Search Results

If you have driven by the taco truck that has been parked along Kanan Road the past few months and wondered to yourself if it was worth a stop, we have an answer for you. Yes. Yes it is. We don't want to admit how often we frequent this truck, but safe to say over the last couple of weeks since first trying it we have thoroughly put it to extensive taste testing and it passes with flying colors every time. Growing up, Maria Avalos loved cooking with her mother. What started as a way to spend time with her mom evolved into a life-long passion and talent. Before hitting the road with her delicious dishes and sous chef, husband Nelson, Maria cooked out of her family's kitchen for a few friends and customers. Over time, that client list grew and grew, and it soon became clear that more space was needed. And thus, the Tacos Ahumada food truck was born! As previously stated, we have been slowly eating our way through much of the menu. The fish tacos are chef's kiss, we get them every time. Recently we also tried the Plato De Alambre and the Tacos Birria, their specialties. So good! And of course, the horchata is a must. Plans are underway to expand the menu to include nachos and more. Our nachos loving bellies were very excited to hear this news and we can't wait to see what else gets added! Tacos Ahumada can be found parked along Kanan Road just south of Agoura Rd and across from the intersection with Cornell. They are there Monday through Friday, arriving in time for lunch, around 11:30/12, and staying until around 6 pm, or as demand requires. Currently they do not have a website or any social media accounts, but you can reach them during business hours by calling 818-658-6196. Salud! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

'Tis the season for traditions and delicious treats, thank you to Lisa on Aries for this sweet submission! We must admit, we are not Jewish and are therefore a little ignorant on this topic, but we have been told Noodle Kugels are a treasured staple on any Jewish dinner table, and have a long history of uniting communities. They say the best way to experience a new culture is through it's food, we do hope you will enjoy this little taste of a Jewish tradition as much as we did! 8 oz Wide Egg Noodles- cooked as directed on box 3 large Eggs 3/4 cup of Milk 3/4 cup of Sour Cream 1/4 cup of Butter 1/2 cup of Sugar Beat Eggs slightly. Mix egg, milk, sour cream, butter and sugar in a large bowl. Fold in noodles. Pour into well buttered 8"x8" baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 1-1/12 hours. Cut into 2' squares and serve hot or cold. For a little variation, add this topping (this is what we did and it was delicious!): 1 cup of crushed Corn Flakes 2 tablespoons of melted Butter 2 tablespoons of sugar 1/2 teaspoon of Cinnamon Mix all together and crumble over kugel before baking. Full disclosure, we were a little apprehensive to try this one. Noodles have always been savory to us, we couldn't wrap our heads around a sweet noodle dish. But oh my goodness, this is tasty! Just a little hint of sweet, not at all overpowering. We felt the cinnamon in the corn flake topping perfectly complemented the other flavors and really elevated the dish. Kugels can be made in a variety of ways, sweet or savory. There are even Kugels that are potato based. Apparently there is no wrong way to bake a Kugel! Click here for some popular variations. We have a feeling Kugels will become a new favorite in your house as well! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

As we head into the holiday season, many of us are looking for ways to give back to our community. We are sure most of your are familiar with James Storehouse and their efforts to help foster children by collecting gently used clothing and products, but did you know their dedication doesn't stop there? The Dewitt family started this non-profit with the intention of lending a helping hand to children in need and the village that surrounds them, but they quickly realized the scope was much broader. That is why, "from cribs to college" James Storehouse is there with an outreached hand. Read on to discover all the many ways they are giving back, and how you can help as well! Baby and Children Essentials This is likely why you are familiar with James Storehouse in the first place! Many Conejo Valley families have long known the best way to clear out unneeded baby and kid items is to donate them here. Toys, diapers, bottles, highchairs, clothes, shoes, cribs, school supplies...if a kid might need it, James Storehouse will take it! Providing it falls with in the obligatory "new or gently used, stain free" category, as all donated items should be. And don't forget, teenagers are included here. Make-up, prom dresses, bikes so they have transportation to school/jobs... we don't honestly know what all teenagers are into these days, but if you do, and you have extra of it laying around, here is your chance to get it out of the house! What about adults? Glad you asked. Because sometimes children aren't the only ones in need, James Storehouse collects clothes and necessities for adults as well. Professional work clothing is especially welcomed, as these items can be hard to obtain for someone just starting out. Home Essentials Ask yourself, "is this item needed to live in a functional home?" If the answer is yes, then you know who needs it! Couches, tables, desks, lamps, chairs, kitchen gadgets, bathroom requirements, if you need it in your home, then so does James Storehouse. Children who were raised in foster care often have nowhere to go once they age out, and the transition to independence is often a difficult one. This is where JSH (we're switching to shorthand here) continues to support. Young adults are provided with home necessities to ensure they have the best possible chance for success as they start adulthood. Food Did you know JSH accepts food donations? We did not. But food is a very essential part of all our lives, so of course food donations are welcomed! And it's not just non-perishable items, they have a large commercial grade refrigerator and freezer on site, so as long as food is within it's shelf life, it can be donated. Amazon Donate without even leaving the couch. On their website, JamesStorehouse.org, you will find an Amazon registry full of needed items. Giving doesn't get any easier than this! Time Don't have anything to donate? Your time is one of the most valuable resources of all, and boy does it take a lot of time to organize and distribute all of these donations! Donations in the form of man power is always welcomed and needed. Head to their website to inquire how you can best be of service. And while we are talking about donating time, JSH hosts Life Skills Classes for interested youth and young adults. Think classes like: how to create a budget, write a resume, fill out taxes, network, cake decorating, sewing, photography... the list is endless. If you possess a skill that would be beneficial to others and you are willing to donate your time to teach it, JSH needs you! They are always looking for volunteers to lead these classes and they would love to hear from you! Would you believe James Storehouse actually has many, many more donation and volunteer opportunities than the ones already listed? This organization, what can we say. The amount of work they do is unreal. They throw baby showers for foster teens who become pregnant, donate hundreds for fully stocked backpacks at the beginning of the school year, deliver birthday boxes to foster care children, the list goes on and on. Please consider visiting their website to see all the numerous ways you can lend a helping hand this holiday season and year round! *All photos are courtesy of James Storehouse. Big thank you to Stacy DeWitt for taking time explain all that they do and for answering all of my questions! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Thank you to Beth and Edward McNeilly on Timberlane, you have been named our November Yard of the Month! When the McNeilly's bought their beautiful home here in Fountainwood they lucked out with a front yard that had already been tastefully landscaped. The design is simple yet inviting, proving that sometimes understated is a statement in its own right. What begs for your attention in this yard is the hardscape walkway. Cutting a path through the always perfect turf to the front door, the circular red brick steps are off set just enough to keep it visually intriguing, but not so off that they are a hinderance to walk up. These steps are one of Beth and Edward's favorite features, they love the subtle twist on the familiar and the elegantly wild plants that line its sides. It truly is the plants that give this yard it's eye-catching pop. The pathway and courtyard are both lined with a variety of mostly drought tolerant plants such as New Zealand Flax, Candelilla, Wild Garlic, English Lavender, and Rosemary- the latter two combining for a heavenly aroma that wafts through the yard. A mature Sweetgum tree looms high overhead on the far side of the courtyard and provides both shade and beauty, especially right now as its leaves have turned a bright burgundy for fall! Another favorite feature is the water fountain in the center of the courtyard. I think we can all agree that there are few sounds as peaceful as running water, and the McNeilly family has greatly appreciated listening to their fountain while enjoying their yard! Ed and Beth adore their home, and they want their friends on Timberlane to know that they love them and are grateful to have them as neighbors! Knowing a few of their neighbors, we too can attest that they do indeed have some lovely ones! Thank you so much to the McNeilly family for sharing their home with us! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Win Thanksgiving when you show up to dinner with this delectable shortbread in hand! Quick and easy to make, you cannot go wrong. Even the pickiest of palettes is sure to fall in love with this one! Ingredients 1 1/2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons of sugar 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks butter, melted 2 large eggs 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 cup sliced almonds with skins Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees Line a 10 inch cast iron skillet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with cooking spray In a large mixing bowl, stir 1 1/2 cups of the sugar into the melted butter. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Sift the flour and salt onto the batter. Add the flavoring and stir well Pour the batter into the skillet Top with sliced almonds and the remaining 2 Tablespoons sugar Bake until slightly brown on top, about 35 minutes Cool the shortbread in the skillet. When cool, use the foil to lift the shortbread from the skillet and remove the foil before serving ***Bakers note: the shortbread will not appear fully cooked when you take it from the oven. We had to double check the directions on this, at first we thought it needed to stay in longer! It will further cook as it cools in the skillet and the finished texture should be similar to brownies. Enjoy! Thank you to Jen on Aquarius for sharing this fabulous recipe with us! We were first treated to this dessert when Jen brought it to a neighborhood block party and everyone fell in love with it. We just know this recipe will become a staple in your kitchen! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

It's fall, ya'll! And that means pumpkin patches, festivals, and haunted houses. Here's where to go to make the most of this Halloween season! Pumpkin Patches Corner of Agoura and Kanan This pumpkin patch has a very sweet "Instagramable moment" corner for those wanting fall photos and a large selection of pumpkins. Kids will have a blast sliding down the inflatable slide and racing though the inflatable obstacle course. While it doesn't have many attractions, $8 will get your kids unlimited play for the duration of your stay, and any parent who has taken their kid to a carnival before can appreciate what a good price that is! Hours of Operation: Monday- Thursday 10 am to 8 pm Friday & Saturday 9 am to 9 pm Sunday 10 am to 8 pm Whizin Market Parking Lot This pumpkin patch is actually sisters with the aforementioned. They also have plenty of pumpkins to choose from and an inflatable slide and bounce house. Once again, the bargain price of $8 will keep your kid entertained and they can wear themselves out to their hearts content. Snacks and water is only a $1, and popcorn and coffee is free! We'll be honest, we completely forgot to check their hours, but being that these lots are operated under the same person it is probably safe to assume the hours of operation are the same. Lombard St and Hodencamp Rd Seasonal Adventures operates this patch that can be found just off of TO Blvd in Thousand Oaks. Here you will find more carnival type rides that are geared towards smaller children, and inflatable slides and bounce houses. Unlike the previously mentioned patches, this patch requires tickets for the entertainment. Many photo ops are scattered about, and this is a great patch to visit if you are after fall themed photos. Hours of Operation Monday through Thursday 3 pm to 9 pm Friday 3 pm to 10 pm Saturday 11 am to 10 pm Sunday 11 am to 9 pm Underwood Family Farms fall Harvest Everything you love about Underwood, but with pumpkins! Wagon rides, hay pyramids, a corn maze, so much more, and of course a massive pumpkin patch. Each weekend has a different theme. October 22 & 23 is Wild West, and Oct 29 & 30 is All About Pumpkins. Weekend admission is $26, or $28 if you wait to pay at the door. Festival Hours are 9 am to 6 pm Events Nights of the Jack If carved pumpkins and celebrity sightings are your thing, Nights of the Jack is the place to be! This popular Halloween time haunt runs daily through the end of the month at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. Tickets start at $29.99. Haunt O' Ween A true Halloween themed carnival, this family friendly event has it all! Trick or treating, face painting, rides, bounce houses, and of course, a limitless supply of pumpkins. General admission is $36 and they are open daily now through Halloween night, go online to reserve your time slot. Located at 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd in Woodland Hills. Reign of Terror Haunted House Scare yourself silly at Reign of Terror, the largest indoor walk-through haunted house in all of Southern California. They are open every Friday and Saturday until the first weekend in November from 7 pm to 11 pm and on Sunday and select weekdays from 7 pm to 10 pm. It is located at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. Pricing is all over the place, it is best to check the website for details. As always, the Conejo Valley Guide has an extensive list of all the Halloween goings on in the area and we highly recommend you check it out. There are A LOT more events going on than just these, there truly is something for everyone! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

What's this? What's this! There's decorations all around! What's this? Congratulations must abound! Okay, okay, that is my sad attempt at rewriting a Halloween... a Christmas? Classic. What I am trying to say is, congratulations to Natasha and Tim Stecyk on Timberlane! These scallywags have that old hallows eve spirit oozing from their core. Their spooky display has earned them the title of October Yard of the Month! Natasha and Tim love this time of the year and the fun traditions that come with it. We would like to thank them, and everyone else who has taken the time to decorate their yard this month. Seeing all of these decorations adds to the magic of the season. It really fosters those feelings of community, which we are all here for! Where to Trick or Treat Wondering where all the candy will be on October 31st? Make sure to consult with the Nextdoor app! There is a treat map available and residents planning on passing out candy are able to add their home to the map. So smart and helpful! Looking to party the ghosts away? You are herby cordially invited to the Halloween Block Party on Lower Pisces Street! ALL FOUNTAINWOOD RESIDENTS AND FRIENDS ARE INVITED! The Trick or Treating is sure to be epic, and the snacks stacked. Just bring your own drinks and come ready for a devilishly fun night! If you don't live on Pisces but would like to provide candy for little ghosts and goblins, you are welcome to set up a table or do a trunk or treat out of you car. Thank you to the residents of Pisces Street for coming together and organizing this fun event for the whole neighborhood! Looking for more terrifying displays? Here's where else you may tread to scare up a fright before the big night! Middle Crest Drive If you want to keep the kids up at night swing by Middle Crest Drive. You can see the display from Thousand Oaks Blvd, look for it to the south. Creepy clowns and other ghouls tower over you in a menacing scene that is sure to cause nightmares. I've been told they are just getting started with decorating and that more horrors are on the way. Hampstead Drive Hampstead Drive has the esteemed horror, I mean honor, of being the only official road closure for a party in all of Agoura Hills. Word is this neighborhood goes all out, but as of the time of writing this article not much has happened over there. Decorating seems to be a last minute addition. I would assume most of the decorations are up by the weekend of the 28th, 29th, and 30th for the lead in to Halloween. Three Springs Drive Another street who knows how to party, this road also officially shuts down to traffic on Halloween night. The residents here have started to put up a few decorations, but like Hampstead, I have been told most tend to go up in the final days before Halloween. May everyone enjoy a spooky and safe Halloween! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Looking for a fun Halloween inspired treat to make with minimal effort? Look no further, you have found it! It doesn't get any easier than these cute ghosts, they require only 3 ingredients and take mere minutes to whip up. We have been making them in our family for over 20 years and they have become somewhat of a Halloween tradition. They are the perfect project to enjoy making with the kids or grandkids, and they are sure to wow at any party! Ingredients: One package of Nutter Butters 12 oz white candy melts or white chocolate 64 miniature chocolate chips (roughly 4 teaspoons worth) How to Make Them: Lay out a sheet of wax paper Melt chocolate according to the instructions on the package Dip the cookie into the melted chocolate. No need for full coverage, a little cookie peeping out the bottom adds character Place the dunked cookie on the wax paper and immediately add 2 mini chocolate chip eyes, the chocolate sets fast Let stand until the chocolate has firmed, generally 10-15 minutes. You can pop them in the fridge to speed this up Pro tip: To keep the chocolate a smooth consistency for the duration of the project you can place the bowl on a heating pad. And there you have it, the EASIEST imaginable Halloween treat to make! And they are pretty yummy as well. Enjoy! Looking for more simple Halloween treats? Check these out! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Congratulations to Helen on Aries for being named our July yard of the month! Helen's drought tolerant front yard truly is a thing of beauty. While designing the yard back in 2018 with her gardener and landscaper, Helen expressed it was important to that many of the plants be drought tolerant and indigenous to the area. She wanted to bring a little bit of the Santa Monica mountains to her doorstep and boy did they deliver! Sage, Salvia, Echeveria, and other hearty succulents are intermingled with Rose bushes and Iris to create this lawn that is the perfect balance of both wild and curated. While on the search for native plants, Helen found two local nurseries that specialize in California plants. The Theodore Payne Nursery in Sun Valley and Matilija Nursery in Moorpark both provided a wealth of knowledge and plants perfect for the job! Helen credits her long time gardener Ignacio Soto with keeping her yard in tip top shape. Amazingly, he uses only all natural fertilizer and environmentally conscious products. But how does he keep the weeds at bay, you ask? Good question. Did you know cardboard is an effective weed deterrent? Who knew! Ignacio. Ignacio knew. He laid thick cardboard down across the lawn before laying out and planting the garden. It has been effective, and even years later weeds nary appear. This yard is beautiful year round, but April through May it is especially spectacular. Big thank you to Helen for sharing it with us all! Do you know of a beautiful yard in Fountainwood? Nominate it for Yard of the Month by emailing us at TheFountainwoodForum@gmail.com! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Whether you adhere to a gluten free diet or not, these yummy little chunks of goodness will be sure to become a treat time staple in your household. Big thank you to Helen on Aries for the submission! 12 oz. Ghiradelli bittersweet chocolate chips* 4 ½ Tablespoons butter 3 eggs beaten ½ C granulated sugar 1 1/8 C almond meal** Granulated sugar for rolling*** Melt the butter and chocolate together. Separately mix the eggs and sugar, then combine with the chocolate/butter mixture. Add the almond meal. Refrigerate covered 4 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 325° Roll the cold dough into walnut-sized balls, lightly pressing each ball into the sugar. Place the balls on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. Helen's Notes: *I sometimes replace a bit of the chocolate with a bit of chili chocolate. (editor side note- I couldn't find "bittersweet" chips, so I just used the darkest ones I could find and they came out great!) **I use almond flour (as did I. Couldn't find almond meal) ***I use sparkling sugar (I used good 'ole regular sugar) I also add some salt, a little more than a pinch, and add vanilla unless I use chili chocolate. There you have it, simple and delicious, like all recipes should be! Please send your recipe submissions to us at TheFountainwoodForum@gmail.com. We would love to hear from you! Brought to you by: Jessica Carter l DRE #01490419 l 818.590.4246 l JessicaCarterHomes@gmail.com "Your Fountainwood neighbor and local area specialist"

Once again, we have called upon our mother's amazing recipe repertoire to bring you a delectable treat that is sure to please! This has been our mother's go to party contribution for the past 30 years or more, and it is always a hit. Quick and easy to make, the recipe also goes a long way and still tastes great as leftovers, not that there is ever any left. Enjoy! Prep time: 15-20 minutes, plus 30 minutes of cooling Bake: 375 degrees for 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 8 oz tubes of crescent rolls 8 oz of sour cream 8 oz of cream cheese 1 package of dry Italian dressing mix 1 cup of finely chopped broccoli* 1 cup of finely chopped carrots* 1/2 cup of finely chopped bell pepper* Shredded cheese- I like Monterrey jack and Cheddar* Instructions: Open crescent roll tubes and spread them out in a slightly greased 15.5 inch x 10.5 inch jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. Pinch the seams of the crescent rolls together so they will bake together and not separate. I made a double batch, this pan is larger than the recommended size so don't worry when yours doesn't look exactly like this Place in a preheated oven set to 375 degrees and bake for 10 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown. While the pastry is cooking, prepare the toppings. In a bowl combine: Cream cheese, sour cream, and Italian dressing packet. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth and thoroughly incorporated. Set aside. Chop the vegetables. When the crust is done baking, set it aside and allow to cool. Once cool, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over top. Evenly spread the chopped vegetables over top and then finish off with a sprinkling of cheese Slice into squares, serve, and enjoy! Be sure to refrigerate if not immediately serving. I actually prefer it served with a bit of a chill. Prep the vegetables while the crust cools Once cooled, spread the cream mixture over the golden crust then top with the vegetables and cheese * The best part of this recipe is it is highly modifiable. Top it with whatever vegetables you like or have on hand. You can even throw on green onions, olives, or pepperoni if you so desire. Go wild. Don't have Italian mix, but you do have a Ranch packet? That'll work. I personally prefer to use a Monterrey Jack/Cheddar blend, but whatever cheese you like will do just fine. And I'll be honest, I don't waste my time with measuring the vegetables. I just chop whatever amount I have the patience for and call it good. It's hard to mess this one up! Plenty of cooks have their own versions, you can check out a couple of these variations here if you feel you need some cross references: Lemon Tree Dwelling, Pillsbury. I'll finish this article the same way it started...with this picture Have a recipe to share? Please email us at TheFountainwoodForum@gmail.com

Few restaurants manage to pull off quintessential romantic dinner date quite like Italian restaurants. Maybe it's because I grew up seeing that iconic spaghetti scene in Lady and the Tramp, but Italian food just screams romance, does it not? Picture it: you and your love cozied up in an intimate corner booth. Wine in long-stemmed glasses, candlelight dancing across the table (LED, of course), and robust yet somehow soft Italian music playing in the background. Yes, if a romantic dinner date is what you are after, than Vincitore Italian will more than deliver! Of course, you don't need love on the brain to enjoy a meal here. Or for it to be dinner, lunch is as good a time as any to enjoy some Chicken Cacciatore (word is they have the best in town). Located right across the street from many of our homes here in Fountainwood (and a convienet location right off of Kanan makes is easily accessible to all in Agoura and Oak Park) Vincitore Italian has been a town staple for 9 years and counting. Owner Kameron Asar has over 30 years of experience in the restaurant business and poured all of that knowledge into his dream restaurant. His is the jovial face that greets many of the patrons day in and out. He has a knack for remembering food orders, even if he's only met you once; and has charm to spare. It is easy to see why this restaurant has so many regulars! Hours: Every Day Sunday- Thursday Friday- Saturday 11:30- 2:30 4:00- 9:00 4:00-9:30 Location: 5869 Kanan Rd. Agoura Hills, CA 91301 Phone: 818.706.2200 The Food Everything is made from scratch, so anything you order is sure to be amazing! Be it lunch or dinner, your meal will start with the best bread you will ever have in your life, devour it with the house made tapenade and you'll be lucky if you have any room left for your salad, let alone meal! Signature stand out dishes include their Lasagna Napoletana, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Carciofi, Spaghetti Alla Vodka Bolognese (pictured above), and the aforementioned Chicken Cacciatore. All meals come with fresh, warm bread and a house or Cesar side salad No matter your craving, Vincitore is sure to have a dish that calls your name! If you've not stopped by here yet we highly recommend it. You can check out their full menu here. If we haven't convinced you on the food yet, allow these photos of our meals to entice you. Penne Paesana My go to favorite, the classic Chicken Parmigiana. Important to note it is usually served with rigatoni noodles, I requested the spaghetti Bon Appetit!