City of Thousand Oaks Special Election on June 2nd to Fill City Council Vacancy

/

Former City of Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Jacqui Irwin resigned from City Council on November 25, 2014 to assume her newly elected role as California District 44 Assemblymember.

As a result, the City of Thousand Oaks is holding a Special Municipal Vacancy Election on Tuesday, June 2nd to fill her term that expires in November 2016.

The estimated cost of the election to be incurred by the Ventura County Clerk's Office is $200,000 and will be reimbursed by the City of Thousand Oaks.

The City Clerk's office started accepting nomination papers for the special election on February 9th and will continue accepting them until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6th.

To run for office, you must be a registered voter in the City at the time of nomination, must be a City resident and at least age 18. You must also obtain a minimum of 20 valid signatures of other City of Thousand Oaks registered voters to run.

The newly elected councilmember will start his/her new role in the June/July timeframe, after election results are certified.

Contact the Thousand Oaks City Clerk at 805.449.2151 or visit toaks.org/news/displaynews.asp?NewsID=2677 with questions.

So when will start seeing political signs around town? Signs may be posted starting 45 days prior to the election, which will be April 18th.

The last day to register to vote in this election is May 18th.

More on the City Council:

The City Council has five elected members that serve four year staggered terms. Elections are normally held in November of even-numbered years. The Council's meets at least two Tuesday night each month, except for August and its duties include appointing a City Manager, City Attorney and members of City Boards and Commissions, adopting a two year budget, enacting legislaton and establishing City policy. The Council also appoints one of its members as Mayor each year to preside over its meetings.

Councilmember compensation is currently $1,750 per month. Benefits include health insurance, vision and dental insurance, 7% retirement plan contribution and other benefits highlighted in City Council Resolution 2011-070.

The winner of this Special Election will be joining councilmembers Al Adam (Mayor), Joel Price (Mayor Pro Tem), Andy Fox and Claudia Bill-de la Pena.

Bottle & Pint Specialty Craft Beer Store and Tap Room Recently Opened in Newbury Park

/
BottlePintNP.jpg

Bottle & Pint is a specialty craft beer store and tap room that opened last month at 1714 Newbury Road, Suite G, Newbury Park, to the right of Holdren's and Spumoni, and to the left of Road Runner Sports. Heck, buy some shoes, go for a run, eat, drink, repeat!

Bottle & Pint's tap room offers a rotating list of over a dozen craft beers. The bottle shop has craft beers that you can drink there or take home. And for food, they encourage grabbing grub at the nearby eateries.

More information at www.bottleandpint.com or call 805.795.2254.

Le Pain Quotidien Opened March 2nd at the Westlake Plaza

/
LePainWLV1.jpg

Le Pain Quotidienis opening soon opened Monday, March 2nd at the Westlake Plaza, 2728 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village in a new building adjacent to Gelson's. The same building is also slated to include the Ice Cream Lab and Pressed Juicery.

Founded in Brussels in 1990 by Alain Coumont, Le Pain Quotidien is a bakery and restaurant that serves simple, wholesome and sustainable food, made with organic and local ingredients whenever possible. With over 200 locations worldwide, including over 70 in the United States, Le Pain Quotidien invites guests to break bread and relax with friends and neighbors around the communal table.

Some of the items you'll find on the menu include croissants, soft-boiled organic eggs, organic steel-cut oatmeal, homemade organic granola and breads, organic vegan soup, roasted turkey and avocado tartine, pole-caught tuna tartine, organic lentil and avocado salad, grilled chicken cobb salad, pastries, tarts, platters, quiche and so on.

Learn more at www.lepainquotidien.com

Now if you're like me, you might pronounce it "Lay Pain Quote-i-deen" and of course know well and good that that is way off. The video below demonstrates the proper pronunciation as "Luh Pan Koh-Ti-Dyan" which may prove helpful.

LePainWLV2.jpg

Grand Opening of Dog Haus Thousand Oaks Set for Saturday, February 21st

/

Dog Haus, the celebrated Los Angeles-based concept known for its gourmet hot dogs, sausages, burgers, and one-of-a-kind creations, will be opening its fifth franchise location in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, February 21st.

As part of Dog Haus' introduction to the community, guests will be able to swing by from 11 am to 10 pm on Saturday, February 21st to enjoy a free Haus Dog from a selection of Dog Haus classic all-beef skinless dog offerings, all served up on grilled King's Hawaiian Rolls. Options will include fan favorites like the Sooo Cali with arugula, tomato, crispy onions, spicy basil aioli and avocado; the Downtown featuring a smoked bacon wrapped dog topped with caramelized onions, roasted bell peppers, mayo, mustard, and ketchup; or The Cowboy with white American cheese, smoked bacon, bbq sauce, and crispy onions.

To pair with their dogs, diners can order fare from Dog Haus' full menu, which is rounded out with gourmet sausages, burgers, corn dogs, sides, and the debut of the Mötley Bleu 2.0 burger complete with soy-racha onions, bleu sriracha sauce, white American cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato.  Other Haus items include The Fonz that partners a spicy Italian sausage with pastrami and melted mozzarella; while the Das Brat features a bratwurst with caramelized onions, sauerkraut, white American cheese, and whole grain mustard aioli. Haus Burgers run the gamut from the trademarked The Freiburger® with white American cheese, a fried egg, haus slaw, fries and mayo; to the Holy Aioli with white American cheese, caramelized onions, smoked bacon, and garlic aioli.  

Dog Haus Downtown Dog

Lighter eaters and kids can indulge in smaller-sized portions – the Dog slider is made with an all-beef mini dog, haus-made cheese sauce, shredded cheddar and bacon; the Burger slider has just the right amount of caramelized onions, white American cheese, and mayo; while the Corn Dog slider features an all-beef mini dog dipped in haus-made root beer batter. Equal attention is paid to the quality-driven sides, like Chili Cheese Tots or fresh-cut, twice-fried Fries with haus-made cheese sauce, cheddar, haus chili, and diced onions; beer-battered Onion Rings; and Sweet Potato Fries. Our premium desserts including shakes & malts, cookies are a must have to end on a sweet note.

To complement the main offerings, diners will be able to select from wine and a thoughtful list of beers available on tap as well as canned, upon opening.  The restaurant will boast craft drafts with a heavy emphasis on local breweries, such as Ladyface Ale Companie going by the pint. Those who opt for a canned beer can enjoy options like Moose Drool Brown Ale, Pabst Blue Ribbon and The Dudes Kolshtal Eddy all served up in Dog Haus koozies – a

Read More

Maria's Italian Kitchen Opened at The Collection at RiverPark Last Weekend (Closed April 2020)

/

UPDATE APRIL 2020: This Maria’s location closed its doors in April 2020.

Well finally it has happened...Maria's Italian Kitchen at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard opened last weekend. We have been waiting for this since The Collection made the original announcement in August 2013. It is located on Seaglass Way, directly across the street from REI and next to GEN Korean BBQ House. "Real Italian Food by Real Italian Women" - a family run Napolitano style Italian fare. Learn more at www.mariasitaliankitchen.com or call 805.988.3300.

 

 

Pieology Opening 2nd Conejo Valley Pizzeria in Westlake Village

/

Update 2/4/15: According to folks at the Thousand Oaks location, the new Westlake Village location is anticipated to open on Monday, February 16th.

Posted 9/26/14: Pieology is opening a second pizzeria in the Conejo Valley, at the former ZPizza location, 5776 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. The indicate it will open in December. The first Conejo Valley Pieology opened in Thousand Oaks in August 2013. Learn more about Pieology at www.pieology.com.

On a recent visit to Pieology Thousand Oaks I customized my pie with sausage, meatballs and olives.

"Make your own" pizza is all the rage these days and is the fastest growing food concept since frozen yogurt it seems:

The Collection at RiverPark Announces Sweet Shop It'Sugar to Open in 2015

/

Recently The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard announced that trendy sweets shop It'Sugar will be opening there sometime this year. Founded in 2006, this speciality candy and gift retailer has grown to over 70 locations worldwide, including local stores at Universal Citywalk, Venice Beach, Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica and Pasadena.

Offering novelty candy, gummy candy, suckers, chocolate, mints and gum, nostalgic candy, bulk candy, Asian candies, Jelly Belly, "Perfect Size" and Oversize candies, novelties, wearables, plush items, branded items featuring SNL, Frozen, Grumpy Cat, Disney and much more. Visit www.itsugar.com for more information.