Laker Girls Appear at the Newbury Park Arco Am Pm Grand Opening April 6-7

For those of you who regularly check out Conejo Valley Guide, you know that our primary focus is covering events, activities and things to do in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County area. As such, most of what you see on this site relates to the future, not the past, which is best covered by our great local newspapers.

However, sometimes we make exceptions, particularly here in the Local Buzz blog where we like to periodically report random goings on that we find interesting and/or amusing. Such was the case yesterday and today in Newbury Park, where we learned that the brand new Arco Am Pm at 2305 Borchard Road (at Michael) was hosting a grand opening celebration that, among other things, featured an appearance by THE LAKER GIRLS!

It's not every day that we get to see Laker Girls in our neck of the woods...in fact, this is the first and only time I can recall this happening in my nearly 20 years in the Conejo Valley. So given the significance I just HAD to stop by several times. Never have I seen so many SMILES at a gas station! Thanks to the owners of this station. Good times were had by all. :>

New Channel Islands (formerly Ventura County) Maritime Museum to Open in July

Executive Director Announces Channel Islands Maritime Museum Changes

Bill Conroy, the Executive Director of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, announced last month that  the museum is changing its name to the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum will celebrate its opening early in July 2012 at its new site overlooking the Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard.

The colorful patio entrance and newly designed façade welcome visitors to this harbor retreat. Once inside, families will be able to stroll leisurely through art galleries with panoramic views of the Channel Islands Harbor. They will be able to see newly designed exhibits illustrating the pageantry and drama of our maritime past.

The museum’s collection of seascapes by 17th century Dutch painters will be colorfully exhibited in an elegant and intimate gallery. Children will be awed by the epic story of the dragon-headed Turtle Boat heroically created by the tiny Chosen Dynasty navy of Admiral Y Sun Shin to defend against foreign invading forces.

Museum volunteers continue their efforts to raise funds to build out the new museum by selling pavers inscribed with a donor’s name. These are still available for a donation of $200. In addition, naming opportunities for individual galleries and major donations are welcome to support and preserve this cultural resource for the entire community.

The museum is also recruiting volunteers for training as docents in the expanded facility.

For information please call (805) 984-6260 or visit cimmvc.org.

Is a Walmart Store Coming to Camarillo?

Hmm, perhaps we'll be seeing Walmart in Camarillo. Not certain, but there's a sign, literally, that might indicate something is in the works.

This sign is posted on the window of the long-vacant Linens and Things that was located in the Camarillo Town Shopping Center at 275 W. Ventura Boulevard.

According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website, Walmart Stores Inc. applied for a license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off premises. This could indicate Walmart may be interested in opening a store at that location.

But wait, this location is about 36,000 sq ft, a small fraction of the size of a typical Walmart Discount Store or Supercenter. Hmm, well Walmart does have nearly 170 Walmart Neighborhood Markets that according to Walmart "offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise all at our famous Every Day Low Prices." The typical store size is 42,000 sq ft.

Would be great to see that space filled with something permanent! Let's wait and see. In the meantime, there are still Walmart stores in Oxnard (2001 N. Rose Avenue) and Simi Valley (255 Cochran Street).

This is the old "Linens and Things" site in question, sandwiched between Ross and Target on the east and Staples and Sports Authority on the west.

Jungle Land Indoor Kids Playground in Agoura Closing Its Doors November 22nd

UPDATE: New owners have taken over and opened the facility as CA Kiddo club on December 5, 2011.

Today, Jungle Land, the 5,000 sq ft indoor play facility on Canwood Street in Agoura geared towards kids up to 6 years old, announced that it will be closing. Its last day will be November 22, 2011. Jungle Land has provided safe indoor play for little ones over the last 6 years.

Jungle Land joins Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo that closed its doors on September 30, 2011 (though Jolly Jumps still provides rental bounce houses and other items for parties) and The Roller Dome indoor skating rink that closed its doors in October 2010.

It is never a happy time to hear about a local business closing, though there could be a number of reasons for a particular business doing so. And of course while some places close, others open, like My Party Playhouse in Agoura and Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place in Camarillo.

For over 100 venues and ideas for birthday parties around Ventura County, CLICK HERE!

Mandarin Bistro to Open in Newbury Park at the Old Pick Up Stix Location

9/12/11 Update: Mandarin Bistro will be open for business on Monday, September 19th.

Cool menu - get to see what you're ordering! :>

Original post 7/11/11: Thanks to a tip from fellow Facebooker Kimberly G, I've discovered that what used to be Pick Up Stix at 501 S. Reino Road in Newbury Park will soon be Mandarin Bistro. I have no additional information at this point but it looks like it will be opening soon.

Hopefully there will be good as I'm always hungry for Chinese food, and I'm always hungry soon after eating Chinese food. But that's another story.

But I digress. I wonder why they call it a bistro. Bistro is a French word that according to Webster's Dictionary means "small, unpretentious restaurant." Well OK, I guess this location is small and pretentious, so that works.

On a separate but kind of related note, CB Richard Ellis is marketing space 501-D in that plaza, 3 doors down, between the cleaners and the Hallmark store. That would be Pure Beauty. They say the 2,540 sq ft space will be available in October 2011 at $2.45 per sq ft, including fixtures, plus $.40 for triple net.

Here's where Mandarin Bistro will be located

Fallen Sign at Wendy Drive and Potrero Road in Newbury Park

There's a popular trailhead to Sycamore Canyon/Rancho Sierra Vista at the corner of Wendy and Potrero Roads in Newbury Park. This morning you'd only know that by looking down and finding this sign on the ground. No visible clues as to how this happened. Something/somebody knocked it over during the last 24 hours. Kind of a bummer to see.

For more local hiking and trails in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas, CLICK HERE.

Ruby's Shake Shack at the Malibu Pier "Under Transition"

UPDATE: Ruby's never made a return. It became the Malibu Farm Cafe.

It had been awhile since I ate at Ruby's Shake Shack on the Malibu Pier and as I walked down the pier toward the diner today it surprised me how uncrowded it was. Sure enough, the place was empty. At 5 p.m. on a perfect summer Saturday.

I asked the clerk across the way at the the Malibu Beach Supply Co. (which by the why has some pretty cool stuff for sale and rents fishing poles for just $5 an hour on weekends and has bait).

And she said Ruby's has been closed since last September. The Ruby's Diner website indicates "Closed for the Winter Season and under transition. Reopening date is currently unavailable."

Stay tuned...