Ventura Music Hall
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Ventura Music Hall is located at 1888 E. Thompson Blvd in Ventura, hosting live music and offering craft food and drinks. Visit www.venturamusichall.com for more information.
New Millennium Trail in Calabasas
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The New Millennium Trail is a loop that is accessible from the Bark Park Trail in Calabasas. In total the loop is about 12 miles.
The Calabasas Bark Park is located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road. Park there and you’ll see the Bark Park Trailhead on the north side of the dog park. Take it about 1.2 miles until you reach the following fork in the trail.
The New Millennium Trail is a challenging series of switchbacks and hills on mostly single track trails. This is a popular trail with mountain bikers. If you’re a runner or hiker, to be aware that you may encounter bikers and have to your best make room for the cyclists to pass by.
The trail itself is usually quite well maintained, but be careful because the single track can be tight in sections as you make your way up the hills.
Learn more about the trail on the LA County Department of Parks and Recreation website at trails.lacounty.gov/Trail/1754/new-millenium-trail.
Santa Paula Art Museum
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The Santa Paula Art Museum is the repository and exhibition hall for the Santa Paula Art Collection. Containing over 300 pieces, among its most famous artists are works of the Botkes, both Jessie Arms and Cornelis, who lived on their ranch and worked in their studio in a nearby secluded canyon. Some of the other represented plein air artists are Robert Clunie, Al Dempster, Ralph Holmes, Paul Lauritz, Emil Kosa, Jr., Douglas Shively and Milford Zornes.
The valuable assemblage represents the accumulation of award winning entries in the Santa Paula Art Show which began in 1937 or as gifted memorials. It remains the oldest juried show in California and the collection is recognized as one of the finest of its kind in the state.
The museum is located in the historic Limoneira Building at 117 North Tenth Street, Santa Paula. Open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission is $4.00 for adults, $3.00 for seniors and FREE for students and members. First Sundays are free for all visitors.
More information at www.santapaulaartmuseum.org or 805.525.5554.
Galactic Challenge at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks
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Galactic Challenge opened recently in the outdoor shops section of The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks. What is Galactic Challenge? It is an Airsoft BB Target Range venue. You can purchase 60 BBs for $10 and shoot them at targets. You can then earn a prize, based on how many targets you shoot down. Open 10am to 9pm daily, except 11am to 7pm on Sundays. More information at galactichallenge.com.
Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center
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The Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center is a 21,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose facility located at 29900 Ladyface Court. It opened its doors in January 2015.
The center includes a rentable 3,500 sq ft event center, kitchen, beautiful patio area with outstanding views and more.
The Center hosts a wide variety of activities throughout the year and can be rented for private functions like weddings and meetings. The facility has dedicated space for senior programs as well as a teen center, "The Garage."
Lastly, there is quite a neat little interpretative play area next to the facility with a Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area theme, including a Rattlesnake Seating Wall, Mountain Lion Climber, Bobcat Climber and Hawk Track Ride.
More information at www.agourahillscity.org/department/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-facilities/agoura-hills-recreation-and-event-center or call 818.597.7361.
Toastmasters Clubs in Ventura County
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Established in 1924, Toastmasters International is a world leader at helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit has over 280,000 members in 14,700 clubs around the world, offering a proven, fun way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.
Most meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian. There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.
There are over 80 local Toastmasters clubs throughout Ventura County. They meet on different days of the week in various locations, in the morning, during the day or at night.
First step is to find a local club. There is a search function at www.toastmasters.org that allows you to search for a club by zip code, by meeting day and by meeting time.
Here is just a sampling of some of the 80+ local Toastmasters clubs in Ventura County and adjacent areas:
Camarillo Evening Toastmasters (camarillo.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Tuesday evenings
Conejo Valley Toastmasters (1864.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Monday nights in Thousand Oaks on Janss Road near the 23.
Daybreakers of Westlake Toastmasters (3332.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday mornings in Westlake Village.
Rhetorical Link Toastmasters of Conejo Valley (6765.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Thursday nights in Thousand Oaks.
Ventura Toastmasters (since 1934) (www.venturatoastmasters.com) meets Monday nights.
Moorpark Toastmasters (1038927.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday nights at the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce.
Calabasas Toastmasters (9655.toastmastersclubs.org) meets alternate Monday nights.
Ventura Sunrise Toastmasters (5575.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Tuesday mornings.
Sandpiper Toastmasters (1224.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday mornings in Ventura.
ACE Toastmasters (1038926.toastmastersclubs.org) meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights in Newbury Park.
Speaking 101 Toastmaster’s Club (7548.toastmastersclubs.org) meets at lunch on Tuesdays at Cal Lutheran.
Thousand Oaks Toastmasters at Lunch (TOTAL) (1934.toastmastersclubs.org/) meets on Thursdays at noon at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
Thousand Oaks Toastmasters (2847612.toastmastersclubs.org/) meets on Tuesdays at noon at the Civic Arts Plaza Oak Room.
Los Amigos Toastmasters (2224.toastmastersclubs.org) is a bilingual club that meets Thursday nights in Oxnard
Medea Creek Natural Park in Oak Park
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Medea Creek Natural Park has hiking, biking and fitness trails that stretch from Calle Rio Vista and Oaks Hills Drive in Oak Park on the north, then south past Medea Creek Lane and Conifer Street to a cul de sac entrance to the park at the west terminus of Tamarind Street.
Nicely paved Medea Creek Trail north towards Kanan/Oak Park Library
The paved Medea Creek Trail, great for walks as well as casual bicycling, has a northern entry point at Kanan Road across from Deerhill Road (adjacent to the Oak Park Library). It crosses Sunnycrest Drive, where there is street parking, so you do need to be careful with kids when you cross.
Medea Creek runs through suburbia via this wash, where you will see some neat bird activity.
The nature loop trail is about 1.5 miles. You will likely see ducks and perhaps other birds enjoying the creek as you choose between the paved and dirt paths. There's also a fitness circuit. It is kind of interesting as you'll see multiple layers of trails; some dirt, some paved, some grassy, some in the creek.
Multiple paths and areas to explore at Medea Creek.
Medea Creek Natural Park is managed by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R29.php
Sign at east end terminus of Tamarind StreetFitness course signs along 1.5 mile path.
Opera Santa Barbara
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Founded in 1994, Opera Santa Barbara brings high quality opera performances to Santa Barbara, such as La Boheme, Madame Butterfly, Aida, Don Pasquale, The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, Pirates of Penzance, Rigoletto, Don Giovanni and other productions. There are generally three productions each year, plus other great events.
Performances take place at the Granada Theatre, 1214 State Street, Santa Barbara. To learn more and purchase tickets, visit www.operasb.org.
Ojai Playhouse
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NOTE: The Ojai Playhouse has been closed since January 2018 to restore the theater due to a water main break causing damage and flooding to the building. Check www.facebook.com/ojaiplayhouse for updates.
The Ojai Playhouse is located in the heart of Ojai at 145 East Ojai Avenue (at the Signal Street intersection). This landmark originated as a single screen theater called The Isis in 1914 and has changed hands numerous times since then. The theater has also changed names over the years but is now called the Ojai Playhouse. It has been restored to its original deco-style look inside and upgraded and now shows first run movies in a theater that seats over 200 people.
The Ojai Film Society hosts eclectic, independently produced movies here every Sunday afternoon at 4:30pm. Visit www.ojaifilmsociety.org for more information.
The theater is also available for birthday parties, events, private bookings and other special occasions. Visit www.ojaiplayhouse.com or call 805.646.1011 for more information and movie showtimes.
King Trivia Live Pub Quiz Games at Locations Throughout Ventura County
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King Trivia Live Pub Quiz hosts trivia games in pubs and restaurants all around Southern California. The games are free to play at designated venues, including the following areas local to Ventura County and nearby areas:
Institution Ale Co. in Camarillo
Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks
BL Dancehall and Saloon in Agoura Hills
Poseidon Brewing Company in Ventura
Seaward Brewing in Ventura
Social Tap Pub & Grill in Ventura
The Garage in Ventura
For more information, visit www.kingtrivia.com.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
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A local must see is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. With sweeping hilltop views of the surrounding valleys, this 153,000 sq ft museum on 100 acres is educational and interesting for all ages. A wealth of memorabilia and artifacts from throughout Reagan's life is on display.
In February 2011, over 26,000 sq ft of new exhibits and dozens of interactive displays spanning Reagan's life were introduced. There are 24 galleries that pay tribute to our 40th President's life. You can act in a movie with Reagan, deliver his inaugural address with a teleprompter, set the table for a state dinner, learn about his economic policies in interactive games, read his handwritten diary, ride a horse alongside Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, and much more. There is also a full-scale Oval Office replica and a 9 1/2 foot, 6,300 lb section of the Berlin Wall on display.
Volunteer docents are very friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. They are there to help guide you through your visit and answer your questions.
Exhibits include the Air Force One Pavilion, sections of the Berlin Wall, F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, F-14 Tomcat aircraft, Reagan Memorial Site, M-1 Abrams Tank, Marine One helicopter, Oval Office and more.
In addition to the permanent exhibits discussed above, there are usually temporary exhibits on display. Check out the museum's website for details.
Dine at the Reagan Library! The Gipper’s Bar + Bistro offers panoramic views and is open and is open from 10:30am to 3pm seven days a week. You can access this eatery without entering the Library. The Ronald Reagan Pub is located inside the Air Force One Pavilion and offers drinks and prepackaged sandwiches and other items.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Parking is free of charge. Admission costs vary based on the special exhibit on hand.
More information at www.reaganfoundation.org.
Pacific View Mall in Ventura
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Pacific View Mall, located at Mills Road and Main Street in Ventura, is anchored by Macy's, JC Penney and Target. Over 140 shops, restaurants and department stores in one million square feet. Sit-down restaurants include a California Pizza Kitchen, Red Robin and Wood Ranch BBQ.
More information at www.shoppacificview.com.
101 Escape Rooms in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks
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As of October 2022, 101 Escape Rooms has two locations in the Conejo Valley - 31139 Via Colinas #210, Westlake Village, across the street from the Four Seasons Westlake Village and on the ground level of the outdoor shops section of The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks (just opened).
Open 7 days a week. Hours vary by day. Offering interactive fun trying to escape from a room, using puzzles and clues.
Learn more at www.101escaperooms.com. Phone numbers are (747) 222-7638 (WLV) and (805) 750-2644 (T.O.).
