Beach Views at Mussel Shoals in Ventura

Driving the 101 through Ventura towards Santa Barbara, we all pass through Mussel Shoals and see the man-made Rincon Island off in the distance, but we're usually either rushing through to get to our destination and stuck in traffic! So we decided to stop by and actually check out the beach in person.

Mussel Shoals is a small beach community with around 50 homes. There are about a dozen public parking spots along Old Pacific Coast Highway, paralleling the 101, The Cliff House Inn is a quaint hotel with spectacular ocean views. Dine at their Shoals restaurant and relax with the waves breaking on the rocks below.

Rincon Island was built in 1958 for well drilling and oil and gas production, so it's not open to the public. But the kids and I fantasize about having our own island like that, with palm trees growing. Here's a closer look, thanks to the person who shared it at Wikipedia. Looks like an electric guitar to me.

DIRECTIONS TO DOZENS OF LOCAL VENTURA COUNTY AREA BEACHES

"The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders" Exhibit at the Mullin Automotive Museum Opens April 14th

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic by Jean Bugatti

New Exhibit at the Mullin Automotive Museum Presents the Rarest and Most Beautiful Cars From Preeminent French Coachbuilders

Titled “L’époque des Carrossiers: The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders,” the exhibit will open on April 14, 2018 and showcase striking examples of hand-built coachwork on some of the most revered and acclaimed cars in the world, including the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic by Jean Bugatti, the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Cabriolet by Figoni and Falaschi, 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goutte d'Eau' and more

The Mullin Automotive Museum today revealed that the “crown jewels” of its collection will return to the museum as part of its upcoming exhibit, which will debut to the public on Saturday, April 14. Entitled “L’époque des Carrossiers: The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders,” this new display will showcase the finest and most renowned sculpture, artifacts and vehicles from the Mullin Museum’s permanent collection, each representing the skill and unparalleled craftsmanship of the most esteemed French master coachbuilders.

The Era of Coachbuilding was marked by elegantly-designed and hand-crafted automobile bodies that were commissioned by society’s most prominent members, using artisans and visionaries to craft bespoke works of rolling art. “L’époque des Carrossiers” will explore the greatest vehicles of this genre, highlighting the works of preeminent French builders such as Bugatti, Citroen, De Villars, Figoni and Falaschi, Henri Chapron, Henri Labourdette, Million, Guiet & Cie., Pourtout, Jacques Saoutchik, Vanvooren, and Gabriel Voisin.

This exhibit will mark the return of some of the museum’s most lauded vehicles. Guests will instantly recognize the 2018 “Best of the Best” winner—the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which was designed by Jean Bugatti, as well as the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goutte d'Eau' (teardrop). The teardrop was designed by Joseph Figoni and was named “Best of the Best” in 2016.

In addition to this prize of the Mullin collection, museum patrons will find other Concours-winning vehicles such as the 1938 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6B “Xenia” by Jacques Saoutchik, the revolutionary 1934 Voisin Type C27 Aérosport Coupe, the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Cabriolet by Figoni and Falashci, and many more.

“L’époque des Carrossiers” will open to the public on April 14, 2018. To purchase tickets or learn more about the Mullin Automotive Museum, visit www.MullinAutomotiveMuseum.com.

About the Mullin Automotive Museum

The Mullin Automotive Museum is located at 1421 Emerson Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033, in the building formerly occupied by the Otis Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. The museum is typically open to the public on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10 AM to 3 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.MullinAutomotiveMuseum.com. Semi-Private tours are offered on Tuesdays at 10 AM and Thursdays at 11 AM for $40 per person. Other weekdays may be available by appointment. Reservations are required. For information on semi-private tours or on Mullin 1000 Club membership benefits, please call 805.385.5400. To see photos of the exhibits and the cars on display, please follow the Mullin Automotive Museum’s official Instagram page.

Boy Scouts of America Launches "Scout Me In" Campaign for Boys and Girls

The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) recently unveiled the new Scout Me In campaign that features girls, as well as boys, in its iconic Cub Scout program for the first time. Starting this summer, all kids are invited to say, “Scout Me In,” as they join the fun, adventure and character-building opportunities found in Cub Scouts. 

The Scout Me In campaign celebrates the BSA’s expansion to serve families and welcome girls and boys into Scouting in communities across the country. It reinforces that the mission and core values in the Scout Oath and Scout Law are welcoming, inclusive and foundational for both young men and women. Since announcing the BSA’s historic decision to welcome girls into Scouting, more than 3,000 girls across the nation have already enrolled in the BSA’s Early Adopter Program and are participating in Cub Scouts ahead of the full launch later this year.

About the Boy Scouts of America

The Boy Scouts of America provides the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and values-based leadership training, which helps young people be “Prepared. For Life.®” The Scouting organization is composed of nearly 2.3 million youth members between the ages of 5 and 21 and approximately 960,000 volunteers in local councils throughout the United States and its territories. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, please visit www.scouting.org.

Visit the Boy Scouts of America Ventura County Council website at www.vccbsa.org.

Westlake Village Dog Park to Open in Summer 2018

UPDATE 6/14/18: The Dog Park is scheduled to open on July 21 with a dedication event from 10:00 am to 12 noon. It will be open after the event. The regular schedule and hours will begin on July 22. 

Regular Hours: Open 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except during the months of June, July, August, and September when the Park shall be open between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The dog park will be closed during maintenance and as necessary for turf protection and during inclement weather.

The 1.2 acre Westlake Village Dog Park is just about complete, with an anticipated grand opening time frame of early Summer 2018. Final landscaping touches are being put in place to ensure the natural turf surfaces are robust and ready for canine action!

The park features a small dog area,. large dog area, shade shelter with seating, pet wash stations and more. Located at the southwest corner of West Oak Crest Drive and Agoura Road. On street parking available. www.wlv.org/420/Westlake-Village-Dog-Park

"Wild Things" Winning Photos of Animals on Display at Santa Barbara Zoo through August 7th

Robert Houchen’s image of a tree frog emerging from behind a leaf.

Earlier this year, animal-loving shutterbugs were invited to snap and submit photos of animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo as part of the first-ever “Wild Things” contest, and now the winning works are on view. Sponsored by the Zoo and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, the “Wild Things” exhibit features more than 40 winning images by adults and “juniors” (aged 17 and younger). The exhibit is hung in the Zoo’s Volentine Gallery through August 7, 2018, and is free to view with Zoo admission.

Of 265 entries in the adult category, 20 winners were chosen. Of 75 junior entries, 21 were chosen. The juried exhibit gave prizes for first, second, and third place in both age groups. The photographs are for sale, with prices from $40 to $500. Proceeds from sales benefit the artists, Zoo, and Wildling.

Kirsten Henke’s 2nd prize “Bright-eyed and Bushy Tailed”

Top Winners Announced

Robert Houchen’s image of a tree frog emerging from behind a leaf was the “Wild Things” First Prize winner. Kirsten Henke’s “Bright-eyed and Bushy Tailed” won Second Prize and captures the long tongue of an infant giant anteater as it rides on its mom’s back. Third Prize went to Hunter Anglemoyer for “The Rainbow Plumage,” which shows a scarlet macaw’s plumage from an unusual angle.

Top winners in the Youth category include “Tastes Like Chicken” by Madisyn Iversen, aged 16, which captures Masai giraffe Michael with his long tongue in one nostril. Second place went to 

11-year-old Emma Lossing’s image of a fennec fox. “Am I Blue,” a portrait of a blue and yellow macaw, won third prize for 11-year-old Aislinn Wilson.

Prizes include memberships and passes to both the Zoo and the Wildling, gift cards and gifts for each’s gift stores, artwork created by Zoo animals, and more.

“Wildling at the Zoo”

This is the second collaboration between the two organizations. Last year, the Wildling staff curated an exhibit of student art at the Zoo which tied into the “Animals from A to Z” exhibit in their Solvang location. This partnership, formalized as The Wildling at the Zoo, continues with this contest and exhibit, and with future coordinated projects at the two locations.

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. A private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, the Zoo depends on community support, not tax dollars, for operations and improvements.

The Wildling Museum, where art and nature meet, offers visitors a unique perspective on the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Through the eyes of artists, education and field experiences, guests can renew their relationship with the wilderness and understand its fragile nature – hopefully leaving more committed toward ensuring those spaces remain for future generations.

Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve in Lancaster

California Poppy Reserve in mid-April 2017 (Photo Credit: Joe Longo)

April 20, 2018 Bloom Status Update: As of April 20th, we don't have a lot of flowers blooming due to the late winter rains and the flowers we do have are fading after last week’s heat. There are only a few small poppies blooming along the trails, but most of them are going to seed. The goldfields and lacy phacelia are in bloom but have started fading. A few belly flowers such as forget me nots and rattlesnake weed can be found along many of the trails.

Just 75 miles from the Conejo Valley is the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve in Lancaster.

The Reserve comes alive each spring with seasonal wildflowers, lasting from as early as mid-February through May.

There are eight miles of trails, including a paved section for wheelchair access.

The public is asked not to walk in the wildflowers as this causes lasting damage. No dogs, bikes on trails, drones, or picking flowers.

The Jane S. Pinheiro Interpretive Center is open March 1st through Mother's Day, with wildflower and wildlife exhibits, an orientation video, a gallery of Jane's botanical watercolor paintings, and a gift shop benefiting the non-profit association. The Interpretive Center is only open during the spring wildflower bloom and for special events.

The reserve is located 15 miles west of Highway 14 near the city of Lancaster. The visitor center is located 1/2 mile north of the intersection of 150th St W & Lancaster Road.

Visitors may park on Lancaster Road and walk in for free, but must stay along the entrance road and enter at the kiosk; visitors entering the park through the fenceline or by walking across the open fields from the road will be fined.

Parking is $10 ($9 for 62+). Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627.

Photo Credit: Joe Longo

Photo Credit - Joe Longo

For a more local display of poppies and wildflowers, try the Ray Miller Trail / La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park. (NOTE: This areas is also a bit dry in 2018; no wildflowers of significance as of April 2018).