Peter Strauss Ranch to Reopen to the Public on Monday, June 6, 2022

The grounds of Peter Strauss Ranch will reopen to the public on Monday, June 6 in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The public is invited to park on-site, picnic and hike through the beautiful oak woodlands. The site will be open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.

After suffering significant damage from the November 2018 Woolsey Fire, Peter Strauss Ranch remained closed for two essential activities. The National Park Service (NPS) completed multiple soil lifts to remove hazardous materials after the fire. The site served as a staging area for the County of Los Angeles to reconstruct the Mulholland Highway bridge over Triunfo Canyon Creek. With the completion of both projects this spring, the site is ready for public access.

Beyond Peter Strauss Ranch, the Woolsey Fire damaged 112 miles of trails and 88 percent of federal park land in the Santa Monica Mountains. Thirty structures and outbuildings were also destroyed. NPS staff worked hard in the weeks and months following the fire to reopen trails, clear roads, stabilize hillsides, repair culverts and conduct surveys.

Named for Emmy Award-winning actor Peter Strauss, the last owner of the property, the ranch was originally purchased in 1923 by Harry Miller. The historic ranch house, built in 1926 and completed a year later, was destroyed during the Woolsey Fire. Visitors can still discover an Italian terrazzo tile concert area where country legends Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson performed in the 1950s. There is also the relic of an enormous outdoor swimming pool from the property’s Lake Enchanto period, which lasted between 1939 to 1965.

Peter Strauss Ranch is located at 30000 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills.

For more information about the long-term plans for the recovery of Peter Strauss Ranch, read the draft Environmental Assessment (EA).

K1 Speed Thousand Oaks Opens to the Public Tomorrow, Saturday, January 15th

K1 Speed Thousand Oaks just announced that it will open TOMORROW, Saturday, January 15! Open from noon to 10pm Saturday, 11am to 9pm Sunday. Electric go-karts for all ages, video games, air hockey, billiards and more. The Paddock Lounge Cafe serves food and beverages. Address is 770 Lawrence Drive in Newbury Park. 805-321-8258

More information at www.k1speed.com/thousand-oaks-location.html.

Conejo Valley Restaurant Week Scheduled for February 18-27, 2022

Conejo Valley is gearing up to host its annual Conejo Valley Restaurant Week scheduled from February 18-27, 2022. This week-long dining event, hosted by Visit Conejo Valley, will feature excellent deals on existing menu items and special offerings while stimulating tourism and driving traffic to the local restaurants in the Conejo Valley area.

From local flavors and craft brews to an inspired wine scene, Conejo Valley is the perfect foodie destination with a unique assortment of delicious restaurants, unique breweries, bakeries and more.

“We are excited to host another restaurant week to encourage locals to celebrate and support our local culinary community,” said President/CEO of Visit Conejo Valley, Danielle Borja. “This is the perfect time for residents and visitors to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture of Conejo Valley.”

Conejo Valley has many things to discover and explore only 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu and 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Visitors can extend their visit and enjoy all that Conejo Valley has to offer by staying at one of the 16 lodging options for all styles and budgets. Visitors that book minimum 2-night stay at one of the 16 participating hotels in the cities of Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks can sign up to receive a $100 Conejo Cash gift card upon hotel check-in.

Stay tuned for special Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2022 offers by visiting: Restaurant Week 2022 - Conejo Valley. For visitors looking for lodging, visit: https://conejo.com/stay.

ABOUT VISIT CONEJO VALLEY
Created in 2013, Visit Conejo Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills, Calif. With a mission to increase overnight visitation and improve the local economy, Visit Conejo Valley promotes the region’s diverse 16 lodging properties, unique outdoor recreation, bustling arts and culture scene, diverse dining and tasting experiences, providing visitors with helpful resources to make the best of their trip and “See Another Side of Southern California.” To learn more about accommodations, attractions, and things to do in Conejo Valley, visit conejo.com.

Ventura City Council Votes to Make "Main Street Moves" a More Permanent Downtown Attraction

UPDATE: Ventura’s Main Street Moves is now extended to June 2024. Safely shop, sip, dine and stroll in the streets during Main Street Movies. More info at downtownventura.org/moves.

Ventura City Council moves toward making Main Street Moves a more permanent attraction in Downtown Ventura

The Ventura City Council voted 7-0 at its meeting on November 8 to make Main Street Moves long-term with a full closure of five blocks in Downtown Ventura, retaining the existing curb, gutter, and sidewalk configuration through a flexible design approach.

Discussions included maintaining a pedestrian-friendly area in keeping Main Street closed to traffic from San Buenaventura Mission to Fir Street, with an additional focus on potentially keeping California Street closed to traffic.

“During the pandemic, the City reimagined the use of public spaces and joined with Downtown Ventura Partners to launch Main Street Moves, which helped many local businesses not only survive but thrive,” said Mayor Sofia Rubalcava. “Thousands of people have expressed strong support for keeping streets closed and maintaining outdoor dining and shopping areas. It’s exciting to hear that kind of positive public response as we look at design, cost, and logistics for supporting a semi-permanent downtown street closure for Main Street Moves.”

Main Street Moves roadblock on California Street at Santa Clara Street in Downtown Ventura.

The design approach includes the installation of bollards at the intersections and furnishings that are removeable, allowing the modification of the closure as needed with the evolution of downtown and the needs of the space. The design would open back up the existing sidewalks, use the existing angled parking spaces for businesses to use for outdoor seating and dining in the form of parklets, and keep the existing travel lanes free and clear to accommodate delivery trucks, service vehicles, and emergency vehicles.

The City Council also voted to have City staff work with consultants to study traffic impacts, environmental impacts, obtain a bid for removable bollards, and design standards for the parklets, all which will guide the process to the full closure. Additionally, an appointed ad hoc committee will be created to focus on improvements and cohesive design to the Mission Park and Figueroa Plaza.

To encourage participation for both restaurants and retailers, staff will create a fee and lease structure for use of the public right of way space to support the activation of the street and have critical mass of participants.

In December 2021, the continuation or issuance of a new interim special use permit for Main Street Moves will be brought to City Council while staff finalizes the full closure program with the necessary studies. Main Street Moves currently operates under a Special Use Permit and Temporary Emergency Ordinance, which are set to expire on January 7, 2022.

Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/OutdoorDiningProgram to learn more about Main Street Moves and view reports, and survey results.

Bowlero is Now Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

Bowlero is now open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard, offering black light bowling, high definition video walls, arcade and a sports bar. They also serve food at a laneside lounge that includes things like wings, burgers, pizza, sundaes and more. Learn more at www.bowlero.com/location/bowlero-oxnard or call (805) 288-8953.

There's a grand opening event from 11am to 2pm on 11/13. RSVP at www.bowlero.com/bowlero-oxnard-grand-opening.

About Bowlero Corp (from their website):

In 1997, entrepreneur Tom Shannon purchased the original Bowlmor Lanes and revolutionized the industry. His vision for upscale bowling and events turned Bowlmor into a Manhattan nightlife hotspot and catapulted it onto the national stage, resulting in new locations throughout the US.

In 2013, Bowlmor purchased AMF Bowling Centers. The deal rescued AMF from bankruptcy and expanded Bowlmor’s portfolio to hundreds of locations across America.

The next year, Bowlmor AMF launched Bowlero—a dynamic new brand that would take bowling to an entirely new level. The company made headlines again that year, acquiring Brunswick Corporation’s bowling center business and uniting two longtime industry rivals—AMF and Brunswick—for the first time in history.

In 2019, we made another big acquisition: the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA). With our partners at FOX Sports, we’re reenergizing the PBA and bringing the sport to millions of fans.

Today, the company is now Bowlero Corp—a global media company and the largest owner and operator of bowling centers in the world. Our team is over 8,000 strong, our lanes number over 12,000, and more than 28 million guests visit our locations every single year.

Agoura Hills Farmers' Market at Whizin Market Square to Launch on Saturday, November 8th

Whizin Market Square is hosting a brand new farmers market in collaboration with the creative team behind Calabasas Farmers Market! The market launches Saturday, November 6, and continues every Saturday from 9 am -2 pm, rain or shine!

The market will include a kids’ area with bouncers, face painting, local farmers, artisans, a collection of vintage vendors, live acoustic sets and more!

Located at 28914 Roadside Dr,, Agoura Hills.

National Park Service Urges Pet Owners to Rethink Hiking with Animals in the Summer Heat

The National Park Service (NPS) is urging pet owners to think twice before hiking with animals after at least three dogs have died on local trails since July of this year.The National Park Service (NPS) is urging pet owners to think twice before hiking with animals after at least three dogs have died on local trails since July of this year.

“Keeping canine companions safe during a hike requires planning and a heavy dose of realism,” said Ken Low, a National Park Service ranger at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “Hikers need to ask themselves, is my dog’s physical conditioning and age appropriate for this outing? If I decide to take them, am I leaving early enough and do I have enough water?"

The National Park Service and local search and rescue teams in Los Angeles and Ventura County together have reported about a half dozen canine rescues in 2021. Most of the dogs were suffering from a heat illness. Some did not have enough water.

"Wait for cooler weather before heading out on a hike with your four-legged friends," Low said. “We helped rescue two dogs from the Sandstone Peak area in the western part of our mountains on a recent weekend and it was over 90 degrees. People don’t realize that dogs can succumb to heatstroke in just 15 minutes.”

Hikers can check with their veterinarian to learn what their dog can handle. Some dog breeds make better hiking partners than others. The dog should also be evaluated to see if they are fit enough for the hike.

Young and old dogs might not be capable of keeping up on long, challenging hikes, and the burden on growing bones may be too much for puppies. Hiking in overly hot weather should be avoided, as dogs are more susceptible than humans to the dangers of excessive heat.

It's also essential that you take water for your dog. Dogs don't sweat the way humans do. Panting is their primary method for keeping cool, putting them at a higher risk of overheating than you when on the trail.

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.

Santa Paula to Debut Friday Farmers' Market on August 27th

The City of Santa Paula, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Enriched Farms, is excited to announce the installation of a new and unique certified farmers market experience beginning Friday, August 27. The inaugural event will kick off at 3 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and opening remarks.

The new Santa Paula Certified Farmers Market, which will take place every Friday from 3 to 7 p.m. along East Santa Barbara St. between North 10th St. (Hwy 150) and North Mill St. in front of our historic Train Depot, will showcase locally certified fruits and produce from growers such as Prancers Farm and Espinoza Farm along with shops and food from over thirty vendors. Santa Paulans and visitors alike are encouraged to come out and enjoy all that beautiful Santa Paula has to offer.

Looking for a tasty quick bite or a fun Friday night dinner? Look no further than Santa Paula’s Certified Farmer Market, which is set to feature many restaurants and food businesses. Try something new, such as:

• Brothers Products - various hummus flavors, pita bread and pita chips, mediterranean salads and dips

• Davilas Pupuseria - featuring delicious pupusas

• Keto Sweets LA - baked keto brownies and breads (gluten free and diabetic friendly)

• MeGusta Gourmet Tamales and Thai Chicken - award winning tamales

• Salsa Acapulco - fresh salsa of various kinds, guacamole and various ceviches

Alongside the delicious local food stalls, attendees will find local businesses and merchants selling their popular and skillfully crafted products. From locally grown flowers from Pattys Farm to 100% locally produced honey from BlueRidge Honey, the Santa Paula Certified Farmers Market is sure to have something for everyone.

To top it all off, the Santa Paula Certified Farmers Market is the only farmers market with a wine and beer tasting section in Ventura County for adults to enjoy! Visitors may shop around for their favorite local products, grab a meal or snack, and then end their Friday night with tastes from local wine, beer and cider makers. In addition, shoppers can enjoy local live musical entertainment from local musicians while winding down the week. The wine and beer tasting area, alongside the delicacies showcased at the market, ensures the Santa Paula Farmers Market will be the perfect place to spend Friday evenings and grab local produce for the weekend.

www.spcity.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=77

FARMERS’ MARKETS THROUGHOUT VENTURA COUNTY