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.
I've never been to the Simi Valley Hometown Buffet nor will I or you in the future as it has closed its doors. The other Hometown Buffet in Ventura County is located at 1901 Lockwood Street, Oxnard, off of Rose Avenue near Best Buy. Been there a few times. Not something I go outta my way for but they get the job done, inexpensively. And there you have it.
This sounds pretty interesting! SweetXO is a combination frozen yogurt bar, candy store, cupcake bakeshop and lifestyle/gift shop all in one location. SweetXO also has a "Coke FreeStyle fountain" where you can choose from over 120 flavors.
If you haven't seen the new Coke FreeStyle fountain, you're in for a real treat. Get your creative juices flowing with your choice of over 120 different flavors. You can choose from all major flavors and types of soda.
Grand opening on Sunday, April 1st at 5825 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills, at the corner of Kanan and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, next to Starbucks. This used to be a Blockbuster Video location.
More information at www.sweetxo.com or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SweetXOs.
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.
Executive Director Announces Channel Islands Maritime Museum Changes
Bill Conroy, the Executive Director of the Ventura County Maritime Museum, announced last month that the museum is changing its name to the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The museum will celebrate its opening early in July 2012 at its new site overlooking the Channel Islands Harbor at 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard.
The colorful patio entrance and newly designed façade welcome visitors to this harbor retreat. Once inside, families will be able to stroll leisurely through art galleries with panoramic views of the Channel Islands Harbor. They will be able to see newly designed exhibits illustrating the pageantry and drama of our maritime past.
The museum’s collection of seascapes by 17th century Dutch painters will be colorfully exhibited in an elegant and intimate gallery. Children will be awed by the epic story of the dragon-headed Turtle Boat heroically created by the tiny Chosen Dynasty navy of Admiral Y Sun Shin to defend against foreign invading forces.
Museum volunteers continue their efforts to raise funds to build out the new museum by selling pavers inscribed with a donor’s name. These are still available for a donation of $200. In addition, naming opportunities for individual galleries and major donations are welcome to support and preserve this cultural resource for the entire community.
The museum is also recruiting volunteers for training as docents in the expanded facility.
For information please call (805) 984-6260 or visit cimmvc.org.
As previously reported, the anticipated demolition of the Wienerschnitzel on Thousand Oaks Boulevard next to Do It Center has taken place. Anyone driving down Thousand Oaks Boulevard near the auto mall will quickly notice the empty space. No hot dogs in sight. Chick-fil-A is anticipated to have a drive-thru location (with a few outdoor tables) here by the summer.
View of the former location of Wienerschnitzel from Thousand Oaks Boulevard
View of the former Wienerschnitzel from the Do It Center parking lot
Yes indeed, we are now Wienerschnitzel-less in Thousand Oaks, though they did mention the possibility of finding another location in town. Looking for a good hot dog? I like Lucky's Dog House at Janss Marketplace.
Some temporary Hooters signage on display at the future Hooters of Thousand Oaks today. The inside of the place still appears to need a lot of work but I'm sure we'll be hearing more about the opening date at www.janssmarketplace.net. Hooters hiring fair this coming weekend.
Today was/is a cold, rainy, windy and now....HAILY day. Yes, with late afternoon temperatures in the low to mid 40s here in usually sunny Ventura County, I've seen reports from Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Oxnard of hail falling from the skies. We don't see a lot of that in these parts so let's check out the Oxnard hail that Patty shared this on this brisk St. Patty's Day!
Yes, after such a dry, sunny winter in Ventura county, we are FINALLY experiencing a real winter thunderstorm on the very last weekend of winter. The 24th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ventura was cancelled today due to the rain.
UPDATE: N'Awlinz Bistro closed this location on 12/21/13 to focus on its new, larger location in downtown Oxnard.
N' Awlinz Bistro opened its doors at the Wendy/Kimber Plaza in Newbury Park in February 2012. They serve contemporary New Orleans French-Creole style food created by chef and co-owner, Marcus Webster and George Pero.
The Wendy/Kimber Plaza, aptly named after the intersection it resides, is a non-descript strip mall that is most famously known as the birthplace of Baja Fresh. Ah, I remember those days fondly in the early 1990s. Baja Fresh has since left Newbury Park but N'Awlinz Bistro will be providing new foodie memories for years to come.
They serve Po'Boyz, gumbo, sliders, jambalaya and other cajun specialties. We ordered tri-tip sliders, shrimp po'boyz, gumbo, catfish and side orders of zydeco slaw and homemade potato chips. I tried a bit of everything and over-ate. It was really good. Food like this you don't find many places around here. Loved the gumbo, the blackened catfish smothered in Bourbon Street etouffee, the crunchy thick-cut potato chips, the braised shrimp po'boy as well as the fried shrimp po'boy. Didn't get around to tasting the kids' tri tip sliders as they were quite territorial about them.
The Po'Boyz were really tasty as they were made with a nice, tasty cajun sauce with some cole slaw inside. The bread was quite nice too. This was a welcome change from someone who dines on fast food sub type sandwiches on a regular basis. These had some originality going for them. My teen enjoyed his po'boy too and he really raved about the gumbo. (Stop by and I bet they'll give you a sample taste!)
N'Awlinz Bistro is located at 3321 C Kimber Drive in a small spot where Jetway Gourmet used to be, with 2 small tables to dine at and a couple off tables outside. (We ordered take out.) But the good news is that they are expanding and in the next several months will have indoor dining for 24 tables.
I've received unsolicited feedback about this restaurant several times. People are raving about it. N'Awlinz Bistro is something new, unique and high quality. We met Chef Marcus Webster and he aims to please.
See their menu at www.nawlinzbistro.com or call 805.499.7400. Their current hours of operation is Monday to Saturday, 11am to 8pm.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
