Newbury Park Farmers' Market is Not Huge But Gets the Job Done

Update February 2016: The Newbury Park Farmers' Market has closed.

Update 9/27/12: Yes indeedy, the Newbury Park Farmers' Market is now located in the Newbury Park Library parking lot, adjaced to The Alamo.

UPDATE 9/24/12: I've been told that the Newbury Park farmers' market will be relocating to the Newbury Park Library parking lot (Borchard Road and Michael Drive) beginning September 29, 2012

Originally posted 12/7/10: The Newbury Park Farmers' Marketis WAS located at the corner of Teller Road and Hillcrest Drive, in the formerly Loehmann's, but now I shall call PetSmart, plaza. This is a small, no-nonsense FM that has enough selection to make it a worthwhile stop on Saturday mornings between 8 am and 2 pm. You'll find fruits, veggies and usually tamales, pastries/desserts, jewelry, flowers, other foods and miscellaneous stuff, as well as live music. And there ya have it.

For several dozen farmers' markets and other fresh produce providers througout Ventura County and surrounding areas CLICK THIS LINK.

Grand Opening of the Springville Dog Park in Camarillo on Friday, September 28th

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District & Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks celebrates the Grand Opening of Springville Dog Park at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo on Friday, September 28th from 5:30-6:30pm. All people and pooches are invited.

The event will begin with a ribbon cutting followed by light refreshments and treats for humans and pups alike.  Bring the whole family for a fun evening at the new Springville Dog Park!

Donate to Springville Dog Park! Purchase an engraved DONOR BRICK to show your support and pave the dog park entrance. Buy a brick for your favorite dog or dog owner as a gift!  What a great gift to give to any dog lover you know?  Your donation will support your local dog park and be memorialized with a personalized brick.  Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com

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Grand Opening of the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas on Saturday, June 9th

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the new Interagency Visitor Center is opening its doors with an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is nestled in the very heart of the mountains at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

This Visitor Center is the first of its kind in the Santa Monica Mountains. In one building, you will be able to interact with staff and volunteers from the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. We'll be together, standing side by side, to guide you in building your visit to our parks.

The Visitor Center will also feature new exhibits and interactive displays, exhibits by local artists, tours of sustainable features, and a native plant garden to explore. Yet, the Interagency Visitor Center is only intended to be a launching point to your greater experience. Join us to find out more about the Santa Monica Mountains and to inform your future activities in the outdoors!

There are so many things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains. With the help of the new Visitor Center, you will be able to discover opportunities you may not have considered before. Or, perhaps you may be reminded of a favorite place you would like to visit again. No matter where you land along the spectrum, the Visitor Center staff and volunteers will be your resource for how to make that happen. Come ready to explore our new Visitor Center, but also all that our mountains have to offer.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm (at a later date - this site is work in process).

Thrifty Ice Cream Brings Me Memories of My Childhood

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!

Laker Girls Appear at the Newbury Park Arco Am Pm Grand Opening April 6-7

For those of you who regularly check out Conejo Valley Guide, you know that our primary focus is covering events, activities and things to do in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County area. As such, most of what you see on this site relates to the future, not the past, which is best covered by our great local newspapers.

However, sometimes we make exceptions, particularly here in the Local Buzz blog where we like to periodically report random goings on that we find interesting and/or amusing. Such was the case yesterday and today in Newbury Park, where we learned that the brand new Arco Am Pm at 2305 Borchard Road (at Michael) was hosting a grand opening celebration that, among other things, featured an appearance by THE LAKER GIRLS!

It's not every day that we get to see Laker Girls in our neck of the woods...in fact, this is the first and only time I can recall this happening in my nearly 20 years in the Conejo Valley. So given the significance I just HAD to stop by several times. Never have I seen so many SMILES at a gas station! Thanks to the owners of this station. Good times were had by all. :>

New Channel Islands (formerly Ventura County) Maritime Museum to Open in July

Executive Director Announces Channel Islands Maritime Museum Changes

Bill Conroy, the Executive Director of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, announced last month that  the museum is changing its name to the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum will celebrate its opening early in July 2012 at its new site overlooking the Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard.

The colorful patio entrance and newly designed façade welcome visitors to this harbor retreat. Once inside, families will be able to stroll leisurely through art galleries with panoramic views of the Channel Islands Harbor. They will be able to see newly designed exhibits illustrating the pageantry and drama of our maritime past.

The museum’s collection of seascapes by 17th century Dutch painters will be colorfully exhibited in an elegant and intimate gallery. Children will be awed by the epic story of the dragon-headed Turtle Boat heroically created by the tiny Chosen Dynasty navy of Admiral Y Sun Shin to defend against foreign invading forces.

Museum volunteers continue their efforts to raise funds to build out the new museum by selling pavers inscribed with a donor’s name. These are still available for a donation of $200. In addition, naming opportunities for individual galleries and major donations are welcome to support and preserve this cultural resource for the entire community.

The museum is also recruiting volunteers for training as docents in the expanded facility.

For information please call (805) 984-6260 or visit cimmvc.org.

Is a Walmart Store Coming to Camarillo?

Hmm, perhaps we'll be seeing Walmart in Camarillo. Not certain, but there's a sign, literally, that might indicate something is in the works.

This sign is posted on the window of the long-vacant Linens and Things that was located in the Camarillo Town Shopping Center at 275 W. Ventura Boulevard.

According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website, Walmart Stores Inc. applied for a license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off premises. This could indicate Walmart may be interested in opening a store at that location.

But wait, this location is about 36,000 sq ft, a small fraction of the size of a typical Walmart Discount Store or Supercenter. Hmm, well Walmart does have nearly 170 Walmart Neighborhood Markets that according to Walmart "offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise all at our famous Every Day Low Prices." The typical store size is 42,000 sq ft.

Would be great to see that space filled with something permanent! Let's wait and see. In the meantime, there are still Walmart stores in Oxnard (2001 N. Rose Avenue) and Simi Valley (255 Cochran Street).

This is the old "Linens and Things" site in question, sandwiched between Ross and Target on the east and Staples and Sports Authority on the west.

Jungle Land Indoor Kids Playground in Agoura Closing Its Doors November 22nd

UPDATE: New owners have taken over and opened the facility as CA Kiddo club on December 5, 2011.

Today, Jungle Land, the 5,000 sq ft indoor play facility on Canwood Street in Agoura geared towards kids up to 6 years old, announced that it will be closing. Its last day will be November 22, 2011. Jungle Land has provided safe indoor play for little ones over the last 6 years.

Jungle Land joins Jolly Jumps Party Place in Camarillo that closed its doors on September 30, 2011 (though Jolly Jumps still provides rental bounce houses and other items for parties) and The Roller Dome indoor skating rink that closed its doors in October 2010.

It is never a happy time to hear about a local business closing, though there could be a number of reasons for a particular business doing so. And of course while some places close, others open, like My Party Playhouse in Agoura and Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place in Camarillo.

For over 100 venues and ideas for birthday parties around Ventura County, CLICK HERE!