Hook Burger to Open at The Shoppes at Westlake Village This Coming Fall

Update 10/9/14: Hook Burger Westlake Village is now open to the public.

Hook Burger is on the "Hook" to open at The Shoppes at Westlake Village this coming fall, along with a number of other new eateries and retailers. Founded by the folks with 35 years of burger experience with The Habit. Hook burgers are humanely raised, 100% USDA lean beef and chicken is fresh and hormone and antibiotic free. Learn more at hookburger.com.

The new Target store at The Shoppes opened on July 22nd.

New McDonald's to Open Soon on Riverpark Blvd in Oxnard - Are You Loving It?

On a recent visit to The Collection at RiverPark we noticed a new McDonald's under construction on the southwest corner of Riverpark Boulevard and East Vineyard Avenue in Oxnard. The actual address is 110 Riverpark Boulevard, though on the map that address is shown about four blocks east of this intersection...apparently Google Maps is slightly off.

In any case, look for this 8th Oxnard McDonald's location to be opening sometime soon. There are approximtely 25 McDonald's locations in Ventura County, including nearby Westlake Village and Agours Hills. More on this location at www.mcstate.com/35319.

Lamppost Pizza in Moorpark Closed but Jax Pizza Opened Back in July

Having lost the Newbury Park Lamppost Pizza back in December 2011, on occasion we try to stop by the Westlake Village and Moorpark Lamppost Pizzas. But last weekend we discovered the Moorpark location is no longer there, and the space at 530 New Los Angeles Avenue is now occupied by Jax Pizza.

Upon further investigation, Lamppost Pizza Moorpark served its customers for the last time on July 21st, while Jax Pizza opened within a week as evidenced at www.facebook.com/JaxPizzaPlace.

Jax Pizza serves up pizza (duh!), sandwiches, salads, pastas, beer, wine and more. They also have Friday night karaoke. Visit jaxpizzaplace.com for more information or call 805.529.6220.

Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery Anticipates Opening This Month in Thousand Oaks

Back in July it was announced that the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery was coming soon to Thousand Oaks in the former Mermaid Tavern (and of course Roxy's Deli before that) at 1345 Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

That opening date is near at hand...Monday, October 6th.

MOD Pizza Grand Opening in Newbury Park Set for Thursday, October 2nd

MOD PIZZA OPENS IN NEWBURY PARK 

The Original Superfast Pizza Continues California Expansion and Supports Local Cause

MOD Pizza will celebrate the grand opening of its Newbury Park store at The Village at Newbury Park, 1015 Broadbeck Drive, on Thursday, October 2nd.

There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:45pm and doors will open at 5:00pm. The first 52 guests will each enjoy a free individual, artisan-style pizza or hand-tossed salad, and the chance to win free pizza for a year. Additional giveaways and tastings will continue throughout the day. Visit modpizza.com/locations/newbury-park for more information.

As part of MOD’s ongoing effort to “Spread MODness,” 100% of all opening day sales will be donated to the Sequoia Middle School Boys & Girls Club to support their mission to guide youth within the Newbury Park community towards academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. 

MOD’s individual artisan-style pizzas are made on demand, using organic fresh-pressed dough and signature sauces. Guests can create their own pizzas and salads, using any combination of 30 featured toppings, or they can choose from a menu of MOD classics. Pizzas and salads are the same price regardless of the number of toppings. Pizzas are hand-cooked in an 800 degree oven in less than 3 minutes and salads are hand-tossed in front of the customer. MOD also serves local draft beers, wine, handspun milkshakes, and house-made lemonades and iced teas.

MOD currently operates 21 stores in Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and Colorado, with more than 30 stores slated to open across eight markets by the end of 2014.

Seattle based MOD Pizza was founded in 2008 by Scott and Ally Svenson, and was inspired by the couple’s love of Italian street-style pizza, their desire for authentic, affordable and fast dining options for their busy family and the idea that a great company could be built around people. Above all, MOD is about putting people first – both guest and team members - and is striving to redefine the fast food experience.

"Looking West" Art Exhibit in Downtown Ventura October 7 to November 1

California Gold, oil on canvas by Ron Zolkover

Oxnard painter roams for vistas

The Buenaventura Art Association will present Looking West, an exhibition of recent oil-on-canvas paintings by Oxnard artist Ron Zolkover, from Oct. 7-Nov. 1 in the Clophine Dooley Gallery at the nonprofit group’s downtown Ventura location.

The solo show will include about two-dozen views of area landscapes and Santa Barbara Channel locales, said Zolkover, who will attend the opening reception 5-7 p.m. Oct. 11.

“I enjoy spending time in nature. Many of my works were done plein-air,” he said. “I love the spontaneity of painting in natural light … and the challenges of capturing the mood of the moment. You have to work fast and get the shadows down quickly.

“I try to paint daily,” said Zolkover, who has been pursuing his passion for 14 years. “It has been a long learning process that never gets old. There are plateaus and times when I feel like I am not evolving, but then there are times when I will make a quantum leap to another level … it is the process I enjoy.”

Some examples of his plein-air landscapes and seascapes can be found at californiapleinair.ning.com/profile/RonZolkover. The paintings in this show will range in size from 9 by 12 inches to 2 by 3 feet.

Buenaventura Gallery, 700 E. Santa Clara St., is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. For more about BAA, an artists cooperative celebrating its 60^th anniversary this year, visit www.buenaventuragallery.org or phone 805.648.1235 during gallery hours.

World Record LEGO Chain Event in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, September 27th

World Record LEGO Chain Event is taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 9 AM - 4 PM at Thousand Oaks City Hall.

We are attempting to break the Guinness Book of World Records by building the World Longest LEGO Chain. We need your help to do it.  We have over 100,000 LEGO bricks and need some families who love building with LEGOs to help us build it.

This charity event is a collaboration between the Conejo Recreation & Park District, Rotary International, and Play-Well TEKnologies to raise money to build a state of the art special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks.

By signing up to help build the world's longest LEGO chain, you will help bring this playground to the community.  To learn more and to register (only $5/participant), visit bit.ly/WorldLongestLEGOChainEvent

Cronies Sports Grill to Open Its New Location in Agoura Hills on September 11

Update 9/11/14: Cronies Agoura Hills announced on its Facebook page yesterday that it is opening its doors today, September 11, 2014, at 3pm at 5687 Kanan Road.

Original Post 4/21/14: Thanks to a tip from a CVG follower, we've learned that Cronies Sports Grill will be opening its fifth location in Agoura Hills on the corner of Kanan and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in the location most recently occupied by Angel Cafe. This was confirmed by a call to Cronies, indicating they are targeting a July/August grand opening date.

Cronies has operated in Ventura County for over 23 years, currently with locations in Camarillo, Ventura, Simi Valley and Newbury Park (which has now been open over 3 years...my how time flies!). Cronies is known for outstanding, icy cold 20 oz beer schooners and great burgers, sandwiches and salads. I'm a fan of their curly fries. And always friendly service in all locations.