Oxnard Police Department Launches "Stay in Touch" Program for Local Residents

The Oxnard Police Department recently introduced "Stay in Touch," a service that emails you notifications about public safety issues and crime activity in your specific neighborhood in Oxnard. To sign up, you simply provide your email address and name and selected your neighborhood. Learn more and sign up at stayintouch.oxnardpd.org.

REI Grand Opening Event at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard on March 22-24

REI invites the public to its grand opening celebration at its new store at The Collection at Riverpark on March 22–24!

REI Oxnard will provide Ventura County area outdoor enthusiasts with top-brand gear and clothing for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, paddling and more. The store will also include a bike shop, alone with a full range of services to cyclists. The store will also offer a wide selection of outdoor rental equipment.

The Grand Opening Celebration is set to include the following:

Free Continental Breakfast
Get fueled up before the activities begin! A light breakfast will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting one hour before the store opens. (Doors open at 10am Friday and Saturday, and 11am Sunday.)

Shop Early, Get a Gift! The first 200 people (age 12 and older) through the door on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will receive a limited-edition CamelBak water bottle with a $10, $25, $50 or $100 REI gift card inside.

Free Limited-Edition Member T-Shirt
Get a free limited-edition REI Sport Tech T-Shirt when you purchase an REI membership ($20 one-time fee) during Grand Opening Weekend. Offer good while supplies last.

REI Oxnard Sweepstakes* Enter to win great prizes, March 22–24, at the Oxnard store only. One sweepstakes per day. *No purchase necessary to win. See www.rei.com/stores/oxnard.html for details and official rules.

Gourmet Food Trucks in Oxnard's Heritage Square the 1st Thursday of Each Month

The first Thursday of every month is Gourmet Food Truck Night in Oxnard's Heritage Square, 715 South A Street. Each event brings you 8 to 12 of the hottest trucks in the southland. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. with DJ entertainment, friends, and downtown restaurants and shops joining in the party with late hours and specials. Plenty of free parking on street and in public lots. More information at downtownoxnard.org/index.php/activities/food_trucks.

Next stop...March 7, 2013.

Ceramics Studio in Oxnard is New; Ceramics Studio in Camarillo is Adieu

Recently, Paintin' Place vacated its location at 330 N. Lantana in Camarillo in the Paseo Camarillo Shopping Center. Sorry to see them go. In the meantime, a new Color Me Mine Paint it Yourself Pottery location opened at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard last November. So net/net we are "even" in terms of paint-your-own-pottery places around town.

Click the image for a link to various ceramics studios in and around Ventura County.

Seven New Eateries Set to Open at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard in 2013

The Collection at Riverpark outdoor shopping center in Oxnard has no less than seven new eateries set to open in 2013. In addition a new Menchie's Frozen Yogurt opened on February 9th.

In spring 2013, Gandolfo's New York Deli, Gen Korean BBQ and Famous Dave's BBQ are planning to open. Gandolfo's is indicating a grand opening date of March 28th. Additionally, a new Starbucks (hey they have food so you could consider that an eatery, right :).

More recently The Collection announced that that Yard House, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will open later in 2013.

Yard House offers American fusion cuisine featuring appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, street tacos, grilled burgers, individual-size pizzas, seafood, steaks and ribs. Yard House is also known for its wide selection of imported, craft and specialty ales and lagers—more than 100 different types on tap.

Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana will open its fifth location at The Collection. Settebello’s Pizzeria specializes in wood-fired Napoletana-style pizza, which is a softer crust pizza that cooks very quickly at high temperatures. Whenever possible, the ingredients are imported from the Napoli region of Italy, and when importing is not a possibility, they find the highest quality comparable American products.

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will bring its unique country vibe to the center, along with a guitar-shaped bar and “live music, whiskey girls, and beer in mason jars.” Toby Keith’s also offers a family friendly lunch and dinner menu, so feel free to bring the kids. Toby Keith’s also brings in live country-western bands, live-band karaoke and free line dancing lessons.

Click to read more ...

5th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival Announces Top Tamales in 2012

The 5th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival took place on a wet Saturday, December 1, 2012. This year's overall, and now two-time winner is BG's Cafe, 428 South A Street, Oxnard. If you're looking for a great tamale, BG's apparently is where it's at! Visit their website at www.bgscafe.com or call 805.487.0700. They are open 7 days a week.

BG's Cafe has been in business for over 40 years. Originally founded by Bill and Gloria Stuart (hmm, their initials are B and G, I wonder if that's a coincidence) in 1971 and was sold to Jose and Veronica Rodriguez in 2004, who have expanded the menu and added catering services.

Top 3 savory and sweet tamales at the event as determined by a panel of hungry judges:

Savory Tamale:

• First Place; Frias Catering of Oxnard
• Second Place; El Taco De Mexico of Ventura
• Third Place; Panaderia La Mexicana Bakery of Oxnard

Sweet Tamale:

• First Place; BG's Coffee Shop and Deli (aka BG's Cafe) of Downtown Oxnard
• Second Place; Sugarbeets Restaurant & Bar of Downtown Oxnard
• Third Place; Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales of Pacoima

This year's tamale tasting judges included: Hon. Steven Hintz, Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector, Catherine Hintz, Wife of Hon. Steven Hintz, Hon. Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk/Recorder,, Hon. Fred Bysshe, Ventura County Superior Court, Joe Mulrooney, Treasurer of Ventura County Deputy Sheriffs Association, John Ragan, ARC of Ventura County, Chef Gerard Turbush, Chef Paul Tavakoli, Nakita DiGuardi, Toni Valdez, Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters Ventura County, Chef Henry Patey of the Oxnard College Culinary Arts Program and Terrel Harrison, Director of Oxnard Police Activities League.

Stay tuned for next year's 6th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival at www.oxnardtamalefest.com or by following their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/oxnardtamalefestival.

Proceeds from the Oxnard Tamale Festival supports local non-profits and recreation projects that benefit local youth. Community grants have supplemented programs for at-risk youth, veterans, prevention of homelessness, cancer research, food pantries, recreation centers and mentally disabled individuals. Past recipients have included Oxnard City Corps, Oxnard Police Activities League, Food Share of Ventura County, ARC of Ventura County, Salvation Army, Boy Scouts Troop #228, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Santa Clara Church, American Cancer Society, and Oxnard College Veterans Club.

Five Guys Burgers Opening at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard on November 15th

The 3rd Ventura County location of Five Guys is opening on Thursday, November 15th at The Collection at Riverpark, 2730 Portico Way, Oxnard. To get to The Collection at Riverpark, take the 101 west, exit on Oxnard Boulevard and turn right. Turn right again on Town Center Drive into this beautiful new retail center.

Five Guys was founded in 1986 in Arlington, Virginia and is known for grilling burgers made-to-order with freshly ground beef. Five Guys claims there are no freezers in their locations. Nothing is frozen (well, maybe except for their ice cubes).  Five Guys uses only peanut oil and claims their menu is completely trans-fat free.

There are now over 1,000 Five Guys locations across the country, including this Oxnard Location, Thousand Oaks (487 N. Moorpark Road) and Simi Valley (2650 Tapo Canyon Road).

Burgers are made to order and delicious at Five Guys. My only mistake here was not adding cheese!

We've been to the Five Guys in Thousand Oaks a number of times and I can vouch for the deliciousness of their burgers. Very fresh and very beefy. You custom order your burger any way you want with nearly 20 different toppings. My only "beef" so to speak is that I often order veggie burgers. Five Guys does not have a veggie burger, though you can order a "veggie sandwich" that consists of a bun and whatever veggie toppings and cheese you'd like.

Five Guys is also known for massive quantities of fries and I love their help yourself peanuts in a shell (thankfully I have zippo peanut allergies, yeah!). They also have tasty sound hot dogs that I have not yet tried. They keep their menu pretty simple at Five Guys.

Five Guys notes on its website www.fiveguys.com that they do not offer coupons or discounts, which to me is kind of refreshing. Enjoy your burgers!

16-Screen Century Theatres to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Oct 26

In case you hadn't already noticed, there's a big new shopping center being built on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits, called The Collection at RiverPark.

If you're a Target fan, the center already features a 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Target store that opened over a year ago in July 2011. I've been there with the kids and I can honestly say this is the nicest, coolest looking Target store I've ever been to. There's also covered parking, which kind of nice.

Shea Properties continues construction of The Collection at RiverPark and has announced a number of great new additions to our local shopping and dining scene!  Here's what is coming:

Century Theatres will be opening a brand new 16 screen location on Friday, October 26th (just in time for Halloween)! Two of the screens will use their new XD (Extreme Digital) technology that features a larger screen, up to 38' × 70' and improvements in audio and digital projection.

In November 2012, they plan to open Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Panera Bread, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Color Me Mine (do it yourself pottery painting studio) and Massage Envy Spa.

In the spring of 2013 they anticipate the opening of REI Store, (outdoor gear and clothing), a Whole Foods Market and a Starbucks.

For more information and updates, visit shoppingthecollection.com.

White Rabbit Fusion Cafe Opened in Oxnard on June 23rd; Iron Horse Bar & Grill To Re-open Soon in Ventura

White Rabbit Fusion Cafe opened its doors at 221 W. 5th Street in Downtown Oxnard, near the movie theaters, this past weekend.  White Rabbit started out as a food truck in July 2010 and then opened its first location in Canoga Park in November 2010. Their menu is a mixture of traditional Filipino cuisine with Mexican-American flavors and includes tacos, burritos, beef dishes and other items (with veggie options). Looking at their menu I see a Filipino inspired spaghetti with sweet and spicy marinara fused with miniature saugages...I'm definitely trying that. Sounds really good! Visit www.whiterabbitcafela.com or call 805.483.4440 for more information.

Previously located in the White Rabbit spot was Iron Horse Bar & Grill, which relocated to the old Hudson's Bar & Grill location near the corner of Telephone and Main in Ventura.

From their Facebook page: "We are the home of the famous Double Barrel Burger, Panhead Pastrami Sandwich, Tombstone Tacos, 2011 'People's Choice' Award-Winning Salsa and so much more! Our menu features everything: succulent, charbroiled burgers; savory sandwiches; authentic Mexican food using generations-old family recipes, and home-made delectable desserts guaranteed to satisfy even the most discriminating palates. Need something to wash down that tasty Double Barrel? We've got you covered, with our 22 oz. draft beers and selection of over 20 bottled beers and wines."

New Channel Islands (formerly Ventura County) Maritime Museum to Open in July

Executive Director Announces Channel Islands Maritime Museum Changes

Bill Conroy, the Executive Director of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, announced last month that  the museum is changing its name to the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum will celebrate its opening early in July 2012 at its new site overlooking the Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard.

The colorful patio entrance and newly designed façade welcome visitors to this harbor retreat. Once inside, families will be able to stroll leisurely through art galleries with panoramic views of the Channel Islands Harbor. They will be able to see newly designed exhibits illustrating the pageantry and drama of our maritime past.

The museum’s collection of seascapes by 17th century Dutch painters will be colorfully exhibited in an elegant and intimate gallery. Children will be awed by the epic story of the dragon-headed Turtle Boat heroically created by the tiny Chosen Dynasty navy of Admiral Y Sun Shin to defend against foreign invading forces.

Museum volunteers continue their efforts to raise funds to build out the new museum by selling pavers inscribed with a donor’s name. These are still available for a donation of $200. In addition, naming opportunities for individual galleries and major donations are welcome to support and preserve this cultural resource for the entire community.

The museum is also recruiting volunteers for training as docents in the expanded facility.

For information please call (805) 984-6260 or visit cimmvc.org.

The Community Roots Garden is a Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunity in Oxnard

The Community Roots Garden is a non-profit community garden open to the public to come and volunteer, learn, and share food together. We are a ministry of, and are located, at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

Farming an acre with volunteers is no small feat. Many hands are needed, and we welcome yours! We invite you to come dig, weed, learn, teach, ask questions, take a shift on irrigation, bring food for potlucks, share your ideas, or donate materials or funding. You can help in whatever way you’d like. It is a rewarding project because it is tangible—you can watch it grow!—and for the simple satisfaction of working with others on something meaningful.  Working in the garden is also a fun way to complete needed community service hours.  No experience necessary. Children welcome. Se habla español.

Please bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sturdy shoes. Tools and water provided.  For more information on volunteering, call Katerina at 805-616-2326.  Visit our website at www.communityrootsgarden.org or find us on Facebook.

Play Days:  Saturdays from 9am-12pm (free meal prepared by Youth using garden harvest)  Sundays from 1-4pm (community potluck). Call for tours and info on upcoming workshops!

Ventura Police Department Seeks to Identify Target Store Thief on December 12, 2011

From the Ventura Police Department

Can you help identify this individual? On December 12, 2011 at 11:15 p.m. the suspect entered Target (4200 E. Main St. Ventura) and selected a hammer and a clear storage bin. The suspect then used the hammer to smash the iPod case and loaded the storage bin with 21 iPods. The individual then ran out of the store via the fire exit with the stolen merchandise. The total loss is estimated at $3,865.

The suspect is believed to be a man dressed as a woman wearing a dark brown wig. The attached surveillance photos are actually from the Oxnard Target on the same date but taken just a few minutes prior to the theft at the Target in Ventura. At the Oxnard Target store the suspect had filled a bin full of merchandise but was then was contacted by Target employees and subsequently fled the store leaving all the merchandise behind. No vehicle description from either incident is reported.

Should you have any information you are asked to contact Detective Corporal Matt Cain at 805.339.4488 or you can make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 1.800.222.TIPS. If your information leads to an arrest you could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.

2011 Oxnard Tamale Festival Taste Test Winners Announced!

The 4th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival took place this past Saturday in Downtown Oxnard. Organizers of the event have announced the tamale taste test champions!

The 2011 Oxnard Tamale Festival Tamale Making Champion is...BG's Coffee Shop (805.487.0700) located at 428 South A Street, Oxnard

Savory Tamale Category Winners

First Place; Taco De Mexico of Ventura

Second Place; Sugarbeets Restaurant & Bar of Downtown Oxnard

Third Place; The Jolly Oyster of Ventura

Sweet Tamale Category Winners

First Place; BG's Coffee Shop of Downtown Oxnard

Second Place; Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales of Pacoima

Third Place; Nancy's Bakery #2 of South Oxnard 

This year's tamale tasting judges included:

Hon. Steven Hintz, Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector

Hon. Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk/Recorder,

Hon. Fred Bysshe, Ventura County Superior Court

John Ragan, ARC of Ventura County

Chef Gerard Turbush

Chef Paul Tavakoli

Ralph Herrera

Chef Henry Patey of the Oxnard College Culinary Arts Program.

For more information, call 805.766.4906 or visit www.oxnardtamalefest.com.

Thousand Oaks Police Department Business Watch Update - May 31, 2011

From the Thousand Oaks Police Department:

Last month a vandalism occurred at the Cheesecake Factory in Thousand Oaks.  A possible known suspect threw a container of oil at the business.  This same type of crime has occurred several times in Oxnard.  If this crime has occurred at your business or if it does, we are asking you report it to the Thousand Oaks Police Department by calling (805) 654-9511.  The more calls we receive the better chance we have in making an arrest. Remember, even a call with the least information may solve several other cases.

Smokey's House of BBQ in Oxnard Closed Its Doors in January 2011

Smokey's House of BBQ at 1201 S. Victoria Avenue in Oxnard closed its doors in January of this year. It was previously on the Kids Eat Free list. But their Dana Point location is still open if you're ever down that way. www.SmokeysHouseofBBQ.com

Murphy Auto Museum Features Early American Motorcycle Display

The Murphy Auto Museum is always a fun place to visit with it collection of over 40 classic cars, vintage clothing and model railroad on display. Now there's another reason to visit. They currently have an early American motorcycles display in the museum. An Excelsior, Thor, Pope, and a red Indian. Also 3 scooters, Lambreta, Vespa and a Sears. On display until April. Go check it out!

From Wikipedia: Pope Manufacturing Company was founded by Albert Augustus Pope in Hartford, CT. The company began with the introduction of the "Columbia High Wheeler" bicycle in 1878. Until 1896, Pope was the leading US producer of bicycles. It wasn’t until 1911 that Pope mounted an engine on a bicycle and began to manufacture motorcycles.  

The Pope motorcycle was high end. Selling for around $250 [about the price of a Model T], the Pope was more expensive than a Harley Davidson or an Indian motorcycle. But the Pope was also a bike technologically ahead of its time. When most motorcycles were built with flathead engines, the Pope was powered by a 1000 cc, V-Twin, with overhead valves. This engine ran a three-speed transmission equipped with both hand and foot clutch. Inspired by his bicycles, the Pope featured a chain drive for the first time in 1918, while most manufacturers were still using belts.  With World War I raging, Pope turned to war production in 1918, and motorcycle production was quickly phased out.

You Never Go Wrong With a Costco Hot Dog

For $1.50 I enjoy the simple enjoyment of a Costco hot dog and a soft drink. It is always a bargain, and for another $1, I love the huge churros that they offer, washed down with a $1.50 berry smoothie. Since I usually eat pretty healthy, this occasional splurge causes me no feelings of guilt.

This is one big hot dog, and the buns are always fresh, wrapped the same way they serve them at Dodger Stadium. And around the corner there is mustard, ketchup (ycchh, I'm hoping the ketchup is limited to kids' hot dogs under age 10), relish and onions.  I love the onion machine...you know, the one where you turn a crank and the chopped onions barrel out on top of the hot dog.

Ah yes, to live life to its fullest, one must stop by and dine on one of those $1.50 hot dog/soda combos at Costco.

Anchor Has Been Lowered at Anchor Blue

I remember shopping at Miller's Outpost as a kid. Miller's Outpost became Anchor Blue in the 1990s and I've never been into an Anchor Blue store. And perhaps that is why they filed bankruptcy for a 2nd time this month and are calling it quits. The first time they filed bankruptcy was in May 2009.

That means you now have another store to find some deep discounts. They currently are advertising 40-60% off. There are Anchor Blue stores at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura (805.639.0462) and Oxnard Esplanade (805.988.8003). Employees are not sure when the stores will officially close, but they are in process of selling off their remaining inventory.

More info at www.anchorblue.com.

New Oxnard Police Chief, Jeri Williams, Announced on November 30th

Oxnard City Manager Ed Sotelo announced yesterday morning that he has selected Jeri Williams for the job of Oxnard Police Chief. It is expected that Ms. Williams will assume her duties as Police Chief sometime after January 1st.

“I know that Jeri Williams is exceptionally qualified for the position and is the best fit for our City”, said Mr. Sotelo. “Jeri brings with her extensive community policing experience which will serve to complement and enhance our City’s efforts in that area dating back to 1990.” Sotelo continued.

Jeri Williams has 22 years of experience in the City of Phoenix Police Department where, in her current role as the Assistant Chief of the Southern Division, she is responsible for 1000 sworn and civilian personnel and over half of the city’s 500 plus square miles. Phoenix Assistant Chief Williams has oversight of seven police precincts, the Special Assignments Unit (SAU), the Air Unit, the Canine Unit, the Training Bureau and the Community Relations Bureau. In addition, Jeri serves as the Co-Chair of the City Manager’s Community Outreach and Engagement Task Force established in March of 2010 to increase communication with, access to and confidence in the Phoenix Police Department.

Through the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Jeri has completed the Leadership in Police Organizations (LPO) Program and has been trained as an instructor in LPO. Jeri has been a certified Arizona Police Officers Standards and Training (AZPOST) instructor for 15-years and has taught classes at the Training Academy for newly promoted supervisors.

Jeri’s professional operational experience includes acting as the Phoenix Area Commander for Super Bowl XLII (2008), Operations Section Chief for the NBA All-Star Game (2009), and the Senior Advisor for the City of Phoenix Protest of SB 1070 (2010). Jeri is certified to act as an Incident Commander and Deputy Incident Commander through the All Hazards Incident Management program offered by FEMA.

Contributing to Jeri’s strong leadership and organizational management style is a broad educational background. She holds a BS Degree from Arizona State University, a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University and has completed her Comprehensive Examinations in pursuit of her Doctorate in Educational Leadership also from Northern Arizona University.

Jeri has been an adjunct instructor at two community colleges and is an experienced public speaker, skilled in dealing with diverse groups. She has the proven ability to calm community and employee groups in times of crisis with her transparent and open communication/leadership style. Jeri is approachable, sincere, and has a natural command presence that the members of her community and department rely on to “get the job done” with integrity, hard work and dedication.

On a personal note, Jeri has been married to her husband, Judge Cody Williams (South Phoenix Justice of the Peace) for nearly 21 years and has two sons Alan (17 years old) a Senior at North High School and Cody (16 years old) a Junior at North High School.

www.ci.oxnard.ca.us