Lure Fish House Opens in Camarillo

Well this is good news! A new seafood restaurant has opened in Camarillo. Located where Coco's used to reside at 259 W. Ventura Blvd in the Camarillo Town Center across the parking lot from Target, Lure Fish House appeared to have a decent flow of traffic today at 3 p.m. on a Sunday! Look below...all the good parking spots were taken!

Lure's website at www.lurefishhouse.com says "Lure Fish House was created with the goal of providing you with a Top Tier Seafood Experience featuring fresh and sustainable seafood from trusted sources. Our restaurant strives to provide locally caught seafood, organically grown local produce, and wines from local vineyards whenever possible. We also feature a full bar with specialty cocktails, and an oyster bar serving a variety of fresh items that can vary daily. Lure specializes in Mesquite broiled seafood while also providing uniquely prepared selections by our chef. We print our menus daily to reflect availability and guarantee freshness. Our primary goal is to provide you, our guest, a fun and exciting seafood experience. So just remember, "if you are looking for a tasty and healthy dish…eat more fish!"

Sounds good to me! Call them at 805.388.5556. They open for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Their menu looks pretty darn good.

City of Agoura Hills Appoints New Art Council

The City of Agoura Hills announced it has selected and approved five members to serve on the new Cultural Arts Council (CAC). The selected members, all Agoura Hills residents, were recommended for the council at the November 30, 2010 Agoura Hills City Council meeting. They are: Edward Ball, a professional in the arts and the Creative Director for a local marketing consultant company, Red; Steven Bavin, a writer, director and talent manager for Agoura-based Shalee Productions; Cim Castellon, a 17-year Los Angeles County Museum of Art staff member coordinating commercial activities in support of exhibitions; Priscilla Kromnick, a fiber artist with a background in art gallery administration and an active member in the local schools’ art programs; and Craig Morton, a digital artist and photographer who owns MNM Art Studio in Agoura Hills and former officer for the Westlake Village Art Guild.

Agoura Hills Community Service Director Amy Brink who made the recommendations stated that the selected individuals demonstrated the leadership that the community needs to fulfill a vision for the arts. “We received many extremely qualified applicants who verbalized a real desire to be involved with this cultural arts movement,” said Brink. “We selected the top candidates who can help us create a cultural identity for the community and showcase the abundance of talent within our borders.”

The CAC recommendation and approval took place at the City of Agoura Hills Reorganization meeting. Mayor Koehler presided over the approval of the arts council before stepping down as mayor. In December 2009 the mayor identified the Cultural Arts Initiative as one of his goals, which was approved at the September 22, 2010 council meeting. At the November 30 meeting he stated, “When I brought this up at the reorganization meeting a year ago I thought it would take a couple of years to envision. Needless to say I am thrilled to approve the appointment of the new council.”

The CAC will be a working committee that advises the Agoura Hills City Council on issues relating to arts and culture. The formation of a council is one of the first steps outlined on the Cultural Arts Initiative to develop a comprehensive cultural arts program within the community. The Agoura Hills Department of Community Services has worked with creative consultant Creative Hub to formulate the blueprint for the Initiative, which also outlines the formation of a Cultural Artists Society to help raise funds for the new arts program and serve as a vehicle for obtaining future grants. 

For more information on the Cultural Arts Initiative, contact Agoura Hills Community Service Director Amy Brink at (818) 597-7353 or by email ajbrink@ci.agoura-hills.ca.us.

Side Street Cafe in Newbury Park: The IHOP Slayer

Don't get me wrong. I don't HATE IHOP. I just kind of dread the fact that my kids LOVE going there for the funny face pancakes and that good ole IHOP atmosphere. IHOP is OK but we go there way more often than I'd like and my kids fight me over trying new places.

So last Sunday I bribed them and told them we're gonna try someplace new that they're really gonna like. I got them at "toy" and thus was able to take them to what's now their NEW favorite breakfast place, Side Street Cafe at 996 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park.

Side Street Cafe is tucked away inside an industrial/business section of Newbury Park, about a mile away from the Home Depot/Target shopping center. There is absolutely nothing retaily looking about Side Street's location! They are open 7 days a week until 2 p.m. and you really have to look for the sign (see the pic) to find them as they really ARE on a side street.

This is a cozy cafe with a warm, buzzing feeling to it. It had been 10 years since the last time I ate there, but it felt exactly the same. A feeling that this place is known well by certain "in the know" locals.

One of my boys ordered the Mickey Mouse shaped pancake, decorated with whipped cream and chocolate chips. He devoured it along with his sausages and said it was much better than IHOP's pancakes! Coming from him that really means something!

My other son is an egg eater and he did just that with his scrambled eggs and toast. I consumed the home fries (roasted potatoes) that came with his meal and they were delicious. My oatmeal was excellent too, which frankly I wasn't anticipating.

In the numerous times I used to stop by Side Street, I was never disappointed. Nicely prepared breakfast and lunch fare. Egg dishes, sandwiches, burgers, etc. All delicious.

Service is extremely friendly and we were able to get in and out quickly...always a good thing when you have two rambunctious boys. We were soon off to our next stop, the Kids Adventure Garden in Thousand Oaks, which is open only on Sundays.

Visit Side Street Cafe's website at www.sidestreetcafenp.com or call them at 805.499.9323. They are open for breakfast and lunch only.

Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club Features Tiger Woods and 17 Other Elite Golfers December 2-5

The Chevron World Challenge, featuring Tiger Woods and 17 other elite golfers, will be played at Sherwood Country Club December 2 to 5. I'm not a golfer but I'm amazed at how well funded this sport is. The 18 player field will split a $5 million purse, with $1.5 million going to the winner and a MINIMUM of $140,000 going to LAST PLACE! Maybe I'll sign my kids up for golf lessons. More information at www.ChevronWorldChallenge.com.

This is the 12th year of the event and 11th in a row at local Sherwood Country Club. Woods has won the event 4 times (2001, 2004, 2006, 2007). The Chevron World Challenge also raises money for 5 charities.

A friend of mine was there helping out today and took a few shots below.

New Oxnard Police Chief, Jeri Williams, Announced on November 30th

Oxnard City Manager Ed Sotelo announced yesterday morning that he has selected Jeri Williams for the job of Oxnard Police Chief. It is expected that Ms. Williams will assume her duties as Police Chief sometime after January 1st.

“I know that Jeri Williams is exceptionally qualified for the position and is the best fit for our City”, said Mr. Sotelo. “Jeri brings with her extensive community policing experience which will serve to complement and enhance our City’s efforts in that area dating back to 1990.” Sotelo continued.

Jeri Williams has 22 years of experience in the City of Phoenix Police Department where, in her current role as the Assistant Chief of the Southern Division, she is responsible for 1000 sworn and civilian personnel and over half of the city’s 500 plus square miles. Phoenix Assistant Chief Williams has oversight of seven police precincts, the Special Assignments Unit (SAU), the Air Unit, the Canine Unit, the Training Bureau and the Community Relations Bureau. In addition, Jeri serves as the Co-Chair of the City Manager’s Community Outreach and Engagement Task Force established in March of 2010 to increase communication with, access to and confidence in the Phoenix Police Department.

Through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Jeri has completed the Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) Program and has been trained as an instructor in LPO. Jeri has been a certified Arizona Police Officers Standards and Training (AZPOST) instructor for 15-years and has taught classes at the Training Academy for newly promoted supervisors.

Jeri’s professional operational experience includes acting as the Phoenix Area Commander for Super Bowl XLII (2008), Operations Section Chief for the NBA All-Star Game (2009), and the Senior Advisor for the City of Phoenix Protest of SB 1070 (2010). Jeri is certified to act as an Incident Commander and Deputy Incident Commander through the All Hazards Incident Management program offered by FEMA.

Contributing to Jeri’s strong leadership and organizational management style is a broad educational background. She holds a BS Degree from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and has completed her Comprehensive Examinations in pursuit of her Doctorate in Educational Leadership also from Northern Arizona University.

Jeri has been an adjunct instructor at two community colleges and is an experienced public speaker, skilled in dealing with diverse groups. She has the proven ability to calm community and employee groups in times of crisis with her transparent and open communication/leadership style. Jeri is approachable, sincere, and has a natural command presence that the members of her community and department rely on to “get the job done” with integrity, hard work and dedication.

On a personal note, Jeri has been married to her husband, Judge Cody Williams (South Phoenix Justice of the Peace) for nearly 21 years and has two sons Alan (17 years old) a Senior at North High School and Cody (16 years old) a Junior at North High School.

www.ci.oxnard.ca.us

Staples, BevMo! and Massage Envy Spa to Open at Pacific View Mall Ventura

Pacific View mall today announced Staples, BevMo! and Massage Envy Spa will join Trader Joe’s (announced in September) in the center’s new north end retail district.

Staples, the world’s largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services at this new 18,000 square-foot location.

Occupying just over 10,000-square feet will be BevMo!, the leading adult beverage-lifestyle superstore retailer in the western United States and among the largest in the country.

Massage Envy is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. Massage Envy Spa is its newest concept, offering Murad® healthy skin facials as well as therapeutic massages. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy has more than 640 locations in 42 states, with new centers opening every month.

“Pacific View mall has been evolving over the past 18 months” said Phil Carlson, senior property manager at Pacific View. “We have opened Ventura County’s only H&M and the first Sephora to west Ventura County”. “We’ve welcomed Wood Ranch, Shoe Palace and Ben & Jerry’s as well as relocated and expanded Van’s, Daniel’s Jewelers and AT&T.”

The retailers in the center’s north end retail district will begin opening in phases in 2011. Pacific View mall, Ventura’s local shopping destination, offers a broad mix of department stores including Macy’s, Target Sears and JCPenney, specialty retailers and dining choices. The one-million-square-foot super-regional mall is located just off the 101 Freeway at East Main Street in Ventura. For more information visit www.shoppacificview.com.

Zweig Family Dentistry Open for Business in Newbury Park

Zweig Family Dentistry opened a few weeks ago at the corner of Reino Road and Kimber Drive in Newbury Park (across from the Albertsons strip mall. This is a beautiful, brand new building and office facility that looks nothing like other dental offices around town. Dr. Milt Zweig and his family live in Newbury Park and he has practiced dentistry in the area for a number of years. Stop by and tell them Conejo Joe sent you!  Visit www.zweigfamilydentistry.com or call 805.498.0400 for more information.

Borders Thousand Oaks Will Be Closing in January 2011

Update 11/28/10: Today we stopped by Borders for their going out of business sale. Most everything was 30% to 40% off and there was quite a bit of merchandise in the store at this point. We got there at 11 a.m. and by the time we left around noon it was PACKED. So stop by ASAP if you're looking for a deal. An employee indicated the store will be open through the holidays/new year and there is no new location planned. 

As we left, we passed by the old, vacant Black Angus and Armstrong Nursery. Black Angus closed in April 2008, following the closing of Hungry Hunter in 2007 and Marie Callender's in 2008. Enough of that. Go get a bargain!

Original Post Date 11/15/10: Just a reminder that the Borders Bookstore at 125 West Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks will be closing sometime next January. This VC Star article from July confirms this with a Borders representative.

To me this comes as no surprise ad this 40,630 sq ft store is over 15,000 sq ft larger than the typical sized Borders and the company has experienced net losses for 5 years straight. Borders' stock price (BGP) hovers near an all-time low at just over $1 per share these days.

There's still hope for Borders with recent changes in management but among the ailing economy, a trend towards online sales and plenty of competition (Amazon.com's market valuation is roughly 900 TIMES Borders'...ouch!). While I would hope that Borders opens up another, smaller location somewhere else in town, I won't hold my breath.

On July 13, 2010, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved a plan to relocate three county medical services* an co-locate them into the Borders space. They approved a 15 year lease, starting with 9 months of "free" rent (while $6.5 million of tenant improvements are put in place) and subsequently $1.95/sq ft.

*The county medical services to be relocated to the Borders building will include:

Conejo Valley Family Medical Group (Ambulatory Care), currently located at 223 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Conejo Valley Clinic (Behavioral Health), currently located at 72 Moody Court.

Public Health, Women, Infants and Children program currently located at 80 E. Hillcrest Drive.