Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
The grand reopening of the Calabasas Community Center is planned for Saturday, March 16th from 8am to 6pm. Event will feature facility tours, food trucks, DJ, science and reptile tours, free classes and more. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/ccc for more information about this 30,000 sq ft community center. Located at 27040 Malibu Hills Road.
Dodger Stadium is 40 miles from the Conejo Valley and we had the opportunity to enjoy the first of three final concerts by Elton John and his fantastic band as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road The Final Tour on Thursday, November 17, 2022. So we had to go! Elton John is the 4th best-selling music artist of all time. Here are some brief scenes from the 2 1/2+ hour show.
Press release from the National Park Service is below. The groundbreaking event at 10am on Friday can be viewed via livestream at savelacougars.org/groundbreaking as well as at King Gillette Ranch. 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Additionally, a Crossing Celebration will take place after the livestream from 11:30 a.m. to 2: 30 p.m. at King Gillette Ranch, including food and carnival games.
Twenty-five years of research by National Park Service (NPS) biologists and collaborators have documented the effects of habitat fragmentation and pointed to the importance of connectivity in the region, culminating in the wildlife overpass that is breaking ground this week in Liberty Canyon. Mountain lion study photo and video album here.
Groundbreaking is scheduled for Friday, April 22. The new crossing will re-connect an entire ecosystem that has long been fragmented by an almost impenetrable barrier for wildlife – the 101 Freeway's 10 lanes and more than 300,000 vehicles a day.
Organizations and institutions like the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), Caltrans, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, among many others, were instrumental in discovering a solution to remedy this conservation crisis.
"Our partners have taken our science and worked to change this corner of the world," said David Szymanski, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA), a unit of the NPS. "They have bought critical lands, designed and built public works, raised funds, and developed the protections that give wildlife a chance of surviving into the future."
Since 1996, NPS biologists have researched carnivores and other local wildlife in the Santa Monica Mountains and the surrounding region. The project began right in the Liberty Canyon area, with the tracking of bobcats and coyotes, and it expanded to include mountain lions in 2002.Overall, the research has focused on urbanization and habitat fragmentation in wildlife communities.
"It's super exciting to see the science that we've worked so hard on for many years result in concrete action to benefit wildlife," said Seth Riley, wildlife branch chief for SMMNRA. "This is a pivotal moment for conservation and for our park."
From the beginning, it was clear that the 101 Freeway was a major barrier to movement, even for wide-ranging species like carnivores. Later, National Park Service and UCLA studies found that the barrier effect extended to gene flow. They found genetic differentiation because of urban development and roads for bobcats and coyotes, smaller, more abundant species such as western fence lizards, and even for a bird, the wrentit.
Thus far, the most significant genetic effects have been seen in mountain lions.
The population in the Santa Monica Mountains has one of the lowest levels of genetic diversity in the state or across the west. More recently, biologists have begun to see the physical effects of that low genetic diversity, specifically kinks at the end of tails, a male with only one descended testicle, and poor sperm quality, documented through research conducted by scientists at UCLA. These were all common characteristics linked with inbreeding depression in mountain lions in Florida that nearly went extinct in the early 1990s.
"This crossing is timely, considering our recent discovery of the first physical signs of inbreeding depression occurring in our isolated mountain lion population in the Santa Monica Mountains," said Jeff Sikich, the lead field researcher on the mountain lion study. "Habitat fragmentation is the key challenge wildlife is facing here."
Sikich added that mountain lions may be the first affected and most at risk of being lost, "but the wildlife crossing will also benefit other species whose movements are blocked by this massive freeway."
This crossing will increase connectivity over the most significant barrier to connecting the Santa Monica Mountains to other large natural areas. Still, it is crucial to better understand and ultimately improve connectivity in other areas.
For instance, the 118 Freeway separates the Simi Hills, north of the 101 Freeway, from the Santa Susana Mountains. A recently initiated study by NPS and Caltrans is evaluating wildlife movement, survival, and potential road-crossing there.
Other critical locations include the Conejo Grade in the western Santa Monica Mountains, also along the 101 Freeway, and along the 5 Freeway in the Santa Clarita area where the freeway separates natural areas to the east and west.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo.
Conejo Valley is gearing up to host its annual Conejo Valley Restaurant Week scheduled from February 18-27, 2022. This week-long dining event, hosted by Visit Conejo Valley, will feature excellent deals on existing menu items and special offerings while stimulating tourism and driving traffic to the local restaurants in the Conejo Valley area.
From local flavors and craft brews to an inspired wine scene, Conejo Valley is the perfect foodie destination with a unique assortment of delicious restaurants, unique breweries, bakeries and more.
“We are excited to host another restaurant week to encourage locals to celebrate and support our local culinary community,” said President/CEO of Visit Conejo Valley, Danielle Borja. “This is the perfect time for residents and visitors to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture of Conejo Valley.”
Conejo Valley has many things to discover and explore only 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu and 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Visitors can extend their visit and enjoy all that Conejo Valley has to offer by staying at one of the 16 lodging options for all styles and budgets. Visitors that book minimum 2-night stay at one of the 16 participating hotels in the cities of Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks can sign up to receive a $100 Conejo Cash gift card upon hotel check-in.
Stay tuned for special Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2022 offers by visiting: Restaurant Week 2022 - Conejo Valley. For visitors looking for lodging, visit: https://conejo.com/stay.
ABOUT VISIT CONEJO VALLEY
Created in 2013, Visit Conejo Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills, Calif. With a mission to increase overnight visitation and improve the local economy, Visit Conejo Valley promotes the region’s diverse 16 lodging properties, unique outdoor recreation, bustling arts and culture scene, diverse dining and tasting experiences, providing visitors with helpful resources to make the best of their trip and “See Another Side of Southern California.” To learn more about accommodations, attractions, and things to do in Conejo Valley, visit conejo.com.
Beginning on June 19th, The Collection at RiverPark will be hosting a farmers’ market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with California Certified Farmers Market and Raw Inspiration. Presented by Community Memorial Health System, the farmer’s market will be located on Collection Boulevard across from The Annex Food Hall.
On opening day, June 19, The Collection will kick off the farmers market with fun festivities for all ages, including live music, arts and crafts, photo opportunities and more.
The farmers market will be open weekly, rain or shine.
thecollectionrp.com/connect/events/detail/325/farmers-market
25th Annual Festival to Feature World-Class Artists, including The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6, Ranky Tanky, Calidore String Quartet and more this summer
Each year, the Ventura Music Festival fills venues across the city with top-tier music for two weekends of multi-genre music, dance performances and world-class culture. This summer, the festival is returning with a lineup that promises to be bigger and better than ever. Headlined by the one and only The Summit: Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 with support by world class acts such as classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening with extraordinary baritone Jubilant Sykes, the thrilling Rastrelli Cello Quartet and many others, the festival has something for every musical taste.
In the hands of renowned conductor and Ventura Music Festival Artistic Director Nuvi Mehta, the 2019 musical lineup consists of:
7/12: Festival headliners and acclaimed vocal groups are The Summit: The Manhattan Transfer meets Take 6 as the renowned groups join forces to wow audiences at the Oxnard PACC
7/13: Celebrated guitarist Christopher Parkening joins renowned baritone Jubilant Sykes in a recital ranging from classical and jazz to American spirituals at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
7/14: Calidore String Quartet brings “synergistic brilliance and ferocious commitment” to the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
7/19: Youth jazz pianist star-on-the-rise and “brightest light” Joey Alexander at the Ventura College Performing Arts center
7/20: Ranky Tanky brings Gullah culture and “soulful honey for the ears” through a prism of African, gospel and R&B music at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
7/21: Rastrelli Cello Quartet’s “simply infectious” musical sizzle at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center
Additionally, the festival will host a “Tea & Trumpets” at the Ventura Pierpont Inn, where guests will enjoy a four-course English tea with the Festival Brass Quintet’s hallmark wit, humor and fanfare on 7/11, as well as a free public concert with high octane Latin guitar ensemble Incendio at Mission Park in Ventura on 7/18. For times, updates and more details in the coming months, follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The 25th annual Ventura Music Festival will take place on July 11-14 and July 18-21, 2019 at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center, located at 4700 Loma Vista Road, Ventura unless otherwise noted above. Tickets will range in price from $25-$50 (special student rates excepted) and will be available for purchase in April.
For more information please visit www.venturamusicfestival.org or call (805) 648-3146.
For those who can’t wait until July, VMF’s silver anniversary celebration is starting sooner than ever: lauded piano duo Anderson & Roe played at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center on February 9th. On May 10th, Lithuanian “rock stars of chamber music” NICO (New Ideas Chamber Orchestra) will be lighting up the VCPAC’s stage. Tickets for both events are on-sale now.
ABOUT VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Since 1994, the mission of the Ventura Music Festival has been to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through diverse programs for all ages. VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music.
On December 3, 2017, a new branch of the Ventura County Library is opening on Hill Road across from the Ventura County Government Center. The 5,100 square foot facility is ideally suited for library services on the east side of Ventura. Hill Road Library is within walking distance of several schools and residential areas, is conveniently located on a bus route, and will provide a well-lit parking lot.
Hill Road Library will feature traditional library hours and services such as adult literacy tutoring, early childhood literacy classes, training classes, and a collection of print materials. The Hill Road Library will also make use of technology to expand services, including laptop computers available for check-out for use in the library and high speed internet access. Makerspace equipment like a 3D printer and desktop CNC carver machine will also be featured.
The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved ongoing funds in the amount of $250,000 to operate the new library, while the City of Ventura approved $50,000 annually that will allow for an additional 16 open hours per week. The City also provided $25,000 for one-time capital expenditures. The Ventura Friends of the Library raised and contributed $200,000, much of which came from used book sales to local residents.
Come see the new library for yourself at the grand opening event: Sunday, December 3rd from 12 noon to 2pm. Don’t miss the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 12:30pm! Enjoy BBQ compliments of the Ventura Downtown Lions Club and music from Rubicon Harmonix.
The Hill Road Library is located at 1050 Hill Road in Ventura. Beginning December 3, 2017, hours of service are Monday through Wednesdays, 10am to 6pm; Thursdays, 2pm to 6pm; Fridays through Sundays, 10am to 2pm.
The Ventura County Library is available 24/7 at www.vencolibrary.org.
The Excellence in the Arts Awards are designed to honor and celebrate persons and organizations that contribute to the vibrancy of the arts and culture and increase access to arts experiences in Thousand Oaks.
2017 Award Categories
The arts are defined as visual and performing arts, including but not limited to music, dance, theater, painting, sculpture, photography and traditional/folk art. For these specific awards, the arts do not include literary arts. All winners may be asked to participate in city events, either by serving as an Arts Ambassador or through performance or exhibition opportunities. Philanthropy, while important, is not considered to be a factor in the criteria for any award.
The award determination is based on the award criteria listed below and the category definitions detailed on the award nomination form. Nomination deadline is Friday, July 28th (extended - originally was the 20th) at 4pm. Learn more at www.toaks.org/departments/cultural-affairs/arts-awards.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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