Gregorian Calendar

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Ventura County! Thank you for joining us this week. The topic this week revolves around timekeeping. Are you habitually late? Maybe you were better suited for a life in the 1700’s. Is time a construct of human perception? As is typically the case, I have more questions than answers. This week, we’ll discuss the history of calendars, clocks, watches, and time management. We’ll also discuss upcoming events, and the fun activities missed this past weekend. 🌊

This week, The Neighborly Wave will cover:

• Real estate news brought to you by V is for Ventura

• The History of the Modern Calendar

• Lets Talk Clocks

• Local Events

• Sports

• Weather

Your local real estate report is brought to you by
V is for Ventura

The History of the Calendar

Do you know why some months have 30 days, and other months have 31? Why does February only have 28 days? Do you know how long we’ve been incorporating a leap day year? We’re going to cover all of that and more.

The calendar that most of the world has come to accept is known as The Gregorian Calendar. It was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory VIII, thus replacing the Julian Calendar created by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. The Julian and Gregorian Calendars are similar; however, the Gregorian Calendar is more precise (by 11 minutes, to be specific). Before Julius Caesar’s calendar, Romans operated with a ten-month calendar. January and February were added to the calendar, and the 4th & 5th months were renamed July (Julius) and August (Augustus). They were added with 31 days each to signify their importance. 🏛 Switching to the Gregorian calendar also deleted 10 days from history. In order to offset the solar drift that had accumulated, the days between October 5th - 14th 1582 never existed. The day after October 5th, was declared October 14th. 😳

How months, days, and years are measured relates to astronomical events. The seven-day week is a curious 23% of the lunar cycle, but its history traces back thousands of years and was used by the Babylonians. The seven-day week is also closely linked to Judaism and the story of Genesis.

So why are days divided into 24 hours? It is believed that the ancient Egyptians divided the day in half, consisting of two equal 12 hour periods. 12 hours of daylight, and 12 hours of night.

Why are hours and minutes divided into 60? The consensus is that it originates with the Babylonian sexagesimal system of mathematics, also known as “base 60.” The number 60 is the smallest number divisible by the first six counting numbers, as well as 10, 12, 15, 20, & 30. Although no longer used for general computation, the sexagesimal system is still used to measure angles, geographic coordinates, and time. The circular face of the clock owes it’s divisions to this 4,000 + year old numeric system.

Let’s Talk Clocks

The world’s first clocks weren’t clocks at all; they were sundials. A sundial indicates time by casting a shadow. They are based on the supposition that the sun and moon are in specific positions are different times of day/night. Water clocks eventually replaced sundials. The Babylonians and Egyptians began measuring time around 5000 years ago by using a simple bowl-shaped water clock that released water (similar to an hourglass.) Sailors frequently used hourglasses throughout the 14th-18th centuries to help them navigate the seas.

Facts about early clocks:

The world’s first mechanical clock is believed to have originated in Northern Italy or Germany during the Renaissance Period of 1270-1300

The first grandfather clock 🕰 was invented in 1670 by the English clockmaker William Clement. It was not referred to as a grandfather clock at the time, but rather a floor clock or pendulum clock.

The first alarm clock was invented in 1787 by American watchmaker Levi Hutchins. He created it for himself, and it would not gain popularity for some time, as it was unable to be set to more than one time.

The first alarm clock with an adjustable time was invented in 1847 by French inventor Antoine Renier.

“Knocker Uppers” is a term used for people in industrial towns that would bang on doors and windows to wake people up for work. Knocker Uppers were used mainly during the Industrial Revolution in England. Industrial cities like Manchester England relied on them to get workers to factories on time.

General Electric produced a corded alarm clock, radio, + phone in the 1970’s that I’m sure most of you have seen. The photo below should bring back memories:

The first cell phone to have an alarm function was the IBM Simon in 1994. It is also considered the world’s first smartphone. The IBM Simon had a touchscreen, applications, and a stylus. So fancy!

Fun Facts about Watches:

The first watch was a pocket watch; German locksmith Peter Henlein invented it in 1510.

Wristwatches were far more common among women. It wasn’t until World War I that men swapped their pocket watches for wristwatches to coordinate attacks on the battlefield.

Patek Philippe is credited with popularizing the wristwatch, which is still one of the most expensive and sought-after timepieces in the market. Patek Phillipes are considered family heirlooms as much as watches.

Rolex is a Swiss watch brand founded in 1905. It has always been a quality timepiece, but it did not achieve its worldwide acclaim as a luxury brand until 1980. Now, the word Rolex has become synonymous with opulence and wealth.

The first calculator watch was released in the mid-1970s by Hamilton Watch Co. It wasn’t very popular when it was released. Casio, however, had incredible success with their 1985 calculator watch, which became a top-selling watch. Now, it serves as a piece of Americana and hipster nostalgia.

The Standardization of Time

In modern times, if you have an appointment at noon, one kid’s soccer practice at 2:30, and another child you must pick up at 3:30. You can set alerts on your phone to keep yourself organized. If you were living in America in the 1800’s, your main source of time tracking was drum roll please…. the sun. ☀️ Aside from that, there was typically a clock 🕰 in the center of town. Railroads 🛤 were also used to keep track of time. It was fairly common for neighboring towns to have their clocks set a few minutes apart. In theory you could get 4 different time readings from your sundial, your town center, the railway station, and your neighboring town’s center. What a nightmare.

It wasn’t until November of 1883 that North American Rail Roads set their clocks to the same time. Shortly thereafter, town centers followed suit, and then came the local factories that installed punch clocks. Just like that, time evolved. In 1882, if you were traveling by horse and carriage, you would have most likely sent a letter to the family member or friend you were planning to visit stating that you would be arriving sometime between August 4th-7th. Nowadays, if you invite someone over for dinner at 6 pm, and they show up at 5, you’re pissed, because you haven’t had time to get ready. As time tracking became more organized, humans became more obsessed with packing their schedules. I will habitually commit to 3-4 different plans in one evening, knowing there isn’t a chance in hell I’m on time to more than the very first one. Time is one of those interesting concepts that can feel abstract at times, while also being incredibly specific and finite.

“The concept of time is something I think we as humans have invented, and the idea of synchrony is almost as powerful as this whole business of existing in time” - Carlene Stephens.

Use your time wisely. 🤗

Local Events This Weekend

Oxnard

Thursday, September 26th. 6:30 - 8 pm Rock the Collection with The King of Queens. This show is FREE. Please bring chairs and blankets to enjoy from the lawn. 2751 Parkview Court. Oxnard CA

Friday, September 27th. 8 pm. The Elite Theater Company presents “Life On My Knees” a comedy by William Missouri Downs. 2731 South Victoria Ave. Oxnard CA. https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/elite-theatre-company/65569b7c9df3d40e3ce0c260

Saturday, September 28th. 10 am - 5 pm. Banana Festival at Port of Hueneme. This is a FREE all-ages event. Parking is also free. Guests are encouraged to dress up. There will be food and live music. 105 East Port Hueneme Rd. https://bananaportfest.com/

Camarillo:

Thursday, September 26th, 6:30 pm. Trivia Night at Topa Topa Brewing. 2024 Ventura Blvd

Friday, September 27th, All Day. Old Town Camarillo Car Cruise. Check out Classic & Collector’s cars in old town, and grab a bite or drink on the numerous patio options on Ventura Blvd.

Thousand Oaks

Saturday, September 28th, 9am - 2pm. Plantpalooza & Eco Fest. This is a FREE family friendly event. This event will take place at the Lakeside Pavillion in the Conejo Creek North Park. 1379 East Janss Rd. Thousand Oaks CA

Saturday, September 28th. 8pm Tyler Henry The Hollywood Medium. Tickets are available here: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B00603ADBAD235E

Ojai

Friday, September 27th, 9 pm. Leroy Mornin, and Hapi Capricorn perform at Ojai Deer Lodge. 2261 Maricopa Hwy. Ojai CA https://www.deerlodgeojai.com/

Saturday, September 28th. 11am -5pm. The Conscious Collective Market. This is a FREE outdoor event, with over 20 artists, musicians, jewelery makers, and apothecaries. 441 East Ojai Ave. Ojai CA

Simi Valley

Saturday, September 28th. 10-4 pm Hispanic Heritage Festival. This event is FREE to the public. 3050 Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley CA

Ventura

Ventura has a burgeoning art and music scene. Art Walk Ventura occurred this past weekend, and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of awesome bands. There were bands playing both covers and original music. I’ll give you two of my favorites. You can find them on Instagram and check out their schedule of upcoming shows:

@ dh_cunningham

@ hapicapricorn

There is a bit of an underground music scene in the county, and by underground, I mean you just have to be cool and young, or cool and connected. I am neither, but I was fortunate enough to get an invite to one of these shows this past Saturday. It took place in the industrial part of Ventura Ave, in an airplane hangar used by artists. All of the artists, and musicians were incredibly talented. If I get extended an invitation to a future event, I will do the neighborly thing, and invite all of you.

September 28th -29th. The 3rd Annual Oddities Expo 10am-8pm Tickets range from $10-40. This event is held at The Fairgrounds. https://seasideodditiesexpo.com/tickets

September 28th - 29th. 12-8 pm. Anime Wonder @ The Ventura County Fairgrounds. This is the first Annual Anime convention celebrating all things Japanese. https://animewonderfest.com/anime-wonder-2024-ventura-california/

Saturday September 28th. 4-11pm Oktoberfest Bar Crawl @ The Twist on Main Must check-in between 4-6pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ventura-oktoberfest-bar-crawl-tickets-964530094477

Moorpark

September 28th - October 31st. The 27th Annual Fall Festival at Underwood Family Farms https://underwoodfamilyfarms.com/fall-harvest/

Sports

Shohei Otani made history by being the first professional baseball player to hit 50 home runs, and steal 50 bases in a season. The fan that caught Shohei’s ball did not give it back to the team, and is expected to auction it off. They’re currently starting the bidding at $500,000. Or you can buy it outright for 4.5 million

Both Moorpark & Ventura College Football teams have home games this Saturday. Tickets are $10 each at the stadium.

Newbury Park High School’s Shane Rosenthal is approaching all three of Ventura County’s career receiving records. We will keep you updated on his progress as the season continues.

Weather

Fall is here, and the mornings along the coast have been cold and gray. There should be a slight heat wave coming next week that begins on Monday. Until then, it’s hoodie season along the coast.

Oxnard