New Sprouts Farmers Market to Open in Westlake Village in May

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Here is what the beautiful new Sprouts in Westlake Village now looks like. Located at 1012 S. Westlake Boulevard (at Agoura Road). Phone 805.917.4200.

Originally posted in March 2011: Sprouts Farmers Market cannot tell me the exact date yet, but tells me that the new Westlake Village store is slated to open sometime in mid-May 2011. That's not too far away. That would be the 2nd mid-May opening in a row for Sprouts, which opened its first Conejo Valley (or Ventura County, for that matter) Sprouts in the old Circuit City building at Hillcrest and Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks on May 12, 2010.

This new Sprouts as you can see below is work in process and I'm sure it'll be looking might nice for opening day. This is great news for the other businesses surrounding Sprouts, which should benefit from the added traffic.

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Free Pet Pantry for Needy Cats and Dogs in Ventura County

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A free "Pet Pantry" program is open every Sunday in the east county due to the generous outpouring of donations that Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) has received from private residents, and regular contributions by local merchants including Wal-Mart and Do It Center.

The Simi Valley VCAS Pet Pantry is located at: 670 W. Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 11 a.m. or when supplies run out.

The Camarillo VCAS Pet Pantry is located at: 600 Aviation Avenue, Camarillo, Sundays from 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon or when supplies run out.

VCAS is accepting donations for this program, including cash, pet food, accessories and supplies.

Volunteers are needed to run the Pet Pantry Program, particularly at the Simi Valley location.  Interested individuals can contact the Animal Services Volunteer Coordinator at VCAS.Volunteer@ventura.org or call 805.388.4341.

For updates, visit www.vcas.us.

Ventura County Star Reports That Roxy's Deli in Thousand Oaks is Closing but Seeks Another Location

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The post-mortem: Here is what used to be Roxy's as of June 28, 2011 :< Not a single remnant of Roxy's is left. We do hope they find another local home.

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Originally reported June 24, 2011: Yikes! After 20 years, Roxy's Deli is closing its doors**, reports the Ventura County Star in this article. A fixture in Thousand Oaks, Roxy's has definitely been encountering increased competition over the last 5 to 10 years with the addition of Brent's Deli, Pickles Deli and Nate N Al Deli among others. Apparently a new restaurant is on its way. In the meantime, Roxy's owner indicates they are seeking another location in the area. So all is not lost...perhaps we will retain Roxy's and see another new restaurant in town...

**The VC Star article indicates TONIGHT (Friday) but Roxy's told me they are open through brunch this coming Sunday morning.

Popeyes Louisiana Chicken is Coming to Moorpark

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I was passing through Moorpark today driving east on Los Angeles Avenue when I noticed a new Popeyes® Louisiana Chicken to the right of me. I was able to snap this quick shot as I sped by. While I'm personally not a big fried chicken fan, the rest of my family is. That's not to say that I won't eat some if it appears in my kitchen. This would make it the 5th Popeyes location within and in close proximity to Ventura County, with other locations in Westlake Village (on the cusp of Ventura County), Simi Valley and 2 in Oxnard. Find the specifics at http://popeyes.com/locator.php.

This Popeyes is located in the vicinity of Los Angeles Avenue near Spring Road.

And on a related note, I'm a stickler for appropriate use of apostrophes, and thus when I see the name Popeyes without the apostrophe gives me an unsettling feeling. Maybe I just have a mild case of OCD. Hmm. Hope my wife doesn't read this.

In any case, I've always made the mental assumption that this chain but of course is named after the famous cartoon character. But I looked at the menu and noticed spinach is nowhere to be found. Curious, I read about the chain's history on its website and discovered that it was named after Gene Hackman's character, James "Popeye" Doyle, in The French Connection.

Amazing how much you can learn from a quick drive through Moorpark. Just wish Popeyes would consider adding an apostrophe to their name.

Moorpark Mothers of Preschoolers Group Offers Community and Support to Mothers

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Moorpark MOPS Group Offers Community and Support to Mothers of Young Children

MOPS is an international organization which stands for Mothers of Preschoolers, but is for any mothers of newborns through children age 5. Every mom is welcomed, accepted and encouraged to reach her potential and recognize her influence within her family and her world. MOPS believes that better moms really do make a better world.

For over 35 years, MOPS has been creating local communities where moms gather to experience encouragement, support and hope. But, it doesn’t stop there! Through training and development customized to women in this stage of life, and through doable service opportunities, MOPS grows moms to make a better world.

“MOPS has changed my life. I am a better daughter, wife and mother because of MOPS,” says MOPS mom Amanda.

How does MOPS help make better moms that make a better world? Primarily through MOPS groups that meet all over the world in more than 30 countries and in over 4,000 groups i

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Qdoba Opening Soon at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks - Get a Free Burrito! (UPDATE: Grand Opening is July 11th)

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Update from Qdoba June 21st:

The grand opening is scheduled for Monday, July 11th. We have some great events scheduled for that week.

We will be at the Janss July 4th celebration serving 3 cheese queso nachos on the rooftop.

On Wednesday July 13th we will have a special from 6pm to close of $5 meal deals for folks who come out to the summer concert series at Janss.

Friday, July 15th 98.7FM will be doing a live radio remote from 12 to 2pm at our location.

Saturday, July 16th we have live DJ's spinning from 11 to 3 and we will have custom t-shirts being printed on site celebrating the grand opening that you can win.

Finally, Sunday, July 17th is kids day. All kids eat free with an adult entree purchase and we will have free face painting for the kids from 12 to 3pm!

For all the details make sure to "like" us at www.facebook.com/qdobasocal

Qdoba Mexican Grill is opening soon at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. Don't know the specific date, but if you want a free burrito there, be one of the first 450 people to sign up for Qdoba Rewards at that location and receive a coupon for a free burrito. I did! Visit www.450freeburritos.com for details.

Local Firefighter to Bike Across U.S. to Honor 9/11 Victims - Send Off on June 29th

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Local Firefighter Who Will Bike Across the US to Honor 9-11 Victims to Get Community Send-Off at Miller YMCA


Jorge Ostrovsky, a Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACFD) firefighter and a Miller Family YMCA member, is joining other Los Angeles County firefighters as they bicycle across the United States to commemorate the 10-year anniversary of 9-11 and to honor those who continue to fight for our freedom and safety. This event, known as "Ride For 9-11," will start in Los Angeles July 24 and end in New York City Sept. 9. Money raised will go to the Leary Firefighters Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project.

The Miller Family YMCA will hold a send-off breakfast for Ostrovsky and nine other LACFD firefighters on Wednesday, June 29, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at the Y (320 Via Las Brisas, Dos Vientos portion of Newbury Park). The public is invited to this free event.

The Leary Firefighters Foundation (www.learyfirefighters.org) is dedicated to providing equipment and training to firefighters across the United States ensuring firefighters come home in the same condition they left for work. The Wounded Warrior Project, (http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org) provides various forms of support to wounded service members, aiding in their road to recovery. The program focuses on four main areas: Mind, body, economic empowerment and engagement.

For more information about the breakfast, call the Miller Y at 805-480-0309. For more information about Ride For 9-11, go to www.ridefor9-11.org.