START YOUR ENGINES: AMERICAN RACE CARS AT THE REAGAN LIBRARY

NEW EXHIBIT TO RUN MAY 27 – OCTOBER 23, 2011

RACE CARS ON DISPLAY INCLUDE CARS FROM RICHARD PETTY,
JIMMIE JOHNSON, DALE EARNHARDT JR. AND SR., LYN ST. JAMES,
KURT BUSCH AND MORE

(SIMI VALLEY, Calif.) – In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. President to attend a NASCAR race. That July, he started the Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway where he gave the command, “Gentlemen, start your engines!” from aboard Air Force One. Later that day, Air Force One landed at Daytona International Airport behind the Speedway in full view of the fans. It was at that race that Richard Petty captured his historic 200th victory.
In honor of President Reagan’s relationship and fascination with auto racing, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation presents Start Your Engines: American Race Cars at the Reagan Library, on view from May 27 through October 23, 2011. The exhibit features a wide array of storied vehicles from the history of American auto racing from the 1930s to today, including those from NASCAR and IndyCar. Visitors will view historic cars driven by legends such as Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and Richard Petty, as well as cars by current racers Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Austin Dillon, who will make his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series debut later this year.
“Ronald Reagan’s connection to American car racing dates back to the 1930s, where, as a young radio announcer, he was calling races,” said John Heubusch, executive director for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “That love stayed with him, and as President of the United States he spent the fourth of July at the Daytona Firecracker 400, where he became the first sitting president to call a race.”
A few exhibit highlights include:
• Richard Petty’s winning Firecracker 400 Pontiac from the race Ronald Reagan officially started in 1984

• Dale Earnhardt, Sr.’s #2 Chevy – the car in which he won the 1980 Winston Cup Championship

• Kurt Busch’s 2011 #22 Auto Club Dodge Charger (show car) which he recently raced in the Auto Club 400 in California, March 2011

• Lyn St. James’ 1989 Ford Thunderbird Super Coupe, which she set 31 national and international speed records on a closed course at Talladega Speedway in

• Jimmie Johnson’s 2007 #48 Championship Chevrolet

• Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s 2010 #88 Championship Chevrolet Impala

• Austin Dillon’s 2011 #98 Chevrolet Impala, co-sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Centennial, which will be raced later this year

• Dan Wheldon’s 2011 #98 INDY car, which will be raced later this year

In addition to the cars, personal items from drivers like trophies, fire suits, helmets and other artifacts, photos and video will also be on display.
This exhibit is sponsored by the Auto Club of Southern California, which special thanks to Mike Curb and Mike Curb Racing.
The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley, California. Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Museum admission fees are $12.00 for general admission, $9.00 for seniors 62 and over, $6 for children 11-17 and free for children 10 years of age and under. For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit www.reaganlibrary.com.

Jack Oakie Musical Theatre Workshop for Kids in Simi Valley

The new Arts Performance Academy & the Actor's Repertory Theatre of Simi present the Jack Oakie Musical Theatre Workshop of Kids. An intensive Musical Theater Summer Camp for children ages 9 to 15. Your child will learn: Theatrical Dance, Music & Vocal Interpretation, Acting for the Stage, Theater Etiquette and experience the Full Performance Experience..Most of all they will have a fantastically fun time! This amazing program starts July 5th, so hurry and sign your child up now- space is limited!
For more information visit the Actors' Repertory Theatre website

Classic Car Cruise in Simi Valley

Classic Car enthusiasts in and around Simi Valley have a great summer of cruise nights planned. Uncover your classic hidden in the garage and take it out for a spin, or just go out and check out the classic vehicles brought by others. Lots of old faces, lots of new faces and friends everywhere every Saturday and Wednesday through the summer.
Every Saturday, bring your Vintage Classic, Muscle Car, Hot/Rat Rods and Pickup Trucks to The Old Town Buffet at 4:45pm. Bring a car, get All You Can Eat for just $10- (tell 'em you're with the car group). Free ticket for prize drawing too!
The Wednesday Night Cruise also starts at 4:45pm at various locations around Simi. Please see schedule below for specific dates. Enjoy meeting your friends and seeing classic cars at Burger Express, In 'N Out Burger, The Hat, Mission Burrito, Smokin' Steve's BBQ, Yanni's Best Charbroiled and Weinerschnitzel.

6th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival

It's just about the time again! Michael John's 2011, 6th Annual Simi Valley Blues Festival is right around the corner. Hummingbird Next Ranch sets the mood with its amazing views on Saturday, April 30th starting at 10am. This year will feature great Blues Artists including Charlie Musselwhite, Coco Montoya, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, Michael John & the Bottom Line, Gino Matteo & The Family Phunk, Randy Scott (winner of Guitar Center's King of Blues 2010) and Austin Scott & Triple Treat. Enjoy great food, a dance floor, crafts, kids area, a guitar give-a-way and more!
Tickets to this Charity event benefiting Kiwanis Community Projects & The American Diabetes Association are only $20 for Adults ($25 at gate). Kids under 7 get in FREE with Adult and kids from 8-12 years pay only $5. with Adult.
Click here for more information on the DayInSimiValley.com website. Click here to purchase tickets online

'The Tokens' come to Simi Valley April 17th for Simi Valley Education Foundation Benefit

A concert event for the entire family! A Benefit for Simi Valley Education Foundation.

Tickets are only $30 ($15 for children under 18)- come and listen to The Tokens as they perform hits "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and "Tonight I Fell in Love" - plus many other 50's hits and Doo-Wop Classics!

For additional information and show times, please see the event listing on DayInSimiValley.com

"Hooray for the USA" Rare Military Propraganda Posters on Display

The Hooray for the U.S.A.! Exhibit will features rare military propaganda posters dating from 1915 through the 1940s, as well as other artistic pieces from other wars and conflicts through present day. About 30 World War I and at least 20 World War II historic posters for military recruitment, urging the purchase of war bonds, offering information for families to grow food at home and more will be displayed from the collection of Simi Valley resident Nigel Boucher.

There is no charge to visit the exhibit, but organizers seek donations to support local veterans in need. We have to help the veterans of Simi Valley, the ones who need food and housing, said Boucher, who serves as Junior Vice Commander of VFW Post 10049 of Simi Valley as well as chairman of the Town Center Exhibit.

Boucher and the Simi Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post also will arrange special displays honoring the estimated 40,000 Americans still missing in action since World War II; the estimated 150,000 Americans still either missing in action or prisoners of war; and the history of the VFW dating back to the Spanish-American War.

Also planned are guest presentations on Saturdays on military topics to be announced, as well as a tribute to Gold Star mothers and families with their permission. Were trying to pay tribute to our local community, said Rita Rohkar, president of the Ladies Auxiliary for VFW Post 10049.

For more information, please visit the event listing on DayInSimiValley.com

Comedy Night at Yankee Doodles monthly

The fourth Saturday of each month is Comedy Night at Yankee Doodles. Don't miss out on the fun if you're looking for a great night of comedy, music, cocktails, food, and dancing, it's all going down at the next LAUGH PACK show

. Yankee Doodles Simi Valley is the spot, and Bruce Fine hosts another incredible line-up including DWAYNE PERKINS, PETER BERMAN, NIKKI CAT, and sultry singer VANESSA BRYAN!

For more information, Check out the event listing on SimiValleyNightOut.com