"The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders" Exhibit at the Mullin Automotive Museum Opens April 14th

1937 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic by Jean Bugatti

New Exhibit at the Mullin Automotive Museum Presents the Rarest and Most Beautiful Cars From Preeminent French Coachbuilders

Titled “L’époque des Carrossiers: The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders,” the exhibit will open on April 14, 2018 and showcase striking examples of hand-built coachwork on some of the most revered and acclaimed cars in the world, including the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic by Jean Bugatti, the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Cabriolet by Figoni and Falaschi, 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goutte d'Eau' and more

The Mullin Automotive Museum today revealed that the “crown jewels” of its collection will return to the museum as part of its upcoming exhibit, which will debut to the public on Saturday, April 14. Entitled “L’époque des Carrossiers: The Art and Times of the French Coachbuilders,” this new display will showcase the finest and most renowned sculpture, artifacts and vehicles from the Mullin Museum’s permanent collection, each representing the skill and unparalleled craftsmanship of the most esteemed French master coachbuilders.

The Era of Coachbuilding was marked by elegantly-designed and hand-crafted automobile bodies that were commissioned by society’s most prominent members, using artisans and visionaries to craft bespoke works of rolling art. “L’époque des Carrossiers” will explore the greatest vehicles of this genre, highlighting the works of preeminent French builders such as Bugatti, Citroen, De Villars, Figoni and Falaschi, Henri Chapron, Henri Labourdette, Million, Guiet & Cie., Pourtout, Jacques Saoutchik, Vanvooren, and Gabriel Voisin.

This exhibit will mark the return of some of the museum’s most lauded vehicles. Guests will instantly recognize the 2018 “Best of the Best” winner—the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic, which was designed by Jean Bugatti, as well as the 1937 Talbot-Lago T150-C SS ‘Goutte d'Eau' (teardrop). The teardrop was designed by Joseph Figoni and was named “Best of the Best” in 2016.

In addition to this prize of the Mullin collection, museum patrons will find other Concours-winning vehicles such as the 1938 Dubonnet Hispano-Suiza H6B “Xenia” by Jacques Saoutchik, the revolutionary 1934 Voisin Type C27 Aérosport Coupe, the 1939 Delahaye Type 165 Cabriolet by Figoni and Falashci, and many more.

“L’époque des Carrossiers” will open to the public on April 14, 2018. To purchase tickets or learn more about the Mullin Automotive Museum, visit www.MullinAutomotiveMuseum.com.

About the Mullin Automotive Museum

The Mullin Automotive Museum is located at 1421 Emerson Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93033, in the building formerly occupied by the Otis Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife. The museum is typically open to the public on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month from 10 AM to 3 PM. Tickets must be purchased in advance at www.MullinAutomotiveMuseum.com. Semi-Private tours are offered on Tuesdays at 10 AM and Thursdays at 11 AM for $40 per person. Other weekdays may be available by appointment. Reservations are required. For information on semi-private tours or on Mullin 1000 Club membership benefits, please call 805.385.5400. To see photos of the exhibits and the cars on display, please follow the Mullin Automotive Museum’s official Instagram page.

Bunny Seen in the Skies on This Partly Cloudy Mother's Day in the Conejo Valley

I was out walking the dog tonight, this 2018 Mother's Day Sunday evening in the Conejo Valley, when I looked up at the skies and did a double take. That looked like a bunny rabbit amidst the clouds.  The mother of all bunnies, looking down upon the Conejo Valley at the end of a beautiful, partly-cloudy Mother's Day Sunday.

"Wild Things" Winning Photos of Animals on Display at Santa Barbara Zoo through August 7th

Robert Houchen’s image of a tree frog emerging from behind a leaf.

Earlier this year, animal-loving shutterbugs were invited to snap and submit photos of animals at the Santa Barbara Zoo as part of the first-ever “Wild Things” contest, and now the winning works are on view. Sponsored by the Zoo and the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, the “Wild Things” exhibit features more than 40 winning images by adults and “juniors” (aged 17 and younger). The exhibit is hung in the Zoo’s Volentine Gallery through August 7, 2018, and is free to view with Zoo admission.

Of 265 entries in the adult category, 20 winners were chosen. Of 75 junior entries, 21 were chosen. The juried exhibit gave prizes for first, second, and third place in both age groups. The photographs are for sale, with prices from $40 to $500. Proceeds from sales benefit the artists, Zoo, and Wildling.

Kirsten Henke’s 2nd prize “Bright-eyed and Bushy Tailed”

Top Winners Announced

Robert Houchen’s image of a tree frog emerging from behind a leaf was the “Wild Things” First Prize winner. Kirsten Henke’s “Bright-eyed and Bushy Tailed” won Second Prize and captures the long tongue of an infant giant anteater as it rides on its mom’s back. Third Prize went to Hunter Anglemoyer for “The Rainbow Plumage,” which shows a scarlet macaw’s plumage from an unusual angle.

Top winners in the Youth category include “Tastes Like Chicken” by Madisyn Iversen, aged 16, which captures Masai giraffe Michael with his long tongue in one nostril. Second place went to 

11-year-old Emma Lossing’s image of a fennec fox. “Am I Blue,” a portrait of a blue and yellow macaw, won third prize for 11-year-old Aislinn Wilson.

Prizes include memberships and passes to both the Zoo and the Wildling, gift cards and gifts for each’s gift stores, artwork created by Zoo animals, and more.

“Wildling at the Zoo”

This is the second collaboration between the two organizations. Last year, the Wildling staff curated an exhibit of student art at the Zoo which tied into the “Animals from A to Z” exhibit in their Solvang location. This partnership, formalized as The Wildling at the Zoo, continues with this contest and exhibit, and with future coordinated projects at the two locations.

The Santa Barbara Zoo is located on 30 acres of botanic gardens and is home to nearly 500 individual animals in open, naturalistic habitats. It is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), representing the highest level of animal care. A private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, the Zoo depends on community support, not tax dollars, for operations and improvements.

The Wildling Museum, where art and nature meet, offers visitors a unique perspective on the importance of preserving our natural heritage. Through the eyes of artists, education and field experiences, guests can renew their relationship with the wilderness and understand its fragile nature – hopefully leaving more committed toward ensuring those spaces remain for future generations.

Muvico Brand is No More in Thousand Oaks After Placement of AMC Signs

Muvico Theater at The Oaks Shopping Mall in Thousand Oaks opened its doors on February 27, 2009.

Four and a half years later, Carmike Cinemas purchased nine Muvico theaters in Florida, Illinois and California, including the Thousand Oaks Muvico. However, Carmike did not re-brand the Conejo Valley based Muvico as it continued to operate as Muvico.

On November 15, 2016, Carmike announced it was purchased by AMC Theatres. The merger was completed on December 20, 2016. 

While the theatre promptly changed its online branding to AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14, the iconic Muvico sign continued to be prominently displayed. Until now.

The Muvico signs are finally gone.

Geological Wonders at Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park in Agua Dulce

If you're ever driving California State Route 14 (Antelope Valley Freeway) on your way to the high desert, you'll probably notice amazing rock foundations north of the freeway in Agua Dulce and freeway signs that indicate Vasquez Rocks.

The 932 acre Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park, owned and managed by the County of Los Angeles, contains ancient rock sculptures created by 20 to 25 million years of earthquake movement along the Elkhorn Fault, an offshoot of the San Andreas Fault.

The ancient rock layers have slowly been compressed, folded and tilted while erosion has gradually stripped away the soil around the rocks, leaving spectacular jetting slabs. The large rock outcroppings are sandstone beds with areas of shale, basalt and reddish brown layering, sitting at angles of as much as 50 degrees, sweeping up to a peak of nearly 150 feet high.

Although habitation of the area goes back to the Tataviam Indians from 2000 B.C. to the late 1700s, the land has been named after a bandit named Tiburcio Vasquez, who used the rocks to escape from sheriff's posses. Vasquez Rocks may well be the only park in the world named after a notorious bandit who was ultimately caught and hanged.

The park is a popular hiking, picnicking and equestrian area and has been used in many hit movies, television shows and commercials. A sampling of productions filmed at Vasquez Rocks include The Flintsones (movie), Planet of the Apes, Dracula (1931), Blazing Saddles, Austin Powers, Little Miss Sunshine, Power Rangers, Star Trek and many more.

Located at 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Road in Agua Dulce. Take the Agua Dulce Canyon Road exit from the 14 and follow the signs. When you pull into the park, there will be an Interpretative Center with educational displays and a small gift shop on the right. Turn left on the dirt road to get to parking near the rock formations. The Interpretive Center is open Tuesday – Sunday 8:00am to 4:00 pm. Closed Mondays, except holidays.

Visit parks.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpr/Parks/Vasquez_Rocks_Natural_Area or call 661.268.0840 for more information. Vasquez Rocks is about an hour drive from Thousand Oaks and 35 to 40 minute drive from the eastern end of Simi Valley.

Britney Spears Posts Photo of Herself and Boyfriend at Popular Thousand Oaks Trail

I’ve been with this man for over a year... everyday he inspires me to be a better person and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!! 🌈🌸❤️ pic.twitter.com/LRpaF2LFyI

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) February 5, 2018

Yesterday around 1:30pm, Britney Spears Tweeted a photo of herself and boyfriend Sam Asghari on a popular local trail destination in the Conejo Valley. This particular location tends to get overwhelmed with traffic, which causes problems for local residents. But there are dozens and dozens of outstanding trails in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas compiled on THIS PAGE. Britney, if you are following this site, I challenge you to post a photo of yourself on five other Conejo Valley trails, perhaps including Angel Vista Peak, Space Mountain on the Los Robles Trail, the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space, Sunset Hills Trail and the Hillcrest Open Space.

Britney mentioned in her Tweet that she has been with fitness model and aspiring actor Asghari for over a year. We can almost confirm that based on her Tweet 11 months ago showing the two of them in that same overly popular local hiking area.

My baby's birthday 💜 @SamAsghari0 pic.twitter.com/vzz5MZxhC3

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) March 4, 2017

And Asghari posted the same photo on his Instagram page, where he currently has 519K followers.

The Most beautiful girl ❤️ @britneyspears #Repost ・・・ I’ve been with this man for over a year... everyday he inspires me to be a better person and that makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world!! @samasghari 🌈🌸❤️

A post shared by Sam Asghari (@samasghari) on Feb 5, 2018 at 1:35pm PST