Where to Volunteer to Decorate a Rose Parade Float

During winter break, many parents struggle to find something new and different to do with the kids. Something you may not have thought about is - volunteering to help decorate a Rose Parade entry! Talk about a unique experience!

As you are probably aware, Rose Parade floats must be completely covered by flowers and other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds and bark. It's a lot of work decorating those masterpieces! 

So how do you go about volunteering? Start with this list of commercial float builders and organizations that build their own floats for volunteer opportunities. The minimum age is generally 12 or 13 and you must sign a waiver.

Commercial Float Builders:

• Artistic Entertainment Services in Azusa: All spots full as of 12/27/17
• Fiesta Parade Floats in Irwindale:  All spots full as of 12/27/17
• Phoenix Decorating Company in Irwindale: Slots on 12/31/17 still open as of 12/27/17 through the Kiwanis Club
• Paradiso Parade Floats in Irwindale: Spots still available 12/28-12/30 as of 12/27/17

Self-Built Float Organizations:

• Burbank Tournament of Roses Association: Ages 7 and up; volunteers accepted on first-come basis
• Cal Poly Pomona and SLO: Ages 16 and up; all slots booked for 2017
• Downey Rose Float Association: Ages 13 and up; first-come, first-served volunteer slots
• La Canada Flintridge Tournament of Roses Association: Minimum age not indicated; pre-registration is closed but walk-ins are possible
• Sierra Madre Rose Float Association: Limited slots available
• South Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association: Registration closed but walk-ons are welcome

Grant Park in Ventura is a No Brainer for Panoramic Views of the Coast

The 107 acre Grant Park is easily accessible from Downtown Ventura via Brakey Road or Summit Drive in Ventura and is a quick and easy way to get your dose of coastal views. There's no playground, restrooms, water or other facilities at this park. But there's plenty of open space and scenery below.

The view looking the opposite direction of the Pacific Ocean, over the western-most section residential section of Ventura.Several other notable items at Grant Park are the privately owned Serra Cross Park and the Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail.

You can spend 10 minutes up here for a quick dose of views or you could spend half a day up here resting, hiking, picnicking and enjoying the ocean breezes.

At the very, very top of Grant Park is this lone bench.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is Quite Colorful in Spring 2017

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.