Stagecoach Inn Museum Newbury Park to Re-Open on Saturday, February 20th

The Stagecoach Inn Museum welcomes visitors back starting February 20th for a safely socially distanced outdoor museum experience, Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 pm. Guests will enjoy doorway viewing and docent presentations at seven structures on our beautiful four-acre property, with rose-garden, heritage farm trail, and nature trail, all for a suggested donation of just $5 per person (card or exact cash please).

In addition to the historic landmark inn, built in 1876 as the Grand Union Hotel, a one-room schoolhouse, Carriage House, working Blacksmith Shop, Pioneer Home, California Adobe, and Chumash Ap, await those wanting to experience what life was like in the early days of the Conejo Valley. Several exhibits are augmented with new QR code signage, offering “Virtual Tour” video enhancements via your smart phone. The Emporium will also be open, offering books, specialty historic items, unique gifts, and crafts made by our blacksmiths, woodworkers, and other volunteers.

In February, docents will be demonstrating tools, machinery, gadgets and various “modern conveniences” that households and businesses enjoyed in the mid-late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some of the items that may be demonstrated include a sausage stuffer, butter churner, miniature sewing machine for travel, iron and laundry equipment, woodworking tools and blacksmith forge.

In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month with the return of our Ladies of the Conejo old-time radio show broadcast on the Grand Porch at 2:00 select Saturdays beginning March 6. This fun and informative performance features eight inspiring women from Conejo Valley history sharing their stories, including Mabel Stark, world’s first female tiger trainer, Donna Fargo, founder of Conejo Valley Days, and others. The show is included in the price of admission.

Now open for outdoor-Covid safe tours from 1-4:00 PM Saturdays. Masks are required and there is a suggested donation of $5 per person-exact cash or debit/credit card preferred.

The original Stagecoach Inn, called the Grand Union Hotel, was built in 1876 at the southwest corner of what is now Ventu Park Road and the Ventura Freeway and is now designated City of Thousand Oaks Landmark No. 1.

Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Rd., Newbury Park. 805.498.9441 stagecoachinnmuseum.com.

Ventura County, Conejo Valley Area Movie Theaters Announcing Reopening Plans Started October 9th (Ended November 18th)

VENTURA COUNTY WAS MOVED BACK TO THE “PURPLE TIER” EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 18TH, EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATING OPERATION OF INDOOR MOVIES

Local area theaters that are reopening soon (current Red Tier guideline is the lesser of 25% capacity or 100 people per theater screening) include AMC Thousand Oaks this Friday, 10/9 (thanks Dawn for the heads up via the CVG Instagram page), Cinepolis Westlake Village 10/12, Regency Paseo Camarillo 10/9, Century Riverpark in Oxnard 10/9 and Roxy Stadium 11 in Camarillo 10/16.

Studio Movie Grill Simi Valley is back open.

Regal theaters announced the opposite the other day...that all theaters are "suspending" operations as of 10/9. Regal theaters in the local area include Janss Marketplace, Simi Valley Civic Center, Edwards Camarillo and Edwards Calabasas. Regal indicates this is temporary. "Any rewards and credits that expire while Regal theatres are closed will be extended when we reopen."

Links to various local Ventura County area movie theater websites at THIS LINK.

City of Thousand Oaks Launches "12 Acts of Kindness" Campaign In Memory of the Borderline 12

In memory of those taken on November 7, 2018, and in honor of those that survived, the City of Thousand Oaks has launched a campaign designed to encourage the community to perform 12 Acts of Kindness. An act of kindness can be simple and performed on behalf of those closest to you, a stranger, an organization, or for some, an act of kindness for themselves.

Examples of acts of kindness: make a donation, pay it forward, volunteer, pick up trash, call a friend, support a local business, say hello to someone, send a card, etc.

Some additional ideas and printables:

Take What You Need

This tear-away sheet can be printed, snipped along the green lines, and placed in a public space, such as a neighborhood bulletin board, light pole, or other visible place where people can have a surprise encounter with the material. There is a pre-filled version and a blank version where you can write what they’d like to share with others. PRE-FILLED VERSION (PDF) BLANK VERSION (PDF)

Act of Kindness Cards

These cards can be printed and cut to hand out with some acts of kindness as noted on the sheet. By handwriting a name, it creates a personalized, impactful way to share the message.

ACTS OF KINDNESS (FIRST RESPONDERS) ACTS OF KINDNESS (BLANK)

Art Heals

This sheet is a platform for the creation of art by all ages and abilities. People are encouraged to make art on the sheet in any way they are able, with whatever they have around. This could be painting, drawing, gluing leaves and other found objects, etc. This is a real opportunity for beautiful creativity!

ART HEALS SHEET (PDF)

The 12 Acts of Kindness Campaign runs from November 1 to November 30, 2020.

Ventura County Could Move to Red Tier October 6th; Playgrounds May Now Open in California

On Monday, the State of California announced that the County of Ventura has met the State COVID-19 metrics for one week. If Ventura County meets the metrics for an additional week, the state will allow the county to move into the Red Tier of the State’s Blueprint for a Safer Economy.

As of September 29, the Ventura County has met the threshold for the case rate for the Red Tier. Any county within this tier must indicate a daily case rate of between 4-7 cases and a positivity rate of between 5-8%. Ventura County currently has a daily case rate of 7.0. The County’s testing volume of 283 exceeds the state average of 248.9. This has allowed for an adjustment by the state of the case rate from 8 to 7. Exceeding the requirements for testing has helped the County advance.

The County anticipates that establishment in the Red Tier would become effective starting Tuesday, October 6, 2020.

Once in the Red Tier, personal care services, restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters, gyms and fitness centers, along with museums, zoos and aquariums will be able to open for indoor operations with modifications.

Stores with indoor operations that are open in the Purple Tier can increase indoor capacity to 50% in the Red Tier. Restaurants can open indoors at 25% capacity. Places of worship, higher education, and zoos and museums can open indoor operations at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is less. Fitness centers and gyms will be able to offer indoor operations at 10% capacity.

School openings for in-person instruction are only able to be considered once a county has been in the Red Tier for 14 consecutive days. At this time, only schools that have applied for school waivers and have been approved are allowed to be open for in-person instruction. If the county continues to meet the threshold for case rate and other metrics, K-12 schools across the County could reopen as early as Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Additionally, as of September 28, the state has allowed for outdoor playgrounds operated by a city, state, county, or federal government to open. The County of Ventura is in line with the guidance that has been provided by the state. More details at THIS LINK.

Visitors to outdoor community playgrounds must comply with the following requirements:

1. Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use.

2. Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or when the capacity limit has been reached.

3. Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart.

4. Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times.

5. No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times.

6. Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.

7. Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present.

8. Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present

2020 Halloween Guidance Issued by Ventura County Public Health

UPDATE 9/16: There's been an update to VC Public Health's "Interim Halloween Guidance" available at vcrecovers.com in the News and Updates section. Door to door trick or treating and "trunk or treating" are now "not recommended" rather than "not permitted."

Details at vcportal.ventura.org/CEO/VCNC/2020-09-16_VCPH_InterimHalloweenGuidance.pdf

Ventura County Public Health has issued Halloween Guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 that includes the following:

Not Permitted Under Current Health Orders:

1. Halloween gatherings or events with non-household members, both indoors and outdoors.

2. Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment and haunted house attractions.

3. Door to door trick or treating.*

4. "Trunk or treating"*

* Due to difficulty in maintaining social distancing, riskiness of sharing food/candy, etc.

Permitted and Recommended:

1. Online parties/contests

2. Pumpkin picking at pumpkin patches

3. Car parades

4. Halloween movie nights at drive-in theaters

5. Halloween themed meals at outdoor eateries

6. Dressing up homes/yards with Halloween decor

More details at THIS LINK.

The Los Angeles Zoo is Reopening on August 26th

The Los Angeles Zoo has announced its plans to reopen on Wednesday, August 26th. Advance, timed-entry reservations will be required for all guests. And of course, face coverings and physical distancing will be required.

While most outdoor animal exhibits will reopen, a number of activities will remain closed, such as giraffe feedings, flamingo mingle, photo safari , the LAIR, aviary and certain other areas.

Learn more and buy your tickets at www.lazoo.org/reopening.

Mile Stretch of State Street in Santa Barbara Closed to Vehicular Traffic

Since May 22, State Street between Sola Street and Haley Street in Downtown Santa Barbara has been closed to vehicular traffic. This has allowed restaurants to expand their outdoor seating options during the pandemic.

There’s plenty of parking in the adjoining streets and parking lots.

Bicyclists are allowed in this promenade area, but must ride at a safe pace.

Wear your masks and enjoy your visit!

Learn more at www.downtownsb.org.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center to Open on Weekends Beginning August 15th

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf has received permission to open its outdoor spaces to the public. Starting this weekend, it will be open Saturday and Sunday, noon–4:00 PM.

The Wet Deck will be open for exploring life beneath Stearns Wharf and outside you'll be able to touch friendly Swell Sharks, sea anemones, sea stars, and other animals from the Center’s popular Intertidal Wonders exhibit.

Daily activities at the Museum (including visits from Sea Center experts and live animals) will continue through August. Check our calendar to see what's happening on which days.

Tickets to the Sea Center are $7.

www.sbnature.org/visit/hours

Main Street Moves Downtown Ventura Street Closures Continue through September 14th

UPDATE: Main Street Moves has continued to operate post-pandemic and in its November 2024 meeting, Ventura City Council voted to keep the year-round street closure on an ongoing basis. Visit https://downtownventura.org/moves for more information.

Since June 16th, Downtown Ventura has closed its streets to expand outdoor dining and shopping as part of its Main Street Moves launch. This will continue through September 14th.

The City of Ventura in partnership with Downtown Ventura invites the community to shop, sip, snack, and stroll safely in the historic streets of Downtown Ventura as part of “Main Street Moves .”

Five blocks in historic Downtown Ventura are closed to vehicular traffic to allow more space for adjacent businesses to expand operations to help maintain safe physical distancing requirements. Main Street Moves features amenities including live music, handwashing stations, sanitation efforts, temporary ADA restroom facilities, additional tables and chairs, and bike racks to accommodate 140 bikes.

Closures are in place along four blocks on Main Street, between Fir and Palm Streets, and one block of California Street, between Santa Clara and Poli Streets. During street closures, barricades will be in place to ensure visitors' safety.

Businesses interested in participating in the program must continue to follow Ventura County Public Health’s guidelines and are responsible for submitting an application for expansion onto public or private property. The 30-day program will be reevaluated to determine if additional extension time is required. For City permit application information, visit the City’s website or click here .

To learn more about Main Street Moves or for a map of all participating businesses, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=317.