New Wednesday Afternoon Farmers' Market to Premiere in Camarillo on May 21st

Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District (PVRPD) in collaboration with the Ventura County Certified Farmers' Market Association are teaming up to host a Wednesday afternoon Farmers' Market premiering May 21st. This new farmers' market will be located at the Camarillo Community Center parking lot at 1605 E. Burnley Street. Hours will be 3pm until dusk.

Offerings from local vendors will include fresh produce, baked goods, honey, nuts and more, as well as other items such as art, jewelry, pottery and more. Other prepared food vendors will also be on hand.

Along with the certified farmers’ market and crafters’ corner, there will be special PVRPD events for the whole family, including movie nights, music, kids' games and more.

Open year-round, rain or shine. SNAP/Cal-Fresh/EBT customers welcome. Redemptions will be authorized at Market Information Booth. Pets not allowed per California state health laws (except service animals).

Learn more at vccfarmersmarkets.com/pleasant-valley-camarillo or www.pvrpd.org/recreation/special_events/farmers_market_n_crafters_corner.asp.

Ben and Jerry's Coming to The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

On April 2nd, The Collection at Riverpark announced that a Ben and Jerry's will be opening a location sometime soon! Sweet news, both figuratively and literally!

For updates, visit www.thecollectionrp.com.

This will be the third Ventura County Ben and Jerry's location; there are two other locations in Ventura. And old timers might remember there was a Ben and Jerry's at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks for awhile back in the day.

For a list of over 80 Ventura County area ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato and other sweet treat places, check out this compilation here on Conejo Valley Guide.

Vom Fass Announces it Will Be Opening a New Location in Ventura This June

Vom Fass, which closed its doors in Westlake Village on February 21st, announced it will be opening a new location in Downtown Ventura this June in the following Facebook post this past Wednesday:

We are thrilled to announce that VOM FASS Westlake Village will soon be relocating to the heart of Ventura's vibrant downtown at 451 E. Main St. We will only be a short and beautiful drive from our wonderful WLV clients and also have exposure to a great new customer population of both locals and tourists.  We have a lot to do to get our new space ready and set up our store, but we hope to be open in June 2014. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and a more definitive date for our opening. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks at our new location!

Vom Fass is a speciality grocery store that carries gourmet culinary condiments, fruit vinegars, exquisite oils, exotic liqueurs & fine rare spirits, all sold... and sampled... straight from the cask.

451 E. Main Street is on the north side of the main drag in Downtown Ventura, just west of California Street, directly across the street from Anacapa Brewing Company and the Busy Bee Cafe.

Follow the Vom Fass Westlake Village Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VomFassWestlakeVillage for additional updates about the Ventura store.

Ventura County Sheriff's 2014 "Dispatcher of the Year" Award Recipients Announced

Ventura County Sheriff’s Technical Communications Specialists Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer have been selected as the 2014 “Dispatcher of the Year” award co-recipients. They will be honored at the annual Dispatcher Awards Banquet in Ventura on April 10, 2014. Gloria and Jeff were selected by their peers and supervisors to receive this award, which is presented to the outstanding dispatcher for their exemplary work and contributions to public safety and the residents of Ventura County.

Gloria Nieves has been an employee with the Sheriff’s Office for over 35 years and Jeff Mercer has been with the department for over 29 years. During their time with the Sheriff’s Office, both Gloria and Jeff have become accomplished dispatchers and have established themselves as consummate team players. In addition to challenging and rapidly evolving situations in their primary assignments, they are also trainers for newly hired dispatchers.

Sheriff dispatchers answer, assess, and refer 9-1-1 calls, as well as business calls that come into the Sheriff’s Office. They are responsible for dispatching and coordinating patrol responses to calls for service and, at times, responsible for up to 70 patrol deputies in the field in Sheriff’s jurisdictions throughout Ventura County.

Dispatchers are among the first responders to emergency incidents and are often described as calm, professional, and proficient. Peers have noted that Gloria and Jeff are highly skilled due to their established experience and their outstanding critical communication skills. They are both exceptional in their everyday duties and play a big role in bringing substantial patrol incidents to safe and positive outcomes.

Congratulations to Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer as co-recipients of the 2014 Sheriff’s “Dispatcher of the Year” award.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office via Nixle at local.nixle.com/alert/5172632/?sub_id=1449546.

Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen Recently Opened in Ventura and Subsequently Closed

Update 12/31/14: Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen became Laffa Mediterranean Grill in August and since then appears to have closed in the latter part of the year.

March 30, 2014: Social media does work in many ways, including, of course, getting the word out. For example, yesterday, I noticed a new Twitter follower, Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen.

Being the curious type, that prompted me to check out the Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen website at garbanzotogo.com to check out what they offer. Located at 1780 S Victoria Ave. Suite D, Ventura in what I believe used to be Giovanni's Pizza, in the suite next to Fatburger, Garbanzo offers a $7.25 "Create Your Plate" meal with one entree, one side, two salads and pita bread. Entrees on the menu include meatballs, falafel, shawarma, schnitzel, spicy chicken, pesto chicken, stuffed eggplant and stuffed mini bell peppers. I also see hummus, tahini, babaganoush and other Mediterranean type salads.

Sounds pretty good to me as I'm a big fan of this type of food! One of these days I'll make it over there. Garbanzo Healthy Kitchen is open 7 days a week and their phone is 805.654.7044.

Erewhon Natural Foods Market Coming Soon to The Summit at Calabasas

Update 3/28/14: Thanks to Hector D, we've learned the latest estimated opening date is Monday, April 21st. But be sure to call Erewhon first at 818.857.3366 to confirm as the date of course is subject to change.

Photo courtesy of Hector D of Newbury Park. Thanks Hector!

Update 3/9/14: Erewhon announced yesterday that its grand opening date in Calabasas is Saturday, April 5th.

Posted 1/18/14: Erewhon Natural Foods Market is coming to The Summit at Calabasas early next year in the 16,250 sq ft space previously occupied by Maddy's Market. Pronounced AIR-wahn, Erewhon's original location is in Los Angeles, near The Grove.

In addition to groceries, produce, household goods and wellness items, the market will include a tonic and juice bar and cafe.

Erewhon sells foods and products free from artificial preservatives, synthetic pesticides, ripening agents, growth hormones, irradiation, fumigants, fungicides or other additives.

Learn more about Erewhon at www.erewhonmarket.com. Learn more about The Summit at Calabasas at summitcalabasas.com.

Walmart Neighborhood Market Coming Soon to Thousand Oaks Marketplace

Update 3/24/14: As pointed out by CVG follower DM, the Newbury Park Walmart Neighborhood Market will celebrate its grand opening next Wednesday, April 2nd.

Posted 2/20/14:

A new Walmart Neighborhood Market is under construction at the Thousand Oaks Marketplace on Ventu Park Road at the corner of Hillcrest Drive in Newbury Park. The market will be joining the Hampton Inn, Walgreens and Chase Bank, as well as other coming tenants, Subway (this will be the 5th Subway in zip code 91320) and Great Clips.

What is a Walmart Neighborhood Market? Here's the answer from Walmart's website: Walmart Neighborhood Markets were designed in 1998 as a smaller-footprint option for communities in need of a pharmacy, affordable groceries and merchandise. Each one is approximately 38,000 square feet and employs up to 95 associates. Walmart Neighborhood Markets offer fresh produce, meat and dairy products, bakery and deli items, household supplies, health and beauty aids and a pharmacy.

In comparison, a Walmart Supercenter is an average of 182,000 square feet in size.

There are other local Walmart Neighborhood markets currently in Camarillo and Oxnard and Walmart Supercenters in Oxnard, Simi Valley and Ventura.

Steve's un-Original Pizza Opened at MB2 Raceway Newbury Park in January

Steve's un-Original Pizza opened in the MB2 Raceway facility at 1475 Lawrence Drive, Newbury Park back in January. I've heard nothing but great things so far about their thin crust pizza. Hours vary but generally the same time frame that MB2 is open. Cash only. Check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stevesunoriginal or call 805.498.7499 for more information.

Allison I. of Newbury Park provided this image of, in her words, "the best pizza around!"

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks Indicates Lassens Will Open "This Summer"

The Lakes at Thousand Oaks Rolls Out the Green Carpet for Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins

(An update to a previous post about Lassens coming to The Lakes)

As it continues to evolve as a shopping and dining destination in Thousand Oaks, The Lakes at Thousand Oaks is preparing to roll out the green carpet for Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins, the top purveyor of natural and organic foods. Set to open this summer, Lassens has earned a reputation over more than four decades as a family-run destination for organic produce, natural and organic groceries, a full service deli, juice bar, and an extensive selection of supplements, vitamins and natural body care products.

Lassens brings another high-quality tenant to The Lakes, a property of Caruso Affiliated, one of the largest and most successful privately held real estate development companies in the U.S.  Its opening this summer will strengthen the appeal of the Thousand Oaks community hub to upscale and sophisticated consumers, joining established tenants such as P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Sunlife Organics, Umami Burger, California Pizza Kitchen and 9021Pho (to open in late Spring 2014).

“We are thrilled to have Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins join The Lakes at Thousand Oaks and look forward to offering our guests a community staple where they can shop for fresh, natural and organic groceries, vitamins and much more,” offered Jackie Levy, Executive Vice President of Operations for Caruso Affiliated.

Relocating its current 7,500-sq. ft. Thousand Oaks store to The Lakes, where it will nearly double in size to 13,500 square feet, Lassens will be able to significantly expand its product offerings.  Because it is independently owned, Lassens is already distinguished for carrying a wide selection of unique, lesser-known specialty brands, for its organic salad bar, full service deli including hot case items, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and made to order juices, and for its commitment to 100% organic produce and natural products.  Since 1971, when Hilmar and Oda Lassen opened the doors of their first store in Camarillo, Lassens has become a trusted community destination and a conscientious supporter of local farms. To date, Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins has grown to ten locations, with its opening at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. For more information, visit www.lassens.com.

Nestled against the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains, The Lakes at Thousand Oaks is perhaps the most pristine and beautiful of Caruso Affiliated’s properties, featuring two magnificent lakes, waterfalls, a children’s playground, rose gardens and public spaces spread across 7.5 acres. For more information, visit www.shoplakes.com. Follow The Lakes on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shoplakes and Twitter at twitter.com/shoplakes.

About Caruso Affiliated

Caruso Affiliated is one of the largest privately held real estate development companies in the United States. They develop, own and manage a portfolio of highly specialized retail and residential properties that command sales per square foot 75% above the industry average.  Average consumer expenditures nearly double that of regional malls and sales growth is nearly three times that of traditional malls. Its portfolio encompasses a world-class collection of properties that attract millions of people annually, including one of its premier developments, The Grove, which attracts more guests per year than Disneyland. Caruso Affiliated properties are designed to make them more than retail and residential sites, they are central gathering places for the communities they serve, as well as premier tourist destinations. In 2012, two of Caruso Affiliated’s properties – The Grove and The Americana at Brand – ranked in Shopping Center Today’s list of the top 15 shopper centers in the world based on sales per square foot. Caruso Affiliated is currently spearheading one of the largest retail development programs in the nation, which is expected to generate $80 million annually in new taxes for state and local governments as well as 11,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent jobs.