Westlake Village Inn Becomes First Cachet Hotel Group Property in the United States

Westlake Village Inn - a Cachet Hotel (PRNewsFoto/Cachet Hotel Group)

CACHET Hotel Group (CHG) today announced its plans to debut the Cachet brand in California with the co-branding of the Westlake Village Inn. Westlake Village Inn – a Cachet Hotel marks the first CHG property in the United States and second in Americas.

Westlake Village Inn is a European-style hideaway encompassing 17 lush and verdant acres with rose-laden arbors and bougainvillea archways surrounded by its own private lake. The property hosts a 141-room hotel, signature restaurants, an ultra lounge, multiple banquet and meeting rooms, outdoor wedding sites and a vineyard. This co-branding announcement coincides with the completion of a stunning multi-million dollar renovation, including enhanced accommodations, refreshed public spaces and a revamped ultra-lounge.

In addition to its reputation as a stylish and lively destination, Westlake Village Inn has established a pedigree by creating and developing its own wine label known as The Stonehaus. Popular amongst the locals and the wine community, the property's exclusive winery is among the best in Southern California, featuring a selection of signature blends including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. As CHG's strategic partner, The Stonehaus wines will be launched in Asia and in Mexico, beginning with CHG's award-winning steakhouse restaurant Porterhouse by Laris in Hong Kong and in CHG's luxury resort Cachet Corazon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Owner and Developer of Westlake Village Inn, John L. Notter, has driven this partnership as the company's key investor and inaugural member of its advisory board. An international financier and developer, Mr. Notter served as member of the Board of Directors at Hilton Hotels Corporation and was chairman of the Audit Committee. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, an international community of distinguished scientists dedicated to preventing and controlling cancer, and as a trustee of the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research.

Westlake Village Inn – a Cachet Hotel will be featured on CHG's proprietary and revolutionary technology platform, CachetWorld. By joining CHG's brand portfolio and international network of hotels and resorts, CachetWorld will give Westlake Village Inn access to a digital lifestyle community that features a search and booking engine for boutique and lifestyle hotels and high-end residences worldwide. Its wide reach will attract international guests from Asia as well as continue to drive local business for the property.

For more information about Westlake Village Inn, visit www.cachethotelgroup.com.

About Cachet Hotel Group:
Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) is a Hong Kong-based hospitality branding company. CHG's mission is to be the most innovative and socially responsible hospitality company in Asia. With numerous projects under development, CHG is focused on establishing properties in Greater China, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Americas. 

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in December 2015

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted in December 2015. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Texas Cattle Company, 710 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

Construction work done during operating hours resulting in unsanitary conditions inside the facility;

Date closed - 12/22/15; Date reopened - 01/02/16

Happy Bowl Express, 716 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

Construction work done during operating hours; no restrooms available for employees; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/22/15; Date reopened - 01/04/16

Marisco El Campeon, 1175 E. Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula;

Repeated, serious violations;

Date closed - 12/21/15; Date reopened 12/23/15

Puerto Vallarta Seafood Restaurant, 3021 S. Saviers Rd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions, inadequate handwashing facilities;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15

Moose Lodge #561, 1935 S. Saviers Rd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15\

The Donut Hole, 103 E. El Roblar Drive, Ojai;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15

The Whale's Tail, 3959 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard (independently operated food area only);

Inoperable hand wash sink in food preparation area; inadequate refrigeration, resulting in unsafe food temperatures; unsanitary condition;

Date closed - 12/16/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Vons #2677, 2764 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

No water availabe at the facility as a result of sewage discharge from exterior grease interceptor;

Date closed - 12/16/15; Date reopened - 12/16/15

El 30 Mairscos, 606 N. Ventura Road, Oxnard;

Inoperable plumbing resulting in no hot water at hand washing sink, inoperable food-preparation sink and wastewater overflowing onto floors in the food preparation area; facility remodeled without approval; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/15/15; Date reopened - 12/16/15

Salud Y Negocio, 1209 Saviers Road, Oxnard;

No hot water available at the facility for adequate hand washing and utensil washing;

Date closed - 12/15/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Burger King #4074, 21 W. Main Street, Ventura;

Construction work during operating hours resulting in unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/14/15; Date reopened - 12/15/15

Sespe Saloon, 251 A Street, Fillmore;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/10/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Blenders In The Grass, 1225 S. Victoria Ave. Oxnard;

No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 12/10/15; Date reopened - 12/10/15

Jonesy's Liquor, 128 W. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 12/09/15; Date reopened - 12/10/15

Ventura Beach RV Resort (restaurant only), 800 W. Main Street, Ventura;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/31/15

Taco Fresh Mexican Grill, 709 Ventura Street, Fillmore;
Inoperable hand washing facilities;
Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Fatburger, 1746 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura;

Sewage overflowing inside the facility;

Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Main Street Restaurant, 3159 E. Main Street, Ventura

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/07/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Los Dos Amigos, 1421 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/04/15; Date reopened - 12/06/15

Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 593 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/01/15; Date reopened - 12/03/15

Savory Thai Cuisine, 583 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/01/15; Date reopened - 12/04/15

County of Ventura Advises Public to Avoid Contact with Ocean Water 72 Hours After Rainfall

The Ventura County Environmental Health Division is providing the following precautionary information for the public.

Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County. In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions.

There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water. In addition, storm water runoff can transport physical hazards such as partially submerged tree limbs and logs into the ocean that could result in serious physical injury. Contact with this runoff water will result in an increased risk to human health and should be avoided for at least 72 hours after all rainfall activity has ended.

As a result of the recent and predicted rainfall, the public is advised to avoid body contact with all storm water runoff and ocean water at all Ventura County beaches. Any items that may have come in contact with runoff or ocean water should also be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Any shellfish on or from Ventura County beaches may have also been exposed to this contamination and should not be eaten.

This advisory will remain in effect for 72 hours (3 days) after all rainfall has ended.

Results for specific beaches are also available on the Environmental Health Division hotline (recorded information), 805/662-6555, and at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/technical-services/ocean/index.html.

You can also view any current beach advisories and learn about the State ocean water quality standards on the VC Safe Beaches app, available for Android and Apple devices.

County of Ventura website: www.ventura.org

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in November 2015

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted in November 2015. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Marie Callender's, 1295 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/27/15; Date reopened - 11/30/15

Carl's Jr, 401 Las Posas Road, Camarillo;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/24/15

El Taco, 1041 W. Wooley Road, Oxnard;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/25/15

One Stop Market, 1061 W. Wooley Road, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/24/15; Date reopened - 11/30/15

Round Table Pizza, 4255 E. Main Street #8, Ventura;

No hot water available for utensil washing or hand washing;

Date closed - 11/19/15; Date reopened - 11/20/15

Tacos La Placita, 437 S. C Street, Oxnard;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/19/15; Date reopened - 12/04/15

Anne's Donuts, 751 E. Ventura Street, Fillmore;

No hot water for utensil washing or hand washing, inoperable warewashing sink;

Date closed 11/17/15; Date reopened - 11/18/15

Grand Vista Hotel, (restaurant, bars, and banquet kitchen), 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/17/15; Date reopened - 11/18/15

Wok N South Mongolian BBQ, 2835 E. Main St., Ventura;

Inoperable hand wash sink in the food preparation area; inoperable refrigeration;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened - 11/12/15

Cafe Topanga, 171 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened - 11/14/15

Mc Donalds, 908 Ventura Street, Fillmore;

No hot water available at the facility for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 11/12/15; Date reopened 11/12/15

Smokin' Steve's, 1407 E. Los Angeles Avenue, #X, Simi Valley;

Inoperable mechanical exhaust ventilation above the cooking equipment;

Date closed - 11/10/15; No reopen date

The Lookout Bar & Grill, 2800 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard;

Hand wash sink was removed in the food preparation area resulting in no means to wash hands when preparing food, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 11/06/15; Date reopened - 11/07/15

Ameci's Pizza & Pasta, 1724 Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks;

Improperly functioning refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures and inadequate refrigeration;

Date closed - 11/02/15; Date reopened - 11/02/15

Update on Bankruptcy Sales of Local Area Haggen Stores in Ventura County

Last month we heard that Gelson's was looking to buy eight former Haggen stores and Smart & Final sought 28 stores.  These deals have been approved by the bankruptcy court, so you can look forward at some point soon to a Gelson's at 1736 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks and Smart & Final Extra! stores at 5770 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, 2100 Newbury Road, Newbury Park and 5135 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley.

UPDATE 11/25/15: Haggen announced in a press release that the following stores were indeed approved for sale by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.

That leaves four remaining Ventura County former Haggen stores up for bid, and they indeed were bid on last week. Here are the winning bidders that are now awaiting court approval for their offers, as summarized by OregonLive.com:

• Camarillo (2400 Las Posas Road) - Donahue Schriber Realty Group (the owner of the Camarillo Village Square) - The back-up bidder is Super A Foods, Inc. We will have to get clarification as to what will reside in this store.
• Simi Valley (2800 Cochran) - Sprouts Farmers Market
• Simi Valley (660 E. Los Angeles Ave) - Stater Bros. Markets

That leaves the former Oxnard store at 920 N. Ventura Road

The sale hearing is planned for November 24th.

In an ironic plot twist, Albertson's was named as the winning bidder on 33 former Haggen locations, though none in the local Ventura County area. In December 2014, Haggen purchased 146 Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions stores in five states, including 83 in California, that eventually led to this big bankruptcy mess!

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures September/October 2015

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted in September/October 2015. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

October 2015

Ben & Jerry's of Ventura, 523 E. Main Street,Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/30/15; Date reopened - 10/31/15

Doc's Meat Market #2 (Meat Department only), 630 S. A St. Oxnard;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/27/15; Date reopened - 10/30/15

Win's Drive-In, 310 N. A St. Oxnard;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/27/15; Date reopened - 10/28/15

Ralph's (meat, deli & bakery areas only), 3963 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;
No hot water provided for hand washing or utensil cleaning;
Date closed - 10/26/15; Date reopened - 10/26/15

California's Pizza & Drinks, 509 South C Street, Oxnard;

Hand wash sink was removed in the food preparation area, resulting in no means to wash hands when preparing food;

Date closed - 10/26/15; Date reopened - 10/27/15

Sugar Lab, 2745 Sherwin Avenue, Unit 1, Ventura;

No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 10/22/15; Date reopened - 10/22/15

Pho Oxnard, 722 N. Ventura Rd., Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 10/15/15; Date reopened - 10/16/15 

Jim & Rob's, 1876 E. Main Street, Ventura

Inoperable refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures;

Date closed - 10/13; 15; Date reopened - 10/14/15

R.V. Produce, 40 N. Wells Road, Santa Paula;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions, no water available for hand washing;

Date closed - 10/13/15; Date reopened - 10/22/15

Ventura Inn, 487 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/12/15; Date reopened - 10/13/15

Los Arcos Restaurant, 978 E. Main Street, Santa Paula;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary condistions, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement;

Date closed - 10/12/15; Date reopened - 10/15/15

White Elephant Thai Cuisine, 668 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks;

No valid Permit to Operate;

Date closed - 10/08/15; Date reopened - 10/08/15

Omega Sushi, 5830 E. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/07/15; Date reopened - 10/09/15

The Melting Pot, 3685 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks,

(bar section only);

Hand wash sink inoperable at bar area;

Date closed - 10/7/15; Date reopened - 10/08/15

La Tapatia #4, 1069 E. Main Street, Santa Paula;

Inoperable plumbing resulting in inability to properly wash utensils; unsanitary conditions inside the facility;

Date closed - 10/06/15; Date reopened - 10/06/15

September 2015

El Preferido Taco Shop, 654 W. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula;

Inoperable grease trap resulting in wastewater flowing inside the facility; unsanitary condtions;

Date closed - 09/30/15; Date reopened - 09/30/15

Menchies, 5944 Telegraph Road, Ventura;

No permit to operate;

Date closed - 09/28/15; Date reopened - 10/01/15

Bindi Food Market, 11025  Violeta Street, Saticoy;

Unsanitary conditions resulting in contamination of food and fly infestation;

Date closed - 09/28/15; Date reopened - 09/28/15

Simi Deli USA, 2248 Tapo Street, Simi Valley;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/28/15; Date reopenend - 09/30/15

Players Card Club (restaurant only), 6580 Auto Center Drive, Ventura;

No operable sinks in the food preparation area; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/24/15; Date reopened - 09/30/15

Peking Inn, 330 N. Lantana Street, Camarillo;

Rodent and cockroach infestation; failure to adhere to a compliance agreement; serious and repeat violations; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/23/15; Date reopened - 09/25/15

Tresierras Supermarket (meat section only), 280 E. Harvard, Santa Paula;

Inoperable plumbing, wastewater overflowing onto the floor;

Date closed - 09/22/15; Date reopened - 09/23/15

Alamo, 2311 Borchard Road, Newbury Park;

Rodent infestation, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/22/15; Date reopened - 09/23/15

Tacos Jalisco #1, 2292 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Inoperable plumbing, sink not available in food preparation area to wash hands;

Date closed - 09/21/15; Date reopened - 09/22/15

Moorpark High School Snack Bar, 4500 Tierra Rejada Road, Moorpark;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/16/15; Date reopened - 09/18/15

Domino's Pizza, 431 N. Ojai Road, Santa Paula;

Inoperable refrigeration in food preparation area resulting in no means to maintain potentially hazardous foods at safe temperature;

Date closed - 09/16/15; Date reopened - 09/17/15

Country Harvest, 3345 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/15/15; Date reopened - 09/16/15

Montezuma Restaurant, 112 Stroube Street, Oxnard;

Vermin infestation, unsanitary conditions, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement, serious and repeated violations;

Date closed - 09/09/15; Date reopened - 09/10/15

Jimmy's Slice, 586 E. Main Street, Ventura;

No hot water available for utensil washing or hand washing;

Date closed - 09/08/15; Date reopened - 09/09/15

Der Wienerschnitzel #314, 2172 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 09/04/15; Date reopened - 09/05/15

McGraw Hill Financial Announces it Seeks "Strategic Alternatives" for J.D. Power

Last week, McGraw Hill Financial announced it will be exploring "strategic alternatives" for J.D. Power, our local Westlake Village based marketing information services company. McGraw Hill indicates 2016 revenues will approach $350 million.

"Strategic alternatives" basically means seeking a buyer. Reuters indicates J.D. Power could fetch as much as $1 billion in a sale.

J.D. Power and Associates was founded on April 1, 1968 by J.D. "Dave" Power III with his wife Julie at their home in Calabasas. On April 1, 2005 the company was acquired by The McGraw-Hill Companies (renamed McGraw Hill Financial in 2013 to more closely align the company name to its core business).

McGraw Hill did not disclose the purchase price of J.D. Power and Associates in 2005, but it did indicate in its 2006 annual SEC filing that it paid $461.8 million to acquire several businesses, including Vista Research, J.D. Power and 49% of CRISIL, Limited.

J.D. Power contributed $144.7 million of revenue to McGraw Hill's bottom line from 4/1/05 to 12/31/05, which translates to about $190 million in annual revenue that year.

Learn more about J.D. Power at www.jdpower.com.

Baxalta Incorporated Spun Off From Baxter International, Inc. on July 1, 2015

Baxalta Inc. was formed on July 1, 2015 as a spin-off from Baxter International, thus explaining why some of your local Conejo Valley Baxter employee acquaintances may have changed their LinkedIn profile to Baxalta. 

Baxalta (NYSE: BXLT) is a $6 billion global biopharmaceutical company developing, manufacturing and commercializing therapies for orphan diseases and underserved conditions in hematology, oncology and immunology.  Headquartered in Northern Illinois, Baxalta employs 16,000 employees worldwide and has a current market valuation of about $22 billion, which is higher than Baxter International's current market cap (as of 10/16/15) of $18.4 billion.

And if you're looking for a local job, Baxalta is one of the largest employers in the Conejo Valley.

Learn more about Baxalta at www.baxalta.com.