Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
Maru Kitchen has been open for a week or so at the Westlake Plaza, 2725 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village. Previous occupants of this space have included Spireworks Modern Doner, Big Fish Poke and The Ice Cream Lab.
Maru serves Korean specialties like Kimchi Gumbo, Bibimbap, Kimchi Fried Rice, Korean Lettuce Wraps, Bulgogi, Galbi Tang Noodle and more. 805-371-4577
UPDATE: 6/18/21: The Waffle Experience opens on Saturday, June 19th at 8am. Open until 3pm.
May Update: Anticipated grand opening in mid-June.
Looks like something new called The Waffle Experience is coming to Newbury Park in the former home of Billy Dz BBQ at 765 Wendy Drive, based on this sign on the front door. And confirmed as “coming soon” to Thousand Oaks on their website at thewaffleexperience.com/locations.
The Waffle Experience offers breakfast and lunch, with a menu that includes savory items, sandwiches, salads and of course all types of waffles. Existing locations in Sacramento, Folsom and Elk Grove. Sounds pretty good! More details at thewaffleexperience.com
The City of Thousand Oaks, in conjunction with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office (VCSO), announced today the appointment of Commander Jeremy Paris as Chief of Police for the City of Thousand Oaks. Outgoing Police Chief Jim Fryhoff has been reassigned to another Commander position within the organization. Thousand Oaks contracts for police services with VCSO, who, in consultation with the City, appoints a commander to lead the City's Police Department to work directly with local officials as a member of the City's executive team.
Commenting on the leadership transition, City Manager Andrew Powers said, "Building our history of law enforcement leaders committed to community-oriented policing, Commander Paris brings diverse experience, authenticity, and deep knowledge of our community that make him a natural fit. We're thrilled to have him join the City's executive leadership team and help to build upon our community's legacy of excellence in policing. We have a real appreciation for Jim’s years of service to Thousand Oaks and especially his efforts in helping us manage through this extremely difficult pandemic year. "
Commander Jeremy Paris is a 23-year veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Jeremy has worked on various assignments with the Sheriff's Office, including detention services, patrol, special enforcement, investigations, and crime prevention. He previously served as the Assistant Chief of Police in Camarillo, where he managed a $21 million budget, implemented the Intelligence-Led Policing model, and developed strategic plans to address crime, traffic and homelessness. He brings a strong commitment to robust community outreach and engagement in this new assignment.
“Commander Paris has the depth of experience, intellect, work ethic, dedication, and interpersonal skills essential to providing the excellent public safety services the citizens of Thousand Oaks expect and deserve." said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub on Paris’ new assignment. On his appointment, Paris said, "I am excited for the opportunity to serve as the Chief of Police for Thousand Oaks. I look forward to bringing my experience and perspective to the community and working to maintain and improve this wonderful place we all love and enjoy."
Nearly lifelong residents and Thousand Oaks High School graduates, Jeremy has been married to his wife, Dana, for 25 years, and they are raising their six children in Thousand Oaks. Jeremy received his bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Geography and obtained the Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Management Certificates in Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T).
The Shoppes at Westlake Village has announced that Crumbl Cookies is “coming soon.”
It will be located in the former home of Bubbers Bowls (closed in October 2019) and Bowl of Heaven, directly across from Tifa Chocolate & Gelato.
Since opening its doors three years ago, Crumbl has expanded to over 200 bakeries in 32 states nationwide, making it the fastest-growing cookie company in the nation.
Each week, Crumbl’s menu rotates to offer 4 different specialty flavors, as well as their famous chocolate chip and chilled sugar cookies. As I type this, I see that the current week cookie flavors are Red Velvet White Chip, Banana Cream Pie, Ultimate Peanut Butter and Dirt Cake (a warm chocolate cookie coated in OREO crumbs, topped with rich chocolate frosting, crumbly chocolate streusel and a gummy worm).
Learn more at crumblcookies.com and stay tuned for the opening date.
The Bamboo Room is opening its doors at 8pm tomorrow at The Shoppes at Westlake Village, next to 101 North. The Bamboo Room is an indoor/outdoor craft cocktail lounge and private event space where you can reserve a table for bottle service or walk in on a first come, first serve basis. They also plan to offer live music. More information at www.bambooroomwlv.com.
Bamboo Room will be open weekly Thursday-Sunday from 8 p.m. to close. Bamboo Room’s wide range of signature cocktails include, but are not limited to, craft cocktails, beer, sake, wine and bottle service.
UPDATE: Sweetgreen is opening to the public on Tuesday, August 31st.
sweetgreen is coming soon to The Promenade at Westlake here in the Conejo Valley. I believe it will be located in the space formerly occupied by Lemonade.
sweetgreen is a fast casual eatery that serves salads and grain bowls. Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka recently became an investor in sweetgreen and has a bowl named after her that includes warm quinoa, baby spinach, cilantro, tomato, tortilla chips, raw carrots, avocado, goat cheese, blackened chicken, lime cilantro jalapeno vinaigrette and sweetgreen hot sauce.
sweetgreen currently has 121 locations, including Studio City, Brentwood, Santa Monica and Century City.
Learn more at www.sweetgreen.com.
Bobcat Kittens Found in Oak Tree Cavity
Scientists Believe the Unusual Den Location is the Result of the Effects of the Woolsey Fire
A bobcat captured and collared more than a year after the Woolsey Fire gave birth to three kittens recently - B-379, B-380, and B-381, according to the National Park Service.
Using VHF radiotelemetry and GPS points from the mother’s (B-370) collar, National Park Service biologists located the female bobcat in a cavity of a large oak tree on April 15, 2021. She was in an area that was intensely burned during the Woolsey Fire that swept through Calabasas and other areas in the Santa Monica Mountains in November 2018.
Since 1996, biologists at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) have been studying the ecology and conservation of bobcats in and around the park to learn more about how they persist in an urban landscape.
Last month, biologists suspected that B-370 was “denning” because she repeatedly returned to the same spot, an indication that a female has likely given birth. However, when they arrived on-site, they had trouble locating the den because it wasn’t in a typical location.
“I swear she’s in this tree, but I can’t find her,” biologist Joanne Moriarty recalls saying into her hand-held radio to another biologist nearby. “Then I look up into this little tiny hole in the tree, and her face is just poking out at me. Of course, she’s been staring at me the whole time. I just happened to be in the right spot.”
On this occasion, Moriarty used a remote camera held on an extension pole to peek into the tree to confirm the presence of a bobcat and three kittens. The biologists then left the area and returned the following day while the mother was away from her den, presumably hunting.
Using a ladder, biologists captured the kittens, one by one, and brought them down safely. The kittens were weighed, measured, and given a general health check by researchers. They were also ear-tagged for the purpose of future identification before being returned to their tree cavity home.
Moriarty has been studying bobcats in the area for 17 years, and she says what is striking about this den is its location. Dens are often in hollow areas found in thick brush, specifically in chaparral or coastal sage scrub vegetation. The second most common location for bobcat dens is in woodrat nests, the large piles of sticks and leaves that woodrats build and live in for generations. Denning in a tree is unusual, she said.
Scientists believe the bobcat used the tree cavity as a den because much of the existing natural habitat in the surrounding area was destroyed after the Woolsey Fire. Very little vegetation has grown since the devastating fire destroyed close to half of the natural area in the Santa Monica Mountains and about 2/3 of the natural habitat in the Simi Hills.
B-370 was initially captured in the Simi Hills. When captured, biologists noted that she appeared to have nursed in the past. They took hair and tissue samples and fitted her with a radio collar so her movements could be tracked. She was then released.
An average bobcat litter size is two to three kittens. The sex ratio overall in litters are generally split, 50/50 male and female. B-370’s litter had one female and two males. These kittens weighed in at 500-600kg, and they were about 30 days old.
Bobcat kittens typically stay in the natal den for four to five weeks, then the family will move on to other dens that they use for shorter periods. Researchers are not sure why they do this, but they speculate that it’s likely an anti-predator behavior. The mother will typically also keep them in dens until they are 12 weeks of age, and then at that point, they will follow her as she hunts and goes about her day.
The mother cares for the kittens, in general, until they are nine to 11 months of age. They then slowly become independent, but they will still occasionally check in with her every so often.
Between October and February, researchers generally employ from 6 to 12 traps to monitor the population by capturing, tagging, and radio-collaring animals. Trapping ceases in late winter because female bobcats give birth in early spring and care for their young.
The bobcat trapping season ended earlier this year, in February, with three new bobcats captured. B-370 lives in the southeast end of the Simi Hills, and biologists are also tracking a bobcat (B373) in the Santa Clarita area as part of a project evaluating the effects of the 5 Freeway.
To learn more about the bobcat study, visit www.nps.gov/samo/learn/nature/bobcats.htm.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA) is the largest urban national park in the country, encompassing more than 150,000 acres of mountains and coastline in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. A unit of the National Park Service, it comprises a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. As one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, SMMNRA preserves the rich biological diversity of more than 450 animal species and 26 distinct plant communities. For more information, visit nps.gov/samo.
Beginning on June 19th, The Collection at RiverPark will be hosting a farmers’ market every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in partnership with California Certified Farmers Market and Raw Inspiration. Presented by Community Memorial Health System, the farmer’s market will be located on Collection Boulevard across from The Annex Food Hall.
On opening day, June 19, The Collection will kick off the farmers market with fun festivities for all ages, including live music, arts and crafts, photo opportunities and more.
The farmers market will be open weekly, rain or shine.
thecollectionrp.com/connect/events/detail/325/farmers-market
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide is a participant in certain affiliate programs. These affiliate advertising programs are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the respective websites. Some links on the site may be affiliate links. We get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site. Learn more at paidforadvertising.com.
