German Discount Grocer ALDI to Open Simi Valley Store in Early 2016

Update 5/29/16: ALDI indicates at www.aldi.us/en/new-to-aldi/grand-openings/grand-openings/simi-valley-ca that the grand opening will be June 16 but an Open House event will take place from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, June 12 where you can check things out but not but not purchase items...yet. Grand opening events 6/16 to 6/19 include free samples, special drawings and free re-usable bags. Store hours are 9am to 9pm and location is 425-A E. Cochran Street, Simi Valley.

See Note 1

German grocery chain ALDI will be opening a store in early 2016 at the former Office Depot location at the Simi at the Plaza shopping center in Simi Valley.

ALDI operates nearly 1,400 U.S. stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. The chain sells over 1,300 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items under its own brands. It opened its first U.S. store in 1976.

In June, ALDI announced it will launch its first Southern California stores in March 2016, with a plan to open approximately 25 stores before July 2016. With regional headquarters and warehouse in Moreno Valley, ALDI indicates it will employ over 1,100 Southern Californians by the end of 2016.

In its press release, ALDI indicated it will offer starting wages of $13/hour for store associates, up to $21/hour for long-standing associates. Employees will average 33 to 40 hours per week and will be eligible for full benefits, including health insurance, dental coverage and 401(k) plan.

To apply for a job at ALDI, visit aldistorejobs.com.

More on the California grand opening of ALDI at www.aldi.us/en/new-to-aldi/california-grand-opening.

More about ALDI:

• Based in Germany with almost 10,000 stores in 18 countries.
• Founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 after taking over their father's store that had operated since 1913.
• ALDI is an abbreviation for ALbrecht DIskont (i.e. Discount)
• ALDI operates under two divisions, Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud. Aldi Sud operates the U.S. ALDI stores. Aldi Nord owns the Trader Joe's chain.
• Yes, Aldi Nord bought the Trader Joe's chain in 1979. The first Trader Joe's store opened in 1967 in Pasadena.
• ALDI is one of the world's largest privately-owned companies.

Note 1: "AldiWorldwideLogo" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in April 2016

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 facility closures were noted in April 2016. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

P.J.'s Boulevard Cafe, 2157 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo

Inoperable plumbing, no hotwater for washing and sanitizing of utensils;

Date closed - 04/22/16; Date reopened - 04/22/16

Jolly Kone, 113 W. El Roblar Dr., Ojai

Inoperable plumbing, sewage backup within the food facility;

Date closed - 04/22/16;Date reopened - 04/22/16

Ranchero Restaurant, 131 W. 2nd Street, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation and unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/19/16;Date reopened - 04/22/16

El Dorado Restaurant (bar only) 601 S. Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard;

Inoperable warewashing sink at the bar due to clogged drainlines;

Date closed - 04/19/16; Date reopened - 04/22/16

Discovery Ventura, 1888 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/14/16; Date reopened - 04/15/16

Cafe Nouveau, 1497 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/14/16; Date reopened - 04/15/16

Sky High Sports Camarillo, 166 N. Aviador Street, Camarillo;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/12/16; Date reopened - 04/14/16

Agave Maria, 710 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

No valid permit to operate;

Date closed - 04/11/16; No reopen date

Green Leafs & Bananas, 740 E. Ventura Blvd., FC-5, Camarillo;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/12/16

McConnell's Fine Ice Cream & Yogurt, 3241 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/12/16

New Flavor, 2950 Johnson Drive, Suite #134, Ventura;

Fly infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/13/16

Starbucks #6609, 2991 Cochran Street, Simi Valley;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, inoperable toilet facilities, unsanitary conditions inside the facility;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/11/16

Sport Chalet Announced on Saturday It Is In Process of Closing All Stores

This morning we heard the news that Sport Chalet is closing all of its stores and will no longer sell merchandise online. The competitive world of retail sporting goods finally caught up to Sport Chalet, which operates 51 stores in four states. The company was founded on April 1, 1959.

There are (soon to be were) Sport Chalet stores in Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley Plaza Shopping Center on Moorpark Road south of Janss Road) and in Oxnard near Fry's.

Although it was a shock, it is not a complete surprise. Sport Chalet, previously a publicly-traded company, was acquired by a private equity group in 2014 for $17 million in cash and the assumption of $50 million in debt. According to a July 1, 2014 LA Times article, the company had reported annual losses every year since 2007. That's quite a long time.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in March 2016

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 facility closures were noted in March 2016. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

March 2016

La Cita Nightclub (restaurant only), 441 W. Hueneme Road, Oxnard;

Inoperable warewashing sink resulting in no means to adequately wash utensils;

Date closed - 03/30/16; No reopen date

The Grove Bar and Grill, 341 Williamsburg Way, Thousand Oaks;

No permit to operate, no plans submitted;

Date closed - 03/30/16; No reopen date

Big Daddy O's Beach BBQ, 2333 Roosevelt Blvd., Oxnard;

Repeated and serious violations;

Date closed - 03/29/16; No reopen date

4-Way Meat Market, 403 Cooper Road, Oxnard;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/28/16; Date reopened - 03/29/16

Papa John's Pizza, 5722 Telegraph Rd, Ventura;

Overflowing sewage in the facility, unsanitary conditions

Date closed - 03/25/16; Date reopened - 03/26/16

Pizza Man Dan's, 2736 Vineyard Ave., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/23/16; Date reopened - 03/24/16

Senior Nutrition, 533 Santa Clara Ave., Fillmore;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/22/16; Date reopened - 03/24/16

Campo Vanessa's, 1700 E. 5th Street, Oxnard;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions, equipment not working properly resulting in the contamination of food;

Date closed - 03/21/16; Date reopened - 03/25/16

Keystone Catering, Mobile Food Facility, License # 8Y31411;

Inoperable equipment resulting in unsafe food temperatures;

Date closed - 03/20/16; Date reopened - 03/22/16

World Famous Franks, Mobile Food Facility, License # 16818F1;

Operating without a permit;

Date closed - 03/17/16; Date reopened - 03/17/16

Subway, 2031 Statham Blvd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/16/16; Date reopened - 03/17/16

Pizza Man Dan's, 2390 Las Posas Rd.#J, Camarillo;

Sewage overflowing within the facility;

Date closed - 03/13/16; Date reopened - 03/15/16

Burger King, 5950 Telegraph Rd., Ventura;

No hot water available for handwashing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 03/11/16; Date reopened - 03/11/16

Siesta Market, 1372 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks; 
Rodent infestation, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; 
Date closed – 03/09/16; Date reopened 03/10/16

Ay Chi Hua Hua, 1145 Ventura Street, Fillmore;

Repeated and serious violations, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement;

Date closed - 03/02/16; Date reopened - 03/03/16

Reyes Creek Bar & Grill, 26905 Scheideck Road, Maricopa;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/02/16; Date reopened - 03/03/16

The Taj Cafe, 574 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 03/01/16; Date reopened - 03/02/16

Cal Lutheran Begins Hub101 Incubator Program as Part of Co-Working Space Re-Launch

The California Lutheran University Center for Entrepreneurship is beginning a startup incubator program as part of a re-launch of its co-working space.

The Hub101 Incubator Program is an intensive three-month series of one-on-one mentor sessions, workshops, speaking events and investor meetings for entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses. The inaugural program will begin April 11 and culminate in a pitch night to investors from throughout Southern California.

Originally opened in 2014 along with the Center for Entrepreneurship in Westlake Village, the co-working space is now run by the university rather than a contractor. Clients will benefit from the university’s educational resources and professional network. The School of Management’s entrepreneurship program is located in the Westlake Center.

Daniel Ball and Greg Monterrosa joined the center in February to run the co-working space, the incubator and other programs. Ball, the program manager, has served as the co-director of Startup Next Los Angeles and worked as a product and marketing consultant for early-stage companies. Monterrosa, the community manager, co-founded Westlake Village-based MyLLC.com and last year mentored more than 100 startups through Startup Weekend Europe.

Ball and Monterrosa organized Conejo Valley Startup Week, which was hosted by the Center for Entrepreneurship in February. Entrepreneurs and startup enthusiasts participated in a series of events that culminated in a pitch competition at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza that drew more than 200 audience members.

The co-working space for regional entrepreneurs is designed to promote collaboration among clients, community members, faculty and students. Located just off Highway 101, the open high-tech area offers desks, private offices, classrooms, conference rooms and event space. A coffee bar and patios with fire pits provide additional areas for individual and collaborative work. Memberships begin at $49 a month.

“The center offers a place to work that is quieter than Starbucks and provides a sense of community that you don’t get working from home,” Monterrosa said.

For more information on the incubator program, go to Hub101.LA or call 805-493-3661. For more information on the co-working space, contact Monterrosa at gmonterrosa@callutheran.edu.

Masai Giraffe Calf Born March 26th at the Santa Barbara Zoo

The Santa Barbara Zoo’s Masai giraffe Audrey has given birth to a calf, and the two are currently bonding, off view to the public, in the Giraffe Barn. Audrey, aged eight, gave birth to the calf on March 26 at 9:28pm in the Zoo’s Giraffe Barn after approximately five hours of labor.

The calf will have its first medical exam Sunday or Monday when height, weight, general health and sex will be assessed by the Zoo’s animal care team and vet staff. The results of the exam will determine when the calf will leave the Barn. Until that time, Audrey and the newborn calf are not on view to the public or available to media.  The calf has not been named yet.

The Zoo’s giraffe herd is part of the population of 120 Masai giraffes that live at 28 North American zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Michael, the calf’s sire, is considered the most genetically valuable male Masai giraffe in captivity, because he has few relatives in zoos other than his offspring born here at the Zoo, which now numbers five.

“Michael’s genetics greatly help the diversity of the North American Masai population,” said Sheri Horiszny, director of animal care. “Every Masai giraffe born here is critical to keeping the gene pool robust.”

This is the fourth birth for Audrey at the Zoo. Her last calf, Buttercup, born in November 2014, is currently part of the Zoo’s giraffe herd. The Zoo’s other female giraffe, Betty Lou, is also pregnant, and is expected to give birth in July 2016. This is her third pregnancy and her other offspring are at other accredited zoos as part of a cooperative breeding program of the AZA’s Species Survival Plan (see below). Giraffes have a 14.5-month gestation period.  Audrey is sponsored by the Dreier Family.

Support the Herd

The public can help the Zoo welcome this long-necked arrival by becoming a Foster Feeder sponsor of the giraffe calf.  A donation of $50 helps with the cost of feeding the growing giraffe family. New giraffe Foster Feeders receive a baby photo of the calf along with a certificate, giraffe fact sheet, and recognition on the Zoo’s Foster Feeder board. For information, visit www.sbzoo.org.

About the Santa Barbara Zoo’s Giraffes

Audrey and Betty Lou arrived in Santa Barbara in March 2010, from the Los Angeles Zoo. Betty Lou was born at the San Diego Zoo on August 2, 2007, and Audrey was born on February 6, 2008 at the Los Angeles Zoo. Michael arrived from Parc Safari in Quebec, Canada, in January 2012.

Besides the new calf and Buttercup, Audrey’s other offspring include Dane, a male calf, born on April 18, 2014, who currently resides at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas. She was also the mother of “surprise calf” Daniel, born in January 2011. Unknown to anyone, she was pregnant when she arrived at the Zoo, and gave birth to Daniel just short of her third birthday, which is extremely young for giraffes. She refused to nurse, so Daniel was hand-reared by Zoo staff.  Daniel died in October 2012 after being anesthetized for a dental procedure to treat a life-threatening abscess and infection in his lower left jaw. Though his procedure went well, he went into respiratory arrest and could not be revived.

Betty Lou gave birth to a female giraffe, Sunshine, in April 2013, just 10 days after Dane was born. Sunshine has moved to the Phoenix Zoo as part of the AZA program. Her most recent calf, Asha, was born in March 2015 and has recently moved to the Toledo Zoo.

There are an estimated 37,000 Masai giraffes in Kenya and Tanzania, but a more thorough census is required. They are at risk due to poaching and habitat loss and degradation. Giraffes are the tallest land mammal, and the Masai is the largest subspecies, growing up to 17 feet tall and weighing 2,700 pounds.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in January-February 2016

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 facility closures were noted in January and February 2016. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

February 2016

B & J Drive In, 1323 Los Angeles Avenue, Ventura; Unsanitary conditions, serious and repeated violations; Date closed - 02/25/16; Date reopened - 02/26/16

Burger King #1783, 1152 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley; Sewage overflowing within the facility; Date closed - 02/25/16; No reopen date

Ralph's Grocery #62 (Fish/Seafood only), 615 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Port Hueneme; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing; Date closed - 02/24/16; Date reopened - 02/25/16

Stagecoach Station, 12679 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai; No toilet facilities available for employees; Date closed - 02/24/16; Date reopened - 02/24/16

Jasmine Thai Restaurant, 1145 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura; Inadequate refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures; Date closed - 02/18/16; Date reopened - 02/19/16

Carniceria Mexicana El Rio, 2651 Vineyard Avenue, Oxnard; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 02/08/16; Date reopened - 02/11/16

Galletto Bar & Grill, 982 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 02/04/16; Date reopened - 02/05/16

Thousand Wok Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar, 450 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing; Date closed - 02/04/16; Date reopened - 02/05/16

La Terraza, 1000 E. Main Street, Santa Paula; Blocked drainline resulting in inoperable plumbing; Date closed - 02/04/16; Date reopened - 02/05/16

Joi Cafe, 2855 Agoura Road, Thousand Oaks; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 02/04/16; Date reopened - 02/05/16

January 2016

Exotic Thai Bistro, 1555 Town Center Way, Simi Valley; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/29/16;Date reopened - 01/31/16

El Tapatio, 663 S Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard; No valid permit to operate; Date closed 01/21/16; Date reopened - 01/29/16

Buenaventura Bar & Grill, 5880 Olivas Park Road, Ventura; Inoperable plumbing; Date closed - 01/25/16; Date reopened - 01/25/16

Del Taco #177, 2990 Cochran Street, Simi Valley; No warewashing sink, or food preparation sink available; Date closed - 01/22/16; Date reopened - 01/23/16

Mercado Numero Uno, 1616 E. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley; Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/21/16; Date reopened - 01/22/16

Prime Steakhouse, 2009 Thompson Blvd., Ventura; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/20/16; Date reopened - 01/21/16

Outback Steakhouse, 2341 Lockwood Street, Oxnard; Sewage overflowing within the food facility, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/19/16; Date reopened - 01/20/16

Thousand Wok Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar, 450 N. Moorpark Rd., Thousand Oaks; Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/13/16; Date reopened - 01/14/16

Peking Restaurant, 5960 Telegraph Road, Ventura; Serious and repeated violations, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement; Date closed - 01/12/16; Date reopened - 01/13/16

Marisco El Campeon, 1175 E. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement; Date closed - 01/12/16; Date reopened - 01/13/16

Sushi Ichiban,  207 E. Channel Islands Blvd., Port Hueneme; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing, Inoperable hand washing facilities and unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/12/16; Date reopened - 01/13/16

Rachada Thai Cuisine, 525 New Los Angeles Avenue, Moorpark; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing; Date closed - 01/11/16; Date reopened - 01/11/16

Mia's Place, 1129 Petit Avenue, Ventura; Serious and repeated violations, failure to adhere to compliance agreement; Date closed - 01/11/16; Date reopened - 01/12/16

Sea Casa, 1014 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake; Cockroach infestation, leak through ceiling into food preparation area, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/07/16; Date reopened - 01/08/16

Las Sirenas Bar and Grill, 2091 N. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard; Inoperable equipment, unsanitary conditions, failure to adhere to a compliance agreement; Date closed - 01/06/16; Date reopened - 01/11/16

Blenders In The Grass, 1225 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard; No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing; Date closed - 01/06/16; Date reopened - 01/07/16

Popeye's Chicken, 1900 N. Ventura Road, Oxnard; Facility not fully enclosed ceiling/roof water leak, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/06/16; Date reopened - 01/06/16

Pookie's Thai Westlake, 900 Hampshire Road, Thousand Oaks; Rodent infestation, leak through ceiling into food preparation area, unsanitary conditions; Date closed - 01/05/16; Date reopened - 01/06/16

Los Angeles Rams to Hold Spring Practices in Oxnard from April 18 to June 17, 2016

On February 23rd, the Oxnard City Council approved a lease agreement between the Los Angeles Rams and the City, permitting the Rams to hold spring practices in Oxnard from April 18-June 17, 2016. The practices will be held at the River Ridge fields, located near the corner of Ventura Road and Vineyard Avenue.

The Dallas Cowboys will utilize the same practice facilities for their summer camp later this year. In contrast to summer camps, spring mini camps are less formal, do not include players in pads, and are generally not open to the public. Last year, the Rams and Cowboys held a joint practice that drew several thousand fans to the City. Although there are no plans to open spring practices to the public, the option has not been ruled out.

The Rams will use the on-site locker room facilities from March 28 - June 24 , 2016 and the football fields from April 18 – June 17.

The Rams’ spring training camp will not affect the Cowboys’ summer camp plans.