Thrifty Ice Cream Brings Me Memories of My Childhood

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Update July 2013: No more Thrifty Ice Cream at the Las Posas Car Wash as they have gone upscale and now have gelato! lasposascarwash.com/convenience-store

I recently stopped by the Las Posas Car Wash, 100 South Las Posas Road, and noticed something new...Thrifty Ice Cream!

The last time I was there I believe they were serving up Haagen Dazs. Thrifty, which is also available at most Rite Aid Stores (and there are currently 16 of them in Ventura County and adjacent cities), is a local brand that goes back over 70 years. It was first produced in Hollywood in 1940 and since 1976 has been manufactured in El Monte. Mmmm...always loved Thrifty Ice Cream at Thrifty Drug Stores.

A single scoop at the car wash is $1.69, which is reasonable enough...though I seem to recall a scoop costing about a quarter or so back in the day. Am I getting old or what!

Qdoba Mexican Grill to Open in Simi Valley on Tuesday, May 29th

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Qdoba Mexican Grill is celebrating the grand opening of its first location in Simi Valley, at 2091 Madera Road, Suite A, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

To celebrate the new location, the first 100 guests who visit on Tuesday will receive one free entrée. Guests can enjoy Qdoba’s signature flavors, like its Mexican Gumbo™, 3-Cheese Queso or Ancho Chile BBQ burrito, or Qdoba’s Craft 2™ menu, which lets guests mix and match perfect portions of popular items, including a Naked Burrito®, Naked Taco Salad™, Mexican Gumbo™, 3-cheese nachos, two tacos, quesadilla or tortilla soup.

Continuing the grand-opening festivities into the weekend, the first 15 guests to dine at the restaurant on Saturday, June 2 and on Sunday, June 3 will receive burritos for a year (52 free entrees)!

Also, throughout the day on Sunday, Qdoba will be hosting a “Lil’ Foodies” event, where kids under 12 years old will receive one free Kid’s Meal, with purchase of a regular entrée. A balloon twister and face painter will also be at the Simi Valley Qdoba from noon until 3 p.m. that day to visit with the Lil’ Foodies.

This is the 14th Qdoba location in Southern California, with another location scheduled to open in Temecula in early June. Guests can visit the Qdoba Southern California Facebook page to keep apprised of all of the promotions, events, etc. for the new Simi Valley and other SoCal Qdoba locations.

Qdoba Mexican Grill Simi Valley's phone is 805.955.0350. Hours are 10:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 10pm on Sunday.

Conejo Recreation and Park District is Finalist in National Gold Medal Program

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Conejo Recreation and Park District chosen as a finalist for prestigious National Gold Medal Award

GREAT JOB CRPD! THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has selected the Conejo Recreation and Park District as a finalist in its 2012 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.  The District is one of four finalists in the population category of 100,000 – 250,000 people. Other finalists in this category include: The City of Round Rock (TX) Parks and Recreation Department; Rockford (IL) Park District; and South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Centennial, CO.  

NRPA’s Gold Medal program honors agencies throughout the United States which demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, environmental stewardship, professional development, program development, and agency recognition.   Chosen for their considerable knowledge and experience in parks and recreation on both local and national levels, a panel of five park and recreation professionals from throughout the country review and judge the comprehensive applications. 

Jim Friedl, General Manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District said, “To be selected as a Gold Medal finalist is recognition on a national level that we share a place with the best recreation and park agencies in the nation.  We are fortunate to have a solid board, great staff, supportive and active residents, and outstanding community partnerships.” 

The next step in the National Gold Medal process is submission of a brief video highlighting the District’s achievements and commitment to community service in the region.  Grand Plaque Award-winning agencies will be announced at the 2012 NRPA conference, held in October in Anaheim.

For further information about CRPD’s selection as a National Gold Medal finalist, please contact the District at (805) 495-6471. www.crpd.org

New Hooters Location Opens in Thousand Oaks on Mother's Day! Moms Eat Free!

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Here is a follow-up press release to our previous post on April 30th regarding the Hooters of Thousand Oaks Grand Opening on Mother's Day 2012.


Thousand Oaks will become a little more attractive and a lot more fun when the Hooters of Thousand Oaks opens its doors May 13th.  Be one of the first residents of Thousand Oaks to experience the Hooters concept of great food and world renowned atmosphere.

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Umami Burger Thousand Oaks to Open on Thursday, May 3, 2012

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UMAMI BURGER THOUSAND OAKS OPENS MAY 3rd

Opening at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks Marks Debut of First Umami Kids Menu

Umami Restaurant Group, creators of Umami Burger, named “Burger of the Year” by GQ magazine, today announced that Umami Burger will open at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks on Thursday, May 3rd at Noon. Umami Burger Founder Adam Fleischman will be joined by Thousand Oaks Mayor, Jacqui V. Irwin for an informal ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening.

Umami Burger Thousand Oaks also marks the debut of the first Umami Kids Menu, which was created specifically for the local community.  The kids menu features kids sized entrees, including Tempura Chicken Tenders, U-mini Cheese Burger and the All U-Merican Grilled Cheese, served with a choice of Umami Fries, Sweet Potato Fries or Apple Slices and a mini cookie.

Umami Burger Thousand Oaks is the tenth Umami Burger location and will be open daily at 11 AM.  Umami Burger Thousand Oaks is located at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks at 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Umami Burger at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks will join other outstanding shopping, dining and entertainment options, just steps from the Civic Arts Plaza.

For more information on Umami Burger, visit umami.com.   For more information on The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, visit shoplakes.com.

About Umami Restaurant Group

Umami Restaurant Group is a Los Angeles-based restaurant group founded by Adam Fleischman, a self-taught chef and successful food and wine entrepre

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One Habit Burger is Not Enough for Simi Valley; 2nd Location Opening This Weekend

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A second location of The Habit Burger is coming to Simi Valley this weekend at 2091 Madera Road next to Target. The other Habit is located on Tapo Canyon Road, just 5.5 miles away.

The official grand opening is next Wednesday, May 9th. But this Sunday, May 6th from noon to 2pm, the store will be open and all proceeds will benefit the Simi Valley YMCA!

This is the 8th Ventura County location for this fast-growing burger chain that originated in Santa Barbara in 1969. Other nearby locations are in Camarillo, Ventura (2), Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Oxnard.

I like The Habit for their very consistent quality and taste. And they have decent veggie burgers there too for those so inclined.

Visit www.habitburger.com for more information.

Hooters of Thousand Oaks "Moms Eat Free" Grand Opening Celebration on May 13th

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We have received word that the new Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be making its premiere on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13th. And in conjunction with that, they will be offering a Moms Eat Free deal that day. The flyer sent to me today indicates the Moms Eat Free deal is all day and applies to any menu item up to $9.99.

Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be open from 11am to 1am with the kitchen closing at midnight.

We've seen plenty of Kids Eat Free deals around town but this is the first Moms Eat Free special we've encountered! :>

City of Thousand Oaks to Release One Million Ladybugs

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On April 18, the City of Thousand Oaks released 375,000 Ladybugs in the Newbury Park and Westlake areas of the City. An additional 750,000 are scheduled to be released in May and the release sites will vary depending on locations and populations of pest insects. The release of Ladybugs is part of the City's Integrated Pest Management Program. The Program releases bugs that are beneficial to the environment annually.

The release of Ladybugs provides a natural method of protecting plant life. During its lifecycle, a single Ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects that harm plants such as Aphids, Thrips, White Flies, and Scale. By utilizing Ladybugs as a means of biological control, the City is able to substantially reduce the need for chemical insecticides.

Additional information on the City’s Beneficial Bugs Program will be available at this year’s Public Works Week Open House on May 22 and 23 at the City’s Municipal Service Center. 

www.toaks.org

Palm Garden Hotel Newbury Park Sold: Will Become The Palm Hotel and Spa

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PALM GARDEN HOTEL PURCHASED BY LOCAL BUSINESSMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST HARRY SELVIN

It might simply be a coincidence that commercial real estate businessman, Harry Selvin closed escrow on his latest property on April fool’s day.  With so many vacancies in the market, and hotels closing every day, it seems a bit of folly that Mr. Selvin has purchased the Palm Garden Hotel in Newbury Park.  But then again, maybe not. Located just off the 101 freeway at the Ventu Park exit, the venue will be renamed The Palm Hotel and Spa and will undergo a renovation that will exceed $1.5 million. 

Enhancements will be reflected throughout the public spaces, including the front entrance and lobby, pool area and signature courtyard as well as the grand ballroom, flexible meeting spaces and each of the guest rooms and suites.

The Hotel and Spa’s restaurant will be under the management of Brendan’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, dedicated to delicious food and excellent service and featuring a full wine selection and flexible menu for any occasion.  From seafood and steaks, to American Breakfast, to special and unique event catering, Brendan’s staff looks forward to fulfilling every need of the Hotel’s guests.

The Palm Hotel and Spa is perfect for weddings, fundraisers and any event large or small, housing a spacious ballroom with lovely views of the signature courtyard.  A Gazebo surrounded by roses and a rolling lawn that accommodates up to 175 guests provides a romantic and picturesque setting for exchanging vows, followed by a fully-catered reception in the grand ballroom.

"The most exciting edition to the venue is the new spa,” says owner Harry Selvin.  “Massage, steam room and other amenities will be provided within the spa, and the feeling of being pampered will spill over into our newly-renovated rooms and even into the lobby areas.” 

As a businessman, Mr. Selvin has specific plans for the renovation of the hotel’s meeting and event space, enhancing them with an engaging new look and making the Hotel and Spa ideal for board meetings, corporate events and social occasions. A b

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