#Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

[darkmodepls]

Conejo Valley Botanical Gardens- June 2023

[myyearofgivingdaily]

New Smells in an Old Garden

This has been a week of adventure and wonder -- of spontaneous getaways and freshly explored territories. Of new sights, new sounds, new aromas -- oh, the smells! I could sniff the same spot for hours! 

And to think, it’s all in the service of poop.

When it comes to dog walking, I’m not willingly a creature of habit. There are only so many reasonable walking routes from my house, however, and so on a daily basis my pooch Henry and I strain against the yoke -- the leash, if you will -- of predictability. 

This wouldn’t be such an issue, but Henry simply will not poop in our yard; heck, he won’t even poop on our street. So off we go, twice a day, for six years now -- and because I’m not very good at shutting my brain down for a monotonous task like dog walking, I wind up using the time to play idiotic word games in my head, or stare at my phone, or play out the argument I’d like to have with the last person who spited me. (Or, you know, make up inane blog posts.)

Early on I found myself inventing names for the milestones of a walk. The first squat of the day is Henry’s I.P.O. -- Initial Poop Offering. If a walk gets bogged down in too much sniffing, it becomes “a Very Special Episode of ‘P.S.I. -- Westlake Village’” ... the “P.S.I.,” of course, standing for “Poop Scene Investigation.” Ad infinitum.

Of course, I could load Henry in the car every morning and light out for greener pastures -- but I almost never do, for one reason or another. This week is different, however. This week my wife Gwen is traveling for work, so I have to take over her usual task of driving Jasen to school. Now, Henry’s all for this, because he loves a good car ride in the morning -- digging his nails into Jasen’s lap, scoping the action out the window. And once Jasen’s out of the car, I finally have the opportunity to explore new places, and introduced the pooch to some new smells.

There’s not all that much landscape of profound interest around our very-suburban suburb, though we have plenty of nice parks and fancy neighborhoods and such. Recently, however, Henry and I finally visited a treasure that our entire family had ignored for years: the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

The garden is an under-utilized public space in the middle of Thousand Oaks, taking up an entire hill at the center of a large park. To experience it fully involves a decent climb that appears more daunting than it actually is, but probably dissuades some people from visiting. On the way up, you discover tiny themed areas of the kind you might find in a big-city botanic garden -- like the one in the Bronx (which is among my favorites), the Sarah P. Duke Gardens in Durham, or the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena. The one I’ll always cherish most is the John Innes Park across the road from the house in south London where we lived for a year, and where our son Jacob romped and ran through much of his toddlerhood. (He would stop to poop occasionally, too -- thankfully into a diaper.)

Of course, the CVBG is nothing like those fancy places -- it’s a local rec-department garden in a town that’s been suffering through a drought for six years, so one mustn’t expect too much. Walking through some of its less inspired thematic “rooms,” one can almost hear the wheels turning in the planners’ heads as they thought, “Here’s a little flat area -- let’s call it something!” And when you get to the top of the hill, the vistas include...the shopping mall, and an office park, and an old apartment complex, and another office park, and the freeway.

Still, it’s a lovely, ever-so-slightly vigorous walk -- and it’s a dog-friendly one, which makes it (newly) near and dear to my heart. Henry and I were back there this morning, and like I always do, I stuck a few bucks in the Donate box. I wish I’d brought my kids to these gardens when they were younger, but I’m thankful that I’ve “discovered” them now. And Henry is, too.  

About the author: Jon Cummings has spent his career as a performing arts and music journalist at magazines including Billboard and Inside Arts as well as the pop-culture website Popdose. He also has served as a communications and publications specialist for organizations including the ACLU, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the U.N.-affiliated World Conference of Religions for Peace. After setting his remaining hair on fire last November 8, he became a co-founder of Indivisible: Conejo in the northwest suburbs of Los Angeles, and now serves as that organization’s communications guru. It’s about time he did his bit to serve his onetime colleague and longtime friend Melinda Newman’s Causes and Effect mission.

About this blog: Causes and Effect: My Year of Giving Daily was started in 2013 by entertainment and culture journalist Melinda Newman, who made daily donations to a wide variety of non-profits and wrote about her experience. USA Today music writer, Brian Mansfield took on this monumental task in 2014. This year, 12 individuals will contribute, each taking over the blog for one month.

[rolliislam]

Pixwords scenes fork

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK MOVIE#

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK FULL#

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK SERIES#

(Studio City) Gone but not forgotten Index Does the Dunlap

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK SERIES#

Ranches 4024 Radford Ave., Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA Kern Valley - filmsite/tv California Department of Parks and Recreation The last 2 years of the series were mostly filmed in the studio. Of Simi Valley on 206 acres, Corriganville Park is the former site of the M ovie Ranch Corriganville California's Simi Valley Located at the eastern end These great pictures! Janss Conejo Ranch, Thousand Oaks, California, USA Of that place is built up (condos, mainly), however, there are a few areas Show, if you see a rock, it is either a prop or shot at Iverson Ranch.

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK MOVIE#

There is a saying that goes in a Hollywood movie or TV Some scenes of the second episode of The Rifleman ( Home Ranch) I knew of it when I was younger, butĭid not see it during its glory days. A location scout found it and the owners agreed to let them film I had asked her if she was aware of the Iverson Ranch where The members here at the ranch mentioned about living on the North Ridge nearĬhatsworth. 20th Century Fox Ranch, Malibu Creek State Parkġ925 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, California Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA *One of The Rifleman was filmed in several locations. The Rifleman, being a Four-Star Production, may not have had a real exterior western set available at the studio location. Gunsmoke's exterior set for Dodge City was on the back lot at CBS Studio City, the former home of Republic Pictures, makers of all those B westerns in the 1930's and 1940's. Bonanza was different Virginia City was on the back lot at Paramount Studios. Using actual exterior sets, on either back lots or movie ranches on westerns was quite expensive and used sparingly on some shows only when space needed called for the outside version of a town. The town of North Fork was on a sound stage in Hollywood just like most of the shots of Dodge City on Gunsmoke. Scenes were taken in Malibu Creek State Park, Calabasas, Iverson Ranch inĬhatsworth and even Corriganville Movie Ranch. Set in New Mexico, it was all filmed in Los Angeles. Start here, fans of zesty pods, bites with bite, and the sort of seedy celebs that tell us cooler days are on the way."Welcome to The McCain Ranch" Although The Rifleman was Ready to fill that freezer shelf, the one that held all of the ice pops you ate last week, with roasted Hatch chile? The kind of chile that adds so much kick to the dishes we cook when colder weather arrives?

#PIXWORDS SCENES FORK FULL#

The full list of all the stores and dates may be found here, as well as the pre-ordering dates, too. (Think "mid-September" each year, is a good plan.) 18, which is when the chile-roasting season usually concludes in Southern California, give or take a few days. More Ralph's will join the piquant program later in the month, with Downey, Huntington Beach, and Pasadena all set take their tasty turn at turning the roasters.Ī few Food4Less locations are also on the calendar, and the final date to get your chile from the Frieda's Branded Produce team? 6 is the date, and pre-orders open on Monday, Aug. Victory Boulevard in Burbank are up first on the line-up, and you won't have to wait long: Saturday, Aug. The Ralph's locations at 711 Weir Canyon Road in Anaheim and 2600 W. Several local spots, like El Rey Farms, traditionally start taking orders in July, or if orders aren't yet in the works?Ĭompanies will reveal where and when to go for your sack of roasted chiles.įrieda's Branded Produce recently unveiled its 2022 Los Angeles roasting schedule, with scentful stops ahead for select Ralph's and Food4Less stores. Ah, Shade: A New South Coast Botanic Garden Tour Keeps Cool

[ideafirstthenform]

Textured Flowers by Scott Harrison Via Flickr: Photo of flowers taken on Jan. 8, 2021, with a Lensbaby at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden. Image textured with DistressedFX app and Formulas app. #thousandoaks #conejovalleybotanicgarden #alteredreality #ethereal_moods #editfromthesoul #everything_edited #artistry_flair #textured #masters_in_artistry #dailytextures

[madschnell626]

#10000stepsinprogress #10000dailysteps #fitbit #flowers #bloom #blooming #walkingintheshade #nocrowd #relaxing #peaceful (at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwx1Y9oAYTe/?igshid=d9no3egcog43

[comachameleon2013]

As we made our way out of the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, we got one last chance to see the striking Matilija poppy, which Joella likens to a fried egg, for obvious reasons. Keith had previously commented that maybe he should’ve purchase some at the plant sale.

Maybe next time.

[nationalcashoffer]

The Best Places to Raise a Family in California

Choosing the best place to live is a big decision, mainly if it involves relocating with your family. Assuming that you have already asked the right questions,you know what your family needs, and you plan to make a move, you need to find a place where your children will have the space to enjoy their childhood. If you intend to buy a house in one of the neighborhoods in California, bear in mind that you are not only purchasing a home but also investing in a community. Find the most beautiful areas to live in California, with a lot to offer families. It’s a great time to look at houses for sale in Sacramento, Bakersfield, San Marino and elsewhere.

  Bakersfield

If you are looking to live in a great community and to make more for your money, there is no better place than Bakersfield, the county seat of Kern County. With a population of about 344,000 people, there are plenty of houses for sale in Bakersfield, as well as homes for sale in the most affordable city in California.

The best neighborhoods include Southern Oaks, Tevis Ranch, Quailwood, Amberton, and Laurel Glen. From The city’s wide variety of parks to the short distance to the scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains, there is a lot your family will love houses for sale in Bakersfield, ca. Moreover, the schools in Bakersfield are top-rated in both academic performance and equity. The average home value in Bakersfield is around $250,000 compared to roughly $350,000 for houses for sale in Sacramento.

  Camarillo

Situated northwest of Los Angeles, the city in Ventura is a little town with a very decent quality of life with plenty of activities to do with your family.

The city has a population of 67,543 residents, a low crime rate, and highly ranked private and public schools that will be ideal for your children. The residents are conservative and like to stick to the town’s traditions. Some of the attractions you will enjoy visiting with your family include parks, aquatic centers, equestrian centers, and skateparks.

The weather is perfect for beaches, hiking, nature, and camping, and the town is 30 minutes to an hour’s drive away from big cities, should your family desire a big city escape.

  Imperial

Imperial County is one of the best cities for families, concerning crime rates, cost of living, schools, and family-friendly services.

Positioned slightly North of Mexico, and having a population of 17,175 inhabitants, Imperial is one of the fastest growing towns in California. Houses and apartment complexes are affordable, even for lower-income families. Your family will enjoy taking walks in the parks, camping in the dunes, and bird watching, among other amazing activities.

  Los Gatos

This family-friendly town in Santa Clara County has a population of 30,922 people, and it has plenty of safe neighborhoods, as well as top-rated public schools.

The city named for ‘cats,’ which your kids will love, is located south of San Francisco and nestled at the base of Sierra Azules. If your family loves the outdoors, they will relish visits to the state parks, hiking trails, wildlife, and scenery. Though the neighborhood of Los Gatos is nice and luxurious it does however come with a steep admission price. The average home value in Los Gatos is $1.8M, over three times the price of houses for sale in Sacramento.

  Mission Viejo

With a resident population of 96,124, Mission Viejo is a choice place to live with your family. The suburb located in Southern California is a popular vacation destination for people visiting from other states.

The community has safe residential districts, several parks with playgrounds, and the schools are rewarding. Besides, living where everyone else vacations does not sound like a bad idea.

  Moorpark

Possibly you already know that Moorpark is one of the most beautiful places in Southern California to raise your family. The city of 36,274 people ranks favorably in education, work-life balance, stability, cost of living as well as family-friendliness.

  Moreover, the city has the lowest crime rate in Ventura County, and it has many beautiful places to hike along the Conejo Valley, fun community parks, family farms, indoor batting cages, fishing, indoor kart racing, and soccer-related activities among others.

  Oakland

Oakland’s swanky suburb has excellent neighborhoods with great schools and transit options for families.The city in Almeda county has a population of 425,000 inhabitants and is situated to the east of San Francisco Bay. Houses for sale in Oakland have an average home value index of $765,350.

  Some of the neighborhoods to consider, with homes for sale, include Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont Avenue, Grand-lake Merritt, and Downtown Oakland. The variety of family-friendly activities and places to visit in Oakland include state parks, Oakland Aviation Museum, Chabot Space & Science Center, as well as the Oakland Zoo and the Children’s fairyland.

  Sacramento

The city, with a population of 502,000, is the capital of the state of California and is located where the Sacramento River meets the American River.

If you are wondering why houses for sale in Sacramento appears on this list in the first place, the city has a lot more going for it and pretty attractive on its own. Homes for sale and houses in Sacramento are quite affordable, and you can easily find one that can comfortably house your growing family’s needs.

The weather is perfect for outdoor activities in the modern city’s numerous state parks, bird watching, visiting the historic forts, and the stimulating amusement parks.

  San Marino

The city of 13,285 inhabitants found at the foot of the Angeles National Forest and South of Pasadenais a beautiful place to raise your family.

If your family boasts of an impeccable taste in architecture, living and driving through the streets of San Marino will bring you pure joy as you catch glimpses of the exquisite architecture of homes beneath the tree awnings of the town’s winding roads.

Top attractions of the city include children’s playgrounds and parks, the Art Museum and Botanical gardens, as well as the Huntington Library.

  Sierra Madre

The town of about 11,000 people located in Los Angeles County is an excellent choice for your family. Most inhabitants living in the suburb own their homes, and the schools in the area are rated above average.

The city is more oriented towards families, and there are a lot of community events, hiking opportunities, state parks, as well as community centers. The neighborhood is very safe to live in. The quiet small town is perfect for raising your family, and you will like to call the place home.

The post The Best Places to Raise a Family in California appeared first on National Cash Offer.

from https://nationalcashoffer.com/the-best-places-to-raise-a-family-in-california/

[thousandoaksba]

Picnicking From Calabasas to Camarillo: Top Spots from Your Storage Unit Experts

Memorial weekend is here, and the Hollywood Storage Center team is looking forward to some outdoor fun. But Memorial Day isn’t the only good time to plan a picnic in our area. Because of our excellent weather, we can have great outdoor gatherings most months of the year. With this is mind, we’ve asked our storage unit experts to share their favorite picnic locations from Calabasas to Camarillo.

Calabasas

Gates Canyon Park is the top choice for picnicking in Calabasas among our team. In addition to picnic areas with barbeques, visitors can take advantage of basketball and tennis courts, a fitness course, children’s play area and open grass area. According to Storage Consultant Lindsay, “the picnic areas are clean, covered and comfortable, and the views are breathtaking – surrounded by the gorgeous Calabasas hills.”

Agoura Hills

At Peter Strauss Ranch, shaded picnic tables provide the perfect spot for lunch while you take in all the nature around you and then learn about the history of the ranch house. Or, spread your picnic blanket out at the site’s amphitheater or lawn area. “I enjoy the trails at this park,” says Storage Consultant Bobby,” and the seasonal creek. It’s a great change of when things get really hectic.”

Westlake Village

If you’re looking for lots of space and plenty of opportunities for activities, check out Westlake Village Community Park. With 18 acres, baseball and soccer fields, plus a skate park and interactive learning center, you’ll have plenty to do before and after your picnic! According to Storage Consultant Gary, “the park has a little something for everyone, and is clean and well maintained.”

Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is General Manager Sandy’s top choice for a leisurely picnic in Thousand Oaks. They offer picnic benches with areas to barbecue, and Sandy suggests touring a few of the many gardens including the California Natives Garden, aromatic Herb Garden and Japanese-style Tranquility Garden.

Newbury Park

“Convenient, clean and green” is how Storage Consultant David described Rancho Conejo Playfields in Newbury Park. In addition to the picnic areas, visitors can enjoy 13 acres of turf, tennis courts, a basketball court and plenty of parking. Plus, with its location adjacent to the Arroyo Conejo Nature Preserve, hiking opportunities are abundant.

Camarillo

Picnic tables and BBQ pits plus plenty of room for gatherings make Nancy Bush Park the top pick of Hollywood Storage Center’s Assistant General Manager Jeremy. Visitors will enjoy the mature shade trees, and the youngsters in any group will be able to get out their energy at the play zone… complete with swings, slides and monkey bars.

Clearly from our team’s choices for favorite picnic spots, cleanliness and convenience are important. Interesting, since cleanliness and convenience are also distinguishing factors for our storage facility! There are a ton of other great picnic location options in our area as well, but this list will get you started. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and, if our team can assist you with your storage needs, we’re ready to help.

from thousand oaks ca https://www.hollywoodstoragecenter.com/blog/picnicking-from-calabasas-to-camarillo-top-spots-from-your-storage-unit-experts/

[jeanjyu]

#conejovalley #hiking🌲 #botanicalgardens #nancie#lastory # (at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden)

[funnysoulreaper-blog]

Never knew about this place! Great place for a date😊 (at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden)

[joey-carman]

#WeddingWednesday - "Kirstin + Andrew" 📷 💍 💕 These TWO were ALL #eskimokisses on their #engagement session! So looking forward to their BIG Day at ONE of my favorite places to #photograph @walnutgroveweddings : : #joeycarmanphotography #eskimokiss #walnutgroveweddings #miabellaweddings #cpcatering #walnutgrove #moorpark #lawedding #tierrarejadafarms #tierrarejadaranch #farmwedding #rusticwedding #canon #destinationwedding #westlakevillageweddingphotographer #joeycarmanweddings (at Conejo Valley Botanic Garden)

[comachameleon2013]

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is on a steep hill, which is why we didn’t hike for that long before we broke for a picnic.

The last three pics were taken in the tiny “Tranquility Garden” near our usual picnic table.

Keith carefully positioned Joella and me to take advantage of the tiny bit of shade covering the table, but that was long gone by the end of the picnic. (It was shady on our last visit.)

Oh well, it’s still a nice table in a lovely spot!

[comachameleon2013]

But I’m not talking down the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, by any means. As always, it was a delight. (And we picked up three very nice plants at the sale.)

And Joella especially loved the plentiful flowers still in bloom in the garden!

To be continued..

[comachameleon2013]

We weren’t able to hike at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden through the winter and much of the spring because the garden closes within 4 or 5 days of a rainstorm -- and it was a very rainy winter and spring.

And since they don’t post the conditions of the garden on the website, we can never know if the Botanic Garden is open to dogs or not. If coyotes are pupping in the garden, domestic dogs are banned.

As we have lately at Conejo, we were hiking with Joella. But, since there isn’t much hiking nearby without the botanic garden, we were forced to leave Sadie behind.

Our first stop was at the weekly plant sale. One time last year we were told that they had canyon grey sagebrush, but had sold out. Keith and I LOVE canyon grey sagebrush! We see it all over the place on our hikes, and it’s SO delightfully fragrant.

Sadly, the women there had to look it up. It wasn’t there, and they weren’t even familiar with it. “Do we have it here in our garden?” they asked.

Yup. Everywhere.

[thousandoaksba]

Picnicking From Calabasas to Camarillo: Top Spots from Your Storage Unit Experts

Memorial weekend is here, and the Hollywood Storage Center team is looking forward to some outdoor fun. But Memorial Day isn’t the only good time to plan a picnic in our area. Because of our excellent weather, we can have great outdoor gatherings most months of the year. With this is mind, we’ve asked our storage unit experts to share their favorite picnic locations from Calabasas to Camarillo.

Calabasas

Gates Canyon Park is the top choice for picnicking in Calabasas among our team. In addition to picnic areas with barbeques, visitors can take advantage of basketball and tennis courts, a fitness course, children’s play area and open grass area. According to Storage Consultant Lindsay, “the picnic areas are clean, covered and comfortable, and the views are breathtaking – surrounded by the gorgeous Calabasas hills.”

Agoura Hills

At Peter Strauss Ranch, shaded picnic tables provide the perfect spot for lunch while you take in all the nature around you and then learn about the history of the ranch house. Or, spread your picnic blanket out at the site’s amphitheater or lawn area. “I enjoy the trails at this park,” says Storage Consultant Bobby,” and the seasonal creek. It’s a great change of when things get really hectic.”

Westlake Village

If you’re looking for lots of space and plenty of opportunities for activities, check out Westlake Village Community Park. With 18 acres, baseball and soccer fields, plus a skate park and interactive learning center, you’ll have plenty to do before and after your picnic! According to Storage Consultant Gary, “the park has a little something for everyone, and is clean and well maintained.”

Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is General Manager Sandy’s top choice for a leisurely picnic in Thousand Oaks. They offer picnic benches with areas to barbecue, and Sandy suggests touring a few of the many gardens including the California Natives Garden, aromatic Herb Garden and Japanese-style Tranquility Garden.

Newbury Park

“Convenient, clean and green” is how Storage Consultant David described Rancho Conejo Playfields in Newbury Park. In addition to the picnic areas, visitors can enjoy 13 acres of turf, tennis courts, a basketball court and plenty of parking. Plus, with its location adjacent to the Arroyo Conejo Nature Preserve, hiking opportunities are abundant.

Camarillo

Picnic tables and BBQ pits plus plenty of room for gatherings make Nancy Bush Park the top pick of Hollywood Storage Center’s Assistant General Manager Jeremy. Visitors will enjoy the mature shade trees, and the youngsters in any group will be able to get out their energy at the play zone… complete with swings, slides and monkey bars.

Clearly from our team’s choices for favorite picnic spots, cleanliness and convenience are important. Interesting, since cleanliness and convenience are also distinguishing factors for our storage facility! There are a ton of other great picnic location options in our area as well, but this list will get you started. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend and, if our team can assist you with your storage needs, we’re ready to help.

from thousand oaks ca https://www.hollywoodstoragecenter.com/blog/picnicking-from-calabasas-to-camarillo-top-spots-from-your-storage-unit-experts/

[comachameleon2013]

After our picnic, we we walked around the top of the hill. There was a raptor circling over the 360 degree viewing area. I’m not sure which species.

There’s a really nice succulent garden at the top of the hill. We almost always walk through it on visits to the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden.

And a visit to the Butterfly Garden isn’t complete without a photo op in the lovely butterfly bench. I was wearing my Darwin T-shirt because it was the day before Darwin Day -- Charles Darwin’s birthday.