It’s my favorite time of year…….The Dwell on Design event is this weekend at the Los Angeles Convention Center. It is the west coast’s largest modern design event that showcases thousands of products and ideas. If you are a fan of Dwell Magazine, attending is a must! You will find the hippest, coolest, most sustainable, eco-friendly products, ideas and genuine designers who care and want to talk to you.

This year they’re offering a new experience as a part of the conference on modern living and design. They’re calling it speed dating for design, so awesome! So if you’re stuck on a project at your house, you can sign up and talk to a professional designer. Nice!

There are home tours throughout the city, an exhibition at the convention center and  guest speakers. One of my favorite exhibits is the student work.  The exhibit covers architecture, furniture, kitchen, bath, art and renewable energy.

Here are a few pictures to give you a taste of what to expect.

1. This pre-fab 400 sq ft house is made from reclaimed materials is from last year’s event.
2. Kitchen esstentials to look forward to.
3. Handmade furniture from John McDonald, local talent
4. Heath Ceramics

Visit >http://www.dwellondesign.com for affordable tickets.

June 25 – 27, 2010

Sometimes Exurb engages in really important business. For example, our recent cupcake taste-off. Now that shops specializing in fancy cupcakes have seeped all the way out here, we felt obligated to offer our tasting services to you. We invited about 30 friends in to sample three cupcakes from the pros and one homemade. Of course, nobody knew which cupcake came from which source. The competition was fierce. Drumroll please…You may think we fixed this for shock value, but I swear we didn’t. The homemade cupcake made by the lovely Andie Sausser, an Agoura High student, won! Sweet Arleen’s in Westlake Village came in second, but I have to say none of them was terrible.

So, there, we not only answered the all-important issue of which cupcake out here is the best, but we also answered this burning question: Is it really worth it to pay $3 for a cupcake?  I guess it’s not if you can bake like Andie.

Sweet Arleen’s
960 South Westlake Blvd, Ste 4
Westlake Village, CA
ph 805-373-7373

The Cupcakery
1341 E. Thousand Oaks blvd. #102
Thousand Oaks, CA 91362
ph. 805- 496-0123

SusieCakes
23653 Calabasas Rd.
Calabasas, CA
ph. 818-591-2223

As I’m twisting a strand of local events, I feel the love from Tanya Fox!!

Thank you Tanya Fox of Ventura County for your excellent email list of family events.  Tanya provides a brilliant way for families to find out what’s going on!!! In my events section, I’ll include some of Tanya’s picks. But you may also contact Tanya at tanifox@yahoo.com to receive her email list directly.

My new Exurb Twist on Events includes these categories for now:  spa resort deals and family events (let’s get into nature and enjoy the beauty of where Los Angeles meets Ventura County).

Watch out for new Events in the next month: mind-body-spirit events and yoga therapy events

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April 2010 By: Christy Camp

Spa Resort Deals – SPRING TIME

I just visited The Inn at Ojai.  This place is heaven on earth with amenities.

The Inn at Ojai

http://www.ojairesort.com/index.php

Events

http://www.ojairesort.com/events_others.php

Resort Blog Recognizes Mothers and Bountiful Harvests

http://www.ojairesort.com/blog

The Inn at Ojai has a newsletter that can brighten your day.  You may think it is too expensive to enjoy luxury…  Not anymore.  Enjoy Ojai at The Inn for less than ever…

Click here for the March newsletter

http://www.ojairesort.com/enewsletters/march2010-enewsletter.php

Here are the highlighted discounts available.

March 14th – April 18th, 2010 – Complimentary children’s room

Now through April 10th, 2010 – Stay two nights and the third night is complimentary

OR, stay in a Shangri-La Room (or higher category) and receive unlimited golf, plus one complimentary spa treatment per night booked

OR, stay in a suite to receive complimentary daily breakfast for two

Bird Watching in Malibu for Families!

Every fourth Sunday 10 am (next chance: April 25)

Malibu Lagoon State Park (right next to Surf Rider beach)

http://www.parks.ca.gov/

Wonderful and patient guides inspire kids with information and several types of looking scopes.

To be sure everyone gets a closer look, binoculars are provided for kids.

This is a brilliant way to get into nature without paying for anything more than parking. My family loves it!

Okay, so I know exurb is about “out here” but sometimes you gotta get away from “out here” and go “in there.” Especially when your favorite female vocalist is playing “in there.” I headed to Santa Monica to see Gaby Moreno play at the Apple Store on 3rd Street Promenade. Although we have a good sized Apple Store “out here” I’m not sure it lends itself (demographically, at least) to hosting indy musicians as much as the store in Santa Monica.

Moreno, a Guatamalan native living in Los Angeles, has a soulful sound you would expect to hear coming out of a woman twice her age.  She moved to LA in 2001 to attend school at The Musicians Institute. She writes her own songs, and incorporates both English and Spanish into many of them. She made history as the first Latin category winner to take home the “Maxell Song of the Year” Award for her song “Escondidos,” written with Ari Shine and Victor Indrizzo.

While you may not know Moreno as a household name (yet) you may recognize one of her songs. She composed  the theme song for NBC’s hit show “Parks and Recreation” starring Amy Poehler. (Don’t hold that against her.) Songs of hers I love include “Wrong Side of the Road” and  ”Little Sorrow” from her 2008 first album Still The Unknown. But, really, every single song on this album is beautiful.

Want to see her for yourself? She’ll be playing (a little) closer to home on the 12th of December at Kulak’s Woodshed in North Hollywood with Mark Goldberg and David Piltch. A treat you won’t want to miss!

To my surprise, another young singer was playing with Moreno,Vicci Martinez of Seattle. Just as soulful, and a little more animated, Martinez has

become my (second) favorite female vocalist this year. And as discovering new talent always feels like Christmas to me, I discovered Martinez has been on the cusp of mainstream stardom with successful appearances on CBS-TV’s nationally syndicated Star Search and winning the regional tryouts for American Idol in 2000 at the tender age of 16. But she has turned down such offers in favor of pursuing success on her own terms and staying true to her musical vision. Inspiration to my ears!

Lucky for the small crowd at The Apple Store, we got both highly talented young ladies in one evening. It may not be the most intimate setting, shoppers, retail workers and lots and lots of background noise, but I was thoroughly pleased to be the one with the camera and a good seat.

Queen of local events Tanya Fox gives you the 4-1-1 on the Ventura Country Fair:

134th Annual Ventura County Fair

Wednesday, August 5 – 16, 2009

http://www.venturacountyfair.org/

Adults 13 & older $10.00

Children 6-12 $7.00

Seniors 62 and older $7.00

Children 5 & under and Super Seniors (100 years and over) admitted Free!

Youth Day, Friday, August 7

All Fair Visitors 12 years of age and younger will be admitted free all day

Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Day - Tuesday, August 11

Open at 10AM on this special day!

All senior citizens age 62 and older and all handicapped persons will be admitted free for this special day in celebration of their vigor and vitality.

Military Appreciation Day - Thursday, August 13

All military personnel holding a current, valid military i.d. will be admitted free.

Dollar Days Wednesday, August 5 & August 12

Entry to the Fair is $1 ’til 3PM

Carnival Wristband Days - Thursday, August 6, Monday, August 10, Tuesday, August 11, Thursday, August 13

Wristbands are sold for $25 from 11AM until 6PM

Good for unlimited rides until 7PM

“Fair Cares” Food Drive – Thursday, August 6 - Purchase your adult admission ticket and donate 5 cans of food for Food Share before 3pm and get a FREE return fair ticket. Return ticket valid Mon-Thurs, Aug 10-13

The Ventura County Fair highlights the county’s history, culture and agriculture, providing hands on learning experience for young and old, helping to develop a strong sense of community while promoting agriculture at the same time.

The 12 day Fair kicks off in July with attractions including farm animals, fireworks, interesting exhibits, competitions and displays to entertain all fair enthusiasts as well as performances by some of the biggest names in entertainment. Midway rides, games of skill and mountains of mouth watering food are on tap at the 2009 Ventura County Fair; August 5 – 16.

Grandstand Entertainment

Motorsports; Wednesday and Thursday, August 5 & 6, 6pm
($5 Adults, 12 and under free with paid adult)

Huey Lewis and the News; Friday, August 7, 7:30 PM

Josh Turner with Jake Owen; Saturday, August 8, 7:30 PM

El Chapo and Graciela Beltran with Venganza del Norte; Sunday, August 9, 3:00 PM

Gretchen Wilson; Monday, August 10, 7:30 PM

The Ultimate Doo-Wop Show; Tuesday, August 11,1pm

Rick Springfield; Tuesday, August 11, 7:30 PM

David Cook with Caitlin Crosby; Wednesday, August 12, 7:30

Good Charlotte; Thursday, August 13, 7:30 PM

Clay Walker and Lee Ann Womack; Friday, August 14, 7:30 PM

PRCA Rodeo; Saturday and Sunday, August 15 & 16, 2pm and 7pm

ABCs of Child Safety at the Fair

Save Money on Fair Fun!

Pre-sale Ride Tickets (only available Now through Aug. 4th)

Carnival Pre-Fair $20.00 for 50 tickets (3-6 tickets each ride)

http://venturacountyfair.org/pages/3441/

Regular Ride Ticket Prices (Aug. 5-16)

Sheets of 14 tickets are $10

Sheets of 30 tickets are $20

Single tickets are 75 cents

Rides cost between 3-6 tickets

I called the VC Fair office and they said they would sell tickets until the DAY BEFORE the fair opens.

Please note, pre-fair tickets will not be available by U.S. Mail. You may purchase your pre-fair tickets without service fees at any of the convenient locations below, or online with clicktix (nominal service fees will apply).

California Welcome Center

1000 Town Center Drive, Oxnard. (101 at Vineyard Ave)

Hours: Monday through Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10 – 5

Oxnard Performing Arts Center

800 Hobson Way, Oxnard

Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10-6

Ventura County Fairgrounds

10 West Harbor Blvd., Ventura

Hours: Monday – Friday 8-5

We love the Ventura County Fair.  (Anytime I say I’m going to Ventura, my 5-year-old thinks gets excited because she thinks we are going to the Fair.)  It’s big, but I find it manageable and it really has a “small town” feel to it.  (Well at least to me, I’m originally from NYC, but if you are from the mid-west, probably not.)  The Youth Expo Hall is fun to walk through and look at all the entries (ages 5 – 18) of artwork, clay, wood projects, etc…  Through out the fair halls, there are interesting demonstrations, photography, farm animals and free shows included with entry admission.    The fair has a lot of interesting things for children to see.  Two years ago the rooster crowing and hen cackling contest (it’s there every year and anybody can go up to try) was fun to watch.  Last year the kids howled at the 6pm Hypnotist Show . TIP: Be sure to check the SCHEDULE of EVENTS online before you go because some dates offer different attractions.

Click on Basic Fair Facts for Special Admission Days and Grandstand Entertainment Attractions

http://venturacountyfair.org/pages/3441/

Gems and Minerals & Hobbies and Collections (in a building to the left of the entrance)

We discovered this room last year after attending the Fair for three years.  We could spend two hours there looking through the displays.  This place is better and more personal than a visit to a local Natural Museum because it reflects the interests of real people, not some museum expert.

There was a giant train track (built by a Ventura train track enthusiast club comprised primarily of senior citizens) that the kids loved seeing.

We got to see some of the exhibits being set up this past weekend.  People were submitting their gems, minerals and incredible fossil collections.  (My 9-year-old son submitted some of his gem & mineral collection in the Junior Novice category for the first time this year.)  There is a WONDERFUL whale bone exhibit collected at a local Santa Barbara Beach.  That display explains where to go and how to find the items.  There is another great exhibit of hand carved knives (knapped knives carved out of stone) with step-by-step photos of the process.

Kids and adults can submit their cool toy & hobby collections (Legos, wooden structures, dolls, car collections, toys, Wizard of Oz, you name it).  This was fun to go through, my then 4-year-old daughter enjoyed it as my as my son.  Museum entry dates for this category is this weekend, July 31, August 1 & 2.  Click on Entry Guide on the website.

Photography

There are beautiful photography submissions in every category: nature, portraits, etc…

Home Arts

Arts & Crafts  (Basketry, Beading, Ceramic arts, etc…)

Baked Foods  (If you love to cook, you can enter something just for the fun of it.)

Clothing & Textiles (I love the amazing quilts.)

Preserved Foods

Special Exhibits

Table Settings

Youth Expo

Kids art, essays, photography, wood projects, foods, table settings, crafts and a Stage Show

This giant hall has entries from kids ages 5 – 18.  Last weekend I submitted some art for my 5-year-old daughter and some friends.  I think they’ll get a kick out of seeing their art on the wall also.

Last year there was a wonderful 4′ replica of the Pirates of Caribbean ship made by a 16-year-old teen with autism.  It was great to be able to see it in person and the only reason I knew the story behind it was because I read about it in the paper.

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jul/21/hundreds-of-hopefuls-enter-their-projects-at/

4-H Kids and Farm Animals

This is a fun thing to go through.  There are lots of farm animals to see at the fair.

We never miss:

Gene West’s Wonderful Wood Toys at the Youth Expo Building

Wildlife Experience at the Porker Flats  (They sell the most vivid and cool animal t-shirts for $15 each.  I buy one to support their non-profit every year.)

Turkey Stampede at the Porker Flats  (Last year my 5-year-old went onstage to help out with a stage show of Nellie the Famous Pig.)

Farm animals

Village Blacksmith Show at Porker Flats

The Photography Exhibit Hall

The Channel Island Woodcarvers always has a demo table at the Home Arts building, showing the public how to carve wood.  My kids and their friends stood there a long time watching the men work.  They waited patiently while someone made each of them a spinning top in front of their eyes.

And much more…

The buildings with things to view are usually not crowded.  By mid-afternoon, the walk-ways are crowded with people and so is the Food Court area.

Rides: My kids (ages 9 & 5) love the rides.  There are a few rides for 3 year olds and definitely older children.  Best bet for rides it to purchase Pre-sale Ride tickets.  Otherwise, if you purchase ride tickets during the fair, it is very expensive.

This year I’ll buy my son a $25 Carnival WRISTBAND (sold only on 8/6, 8/10, 8/11, 8/13) and it’s good for multiple rides on certain days until 7pm.  I think my daughter will be fine with a sheet of tickets.

Extra costs: Some things cost extra and this can add up.

Food, Pony rides, yummy treats (a slurpee cost $4), souvenirs like the popular hand wax mold, great little petting zoo by the children’s area and very worth it ($1-2? each), and other rides.

We went twice last year and we’ll do the same this year.  There is so much to see and do it’s impossible to see it all in one day.

What to bring: a jacket for nighttime as it cools down quick on the shore.  I put my youngest in PJs for the car ride home.  We usually leave around 7-8pm.