Exhibit at Harbor Village Gallery in Ventura to Feature Work of Young Artists 2/13 to 3/11

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Buenaventura Art Association will showcase works by the top three winners of the sixth annual Collegiate Emerging Artist Cup scholarship competition in a group show starting Feb. 13 at its seaside Harbor Village Gallery.

"Donuts" by Jeanette CoronaJeanette Corona, Paige Kilbourne and James Joseph Nagy placed first through third, respectively, in the March 2012 judging. Corona works in oils on canvas; Kilbourne and Nagy are pursuing careers in photography. Each will exhibit about a dozen pieces. They will attend an artists’ reception at the gallery 5-8 p.m. Feb. 15.  

Corona won for “Donuts,” a large, colorful close-up still-life, but said she prefers doing figure and portraiture work with live models. For this exhibit, she has selected some nudes, a couple portraits, an abstract and other subjects.

Photographing fashions and fantasies — often together — is Kilbourne’s passion. She likes to create surreal art, “making what is in my head com

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Grand Opening of Freedom Park Baseball Complex in Camarillo on February 2nd

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The 34 acre Freedom Park is located adjacent to the Camarillo Airport. The new Freedom Park Baseball Complex features lighted baseball fields - 4 youth and 1 adult. Also at the park is the Freedom Park BMX Raceway, a dirt track open for BMX racing and practice. For those who like to race remote control cars there are dirt and asphalt tracks available at the Freedom Park R/C Track. The Freedom Park In-Line Hockey Rink is the place to be if roller hockey is your thing. Lastly, Freedom Park has picnic tables, BBQ grills, horseshoe pits, a playground, and restrooms.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10am, Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is hosting a grand opening events form the new baseball complex. To learn more, visit www.pvrpd.org/parks/active/freedom.asp or call 805.482.1996.

Del Prado Playfield in the Dos Vientos Section of Newbury Park is Now Open

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The newest park in the Conejo Valley is the Del Prado Playfield, located on, most logically, on Calle del Prado between Via Rio and Via Las Brisas in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. The park is located around the corner from Sycamore Canyon School and The Village at Dos Vientos, and within walking distance, about a half a mile, of Cypress Elementary via Kimber Drive/Via Rio.

This is a 26 acre park with a nice variety of things to do, including a unique playground area, 3 lighted softball fields with plenty of soccer space, basketball court, tennis court, two pickleball courts, plenty of walkways and, the holy grail of local parks, clean restrooms! There is also lots of available parking, well over 100 spots. Visit the Conejo Recreation and Park District website at www.crpd.org/parkfac/parklisting.asp for more information.

One of the more unique looking playgrounds around town. Never quite figured out what those green thingys are overhead but cool to look at!Like many local parks, Del Prado has a separate play area geared towards 5 and under.Pickleball. Yes, pickleball. Apparently one of the fastest growing sports in the country. I don't have a clue how to play just yet but a couple in what I'd estimate were in their 50s were playing on one of the 2 pickleball courts when I stopped by. Rackets looked like handball rackets and the ball looked somewhat like a whiffle ball that bounces on the court (which is roughly half the size of a tennis court). That's all I got for now on Pickleball but my interest is sparked and may have to actually learn how to play now.The grassy areas were quite brown on the large expanse of fields but I suspect they will be greening up a bit as we get towards Spring/Summer 2013.

Johnny Rockets in Agoura Hills Closed Its Doors on December 3, 2012

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The Johnny Rockets (formerly) located at 5015 Cornell Road in Agoura Hills closed its doors on December 3, 2012. This is the second Johnny Rockets in the Conejo Valley to shut down during 2012, following closure of The Oaks Mall location early in the year.

This leaves us with a total of zero Conejo Valley Johnny Rockets. However, there are still two other local Johnny Rockets locations: at The Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets and the other at The Commons at Calabasas.

One thing to note for Johnny Rockets and movie fans is that both of these locations currently offer a "Movie and a Meal" deal. Buy a regular entree and drink and you can purchase a discounted movie ticket at the Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium 12 and Edwards Calabasas Stadium 6 near each location. For example, at the Camarillo Johnny Rockets, they will sell you a movie ticket for $7.50, saving $3 off of a regular adult movie ticket of $10.50. At the Calabasas location, they currently sell movie tickets for $7.75, saving you nearly $5 off tickets normally priced up to $12.50.

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

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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!