Proposed Westlake Village In-N-Out Burger Topic of Public Hearing on December 11th

PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED ON PROPOSED IN-N-OUT RESTAURANT IN WESTLAKE VILLAGE

After several months of discussions and a number of plan revisions, In-N-Out Burger has filed an application to construct and operate a drive-thru restaurant on Russell Ranch Road along the 101 Freeway (within the Shoppes at Westlake Village retail center).

This application is scheduled to be discussed at a public hearing at the regular City Council meeting on December 11, 2013, 6:30PM.

In-N-Out Burger is proposing to occupy a freestanding building at the west end of the Shoppes at Westlake Village, which is to be anchored by Target. The Shoppes is anticipated to open in Summer 2014. The City Council’s Planning Area C Ad-hoc Committee and staff have carefully reviewed building and design plans and requested a number of changes to ensure that the building reflects the same architectural detail and standards as the rest of the Shoppes center including stonework, roofing tile, and window treatments. Additionally, at the Committee’s request, signs facing the freeway will be halo-lit and bronze colored, rather than the traditional In-N-Out corporate colors, to match the freeway oriented signage for the rest of the center.

In-N-Out Burger currently has 292 locations in five states, including 218 in California as well as locations in Arizona, Nevada, Texas and Utah. You'd think that with all the excitement about In-N-Out Burger that they'd have more locations by now! But this family chain, opened originally in Baldwin Park in 1948, is taking its sweet time!

Other local Ventura County area In-N-Out locations in Newbury Park (only about 8 miles away from this new proposed Westlake Village location), Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Woodland Hills and Goleta. In May 2011 an Agoura Hills In-N-Out Burger location was under consideration but the plans were withdrawn.

Learn more at www.in-n-out.com. For updates, stay tuned here or visit the City of Westlake Village website at www.wlv.org.

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Planned Closures of 101 Freeway at Lindero Canyon Road October 28 to November 8

Reconstruction of the Lindero Canyon Road/101 freeway overpass will force several nighttime and early morning closures of the 101 freeway in both directions. These closures will begin at 11:00 pm on Monday, October 28 and last until 5:00 am the following morning.

Closures will occur Monday through Friday for a two-week period. The final closure will take place Thursday, November 7 at 11:00 pm through Friday, November 8 at 5:00 am.

Motorists will be detoured off the freeway at Lindero Canyon Road in each direction. Northbound motorists will be routed to Thousand Oaks Boulevard and will return to the 101 freeway at Westlake Boulevard. Southbound motorists will be routed to the Reyes Adobe on-ramp via Agoura Road. In addition, both the northbound and southbound on-ramp loops to the 101 freeway will be closed during these late evening and early morning construction periods (11:00 pm to 5 am). However, one lane of traffic on Lindero Canyon Road in each direction over the bridge will remain open.

On the first two successive nights and early mornings of the closure starting on October 28, construction crews will be using jackhammers to demolish portions of the overpass as part of the reconstruction project beginning around 11:30 pm. to 5:00 am. Unfortunately, noise generated by this construction activity may be heard in residential areas adjacent to the work.

While the City is mindful of this temporary inconvenience, unfortunately the schedule of the work is dictated by Caltrans and the need to undertake this phase of the construction work in the late evening and early morning hours to coincide with the temporary closure of the freeway. Nonetheless, the City wishes to thank the community and effected residents in advance for their patience and understanding associated with this aspect of the project.

To sign up for email and text message updates on the Lindero Canyon/101 freeway overpass reconstruction project, please visit www.wlv.org and click on the blue project update icon on the left side of the homepage.

When this project is completed, the Lindero Canyon Road/101 bridge will have an additional lane in each direction of traffic, aesthetic improvements, an 11 foot wide lit pedestrian walkway on the east side and a 300 foot long sculpture on both sides of the bridge that will feaure iconic scenes of the City of Westlake Village by artist Joe Werthheimer.

Long-Time Newbury Park Resident John Mulhall's Debut Novel "Geddy's Moon"

Long-time Newbury Park resident John Mulhall’s debut novel is called Geddy's Moon.

"Tyler is an amnesiac, drifting aimlessly across the country, struggling to regain his lost memories. When he arrives in Geddy’s Moon, a sleepy town in the middle of the Kansas wheat fields, fragments of his past begin to resurface. But as he establishes new relationships in town, and spends time with the local librarian and her son, he finds himself tormented by nightmares that grow more unsettling each night. What horrific events took place before Tyler arrived in Geddy’s Moon? And could he have brought a terrifying – and possibly supernatural – danger along with him? As the pieces of his fractured memory begin to fall into place, he fears that it may already be too late to keep himself, and those he’s begun to care about, safe from a vicious evil."

In addition to being an award-winning video and event producer, John is also the author of several short stories, plays and a collection of poetry. He began developing Geddy’s Moon more than twenty years ago at age nineteen. In fact, Mulhall indicated that "Geddy's Moon" is actually set in a fictional version of Newbury Park circa 1983.

There will be a Geddy's Moon reading and book signing at the E.P. Foster Library in Ventura at 7pm on October 11th. Your chance to meet the author and learn a little more about his debut horror novel! Visit www.johnmulhall.com to learn more.

Building Dedication of the Cal & Marje Johnston Boys & Girls Club at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks Today

Today was the dedication of the new Cal & Marje Johnston Boys & Girls Club at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks. The program was kicked off by Board Chairman Gary Stephani, who welcomed Master of Ceremonies, Bob Eubanks, who in turn introduced other speakers, including County of Ventura Supervisor Linda Parks, Thousand Oaks Mayor Claudia Bill-de la Peña, Conejo Valley USD Superintendent Dr. Jeff Baarstad, representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Julie Brownley, Senator Fran Pavley and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell and other local leaders, as well as Cal Johnston himself.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley was formed to serve the more than 30,000 young people of our communities, providing them with excellent, time-tested programs that offer leadership training, character development, and programs in the arts, sports and fitness.

The organization was founded by Cal Johnston, a local resident and community leader, and Chairman of The Johnston Group, in Calabasas. Johnston is a national trustee of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and saw the need for Clubs in the Conejo and Las Virgenes area.

Master of Ceremonies Bob Eubanks kept the crowd entertained while introducing dignataries.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley currently operates Clubs at Los Cerritos Middle School, Colina Middle School and Redwood Middle School in Thousand Oaks, Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park, Chaparral Elementary School in Calabasas and Lindero Canyon Middle School in Agoura Hills. For more information, visit www.bgcconejo.org.

Cal Johnston sharing his passion for the Boys & Girils Clubs with hsi wife Marje and Eubanks looking on.

New Farmers' Market on Friday Evenings at the Simi Valley Town Center

A new Friday night Farmers' Market had its grand opening last Friday, August 23, 2013. The market is located at the Center Court of the Simi Valley Town Center, 1555 Simi Town Center Way. Hours are 4pm to 8:30pm and the weekly market features local certified and organic farmers, great food, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a kids and family fun zone. Learn more about the Simi Valley Town Center Farmers' Market at www.farmersmx.com.

Ventura County Residents Sought for Cancer Prevention Study Starting in September

Image Courtesy of American Cancer SocietyVentura County Supervisor Kathy Long recently announced that beginning this September, Ventura County residents have the chance to participate in research through the American Cancer Society to help identify ways to prevent cancer. This study is called the Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) and is for individuals who are between the ages of 30 and 65 years old and have never been diagnosed with cancer.

The American Cancer Society’s goal is to enroll at least 300,000 adults from various racial/ethnic backgrounds from across the U.S. in CPS-3. The purpose of CPS-3 is to better understand the lifestyle, behavioral, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer and to ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health problem for this and future generations.

Enrollment will be taking place from September 11th to September 24th at various locations, including Ventura County Government Center, International Brotherhood of Electrical Worker’s Union, St. John’s Regional Medical Center, Ventura County Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. But first, visit THIS LINK to learn more and schedule your initial appointment. 

For more information about CPS-3, visit www.cancer.org/cps3 or email cps3@cancer.org or call toll-free at 1-888-604-5888.

Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise Spearheads New Special Needs "Dreamcatcher Playground" Project

Old Meadows Park at 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks houses the Therapeutic Recreation Unit of the Conejo Recreation and Park District, which provides recreation programs for Conejo Valley residents with disabilities. There is an existing special needs playground at the park but the playground needs to be expanded and refurbished. The popularity of this playground has steadily increased due to expanding awareness of the playground and its special features, the steady rise in incidence of autism.

Currently, there is opportunity to increase the square footage of the playground at Old Meadows Park. The Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise is spearheading the effort to improve, modernize and expand the playground. Through careful research and a survey of the special needs community, the Rotary DreamCatcher Playground will be designed with great sensitivity to the needs, comforts and inclusion of special populations and their families.

The playground will include active and passive play areas allowing children to engage in stimulating activities, and areas to which they can retreat and calm themselves after anxiety-producing experiences while remaining close by to other children, parents or caregivers.

The goal is to raise $500,000 through funding partners and fundraising activities with the project completed in phases by 2016.

Would you like to learn more about this effort and find out how you can support it? Visit www.rotarydreamcatcher.org.

Join the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program to Stay Active in the Local Community

Studies show that seniors who volunteer live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP) helps seniors stay active and involved. If you are 55 or over, you can join over 1,000 local men and women who serve as volunteers in our community.

CSVP volunteers do just about everything: They tutor students, plant gardens, serve as volunteer police and program computers. CSVP volunteers meet community needs and make a lasting difference. Your life experience is your best qualification! You’ll receive the support you need to put your know-how to work for others or learn new skills. You become part of a family of caring volunteers supporting our community.

And like most CSVP volunteers, you’ll find that by helping others you help yourself. Conejo Recreation and Park District sponsors the Conejo Senior Volunteer Program. We have been promoting volunteerism in the Conejo Valley since 1972. Call CSVP for a free brochure with exciting volunteer opportunities at (805) 381-2742, visit www.crpd.org/csvp or in person at the Goebel Adult Community Center.

CSVP is located in the Goebel Adult Community Center at 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Office Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

Thousand Oaks to Moorpark Metrolink Station Shuttle Service Begins July 15

In response to requests for commuter bus service between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Station, Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) is partnering with Metrolink to operate weekday commuter shuttle service beginning July 15. Service is free to all riders from July 15 through August 16 from three convenient locations

• Thousand Oaks Transportation Center - 265 South Rancho Road
• Oaks Mall Bus Stop – Adjacent Mall at 350 West Hillcrest Drive
• California Lutheran University Bus Stops - Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard

The new service is funded in part by a $20,000 Federal Transit Administration grant. Service will operate between Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Train Station six times daily during peak morning and evening hours. The first shuttle departs at 5:15 a.m. from the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center and the last shuttle departs the Moorpark Metrolink Station at 7:55 p.m. Service is scheduled to connect with most Metrolink trains traveling between Moorpark and the Los Angeles area. 

After August 16th, the fare amount is $2.50 each way but service will remain free to Metrolink pass holders and passengers with a same day single-ride Metrolink ticket. Seniors, disabled persons, and Medicare cardholders ride for half of the fare amount. Transfers between the commuter shuttle and local TOT buses are free. The GoVentura Card is not accepted.

The weekday service will be operated by MV Transportation on 14 passenger vans powered by compressed natural gas. Vans are ADA accessible, equipped with bikes racks, and will have free Wi-Fi.  The Metrolink Commuter Shuttle Program schedule and times are available online at www.TOTransit.org. For the most current train schedule, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.