Moorpark College Offers PACE - A Degree Program for Busy Adults

Moorpark College recently started offering degree programs for busy adults that includes a mix of fully online and Saturday classes.

PACE enables students to complete an Associate degree in Business Administration or Early Childhood Education in about two years.

PACE students take two courses every eight weeks. Most courses are offered either 100 percent online or in a hybrid format (part of the course is online but will also include some face-to-face meetings on Saturday mornings).

Once you complete your Associate degree, you have the option to pursue your Bachelor’s degree at one of our transfer partner Universities that also have programs built for busy adults, including CSU Channel Islands, Cal Lutheran University and more.

Learn more at www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/student-services/pace.

Baja Fresh Thousand Oaks to Close Its Doors at the End of May (May 30th)

Several folks reached out to let us know that Baja Fresh #50, opened in January 1999 at 595 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks will be closing at the end of this month.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 30th is the final day this Baja Fresh will be open.

There were no apparent signs of this happening at Baja Fresh - no signs, no social media mentions - but I was hungry tonight and decided to stop by for a burrito. Burrito Mexicano and chips in hand, it was then that I confirmed with staff that Baja Fresh #50 would indeed be closing by the end of this month.

It is a sad moment for me as, having lived and raising kids in the Conejo Valley for decades, Baja Fresh has been a mainstay, albeit less so in recent years,

The very first Baja Fresh opened in the Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park in 1990. It subsequently relocated to The Village at Newbury Park (near Home Depot), where after a number of years, closed its doors on January 10, 2012.

From what I gathered from staff, Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is looking to open in this spot. While I have not independently confirmed this, I do know that Cafe Rio is currently hiring restaurant managers for its new Thousand Oaks location. www.caferio.com

Matcha Tea and Boba Coming Soon to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks (NOW OPEN)

UPDATE 6/19/19: Now open!

Photo Credit: Kira Krukowski

As previously noted, a new tea and boba place called Matcha is coming soon to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in the space previously occupied by Poke Tiki.

We will be on the Whatcha for Matcha in the coming weeks and months.

Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace Closed Its Doors on April 19th

Poke Tiki at Janss Marketplace closed its doors on April 19th, just under two years from the day it opened. Previously in that space was Salad Gourmet from 2013 to 2016 and before that, it was Burger King.

The sign on the door says “there will be new and exciting things coming.” The Janss website indicates an eatery called "Matcha" is coming to the Marketplace. We shall see.

Tsuki Ramen Now Open in Westlake Village

Tsuki Ramen now open in Westlake Village in former home of Aroha, across from Lure Fish House. Located at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Suite C. 818-851-9196

Open daily at 11 am until 9pm; 9:30pm Fri/Sat as we really like to party late here on weekend nights in the Conejo Valley :)

The Grill by Green Acres to Close Its Doors on Sunday, April 28th

Five hours ago, the following message was posted to The Grill by Green Acres Facebook Page, much to the disappointment of hundreds of local residents:

“Regretfully, after only one year, The Grill by Green Acres will be closing its doors on Sunday, April 28th. We are very grateful to our employees and customers who have supported us during this year and we hope to see you one last time. It is very difficult to express the heartache and sadness that we are going through.

Green Acres Farm Market and Catering has served the community of Simi Valley for 50 years and will continue to operate as usual.

Any gift cards from The Grill by Green Acres will be honored at Green Acres Farm Market and Catering.

Thank you very much for your patronage, your encouragement, and your friendship.

As noted, this will not impact the Green Acres Farm Market and Catering.

www.thegrillbygreenacres.com

www.facebook.com/pg/thegrillbygreenacres

www.simigreenacres.com

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market to Open Newest Store in Camarillo on Thursday, April 25th

Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is opening a new store in Camarillo at 2249 Las Posas Road, creating 29 new jobs in the community. Grand opening date is Thursday, April 25th.

Following the unique grand opening ceremony at 8:55 a.m., a donation will be presented on behalf of Grocery Outlet to the Boys and Girls Club of Camarillo at 11 a.m.

The amount that shoppers saved on their grocery purchases during the store’s first hour of operation will determine the donation amount.

The first 200 customers of the day will also receive Grocery Outlet BlissBucks ranging from $5 to $200. All shoppers will receive a free reusable bag, while supplies last. Lastly, starting Thursday, April 25, through May 23, customers may enter for a chance to win a grand prize of Free Groceries for 1 Year!

Extreme-value grocery retailer Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, offers big savings on brand name products every day, at over 300 locations in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. Grocery Outlet carries a full range of products from fresh produce, meat, deli and dairy to a wide assortment of natural and organic choices. They also offer a large selection of beer and wine, health and beauty care and seasonal items. A third-generation, family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet’s mission has always been to provide customers an exciting place to find WOW savings on name brands they trust. Grocery Outlet stores are run by independent owner-operators in the local community.

IRS and FTB Deadline for Filing 2018 Taxes for California Wildfire County Residents Extended to April 30, 2019

For tax return procrastinators out there. Did you know...that the IRS has automatically extended the deadline for 2018 tax returns and payments that would normally be due by April 15, to April 30 this year, as a result of the November 2018 Wildfires. This applies to anyone residing within Ventura, Los Angeles and Butte counties, regardless of if you were directly impacted by the fires.

More information on the IRS website at www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-relief-for-victims-of-november-8-wildfires-in-california.

The IRS automatically identifies taxpayers located in the covered disaster area and applies automatic filing and payment relief based on zip codes provided by FEMA. FEMA proclaimed a major disaster as a result of the Camp, Hill and Woolsey fires on November 12, 2018 in DR-4407. See www.fema.gov/disaster/4407 for more information.

The California Franchise Tax Board followed suit . They indicate at www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/disaster.shtml how to notate your tax return to reflect the fire impacted you.