History, Ventura County

Pretty Poinsettias: The popular holiday plant played big part in local history

While Dec. 12 is National Poinsettia Day, the pretty and popular holiday plant has quite a history on a more local level, including in Ventura County. At the beginning of the 20th Century, palm trees were flourishing and the City of Ventura had the nickname of “Palm City.” But then poinsettias became a larger crop… Read More Pretty Poinsettias: The popular holiday plant played big part in local history

History, San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County, Uncategorized, Ventura County

Local authors chronicle area’s unique baseball history

It’s 1912, and thousands of sports fans fill the stands to watch an exhibition game between the New York Giants and the Chicago White Sox. This might sound like any Major League Baseball game being played at a stadium in the big city, but this match actually took place at a baseball field right in… Read More Local authors chronicle area’s unique baseball history

History, Travel, Ventura County

Far from boring: Historical and artistic treasures aplenty at Channel Islands Maritime Museum

When I first heard about the Channel Islands Maritime Museum in Oxnard, I admittedly didn’t think I would want to visit since I have no knowledge of ships and probably would get bored looking at them. I’m sure glad I put those thoughts aside and found my way to the Channel Islands Harbor to visit… Read More Far from boring: Historical and artistic treasures aplenty at Channel Islands Maritime Museum

History, Santa Barbara County, Ventura County

100th anniversary of end of World War I recognized locally

November 11th is not only Veterans Day, a special day to honor military veterans. It also marks the anniversary of the end of World War I. This year is extra significant because it marks the 100th anniversary of WWI. In fact, major hostilities of WWI were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th… Read More 100th anniversary of end of World War I recognized locally

History, Santa Barbara County

Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days-Fiesta captivates and educates since 1924

It may seem hard to believe today, but Santa Barbara once had some trouble attracting tourists to the area in the 1920s. Santa Barbara was mainly a winter getaway, and the coastal hamlet just wasn’t a draw for many back then during the summer months. The area’s business people decided they wanted to have an… Read More Santa Barbara’s Old Spanish Days-Fiesta captivates and educates since 1924

Food, History, Ventura County

Owls bring lasting good luck to Camarillo’s classic El Tecolote restaurant

Cruising down Lewis Road in Camarillo, you’ll inevitably come across a retro sign with a large owl on top of an arrow pointing to a restaurant called  El Tecolote. And the owl is not only this classic restaurant’s namesake (El Tecolote means “The Owl” in Spanish). It’s also part of the famous lore of this… Read More Owls bring lasting good luck to Camarillo’s classic El Tecolote restaurant

History, Ventura County

Clarence, the 95-year-old Galapagos tortoise at Moorpark College zoo, helped save his species

Out of the nearly 200 animals at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark, there is one particular four-legged resident that stands out not only because of his extremely large size, but also because of his very unique story. His name is Clarence, a 95-year-old, 550-pound Galapagos tortoise, and he has played an important role in helping… Read More Clarence, the 95-year-old Galapagos tortoise at Moorpark College zoo, helped save his species

Food, History, Travel, Ventura County

Golden Chicken Inn serves up history in Oxnard’s historic Chinese center

It’s easy to get distracted by the myriad of cantinas, shops, and markets that line the bustling downtown area of Oxnard. But, as you make your way down the ever-busy Oxnard Boulevard, slow down and take another look at the old, two-story brick building at the corner of the boulevard and West 7th Street. That… Read More Golden Chicken Inn serves up history in Oxnard’s historic Chinese center

History, Travel, Ventura County

Classic pickups: Murphy Auto Museum showcases American trucks in new exhibit

Nothing is more quintessentially American, at least in the car world, than a pickup truck. Farmers and tradespeople were once the primary drivers of pickups, but today they are widely used as everything from rugged off-roaders to family vehicles. Pickups have quite a history, and car enthusiasts (and even those who know nothing about them),… Read More Classic pickups: Murphy Auto Museum showcases American trucks in new exhibit