KidSTREAM Children's Museum in Ventura County Anticipated to Open in 2021

KidSTREAM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization formed with a goal of opening a children’s museum in the former Camarillo Public Library building located at 3100 Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo.

The name of the proposed museum is KidSTREAM Children’s Museum in Ventura County. STREAM stands for: Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Math.

The site will contain over 30,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor play space, including 16, 570 square fee of the reused library and 19,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit areas.

Design and feasibility studies took place in 2016-2017 and fundraising for this museum is in the works. Learn more and donate at www.kidstream.org.

Camarillo Grove Park New Playground and Hiking Trail Re-Opening in Early October

New playground equipment has been ordered and will be installed in September at Camarillo Grove Park, 6968 E. Camarillo Springs Road in Camarillo. Construction is estimated to be complete in early October.

The Hill Fire of November 2018 raged through this park and destroyed the old playground, so it had to be completely removed. The fire also ravaged large sections of hiking trails and made them unsafe for the public to use. The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has been working with FEMA to obtain additional funds to fix all the damage so that the entire park can be safely reopened to the public. The upper hiking trail loop has been closed for maintenance and should be re-opened by early September.

Camarillo Grove Park, a former stagecoach stop and home to the oldest tree in the district, is nestled in a rustic setting near the base of the Conejo Grade at the end of Camarillo Springs Road. The park has five areas that can be rented for groups and events ranging from 50 to 350 people, a perfect spot for weddings, birthday parties, charity events, anniversary parties, corporate and team building events, school field trips and more! Contact the District at 805-482-1996 for rental information.

Here’s a mockup of the type of playground going into Camarillo Grove Park.

More info at www.pvrpd.org/parks/park_list/camarillo_grove_park.asp.

The World's Biggest Bounce House Comes to Santa Barbara August 23-25

The Big Bounce America, featuring the world’s largest bounce house, will be featured at Ellings Park in Santa Barbara Friday through Sunday, the weekend of August 23-25, 2019.

There are three featured attractions:

• The World’s Biggest Bounche House is the largest bounce house in the world, featuring ball pits, climbing towers, live DJs, confetti blasts and more.

• The Giant is a 900+ foot tall inflatable obstacle course.

• AirSPACE is a bouncy attraction with friendly aliens, spaceships, giant planets, moon craters and more.

Three hour access tickets are available for a timed session on The World’s Biggest Bounce House and unlimited access to the other attractions at thebigbounceamerica.com/family/tickets.

Options include a Toddler Session (ages 3 and under) for $16 (Friday only), Junior Session (ages 7 and under) for $25 (Sat/Sun only), Bigger Kid Session (ages 15 and under) for $25 (Fri-Sun) and Adults Only Session (ages 16+) for $30 (Sat/Sun only).

Must wear socks at all times.

Big Bounce America | 2019 Tour Promo (Fy) from The Big Bounce America on Vimeo.

2019 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard in July and August

The Dallas Cowboys are heading back to River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard at 2101 West Vineyard Avenue (next to the Marriott Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge) again this year for 2019 pre-season training camp!

Admission is FREE, no tickets needed. "Cowboys on Tour" trucks, team merchandise and Hall of Fame trailers will be at the site throughout camp.

Parking lots open at noon for 3:30PM practice, with gates opening at 1:30PM, and 7AM for 10:45AM practice, with gates opening at 8:30AM.

More updates at www.visitoxnard.com/cowboys.  

2019 Schedule

• Sat 7/27 - Opening Ceremonies 3PM; Practice at 3:30PM

• Sun 7/28 - Practice 3:30PM

• Mon 7/29 - Practice (Military Appreciation Day) 3:30PM

• Tue 7/30 - Practice 10:45AM

• Wed 7/31 - No Practice

• Thu 8/1 - Practice 3:30PM

• Fri 8/2 - Practice 3:30PM

• Sat 8/3 - Practice 3:30PM

• Sun 8/4 - Blue/White Scrimmage 3:30PM

• Mon 8/5 - No Practice

• Tue 8/6 - Practice (First Responders Appreciation Day) 3:30PM

• Wed 8/7 - Practice 3:30PM

• Thu 8/8 - Practice (Military Appreciation Day) 10:45AM

• Fri 8/9 to Sun 8/11 - No Practice

• Mon 8/12 - Practice 3:30PM

• Tue 8/13 - Practice 3:30PM

• Wed 8/14 - Practice 3:30PM

• Thu 8/15 - No Practice

Driving Directions

Northbound on the 101 freeway from Los Angeles: Exit Oxnard Boulevard. Turn RIGHT. Make your first LEFT onto Town Center Drive. Make a LEFT onto Ventura Road. Travel 1 mile and it will be on your RIGHT before Vineyard Ave. (watch for traffic lines at the entrance to the parking lot).

Parking at River Ridge Playing Fields is $10 weekdays for small vehicles and $20 for large vehicles. Weekends are $20 for small vehicles and $40 for large weekends.

No bicycles, backpacks (small diaper bag ok), coolers, ice chests, outside food and pets. No strollers in the bleacher area. No tailgating or alcohol allowed.

2019 Summer Beach Buses in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark

The City of Agoura Hills 2019 Summer Beach Bus transports from three pick-up locations in Agoura Hills to Zuma Beach Station #5!  Locations are Lindero Canyon Middle School, Agoura High School and the southeast corner of Liberty Canyon and Agoura Road. The program runs Monday through Friday from 6/17 to 8/16. Bring a photo ID (Driver's License, School ID, or a home-made emergency contact card will suffice) and exact change of $2.00 each way! Visit www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us for specific pick-up times.

The City of Thousand Oaks is offering a 2019 Summer Beach Bus to Zuma Beach (Lot 5) every Monday through Friday from June 10 through August 9 (except July 4th and 5th) for $3 each way ($1.50 for seniors/disabled). Cash only, exact fare required. Multi-ride passes are available. Departure spots for both buses include the Borchard Community Center Parking Lot and Thousand Oaks Teen Center Bus Stop. Detailed schedules at www.totransit.org. Departs 9am and 10am on Mon-Wed and 9am, 10am and 11am from Borchard Center Thu-Fri.

The 2019 City of Calabasas Beach Bus to Zuma Beach is only for residents of Calabasas and Hidden Hills from TBA. Youth under age 18 must present ID from a Calabasas/Hidden Hills school and adults must show proof of residency. $2 each way. There are five pickup locations in Calabasas ranging from 10 am to 3:25 pm. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/beachbus.html for specifics.

The City of Moorpark offers a 2019 beach bus to Zuma Tuesdays through Thursdays, 6/19/18 to 8/16/18. Visit moorparkca.gov/794/2018-Beach-Bus for details. $5 round-trip for adults/students and $2 for seniors/disabled. Five pickup points in Moorpark, starting at 8:50 am at Campus Canyon School to 9:30 am at Peach Hill Park. Two trips per day. Open to the general public. No smoking, eating or drinking allowed on buses…but hey, you can text and talk all ya want!

Channel Islands National Park Islands Accessible to Public During Government Shutdown

During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. At Channel Islands National Park the park islands, with the exception of San Miguel Island, will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. The park’s mainland visitor center and island visitor contact stations are closed.

There will be no National Park Service (NPS)-provided visitor services at Channel Islands National Park, including public information, and restroom and campground maintenance. Park concessioners will operate as usual.

Park visitors are advised to use extreme caution during their visit as NPS personnel will not be available to provide guidance, assistance, or emergency response. Any entry onto NPS property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

All island campgrounds and restrooms are open and accessible to visitors. There will be no campground check-in/check-out services and visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available during a government shutdown.

www.nps.gov/chis/learn/news/pr122218.htm

Whale Watching Season at Channel Islands Harbor December 26, 2018 through Mid-April 2019

Blue Whale Tail (Photo Credit: David Beeninga)

It’s that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard.  The season officially begins the day after Christmas, December 26 and continues through mid to late April 2019.

Both Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offer whale watching excursions directly from Channel Islands Harbor.  Island Packers provides 3 ½ hour non-landing narrated trips with morning and afternoon departures available.  The fare is $38 for adults; $34 for seniors 55+; $28 for children (3-12), and free for children 3 and under.  Trips run through mid- April 2019.

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides half-day morning whale watching excursions during the week and on the weekends with a morning and afternoon departure, running from December 26 through April 30, 2019.  Rates are $55 for adults; $45 for seniors; and $35 for children under 12.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.  A journey through the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary provide visitors the unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of these giants of the deep.  Besides whales, visitors often encounter dolphins, seals, sea lions and a rich variety of bird life, some of which are endangered and protected.

For more information on Oxnard Whale Watching Season, visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum Opening at Simi Valley Town Center

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum is opening its doors at the Simi Valley Town Center on Saturday, December 15, 2018. It is located directly across from the Vans store in the mall in a space of over 10,000 square feet. The address is 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #230.

The International Skateboarding Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Todd Huber. It was created to honor the passion, dedication and contributions to skateboarding history and culture by skateboarders and cultural icons through the decades.

The Museum displays hundreds of skateboards and other skating artifacts going back decades. There are some fascinating home-made specimens of boards on display. There will also be an skating art gallery, gift shop, theater/library (over 600 skating videos as well as skating magazines) and skate shop. They will also be able to build skateboards at the facility.

The Museum also has a mini skating ramp with a fun wall ride available to local youth for a fee.

Admission to the museum will be free, but donations are welcomed.

Visit www.facebook.com/SkateboardingHallofFame to learn more and to support the cause.

Old school. REALLY old school.

Nearly complete mini ramp at Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.