Cris McLean volunteers at the Lange Foundation, the L.A. animal sanctuary and shelter founded in 1993 by Gillian Lange, recipient of the City of Los Angeles St. Francis of Assisi Award in recognition of her work on behalf of abandoned and neglected animals since 1974.  To date, she has helped rescue and place over 20,000 cats and dogs that would have otherwise been destroyed in shelters.

Lange Foundation is dedicated to saving impounded companion animals, and preparing them for a journey to a new safe, loving world.   The dogs rescued come in all shapes, colors, sizes and ages. Some are victims of abuse or neglect; others starving strays; some are purebred and some are obedience trained. Their website at www.langefoundation.com.

This week NBC LA is also asking for your support of L.A Animal Shelters and is raising $20, 000 to donate for that purpose.  On Facebook, type NBC LA and “like” the page.  Your “like” equals a $1 donation from NBC with will be matched with corporate donations.

So, whether a home for you……or for you to provide to a rescued dog or cat, let us know!

Lake Sherwood

Lake Sherwood and Sherwood Valley take their name from the oldest man-made lake in California and it is central to the history and development of the area. Built in 1904 and over 165 acres in size,
Sherwood residents enjoy the shimmering beauty of the lake amid volcanic islands and mountains that surround it.  Fishing, sailing, party-boat “yachting” and kayaking are lake activities and two marinas serve the residents of the community. The lake was first known as Potrero Lake, then became Canterbury Lake. With the 1921 filming of Robin Hood starring Douglas Fairbanks Sr, the name was
permanently changed to Lake Sherwood. Numerous other films and TV programs have and are filmed in the Sherwood area.

For many years, Lake Sherwood was a treasured summer retreat or weekend getaway to people from L.A.  Quietly, a small community evolved.  Then, in 1986, David Murdock, resident of Hidden Valley, purchased the lake and surrounding acres and the plan for the creation of Sherwood Country Club began. It is a private gated community where over 650 homes will exist when completed within the next decade.  Sherwood has 2 private golf clubs and 2 private golf courses – Sherwood Country Club and Sherwood Lake Club – and opportunities for outdoor recreation and fun with the surrounding open space, parks, walking paths, and more

Egbert Starr Newbury owned thousands of acres in the 1870′s and gave the name to the community as well as was the first postmaster in the Conejo Valley in 1875.

The majority of the single-family development occurred in the 1950′s -1970′s in Newbury Park. In recent years, the largest undeveloped parcel became the Dos Vientos Ranch, with homes prized for their Spanish architecture, innovative design, and ideal location with cherished breezes from the Pacific Ocean.

They say the weather is cooler than in the valleys, and a good place to get a view is from Monte Vista Nature Park.

A decidedly rural and bucolic atmosphere with white split-rail fences, no sidewalks or street lights,
Hidden Hills was originally designed for the equestrian lifestyle. With bridle trails throughout the
community and immediate access to the Santa Monica Mountains, Hidden Hills remains a favored
southern California equestrian community.

Today, sprawling ranch-style homes and Mediterranean estates similarly pepper the area and residents
love the privacy and beauty of Hidden Hills.

Incorporated in 1991, Malibu is 21 miles in length and most residents live within close proximity to the
Pacific Coast Highway and sandy beaches beyond. The ocean, the backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains and the canyons in between all combine to make the topography and scenic beauty of Malibu unmatched. Home to Pepperdine University, the Getty Villa as well as famous Zuma and, Surfrider Beaches are but a few of the well-known Malibu sites.

For years, this was a rural community where you could see cows grazing along the hills as you drove down Spring Road. Now, Moorpark is home to some of the county’s largest employers and Moorpark College, which offers the world-famous Exotic Animal Training and Management program.

Moorpark is still the kind of place where you know the people at the grocery store. However losing the small-town feel doesn’t upset residents, who see the greater good in having more conveniences for themselves. Residents consider Moorpark to have nice, clean neighborhoods that are, most importantly, safe.

They say the weather is cooler than in the valleys, and a good place to get a view is from Monte Vista Nature Park.

With mountains to hike or bike through and 80 acres in six parks ranging from those in small neighborhoods to an equestrian center, the town’s recreational services provide something for everyone. If it gets too hot, the beach is only a few miles away.

The community, which bills itself as The Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, sits along the Highway 101 corridor at the western edge of Los Angeles County, giving its more than 20,000 residents easy access to urban entertainment, cultural activities, nearby beaches and open spaces.

Family owned businesses and their simple storefronts have a strong presence along Thousand Oaks Boulevard. However the specialty chains in The Promenade at Westlake, The Lakes, The Oaks shopping center and the Janss Marketplace are the greater draw.

The city is known for its strong school district and is perennially among the safest small cities in America.

Residents enjoy living in Calabasas because it is close to Los Angeles, without the the frenzied pace. The town’s location also offers quick proximity to the coast beaches that line Malibu and Topanga canyons.

Town fathers have kept a tight rein on growth since it incorporated in 1991. Despite the rural overtones, Calabasas features The Commons at Calabasas, a relatively new 200,000-square-foot shopping center with restaurants, retail and office space, a business park and a community center-health club. Eighteen publicly owned companies, including Countrywide Credit Industries, also have offices in Calabasas. In 2006, the town adopted one of the nation’s toughest nonsmoking ordinances, banning smoking in most outdoor public spaces.

Calabasas has also gone from 3 acres to 60 acres of city-owned parkland. Juan De Anza Park offers 200 acres of building and recreation space, and serves as the gateway to the 6,000-acre Malibu Creek State Park.

Calabasas has served as the set for many films and television series, including M*A*S*H. Its known for its annual Pumpkin Festival in October.