Ventura County Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024

The 40th Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day is set for Saturday, September 21, 2024 from 9am-noon, at beaches and waterways throughout California. Get involved locally with @vccoastcleanupday to remove trash and plastic pollution that has been accumulating in our County since the last Coastal Cleanup Day.

Can’t make it on the 21st? Ventura County Coastal Cleanup is also encouraging community members to participate throughout the month of September by cleaning up their neighborhoods, parks, and other local areas and recording progress in the Clean Swell Data Collection App.

www.vccoastcleanup.org

2024 cleanup sites will be listed at www.vccoastcleanup.org/cleanup-sites.

2024 Veterans Day Ceremony at Rancho Tapo Community Park on Monday, November 11th

The Rancho Simi Recreation & Park District and supporting organizations present a Veterans Day ceremony at Rancho Tapo Community Park & Veterans Plaza, 3700 Avenida Simi, Simi Valley on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 11 am. Event to include music, speeches, acknowledgement of veterans in attendance and more.

www.rsrpd.org

Ride to the Flags Memorial Charity Motorcycle Ride on Sunday, September 8, 2024

Ride to the Flags began in 2008, accompanying the Wave of Flags 9/11 Memorial at Pepperdine University. Although not officially associated with the collegiate memorial - the ride does end at the memorial for a short service. Ride to the Flags is an all volunteer, charity ride that in the past has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars for wounded warriors in need. In 2023 and beyond, the ride supports veteran mental health through the White Heart Foundation’s Guardian Project.

This year's ride will take place on Sunday, September 8, 2024.

Check-in from 7:30am to 9:30am at Naval Base Ventura County, followed by a ceremony at 10am. The ride starts at 11am down PCH, ending at Malibu Bluffs Park for a rally.

Registration and additional details at www.ridetotheflags.com.

Fall Festival at the Ojai Raptor Center on Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is hosting its 2023 Fall Festival on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 11am to 3pm, after a four year hiatus. The public is invited for a fun afternoon of performances, presentations, interactive games, activities, live music and an auction.

There will also be bird walks, a tour of ORC’s Freedom Flight, California’s largest flight cage for raptors in rehabilitation and bird-friendly native plant seed packets, as well as lunch available from on-site food trucks.

Normally, ORC is closed to the public year-round because of the sensitive nature of wildlife in rehabilitation. This is a great opportunity to check it out. Note that no live birds will be present at the event. Dogs are not allowed. 
 
The Ojai Raptor Center is located at 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai. Admission is $8 for children ages 4 to 15, $15 for adults, $10 for age 65+ and free for 3 and under.

Buy tickets at www.ojairaptorcenter.org.
 
About Ojai Raptor Center
Ojai Raptor Center is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of birds of prey and other wildlife and to providing educational programs to teach communities about wildlife and our shared environment. This facility takes in an average of 1,000 animals a year, specializing in raptors, with a release rate of 65%. ORC provides permanent sanctuary to some of the non-releasable raptors who go on to become education ambassadors in the Wildlife Education Program.

Public Tours at the Camarillo Bird Museum

The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (WFVZ) (aka Camarillo Bird Museum), a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable corporation, is both a natural history collection specializing in eggs and nests of birds from around the world, and a research and education institution dedicated to bird conservation. The Foundation's collections are the largest in the world, and its mission is to contribute to the conservation of the world’s wild bird species through the accessibility of the collections and their data to researchers, educators, students, and the public. 

The Museum both guided and unguided tours on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon and 2pm. A two hour guided tour for two is a $20 donation. A self-guided one hour tour is $7.

Visit www.wfvz.org for more information.

2023 Ride of Silence in Thousand Oaks on Wednesday, May 17th

Residents are encouraged to participate in the annual Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at Pedals & Pints Brewing Company, 156 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

The International Ride of Silence unites people worldwide who ride bicycles and those who love them in solemn remembrance of the tragic deaths and terrible injuries caused by motorists. Over 600 cyclists are fatally injured by motor vehicles on America’s roads each year.

Bicycle riders of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join the Conejo Valley Ride of Silence. The groups rides silently together for 10 miles on some of the busiest Thousand Oaks roads during rush hour. By doing so, the group reminds drivers that cyclists are traffic too and educate drivers to be more attentive and careful when sharing the roads. To ensure the safety of all, the Ride of Silence is escorted by the Thousand Oaks Sheriff's Department. The Conejo Valley Ride of Silence is hosted by the Conejo Valley Cyclists with the support of the Thousand Oaks Bicycle Advisory Team and the Ventura-Conejo Bicycle Coalition.

Gather at The Oaks Mall near Pedals & Pints Brewing beginning at 5:30pm. A ceremony at 5:45 will honor cyclists who have lost their lives to vehicular violence. After the ceremony, at approximately 6:00, the entire group will roll out to the solemn tones of a lone bagpiper. The procession of silent riders will keep an even pace of about 10-11 miles per hour, making it achievable by most riders. Helmets are mandatory.

Register at www.eventbrite.com/e/conejo-valley-ride-of-silence-tickets-579743577647

For information on the Ride of Silence or www.rideofsilence.org.

Safe Boating Open House at Channel Islands Harbor on Saturday, May 20, 2023

In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week, the U.S. Coast Guard Station Channel Islands will host its Annual Safe Boating Open House on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday May 20, 2023 at the Coast Guard Station, located at 4201 S. Victoria Ave. in Oxnard. Admission and parking are free.

USCG Boat Tours & Helicopter Rescue

Multiple public safety agencies will be present to demonstrate and provide an opportunity for the public to learn about recreational safe boating. Active duty members of the Coast Guard will conduct informative tours of their rescue boats and the USCG Cutter “Blacktip.”

Highlights include USCG Helicopter rescue demonstration over Channel Islands Harbor. Boaters may receive free life jacket exchange, drop-off expired flare disposal collected by the Ventura County Sheriff Office – Bomb Squad, Touch a Truck with Ventura County Fire Department, and much more.

Families and Children are welcome. Kids will delight with the antics of the talking Coastie Safety Boat robot! There are several information booths with safety brochures, boating safety class registration, vessel safety check RSVP, and all things to help adults and children learn about safe boating.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the members of the active duty Coasties will be on hand to answer your questions and make your visit to the station enjoyable.

www.channelislandsharbor.org/event/2023-u-s-coast-guard-safe-boating-open-house

Conejo Valley Cars & Coffee Meetup - 1st and 3rd Saturday of the Month in Thousand Oaks

Conejo Valley Cars and Coffee meets every first and third Saturday of the month from 7am to 10am at the Firestone Auto Center, The Oaks Mall, 598 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.

The general public and car aficionados are welcome to enjoy classics, muscle cars and exotics.

Upcoming Dates: February 4th

Learn more at www.cvcarsandcoffee.com.

2023 Point Mugu Air Show Planned for March 18-19 at Naval Base Ventura County

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will be joined by the U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, as co-headliners for the 2023 Point Mugu Air Show March 18-19, at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC), 311 Main Road, Point Mugu.

For 77 years, the Blue Angels have showcased the teamwork and professionalism of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through flight demonstrations and community outreach while inspiring a culture of excellence and service to country for nearly 500 million fans. The Blues showcase the mainstay of modern Naval air power operating off U.S. aircraft carriers, the combat-proven F/A-18 Super Hornet, along with the Marine Corps' premiere logistics support aircraft, the C-130J.

The Thunderbirds perform for people all around the world to display the pride, precision, and professionalism the U.S. Air Force represents. Through air shows and flyovers, they aim to excite and inspire. In addition to showcasing the elite skills all pilots must possess, the Thunderbirds demonstrate the incredible capabilities of the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet, the F-16 Fighting Falcon.

The Point Mugu Air Show will be the third time America’s premiere demonstration squadrons have performed at the same public event, and the first time at Point Mugu.

The Point Mugu Air Show, Ventura County’s largest public event, is open to the public on March 18, 19, 2023. Gates open at 8 a.m. daily. Honors/national anthem at 10 a.m. Performances begin at noon.

Parking, admission, and blanket seating are free. Upgraded preferred seating options will be available.

NBVC is a strategically located Navy installation composed of three operating facilities: Point Mugu, Port Hueneme and San Nicolas Island. NBVC is the home of the Pacific Seabees, West Coast E-2D Hawkeyes, 3 warfare centers and 80 tenants.

To learn more, visit www.pointmuguairshow.com.

EVENT CANCELLED Civil War Days at Strathearn Historical Park Simi Valley April 1-2, 2023

EVENT CANCELLED

Strathearn Historical Park will transform itself into a small town in rural America in the 1860’s for the 11th Annual Civil War Days Encampment on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 10am-4pm and Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 10am-3pm.

Step back to another place and time, when President Lincoln could take a break from his Washington duties to give a speech on the steps of our Strathearn House.  Here, costumed civilians, as well as soldiers from the north and south stand ready in their camps, eager to tell their stories to the passing visitors. Sergeants drill groups of local boys and girls curious to experience military life. Skirmishes, as well as artillery, infantry and cavalry demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend.

Highlights include:

• President Lincoln delivers his Gettysburg Address

• General Ulysses S. Grant & General Robert E. Lee reenact the Surrender at Appomattox

• Kids wanted as recruits – come early & enlist; interview a soldier

• Food for sale from local food vendors

• Experience Authentic Artillery & Infantry Demonstrations

• Enjoy a 1860s Women’s Clothing Demonstration

• Tour historic Simi houses & buildings

• Historical Demonstrations: Civilian Encampment, School Room, Newspapers, Apothecary & more

• Meet Harriet Tubman and listen as she shares her experiences on the Underground Railroad

• Music daily performed by Orange Town Revival, Mountain Fife and Drums and Camp Carleton

Advance Adult Tickets: TBA

Tickets at the Gate:  TBA ages 13 and up; TBA ages 5 to 12 and free to 4 and under.

Strathearn Historical Park & Museum is located at 137 Strathearn Place, Simi Valley.  Information: (805) 526-6453, www.simihistory.com