Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
There is yet another great animated holiday light display in Newbury Park at 538 Brisbaine Avenue! Viewing time is every night until January 2nd from 5pm to 10pm (11pm on weekends). Show duration is 20 minutes, including 7 songs. Simulcast on 100.5 FM. Nice!
Other great holiday light displays at this link!
Update 12/15/12: Hey look! The new McDonalds at the old Burger King location at Oakbrook Plaza in Thousand Oaks next to Taco Bell, is now open. Time for a late night junk food fix!
Original Post 6/14/12: Many Thousand Oaks residents are aware that the Burger King at 1908 Avenida de los Arboles has been closed for close to 6 months. There was a sign on the building indicating an application with the City of Thousand Oaks "to allow remodel of a fast food restaurant and deletion of parking spaces."
Aside from the oddness of "deleting of parking spaces" (which to geeks like me makes it sound like the parking spaces will be removed with a backspace key), I had assumed they were planning to just upgrade the existing Burger King.
But...nooooo...tipped off by a CVG Facebook Page follower, I asked the City planner as to the plans for this Burger King. I was informed that indeed, the plans are to convert this Burger King into a McDonald's!!
Time frame of this transition is not known, but we will stay abreast (as in Chicken Selects Premium Breast Strips) of the situation.
The next closest Burger King locations are in Agoura on Roadside Drive (cross street Kanan), Simi Valley (2 locations) and Camarillo.
This McDonald's will be located less than 2 1/2 miles from the McDonald's on Moorpark Road at Janss and 5 miles from the location across from the Auto Mall on Thousand Oaks Boulevard.
On a geographically related note, nearby P&L Burgers, also located in Oakbrook Plaza, serves up some of the most delicous onion rings in town IMO. And the veggie burger I had there was quite tasty, something I cannot say about many veggie burger offerings out there. They are just a few doors away at 2000 Avenida de los Arboles. www.pandlburgers.com P&L is a favorite among local accountants!
UPDATE: The 99 Cents Store chain closed all stores, including this one, in the spring of 2024.
Over two years ago, the Roller Dome indoor roller skating facility at North Oaks Plaza, 950 Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks closed its doors. Recently a CVG Facebook follower alerted us to what appears to be a future new tenant at this location, a 99 Cents Only Store. There are other 99 Cents Only stores in Camarillo, Simi Valley (2), Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura (2). Stay tuned.
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.
The following is a summary of recent property crimes in the unincorporated areas surrounding Thousand Oaks.
Oak Park
5300 block of Oak Park Lane - Theft from vehicles
In the early morning hours of 11-14-12, Oak Park experienced a rash of vehicle thefts in the neighborhood surrounding Deerhill Road and Deerbrook Road, and the community near Bowfield Street and Lindero Canyon Road. Deputies investigating the thefts identified two suspects in the crimes. The deputies were able to locate seven victims and return their stolen property.
700 block of Split Rock Lane - Theft from building
Between 07-06-12 and 11-08-12 - Suspect(s) stole appliances from a vacated apartment.
600 block Lindero Canyon Road - Theft from building
11-10-12, from 1000 to 2200 hours - Suspect(s) entered the victim’s storage facility and stole landscape equipment.
6600 block of Joshua Street - Vandalism
11-24-12, from 2030 to 2035 hours - Victim wen
Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe, opened its doors on November 10, 2012 in Camarillo.
I've been there twice already and instantly became a fan. For about $10, I leave with a mouthwatering taste of savory, filling beef rice noodles, or phỏ (which is apparently pronounced "fuh" after some heated debate...hey, I'm not Vietnamese).
Old timers may notice some remnants of The Crab House at this newly renovated restaurant; namely, the wood walls and bar. But Basil & Mint is dramatically lighter and brighter than its predecessors, with lime green touches, new flooring and a clean, open and airy feel to it.
On my first visit I enjoyed the Hủ Tiếu Dặc Biêt Của Basil and Mint House Special Noodle Soup, a traditional noodle soup from South Vietnam with ground chicken, roasted pork and shrimp served with rice or egg noodles and garnished with onions, scallions and cilantro. They provide a plate of basil and mint (literally) along with other flavorings for the soup. It was served quickly, piping hot and delicious.
My enjoyable Hủ Tiếu Dặc Biêt Của (don't ask me to pronounce that) Basil and Mint House Special Noodle Soup
In addition to the noodle soup dishes, Basil & Mint offers rice dishes, bun dishes, noodle dishes, vegetarian specialties (quite a lot of them) and more. There are inexpensive kids meals including a chicken bowl, beef bowl, fried shrimp and wonton soup, each in the $4 to $4.25 range. The price is right.
My friend ordered a grilled chicken and rice dish (Gà Nướng or better known as #27 on the menu) and before I had a chance to ask him about his food, it was down his hatch. I'm quite sure he enjoyed it. We also tried the spring rolls appetizer; very fresh and delish.
Another time I came along and dined at the bar, watching sports in the background. Once again, I was pleasantly surprised not only by my tasty, satisfying, piping hot food, but the prompt, attentive service. And I got a chance to meet the owner, who is back in "the game" after a hiatus. He's got a winner on his hands in my opinion.
Phở Bò / Beef Rice Noodle Soup (Fragrant beef broth with scallion, onions, and cilantro. Served with rice noodles and your choice of beef (meatballs, round eye steak, both of which were my choices, beef tendon, beef flank, beef tripe, well done brisket and beef brisket). I love this stuff!Basil & Mint Vietnamese Cafe is open starting at 11 a.m., 7 days a week. Located at 350 N. Lantana St, Suite 7, Camarillo, at the corner of Daily and Lantana (in close proximity to Cronies, Wood Ranch BBQ, Bobbi's Mexican Food, Sheila's Place Wine Bar and Peking Inn). Visit www.phobasilmint.com or call 805.482.9993.
PAUL MARTIN’S® AMERICAN GRILL TO OPEN AT THE PROMENADE IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE
Westlake Village Opening will be the 4th Paul Martin’s Location in California
Paul Martin’s® American Grill is set to open its fourth location on December 10th at The Promenade in Westlake Village at 5PM. Conceived by Brian Bennett and legendary restaurateur Paul Fleming as the restaurant they always wanted in their neighborhood, Paul Martin’s serves American Classics with a fresh twist using local and peak-of-the-season ingredients.
The Westlake Village location will add 120 full- and part-time jobs to the local economy. Grant Adair, a 16-year resident of the Conejo Valley, has joined Paul Martin’s as the operating partner for Westlake Village. Prior to joining Paul Martin’s, Grant opened the Outback Steakhouse in Westlake Village and managed King’s Fish House in Calabasas, the Michelin Star-rated Water Grill in Los Angeles and Ocean Avenue Seafood in Santa Monica.
Paul Martin's American Grill at The Promenade...hey, didn't this used to be Chili's!?
“The communities of Westlake Village and the Conejo Valley are going to love Paul Martin’s,” said Grant. “This is food you feel great about eating because it is made fresh, and with care from ingredients sourced in and around our community, at fair pri
On Wednesday, August 1st at 5PM, Saturday, November 10th at 2:30PM and Sunday, December 2nd at 4PM, a white male approached several children at apartment complexes in the 1900 block of Avenida de Los Arboles, the 100 block of Los Feliz Drive and the 1100 block of Ramona Drive and exposed himself to children ages 5 to 10 years old.
During the incidents, the suspect was wearing a woman’s skirt or similar type woman’s clothing. Although not aggressive towards the children, he did instigate a conversation with them as he exposed himself.
Detectives from the Thousand Oaks Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit believe the suspect is the same in all incidents. Along with a skirt, the subject was also wearing women’s underwear and fishnet stockings.
If anyone has any information or has witnessed any similar incidents, please contact the Thousand Oaks Police Department - Sexual Assault Unit. Call 805-654-9511 or in the event of an emergency, call 9-1-1.
The Thousand Oaks Police Department would also like to advise parents to keep watch on their children as the days get shorter and report all suspicious activity to law enforcement. If possible, document license plates of suspects.
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 (December 10, 2012)
The 5th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival took place on a wet Saturday, December 1, 2012. This year's overall, and now two-time winner is BG's Cafe, 428 South A Street, Oxnard. If you're looking for a great tamale, BG's apparently is where it's at! Visit their website at www.bgscafe.com or call 805.487.0700. They are open 7 days a week.
BG's Cafe has been in business for over 40 years. Originally founded by Bill and Gloria Stuart (hmm, their initials are B and G, I wonder if that's a coincidence) in 1971 and was sold to Jose and Veronica Rodriguez in 2004, who have expanded the menu and added catering services.
Top 3 savory and sweet tamales at the event as determined by a panel of hungry judges:
Savory Tamale:
Sweet Tamale:
This year's tamale tasting judges included: Hon. Steven Hintz, Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector, Catherine Hintz, Wife of Hon. Steven Hintz, Hon. Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk/Recorder,, Hon. Fred Bysshe, Ventura County Superior Court, Joe Mulrooney, Treasurer of Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association, John Ragan, ARC of Ventura County, Chef Gerard Turbush, Chef Paul Tavakoli, Nakita DiGuardi, Toni Valdez, Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County, Chef Henry Patey of the Oxnard College Culinary Arts Program and Terrel Harrison, Director of Oxnard Police Activities League.
Stay tuned for next year's 6th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival at www.oxnardtamalefest.com or by following their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oxnardtamalefestival.
Proceeds from the Oxnard Tamale Festival supports local non-profits and recreation projects that benefit local youth. Community grants have supplemented programs for at-risk youth, veterans, prevention of homelessness, cancer research, food pantries, recreation centers and mentally disabled individuals. Past recipients have included Oxnard City Corps, Oxnard Police Activities League, Food Share of Ventura County, ARC of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts Troop #228, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Clara Church, American Cancer Society, and Oxnard College Veterans Club.
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