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.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
Armando’s Tacos opened in the fall of 2020.
Armando's Tacos is "coming soon" according to the sign at 2683 Thousand Oaks Boulevard between Tile City and D'Amore's Pizza in the Skyline Center, Thousand Oaks. Previously in this location for many years was Hair Impressions. No other information at this time. Located approximately 200 steps from Bad Ass Street Tacos.
The County of Santa Barbara’s Public Health Department has recently reclassified the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden as an ‘essential business,’ paving the way for a phased re-opening of this beloved local institution in the weeks ahead.
“As the weather warms up, people continue seeking out safe outdoor activities during the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Steve Windhager, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “We are thrilled that, once proper planning is in place, the Garden can again be accessible as an outlet for nature-based recreation, inspiration, and healing to members of our community,”
While the Garden remains closed at this time, staff are planning a phased, gradual reopening that will allow an increase in visitor numbers over time based on how effectively safety protocols can be followed.
With its recent reclassification, the Garden is now permitted to host guests while adhering to a strict set of criteria that ensure the social distancing of its attendees. These will include advanced hands-free payment, on-site signage about social distancing protocols, the ability to wash and/or disinfect hands, the frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and even greater limitation on the number of guests that can be in the Garden at any one time.
“Nothing is more important than the safety of both the public and our staff,” said Dr. Windhager. “As such, the Garden is actively consulting with the County, our Board of Directors, and others to ensure a healthy experience for visitors and Garden staff that follows county guidelines.”
“We are working through a number of logistical and safety details that will guide our decision-making process in the days and weeks ahead,” said Dr. Windhager. “Additional information regarding our re-opening will be made available on our website and social media channels over the coming weeks.”
The Garden’s mission to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet is evident on site with over 1,000 taxa of exclusively California native plants, 5.5 miles of trails, and 78 acres, with a variety of cultivated displays, oak and riparian woodlands, a redwood forest, a desert section, and much more to explore.
For more information, visit www.sbbg.org.
The Italian Ice King of California - Leone's Original Italian Ices looks to be opening in the near future at 1696 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks, which is the south side of the boulevard where it intersects with Erbes Road. Stay tuned!
In a letter to the Ventura County Board of Supervisors dated April 3rd, Maria’s Italian Kitchen announced the permanent closure of its location at 2711 Seaglass Way, Oxnard (The Collection at RiverPark) effective April 3, 2020. The letter was an update to a March 25th notice of temporary closure.
This location opened the first week of February 2015, making it just over four years old.
Many of you have asked for a compilation of local area eateries that are open during the coronavirus Stay Well at Home order for either takeout or delivery. We have compiled a list of links to such eateries that have been compiled by local cities.
We’ve highlighted a number of open eateries in the Conejo Valley on the CVG Instagram page at www.instagram.com/conejovalleyguide - if you scroll down you’ll find many of them.
City of Moorpark: www.moorparkca.gov/910/COVID-19-Restaurant-Guide
Greater Conejo Valley Chamber list at THIS LINK
Agoura takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants---agoura-hills
Thousand Oaks takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants
Westlake Village takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants
City of Agoura Hills list at www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us/novel-coronavirus-information/restaurant-information
Camarillo: www.cityofcamarillo.org/business/covid-19_open_for_business_list.php
Simi Valley Chamber list at www.simivalleychamber.org/restaurants.html
Ventura Chamber of Commerce list at venturachamber.com/restaurants-open-and-offering-to-go-and-delivery
Oxnard Chamber of Commerce list at www.oxnardchamber.org/covid-19-food-delivery-and-takeout.html
Santa Paula Chamber list at santapaulachamber.net/2020/03/20/santa-paula-restaurant-information
Local Food Delivery Services:
Hollywood Beach
Residents who visit County of Ventura-managed beaches are urged to follow guidelines outlined in the Stay Well At Home Order issued by County of Ventura Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin.
Kiddie Beach, Silver Strand Beach and Hollywood Beach, managed by the Ventura County Harbor Department, have remained open for outdoor activity to afford residents relief. Residents are encouraged to use the beaches for essential physical activity such as walking, running, and jogging, while practicing social distancing guidelines. Beach visitors are not allowed to gather with groups on the beach outside their household.
“Ventura County residents should be proud of their efforts during this time and we want to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” said Mark Sandoval, Harbor Department Director. “Practicing social distancing guidelines, particularly at the beach, is important. Not following these guidelines may result in our County-managed beaches being shut down for the foreseeable future.”
Director Sandoval said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrolling of the three beaches to ensure guidelines are being met.
Tonight, the Ventura City Council voted to re-open parks and beaches in the City of Ventura on a “limited closure” basis.
What this means is that parks and beaches will be open for active use only. Walking, running, hiking, cycling and other recreational uses with proper 6 foot social distancing and participants in these activities do not linger in any location.
The Promenade, pier, sidewalks, walking paths, trails and tracks within all City of Ventura beaches are open for use by the public so long as gatherings are socially distanced and no more than 5 people (under the most current VC Public Health Order).
Large group gatherings and picnics will not be allowed at this time to abide by current Ventura County Stay at Home orders.
Parking lots, playgrounds, restrooms, pools, sports/recreational fields and picnic areas will continue to be closed.
Failure to comply with these rules could result in closures as necessary. Parks and beaches can be shut down when overcrowding becomes an issue.
More details at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21039/12A
This was Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks on Saturday.
Today, CPRD announced that the Conejo Creek Dog Park is back open, along with off-leash dog areas at Estella, Kimber and Walnut Grove Parks. They were previously closed on April 2nd. Humans must practice appropriate (6 foof minimum) social distancing at the parks. Dogs may continue smelling and sniffing other doggies as appropriate. Pickleball courts at Conejo Valley parks have also reopened (though other facilities e.g. playgrounds, etc.) are still closed
These and other Ventura County area dog parks at THIS LINK.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced today that it will begin a phased and limited opening of trails in the Conejo Valley beginning this Wednesday, April 22nd.
COSCA trails will open for weekday walk-up entry Monday to Thursday between 6am and 6pm and Friday from 6am to 5pm.
Open space areas will be closed at 5pm on Fridays until 6am Monday, reflecting weekend closures.
All trailhead parking lots will remain closed. Visitors are asked to walk to a nearby trail and avoid driving to trails.
The weekday opening mirrors the policy implemented by the National Park Service.
The decision to begin limited opening is based on the Ventura County Health Officer’s Health Order that took effect on April 18th, extending the Stay at Home order to May 15th, but allowing physical activity outside the home for exercise. Note that the order recommends not gathering in groups larger than 5 people and that social distancing is mandatory in the open space. Visitors are also encouraged to wear cloth masks when on the trails (masks are not a replacement for social distancing).
This is a trial opening. Trails could be re-closed if safety protocols are not observed or health orders are changed.
conejo-openspace.org/assets/pr_weekday_trail_opening_20200420.pdf
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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