Mile Stretch of State Street in Santa Barbara Closed to Vehicular Traffic

Since May 22, State Street between Sola Street and Haley Street in Downtown Santa Barbara has been closed to vehicular traffic. This has allowed restaurants to expand their outdoor seating options during the pandemic.

There’s plenty of parking in the adjoining streets and parking lots.

Bicyclists are allowed in this promenade area, but must ride at a safe pace.

Wear your masks and enjoy your visit!

Learn more at www.downtownsb.org.

"Watch for Wild Animals" Signs on State Route 23 Between Thousand Oaks, Moorpark

You may have noticed these Caltrans "Watch for Wild Animals" signs placed in the north/southbound directions of the State Route 23 between Thousand Oaks and Moorpark. According to Caltrans District 7, the signs were placed as part of a mitigation plan after a road-kill study done prior to widening of the highway.

Caltrans counted 222 road-kill in a three year study and decided to do something about it, including setting up 12 one-way wildlife gates, cleaning out culverts to allow for animals to cross underneath the highway, increasing the height of fencing to prevent animals from hopping over, and placing these signs to alert motorists.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center to Open on Weekends Beginning August 15th

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf has received permission to open its outdoor spaces to the public. Starting this weekend, it will be open Saturday and Sunday, noon–4:00 PM.

The Wet Deck will be open for exploring life beneath Stearns Wharf and outside you'll be able to touch friendly Swell Sharks, sea anemones, sea stars, and other animals from the Center’s popular Intertidal Wonders exhibit.

Daily activities at the Museum (including visits from Sea Center experts and live animals) will continue through August. Check our calendar to see what's happening on which days.

Tickets to the Sea Center are $7.

www.sbnature.org/visit/hours

Main Street Moves Downtown Ventura Street Closures Continue through September 14th

UPDATE: Main Street Moves has continued to operate post-pandemic and in its November 2024 meeting, Ventura City Council voted to keep the year-round street closure on an ongoing basis. Visit https://downtownventura.org/moves for more information.

Since June 16th, Downtown Ventura has closed its streets to expand outdoor dining and shopping as part of its Main Street Moves launch. This will continue through September 14th.

The City of Ventura in partnership with Downtown Ventura invites the community to shop, sip, snack, and stroll safely in the historic streets of Downtown Ventura as part of “Main Street Moves .”

Five blocks in historic Downtown Ventura are closed to vehicular traffic to allow more space for adjacent businesses to expand operations to help maintain safe physical distancing requirements. Main Street Moves features amenities including live music, handwashing stations, sanitation efforts, temporary ADA restroom facilities, additional tables and chairs, and bike racks to accommodate 140 bikes.

Closures are in place along four blocks on Main Street, between Fir and Palm Streets, and one block of California Street, between Santa Clara and Poli Streets. During street closures, barricades will be in place to ensure visitors' safety.

Businesses interested in participating in the program must continue to follow Ventura County Public Health’s guidelines and are responsible for submitting an application for expansion onto public or private property. The 30-day program will be reevaluated to determine if additional extension time is required. For City permit application information, visit the City’s website or click here .

To learn more about Main Street Moves or for a map of all participating businesses, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=317.

Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park Open for Outdoor Tours on Saturdays

The Stagecoach Inn Museum is now open for business from 1-4:00PM Saturdays (check the website for additional hours and areas moving forward). Masks are required and there is a suggested donation of $5 /per person. Exact cash or debit/credit card.

Guests will have access to the Rose Garden and Nature Trail and the following buildings will be open for viewing from doorways, with docents onsite to present interesting historical facts: Schoolhouse, Blacksmith Shop, Carriage House, Pioneer House, Adobe, Chumash Ap.

The main building remains closed until further notice, but there is plenty to do outdoors, enjoying the beautiful summer weather.

The original Stagecoach Inn, called the Grand Union Hotel, was built in 1876 at the southwest corner of what is now Ventu Park Road and the Ventura Freeway and is now designated City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 1.

Our Covid Tour is safer than visiting the grocery store—so catch a stage and help us keep Conejo Valley history alive!

Stagecoach Inn Museum, 51 S. Ventu Park Rd., Newbury Park, (805) 498-9441. Open Saturdays, 1-4PM.

stagecoachinnmuseum.com

What Is Your Favorite Topper's Pizza? Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Do Tell

Since mid-July,, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide social media followers and using proceeds raised to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley area eateries (that in turn were suggested by CVG Facebook Page followers). As of August 4h, we have raised over $2,000 from 113 individuals and organizations. If every social media follower gave a $1, we’d have well over $40,000 earmarked for local business!

To give to this fund, and every $1 helps, donate via credit card at bit.ly/CVG Fund or via Paypal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

So a few days ago we asked CVG Facebook followers to enter the drawing by reviewing the Topper’s Pizza Place menu at www.topperspizzaplace.com/menu and choose their pizza of choice. We decided to compile the results of these responses below.

• BBQ Chicken Pizza - mentioned 33 times

• Cheese Pizza - mentioned 14 times

• Chicken Ranch Dijon Pizza - mentioned 12 times

• Vegetarian Combination Pizza - mentioned 35 times

• Combo Pizza - mentioned 14 times

• Hawaiian Heat Pizza - mentioned 24 times

• Carnitas Chipotle Pizza - mentioned 16 times

• Pepperoni Pizza - mentioned 39 times

• Canadian Bacon and Pineapple Pizza - mentioned 4 times

• Sausage and Black Olive Pizza

• Spicy Garlic Italian Pizza - mentioned 9 times

• Meatinator Pizza - mentioned 7 times

• BCT Pizza (Bacon, Chicken, Tomatoes) - mentioned 3 times

• Meatball Pizza - mentioned 3 times

• Creamy Garlic Chicken - mentioned 12 times

• Italian Sausage Pizza - mentioned 2 times

• Canadian Bacon and Mushroom

• Jalapeno Combo Pizzas (with Mushroom, Pineapple, etc.) - mentioned 2 times

• Hot Honey Pizza - mentioned 15 times

• Buffalo Chicken Pizza - mentioned 3 times

• Sausage Combos with Olives, Onion and Mushrooms - mentioned 4 times

• Pineapple Pizza - mentioned 5 times

• Chicken and Bacon

• Chorizo Pizza

• Pepperoni Combos (with Bacon Bits , Olives, Pineapple, Sausage, Mushroom, Chorizo or Jalapeno) - mentioned 35 times

• Canadian Bacon Combos (with Red Onion, Chorizo, or Jalapeno) - mentioned 5 times

• Green Pepper and Tomato, Green Pepper and Mushrooms - mentioned 3 times

O'Gara Coach Announced Lamborghini Westlake Village is Now Open

O’Gara Coach has expanded to open its Lamborghini Westlake Village Showroom. The 2,400 sq ft showroom will house the newest releases of the Huracan, Urus and Aventador models. Lamborghini Westlake Village will also carry certified pre-owned models..

In addition to Lamborghini, O’Gara Westlake Village carries brands such as Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Genesis, Maserati and Rolls-Royce. Lamborghini Westlake Village is located at 3610 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks and will be open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The showroom is planned to open in early August and will be operating within CDC guidelines to maintain a safe and healthy atmosphere for our clients.

More on O’Gara Coach Westlake Village at www.ogaracoachwestlakevillage.com.

If anyone would like to buy me a Lambo, CONTACT ME! :)

Wingstop Coming Soon to Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks

The third tenant in the space previously occupied by Hooters at Janss Marketplace has been signed. Wingstop will be joining a drive through Starbucks and California Fish Grill at this future location. The existing building is being demolished to make room for new construction. My guess is we’ll see the new eateries opening in mid-2021, but we’ll see.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Chime In On Favorite Dishes at Country Harvest in Newbury Park

With the latest Stay at Home Order shutting down inside service at local eateries in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura/LA Counties once again, we decided to take it upon ourselves to do a little something that would help promote local eateries and have a bit of fun.

Since mid-July,, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide social media followers and using proceeds raised to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley area eateries (that in turn were suggested by CVG Facebook Page followers). As of August 1st, we have raised over $1,900 from 113 individuals and organizations. If every social media follower gave a $1, we’d have well over $40,000 earmarked for local business!

To give to this fund, and every $1 helps, donate via credit card at bit.ly/CVG Fund or via Paypal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

Our first gift card drawing was on July 22nd, for a $50 gift card at Country Harvest, 3345 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. We asked folks to pick an item from Country Harvest’s menu to enter the drawing. Here’s a compilation of the responses for some food for thought (in no particular order):

• Fresh Garden Pita with Grilled Chicken and Avocado added

• Liver and Onions

• Chicken Marsala

• Eggs Benedict - mentioned 11 times (including Seafood Benedict, Bacon & Avocado Benedict, California Benedict)

• Steak Sandwich

• Cobb Salad - mentioned twice

• Turkey Dinner

• Breakfast Burrito - mentioned 8 times

• Belgium Waffles with Strawberries - mentioned 6 times

• Wahoo Fish Salad - mentioned twice

• Lemon Chicken Avocado Sandwich

• Chicken and Waffles - mentioned twice

• Meatloaf - mentioned twice

• Fish & Chips - mentioned 5 times

• Fried Chicken - mentioned twice

• Caesar Salad

• Shrimp Scampi- mentioned twice

• Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry - mentioned twice

• Country Fried Steak and Eggs - mentioned 7 times

• Steak and Eggs

• Hot Pastrami on Rye

• Country Skillet Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

• Tri Tip Sandwich or Dinner - mentioned twice

• Jumbo Shrimp Salad

• French Toast Platter - mentioned 3 times

• Burger and Curly Fries or Zucchini Fries - mentioned twice

• Pancakes, Bacon and Sausage - mentioned 7 times (including, banana, blueberry, walnut and granola)

• Chicken Waldorf Salad

• Cheesecake

• French Dip Sandwich - mentioned twice

• Philly Cheesesteak

• Club Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

• Country Biscuit Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

• Tuna or Turkey Melt with Avocado - mentioned twice

• Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

• Pot Roast - mentioned twice

• Patty Melt - mentioned twice

• Croissant Breakfast Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

• Strawberry Shortcake

• Chicken Salad Pita

• Blackened Salmon Caesar

• Bacon Swiss Burger

• Corned Beef Hash Breakfast - mentioned twice

• Avocado Toast - mentioned 3 times

• BBQ Chicken Wrap

• Health Nut Sandwich

• Garden Burger Platter

• Quiche

• Taco Salad

• Cilantro Chicken Salad

• Ham Steak Breakfast

As of August 1st, we have given away gift cards 11 days in a row on the CVG Facebook Page and this will continue until we have spent all funds raised. At this point, it will be at least another two or three weeks of drawings! Having some fun with this!

Learn more about Country Harvest, which has operated in Newbury Park since May 27, 2002, at www.countryharvest.restaurant or call 805.375.4598.