I love to learn new things from readers of the Conejo Post. Today, I learned from a reader and friend, that I have been calling the beautiful white, black and gray winged visitor from the north, by the wrong name. The goose that I noticed, guarding the entrance to a hotel building in Palm Desert was a Canada Goose, not a Canadian Goose! Here is the link to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_goose
Colorful Sunrise in the Conejo Valley
We got a beauty of a sunrise this morning in Oak Park and I managed to get a photo.
It is a different kind of weather day, Because now, at 9:30 AM, the skies are gray and overcast, yet we are experiencing Santa Ana winds, and expecting higher than normal temperatures. Because of those factors, a red flag fire warning is in effect for the Conejo Valley and surroundings.
The Channel 5 weather forecast also mentioned higher surf, with up to 10′ waves today.( Might be a good day to check out the beach). Here is a link to the National Weather Service Oxnard site: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecasts/display_special_product_versions.php?sid=lox&pil=afd
January 27th, 2012 · Conejo Valley, Oak Park, Outdoors
Not All Canadians Visiting Palm Springs Area Are People
We all know about the annual migration of winter-weather-weary visitors from the north who come for visits to sunny Palm Springs this time of year. Aptly called “snowbirds,” you can see their Canadian license plates on desert streets, and maybe hear the Canadian, “eh,” in restaurants and shopping malls.
Well, at the California Association of Sanitation Agencies (CASA) conference in the desert last week, I got to see and hear another kind of Canadian visitor, who could quite correctly be called a “snowbird.” The visitor at the hotel where I was staying, was a Canadian Goose, that seemed to be guarding an entrance on the grounds. It was stationed on a wall and would loudly honk every time someone had the audacity to walk by. I watched for a few minutes, and some of the folks seemed pretty worried, as they scurried by the sentinel goose!
January 26th, 2012 · Meditations
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Changes at Triunfo Sanitation District
Last week, we said goodbye to our part-time General Manager, Doug Anders and welcomed Mark Norris, who is taking over as Triunfo Sanitation District’s new Part-time G.M.
Doug, who took over G.M. duties from Mark Lawler in 2011, served the district well. Last year, three new board members took office, and with an all-elected board revving projects up, there was a lot to be done, including the beginning of construction on the new water tank for Oak Park Water Service. I want to thank Doug for all the contributions he made to Triunfo and wish him the best in his new position at Las Virgenes Municipal Water District.
Triunfo is very fortunate to have Mark Norris assume the General Manager duties for the district. Mark recently retired as Assistant Director of the City of Oxnard Public Works Department, and, to our benefit, decided he wanted to continue working part-time in the water/wastewater field. His experience is broad and his accomplishments great, and, as new board chair, I am so happy to have Mark as a G.M. and resource for Triunfo.
At a board meeting last Monday, I was elected to serve as chair for one year, and Mike McReynolds was elected vice chair.
Top photo is of Doug Anders, Mike MicReynolds and Project Mgr. Chad Costello, at the new Oak Park Water Service water tank construction site in 9-11. Second photo is of Chad, Mike and I at site. For more info on TSD, click on editor page, or go to: www.TriunfoSanitationDistrict.com
January 25th, 2012 · Conejo Valley, Lake Sherwood, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks, Triuinfo Sanitation District, Water Issues
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We Were Landing at Burbank Airport, and Then, We Weren’t!
Last Monday afternoon, I was flying into Burbank Airport from Northern California on an uneventful flight. The plane was on approach to land, and we had just passed over a familiar greenway, under high voltage power lines, which always indicates to me that we will be on the runway in a minute or so.
Well, not on that flight! All of the sudden, the pilot aborted the landing, powered up and headed for the sky. We passengers were looking at each other, wondering what was going on. The plane climbed in altitude as though it was on take-off, and then headed back towards Woodland Hills. We then circled and began a descent again, and a voice got on the address system and said that, “Something was on the runway,” so we couldn’t land on our original approach.
We were all OK, and I am so grateful that we got the heads-up on the runway problem in time and that our pilot handled the procedure so well. What a feeling of relief! However, I have lingering questions about why the incident happened ,what was on the runway ,and why our flight crew was not informed sooner. I guess it doesn’t matter, but I sure hope not to experience that again!
Photo taken at Bob Hope Airport on 1-10.
January 22nd, 2012 · Transportation
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Is It Spring?
The past few days, I have noticed trees blooming in the Conejo Valley. So far, it is just the trees with white blooms, some of which I know are apple, but some could be ornamental pear. Do the trees know something that I don’t? To me, it still feels like winter, and I hope the blossoms don’t come to an abrupt end with another few nights of freezing temperatures.
Photo shows blossoms on a neighbor’s tree, this morning. Here is Perez Prado and his mambo band, playing the 1955 hit, “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White:” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HrsioTFddKo
January 21st, 2012 · Conejo Valley, Green, Outdoors
A Rainy, Foggy Morning in the Conejo Valley
I love the rain! Throw in fog like we had this morning, and I think it is even more wonderful…that is, if I don’t have to be driving on our freeways, or very far on surface streets.
So, when I awoke to the sound of rain on the roof this morning, I was happy. I couldn’t wait to get through breakfast, so I could take a walk in the wet. However, by the time I got on my water-repellent shell from Columbia Sportswear, and grabbed my large, green and white golf umbrella, the rain had stopped. I didn’t get to slosh in my rubber boots and jump in puddles, but I still had a good, wet walk.
Maybe my fondness for rain has something to do with my growing up in Portland, Oregon, where rain falls so frequently. There, rain doesn’t stop you from doing anything, because, if it did, you would hardly go out But, that is not the case here in SoCal. I met only one other walking group this morning.
Here is Johnny Ray and his 1956 classic, ”Just Walking in the Rain,” from YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1w7BRkzgBE. Photo taken this morning, in Oak Park.
January 21st, 2012 · Conejo Valley, Green, Oak Park
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Woody Smeck’s Message to Conejo Post Regarding His Leaving as Head of our Local National Park
NPS Superintendent Woody Smeck sent the following email on 1-7: “ Thank you for your post of January 7, 2012 concerning my departure as superintendent of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Working on behalf of the Conejo Valley community and others to preserve our treasured mountains has been one of the greatest honor of my life – second only to my family. We are blessed to have this beautiful preserve so close to home. I am always humbled by the many families and community members I meet on the trails — enjoying the outdoors and maintaining good health.
As you know, it takes a community of strong supporters and advocates to build and preserve something as beautiful as the Santa Monica Mountains. We should all feel proud of the legacy we’re leaving our children and grandchildren. Leaving the area will be painful and difficult, but I know the mountains are in good hands thanks to the caring attention of the community.”
January 18th, 2012 · Conejo Valley, Outdoors
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