Angel Cafe Pizza & Pasta in Agoura Hills is Closed For Business

CVG Facebook follower Este K informed us of the bad news, that Angel Cafe Pizza & Pasta at the corner of Kanan Road and Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Agoura Hills recently closed its doors at the end of an eight year lease. About four months ago, The Alamo Bar & Grill closed in the same shopping center (and The Latigo Kid is anticipated to move to that location in the next month or so). Best of luck to the former employees of Angel Cafe in quickly finding new jobs. I suspect this prime Agoura Hills spot will not be vacant for long.

Bright Child Indoor Play Center in Oak Park Closes But is Now Called Kids World

Well this is sad news. The Bright Child indoor play center at the corner of Lindero Canyon and Kanan in Oak Park announced that it closed its doors after 10 years in operation on Monday, January 20, 2014.

However, the location is now called Kids World. Same location, different name! More info at kidsworldla.com.  Located at 618 Lindero Canyon Road. 818.338.8888

Although my kids are a bit older now, we have fond memories of visiting Bright Child over the years. Sorry to see them close, but on a brighter note, they indicate in this Facebook post that "the Oak Park venue was 10 years old and Bright Child believes it will better serve our customers to open a brand-new facility with all new equipment."

Looking for other fun indoor play options in and around Ventura County? Check this link.

Ventura County Public Health Provides Advice - First Flu-Related Death of the 2013-2014 Flu Season

Dr. Robert Levin, Ventura County Health Officer, announced today that Ventura County’s first flu-related death has occurred. A resident, under 65 years of age, died after having been hospitalized with the complications related to the H1N1 virus. The victim had other underlying conditions which may have put him at risk for severe H1N1 illness.

 “Flu, including the H1N1 strain, is on the rise throughout the state and, over the past week, influenza-related deaths have increased by 50 in California,” said Dr. Robert Levin, VCPH Health Officer. So far this season, the California Dept. of Public Health (CDPH) has confirmed 95 flu-related deaths statewide.

In Ventura County, there have been 23 flu-related hospitalizations so far this season with six patients requiring treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). With the exception of the one death, all other ICU patients have been released from the hospital. During the 2012 – 2013 flu season, Ventura County had three flu-related deaths.

“The peak of the flu season usually occurs in late January through February, so there is still time to benefit from a flu vaccine,” said Levin. According to the CDPH, influenza vaccine remains available and there is no widespread shortage of anti-virals for treatment of the flu.

An annual flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. It is also important to practice the three “C’s” of illness prevention in an effort to prevent the spread of germs:

• Cover your cough
• Clean your hands
• Confine sick people at home

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call your healthcare provider:

• A fever higher than 100 degrees and a cough and/or sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Have had contacts with a confirmed influenza case
• Are in a high-risk setting for transmission (e.g. school, prison, camp or other residential institution)
• Are a part of a cluster of influenza-like illness or symptoms

People experiencing flu-like symptoms should stay home from work or school and limit contact with others.

For a list of Ventura County flu-shot clinics, visit the Ventura County Public Health’s website clinics page: bit.ly/1avFeAS. For more information about where to get a flu shot, call VCPH Clinics at: (805) 981-5221.

Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society Will Not Host Railfest 2014 Event

The Santa Clara River Valley Railroad Historical Society has announced at www.scrvrhs.com that it will not be hosting a 19th Annual Santa Clara River Valley "Railfest" event this Spring, primarily because of "the uncertain contractual relationship between the Fillmore & Western Railway and the Ventura County Transportation Commission, along with the related recent court decisions as published in the media."

The Society indicates that the Fillmore & Western Railway may undertake their own version of Railfest for 2014 and that it is in no way relinquishing our rights to the annual "Railfest Event." The Society is hopeful that by next year, VCTC and Fillmore & Western have an agreement in place for continued rail operations and that Railfest will be back.

The Melting Pot of Thousand Oaks Celebrates 9 Year Anniversary with New 10 Year Lease

The Melting Pot of Thousand Oaks Celebrates Nine-Year Anniversary with New Menu, New Ten-Year Lease and Planned Remodel

The Melting Pot of Thousand Oaks, a fondue restaurant located at 3685 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, reaffirms its commitment to serve the Conejo Valley as it celebrates its nine-year anniversary by signing a new ten-year lease.

The locally owned and operated restaurant plans to introduce a new customizable menu on March 25, 2014.  It will feature per person pricing, more unbundled and à la carte selections, some tasty new fondue options and premium dippers to provide more flexibility and variety for guests.  In addition to the revamped menu, the 4,900-square-foot  restaurant’s look will also be updated within the next few years for added comfort and convenience.

The Melting Pot of Thousand Oaks offers a unique fondue dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere with private tables and customizable menu options that allow guests to enjoy one, two, three or more courses as they select any combination of individually-priced cheese fondues, salads, entrées and chocolate fondues.

For reservations or more information visit www.meltingpot.com or call 805-370-8802.

About The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc.

With more than 135 restaurants in North America, existing locations in 35 states, Canada and Mexico and more than 25 locations currently in development, The Melting Pot Restaurants, Inc. is the premier fondue restaurant franchise. Founded in 1975, The Melting Pot continues to be a memorable dining experience. Guests enjoy a choice of fondue cooking styles and a variety of unique entrées combined with dipping sauces. The menu also includes cheese fondues, salads, fine wines and chocolate fondue desserts.

Discovery Ventura Opened Last Month with Bar, Bowling, Pool, Great Food and More

DISCOVERY VENTURA CLOSED IN 2020

Last month, Discovery Ventura opened its doors at 1888 E. Thompson Boulevard, Ventura at the former home of the Ventura Bowling Center that closed its doors in December 2012.The facility has been beautifully renovated as a restaurant and lounge, accompanied by a nine-lane bowling alley, several pool tables and shuffleboards.

The boys and I stopped by Discovery Ventura this past Sunday to try out the bowling. It was just before lunchtime and the bar area was well occupied with folks socializing and enjoying Sunday morning NFL on the too-numerous-to-count flat screen TVs.

It was not crowded when we got there so we were able to quickly get situated. Bowling lanes are first come, first serve and cost $15 per hour (plus shoe rentals). As a novice that bowls perhaps twice a year, I was reminded once again that bowling shoes run large. My kids and I took 2 to 3 iterations apiece to get the best fit, but the hostess was patient with us.

The boys were able to find lighter bowling balls (6 to 8 lbs) and the hostess was able to meet our request for "bumpers" to pop up during the kids' turns as we bowled away. After my first roll I did a double take, as after 8 pins fell down, ALL of the pins were lifted up by strings. Quickly thereafter down plopped the two remaining pins. Traditionalists may not be thrilled with this more efficient "StringPin" technology but for a "boutique" non-league bowling alley like this I don't think it will be an issue with most social bowlers. See video below for a close-up of the StringPin action.

The lanes were full sized, though a bit cramped lengthwise and the little black dots used to position your starting point are pretty close to where the tables were. But we managed and had a great time. The boys were hungry and one had the Four Cheese Pizza ($10.95) and the other tried the BBQ Bacon Burger ($11.95), which came with fries. They both remarked how delicious the food was...so much so that my burger eater wouldn't even give me a sample taste. It certainly smelled good. My Caprese Salad ($9.95) was also excellent. And the family a few lanes down dining on Chicken Wings ($10.95) and Nachos ($9.95) remarked that they were both outstanding.

I asked the hostess how they would describe Discovery Ventura...is it a bowling alley, a nightclub, a restaurant, or ? There wasn't a clear answer as it is really all of the above. On its Facebook page it is described as "Simplistic and repurposing best describe the theme throughout the development of the California-lifestyle project. All are welcome to enjoy the laid-back, fun, and easy entertainment with 9 lanes of bowling, a locally-sourced restaurant with delectable California-cuisine, crafted cocktails, and the region’s largest and most fun private event facilities." Having been there, I would agree with that assessment.

Learn more at www.discoveryventura.com or call 805.856.BOWL (2695).

Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie Celebrates 4th Anniversary and Co-Founder Nouzille Elected to Board of Brewer's Association

LADYFACE ALEHOUSE & BRASSERIE CELEBRATES 4th ANNIVERSARY

Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie celebrates its 4^th Anniversary with a week of events in January.Sunday the 19th, all taps at the award-winning Agoura Hills brewpub begin pouring Ladyface ales and, over the course of the week, guests will be able to enjoy special releases, archived vintages, barrel-aged brews, collaborations, and casks.

One of those special releases is Ladyface 4th Anniversary Ale, a Belgian dark strong ale. This year’s theme is Flores et Fructus, the traditional flowers and fruit offering for a 4^th anniversary. Limited-edition 4th Anniversary glassware, with a year-long discount program, go on sale when Ladyface opens Monday, January 20^th at 11:30am.

Over the course of the week, there will be a Brewery Hangout with Brewermaster David Griffiths, a reservation-only Brewmaster’s Dinner, Barrel-Aged Beer Night, music and more. Event details can be found on the Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie Facebook page and at www.ladyfaceale.com.

And in other Ladyface news, Cyrena Nouzille, Ladyface Co-founder and General Manager has been elected to the Board of Directors of the national Brewers Association to serve a three-year term. The Brewers Association is a nonprofit trade association and is the largest organization of brewers in the United States with more than 1,900 brewery members and 38,000 American homebrewers.

Nouzille, a resident of Agoura Hills and former Planning Commissioner for the city, currently serves on Brewers Association’s Brewpub Committee.  Ladyface Ale Companie is also one of the founding members of the Los Angeles Brewers Guild and Nouzille will be serving on its 2014 Events Committee.

Ladyface Ale Companie was established in late 2009 along with its restaurant Ladyface Alehouse & Brasserie. Named the Best Brewery an international RateBeer.com Best Brewpub in 2011 and 2012, and LA Weekly’s 2013 Best Brewery in LA, Ladyface is known for their award-winning Belgian, French and American style ales.  La Blonde, La Grisette, Blind Ambition Abbey Ale, Trois Filles Tripel, and seasonal ales such as La Trappistine® Belgian Strong Dark Ale, Bluebelly Barleywine and Dérailleur® Bière-de-Garde are brewed onsite. Ladyface is one of Los Angeles County’s first modern day microbreweries, and the first brewpub in the Conejo Valley. Visit www.ladyfaceale.com.

Nordstrom Rack Store Coming to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in Fall 2015

Last month, Nordstrom announced plans to open a 40,000 sq ft Nordstrom Rack at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in fall 2015. The two-story store will occupy a portion of the existing Sears location, while Sears will continue occupying an anchor position on the primary floor of the existing store.

This Nordstrom Rack will be about a mile away from the full-line Nordstrom store located at The Oaks shopping mall, which opened there in 2008.

Nordstrom Rack is the off-price retail division of Nordstrom, Inc., offering customers a wide selection of on-trend apparel, accessories and shoes at an everyday savings of 30 to 70 percent off regular prices. The Rack carries merchandise from Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com, as well as specially purchased items from many of the top brands sold at Nordstrom. The Rack is designed to provide the ultimate treasure hunt to style-savvy customers.