GetTheGreen.org Photo & Video Contest Gets Teens Connected with Nature

GetTheGreen.org Photo & Video Contest Gets Teens Connected with Nature 

Mountains Restoration Trust, as a partner of GetTheGreen.org Photo and Video Contest, announced that local teens, ages 13 – 18, can submit photos and/ or videos of themselves doing outdoor activities in nature to win prizes. “This contest is an ideal opportunity for teens to get outdoors and use their creativity while having fun discovering the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Debbie Bruschaber, acting executive director of MRT. Deadline for submissions is March 14 with the winners announced on March 16. Complete entry requirements are available at www.GetTheGreen.org.  

Entries will be judged on their inspiration and powerfulness in capturing experiences in nature. First place will receive $300 and a Novara bike with helmet and lock.  Two follow-up entries will win an educational award of $200, a REI Urban Traveler Daypack and $50 gift certificate. The top five entrants who accumulate the most points of multiple entries capturing different outdoor activities will receive $60 and an REI daypack.

MRT invites teens to take photos and videos at Headwaters Corner Interpretive Center at Calabasas with hiking trails, stream and homestead cabin. “Nature and the environment are the core essence of life and we hope the contest will inspire teens to get to know the outdoors around them,” said Bruschaber. The GetTheGreen Photo & Video Contest is a collaborative effort among environmental agencies, youth organizations and businesses to help youth understand how trees, parks, gardens, streams, rivers, beaches and forests are the number one sources of clean water, clean air and so much more.

Headwaters Corner at Calabasas is located at 3815 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Calabasas and offers public programs and educational workshops on the preservation, restoration and public enjoyment of the Santa Monica Mountains. Phone (818) 591-1701.  MRT receives no corporate funding or sponsorships and relies on public support. To learn more about MRT or to make a donation, visit Mountains Restoration Trust online at www.mountainstrust.org.

El Torito Thousand Oaks Served Its Last Burrito on Tuesday, January 24th

It is with sadness to report that the Thousand Oaks El Torito on Moorpark Road (adjacent to Janss Marketplace) closed its doors last night, Tuesday, January 24th. El Torito has been in town ever since I've lived in the Conejo Valley in 1993 and has been a margarita mainstay for many. We're sorry for the employees and wish you well in quickly finding new jobs. In fact, check out one of these many recent/upcoming new restaurant openings around town.

There are** two other El Toritos in Ventura County in Oxnard and Simi Valley. For more information, visit www.eltorito.com.

** Update: WERE. The Oxnard and Simi Valley locations subsequently closed in 2016 and 2018, respectively.

Is a Walmart Store Coming to Camarillo?

Hmm, perhaps we'll be seeing Walmart in Camarillo. Not certain, but there's a sign, literally, that might indicate something is in the works.

This sign is posted on the window of the long-vacant Linens and Things that was located in the Camarillo Town Shopping Center at 275 W. Ventura Boulevard.

According to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website, Walmart Stores Inc. applied for a license to sell beer, wine and distilled spirits for consumption off premises. This could indicate Walmart may be interested in opening a store at that location.

But wait, this location is about 36,000 sq ft, a small fraction of the size of a typical Walmart Discount Store or Supercenter. Hmm, well Walmart does have nearly 170 Walmart Neighborhood Markets that according to Walmart "offer a quick and convenient shopping experience for customers who need groceries, pharmaceuticals, and general merchandise all at our famous Every Day Low Prices." The typical store size is 42,000 sq ft.

Would be great to see that space filled with something permanent! Let's wait and see. In the meantime, there are still Walmart stores in Oxnard (2001 N. Rose Avenue) and Simi Valley (255 Cochran Street).

This is the old "Linens and Things" site in question, sandwiched between Ross and Target on the east and Staples and Sports Authority on the west.

Volunteer with the Segue Career Mentors Program in Ventura County

Do you ever remember saying "If i only knew then, what I know now."  Well many students facing challenges with school and their future could really benefit from hearing "what you know now."  Here is where you come in!

The Segue Career Mentors program invites you to participate in our campaign for student success by sharing your story, your path to the workplace, with students in local school classrooms. In just two minutes you may sign up on our website, pick a date that fits your schedule, receive a short Speaker's Guide, and make a huge impact in motivating students to strive for graduation and a successful transition into the workforce.  Give students the knowledge you wish you knew back then! Sign up at www.segueprogram.org/speaker_sign_up.html.

Thousand Oaks Acorn Reports Greenhouse Cafe Closed Its Doors on 12/31/11

This article in today's Thousand Oaks Acorn written by former editor Steve Holt notes that the Greenhouse Cafe in Thousand Oaks (near the corner of Moorpark and Janss Roads) closed its doors on December 31, 2011. Though I have not independently confirmed this, I can confirm that their phone has been disconnected. The Greenhouse Cafe has operated in Thousand Oaks for over 27 years. Never is good news to hear about a long-time restaurant closing. We wish the best to those who worked there.

Jake's Wayback Burgers is Coming to Newbury Park in 2012

The old switcharoo...Jake's Wayback Burgers ended up opening a location in VENTURA in early April 2013. More info at THIS LINK.

Update 1/4/12: No updates...hmmm...it has been a year since this posting and still no mention of a local Jake's Wayback Burgers anywhere in the Conejo Valley, let alone Califorrnia. www.waybackburgers.com/locations

Originally reported 1/11/12:

On Monday the Ventura County Star reported that Jake's Wayback Burgers will be opening a Newbury Park location "in two to four months."

Jake's opened its first location in Delaware in 1991 and has expanded to 42 location in 12 states, none of which is anywhere close to California. However, QSR Magazine announced on December 31st that Jake's is expanding this year by franchising into a handful of new states, including 2 locations in Oregon and as well as the Newbury Park location.

Since I don't get out much to the east coast, I've never been to Jake's. Here's what they say on their Facebook page:

Jake's Wayback Burgers serves the best burgers under the bun, hand pattied from 100% fresh, never frozen ground beef and grilled to order. Jake's Wayback offers amazing shakes that are made from real milk and ice cream, served in a frosty metal shaker. Jake's Wayback has also added new items to our menu, such as marinated grilled chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, turkey burgers, and house-made chips, as well as the famous Burger and Shake of the Month.

Sounds pretty good to me! Seems like a new burger joint is popping up every other month (Tommy's in Ventura, Umami Burger in Thousand Oaks, Red Robin in Thousand Oaks, Five Guys in Thousand Oaks, Sliders in Simi Valley...the list goes on) but hey, everyone likes a good burger, beef, veggie or otherwise.

Location to be announced at a later date...visit waybackburgers.com for more information.

Baja Fresh Newbury Park Location Closed as of Tuesday, January 10th

Several CVG Facebook followers indicated last night that Baja Fresh located at The Village at Newbury Park on Broadbeck Drive had an eviction notice on the door.  I'm sad to say that Baja Fresh Newbury Park is now Buh Bye Fresh effective yesterday, January 10th.

We hope and trust that the employees of this location quickly find jobs elsewhere. In fact, I noticed there was a "we're hiring" sign at Presto Pasta a few doors away.

There are 10 other Baja Fresh locations in and around the Ventura County, including Camarillo (2), Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Moorpark, Simi Valley (2), Oxnard, Ventura and Calabasas. Visit www.bajafresh.com for more information.

But what makes this particularly sad from a nostalgia perspective because the very first Baja Fresh location opened in Newbury Park in 1990, at the corner of Wendy and Kimber. Ultimately that location moved over to Broadbeck Drive. So this marks the first time in 22 years that Newbury Park is without a Baja Fresh.

It is not surprising to me that this location is closed, given it is across the parking lot from a newer Chipotle and a Rubios, El Pollo Loco and Taco Bell are all within a few blocks of this location, not to mention a Sharky's in Newbury Park. Lots of competition for Mexican food.

Phase II of the City of Calabasas Plastic Bag Ban Is Now In Effect

On February 9, 2011, the Calabasas City Council passed Ordinance No. 2011-282 to ban the use of single-use carryout plastic bags.

Phase I: As of July 1, 2011, shoppers no longer received disposable plastic bags while shopping at Calabasas supermarkets Albertsons, Gelson’s, Maddy’s Market Ralphs and Rite Aid.

Phase II: As of January 1, 2012, smaller drug stores, convenience food stores, smaller retail stores and grocers will stop offering disposable plastic bags.

Shoppers are encouraged to use reusable shopping bags whenever possible. Note that small plastic bags will still be available in stores for fruits and vegetables.

Under the terms of the new law, stores will have reusable bags available for sale and will also offer recyclable paper bags for 10 cents each in lieu of customers bringing their reusable bags or simply carrying items purchased without a bag. The fees collected from bag sales will only go towards helping stores comply with the new law.

For more information about the bag ban and information about the impact of the use of plastic baqs on our environment, visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/bags.html.