Marine biologist to discuss tracking of sharks
The public is invited to “Tracking Sharks in the Waters off Southern California,” a free lecture at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14, in Stacy Hall of St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos.
Dr. Christopher G. Lowe will discuss the natural history of sharks on July 14 in Los Olivos.
Dr. Christopher G. Lowe, director of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach (CSULB), will give the presentation about underwater exploration and research into the natural history of sharks.
Lowe and his students in marine biology are working with state-of-the-art acoustic and satellite telemetry techniques to study the movement, behavior and physiology of sharks, rays and game fishes. One of their primary subjects of research is the migration pattern of white sharks.
Lowe earned his bachelor of arts in marine biology at Barrington College in Rhode Island and a master of science degree in biology at CSULB. In 1998, he earned a doctorate in zoology, studying bioenergetics of juvenile hammerhead sharks, at the University of Hawaii.
In 1998, he returned to CSULB to teach marine biology and oversee the Shark Lab, which was established in 1966.
As the climate and the environment continue to change, Dr. Lowe has become adept at speaking about how fluctuations in water temperatures and weather patterns have affected ocean life. He has appeared in many articles and on TV and radio broadcasts.
This program is hosted by Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society and the Solvang Branch Library. For more information about the lectures and field trips of the Society, visit www.syvnature.org.
The Rose Compass artists will discuss “The River’s Journey” at the Wildling Museum on Sunday, July 8. Photo by Monica Wiesblott
Wildling exhibit to end with artists’ panel discussion
The six “Rose Compass” artists who painted the results of their one-year, 92-mile investigation of the Santa Ynez River watershed will take part in a panel discussion from 3 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, on the final day of their exhibit, “The River’s Journey,” at the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature.
The public is invited to hear the stories behind the six women’s intimate gouache paintings, but seating is limited and must be reserved in advance.
After the panel discussion by artists Connie Connally, Nina Warner, Nicole Strasburg, Holli Harmon, Libby Smith and Pamela Zwehl-Burke, there will be a free closing reception from 4 to 5 p.m. that will include a poetry reading by Steve Braff and Dorothy Jardin.
To learn more about the artists and “The River’s Journey” exhibitions, visit www.rose-compass.com or www.wildlingmuseum.org.
Wildling Museum seeking more volunteers
The Wildling Museum of Art and Nature is looking for volunteers who want to experience art while learning about the natural world, especially in particular wild places of the Santa Barbara region.
In addition to a holiday party and other social functions, volunteers receive a 15 percent discount in The Wildling Museum gift shop, priority in enrolling for classes and events, and opportunities to meet and learn from experts in art and nature.
Volunteer roles range from staffing the front desk to preparing gallery spaces for new exhibits and helping out with events.
For more information, visit www.wildlingmuseum.org.
Lompoc DAR donates to ‘Hi Let’s Eat!’ sign
The Rancho Purisima Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has donated $500 to The Lompoc Valley Historical Society to help refurbish the well-known “Hi Let’s Eat!” sign.
Heather Bedford, left, and Karen Paaske of the Lompoc DAR display replicas of the well-known sign.
The sign was saved from demolition by local volunteers, city officials and the historical society.
At its previous home on the corner of East Ocean Avenue and South E Street, where it hung from 1960 until April 2017, it was scheduled to be demolished to make way for the new Starbuck’s building.
Since then, the historical society has stored the sign and has begun getting bids for the restoration. The historical society has also operated a fundraising campaign on Facebook and social media and has raised more than $6,000 from a Go Fund Me page and from Coast Hills Credit Union employees.
“Our plan is to erect the sign once it is completely redone at the American Host Restaurant on North I Street,” DAR member Karen Paaske said.
