Cici's Cafe Westlake Village Looks to Open in the Coming Months

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Update 12/28/16: CVG Facebook Page follower Sara T. informed us that she ate at the newly opened Westlake Village Cici's today at its soft opening. She confirmed the long awaited restaurant was open to the general public.

Update 11/16/16: I'm told "real soon" for the grand opening. Possibly within the week but a specific date was not known. 818.881.6704

Update 10/6/16: Lots of construction progress and it looks like Cici's Cafe may open within the next month or two, according to someone working at the site. But we shall see. The sign is up... "Cici's Salt & Pepper...Sugar & Cream." 

Posted 12/31/15: There's a sign on the door of the former The Counter eatery at 30990 Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village (sandwiched between Barone's Pizzeria and Aroha New Zealand Cuisine) stating that Cici's is now hiring all positions. 

What is Cici's? Well, the phone number given is the Cici's Cafe located on Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana. The Cici's Facebook page indicates the eatery opened in 2006 and serves breakfast and lunch with "scrumptious" (I love that word) pancakes, french toast, omelettes, salads and wraps.  

There are over 1,800 reviews of Cici's on Yelp, with an average rating a solid 4 1/2. Sounds promising! No other information currently available on timing, but stay tuned...

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in October 2016

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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 facility closures were noted in October 2016. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

Ben & Jerry's @ The Collection, 2752 Seaglass Way, Oxnard;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 10/31/16; Date reopened - 11/2/16

City Buffet, 1600 Ives Avenue, Oxnard;

Cockroach Infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/28/16; Date reopened - 11/4/16

Corrigan's Steak House, 556 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/28/16; Date reopened - 11/03/16

Bad Ass Tacos, 2951 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks;

No valid Permit to Operate, no plans submitted;

Date closed - 10/27/16; No reopen date

Gandolfo's NY Deli, 2790 Seaglass Way, Oxnard;

Operating without a valid permit

Date closed - 10/27/16; Date reopened - 10/27/16

Palermo, 321 E. Main St., Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/19/16; Date reopened - 10/21/16

Del Taco, 4393 E. Main St., Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/18/16; Date reopened - 10/19/16

Danielle's Donuts, 4577 Pleasant Valley Rd., Camarillo;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/17/16; Date reopened - 10/19/16

Mandarin House #4, 4585 Pleasant Valley Rd., Camarillo;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/14/16; Date reopened - 10/17/16

Firehouse Cafe, 1244 Sycamore Ave., Simi Valley;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/07/16; Date reopened - 10/08/16

Ray's Donuts, 3734 Saviers Rd., Oxnard;

No valid Permit to operate;

Date closed - 10/06/16; Date reopened - 10/06/16

Romano's Macaroni Grill, 4880 Telephone Road, Ventura;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/06/16; Date reopened - 10/08/16

Lolita's Lunch (4R74223), 2985 Sturgis Rd., Oxnard;

Inoperoble equipment resulting in food temperature violations;

Date closed - 10/06/16; Date reopened - 10/07/16

Hunan Garden, 1621 N. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;

Unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/06/16;Date reopened - 10/07/16

IHOP, 718 Ventura Street, Fillmore;

Sewage overflowing inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/05/16; Date reopened - 10/05/16

El Pollo Loco #57, 399 Las Posas Road, Camarillo

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 10/03/16; Date reopened - 10/04/16 

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.