California Wildlife Featured in Upcoming Exhibit at Museum of Ventura County

California Wildlife Celebrated in Museum’s Featured Creatures Exhibit Reception June 8

Bobcat - Museum of Ventura County CollectionAnimals are the Featured Creatures in the Museum of Ventura County’s summer exhibition opening June 9. This look at wildlife represented in the museum's collection includes rarely seen specimens from a tradition in which museums displayed taxidermied animals as examples of local fauna. Making their appearance again are a black bear, mountain lion, bobc

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The Exuberance of Horses on Display in Santa Paula Starting June 2nd

The Exuberance of Horses on Exhibition in Large Scale Paintings by Katie Upton  Opening June 2 at Agriculture Museum - Free Reception June 3

Palominos #51 Acrylic on Canvas 2011 Katie UptonHorse Play: Paintings by Katie Upton, an exhibition depicting the exuberance, energy and beauty of horses, opens June 2 at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula. The larger than life-size canvases depict the animals that have fascinated Santa Barbara artist Upton since her childhood. The exhibit continues through September 2.

Meet Upton at a free reception on Sunday, June 3, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. for the opening of Horse Play and the Agriculture Museum’s accompanying exhibit Team

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"Conquest of the Americas" Exhibition at Museum of Ventura County May 22-Aug 5

Conquest of the Americas: New George Stuart Historical Figures® Exhibition & Monologues

Conquest of the Americas, the newest exhibition of George Stuart Historical Figures® at the Museum of Ventura County, illustrates how conquistadors, explorers and settlers brought far-reaching consequences for the indigenous peoples of the Americas, and for the entire world. The exhibit opens May 22 and runs through August 5.

Among the 27 one-quarter life-size figures are those of Christopher Columbus, Hernán Cortés, Moctezuma II, Malinche, Junipero Serra, Alexander Mackenzie, Jedediah Smith, and John Charles Frémont.

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Original Tommy's Coming Soon to Ventura

Update 12/15/11: Tommy's opened today at 5663 Valentine Road, Ventura! Open 24 hours a day. Facebook page

Early Sept Update: Tommy's indicated in late August that the Ventura location will open "at the end of this year or sooner."

These burgers must have a kick as evidenced by the legs on this sign!Originally posted in mid-July: Original Tommy's will soon be opening in Ventura, off the Victoria Avenue 101 exit on Valentine Road. This will be the 2nd Original Tommy's location in Ventura County...the other one is at 1290 Madera Road in Simi Valley.

The ORIGINAL Tommy's opened on May 15, 1946 in Downtown Los Angeles. I remember going there as a kid. Always felt like a special treat.

Visit Facebook page at www.facebook.com/OriginalTommys.

Ventura Police Department Seeks to Identify Target Store Thief on December 12, 2011

From the Ventura Police Department

Can you help identify this individual? On December 12, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. the suspect entered Target (4200 E. Main St. Ventura) and selected a hammer and a clear storage bin. The suspect then used the hammer to smash the iPod case and loaded the storage bin with 21 iPods. The individual then ran out of the store via the fire exit with the stolen merchandise. The total loss is estimated at $3,865.

The suspect is believed to be a man dressed as a woman wearing a dark brown wig. The attached surveillance photos are actually from the Oxnard Target on the same date but taken just a few minutes prior to the theft at the Target in Ventura. At the Oxnard Target store the suspect had filled a bin full of merchandise but was then was contacted by Target employees and subsequently fled the store leaving all the merchandise behind. No vehicle description from either incident is reported.

Should you have any information you are asked to contact Detective Corporal Matt Cain at 805.339.4488 or you can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

Two Recent Zumba Flash Mobs in Ventura County with Amanda Welti

Flash mobs are all the rage around the world. Haven't heard of many local ones, but Thousand Oaks fitness instructor Amanda Welti has made her mark with two recent Zumba flash mobs at the Ventura County Fair and Janss Marketplace. Planning a flash mob somewhere in Ventura County? Contact us so we can get the scoop! WE LOVE FLASH MOBS!

Ventura County Star Reports That Acapulco Mexican Restaurant in Ventura Closed This Week

The VC Star reported yesterday that Acapulco Mexican Restaurant at 725 S. Victoria Avenue closed its doors yesterday, August 5th. I called the restaurant to confirm today. Someone actually answered...and confirmed that yes, Acapulco is indeed closed. No indication of a successor tenant. Acapulco has no other restaurants in Ventura County...the closest locations are in Woodland Hills and Northridge. Hasta la vista, Acapulco :<

50th FREEBIRDS World Burrito Opens In Ventura on Wednesday, June 15th

50th FREEBIRDS World Burrito Opens In Ventura

FREEBIRDS World Burrito, known for offering "way more choices" to custom-build rockin' burritos, salads, nachos, tacos and more, announced today that it will open its 50th location in Ventura Village at 5752 Telephone Rd. in Ventura on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.

For those who know FREEBIRDS from their time in Santa Barbara, California, they may be surprised on their visit to the new Ventura location.  As FREEBIRDS returns to its California roots it brings with it a fresh, new rock n roll attitude manifested by a much broader menu, a colorful interior and killer soundtrack. As The Grateful Dead said, "What a long, strange trip it's been."  

In order to get the Ventura location ready, FREEBIRDS and its charitable arm World Works will conduct the following pre-opening events that are open to the public:

Monday, June 13, 2011 : FREEBIRDS will partner with Food Share www.foodshare.com from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. and again at 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  The first 250 guests during each time slot will enjoy complimentary food and drinks in exchange for a $5 donation to Food Share.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 : FREEBIRDS will partner with School on Wheels www.schoolonwheels.org from 11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. The first 250 guests will enjoy complimentary food and drinks in exchange for a $5 donation to the organization, which enhances educational opportunities for homeless children from kindergarten through twelfth grade.  

FREEBIRDS is about awesome burritos and freedom of choice.   As guests join the queue, they are partnered with a team member, known as a "Roller," who helps them choose f

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Lifeguards Return to Harbor Cove Beach in Ventura for the Summer

Lifeguards Return to Harbor Cove Beach for the Summer

Beautiful views of the Ventura hills, small lapping waves, and windblown sand dunes are just a few things that attract local families to Harbor Cove Beach during hot summer days. Coined as one of the safest beaches in Ventura, locals often refer to this protected shoreline as, “Mother’s Beach.”

But two years ago, the future of lifeguard services at this hidden gem were in jeopardy due to budget changes. The safety of this beach cannot only be attributed to the breakwater that keeps it protected from high tides and large waves, without lifeguards, beachgoers at even the safest of beaches can be at risk. The Ventura Port District realized the importance of these services to the people of Ventura and visitors alike and negotiated a contract with the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation that would allow lifeguard services to remain intact at Harbor Cove Beach.

Oscar Peña, the General Manager of the Port District believes this is an important service for visitors and local residents to feel secure as they enjoy the summer season. Peña said, “The Board of Port Commissioners feels this is money well spent in our community.”

Lifeguard services will be offered now through September 5, Labor Day, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Ample showers and free parking are just a few perks of Harbor Cove Beach. Conveniently located next to the Ventura Harbor Village, spending the day at Harbor Cove Beach is a great way to relax in the sun and enjoy the laid back lifestyle of the Ventura Harbor.

Also located next to the Harbor Cove Beach is the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center with FREE daily admission from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. With a newly opened tidal pool exhibit located inside the visitor’s center and the recently released Channel Islands movie narrated by Kevin Costner, “A Treasure in the Sea” there is something for everyone.

And when lunchtime rolls around, the kid-friendly Harbor Cove Café is located right across the street and is a great place for breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner.

For more information about Harbor Cove Beach contact: Pat Hummer, Senior Harbor Patrol Officer for the Port District at 805-642-8618.

Free Reception for Dr. William Hart, Author of Community Memorial Hospital Book, in Ventura on May 22nd

Author of Book on Community Memorial Hospital Honored

A free reception for Dr. William Hart, author of a recently published history of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura, will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, at the Museum of Ventura County’s event pavilion. Signed copies of  “The Hospital of Choice: Community Memorial Hospital: A History,” will be available in the museum bookstore, in both hard and soft cover. Hart will donate all proceeds from sales of the book to the museum.

Hart was the first Board Certified cardiologist in Ventura County, the first procedural cardiologist in the Tri-Counties, and he founded the first Coronary Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit in Ventura County. His book chronicles Community Memorial Hospital’s 109 years of growth since opening in 1902 as the Elizabeth Bard Memorial Hospital, founded by brothers Cephas and Thomas Bard.

The present Museum of Ventura County shares some founding history with the hospital. Dr. Cephas Bard’s collection of artifacts, often given him in lieu of payment for medical services, formed the original exhibition with which the museum began in 1913.

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children 6-17, members and children under 6 are free. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Bard Hospital today at the corner of Fir and Poli Streets in Ventura

Free Public Outdoor Wi-Fi Service in Downtown Ventura is Now Available

Free Public Outdoor Wi-Fi Access in Downtown Ventura

The City of Ventura announced last week that free wireless broadband service has been launched in the public spaces of Downtown.  Residents and visitors can stay "connected" through the network, provided by the Downtown Parking Management Program, to access the Internet, retrieve e-mail, or surf the Web without being connected to network cables.

The network, "Downtown Ventura Wi-Fi", offers wireless broadband service outdoors along Main Street beginning at Fir Street and continuing to the Museum of Ventura County between Poli and Santa Clara Streets.

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Service is available daily during the hours of 6am - Midnight.  Users can access the service for a total of one hour, to assure use by the maximum number of persons at any given time. No special settings, user names or passwords are required.

Locate the network icon on your wireless device to connect.   Users must agree to accept the Terms and Conditions of use before connecting; the agreement also identifies and warns users of the potential security risks associated with the use of a non-secure public network.

Visit www.cityofventura.net for more information.

Anchor Has Been Lowered at Anchor Blue

I remember shopping at Miller's Outpost as a kid. Miller's Outpost became Anchor Blue in the 1990s and I've never been into an Anchor Blue store. And perhaps that is why they filed bankruptcy for a 2nd time this month and are calling it quits. The first time they filed bankruptcy was in May 2009.

That means you now have another store to find some deep discounts. They currently are advertising 40-60% off. There are Anchor Blue stores at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura (805.639.0462) and Oxnard Esplanade (805.988.8003). Employees are not sure when the stores will officially close, but they are in process of selling off their remaining inventory.

More info at www.anchorblue.com.

New Fresh & Easy Stores Coming Soon in Camarillo and Ventura

I don't have the specific dates, but two new Fresh & Easy stores are coming soon at 2249 Las Posas Road (at Arneill) in Camarillo and 2260 E. Thompson (at Seaward) in Ventura. And there ya have it. Visit www.freshandeasy.com for more information. Personally I'm a Fresh & Easy fan as I can usually count on getting in and out of the store extremely quickly with the self serve approach. I enjoy buying snacks, bakery items and pre-packaged meals at F&E but also buy other things. Prices seem pretty reasonable. Don't get my wrong, I still stop by Trader Joes and other markets but there is something uniquely different about F&E that brings me back.

Staples, BevMo! and Massage Envy Spa to Open at Pacific View Mall Ventura

Pacific View mall today announced Staples, BevMo! and Massage Envy Spa will join Trader Joe’s (announced in September) in the center’s new north end retail district.

Staples, the world’s largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services at this new 18,000 square-foot location.

Occupying just over 10,000-square feet will be BevMo!, the leading adult beverage-lifestyle superstore retailer in the western United States and among the largest in the country.

Massage Envy is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. Massage Envy Spa is its newest concept, offering Murad® healthy skin facials as well as therapeutic massages. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has more than 640 locations in 42 states, with new centers opening every month.

“Pacific View mall has been evolving over the past 18 months” said Phil Carlson, senior property manager at Pacific View. “We have opened Ventura County’s only H&M and the first Sephora to west Ventura County”. “We’ve welcomed Wood Ranch, Shoe Palace and Ben & Jerry’s as well as relocated and expanded Van’s, Daniel’s Jewelers and AT&T.”

The retailers in the center’s north end retail district will begin opening in phases in 2011. Pacific View mall, Ventura’s local shopping destination, offers a broad mix of department stores including Macy’s, Target Sears and JCPenney, specialty retailers and dining choices. The one-million-square-foot super-regional mall is located just off the 101 Freeway at East Main Street in Ventura. For more information visit www.shoppacificview.com.