Larsen's Grill Opens at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on December 8th

Update to the previous post dated 5/8/14: Today, December 8th, Larsen's Grill opens its doors at The Collection at RiverPark.

Larsen's Grill will be opening its second Ventura County location at The Collection at RiverPark in the Fall of 2014. In a recent comment on its Facebook page, Larsen's indicates a September time frame. Larsen's will be located next to the Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar, adjacent to an interactive water fountain.

Larsen's offers prime, aged, slow-cooked steaks, as well as BBQ, chicken, sushi, sandwiches and more. The other Ventura County location is at the Simi Valley Town Center. Visit www.larsenssteakhouse.com to learn more.

Flu Vaccine Required for Ventura County Health Care Workers Beginning Jan 1, 2015

January 1, 2015, all health care workers (HCWs) in Ventura County hospitals, clinics, skilled nursing and long-term care facilities, ambulances and other licensed health care facilities are required to receive an annual influenza immunization or wear a protective mask while in contact with patients.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza infection affects 5-15% of the U.S. population every year, leading to an estimated 3.1 million days of hospitalization and 31.4 million outpatient visits. Influenza accounts for an estimated 36,000 excess deaths in the U.S. each year, 90% of which are in persons ages 65 years and older.

This is the first time Ventura County has issued a mandatory flu vaccine mandate. The order will remain in effect throughout flu season which generally is defined as December 15 – March 31 of the following year.

Those HCWs who refuse to receive the influenza vaccination for religious or other reasons will be required to wear a face mask in patient care areas during the influenza season. Mandatory vaccination or masking policies have been shown to increase HCW vaccination rates to above 95%.

The new rule is part of a growing trend among health-care facilities nationwide. Similar orders have been issued in 23 other California counties.

The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. While circulating flu viruses vary from one year to the next, the seasonal flu vaccine is designed to protect against the four main flu viruses that researchers predict will cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season.

More info about Ventura County Public Health at www.vchca.org/public-health.

Sprinkles Ice Cream and Cookies Coming to The Promenade at Westlake

Sprinkles Cupcakes Westlake Villageannounced on its Facebook page that the reason its current store at The Promenade at Westlake is closed is that it is re-opening this Friday, December 5th, at a larger location a few doors down (at the former home of Menchies Frozen Yogurt, which closed several months ago). And the new store will carry not only cupcakes, but Sprinkles Ice Cream and Cookies! Just in time for the holidays! Follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SprinklesWestlake for updates.

Popped Fresh Gourmet Popcorn Opens in Agoura Hills

Popped Fresh is a gourmet popcorn and fudge store with over 50 flavors popped and prepared at the store that opened recently.  The store is located at 5013 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, across the parking lot from IHOP.  Popcorn is popped fresh daily and ift baskets, tins, and boxes for every occasion are available at the store.

Popped Fresh offers over 50 flavors of fresh popped popcorn on premises. Store hours are Tuesday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday 11-3. To learn more, visit www.poppedfresh.com or call 818.707.7200.

This is the former location of Tifa Chocolate and Gelato, which moved to Whizin Market Square in May 2013.

Smashburger Announces Grand Opening of Camarillo Location on November 26th

Smashburger, the nation’s fastest growing “better burger” restaurant, today announced that it will open its first Camarillo location at 660 East Ventura Boulevard (Camarillo Premium Outlets at "The Promenade") on Wednesday, November 26, 2014. The restaurant will open at 10:00 AM. 

Smashburger offers a broad menu of handcrafted burgers, chicken, salads, signature sides and handspun shakes. This new Camarillo Smashburger will feature a menu created with regional flavors and tastes, including the SoCal Smashburger and chicken sandwich with fresh avocado, cilantro, pepper jack, lettuce, tomato, onion, sour cream and chipotle mayo on a telera roll served with a wedge of lime.

Smashburger burgers are made with 100% fresh, never frozen, all-natural Certified Angus Beef that is smashed on a 400 degree flat grill to sear in the juicy flavor. Burgers are served on toasted artisan buns and topped with a selection of the freshest produce, real cheeses, and highest-quality condiments.

Customers can also enjoy a selection of tender marinated grilled or crispy sandwiches and fresh-tossed signature salads, along with a variety of irresistible sides including rosemary and garlic–seasoned Smashfries, Haystack Onions, and Veggie Frites (flash-fried and seasoned carrot sticks and green beans). The restaurant will also serve a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages ranging from handspun shakes, root-beer floats in frosted mugs and beer.

This 2,530 sq ft Camarillo Smashburger has dining room seating for 72 guests and patio seating for 16. Regular restaurant hours will be 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily. Call the restaurant directly for holiday hours at (805) 482-5400.

This is the 2nd Smashburger in Ventura County, joining the Thousand Oaks location that opened in July 2012.

Local fans are also encouraged to join Smashburger’s Smash Club.  Smash Club members receive the latest news, tastiest promotions and exclusive coupons. For more information on Smashburger, visit www.smashburger.com or check them out on Facebook and Twitter. 

City of Westlake Village Continues Its Prohibition of Pot-Bellied Pigs

The City of Westlake Village municipal code prohibits large animals, farm animals and livestock (except horses) such as pigs, hogs, cows, sheep, goats and wild animals, from city limits.

Up to four dogs and cats are allowed per residence, as are most tropical fish and up to three small birds for every 1,000 sq ft of land area. Betcha didn't know that.

Certain other animals are allowed, assuming minimum lot size requirements are met. For example, up to three pigeons, at least three months old, are allowed for each 1,000 sq ft of land area. Yes, you heard it here, pigeon fans.

Chickens, turkeys, peacocks, geese and ducks are permitted on parcels of 15,000 sq ft or larger, provided that not more than six (6) such fowl are maintained on the premises.

That said, pot-bellied pigs are considered livestock in Westlake Village and thus are unable to enjoy living in this fine city.

But a Westlake Village resident tried to change that at the City's July 9, 2014 City Council meeting.

At that meeting, this resident, I would assume to be a pot-bellied pig fan, proposed the possibility of unplugging this particularly unpleasant pot-bellied pig prohibition.

The City Council's Administrative Committee met on July 24th, September 19th and October 16th, involving "a considerable amount of research and discussion" according to a City report that will be presented at the November 12th City Council meeting.

Ultimately, the Committee decided that the demand for keeping pot-bellied pigs in the City was not sufficient to warrant a change to its regulations. Unless City Council overrides this conclusion on the 12th, pot-bellied pigs' preclusion from partaking in pleasureful partying in Westlake Village will be propagated in perpetuity.

If you are a pot-bellied pig, we feel your pain. Join us in Thousand Oaks, where municipal code allowas you to habitate, along with other livestock pals, assuming you have at least 50 sq ft of pen per pig and are maintain a distance of at least 40 feet away from your human's pen.

City of Westlake Village Municipal Code: www.municode.com/library/ca/westlake_village/codes/code_of_ordinances

City of Thousand Oaks Municipal Code: www.amlegal.com/thousandoaks_ca

Westlake Village In-N-Out Burger Anticipated to Open in November Time Frame

UPDATE 11/5/14: In-N-Out Burger Westlake Village opened today at 9 am.

That's what a hamburger's all about.  According to the folks I spoke to at In-N-Out Burger's corporate office, they are anticipating a November 2014 time frame for the grand opening of the world's most uniquely appointed In-N-Out Burger at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. In fact, they are now accepting applications to work there at www.in-n-out.com.

As indicated last November, this 3,700 sq ft restaurant is being built on the west end of The Shoppes development, with an archtecture and color scheme that blends in with the other stores. In another words, this will be the most unique In-N-Out Burger you've ever seen.

Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. in Calabasas Announces It is Closed

Today on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wolfcreekcalabasas, Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. at The Summit at Calabasas announced it has closed its doors after 4 years in business. They indicated they will continue operating the original location in Santa Clarita as well as its brewery in Valencia. Learn more at www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com.

Post by Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Co. - Calabasas.

Mandarin Buffet in Thousand Oaks Closed Earlier This Year

I missed the fact that Mandarin Buffet in Thousand Oaks is closed, and apparently has been closed all summer. Mandarin Buffet was located at 55 Rolling Oaks Drive, south of the 101 freeway off of Moorpark Road. The restaurant opened in 2007.

Sign on the door of Mandarin Buffet indicates the eatery is close(d).

Prior to Mandarin Buffet, this 5,000 sq ft location was a Coco's Bakery Restaurant. And before that, Bob’s Big Boy resided here.