Grand Opening of the Springville Dog Park in Camarillo on Friday, September 28th

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The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District & Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks celebrates the Grand Opening of Springville Dog Park at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo on Friday, September 28th from 5:30-6:30pm. All people and pooches are invited.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by light refreshments and treats for humans and pups alike.  Bring the whole family for a fun evening at the new Springville Dog Park!

Donate to Springville Dog Park! Purchase an engraved DONOR BRICK to show your support and pave the dog park entrance. Buy a brick for your favorite dog or dog owner as a gift!  What a great gift to give to any dog lover you know?  Your donation will support your local dog park and be memorialized with a personalized brick.  Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com


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DISH Restaurant Anticipated to Open in Thousand Oaks in Mid-September

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Update Tuesday, 9/25/12: DISH confirms on its Facebook page and via phone that it will be opening in Thousand Oaks at 7am tomorrow, 9/26. Should be a "Yum" Kippur here in the Conejo Valley!

Update Monday, 9/24/12: DISH still not open as today but they say it will be "Soon!"

Back in April we noted that TGI Fridays at the Janss Marketplace was closing and that DISH Restaurant would be opening its second location in the vacated space later this year.

We are getting closer to that date!

DISH is looking for employees! In craigslist post today:

DISH is pleased to announce that will be opening our SECOND location in Thousand Oaks in the Janss Marketplace in Mid-September!

DISH is a Family-Style, American Restaurant open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We serve creative American cuisine and run different fresh Farmers' Market and seafood specials every day, have a full bar with several craft beers, and interesting wines by the glass.

Please email your resume so we can set up a time with you to meet. You can also stop by the restaurant (currently under construction) on Wednesdays from 10am - 3pm and ask for Kevin. The address is 165 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.

Smiles and good attitudes are a must; we'll train anyone in any position if we feel they have the potential to support the team in providing each and every guest with the best experience possible, every time. Weekends are an ABSOLUTE MUST! Please do not apply if you cannot work weekends.

www.dishbld.com

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas in Westlake Village to Debut on Friday, September 21st

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Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas To Debut Its First Greater Los Angeles Location at The Promenade At Westlake

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, the largest cinema exhibitor in Latin America and fourth largest in the world, will open its fourth luxury U.S. location at The Promenade at Westlake, a Caruso Affiliated Property. Bringing its completely revolutionized concept in movie theaters to Westlake Village, Cinépolis enhances the traditional movie-going experience by pampering customers in an intimate and comfortable environment.

The theater will open on Friday, September 21st for movie showings.

With successful U.S. locations in Del Mar, La Costa and Laguna Niguel, Cinépolis is the go-to theater for a first-class movie-going experience. The Cinema, at The Promenade At Westlake, includes eight state-of-the-art, digital auditoriums, leather reclining chairs, swivel tables and call service buttons that summon cinema servers to take moviegoers’ food and beverage orders during a film.  Ticket prices range from $13.50 -$19.50—with a surcharge for 3D films.

Guests are invited to socialize with friends in the lounge-style lobby or outdoor patio dining area beforehand, complete with full dining and bar service. The menu offers restaurant-quality favorites such as a chopped short rib burger, Cobb salad, spicy buffalo chicken wrap and sushi. Guests can also enjoy traditional movie snacks such as popcorn (available in Butter, Light, Caramel and Spicy Chili), soft drinks, specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, gourmet finger foods and desserts such as Chocolate Godiva Cheesecake.

“Cinépolis offers an unparalleled entertainment experience,” said Paul Kurzawa, Chief Operating Office of Caruso Affiliated (owners of the Promenade at Westlake). “Their customer service philosophy mirrors ours, and we are delighted to welcome them to the Promenade at Westlake.”

“Our luxury cinemas are a whole new concept that has revolutionized the way moviegoers will watch movies. Relax, order your food and beverages inside the theater and enjoy the movie. Make every movie memorable by coming to Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas which is a new level of a premium movie experience” said Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Brand Development Manager Alejandro Saenz.

Movies will be shown in both 2D- and 3D-formats. Cinépolis Westlake Village is 32,000-square-feet with eight screens and 600 seats. This location has fully digital projectors and sound.

Guests interested in hosting group or private events can contact Cinépolis Corporate office at asaenz@cinepolis.com                                                                   

Tickets will be available soon online at www.Cinépolisusa.com or inside the Cinema (100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village) at the Concierge desk. Hours of operation will be 11am to midnight.

About The Promenade at Westlake

The Promenade at Westlake, developed by Caruso Affiliated, is a 210,000 square foot Mediterranean-style shopping, dining and entertainment center located in Thousand Oaks, CA. Featuring an expansive offering of unique boutiques, al fresco restaurants and pedestrian-friendly outdoor courtyards the center has evolved into a lively gathering place for the surrounding community.  The Promenade at Westlake has won multiple design awards, including the 1997 Gold Nugget Grand Award for the "Best Commercial Project for Retail," and the 1998 International Council of Shopping Centers 22nd International Design and Development Award for "Innovative Design and "Construction of a New Project." For more information on the Promenade at Westlake please visit www.shoppromenade.com.

Buddha's Belly Flops in Thousand Oaks; Closed on Saturday, September 8th

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Well it is never good news to hear of a local restaurant closure. Buddha's Belly was 2 days short of 11 months at The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks when it closed its doors this past Saturday, September 8th.

If you became a Buddha's Belly fan during its stint in the Conejo Valley, their other two locations are in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. Visit www.bbfood.com for more information.

This closed location previously was occupied by Sisley Italian Kitchen, which has other locations in Sherman Oaks and Valencia.

It seemed like every time I walked by this space at The Oaks, everyone was on the other side waiting in line for the ever-popular The Cheesecake Factory! No word yet on what will be the new tenant in the space...but perhaps The Cheesecake Factory should just expand across the aisle! They certainly have enough popularity to justify it!

Loteria Grill at The Promenade at Westlake (CLOSED IN FEBRUARY 2017)

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Loteria Grill serves up the very best of regional Mexican cuisine served in a casual, cosmopolitan setting. Hand-made tortillas. Meats stewed for hours. Sauces made with high-quality ingredients. Visit loteriagrill.com/locations/westlake-village.html for more information or call 805.379.1800.

I stopped by right after the grand opening in April 2012 and enjoyed their "Probadita" sampler plate of 12 mini tacos served on hand-made tortillas (pictured below) and tortilla soup while my youngster enjoyed quesadilla.

Jimmy Shaw was born and raised in Mexico City, and is the Founder and Executive Chef of Lotería! Grill, the highly acclaimed Mexican restaurants at Farmers Market Los Angeles, Hollywood Boulevard, Studio City, Santa Monica and The Promenade at Westlake.

Jimmy opened Lotería! Grill at Farmers Market LA in July of 2002 as a dream business, after a successful, 17-year career in advertising and film production.

His was not a traditional path to restaurant ownership. Jimmy’s interest in food and cooking began with the marvelous food he enjoyed during his childhood in Mexico City. His mother is a magnificent cook and entertainer, and instilled in Jimmy and his siblings the passion to cook the delicious cuisines of Mexico.

Loteria is located in a fairly small spot at The Promenade at Westlake previously occupied by La Salsa, but this is not fast food. This is high quality Mexican cuisine that is now a unique addition to our local Conejo Valley community.

Posting Political Signs in City of Thousand Oaks for November 6, 2012 Election

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September 22, 2012 marks the first day that political signs for the upcoming November 6, 2012 General Municipal Election can be posted in the City of Thousand Oaks. All political signs must be taken down no later than November 13, 2012. The term "political sign" refers to signs created prior to an election to advise or identify a candidate, campaign issue, election proposition, or other related matters.

The City asks that all candidates for public office, along with local residents and business or commercial property owners, comply with the Thousand Oaks Municipal Code for the placement of political signs.  The City seeks to maintain an aesthetically pleasing appearance, while providing sufficient opportunity to increase voter awareness.

The following rules and guidelines apply to the posting of political signage in the City:

a) signs may be no more than 12 square feet and no higher than 6 feet;

b) signs may not be placed on public property, including parks, open space areas, or freeway ramps;

c) signs may not block or interfere with pedestrian walkways or vehicle sight distance at driveways or intersections; and

d) signs may not be attached to traffic signs, traffic signal poles, street light poles, street trees or any other structure in the street right-of-way. 

For questions or complaints regarding signs placed in the public right-of-way, please contact the Municipal Service Center at (805) 449-2499 and press “0” for assistance.  For compliance related issues regarding political signs on private property, please contact Code Compliance at (805) 449-2300.

Complete information on political sign regulations can be found on the City's website at www.toaks.org/government/depts/city_clerk/elections/default.asp.

Suspect Assaults Jogger on Thousand Oaks Trail on Thursday, August 30th

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Suspect Assaults Jogger on Thousand Oaks Trail

Nature of Incident: Attempted Sexual Assault of Jogger

Report Number: RB#12-19626

Location: Lindero Creek Trail, Thousand Oaks

Date & Time: August 30, 2012 1:05 pm

Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Sexual Assault Unit

Narrative: A woman was assaulted as she was jogging on a secluded dirt trail in the area of Bowfield Street and Rockfield Street. She was knocked to the ground and struck in the face. During the fight, she was able to strike her attacker and then run to safety and call the police.


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Suspect concealed his face from victim. He also fled the scene in an unknown direction.

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking information from the public regarding this incident. We also want to remind citizens to exercise with others and stay away from secluded areas whenever possible.

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).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Department release 8/31/02

Local "Things to Do" Businesses That Recently Have Closed Their Doors

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Running a business of any type is a challenge and that certainly holds true for the "things to do" types of businesses highlighted here in Conejo Valley Guide. While most of us patronize these types of businesses...gyms, indoor play, gaming and the like....the reality is that it takes a lot of work covering the overhead and making a reasonable profit. So be sure to check them out at Do Something and Kid Fun and support them as much as you can!

That said, in recent months and years, a number of these business have sadly closed their doors:

  • Newbury Park Athletic Club (August 2012)
  • Knuckleheads Gym in Newbury Park
  • Body Temple Gym in Camarillo
  • Imagine That Indoor Play in Ventura
  • NextGen Gaming in Newbury Park
  • Pandora's Paintbox in Newbury Park
  • RollerDome in Thousand Oaks (October 2010)
  • Young Chef's Academy in Simi Valley (2012)
  • Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo (September 2011)
  • Simply Ceramics in Thousand Oaks (2010)

 But on the positive side, a number of new business have opened in recent years:

These are just a few. Now go have some fun!