Mimi's Cafe Locations in Thousand Oaks and Ventura Have Closed Their Doors

UPDATE: Amy’s Drive Thru will be opening at the former Mimi’s Cafe Thousand Oaks location in early 2022, bringing organic fast food to this spot.

Mimi’s Cafe at 400 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks in the Best Buy Plaza has permanently closed its doors, as has the location at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura. Mimi’s Thousand Oaks opened in the mid-1990s.

There are no remaining Mimi’s Cafe locations remaining in Ventura County. The closest locations are in Chatsworth and Valencia.

More information at www.mimiscafe.com.

The Mighty Axe Axe Throwing & Ales Coming to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks This Spring

UPDATE: The Might Axe opened early August 2021.

(Photo Credit: Andy M.)

"The Mighty Axe" is coming this spring to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, next to Crazy King Kong Sushi. This entertainment venue will feature axe throwing "at wood targets in a safe and lively environment" for adults and children ages 10 and up. They will also offer a variety of craft ales and food delivered from local eateries (presumably from Janss).

Learn more or sign up for updates at themightyaxe.com.

Animatronic Dinosaurs of Prehistoric Forest Return to SB Museum of Natural History

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is ready to take you back in time millions of years...or just to summer 2019. The popular dinosaur exhibit Prehistoric Forest returns to the Museum February 17 for a Members-only preview, opening to non-members February 20. For safe distancing, attendance is limited and reservations are required (available at sbnature.org/tickets). Masks are required for ages three and up, and indoor exhibits remain closed.

The big dinosaurs made 2019 a summer to remember at the Museum, with record-breaking numbers of guests encountering them up close “in the wild.” At summer’s end, the dinosaurs’ creators—animatronic artisans Kokoro Exhibits—shipped them to their next engagement.

As soon as the big dinosaurs left, people started asking when they would return. Less than a week after Prehistoric Forest closed, the Museum received a postcard with artwork and a message from a 2.5-year-old future paleontologist named Rosie: “Dinosaurs, come back!” Director of Exhibits & Education Frank Hein, M.S., and President & CEO Luke J. Swetland, M.A., M.I.L.S., replied to say they felt the same. Hein started negotiations with Kokoro to bring the big dinosaurs back for good.

The dinosaurs finally returned to the Museum on January 18, and exhibits and facilities staff undertook the challenging task of installing the heavy animatronics while following new health and safety guidelines. Thanks to careful planning by Exhibits Lead Francisco Lopez, the process went smoothly and now Tyrannosaurus rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Parasaurolopus, and Euoplocephalus are settling nicely into their old digs in the wooded area across Mission Creek.

Museum staff are breaking the good news, which is particularly welcome right now. School & Teacher Services Manager Charlotte Zeamer, Ph.D., had the pleasure of telling a group of schoolchildren about the dinos’ return during a recent virtual field trip. Although the kids were muted, their excitement was clear: “It looked like they were saying ‘Wheeeee hoooooo!’” Dr. Zeamer cheerfully reported.

Experts and educators at the Museum want guests to learn while they make fun memories. The animatronics are accompanied by plaques drafted in consultation with Dibblee Curator of Earth Science Jonathan Hoffman, Ph.D., and paleobiologist Jenna J. Rolle, M.S. (who teaches dinosaur courses at Santa Barbara City College and also works for the Museum’s Education Division). One of the key messages they wanted to convey is the fact that paleontology is dynamic, with researchers constantly updating what we know about the history of life. Some of the plaques are getting updates, too. After seeing the animatronic formerly listed as Ankylosaurus up close last year, the experts determined that it more closely resembles the near relative, Euoplocephalus. The sign that accompanies this armored dinosaur family (a mother and two juveniles) is getting an update.

Will the Museum’s T. rex ever get updated with feathers? Although T. rex-specific feather impressions are lacking, Rolle notes that there is evidence for primitive feathers among the larger group of dinosaurs to which T. rex belongs. Paleontologists don’t yet know whether all these species maintained feathers throughout life, or only kept them as juveniles. “I like to wonder whether they looked cute and cuddly like little chicken chicks or silly and dorky like owl chicks,” muses Rolle. More specimens and techniques will be needed to be sure of T. rex’s feathers. “A child visiting Prehistoric Forest may be the future paleontologist who figures it out!” said Dr. Hoffman.

For a brief time, the Museum will be doubling the fun for dino-lovers, as the temporary exhibit Dinorama: Miniatures Through the Mesozoic in the Sprague Pavilion runs through April 25. Another collaboration between the Museum’s paleontologists and exhibits staff, Dinorama is a curated landscape of mini-dioramas populated by painted and posed figurines of ancient creatures. These little beasts may make the Age of Reptiles more approachable for families with very young or particularly sensitive children, but they also have a lot to offer more sophisticated guests. Earth Science Volunteer Anthony Caruso (who also worked in Guest Services at the Museum) garnered special praise from visitors for sharing his dinosaur knowledge in the pavilion when this exhibit opened briefly in December. Caruso helped train other Museum staff to point out the telltale differences between dinosaurs and other Mesozoic animals in different lineages, like crocodilians, marine reptiles, and pterosaurs. The details illustrate the evolutionary pathways these lineages have followed over time, with some ending in mass extinction and others—like avian dinosaurs and our own mammalian heritage—part of life on Earth today.

For more details, visit sbnature.org.

About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

Powered by Science. Inspired by Nature. Founded in 1916, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History is a private, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire a thirst for discovery and a passion for the natural world. The Museum seeks to connect people to nature for the betterment of both, and prides itself on being naturally different. For more information, visit sbnature.org.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen in Agoura Hills Opened in January 2021 (Now Closed)

UPDATE in 2023: Saffron closed is now closed.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen opened 20 days ago in the Kanan Plaza at 29145 Canwood Street in Agoura Hills (located next to Urbane Cafe). Saffron offers made to order pitas, wraps, hummus bowls, rice bowls with chicken or beef shawarma, mushroom shawarma falafel, tzatziki, baba ganoush and more.

Learn more at www.facebook.com/Saffron-Mediterranean-Kitchen-Agoura-Hills-105384384868619.

Stagecoach Inn Museum Newbury Park to Re-Open on Saturday, February 20th

The Stagecoach Inn Museum welcomes visitors back starting February 20th for a safely socially distanced outdoor museum experience, Saturdays from 1:00-4:00 pm. Guests will enjoy doorway viewing and docent presentations at seven structures on our beautiful four-acre property, with rose-garden, heritage farm trail, and nature trail, all for a suggested donation of just $5 per person (card or exact cash please).

In addition to the historic landmark inn, built in 1876 as the Grand Union Hotel, a one-room schoolhouse, Carriage House, working Blacksmith Shop, Pioneer Home, California Adobe, and Chumash Ap, await those wanting to experience what life was like in the early days of the Conejo Valley. Several exhibits are augmented with new QR code signage, offering “Virtual Tour” video enhancements via your smart phone. The Emporium will also be open, offering books, specialty historic items, unique gifts, and crafts made by our blacksmiths, woodworkers, and other volunteers.

In February, docents will be demonstrating tools, machinery, gadgets and various “modern conveniences” that households and businesses enjoyed in the mid-late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some of the items that may be demonstrated include a sausage stuffer, butter churner, miniature sewing machine for travel, iron and laundry equipment, woodworking tools and blacksmith forge.

In March, we celebrate Women’s History Month with the return of our Ladies of the Conejo old-time radio show broadcast on the Grand Porch at 2:00 select Saturdays beginning March 6. This fun and informative performance features eight inspiring women from Conejo Valley history sharing their stories, including Mabel Stark, world’s first female tiger trainer, Donna Fargo, founder of Conejo Valley Days, and others. The show is included in the price of admission.

Now open for outdoor-Covid safe tours from 1-4:00 PM Saturdays. Masks are required and there is a suggested donation of $5 per person-exact cash or debit/credit card preferred.

The original Stagecoach Inn, called the Grand Union Hotel, was built in 1876 at the southwest corner of what is now Ventu Park Road and the Ventura Freeway and is now designated City of Thousand Oaks Landmark No. 1.

Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Rd., Newbury Park. 805.498.9441 stagecoachinnmuseum.com.

Ớt Bistro Asian Comfort Food Now Open at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: O’t Bistro opened on Saturday, March 27th.

Ớt Bistro Asian Comfort Food is coming soon to Janss Marketplace in the space formerly occupied by Azi Grill (in between Greco's Pizza and Matcha Boba). Timing and details TBA. They are already looking to hire people.

Regional Stay Home Order Has Been Lifted; Ventura County is Back to the Purple Tier Effective January 25th

From the County of Ventura:

State of California Lifts Regional Stay at Home Order for All Regions

Ventura County in the State’s Purple Tier Effective Immediately

The California Department of Public Health has announced that the Regional Stay Home Order has been lifted in Southern California. Four-week ICU capacity projections for the region are above 15%, the threshold that allows regions to exit the order.

The action allows Ventura County to return to the rules and framework for the Blueprint for a Safer Economy and color-coded tiers that indicate which activities and businesses are open based on local case rates and test positivity. Services and activities, such as outdoor dining and personal services, may resume immediately with required modifications. Tier updates will be provided weekly on Tuesdays by the California Department of Public Health

“We ask our residents to continue to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities from COVID-19 by limiting gathering with anyone you don’t live with, wearing a face covering whenever you leave home, maintaining at least 6 feet of distance from anyone you don’t live with and washing your hands frequently,” said Rigoberto Vargas, Public Health Director.

In alignment with Purple Tier 1, the following sectors are permitted for OUTDOOR operations only until further notice. These sectors must still maintain mitigation measures (social distancing, face covering, and sanitization):

• Restaurants

• Gyms and Fitness Centers (12 feet social distancing required)

• Places of worship

• Playgrounds and recreational facilities

• Family Entertainment Centers (e.g. bowling alleys, miniature golf, batting cages, kart racing, and arcades)

• Movie theaters

• Museums, zoos, aquariums

• Wineries

• Cardrooms, satellite wagering

Bars, pubs, brewpubs and breweries may operate outdoors if they are offering sit-down, outdoor meals. Outdoor operations may be conducted under a tent, canopy, or other shelter if no more than one side is closed.

Additional information for outdoor dining establishments:

•Sit down dining may only take place with members of the same household, it must be outdoors and must end by 11 pm.

•Maximum time a patron may be on the premises is 1 and ½ hours.

•Restaurants can remain open for takeout or delivery past 11 pm as their permit allows.

In alignment with Purple Tier 1, the following sectors are open for INDOOR operations. These sectors must still maintain mitigation measures (social distancing, face covering, and sanitization) and modifications:

•All retail (maximum 25% capacity)

•Critical infrastructure

•Hair salons and barbershops

•Libraries (maximum 25% capacity)

•Nail salons and electrolysis operations

•Personal care services (e.g. body waxing, estheticians, tattoo, massage)

•Professional sports (without live audiences)

•Shopping centers (e.g. malls, destination centers, swap meets, excluding food courts and common areas) (maximum 25% capacity)

To learn more about the State’s Tier system and specific allowable activities for Ventura County, visit the State of California's COVID-19 Blueprint for a Safer Economy website. More information at www.venturacountyrecovers.org

Bagelicious Cafe Recently Opened at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills (Now Closed)

UPDATE: Bagelicious Cafe is now closed.

The Bagelicious Cafe opened in mid-December at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills, offering coffee, bagels, sandwiches and more for breakfast and lunch. Located inside the building at 28914 Roadside Drive. Currently open 9am to 3pm daily. Learn more at bagelicious.cafe or call 818-851-1460.