Outdoor Shopping Center "The Collection at Riverpark" in Oxnard is Coming Right Along!

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The Collection at Riverpark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. If you're driving the 101 freeway through Oxnard/Ventura, you can't miss it!

The Collection is still work in process but when completed, the 650,000 sq ft center will include a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

Businesses open at The Collection as of February 2013 include a nicely appointed Target store, Century Theaters and recent additions Panera Bread, Five Guys Burgers, Color Me Mine Pottery Studio, Kabuki Sushi and Massage Envy. A Menchie's Frozen Yogurt is coming soon.

Opening in Spring 2013 is the hotly awaited REI Store (March 22nd!), Whole Foods, Gen Korean BBQ, Famous Dave's BBQ, Gandolfo's Delicatessen, Bank of America and Starbucks. A 12,000 sq ft Yard House eatery has been proposed for the center.

More recently, Shea announced that later this year, a 25,000 sq ft H&M store, ROC/Republic of Couture, Charming Charlie, ULTA Beauty and Sleep Number are coming to The Collection.

Future home of Whole Foods Market at The Collection at Riverpark

The Collection also has 58,000 sq ft of office space, including current tenants Lawyer's Title and Escrow, occupying 8,000 sq ft. The center is currently about 40% leased but with buildout completed and major tenants in place as anticipated next spring, Shea Properties expects that percentage to grow quickly.

Layout of The Collection as of December 2012

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, an

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Great Views From Boney Peak Today

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After a brief late-February heatwave, today it is noticeably cooler, with the clouds coming in. Was a great morning to make my way to Boney Peak.

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

Looking down on Newbury Park from Boney Peak

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Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

Clear view of the Channel Islands from Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

I was joined by these experienced hikers on Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Hidden Valley is not so hidden when you're looking down from Boney Peak

Click this link to find out how to get up there!

Snow on the Santa Susana Mountains this Brisk Wednesday, February 20th

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Marcella Ketelhut of local Los Robles Hills Winery grabbed her camera for some shots of snow blanketing the Santa Susana Mountains today after last nights brief storm. This was a rare and welcome sight this winter season in the Conejo Valley.

Snow means skiing! Click HERE for several local ski clubs in the Conejo Valley/Ventura County area!

Photographer J.D. Wolff's Work to Be Featured in New Gallery Show in Ventura

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Ventura photographer’s art has painterly quality in new gallery show

J.D. Wolff, a Ventura photographer who caught the shutter bug in the early 1970s, will exhibit recent images and a few favorites from his files in a February 26 to March 23 solo show at the Buenaventura Art Association’s downtown Ventura gallery called “Day Dreams in Color.”

"Beach Town USA" Photo by JD Wolff

Landscapes are a focus for Wolff, who often adjusts color and contrast on computer to create the large-scale images he frames. Though his portfolio includes images from all over the United States, Canada and Western Europe, he said this show features primarily landscapes shot in and around Ventura County.

“I prefer printing my photography on canvas, as I often manipulate my images to make them look somewhat like paintings,” he said. “Printing on canvas gives it that extra texture and effect, which I feel most always improves the final product.”   

Wolff plans to be on hand to greet visitors 5-8 p.m. March 1 for the First Fridays Ventura Gallery Crawl and some of his local musician friends will provide live music 4-8 p.m., Saturday, March 2 for his artist’s reception. Wolff is also a

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Morning Rainbow in Newbury Park This Soon to Be Rainy Friday, February 8th

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Caught a partial rainbow in this shot from Lynn Road in Newbury Park this morning. Would have loved to see where the rainbow ended. Perhaps Camarillo.

No rain yet but the clouds are coming in for a brief appearance. Looking for things to do with the kids when the rain actually makes an appearance? Check out this list of Things to Do in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside!

Or perhaps this list of Movie Theaters Throughout Ventura County will come in handy.

Buenaventura Art Association Announces Open Competition Prize Winners

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Ventura Art Group Awards Open Competition Prizes 

The Buenaventura Art Association has announced the winners of its 27th annual Open Competition. Their works were chosen by juror Katrina McElroy, a Moorpark College art instructor, from entries submitted by artists from throughout Central and Southern California.

The two- and three-dimensional pieces are on exhibit through Jan. 26 at the organization’s Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara Street in downtown Ventura, which is adding Sunday, Jan. 20, 12-5pm to its schedule to allow more people to see this show. More than $1,500 in cash prizes and BAA membership benefits were awarded at a Jan. 12 reception and ceremony.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, was judged Best of Show and earned top prize of $400 for the young artist, an Honorable Mention winner in the nonprofit association’s 2012 Emerging Artist Cup student competition.

“Transcendence,” an oil painting on canvas by Erika Craig, judged Best of Show

First place among the two-dimensional entries was “Glance,” a digital print by Julia Bagdasaryan, who earned a Merit Award in last year’s student competition. Second went to “Bonsai Paradise” by Erik Abel, who used acrylic paints and mixed media on a wooden panel.

Third place in 2D was awarded to Patti Post for a charcoal on paper drawing titled “Entering Elysian Fields” and Honorab

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Hiking Up To the Ancient Oak Trees at Juan Bautista De Anza Park in Calabasas

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We've been going to Juan Bautista de Anza Park in Calabasas from time to time for years. The park is well maintained, has decent play areas, plenty of flat walkways for scootering and more. But before this sunny Martin Luther King Day holiday we never made the trek up the steep little trail directly behind the picnic table  area on the right hand side of the park.

Steep, but it isn't that far. Views are outstanding. There was filming taking place at the very top. But the stars of the show are the ancient oaks that dot the path.

Do you see eyes in the shadows? I do...but it certainly wasn't planned!

The sun, just slightly older than these oaks on the hill, smiles down on all of us this warm MLK Day.