Cookie Exchange

On Sunday December 6th starting at 6pm we will be meeting at 1348 Valjean Ave for a cookie exchange. Bring your finished cookies/fudge/candy and any tins or wrapping you have and we will package up cookies to hand out in the neighborhood. This will also be a time to get to know each other and sample some of the cookies. As always you may contact Norm via email at norm@victorianorman.com with any questions. Invite your neigbors. We may even have some popcorn and sing a few Christmas songs. Contact me if you sing or play an instrument.

Video of November 2009 Potluck

Block Party A Success Thanks To You

It was really great getting to meet all of you at the Sunday block party. We had a lot of fun and found out we have some pretty special neighbors. I will be editing the video that was shot and show the resulting movie next time we get together. A special thanks to all my friends old and new that helped put this together and assisted during and after the event. We couldn't have done it without you. We have a great neighborhood!

November 8th Potluck

Thank you to everyone who called and emailed about attending the potluck this weekend. The weather report looks really good for that day with cool temperatures. If you have not yet responded please know that you are still welcome. My email is norm@victorianorman.com and you may also reach me at my work number 805-306-1711. We have some fun games and prizes planned, there should be plenty of food or you can just visit if you prefer. It is a potluck so feel free to bring your signature dish, sidedish or desert. As a reminder the potluck is in the Ely Way cul-de-sac Sunday at 1pm. Ely way is midway between Galindo and Elizondo off of Valjean.

If you enjoy planning events or helping out, contacting me regarding future activities.

In a neighborhood the size of ours there will be all kinds of interests and I am hoping that you will discover common ground with others who live near by. Vicki and I continue to hike most evenings although with the time change we have been starting earlier. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. There is usually a few people each time that go with us.

See you Sunday!

Car Break In This Morning

Early this morning someone through a rock through the window of one of our cars and took some belongings. This is not the first theft in the neighborhood and I would encourage everyone to be on the look out. There is a possible witness and we are working with the police to find those involved but until that happens be extra careful and remain watchful.

Block Party Invitation

Download a pdf block party invitation

Another Hike to Mount McCoy

These evening hikes to Mount McCoy have really been great although I think we may have to start going earlier with the days getting shorter. Here is another video of a trip up I filmed last weekend with my grand daughters. I did Morgan's video last time so this time I focused on Marissa.

Neighborhood Pot Luck Nov 8th

We are looking at having a neighborhood potluck on Sunday Nov 8th starting at 1pm. Please put that date aside. We will update you as things progress but the location will be the cul-de-sac on Ely Way. If you would like to volunteer to help out please email norm@victorianorman.com.

Even A Child Can Do It

We hike up Mount McCoy on a regular basis. Here is a video from Monday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3Na5jMzaRs

Getting Off the Sofa

Hi, my name is Norm and my wife's name is Vicki. Both of us grew up in Simi Valley and have seen a lot of changes over the years. We just moved into this neighborhood on Valjean Avenue and we could not be happier living here. We have met some really cool neighbors and look forward to seeing who else lives on our block.

Likely you are reading this in response to a flier that we left at your door. This seemed like the easiest way to start communication, but emailing would be better.

My hope is that Vicki and I can help coordinate some neighborhood activities for anyone who would like to get out of the house, meet the neighbors, and participate in some neighborhood activities.

The possibilities are many but here are a few ideas that I had:

Barbecue
Biking on the trail next to the arroyo
Hiking (Simi has some great places to hike including Mt. McCoy, White Face, Hummingbird Trail, etc.)
Pot Lucks (share your signature dish)
Neighborhood Garage Sale
Camping Trips
Outdoor Movie Nite
Neighborhood Fiesta
Produce Exchange (harvest your oranges, avacados, lemons, tomatoes, or whatever you grow in your backyard and trade your surplus for something that your neighbor is growing, or donate to the less fortunate. Maybe you just need help picking the fruit.)
Pool Party (unfortunately we do not have a pool but I'm sure there are some)

Currently Vicki and I have been hiking up and down Mt. McCoy just about every evening (its the hill with the cross on it west of Madera Ave) We leave the neighborhood at 6pm and are usually back by 7pm. At that hour the walk is entirely in the shade and view is spectacular. There is an easy trail up and also a more challenging trail. Neither of us are in particularly great shape, if we can do it anyone can.

I understand we also have some people in the neighborhood that are handy in appliance repair, automotive repair, electricians, window replacement, window coverings, and probably many other usefull trades. Anybody who is in a trade that would be interested in doing some discounted work in the neighborhood or if you need work done I am hoping to provide a way to get you hooked up. Our business in window coverings and I am willing to give free advice and sometimes free repair to neighbors depending on the scope of the project. I would also consider a labor trade. My goal is not to promote our business, but to offer my knowledge if it helps anyone.

So, if any of this sounds interesting or you have some better ideas send me an email at norm@victorianorman.com. I will keep you updated but will not put you on any spam lists, please don't add my email address to any either. There are many people affected by these tough economic times, perhaps as neighbors we can shine some light on our little neighborhood.

Norm

Thanks, I look forward to your feedback.