Conejo Recreation and Park District is Finalist in National Gold Medal Program

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Conejo Recreation and Park District chosen as a finalist for prestigious National Gold Medal Award

GREAT JOB CRPD! THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has selected the Conejo Recreation and Park District as a finalist in its 2012 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.  The District is one of four finalists in the population category of 100,000 – 250,000 people. Other finalists in this category include: The City of Round Rock (TX) Parks and Recreation Department; Rockford (IL) Park District; and South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Centennial, CO.  

NRPA’s Gold Medal program honors agencies throughout the United States which demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, environmental stewardship, professional development, program development, and agency recognition.   Chosen for their considerable knowledge and experience in parks and recreation on both local and national levels, a panel of five park and recreation professionals from throughout the country review and judge the comprehensive applications. 

Jim Friedl, General Manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District said, “To be selected as a Gold Medal finalist is recognition on a national level that we share a place with the best recreation and park agencies in the nation.  We are fortunate to have a solid board, great staff, supportive and active residents, and outstanding community partnerships.” 

The next step in the National Gold Medal process is submission of a brief video highlighting the District’s achievements and commitment to community service in the region.  Grand Plaque Award-winning agencies will be announced at the 2012 NRPA conference, held in October in Anaheim.

For further information about CRPD’s selection as a National Gold Medal finalist, please contact the District at (805) 495-6471. www.crpd.org

City of Thousand Oaks to Release One Million Ladybugs

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On April 18, the City of Thousand Oaks released 375,000 Ladybugs in the Newbury Park and Westlake areas of the City. An additional 750,000 are scheduled to be released in May and the release sites will vary depending on locations and populations of pest insects. The release of Ladybugs is part of the City's Integrated Pest Management Program. The Program releases bugs that are beneficial to the environment annually.

The release of Ladybugs provides a natural method of protecting plant life. During its lifecycle, a single Ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects that harm plants such as Aphids, Thrips, White Flies, and Scale. By utilizing Ladybugs as a means of biological control, the City is able to substantially reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

Additional information on the City’s Beneficial Bugs Program will be available at this year’s Public Works Week Open House on May 22 and 23 at the City’s Municipal Service Center. 

www.toaks.org

Palm Garden Hotel Newbury Park Sold: Will Become The Palm Hotel and Spa

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PALM GARDEN HOTEL PURCHASED BY LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST HARRY SELVIN

It might simply be a coincidence that commercial real estate businessman, Harry Selvin closed escrow on his latest property on April fool’s day.  With so many vacancies in the market, and hotels closing every day, it seems a bit of folly that Mr. Selvin has purchased the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  But then again, maybe not. Located just off the 101 freeway at the Ventu Park exit, the venue will be renamed The Palm Hotel and Spa and will undergo a renovation that will exceed $1.5 million. 

Enhancements will be reflected throughout the public spaces, including the front entrance and lobby, pool area and signature courtyard as well as the grand ballroom, flexible meeting spaces and each of the guest rooms and suites.

The Hotel and Spa’s restaurant will be under the management of Brendan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, dedicated to delicious food and excellent service and featuring a full wine selection and flexible menu for any occasion.  From seafood and steaks, to American Breakfast, to special and unique event catering, Brendan’s staff looks forward to fulfilling every need of the Hotel’s guests.

The Palm Hotel and Spa is perfect for weddings, fundraisers and any event large or small, housing a spacious ballroom with lovely views of the signature courtyard.  A Gazebo surrounded by roses and a rolling lawn that accommodates up to 175 guests provides a romantic and picturesque setting for exchanging vows, followed by a fully-catered reception in the grand ballroom.

"The most exciting edition to the venue is the new spa,” says owner Harry Selvin.  “Massage, steam room and other amenities will be provided within the spa, and the feeling of being pampered will spill over into our newly-renovated rooms and even into the lobby areas.” 

As a businessman, Mr. Selvin has specific plans for the renovation of the hotel’s meeting and event space, enhancing them with an engaging new look and making the Hotel and Spa ideal for board meetings, corporate events and social occasions. A b

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Cal Lutheran University Students Launch New Student-Run iCLU Radio Station

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University students launch iCLU radio

Programming includes music, news and sports

California Lutheran University’s new student-run radio station is live.

Hay Mun Win, "Louie" DeMetre and Ashley Messersmith in the iCLU studio (Photo by Leanne Blackwell/The Echo)At a time when other universities are closing student stations for financial reasons, Internet station iCLU has begun streaming from a studio located in the year-old center housing KCLU National Public Radio on campus.

Created by students for students, iCLU is webcasting a mix of music, live shows and pre-recorded content produced by student staff and volunteers 24/7 at www.icluradio.com. Live shows are currently streamed from 7 to 8 p.m. weekdays.

With the slogan “Your Life on Air,” the station’s goal is to provide educational and entertaining content that is an alternative to commercial radio. iCLU is a training ground for future broadcasters as well as a venue to showcase student talent.

Students are covering campus events and conducting interviews. Talk director Kat McConnell, a freshman communication major from Lake Elsinore, covers what’s hot on campus and beyond on “Gossip Girls.” Sports Director Kyle Dzurko, a sophomore communication major from Monte Sereno, hosts a weekly sports scoreboard and interview show featuring athletes and CLU and professional team news.

The station has an eclectic collection of music shows. “Blast Off” is a Top 10 countdown show covering a wide range of genres. “Kyle’s Do It Live” and “DJ French Wolf’s Electro Show” feature dance and techno music, and “Kassidy’s Radioactive Rock” plays current hits with a sprinkling of classics. Other programs include “Chad’s Country Show” and the all-encompassing “DJ Louie’s Trail Mix.”

As the staff and volunteer corps grow, the students plan to expand programming.

“We can’t wait to see how it evolves and takes on its own personality,” said General Manager Ashley Messersmith, a senior communication major from Woodland Hills.

Katherine “Louie” DeMetre, a freshman business major from Westlak

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Reports of Hail Around Ventura County on This Cold, Rainy St. Patrick's Day 2012

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Today was/is a cold, rainy, windy and now....HAILY day. Yes, with late afternoon temperatures in the low to mid 40s here in usually sunny Ventura County, I've seen reports from Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Oxnard of hail falling from the skies. We don't see a lot of that in these parts so let's check out the Oxnard hail that Patty shared this on this brisk St. Patty's Day!

Yes, after such a dry, sunny winter in Ventura county, we are FINALLY experiencing a real winter thunderstorm on the very last weekend of winter. The 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ventura was cancelled today due to the rain.

Cafe Provencal to Close Its Doors in Thousand Oaks on Sunday, March 4th

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In an email to its customers today, the owner of Cafe Provencal announced he will be shutting the restaurant's doors this Sunday, March 4th. Cafe Provencal has served French cuisine in the Thousand Oaks area for 16 years. It is located in the Select Conejo Plaza next to The Lakes and Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. It is always sad to hear of a local business closing and we wish the best to owner Serge Bonnet in his future ventures. www.cafeprovencal.biz 805.496.7121

A snippet from the email:

Dear Friend and customers,

This is one of the most painful moments of my life, but as you know there is always sunshine after a storm and rain.....

This week is the last week!

The restaurant will be closing on Sunday March 4th for good.....

Despite all the faith and prayers, time has come to say bye bye...

***

 I invite you to come for lunch and dinner one last time.

I can always usea little bit more of your support to go through the final bills and also to make sure I get your email info if I don't already have it.

***

We will have a farewell "goodbye" nights on

Friday and Saturday after 9p.m.

Join us for drinks, laughter, music and desserts....

Abercrombie & Fitch and Hollister Stores at Simi Valley Town Center to Close in March

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Last month Abercrombie and Fitch contacted the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to announce they will be shuttering their stores at the Simi Valley Town Center by the end of March. Never good news to hear of local stores closing, but this is part of a wider plan announced by Abercrombie this past Wednesday that it plans to close 180 of its 1,014 U.S. stores over the next 3 years (following the closure of 71 stores in 2011). This will eliminate 117 jobs in Simi Valley, though hopefully new jobs will come when they find new tenants for these spaces. A&F generated $4.2 billion in 2011, with net income of about $128 million.

There are California laws that require employers with 75 or more employees to give at least 60 days' notice to employees and local officials when they plan to terminate 50 or more employees in a mass layoff.

Other notifications submitted to the Board of Supervisors last month included Zodiac Pool Systems, which is closing its Moorpark facility (125 impacted local jobs) and EDO Communications and Countermeasure Systems, which is closing its plant on Willow Lane in Thousand Oaks, thus impacting 147 jobs.

Let's hope to see a reversal of this trend.  In the meantime CLICK HERE for links to over 200 employers in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

El Torito Thousand Oaks Served Its Last Burrito on Tuesday, January 24th

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It is with sadness to report that the Thousand Oaks El Torito on Moorpark Road (adjacent to Janss Marketplace) closed its doors last night, Tuesday, January 24th. El Torito has been in town ever since I've lived in the Conejo Valley in 1993 and has been a margarita mainstay for many. We're sorry for the employees and wish you well in quickly finding new jobs. In fact, check out one of these many recent/upcoming new restaurant openings around town.

There are** two other El Toritos in Ventura County in Oxnard and Simi Valley. For more information, visit www.eltorito.com.

** Update: WERE. The Oxnard and Simi Valley locations subsequently closed in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

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