Ventura County Animal Services Introduces Animal Foster Parenting Program

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Ventura County Animal Services introduces kitten and puppy foster parenting program

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recently launched a new animal foster parenting program that utilizes volunteer help to care for some of the smallest and most vulnerable wards at VCAS shelters – newborn kittens and puppies.

VCAS foster parent volunteers agree to care for and feed one, two or an entire litter of kittens or puppies until the animals are old enough and large enough to be put up for adoption at VCAS shelters. 

Foster parents provide the babies with frequent feedings – either by bottle or, if old enough, with solid food - and care for them in their homes until they are at least 8 weeks old and weigh 2 lbs.

“Kittens and puppies are cute and cuddly but need a high level of care,” said Donna Gillesby, VCAS interim director. “This program is a wonderful way for volunteers to help newborn animals gain the strength and size they need to become eligible for permanent adoption.”

In the past, VCAS has only allowed VCAS staff and county employees to take home and care for tiny animals. By opening up the program to the public, VCAS hopes to lower the euthanasia rate, increase the number of animal adoptions and move one step closer to becoming a no-kill facility.

Those who sign up to become a foster parent will receive mandatory training from VCAS veterinarian, Heather Skogerson. Once trained, they will commit to providing anima

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East Ventura County Sheriff Watch Update - January 2013

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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 crimes in the unincorporated areas surrounding Thousand Oaks.

Oak Park

5100 block of Churchwood Drive – Grand Theft from Residence

01-11-13 – Suspect(s), known to the victim, stole items from the victim’s residence.

6500 block of Maplegrove Street – Vehicle Vandalism

01-13-13 – Suspect(s) shattered the victim’s rear vehicle window with a small projectile consistent with a pellet gun.

200 block of Valero Circle – Theft from Residence

01-22-13 – Suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked residence and took items belonging to the victim.

300 block of Medea Creek Lane – Solicitors

01-24-13 – Two suspicious subjects were contacted in the area and identified as solicitors without the required paperwork necessary to solicit.  Subjects had been previously warned and were issued a citation for the violation during this contact.

5801 Conifer Street – Burglary from Structure

01-25-13 – Suspect(s) forced entry in

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Reminder About Super Bowl Parties From Thousand Oaks Police Department

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Be the MVP of Safe and Responsible Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

Driving Drunk Is a No-Win Situation

As one of America’s most anticipated and celebrated sporting events, the Super Bowl brings together families, friends and fans each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. In many instances, fans will gather to watch the game at sports bars, restaurants or Super Bowl-themed parties. The California Office of Traffic Safety, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Football League and TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management), have joined forces with law enforcement in the Avoid the 14 -Ventura County DUI Task Force to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver.  Avoid the unsportsmanlike conduct of driving drunk by handing off your keys so that you, your passengers and everyone on our roads can safely arrive home. Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else. Motorists can expect Police, Sheriff and CHP to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drink and drive.”

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is partnering with the Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force and will be deploying a DUI specific patrol car on Sunday, February 3rd within the city, from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm. The Deputy assigned to this car will be looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs.  This patrol car is in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, all looking for the tell-tale signs of an intoxicated driver behind the wheel.

In California, 774 people were killed in DUI crashes, with over 24,000 injured. These drunk-driving fatalities accounted for 29 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatal

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Darryl's Couch Craft Beer Pub Opened in Camarillo in Late 2012

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Darryl's Couch Craft Beer Pub opened in the latter part of 2012. It is located at the bottom of the Conejo Grade off the the Camarillo Springs exit at 795 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite E, Camarillo. This is a craft beer lover's dream watering hole, featuring 11 rotating draft beers and another 30 or so bottled selections. While they don't serve food at the bar, you are welcome to bring your own or stop by the Village Greens Market next door.

Owner/manager Darryl Levi is a beer connoisseur who regularly treats customers to a new "Mystery Beer" that are subsequently shared on the bar's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/darryls.couch. Stop by and enjoy a relaxed environment and enjoy a game of pool. Visit www.darrylscouch.com or call 805.389.8947 for more information.

California Kettle Corn Retail Store Recently Opened in Newbury Park

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California Kettle Corn recently opened what I believe is the only kettle corn retail shop in the area. Located at the Wendy/Kimber Plaza at 3321 Kimber Drive in Newbury Park (directly adjacent to the tantalizing N' Awlinz Bistro). I stopped by on a recent visit to Tony's Pizza and purchased several of the ten or so different flavors for my family's crunching pleasure. Needless to say, I didn't get to try any because my wife and kids devoured it.

Kettle corn flavors currently offered by California Kettle Corn includes bacon and cheddar, cheddar, chocolate, caramel, chocolate/caramel, hot jalapeno, grape, blue rasberry, pink strawberry and sweet corn. In addition, they serve specialty lemonades and shaved ice.

Learn more at cakettlecorn.com or call 805.715.1500.

Exhibit at Harbor Village Gallery in Ventura to Feature Work of Young Artists 2/13 to 3/11

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Buenaventura Art Association will showcase works by the top three winners of the sixth annual Collegiate Emerging Artist Cup scholarship competition in a group show starting Feb. 13 at its seaside Harbor Village Gallery.

"Donuts" by Jeanette CoronaJeanette Corona, Paige Kilbourne and James Joseph Nagy placed first through third, respectively, in the March 2012 judging. Corona works in oils on canvas; Kilbourne and Nagy are pursuing careers in photography. Each will exhibit about a dozen pieces. They will attend an artists’ reception at the gallery 5-8 p.m. Feb. 15.  

Corona won for “Donuts,” a large, colorful close-up still-life, but said she prefers doing figure and portraiture work with live models. For this exhibit, she has selected some nudes, a couple portraits, an abstract and other subjects.

Photographing fashions and fantasies — often together — is Kilbourne’s passion. She likes to create surreal art, “making what is in my head com

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Grand Opening of Freedom Park Baseball Complex in Camarillo on February 2nd

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The 34 acre Freedom Park is located adjacent to the Camarillo Airport. The new Freedom Park Baseball Complex features lighted baseball fields - 4 youth and 1 adult. Also at the park is the Freedom Park BMX Raceway, a dirt track open for BMX racing and practice. For those who like to race remote control cars there are dirt and asphalt tracks available at the Freedom Park R/C Track. The Freedom Park In-Line Hockey Rink is the place to be if roller hockey is your thing. Lastly, Freedom Park has picnic tables, BBQ grills, horseshoe pits, a playground, and restrooms.

On Saturday, February 2, 2013 at 10am, Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District is hosting a grand opening events form the new baseball complex. To learn more, visit www.pvrpd.org/parks/active/freedom.asp or call 805.482.1996.

New Jersey Mike's Set to Open at Pacific View Mall on Wednesday, January 30th

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Another Ventura County Jersey Mike's Subs is opening on Wednesday, January 30th at the Pacific View Mall, 3101-1 E. Main St, Ventura. Located outside next to CPK. That brings us to around 14 or so Jersey Mikes in and adjacent to Ventura County. By the way, try a tuna sub "Mike's Way" at Jersey Mike's. Delish. Just don't try to kiss anyone afterwards. Visit www.jerseymikes.com.