New Fully Accessible Challenger Field Premiered in Simi Valley on March 22nd

Challenger Field on Opening Day (Photo: Colleen Janssen, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District)The Amanda McPherson Foundation, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, City of Simi Valley, Simi Valley Unified School District and Simi Valley Little League all contributed towards the construction of Challenger Field, a fully accessible field to make it easier for special needs players to play baseball.

The grand opening of Challenger Field was Saturday, March 22, 2014. It is now the "home" field for Challenger Division players. The entire field is solid, yet looks like grass and dirt, allowing for easy mobility by

The whole field is solid (looks like grass and dirt, but is not), allowing easy mobility by players, even if in a wheelchair. Pretty neat! What a great addition to the community.

Challenger Field is located behind Apollo High School at 3150 School Street, Simi Valley. More information and photos at www.rsrpd.org/park/challengerfield/challengerfield.html.

Camboni Italian Restaurant & Bar Coming Soon to the Thousand Oaks Inn and Hotel

Update: Camboni Italian Restaurant opened on May 20th. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CamboniRestaurant. They indicate breakfast hours 7-10am, lunch hours 11am to 2pm and dinner hours 5-10pm.

According to the Thousand Oaks Inn & Hotel on its Facebook page last month and confirmed with a phone call, Camboni Italian Restaurant is coming soon at this highly visible location from the 101 freeway at 75 W. Thousand Oaks Boulevard. This was previously the home of TOI Tapas Bar, and before that was home to Du-Par's Restaurant for nearly 50 years until it closed July 31, 2009.

According to the Thousand Oaks Inn: "Camboni Italian Restaurant will use only naturally leavened breads, using naturally occuring microflora, which consumes little energy and multiplies quite slowly. Its growth duplicates the cycle of human breathing and that of wheat embryo germination, plus it naturally enriches the bread, due to an additional development of nutrients by the beneficial enzymes and ferments."

Visit the Thousand Oaks Inn Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TOInn for updates.

The "Shoppes at Westlake Village" Scheduled to Open in Summer of 2014

Updates: Additional eateries and tenants include Hook Burger, Jeannine's Bakery and Restaurant, Olio e Limone and others as well as Greens Up! and Los Agaves Restaurant.

Originally posted 1/15/14:

On May 9, 2012, the Westlake Village City Council approved development of a 240,000 square foot retail shopping center called "Shoppes at Westlake Village," that will be anchored by a Target store. It will be located on Russell Ranch Road off of Lindero Canyon Road.

According to its website at www.shoppesatwestlakevillage.com, "With architecture reminiscent of a European village, trellis covered pedestrian walkways, a dramatic water feature and patio dining and lounge areas, Shoppes at Westlake Village will be a place to meet and gather with family and friends as well as a place to shop."

Shoppes is scheduled to open this Summer 2014. Target's target (you like that?) grand opening date is July 25, 2014. In addition to the Target store on the southeast end of the development, the west side will have a uniquely designed In-N-Out Burger restaurant built with stonework, natural tile and other "Older European" treatments to blend in with the rest of the development.

The other known tenant at this point is Total Woman Gym and Spa, in a 13,000 sq ft space perhaps strategically placed on the In-N-Out Burger side of the development. Hey, what's better than a protein-laden Double Double, Animal Style, after a solid workout!

Shoppes is being developed by Selleck Development Group of Westlake Village, which is run by Tom Selleck's brothers, for those who I know were wondering by the sheer mention of that name.

Stay tuned for updates...

Zooza Cafe Recently Opened at Paseo Marketplace in Westlake Village

Zooza Cafe opened a few days ago in the Paseo Marketplace, directly adjacent to The Melting Pot restaurant at 3687 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village.

On its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ZoozaCafe, Zooza Cafe calls itself a health food cafe that serves up smoothies, salads, coffee, sandwiches, baked goods and more. Open for breakfast, lunch and coffee. Call 805.496.9669 for more information.

Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar Opened Today

Malibu Pier Restaurant & Bar opened today, May 15th, at the foot of the Malibu Pier (previously occupied by The Beachcomber), 23000 Pacific Coast Highway.  Executive Chef Jason Fullilove and his team will be serving up fresh seafood in a casual environment. Their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/malibupierrestaurantandbar displays a some of what's to come, including fresh oysters, California White Sea Bass Carpaccio, Tuna Crudo, Malibu Fennel Salad, California Striped Bass, Malibu Seafood Stew, black rice gumbo with octopus, pork sausage, peas, Thai basil, and prawns, Strawberry Pie and more, accompanied by a full bar. Visit malibupierrestaurant.com for more information.

City of Thousand Oaks Opens Household Hazardous Waste Facility This Month

Household Hazardous Waste Facility photo courtesy City of Thousand OaksThe City of Thousand Oaks announces the opening of its new permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 2010 Conejo Center Drive in Newbury Park.  Beginning May 30, 2014, this state-of-the-art hazardous material collection facility will be open by appointment Friday and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm for residents of Thousand Oaks and Unincorporated Ventura County areas to dispose of unwanted household hazardous waste products like paint, household cleaners, solvents, fertilizers, etc.

More information on local hazardous waste disposal options at THIS LINK or visit the City's GoGreen website at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Gandolfo's New York Deli to Open Second Ventura County Location Mid-May 2014

Gandolfo's New York Deli opened its first Ventura County based restaurant at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard last year.

A second Gandolfo's opened in mid-May 2014 in the Montalvo Square Shopping Center at 1708 Victoria Avenue in Ventura, (this space was previously home to a Daphne's Greek Cafe). That said...it has since closed.

According to its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/GandolfosNewYorkDeli, Gandolfo's brings the taste and feel of New York's most famous sandwiches, with a meat selection that includes mouth-watering cuts of brisket pastrami, lean corned beef, roasted turkey, roast beef, apple-smoked ham, chicken breast and Italian specialties of salami and cappicola.

Road Closure Information for Amgen Tour of California in Thousand Oaks May 17-18

Motorists are urged to plan ahead this weekend as the vehicular traffic through the east end of Thousand Oaks will be heavier than normal. The city will be hosting Stage 8 (the final stage of the race) of the 2014 Amgen Tour of California Bike Race. The race will consist of three 21 mile circuits and three 4.5 mile circuits.

On Saturday, May 17th at 8:00 a.m., parts of Townsgate Road and Village Glen Road will be closed to set up the course. The race will begin and end on Townsgate Road between Westlake Blvd and Lakeview Canyon Road. This area will remain closed until Sunday, May 18th at 10:00 p.m.

The race is scheduled to start just before 8:45 a.m. on Sunday. There will be rolling closures along the race route. The race is expected to end around 12:00 p.m.

The following streets will be affected. See maps below or visit www.toaks.org/living/amgen_tour_of_california/homepage/default.asp

• Lakeview Canyon Road at Agoura Road
• Westlake Blvd from Townsgate Road to Carlisle Road
• Triunfo Canyon Rd. from Three Springs Drive to Westlake Blvd.
• HARD CLOSURES during race: Westlake Blvd. southbound at Potrero Rd., and Westlake Blvd. northbound at Agoura Rd./Hampshire Rd. - then expanding to Triunfo Canyon Rd. during the small circuit.

Start/finish line area and 3 lap final finish route around Westlake Lake!Stage 8 course map

During this time, the Thousand Oaks Police Department urges motorists to use extreme caution in an around the affected area. There will be a large number of cyclists and pedestrians in the area. Please plan ahead and use alternative routes if possible.

To promote the safety of the riders and spectators, we ask that any suspicious persons or items along the race route be reported immediately to the Thousand Oaks Police Department at (805) 654- 9511 or by calling 911. We would like to remind residents, “If you see something say something.”

UC Cooperative Extension Response Regarding Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The following is from the University of California Cooperative Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Ventura County issued last month in response to the Santa Paula Rotary announcement that the 2014 Faulker Farm Pumpkin Patch in Santa Paula has been cancelled. Learn more about UCCE Agriculture and Natural Resources Ventura County at ceventura.ucanr.edu.

10 Facts about UC Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center (UC HAREC) and the Pumpkin Patch at Faulkner Farm

What is UC Hansen Agriculture Research and Extension Center?

Established in 1997 through an endowment set up by Thelma Hansen, UC HAREC is one of the University of California’s nine Research and Extension Centers. UC HAREC performs agricultural research and has crop and tree demonstration areas. Crops are also grown for farm field trips through which students learn where their food comes from, and there are demonstration gardens for students and visitors.

What is UC’s relationship to the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch?

Since purchasing the property in 1997, UC allowed the Ayers’ (original owners) pumpkin patch to continue operation during its first year and then worked with Litchfield Farms from 1998 through 2005 on a pumpkin patch that included educational programs during the week for school children. In 2006, Litchfield Farms did not renew their lease and in the winter of 2007 the Rotary Club of Santa Paula submitted a proposal to run the pumpkin patch.

Will there be a Rotary Club of Santa Paula pumpkin patch at HAREC this year?

We are still waiting to hear from the Rotary Club of Santa Paula on whether or not they want to use HAREC for their pumpkin patch. They have until May 30 to decide if our facility meets their requirements and let us know.

Have we limited the pumpkin patch to one acre?

No. We are currently expanding our agricultural research and educational offerings including new partnerships with the Ventura Unified School District/Food Corps program and additional countywide academic-year school field trips, which require more acreage. This expansion limits the amount of land available to the pumpkin patch. The UC HAREC is in the process of finalizing the long-term research project requests. Once projects are awarded we may be in a position to offer additional space.

Is this the first year a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) has been requested for the pumpkin patch?

No. The University of California made Santa Paula Rotary Club aware of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) requirement when they assumed control of the pumpkin patch in 2007 as a fundraising event for their club. The University of California reiterated the need for the club to obtain a CUP for the Rotary Club’s pumpkin patch from the County in 2010 and in 2012. We simply cannot assume all liability for their event.

What is a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)?

A conditional use permit (CUP) allows a city or county to consider special uses that may be essential or desirable to a particular community, but which are not allowed as a matter of right within a zoning district. A conditional use permit can provide flexibility within a zoning ordinance.

Are there other pumpkin patches in the county?

Yes! While we understand that many community members have long memories of the Faulkner Farm pumpkin patch, over the years Ventura County has been fortunate to add a wide variety of pumpkin patches throughout the county. Here is a 2013 list from the Conejo Valley Guide of a variety of pumpkin patches offered by our local Ventura County farmers. 2013 Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County www.conejovalleyguide.com/welcome/pumpkin-patches-in-ventura-county-and-adjacent-areas.html

Agritourism can be a real boon to small farmers and can even help keep them in business during hard times, like the drought that we are currently experiencing.

My family/kids enjoyed visiting the Faulkner Farm, may we still do so?

Absolutely. In fact, on Thursday, May 8^th , HAREC opened to the public all day for the CE 100 Year Celebration - Day of Science and Service. ceventura.ucanr.edu/ANR_Centennial_/

What other events/activities are typically held at HAREC?

Check out our calendar of events for more information at ceventura.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes&g=63579

A sampling of typical events, programs and/or activities at HAREC include 4-H Youth Field Trips every Tuesday and Thursday, FoodCorps Student Farm Project, Master Gardener Workshops, Sustainability Camp for Youth and many more.

More on UC HAREC at ucanr.edu/sites/hansenagcenter.