Whales, Seals, Birds and Wildflowers on Display at Point Dume in Malibu

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Suzy Demeter of Suzy Demeter Photography shared these photos of her recent outing at Point Dume Natural Preserve headlands and Westward Beach in Malibu. Whales, seals and flowering coreopsis are out in force. Learn more about local beaches ranging from Malibu through Oxnard at this link.

Breaching whales near Westward Beach

Breaching whales near Westward Beach

Seals sunning themselves at Point Dume State Beach

Seals sunning themselves at Point Dume State Beach

An egret without regret on this beautiful, sunny day

An egret without regret on this beautiful, sunny day

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Iconic Ed Lawrence Photo on Display at the New Mendocino Farms Westlake Village

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Mendocino Farms Sandwich Market opened on Monday, February 2nd in The Westlake Plaza at 966 S. Westlake Boulevard.

This is the 9th location of Mendocino Farms and its first in Ventura County. They have certainly made a special effort to capture the heart of the Conejo Valley crowd in several ways.

Photographer Ed Lawrence with his iconic 1965 photo of Moorpark Road at Thousand Oaks Blvd

Photographer Ed Lawrence with his iconic 1965 photo of Moorpark Road at Thousand Oaks Blvd

A iconic photo taken by well known Conejo Valley photographer Ed Lawrence is prominently displayed on the back wall of the restaurant. Look up as you walk in the door and you can't miss this 1965 shot of a flock of sheep crossing Moorpark Road near Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

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Mendocino Farms is located in the former home of Jack's Deli, which opened in 1977 and operated for over 30 years before closing its doors on November 20, 2011. 

An oak tree that fell ill was used as a prominent table in the eatery, adding another nice localized touch.

An oak tree that fell ill was used as a prominent table in the eatery, adding another nice localized touch.

The restaurant is open and airy, uniquely appointed and fun. There's a kids area that has a Foosball table (I lost the game to a 9 year old) and coloring table.  The kids menu had $3.95 pricing on it, which looked pretty good to me too. And, oh yes, the food that I sampled was outstanding. There's also a nice outdoor seating area.

Painting the Light: California Landscapes of Richard Schloss Opens Dec 7 in Ventura

The Museum of Ventura County presents Painting the Light: California Landscapes of Richard Schloss, an exhibition of more than thirty-five paintings spanning the painter’s 40-year-career. Exhibit opened December 7, 2014 and open until March 22, 2015.

Summer Morning East Mesa (Richard Schloss)

Summer Morning East Mesa (Richard Schloss)

The oil paintings of Richard Schloss are a testament to the beauty of the land and sea that surrounds us—traditional, impressionistic and yet always unique in the genre of landscape painting.  His exceptional and dramatic treatment of light creates and captures a moment in time that evokes memories of an unspoiled California.

Topa Topa (Richard Schloss)

Topa Topa (Richard Schloss)

Richard graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Master of Fine Arts in 1979 and a BA in Italian in 1981.  Following his graduation, he lived and painted in the Santa Barbara area for many years.  It was during those years that Schloss became part of  a movement of landscape painters known as the Oak Group. This group of artists was committed to preserving open spaces by bringing public awareness to preservation efforts in areas throughout California, including the Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, the eastern Sierra and Marin County.

Featured in the exhibition are works culled from private collections and galleries throughout California as well as four new works created recently which have never before been exhibited.

Richard Schloss is recognized as one of California’s best landscape artists. He is part of a tradition of California plein air painters and Impressionists, reminiscent of the early twentieth century artists including Edgar Payne, Maurice Braun, William Wendt, Granville Redmond and others who, over one hundred years ago led the way.  These artists, whether classically trained academic painters or self-taught artists, chronicled the scale, the scope and the picturesque expanse of California’s incredible vistas.  Today, Richard Schloss continues that same dedication to his subject matter in the form of his light-filled canvasses and awe-inspiring natural landscapes. www.rschloss.com

The Museum of Ventura County is located at 100 East Main Street in downtown Ventura. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is $5.00Adults (18 years & older) $3.00 Seniors (65 and older), Students & AAA members with ID, $1.00 Children (17-6 years old) Children 5 years old & younger are FREE. Paid events include free admission to the galleries, and the first Sundays of every month are free general admission for the public. For more museum information go to www.venturamuseum.org or call 805-653-0323.

Cool Ventura County Residential Holiday Light Displays This 2014 Holiday Season

UPDATE: 2015 residential holiday light displays are compiled at THIS LINK.

We are in the home stretch of the winter holiday season 2014 and once again are fortunate to have a number of great residential light displays thanks to the amazing efforts of local Ventura County residents. This is just a sampling of what's out there...please let us know if you come across other noteworthy displays around town!

In Camarillo on Gemini Street and Waverly Avenue south of Dunnigan Street, dozens of homes are decorated once again with cartoon characters, Santas, snowmen and tens of thousands of lights and other decorations.

Do I detect Dora at this house on Gemini St in Camarillo!?

Do I detect Dora at this house on Gemini St in Camarillo!?

Every holiday season, one of Ventura County's biggest residential light displays lights up the historic section of Downtown Oxnard on F and G streets between 5th and Palm.

The holiday light display by the Higgins family at 1566 El Dorado Drive in Thousand Oaks is a 30 minute display synchronized with music and over 150,000 lights.

This image of the epic light show on El Dorado Drive display does not do it justice!

This image of the epic light show on El Dorado Drive display does not do it justice!

There's a breathtaking display of lights, decorations and falling snow at Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Night, until Christmas from 5:30 to 9:00pm the lights at 4903 Pathfinder in Westlake Village that is highlighted in more detail at this link.

Take Walter Avenue off of Kimber Drive in Newbury Park and you'll be treated to what may be the tallest inflatable Rudolph in Ventura County! And homes have joined in on the fun.

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The Winter Wonderland home at 469 Highland Road at Sinaloa in Simi Valley is a sight to behold!

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Simi Sue reminded us of a neat display wooden animated Disney figures at the house at the corner of Timberlane and Fearing in Simi Valley.

There are some nice displays on Camino Dos Rios in Thousand Oaks and Silverwheel Place in Newbury Park. More details at this link.

A late edition! The outstanding animated holiday light display at 538 Brisbaine Avenue in Newbury Park is back! Lights synchronized with lively music simulcast on 100.5 FM. Really fun, sparkly display!

A fantastic music and lights display at 538 Brisbaine in Newbury Park

A fantastic music and lights display at 538 Brisbaine in Newbury Park

There's a synchronized music/light display at 3167 Gold Hill Circle (at Sundance Street) in Thousand Oaks, off of Lynn and Wildwood. Check out some footage at this link.

There's a particularly festively decorated residence on Shetland Place in North Ranch worth a look!

For other local holiday events and activities in and around Ventura County, click here!

The. Most. Awesome. Holiday. Light. Show. You. Will. Ever. See. In. Thousand. Oaks!

2016 Update: The Higgins family moved and thus no more display. Plenty of other awesome displays in and around Ventura County though at THIS LINK.

UPDATE FALL 2014: The display is back again this year, longer than ever!

Located at 1566 El Dorado Drive in Thousand Oaks. Take Janss Road east off the 23 Freeway, turn right on El Monte Drive (past the Thousand Oaks Library), then left on El Dorado. Be mindful of the neighbors!

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The Higgins family of Thousand Oaks may have the most entertaining and fun residential holiday light show in the Conejo Valley.

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Photo of the Higgins' holiday light show in 2012.According to Ed Higgins, this amazing display was constructed with over 150,000 lights, over 3 1/2 MILES of hard wire extension cords, 192 digital channels and over 1,000 feet of Cat 5 cable in the "Old Oaks" section of Thousand Oaks at 1566 El Dorado Drive.

Higgins admits "we're nuts" but they obviously have a passion and talent for this. And the neighbors are great about it they say. Ed and his wife Valerie are often out on Friday/Saturday nights with tables of cocoa and whipped cream, cookies, cider and cinammon twists!

Below is footage of the display in 2012. This short video does not do it justice. Go check it out!

A Visit to the Newly Opened Discovery Cube Los Angeles Science Center

Discovery Cube Los Angeles is a 71,000 sq ft hands-on science and education museum that opened on November 13th in Lakeview Terrace at the Hansen Dam Recreational Area.

This is a beautiful, two-story, open, airy and fun facility geared towards children but fun for all family members. We stopped by and explored the various interactive exhibits and wow, what an impressive array they have!

There's a great array educational exhibits on display at Discovery Cube LA. In the Inspector Training Course, kids receive touch screen tablets and learn to conserve resources and in a real-life home. Fun, educational and very interactive! The Aquavator is a virtual elevator that takes you into the earth's crust for a tour. Race to Zero Waste is a game-based exhibit teaching guests the correct way to sort trash and divert materials from the landfills.

Children are given tablet computers as they inspect this home for resource efficiencies!

The Discovery Market is an impressively put together supermarket where kids use computer-equipped shopping carts to learn how to read package levels, learn about nutrition and make healthy choices. The Making the Grade Gallery provides grade-specific interactive, scientific exhibits. The Planetary Research Station uses a suspended, animated globe to highlight information about the solar system, natural disasters and climate change.

The Discovery Market is an interactive learning experience that almost looks like a real store!

The Helicopter Tour gives a simulated birds-eye view

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Live Beehive on Display at the Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum

The Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula contains nearly a thousand vintage farm items ranging from tractors, machines and tools as well as rotating art and photo exhibits as well as educational sessions for all ages. One other unique aspect of the Agriculture Museum is this live beehive exhibit, which bees can access through the exterior wall. Fascinating to see in person! This is a permanent display at the museum.

General public admission to the Agriculture Museum (as of February 2015) is $5 adults, $3 seniors, students and AAA members and $1 for children 6-17. Kids 5 and under are free. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (changing to Fri-Sun 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 3/1/15)

For more information, visit the Museum of Ventura County website at www.venturamuseum.org or call 805.653.0323.