Mountain Fire in Ventura County - Updates and Recovery Information

Smoke from the Mountain Fire seen from Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

The Mountain Fire was first reported at just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6th, near Somis, in the 7900 block of Balcom Canyon Road and Bradley Road. Due to the extremely high Santa Ana winds, it quickly jumped across Highway 118 towards Camarillo and as of Thursday night grew to 20,484 acres burned at 5% containment. The fire has destroyed at least 132 structures and damaged another 88 structures as of Thursday evening. Visit vcemergency.com for details regarding evacuation orders, emergency shelters, road closures, and more. Information hotline is 805-465-6650. Or call 2-1-1 for assistance.

Fire Updates

• As of 8:50 a.m. Saturday, November 9th, the fire is at 20,630 acres with 17% containment.

• As the night of Monday, November 11th, fire at 42% contained. Out of 894 inspections to date, 82 structures damaged and 192 destroyed.

• As of 5:22 p.m. Tuesday, November 12, fire is 54% contained at 20,630 acres. 90 structures damaged, 207 destroyed.

• As of the morning of Thursday, November 14, acreage unchanged, 82% contained, 25 structures damaged, 240 structures destroyed.

Recovery Efforts

The County of Ventura, in partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation, has established an emergency fund accepting donations to support community members and local nonprofit organizations most affected by the Mountain Fire. The Ventura County Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund is open for giving at vccf.org/donate, and is dedicated to supporting individuals and nonprofit organizations that provide essential aid to those most affected in times of crisis. One hundred percent of contributions go directly toward relief efforts, focusing resources on those who need it most.

If you were impacted by the fire, the Ventura County Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VC VOAD) asks that you complete a needs assessment at https://icfs.communityos.org/gethelpventuracounty to get help.

Ventura County Recovers website covers recovery information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Fox Fine Jewelry is offering a free diamond necklace to anyone whose home was damaged or destroyed by the Mountain Fire. Necklaces also available for sale, with 50% of proceeds donated to the VC Community Foundation. www.foxfinejewelry.com/pages/mountain-fire-free-necklace

Individual GoFundMe Pages

If you are seeking to donate directly to individuals impacted by the Mountain Fire, there are over 50 GoFundMe fundraisers established over the last 7 days (as of November 9th) at https://www.gofundme.com/s?q=%22mountain+fire%22&time-period=7 (NOTE THAT WE HAVE NOT VETTED EACH FUNDRAISER. USE YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE.)

American Pie Coffee House Now Open in Camarillo

The American Pie Coffee House at 2211 Ventura Blvd in Camarillo will be hosting a grand opening event on Friday, October 11th, from 3:30-9:30PM. Experience pour-over coffee, full expresso bar, ice cream, and "American Pies" from the Bread Basket Camarillo and enjoy live jazz and blues.

The Coffee House actually opened on Friday, October 4th...so if you have hankering for coffee and pie - it is 3 doors away from its sister shop, American Pie Records. Follow @americanpierecords for updates.

American Pie Records specializes in 50s, 60s, 70s, hard to find, out of print collector records and more. www.americanpierecords.com

Carrara Pastries Coming Soon to Camarillo Old Town

The Visit Camarillo website indicates Carrara Pastries is coming soon to 2290 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo (at Arneill). Timing TBA. Can't wait to try their delicious Italian pastries, decadent cakes and coffees? Visit their other nearby locations in Moorpark or Agoura Hills (Whizin Market Square). www.carraras.com

Johnny Rockets at the Camarillo Premium Outlets Has Closed Its Doors

Johnny Rockets at the Camarillo Premium Outlets recently closed its doors. This was the last remaining Johnny Rockets location in Ventura County and the Conejo Valley. The Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks locations closed in 2012 and Calabasas closed in 2017. Universal City is the closest location for those in search of this brand. www.johnnyrockets.com

City of Camarillo Provides Trolley Bus Service Seven Days a Week

The City of Camarillo provides trolley bus service Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 9 p.m.

The fare price is $.50 for seniors (65+) and ADA riders and $1 for adults and students.

The service provides convenient, air-conditioned, nostalgic transportation to Camarillo retail and dining destinations. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are provided.

The trolley bus route starts at the Metrolink train station, runs west on Daily Drive, south down Las Posas Road, and then east on Ventura Boulevard back to the Metrolink station. Here are the stops and the minutes the trolley reaches each stop after each hour and half hour:

• Metrolink (Camarillo Train Station) (0 min)

• Ponderosa Center (next to 99 Cent Store) (4 min)

• Camarillo Plaza (Daily Dr west of Murray Ave) (7 min)

• Carmen Plaza (Daily and Carmen) (9 min)

• Las Posas Plaza (Daily and Calle La Roda) (11 min)

• Camarillo Town Center (between Ross and Walmart) (17 min)

• Premium Outlets Promenade (Ventura Blvd) (20 min)

• Premium Outlets Main Court (Ventura Blvd and Camarillo Center Dr) (22 min)

• Old Town (Ventura Blvd and Fir St) (25 min)

• Dizdar Park and Camarillo Chamber (27 min)

• Metrolink (30 min)

The trolley stops at shopping centers all along the route on a 30 minute schedule. Riders can also flag down the trolley to board anywhere along the route.

Where IS the trolley at any given point in time!? Well you can get that answer on the Trolley Tracker at www.camarillotrolley.com.

www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/residents/public_transportation/camarillo_trolley.php

Kids Bowl Free This Summer at Various Ventura County Bowling Centers

Here's a great summer deal that will bowl you over! Bowling alleys across the country are offering Kids Bowl Free deals during the summer months once again this year!

Up to two games per kid on designated days and times, subject to lane availability. Note that applicable ages for Kids Bowl Free vary up to 15 to 18.

The deal also does not apply to parties, camps and other organized events. And lastly, the deal does not include bowling shoe rental. With no further ado, here are local alleys in Ventura County and nearby areas that are participating in Kids Bowl Free!

NOTE: You first must visit www.kidsbowlfree.com and register with specific bowling alleys. After registering your children, you will receive coupons via email or through mobile devices, and in turn redeem them at the time of purchase. In addition to the 2 FREE Games, you may be able to purchase a family package (at participating centers) and generally must pay for standard shoe rental rates at the time of bowling.

Harley's Camarillo Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Monday through Wednesday from 9:30am to 4pm for kids 17 and under, from June 9 to August 30, 2024.

Harley's Simi Bowl offer Kids Bowl Free Monday, Wed, Thurs and Fri from 9am to 4pm for kids 15 and under, from May 28 to August 28, 2024.

Harley's Valley Bowl offers Kids Bowl Free Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for kids ages 18 and under, from June 6 to August 29, 2024.

Click this link to pin down information about all the local Ventura County area bowling alleys.

Proposed Merger of Kroger and Albertsons Could Change Ownership of Four Local Grocery Stores

Vons at 5671 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills

A number of folks have messaged us regarding the list of local grocery stores that would be divested if Kroger's proposed acquisition of Albertsons is approved by federal regulators. The list of 579 stores includes 63 in California.

The merger was first announced in October 2022. It would combine Kroger (which owns Ralphs and Food 4 Less, among others) with Albertsons (which owns Pavilions, Safeway and Vons, among others). Kroger/Albertsons say the merger would better help them compete with Amazon, Walmart and Costco. The fate of the merger will be decided in a trial set to start in Portland, Oregon on August 26th. The trial may last 2 to 3 weeks.

Local stores that would be sold to C&S Wholesale Grocers include Vons stores at 5671 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills, 820 Arneill Road in Camarillo, and 6040 Telegraph Road in Ventura, and Albertsons at 541 S. Reino Road in Newbury Park.

As part of the acquisition, C&S retains the Albertsons brand name in California. Does that mean these stores will retain their existing Vons/Albertsons names if the acquisition goes through? Perhaps, but we shall see.

House of Bamboo Tiki Lounge Coming Soon to Old Town Camarillo

House of Bamboo tiki lounge is in process of being built at 2227 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo, between Elm and Fir, across from the Studio Channel Islands Art Center. No other details or timing at this time, other than this looks to be quite a unique place. Follow @hobtiki on Instagram for updates.