Whale Watching Season at Channel Islands Harbor December 26, 2018 through Mid-April 2019

Blue Whale Tail (Photo Credit: David Beeninga)

It’s that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard.  The season officially begins the day after Christmas, December 26 and continues through mid to late April 2019.

Both Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offer whale watching excursions directly from Channel Islands Harbor.  Island Packers provides 3 ½ hour non-landing narrated trips with morning and afternoon departures available.  The fare is $38 for adults; $34 for seniors 55+; $28 for children (3-12), and free for children 3 and under.  Trips run through mid- April 2019.

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides half-day morning whale watching excursions during the week and on the weekends with a morning and afternoon departure, running from December 26 through April 30, 2019.  Rates are $55 for adults; $45 for seniors; and $35 for children under 12.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.  A journey through the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary provide visitors the unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of these giants of the deep.  Besides whales, visitors often encounter dolphins, seals, sea lions and a rich variety of bird life, some of which are endangered and protected.

For more information on Oxnard Whale Watching Season, visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

Rave Organics in Newbury Park Temporarily Closed to Assess Flooding Damage

UPDATE: Rave Organics is permanently closed.

Rave Organics in the Thousand Oaks Marketplace at 520 N. Ventu Park Road, Suite 140, Newbury Park is currently closed, they indicate temporarily, to assess flooding damage. Rave opened early this year.

Updates at www.raveorganics.com.

Shavers Hawaiian Shave Ice Opens and Shave It Shaved Ice Closes Recently in Thousand Oaks

UPDATE: Shavers Hawaiian Shave Ice closed in spring/summer 2020.

About a month ago, Shavers Hawaiian Shave Ice opened at The Oaks mall, on the first floor near Starbucks in what was formerly Teavana. Shavers offers two sizes and either mixture of one or two flavor; or choose one of their selected combinations. www.shaversusa.com

We are sad to announce that Shave It! recently closed their doors after 12 years serving the local community.. It was definitely sad to see the inside of the store completely empty, after many times there with the kids after Saturday sports activities.

The inside of Shave It Thousand Oaks on December 27th.

Over 90 ice cream, shave ice, frozen yogurt and other frozen treat places at THIS LINK.

City of Moorpark Prohibits Residential Short-Term Rentals

Residential Short-Term Rentals (STRs) are defined as residences that are rented out for periods of 30 days or less, frequently through online rental marketplaces such as AirBnB, Homeaway and VRBO.

In October 2018, the Moorpark City Council voted to ban STRs because of concerns of disrupting neighborhoods.

Rentals are still allowed in the city for over 30 days at a time, such as renting a room to a student or doing a vacation house swap.

STRs are also banned in Calabasas and Ojai as well as unincorporated areas in the Ojai Valley.

Pacific by NoRu Now Open in Ventura

Pacific by NoRu just opened at the recently vacated former home of Coconut Crab at 394 East Main Street, Suite B in Ventura.

Founders of Pacific by NoRu are Ren Weigang (born and raised in Hawaii) and James Norton (born and raised in Ventura). Their new eatery features coastal-inspired, organic foods. Menu highlights include Sake Glazed Salmon, Grilled New York Strip, Yuzo/Miso Hibachi Chicken, Roasted Beets & Local Goat Cheese, Lilikoi Cheesecake and more.

Open Wednesday through Sunday. Visit pacificbynoru.com or call 805.205.9618.

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The Bar @ Pacific by NoRu

A post shared by Pacific by NoRu (@pacificbynoru) on Dec 18, 2018 at 1:58pm PST

Aroha Restaurant in Westlake Village Permanently Closed Its Doors in November

Aroha New Zealand Cuisine & Bar in Westlake Village announced on November 17, 2018 that, due to the impact of the Woolsey Fire, it would not be re-opening it doors. It originally opened at 30990 Russell Ranch Road in September 2014.

However, on its website at www.aroharestaurant.com, Gwith and Justine Thomas announced that Aroha Catering will be coming soon.

Edelweiss German Bierhaus and Restaurant Now Open in Newbury Park

The former Jeanette’s Edelweiss (and Julie’s Alps for a brief period) is now under new ownership and has rebranded as Edelweiss German Bierhaus and Restaurant. It is owned and managed by the previous manager of Jeanette’s.

The menu features bratwurst and German specialties such as weinerschnitzel, schnitzel sandwich, spatzle, hamhock, brat samplers, giant pretzels and more. There are also vegan dishes, including schnitzel, currywurst and salads.

Live polka band on Friday and Saturday nights.

More info at edelweiss-restaurant.com.

Corrigan's Steakhouse in Thousand Oaks Currently Closed But In Transition

Several folks pointed out that in recent weeks, the venerable Corrigan’s Steakhouse at 556 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard was closed. We stopped by multiple times and confirmed that, indeed, this local eatery is not currently operating. But there were no “closed” signs on the doors nor updates on the restaurant’s social media. And no one answered the phone…but the phone line wasn’t disconnected.

So we reached out to locals via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page. Perhaps someone would know what going on. We heard from a broker that escrow closed on the building last Friday. And the new owners plan to remodel the building, keep the theme and name, and re-open in the first quarter of 2019!

Corrigan’s was opened in 1982 by Tom Corrigan, the son of legendary stuntman/actor Ray “Crash” Corrigan - the same Corrigan that founded Corriganville theme park in Simi Valley. Crash Corrigan passed away on August 10, 1976. Tom Corrigan passed away on March 14, 2018.

www.corriganssteakhouse.com

Kobe Bryant and Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks Team Up to Create MAMBA Sports Academy

The Sports Academy in Thousand Oaks has entered into a joint venture with Kobe Bryant to re-brand as MAMBA Sports Academy. The announcement was made on December 3rd and the new signs are already up.

Bryant coached a girls basketball team at Sports Academy, where he first experienced a superior level of service and attention to detail by experts on staff.

Originally opened in 2016 by CEO and Founder Chad Faulkner, the 100,000 square foot Sports Academy facility operates five basketball courts, five volleyball courts, two beach volleyball courts, a turf field, a comprehensive sports medicine practice for medical therapy and rehabilitation, a biomechanics lab, a world-class cognitive training lab, an e-sports training ground, batting cages and pitching mounds, close quarters defense training, Gracie Barra jiu jitsu school, a mondo sprint track, a learning center for academic tutoring and training and a yoga/cycling studio.

MAMBA operates three distinct business units - physical training academies, a sports-focused venture lab and the charitable MAMBA Sports Foundation.

MAMBA Sports Academy anticipates opening additional facilities in Southern California in the near future.

MAMBA is located at 1011 Rancho Conejo Boulevard, Thousand Oaks.

Visit mambasportsacademy.com for more information.