Shave It Camarillo Opened to the Public on Saturday, July 13th

As previously indicated in April, the new Camarillo Shave It location opened this past Saturday, July 13th. This location is at 455 Carmen Drive, in the Carmen Plaza, conveniently and perhaps appropriately located next door to the 24 Hour Fitness! Their phone number is 805.445.4423 (4ICE).

Owner Arla tipped us off that this coming Saturday, July 20th, they will be hosting a grand opening event featuring the Chainsaw Chicks, as featured on America's Got Talent. Everyone is invited and the Ice Queen and her court will be performing 4 afternoon shows - at 1, 3, 5 and 7. The Chicks expertly carve giant blocks of ice with their chainsaws. Now this looks quite interesting!

Sprinkles Cupcakes Coming to The Promenade at Westlake in the Fall of 2013

Sprinkles Cupcakes Opens in Westlake Village This Fall

The Promenade at Westlake welcomes the world’s first cupcake bakery

Sprinkles Cupcakes at The Promenade at Westlake is scheduled to open its newest location at Caruso Affiliated’s The Promenade at Westlake in fall 2013.

Known for its mouth-watering treats and long lines of devoted fans, Sprinkles Cupcakes at The Promenade at Westlake will offer a sugar rush to shoppers and tourists looking to indulge in these gourmet treats.

Sprinkles will be located between Barnes & Noble and Brighton Collectibles, next to the popular outdoor fountain area.

For updates, visit www.sprinkles.com and www.shoppromenade.com.

About Sprinkles: Candace Nelson is the founder and pastry chef of Sprinkles Cupcakes, the world's first cupcake bakery. Started in Beverly Hills in 2005, Candace's sophisticated take on the classic American cupcake made Sprinkles an overnight bakery sensation. Today, Sprinkles has twelve locations nationwide, a traveling Sprinklesmobile – the world's first cupcake truck, and sells its cupcake mixes at over 250 Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2012, Sprinkles debuted the world's first Cupcake ATM and continued its foray into classic American desserts with the launch of Sprinkles Ice Cream. Future expansion plans include a franchise agreement that will bring 34 Sprinkles Cupcakes bakeries to the Middle East beginning in 2013.

Thousand Oaks to Moorpark Metrolink Station Shuttle Service Begins July 15

In response to requests for commuter bus service between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Station, Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) is partnering with Metrolink to operate weekday commuter shuttle service beginning July 15. Service is free to all riders from July 15 through August 16 from three convenient locations

• Thousand Oaks Transportation Center - 265 South Rancho Road
• Oaks Mall Bus Stop – Adjacent Mall at 350 West Hillcrest Drive
• California Lutheran University Bus Stops - Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard

The new service is funded in part by a $20,000 Federal Transit Administration grant. Service will operate between Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Train Station six times daily during peak morning and evening hours. The first shuttle departs at 5:15 a.m. from the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center and the last shuttle departs the Moorpark Metrolink Station at 7:55 p.m. Service is scheduled to connect with most Metrolink trains traveling between Moorpark and the Los Angeles area. 

After August 16th, the fare amount is $2.50 each way but service will remain free to Metrolink pass holders and passengers with a same day single-ride Metrolink ticket. Seniors, disabled persons, and Medicare cardholders ride for half of the fare amount. Transfers between the commuter shuttle and local TOT buses are free. The GoVentura Card is not accepted.

The weekday service will be operated by MV Transportation on 14 passenger vans powered by compressed natural gas. Vans are ADA accessible, equipped with bikes racks, and will have free Wi-Fi.  The Metrolink Commuter Shuttle Program schedule and times are available online at www.TOTransit.org. For the most current train schedule, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

Ventura County Animal Shelters Filled to Capacity Due to 4th of July Strays

Ventura County Animal shelters filled to capacity due to 4^th of July strays

The 4^th of July is one of the busiest days of the year at animal shelters due to the fact that household pets become frightened by fireworks and escape from their homes and yards.

According to Donna Gillesby, Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) interim director, VCAS operations are being pushed to the limit due to the fact that more than 140 stray dogs have been taken in at the Camarillo and Simi Valley animal shelters since July 3. Unfortunately, many of the animals were not properly collared, licensed or microchipped making owner identification challenging or impossible.

“Although it is typical to have an influx of strays after the 4^th of July holiday, this year it was like someone opened the floodgates,” said Gillesby. “We currently have hundreds of animals in our care and more continue to arrive each day.”

VCAS posts photos and descriptions of all animals on their website at www.vcas.us. If an animal is not reclaimed within the state-mandated stray holding period, it is put up for adoption.

The $125 adoption fee of includes:

• Certification of surgical sterilization
• Preliminary vaccination(s)
• First rabies vaccine
• Ventura County license
• Trovan microchip (already "installed" for permanent identification!)
• Free obedience classes
• Certificate for a free health exam at any participating Ventura County veterinarian

“Our hope is to reunite each one with its family or, for those that are not reclaimed, find them a loving adoptive family.” said Gillesby. “We urge the public to open their hearts and home to an animal in need.”

For more information, call VCAS at 1-888-223-PETS (7387), 805-388-4341 or visit www.vcas.us.

Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room Recently Opened in Thousand Oaks

Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room opened its doors in the Northstar Plaza, 1321 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., #108, Thousand Oaks on June 27th.

Sunland Vintage is a boutique winery featuring Giovinazzo Wines, a taste of old Italy. Featured wines include Barbera, Nebbiolo, Tre Ragazzi, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio and Muscat Canelli. I'll have to ask my Italian wife what all these mean...or better yet, check them out at www.sunlandvintagewinery.com.

The tasting room is open Thursday and Friday from 6-9pm, Saturday from 1-6pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. Learn more on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunlandVintageWineryTastingRoom. And according to that page they are hosting a grand opening celebration on August 3rd and 4th.

Thanks to The Wandering Wino for pointing this place out! Visit him and his local wine blog at wandering-wino.com.

Newly Launched Downtown-Harbor Ventura Trolley Will Make Travel a Breeze!

UPDATE MARCH 2019: Ventura Trolley no longer in service as of the end of March 2019.

VENTURA TROLLEY MAKES DOWNTOWN-TO-HARBOR TRAVEL A BREEZE

The "Downtown-Harbor Trolley" will run from Downtown Ventura to Ventura Harbor Village, making stops at coastal hotels, the Rhumb Line Restaurant and other partner locations, including the Amtrak platform outside the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The route will include the ability to make flag stops along the way. Licensed and uniformed trolley drivers will be provided hands-free phone devices, with a phone number - 805-827-4444 - listed on signs at each pre-determined stop. Drivers also can be contacted for arrival estimates.

The trolley is the creation of the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP). Operations will be funded through a unique partnership including the Ventura Port District, Ventura Harbor Village, Rhumb Line Restaurant, Ventura County Fairgrounds, City of Ventura, with additional support from Watermark Restaurant, NeedThree, Montecito Bank & Trust, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability, Ventura Water, Island Packers, Andria's Seafood Restaurant & Market, Crown Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel, Ventura Visitors & Conventions Bureau, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and Ventura County West.

With service beginning on July 3, the trolley will run 5 days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the summer season, with the ability to adjust hours of operation and location stops. On weeks that involve major holidays, the trolley service will adjust accordingly by moving Wednesday's service to Monday.

The trolley will continue year-round! Learn more at www.venturatrolley.com.

The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard Announces Openings of Gen Korean BBQ and Yard House Restaurant

The Collection at RiverPark recently announced its latest restaurant openings. Gen Korean BBQ opened on Friday, June 21st, and Yard House will open on Thursday, July 11th.

Owned by veteran restaurateur Jae Chang, Gen Korean BBQ has a devoted following for its high-quality, all-you-can-eat cuisine, moderate prices and large selection of meats. Whether you like marinated or not marinated, chicken or pork, bulgogi or kalbi/galbi, vegetables or not, there's enough of a selection to get your fair share and to keep everyone in your party happy. Learn more at www.facebook.com/genkoreanbbq.

Yard House offers an award-winning and extensive menu of American fusion cuisine featuring appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, street tacos, grilled burgers, individual-sized pizzas, seafood, steaks and ribs.  And it’s not just for adults -- the Kids Klub menu includes fresh-to-order favorites and a selection of healthy items.

Yard House is also known for its wide selection of imported, craft and specialty ales and lagers -- more than 100 different types on tap. The lively environment is created by colorful abstract artwork, classic rock music and flat screens in every direction showcasing the day's news and sporting events.

Learn more about Yard House at www.yardhouse.com or more specifically the Oxnard location page at www.yardhouse.com/CA/oxnard-restaurant.

Learn more about The Collection at RiverPark at www.thecollectionrp.com. Directions at www.thecollectionrp.com/directions.

Agoura Hills Diner Opened in Early December 2012 and Closed in Summer 2013

UPDATE 7/5/13: Hmm, the picture below says it all. The space previously occupied by Johnny Rockets and briefly occupied by the Agoura Hills Diner from December 2012 to I believe sometime in the last month is now vacant. Hmm, this is located next door to Agoura Hills Dance Center. Dancers eat healthy.  Maybe this is a good spot for a health food place!

ORIGINALLY POSTED 1/5/13: Johnny Rockets in Agoura closed on December 3rd but within a week the same crew opened up a new restaurant in its place called Agoura Hills Diner at 5015 Cornell Street. Taking a look at their website at agourahillsdiner.com, they serve up hamburgers, sandwiches and hot dogs, salads, brunch, kids meals, hand-made milk shakes, floats and freezes and more. Their 1/3 pound hamburgers are made with "100% Fresh Natural Beef," fresh, never frozen. Fries are cooked with 100% trans fat free fryer oil. Open 7 days a week at 11 a.m. Call 818.735.0513 for more information.