Whale Watching Season at Channel Islands Harbor December 26, 2018 through Mid-April 2019

Blue Whale Tail (Photo Credit: David Beeninga)

It’s that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard.  The season officially begins the day after Christmas, December 26 and continues through mid to late April 2019.

Both Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offer whale watching excursions directly from Channel Islands Harbor.  Island Packers provides 3 ½ hour non-landing narrated trips with morning and afternoon departures available.  The fare is $38 for adults; $34 for seniors 55+; $28 for children (3-12), and free for children 3 and under.  Trips run through mid- April 2019.

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides half-day morning whale watching excursions during the week and on the weekends with a morning and afternoon departure, running from December 26 through April 30, 2019.  Rates are $55 for adults; $45 for seniors; and $35 for children under 12.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.  A journey through the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary provide visitors the unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of these giants of the deep.  Besides whales, visitors often encounter dolphins, seals, sea lions and a rich variety of bird life, some of which are endangered and protected.

For more information on Oxnard Whale Watching Season, visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum and Skatelab U Skate School Opening at Simi Valley Town Center

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum and Skatelab U Skate School is opening its doors at the Simi Valley Town Center on Saturday, December 15, 2018. It is located directly across from the Vans store in the mall in a space of over 10,000 square feet. The address is 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #230.

The International Skateboarding Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Todd Huber. It was created to honor the passion, dedication and contributions to skateboarding history and culture by skateboarders and cultural icons through the decades.

The Museum displays hundreds of skateboards and other skating artifacts going back decades. There are some fascinating home-made specimens of boards on display. There will also be an skating art gallery, gift shop, theater/library (over 600 skating videos as well as skating magazines) and skate shop. They will also be able to build skateboards at the facility.

The Museum also has a mini skating ramp with a fun wall ride available to local youth for a fee. Skatelab U Skate School will provide lessons.

Admission to the museum will be free, but donations are welcomed.

Visit www.facebook.com/SkateboardingHallofFame to learn more and to support the cause.

Old school. REALLY old school.

Nearly complete mini ramp at Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in November 2018

The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at vcrma.org/food-facilities-closure-report-inspector-initiated.

The following facility closures (exclusive of mobile facilities) were noted in November 2018. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

JJ's Sports Zone, 820 N. Ventura Ave., Oak View;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/30/18; Date reopened - 12/03/18

Stephens Market, 2632 East Main Street, Ventura;
Inoperable plumbing, unable to complete the inspection;
Date closed - 11/29/18; Date reopened - 11/30/18

La Michoacana Azteca, 238 Harvard Boulevard, Santa Paula;
Inoperable hand washing sink in the restroom;
Date closed - 11/29/18; Date reopened - 11/30/18

Golden Corral, 1901 Lockwood Street, Oxnard;
Inoperable refrigeration, resulting in unsafe food temperatures;
Date closed - 11/29/18; Date reopened - 11/30/18

Maria's Restaurant, 2513 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/28/18; Date reopened - 11/29/18

Trinity Coffee & Foods, 230 South 10th Street, Santa Paula;
Inadequate refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures;
Date closed - 11/28/18; Date reopened - 11/28/18

Moorpark Unified School District Warehouse, 5297 Maureen Lane, Moorpark;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/27/18; Date reopened - 11/30/18

Flory Elementary School, 240 Flory Avenue, Moorpark;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/26/18; Date reopened - 11/28/18

La Gloria Market (Restaurant & Independently Operated Area ), 430 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/20/18; Date reopened - 11/23/18

Las Sirenas Bar & Grill, 2091 N. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Permit suspension as a result of a Notice of Decision and Order isseud on 11/16/2018 to address ongoing violations and to protect the public from potential adverse health impacts;
Date closed - 11/20/18; Date reopened - 11/23/18

La Gloria Market (Frozen Yogurt/Ice Cream Section only), 430 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/19/18; Date reopened - 11/23/18

Oralia's Bakery, 430 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/19/18; Date reopened - 11/23/18

Cornejos Produce Stand, 768 East Telegraph Road, Fillmore;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/19/18; Date reopened - 11/20/18

Circle K Market (Deli Section only), 501 S. Rose Avenue, Oxnard;
Leaky ceiling in the food prep and utensil washing areas resulting in unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/15/18; Date reopened - 11/19/18

Camelot Room LLC (Restaurant only), 1331 W. Gonzales Road, Oxnard;
Evidence of cockroaches and unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/14/18; Date reopened - 12/03/18

El Preferido Taco Shop, 654 West Harvard Boulevard, Santa Paula;
Sewage overflowing inside the facility;
Date closed - 11/14/18; Date reopened - 11/15/18

Loose Caboose, 18492 Telegraph Road, Santa Paula;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/14/18; Date reopened - 11/16/18

Plaza Pantry, 221 East Matilija Street, Unit G, Ojai;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/14/18; Date reopened - 11/15/18

Gonzalez Restaurant, 450 S. Oxnard Blvd., Oxnard;
Inoperable mechanical exhaust system; unsafe food temperatures due to improper cooling;
Date closed - 11/13/18; Date reopened - 11/14/18

La Fonda Del Rey, 455 S. A Street., Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation & unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/08/18; Date reopened - 11/15/18

Wild Cherry, 2112 E. Ponderosa Drive, Camarillo;
Inoperable refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures;
Date closed - 11/08/18; Date reopened - 11/09/18

Moose Lodge #1902, 4860 E. Alamo Street, Simi Valley;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/08/18; Date reopened - 11/13/18

Beach House Fish, 668 Harbor Blvd., Ventura;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions & inoperable refrigeration resulting in unsafe food temperatures;
Date closed - 11/07/18; Date reopened - 11/08/18

Hot Dog Factory of Ventura SC, 3301 E. Main Street, Ventura;
MFF not fully enclosed, no sanitizer available resulting in inability to properly wash, rinse and sanitize utensils;
Date closed - 11/07/18; Date reopened - 11/09/18

Wild Local Seafood, 1559 Spinnaker Drive #105, Ventura;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/06/18; Date reopened - 11/08/18

Oh!, Sushi, 2121 N. Rose Ave. 2B-C, Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/05/18; Date reopened - 11/08/18

Moonlight Donuts, 602 Ventura Street, Fillmore;
Sewage back up inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/05/18; Date reopened - 11/08/18

Bel Air Cafe, 1024 Ventura Street, Fillmore;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 11/05/18; Date reopened - 11/06/18

Rice by Mama, 419 E. Main Street #A, Ventura;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions & no hot water available at the facility for utensil washing and hand washing;
Date closed - 11/02/18; Date reopened - 11/03/18

Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks to Return November 8, 2018 through January 27, 2019

The Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard is coming back yet again this year, beginning on Thursday, November 8, 2018 through January 27, 2019.

Tickets to the rink can be purchased onsite at the ice rink ticket window. All tickets priced at $15, including admission and skate rental.

For a limited time, get ice skating for two, including rentals, plus hot chocolate, for $29 (regular price $40) at bit.ly/IceRinkTO (affiliate link).

Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-9PM, Fri 12-10PM, Sat 10AM-11PM and Sun 10AM-9PM

Special holiday hours: 11/17-11/25 and 12/21-1/6 opens at 10am daily

shoplakes.com/events/annual-holiday-ice-rink

Calabrese Café Now Open at The Summit in Calabasas

Calabrese Café is now open at The Summit in Calabasas, 26787 Agoura Rd #E-1 in the space previously occupied by Industry Bar & Grill and prior to that Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing.

Co-founded by celebrity fitness & nutrition expert Autumn Calabrese and her brother, Chef Bobby Calabrese.

Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu includes a variety of wraps, sandwiches, burgers, salads and desserts, all with a health-conscious focus. Also a specialty coffee and tea bar as well as beer and wine.

Hours 9am to 7pm Mon-Fri, Brunch Sat/Sun starts at 8am. 818-436-2145

On Instagram at www.instagram.com/calabresecafe

Social Monk Asian Kitchen Opening Soon at The Promenade at Westlake

Social Monk at The Promenade at Westlake making progress on the first day of December 2018 (Photo Credit: Rob Jaffe of Conejo Deals)

As mentioned earlier this year, Social Monk Asian Kitchen is coming soon to The Promenade at Westlake, 4000 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Space C1, Westlake Village.

“Asian Flavor for the Modern Table”

Menu includes, sandwiches, rice bowls, noodle bowls, classic dishes, veggie dishes and more.

socialmonk.com

View this post on Instagram

At Social Monk, we believe that fresh ingredients and flavorful food bring people together. Come together to try our handcrafted dishes in an upscale and fast casual setting, coming soon to The Promenade at Westlake!

A post shared by Social Monk (@socialmonk) on Aug 20, 2018 at 9:16am PDT

Update From Ventura County Community Foundation Regarding Distribution of Funds

Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) President Vanessa Bechtel has provided an update regarding distribution of funds thus far in connection with the recent tragedies in our area.

Conejo Valley Victims Fund

The first two rounds of support to the victims and survivors of the Borderline shooting have been distributed. VCCF awarded an immediate $70,000 in $500 pre-paid Visa cash cards so immediate basic needs could be met through the Thousand Oaks Victims Assistance Center.

VCCF also awarded a total of $240,000 to help cover memorial costs to families who lost loved ones. Chief of Police Tim Hagel personally delivered the funds to the families during this devastating time.

Hill Fire and Woolsey Fire Sudden & Urgent Needs Effort

Over $500,000 in funds have been distributed thus far in connection with relief from the recent wildfires in the area:

• $150,000 to the Pacific Coast and Ventura County Chapter of the American Red Cross for an Emergency Response Vehicle

• $115,000 to the Red Cross for Ventura County Recovery Coordination

• $146,250 to the Red Cross for General Operations Support

• $5,000 to 805 Help to support their immediate response to bring online access to our community during the fires

• $15,000 to Senior Concerns for adult daycare, meals and support for our community’s seniors who were evacuated and need care

• $5,350 to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association to help cover costs associated with evacuations of those on hospice

• $7,000 to the Camarillo Boys & Girls Club to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $9,500 to the Southeast Ventura YMCA to cover costs associated with emergency childcare needs due to school closures

• $1,827 to Mark Watring Stables for the evacuation of 43 horses, hauling of feed and water supplies and overtime

• $25,000 to the Economic Development Collaborative for General Operations Support as they serve business owners impacted by the fires

• $21,500 to Cal State Channel Islands Foundation to feed and house students evacuated by the fires

• $500 to Cal Lutheran University’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership to sponsor a free webinar entitled “Fundraising in Response to a Community Crisis” (contact nonprofit@callutheran.edu for details)

VCCF is working to award funds as quickly as possible to nonprofit organizations serving those in need during this challenging time. The organization is particularly interested in supporting organizations who are assisting in housing and basic needs, animal welfare, business and resiliency support for our community and medical needs of individuals as a result of the fires. The application is very short and should take no more than 15 minutes to submit at www.vccf.org.

805 Undocufund

This is a collective effort to ensure undocumented individuals and families impacted by natural disasters have the support they need. Please join us in helping support our neighbors during this challenging time at www.vccf.org.

VCCF Scholarship Program

VCCF has launched its 2019 Application for College Scholarships and thanks to local generosity will be awarding $1.147 million in scholarships to local students this year – more than ever before! The deadline for applications is January 30, 2019 at 10 p.m. PST.

How You Can Make A Difference

Applications for Support: Massive wildfires that cause severe displacement make connecting and supporting fire victims challenging. While VCCF has received some organizational applications for support, FEMA has received a modest number of applications for direct fire victim support. Please encourage those impacted by the fires to apply with FEMA as soon as possible and to also open a case with 2-1-1 who can help connect resources to those in need.

Fundraising for the Conejo Valley Victims Fund: VCCF is in the final stages of raising funds to support the families of victims and survivors of the Borderline shooting. We are working with Ken Feinberg, Special Master of the US Government’s September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, who has volunteered to help advise us during this time. Please encourage all you know to donate now and offer support to those impacted by this tragic event at www.vccf.org.

Support Services: Please help spread the word that Kaiser Permanente is offering free support groups in Woodland Hills, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura for the Borderline tragedy and fires. Please contact them directly at (805) 449-3442.

SIP Malibu Grapes and Kristy's Roadhouse Malibu in Agoura Hills Destroyed by Woolsey Fire

Among so much other devastation from the Woolsey Fire, SIP Malibu Grapes and Kristy’s Roadhouse Malibu at the corner of Kanan Road and Sierra Creek Road in Agoura Hills were destroyed.

The owner of SIP has announced that they will be exploring different options to rebuild and recover. To hear about what’s going on and how you can help, sign up for updates at www.sipmalibugrapes.com.

No word at this time regarding future plans, if any, for Kristy’s Roadhouse.