Oil Painting Exhibit at Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center in Calabasas 5/1-6/8

Summer Days are Here Again (Marnie Smart Piuze) 12x24

Flowing out of over three decades of exploring and enjoying the coastal shores, bluffs, and mountains, Marnie Smart Piuze’s plein air oil paintings are a grateful expression of the peace and wonder they impart.

“I feel like I’m having a vacation every time I’m painting,” says Piuze, who has lived in Malibu since 1971, always taking advantage of the trails and scenery. “I love nature. That’s why I’ve always hiked and raised my kids to value natural resources.”

Piuze has been painting for 15 years and is a member of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore. Her work will be on display May 1 through June 8 at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center. An opening reception will be held there on Sunday, May 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The visitor center is located at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. For more information, call 805-370-2301

Gull Wings Children's Museum to Close on January 10 to Procure New Location

Gull Wings Children’s Museum Board of Directors voted last week to close the 4th Street museum site in Oxnard on January 10, 2016, after 28 years in residence there to focus on procuring a new location to expand programming and exhibit space.

As a preview of exciting programs to come, the Museum will offer a special activity every day starting on December 22, 2015 with a 3D printing workshop where children can make
their own snowflakes (9am -1pm). On Wednesday, December 23rd, children will learn about matter with an “instant snow workshop” at the Museum. Please visit gullwings.org for the entire calendar of activities. There will be a community celebration on the last day at the current location, and all are welcome. New schedule of hours: 9am - 1pm Tuesday - Sunday.

Why is the 4th Street facility being closed? Throughout 2015, the Gull Wings' Board has been working towards expansion and development of the GWCM. The board has agreed that the current facility has stagnated progress and as a result, has decided to close the current location, but NOT the Museum.

The Board is now focused on the strategic mission and vision of GWCM and taking "Explore, Giggle, Grow" to a new level. The board would like to thank the residents of Oxnard and Ventura County for their continued support and invite them to soar with Gull Wings to a new location.

Immediate support for the move and continued programming can be made online or at the Museum. “Friends of Gull Wings” donation levels: 0 - $50 = egg; $51 - $100 = hatchling ; $250 nestling ; $500 fledgling ; $1000 seagull. 

The new permanent destination is in the process of being defined by the Board, and the Gull Wings website will be updated to share new information as it is confirmed. During this process, the Museum plans to develop mobile programs, a possible temporary location, and a continuing website and social media presence to continue Gull Wings’ mission of providing engaging experiences that excite the senses and inspire young minds to ask questions. Gull Wings Children’s Museum will continue its role as the premier children’s Museum in Ventura County cultivating empathy, imagination, creative expression, and inventive thinking in tomorrow’s mindful leaders.

Woodland Hills Ice Outdoor Winter Ice Rink

Sad announcement: The Woodland Hills Ice Rink will not be open for the 2016-2017 holiday season for reasons beyond their control. But they hope to bring it back in the future.

Here in the Conejo Valley, the Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks is always so popular from mid-November through mid-January. If you're looking for even more outdoor holiday skating action in the local vicinity, check out the Woodland Hills Ice Outdoor Winter Ice Rink, located at the Westfield Promenade, 6100 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland Hills (in the northwest corner of the parking lot at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Erwin Street),

The rink is open November 11, 2015 to January 24, 2016, including holidays.

Woodland Hills Ice has been open during the winter months since 1989. Open 7 days a week including holidays, the outdoor ice rink hosts daily public skating, birthday parties, field trips, fundraisers and special events on 7,000 sq ft of ice.

Admission prices, which includes skate rental, are $15 for ages 9+, $13 for ages 8 and under and free to ages 3 and under. Hours vary.

Visit www.woodlandhillsice.com or call 818.854.4151 to learn more.

Bulldog Auction House and Retail Location in Camarillo

Recently I happened upon the Bulldog Auction House, located at 3233 Mission Oaks Blvd, Unit A in Camarillo (near the Technicolor facility).

Bulldog is on online auction house with locations in Canoga Park and Camarillo locally, offering a variety of items for auction, including home goods, toys, appliances, furniture, auto supplies, cleaning supplies, baby supplies and a wide range of other items. Timing of the auctions vary.

But the Camarillo Bulldog Liquidators location also has a retail store with an interesting array of items for sale. Coffee, office supplies, chairs, furniture, tools, toys, games, household cleaning, food items (lots of coffee), and much more.  We're talking kind of a Big Lots in a warehouse with an eclectic assortment of items at discount items.

 Bulldog has been here for a number of months. Since it is co-located in corporate/industrial space, there is zero visibility from the main street, but it is just off the 101, west of Flynn Road.

I asked where the items came from and was told mostly overstock items. There did appear to be some used, perhaps returned items. Like a Trivial Pursuit game in an opened package that truly looked unused. There was quite an interesting assortment of items on hand for bargain hunters out there. There were also a lot of diapers, child seats and other items.

You can also check out items in the online auction. We're talking a massive assortment of kitchen electronics and other household/personal items like diapers, detergent and so much more.  The current auction has 800 items for sale. If you are the high bidder, you pay a 12% premium (be sure to take that into account in your bidding) and sales taxes.

Current retail store hours are Mon-Wed 8 am to 4 pm and Thurs-Sat 8 am to 5 pm. Learn more at www.bulldogauctionhouse.com or call 805.312.0327.

An interesting array of items at the Bulldog Liquidators warehouse in Camarillo

Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley May Be the Most Unique Store in Ventura County

Update 11/3/17: Owners announced via Facebook that they will be moving out of state 1/1/18 but that their online store will remain open.

Explorers' Emporium may well be the most unique store in Ventura County. 

A friend from Simi Valley has a son who has an interest in fossils. He received a good deal of help on his project at the store and told me I had to check it out.

I stopped by and it took me awhile to take it all in. Explorers' Emporium is a small store yet carries a jaw-dropping, eclectic assortment of items geared towards creative types.

An entire section of the store contains replicas of dinosaur teeth and other items like shark teeth. There is a huge assortment of archery supplies, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, crafts, steampunk, Renaissance Faire costumes, science projects, board games and much more.

There's an entire display of dinosaur replica items, like teeth and claws available for purchase for both educational and hobby/collecting use. I on the other hand couldn't help but purchase these Tyrannosaurus rex teeth for a few hard to shop for friends.

Located in the Stone Gate Shopping Center at 5766 E. Los Angeles Avenue (at Yosemite) in the east end of Simi Valley. Explorers' Emporium opened this past summer but its owners have been providing creative, science and learning programs to the local community for over 25 years.

Emplorers' Emporium offers a variety of programs, both on-site and at local schools and organizations, including fossil/dinosaur programs, archaic man programs, Dungeon and Dragons encounters, science/nature workshops, Magic: the Gathering sessions, Tandy leather classes, miniature/figurine painting, music, gaming and more. Visit www.explorersemporium.com/programs.php for details.

Learn more at explorersemporium.com or call 805.791.3002.

Renaissance Fair and Steampunk garb available for purchase at Explorers' Emporium

Westlake Village Community Park, Skate Park and Triunfo YMCA Facility

Westlake Village Community Park construction well underway

Westlake Village Community Park is located on a hilltop at 31107 Thousand Oaks Blvd (just west of Lindero Canyon Road). There is a one-way entrance and a one-way exit off of Thousand Oaks Blvd that can be accessed by vehicle, bicycle, or sidewalk during park hours.

This is a 19 acre site that includes the park as well as the 55,000 sq ft Triunfo YMCA facility slated to open in early 2016. 

View of the Triunfo Y facility under construction

Once completed, Westlake Village Community Park will contain eight acres of lighted synthetic turf athletic fields for soccer, baseball, softball, and other sports, a walking/jogging trail, skate park, picnic areas, outdoor volleyball and basketball courts, fitness equipment, restroom/concession facilities, and children’s play areas. 

Ball fields 1 and 2 as well as the skate park are currently open to the public.

Skate park at Westlake Village Community Park is open to the public

Water Wings Swim School Opening Soon at the Agoura Hills Town Center

Water Wings Swim School is opening very soon at the Agoura Hills Town Center, 30135 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, directly across from Future Track Running Center.  Nearly four years ago, this was Terri's Cafe.  FOLLOW-UP: They opened in August!

Water Wings is a year round swim school founded in 2003 with locations in Las Vegas and Northridge...and soon, Agoura Hills. I was shocked when I discovered this today. Quite a massive, heated pool completely full of water. Water wings provides private and group lessons to children and adults of all ages, starting at 3 months.

For more information, visit www.waterwingsswimschool.com or visit the Water Wings Agoura Hills Facebook page at www.facebook.com/waterwingsah. They are also currently hiring for this new location.

Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun Opening Later This Summer in Simi Valley

Color Mi Vino: Paint, Wine, Fun is joining the latest big trend...painting with a glass of wine. They are looking to open in the coming months, with a target date in September, at 2955 B-2 Cochran St, Simi Valley (Sycamore Square Shopping Center).

Under the guidance of a trained artist, enjoy painting your masterpiece with a glass of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage. All supplies will be provided and no experience is required. You will be guided every step of the way.

For updates, visit colormivino.com.

Ribbon Cutting for Phase I of Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground in Thousand Oaks Took Place Today

Working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise has been working to raise $500,000 by 2016 to expand and refurbish the existing special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks. The Therapeutic Recreation Unit of CRPD provides special programs for residents with disabilities and is located at the park. The playground, available to special needs and all children, has been named the Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground.

Today the ribbon cutting for the $300,000 Phase I of the project took place. Phase I expands the size of the playground and contains mat surfacing, rolling turf hills, large shaded areas, tree log swings, seagull swings, harmony chimes, hammocks, pod seats, picnic tables and many other cool features.

Phase I was possible due to the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Rotary, CRPD and Play Conejo and with generous grants from the Tull Family Foundation, County of Ventura, Farmer’s Insurance, City of Thousand Oaks, the TO Rotary Club and the Rotary Foundation, Kenrose Kitchen Foundation, Verizon, CBC Federal Credit Union, and Harrison Industries.

Old Meadows Park is located at 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks, off of Erbes Road.

Phase I is done but the fundraising continues! Visit www.rotarydreamcatcher.org to learn more and to support the effort.