CLU Unveils $15 Million Ullman Commons in Thousand Oaks; Includes a Starbucks

California Lutheran University (CLU) announces the grand opening of the $15 million Ullman Commons at 101 Memorial Parkway in Thousand Oaks.

The 20,000 sq ft building includes an all-you-can-eat dining hall, a quick-service counter called Ullman To Go, a Starbucks and a conference center. Designed to transform the heart of campus, the facility provides a gathering place for students, faculty, staff and visitors. It features glass curtain walls and second-floor balconies overlooking Kingsmen Park and the academic corridor.

The dining hall, which is open to members of the CLU community and their guests, serves a wider variety of food than the former facility. An international station offers Mongolian grill and Asian wok options as well as vegan food, sushi, samosas, and fried rice and noodle dishes. Diners can order from the grill, pick up daily specials or wood-fired pizza, and serve themselves at the pasta, soup, salad and dessert bars. A deli station offers made-to-order sandwiches and wraps. I had the pleasure of visiting the dining hall and was extremely impressed!

Ullman To Go, which is open to the public, sells fresh-baked pastries, made-to-order sandwiches and prepared wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza and hot entrees.

Starbucks is open daily from 7 a.m. until midnight, providing a gathering spot for students as well as community members attending events. The CLU Starbucks, the 18th Starbucks in the Conejo Valley, has three times the seating of the chain’s typical cafes, with 65 spots inside and a patio with space for about 50 people. The patio, which features a fire pit, is called Jack’s Corner in honor of generous donor and longtime Cal Lutheran Regent Jack Gilbert, who died in 2012. Their phone is 805.492.2411.

The first-floor conference center has two rooms for banquets or lectures that can be combined, a smaller seminar room and an intimate dining room.

The building was designed to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. It uses natural lighting and ventilation extensively and has water-saving fixtures and a system designed to turn waste into compost.

Ullman Commons is named for a family of alumni and generous donors who provided a $2 million gift for the facility through their foundation.

Learn more about CLU at www.callutheran.edu.

UCAAN Founder Rachel Shur Receives National Gold Presidential Service Award

Local resident Rachel Shur was recently presented with the National Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service by Senior Chaplain Dan Regan, United States Chaplain Service. He also presented her with a signed letter from President Obama and a Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award Pin.

Shur is a two time cancer warrior who beat terminal leukemia in 2006 and again in 2007. She is the founder of the United Cancer Advocacy Action Network (UCAAN), a 501(c)3 all volunteer run organization in Thousand Oaks.

Over the past five years, Shur has dedicated her time and energy into UCAAN and the people it serves: 2,575 cancer warriors, patients, survivors and their families have been helped by UCAAN and its team of dedicated volunteers.

Before Shur founded UCAAN, she volunteered her time to help other organizations and shared her cancer story at health fairs, local high schools and colleges. Eventually, it wasn’t enough for Shur and she saw what really needed to be her focus, the start of an organization unlike any other, a one-stop resource organization that would help cancer patients locally and nationwide.

UCAAN continues to grow as Rachel tirelessly does all that she can to help those struggling in our communities and beyond to find the help they need when they need it. UCAAN’s focus is “Finding Solutions for Cancer Patients in Need Locally & Nationwide.”  UCAAN has an extensive database of over 1,800 organizations nationwide that offer an array of support for those affected by cancer. UCAAN also has a personal fundraising program, in addition to two local financial assistance programs: Gas Cards to local patients to help them get to their treatment appointments, and fluoride trays to prevent dental deterioration caused by most cancer treatments. Additional services are planned for the future.

UCAAN helps anyone, any age with any form of cancer, nationwide. To find out more information about UCAAN or to make a donation visit www.UCAAN.org or contact the UCAAN office at 805-796-6090. To speak with Rachel Shur directly, call 805-479-1032 or email her at UCAANorg@yahoo.com.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. The program continues as an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Ventura County Public Health First in California to Receive National Accreditation

Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) announced today that it has achieved 5-year national accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). VCPH is the first public health department in California to earn this important distinction.

The national accreditation program, jointly supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, sets standards against which the nation’s more than 3,000 governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance. To receive accreditation, VCPH underwent a voluntary rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.

"I couldn't be more proud of the VCPH team for helping us achieve this extraordinary accomplishment,” said Rigoberto Vargas, Ventura County Public Health Director.  “The accreditation process, which took more than two years to complete, is a testimony to our department’s hard work, dedication and ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.”

Public health departments play a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people and communities. In cities, towns, and states across the nation, health departments provide a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; creating safer neighborhoods; administering life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to public health emergencies.

“I want to congratulate Ventura County Public Health on receiving national accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, California Department of Public Health director and state health officer.  “Accreditation is a distinction which means that the Ventura County Public Health department meets nationally accepted standards.  Many public health departments nationwide are preparing for accreditation but only a handful have actually achieved accreditation.  Ventura County is truly ahead of the pack.”

VCPH employs approximately 300 people, operates four clinics and seven Women, Infant & Children (WIC) centers and, frequently collaborates with medical providers, schools, businesses and community partners to mitigate health disparities and improve community access to care.

The national accreditation program was created collaboratively over a 10-year period by hundreds of public health practitioners working at the national, Tribal, state, and local levels. Since the program’s launch in September 2011, nearly 130 health departments have applied to PHAB for accreditation, and hundreds of public health practitioners from across the nation have been trained to serve as volunteer peer site visitors for the program.

To learn more Ventura County Public Health, visit www.vchca.org/public-health and to learn more about PHAB or sign up for the PHAB e-newsletter, visit www.phaboard.org.

Ventura County Animal Services Unveils New Pet Adoption Mobile App to Save Lives

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recently unveiled a new iPhone / iPad application (app) that includes detailed information on Ventura County’s adoptable animals, allows users to report a lost or found pet, offers the opportunity to donate to VCAS and much more.

The free app, which can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes Store, allows users to browse through photos and descriptions of the hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals currently available for adoption at VCAS’ Camarillo and Simi Valley Adoption Centers and save those they like in a “favorites” category. In addition, it contains dog and cat breed descriptions and  a pet notification feature so that interested adopters can be alerted when an animal meeting their preferences (breed, sex, color, age) becomes available for adoption or when a lost pet matching an owners description is brought in to the shelter. 

Created by the County of Ventura’s Information Technology Department, the app also includes a YouTube video instructional tutorial in both English and Spanish.  To download the VCAS app, search for "Ventura County Animal Services Pet Adoption" in the iTunes store or visit itunes.apple.com/us/app/ventura-county-animal-services/id872171923?ls=1&mt=8.

A version for Android phones will become available later this month.

Learn more about VCAS at vcas.us.

Ventura County Animal Services Competes in ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge to 8/31

From June 1 – August 31, Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is competing against 49 other animal shelters across the country for the chance to win more than $600,000 in grant funding, including a $100,000 grand prize, in the 2014 ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge. VCAS applied back in January and began the highly competitive contest selection process.

The 100K competition challenges participating shelters (with the help of their communities) to break their own records when it comes to saving the lives of homeless dogs and cats.  Each shelter’s three-month adoption numbers from 2013 will be compared to the same period in 2014 and the shelter that shows the biggest improvement will be awarded $100,000. For VCAS, this means finding homes for 2,300 animals in just 90 days.

“The ASPCA Rachel Ray $100K Challenge is an amazing opportunity for VCAS to work hand-in-hand with  the entire community to find homes for the hundreds of dogs, cats and rabbits waiting for their forever families at our two Ventura County adoption centers,” said Tara Diller, VCAS Director. “Our $100K motto is: It takes a village, we ARE a village!’”

Fostering greater community engagement plays a big part in the competition so, in an effort to get more people to visit VCAS Adoption Centers, VCAS will offer the following daily adoption specials during the first week of the 100K Challenge, June 1 – 7, 2014:

•     Senior Sunday - $30 for senior animals (5 years +) or for senior adopters (65 years +)
•     Mixed Breed Monday - Mixed breeds adopted for $35
•     $2 Off Tuesday - Adoption rates reduced by $2/per pound of the pet
•     Black or Blue Wednesday - $22 adoptions for all black, grey or blue animals
•     $30 Thursday -   All adoptions $30/animal
•     Feline Friday - Cat adoptions are only $5 / cats aged one year and older
•     Staff Favorite Saturday - Staff picks are only $25 to adopt

VCAS will continue discounted pricing on Senior Sundays, $30 Thursdays and Staff Favorite Saturdays through the August 31 end date of the competition.

Rachael Ray has long been an advocate for animals and a supporter of animal welfare groups. Her love for animals and for her pit bull, Isaboo, inspired her to create a pet food called Nutrish® to raise money for animals in need.  Ray donates the proceeds from the sale of Nutrish® to organizations like the ASPCA so they can implement programs like the $100K Challenge and support shelters and animal organizations around the country.

VCAS plans to host additional $100K Challenge events and promotions throughout the summer. For more information on the $100K Challenge, VCAS animals and VCAS volunteer opportunities, visit www.vcas.us.

City of Thousand Oaks Opens Household Hazardous Waste Facility This Month

Household Hazardous Waste Facility photo courtesy City of Thousand OaksThe City of Thousand Oaks announces the opening of its new permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive in Newbury Park.  Beginning May 30, 2014, this state-of-the-art hazardous material collection facility will be open by appointment Friday and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm for residents of Thousand Oaks and Unincorporated Ventura County areas to dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste products like paint, household cleaners, solvents, fertilizers, etc.

More information on local hazardous waste disposal options at THIS LINK or visit the City's GoGreen website at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Road Closure Information for Amgen Tour of California in Thousand Oaks May 17-18

Motorists are urged to plan ahead this weekend as the vehicular traffic through the east end of Thousand Oaks will be heavier than normal. The city will be hosting Stage 8 (the final stage of the race) of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California Bike Race. The race will consist of three 21 mile circuits and three 4.5 mile circuits.

On Saturday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m., parts of Townsgate Road and Village Glen Road will be closed to set up the course. The race will begin and end on Townsgate Road between Westlake Blvd and Lakeview Canyon Road. This area will remain closed until Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 p.m.

The race is scheduled to start just before 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. There will be rolling closures along the race route. The race is expected to end around 12:00 p.m.

The following streets will be affected. See maps below or visit www.toaks.org/living/amgen_tour_of_california/homepage/default.asp

• Lakeview Canyon Road at Agoura Road
• Westlake Blvd from Townsgate Road to Carlisle Road
• Triunfo Canyon Rd. from Three Springs Drive to Westlake Blvd.
• HARD CLOSURES during race: Westlake Blvd. southbound at Potrero Rd., and Westlake Blvd. northbound at Agoura Rd./Hampshire Rd. - then expanding to Triunfo Canyon Rd. during the small circuit.

Start/finish line area and 3 lap final finish route around Westlake Lake!Stage 8 course map

During this time, the Thousand Oaks Police Department urges motorists to use extreme caution in an around the affected area. There will be a large number of cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Please plan ahead and use alternative routes if possible.

To promote the safety of the riders and spectators, we ask that any suspicious persons or items along the race route be reported immediately to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654- 9511 or by calling 911. We would like to remind residents, “If you see something say something.”