olivos
  • Catalina Island

LOCAL AREA BIKE PATHS

COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOLS

Other Outdoor Activities

Other

  • Stay home but eat dinner out with friends
  • Local area beer and wine tasting
  • Catch a concert at the Canyon Club
  • Drive through Hidden Valley and lunch in Westlake Village
  • The spa at Four Seasons Westlake Village
  • Movie marathon at home
  • Dodger game
  • Westlake Village Inn
  • Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park
  • Reagan Library
  • Los Angeles Zoo with the kids