Thousand Oaks BPO Elks BBQ Open Saturdays From 10am to 2pm Every Week

Come join the Thousand Oaks Elks every Saturday from 10AM to 2PM (or until sold out) and enjoy BBQ'd meats over an oak fired grill.

The Thousand Oaks BPO Elks Lodge BBQ Wagon is a 100% volunteer organization. Established in the late 1980s, it has been a mainstay in the community since that time. Its reputation for mouth-watering BBQ’d tri-tip, chicken and pork ribs has traveled internationally.

Over the years this charitable organization has been serving children with disabilities by providing Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech-Language Therapy, Preschool Vision Screening, Scholarship Grants, Hospital Grants, Support for our Veterans, Americanism and more.

Visit us at our local lodge at 158 Conejo School Road, Thousand Oaks.

Learn more at 2477elks.com/elks-bbq-wagon.

Local Conejo Valley Students Launch "The Bookworm Projekt" to Distribute Books to Kids in Need

Three local kids - Alex (16), Charlotte (15) and Max (12) - who live in the Conejo Valley, have founded The Bookworm Projekt to deliver books to K-12 children across the country who do not have access to books, particularly during the pandemic.

Alex, Charlotte and Max, students at Agoura High School and Lindero Canyon Middle School, are raising funds and soliciting book donations to help get books to these at-risk kids in need.

Learn more about this very worthy project at www.bookwormprojekt.com.

VCCF Update on Conejo Valley Victims Fund, Fires and Scholarships

Some updates from the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF):

A good place to start for those seeking aid in recovery from local disasters is Ventura County 2-2-1. Visit THIS LINK for an intake form to start the process (THiS LINK for Spanish).

Note that VCCF continues to raise support for those impacted by the Thomas Fire as well. For those individuals in need of financial assistance in relationship to the Thomas Fire who are not currently working with a case manager, they should reach out to 2-1-1 so they can be assigned to the appropriate organization.

Conejo Valley Victims Fund

The final protocol for financial support for those impacted by the Borderline Bar & Grill shooting has been finalized at THIS LINK.

The deadline for submitting a claim is February 18, 2019. For more information, visit www.ConejoValleyVictimsFund.org.

Hill Fire/Woolsey Fire Sudden and Urgent Needs Effort Update

The VCCF has granted more than $1,125,321 since the start of the Hill and Woolsey fires, including:

• $150,000 to the Pacific Coast and Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross (Red Cross) for an Emergency Response Vehicle

• $115,000 to the Red Cross for Ventura County Recovery Coordination

• $146,250 to the Red Cross for General Operations Support

• $1,394 to Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship for Evacuation expenses for horses, additional staffing, fuel for trailers, stall cleaning   

• $10,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley for expenses related to serving children during school closures, club clean-up, and counseling services              

• $30,000 total to KCLU Public Radio (California Lutheran University) with $20,000 to replace damaged main transmitter and supporting equipment and an additional $10,000 for matching funds for the campaign to replace equipment, which they met.

• $5,000 to 805 Help to support their immediate response to bring online access to our community during the fires

• $15,000 to Senior Concerns for adult daycare, meals and support for our community’s seniors who were evacuated and need care

• $5,350 to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association to help cover costs associated with evacuations of those on hospice

• $7,000 to the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $9,500 to the Southeast Ventura YMCA to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $1,827 to Mark Watring Stables for the evacuation of 43 horses, hauling of feed and water supplies, and overtime

• $25,000 to the Economic Development Collaborative for General Operations Support as they serve business owners impacted by the fires

• $21,500 to Cal State Channel Islands Foundation to feed and house students evacuated by the fires

• $500 to Cal Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership to sponsor a free webinar entitled “Fundraising in Response to a Community Crisis”

• $445,000 to the Southeast Ventura County YMCA to provide individual assistance to families affected by the fires.

• $6,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Oxnard & Port Hueneme to help cover expenses related to serving children during school closures.

• $5,000 to Fly-Hope Dream to cover flights for fire survivors.

• $10,000 to Little Angels Project to cover costs of veterinary care for injured animals.

• $16,000 to Lockwood Animal Rescue Center to provide lodging and basic needs for people and animals.

• $100,000 to Salvation Army for case management and basic needs assistance.

Nonprofit organizations responding to the needs from the fires should complete and submit their brief application at www.vccf.org.  Organizations can submit more than one time as needs arise. 

VCCF Scholarship Program

The VCCF Annual Scholarship Program is still accepting applications for local students pursuing their career and educational goals. Over $1 million in assistance is available in 2019.  The application deadline is January 30th.  Apply at www.vccf.org. 

Update From Ventura County Community Foundation Regarding Distribution of Funds

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) President Vanessa Bechtel has provided an update regarding distribution of funds thus far in connection with the recent tragedies in our area.

Conejo Valley Victims Fund

The first two rounds of support to the victims and survivors of the Borderline shooting have been distributed. VCCF awarded an immediate $70,000 in $500 pre-paid Visa cash cards so immediate basic needs could be met through the Thousand Oaks Victims Assistance Center.

VCCF also awarded a total of $240,000 to help cover memorial costs to families who lost loved ones. Chief of Police Tim Hagel personally delivered the funds to the families during this devastating time.

Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire Sudden & Urgent Needs Effort

Over $500,000 in funds have been distributed thus far in connection with relief from the recent wildfires in the area:

• $150,000 to the Pacific Coast and Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross for an Emergency Response Vehicle

• $115,000 to the Red Cross for Ventura County Recovery Coordination

• $146,250 to the Red Cross for General Operations Support

• $5,000 to 805 Help to support their immediate response to bring online access to our community during the fires

• $15,000 to Senior Concerns for adult daycare, meals and support for our community’s seniors who were evacuated and need care

• $5,350 to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association to help cover costs associated with evacuations of those on hospice

• $7,000 to the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $9,500 to the Southeast Ventura YMCA to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $1,827 to Mark Watring Stables for the evacuation of 43 horses, hauling of feed and water supplies and overtime

• $25,000 to the Economic Development Collaborative for General Operations Support as they serve business owners impacted by the fires

• $21,500 to Cal State Channel Islands Foundation to feed and house students evacuated by the fires

• $500 to Cal Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership to sponsor a free webinar entitled “Fundraising in Response to a Community Crisis” (contact nonprofit@callutheran.edu for details)

VCCF is working to award funds as quickly as possible to nonprofit organizations serving those in need during this challenging time. The organization is particularly interested in supporting organizations who are assisting in housing and basic needs, animal welfare, business and resiliency support for our community and medical needs of individuals as a result of the fires. The application is very short and should take no more than 15 minutes to submit at www.vccf.org.

805 Undocufund

This is a collective effort to ensure undocumented individuals and families impacted by natural disasters have the support they need. Please join us in helping support our neighbors during this challenging time at www.vccf.org.

VCCF Scholarship Program

VCCF has launched its 2019 Application for College Scholarships and thanks to local generosity will be awarding $1.147 million in scholarships to local students this year – more than ever before! The deadline for applications is January 30, 2019 at 10 p.m. PST.

How You Can Make A Difference

Applications for Support: Massive wildfires that cause severe displacement make connecting and supporting fire victims challenging. While VCCF has received some organizational applications for support, FEMA has received a modest number of applications for direct fire victim support. Please encourage those impacted by the fires to apply with FEMA as soon as possible and to also open a case with 2-1-1 who can help connect resources to those in need.

Fundraising for the Conejo Valley Victims Fund: VCCF is in the final stages of raising funds to support the families of victims and survivors of the Borderline shooting. We are working with Ken Feinberg, Special Master of the US Government’s September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, who has volunteered to help advise us during this time. Please encourage all you know to donate now and offer support to those impacted by this tragic event at www.vccf.org.

Support Services: Please help spread the word that Kaiser Permanente is offering free support groups in Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura for the Borderline tragedy and fires. Please contact them directly at (805) 449-3442.

Discovery Center for Science and Technology Announces New Executive Director

The Discovery Center for Science and Technology Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Vicki Holloway has been named Executive Director of The Discovery Center as of November 16, 2016, following a six-month assignment as a consultant to the organization.

Vicki brings over 20 years of experience in the fields of life and environmental science with professional expertise in strategy development, organizational design and efficiency, operations, communications and partner management. She has been an active volunteer in other nonprofit organizations in the community for 15 years.

As Executive Director, Vicki will be responsible for fundraising and grant management; volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition; program development and management; and community relations and outreach.

Serving residents of the Conejo, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties for over 20 years, The Discovery Center encourages curiosity, critical thinking and creativity through the exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). To date, volunteers of The Discovery Center have served over 200,000 children and adults with educational programs and events. For additional information concerning The Discovery Center please go to www.discoverycntr.org.

The Discovery Center for Science and Technology is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County Oxnard ReStore Grand Opening on February 27th

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new Oxnard ReStore and office location Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 9 a.m. The new location is at 1850 Eastman Avenue Oxnard. Join us for exclusive offers, refreshments, followed by tours of the new offices.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells new and gently used household items and building supplies, such as furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinetry, windows, hardware, lumber, tools, flooring, lighting and much more. All ReStore merchandise is generously donated by individuals, churches, contractors and businesses, and it is sold at 50 percent below retail value.

After locating the perfect space for the Oxnard ReStore, and office we’ve been working hard over the past several months to get the new store and office up and running. With the help of many generous donations, volunteers and our dedicated staff, we are thrilled to launch this next phase for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.  Now, we’ll have an additional square footage for our Oxnard ReStore to help fund Habitat’s work here in Ventura County, and we hope this will lead to a greater number of homes built each year.

After the Grand Opening, the Oxnard ReStore’s regular business hours will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations will continue to be accepted at both the Simi Valley and the Oxnard ReStore during our donation hours, and pickups also will be available by appointment.

Proceeds from the ReStore help support Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build simple, decent houses in Ventura County, while providing an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of landfills.

For more information about the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or to schedule a pickup at either of the Ventura County ReStores, contact Wendy Monk, Oxnard ReStore manager, at (805-485-6065 ext. 106). Information is also available at www.habitatventura.org.

2015 Fit 4 The Cause Miracle of Movement Gala on September 19th Was a Smashing Success

Fit 4 The Cause, a local non-profit that combines social media-fueled flash mobs with fitness education and philanthropic giving, received its 501(c)(3) status a year ago just 90 days after filing with the IRS. 

Founded by PR expert and ACE certified Fitness Pro Cindy Rakowitz, Fit 4 The Cause continued pushing the limits over the last 12 months, culminating in a packed house at the its inaugural Miracle of Movement Gala at the Sheraton Agoura Hills.

Cindy Rakowitz along with "The Duo" - Honoree Sourena Vasseghi and Chris Stevenson

What a great event!  Led by Fox Sport Radio talk show host Tomm Looney, this gala was entertaining and inspirational.

The theme of the night was "Smashing Obstacles." Honorees celebrated for smashing personal obstacles were Lisa Roub, who received the 2015 Advocacy Award and Sourena Vasseghi, recipient of the 2015 Inspiration Award.

Roub learned in April 2014 that she had breast cancer at the age of 40. After much research she opted to have a bilateral mastectomy. After the surgery, she was told that the cancer spread to her lymph nodes and would necessitate four rounds of chemotherapy. The thought of losing her hair was now a concern. But she discovered a new treatment, Penguin Cold Caps, that prevents hair loss by freezing the scalp to 40 degrees below zero on chemo days, protecting the follicles and minimizing hair loss. Roub has been cancer-free for nearly a year. She was honored for sharing her experiences with others in need of support and advice. 

Miracle of Movement Gala Honorees, Sourena Vasseghi and Lisa Roub

Vasseghi is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker who suffers from severe cerebral palsy. Although he has limited motor skills and a significant speech impediment, he is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker. But since he can't really speak to an audience, he has partnered with "interpreter" Chris Stevenson of Stevenson Fitness in Oak Park. The duo had us both laughing and crying as they took us through some of the challenges Vasseghi faces in life and how we all can learn from them. Vasseghi is an Agoura Hills resident and is married with two kids. You have to meet this guy. Learn more at sourenav.com.

We also enjoyed a conversation with NFL linebacker Brady Poppinga at the Gala. Poppinga shared thoughts on commitment and returning from injury over the course of his career. After playing at BYU, he was drafted in 2005 by the Green Bay Packers, where he played six years, then the St. Louis Rams and Dallas Cowboys. 

Two thumbs up to all of the great sponsors for this event that made it happen, with a shout-out to Champion Level sponsors Edison International, Humana/Brian Sullivan and the Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian.

The team from Champion Level sponsor, Law Offices of Friedman & Bartoumian 

World Record LEGO Chain Event in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, September 27th

World Record LEGO Chain Event is taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM - 4 PM at Thousand Oaks City Hall.

We are attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records by building the World Longest LEGO Chain. We need your help to do it.  We have over 100,000 LEGO bricks and need some families who love building with LEGOs to help us build it.

This charity event is a collaboration between the Conejo Recreation & Park District, Rotary International, and Play-Well TEKnologies to raise money to build a state of the art special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks.

By signing up to help build the world's longest LEGO chain, you will help bring this playground to the community.  To learn more and to register (only $5/participant), visit bit.ly/WorldLongestLEGOChainEvent