"Sitting Pretty: Portrait Photography" Exhibit at Museum of Ventura County Aug 22 to Nov 29

Dr. Manual Antonio Rodriguez de Poli (MVC Collection)

Sitting Pretty: Portrait Photography from the Salon to the Selfie features long-hidden treasures from the Museum of Ventura County’s collection of photographic and painted portraits.  It will open on August 22nd and will be on display through November 29, 2015. 

Formal, framed portraits of well-known city pioneers, such as Dr. Cephas Bard, Dr. Manuel R. de Poli and Mrs. Concepcion Sepulveda de la Guerra, as well as lesser-known names were culled from the Museum’s storied permanent holdings.  The works on view range from elaborately framed formal portraits to light-hearted depictions of children, many of which are from the studio of John Calvin Brewster, a Ventura portraitist who established a studio on Main Street in 1875. The exhibit also offers a chance to see rare daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and tintypes, including one of Jose de la Rosa, the first notable California printer who settled in San Buenaventura in 1880.

The range of photographic processes shown in the more than 30 works spanning 120 years, explores the technical evolution of photography.  The advent of the roll film camera and digital technology have changed the roles of the professional portrait photographer. Also, the relative affordability of the photo gave a broader range of people the opportunity to own an image of themselves and loved ones, a luxury previously reserved for the wealthy who could afford to commission an artist to render a painting.

The current “selfie” craze makes everyone a photographer in the moment, without replacing the need for the trained photographer who has something we could never have—objectivity. 

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 E. Main Street, Ventura. Visit www.venturamuseum.org for more information.

Dr. Cephas Bard (MVC Collection)

Conejo Valley Days Parade Photo From 1963 Captures Relations with Cuba at the Time

Photo from 1963 Conejo Valley Days Parade

Here's a throwback photo from the 1963 Conejo Valley Days Parade in what the following year would officially become the City of Thousand Oaks. An entry with "Care Package for Castro" with a missile with the caption "Y's Men" (which I suspect is in reference to the Y's Men, a service group that helped construct the original Conejo Valley YMCA building in 1964). 

Just months prior, in October 1962, was the Cuban Missile Crisis, the confrontation between the United States and Soviet Union over the placement of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba. After intense negotiations between President Kennedy and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, the Soviets agreed to remove the weapons in Cuba in exchange for public declaration that the U.S. would not invade Cuba.

My how times have changed since then, with the United States in process of re-establishing diplomatic relations with Cuba.

Family Admission to the Los Angeles Zoo Saves You Time and Money

If you and your family visit the Los Angeles Zoo at least two times a year, the Family Membership is a no brainer. Not only does it save you money for a family of four or more when you visit the zoo at least twice a year, but it saves you time by bypassing lines into the park. Los Angeles Zoo membership also saves you 10% in shops and restaurants and gets you free or discounted admission to over 170 zoos and aquariums around the country.

The current cost of a one year family membership is $134, but there's a limited opportunity to purchase it at the discounted price of just $90 at THIS LINK!

Gentle Giraffe

Restful Rhino

Reggie the Alligator

Hippos relaxing

Grinning and Bearing it

The Conejo Grade in 1970

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Conejo Grade 1970 (Photo by Frank Knight; Image courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens, Thousand Oaks Library)

Here's an aerial photo of the Conejo Grade from the Frank Knight collection in 1970, looking towards Newbury Park. Things look quite a bit different today. Click here for other historical photos of the evolution of the Conejo Grade.

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In this shot from slightly further away, you can clearly newbury park high school, which opened in 1967

"Red Skies" Theme of Conejo Valley Sunset Last Night

As The Fixx said "Red Skies at Night. Red Skies at Night. Oh, oh! Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!" It was one of those nights last night as the clouds came in and the sunset turned shades of red.

Stop By Casitas Water Adventure in Ventura to Cool Off During the Summer Months

A view of the Lake Casitas reservoir

Casitas Municipal Water District serves water to a population of 65,000 in western Ventura County. Lake Casitas was created in 1958 and encompasses 2,760 acres with a capacity of 254,000 acre-feet. While swimming is not allowed at Lake Casitas because it is a drinkable water supply, the Lake Casitas Recreation Area provides a host of other family activities, including over 400 campsites, picnic areas, fishing, boating, biking, hiking, special events, disc golf and the Casitas Water Adventure!

Casitas Water Adventure generally opens Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend each year. Children and adults can enjoy two distinct water playgrounds. For the younger children, there's a multi-level jungle gym with waterfalls, bridges and slides in a lagoon with water up to 18" deep.

The 1,200 foot long lazy river offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays.

For the smallest of tots, there's a zero-depth pool that sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area. Lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are also available. Shaded areas can be reserved for an extra fee. Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, turn left on Santa Ana Blvd, then right on Santa Ana Road to the park entrance. Visit www.casitaswater.org or call 805.649.2233 for more information.

Views From Boney Peak on a Sunny Summer Saturday, July 25, 2015

After several weeks of cooler than normal weather, including record July rainfall last weekend, temperatures are pretty much back to normal today in the Conejo Valley.  

Learn to hike up Boney Peak at this link. Other hikes in and around Ventura County here.