2014 Pepperdine University Waves of Flags Display in Honor of 9/11 Victims

Once again, Pepperdine University students and volunteers have staged a display of nearly 3,000 flags in honor of each of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The display is at Alumni Park, at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Malibu Canyon Road. Each victim is memorialized with a flag reflecting their nationality. 

Help Track Recovery From Springs Fire in Point Mugu State Park and Rancho Sierra Vista with Your Cameras

If you're out and about in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park, you may come across one of these photo stands on the trails.

The sign, sponsored by the National Park Service and California State Parks, says the following:

Much of Point Mugu State Park and Rancho Sierra Vista burned in the May 2013 Springs Fire. We are monitoring how the ecosystem responds. YOU CAN HELP!

Place your camera or camera phone on the L-shaped bracket and take a photo of the view (no zoom or filters).

Post your photos using hashtag #springsfire__ to Twitter and flickr.

Photos will be used to create a time-lapse of the recovery. See your photos come to life on our Springs Fire Recovery Map!

While I don't know exactly how many of these photo brackets are out there, I've come across three of them on the Hidden Valley Overlook trail in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa.

View from SpringsFire03View from SpringsFire04

I'm not the only one that noticed these contraptions. Some folks have posted photos to Twitter already. Like these #SpringsFire04 photos.

Scenes From the Butterflies Alive Exhibit at Santa Barbara Natural History Museum

Some of these stars of the show at the Butterflies Alive! exhibit at the Santa Barbara Natural History Museum are drawn to my Conejo Valley Guide cap. Perhaps they are interested in exploring some of the thousands of things to do throughout Ventura County and adjacent areas!

The Museum is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for teens/seniors and $7 for kids ages 2 to 12. This is a can't miss exhibit.

Gratitude Circle at Conejo Creek Park North Honors Contributors to "Play Conejo"

As part of its 50th Anniversary, the Conejo Recreation & Park District created non-profit organization "Play Conejo" for the purpose of supporting affordable and diverse recreation programs and parks in the Conejo Valley.  Learn more at www.PlayConejo.org.

Gratitude Circle is located at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks

To honor community members and supporters of Play Conejo, CRPD created a 30 foot diameter "Gratitude Circle" at Conejo Creek Park North behind the Thousand Oaks Library.

The Gratitude Circle honors, celebrates and recognizes community members and businesses as supporters of their local parks by monetary contributions to Play Conejo with an inscribed plaque at one of the cardinal location walls. Plaques allow for up to three lines, with a maximum of 18 characters per line. Contribution levels are: Friends ($500-$999), Explorers ($1,000-$2,499), Trailblazers ($2,500-$4,999) and Visionaries ($5,000 and above).

To learn more and make a donation, visit www.playconejo.org/gratitude.html or call 805.495.6471.

The creek at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand OaksConejo Creek Park North, perhaps the most visited park in Thousand Oaks, is located at 1379 East Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. This 44 acre park has two ponds with a creek connecting them, two separate play areas, beach-style volleyball courts, a NEOS game, multiple large, shaded picnic areas. a fitness trail about 2/3rds of a mile that circles the park, plenty of shade trees and multiple large, grassy areas.

Art Exhibit Celebrating Beauty in American Life at CLU Thousand Oaks 5/30 to 9/11

"Age of Exploration #4 (The Preservation of Beauty)," an acrylic on canvas by Roni Feldman

An exhibit celebrating beauty in American life will run from May 30 through Sept. 11 in the William Rolland Gallery of Fine Art at California Lutheran University.

An opening reception for “The Beautiful: Contemporary Art Featuring America” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

Referencing the patriotic song “America the Beautiful” in its title, the exhibit offers glimpses of subjects both ordinary and monumental, from dramatic landscapes and “amber waves of grain” to cityscapes and the everyday pleasures people allow themselves. The mix of Americana reflects the country’s diversity, including many ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.

The exhibit features the work of installation artist Chris Christion of Claremont, landscape photographer Terry Evans of Chicago, painter Sonya Fe of Los Angeles, figurative painter Roni Feldman of Los Angeles, landscape photographer Frank Gohlke of Arizona, painter Amanda Joseph of Ohio, photographer Scott McFarland of Toronto, photographer Catherine Opie of Los Angeles, painter Sandra Mendelsohn Rubin of Boonville, painter, photographer and sculptor Nicolas Shake of Los Angeles, painter Seth Tane of Oregon, painter Christopher Ulrich of Los Angeles, photographer, painter and collage artist Jessica Wimbley of Claremont and painter Christine Wu of Los Angeles.

Art is on loan from Gallery Luisotti, Garboushian Gallery, LA Louver, La Luz de Jesus Gallery, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Regen Projects, Western Project and Zg Gallery.

Rachel T. Schmid is the curator. University Advancement and the Ann Peppers Foundation Arts Education Series are sponsoring the free exhibit and reception.

The gallery is located in William Rolland Stadium at 160 Overton Court on the Thousand Oaks campus. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For more information, call 805-493-3697, email rollandgallery@callutheran.edu or visit www.callutheran.edu/rolland.