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Palmer Observatory Star Party, March 9, 7:30 – 10:00 pm

Carol A says “Let’s shoot for the stars” and on Saturday, March 9, 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm, go to the Palmer Observatory at the Natural History Museum of Santa Barbara, located at 2559 Puesta Del Sol, Santa Barbara. Because reservations aren’t needed and there is no cost, we will not be taking signups. We will be asking at the general meeting on Thursday, March 7th, how many people are planning to attend, so that you can arrange carpools if you wish.

The Palmer Observatory will open its doors and its roof to share a remarkable view of the wonders of the night sky through their state-of-the-art 20-inch telescope. Join Museum Astronomy Programs staff and members of the Santa Barbara Astronomical Unit for an evening of craters on the Moon, nebulas, galaxies, and more.

This event is free and appropriate for all audiences. No tickets or registration required.

The Star Party may be cancelled due to cloudy skies or rain. Because weather has been so unpredictable, we suggest that the day of or the day before, you check to see if it is cancelled because of rain or clouds.  Feel free to check their website: https://www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/7776/star-party 
or contact Astronomy Programs Manager John Winckowski at 805-682-4711 ext. 164.

If you plan to go, let Carol A or Carol S know. Car pools are suggested.

CANCELLLED – Goleta Butterfly Preserve Hike, Feb 3rd 1100 am – CANCELLED

AS IT WILL BE RAINY AND THE BUTTERFLY PRESERVE ASKS NOT TO HIKE AFTER RAINS, THE HIKE AND LUNCH ARE CANCELLED. Carol A is arranging for a hike to the Goleta Butterfly Preserve Hike on Feb 3, 1100am. We will meet at the Ellwood Mesa Open Space & Sperling Preserve parking area, 7729 Hollister Avenue, across from Ellwood Elementary School (see map at: 7729 Hollister Ave, Goleta).  The hike will be through the Monarch Butterfly Preserve, then over to the bluffs for a walk along the beach.  Whether or not there will be a ton of butterflies, we will still have a nice hike!

Following the hike, we’ll have a late lunch at the Padaro Beach Grill, 3765 Santa Claus Ln, Carpinteria, CA 93013. Padaro Beach Grill has great food, spectacular views, friendly service and a family-style atmosphere. We can eat inside the restaurant or outside on the ocean side lawn. Their menu can be found here: https://www.padarobeachgrill.com/menu.

Please let Carol A know if you are attending so she can notify you if the weather does not cooperate!

The Champagne Murder Mystery Dinner, October 7

Sign up early as people are dying to attend this exclusive event. Deadline for sign up is September 7: SIGN UP

Everyone is a suspect when murder’s on the menu. Cost is $25/person and includes dinner catered by Stone Fire Grill and includes chicken, ribs & tri-tip, pasta, salad & garden salad, breadsticks, dessert and, of course, Champagne. Location TBD.

This is a costume affair, so reach deep into your closet for your Nehru jacket, love beads, mini-skirts and tie-dyed attire!

“Groovy, baby, It’s 1967 and England still swings like a pendulum. You’re spending the weekend with some of the brightest faces in Britain at the Chelsea home of Lord Michael Jagged. What could be more hip and happening? But as you gather for dinner on Saturday evening, the shocking news is brought to you by Austin McClue: Lord Michael is dead. Maybe even murdered. And if he was murdered, one – or more – of you is responsible. Your task is to identify the murderer or, of course, to evade detection.”

It’ll be a crime if you don’t attend, and hehe, maybe one if you do!

Fair Meetup, Patti LaBelle Concert, Thursday, August 3

Instead of a General Meeting, we will do a meet up at the Ventura County Fair. We will meet on August 3 at 6:00pm near where the Grandstand Entrance line starts (or ends) for the Patti LaBelle concert. The concert starts at 7:30pm, but the line forms and the gates open much earlier.

Admission to the Fair is $10 for Seniors and $15 for Adults. Parking is tight at the fair, and locations of remote lots and shuttles can be found here: Free Shuttles and Parking

Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer and actress. She has been referred to as the “Godmother of Soul”. She began her career in the early 1960s as lead singer and frontwoman of the vocal group Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles. Some of hits include Lady Marmalade, New Attitude, You Are My Friend.

Polo Match, Friday August 11th

Please join us for an exciting outing to the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club on Friday, August 11 3:30pm. Sign up here by August 4 here as participation may be limited: POLO RESERVATION

U.S. Polo Assn. Retail (USA) | LinkedIn

The Polo Club is located at 3300 Via Real, Carpentaria, CA 93013. Admission and parking are free and carpooling is encouraged. There is open seating in the grandstand. Bar and food service is available at the club. No picnic food or water can be brought in.

Dress code for the club is “Santa Barbara Casual,” which suggests nice pants/jeans and a Polo/ golf (collared) shirt for the gentlemen and equivalent for the ladies. We suggest leaving the flip flops and stiletto heels at home if you plan to participate in the tradition of divot stomping on the pitch during the break.

Divot Stomping on the Field

It will be fun and the second time for some of us to experience !

Hike up Sisar Canyon, Sunday, June 25, 9:30am

RSVP by June 23 is required for a shuttle from the road to the trailhead, RSVP here: Sisar Canyon Hike RSVP

Bryan has planned a picturesque hike up Sisar Canyon, rated one of the best local hikes. The hike is Sunday, June 25th, 9:30am, and will be 3 miles round trip with 500′ elevation gain. The trail follows Sisar Creek up into Los Padres National Forest.  The trail is wide and well shaded by the stands of oak, sycamore and bay trees. There will be several stream crossings on sturdy logs and stones. More information on the trail can be found at https://www.hikespeak.com/trails/sisar-canyon-trail-santa-paula/

Where to Meet up: We will meet at the parking lot of the general store at the corner of Route 150 and Sisar Rd as shown in this Google maps Link: Meet up Place . As parking is limited at the trailhead, which is about 1/2 mile up the road, we will shuttle you from the Meet up Place to the trailhead.

What to bring: Don’t forget your hiking poles, a broad brimmed hat, sunscreen, water and a snack!

More Description of the Hike: From the trail head the trail rises gently high above the creek on your right which is taking a steeper route tumbling through rocks and pools that form popular swimming holes until the trail meets the creek for the first stream crossing at about the 3/4 mile mark from the trail head.  Sturdy logs and rocks provide an easy crossing, dogs and bicycles ford right through the stream.  Your hiking poles are helpful here.  The trail then continues on through the narrowing canyon, a little steeper now climbing above the stream and with plenty of shade until it arrives at the second stream crossing at about the 1.5 mile mark. The stream crossing here is a little trickier, but there’s no danger, it’s just a shallow creek even with the extra water we received last winter.  This is an excellent place to have a snack and turn back for the hike back down, for a total of 3 miles round trip and 500′ elevation gain. 

Optional – For those hardy individuals that want to, we can continue on another ¾ mile until the trail meets the stream a third time, but it doesn’t cross, it makes a hard left turn, a switchback that leads up out of the canyon a third of a mile to a beautiful overlook of the canyon, the upper Ojai valley and the Topa Topa mountains rising thousands of feet behind you (about the 2.75 mile mark). Total 5.5 miles and 1000 feet total elevation gain round trip.

Lunch after the Hike: We can plan to meet up after the hike at the Summit Drive Inn, which is only 1 block from the Meet up Place. The Summit Drive Inn features Burgers $7, Fried Chicken Sandwich $8, Grilled Chicken Sandwich $8.50, and a turkey club for $9, BBQ, Shakes and Floats for $5! 

RSVP by June 23 is required for a shuttle from the road to the trailhead, RSVP here: Sisar Canyon Hike RSVP

Rescheduled! – The Huntington , May 3, 10:45 AM

Carol A. has rescheduled our very cool trip to The Huntington, 1151 Oxford Road San Marino, CA 91108, for Wednesday, May 3 , 2023,  10:45AM (meet at entrance). If you plan to go, please click here so we can get a count: http://RSVP Huntington. Even if you signed up before, we ask you to sign up again so we have an accurate account.

The Huntington consists of three areas:

  • The Library is one of the world’s great independent research libraries, with more than 11 million items spanning the 11th to the 21st century.
  • The Art Museum features British, European, American, and Asian art spanning more than 500 years and includes more than 45,000 objects.
  • The Botanical Gardens encompasses about 130 acres and features living collections in 16 stunning themed gardens with more than 83,000 living plants including rare and endangered species, and a laboratory for botanical conservation and research.

Once at The Huntington, you can choose to explore any or all of these areas during the visit. A free digital guide/download is available for your self guided tour and a free Docent-led Garden tour starts at 11:00 AM. Additional Specialty Tours are available for $49 (includes admission).

The cost is $21.00 for seniors. You can purchase tickets at the door, however it is recommended that you purchase tickets ahead of time to ensure entry. Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.huntington.org/ . Parking is free and car-pools are suggested. Please note that it is difficult to get a refund from the Huntington, so we suggest that you wait until a day or two before May 3 to purchase tickets, or reschedule your existing tickets.

Dining is available on-site, including:

  • 1919 Cafe: Serving a selection of freshly prepared menu items along with the recently reopened taqueria, 1919 Cafe offers indoor and outdoor dining. The Bar is also open with a wide selection of wine and beer.
  • Freshwater Pavilion: Located in the Chinese Garden, the newly reopened Freshwater Pavilion is serving milk tea (with optional boba) and iced teas; pastries including macarons, croissants, and whoopie pies; delicious grab-and-go fare including a Korean noodle salad; and assorted snacks.
  • Red Car Coffee Shop: Inspired by the Pacific Electric Railway and showcasing travel posters from The Huntington’s collections, Red Car coffee shop offers espresso, tea, pastries, ice cream, snacks, and grab-and-go fare. Pick up a warm croissant breakfast sandwich, muffin, or scone to go if you’re in a hurry, or take your time and enjoy a sandwich or salad for lunch seated at the banquette, booth, or bar area.

Menus can be found at: https://huntington.org/dining

A limited number of tables for picnicking are available in the Garden Court and patio adjacent to the ticketing area. No outside alcoholic beverages.

If you plan to go, please click here so we can get a count: http://RSVP Huntington.

The Library
The Art Museum
The Gardens

Music Under the Stars

Please join us for Music Under the Stars on July 8th, 6:30 – 9:30pm at Olivas Adobe Historical Park in Ventura. Paid reservation is due by May 4th, and it is first come, first served basis. Already 13 of the 24 slots are full! To make a reservation, click here: Music Under the Stars Reservation Form. Note, even if you have already paid, please complete the Music Under the Stars Reservation Form.

Relive the best of the ’60s with all your favorite British and American bands! Dance your way back in time to the biggest hits from The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, The Beatles, Stones, and more. Entertainment starts at 7:30pm. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnic dinners. A full beverage service and snacks will be available for purchase on-site. NO OUTSIDE ALCOHOL ALLOWED. Cost is $30/person.

More information can be found at https://www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1738/Music-Under-the-Stars

British Beat

Tour of the Nethercutt Museum & Collection, Thursday, January 12, 9:30am

Carol A has set-up an exciting trip to the Nethercutt Museum & Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, CA, and we need you to click here (RESERVE SPOT) if you plan to go so we can ensure we reserve enough spots. These places are highly recommended by Ralph Brasacchio so we know either they are fantastic or just another of his tall tales (LOL)!

The Nethercutt is comprised of two buildings, which are located across the street from each other. The Nethercutt Museum Building and The Nethercutt Collection building (Tower). The tour of the Museum is free and the tour of the Collection is $10.

The Nethercutt Museum is a 1-story building housing their collection of over 250 American and European perfectly restored automobiles, and is free.

Vintage Car at the Free Museum.

The Nethercutt Collection is very extensive and is housed in a 6-story building comprising of the Lower Salon, the Grand Salon, the Mezzanine, and the Music Room and costs $10 for the guided tour (not free). There is an elevator, handicap access, & seating throughout the 6 floors and you can take breaks during the guided tour to make it easy and enjoyable:

  • The Lower Salon is where guests assemble to start the guided tour. The salon is a microcosm of the entire collection. There are about 25 automobiles dating from the early 1900’s up till the late 1940’s. Also in display are nickelodeons, music boxes, David Winter Cottages, Dolls, Coins, and crystal figurines.
  • The Grand Salon comprises of marble columns, crystal chandeliers, painted ceilings all make up this beautiful Grand Salon Showroom of the 1910’s, 20 and 30s. On display are approx. 30 of the finest automoblies of that era. Duesenbergs, Cadillacs, Isotta-Fraschini, Delahaye, Minvera, Renault, Maybach, many other European and American built automoblies.
  • The Mezzanine is a large assortment of Radiator Hood Ornaments “Mascots”, including Lalique Crystal Mascots and 18th & 19th Century French Furniture.
  • The Music Room displays a world-class collection of automated mechanical instruments including Reproducing Pianos, Nickelodeons, Cylinder & Disc Music Boxes, Orchestrions and the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ. During the tour some of these instruments are demonstrated including a mini-concert on the Wurlitzer Pipe Organ. Also on display is our beautiful Louis XV Style Dining Room.
Start of the Tour in the Lower Salon.
The Grand Salon has marble columns and a display of the finest cars from the 1900-30’s Era.
The Mezzanine has a display of hood ornaments.
The Music Room has many instruments, including this organ.

Please let us know which tour you are planning to take by clicking here: RESERVE SPOT

The Nethercutt Museum is located at 15151 Bledsoe Street, Sylmar, CA 91342, and has free parking. They can be reached by calling (818) 364-6464. More information on the Nethercutt can be found here: https://www.nethercuttcollection.org/Home.aspx

A Day at the Getty Museum, Wednesday October 26th

One of our social VPs, Carol A., is a former docent and has set up a tour of the J. P. Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049, Wednesday, October 26. Admission is free, though parking is $20. We will encourage car pools to arrive at the Museum by 10:00 AM as parking is limited.

Once at the museum, you can stroll through the galleries and sign up for various docent led tours:

  • COLLECTION TOUR: 45 min. Explore the galleries and engage in group discussions of selected artworks.  11:30am , 12:30, 1:30pm, 2:30 pm.
  • GARDEN TOUR – 45 min. Explore the garden designed by Robert Irwin. 11:00 am, 12:00pm , 1:00pm, 2:00pm.
  • EXPLORE the GETTY ARCHITECTURE – 45 min. 11:00am, 12:00 pm, 1pm, 2pm.

Sign up for all tours are first come, first serve and meet 15 min. before at the Information Desk.

Special Exhibitions featured in October include:

  • Dutch Drawings ( Rembrandt)
  • Pastels
  • Illuminated Manuscripts

AUDIO Guide iPod Devices are no longer available, but instead you can download the free Getty Guide App onto your cell phone with “self-guided”, “Highlights Tour” of select artworks on display. It is similar to the Getty Guide iPods. Use this link to download the app:  http://getty.edu/visit/app

Covid Protocols: The museum adheres to the Los Angeles County Dept. of Public Safety protocols.  Face Masks are required on the TRAM – All visitors over the age of 2 must wear a face mask over the nose & mouth “when riding on the tram.”

If you are planning to go, fill out this form: Getty Sign-up