Main Ranch House at Santa Rosa Island. Photo by Doug Mangum

The National Park Service (NPS) discovered a significant ancient Native American site while conducting archeological monitoring during a rehabilitation project of the historic Main Ranch House on Santa Rosa Island.

Archeologists discovered artifacts characteristic of ancient Paleocoastal sites that were occupied by the first islanders on the northern Channel Islands between 8,000 and 13,000 years ago.

Scientists now believe that ancient sites from this period may be evidence of a coastal migration following the North Pacific Rim from Northeast Asia into the Americas, part of the peopling of the new world.

Among the artifacts uncovered were two types of stone tools that are distinctly representative of early North American Paleoindians —Channel Islands barbed points and crescents.

The early settlement sites on the Channel Islands produced several milestones in archaeology including the earliest evidence for seafaring and island colonization in North America, the oldest shell middens in North America, and the earliest basketry from the Pacific Coast of North America.

Santa Rosa Island is also the location of the discovery of Arlington Man, the oldest known human remains found in North America, dating to about over 13,000 years ago.

Part of the ancestral homeland of the Island Chumash, many contemporary Chumash families trace their heritage to Santa Rosa Island. There were up to 1,200 Chumash living there in at least nine known historic Chumash village sites, including Hichimin, which was located near the historic main ranch complex.

“This ancient site is believed to have considerable value and protecting it is part of the core mission of the NPS and the park’s enabling legislation.” said Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau. “Our goal is to preserve both of these important and irreplaceable cultural resources found in the park.”

Channel Islands National Park Superintendent Russell Galipeau announced the release of the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the replacement of the pier at Scorpion Anchorage on East Santa Cruz Island.

The park plans to replace the existing pier in order to provide safe, accessible, efficient, and sustainable access for visitors at Scorpion Anchorage. The new pier will provide more reliable access during low tide conditions for concessioner and National Park Service vessels.

The alternatives considered included taking no action, replacing the pier in its existing location, and replacing the pier at a location approximately 300 feet to the south of the existing location.

The preferred alternative is to construct a longer, wider pier to the south of the existing pier that will include a gangway for improved and safer visitor access.

A Record of Decision for this project will be prepared after conclusion of the 30 day no-action period commencing today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announcement of release of the Final EIS published in the Federal Register.

Scorpion Anchorage is the most visited destination in the park, with about 65,000 people coming ashore each year to enjoy recreational activities such as hiking, picnicking, camping, kayaking, and swimming.

Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson presents award to Ohana Pet Hospital .

State Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) has chosen Ventura-based small business Ohana Pet Hospital as her 2017 Small Business of the Year.

Ohana Pet Hospital is a veterinary hospital that specializes in medical, surgical, dental and wellness health care for dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, and select reptiles. They also provide preventative care such as physical examinations, behavioral and nutritional services. In the community, Ohana provides free physical exams to local animal shelters.

“Dr. Jan, the doctors and her staff are doing an amazing job in our community,” said Jackson. “This business is an inspiration to me: its concern for animals, its care for the environment, its commitment to its employees and the community it serves.”

They are also committed to environmentally-friendly business practices. The hospital where they work, for example, has LED lighting, floors made of recyclables, recycled glass countertops, a paperless filing system, low water usage and energy-efficient appliances.

Medical director and founding partner, Dr. Jan Shinkawa (aka Dr. Jan), and Dr. Jill Muraoka Lim will accepted the Small Business of the Year Award from Jackson at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in downtown Sacramento.

July fireworks returning to Ventura. Photo by Dan Holmes

The Rotary Club of Downtown Ventura is bringing back the 4th of July Fireworks Show and Family Picnic to Ventura College’s athletic field this coming Independence Day.

In tradition, the gates at the Ventura College athletic field will open at 5 p.m. on July 4 and the choreographed fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m.  The fireworks display is the longest display in the county lasting more than 20 minutes designed and orchestrated by a renowned fireworks vendor with an impeccable safety record.  Families are encouraged to make a picnic of the event and enjoy the Kid’s Zone where a $5 wristband allows a child to enjoy 8 different attractions all night long as many times as they like.  The main stage will entertain families from start to finish with live local bands.

The Fireworks Show is the local Rotary Club’s largest fundraising event of the year.

Pre-sale tickets will go live on the EventBrite app in mid-June and at Vons stores in Ventura for a reduced pre-sale price of $6 per adult and $4 per child (4-12 years old, 3 and under are free), but can also be purchased the day of the event for $8/$6 online or at the gate.

Updates and insight can be accessed at venturafireworks.com or on the event’s Facebook page at facebook.com/venturafireworks.Businesses interested in helping sponsor the event should contact Ken Leandro at [email protected].