PARTICIPANTS PREP FOR MANY RIGORS OF ANNUAL FESTIVAL : CONEJO DAYS PROMISES SPICY DELIGHTS.Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer Joel Erickson remembers reading an ad about the first-annual Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by Days Chili Cook-Off and gathering his family and neighbors to form the Dorset Street Dorset Street can refer to:
In the 19 years since, Erickson has run the event, won awards for his tri-tip concoction and even judged some of the other creations. ``I saw an ad in the paper and thought, `Well, that looks like fun,' '' Erickson said. ``I've lost a lot more than I've won. But I've never really lost. I go out there and have fun. And sometimes I win a prize.'' As a veteran, Erickson doesn't plan to do much before this year's chili cook-off, one of the biggest events in the annual Conejo Valley Days celebration and charity drive. But newcomers to the April 20 event, which draws more than 11,000 visitors, already have begun calling Raul Gutierrez, cook organizer and member of the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , which runs the event. The cook-off draws expert chili preparers, who travel from contest to contest, and local first-timers, and that's what makes the event interesting, Gutierrez said. ``I want first-time cooks and I want them to have a lot of fun,'' Gutierrez said. ``You should see it - people yelling and whooping whoop n. 1. a. A loud cry of exultation or excitement. b. A shout uttered by a hunter or warrior. 2. A hooting cry, as of a bird. 3. The paroxysmal gasp characteristic of whooping cough. and making noise. That's what it's all about.'' Let the fun begin! Conejo Valley Days events have residents of all ages getting into the act, which is what its creators had in mind when it began 41 years ago. The official community fair doesn't open its doors until April 23, but the events leading up to the weeklong celebration have turned Conejo Valley Days into a monthlong festival. Nine different charity groups in the area are vying for the title of grand marshal Grand Marshal is a ceremonial, military, or political office of very high rank. The term has its origins with the word "Marshal" with the first usage of the term "Grand Marshal" as a ceremonial title for certain religious orders. , said Maria Prescott, chairwoman for the drive. Participants have five weeks to raise money, and the groups with the most collected by April 18 get to walk in the parade with the grand marshal, she said. Conejo Valley Days has never had nine candidates for the grand marshal post. In 1993, five groups participated, Prescott said. And last year, the committee scrambled to find one group. Because of a renewed effort to recruit participants this year, the competition has become stiff, Prescott said. The candidates are: ``The Ropin' Reverend'' Larry Wagner, sponsored by Ascension Ascension, in Christianity Ascension, name usually given to the departure of Jesus from earth as related in the Gospels according to Mark (16) and Luke (24) and in Acts 1.1–11. Lutheran Church; ``Conejo Bob'' Given, sponsored by the Conejo Valley Rotary Club; ``Hoss'' Kirk Keeler Keel´er n. 1. One employed in managing a Newcastle keel; - called also keelman ltname>. 2. A small or shallow tub; esp., one used for holding materials for calking ships, or one used for washing dishes, etc. , sponsored by Elks Lodge 2477; ``Ironhorse'' Mike Cavinder, sponsored by the Auto Mall and Abused Children of Ventura County; ``Sunshine'' Ray Garcia, sponsored by Conejo Youth Employment Services; Robin ``Best in the West'' Miller, sponsored by Business and Professional Women; ``Black Bear'' Richard Angulo Richard Angulo (born August 13, 1980) is an American football tight end. He was a member of the Minnesota Vikings practice squad after being cut from the active roster on September 2, 2006. He is now a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. , sponsored by the California Indian California Indian Any member of the various North American Indian peoples living in and around present-day California, U.S. Of the many California groups, most were composed of independent territorial and political units that were smaller than the average groupings of other Council Foundation; ``Buck'n' '' Chris Buckett, sponsored by the Conejo Valley Jaycees; and ``Animal Crackers Animal crackers are a popular children's snack, in which the crackers are shaped like zoo animals. Animal Crackers may also refer to:
An animal shelter is a facility that houses homeless, lost or abandoned animals; primarily a large variety of dogs and cats. . This year, the grand marshal title will be split among a youth group, a nonprofit group with fewer than 50 members, and a nonprofit group with 50 or more members, Prescott said. The new structure has turned into an opportunity for six sixth-grade girls who have named themselves the Animal Crackers. With help from their parents, the girls are raising money for animal shelters in the area. Mary Sepe heard about the need for more participants from a co-worker and figured the fund-raising experience would be great for her daughter. ``I was open to the challenge,'' Sepe said. ``I did it to give these girls an opportunity to get involved and learn about campaigning and involvement.'' And they certainly have. ``We're all shy, so it's hard to walk up to people and ask them stuff,'' said Asia Sepe, 11. ``You can tell if someone's interested or not. We've heard so many excuses.'' ``Some people go, `No, thank you. No, thank you. No, thank you,' and just wave,'' said Samy Jo Silvers, 11. But then there's success. Lisa Gray, also 11, said they raised over $400 at the kickoff picnic Saturday. And the team, which also includes Rachel Feldman, Melissa Schattl and Lauren Murdock, still plans to sell cookies, lemonade, candy and jewelry. Other upcoming events include: The Conejo Valley Days Talent Competition, April 9 at the Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts and administrative center located in Thousand Oaks, California. It was built in 1994 on the former site of "Jungleland" at a cost of $63.8 million. . Individuals and duos are invited to participate. Winners will perform at Conejo Valley Days events. For information, call Lussier Pageant Productions at (805) 496-4839. The Conejo Valley Days Community Pageant, April 10 at the Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. The pageant focuses on community service and scholastic achievement. For information, call Lussier Pageant Productions at (805)496-4839. The first annual Deep Sea Fishing Deep sea fish is a term for fish that live below the photic zone of the ocean. Examples include the lanternfish, flashlight fish, cookiecutter shark, bristlemouths, and anglerfish. Tournament, April 12 at Ventura Harbor. The cost is $70 per person, and space is limited to the first 40 registrants. For information, call Andy Matusunaga at (805)496-3121. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (Ran in Conejo edition only--Color) Clockwise from bottom left, Rachel Feldman, Asia Sepe, Lisa Gray and Samy Jo Silvers will be participating in Conejo Valley Days. Michael Owen
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