Help Local Foster Children – Hope4Kids Festival and Run

Save the date! Join in to help some foster children and if you are into road races, you should check out this upcoming 5K/10K and mile fun run happening in Camarillo on April 29:

Hope4Kids flyer - event to help foster children

All proceeds from the races, the festival, and a huge silent auction they are having will benefit foster children in Ventura and Los Angeles counties through the group RaisingHOPE. Here are some sobering facts from them:

There are approximately 1,200 children in foster care in Ventura County and 28,000 children in foster care and Los Angeles County. Many of these children are in group homes or are shipped out of county because there are not enough foster families to care for them. These situations disrupt a child’s ability to live in a healthy family and impede their schooling, family visits and they even split siblings. Without our community getting involved many of these children have no one. They are essentially cared for by a system of paid staff in homes with other children. We aim to bring the children to the community so that each citizen can do something to help our most vulnerable children. We help hundreds of youth annually through our programs as follows.

For more information and to see how else you can help, visit RaisingHOPE’s website.

Scenes From Reyes Adobe Days 2016

Reyes Adobe Days 2016 was just as fun and adorable as the festival always is. See below for slideshow of pictures from the parade and the park.

reyes adobe days intersection

I recently started a new day job, so I haven’t had as much time to add things to this blog. But I’m starting to get used to my new schedule, so never fear! I’ll be back with more regularity.

I love to share the places, people, and experiences that delight me around our little town on this website! The truth is, over six years after moving here I still love Agoura Hills. I only work 10 minutes away but when I pull off the freeway at Reyes Adobe Road, I feel a sense of home and beauty, especially as the weather gets cooler.

Reyes Adobe Days Photo Slideshow:

It wasn’t cool yet last weekend during Reyes Adobe Days, though. As usual, it was a hot weekend even though autumn had officially begun for the annual celebration of all things Agoura Hills. Notre Dame was playing right at the same time as the parade, but I grabbed my camera and ran out to the intersection in time to catch half of it, and then I had my son snap some photos from the festival in the park. Comment if you see yourself or your children or friends and feel free to share on Facebook!

California Strawberry Festival 2016 – Win Tickets!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED. Congratulations to Shawna T!

Once again, you can celebrate all things strawberry at the California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, returning this year on May 21 and 22. I’m giving away a set of four free tickets!

The California Strawberry Festival is a huge annual event that takes place at College Park in Oxnard. The festival is so huge and awesome – with over 50 food booths, contests, rides and attractions, over 200 Arts & Crafts vendors, concerts, celebrity chef demonstrations, and family fun – that organizers have set up free shuttle rides from local parking locations to save you money and hassle when getting there. Check out this list of shuttle stops before you go.

This year’s event will feature Strawberryland For Kids, an oasis where rides and attractions, contests, and meet & greets with
the popular Strawberry Shortcake character appeal to the young at heart. The Jest In Time Theater presented by Smart & Final hosts live shows throughout the day and the Berry Best Dressed Baby Contest encourages infants up to four years of age to participate to win prizes.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for kids 5-12. (Free for 4 and under.) Note – food booths, where you get your strawberry funnel cake and strawberry beer, take cash only.

strawberry festival food

Enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets by leaving a comment here. Extra entry if you follow @agourahillsmom on Instagram and you let me know your handle in the comment! Winner will be chosen at random from qualifying entries received before 11:59 PM on Sunday, May 15.