Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
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UPDATE 9/27/19; This 2nd location opened at noon today.
Barone's Pizza is opening a 2nd Conejo Valley location soon at the Northstar Plaza. 1321 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. in the former Rokabab, a few doors down from Sunland Vintage Winery. Their other, much larger location is on Russell Ranch Road at Lindero in Westlake Village, which opened in April 2015. baronespizzeria.com
Braxton's Kitchen opened June 8th in the former Breakfast Cafe at the Big Lots plaza off of Carmen Drive in Camarillo. Next to Spencer Mackenzie's. Open for breakfast and lunch daily. On the other side is Greek Cuisine (actual restaurant name) run by former owners of Breakfast Cafe (and as I am now vaguely recalling, the owners of Little Tommy's in Thousand Oaks awhile back)
Learn more at braxtonskitchen.com or call 805.384.7566. The menu looks great!
Formerly the Breakfast Cafe.
UPDATE: Historia Bakery opened (“soft “ opening) on Monday, October 14th. Updates at www.facebook.com/historiabakery.
Historia Bakery is coming soon to the former Shave It location next The Habit Burger at the northeast corner of Hillcrest and Moorpark Road, 11 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.
Updates at www.facebook.com/Historia-Bakery-450324439111809.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf recently unveiled a new installation entitled “Saving the White Abalone” that highlights its conservation work to bring the local species back from the brink of extinction.
White Abalone were the first marine invertebrates to be listed as endangered in the United States (2001). Overharvesting by humans led to the dramatic decline of the White Abalone, which now exist in such small numbers that they can no longer reproduce in the wild. Where once there were perhaps millions, several thousand White Abalone remain, and it is no longer legal to harvest them. The best hope for saving the White Abalone is to spawn them in captivity, with a long-term goal of releasing large numbers back into their native habitats.
As a member of the White Abalone Restoration Consortium (WARC), the Sea Center plays a helpful role in the recovery of this species. For the past thirteen years, the Sea Center has been home to a cohort of mature White Abalone. These endangered marine snails have participated in induced spawning events, releasing gametes that conservation scientists at partner intuitions mix with eggs to create larvae. Through coordinated induced spawning events, WARC members increase the abundance of White Abalone in captivity.
Following several successes, in 2014, the Sea Center received a cohort of young snails to rear, the progeny of captive snails. If all goes to plan, the new installation will soon host a third generation of microscopic White Abalone larvae, raised in trough enclosures like those used by commercial abalone farmers. This most recent addition gives the Sea Center a unique opportunity to illustrate the abalone life cycle and explain conservation efforts to the public.
Fostering genetic diversity among a dwindling population is a major challenge for the WARC, who have a limited number of animals to crossbreed due to the rarity of the species and restrictions on collecting wild animals, even for conservation purposes. The new generation is an exciting development for all WARC partners. Sea Center Live Collections & Husbandry Manager Thomas Wilson explains: “The most recent spawning at WARC partner UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory was exciting because it was the first time since the program’s inception that new genes were introduced.” The abalone larvae in the Sea Center’s new installation are the result of a cross between a wild female that conservationists were recently permitted to collect, and a captive-bred male.
The new display will educate the public by raising awareness of White Abalone’s endangered status and efforts to save them. The installation’s aim is to explain how human activities can harm—and help—endangered species.
Wilson shares, ”This new installation spans several years of work and collaboration with the WARC. It is the first time that we have ever tried to raise recently settled, juvenile white abalone, and they will need lots of attention. This is an exciting, albeit, stressful time for the Sea Center. I am hopeful that, as we move forward, we can continue to increase our participation with the WARC to save this species.”
WARC members include National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), California Department of Fish and Wildlife, UC Davis Bodega Marine Laboratory, Aquarium of the Pacific, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center, University of California Santa Barbara and the Marine Science Institute, The Cultured Abalone, The Abalone Farm, National Park Service, UCSD – Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Occidental College, The Bay Foundation, CICESE – Ensenada Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education, and California Science Center.
The new installation can be viewed on the 2nd floor of the Sea Center which is open daily from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM. For more information visit sbnature.org/seacenter.
About the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center
Discover the wonders of ocean life at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center. Located on historic Stearns Wharf, this highly interactive aquarium and marine education facility offers visitors close encounters with marine animals, and exploration of the Santa Barbara Channel on the Wet Deck. In addition to permanent exhibits, the Sea Center hosts unique events and special educational programming, including Underwater Parks Day, World Oceans Day, and its Live Dive series.
Ruperto's Kitchen Mexican Food opened today in the Kimber Plaza, 3321-B Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. Family-owned eatery will be serving up various Mexican specialties. Ruperto's previous cooking experience was at Manny's. Located next to West of Orleans.
Previously at 3321-B Kimber Drive was Ranch Hand BBQ , which relocated in 2011, and subsequent to that, California Kettle Corn.
Select menu items:
Breakfast: Huevos Rancheros, Huevos con Chorizo, Huevos con Papa, etc.
Combinations: Carne Asada Encebollado, Flautas de Pollo, Asada or Carne Desebrada, Chile Relleno, Burritos, Chile Verde, Enchiladas, Calda, etc.
A La Carte: Tacos, Tostadas, Tortas, etc
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 vcrma.org/food-facilities-closure-report-inspector-initiated.
The following facility closures (exclusive of mobile facilities) were noted in June 2019. Keep in mind when reviewing this that there are many possible reasons for the closures, most of which are very temporary issues.
Hunan Garden Chinese Restaurant, 5241 Mission Oaks, Camarillo;
Inoperable main refrigeration unit - resulting in unsafe food temperatures, no sanitizer, & employee had no knowledge of proper utensil washing and sanitization;
Date closed - 06/27/19; Date reopened - 06/28/19
Toki Restaurant, 2850 Johnson Drive, Unit E, Ventura;
No warewashing sink or food preparation sink available, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/26/19; No reopen date
Fast Lane 76, 206 East Harvard Boulevard, Santa Paula;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/26/19; Date reopened - 06/27/19
Rocket Fizz, 593 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks;
No permit to operate;
Date closed - 06/26/19; Date reopened - 06/27/19
Taqueria Chavocho, 900 W. Wooley Rd., Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions & food temperature violations;
Date closed - 06/26/19; Date reopened - 06/28/19
Rebecca's Juice Bar, 719 South Oxnard Boulevard, Oxnard;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/25/19; Date reopened - 06/26/19
J&R Fruit Stand, 2854 Telegraph Road, Fillmore;
Rodent infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/24/19; Date reopened - 06/25/19
Mia's, 1760 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura;
No hot water available for utensil washing and no warm water available for hand washing;
Date closed - 06/20/19; No reopen date
Ray's Panaderia & Donuts, 3734 Saviers Road, Oxnard;
Inoperable hand washing sink, operating beyond the limitations of the permit;
Date closed - 06/20/19; Date reopened - 06/20/19
Taco Inn, 812 North Ventura Road, Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/19/19; Date reopened - 06/20/19
Happy Bowl Express, 716 Arneill Rd., Camarillo;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/17/19; Date reopened - 06/18/19
Ameci Pizza & Pasta, 1929 S. Patterson Rd., Oxnard;
No valid Permit to Operate, inoperable equipment, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/14/19; No reopen date (new owner, new permit issued on 6/27/19)
Hunan Garden Chinese Restaurant, 5241 Mission Oaks, Camarillo;
Inoperable main refrigeration unit - resulting in unsafe food temperatures, sewage backup & unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/13/19; Date reopened - 06/14/19
Mira Monte Grill, 11420 Ventura Avenue #114, Ojai;
Inoperable warewashing sink;
Date closed - 06/13/19; Date reopened - 06/14/19
Green Crush, 3301 East Main Street, Ventura;
No permit to operate;
Date closed - 06/13/19; Date reopened - 06/13/19
Fuji Buffet, 1301 W. Channel Islands Blvd., Oxnard;
No valid Permit to Operate, cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/13/19; Date reopened - 06/17/19 (new permit issued)
Carniceria Los Corrales, 2151 E. Channel Islands Blvd.,Oxnard
Poor food handling, no hand washing sink & unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/06/19; Date reopened - 06/13/19
The Good Habit, 1984 N. Ventura Rd., Oxnard;
No hot water for utensil washing, no warm water for hand washing;
Date closed - 06/06/19; Date reopened - 06/07/19
Maki Plus, 2071 Statham Blvd., Oxnard;
Cockroach infestation, unsanitary conditions;
Date closed - 06/03/19; Date reopened - 06/04/19
After mentioning that the new Lowe’s of Newbury Park will be opening its doors this Thursday, July 4th, folks asked for an update on the new Ace Hardware of Thousand Oaks. So here goes…Ace Hardware of Thousand Oaks, in the Oakbrook Plaza, 1934 E. Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks, will be opening its doors this WEDNESDAY, July 3rd at 7 am. Dueling hardware stores! Just in time for the holiday weekend!
This is the former Orchard Supply Hardware location that closed last year, when, Lowe’s (yes, the same Lowe’s), its parent company, announced they were closing all OSH stores by the end of 2018.
More info at www.acehardware.com/store-details/17403 or by calling 805.267.1785.
Something to celebrate on our country’s 243rd birthday is the grand opening of the new Lowe’s of Newbury Park, located at 1027 Academy Drive, Thousand Oaks. This is a “soft opening” for the store but we have confirmed directly with the store that it will be opening at 6 am on Thursday, July 4, 2019 and will remain open until 8 pm that holiday. Normal store hours will resume on Friday, July 5th.
More on Lowe’s of Newbury Park at www.lowes.com/store/CA-Thousand-Oaks/3170 or by call 805.214.5510.
Temporary sign up at Cafe Sapientia in Oak Park. Permanent sign in a few weeks.
Cafe Sapientia is now open in the Oak Park Plaza, 706 Lindero Canyon Road (cross street Kanan). Cafe Sapienta is a coffee shop offering high-quality single-origin based coffee drinks, teas and and an assortment of other drinks. I had the blended Orange Refresher and it was cold and refreshing - reminded me of an Orange Julius.
Also featured at Sapienta are snow cremes - a combination of snow-like shaved ice and ice cream, with flavors that include Oreo, Matcha, Mango, Strawberry and Original. These premium desserts include fresh fruit and other ingredients.
Learn more at www.facebook.com/pg/cafesapientia or call 805.883.8199.
Oreo Snow Creme
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