Throwback: Grand Opening of Casa Conejo Estates in the Conejo Valley in 1960

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Casa Conejo is an unincorporated Ventura County community located in Newbury Park. Effectively Casa Conejo is a rectangular shaped island within Thousand Oaks city limits. So to summarize, Casa Conejo is part of Newbury Park. Newbury Park is part of Thousand Oaks. But Casa Conejo is not part of Thousand Oaks. There will be a quiz on this tomorrow.

Casa Conejo has a population of approximately 3,200 residents, some of whom serve on the Casa Conejo Municipal Advisory Council.

This first planned community of Newbury Park premiered in 1960, four years before the City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated.

Back in 1960, these brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom homes on 1/3rd of an acre lots in Casa Conejo were going from $14,995 and up, with a $295 down payment.

“Whole new horizons in spacious living are yours…just minutes from the sun-drenched beach, inviting picnic areas at beautiful Sherwood Lake (which is now privately owned and not open to the public) and complete golfing facilities.” But best of all, these homes came with acoustic textured ceilings! :)

Encounter with Three Deer in Thousand Oaks in August

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Had a brief, peaceful encounter recently with these three deer in the Rancho Sierra Vista open space in Newbury Park this morning. I would stand there and stare back for hours if I could, but I had to move along. Hoping for their continued survival as we forged our way through an extreme mid-August heatwave during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's the little things like this that help keep my spirits up through these challenging times.

Positive and Uplifting Thoughts From Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers During the Pandemic

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Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters just reached its 5th anniversary at 111 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park (Trader Joe's/CVS plaza). If you're looking for an independent, local family-owned coffee and bake shop, this is the place for you! hragamuffinroasters.co…

Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters just reached its 5th anniversary at 111 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park (Trader Joe's/CVS plaza). If you're looking for an independent, local family-owned coffee and bake shop, this is the place for you! ragamuffinroasters.com.

We’ve been hosting daily gift card drawings for local Conejo Valley eateries on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page since July 23rd. These drawings have been made possible thanks to donations from several hundred individuals and businesses at bit.ly/CVGFund (credit cards) and paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

In a recent drawing, we asked folks to enter by adding a positive and/or uplifting comment to the post. Here’s a compilation of some of those comments.

  • “Do small things with great love.” - Mother Theresa

  • Choose to be kind over being right and you will be right all the time.

  • After every storm a rainbow appears.

  • Remember that time heals all, and if we all stick together we will be okay!

  • A smile is a curve that can set things straight.

  • No matter how hard the past, you can always begin again.

  • Whatever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.

  • “You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

  • Enjoy the time you have, with the people you have it with!! Family, whether blood or not, is everything!

  • Find the good, and share it with others.

  • Be so happy that, when other people look at you, they become happy too.

  • All it can take is a smile to change someone’s whole day.

  • Tough times don’t last but tough people do.

  • Be kind. You don't know what people are going through. Wish them well

  • When words are both true and kind, they can change the world!

  • Find something positive in each and every day.

  • Find time to do something nice for someone today.

  • “I don’t think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains” - Anne Frank

  • When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond,

  • “If it was easy, then everyone would do it!”

  • “Kindness costs nothing, yet it is the most precious gift.”

  • Smile with your eyes. You can do it. You may not think people will notice, but they do.

  • May you see sunshine where others see shadows, and opportunities where others see obstacles.

  • To quote Dory, “Just keep swimming.”

  • Stars shine brightest in the dark.

  • Be positive and thankful for all that you have.

  • May your WiFi be as strong as your coffee!

  • Sprinkle kindness like it's confetti.

  • Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits put together that will overwhelm the world.

  • The sun will come out tomorrow.

  • As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.—Albert Schweitzer

  • Be yourself and the right people will love the real you.

  • Always believe something wonderful is about to happen.

Sweet Arleen's in the Westlake Plaza at 960 S. Westlake Blvd, Ste 4 is named after its original owner, Arleen Scavon, but is now owned by Chef Julia San Bartolome. They worked together to win the Food Network Cupcake Wars three times. Walk into this…

Sweet Arleen's in the Westlake Plaza at 960 S. Westlake Blvd, Ste 4 is named after its original owner, Arleen Scavon, but is now owned by Chef Julia San Bartolome. They worked together to win the Food Network Cupcake Wars three times. Walk into this shop and you'll be mesmerized by the cupcakes on display. sweetarleens.com

Mystery Blimp in the Skies Above Newbury Park

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Dennis Bronk of Newbury Park captured these shots of the “mystery blimp” floating around the skies of Newbury Park on January 27th. We posted the photos on the CVG Facebook Page at THIS LINK for feedback.

Many folks saw this mysterious, white, unmarked blimp and wondered where it was from and what it was doing. Several thought it might have something to do with the previous day’s tragic Kobe Bryant helicopter crash covering the memorial at Mamba Sports Academy. Others saw it in other places - Camarillo, Ventura, Hueneme. Someone suggested it was covering the Justin Turner Golf Tourney at Sherwood Country Club.

Then, Milt Zweig, who I know and trust, gave what I believe to be the most likely answer. He indicated it was a CNATT (Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training) drone blimp flown out of Point Mugu. I further explored that suggestion and discovered this blimp looks quite a bit like the American Blimp MZ-3. That said, the MZ-3A was sold by the Navy in October 2017.

The mystery blimp looks a lot like this American Blimp MZ-3A picture in November 2013.

The mystery blimp looks a lot like this American Blimp MZ-3A picture in November 2013.

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Led By Overall Winner Nico Young, Newbury Park Boys Cross Country Team Wins National Championship at Nike Cross Nationals (NXN)

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Yesterday, the boys cross country team from Newbury Park High School won the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) title at Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon.

Led by NPHS Senior, Nico Young, who handily won the race in the 5K course record time of 14 minutes, 52 seconds, the team edged out two other outstanding teams from Temecula, California (Great Oak High School) and Draper, Utah (Corner Canyon High School) by just 4 points and 14 points, respectively.

NXN is an invitational cross country meet that serves as the “unofficial” (unsanctioned) team national championship for U.S. high school cross country. Nike invites the top 22 teams in the country and the top 50 individuals not included on those teams in this prestigious event. This was the 2nd time the NPHS boys team was invited to the event, following a 6th place showing in their initial 2018 appearance.

The NPHS girls team, which also was invited to NXN after winning the California State Championship last Saturday, finished 17th in the country yesterday.

Course conditions for both races were wet, rainy, muddy and slippery.

Congratulations also go out to the girls team in the first time invitation to this prestigious event, finishing 17th in the country!

Newbury Park Head Coach Sean Brosnan led the teams with the help of assistant coaches Tanya Brosnan and Steve Hawkins.

NP boys team in scoring order: Nico Young (senior), Jace Aschbrenner (senior), Colin Sahlman (sophomore), Nick Goldstein (junior), Daniel Appleford (sophomore), Leo Young (freshman), Thomas McDonnell (junior).

NP girls team in scoring order: Hailey Golmon (senior), Sam McDonnell (sophomore), Fiona Hawkins (junior), Archana Mohandas (senior), Ailish Hawkins (freshman), Hannah Rounds (freshman), Gretchen Slattum (senior).

Additionally, Thousand Oaks High School Senior Michael Mireles was invited to run at the event as an individual and finished 25th overall. Jace Aschbrenner of NP was 18th. Way to go guys!

Beautiful, Beautiful Snow Seen From the Conejo Valley on White Friday 2019

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What a treat it has been to wake up to a blanket of fresh snow in the Los Padres National Forest, clearly visible from the Conejo Valley today. While folks are out seeking Black Friday bargains, all they need to do is look up to experience a rare White Friday!

From Reino Road in Newbuury Park, near Newbury Park High School.