Hilton Foundation Opens New Campus in Agoura Hills: Plans to Double in Size

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation has formally moved into its new campus here in Agoura Hills! The structure has been carefully designed as a cutting-edge, environmentally sensitive and energy-efficient building to meet Platinum LEED-certified green standards.

In 2007, the Foundation's board of directors decided in favor of building a permanent home for the organization to continue carrying out Conrad Hilton's legacy for generations to come. The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is a family foundation established in 1944 by the man who started Hilton Hotels, which provides funds to nonprofit organizations working to improve the lives of disadvantaged and vulnerable people throughout the world.

"This new home in Agoura Hills will prepare the Hilton Foundation for the time it will double in size and staff," said Hilton Foundation President and CEO, Steven M. Hilton. "My father, Barron Hilton, has pledged his intent to follow in the footsteps of his father, Conrad Hilton, and contribute 97% of his entire net worth at the time of his passing. This building is the first phase of a four-phase campus that will allow us to grow accordingly into the future."

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was created in 1944 by international business pioneer Conrad N. Hilton, who founded Hilton Hotels and left his fortune to help the world's disadvantaged and vulnerable people. The Foundation currently conducts strategic initiatives in six priority areas: providing safe water, ending chronic homelessness, preventing substance abuse, helping children affected by HIV and AIDS, supporting transition-age youth in foster care, and extending Conrad Hilton's support for the work of Catholic Sisters. Following selection by an independent international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. From its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants, distributing $82 million in the U.S. and around the world in 2011. The Foundation's current assets are approximately $2 billion.

Visit www.hiltonfoundation.org to learn more.

Full Nighttime Freeway Closures at Wendy/101 Interchange in Newbury Park Nights of November 5-9 and 13-14

The 101 Freeway at Wendy Drive in Thousand Oaks will be closed for bridge construction from Monday, November 5^th through Friday, November 9^th from 11 PM to 5 AM and on Tuesday, November 13^th to Wednesday, November 14^th.

Beginning at 7 PM on each closure night, travel along the bridge will be limited to one lane in either direction to allow for mobilization of construction equipment and materials.

Motorists traveling northbound will be directed to exit the freeway at Wendy Drive and immediately re-enter the Freeway by making a left turn and using the northbound on-ramp.

Motorists traveling southbound will be directed to exit the freeway at Wendy Drive, turn right onto Wendy Drive, right onto W. Hillcrest Drive, right onto Rancho Conejo Boulevard/Borchard Road, and then use the US-101 southbound on-ramp loop to re-enter the Freeway.

During the freeway closures, construction will include erecting steel bridge girders utilizing cranes placed on the Freeway. During the closures, 15 steel girder segments up to 100 feet long and weighing over 30,000 pounds each will be placed along the bridge. California Highway Patrol units will be stationed at the off-ramps to ensure traffic is properly detoured. 

The 18-month Wendy/101 Interchange Improvement Project is scheduled for completion in August 2013. Residents can visit www.toaks.org/wendy101 to learn more about the project, view detour maps and closures, as well as sign-up for weekly road closure notifications.

16-Screen Century Theatres to Open at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on Oct 26

In case you hadn't already noticed, there's a big new shopping center being built on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits, called The Collection at RiverPark.

If you're a Target fan, the center already features a 150,000 sq ft state-of-the-art Target store that opened over a year ago in July 2011. I've been there with the kids and I can honestly say this is the nicest, coolest looking Target store I've ever been to. There's also covered parking, which kind of nice.

Shea Properties continues construction of The Collection at RiverPark and has announced a number of great new additions to our local shopping and dining scene!  Here's what is coming:

Century Theatres will be opening a brand new 16 screen location on Friday, October 26th (just in time for Halloween)! Two of the screens will use their new XD (Extreme Digital) technology that features a larger screen, up to 38' × 70' and improvements in audio and digital projection.

In November 2012, they plan to open Kabuki Japanese Restaurant, Panera Bread, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Color Me Mine (do it yourself pottery painting studio) and Massage Envy Spa.

In the spring of 2013 they anticipate the opening of REI Store, (outdoor gear and clothing), a Whole Foods Market and a Starbucks.

For more information and updates, visit shoppingthecollection.com.

Local "Things to Do" Businesses That Recently Have Closed Their Doors

Running a business of any type is a challenge and that certainly holds true for the "things to do" types of businesses highlighted here in Conejo Valley Guide. While most of us patronize these types of businesses...gyms, indoor play, gaming and the like....the reality is that it takes a lot of work covering the overhead and making a reasonable profit. So be sure to check them out at Do Something and Kid Fun and support them as much as you can!

That said, in recent months and years, a number of these business have sadly closed their doors:

• Newbury Park Athletic Club (August 2012)
• Knuckleheads Gym in Newbury Park
• Body Temple Gym in Camarillo
• Imagine That Indoor Play in Ventura
• NextGen Gaming in Newbury Park
• Pandora's Paintbox in Newbury Park
• RollerDome in Thousand Oaks (October 2010)
• Young Chef's Academy in Simi Valley (2012)
• Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo (September 2011)
• Simply Ceramics in Thousand Oaks (2010)

 But on the positive side, a number of new business have opened in recent years:

• Ferrum Fitness in Agoura
• Rock Nation School in Newbury Park (August 2012)
• Carpino School of Dance in Thousand Oaks (Fall 2012)
• CA Kiddo Club in Agoura (December 2011)
• Gymboree Play & Music in Thousand Oaks (March 2012)
• Sky High Sports The Trampoline Place in Camarillo (October 2010)
• Cinepolis Theatre in Westlake Village (previously Mann Theatre) (Summer 2012)

These are just a few. Now go have some fun!

Ventura County Sheriff Removes Over 3,800 Marijuana Plants in Newbury Park

Earlier this month, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Narcotic Unit concluded an investigation into an illegal marijuana cultivation operating in the Hill Canyon area of Thousand Oaks. This area is located in the 1500 block of Rancho Conejo Boulevard in Thousand Oaks near a gated community.

A number of investigators descended into the area where they discovered a large marijuana garden with over 3,800 plants in various stages of growth. The area was searched for suspects, but none were found. Investigators spent several hours eradicating the plants and collecting evidence.

Anyone with information on the suspect(s) involved in the cultivation can provided the information by calling the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department or Crime Stoppers.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Department