By: Barbara Lipkin

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year.  It allows me to say thanks for all my blessings and share the holiday with family & friends with no pressure of presents or hype.  I love the smell of roasting turkey & especially enjoy the leftovers.

This year the holiday has brought me almost to tears.  With so many people suffering in the economic downturn, I feel both blessed & depressed. During the year I participate in my local community drive for the food bank.  This year it seems that more is being done through various groups & businesses.  My office collected both food & money for the West Valley Food Pantry.  They provide over 220,000 meals to 24,000 people. http://www.popwh.org/newpop/min_food_pantry.html

It makes my heart glad to see businesses take part.  I just received an email from Unwind, a yarn store in Burbank.  Their innovative way to help is to solicit having food donations and in turn, offer discounts on purchases. www.unwindyarn.com All their food items will be given to the SOVA food pantry, which provides help to the needy throughout Southern California.

The number of people in need of food assistance has risen in the past few years, and every little bit we all do makes a huge difference.
As we sit enjoying our holiday meal, think of how much more thankful we will be if we each find a food bank & make a contribution.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my family, friends, and business acquaintances.

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.

Watch for Zenyatta this weekend

By: Irma Haldane

No American-bred horse has ever won 20 consecutive races, let alone retire undefeated. Zenyatta has a chance to accomplish both feats with a second straight victory in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. This Friday and Saturday in Louisville, KY, the Breeders World Cup will kick off for a wild weekend. Last time the queen of California raced outside her state, she retained her most impressive win in terms of margin of victory, taking this year’s version by 4 1/4 lengths and the ’08 race by 4 1/2 lengths.

The pace is expected to be a fast to be quick keeping Quality Road honest on the first turns. But the horse to watch is the late charging Zenyatat. Blame is expected to be the only horse with the capability to hold her off. Blame has won 3 of 4 lifetime starts at Churchhill Down, including the Stephen Foster Handicap last June.

To hear about the Top Picks for Saturday and Sunday, visit: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/02/1904206/zenyatta-the-star-attraction-of.html#ixzz149qTPyj6

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.

Stagecoach Inn Children’s Festival

By: Karen Crystal

Just minutes from Lake Sherwood and Hidden Valley is the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park. This historic icon of the Conejo Valley does occasional events for families of Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. The latest event will be held on October 17th from 1pm – 4pm and will offer games and crafts for your kids.

The Children’s Festival will host story telling, “grab a doughnut off a string” and even panning for gold. Stop by for free cider and cookies as you get into the fall spirit.

The Stagecoach Inn Museum is located at 51 South Ventu Road Newbury Park, Ca 91320 http://stagecoachmuseum.org

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.

By: Karen Crystal

Make your reservation for the Tales of Old Conejo event. As many of you saw in our historic photos of conejo valley, the Conejo valley became a tourist destination with Goebel’s Wild Animal Farm, later known as Jungleland. At this years event, you’ll get to visit Timber School, find the early Norwegians off on a picnic and get to know Joe Russell, the rancher in what is now Westlake Village.

Guests will be scheduled into groups every 15 minutes beginning at 4:30 p.m. to be guided around the museum property to eight scenes for an hour program of time travel. Refreshments with live music will follow.

Stagecoach Inn Museum 51 S. Ventu Park Road Newbury Park, CA

Click here to sign up

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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.

By: Sher Hann

Not to be outdone by my colleague Jeff Biebuyck, who found some great 1920s photos of Encino (http://ewingsir.com/historic-encino/), I’d like to present the early days of the Conejo Valley.

My favorite photo, shot by Thousand Oaks chronicler Ed Lawrence, is not in the public domain. It’s a photo from the 1960s that he took at the intersection for Thousand Oaks Blvd. and Moorpark Rd., right by the 101 freeway exchange. It shows shepherds together with their dogs, herding a mass of sheep (none of whom faced the camera). Lawrence’s collection – a 50-year chronicle called From Ranches to Residences – is private (as he one time said, if I were a rich man, I would donate it, but I’ll be working till I die).

However, I did find a trove of photos from the old Jungleland site, now the home of The Lakes shopping center, City Hall and the Civic Arts Plaza. These photos, actually dating to the 20s, can be found at http://stagecoachmuseum.org/jungleland_exhibit/jungleland_exhibit.htm. Don’t remember Jungleland? Take a look!

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There is also an archival video, a cross between Ronald Reagan’s General Electric Theater and Bonanza, at http://www.cosf.org/website/html/multimedia-video.html

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.

One easy way to help the environment

By: Irma Haldane

Sid Lerner is 79. Known for his successful Charmin toilet paper campaign, he is now focusing on a little different topic he calls, Meatless Monday’s. The cause is self explanatory – it aims to generate a following that abstains from eating meat on Monday. A health cause designed to reduce meat consumption by 15%, the cause is partnered with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. The cause does not advocate for the elimination of meat but simply hopes to bring perspective on the strain meat places on the environment. Most people are surprised to know that producing 1 ton of beef requires 140,000 bathtubs full of water (many millions of gallons). Growing the needed crops to feed cows is extremely demanding in terms of natural resources. This is one way to help alleviate the demand.

You can join them on Facebook and they offer daily recipes to help.

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.

Coming to Hyatt Westlake

By: Karen Crystal

With more than 60 exhibitors spanning from wedding exhibits to fashion shows, this Sunday Carmen Carter from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ will host a Bridal Premier at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza. From 11 a.m. to 3 pm., guests will enjoy viewing new bridal collections with the opportunity to win one of the headpieces. The exhibitors will answer questions, provide advice on pricing, and assist brides with all aspects of wedding planning.

Held from 12:30pm – 1:30pm, the two fashion shows will show the latest in bridal attire and evening wear from Alayana’s Bridal & Formal of Camarillo and The Bridal Collection and Friar Tux, both of Thousand Oaks.

Tickets are $10 at the door and $8 from the website www.bridalpremiere.com.

For more information, call (805) 376-3515 or (877) 994- 4321

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.

By: Karen Crystal

Head to the Thousand Oaks Mall on Mondays and Wednesday between 10am – 2pm to donate used books. Help raise funds for free programs that support education for cancer patients and effected families in the community. Go to the first floor between Banana Republic and Marciano to drop off the goods. If you have a large donations, call 805.379.4777 to schedule a pick up time.

For more information go to http://www.twcvv.org/

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.

By: Karen Crystal

The Oaks mall is hosting their second annual summer nights music series this month in the outdoor shops by the Muvico. Free concerts will take pace from 6 to 8 pm each Thursday evening from June 24th through Sept. 2nd.  Each week, there will be different genres of music such as classic rock, blues, jazz, oldies and more.

The seating is a first come first serve model that allows guests to bring their own outside seating. The first show will be Unkle Monkey on June 24th.

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.

Celebrity Nicole Johnson from Westlake Village

By: Karen Crystal

The 2010 nominee for Miss California USA, Nicole Johnson is in training. Since her nomination last November, the golden state representative has been on a strict regime. Eating 5 low calorie, high protein meals per day, Johnson is in great shape. She also works with coaches on hair, makeup and interview techniques.

“People think pageant girls are snotty, cutthroat, self absorbed,” she said. “Everybody I meet in the industry is so kind, giving and they are some of the most amazing women I’ve met.”

Johnson, who graduated from USC with an honors degree in communication, recently visited Medea Creek middle school in Oak Park, where her mother teaches seventh-grade science. She educated students in the library during lunch about motivation and focus in school.

Johnson’s dedication to philanthropy and children have gained her a strong reputation in our community. Good luck as you move forward Jessica. You have our support.

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.