Grand Opening of the Mel Vincent Park in Camarillo Slated for February

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District announce it will be hosting a grand opening of Mel Vincent Park, 668 Calistoga Road, Camarillo on Saturday, February 4th. (If raining, it will be postponed to February 18th.)

The park is located in a new housing development off of Springville Road. The five acre park features state of the art outdoor fitness equipment, two playgrounds, four 1/2 court basketball courts, two sand volleyball courts, picnic tables and shelter and a meandering concrete path.

For a satellite view of the park layout in a pdf file, visit www.pvrpd.org/documents/LabeledSateliteView.pdf.

Grand Re-Opening of Museum of Ventura County in January 2017

The Museum of Ventura County is preparing excitedly for the Grand Re-Opening of its galleries after being closed since September 1.  A fundraising gala, “Splendors of the Museum” will be held on Saturday, January 7, followed by a community celebration—free and open to all— on Sunday, January 8 from noon to 5 pm.  The community celebration begins with an opening ceremony at 12:30 pm, followed by free tours throughout the afternoon of the museum’s new galleries.  Two new exhibits, “Masterworks of the Museum” and “Really Awful People, featuring the George Stuart Historical Figures” will debut.

The rebirth of this century-old institution came from a desire to give residents throughout Ventura County more access to their history, and to provide a more participatory and exciting experience for all visitors from the moment they enter the museum.

Under the new direction of interim executive director and consultant Elena Brokaw, it is no longer business as usual. “As I toured this treasured cultural resource from top to bottom, I immediately saw one core problem—not enough gallery space.  We needed to increase our ability to share more of the history of Ventura County with visitors and residents. Our 104-year-old collection comprises more than 31,000 historical objects, and it belongs to all of us.  Although it can never be displayed all at one time, the lure of “what is in the basement” is so strong.  We wanted to do something about that.”

Accordingly, exhibition space has been nearly doubled by reinventing spaces, such as the lobby, courtyard and museum store as galleries where more artifacts could be installed and stories could be told. Changes literally begin at the front door, where guests are greeted by historic photos, large-scale objects and digital installations covering previously blank walls. This space is now meant to “set the stage”, telling visitors where they are and what they can expect.

Even the way visitors proceed through the museum is different. Instead of entering through the museum store, they will proceed from the lobby into the outdoor courtyard space; they are literally re-directed into a more welcoming, expansive and chronological adventure.  This space features a historic timeline mural, created by local artist Ryan Carr, which transports visitors back in time.  Also in this space are citrus trees evoking the Mission Orchard, which existed on that very site 200 years ago.

Visitors will discover many artifacts and works of art that haven’t been seen for years, which have been researched and revealed by the museum’s curators.  The inaugural exhibition, “Masterworks from the Museum’s Collection” will pair works of art with artifacts and photos that convey the proud heritage and important stories of individuals and families throughout the region.

The beloved Chumash gallery, an essential field trip stop for 3rd- and 4th- grade students throughout Ventura County, has been transformed into a more vibrant and educational environment with the installation of large-scale graphics, authentic artifacts and interactive stations providing hands-on experiences for kids.  This re-invigorates the museum’s popular education program, led by a devoted Docent Council, which serves nearly 5,000 schoolchildren per year.

A new interactive gallery called “Is it Art?” brings forth some of the more unusual items from the collection and invites visitors into a collective discussion of what constitutes a work of art. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM

The Museum of Ventura County, located in historic downtown Ventura at 100 E. Main Street, was founded in 1913.  Its first home was in the County Courthouse building, now Ventura’s City Hall. www.venturamuseum.org

The museum’s collection of artifacts began with pioneer Cephas Bard, a doctor who accepted Chumash baskets, trinkets and personal items from indigenous patients in lieu of payment for his services. Bard was a beloved doctor from Pennsylvania who relocated to the California Coast with his brother Thomas, who became a U.S. Senator from California.

The collection has grown to over 31,000 artifacts, which includes Chumash-era objects and implements, as well examples of contemporary clothing, ephemera, fine art and photography from the past century. The Museum of Ventura County’s collection reflects life in Ventura County, and includes items from every city in the County.

One of the most well-known features of the Museum is its renowned Research Library, housing a collection of more than 150,000 documents, books, maps and historic photographs and periodicals.

Blast City Laser Tag Coming to Oak Park in Early 2016

Update 10/21/16: Finally the day has come for Blast City Laser Tag to open its doors on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 5pm.

Original Post: 10/11/15:

If you're a Kids World Indoor Playground visitor on Lindero Canyon Road (corner of Kanan) in Oak Park, you may have noticed an additional sign to the right of Kids World, "Blast City Laser Tag." A brief call to Kids World confirmed that they are opening up this new laser tag venue with a target date of sometime in early 2016. So stay tuned...

Laser tag seems to be on a roll. Recently Laser Tag Westlake opened at The Stadium in Westlake Village. LazerTag Extreme opened in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley in July 2013. There's a laser tag area at Sky High Sports in Camarillo too. And Golf N Stuff Ventura has a laser tag area that is currently closed for refurbishment.

The New Western Lowland Gorilla Brothers are Now on View at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Brothers Nzinga (pronounced in-ZING-gah) and Bangori (ban-GORE-ee) have completed their 30 day required quarantine period and are now on view intermittently, between 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., at the Santa Barbara Zoo. 

Born and raised at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, these new Western lowland gorilla brothers share parents and are adapting to their new home and keepers. The brothers have reached the age where it was time to leave the family as a bachelor group until they are ready to lead families of their own in the next five to ten years. Nzinga is 18 and Bangori is 12.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is among several zoos that have bachelor troops in a "Foster Feeder" program. Consider helping the Zoo with a Foster Feeder sponsorship; a $50 donation helps with the cost of feeding the gorillas. New gorilla Foster Feeders receive a plush gorilla (while supplies last) along with a certificate, fact sheet and recognition. Visit www.sbzoo.org/donate and choose Sponsor an Animal.

Western lowland gorillas are a critically endangered species. Main threats stem from human-disease transmission, poaching and habitat loss. There are currently 353 Western lowland gorillas who reside in 51 Association of Zoo & Aquarium institutions throughout North America.

The Western lowland gorilla species is also known by the quite interesting scientific name, Gorilla gorilla gorilla. Did hear an echo?

Visit the Santa Barbara Zoo website at www.sbzoo.org.

Update on Parker, the Newest Masai Giraffe at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Here's the latest on "Parker," born this past Saturday to doting mother Betty Lou at the Santa Barbara Zoo. Parker is a boy and he measured in at 6'8" and 171 lbs. Not quite NBA material at that weight but watch him grow! Parker is the 6th calf born at the zoo since arrival of his sire, Michael, on the scene. Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and the Masai is the largest subspecies, growing up to 17 feet tall and weighing 2,700 pounds. Parker will on view to the public at a data TBA.

More on the zoo at THIS LINK.

Santa Barbara Zoo Announces Birth of Another Masai Giraffe Named Parker

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s Masai giraffe Betty Lou gave birth to a calf today, August 6th at 9:38am in the Zoo’s Giraffe Barn after 45 minutes of labor. The calf has been named “Parker” by donors, the Hutton Parker Foundation.  The sex of the calf will be determined at a veterinary exam tomorrow morning, August 7th.

NOTE: The calf is not currently available for viewing. Viewing date will be announced via SB Zoo social media.

This is Betty Lou’s third pregnancy. Giraffe calves are born after a gestation of roughly 14.5 months and are typically 125 to 150 pounds and six feet tall at birth. Parker should grow approximately three feet during the calf’s first year of life. 

The calf stood 50 minutes after being born and was nursing 30 minutes after standing up.  The Santa Barbara Zoo animal care team remarked that Betty Lou is a very attentive mother.

The Zoo’s giraffe herd is part of the population of 120 Masai giraffes that live at 28 North American zoos accredited by the AZA. Michael, the calf’s sire, is considered the most genetically valuable male Masai giraffe in captivity because he has few relatives in zoos other than his offspring born here in Santa Barbara, which now numbers six. He arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo in January 2012.

The SB Zoo’s herd now consists of Michael, females Audrey and Betty Lou, Audrey’s calves Chad (born March 26, 2016) and Buttercup (born November 13, 2014), and now Betty Lou’s calf Parker.

There are an estimated 37,000 Masai giraffes in Kenya and Tanzania, but a more thorough census is required. They are at risk due to poaching and habitat loss and environmental degradation. Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and the Masai is the largest subspecies, growing up to 17 feet tall and weighing 2,700 pounds.

Iconic Species Fights for Survival 

According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, there are nine recognized subspecies of giraffes with some subspecies numbering only a few thousand such as Rothschild’s giraffe (Giraffe camelopardalis rothschildi), a few hundred to under 100.  Overall giraffe populations have plummeted 40% in just 15 years in the plains and forests of Africa.

Stick Your Neck Out for Giraffes!

The public can support the SBZ herd and welcome this long-necked arrival by becoming a Foster Feeder sponsor of the giraffe calf.  A donation of $50 helps with the cost of feeding the growing giraffe family. New giraffe Foster Feeders receive a baby photo of the calf along with a certificate, giraffe fact sheet, and recognition on the Zoo’s Foster Feeder board. For information, visit www.sbzoo.org.

About the Santa Barbara Zoo

Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo is located on 30 acres of botanic gardens and is home to nearly 500 individual animals in open, naturalistic habitats. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), representing the highest level of animal care, and participates in AZA endangered species programs for Asian elephant, California condor, Channel Island fox, and Western lowland gorilla, among others.

A private nonprofit corporation, the Santa Barbara Zoo depends on community support, not tax dollars, for operations and improvements. 

The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; general admission is $17 for adults, $13 for seniors aged 65+, $10 for children 2-12, and children under 2 are free. Parking is $7. Visit www.sbzoo.org.

Two New Western Lowland Gorillas Have Arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo

Two new Western lowland gorillas arrived today (7/27/16) at the Santa Barbara Zoo from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas.

Nzinga (age 18) and Bangori (age 12) are brothers, and will be on view to the public after a thirty day quarantine. The public debut date will be announced on the Zoo’s social media.

The Zoo’s previous gorillas, named Goma and Kivu, had resided at the Zoo since 1997 in the Forest’s Edge exhibit and departed this spring. Goma and Kivu are now playing a vital role in adding to the genetic diversity of North American gorillas having joined family groups at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado (Goma) and the Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas (Kivu).

About Western Lowland Gorillas
Found in the lowland tropical forests of central Africa and the Congo Basin, the Western lowland gorilla population is critically endangered. Main threats stem from human-disease transmission, poaching and habitat loss due to mining and timber industries. According to the World Wildlife Fund, even if all threats to Western lowland gorillas were removed, scientists calculate the population would require at least 75 years to recover due to naturally low birth rates.

Currently, there are 353 Western lowland gorillas that reside in 51 Association of Zoo & Aquarium (AZA) institutions throughout North America.

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s role in this effort is to house all male groups called bachelor troops. Bachelor troops play a critical role in the development of young, male gorillas. When it’s time for teenage males to leave their birth families, they join a bachelor troop until they are old enough to establish a family troop of their own.

The species is also known by one of the more memorable the scientific names in the animal
kingdom, Gorilla gorilla gorilla.

“Support the Troop”
The public can help the Zoo celebrate the arrival of Nzinga and Bangori by becoming a Foster Feeder sponsor for Western lowland gorillas. A donation of $50 helps with the cost of feeding the gorillas. New gorilla Foster Feeders receive a plush gorilla (while supplies last) along with a certificate, fact sheet, and recognition on the Zoo’s Foster Feeder board. For information, visit www.sbzoo.org/donate and choose Sponsor an Animal.

Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, the Santa Barbara Zoo is located on 30 acres ofbotanic gardens and is home to nearly 500 individual animals in open, naturalistic habitats. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), representing the highest level of animal care, and participates in AZA endangered species programs for Asian elephant, California condor, Channel Island fox, and Western lowland gorilla, among others.

A private nonprofit corporation, the Santa Barbara Zoo depends on community support, not tax dollars, for operations and improvements. The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; general admission is $17 for adults, $13 for seniors aged 65+, $10 for children 2-12, and children under 2 are free. Parking is $7. Visit www.sbzoo.org.

2016 Los Angeles Rams Training Camp at UC Irvine Open to the Public July 30 to Aug 25

As we already know, the Los Angeles Rams are moving their training facility to Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. The facility, including two practice fields, will be used for regular season training for the next two to five years. Regular season practices will take place at CLU from September through January, with off-season activities from March through July.

Training camp, however, will take place 80 miles southeast of Thousand Oaks at UC Irvine Crawford Field, 903 W. Peltason Drive.

So if you're looking to get a glimpse of the team at training camp from July 30 to August 25, here is the practice schedule, along with player autograph schedule for children 14 and under (subject to change):

• Sat, Jul 30: 3:30PM (Autographs: Defensive Line)
• Sun, Jul 31: 3:30PM (Offensive Line)
• Mon, Aug 1: NO PRACTICE
• Tue, Aug 2: 3:30PM (Defense Backs)
• Wed, Aug 3: 3:30PM (QBs and TEs)
• Thu, Aug 4: NO PRACTICE
• Fri, Aug 5: 3:30PM (RBs and WRs)
• Sat, Aug 6: 3 PM SCRIMMAGE AT LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM 
• Sun, Aug 7: NO PRACTICE
• Mon, Aug 8: 3:30PM (LBs and ST)
• Tue, Aug 9: 3:30PM (Defensive Line)
• Wed, Aug 10: NO PRACTICE
• Thu, Aug 11: 10AM (Offensive Line)
• Fri, Aug 12: NO PRACTICE
• Sat, Aug 13: Exhibition game Dallas at Los Angeles at L.A. Coliseum 5PM)
• Sun, Aug 14: NO PRACTICE
• Mon, Aug 15: 4:30PM (Defensive Line)
• Tue, Aug 16: 3:30PM (Defensive Backs)
• Wed, Aug 17: 3:30PM (RBs and WRs)
• Thu, Aug 18: 5:30PM (LBs and ST)
• Fri, Aug 19: NO PRACTICE
• Sat, Aug 20: Exhibition game Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Rams 7PM)
• Sun, Aug 21: NO PRACTICE
• Mon, Aug 22: 4:30PM (Defensive Line)
• Tue, Aug 23: 3:30PM (Defensive Backs)
• Wed, Aug 24: 3:30PM (QBs and TEs)
• Thu, Aug 25: 4:30PM (Team)

Gates open 90 minutes before practice. Free of charge. Parking $10/day.

More information at www.therams.com/ramscamp.html.

Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit at Museum of Ventura County Celebrates Asian American History

Vietnam refugees (photo courtesy of U.S. Department of the Navy)

Asian and Pacific Americans make up more than 5 percent of the U.S. population—more than 17 million people—and those numbers are growing. Their ancestral roots represent more than 50 percent of the world, extending from East Asia to Southeast Asia, and from South Asia to the Pacific Islands and Polynesia.

In commemoration of this important history, “I Want the Wide American Earth: An Asian Pacific American Story” will open at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main Street, Ventura, on Saturday, June 18th as part of a 21-city national tour. “I Want the Wide American Earth” was created by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). The exhibition is supported by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

In this first exhibition of its kind, the Smithsonian celebrates Asian Pacific American history across a multitude of diverse cultures and explores how Asian Pacific Americans have shaped and been shaped by the course of the nation’s history. “I Want the Wide American Earth” tells the rich and complex stories of the very first Asian immigrants, including their participation in key moments in American history: Asian immigrants panned in the Gold Rush, hammered ties in the Transcontinental Railroad, fought on both sides in the Civil War and helped build the nation’s agricultural system.

Through the decades, Asian immigrants struggled against legal exclusion, civil rights violations and unlawful detention, such as the 120,000 Japanese who were interred during World War II. Since the 1960s, vibrant new communities, pan-Asian, Pacific Islander and cross-cultural in make-up, have blossomed.

The Ventura County presentation will be enhanced by artifacts, photos and documentary materials drawn from its own collection and from local residents.  These items will tell the stories of and celebrate the rich heritage of the Asian-American populations in the Central Coast region.

The banner exhibition is complemented by an e-book, which is a 14-page illustrated adaption of the exhibition. Produced in collaboration with SI Universe Media, creators of the first-ever Asian Pacific American comics anthology, the e-book will tell the Asian Pacific American story in graphic narrative, featuring work by seven Asian Pacific American comic artists. The e-book is free to download and viewable on all tablet devices and e-readers.

The exhibit also features a free mobile tour app (available on the App Store under “Wide Earth”), which includes interviews with authors Maxine Hong Kingston and Monique Truong; U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta; Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center director Konrad Ng; activist Deepa Iyer; and U.S. retired major general Antonio Taguba.

Curated by Lawrence-Ming Bùi Davis, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Initiative coordinator, “I Want the Wide American Earth” is a moving, dramatic and evocative narrative of Asian Pacific American history and culture.

The Museum of Ventura county’s presentation of this national exhibition was made possible by the generous support of Susan Van Abel and Eric Oltmann, Tolman & Wiker, and the Downtown Ventura Organization.