Full Nighttime Freeway Closures at Wendy/101 Interchange in Newbury Park Nights of November 5-9 and 13-14

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The 101 Freeway at Wendy Drive in Thousand Oaks will be closed for bridge construction from Monday, November 5th through Friday, November 9th from 11 PM to 5 AM and on Tuesday, November 13th to Wednesday, November 14th.

Beginning at 7 PM on each closure night, travel along the bridge will be limited to one lane in either direction to allow for mobilization of construction equipment and materials.

Motorists traveling northbound will be directed to exit the freeway at Wendy Drive and immediately re-enter the Freeway by making a left turn and using the northbound on-ramp.

Motorists traveling southbound will be directed to exit the freeway at Wendy Drive, turn right onto Wendy Drive, right onto W. Hillcrest Drive, right onto Rancho Conejo Boulevard/Borchard Road, and then use the US-101 southbound on-ramp loop to re-enter the Freeway.

During the freeway closures, construction will include erecting steel bridge girders utilizing cranes placed on the Freeway. During the closures, 15 steel girder segments up to 100 feet long and weighing over 30,000 pounds each will be placed along the bridge. California Highway Patrol units will be stationed at the off-ramps to ensure traffic is properly detoured. 

The 18-month Wendy/101 Interchange Improvement Project is scheduled for completion in August 2013. Residents can visit www.toaks.org/wendy101 to learn more about the project, view detour maps and closures, as well as sign-up for weekly road closure notifications.

16-Screen Century Theatres to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Oct 26

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In case you hadn't already noticed, there's a big new shopping center being built on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits, called The Collection at RiverPark.

If you're a Target fan, the center already features a 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Target store that opened over a year ago in July 2011. I've been there with the kids and I can honestly say this is the nicest, coolest looking Target store I've ever been to. There's also covered parking, which kind of nice.

Shea Properties continues construction of The Collection at RiverPark and has announced a number of great new additions to our local shopping and dining scene!  Here's what is coming:

Century Theatres will be opening a brand new 16 screen location on Friday, October 26th (just in time for Halloween)! Two of the screens will use their new XD (Extreme Digital) technology that features a larger screen, up to 38' × 70' and improvements in audio and digital projection.

In November 2012, they plan to open Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Panera Bread, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Color Me Mine (do it yourself pottery painting studio) and Massage Envy Spa.

In the spring of 2013 they anticipate the opening of REI Store, (outdoor gear and clothing), a Whole Foods Market and a Starbucks.

For more information and updates, visit shoppingthecollection.com.

Local "Things to Do" Businesses That Recently Have Closed Their Doors

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Running a business of any type is a challenge and that certainly holds true for the "things to do" types of businesses highlighted here in Conejo Valley Guide. While most of us patronize these types of businesses...gyms, indoor play, gaming and the like....the reality is that it takes a lot of work covering the overhead and making a reasonable profit. So be sure to check them out at Do Something and Kid Fun and support them as much as you can!

That said, in recent months and years, a number of these business have sadly closed their doors:

  • Newbury Park Athletic Club (August 2012)
  • Knuckleheads Gym in Newbury Park
  • Body Temple Gym in Camarillo
  • Imagine That Indoor Play in Ventura
  • NextGen Gaming in Newbury Park
  • Pandora's Paintbox in Newbury Park
  • RollerDome in Thousand Oaks (October 2010)
  • Young Chef's Academy in Simi Valley (2012)
  • Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo (September 2011)
  • Simply Ceramics in Thousand Oaks (2010)

 But on the positive side, a number of new business have opened in recent years:

These are just a few. Now go have some fun!

Ventura County Sheriff Removes Over 3,800 Marijuana Plants in Newbury Park

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Earlier this month, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotic Unit concluded an investigation into an illegal marijuana cultivation operating in the Hill Canyon area of Thousand Oaks. This area is located in the 1500 block of Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Thousand Oaks near a gated community.

A number of investigators descended into the area where they discovered a large marijuana garden with over 3,800 plants in various stages of growth. The area was searched for suspects, but none were found. Investigators spent several hours eradicating the plants and collecting evidence.

Anyone with information on the suspect(s) involved in the cultivation can provided the information by calling the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department or Crime Stoppers.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Department

City of Agoura Hills Forms New Community Services Coalition to Address Society Issues

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City of Agoura Hills Forms New Community Services Coalition

Applications to Serve on New Coalition Addressing Society Issues Available July 16

Taking a leadership role in addressing current social issues affecting residents, the city of Agoura Hills announced it is forming a Community Services Coalition (CSC). The coalition will provide proactive measures to bring people and resources together within the community to respond effectively to social concerns.

“Times are much different now than they were 20 years ago,” said Agoura Hills Mayor John Edelston, who made the community services initiative part of his 2012 mayoral goals. “We want to identify the relevant issues affecting residents and address their needs—our goal in serving the community is to maximize the quality of life for our residents.”

The new coalition will look at the community from all demographics to create solutions for today’s social challenges, such as coping issues facing teens and adequa

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New Springville Drive Interchange on 101 Freeway in Camarillo Opened June 8th

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The City of Camarillo recently completed construction of the new Springville Drive/U.S. 101 Freeway Interchange Project and the interchange opened on June 8, 2012.

The project constructed a new interchange on U.S. 101 between Las Posas Road and Central Avenue. In addition to constructing a new bridge and freeway ramps, the project also extended Springville Drive and Ponderosa Drive to provide access to the new interchange and to Ventura Boulevard.

Springville Drive Exit Driving West on the 101And but of course Springville Exit Driving East on the 101. We've gotcha covered bi-directionally here on Conejo Valley Guide :>

The interchange will provide for future development of the area consistent with the City’s previously adopted General Plan, Air

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New West Symphony Announces Marcelo Lehninger as Music Director

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The New West Symphony Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Marcelo Lehninger as music director of the New West Symphony.  He is only the second music director in the Symphony's 17-year history.  Maestro Lehninger will conduct four of the six Masterpiece Concerts during the 2012/2013 season.

Marcelo Lehninger made his first appearance with the New West Symphony in January of 2011 when he stepped in at the last minute to conduct a Masterpiece series concert after the previously scheduled conductor became unavailable. His second appearance with the orchestra was in April of 2012.  Maestro Lehninger comes to the New West Symphony from the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He is also the associate conductor of the Minas Gerais Philharmonic Orchestra in Brazil. 

New West Symphony Board of Directors president, Jennifer Zobelein said of the appointment, "We are thrilled that Marcelo will be our new music director.  In hi
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East County Sheriff Watch Alert Re: Catalytic Converter Thefts

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Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

A catalytic converter is part of the emission system on a vehicle.  It is located underneath, near the muffler.  Over the last month, there have been several thefts of catalytic converters in the Thousand Oaks area.   Thieves have primarily targeted Toyota trucks and Toyota SUV type vehicles.  These thefts have occurred in both residential and business areas, during the late night to early morning hours. 

The unincorporated area has also been affected by this trend.  During the early morning hours of 5/26/12, thieves stole a catalytic converter from a vehicle in the Casa Conejo neighborhood of Newbury Park.  

Be aware that it only takes minutes for this type of theft to occur.  It is possible the thieves work in pairs, having one act as the look out.  Investigators believe the catalytic converters are most likely being sold to recycling centers.

Crime Prevention Tips

Park your vehicle in the garage.  If your car is going to be parked for an extended period of time, for instance at a shopping center or commuter transit parking lot, park your car in a well-lit area.  Also, try to park near the entrance of the building or near an access road that is heavily traveled. 

Crime Stoppers

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for crimes.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).