Casa Conejo Crime Alert From East County Sheriff Watch

Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

To the residents in the Casa Conejo residential area, a reminder to be vigilant and aware of what is happening in your area.  On the evening of Monday, January 17^th, into the morning of Tuesday, January 18^th, we were hit with several vehicle burglaries.  The crimes were committed on Jeanne Court, Michael Drive, Dena Drive, Randy Drive, Henry Drive and Wendy Drive. 

Remember not to leave any valuables in your car, especially in plain sight.  Most of these crimes were window smashes, where the criminal took personal property that was left in the car that could have easily been removed and taken inside your home. You can deter some of the crime by not making yourself an attractive victim to the criminals.

Please be aware of any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.  REMAIN VIGILANT!  We need your help to catch those responsible for this crime spree.  If you see or hear anything you feel is suspicious, please call 911 or 654-9511. 

Roger is Dunn in Thousand Oaks Soon But Moving to Newbury Park

Roger Dunn is not done. It is moving on over to the old Zender's location at 2810 Camino Dos Rios in Newbury Park (next to the Wendy's for those of you who rely on fast food markers like me). Wow, it's about time something moved in there as it has been closed over a year since Zender's went out of business.

The Roger Dunn Golf Shop at 125 W. Thousand Oaks Boulevard on the east side of the recently closed Borders bookstore. Hmm, perhaps they are moving as part of that deal. In any case, a representative at the store today indicated they will be moving to their new home literally 4 miles away this Sunday! Good for them and I wish them the best at their new location!

My lousy shot of the entrance to the soon-to-be new Roger Dunn Golf Shop location in Newbury Park where Zender's used to reside.

Grand Opening of Howie's Grill & Bar in Simi Valley on Monday, January 17th

Thanks to Sue of Simi Valley for informing us of the grand opening of Howie's Grill & Bar, located at 109 West Cochran Street (that's just a couple blocks away from the Simi Costco for those in the know), on Monday, Martin Luther King Day, January 17, 2011. This was previously the location of Applebee's.

Howie's is a sports-themed grill and bar with "An eclectic menu full of items including a melt-in-your-mouth Fried Mac N Cheese, a creamy home-made Mac n cheese tossed in panko and fried crisp with ranch and Louisana hot sauce sides and the flavorful Pulled Pork Sliders, a slow roasted hand shredded pork sandwich adorned with cole slaw, BBQ sauce, pickles amidst a sweet Hawaiian roll score an outright homerun. For those with a sweet tooth, an assortment of sweets such as the heavenly Strawberry Shortcake with a gusto of vanilla,strawberry and buttermilk flavors and the luscious Red Velvet Cake, a delightful mix of moist crimson-colored cake layered with smooth cream cheese filling is an absolute hole-in-one."

These Kobe Beef sliders at Howie's Grill & Bar look pretty darn tasty to me. There goes my 2011 resolution to go vegetarian.

Howie's also has 23 high-def TVs, including 2 65 inch screens. More info at www.howiesgrillandbar.com or call 805.520.3000.

Karma is Coming to Janss Marketplace

Yes indeed. Karma Indian Cuisine, that is. The kids and I used to frequent the Rubio's on the east side of the mall that closed awhile back. Karma is set to open in its place. This is great news! While we miss Rubios, there's another, newer, larger one in Newbury Park. Meanwhile, the more ethnic variety we can get in the Conejo Valley, the better! Looking forward to the grand opening, whenever that might be.

Habitat for Humanity and Los Robles Hospital to Dedicate New Home in Thousand Oaks

Habitat for Humanity and Los Robles Hospital to Dedicate New Habitat for Humanity Home on Sunday, January 16 in Thousand Oaks

WHAT:  Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County and Los Robles Hospital teamed up to build a Thousand Oaks Habitat for Humanity home sponsored by HCA/Los Robles Hospital.  The event is open to the public.

WHEN:  Sunday, January 16.  The event will begin at 2:00 PM with introductions and opening remarks, followed by a formal house dedication and blessing, a tour of the new home, photos, and refreshments.

WHO:  Participants will include Supervisor Parks, Los Robles Hospital CEO, Greg Angle, executives, and staff, Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors and representatives, Thousand Oaks City Council and housing officials, volunteers and friends of Habitat.  The Habitat partner-family will be available for interviews. 

WHERE:   200 Houston Drive, Thousand Oaks - From US-101. take exit 44 for Moorpark Road toward Thousand Oaks. Continue straight to N. Moorpark Road and turn right at E. Hillcrest Drive. The home is located on the corner of Houston Drive and E. Hillcrest Drive.

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, ecumenical Christian housing organization that builds homes in partnership with people in need of adequate shelter. Homeowners are selected based on their need for housing, ability to repay a no-profit loan, and willingness to partner with Habitat for Humanity. Loan repayments contribute to help build additional houses. Because Habitat’s loans are no-profit, they are affordable for low-income family partners.  Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County, a locally-run affiliate, has built homes for 51 Ventura County families and rehabilitated over 500 homes since 1983.   www.habitatventura.org. 

HCA/Los Robles Hospital

HCA joined hands with Habitat for Humanity International in 2000.  HCA has provided funding and employee volunteers to build homes in Richmond, VA, Tallahassee, FL, and Thousand Oaks, CA (Los Robles Medical Center).   Los Robles Regional Medical Center is a 265-bed acute care facility dedicated to serving the residents of Ventura County, the Conejo Valley and its surrounding communities.  Further information may be obtained at www.losrobleshospital.com

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Rocket Fizz Thousand Oaks closed its doors on October 23, 2019 after a nearly 8 year run.

Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop opened a new location in Thousand Oaks (593 North Moorpark Road, adjacent to Peet's Coffee and Bandits BBQ, in what most recently was an AT&T Wireless store) on December 3rd. This store is independently owned and operated. Say hello to Anthony, the owner. Their phone is 805.494.7632.

We stopped in tonight, me and my 5 year old. This has to be THE best place to work, surrounded by all this candy and soda pop, bright colors and smiling customers. It is impossible not to smile in this place as there is so much to smile for. Not just the hundreds of sugar-laden delicacies you for the most part won't find at your local Vons. But for the hundreds of retro tin posters lining the walls. A sight to behold.

Rocket Fizz is growing like gangbusters! The original Rocket Fizz is in Old Town Camarillo on Ventura Blvd at Lewis Road. Other local locations include Westlake Boulevard (Thousand Oaks Blvd east of Lindero Canyon), Ventura (Oak Street at Santa Clara) and Simi Valley (Erringer near Cochran). Visit www.rocketfizz.com for more information. I'm off to eat my watermelon flavored licorice and chocolate Smarties now.

Cronies Sports Grill Newbury Park is Coming Along

No official date on when Cronies Newbury Park is opening but their sign is up! Sometime in February or March.

Brendan's Irish Pub and Restaurant in Camarillo Will Be Opening January 28th (Now 15th)

UPDATE 1/2/20: Brendan’s announced today that it is closing its doors after operating here for nine years. Sorry to see them go!

January 14th update: They changed it up on us and annonced a "soft opening" 5pm Saturday night, January 15th! Brendan's is officially open.

January 11th update: Brendan's set to open on Friday, January 28th!

See their video at www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150379456790302&oid=144953932207556&comments

I had the good fortune today of stopping by the nearly completed Brendan's Pub and Restaurant in Camarillo today (1755 E. Daily Drive) and was treated to a spectacular assortment of Irish paraphernalia shipped directly from Ireland. The owners (including Brendan himself) are sparing no expense in ensuring this pub is completely authentic, including the bartender (who today was helping put finishing touches in the restaurant section of the pub.

Curtis the general manager could not give us a specific date but they will be opening their doors within the next week or two. They will be serving Guinness beer by the pint, with the foam hanging over the rim of the glass. (I may have to start acquiring a taste for Guinness so as not to embarrass myself here.) Among other things, Curtis mentioned that the corned beef and cabbage here is the best he's EVER tasted! Other things we noticed were two professional grade dartboards and an entire dart area, a beautiful bar, cool booths in the restaurant area and a fireplace.

Visit www.brendans.com or their Facebook page www.facebook.com/brendansirish to learn more (and while you're in Facebook, you gotta check out www.facebook.com/ConejoValleyGuide!