Building Dedication of the Cal & Marje Johnston Boys & Girls Club at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks Today

Today was the dedication of the new Cal & Marje Johnston Boys & Girls Club at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks. The program was kicked off by Board Chairman Gary Stephani, who welcomed Master of Ceremonies, Bob Eubanks, who in turn introduced other speakers, including County of Ventura Supervisor Linda Parks, Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña, Conejo Valley USD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Baarstad, representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Julie Brownley, Senator Fran Pavley and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell and other local leaders, as well as Cal Johnston himself.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley was formed to serve the more than 30,000 young people of our communities, providing them with excellent, time-tested programs that offer leadership training, character development, and programs in the arts, sports and fitness.

The organization was founded by Cal Johnston, a local resident and community leader, and Chairman of The Johnston Group, in Calabasas. Johnston is a national trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and saw the need for Clubs in the Conejo and Las Virgenes area.

Master of Ceremonies Bob Eubanks kept the crowd entertained while introducing dignataries.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley currently operates Clubs at Los Cerritos Middle School, Colina Middle School and Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks, Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park, Chaparral Elementary School in Calabasas and Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills. For more information, visit www.bgcconejo.org.

Cal Johnston sharing his passion for the Boys & Girils Clubs with hsi wife Marje and Eubanks looking on.

PizzaRev "Craft Your Own" Pizza Coming Soon to Oxnard

Update: PizzaRev Oxnard closed its doors in December 2016 after a 3 1/2 year run. There are other local area PizzaRev locations in Thousand Oaks (Oaks Mall) and Camarillo (Premium Outlets).

Me and the kids stopped by for a Saturday night pizza pie. I loved the fact that you can put basically unlimited toppings on your made-to-order pizza. I tried a delicious combination of ingredients on my pizza without worrying about added cost. Pictured below are the more basic looking pizzas ordered by my kids.

Update 8/31/13: PizzaRev Oxnard opened for business two weeks ago! Check it out or forever hold your pizza. Or don't hold your pizza, I should say.

Posted 6/12/13: PizzaRev "Craft Your Own" pizza will soon be opening at 1831 N. Rose Avenue (at Gonzalez Road) in Oxnard, at the location most recently occupied by Cafe Rio.

With other locations in Woodland Hills, Northridge and Studio City, at PizzaRev you selected your favorite sauce, cheeses and fresh toppings, and PizzaRev builds your pizza right before your eyes. Your artisan quality pizza is ready extremely fast with their two-ton fire-deck oven to bake your pizza in under three minutes.

From the PizzaRev website at www.pizzarev.com:

"We place our expert pizza-crafters right on the front line, customizing your pizza with your choice of multiple sauces, cheeses, and toppings, all right before your eyes! There are literally millions of tasty combinations to choose from. Our revolutionary Fire-Deck oven heats to a perfectly even super-high temperature that cooks each pizza in under three minutes!

Fresh, artisanal-quality pizza has never been faster or more affordable.  For less than $8.00, enjoy unlimited toppings including all the traditional favorites plus many gourmet options including kalamata olives, artichoke hearts, capers, fennel, and many more. Savory sausage, carefully-cured pepperoni, crumbled meatball, ham, bacon, and garlic chicken highlight a menu that will evolve with the seasons to ensure that ingredients are always fresh and natural. At PizzaRev, you CRAFT YOUR OWN pizza!"

PizzaRev Oxnard website at www.pizzarev.com/locations/oxnard-ca-coming-soon.

Fitness 19 to Open New Location in Newbury Park

Update 9/12/13: Soft opening is today. Grand opening is tomorrow, Friday, the 13th!

Posted 7/16/13: Fitness 19 is in process of renovating what used to be the Newbury Park Athletic Club at 161 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. That's great news for local looking to fill the gap left when NPAC closed its doors in August 2012. No specifics on timing at this point but it appears they are targeting a Labor Day weekend opening date. They are taking pre-registrations now in person. You can also call them at 805.499.8119 or visit www.fitness19.com/centers/newbury-park.

For over 60 other gyms and fitness facilities in and around Ventura County, click THIS LINK.

La Cucina di Venti at The Village at Dos Vientos Closed Its Doors Tonight

Tonight, Sunday, September 8, 2013, La Cucina di Venti closed its doors to the public for the last time at its Newbury Park location at The Village at Dos Vientos. It opened on December 12, 2011.

Mari Monti Pizza with wild caught salmon and fresh arugula

Golden Dragon Chinese Cuisine in Thousand Oaks

The husband/wife team at Golden Dragon Thousand Oaks

Thousand Oaks resident Scott Leese and his kids recently visited the newly opened Golden Dragon Chinese Cuisine at 2416 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. 

Husband and wife team Young and Ng decided to open this restaurant next to Harold's House of Omelettes and across the street from Toyota of Thousand Oaks in this clean, well lighted location.

Scott and family were excited with the large portions and notably fresh ingredients with their lunch orders of Cashew Chicken, Beef and Broccoli and Sweet and Sour Chicken. He also noted that the cheese wontons were "amazing" and a must order! Lunch specials were reasonably priced in the $6.95 to $7.95 range. Their phone number is 805.379.8858.

Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs Looks to Open in Thousand Oaks This Spring

Final Update 9/5/13: Dayne's Chicago Beef & Dawgs opened on August 24th at 2951 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks! Visit www.dayneschicagobeef.com or call 805.906.0888 to learn more.

In other news, Garage Dogs, which opened down the street on Thousand Oaks Boulevard on April 23, 2012, recently closed, though a sign on their door indicates they will be seeking a new location. That's too bad as I know several friends frequented Garage Dogs quite often.

Update 7/14/13: Dayne's is still working on a grand opening date. Follow www.facebook.com/DaynesChicagoBeef for updates.

Updated 3/25 (original post 3/7): Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs indicates its grand opening will take place on Memorial Day weekend on its Facebook page.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page follower Lauren T pointed out this new eatery coming "soon Spring 2013" to Thousand Oaks. The soon-to-be Dayne's Chicago Beef and Dawgs will be located at 2951 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, adjacent to my wife's favorite Chocolatine, in the space previously occupied by Channel Islands Scuba (which for some time now has been located down the street at 3200 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard).

Dayne's website at www.dayneschicagobeef.com looks to be work in progress at this point but based on what's in there at this point it looks like they will be serving up "authentic Italian beef sandwiches." Stay tuned...

Boney Mountain Coffee at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park is Now BeanoVino

UPDATE: BeanoVino has announced it will be closing at the end of January 2020.

Last month, the Boney Mountain Coffee Co. at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park came under new ownership and was renamed BeanoVino. BeanoVino currently serves up Intelligentsia Coffee as well as a variety of reasonably priced breakfast and lunch items. They are open 6 a.m. to 6p.m Sunday through Thursday and until 8 p.m. on Saturday/Sunday. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Visit the BeanoVino Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/BeanoVino/700069103352261 or call 805.375.2326 for more information. Menu at this link.

AJ Chinese Cuisine to Open in Ojai on Thursday, September 12th

HEALTHY AND EXOTIC CHINESE FOOD COME TO OJAI
AJ Chinese Cuisine’s Grand Opening September 12^th

A new Ojai restaurant officially opens Thursday, September 12^th at 11:30 AM, offering a wide variety of classic and regional Chinese dishes. AJ Chinese Cuisine located at 842 East Ojai Avenue, will have free wine for all diners on opening day to go with their meals. Restaurant owners Jessica Oestreich and Alice Ramsey are from mainland China, were married in America and now reside in Ojai. They believe Ojai needs a good Chinese restaurant that offers a wide selection of dishes from different regions of China.

The restaurant has two chefs from China One is from a 5 star hotel, where he specialized in seafood dishes. The other chef, from the famous Lui Ding Restaurant in Hong Kong, will focus on hotter, spicier dishes. Dishes will be made with fresh, locally grown vegetables with no preservatives. The chefs select choice pieces of meat and chicken breast, which are then thinly sliced for quick cooking.

New dishes will continue to be added to the extensive 7-page menu. Monthly specials created from seasonal crops will be featured along with luncheon specials. The restaurant went through a total renovation prior to test opening in late August. A full bar includes wines from all three Ojai wineries, serves appetizers and several TV screens. Skylights have been added throughout the restaurant to lighten the interior and conserve energy. A private dining room is available for meetings up to 70 people.

For more information call 805.640.0201. Their website will be launching in mid-September at www.AJChineseCuisine.com.

New Farmers' Market on Friday Evenings at the Simi Valley Town Center

A new Friday night Farmers' Market had its grand opening last Friday, August 23, 2013. The market is located at the Center Court of the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way. Hours are 4pm to 8:30pm and the weekly market features local certified and organic farmers, great food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a kids and family fun zone. Learn more about the Simi Valley Town Center Farmers' Market at www.farmersmx.com.