California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks Announces It Is Closing Its Doors on June 19th

Note from the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) today:

With great sadness, the Board of Directors of the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) announces that as a result of significant revenue losses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum will close its doors on June 19 after nearly ten years of operation.

Founded in 2008, CMATO's mission is to engage, educate and enrich the lives of our visitors and our community through the visual arts. The Museum has presented acclaimed exhibitions, delivered hundreds of educational programs for adults, families and seniors, and welcomed thousands of visitors since opening its first physical space in 2015.

Sadly, we are not alone in facing this operational distress. We know from the American Alliance of Museums that many museums continue to face substantial financial losses following the pandemic, and that thousands of smaller museums, long under resourced, are at risk for permanent closure.

This is a deep disappointment to all of us who cherish CMATO, our mission and who share our belief that access to art, in all of its forms, is essential to a thriving community. The Museum has been a gathering place for the community for many years, allowing us to examine our shared humanity, to voice and to express, and to bring people and ideas together.

We hope CMATO's lasting impact will live on through the creativity of families, children, teachers, artists, and all who have been touched by what our founders believed: that CMATO exists for the enjoyment, education and benefit of all.

Groundbreaking of Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Agoura Hills on Friday, April 22nd

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.

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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.

National Park Service Releases Film "To Right a Wrong: The Story of Ballard Mountain"

Today, the National Park Service released a new 13-minute film called To Right a Wrong: The Story of Ballard Mountain, which documents a community effort to change the name of a local peak in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA).

Previously known as a racial slur, the mountain was renamed in 2010 to honor the first black family to homestead in the Santa Monica Mountains. View the film below.

The short documentary details the efforts of area residents and historians to remove the offensive name from a local mountain, located south of the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills, California. Their actions reverberated across the region and ended up reaching the modern-day Ballard family, descendants of John Ballard whom the mountain was eventually named for. The inspirational, heart-wrenching film chronicles the resiliency of a family who overcame incredible hardships.

"So often people will give attention to something because it's media worthy, but this was something that a group of folks thought was worthwhile," said great, great grandson Ryan Ballard referring to the renaming effort. Ryan’s father, 96-year-old Reggie Ballard, was also extensively interviewed for the film.

Local historian and Moorpark College history professor Patty Colman and residents Paul and Leah Culberg were instrumental in making the name change happen. They chronicle their recollections in the film, along with SMMNRA park superintendent David Szymanski.

"Ballard Mountain is the untold story of an African American family’s experiences in the Santa Monica Mountains and the City of Los Angeles,” Szymanski said. “It is important because it reminds us of the unrecognized people who passed our cities and parks down to us.”

Funding for the project was provided by the Santa Monica Mountains Fund and the National Park Service. The film was directed and filmed by Darius Dawson and edited by Austin Rourke, both alums of the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. It was written and narrated by Ana Beatriz Cholo, the public affairs officer for SMMNRA. Additional photography was provided by Kayla McCraren, the park's visual information specialist.

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 nps.gov/samo.

www.nps.gov/samo/learn/historyculture/ballard-family.htm

Ventura City Council Votes to Make "Main Street Moves" a More Permanent Downtown Attraction

UPDATE: Ventura’s Main Street Moves is now extended to June 2024. Safely shop, sip, dine and stroll in the streets during Main Street Movies. More info at downtownventura.org/moves.

Ventura City Council moves toward making Main Street Moves a more permanent attraction in Downtown Ventura

The Ventura City Council voted 7-0 at its meeting on November 8 to make Main Street Moves long-term with a full closure of five blocks in Downtown Ventura, retaining the existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk configuration through a flexible design approach.

Discussions included maintaining a pedestrian-friendly area in keeping Main Street closed to traffic from San Buenaventura Mission to Fir Street, with an additional focus on potentially keeping California Street closed to traffic.

“During the pandemic, the City reimagined the use of public spaces and joined with Downtown Ventura Partners to launch Main Street Moves, which helped many local businesses not only survive but thrive,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “Thousands of people have expressed strong support for keeping streets closed and maintaining outdoor dining and shopping areas. It’s exciting to hear that kind of positive public response as we look at design, cost, and logistics for supporting a semi-permanent downtown street closure for Main Street Moves.”

Main Street Moves roadblock on California Street at Santa Clara Street in Downtown Ventura.

The design approach includes the installation of bollards at the intersections and furnishings that are removeable, allowing the modification of the closure as needed with the evolution of downtown and the needs of the space. The design would open back up the existing sidewalks, use the existing angled parking spaces for businesses to use for outdoor seating and dining in the form of parklets, and keep the existing travel lanes free and clear to accommodate delivery trucks, service vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

The City Council also voted to have City staff work with consultants to study traffic impacts, environmental impacts, obtain a bid for removable bollards, and design standards for the parklets, all which will guide the process to the full closure. Additionally, an appointed ad hoc committee will be created to focus on improvements and cohesive design to the Mission Park and Figueroa Plaza.

To encourage participation for both restaurants and retailers, staff will create a fee and lease structure for use of the public right of way space to support the activation of the street and have critical mass of participants.

In December 2021, the continuation or issuance of a new interim special use permit for Main Street Moves will be brought to City Council while staff finalizes the full closure program with the necessary studies. Main Street Moves currently operates under a Special Use Permit and Temporary Emergency Ordinance, which are set to expire on January 7, 2022.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OutdoorDiningProgram to learn more about Main Street Moves and view reports, and survey results.

Commander Jeremy Paris Appointed Police Chief for the City of Thousand Oaks

The City of Thousand Oaks, in conjunction with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), announced today the appointment of Commander Jeremy Paris as Chief of Police for the City of Thousand Oaks. Outgoing Police Chief Jim Fryhoff has been reassigned to another Commander position within the organization. Thousand Oaks contracts for police services with VCSO, who, in consultation with the City, appoints a commander to lead the City's Police Department to work directly with local officials as a member of the City's executive team.

Commenting on the leadership transition, City Manager Andrew Powers said, "Building our history of law enforcement leaders committed to community-oriented policing, Commander Paris brings diverse experience, authenticity, and deep knowledge of our community that make him a natural fit. We're thrilled to have him join the City's executive leadership team and help to build upon our community's legacy of excellence in policing. We have a real appreciation for Jim’s years of service to Thousand Oaks and especially his efforts in helping us manage through this extremely difficult pandemic year. "

Commander Jeremy Paris is a 23-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Jeremy has worked on various assignments with the Sheriff's Office, including detention services, patrol, special enforcement, investigations, and crime prevention. He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Police in Camarillo, where he managed a $21 million budget, implemented the Intelligence-Led Policing model, and developed strategic plans to address crime, traffic and homelessness. He brings a strong commitment to robust community outreach and engagement in this new assignment.

“Commander Paris has the depth of experience, intellect, work ethic, dedication, and interpersonal skills essential to providing the excellent public safety services the citizens of Thousand Oaks expect and deserve." said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub on Paris’ new assignment. On his appointment, Paris said, "I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Police for Thousand Oaks. I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to the community and working to maintain and improve this wonderful place we all love and enjoy."

Nearly lifelong residents and Thousand Oaks High School graduates, Jeremy has been married to his wife, Dana, for 25 years, and they are raising their six children in Thousand Oaks. Jeremy received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography and obtained the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Management Certificates in Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T).

National Park Service Discovers Bobcat Kittens in Oak Tree Cavity

Bobcat Kittens Found in Oak Tree Cavity

Scientists Believe the Unusual Den Location is the Result of the Effects of the Woolsey Fire

A bobcat captured and collared more than a year after the Woolsey Fire gave birth to three kittens recently - B-379, B-380, and B-381, according to the National Park Service.

Using VHF radiotelemetry and GPS points from the mother’s (B-370) collar, National Park Service biologists located the female bobcat in a cavity of a large oak tree on April 15, 2021. She was in an area that was intensely burned during the Woolsey Fire that swept through Calabasas and other areas in the Santa Monica Mountains in November 2018.

Since 1996, biologists at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) have been studying the ecology and conservation of bobcats in and around the park to learn more about how they persist in an urban landscape.

Last month, biologists suspected that B-370 was “denning” because she repeatedly returned to the same spot, an indication that a female has likely given birth. However, when they arrived on-site, they had trouble locating the den because it wasn’t in a typical location.

“I swear she’s in this tree, but I can’t find her,” biologist Joanne Moriarty recalls saying into her hand-held radio to another biologist nearby. “Then I look up into this little tiny hole in the tree, and her face is just poking out at me. Of course, she’s been staring at me the whole time. I just happened to be in the right spot.”

On this occasion, Moriarty used a remote camera held on an extension pole to peek into the tree to confirm the presence of a bobcat and three kittens. The biologists then left the area and returned the following day while the mother was away from her den, presumably hunting.

Using a ladder, biologists captured the kittens, one by one, and brought them down safely. The kittens were weighed, measured, and given a general health check by researchers. They were also ear-tagged for the purpose of future identification before being returned to their tree cavity home.

Moriarty has been studying bobcats in the area for 17 years, and she says what is striking about this den is its location. Dens are often in hollow areas found in thick brush, specifically in chaparral or coastal sage scrub vegetation. The second most common location for bobcat dens is in woodrat nests, the large piles of sticks and leaves that woodrats build and live in for generations. Denning in a tree is unusual, she said.

Scientists believe the bobcat used the tree cavity as a den because much of the existing natural habitat in the surrounding area was destroyed after the Woolsey Fire. Very little vegetation has grown since the devastating fire destroyed close to half of the natural area in the Santa Monica Mountains and about 2/3 of the natural habitat in the Simi Hills.

B-370 was initially captured in the Simi Hills. When captured, biologists noted that she appeared to have nursed in the past. They took hair and tissue samples and fitted her with a radio collar so her movements could be tracked. She was then released.

An average bobcat litter size is two to three kittens. The sex ratio overall in litters are generally split, 50/50 male and female. B-370’s litter had one female and two males. These kittens weighed in at 500-600kg, and they were about 30 days old.

Bobcat kittens typically stay in the natal den for four to five weeks, then the family will move on to other dens that they use for shorter periods. Researchers are not sure why they do this, but they speculate that it’s likely an anti-predator behavior. The mother will typically also keep them in dens until they are 12 weeks of age, and then at that point, they will follow her as she hunts and goes about her day.

The mother cares for the kittens, in general, until they are nine to 11 months of age. They then slowly become independent, but they will still occasionally check in with her every so often.

Between October and February, researchers generally employ from 6 to 12 traps to monitor the population by capturing, tagging, and radio-collaring animals. Trapping ceases in late winter because female bobcats give birth in early spring and care for their young.

The bobcat trapping season ended earlier this year, in February, with three new bobcats captured. B-370 lives in the southeast end of the Simi Hills, and biologists are also tracking a bobcat (B373) in the Santa Clarita area as part of a project evaluating the effects of the 5 Freeway.

To learn more about the bobcat study, visit www.nps.gov/samo/learn/nature/bobcats.htm.

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 nps.gov/samo.

Summary of Activities That are Authorized Under the State's Orange Tier in Ventura County

Ventura County is in the Orange Tier effective today. All activities authorized under the State’s Orange Tier can resume:

Amusement parks: smaller parks can open outdoors with 25% max occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer; there must be reservations or advanced ticket sales

Bars (where no meal is served): open outdoors with modifications

Cardrooms and satellite wagering: open indoors with 25% max occupancy

Family entertainment centers: open indoors 25% max occupancy

Fitness centers and gyms: open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

Hotels and lodging: fitness centers can now open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

Movie theaters: open indoors with 50% max occupancy

Museums, zoos, and aquariums: open indoors with 50% max occupancy

Offices: open indoors with modifications though telework is still encouraged

Outdoor live events: open at 33% capacity

Places of worship: open indoors with 50% max occupancy

Retail (including standalone grocers): open indoors at full capacity

Restaurants open indoors with 50% max occupancy

Shopping centers (including swap meets and indoor malls): open indoors at full capacity with modifications; common areas must remain closed and food courts are at reduced capacity

Wineries, breweries and distilleries: open indoors with 25% max occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer

Youth sports: competitions between two teams are allowed in certain sports according to the State’s Youth Sports Guidance

Recommended guidance for reopening HOA pools.

More information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org.

County of Ventura Poised to Move to Orange Tier on April 7th

County of Ventura poised to move to State’s Orange Tier Next Week - Declining Cases and Hospitalizations are a Hopeful Sign; Progress on Vaccinations Continues Despite Supply Challenges

The State of California announced today that the County of Ventura has met requirements for the State’s Orange Tier for the first week of the two-week required time frame. If the County meets the Orange Tier requirements at the next review on April 6, the County will be able to move to Orange on April 7. As with the shift to the Red Tier, the County will continue to align with the State’s framework for Orange Tier activities.

All activities authorized under the State’s Orange Tier can resume in accordance with State capacity limits and safety protocols, including:

• Amusement parks: smaller parks can open outdoors with 25% max occupancy or 500 people, whichever is fewer; there must be reservations or advanced ticket sales and only local attendees are allowed (from the same county as the park’s location)

• Bars (where no meal is served): open outdoors with modifications

• Cardrooms and satellite wagering: open indoors with 25% max occupancy

• Family entertainment centers: open indoors for naturally distanced activities like bowling alleys and escape rooms; kart racing, mini golf and batting cages are outdoors only with modifications

• Fitness centers and gyms: open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

• Hotels and lodging: fitness centers can now open indoors with 25% max occupancy; indoor pools open at 25% occupancy

• Movie theaters: open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer

• Museums, zoos, and aquariums: open indoors with 50% max occupancy

• Offices: open indoors with modifications though telework is still encouraged

• Outdoor live events: open at 20% capacity; reservations required with assigned seating only; regional attendees only (120-mile radius of venue).

• Retail (including standalone grocers): open indoors at full capacity with modifications

• Restaurants open indoors with 50% max occupancy or 200 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table

• Shopping centers (including swap meets and indoor malls): open indoors at full capacity with modifications; common areas must remain closed and food courts are at reduced capacity

• Wineries, breweries and distilleries: open indoors with 25% max occupancy or 100 people, whichever is fewer; only members of same household may share a table

• Youth sports: competitions between two teams are allowed in certain sports according to the State’s Youth Sports Guidance

The State has also issued new guidance for the following activities:

• Outdoor live audience events including ballparks and stadiums

• Guidance for commencement and graduation ceremonies

After reaching the Orange Tier the County would need to remain in the Orange Tier for 3-consecutive weeks to be able to progress to the less restrictive Yellow Tier.

For more information on what the State allows in the Orange Tier, please visit covid19.ca.gov.