CSU Channel Islands to Host Grand Opening of Santa Rosa Village and Islands Café

CSU Channel Islands (CI) will formally unveil Santa Rosa Village and the newly-expanded Islands Café with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m., Monday, Nov. 7.

CI President Erika D. Beck will host the ceremony for the newest student residence hall on campus and the renovated Islands Café.

Santa Rosa Village was constructed using CI’s distinctive California Mission-style architecture while including 21st century amenities such as suites with inviting living rooms and communal kitchens. Common areas have flat screen TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, toasters, Keurig machines, kitchen tables, chairs and a sink.

Santa Rosa stands four stories high and can accommodate 600 students. An outdoor courtyard connects living areas and a common laundry area. The building is energy-efficient and meets CAL Green standards.

For a virtual tour and how to apply for housing, visit www.csuci.edu/housing.

Islands Café expanded its menu to include a broad variety of healthy, tasty offerings such as Asian dishes; artisan pizzas; local produce, sushi and breakfast all day. There are also gluten-free options for pizza, pasta, bread and cookies.

The café’s service has doubled and it offers both indoor and outdoor seating. For a one-time $5 fee, diners get a reusable take-out container. Each time they return, they can exchange their dirty container for a clean container.

Executive Chef and Director of Food Services Peter Maher said the public is welcome at the café, which is open seven days a week. An all-you-can-eat lunch is $9.25 and an all-you-can-eat dinner is $11.25. For weekly menus and hours, visit uas.csuci.edu/hospitality/hospitality-locations.htm.

Limited parking is available on campus with the purchase of a $6 daily permit; follow signs to the parking permit dispensers. Free parking is available at the Camarillo Metrolink Station/Lewis Road with bus service to and from the campus.  Riders should board the CI Vista Bus to the campus; the cash-only fare is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive and depart from the Camarillo Metrolink Station every 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. For exact times, check the schedule at www.goventura.org

About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands (CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more about CI by visiting CI’s Social Media.

Jinky's Chili Cafe in Westlake Village

Update 10/24/16: Loren G provided the following photo indicating Jinky's Chili Cafe is "closed for an extended amount of time." Hmm, that doesn't sound good.

Update June 2016: Jinky's Chili Cafe is now open. Details at www.jinkys.com/Chili.html or call 805.379.2911.

Sue B alerted us via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page that Jinky's Chili Cafe is opening soon at the former short-lived home of a Haagen Dazs shop at  North Ranch Plaza, 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village. Nestled between Jersey Mike's and Dickey's BBQ Pit, this latest iteration of Jinky's looks and sounds interesting. 

Jinky's has five current locations, including Jinky's Kanan Cafe on Canwood Street in Agoura Hills and Jinky's Cafe Thousand Oaks in Oakbrook Plaza. Specializing in delicious breakfasts also serving up lunch, dinner and a wide range of chilis. Learn more at www.jinkys.com.

Blast City Laser Tag Coming to Oak Park in Early 2016

Update 10/21/16: Finally the day has come for Blast City Laser Tag to open its doors on Friday, October 28, 2016 at 5pm.

Original Post: 10/11/15:

If you're a Kids World Indoor Playground visitor on Lindero Canyon Road (corner of Kanan) in Oak Park, you may have noticed an additional sign to the right of Kids World, "Blast City Laser Tag." A brief call to Kids World confirmed that they are opening up this new laser tag venue with a target date of sometime in early 2016. So stay tuned...

Laser tag seems to be on a roll. Recently Laser Tag Westlake opened at The Stadium in Westlake Village. LazerTag Extreme opened in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley in July 2013. There's a laser tag area at Sky High Sports in Camarillo too. And Golf N Stuff Ventura has a laser tag area that is currently closed for refurbishment.

Drive Thru Starbucks Coming Soon to Simi Valley Town Center

Update Oct 2016: The new drive-thru Starbucks at the Simi Valley Town Center is open.

Posted 1/20/16:

Joining a trend that has brought drive thru Starbucks to Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Camarillo and other locations in recent years, the Simi Valley Town Center today announced on its Facebook page that a drive thru Starbucks is "coming soon."

Thanks a latte for the heads up, Starbucks!

Jimmy John's and Other Eateries Coming Soon to Thousand Oaks Marketplace

Update 10/8/16: Jimmy John's Newbury Park is now open

Posted 9/2/16: There's a sign up at the Thousand Oaks Marketplace, southeast corner of Ventu Park Road and Hillcrest Drive in Newbury Park, that Jimmy John's Sandwiches is now hiring. Grand opening date has not been announced as of yet. This Newbury Park location will join other Ventura County area Jimmy John's in Camarillo, Ventura and Moorpark. Learn more at jimmyjohns.com.

The Thousand Oaks Marketplace is also home to a new Drive Thru Starbucks, Walmart Neighborhood Market, Walgreens, Hampton Inn and Chase Bank.

Also slated for the center are Great Clips, Postal Annex, a Mexican restaurant (TBA), Chinese restaurant (TBA) and other tenants.

And for local history buffs...roughly 22 years ago, long before a Hampton Inn and Walmart graced this location, the Conejo Valley Ice Skating Center operated there until 1994 after 17 years in business*. The building was under lease from Home Depot that was located next door at the time.  The operator of the Center built a new ice rink that opened in November 1994 - the Iceoplex Ice Skating Rink in Simi Valley.

The Conejo Valley used to have roller skating, ice skating and bowling, but no more.

Although trails, parks, movie theaters, shopping and eating out seem to be the most popular activities around the Conejo Valley, there are indeed a variety of other things to do...check out this list of close to 50 activities in and around the Conejo Valley.

* See L.A. Times article at THIS LINK.

KreAsian Kitchen Now Open at the North Ranch Mall in Westlake Village

Final Update: KreAsian Kitchen closed its doors sometime in early 2020.

Update 10/5/16: KreAsian Kitchen opened today. That was quick! 

Can you say, "Spicy Tuna Burrito"?

Can you say, "Spicy Tuna Burrito"?

Posted 9/15/16:

Amelia S once again have the heads up via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page that a new eatery is coming to the North Ranch Mall at 3845 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village at the former home of Dejaun Jewelers.

The place is called KreAsian Kitchen and although its website at www.KreAsiankitchen.com is not currently up and running (as of 9/15/16), we were able to glean a little more about this new place with the tagline "Making the World Better, One Stomach at a Time" from a craigslist job posting: "KreAsian Kitchen is now rolling and bowling in Westlake Village. We are a Create Your Own Asian Kitchen were diners can build their own Rolls, Bowls, and Sushi Burritos. Fast Casual dining setting."

Watermark on Main and W20 Rooftop Lounge in Ventura Closes Its Doors

The VC Reporter noted today that Watermark on Main and W20 Rooftop Lounge at 598 E. Main Street in Ventura closed its doors today. It originally opened in 2008. It was also noted that the owners, who also own the building, anticipate renting the building out to restaurateurs that plan to open Limon y Sal. 

Mali Cuisine Fro-Yo and Fresh Asian Food Opens at Lincoln Oaks Village in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Mali Cuisine is now closed (sometime in 2021).

Mali Cuisine Fro-Yo and Fresh Asian Food is open at Lincoln Oaks Village strip mall at 140 W. Hillcrest Drive, #111 in Thousand Oaks, next to Establos Meat Market.  Mali opened today for its self-serve frozen yogurt and I'm told that on October 14th will start serving up Southeast Asia authentic recipes. 

Mali's menu will include charbroiled rice dishes, sandwiches, pan fried noodles, noodle soups and salads. Mint leaf chicken, Korean BBQ ribs, orange chicken, curry chicken, grilled salmon, Pad Thai, Asian Spicy Spaghetti Noodle, ramen noodle soup and other tasty looking items will be on its menu, mostly in the $8 to $10 range.

Open daily 11am to 9pm. Call 805.230.3056 for more information.

They are hiring too at ventura.craigslist.org/fbh/5807120580.html.