The Santa Susana Cantina Has Been Closed Now For Over 4 Years

On a recent trip to the Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad off of Kuehner Drive in Simi Valley, I came across the vacant Santa Susana Cantina. Living in the Conejo Valley, it is not often that I get out that direction, other than the rare occasion I need to take the 118 Freeway to the San Fernando Valley.

But it is definitely worth a periodic drive to explore this northeastern tip of Ventura County. Corriganville Park is also a worthwhile place to explore over there.

The Santa Susana Cantina closed its doors in October 2006 after 73 years in business. It's great to see history like this on display.

Spanish Speaking Community Robbery Scam in Newbury Park on January 25th

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

Nature of Incident: Robbery scam in Spanish speaking community

Location: 600 Block of Avenida Del Platino, Newbury Park

Date & Time: January 25, 2011 @ 1:25 p.m.

Victim: Female adult / Hispanic Newbury Park 56
Suspect 1 (S-1): Hispanic male Unknown 60-65 years
Suspect 2 (S-2): Hispanic female Unknown 60-65 years

A Newbury Park woman was the victim of a robbery once the suspects talked their way into her home. The female Hispanic victim answered a knock at her front door and was greeted by an older Hispanic couple. The man asked in Spanish if they could have some water, while both suspects acted like they were in need of water. The victim felt sorry for the couple and said in Spanish she would get them some water. The victim left the door open and walked to her kitchen to get some water.

When the victim turned around, both the suspects were already in her home. The victim gave some water to the female suspect as the male suspect walked into the victim’s bedroom. The victim followed after the male suspect and asked what he was doing. The male suspect turned and approached the victim in an intimidating manner. The male suspect got angry and yelled at the victim to “be quiet.”

The victim became very afraid of the suspects and feared for her safety because she was home alone. Both suspects went through the residence looking for items to take. The suspects took items of gold jewelry, a flat screen television, an Apple iPod touch, a black PSP Play Station, victim’s cell phone, U.S. Currency, U.S. Immigration card and Social Security Card.

The suspects loaded the items into an older light gray van (possibly a Chrysler), and locked the victim out of her home before driving away.

(S-1) is described as a Hispanic male in his early to mid sixties, 5’-4” to 5’-7” in height, 155 to 165 pounds, well dressed, and spoke only Spanish in a loud intimidating voice. (S-2) is described as an Hispanic female in her early to mid sixties, 5’-6” to 5’-8” in height, 200 to 230 pounds, long straight black hair worn in a pony tail that reached her lower back, wearing a black sweater over a long black dress with black flat shoes, brown purse, and only spoke Spanish. Neither suspect had any unique traits, scars, marks, or tattoos. Based on the victim only speaking Spanish and living in a predominantly Spanish neighborhood, I believe the suspects will continue to prey upon other Hispanic victims.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Thousand Oaks Police Department Homicide Investigation - Altercation on January 26th

VC Star update 1/28/11 at www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jan/27/sheriffs-department-investigating-homicides-at/

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

Two male subjects became involved in a physical altercation near the intersection of Lindero Canyon Road and Bowfield Street. Both subjects were injured as a result of the altercation. One of the subjects succumbed to injuries as result of being stabbed. The identity of the deceased has not been released pending notification of next of kin. The other male was transported to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.

On January 26, 2011, at about 9:43 p.m., Sheriff’s Communication Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting a physical altercation at the intersection. At about 9:49 p.m., Sheriff’s patrol deputies arrived on scene and discovered two injured males on the sidewalk. Ventura County Fire arrived on scene and pronounced one of the subjects deceased at the scene. The other subject was treated for his injuries.

The investigation is continuing to determine what prompted the altercation and the relationship between the two subjects. The injured subject’s name has not been released due to the ongoing investigation.

Thousand Oaks Auto Mall Freeway Sign Community Meetings on Wed, January 26th and Thurs, February 10th

Courtesy of City of Thousand Oaks Website:

Thousand Oaks Auto Mall Freeway Monument Sign - Community Meetings

Location: Los Robles Greens Golf Course – Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks

Dates: 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 26th and 6:00 PM on Thursday, February 10th

The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall lies on 54 acres along Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Duesenberg Drive, Packard Circle, and the 101 Freeway. The Auto Mall employs approximately 1,000 people, consistently generating almost one-quarter of the City’s annual sales tax revenues. In the past four years, the Auto Mall has generated more than $28 Million in sales tax revenue to the City.

In recent years, the dealerships have been working with the City to improve the appearance and navigability of the Auto Mall. Along with pedestrian amenities and aged streetscaping, the primary concern is the lack of available parking for both customers and employees. In fact, as a Top Priority for FY 2007-2008, the Thousand Oaks City Council directed staff to develop a plan to mitigate parking issues at the Auto Mall.

On January 12, 2010, City Council authorized design for the Auto Mall project. Due to the significance of this undertaking, the City Council formed an Ad Hoc Citizens Auto Mall Advisory Committee. The Ad Hoc Committee met five times between February and June 2010 to review conceptual designs and make recommendations. The final report by the Citizen Ad Hoc Committee contained recommendations on the angled parking, landscaping, way-finder signage, and a new freeway monument sign.

At the December 14, 2010 meeting, City Council approved all the necessary plans and permits for the project to move forward, with the exception the freeway monument sign. At the request of the Auto Mall Association, the monument sign was not considered by City Council at the December 14th meeting, in order to receive additional community feedback and insight regarding the sign before making a decision. After completing additional public outreach and receiving community feedback, the Auto Mall Association will bring the item to City Council on February 22, 2011. 

Selected Q&As

Who is paying for the new Auto Mall sign? The costs to construct, operate, and maintain the monument sign will be paid entirely by the Auto Mall Association. No City funds are being used to construct the Auto Mall monument sign.Previously, City Council committed $2 Million towards the other components of the project, (parking improvements, landscaping, etc.) none of which is to be used to construct the monument sign, if approved. Since 2001, the Auto Mall has generated $8 million in incremental property tax revenues for the Redevelopment Agency (RDA), with an additional $1.3 million expected in fiscal year 2010-11. The majority of the parking and landscaping costs ($6 Million) will be paid by the formation of a Community Facilities District (CFD) for the Auto Mall area. The property owners within the CFD will impose a special tax on themselves to finance the improvements in the Auto Mall.

Will the sign be precedent-setting? If approved, the monument sign will not set a precedent for digital reader boards in the City of Thousand Oaks. The approval is specific to the Auto Mall zone only; any other similar sign would require separate approvals by the Planning Commission and City Council. The existing Auto Mall sign was constructed in 1994 through the application of a special use permit. In a similar fashion, the proposed monument sign has undergone numerous iterations within the Advisory Committee, opened to public hearings, considered by the Planning Commission, and will eventually be considered by the City Council. In each stage, the necessity and appropriateness of the sign is evaluated.

More information and Q&As at www.toaks.org/government/depts/public_works/current_projects/auto_mall_improvement_project/default.asp

Also see www.conejovalleyguide.com/local-buzz/huge-electronic-billboard-for-to-auto-mall-removed-from-city.html

Lynn Oaks Pharmacy in Thousand Oaks Robbed on Thursday, January 20th

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department

A masked gunman robbed Lynn Oaks Pharmacy 2220 North Lynn Rd. Thousand Oaks on Thursday, January 20, 2011 at 3:45 p.m.

An unidentified man wearing a ski mask and brandishing a handgun robbed a Thousand Oaks pharmacy Thursday afternoon.

The suspect entered the Lynn Oaks Pharmacy, which is located in a medical building on Lynn Road. The suspect pointed a black semi-automatic handgun at the employees and demanded they give him bottles of specific medications.

Fearing for their safety, the employees complied with the suspect’s demands. The suspect left the pharmacy with an undisclosed quantity of medications. No one was injured during the heist.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 20-30 years old. He was 6’0” and weighed approximately 200 pounds. The suspect wore all black clothing, including boots, gloves and a ski mask.

The suspect left the area in a white Ford Explorer before deputies arrived at the scene. Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to contact Detective Jon Smith at (805)494-8216.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Groundbreaking of "Simi at the Garden" on Tuesday, February 15th

The Simi Valley Seventh Day Adventist Church has allocated over 2 acres of their land for the betterment of our community! The land will be transformed into Simi Valley’s first community garden! We need you, the community, to come out and support this community building endeavor!

The 2 acres that will soon be transformed!

This is projected to be a big success given that this is the first community garden in Simi Valley. Our surrounding communities (ie.: Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, Chatsworth, etc.) have these types of gardens, and are filled with a waiting list! Community gardens are in demand, and the fact that the SDA church has given their land for the betterment of the community shows a lot. We, as the community can show our gratitude through volunteering, sponsorships, donations, or merely lending a hand at whatever talent or resource we may possess.  It will take a big effort by all of us to get this project off the ground.

In conjunction with the garden, we will be establishing what we call a wellness program which will involve so much more than the garden itself! Emphasis will be put on public health education involving healthy lifestyle choices such as cooking classes, healthy lifestyle seminars, and community outreach.

We have many exciting things planned for this garden for both young and old.  Not only will the community members be able to come together and enjoy a healthy environment, but it will provide an outlet for community networking, health education, physical activity, and just good clean (or dirty) fun. The benefits are endless and we believe that everyone should take advantage of this opportunity to give back to your community.  It’s time we get our hands dirty, literally!

The ground breaking is scheduled for February 15 at 4pm at 1636 Sinaloa Road, at the Simi Valley Seventh Day Adventist School. Please come out and “Simi at the Garden” to show your support for your community. Call Salina Perry at 310-617-3863 for more information.

Check us out at communitygarden.org to view upcoming events, contact information, and to see the progress.  We are now a proud member of the American Community Garden Association.

Ranch Mobile Home Park Rent Adjustment Hearing Will Continue on Monday, January 24th

December 6, 2010 was the date of the initial City of Thousand Oaks Rent Adjustment Commission public hearing to address the application of Andrew V. Hohn and A.V.M.G.H., LLC to increase the monthly space rent at the Ranch Mobile Home Park (2193 Los Feliz Drive) from an average of $132 per month to an average of $719 per month. An increase of $587.45 per month, or roughly 445%.

The first hearing started at 6 p.m. and lasted until around 11 p.m. at which point the Commission determined it would not be feasible to attempt to finish it up that night. So the hearing was continued to next Monday, January 24th. I sat through that initial hearing and frankly, at this point, it has become a blur.

The City prepared an analysis with the help of outside experts and recommended that an increase of $192/month be allowed, phased in over a 5 year period.

It is the job of the Rent Adjustment Commission to review the work of the City, testimony of the experts and questions/answers from the owner's attorneys and experts as well as the pro bono attorney of the tenants. I would anticipate another long night.

For more information and all the details about the hearing, visit http://toaks.org/government/agendas_minutes/agendas/rent_adjustment_commission.asp.

Most of the 72 elderly, low income Ranch tenants will likely be present at this hearing. Many of these tenants submitted letters to the city. Here is one of the handwritten letters:

Re: Ranch Mobile Home Park - Notice of Request for Rent Increase

Dear Mr. Watson:

This letter is in response to the October 8, 2010 City of Thousand Oaks Notice of Hearing regarding a request for rent increase of $587.95/month at Ranch Mobile Home Park. We are very concerned regarding this proposed significant rent increase, which will bring severe hardship on us.

We are 92 and 96 years of age and have resided at Ranch Mobile Home Park for over 19 years. We purchased our mobile home with the understanding that Ranch was a low-income park for seniors and would remain so.

Frank worked his entire life manufacturing truck tires during the war 12-hour shifts and Alfreda worked as a church secretary and insurance administrative assistant. We grew up during the Depression and throughout adulthood continued to live very frugally, forgoing vacations, dining out and entertainment and sharing our car. Despite relatively low wage employment, our frugal lifestyle has allowed us to save for our basic needs during our retirement.

However, this proposed significant rent increase is more than we can possibly afford, no matter how much we scrimp. Our only source of income is Social Security and my modest pension from the tire factory. Our health is poor and we struggle with numerous medical conditions, which require expensive medication co-pays. Our medical insurance alone runs over $700/month.

The proposed rent increase will cause us severe hardship. We would like to live out our few remaining years with dignity, with the ability to afford the basic necessities of lodging, food and adequate medical care. But this rent increase would make that impossible for us. We are unable to sleep with worry about what will happen to us if this proposed rent increase occurs.

Please consider allowing us our basic needs in the sunset of our lives and deny the proposed rent increase for our senior citizens mobile home park.

Anchor Has Been Lowered at Anchor Blue

I remember shopping at Miller's Outpost as a kid. Miller's Outpost became Anchor Blue in the 1990s and I've never been into an Anchor Blue store. And perhaps that is why they filed bankruptcy for a 2nd time this month and are calling it quits. The first time they filed bankruptcy was in May 2009.

That means you now have another store to find some deep discounts. They currently are advertising 40-60% off. There are Anchor Blue stores at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura (805.639.0462) and Oxnard Esplanade (805.988.8003). Employees are not sure when the stores will officially close, but they are in process of selling off their remaining inventory.

More info at www.anchorblue.com.