Beautiful Rainbow Brightens This 1st Day of August 2017 in the Conejo Valley

It was cloudy and relatively cool this morning and then we saw hot and humid monsoonal weather the rest of the day, this first day of August 2017 in the Conejo Valley.

The temperatures gradually cooled as the clouds built up again in the late afternoon to early evening, when we were greeted by this beautiful rainbow around 7pm tonight.

Rattlesnake Combat Dance in Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park on August 1, 2017

What a way to start out the month of August! Avid local runner and prolific age group top placer Susan Kielsmeier caught this rare sight this morning on a trail in Rancho Sierra Vista in Newbury Park.

Although the initial thought was that this was a mating dance, I believe this is actually a "combat dance" between two males to win the heart of a nearby female.

HIKES AND TRAILS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

2017-2018 Ventura County Area School Year Start, End and Winter/Spring Break Dates

Everyone is on different school schedules...from Conejo Valley to Moorpark, Camarillo, Ventura, etc. Let's take a look at the first/last days of school as well as extended days off from school over the 2017-2018 school year.

Note: This list is for informational and amusement purposes only.  Please be sure to double-check school start dates with your local school to be sure! This list does not include minimum school days and other single days off.

The first day of school for the 2017-2018 school year ranges from August 8th in the Oak Park Unified School District to August 30th at Camarillo schools that are part of the Pleasant Valley School District.

Schools listed below by order of first day of school.

Oak Park Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Tue, August 8
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days - elementary) and Mon, January 8 (12 days - secondary)
• Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Fri, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Fri, May 28

Santa Paula Unified School District (Elementary)

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
• Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Wed, March 28 to Friday, April 6 (8 days)
• Last Day of School: Thu, June 7

Santa Paula Unified School District (Middle, High Schools)

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
• Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Monday, January 8 (12 days)
• Spring Break: Wed, March 28 to Friday, April 6 (8 days)
• Last Day of School: Thu, June 7

Simi Valley Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Thu, December 21 to Monday, January 8 (13 days)
• Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

Oxnard School District (Elementary/Middle Schools)

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Friday, January 5 (3 weeks)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, April 6 (2 weeks)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

Oaks Christian High School and Middle School

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 16
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Monday, January 8 (11 days)
• Easter Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, May 31

Fillmore Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Thurs, August 17
• Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Fri, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Tue, April 3 (7 days)
• Last Day of School: Not posted as of 7/30/17

Santa Monica-Malibu School District

• 1st Day of School: Tue, August 22
• Winter Break: Mon, December 25 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks - elementary) and January 8 (secondary students)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, April 6 (2 weeks)
• Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

Carpinteria Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Tue, August 22
• Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Friday, January 5 (3 weeks)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, March 30 (1 week)
• Last Day of School: Fri, June 8

Rio School District (El Rio, Riverpark, portions of Oxnard)

• 1st Day of School: Tues, August 22
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Friday, April 6 (2 weeks)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

Conejo Valley Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
• Fall Break: Mon, October 16 to Fri, October 20 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Mon, April 2 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 7 (Elementary) and Fri, June 8 (Middle/High School)

Ventura Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
• Fall Break: Mon, October 23 to Friday, October 27 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Mon, December 25 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks)
• Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

Ojai Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Mon, January 1 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, April 2 to Friday, April 6 (1 week)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 14

Las Virgenes Unified School District (Agoura/Calabasas)

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Friday, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Monday, January 1 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Fri, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Thu, June 14

Moorpark Unified School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 23
• Fall Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (2 weeks)
• Spring Break: Fri, March 30 to Friday, April 6 (6 days)
• Last Day of School: Fri, June 15

Oxnard Union High School District

• 1st Day of School: Tues, August 29
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, March 30 (1 week)
• Last Day of School: Not specified on calendar; graduation is Fri, June 16

Hueneme Elementary School District

• 1st Day of School: Tues, August 29
• Winter Break: Mon, December 18 to Tues, January 2 (12 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, April 6 to Friday, April 17 (2 weeks)
• Last Day of School: Thurs, June 21

Pleasant Valley (Camarillo) School District

• 1st Day of School: Wed, August 30
• Thanksgiving Break: Mon, November 20 to Fri, November 24 (1 week)
• Winter Break: Fri, December 22 to Friday, January 5 (11 days)
• Spring Break: Mon, March 26 to Fri, March 30 (1 week)
• Last Day of School: Fri, June 15

La Reina High School

• 1st Day of School: Not posted
• Winter Break: Not posted
• Spring Break: Not posted
• Last Day of School: Not posted

Looking for an Inexpensive Date in Ventura County? Here are Some Ideas!

"Perfect Match" by Local Artist Chuck Trunks

Yes, most of us know that, living in the Conejo Valley and it seems most of Ventura County, many places seem to close by 10 pm.  So why not get to bed early and check out some of these great daytime activities around the area!  Most of these make for a great "cheap" date!  Others are not so inexpensive but worth checking out!

Boats, Bikes, Biplanes and Other Speedy Activities

Landmarks and Local History

Theater, Music and Art Activities

Comedy and Improv

More Music as Well as Fine Arts and Dance Groups

Museums

Outdoor Fun

Bowling

A Grab Bag of Other Fun Activities (Indoor Rock Climbing, Fencing, Kayaking, etc.)

Local Movie Theaters

Go Running or Cycling

Have Fun With Some of These Local Hobby/Social Clubs

The of course there's all sorts of upcoming events in the area! Check the Events Calendar or check out upcoming events by "type" by CLICKING HERE.

HERE'S A COMPILATION OF LOCAL VENUES WITH LIVE MUSIC AND OTHER ACTIVITIES

This covers many, but not all things to do in Ventura County!  Explore the site for more ideas and LET US KNOW if we're missing something you think should be in here!  We're always adding new stuff to do!!  Now go out and HAVE SOME FUN!!

Premiere of "Westlake Village Rocks" Group

A Westlake Village Rocks group has been launched by CReATE STUDIO and Girls Club Strong to spread the joy of painting, hiding and finding cheerful rocks in the City of Westlake Village. And of course, you are encouraged to post photos of the inspirational, comical and/or beautiful rocks you have discovered, and perhaps re-hid, on the Westlake Village Rocks Facebook page at www.facebook.com/westlakevillagerocks.

There is also a Newbury Park Rocks group and others around Ventura County.

"Newbury Park Rocks" Group Proves to Be Quite Popular on CVG Facebook Page

Image courtesy of Newbury Park Rocks Facebook Page

I didn't think much of it when a Facebook Page called "Newbury Park Rocks" contacted us to share a little about but what they do. 

So what do they do? Well, apparently this is becoming "a thing" throughout the country. The group paints, hides and finds decorative, painted rocks in the Newbury Park area.

Grab a rock and paint something whimsical, funny, inspirational and/or uplifting on it. After it dries, place it somewhere, partially hidden, such that someone will discover and enjoy that rock.

Well that certainly is a fun idea! So I thought, OK, I'll make mention of it on a Monday late morning, on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page and I'm sure a few folks will find it interesting.

Well on one count, I was right. Some folks did indeed find it interesting. But I was wrong on "a few," as over 160 people have clicked the "Like" button and the interest has been very strong. I'm certain other rock hiding groups will pop up throughout Ventura County.

Cute idea!