The success of Play Conejo, the fundraising arm of the Conejo Rec and Park District, has caught the eye of former Thousand Oaks City Council member turned Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin.

Even with the promise of an impending El Niño—a promise that appears more flimsy with each passing day—the Conejo Rec and Park District's drought-related conservation efforts haven’t waned.

Local children were recently treated to book shopping spree. During the visit to Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks, kids from T.O.'s Warwick Apartments used the gift cards they received during a Christmas event. The 80 gift cards valued at $1,300 were donated by students, parents and parishioners at St. Patrick's Church and Day School.

During the Dec. 3 meeting, CRPD's Board of Directors awarded a $316,000 contract to convert the irrigation system at North Ranch Neighborhood Park from using potable water to reclaimed water— treated water that’s safe for plants but not for human consumption.