First Look from Rubin Telescope Beams into Santa Barbara

The glow of the Milky Way reflects off of Rubin Observatory's silver dome in this photo from May 2025. Credit: Quint 

On Wednesday, June 25, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosted a special “First Look” event in partnership with Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO), debuting the first images from the groundbreaking Vera C. Rubin Observatory. As the Museum prepares to launch its Space Sciences exhibit on July 12, this event offers an early glimpse into the global discoveries and local science shaping our understanding of the universe. 

Located in Chile, the Rubin Observatory is the most powerful survey telescope ever built. Over the next decade, it will scan the southern sky every few nights as part of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)—capturing dynamic events like supernovae, near-Earth asteroids, and black hole mergers, and helping to unravel mysteries like dark matter.  
 
“The Rubin Observatory will observe countless objects in our local universe that have never been seen before. LCO scientists have been preparing for this for over a decade and we can’t wait to see what exciting things Rubin reveals,” says LCO Observatory Director Lisa Storrie-Lombardi, Ph.D. 

Santa Barbara-based Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) plays a vital role in the Rubin Observatory’s mission. With the only global network of robotic telescopes, LCO is uniquely positioned to track and study new cosmic events discovered by Rubin in real time. LCO scientists have been instrumental in shaping the project through their leadership in the LSST Discovery Alliance, a collaborative network supporting the Rubin survey’s scientific goals. 

The Museum’s “First Look” event featured a live broadcast of Rubin’s debut images, interactive displays, and a preview of themes that will be explored in its upcoming Space Sciences exhibit. Opening July 12, the exhibit will build public familiarity with the dynamics of the solar system and an appreciation for how astronomers constantly build on past discoveries to refine our understanding of the cosmos. 

Rubin During First Look Observing Campaign. Credit: Matsopoulos 

The Museum’s Astronomy Programs Manager, Ila Jad Komasa said. "Our Gladwin Planetarium allows us to make space more accessible and bring it a little closer to home. We have an amazing opportunity to take these remarkable images from Rubin Observatory and explore them in our planetarium. I am thrilled to collaborate with LCO to celebrate this milestone of astronomy." 

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History 

Powered by Science. Inspired by Nature. The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History connects people to nature for the betterment of both, drawing on collections that preserve the natural and cultural heritage of the Central Coast and beyond. Founded in 1916, the Museum is a private nonprofit supported in part by philanthropy, membership, and visitors. Members visit free. For more information, visit sbnature.org. 

This image combines 678 separate images taken by NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory in just over seven hours of observing time. Combining many images in this way clearly reveals otherwise faint or invisible details, such as the clouds of gas and dust that comprise the Trifid nebula (top) and the Lagoon nebula, which are several thousand light-years away from Earth. More information about this image is available on RubinObservatory.org. Credit: NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory 

HiHo Cheeseburger Coming to The Commons at Calabasas This Winter

HiHo Cheeseburger is slated to open this winter at The Commons at Calabasas, in the space previously occupied by Pick Up Stix. Founded by Sheeroy Desai, Matt Levin, and Jerry Greenberg, HiHo Cheeseburger is the only burger restaurant that exclusively uses 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef. HiHo emphasizes a simplified ingredient approach across its menu, including buns made with eight clean ingredients and hand-cut fries that contain only potatoes, oil, and salt. HiHo's beef is also certified humane and sustainably raised, omega-3 rich, GMO and antibiotic-free. Other locations in Marina del Rey, Mid-Wilshire, Santa Monica, and Studio City. Learn more at hiho.la.

Sourdough & Co. Coming This Summer to the Conejo Valley

Sourdough & Co. is anticipated to open in early August at the former Jimmy John's location at 520 North Ventu Park Road in Newbury Park (Walmart Plaza). Sourdough & Co. offers sandwiches, flatbreads, soups, and salads. Learn more at sourdoughandco.com.

Three other potential future locations listed at sourdoughandco.com/california/2-uncategorised/300-stores-california-thousand-oaks in Thousand Oaks (former Fatburger location at 650-728 N. Moorpark Road in the Whole Foods Plaza), Agoura Hills (Twin Oaks Shopping Center on Kanan Road), and Westlake Village (The Promenade).

2025 Summer Beach Buses in Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks

The City of Agoura Hills Summer Beach Bus is back for 2025. Runs June 18 to August 8 (except July 4) Monday through Friday from three designated locations to/from Zuma Beach. Service is $2 each way. Exact change required. Open to anyone (not just Agoura Hills residents). www.agourahillscity.gov/business_detail_T4_R106.php

The City of Thousand Oaks is offering Summer Beach Bus Service in 2025 from June 16 to August 9 (except July 4) to Zuma Beach and Ventura Harbor Beach. Two round trips will be available daily Monday through Friday. to Zuma and Saturday to Ventura Cove Beach. The fare is $4.00 round trip ($1.00 for seniors ages 65+ and persons with disabilities) cash only and is collected in person at the time of boarding. Students from kindergarten through college can ride the Beach Bus for free. toaks.gov/beachbus

Kids Bowl Free This Summer at Various Ventura County Bowling Centers

Here's a great summer deal that will bowl you over! Bowling alleys across the country are offering Kids Bowl Free deals during the summer months once again this year!

Up to two games per kid on designated days and times, subject to lane availability. Note that applicable ages for Kids Bowl Free vary from 2 up to 15 to 18.

The deal also does not apply to parties, camps and other organized events. And lastly, the deal does not include bowling shoe rental. With no further ado, here are local alleys in Ventura County and nearby areas that are participating in Kids Bowl Free!

NOTE: You first must visit www.kidsbowlfree.com and register with specific bowling alleys. After registering your children, you will receive coupons via email or through mobile devices, and in turn redeem them at the time of purchase. In addition to the 2 FREE Games, you may be able to purchase a family package (at participating centers) and generally must pay for standard shoe rental rates at the time of bowling.

Harley's Camarillo Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Monday through Wednesday from 9:30am to 4pm for kids 2 to 17, from June 2 to August 29, 2025.

Harley's Simi Bowl offer Kids Bowl Free Monday, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9am to 4pm for kids ages 2 to 16, from May 28 to August 29, 2025.

Harley's Valley Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for kids ages 2 to 18, from June 2 to August 29, 2025.

Click this link to pin down information about all the local Ventura County area bowling alleys.

Howdy's is Coming Soon to Agoura Hills

Howdy's is "opening soon" at 29001 Canwood Street in Agoura Hills, next to Trader Joe's in the space formerly occupied by Jinky's Kanan Cafe until it closed in December 2023. A commercial marketing brochure for the property indicates "Linda by Howdy's Cafe" has signed a 10 year lease for the property that commences in October.

According to the Howdy’s Cafe website, Howdy Kabrins started La Salsa in 1979, expanding to six locations by 1986. After selling La Salsa in 1992, Howdy opened Howdy’s Taqueria in Malibu in 1995 until 2014. Six years later, Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe opened in Malibu at 23401 Civic Center Way in 2020. Learn more at www.howdyscafe.com.

2025 #TBT Food Truck Thursdays at Camarillo Ranch House on June 26, July 31

Throwback Thursday Food Truck Fest at the Camarillo Ranch is planned from 5-8PM on Thursday, June 26th and Thursday, July 31st, 2025. Events feature food trucks, including beer and wine, family activities, artisan market, live music, house tours, and more. Free admission. Located at 201 Camarillo Ranch Road.

For more information, visit camarilloranchfoundation.com/tbt-food-truck-festival..

2025 City of Agoura Hills Beach Bus June 18 to August 8

The City of Agoura Hills Summer Beach Bus is back for 2025. The bus runs June 16 to August 8 (except July 4), Monday through Friday from three designated locations to/from Zuma Beach, Parking Lot #8 - Lindero Canyon Middle School, Agoura High School and Agoura Road at Liberty Canyon Road. Service is $2 each way. Exact change required. Open to anyone - not just Agoura Hills residents, but must carry a form of ID. More details at www.agourahillscity.gov/business_detail_T4_R106.php

Topa Topa Brewing Co. Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary on June 14th

On June 14th, Topa Topa Brewing Co. invites fans for a carnival-themed party at their Ventura HQ & Brewery (4880 Colt Street), followed by a very special after-party concert at their downtown Ventura taproom (104 East Thompson Blvd) headlined by Vetiver and Sam Blasucci (of Mapache). The day and night parties each have their own special offerings, created in partnership with Tierra Sol Institute, the event’s 1% for the Planet nonprofit beneficiary.

Topa has grown from its humble beginnings at its original location in downtown Ventura into an expansive, state of the art production facility, packaging hall, taproom, event venue, and beer garden just a few miles south on Colt Street. Topa now has five locations in Ventura & Santa Barbara counties, and distribution across Southern California and the Bay Area.

Since 2015, Topa has packaged over 12 million cans of beer and donated nearly half a million dollars to 1% for the Planet partners. This, and other cumulative factoids, are featured on the can labels of their limited release 10th Anniversary IPA, named “Topa Is Ten” which will be available exclusively at the anniversary event.

The beer is the first of its kind for Topa, carefully blended with select hop-forward projects to make Topa is Ten a veritable brewmaster’s cuvée. Topa is Ten combines Chief Peak IPA, Blue Heaven IPA, Level Line Pale Ale, and Huckster Double IPA into one bold, celebratory, expressive IPA with layers of zesty grapefruit and tangerine up front, a floral mid-palate, and a dank, slightly tropical finish that lingers just long enough.

Anniversary attendees will have a chance to learn more about this beer during the Founders Session Tour & Tasting, a ticketed special activity within the anniversary celebration that includes a tour of the production facility with co-founder Jack Dyer, a guided tasting of rare archive beers with co-founder Casey Harris, and a take-home goodie bag that includes a 4 pack of the anniversary IPA.

Festivities will include:

• Food & dessert ranging from fair food to fancy, including funnel cake & frozen yogurt, oysters & dumplings, and family-friendly options

• Carnival-themed attractions & activities benefitting select 1% for the Planet partners - petting zoo, dunk tank, climbing wall, face painting

• Live music & DJs from noon til 5 PM at the Ventura HQ & Brewery outdoor garden

• An after-party benefit concert with Vetiver, Sam Blasucci (of Mapache), and Farmer Dave & the Wizards of the West - Doors 6P, Show 7P. Tickets $15 available at topatopa.beer/products/pre-sale-anniversary-after-party-at-thompson.

• Founders Session Tour & Tasting - a ticketed, behind-the-scenes experience led by Jack & Casey. Spots are limited and guarantee a 4-pack of Topa Is Ten anniversary IPA. Presale tickets now available at topatopa.beer/products/topa-is-ten-vip-ticket.

• Brand new Topa Taproom merchandise, including collectible glassware, regional hats, and customizable Father’s Day gift bundles

ABOUT TOPA TOPA BREWING CO.

Topa Topa® Brewing Co. was founded in 2015 in Ventura, nestled between the Topa Topa mountains in Ojai and the salty shores of the Pacific Ocean. With five taprooms along California’s southern central coast, Topa Topa is upheld by a trifecta of values: quality, craftsmanship, and community spirit. This means using the freshest ingredients, working with the most skilled brewers around, and thriving on uplifting and unifying our community. Topa Topa is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating at least 1% of annual sales to local, approved environmental partners.