Westlake Village Inn Becomes First Cachet Hotel Group Property in the United States

Westlake Village Inn - a Cachet Hotel (PRNewsFoto/Cachet Hotel Group)

CACHET Hotel Group (CHG) today announced its plans to debut the Cachet brand in California with the co-branding of the Westlake Village Inn. Westlake Village Inn – a Cachet Hotel marks the first CHG property in the United States and second in Americas.

Westlake Village Inn is a European-style hideaway encompassing 17 lush and verdant acres with rose-laden arbors and bougainvillea archways surrounded by its own private lake. The property hosts a 141-room hotel, signature restaurants, an ultra lounge, multiple banquet and meeting rooms, outdoor wedding sites and a vineyard. This co-branding announcement coincides with the completion of a stunning multi-million dollar renovation, including enhanced accommodations, refreshed public spaces and a revamped ultra-lounge.

In addition to its reputation as a stylish and lively destination, Westlake Village Inn has established a pedigree by creating and developing its own wine label known as The Stonehaus. Popular amongst the locals and the wine community, the property's exclusive winery is among the best in Southern California, featuring a selection of signature blends including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. As CHG's strategic partner, The Stonehaus wines will be launched in Asia and in Mexico, beginning with CHG's award-winning steakhouse restaurant Porterhouse by Laris in Hong Kong and in CHG's luxury resort Cachet Corazon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Owner and Developer of Westlake Village Inn, John L. Notter, has driven this partnership as the company's key investor and inaugural member of its advisory board. An international financier and developer, Mr. Notter served as member of the Board of Directors at Hilton Hotels Corporation and was chairman of the Audit Committee. He currently serves as chairman of the board for the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, an international community of distinguished scientists dedicated to preventing and controlling cancer, and as a trustee of the Virginia and D.K. Ludwig Fund for Cancer Research.

Westlake Village Inn – a Cachet Hotel will be featured on CHG's proprietary and revolutionary technology platform, CachetWorld. By joining CHG's brand portfolio and international network of hotels and resorts, CachetWorld will give Westlake Village Inn access to a digital lifestyle community that features a search and booking engine for boutique and lifestyle hotels and high-end residences worldwide. Its wide reach will attract international guests from Asia as well as continue to drive local business for the property.

For more information about Westlake Village Inn, visit www.cachethotelgroup.com.

About Cachet Hotel Group:
Cachet Hotel Group (CHG) is a Hong Kong-based hospitality branding company. CHG's mission is to be the most innovative and socially responsible hospitality company in Asia. With numerous projects under development, CHG is focused on establishing properties in Greater China, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Americas. 

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County Oxnard ReStore Grand Opening on February 27th

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County will host a grand opening and ribbon cutting for its new Oxnard ReStore and office location Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 9 a.m. The new location is at 1850 Eastman Avenue Oxnard. Join us for exclusive offers, refreshments, followed by tours of the new offices.

The Habitat for Humanity ReStore sells new and gently used household items and building supplies, such as furniture, appliances, building materials, cabinetry, windows, hardware, lumber, tools, flooring, lighting and much more. All ReStore merchandise is generously donated by individuals, churches, contractors and businesses, and it is sold at 50 percent below retail value.

After locating the perfect space for the Oxnard ReStore, and office we’ve been working hard over the past several months to get the new store and office up and running. With the help of many generous donations, volunteers and our dedicated staff, we are thrilled to launch this next phase for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County.  Now, we’ll have an additional square footage for our Oxnard ReStore to help fund Habitat’s work here in Ventura County, and we hope this will lead to a greater number of homes built each year.

After the Grand Opening, the Oxnard ReStore’s regular business hours will be Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations will continue to be accepted at both the Simi Valley and the Oxnard ReStore during our donation hours, and pickups also will be available by appointment.

Proceeds from the ReStore help support Habitat’s mission of bringing people together to build simple, decent houses in Ventura County, while providing an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of landfills.

For more information about the Habitat for Humanity ReStore or to schedule a pickup at either of the Ventura County ReStores, contact Wendy Monk, Oxnard ReStore manager, at (805-485-6065 ext. 106). Information is also available at www.habitatventura.org.

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Simi Valley Announces It is Closing Its Doors

In a post to its Facebook page yesterday, Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que Simi Valley announced "We truly regret sharing that due to the financial and economic challenges we are facing in today's marketplace, we are unable to operate in a responsible fiscal manner and are forced to close our doors."  Sorry to hear about this! (Thanks to CVG Facebook follower Stephanie A for the heads up.)

The former Famous Dave's in Simi Valley

It was about a year ago that the Thousand Oaks Famous Dave's location closed its doors. The other Ventura County location is at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard.

Posted by Famous Dave's BBQ - Simi Valley on Sunday, January 24, 2016

Ventura County Star Reports the Oxnard El Torito Location Has Closed Its Doors

Today, the Ventura County Star reported that the Oxnard El Torito location closed its doors prior to Christmas. That leave one remaining El Torito in Ventura County, the Simi Valley location. 

The Thousand Oaks El Torito closed its doors on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in December 2015

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following closures were noted in December 2015. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Texas Cattle Company, 710 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

Construction work done during operating hours resulting in unsanitary conditions inside the facility;

Date closed - 12/22/15; Date reopened - 01/02/16

Happy Bowl Express, 716 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

Construction work done during operating hours; no restrooms available for employees; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/22/15; Date reopened - 01/04/16

Marisco El Campeon, 1175 E. Harvard Blvd, Santa Paula;

Repeated, serious violations;

Date closed - 12/21/15; Date reopened 12/23/15

Puerto Vallarta Seafood Restaurant, 3021 S. Saviers Rd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions, inadequate handwashing facilities;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15

Moose Lodge #561, 1935 S. Saviers Rd., Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15\

The Donut Hole, 103 E. El Roblar Drive, Ojai;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/17/15; Date reopened - 12/18/15

The Whale's Tail, 3959 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard (independently operated food area only);

Inoperable hand wash sink in food preparation area; inadequate refrigeration, resulting in unsafe food temperatures; unsanitary condition;

Date closed - 12/16/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Vons #2677, 2764 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

No water availabe at the facility as a result of sewage discharge from exterior grease interceptor;

Date closed - 12/16/15; Date reopened - 12/16/15

El 30 Mairscos, 606 N. Ventura Road, Oxnard;

Inoperable plumbing resulting in no hot water at hand washing sink, inoperable food-preparation sink and wastewater overflowing onto floors in the food preparation area; facility remodeled without approval; unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/15/15; Date reopened - 12/16/15

Salud Y Negocio, 1209 Saviers Road, Oxnard;

No hot water available at the facility for adequate hand washing and utensil washing;

Date closed - 12/15/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Burger King #4074, 21 W. Main Street, Ventura;

Construction work during operating hours resulting in unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/14/15; Date reopened - 12/15/15

Sespe Saloon, 251 A Street, Fillmore;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/10/15; Date reopened - 12/17/15

Blenders In The Grass, 1225 S. Victoria Ave. Oxnard;

No hot water available for hand washing or utensil washing;

Date closed - 12/10/15; Date reopened - 12/10/15

Jonesy's Liquor, 128 W. Harvard Blvd., Santa Paula;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 12/09/15; Date reopened - 12/10/15

Ventura Beach RV Resort (restaurant only), 800 W. Main Street, Ventura;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/31/15

Taco Fresh Mexican Grill, 709 Ventura Street, Fillmore;
Inoperable hand washing facilities;
Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Fatburger, 1746 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura;

Sewage overflowing inside the facility;

Date closed - 12/08/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Main Street Restaurant, 3159 E. Main Street, Ventura

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/07/15; Date reopened - 12/08/15

Los Dos Amigos, 1421 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/04/15; Date reopened - 12/06/15

Dargan's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 593 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/01/15; Date reopened - 12/03/15

Savory Thai Cuisine, 583 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 12/01/15; Date reopened - 12/04/15

County of Ventura Advises Public to Avoid Contact with Ocean Water 72 Hours After Rainfall

The Ventura County Environmental Health Division is providing the following precautionary information for the public.

Rainfall that is significant enough to result in runoff can flow into storm drains, channels, creeks, and rivers that empty onto the beaches of Ventura County. In general, 0.2 inches (2 tenths of an inch) of rainfall may be enough to create significant runoff conditions.

There is a potential for storm water runoff to carry disease causing bacteria to the beaches and into the ocean water. In addition, storm water runoff can transport physical hazards such as partially submerged tree limbs and logs into the ocean that could result in serious physical injury. Contact with this runoff water will result in an increased risk to human health and should be avoided for at least 72 hours after all rainfall activity has ended.

As a result of the recent and predicted rainfall, the public is advised to avoid body contact with all storm water runoff and ocean water at all Ventura County beaches. Any items that may have come in contact with runoff or ocean water should also be avoided. If contact occurs, wash thoroughly with soap and water.

Any shellfish on or from Ventura County beaches may have also been exposed to this contamination and should not be eaten.

This advisory will remain in effect for 72 hours (3 days) after all rainfall has ended.

Results for specific beaches are also available on the Environmental Health Division hotline (recorded information), 805/662-6555, and at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/technical-services/ocean/index.html.

You can also view any current beach advisories and learn about the State ocean water quality standards on the VC Safe Beaches app, available for Android and Apple devices.

County of Ventura website: www.ventura.org

Rabbit Hole Cafe in Agoura HIlls Closed on November 25, 2015

I went to the Rabbit Hole Cafe in Agoura Hills last September but was surprised to hear from Laura Y via the CVG Facebook Page today that the Rabbit Hole Cafe announced on November 10th last year that after four years they would be closing their doors on November 25th.

The owners also announced that they recently launched Rabbit Hole Foods, a line of vegan and gluten-free items. They hope to make these food, sauces and frozen items available via the Web and distributors as well as at community and catering events.

rabbitholefoods.com

Pinkberry Closes Its Westlake Village Location

Kimberlea A noticed the sign on the window today that was not present just a few weeks ago when I last stopped by the Pinkberry in Westlake Village. It appears they no longer will be serving up frozen yogurt at 3835 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard.

Sorry to hear the news. For over 80 other frozen treat places in and around Ventura County, visit THIS LINK.