CLU Unveils $15 Million Ullman Commons in Thousand Oaks; Includes a Starbucks

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California Lutheran University (CLU) announces the grand opening of the $15 million Ullman Commons at 101 Memorial Parkway in Thousand Oaks.

The 20,000 sq ft building includes an all-you-can-eat dining hall, a quick-service counter called Ullman To Go, a Starbucks and a conference center. Designed to transform the heart of campus, the facility provides a gathering place for students, faculty, staff and visitors. It features glass curtain walls and second-floor balconies overlooking Kingsmen Park and the academic corridor.

The dining hall, which is open to members of the CLU community and their guests, serves a wider variety of food than the former facility. An international station offers Mongolian grill and Asian wok options as well as vegan food, sushi, samosas, and fried rice and noodle dishes. Diners can order from the grill, pick up daily specials or wood-fired pizza, and serve themselves at the pasta, soup, salad and dessert bars. A deli station offers made-to-order sandwiches and wraps. I had the pleasure of visiting the dining hall and was extremely impressed!

Ullman To Go, which is open to the public, sells fresh-baked pastries, made-to-order sandwiches and prepared wraps, sandwiches, salads, soups, pizza and hot entrees.

Starbucks is open daily from 7 a.m. until midnight, providing a gathering spot for students as well as community members attending events. The CLU Starbucks, the 18th Starbucks in the Conejo Valley, has three times the seating of the chain’s typical cafes, with 65 spots inside and a patio with space for about 50 people. The patio, which features a fire pit, is called Jack’s Corner in honor of generous donor and longtime Cal Lutheran Regent Jack Gilbert, who died in 2012. Their phone is 805.492.2411.

The first-floor conference center has two rooms for banquets or lectures that can be combined, a smaller seminar room and an intimate dining room.

The building was designed to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) silver certification. It uses natural lighting and ventilation extensively and has water-saving fixtures and a system designed to turn waste into compost.

Ullman Commons is named for a family of alumni and generous donors who provided a $2 million gift for the facility through their foundation.

Learn more about CLU at www.callutheran.edu.

Lot of Buzz About New Bookstore That Opened Today at The Oaks Mall

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UPDATE: This location closed effective 3/1/20 but owners anticipate relocating elsewhere around town.

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Conejo Valley Guide Facebook followers were abuzz today about the new The Open Book bookstore that opened at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks this morning. It has been quite a number of years since there was a bookstore at The Oaks, and from the oohs and ahhs shown on Facebook, there are still quite a number of folks chomping at the bit to buy books!

According to its Facebook page, The Open Book was previously located at the Topanga Westfield Mall in the San Fernando Valley. According to owners, The Open Book sells new books and DVDs at significantly discounted prices. The store contains an inventory of an estimated 20,000 items, which also includes out of print and vintage books. In addition to a Sunday children's storytime, the store plans to initiate a book club at a future date.

The Open Book is located on the 2nd floor inside The Oaks in the store that previously was occupied by Coldwater Creek. In, fact, they indicated that dressing rooms were demolished to make room for an amazing kids' department. The store is located next to the doors leading to the outdoor shops, restaurants and Muvico.

Call (805) 494-5056 for more information.

Police Volunteers Offer Valuable Services to the Residents of Thousand Oaks

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The Thousand Oaks Police Department has a team of dedicated volunteers who provide valuable police-related services to residents of the Conejo Valley. The Department's Volunteers in Policing (VIP) can be seen patrolling our streets in specially marked vehicles or staffing Police Resource Centers located throughout the city. Our VIPs are giving back to their community, so please take advantage of the services they offer!

Please call any of the three local Police Resource Centers for the following services:

Vacation House Checks – VIPs will check your home for you while you’re away looking for any signs that the safety of your home could be compromised.

Fingerprinting Services for Job Seekers – for situations when you need an ink rolled fingerprint for background check purposes.

Kid Prints – VIPs will fingerprint your child (from ages 2-17) for free. The card is for identification purposes only and will provide important instructions for the parents in the event your child is lost.

Our VIPs respond to calls for service in the community which is a big help for the deputies. The volunteers have also been instrumental in finding at-risk missing persons by using their vast knowledge of our city’s geography. With a group average of 35,000 hours donated yearly, our team is helping to keep our city safe. Please don’t hesitate to take advantage of the services offered by our Volunteers in Policing!

Police Resource Center locations and phone numbers:

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza (behind ticket window)
Phone: 805.449.2760
2100 East Thousand Oaks Blvd

The Oaks Mall (1st level outside women’s Macy’s)
Phone: 805.497.3235
350 West Hillcrest Drive

Newbury Park Library
Phone: 805.375.5630
2330 Borchard Road, Newbury Park

101/23 Project Road Closures in Thousand Oaks the Week of July 21st

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Upcoming Road Closures on Hampshire Road (Eastbound lanes only) for July 21 & 22 

Due to construction activity for the US 101 / SR-23 project, the contractor will close the eastbound lanes of Hampshire Road at the US 101 freeway to through traffic.  The closure is scheduled for Monday, July 21 and Tuesday, July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. so the contractor can conduct drilling and sandblasting operations.

Several Nighttime Closures at Moorpark Road Week of July 21

The following closures will take place at Moorpark Road due to construction activity, which includes the installation of piles for the overcrossing:  

  • Moorpark Road will be closed to traffic at the US 101 freeway from 9 p.m. Monday, July 21 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, July 22, and from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23.
  • The Northbound off-ramp to the US 101 at Moorpark Road will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23.
  • The #3 lane of the Northbound US 101 and the adjacent shoulder will be closed from 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 22 to 6 a.m. Wednesday, July 23 to accommodate construction activity.
  • Moorpark Road will be closed to traffic at the US 101 freeway from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 24.
  • The Northbound on- and off-ramps to the US 101 at Moorpark Road will be closed from 9 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 24.

For more information regarding upcoming closures scheduled on the project, visit www.toaks.org/10123.

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

Daytime Closures at Hampshire Road Wednesday, July 16 through Friday, July 18

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Northbound US 101 On-Ramp at Hampshire Road Closed Wednesday Night, July 9 

The Hampshire Road on-ramp to the northbound US 101 freeway will be closed from 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 9 to 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10. This closure will allow the contractor to complete a concrete pour on a retaining wall that is being constructed along the ramp. Intermittent nighttime closures of this ramp will continue over the next few weeks. 

Daytime Road Closures at Hampshire Road Beginning Wednesday, July 16

As part of the US 101 bridge widening at Hampshire Road, preparations are under way to begin pile driving the week of July 14. Pile driving is a common method of constructing bridge foundations. To support the bridge foundation, steel or concrete beams (known as "piles") are driven into the ground by a large hammer mounted atop a crane, until the beams reach a hard layer of earth beneath the foundation. Please be advised, this work may be loud and disruptive due to vibration and pounding.

WHEN/WHERE: In order for the contractor to set up the pile driving crane and other equipment, Hampshire Road underneath the US 101 freeway as well as the northbound US 101 Hampshire Road on- and off-ramps will be closed, from 9 p.m. Monday, July 14 to 6 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15.

Pile driving on Hampshire Road will begin during the day on Wednesday, July 16. Hampshire Road will be closed to through traffic at the US 101 freeway, daily between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 16 through Friday, July 18. The US 101 freeway on- and off-ramps on Hampshire Road will remain open, however there will be no access on the roadway underneath the freeway. To avoid delays, motorists are encouraged to avoid the area and consider using alternate routes.

For more information regarding upcoming closures scheduled on the project, visit www.toaks.org/10123.

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 Offers Tips to Keep Pets Safe 4th of July Weekend

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Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) is bracing for what is sure to be one of their busiest weekends of the year. Each year, during the days surrounding 4th of July, hundreds of pets become frightened by fireworks and run away from their homes and yards. These pets, lost and confused, often end up at VCAS’ animal adoption centers in Camarillo and Simi Valley.

“The sights, sounds and smells of fireworks can be terrifying for some pets,” said Tara Diller, VCAS Director. “By following some very simple safety tips, people can keep their animals safe and secure while they enjoy 4th of July festivities.”

Pet Safety Tips:

  1. Do not take your pet to fireworks displays.
  2. Do not leave your pet alone in the car - Pets can suffer serious health effects, even death, in a few short minutes when left in a hot car. Unfortunately, partially opened windows do not provide sufficient air, but they can provide an opportunity for your pet to be stolen.
  3. Make sure your pets are properly licensed and wearing identification tags, so that if they become lost, they can be returned promptly. Make sure that tags have current phone numbers and VCAS has current owner contact information on file.
  4. Get your pet microchipped or, if it already is, make sure the microchip company has your current contact information.
  5. Animals found running at-large should be taken to a VCAS animal adoption center, where they will have the best chance of being reunited with their owners.
  6. Keep your pets in a comfortable and quiet area during Fourth of July festivities. If your pet is crate trained, then their crate is a great choice.
  7. Be sure that you remove any items that your pet could destroy or that would be harmful to your pet if chewed. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep your pet company if you won't be home.
  8. If your pet seeks comfort in a bath tub, under a bed or other small space, let them. Do not try to lure them out. If the space is safe and it makes them feel more secure, leave them there.
  9. Never leave pets outside unattended, even in a fenced yard or on a chain. In their fear, pets who normally wouldn't leave the yard may escape and become lost, or become entangled in their chain, risking injury or death.
  10. If you know that your pet is seriously distressed by loud noises like thunder or fireworks, consult with your veterinarian before July 4th for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety he or she will experience during fireworks displays.

Those who do lose a pet can search for it on VCAS’ website at www.vcas.us or by using their free iPhone/Android mobile pet adoption apps at  bit.ly/1nXm3jK (Apple iTunes) or http://bit.ly/V3LEAz (Google Play).

In addition, VCAS posts photos of all lost animals brought into their adoption centers on the VCLostPets Twitter account at twitter.com/VCLostPets.

UCAAN Founder Rachel Shur Receives National Gold Presidential Service Award

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Local resident Rachel Shur was recently presented with the National Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award from the Corporation for National and Community Service by Senior Chaplain Dan Regan, United States Chaplain Service. He also presented her with a signed letter from President Obama and a Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award Pin.

Shur is a two time cancer warrior who beat terminal leukemia in 2006 and again in 2007. She is the founder of the United Cancer Advocacy Action Network (UCAAN), a 501(c)3 all volunteer run organization in Thousand Oaks.

Over the past five years, Shur has dedicated her time and energy into UCAAN and the people it serves: 2,575 cancer warriors, patients, survivors and their families have been helped by UCAAN and its team of dedicated volunteers.

Before Shur founded UCAAN, she volunteered her time to help other organizations and shared her cancer story at health fairs, local high schools and colleges. Eventually, it wasn’t enough for Shur and she saw what really needed to be her focus, the start of an organization unlike any other, a one-stop resource organization that would help cancer patients locally and nationwide.

UCAAN continues to grow as Rachel tirelessly does all that she can to help those struggling in our communities and beyond to find the help they need when they need it. UCAAN’s focus is “Finding Solutions for Cancer Patients in Need Locally & Nationwide.”  UCAAN has an extensive database of over 1,800 organizations nationwide that offer an array of support for those affected by cancer. UCAAN also has a personal fundraising program, in addition to two local financial assistance programs: Gas Cards to local patients to help them get to their treatment appointments, and fluoride trays to prevent dental deterioration caused by most cancer treatments. Additional services are planned for the future.

UCAAN helps anyone, any age with any form of cancer, nationwide. To find out more information about UCAAN or to make a donation visit www.UCAAN.org or contact the UCAAN office at 805-796-6090. To speak with Rachel Shur directly, call 805-479-1032 or email her at UCAANorg@yahoo.com.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. The Council created the President’s Volunteer Service Award program as a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. The program continues as an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service.