Grand Re-Opening of Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Thousand Oaks is June 15th!

Today as we were walking out of Leslie's Pool Supplies next door to Lupe's on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, it dawned on me that hey, maybe they are ready to open again!  Sure enough, the sign said Lupe's, a Thousand Oaks landmark since 1947, will once again open for business TOMORROW, June 15th!  Workers were inside preparing for the grand re-opening.

The restaurant was beautiful inside and out.  It has been expanded from a cramped and dark 1500 sq ft to a beautiful, open, bright and airy 3,100 sq ft, including 649 sq ft new dining addition and a 498 sq ft outdoor patio area.  The front of Lupe's is new and improved with a fountain and enclosed courtyard.  Lupe's has been completely revamped and reinvigorated!  But the beauty of it is that it still has some look, feel and charm of the Lupe's we've known the past 60 years! Call 805.495.3573 for more information. 

Grand Opening of Brand New Muvico Theaters at The Oaks on February 27th!

2/28 UPDATE: We went tonight to see Slumdog Millionaire in the Premiere VIP section.  Wow, what a beautiful theater!  These balcony seats are very roomy and comfortable.  Our overall experience was excellent.

Our seats were purchased in advance on the Internet. So we walked up to the self service machines, I slid my credit card through and within seconds our tickets were printed.  Loved not having to wait in a line!

We walked around a bit and checked out the arcade on the first floor.  Somewhat small, but large for a movie theater arcade.  There was an air hockey table and probably around a dozen games in there.

Bogart's Restaurant 2nd Floor of Muvico

On the 2nd floor is Bogart's Bar and Grill.  Already quite popular.  The wait was 25 minutes tonight so we did not eat at a table, but we did order from the Bogart's "premier" concession stand adjacent to the bar.  In fact, I spent $60 on food and drinks there tonight, a personal record!

For the first time in my life I ate sushi in the movie theater (the tuna roll was a bit bland though) and my wife had a glass of champagne, fried calamari, grilled artichokes, portabella mushroom flatbread (or pizza) and steak skewers, topped off with popcorn.  She didn't tell me how the food was probably because she was chewing for 2 hours straight.  That must mean she enjoyed it.

Bogart's is not yet allowed to sell alcohol at the consession stand.  But the full bar had great service and they let us bring the drinks into the VIP seats.

The concession stands downstairs had more typical movie food.  It looked pretty good.  In fact, next time I go, I'll be ordering the hot dog and curly fries for $7.  That would have been more fulfilling than my sushi roll.

The movie itself was unbelievable.  No wonder it won Best Picture.  Just amazing.  And the clear picture and perfect sound made the experience outstanding.

The exterior of the theatre is also beautiful and there is a nice connection between the new section of The Oaks mall and Muvico.  In fact, The Oaks has a large outdoor section now that looks really top notch.  Beautifully done.

Muvico Grand Opening Weekend begins on Friday, February 27th at The Oaks in Thousand Oaks! Muvico's 14-screen, 109,000 square foot theater will complement the graceful Southern California architectural design of the new and improved The Oaks. And more great news for the local economy! Hey, our 401(k) plans may be down 50%, but we can splurge a bit on local entertainment, right?

These theaters are state-of-the-art, with curved wall-to-wall screens and all digital, Sony Premier 4K (high definition) Digital Projection technology. Muvico will also feature Bogart's Bar & Grill, an upscale restaurant along with a full-service bar.

Or better yet, buy tickets starting February 24th by visiting the Muvico website at www.muvico.com. This should be a really big event as it has been several years in the making! for an overview.

Technology:

Southern California's only Sony 4K ultra high definition projection - all 14 auditoriums (stadium style)

3D capabilities in four (4) auditoriums

The latest in sound technology from JBL-Harman Pro.

General Admission

$9.50 Matinees before 4pm

$11.00 Adults after 4pm

$8.50 Seniors 55 and up, all times

$8.50 Children 12 and under, all times

Muvico Pepsi Experience and Reserved Seating

$1.00 up charge for Reserved Seating, includes Giant screen and Leather seating with spacious legroom

The Premier - (Ages 21 and older only. Valid ID required prior to entry.)

Admission includes reserved seating, a voucher for the Premier concession or Bogart's Bar & Grill, and Free popcorn

$16.00 Matinees before 4pm

$20.00 All Shows after 4pm

Additional Charges:

$3.00 up charge for all 3D features (includes 3D glasses)

$1.00 up charge for General Admission reserved seating (Select theaters only)

Join a New Club in Conejo Valley or Ventura County in 2009!

Image: Courtesy of NASAIf you are looking to connect with other local residents with similar hobbies and interests, or just looking for something new to do, check out the Social, Hobby, Cultural Clubs section of Conejo Valley Guide!  There  is something for pretty much anyone in here.  These clubs usually meet monthly, some weekly, at a local venue.  Here is a sampling of what is out there:

• Conejo Valley Fly Fishers
• Ventura County Rose Society
• Ventura County Japanese Citizens League
• Red Line Corvettes Club (Thousand Oaks)
• Gold Coast Modular Railroad Club
• Conejo Valley Quilt Guild
• Ventura County Astronomical Society
• Toastmasters Clubs (over 40 in Ventura County alone)
• California Kayak Friends Club
• Hawaii Club of Ventura County
• On the Rocks 4 Wheelers Club
• Ventura County Dart Association
• Go Fly a Kite in 2009!Ventura County Kite Flyers
• Ventura Surf Club
• Conejo Chinese Cultural Association
• Conejo Valley Audubon Society
• Conejo Valley Bonzai Society
• Camarillo Quilters Association
• Marine Aquarium Society of Ventura County
• Ventura County Over the Hill Gang
• Simi Settlers Amateur Radio Club
• Watch and Clock Collectors - Ventura County
• Gold Coast Treasure Hunters and Metal Detecting Club
• Conejo Valley Garden Club
• Conejo Gem and Mineral Club
• Ventura County Chess Club
• Thousand Oaks Personal Computer Club
• Conejo Valley Historical Society
• Conejo Valley Archers
• Ventura County Philatelic Society
• Ventura County Dog Fanciers Association

The list goes on....we have looked and looked but still have not found a local tiddly winks club.  Not yet at least.

So check out some of these clubs and start broadening your interests and horizons in 2009!  To add to this list, contact us here.

Help a Local 8 Year Old Boy Diagnosed With Brain Cancer

UPDATE:  With sadness, we report that young Thomas Hearne passed at 4:30 p.m. today, March 19, 2009.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Thomas Hearne, an 8 year old boy from Camarillo, was diagnosed with brain cancer on July 8th.  Initially emergency room workers thought it was a virus.  An MRI proved otherwise.  The next day Thomas was in surgery at Childrens' Hospital in Los Angeles to remove a tumor at the base of his brain toward the back of his head.  However, the cancer had already spread to his brain and spinal cord and Thomas is receiving chemotherapy.  Not only that, a contractor paid to remodel the Hearne house bailed out, leaving the Hearne family home in need of major work.

Please reach out if you can to help Thomas Hearne and his family in this time of need.  Visit www.thomashearne.titlereptom.com to learn more and to make a donation.  Or make checks payable to "The Hearne Family" and mail to Tami Tackett, 4829 Paseo Montelena, Camarillo, CA 93012.  Or make a deposit at any Washington Mutual branch into the "The Hearne Family" benevolent account.