John's blog

Heritage Square Weddings and Events
715 S a St Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 483-7960

I didn't have a wedding this weekend.  So I went to Port Hueneme (Oxnard) beach to test my new equipment. 

I took this on top of the fairy's wheel during Camarillo Fiesta 2007.  Oh how I wished the weather was clearer.

Conejo Grade (AKA Camarillo Grade) separates West & East Ventura County.  During the Summer season the West side is about 10 degrees cooler than the East side.  You can actually see the temperature going down as you go over the Grade.

Conejo Grade is exactly 2 miles.  It takes 2 full minutes to go up and down.

Although this is a huge mountain 2 miles on freeway is not that much.  Still, there are a lot of people making a big deal out of going over this grade.

Once I had a job at Westlake Village.  I had a co-worker commuting from Simi Valley.  When she learned that I commuted from Camarillo (drive over the Conejo Grade), she commented how far I drove every day.   So I said, "It's not that far, it's only 15 miles away".   She looked at me and said, "But, you drive over the Grade".  I didn't say anything to her, but that's when I realized some people hate to drive over the Camarillo Grade.

Arby's Roast Beef, Ventura
3550 E Main St, Ventura
Phone: (805) 644-9500 

Is delicious

Arby's Roast Beef, Ventura
3550 E Main St, Ventura Phone: (805) 644-9500

Old Camarillo Public Library (Closed Feb 25, 2007)
3100 Ponderosa Drive Camarillo, CA 93010

Click Here for photo album of old Camarillo Public Library.

You may have to register to VenturaWeekly to view photo-gallery.

 Memorial Day 2007, Constitution Park, Camarillo

I have noticed something interesting at Mission Oaks Plaza.  Some of the trees had unusually black barks, as if they were burnt a long time ago.

So I took a closer look.
And I took off a piece of the skin.  This is what I saw

I see these black tree barks all over Camarillo.  I see them at Arneil Road, close to Albertson as well. 

I assume that there was a big fire a long time a go.  They burnt the skins but didn't kill the trees.  A lot of trees are carrying the scars now.  It was a fascinating found for me.

I tried to look up local history for wild fire, but I couldn't find any.  If these trees can talk...

** Mission Oaks Plaza: 93,545 square feet of shopping center located at Mission Oaks Blvd and Weedcreek Rd.

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Los Primeros Structured Elementary School at Elm Drive & Ventura Boulevard, Old Town Camarillo.

We have 2 HomeTown Buffets in Ventura County.  One HomeTown Buffet is in Oxnard, the other one is located in Simi Valley.

I like HomeTown Buffet, but I don't eat there as often.  Whenever I am at an all-you-can-eat restaurant, I tend to lose control and eat too much.

Today I went to Hometown Buffet at Simi Valley for lunch.  As I was eating, unusual amount of older folks started to walk in.  They were all talking to each other, so I guessed they are together.  There were a lot of people, about 30-40 of them. They all looked kind of folksy, and they were all older folks (60's and older).  They all seemed nice and cute.

I didn't think much of it and enjoyed my meal.

As I walk out from HomeTown Buffet, below is what I saw... a lot of classic cars. 

It turned out that they come to HomeTown Buffet in Simi Valley every Friday and display their cars this way.  They use HomeTown Buffet as a club house of some sort.  They come in, chit chat, and enjoy meal for a while. 

- Simi Valley Home Town Buffet -

Photography: I took all these pictures with a Canon Powershot A series camera ($180.00).  Whenever I get the chance, I try to promote "Photography is a cheap hobby".  The Sun was setting fast.  I set my camera at 200ASA and photographed at shutter speed between 1/15 and 1/50. I didn't want to set my camera at 400ASA because cheap camera has its limitation.

There are 2 Hometown Buffets in Ventura County

Home Town Buffet Simi Valley:
1855 Cochran St. Simi Valley, CA 93065 (805)583-3382
Home Town Buffet Oxnard:
1901 Lockwood St Oxnard, CA 93030  (805) 983-8873
http://www.hometownbuffet.com/

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Camarillo Public Library is located at 4101 Las Posas Rd, Camarillo

I photographed these pictures on February 4th.

At that time, Camarillo Public Library was still under construction.  These are the temporary mailbox we had until the building was ready.

At the parking lot, there was a camper with somebody living in there.  I think one of his duties were checking this mail box.  He was peaking out to see if I was doing anything funny.  It was a little awkward, but everything was cool.

The other side of the mail box.  I couldn't make out what BBCM meant.

These are pictures from 4 years back (2002) in Camarillo
Typical happy homes in display.  Merry Christmas.
At that time I had a brand new Nikon point and shoot digital camera.

Photograph taken Dec 18, 2006
This is the water tower in Old Town Camarillo.
They always put these lights up during the Christmas Season.
More pictures of this water tower (during daytime, off season)

Images of Morgan Stanley building are located here. 

Topa Tower Club is an exclusive, "membership only", club located on top floor (22nd floor) of Morgan Stanley Building in Oxnard.  You can dine, exercise, and party in style.  This club hall is also available for weddings and business meetings.  I had an opportunity to be up there for the Christmas Party hosted by some business organization.

Looking Down from Top floor of Morgan Stanley building, Oxnard

Since I'm a computer guy, I let our sales associates to do the talking.  I'm usually in the corner taking pictures and score wine and shrimp cocktail.  Pictures didn't come out good, but I thought I should post them anyway.  "Looking down" shots are especially bad, it was a bad time to take pictures.  I couldn't do much about the reflections.

Christmas Tree at the main lobby - First Floor

Below are two more shots of looking down.
Left: 101 freeway looking South bound at Rose overpass.
Right: Big 5 at Oxnard Blvd.
**click for large images.
  

Below images do not click...  a few detail shots inside Topa Tower Club.

El Tecolote is a Mexican restaurant on Lewis Road by the railroad track.  Most of us can recognize the sign.  El Tecolote is a Camarillo's landmark.  It's been there for a long time since when the surrounding city block was almost empty.

I didn't confirm, and I could be wrong, but there is 99% chance that Mr. Adolfo Camarillo ate there, possibly many times with the entire family.  The place was established in 1946 and they have been in the same location since 1952.   (Mr. Adolfo Camarillo died in 1958)

I went there for lunch a few times with my coworkers.  I love Margaritas there.  Food is great and people are nice. It's a popular spot in Camarillo.  I hope they never turn off that sign as it's part of Camarillo.

El Tecolote
http://www.eltecolote.com/
333 N. Lewis Rd., Camarillo, CA 93012
Phone: 805.482.4318 Fax: 805.482.0628

* Some information cited from http://www.eltecolote.com/

There is a party store behind Costco in Oxnard.
They have invited a special guest (Mr. Death) for Halloween.