Rotating Nature Exhibit at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks to Feature Hippos

Conejo Recreation & Park District has outdone itself once again. In an effort to diversify the types of activities available to district residents, CRPD presents a one of a kind experience at Conejo Creek Park North. Starting today, a family of hippopotamuses will be residing in the Conejo Creek pond, cohabitating with the duckies.

John Dewliddle, head of CRPD's new Wildlife Habitat Animals in Training (WHAT) program remarked "We are thrilled to present this unique experience to the Conejo Valley."

I asked, "WHAT?" and he nodded. Hippos are the first set of animals that will be rotated into the park in six month increments. "We're already working on crocodiles in September of 2021, followed by African Bush Elephants next spring."

Is this safe for local residents? Dewliddle indicated, "Absolutely. These are the most docile hippos in Southern California. They love to eat, and we've partnered with Costco to provide an endless supply of fruits and vegetables to keep them munching away." He asks that residents refrain from feeding the hungry hippos.

More info at bit.ly/ConejoValleyHippos.

Ventura County Coronavirus Case Rates by Zip Code and Death Rates by City as of February 26, 2021

Beautiful Rainbow in the Skies of the Conejo Valley on Saturday, January 23, 2021

At the end of a day of off and on rains, we were blessed with this beautiful rainbow in Thousand Oaks today. I was driving down Moorpark Road near Janss Marketplace, stopped at a stoplight, when I noticed this surprise in the sky. So I pulled into the Janss parking lot to capture the colors. A great way to end an otherwise cloudy day.

Photo credit: L. David Irete

Photo credit: Rachel L via CVG Facebook Page

Another shot from Janss Marketplace

And in other news yesterday, there was snow on the side of the road along Malibu Canyon Road in the Malibu Hills. (Photo credit: Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station)

How to Sign Up For Southern California Edison Outage Alerts

In extreme weather conditions, when heat and low humidity combine with high winds, Southern California Edison (SCE) may activate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) when power is turned off in a high fire risk area.

Here in the Ventura County and Greater Los Angeles County area, one particularly challenging extreme weather condition arises when Santa Ana winds and low humidity increase the possibility of wildfire conditions.

Customers can report or inquire about outages at 800-611-1911 and get the latest information using the SCE outages app at sce.com/outages.

Find out which areas are under PSPS consideration or that have been de-energized at sce.com/psps

Customers can also get the latest information by visiting sce.com/staysafe or at twitter.com/sce and facebook.com/sce.

Customers can also receive outage alerts via email, voice message and/or text message. First, you have to register your account at sce.com.

After creating your account (which requires that you verify your account using an existing phone number on file, log in and update your contact information.

Then, go to My Account/Profile/Outage Alert Preferences and scroll down to the “Want to be notified?” section and click “Manage Notifications.” It takes seconds to complete and, wallah, you’ll receive outage updates in the future.

Ventura County Residents Treated to Prominent Display of Snow After the Christmas Holiday

The snow seen in the Los Padres National Forest from the cities in Ventura County was very prominent in the days following Christmas this year as you can see in this footage. A beautiful site. Must of it has melted as of the 29th but I think we will see more soon.

Footage taken from section of the Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Photo credit: L. David Irete

Ventura County Residents Treated to Full Double Rainbow on December 23, 2019

The double rainbow local residents were treated to on Monday afternoon was epic. Folks were in awe of this Christmas Eve Eve colorful sensation.

Restaurants New and Adieu in Ventura County During 2019

Here's a compilation of restaurants throughout the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County that opened, announced plans to open or closed in 2019.

Restaurants That Opened in 2019

• Tabu Shabu opened in Thousand Oaks in December

• Denny’s New Location in Ventura in the fall

• Dunkin’ opened in Camarillo in October

• Vegiterranean Kitchen opened in Moorpark in November

• The Habit Burger Grill opened in November on the Cal Lutheran campus

• Hummus Bistro opened in November in Newbury Park

• Top This Chocolate opened at Ventura Harbor Village in November

• Robeks Juice opened in Thousand Oaks in October

• The Nook Restaurant opened in Newbury Park in September

• West Village Cafe opened at the North Ranch Gateway in Westlake Village in September

• Boney Mtn Tavern became Boney Mtn Pizza Co. this summer

• Tarantula Hill Brewing Company in Thousand Oaks opened this summer

• Jack’s Donuts Thousand Oaks opened on November 9th

• Santour Kabobery opened in former Famous Dave’s Simi Valley location in September

• Barone’s Pizza opened 2nd location at Northstar Plaza Thousand Oaks in September

• Braxton’s Kitchen opened at former Breakfast Cafe in Camarillo on June 8th

• Historia Bakery opened in Thousand Oaks in October

• Ruperto’s Kitchen Mexican Food opened in Newbury Park in July

• Cafe Sapienta opened in Oak Park this summer

• Marie’s Cafe Simi Valley opened in the Sinaloa Plaza in August

• Namaste Spiceland opened new, larger location in Thousand Oaks in February

• Huarache Xpress opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in March

• Surf Boba opened in June at the former Jamba Juice at the Simi Valley Town Center

• Currying Flavors opened at The Shops at Oak Creek in Agoura Hills in August

• O-R Authentic Thai Cuisine opened at The Oaks Mall in November

• Texas de Brazil Churrascaria opened at The Collection in Oxnard on September 24th

• The Original Pizza Cookery opened in Thousand Oaks on June 3rd

• Black Bear Diner opened in Simi Valley on May 28th

• Matcha Tea and Boba opened at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks in June

• Tsuki Ramen opened at former Aroha Westlake Village in April

• West of Orleans New Orleans Style Takeout Cuisine in Newbury Park opened this spring

• Oak & Iron Cocktail Bar opened in Thousand Oaks this spring

• Ameci Pizza opened at the Westlake Village Marketplace earlier this year

• Seven Spice Kitchen Chinese Food opened in Newbury Park in the spring

• Jack in the Box opened July 3rd across from the new Lowe’s Newbury Park

• Vegan Thyme opened in Newbury Park in March

• Noi Due Trattoria and Pizzeria opened at the Agoura Village Center in February

• Made in Italy Italian Deli & Bistro opened in Westlake Village on March 4th

• Peet’s Coffee Westlake Village opened in April

• Sadaf Persian Cuisine opened in Thousand Oaks in February

• Dave & Buster’s Thousand Oaks opened on March 4th

• Chick-fil-A Simi Valley opened on February 21st

• The Cheesecake Factory at The Collection in Oxnard opened on April 16th

• Social Monk Asian Kitchen opened at The Promenade at Westlake on February 25th

• Novo Cafe opened in late spring at The Shoppes at Westlake

• Coaches Old Fashioned Ice Cream opened in Newbury Park on May 25th

• The Royal Egg Cafe opened early this year at North Ranch Gateway Westlake Village

• The Cuckoo Rooster opened in Agoura Hills early this year

• MidiCI The Neopolitan Pizza Company opened in Downtown Ventura in December

Restaurants That Closed in 2019

• Brendan’s Irish Pub Agoura Hills closed

• Subway in the North Ranch Gateway (TJ Maxx) Plaza closed in October

• Subway in the Simi Valley Civic Center Plaza closed in the fall

• Bubbers Bowls at The Shoppes at Westlake closed in the fall

• Greens Up! at The Shoppes at Westlake closed on August 1st

• Subway at Janss Marketplace closed in the late summer time frame

• Westlake Brewing & Libations closed in June

• SpireWorks Modern Döner at the Westlake Plaza closed in June

• Outback Steakhouse Thousand Oaks closed in June

• Baja Fresh Thousand Oaks closed on May 30th

• Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace closed on April 19th

• The Grill by Green Acres in Simi Valley closed April 28th

• Go Greek Yogurteria closed at The Oak Mall this spring

• Maya Mexican Cuisine Thousand Oaks closed in the spring

• Great Harvest Bread in Newbury Park closed March 2nd

• Haagen Dazs and Cinnabon at The Oaks Mall closed early in the year

• Famous Dave’s BBQ at The Collection in Oxnard closed in January

• Sweet XO in Agoura Hills closed in January

• Rubio’s Newbury Park served its last taco on January 27th

• Old New York Deli Newbury Park closed its doors this summer

• Marie Callender’s Ventura closed its doors on January 13th

• Cold Stone Frozen Yogurt and SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt in Camarillo closed this year

• Smashburger Simi Valley closed its doors in mid-2019. It opened in March 2018.

• Cake Monkey Bakery Westlake Village closed in September after 13 months in business

Restaurants That Plan to Open Soon

• Tifa Chocolate & Gelato Coming to Oakbrook Plaza Thousand Oaks

• Amores Tequila at former Brendan’s Agoura Hills

• Cafe Rio coming to former Thousand Oaks Baja Fresh location

• California Fish Grill and “national coffee tenant” coming to former Hooters Thousand Oaks location

• Borderline owners to open BL Dancehall & Saloon in Agoura Hills

• Tifa is also opening a location in Calabasas across from The Commons

• Grabbagreen to open 2nd location in Thousand Oaks at former Rocket Fizz in 2020

• Cracker Barrel at the Camarillo Premium Outlets to open in early 2020

• Urban Vejjie opening soon at The Shoppes at Westlake in former Greens Up

• Mad Era Brewing Co. opening soon in Simi Valley

• Little Calf Creamery opening 2nd location in Westlake Village soon

• Pedals & Pints Brewing Company opening in former Red Lobster Thousand Oaks in 2020

• Farmer Boys opening in early 2020 across from Lowe’s Newbury Park

This is not a 100% comprehensive list, so feel free to report notable additions to us at THIS LINK.