Hideout Indoor Playground in Thousand Oaks Grand Opening on March 1st

The new Hideout Indoor Playground is opening this Saturday in Thousand Oaks at the North Ranch Pavilion Center, 1125 Lindero Canyon Road, Unit A7. The grand opening event takes place from 11am to 4pm and will feature free activities, raffle prizes, entertainment and refreshments.

This brand new facility was custom designed by Sherry Ehya, with a play area that was uniquely designed with a modern tree house, play stage, art studio, indoor climbing area and more. There's also a spacious parent lounge with comfortable seating, TV and free WiFi.

Learn more at www.hideoutplayground.com.

We Rock The Spectrum Kid's Gym in Agoura Hills Slated to Open Soon

Update 11/14/13: We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym Agoura Hills will be opening this Saturday, November 16th, at 9am. They will be open 7 days a week, 9 am to 7pm.

Originally posted 11/7/13:

Good news for kids coming soon at 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills in the space previously occupied by Jungleland and CA Kiddo Club! There's a new indoor play place coming to town called We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym.

According to the We Rock the Spectrum website, the gym provides children with a fun and motivational environment to help them with strength, movement, sensory processing, communication, behavior modification, social interactions, and self-care skills. All sensory-based swings and toys in the gym can also be purchased for home use.

Activities at We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym includes swings, crash mats and pillows, tunnels, balance beams, trampoline, indoor play structure, sensory-based toys, motor play toys and equipment, arts and crafts area and more.

The Agoura Hills location will be opening soon. Follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WeRockTheSpectrumAgouraHills and their website at www.werockthespectrumagourahills.com for updates. Take a look - there's a beautiful indoor zip line and swing structure at the facility.

Thousand Oaks Deputies Recognizing Good Citizenship by Youngsters with 7-Eleven "Operation Chill" Slurpee Coupons

Thousand Oaks Deputies Recognizing Good Citizenship by Youngsters with 7-Eleven "Operation Chill" Slurpee Coupons

School’s out for summer and kids in Thousand Oaks may actually look forward to their next encounter with the “heat” this summer, thanks to 7-Eleven® stores’ popular Operation Chill program that rewards positive behavior with a very cool treat.

Through Operation Chill®, Thousand Oaks Station patrol officers can “ticket” youngsters caught in the act of doing good with Slurpee® beverage coupons. Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores. The Thousand Oaks Police Bike Team began handing out the coupons in June this year to reward kids for wearing helmets while riding bicycles or skateboarding. The program is expanding to all Thousand Oaks Station patrol officers and is focusing on the summer and back to school months to promote good citizenship. The coupons are great for officers who are on patrol in the community. It’s an icebreaker, a way to encourage dialogue in a non-threatening, non-law enforcement situation.

Since its inception in 1995, Operation Chill has grown to include several hundred law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada each year, and more than twelve million coupons have been distributed to officers on the beat in cities and towns where 7-Eleven does business.

Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven, Inc. to positively reward and encourage good behavior by kids during the hot summer months, when communities may experience increases in loitering, shoplifting and graffiti, and to support law enforcement agencies’ community relations projects. The Thousand Oaks Police Department uses the Operation Chill program to reward youth for their good deeds as well as to enhance their relations with the young people of their city.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office www.vcsd.org

New Janss Marketplace Mascot "Scooter" to Make Debut on Saturday, March 30th

“Scooter” Costume Character at Janss Marketplace Saturday Kids Event

 Justin Bieber Concert Tickets Prize Registration

Scooter, the lovable new skateboarding costume character mascot of Janss Marketplace’s Kid Fun Zone program, makes his very FIRST public appearance on from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 near Toys R Us at the shopping center, located at 215 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.   Bring your cameras to take pictures with Scooter at the event.

Visit the Kids Fun Zone Craft activity booth during this Saturday’s event where children 12 and under can decorate FREE Easter-themed canvas sacks, perfect for egg-hunting ,and join Scooter at the spin-to-win wheel for the chance to win prizes from Lucky’s Dog House, Cold Stone Creamery and Regency Theatres.

Kids Fun Zone members can participate in the Easter craft activity and prize spin activity.  All children ages 12 and younger can join the FREE Kids Fun Zone program to participate in activities and events held on the last Saturday of each month at Janss Marketplace.  Membership benefits also include birthday treats and exclusive discounts at participating Janss Marketplace stores. Visit www.JanssMarketplace.net for more information.

Justin Bieber Tickets

Janss MarketPlace is proud to support California Lutheran University’s student fundraiser for the Special Olympics Ventura County.   From noon to 1 p.m. on Saturday, attendees at the Janss Marketplace Kids Fun Zone event can make a donation to the Special Olympics Ventura County for the chance to win VIP tickets for the Justin Bieber June 24 concert at the Staples Center.   On June 4 California Lutheran University will conduct a random drawing to select two winners to each receive a pair of VIP box seat tickets to the concert.  The college students in Jean Kelso Sandlin’s Advanced Public Relations class developed the fundraiser as part of a service-learning project this semester.

Janss Marketplace is professionally managed by NewMark Merrill Companies, LLC, which is owned by President and Chief Executive Officer, Sandy Sigal.  Since 1984 he has led NewMark Merrill in a community leadership role at the company’s shopping centers in more than 45 cities. For more information about Janss Marketplace events, visit www.janssmarketplace.net or become a fan on Facebook.

New NEOS Ring Electronic Playground at Conejo Community Park in Thousand Oaks

During a recent visit to the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, I noticed something new in the adjacent children's playground at Conejo Community Park. Upon further inspection, I discovered there is what looks to be a new NEOS Ring electronic playground.

These NEOS playgrounds involve selecting a game involving lights, sounds and music and chasing them down by pressing buttons on the unit. NEOS can be a fun form of exercise for kids and adults alike. While I've never quite been able to understand most of the games (well maybe I should say I haven't taken the time to understand them), all I know is, the kids are entertained by these.

Other local NEOS play areas are at Conejo Creek Park North (though last time we were there it was out of order), Janss Marketplace (adjacent to Gold's Gym) and Peppertree Park in Newbury Park. If you are aware of others in the area, lemme know!

The NEOS at Conejo Community Park is a "ring" style NEOS device that is "designed especially for early childhood and accessible playspaces. One freestanding user control panel gives kids access to six games for one to two players. Then they're off in a mad dash around the 6' (1,83m) ring to hit the six blinking buttons before it's too late" according to NEOS manufacturer Playworld Systems. Playworld indicates the NEOS Ring is geared towards ages 2 to 12. If you're looking to buy one for own backyard...it retails for over $16,000!

The NEOS playgrounds at Janss Marketplace and Conejo Creek Park North are of the "Wall" variety while the Peppertree Park NEOS is circular. Here's the NEOS Wall at Janss Marketplace:

Conejo Community Park is located at Dover and Hendrix Avenues in Thousand Oaks.

New Family Indoor Fun Facility "Scooter's Jungle" Coming Soon to Simi Valley

Update 12/20/12: Scooter's Jungle opened its doors today.

Update 12/1/12: Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley is opening very soon. Check their website at www.scootersjungle.com/simi-valley.php for schedule.

Update 10/16/12: Anticipated opening date is in the mid-November time frame! Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley is now accepting job applications at www.scootersjungle.com/job_opportunities.php?location=5!

Scooter’s Jungle is Coming Soon to Simi Valley!!  

By late summer, Scooter’s Jungle Simi Valley will be your neighborhood destination for private family fun in a safe, clean and creative environment with over 12,000 square feet of fun!

Scooter’s Jungle will have huge, custom-made inflatable jumpers and permanent structures that include the tallest and longest indoor inflatable slide. At Scooter's Jungle, play equipment is right-sized for kids and parents to play, together ensuring an active, memorable and fun-filled experience.

Featuring both open play and private events including birthday parties, fundraisers and team gatherings, Scooter’s Jungle is a wild good time for everyone. free table games and a DJ‑quality music system will add extra energy and excitement to your experience.

The Simi Valley Scooter's Jungle location will be at 2250 Union Place, Unit B (just around the corner from Strathearn Historical Park).

For updates, like us on Facebook at Scooter’s Jungle Simi Valley and visit the Scooter's Jungle Simi Valley website at www.scootersjungle.com/simi-valley.php.

Here is a video with additional information about Scooter's Jungle. The next closest location to Ventura County is in Valencia.

New Gymboree Play & Music Location at The Oaks Mall Opened This Month

Gymboree Play & Music has been fostering creativity and confidence in children ages 0-5 for over 30 years. Today there are over 550 locations in 30 countries. This month a new Gymboree location opened in the outdoor shops section of The Oaks mall. Looks really nice! This is the first Conejo Valley Gymboree P&M location since the Westlake Village location closed a few years ago.

CLICK HERE for more information about this location.

The Community Roots Garden is a Non-Profit Volunteer Opportunity in Oxnard

The Community Roots Garden is a non-profit community garden open to the public to come and volunteer, learn, and share food together. We are a ministry of, and are located, at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.

Farming an acre with volunteers is no small feat. Many hands are needed, and we welcome yours! We invite you to come dig, weed, learn, teach, ask questions, take a shift on irrigation, bring food for potlucks, share your ideas, or donate materials or funding. You can help in whatever way you’d like. It is a rewarding project because it is tangible—you can watch it grow!—and for the simple satisfaction of working with others on something meaningful.  Working in the garden is also a fun way to complete needed community service hours.  No experience necessary. Children welcome. Se habla español.

Please bring a sunhat, sunblock, and sturdy shoes. Tools and water provided.  For more information on volunteering, call Katerina at 805-616-2326.  Visit our website at www.communityrootsgarden.org or find us on Facebook.

Play Days:  Saturdays from 9am-12pm (free meal prepared by Youth using garden harvest)  Sundays from 1-4pm (community potluck). Call for tours and info on upcoming workshops!