Vol. 4, No. 3, Fall 2017 EVENT CALENDAR MAGAZINE October 26th – 29th November 23rd December 15th – 16th Powershares QQQ YMCA’s 13th 41st Annual Boat Championship Annual ‘Turkey Parade of Lights Day Dash’ +FQQƴ;TQ.XXZJ This Issue’s Featured Photographers Cover Photo (Peter Strauss Ranch) by Juliet Wojciechowski Holly Castillo 26 Juliet Wojciechowski 1, 6, 8, 14, 16, 20, 22, 28, 30, 31 Lori Sortino 2, 10, 12, 13, 24, Renee Appell 32 Peter Strauss Ranch Conejo365 | Fall 2017 | 1 Some people say we don’t have seasons in Southern California. While we do enjoy a temperate climate year-round in the Conejo, we certainly do have changes in our weather and in our landscapes. If you have hiked any of the wonderful trails in our Santa Monica Mountains, you’ll experience a whole new perspective of where we live (and why we live here). Especially in the Fall, the hills are golden and dotted with giant green oak trees. The views from our mountain peaks are spectacular and seem to go on forever. If you’re looking out from some of these vistas, you can see a far off Catalina and the Channel Islands. Just a turn of 180 degrees and the entire Conejo Valley is revealed below. It just doesn’t get much better than this. Then, again, there is the incredible entertainment that is available to us in the Conejo. Just look through this magazine at the amazing variety of events and things to do here, further validating why we call this our home. Even with that, there is always more to discover. There are new opportunities popping up all of the time, which is why we maintain a current, online version of Conejo365. If there is an event or activity that you are planning or know about that’s not already in either our printed magazine or website, go ahead and add it yourself. YES!! You can really do this. Just go to our website at www.conejo365.com and click on the “add your event” button and give us the scoop. No event is too small or too large for our pages and it’s FREE to list your information. As I travel throughout our communities, I hear a lot of people talking about how they like doing business locally and keeping our dollars at home. To that I say, look through this magazine. Our advertisers have invested in helping us bring all of our residents a one-stop shop for everything there is to do in the Conejo. Support the merchants in our area and take advantage of the many activities available to you and your family. If you are Interested in advertising your event or your business, contact me at mike@ conejo365.com. For those who prefer a digital version of Conejo365, we send out a weekly email on Thursdays called “Here’s what’s happening in the Conejo.” If you would like to receive these updates, go to our website and register at the bottom of the page. This version of Conejo365 is more current since it includes events that are added after the print publication. See you on our trails, at our events and in our stores. It’s what’s happening in the Conejo. Mike Corridori 2 | Conejo365.com >TZW(TSJOT Farmhouse Comforts, a Warm and Inviting Shopping Experience by Susan Pascal can findndd anan idealideidealal giftgigift forfor theirtheir occasioccasion.”occassion.” The couplel travetravelsvels to retailretreta shows and vintagev markets acrosscross thet country in an efforte to fill ththe store withith unique and one-of-a-kindkind pieces. InIn-- spirediredd by her parents’ love for picking,, KeKelly’s vision has defineddefi the identity of the store. FarmhouseFarmh Comfortsomfortsmfortsf is well known for its antique windmills. Onenee such statement piece, a nine-foot windmiwindmilwindmill fittedtted withwith a arare rare whale’s whale’s tail tail and and reprodu reprodureproduction clock, was recently acquired by a customcustomer who is buildingngg a barn for entertaining. ““T“The minute she walked into thee store, she fefell in love with it,” recalls John. “What’s excitingng is that we ofteno hear of how our store reminds people of whewhere they are from,” says John. “It’s amazingazing to watch customersc pause, look around and if only for a moment,mo travel back to days gone by.”y.” After three successful years in business, the Lau- renzis say thehe experience has been more reward- ing than theyhey ever imaginedimagined. “We created an environmentnt in which people truly feel at home,” expresses the couple. “We value the relationships with our clients.”lients.” Step inside Farmhouse Comforts and you will in- The couple, who have three grown children and Farmhousese Comforts decorates in grand style stantly sense the true meaning of the phrase, “farm eight grandchildren, wanted to give back to their for the holidayoliday season and holdholds several events. sweet farm.” Located in the Lindero Oaks Shop- beloved Conejo Valley by creating a unique shop- “Christmasas is our favorite time of year and we do ping Center on Via Colinas, you are greeted by the ping experience for its residents and visitors. “We it big. So,, if you haven’t had the opportunityop to ex- cheery chirps of finches as you stroll through the felt that the area was lacking in creative and fun periencee it, don’t miss out. “ This yeyear will be just as front porch of an authentic farmhouse. gift stores,” Kelly says of the decision to start the fabulous,”s,” John states. “Don’t miss oout.” business. “Farmhouse Comforts offers the com- Once inside, you are enveloped with a distinct hint “We’re excited to bring back our signaturesig pepper of southern hospitality. “When people visit the munity beautiful gifts and unique décor in an in- viting atmosphere.” jelly andd butters,” Kelly exclaims. “Peo“People love them store, we want them to feel welcomed as if they and theyey makmake great gifts!” are entering our home,” says John Laurenzi, an in- Farmhouse decorating is warm, cozy and full of surance agent who opened the business with his charm, harkening back to simpler times. The Lau- The coupleouple also offers in-house consconsultations and wife, Kelly, in 2014. renzis characterize this style by blending new with procurementurement services for customers. the old items you won’t find anywhere else. “Bring- ing farm style into a home can be accomplished by combining the right elements and colors,” ex- plains John, who hails from Memphis, Tennessee and spent many summers with his mom paint- ing and rearranging furniture to create fresh new looks for the family. Adds Kelly, “It’s really about surrounding yourself with the things you love and make you happy. You don’t have to be a fan of farm style to enjoy our store. We carry our favorite lines of scented can- dles, vintage flannels, custom leather handbags, crafted jewelry and home décor so any customer Farmhouse Comforts is located at 31133 Via Colinas, Ste. 102, Westlake Village. Phone: (818) 369-4587. DON’T KNOW WHAT TO GET SOMEONE? SURPRISE THEM WITH A UNIQUE BOTTLE OF WINE OR SPIRIT WINE TASTINGS EVERYDAY Monday through Wednesday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. ¥ Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. (We are closed on Sundays) 4 | Conejo365.com Event Space Available 31149 via colinas, suite 601 westlake village, ca 91362 818.341.1234 www.dukeofbourbon.com >TZW(TSJOT LeadYoung Institute to Develop the Leaders of Tomorrow, Today by Susan Pascal 365: What makes your program unique? or two referrals from an adult outside the family, Nelson: In 1972, the U.S. Department of Education such as a teacher or a coach. Then, we will invite recognized leadership in its definition of gifted the applicant to a workshop to participate in fun, and talented education. California also adopted project-based activities where they can be observed this recognition. Unfortunately, our schools focus by our trainers. If they receive high scores, they will more on academics and sports. What we’re doing be readily accepted. is focusing on organizational leadership giftedness. 365: How do you train a young leader? Currently, there are no other programs like this in the Nelson: The curricula are broken by age and stages. Conejo Valley or the United State. It’s a combination of cognitive, moral, social and 365: How did you develop your curricula? emotional development. The training is project- Nelson: I took a lot of what’s out there for adults based. The kids participate in micro projects of 10 to and modified it for youth and pre-teens … We also 20 minutes. Each group is assigned a team leader, The 2048 US Presidential candidate is living among studied classic developmental psychology research. along with three to five peers. The group has an us as a fourth grade Conejo Valley student. At least From this, we figured out how to appropriately age- adult trainer or coach who utilizes a Socratic method, that’s what new resident, Alan E. Nelson, believes, size the training. but won’t give explicit direction. There is a debrief following each exercise. A typical program consists which is why he’s launching LeadYoung Institute, a 365: Not everyone will get into the program? community-based strategy to identify and develop of eight, 90-minute sessions per semester. 10 to 18-year-old students who are gifted in Nelson: No. This will be like other programs for 365: How will this help the students once they organizational leadership. students who are gifted in academics, the arts or graduate? athletics. There will be an assessment and tryout of Nelson has dedicated his adult life to the study and sorts.