German Discount Grocer ALDI to Open Simi Valley Store in Early 2016

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Update 5/29/16: ALDI indicates at www.aldi.us/en/new-to-aldi/grand-openings/grand-openings/simi-valley-ca that the grand opening will be June 16 but an Open House event will take place from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, June 12 where you can check things out but not but not purchase items...yet. Grand opening events 6/16 to 6/19 include free samples, special drawings and free re-usable bags. Store hours are 9am to 9pm and location is 425-A E. Cochran Street, Simi Valley.

See Note 1

See Note 1

German grocery chain ALDI will be opening a store in early 2016 at the former Office Depot location at the Simi at the Plaza shopping center in Simi Valley.

ALDI operates nearly 1,400 U.S. stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. The chain sells over 1,300 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items under its own brands. It opened its first U.S. store in 1976.

In June, ALDI announced it will launch its first Southern California stores in March 2016, with a plan to open approximately 25 stores before July 2016. With regional headquarters and warehouse in Moreno Valley, ALDI indicates it will employ over 1,100 Southern Californians by the end of 2016.

In its press release, ALDI indicated it will offer starting wages of $13/hour for store associates, up to $21/hour for long-standing associates. Employees will average 33 to 40 hours per week and will be eligible for full benefits, including health insurance, dental coverage and 401(k) plan.

To apply for a job at ALDI, visit aldistorejobs.com.

More on the California grand opening of ALDI at www.aldi.us/en/new-to-aldi/california-grand-opening.

More about ALDI:

  • Based in Germany with almost 10,000 stores in 18 countries.
  • Founded by brothers Karl and Theo Albrecht in 1946 after taking over their father's store that had operated since 1913.
  • ALDI is an abbreviation for ALbrecht DIskont (i.e. Discount)
  • ALDI operates under two divisions, Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud. Aldi Sud operates the U.S. ALDI stores. Aldi Nord owns the Trader Joe's chain.
  • Yes, Aldi Nord bought the Trader Joe's chain in 1979. The first Trader Joe's store opened in 1967 in Pasadena.
  • ALDI is one of the world's largest privately-owned companies.

Note 1: "AldiWorldwideLogo" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia

Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and Bar is Now Open at The Oaks Mall

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Update 5/23/16: Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant and Bar opened on Monday, May 23rd at The Oaks Mall. They promote no added sugar, no chemical sweeteners, 100% wheat and gluten free (the only grain on the menu is quinoa), no artificial ingredients and no chemical additives.

This is NOT a vegetarian restaurant...their dinner menu includes herb crusted halibut, bacon, brie and mushroom burger, flame broiled NY strip, Peri Peri Rubbed Filet Mignon and much more. Also open for breakfast and lunch. delitefulmeals.com

Posted 9/2/15:

Deliteful Low Carb Restaurant has announced it will be opening at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks sometime in the early 2016 time frame. It will be located on the first floor, south side, near McClave Jewelers and on the opposite side of Macy's Men's and Home store.

Deliteful will be open for breakfast and lunch, serving tasty food that is served free from sugar, artificial sweeteners, colorants, chemical additives, artificial flavors and MSG. 

They plan to use meats without added nitrates, cook with Himalayan Rock salt, use organic produce where possible, cook with olive and coconut oils and make everything fresh from scratch. 

For updates, visit www.delitefulmeals.com or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/delitefulmeals.

Regal Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks Grand Opening on Thursday, June 9th

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The new Regal Cinemas at Janss Marketplace is offering a “soft opening” fundraiser event June 5, 6 & 7 that will benefit three local charities - Play Conejo., Variety - The Children's Charity and Make-a-Wish Tri Counties.

100% of proceeds raised on the $3 tickets, $3 popcorn and $3 soft drinks will be divided evenly among the three charities.

Visit www.regmovies.com/Theatres/Grand-Openings/Regal-Janss-Marketplace-9 for more information. Tickets will be available at the box office only, beginning the morning of Sunday, June 5.

The official grand opening is Thursday, June 9

FREE Small Popcorn & FREE Small Fountain Drink  with each paid admission June 9 - June 16 at Regal Janss Marketplace 9 Only.

Posted in March 2016:

As anticipated when the Janss Regency Theater closed its doors on December 31, 2015, Regal Cinemas will be "coming soon" to Janss Marketplace, as noted by Janss on the Janss Marketplace Facebook Page.

For movie theaters throughout Ventura County, visit THIS LINK.

County of Ventura Food Facility Closures in April 2016

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The County of Ventura Environmental Health Division (EHD) protects public health and the environment by ensuring conformance with State laws and County ordinances pertaining to food protection, hazardous materials, hazardous waste, individual sewage disposal systems, land use, medical waste, ocean water quality monitoring, recreational health, solid waste, underground fuel tanks and vector control.

The EHD publishes food facility closures at www.ventura.org/rma/envhealth/community-services/consumer-food/closures.html.

The following facility closures were noted in April 2016. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.

P.J.'s Boulevard Cafe, 2157 Ventura Blvd., Camarillo

Inoperable plumbing, no hotwater for washing and sanitizing of utensils;

Date closed - 04/22/16; Date reopened - 04/22/16

Jolly Kone, 113 W. El Roblar Dr., Ojai

Inoperable plumbing, sewage backup within the food facility;

Date closed - 04/22/16;Date reopened - 04/22/16

Ranchero Restaurant, 131 W. 2nd Street, Oxnard;

Cockroach infestation and unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/19/16;Date reopened - 04/22/16

El Dorado Restaurant (bar only) 601 S. Oxnard Blvd, Oxnard;

Inoperable warewashing sink at the bar due to clogged drainlines;

Date closed - 04/19/16; Date reopened - 04/22/16

Discovery Ventura, 1888 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/14/16; Date reopened - 04/15/16

Cafe Nouveau, 1497 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura;

Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/14/16; Date reopened - 04/15/16

Sky High Sports Camarillo, 166 N. Aviador Street, Camarillo;

Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/12/16; Date reopened - 04/14/16

Agave Maria, 710 Arneill Road, Camarillo;

No valid permit to operate;

Date closed - 04/11/16; No reopen date

Green Leafs & Bananas, 740 E. Ventura Blvd., FC-5, Camarillo;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/12/16

McConnell's Fine Ice Cream & Yogurt, 3241 E. Main Street, Ventura;

Rodent infestation and unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/12/16

New Flavor, 2950 Johnson Drive, Suite #134, Ventura;

Fly infestation, unsanitary conditions;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/13/16

Starbucks #6609, 2991 Cochran Street, Simi Valley;

Sewage backing up inside the facility, inoperable toilet facilities, unsanitary conditions inside the facility;

Date closed - 04/11/16; Date reopened - 04/11/16

Salad Gourmet Eatery at Janss Marketplace Recently Closed Its Doors

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Not sure of the specific date it happened, but recently we discovered that Salad Gourmet at the Janss Marketplace food court area is now closed.

Salad Gourmet opened in this spot approximately three years ago. 

Speaking of eateries at Janss Marketplace, if you're looking for great, New York style pizza, check out Greco's New York Pizzeria for perhaps the largest pizza slices you will ever find. And delicious!

 

Unusually large pizza slices at Greco's Pizzeria at Janss Marketplace

A photo posted by Conejo Valley Guide (@conejovalleyguide) on

Oil Painting Exhibit at Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center in Calabasas 5/1-6/8

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Summer Days are Here Again (Marnie Smart Piuze) 12x24

Summer Days are Here Again (Marnie Smart Piuze) 12x24

Flowing out of over three decades of exploring and enjoying the coastal shores, bluffs, and mountains, Marnie Smart Piuze’s plein air oil paintings are a grateful expression of the peace and wonder they impart.

“I feel like I’m having a vacation every time I’m painting,” says Piuze, who has lived in Malibu since 1971, always taking advantage of the trails and scenery. “I love nature. That’s why I’ve always hiked and raised my kids to value natural resources.”

Piuze has been painting for 15 years and is a member of the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains and Seashore. Her work will be on display May 1 through June 8 at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center. An opening reception will be held there on Sunday, May 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The visitor center is located at King Gillette Ranch, 26876 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. For more information, call 805-370-2301

Institution Ale Moving Soon to New, Larger Brewery and Tasting Room in Camarillo

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Update April 23, 2016: Obvious progress being made but no word yet on timing.

Posted November 20, 2015:

Renovation work in process at the new Institution Ale Company in Camarillo

Renovation work in process at the new Institution Ale Company in Camarillo

Local craft brewery Institution Ale Company is building out its new location at 3841 Mission Oaks Boulevard in Camarillo in the former home of Price-Leho Precision Metal Stamping.  This is a highly visible location adjacent to the Camarillo Ranch House seen by thousands of cars passing by each day on Highway 101.

But that old Price-Leho building, vacated more than a few years ago, already looks completely different, as the new occupant is giving the place a dramatic face lift. 

The building will look completely different from this old school Price-Leho building

The building will look completely different from this old school Price-Leho building

Institution Ale's new tasting room will consist of 1,500 sq ft, plus an additional 800 sq ft outside patio area, a combined total over five times its existing tasting room at 438 Calle San Pablo in Camarillo. Food options will be limited to include just pizza and soft pretzels, created from scratch, as the owner focus on the beer!

The new brewing area will also be five times larger than its current space, which will allow for up to 12,000 barrels of freshly brewed beer a year.

Opening date will be announced in the coming months at institutionales.com.

In the meantime, Institution Ale continues to operate at its current location, serving up a variety of micro-brewed beers in its tasting room.  Open 4-10PM Tuesday through Thursday, 1-10PM Friday, noon to 10PM Saturday and noon to 6PM Sunday. Closed Mondays. Call 805-482-3777 for more information.