Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Excavates Fossil Whale Found by Local man

A team of professional paleontologists and eager volunteers from the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (SBMNH) and Sea Center recently excavated the skull and numerous other fossilized bones of a small baleen whale from the Miocene Epoch (16.5-13.5 million years ago). Fossil enthusiast and geologist Chris Driesbach discovered the unusually complete specimen on the Gaviota Coast and alerted the Museum to its presence.

With permission from the Coastal Commission, the California State Lands Commission, and Santa Barbara County agencies, SBMNH Dibblee Curator of Earth Science Jonathan Hoffman, Ph.D., led the crew in studying the site and excavating the fossil. The specimen was freed from the surrounding shale of the Monterey Formation in blocks totaling over half a ton in weight, which were transported to the Museum to be prepared for further study. The largest blocks were transported by Aspen Helicopters of Oxnard, which has experience partnering with the Museum to airlift fossils from difficult terrain on public lands.

The excavation crew’s work was strenuous. In addition to chiseling away hard rock, each day they shoveled away over 60 cubic feet of wet sand to expose the specimen, which lay in the tidal zone. “Every single morning, we had to locate the specimen and dig it out, before we could start the actual excavation work,” reported SBMNH Curatorial Assistant Liz Flint.

Driesbach—who also participated in the excavation—vividly recalled the seasonal difference at the time of his discovery: “In the winter, the beach was completely cleaned of sand . . . I was going along the beach, sat down to take a rest, looked over and there’s an entire whale just exposed in the shale.” He instantly knew the completeness of this specimen made it potentially significant to science. “Mid-Miocene whales are pretty common,” but it’s rare for many bones to be preserved together. “You find a vertebra here, a chunk of a skull there. To see it all lined out like that is absolutely nuts.”

Moving the specimen to the Museum sets the stage for further study, reported Dr. Hoffman: “This really is the beginning of a long journey to learn more about the fossils and what the fossils can tell us about the environment at the time that the animal was alive.” Hoffman’s 2018 excavation of the first fossil sea cow from the Channel Islands is now bearing fruit in the form of peer-reviewed publications narrowing down the age and identity of that ancient marine mammal.

In the Museum’s fossil prep lab, Hoffman’s trained volunteers will soon begin to painstakingly chip away more of the stone surrounding the fossil. “It’ll be spectacular for volunteers to prep a specimen they personally excavated,” said Flint.

“None of this would have been possible without the cooperation of the State Lands Commission Office, California Coastal Commission, and County of Santa Barbara. Refugio State Beach graciously gave us room to land this flying whale. Colleagues from Channel Islands National Park even assisted with the airlift logistics,” said Hoffman.

"It was a collaborative effort, with 35 staff from both the Mission Creek and Sea Center campuses helping with various phases of the project,” Hoffman reported. “Add 30+ volunteers from the community—including students from UCSB and SBCC—and colleagues from the Alf Museum of Paleontology, and we have a lot of people interested in seeing this specimen recovered."

Since Dr. Hoffman’s arrival in 2017, the Museum’s Dibblee Geology Center has flourished. In addition to rebooting the tradition of fieldwork and organizing the extensive collection of fossils, rocks, and minerals, Hoffman has supported the Museum with the expertise to present a variety of popular exhibits related to geology and paleontology. It is hoped that in the years to come, the Museum’s core Earth Science exhibits will eventually include discoveries and ongoing work from the current era of productivity.

“We love working with the public to ensure that significant local finds are collected legally and made available for research and education,” says Hoffman. “Please contact us if you find a vertebrate fossil.” Vertebrate fossils are rarer and collecting them is tightly restricted. “Just don’t expect to find a dinosaur, since our region was underwater during the Age of Reptiles.”

Visit the Museum’s exhibits and sbnature.org/EarthScience for more information on the geology and paleontology of the Central Coast and the Dibblee Geology Center.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Powered by Science. Inspired by Nature. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History connects people to nature for the betterment of both, drawing on collections that preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Central Coast and beyond. Founded in 1916, the Museum is a private nonprofit supported in part by philanthropy, membership, and visitors. Members visit free. For more information, visit sbnature.org. 

Downtown Thousand Oaks Project Community Conversation Series in January/February

The City of Thousand Oaks is embarking on an exciting initiative to create a vibrant and thriving downtown area. To ensure this vision reflects the community’s needs and desires, a series of five Community Conversations will be held both in person and virtually. Residents, business owners, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate and share their ideas. These interactive sessions will provide a platform for open dialogue and collaboration, focusing on key aspects of downtown placemaking, including:

• Visioning: What kind of downtown does the community want to see?

• Amenities & Attractions: What types of businesses, services, and public spaces are needed?

• Connectivity & Accessibility: How can we ensure easy access and movement within the downtown area?

• Economic Development: How can we attract businesses and create jobs in the downtown core?

• Community Identity: How can the downtown reflect the unique character and culture of Thousand Oaks?

“A successful downtown is built by the community, for the community,” said Mayor David Newman. “These community conversations are crucial for gathering diverse perspectives and creating a shared vision for the future of our downtown. We encourage everyone to participate and help us shape this important project.”

Event Details:

The Community Conversations will be held on the following dates. Sessions one, two, and three are in-person, and sessions four and five are virtual:

• Session 1- Arts and Entertainment: Wednesday, January 15, 6 pm at Kavli Theatre Founder’s Room

• Session 2- Landscape Architecture and Oak Tree Preservation: Wednesday, January 22, 6 pm at Civic Arts Plaza Oak and Park Rooms

• Session 3- Visitor Experience and Business Mix: Wednesday, January 29, 4 pm at Civic Arts Plaza Oak and Park Rooms

• Session 4- Sustainability: Wednesday, February 5, via Zoom

• Session 5- Accessibility and Disabled Access: Wednesday, February 12, via Zoom

The five sessions will culminate in a Community Workshop on Wednesday, February 19, at 6 pm at Civic Arts Plaza Oak and Park Rooms. The design team will share feedback received during the five sessions and how the findings may influence the overall Downtown program.

Residents are encouraged to attend any or all of the sessions. Registration and session information can be found at toaks.gov/downtown. 

Mountain Fire in Ventura County - Updates and Recovery Information

Smoke from the Mountain Fire seen from Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

The Mountain Fire was first reported at just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th, near Somis, in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Due to the extremely high Santa Ana winds, it quickly jumped across Highway 118 towards Camarillo and as of Thursday night grew to 20,484 acres burned at 5% containment. The fire has destroyed at least 132 structures and damaged another 88 structures as of Thursday evening. Visit vcemergency.com for details regarding evacuation orders, emergency shelters, road closures, and more. Information hotline is 805-465-6650. Or call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Fire Updates

• As of 8:50 a.m. Saturday, November 9th, the fire is at 20,630 acres with 17% containment.

• As the night of Monday, November 11th, fire at 42% contained. Out of 894 inspections to date, 82 structures damaged and 192 destroyed.

• As of 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, fire is 54% contained at 20,630 acres. 90 structures damaged, 207 destroyed.

• As of the morning of Thursday, November 14, acreage unchanged, 82% contained, 25 structures damaged, 240 structures destroyed.

Recovery Efforts

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

If you were impacted by the fire, the Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD) asks that you complete a needs assessment at https://icfs.communityos.org/gethelpventuracounty to get help.

Ventura County Recovers website covers recovery information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Fox Fine Jewelry is offering a free diamond necklace to anyone whose home was damaged or destroyed by the Mountain Fire. Necklaces also available for sale, with 50% of proceeds donated to the VC Community Foundation. www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/mountain-fire-free-necklace

Individual GoFundMe Pages

If you are seeking to donate directly to individuals impacted by the Mountain Fire, there are over 50 GoFundMe fundraisers established over the last 7 days (as of November 9th) at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=%22mountain+fire%22&time-period=7 (NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT VETTED EACH FUNDRAISER. USE YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE.)

Ventura County Community Foundation Accepting Emergency Donations for Mountain Fire

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

On Nov. 6, a wildfire broke outside of Moorpark following Santa Ana winds reaching 40 to 80 miles per hour. The fire has grown to 20,596 acres as of Nov. 8 according to VC Emergency, with 7% containment. VCCF has previously stewarded millions of dollars in donations for the Thomas, Hill, and Woolsey Fires, ensuring the funds had the most impact and supported those most affected. VCCF continues to monitor the status of the Mountain Fire, working with its nonprofit and government partners to best respond to the county’s needs.

"Through the Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund, our community has a vital lifeline for those impacted by the wildfire,” said Dr. Sevet Johnson, CEO of Ventura County. “This fund stands as a testament to our county's unwavering commitment to provide swift and direct support to individuals and nonprofit organizations on the front lines of relief efforts. Ventura County is both compassionate and resilient, always ready to stand together and support one another in times of need.”

VCCF encourages all community members to stay informed and make safe decisions in the face of this emergency. Information on evacuation zones and shelters can be accessed at vcemergency.com or by calling (805) 465-6650.

“Ventura County has faced devastating wildfires over the years, but the resilience and generosity of our community is stronger,” said VCCF Board Member Leah Lacayo. “We are so grateful to the County of Ventura and our first responders for their heroic efforts to keep our community safe. Your community foundation is here to help, especially during times of disaster, and has set up this fund to support relief and recovery efforts.”

About VCCF

Established in 1987, the Ventura County Community Foundation has focused on building philanthropy in our region by stewarding legacies through careful management of the charitable capital entrusted to us. We are committed to a long-term perspective for Ventura County. We honor donor intent by protecting endowments forever and we specialize in connecting philanthropic resources with community needs for the benefit of all. We invest in the future through scholarships, grant making and collaborative partnerships. vccf.org

The Sanctuary at Thousand Oaks Luxury Apartments in Newbury Park Planned for Early 2026

MBK Rental Living acquired the 7.1 acre site at 1872 Newbury Road (at NE Kelley Road), Thousand Oaks in 2023 and is developing it into a 218-unit luxury apartment community. The project will offer both market rate and affordable residences across multiple two and three story buildings and will offer studio, one bedroom and two bedroom floor plans. Twelve percent of the residences will be designated as affordable housing.

Located on the site is the historic Timber School House and auditorium. Established in 1888, the Timber School District was formed by early ranchers in the Conejo Valley. The original Timber School was a one room schoolhouse that was demolished to make way for the new Timber School House that was built in 1924. The auditorium was built in 1948. These buildings were designated as historic landmarks in 2004 by the City of Thousand Oaks and Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board. Most recently, Conejo Valley High School occupied the buildings until 2015. These buildings will be preserved, rehabilitated and repurposed as the community’s leasing office, co-working space, clubhouse, and children’s lounge.

Grading of the site is currently taking place as of October 2024 and the grand opening is slated for early 2026. Pre-leasing will begin in late 2025. Learn more at www.thesanctuarythousandoaks.com.

Site grading on october 11, 2024

California Assembly Bill 413 "Daylighting Law" Became Effective January 1, 2024

Effective January 1, 2025, California Assembly Bill 413 allows for violators of the Daylighting Law to be cited.

The Moorpark Police Department would like to inform residents of California’s new law, Assembly Bill 413, known as the “California Daylighting Law.” This bill amends Section 22500 of the California Vehicle Code by adding a new section to the law which prohibits stopping, standing, or parking a vehicle within 20 feet of any marked or unmarked crosswalk or within 15 feet of any crosswalk with a curb extension.

The law took effect on January 1, 2024, allowing authorities to issue warnings if the law is violated, unless the curb has already been painted red or a sign erected that prohibits parking. Effective January 1, 2025, the law allows for violators to be issued a citation for violating the Daylighting Law.

This law was written to address incidents where pedestrians were struck and seriously injured or killed while crossing the street. According to the California Office of Traffic Safety, California’s pedestrian fatality rate was 25% higher than the national average. Pedestrian fatalities increased from 1,013 in 2020 to 1,108 in 2021. There are 43 other states that have implemented similar laws that have resulted in successfully reducing traffic collisions involving pedestrians. The city of Hoboken, New Jersey has a similar law and has reported zero traffic fatalities involving pedestrians over the last seven years.

The Moorpark Police Department is aware that street parking in local neighborhoods can be difficult, and parking is limited. In an effort to increase compliance and awareness, the Moorpark Police Department will be conducting public outreach to inform residents of the new law.

Living in such a beautiful county affords us the opportunity to go for walks, hikes, and bike rides. The Moorpark Police Department wants to make sure everyone is safe while enjoying the outdoors. This law is one component of many that can help reduce pedestrian related traffic collisions. Here are some additional safety tips for pedestrians:

•     Cross streets only at crosswalks, where drivers expect pedestrians to cross.

•     Walk on sidewalks whenever possible, avoid walking in the street or bike lane.

•     Always look both ways before crossing a street.

•     Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

•     Wear bright reflective clothing when walking at night or in low light conditions.

•     When attempting to cross the street, make eye contact with drivers to ensure they see you.

CSU Channel Islands Hosts a New Online Chumash Language Dictionary

Kaia Tollefson, Jenn Perry, Asha Ramachandra, Matthew Vestuto, Richard Yao, Salvador Tumamait-Ambriz

A Chumash dialect spoken by the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians thousands of years ago is alive and thriving with a new online Chumash language dictionary hosted by CSU Channel Islands (CSUCI).

Ventureño Chumash, also called mitsqanaqan, is one of six (some say seven) documented Chumashan languages, each named after a mission. There have been other Chumashan dictionaries, but this is the first online dictionary specific to the Barbareño/Ventureño Chumash. These are the indigenous people who lived in Ventura County and the northern Channel Islands for thousands of years.

Matthew Vestuto, Chairman of the Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians (BVBMI) Tribal Council who is a self-trained linguist, has been working for years to get an online presence for the mitsqanaqan dictionary, which was developed by Cal State Fullerton (CSUF) Linguistics Lecturer Timothy Henry-Rodriguez and released in 2019.

Henry-Rodriguez began developing the dictionary when he was in graduate school in 2005 and was later aided by a National Science Foundation Documenting Endangered Languages award for $25,000. He studied the notes of linguist and ethnologist John Peabody Harrington (1884-1961), who specialized in California indigenous people.

 After graduate school, Henry-Rodriguez met Vestuto, who helped do more research with the aid of other members of the BVBMI.

“Our last native speakers died in the 1960s and so we’re reliant upon the archival record,” Vestuto said.

When the dictionary was released in 2019, Henry-Rodriguez described it as a labor of love for him, his student researchers, and the researchers from the Barbareño/Ventureño tribe.

“First and foremost are the various Chumash speakers who, despite oppressive social conditions and economic constraints, still understood the importance of recording their language and the urgency to do so,” Henry-Rodriguez wrote. “While they may not have known that all their hard work would come to fruition in the form of a dictionary, it is my hope that this work will honor all the hard work they did. Their bravery and strength truly inspire me continually.”

Although Henry-Rodriguez did the initial research and created the dictionary, he credits the BVBMI with working to get it online, which took place recently thanks to the expertise of CSUCI’s Information Technology Services team and the John Spoor Broome Library staff.

Vestuto and fellow researcher Salvador Tumamait-Ambriz were guests at a recent campus event in which the first phase of the dictionary was rolled out, with phases two, three and four to follow in the future.

CSUCI President Richard Yao took the podium to talk about the campus tradition of honoring the place where the University now sits, and the people who dwelled here. Yao also spoke about the President’s Chumash Advisory Council (PCAC), which was formed in 2023 between CSUCI and the BVBMI.

“In creating this Council, we acknowledge that the Chumash are the first people of the lands on which the University operates, and that CSUCI’s campus is on the unceded territory of the BVBMI,” Yao announced when the council was formed. “CSUCI has the responsibility and desire to maintain strong relationships with the BVBMI, and together we share a commitment to working in collaboration to be stewards of the land and of its natural and cultural heritage.”

The language began to disappear when the Spanish missionaries arrived in 1769 to build 21 missions up the California coast, forcing Chumash to work for them and introducing European diseases to which the Chumash had no natural immunity. The Chumash way of life - and their language - changed.

“The age-old American story is that when indigenous people went to boarding schools, they were taught their language was savage and not worthy and to not speak it,” Vestuto said. “That affects people. For a university to say, we hold your language in high esteem - to say it’s something we want to support - also affects us in a good way.”

CSUCI Professor of Anthropology and Executive Director of Regional Educational Partnerships Jennifer Perry, explained why this project is named the “House of Language.”

“By calling it the House of Language, we are referring to a living repository,” Perry said. “It’s not intended to preserve a static language, but to keep it alive and in practice and constantly evolving.”

Plans are underway to incorporate the Chumash language into the signage around campus, offering the name of a tree or plant, for example, in both English and Chumash. There are also plans to incorporate the Chumash language into the University curriculum.

“To us, the language is not imposed upon the land it comes from the land,” Vestuto said. “Language all around the world is like a living entity that pulses through the ages carrying crucial knowledge through the centuries, but it requires new breath. Our language was disrupted. We’ve developed a partnership with this campus and in doing so, we’ve also developed a friendship. The hosting of an online dictionary in our language is a major step toward assisting us in our healing.”

To access the mitsqanaqan (Barbareño/Ventureño Band of Mission Indians) dictionary, visit ciapps.csuci.edu/ChumashDictionary.

Calabasas Community Center Grand Reopening Event on Saturday, March 16, 2024

The grand reopening of the Calabasas Community Center is planned for Saturday, March 16th from 8am to 6pm. Event will feature facility tours, food trucks, DJ, science and reptile tours, free classes and more. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/ccc for more information about this 30,000 sq ft community center. Located at 27040 Malibu Hills Road.

Disney Character Display House in Simi Valley Has Retired

Every year we cover unique, bright and/or particularly entertaining residential holiday displays. See the current year list at THIS LINK.

One such home has been the fun Disney character display at the corner of Timberlane Ave and Fearing St in Simi Valley. It’s a bit out of the way to get to for Conejo Valley residents, but as you can see from the photos before, it has been worth it.

This year, there’s a sign up on the side of the home that reads “The Disney House Has Retired - Thanks for the Memories.” Sad to see it go after all these years, but it is understandable, as it must have been quite a bit of work over the years. Thank you and all local area residents that go the extra mile to make their residences extra fun for the winter holiday season.

Side view of home at Timberlane and fearing in prior years.

Sign up at home in 2023 Christmas Season

Front of Disney home in 2022

Side of Disney home in December 2022.