US101/SR-23 Bridge Demolition Activity in Thousand Oaks Week of June 2nd

To accommodate the widening of the 101 Freeway, crews must demolish and widen a portion of the overcrossings at Hampshire Road, Conejo School Road and Moorpark Road (northbound side only). On Monday, June 2 the contractor will begin bridge demolition activity at Hampshire Road. Please be advised, this work may be loud and disruptive due to equipment noise, truck back-up alarms and concrete demolition activity.

BRIDGE DEMOLITION SCHEDULE (UPDATED 5/28; reflects one additional day from previously published schedule):

During demolition activity, Hampshire Road, Conejo School Road and Moorpark Road will be closed to through traffic at the 101 Freeway. On- and off-ramps at impacted interchanges will remain open, however there will be no access on the roadway underneath the freeway. 

• Hampshire Road (Daytime) - Work is scheduled Monday, June 2, Tuesday, June 3 and Wednesday, June 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hampshire Road will be closed to through traffic at the 101 Freeway during this time. *Once demolition activity is completed, one northbound lane on Hampshire Road will remain closed for an extended period of time, so crews can construct the widened bridge overcrossing. Delays are expected due to this lane reduction.

• Conejo School Road (Daytime) - Work is scheduled Wednesday, June 5 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Conejo School Road will be closed to through traffic at the 101 Freeway during this time.

• Moorpark Road (Nighttime) (updated 6/3) - Work is scheduled Friday, June 6, Monday, June 9 and Tuesday, June 10 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Moorpark Road will be closed to through traffic at the 101 Freeway during this time. *Once demolition activity is completed on Friday, June 6, one northbound lane on Moorpark Road will remain closed for an extended period of time, so crews can construct the widened bridge overcrossing. Delays are expected due to this lane reduction. 

Delays are expected in the area while bridge demolition activity is under way. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and use alternate routes whenever possible. Detour maps at www.toaks.org/government/depts/public_works/construction_projects/current_projects/route_101_23_interchange_improvement_project/construction_info_n_road_closures.asp.

For more information regarding this work, visit the project website www.toaks.org/10123 as well as at THIS LINK here on Conejo Valley Guide.

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised, dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather. Source: 101/23 Project Team.

Ventura County Animal Services Unveils New Pet Adoption Mobile App to Save Lives

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recently unveiled a new iPhone / iPad application (app) that includes detailed information on Ventura County’s adoptable animals, allows users to report a lost or found pet, offers the opportunity to donate to VCAS and much more.

The free app, which can be downloaded at the Apple iTunes Store, allows users to browse through photos and descriptions of the hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals currently available for adoption at VCAS’ Camarillo and Simi Valley Adoption Centers and save those they like in a “favorites” category. In addition, it contains dog and cat breed descriptions and  a pet notification feature so that interested adopters can be alerted when an animal meeting their preferences (breed, sex, color, age) becomes available for adoption or when a lost pet matching an owners description is brought in to the shelter. 

Created by the County of Ventura’s Information Technology Department, the app also includes a YouTube video instructional tutorial in both English and Spanish.  To download the VCAS app, search for "Ventura County Animal Services Pet Adoption" in the iTunes store or visit itunes.apple.com/us/app/ventura-county-animal-services/id872171923?ls=1&mt=8.

A version for Android phones will become available later this month.

Learn more about VCAS at vcas.us.

New Fully Accessible Challenger Field Premiered in Simi Valley on March 22nd

Challenger Field on Opening Day (Photo: Colleen Janssen, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District)The Amanda McPherson Foundation, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, City of Simi Valley, Simi Valley Unified School District and Simi Valley Little League all contributed towards the construction of Challenger Field, a fully accessible field to make it easier for special needs players to play baseball.

The grand opening of Challenger Field was Saturday, March 22, 2014. It is now the "home" field for Challenger Division players. The entire field is solid, yet looks like grass and dirt, allowing for easy mobility by

The whole field is solid (looks like grass and dirt, but is not), allowing easy mobility by players, even if in a wheelchair. Pretty neat! What a great addition to the community.

Challenger Field is located behind Apollo High School at 3150 School Street, Simi Valley. More information and photos at www.rsrpd.org/park/challengerfield/challengerfield.html.

The "Shoppes at Westlake Village" Scheduled to Open in Summer of 2014

Updates: Additional eateries and tenants include Hook Burger, Jeannine's Bakery and Restaurant, Olio e Limone and others as well as Greens Up! and Los Agaves Restaurant.

Originally posted 1/15/14:

On May 9, 2012, the Westlake Village City Council approved development of a 240,000 square foot retail shopping center called "Shoppes at Westlake Village," that will be anchored by a Target store. It will be located on Russell Ranch Road off of Lindero Canyon Road.

According to its website at www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com, "With architecture reminiscent of a European village, trellis covered pedestrian walkways, a dramatic water feature and patio dining and lounge areas, Shoppes at Westlake Village will be a place to meet and gather with family and friends as well as a place to shop."

Shoppes is scheduled to open this Summer 2014. Target's target (you like that?) grand opening date is July 25, 2014. In addition to the Target store on the southeast end of the development, the west side will have a uniquely designed In-N-Out Burger restaurant built with stonework, natural tile and other "Older European" treatments to blend in with the rest of the development.

The other known tenant at this point is Total Woman Gym and Spa, in a 13,000 sq ft space perhaps strategically placed on the In-N-Out Burger side of the development. Hey, what's better than a protein-laden Double Double, Animal Style, after a solid workout!

Shoppes is being developed by Selleck Development Group of Westlake Village, which is run by Tom Selleck's brothers, for those who I know were wondering by the sheer mention of that name.

Stay tuned for updates...

City of Thousand Oaks Opens Household Hazardous Waste Facility This Month

Household Hazardous Waste Facility photo courtesy City of Thousand OaksThe City of Thousand Oaks announces the opening of its new permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive in Newbury Park.  Beginning May 30, 2014, this state-of-the-art hazardous material collection facility will be open by appointment Friday and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm for residents of Thousand Oaks and Unincorporated Ventura County areas to dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste products like paint, household cleaners, solvents, fertilizers, etc.

More information on local hazardous waste disposal options at THIS LINK or visit the City's GoGreen website at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Road Closure Information for Amgen Tour of California in Thousand Oaks May 17-18

Motorists are urged to plan ahead this weekend as the vehicular traffic through the east end of Thousand Oaks will be heavier than normal. The city will be hosting Stage 8 (the final stage of the race) of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California Bike Race. The race will consist of three 21 mile circuits and three 4.5 mile circuits.

On Saturday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m., parts of Townsgate Road and Village Glen Road will be closed to set up the course. The race will begin and end on Townsgate Road between Westlake Blvd and Lakeview Canyon Road. This area will remain closed until Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 p.m.

The race is scheduled to start just before 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. There will be rolling closures along the race route. The race is expected to end around 12:00 p.m.

The following streets will be affected. See maps below or visit www.toaks.org/living/amgen_tour_of_california/homepage/default.asp

• Lakeview Canyon Road at Agoura Road
• Westlake Blvd from Townsgate Road to Carlisle Road
• Triunfo Canyon Rd. from Three Springs Drive to Westlake Blvd.
• HARD CLOSURES during race: Westlake Blvd. southbound at Potrero Rd., and Westlake Blvd. northbound at Agoura Rd./Hampshire Rd. - then expanding to Triunfo Canyon Rd. during the small circuit.

Start/finish line area and 3 lap final finish route around Westlake Lake!Stage 8 course map

During this time, the Thousand Oaks Police Department urges motorists to use extreme caution in an around the affected area. There will be a large number of cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Please plan ahead and use alternative routes if possible.

To promote the safety of the riders and spectators, we ask that any suspicious persons or items along the race route be reported immediately to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654- 9511 or by calling 911. We would like to remind residents, “If you see something say something.”

UC Cooperative Extension Response Regarding Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The following is from the University of California Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Ventura County issued last month in response to the Santa Paula Rotary announcement that the 2014 Faulker Farm Pumpkin Patch in Santa Paula has been cancelled. Learn more about UCCE Agriculture and Natural Resources Ventura County at ceventura.ucanr.edu.

10 Facts about UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (UC HAREC) and the Pumpkin Patch at Faulkner Farm

What is UC Hansen Agriculture Research and Extension Center?

Established in 1997 through an endowment set up by Thelma Hansen, UC HAREC is one of the University of California’s nine Research and Extension Centers. UC HAREC performs agricultural research and has crop and tree demonstration areas. Crops are also grown for farm field trips through which students learn where their food comes from, and there are demonstration gardens for students and visitors.

What is UC’s relationship to the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch?

Since purchasing the property in 1997, UC allowed the Ayers’ (original owners) pumpkin patch to continue operation during its first year and then worked with Litchfield Farms from 1998 through 2005 on a pumpkin patch that included educational programs during the week for school children. In 2006, Litchfield Farms did not renew their lease and in the winter of 2007 the Rotary Club of Santa Paula submitted a proposal to run the pumpkin patch.

Will there be a Rotary Club of Santa Paula pumpkin patch at HAREC this year?

We are still waiting to hear from the Rotary Club of Santa Paula on whether or not they want to use HAREC for their pumpkin patch. They have until May 30 to decide if our facility meets their requirements and let us know.

Have we limited the pumpkin patch to one acre?

No. We are currently expanding our agricultural research and educational offerings including new partnerships with the Ventura Unified School District/Food Corps program and additional countywide academic-year school field trips, which require more acreage. This expansion limits the amount of land available to the pumpkin patch. The UC HAREC is in the process of finalizing the long-term research project requests. Once projects are awarded we may be in a position to offer additional space.

Is this the first year a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) has been requested for the pumpkin patch?

No. The University of California made Santa Paula Rotary Club aware of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement when they assumed control of the pumpkin patch in 2007 as a fundraising event for their club. The University of California reiterated the need for the club to obtain a CUP for the Rotary Club’s pumpkin patch from the County in 2010 and in 2012. We simply cannot assume all liability for their event.

What is a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?

A conditional use permit (CUP) allows a city or county to consider special uses that may be essential or desirable to a particular community, but which are not allowed as a matter of right within a zoning district. A conditional use permit can provide flexibility within a zoning ordinance.

Are there other pumpkin patches in the county?

Yes! While we understand that many community members have long memories of the Faulkner Farm pumpkin patch, over the years Ventura County has been fortunate to add a wide variety of pumpkin patches throughout the county. Here is a 2013 list from the Conejo Valley Guide of a variety of pumpkin patches offered by our local Ventura County farmers. 2013 Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/pumpkin-patches-in-ventura-county-and-adjacent-areas.html

Agritourism can be a real boon to small farmers and can even help keep them in business during hard times, like the drought that we are currently experiencing.

My family/kids enjoyed visiting the Faulkner Farm, may we still do so?

Absolutely. In fact, on Thursday, May 8^th , HAREC opened to the public all day for the CE 100 Year Celebration - Day of Science and Service. ceventura.ucanr.edu/ANR_Centennial_/

What other events/activities are typically held at HAREC?

Check out our calendar of events for more information at ceventura.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes&g=63579

A sampling of typical events, programs and/or activities at HAREC include 4-H Youth Field Trips every Tuesday and Thursday, FoodCorps Student Farm Project, Master Gardener Workshops, Sustainability Camp for Youth and many more.

More on UC HAREC at ucanr.edu/sites/hansenagcenter.

City of Calabasas to Host Delegation of Special Olympics Athletes in 2015

The City of Calabasas will serve as a host city for a delegation of Special Olympics athletes before the opening of the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

About 7,000 participants from 170 nations will compete in more than 20 sports between July 25 and Aug. 2 next year at arenas including USC and UCLA. Among the competitions are aquatics, gymnastics, kayaking, basketball and soccer.

Calabasas will be one of 100 Southern California cities participating in a four-day pre-games celebration— hailing athletes from around the globe.

Host towns are responsible for providing accommodations, meals, activities and local transportation for the athletes and their sponsors.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/special-olympics.html to find information about volunteering and  sponsorship opportunities.

Santa Paula Rotary Announces Cancellation of 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Paula Rotary recently announced the cancellation of the 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch "due to actions taken by the University of California and the Hansen Trust Advisory Board" Approximately 20,000 people visit the patch each year.

Hay mazes at the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in a previous year.

According to the press release, the Santa Paula Pumpkin Patch Committee attempted to work with the Hansen Trust to permit the Pumpkin Patch to run for an additional transitional year while a new venue was sought. But "UC chose to discriminate against the Rotary Club by establishing new conditions and barriers which are not uniformly applied to other UC campuses and property throughout the state, or even at the Hansen Trust, making it impossible for the Rotary operated Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch to continue" according to the Rotary. More background on the situation at www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com/information.html.

To justify its actions, UC/Hansen Trust stated that the professional exhibits provided by the Resource Conservation District, United Water Conservation District, Limoneira, CoLab, Calavo, the Cattleman’s Association, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Associates Insectary, FFA petting area & Briggs 4-H seed exhibit were of poor quality and no educational value. The educational hayride script and school program, developed by Hansen Trust staff, were also deemed educationally meaningless.  Interestingly, 63% of the people visiting the Pumpkin Patch last year (a significantly higher number than the total visiting the farm for the entire remaining 11 months of the year) said they learned something new about agriculture during their visit.

To learn more, visit www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com. The Rotary Club of Santa Paula encourages the public to share your thoughts about the actions taken by UC and the Hansen Trust with Ms. Janet Napolitano, President, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607 or President@ucop.edu.