55 Hour Closures of 118 / 23 Freeway Interchange February 7-10 and 21-24

55-HOUR CLOSURES OF SR-118/SR-23 INTERCHANGE PLANNED 2/7-2/10

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the northbound Moorpark Freeway (SR-23) connector to the eastbound Ronald Reagan Freeway (SR-118) at Los Angeles Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday, February 7 until 5 a.m. Monday, February 10.

The closure is required to implement emergency repairs of bridge joints on the Arroyo Simi Overhead structure.

Electronic freeway message signs will begin warning of the impending closure a week in advance. Caltrans is urging motorists to avoid the interchange if at all possible and to expect delays.

Eastbound SR-118 will be directed to exit northbound SR-23 at Tierra Rejada Road, travel eastbound and then turn left onto Madera Road to return to eastbound SR-118.

Motorists continuing on eastbound SR-118 from eastbound SR-118/Los Angeles Avenue will take southbound SR-23 to Tierra Rejada Road.

Work will take place around the clock and may generate noise and dust for residents adjacent to the freeway. Otherwise, the work is not expected to involve significant community impacts.

A second 55-hour closure will be required to perform the same work on the westbound Sr-118 connector to southbound SR-23, currently scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, February 21 through 5 a.m. Monday, February 24. Additional information will be provided closer to that date.

Source: Caltrans District 7 www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/news

Bright Child Indoor Play Center in Oak Park Closes But is Now Called Kids World

Well this is sad news. The Bright Child indoor play center at the corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan in Oak Park announced that it closed its doors after 10 years in operation on Monday, January 20, 2014.

However, the location is now called Kids World. Same location, different name! More info at kidsworldla.com.  Located at 618 Lindero Canyon Road. 818.338.8888

Although my kids are a bit older now, we have fond memories of visiting Bright Child over the years. Sorry to see them close, but on a brighter note, they indicate in this Facebook post that "the Oak Park venue was 10 years old and Bright Child believes it will better serve our customers to open a brand-new facility with all new equipment."

Looking for other fun indoor play options in and around Ventura County? Check this link.

Ventura County Public Health Provides Advice - First Flu-Related Death of the 2013-2014 Flu Season

Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Health Officer, announced today that Ventura County’s first flu-related death has occurred. A resident, under 65 years of age, died after having been hospitalized with the complications related to the H1N1 virus. The victim had other underlying conditions which may have put him at risk for severe H1N1 illness.

 “Flu, including the H1N1 strain, is on the rise throughout the state and, over the past week, influenza-related deaths have increased by 50 in California,” said Dr. Robert Levin, VCPH Health Officer. So far this season, the California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed 95 flu-related deaths statewide.

In Ventura County, there have been 23 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season with six patients requiring treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). With the exception of the one death, all other ICU patients have been released from the hospital. During the 2012 – 2013 flu season, Ventura County had three flu-related deaths.

“The peak of the flu season usually occurs in late January through February, so there is still time to benefit from a flu vaccine,” said Levin. According to the CDPH, influenza vaccine remains available and there is no widespread shortage of anti-virals for treatment of the flu.

An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. It is also important to practice the three “C’s” of illness prevention in an effort to prevent the spread of germs:

• Cover your cough
• Clean your hands
• Confine sick people at home

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call your healthcare provider:

• A fever higher than 100 degrees and a cough and/or sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Have had contacts with a confirmed influenza case
• Are in a high-risk setting for transmission (e.g. school, prison, camp or other residential institution)
• Are a part of a cluster of influenza-like illness or symptoms

People experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.

For a list of Ventura County flu-shot clinics, visit the Ventura County Public Health’s website clinics page: bit.ly/1avFeAS. For more information about where to get a flu shot, call VCPH Clinics at: (805) 981-5221.

Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society Will Not Host Railfest 2014 Event

The Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society has announced at www.scrvrhs.com that it will not be hosting a 19th Annual Santa Clara River Valley "Railfest" event this Spring, primarily because of "the uncertain contractual relationship between the Fillmore & Western Railway and the Ventura County Transportation Commission, along with the related recent court decisions as published in the media."

The Society indicates that the Fillmore & Western Railway may undertake their own version of Railfest for 2014 and that it is in no way relinquishing our rights to the annual "Railfest Event." The Society is hopeful that by next year, VCTC and Fillmore & Western have an agreement in place for continued rail operations and that Railfest will be back.

Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie Celebrates 4th Anniversary and Co-Founder Nouzille Elected to Board of Brewer's Association

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE CELEBRATES 4th ANNIVERSARY

Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie celebrates its 4^th Anniversary with a week of events in January.Sunday the 19th, all taps at the award-winning Agoura Hills brewpub begin pouring Ladyface ales and, over the course of the week, guests will be able to enjoy special releases, archived vintages, barrel-aged brews, collaborations, and casks.

One of those special releases is Ladyface 4th Anniversary Ale, a Belgian dark strong ale. This year’s theme is Flores et Fructus, the traditional flowers and fruit offering for a 4^th anniversary. Limited-edition 4th Anniversary glassware, with a year-long discount program, go on sale when Ladyface opens Monday, January 20^th at 11:30am.

Over the course of the week, there will be a Brewery Hangout with Brewermaster David Griffiths, a reservation-only Brewmaster’s Dinner, Barrel-Aged Beer Night, music and more. Event details can be found on the Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie Facebook page and at www.ladyfaceale.com.

And in other Ladyface news, Cyrena Nouzille, Ladyface Co-founder and General Manager has been elected to the Board of Directors of the national Brewers Association to serve a three-year term. The Brewers Association is a nonprofit trade association and is the largest organization of brewers in the United States with more than 1,900 brewery members and 38,000 American homebrewers.

Nouzille, a resident of Agoura Hills and former Planning Commissioner for the city, currently serves on Brewers Association’s Brewpub Committee.  Ladyface Ale Companie is also one of the founding members of the Los Angeles Brewers Guild and Nouzille will be serving on its 2014 Events Committee.

Ladyface Ale Companie was established in late 2009 along with its restaurant Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie. Named the Best Brewery an international RateBeer.com Best Brewpub in 2011 and 2012, and LA Weekly’s 2013 Best Brewery in LA, Ladyface is known for their award-winning Belgian, French and American style ales.  La Blonde, La Grisette, Blind Ambition Abbey Ale, Trois Filles Tripel, and seasonal ales such as La Trappistine® Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Bluebelly Barleywine and Dérailleur® Bière-de-Garde are brewed onsite. Ladyface is one of Los Angeles County’s first modern day microbreweries, and the first brewpub in the Conejo Valley. Visit www.ladyfaceale.com.

Ventura County Public Health Encourages Residents to Get Flu Shots

Ventura County Public Health keeps watchful eye on influenza activity, encourages public to get flu shots

In response to Kern County Public Health reports confirming that eight Kern County residents have been diagnosed with severe 2009 influenza A (H1N1) influenza that required hospitalization, Ventura County Public Health (VCPH) officials have been keeping close tabs on flu activity in Ventura County. Several Kern County flu patients have been placed in the intensive care unit and, in some cases, have required support on a ventilator. Kern County borders Ventura County to the east.

So far, flu activity has been relatively low in Ventura County with only two patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of H1N1 and one patient hospitalized with a suspected H1N1 case. Because flu season generally does not peak until January or February, VCPH officials are encouraging anyone who has not yet received an annual flu shot to do so immediately. Most years, flu shots are especially important for the most vulnerable - the very young, very old and those with chronic illness. Because the H1N1 influenza is different from the average flu virus and tends to hit young, healthy people through middle-aged adults harder, it is very important that everyone be vaccinated this year.

“The 2013 – 2014 flu vaccine is a good match for the viruses that are currently making people sick,” said Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Health Officer. “This year’s shot includes the 2009 H1N1 strain, which is responsible for 97.7% of all flu illnesses so far this season.” According to the CDC, influenza and related complications are the eighth leading cause of death in the United States and influenza was associated with an estimated 381,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. last year. The CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine for everyone six months of age and older, including pregnant women.

Although the flu typically causes the most severe cases in children, the elderly and people with underlying medical conditions, during the 2009 worldwide pandemic, young, healthy people were impacted in greater numbers by the H1N1 virus. That year, the flu caused more illness in children and young and middle-aged adults than in older adults.

“Being vaccinated will reduce your chances of catching H1N1,” said Levin. “In addition, if you do get H1N1, the vaccine will help lessen the severity of your illness.”

For a list of Ventura County flu shot clinics, go to: http://www.vchca.org/public-health/publichealth- clinics and click on the red “Get Your Flu Shot” button for the January and February schedules.

For more information on the 2013 – 2014 flu season, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

Wendy Drive/101 Overpass Widening Project in Newbury Park Will Take 18 Months

Update 12/11/13: the NP 101 onramp at Wendy Drive now is expected to open tomorrow, December 12th, after Caltrans programs the traffic controller sometime tomorrow morning!

Update 11/26/13: According to the City of Thousand Oaks, the northbound 101 onramp at Wendy Drive now is anticipated to open on Monday, December 16th due to other requirements from Caltrans and the completion date for the entire project is by the end of December.

Update 9/19/13: In May 2013, the City entered into a reimbursement agreement with the Seventh Day Adventist Church to construct intersection improvements at Academy Drive and the 101 Freeway. These improvements are being added to the existing project and will elongate the project period. Doing the improvements now as part of the existing project will take advantage of the equipment and contractor that is already mobilized and will reduce further inconvenience to motorists in the future.

The project is now 70% complete and is anticipated to be done by November to mid-December. 90% of the bridge's pavement is complete. Remaining items to be completed include traffic signal installations/modifications (estimated completion date 10/20/13), drainage improvements on the NB 101 onramp, asphalt overlays for the offramps, as well as street lights, fencing and landscaping to be finished at the end of the project.

Total cost with the additional improvements is $15.8M, including $10.8M in Federal Highway Grants, $2.1M in gas taxes and $2.9M in developer fees (including $1.4M from the Seventh Day Adventist Church, as approved by City Council on May 28, 2013). the $1.4M will be paid once the site, once considered by Costco as a site, is developed.

We are in the home stretch!

Update 2/5/12 from the City of T.O. Website: Construction period Feb 2012 to Aug 2013. Total cost $14.3 million ($10.9 million Federal funds, $2.1 million gas tax, $1.3 million developer fees. Construction crews begin mobilization February 13th.

"The City plans to improve the Wendy Drive/101 Freeway overcrossing by adding a travel lane in each direction, widening the northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp, and adding bike lanes and signal modifications for enhanced public safety. Periodic night-time full freeway closures will occur. During these closures, motorists will be directed towards the on/off ramps to exit and re-enter the freeway. In addition, the freeway on/off ramps will be intermittently shut-down between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, and re-opened between 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily."

Update 1/31/12: Initial work is slated to start now in the mid-February range but will not have a significant impact on traffic according to the City. The City is awaiting detailed plan updates. Click here to see updates on the City of T.O. website and to sign up for email updates directly from the City.

Originally posted 12/30/11:

Beginning in January the City of Thousand Oaks is widening the Wendy Drive/101 Freeway overcrossing by adding a travel lane in each direction, northbound on-ramp and southbound off-ramp, and adding bike lanes and signal modifications. The goal of the project is to mitigate traffic congestion in the area (I can vouch for that problem...).

The project starts sometime next month. The project plan on the city website indicates January 30th but I thought I saw a sign showing mid-month closure. Whatever the actual start date is, expect delays and detours over the next 18 (ugghh!!) months! Final striping of the new lanes are currently anticipated for the week of July 15, 2013. But of course actual dates may vary.

This area already gets mighty congested during the morning/evening rush hours, so be prepared. Try getting on/off the 101 at Borchard/Rancho Conejo. There are detour maps on the city website at www.toaks.org/wendy101 but frankly I'm having a hard time deciphering them. Regardless, I certainly will be avoiding that area as much as possible during construction.