Blue Table Wine & Cheese Bar in Agoura Hills Grand Opening Party on May 10th

Although Blue Table Wine & Cheese Bar, located at Whizins Center in Agoura Hills, officially opened last November, the owners have decided to finally host an official Grand Opening Party on Saturday, May 10, 2014 from 5PM to 10PM. There will be free samples from over 15 wineries, free food, live music and much more.

Blue Table is a European style cafe with sidewalk seating, communal tables, local art and an eclectic atmosphere. Food is prepared in-house with fresh local seasonal produce.  Blue Table also offers culinary treats on it shelvess, from imported pastas and sauces to dressings and preserves. They also offer corporate catering, wine and cheese parties and all other special occasions.

Whizins Center is located at 28912 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills. Visit www.bluetable.net or www.facebook.com/wineandcheesebar to learn more. Or call 818.587.2583.

The Painted Cabernet Opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on 4/11

We walked by The Painted Cabernet last Saturday afternoon and the place was packed with woman enjoying wine and painting!The Painted Cabernet opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard on April 11th. Painted Cabernet offers guests an opportunity to show off their artistic side under the watchful eyes of a trained instructor, while having a glass of wine in the process, offering an upscale urban studio, in a friendly, hip and creative environment for an evening on the town, a bachelorette party, a bit of “me” time or an out-of-the-ordinary date night.

The classes are a stress-free group setting where an artist instructor will guide you step-by-step replicating the featured painting, while giving you the time to sip a little wine, visit with your neighbor, listen to some great music and have a fun night out. Guests will be sure to go home with a painting that is uniquely their own.

Painted Cabernet also is available for private events, perfect for bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, church groups and more.

An online calendar is up at paintedcabernet.com and reservations can be made by calling 805-963-9979.

Stir Krazy Mongolian Grill Opening Soon on Janss Road in Thousand Oaks

Thanks to a tip from Bryan D, we see that Stir Krazy Mongolian Grill is "coming soon" to 652 E. Janss Road in Thousand Oaks in the former home of Greenhouse Cafe, which closed on December 31, 2011. Good to see this space is finally going to be occupied again after almost 2 1/2 years. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 7/6/14 and 1/3/15: No updates...

Department of Navy Temporarily Suspends Public Visits to San Miguel Island

On Friday, April 18th, Naval Base Ventura County issued the following press release regarding San Miguel Island, the westernmost of the Channel Islands.

Effectively immediately, public visits to San Miguel Island (SMI), part of the Channel Islands National Park (CINP), are temporarily suspended.

Due to safety concerns, the Department of the Navy, which is the land owner at SMI and is represented locally by Naval Base Ventura County, has asked the National Parks Service via the CINP Superintendent's office to halt all recreational visits to the island.

The island was used as part of a bombing range during and after World War II. The closure is necessary to ensure public safety while the Navy conducts a risk assessment and, if necessary, clean-up at the island. The length of the closure will depend on the risk assessment findings, but the island will likely not reopen to visitors this year.

"The Navy is dedicated to the conservation of our national resources, of which the Channel Islands are a unique and critical piece," said Capt. Larry Vasquez, NBVC's commanding officer. "But the safety and wellbeing of NPS personnel and those who visit San Miguel Island are our highest concern. We are working closely with our federal partners to ensure the park is a safe and inviting place to visit."

For more information regarding Naval Base Ventura County, please call the NBVC public affairs office at 805-989-9234.

For more information about National Parks Service programs at CINP, call the NPS public information office at 805-658-5725.

The National Park Service issued the following press release:

In the interest of public safety, the U.S. Navy is closing San Miguel Island until further notice due to recent concerns of possible unexploded ordnance. San Miguel Island was an active bombing range from WWII through the 1970s.

San Miguel Island is owned by the U.S. Department of Defense and is managed by the National Park Service under a memorandum of agreement. Pursuant to the Authority of the Superintendent under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 36 section 1.5 (a)(1)&(2) and section 2.1(a)(2) San Miguel Island is closed to all public entry.

More on the Channel Islands National Park.

Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center at Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands Boat Rides with Island Packers

Greens Up! and Los Agaves Restaurant New Tenants at the Shoppes at Westlake Village

In previous posts here on Conejo Valley Guide, it was announced that the 240,000 sq ft Shoppes at Westlake Village development will be home to anchors Target and Total Woman Gym & Spa when it opens this summer. Additional tenants include In N Out Burger, Olio e Limone Ristorante, Olio Pizzeria, Hook Burger and Jeannine's Bakery & Restaurant.

Several new tenants have since been announced.

Greens Up serves up tasty, freshly prepared salad meals in a matter of minutes using the finest, locally grown, sustainable produce at its two locations in Santa Monica. This summer it will bring its chef selection salads and "create your own" salads as well as fresh juices to its third location in Westlake Village. Learn more at www.greensupsalads.com.

Los Agaves Restaurant originated in Santa Barbara and serve family traditional Mexican recipes hand crafted from the finest ingredients. Specialties include Chiles Nortenos, Los Agaves Enchiladas, Mole, Ceviche and Sea & Earth Molcajete. Learn more at www.los-agaves.com.

Thousand Oaks Marketplace Announces Opening of Walmart Neighborhood Market

Thousand Oaks Marketplace Welcomes Walmart Neighborhood Market

NewMark Merrill Companies announces the opening of Walmart Neighborhood Market at Thousand Oaks Marketplace, located on the northeast corner of Ventu Park Road and Highway 101 in Thousand Oaks.

Hundreds of shoppers attended the April 2, 2014 grand opening of the 36,000–square-foot grocery store.  General Manager Jesus Corral welcomed guests and introduced the Boy Scouts of America color guard. Debbie Wohlers, Market Manager said, “We are excited to provide a new shopping option to the Thousand Oaks community.  We are open 24 hours a day for when you need something and you can’t wait until the morning.”

Walmart Neighborhood Market is designed as a smaller footprint with a pharmacy, health and beauty products, affordable groceries and merchandise.  Since 1998, more than 300 Walmart Neighborhood Markets have opened in the United States with 24 stores opening in California.  Walmart has supported thousands of dollars to local charities including Area Housing Authority, Ventura County Sheriff Canine Unit, Center for Special Means, Panther Band from Newberry High School, MANNA, Conejo Valley Sr. Concerns, CASA Pacifica Center, and Young Warriors and will continue to support the local community through the new location at Thousand Oaks Marketplace.   

The 28,000 daily vehicular traffic counts at the intersection the 75,498 daytime populations makes Thousand Oaks Marketplace one of the most desirable locations in Southern California.   Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market joins Chase Bank, Walgreens and Hampton Inn with Subway and Great Clips opening soon.

Thousand Oaks Marketplace is part of the impressive portfolio of over 75 shopping centers that NewMark Merrill Companies owns or manages. NewMark Merrill Companies, LLC, is owned by Chairman 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 throughout California, Colorado and Illinois. For more information about the center, visit www.newmarkmerrill.com. For more information on NewMark Merrill Companies, contact Heather Danko at hdanko@newmarkmerrill.com or at 818-710-6100.

Sabores Peruvian Cafe Now Open in Old Town Camarillo

UPDATE: Sabores Cafe closed its doors sometime in the late 2015 time frame.

Posted 4/18/14:

Sabores Peruvian Cafe is open in Old Town Camarillo at 2145 Ventura Boulevard, in the former home of the Panini Place, near the Mongolian BBQ. Sabores' menu features sandwiches, "cebiches" (the national dish of Peru), salads, "causas" (traditional appetizers of mashed yellow potato with aji amarillo and other Peruvian spices), Peruvian style desserts and more. Sounds pretty darn good to me! Visit www.saborescafe.com for more information or call 805.484.6529.