"The Finest Kind Anywhere" a Oxnard Travel Page by keida84

'Tis a silly name "Oxnard." However it comes from the family that developed the city's first industry, a sugarbeet refinery.

Sent to me by TugBoatGuy, here is a poem about Oxnard. Pome by John Murphy:

Ode To Oxnard
(A Pome)

Oh Oxnard, lovely Oxnard,
you jewel by the sea,
bles'd by sun and surf and sand,
you haunt my memory

Other's zephers may be playful,
warm and balmy, and all that,
but yours alone can chill the bone,
and knock the surfers flat

Your beaches are unusual,
broken bottles, cans and tires,
adorn your sands as the freezing
bands
huddle 'round their fires

Neither Newport, nor Laguna,
nor San Clemente's fame
can match your own true
splendor,or share your honored
name

Only you can claim the title,
you Baghdad by the bay,
that all others seek and envy,
Fog City, U.S.A.!
JM

Oxnard is also the gateway to the Channel Islands National Park.

In the downtown district, Heritage Square boasts 15 restored or replicated turn-of-the-century houses with the focal point being the Pettit House.

The Henry T. Oxnard District made the National Register Of Historic Places and was added to the State Register Of Historic Places in 1999. At Christmas time this turn-of-the-century neighborhood turns into Santa Claus Lane between F and G Streets.

But perhaps Oxnard is best known for hosting the Dallas Cowboys three-week training camp every year.

California is a BIG state

DRIVING DISTANCES AND TIMES:
Oxnard/HB to LAX:
43.3 miles 69.68 km
1 1/4 hours clear traffic

Oxnard/HB to San Diego:
157.19 miles 252.97 km
3 1/2 hours clear traffic

Oxnard/HB to San Francisco:
306 miles 492.45 km
9 hours clear traffic

You may be wondering why I have the Oxnard Fire Department on my travel page. Well, Hollywood Beach shares city services with the City of Oxnard. Now that in itself is no reason to feature their fire department. But you see, I have a vested interest in this department.

Before I quit working due to the onset of Parkinson's Disease, I helped manage and supervise OFD's fitness and wellness program. I became quite close with many members of the administration, fire crews and ancillary staff. I went through the Community Emergency Response Team Program (CERT) which trains civilians to survive without police or fire services for three days following the major disaster or terrorist attack. My heart and soul are with this department.

The men and women OFD are the best at what they do. Recently the fire department was bestowed the honor of being one of the "most creative and innovative agencies in the United States", according to Harvard University's John F. Kennedy school of Government.

For example, any new residential unit with more than 500 ft.² must have fire sprinklers and latest smoke detection technology. At the department's urging some developers and businesses have installed strobe light fire detectors that can pinpoint the location of a blaze using a computer. The electronic device also unlocks certain doors so firefighters can enter a burning structure more quickly.

The Oxnard Fire Department is dedicating to saving lives without compromising the safety of the public or the fire crews. I can personally attest to this truth. I have seen them in action and they all are the best at what they do.