Whale Watching Excursions at Channel Islands Harbor Dec 26th to Mid-April

/

The Channel Islands Harbor celebrates the migration of the Pacific Gray Whale with the annual “Celebration of the Whales.” See a sight you'll never forget. View these magnificent mammals of the deep as the Pacific Gray Whale migrates through the waters of the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to the lagoons of Mexico. Whale watching excursions to the Channel Islands National Park are offered daily from Channel Islands Harbor.

Island Packers offers half-day trips from December 26th through mid-April. Call 805-642-1393. Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides excursions from January through March. Call 805-382-1612.

Channel Islands Art Exhibit at Museum of Ventura County Dec 2, 2012 to Mar 3, 2013

/

Diebenkorn Included Among Artists in Santa Cruz Island Foundation Collection

Exhibit Opens December 2 at Museum of Ventura County

The beauty of California's remote Channel Islands has captured artists for more than a century. Santa Cruz Island rancher Dr. Carey Stanton was captured not only by their beauty, but also by the art the islands have inspired. See many of the works of art he collected, including studies, sketches, drawings and small paintings by his close friend Richard Diebenkorn, on exhibition at the Museum of Ventura County in Island Treasures: Artworks from the Santa Cruz Island Foundation. The exhibit opens to the public December 2, 2012 and continues through March 3, 2013.

Warm Afternoon at Santa Cruz Island 1997 oil on canvas - Richard Schloss, Santa Cruz Island Foundation Collection

Island Treasures also includes pieces collected more recently by the foundation, such as views of the northern Channel Islands. The non-profit Santa Cruz Island Foundation, established by Stanton in 1985, owns and continues to add to the most unique

Read More

Find a Conejo Rec & Park District 50th Anniversary Geocache Commemorative Coin!

/

Conejo Recreation and Park District Celebrates its 50th anniversary by hiding commemorative coins around the Conejo Valley!

The Conejo Recreation and Park District is celebrating 50 years of proudly serving the Conejo Valley. One of the many ways the Park District is celebrating this momentous occasion is by hiding commemorative coins in Geocaches around the Conejo Valley. Geocaches are hidden boxes that are found using hand held GPS units or your Smartphone.

To find out where these coins are hidden, to find out more about Geocaching or to take a class on Geocaching visit the Conejo Recreation and Park District’s Geocaching page on its website at www.crpd.org/geocaching. Partaking in the sport of geocaching and finding the coins is absolutely free!

New Family Indoor Fun Facility "Scooter's Jungle" Coming Soon to Simi Valley

/

Update 12/20/12: Scooter's Jungle opened its doors today.

Update 12/1/12: Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley is opening very soon. Check their website at www.scootersjungle.com/simi-valley.php for schedule.

Update 10/16/12: Anticipated opening date is in the mid-November time frame! Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley is now accepting job applications at www.scootersjungle.com/job_opportunities.php?location=5!

Scooter’s Jungle is Coming Soon to Simi Valley!!  

By late summer, Scooter’s Jungle Simi Valley will be your neighborhood destination for private family fun in a safe, clean and creative environment with over 12,000 square feet of fun!

Scooter’s Jungle will have huge, custom-made inflatable jumpers and permanent structures that include the tallest and longest indoor inflatable slide. At Scooter's Jungle, play equipment is right-sized for kids and parents to play, together ensuring an active, memorable and fun-filled experience.

Featuring both open play and private events including birthday parties, fundraisers and team gatherings, Scooter’s Jungle is a wild good time for everyone. free table games and a DJ‑quality music system will add extra energy and excitement to your experience.

The Simi Valley Scooter's Jungle location will be at 2250 Union Place, Unit B (just around the corner from Strathearn Historical Park).

For updates, like us on Facebook at Scooter’s Jungle Simi Valley and visit the Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley website at www.scootersjungle.com/simi-valley.php.

Here is a video with additional information about Scooter's Jungle. The next closest location to Ventura County is in Valencia.

Another Cool Animated Residential Holiday Light Display in Newbury Park

/

There is yet another great animated holiday light display in Newbury Park at 538 Brisbaine Avenue! Viewing time is every night until January 2nd from 5pm to 10pm (11pm on weekends). Show duration is 20 minutes, including 7 songs. Simulcast on 100.5 FM. Nice!

Other great holiday light displays at this link!

50,000 Light Residential Holiday Light Display in Newbury Park Back for a 4th Year

/

Brian Fuchs will be bringing back his fantastic 50,000+ light synchronized light display for a 4th year at his residence on Via Patricia in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. The show will take place most nights from 5pm to 10pm, beginning I believe the first weekend of December.

Fuchs hand crafts the entire amazing display himself, welding together trees, wreaths and other decorations. It takes him over 400 hours to put this display together!

There are no "physically" moving parts to this display...but there are moving, flashing, blinking light displays that will mesmerize you.  The display is synchronized with fun holiday music played on FM 99.1 (listen in car or bring a small radio).

Display will be closed on rainy nights. Please be mindful of the neighbors. Below are some photos from the display last year.

ViaPat4.jpg

Here's what it looks like during daylight hours...quite complex looking!

ViaPat1.jpg
ViaPat2.jpg

This was taken on Friday, November 26, 2010. This residence on Via Patricia in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park has an incredible holiday light display synchronized with music played on 99.1 FM (bring a small radio to enjoy the simulcast).

CLU Launches Sabbath Hour For All Faiths, Including Recently Built Labyrinth

/

CLU launches Sabbath hour for all faiths

New resources include labyrinth, interfaith texts

An hour previously reserved for a weekly chapel service at California Lutheran University has been revamped as a Sabbath hour when students and staff are encouraged to take time for spiritual rest and reflection in any of a variety of ways.

This fall, to accommodate more classes, the growing university moved its weekly chapel service from the Wednesday morning slot it had held for 43 years to 11:25 a.m. Thursdays. The Office of Campus Ministry used the change as an opportunity to roll out new resources to encourage students and staff to use the hour from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Thursdays to hit pause in their busy lives, regardless of their spiritual backgrounds. No classes or official meetings are scheduled during the hour.

A labyrinth for walking and contemplation was recently built behind Samuelson Chapel with support from student groups.

(NOTE: The labyrinth is open to the public, as is the Wennes Interfaith Meditation Chapel and the campus' weekly chapel services. Visit www.callutheran.edu to learn more.)

University Pastor Melissa Maxwell-Doherty in front of the labyrinth is attached. (Photo credit: Brian Stethem/CLU)

University Pastor Melissa Maxwell-Doherty and former Associated Students of CLU President Jesse McClain added prayer mats, cushions, incense and several sacred texts to the Wennes Interfaith Meditation Chapel, which i

Read More

16-Screen Century Theatres to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Oct 26

/

In case you hadn't already noticed, there's a big new shopping center being built on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits, called The Collection at RiverPark.

If you're a Target fan, the center already features a 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Target store that opened over a year ago in July 2011. I've been there with the kids and I can honestly say this is the nicest, coolest looking Target store I've ever been to. There's also covered parking, which kind of nice.

Shea Properties continues construction of The Collection at RiverPark and has announced a number of great new additions to our local shopping and dining scene!  Here's what is coming:

Century Theatres will be opening a brand new 16 screen location on Friday, October 26th (just in time for Halloween)! Two of the screens will use their new XD (Extreme Digital) technology that features a larger screen, up to 38' × 70' and improvements in audio and digital projection.

In November 2012, they plan to open Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Panera Bread, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Color Me Mine (do it yourself pottery painting studio) and Massage Envy Spa.

In the spring of 2013 they anticipate the opening of REI Store, (outdoor gear and clothing), a Whole Foods Market and a Starbucks.

For more information and updates, visit shoppingthecollection.com.

Grand Opening of the Springville Dog Park in Camarillo on Friday, September 28th

/

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District & Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks celebrates the Grand Opening of Springville Dog Park at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo on Friday, September 28th from 5:30-6:30pm. All people and pooches are invited.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by light refreshments and treats for humans and pups alike.  Bring the whole family for a fun evening at the new Springville Dog Park!

Donate to Springville Dog Park! Purchase an engraved DONOR BRICK to show your support and pave the dog park entrance. Buy a brick for your favorite dog or dog owner as a gift!  What a great gift to give to any dog lover you know?  Your donation will support your local dog park and be memorialized with a personalized brick.  Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com


View Larger Map