Disney Character Display House in Simi Valley Has Retired

Every year we cover unique, bright and/or particularly entertaining residential holiday displays. See the current year list at THIS LINK.

One such home has been the fun Disney character display at the corner of Timberlane Ave and Fearing St in Simi Valley. It’s a bit out of the way to get to for Conejo Valley residents, but as you can see from the photos before, it has been worth it.

This year, there’s a sign up on the side of the home that reads “The Disney House Has Retired - Thanks for the Memories.” Sad to see it go after all these years, but it is understandable, as it must have been quite a bit of work over the years. Thank you and all local area residents that go the extra mile to make their residences extra fun for the winter holiday season.

Side view of home at Timberlane and fearing in prior years.

Sign up at home in 2023 Christmas Season

Front of Disney home in 2022

Side of Disney home in December 2022.

California Bun in Moorpark Announces December 18 Soft Opening Date

California Bun announced today that its "soft opening" in the Tuscany Square at 144 Los Angeles Ave, Unit 105 in Moorpark is December 18th. Their menu features an assortment of 15 breakfast, lunch and dinner buns made fresh daily, such as Steak Sunrise, Farm Boy, Veggie Voom, BBQ With Seoul and Chorizo Con Huevo, as well as dessert buns. Learn more at californiabun.com.. They are also accepting pre-soft opening pre-orders from a limited menu starting tomorrow, Friday, December 8th at 3pm for pickup on the 13th and 16th. Supplies will be limited. Follow their IG page @getcaliforniabun for details.

Firehouse Subs Coming to Northgate Plaza in Westlake Village (Opened in May 2024)

Work in process at the future Firehouse Subs in Westlake Village

Got word from an observant friend that a Firehouse Subs is being built in the Northgate Plaza (southwest corner of Westlake and T.O. Blvds - 111 S. Westlake Blvd, #104) in the former Starbucks, between Yogurtland and Sharky's. Firehouse Subs was founded in Jacksonville, FL, in 1994 by former firemen and has grown to over 1,200 locations. The chain was purchased by the parent company of Burger King in 2021. There are locations at the Simi Valley Town Center and in Ventura. Stay tuned. www.firehousesubs.com..

Lucky Strike Moorpark Bowling to Open on Friday, December 8th

Lucky Strike will be opening its new, 40 lane bowling center in the former Dick’s Sporting Goods at 706 E. Los Angeles Ave, Moorpark on Friday, December 8th. The facility will also include a large bar area, food and arcade. More information at luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-moorpark or call 805-222-3757.

Sushi 2 Vientos Now Open in Newbury Park

Sushi 2 Vientos opened several weeks ago at The Village at Dos Vientos in Newbury Park at 370 Via Las Brisas, offering sushi and Mexican fusion. Check out their menu on their Yelp page. The previous occupant of this space was Yama San, which closed in the late 2022 time frame.

Eight Park Renovations by the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 2023

Conejo Creek North Park (next to the T.O. Library) is the last of eight parks that have gone, or are going through, renovations by the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 2023. The other seven park renovations that have been completed this year are at Newbury Gateway Park, Russell Park, Wildflower Playfield, Dos Vientos Community Park, Banyan Park, Sycamore Neighborhood Park, and Suburbia Park.

More information about 51 parks and other recreational programs overseen by CRPD at crpd.org.

IHOP Newbury Park to Close Its Doors on Sunday, November 19th

A sign on the door of IHOP Newbury Park, 2315 Michael Drive, indicates the location will be closing permanently on November 19th at 3 p.m. The remaining IHOP in the Conejo Valley is the 24 hour location at 5031 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. www.ihop.com

Prior to IHOP, this location was Astro Family Restaurant until the early 1990s time frame. Prior to that it was a Sambo’s Restaurant, which opened in November 1977.

Astro Family Restaurant in the 1990 time frame.

Sambo’s Restaurant opened in the Fall of 1977.

Urbane Cafe To Open 2nd Ventura Location on November 30th

The popular Urbane Cafe will be opening a 2nd location on Thursday, November 30th in the city of Ventura soon at 811 E. Thompson Blvd. (cross street S. Ash), directly across the street from Spencer Makenzie’s.

Urbane Cafe has been offering delicious salads and sandwiches with its made from scratch Focaccia bread since 2003. A true local Ventura County success story, the eatery has grown to several dozen locations in California and Nevada, including locations in Ventura (soon to be two), Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley.

Learn more at urbanecafe.com