Congratulations to Jesse and Linda Flores, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on February 1, 2008. The couple met during high school in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The newly married couple moved to California in 1960 and to their first home in the first Dutch Haven track of Newbury Park in 1964 with their four young children. This home on the corner of Maynard Ave. and Kimber Dr., cost this couple $23,000. Their oldest, a daughter, started the first grade at Manzanita elementary. There were three boys under the age of four. Jesse commuted as far as the City of Rosemead as a regional manager for a major retail store. After retiring from retail Jesse started a local landscaping business, Valley Oaks Landscaping and enjoys overseeing the business today.

After enjoying years of being a stay at home mom and with the children all enrolled in school. Linda started working at the IHOP restaurant on the corner of Hillcrest Dr. and Moorpark Rd., which is no longer there. She has long since retired and has enjoyed spending lots of time with her grandchildren.

Jesse and Linda have enjoyed living in the Sunset Hills area of Thousand Oaks since 1974 and have enjoyed watching their family grow in this community. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary together with their family at a local restaurant, Buca di Beppo, in Thousand Oaks.

Their daughter, Joanne (Anttila) with husband Bill and daughter Chelsea live in Oregon, and son, Cory along with his wife Jodie live in Newbury Park. The eldest of three sons, Jessie Flores his wife April and their children Cortney, Nicolas, Kristen and Trevor live in Thousand Oaks. Middle son, Joey Flores lives in Santa Maria and youngest son, David Flores lives in Colorado with his wife Claudine and daughter, Annalise. They are blessed with six more grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Flores of Thousand Oaks, Christopher, Sarah and Danielle Flores of Denver, Colorado, and Tony Flores of Santa Maria.

Joanne, Bill, Cory and Chelsea also had a beautiful son, brother, and grandson, Bret, who went to be with the Lord in 1986. He joined Jesse's parents who also had a long and happy marriage of 55 years.

Congratulations Mom & Dad!!! You are an inspiration and we love you both!!