By: Sher Hann

From April 15-19, Conejo Valley will be celebrating the second annual restaurant week. Similar to other restaurant weeks, participating restaurants in the area will offer special prix fixe menus set at either $20 or $30. Approximately 40 restaurants are taking part in the event ranging from Indian cuisine, Italian and fondue. Each venue will be serving three courses.  In order to make a reservation, contact information for each restaurant for can be found at the following website: http://conejorestaurantweek.com/home.php

To kick off the event The Lakes at Thousand Oaks is hosting a “Launch Party“. It will be held this Thursday, April 12 from 5:30-7:30pm. The event is $10 per person and for ages twenty-one and up only. There will be food and wine tastings from an array of restaurants located in The Lakes of Thousand Oaks and The Promenade at Westlake. In addition to the tastings, there will be live music, giveaways and other activities. There are no reservations required to attend the Launch Party.

As Spring draws near we will again enjoy the blooming trees and flowers in our yards and around the neighborhood. While we may gladly welcome the new season, our dogs may not. According to the Banfield Pet Hospital there are a multitude of Spring plants that are toxic for your dog. The side effects of these plants may range from minor such as a rash to as severe as fatality. In order to prevent this, dog owners should educate themselves on toxic plants. Some of these include, but are not limited to Azaleas, Foxglove, Jasmine, Oak Trees, and Wisteria.

Banfield Pet Hospital urges owners to take the time to identify any potentially dangerous plants. If you believe that your dog has swallowed one of these toxic plants, go to your nearest veterinary immediately. Banfield Pet Hospital has several locations in the area such as Westlake and Thousand Oaks. Educate yourself on dangers for your dog, and don’t take any chances!

Photo by Jean Bai

Perfect for Sotheby’s and all Realtors with a sharp taste in photography, I have found an up and coming photographer with a unique approach to color that stands out from others. A beautiful young lady, filled with passion, who fell in love with the world through her camera’s lenses at a very young age, she is eager to earn our business.

Even if you’re not a Realtor, this website can thrill your senses.
Please visit her website and add it to your contacts.
www.jeanbai.com

Jean Bai has interned at a fashion photography studio with Ash Gupta at Studio 838, and has been trained by Hal Wells at the Los Angeles Times. Her work is heavily influenced by geometric perspectives and she specializes in architecture and interiors.

In her own words from the website’s “About” page:

My passion for photography began during a month-long travel through Europe alone when I was 18. I self-financed the journey and even bought my first camera with my earnings, realizing that you appreciate most what you have when you earn it yourself. Wandering through the byzantine streets of Paris, passing through pastoral landscapes by Eurail, and meeting all kinds of personalities unbeknownst to my young (and somewhat sheltered) mind, I fell in love with the world. I couldn’t resist snapping photos and eternalizing moments and emotions, wherever life took me.

Thus, began my obsession with photography. A vision in sight, a frame of mind, a click and release- therein lays its beauty. You eternalize the transient moments in our unpredictable lives.

Architecture is the primary focus in this passion of mine. Call it a love for facts and figures-linear reasoning, perhaps.

Thank you, all, for taking a few moments to discover Jean Bai’s unique work. I’m sure she’ll be grateful that you did.

By: Sher Hann

Historic McCrea Ranch, located at the base of the Norwegian Grade, was home to legendary film actor and western movie hero Joel McCrea. Originally purchased in 1933, the ranch has a long tradition of dry land farming. Joel and his wife of 57 years, movie star Frances Dee, raised their three sons here, living a simple lifestyle and actively participating in the community. The family, along with hired hands, farmed and ranched the land, raised feed crops for animals, and ran an average 150 head of cattle. In 1995, the McCree: family donated 225 acres of the ranch, including the family home, to the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD).

The new 1,400 square foot Visitor Center, which includes an exhibit/display area, meeting room, restrooms, and an expansive deck, will offer a variety of interpretive, educational and programming opportunities. The Visitor Center vividly portrays family ranch life during the 1930s -1950s.

The Joel and Frances McCrea Ranch Foundation exists to honor and preserve the legacy of Joel and Frances McCrea by raising and managing funds to support the restoration and preservation of McCrea Ranch.

Public access to the McCrea Ranch Visitor Center will initially be managed through scheduled programs with CRPD. As the trained docent and volunteer base expands, and funds are available, hours of operation will be established allowing the Visitor Center, as well as other parts of the ranch, to be open to the general public.

For the visitors center, call 805.495.2163.

With the hot weather still upon us here are some tips to reduce your water bill:

By: Lauren Rauschenberg

With sustainable landscaping practices:

• Reduce your water use
• Use native & drought-tolerant plants
• Attract birds & butterflies
• Use–Don’t lose your rainwater
• Use non-toxic pest & weed control
• Reduce your fire risk ecologically
• Learn to grow food

Contact the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains at 818.597.8627 or Email Keep Your Green .

The Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCD) is now providing on-site consultations for home and business owners on how to save water, money and improve water quality by initiating sustainable landscaping solutions on their property. “Keep Your Green” refers to the money (“green”) saved through a reduced water bill and (green) climate-appropriate plants.   The home consultation model is a perfect fit with the RCD’s long-term commitment toward soil and water conservation, water quality protection, erosion control, oak health, fire-safe landscaping and native habitat restoration.

RCD Conservation Biologists, trained in Sustainable Landscaping, Habitat Restoration and Permaculture Design are currently conducting these timely consultations. The idea for RCD home consultations arose from the many site-specific questions and concerns from local residents who needed to meet their reduced water budget allocations from local jurisdictions. Many folks also felt the need for a site-specific evaluation of what sustainable landscape solutions work best for their yard, slope, soil, shade/sun, trees etc. These practices may include planting native and climate-appropriate plants for water conservation and habitat value, downspout re-directs, rain gardens, and rainwater storage with cisterns and rain barrels. Some of these solutions can be implemented by homeowners or their gardeners. For professional assistance, the RCD can provide a list of Sustainable Landscape Professionals.

The RCD is not funded to provide this service, so there is a fee of $175 for a 90 minute consultation.

By: Lori Einhorn

If you want to have a wonderful dining experience and enjoy the atmosphere at the same time, take a ride to Jinkey’s Cafe in Agoura Hills. This casual restaurant offers great food choices including healthy alternatives along with amazing chili and mouth watering omelets. They are known for their hearty south of the border option like the Santa Fe Scramble, Yucatan Quesadilla, Huevos Rancheros and the Desperado. They also serve a great lunch and dinner, but be prepared to wait. It is worth it!

18 Billion in Cuts

By: Michele Hren

Based on the sentiments expressed in the March 10th Acorn, the public is fine with $18 billion in cuts being made to our schools. That’s $18,000,000,000.00.

I admire the letter from Tina, in the 3/24/11 Acorn, a mother with 3 children who has the opportunity to see more than we can imagine. Her kids are getting and education in the CVUSD where PTA’s see the necessity to help supply amenities and programs to their students while Tina teaches in a less fortunate school in Oxnard that has no extra funding for the students, and unfortunately, but not surprisingly has a lower graduation rate than in Thousand Oaks.
My kids are in college but I still hope to be paying taxes to schools when the present babies and kindergarteners start running the world. However, it’ll be a travesty if fewer and fewer kids graduate or don’t experience what is their right to get an education because of a poorly run government that made selfish cuts to eliminate such things as new books, enough teachers to successfully teach students or after school programs that unite and excite. We don’t want students to lose interest in their dreams and resort to just hanging out in the streets. Let’s not crush their dreams and potential to someone who can make a positive impact in their family, community or worldwide.

When it comes to the future, let’s do for children as if they were our own. Taxes to help schools thrive should be like feeding our kids. It’s a top priority. They are the generations that will make the decisions when we’re retired or in poor health. We want them educated and thankful to the generations that came before them.

Here’s a little advice from my experience in this recession: If you don’t think you can afford funding schools look at what you have in your cart the next time you go shopping at the grocery store of the mall. If you’re honest with yourself I bet you will find more than a few items you can live without. See the big picture.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

Big Brand Saves you money

By: Denise Arledge

When my Prius needed a new touch screen system, I took it to the Toyota dealership and received a quote for over $1,590 including labor. A bit suspicious, I went online to find the part for substantially cheaper. I purchased the part and went over to the Big Brand Tire Shop in Thousand Oaks to see what they could do the job for. With parts and labor, a $1590 job was done for about $350!

This auto shop in Thousand Oaks is managed by Matt who consistently does my auto repair for roughly 1/3rd the cost of the dealerships. It’s been family owned and operated for 35 years for a reason – they are honest, hardworking, and aim to offer value to their customers. Don’t pay dealer prices, go to Matt the manager at Big Brand Tire shop in Thousand Oaks (click for map).

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

The signs of a stroke – now a 4th indicator

By: Sheri Karp

This is story that’s been floating around and it’s so important, it just may save someones life.

During a BBQ, a woman stumbled and took a little fall – she assured  everyone that she was fine (they offered to call  paramedics) she said she had just tripped over  a brick because of her new shoes.

They  got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of  food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Jane went about enjoying herself the rest of the  evening

Jane’s husband called later  telling everyone that his wife had been taken to  the hospital -
(at 6:00  pm  Jane passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the  signs of a stroke, perhaps Jane would be with  us today. Some don’t die. They end up in a  helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It  only takes a minute to read this…

A  neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke  victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the  effects of a stroke…totally. He said  the trick was getting a stroke recognized,  diagnosed, and then getting the patient  medically cared for within 3 hours, which is  tough…

RECOGNIZING A STROKE

Thank  God for the sense to remember the ’3′ steps, STR  . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a  stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately,  the lack of awareness spells disaster. The  stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage  when people nearby fail to recognize the  symptoms of a stroke.

Now doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three  simple questions:

S  *Ask  the individual to SMILE.
T  *Ask  the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out  today.)
R  *Ask  him or her to RAISE BOTH  ARMS.  If  he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these  tasks, call emergency number immediately  and describe the symptoms to the  dispatcher.

New  Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your  Tongue

NOTE:  Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the  person to ‘stick’ out his tongue.. If the tongue  is ‘crooked’, if it goes to one side or the  other,   that is  also an indication of a  stroke.

A  cardiologist says if everyone who gets this  e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that  at least one life will be saved.

I  have done my part. Will  you?

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.

5 Great Events in Agoura Hills and Calabasas

By: Karen Lee

What’s going on in Calabasas this weekend? Wouldn’t all the families love a few ideas on how to entertain the kids? Here are a few ideas on what’s going on in Calabasas March 25th-28th.

1. The Dole Great Race of Agoura Kick Off

• Where/When: Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center
• Why go: The Great Race Sports and Fitness Expo is a great way to kick-off the weekend.  Entertainment, vendor booths, an indoor rock wall and last chance registration are just a few of the activities you and your family will enjoy.
• Pricing: Free!
• Ideal for: Families with kids of all ages.

2. The Dole Great Race of Agoura Hills

• Where/When: Saturday starting at 7 a.m. at Chumash Park in Agoura Hills.
• Why go: The Great Race celebrates running and has events for all levels and ages.  The first race begins at 7:30 a.m. and events will continue throughout the day until 3 p.m. when the Run Party starts.  Enjoy live music, vendor booths, food, kids activities and more.  Grab your running shoes and the kids and enjoy this awesome annual event!
• Pricing: $40-$90 per race.  Registration is required to run, call 1-877-GR8-RACE for more information or visit their website.
• Ideal for: Families with children of all ages.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/gr8rc[/youtube]

3.  Food Truck Festival

• Where/When: Saturday from 2-9 p.m., Calabasas High School.
• Why go: Over a dozen food trucks serving up tasty fare, live entertainment and a boutique. Need we say more?  Don’t miss this deliciously entertaining event!
• Pricing: Free for kids under 3; students with I.D.,$3; and adults, $5.
• Ideal for: Families with children of all ages.

4. Get To Know Some Animals Up Close

• Where/When: Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College.
• Why go: Help the Moorpark Zoo raise funds for their amazing zoo program and take advantage of VIP tours, food and craft vendors, animal shows and a kids’ zone.
• Pricing: $5 for kids and seniors, $10 for adults.
• Ideal for: Families with children of all ages.

5. Get That Carseat & Stroller Cleaned

• Where/When: Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., The Pump Station in Westlake Village.
• Why go: Go because you’ve probably never washed your carseat or stroller, and let’s face it, kids can be pretty messy!  CleanBeeBaby is celebrating the launch of their mobile cleaning service by visiting local stores and cleaning your baby gear.  You’ll be in and out in 30 minutes.
• Pricing: Free
• Ideal for: Families who still use carseats or strollers.

EwingSIR does not guarantee information contained in this blog, readers are encouraged not to rely solely on this information and to do their own independent research of facts contained herein. Blog information was obtained from independent sources that we do not endorse, and we do not investigate this information for accuracy.