Urbane Cafe to Open a Camarillo Location Soon on Daily Drive

Update 7/31/13: Urbane Cafe Camarillo opens to the public on Thurday, August 1st. This is Urbane's 7th location.

Posted 7/11/13: Urbane Cafe specializes in gourmet sandwiches and salads with our fresh baked bread, lean meats and homemade sauces & dressings. It currently has six locations, including local spots in Agoura Hills, Ventura and Oxnard. The fourth local area location will be located at 1855 East Daily Drive in Camarillo in the space previously occupied by Subway. There are some major renovations going on here as you can see they are making the building taller. In that same building is located a Baja Fresh, Habit Burger and Sushi Hamayu.

On its Facebook page Urbane Cafe indicates "...details of a soft opening coming soon. Head on over to www.urbanecafe.com and sign up for our mailing list to receive a special invitation to the soft opening at the end of the month."

Sossy's BBQ Sandwiches Opening in Newbury Park This Spring

Final Update 7/24/13: Sossy's will be opening for business at 11 am this coming Friday, July 26th. The place has been completely re-done and is really nice, with an adjacent outdoor dining area. Sossy's menus includes BBQ sandwiches with meats including tri-tip, brisket, pulled pork and a "Sossy Joe" made with ground beef and chopped brisket. They have a couple chopped salads, three kids' meal choices (sandwich, hot dog or Mac & Cheese), and a variety of sides. People I spoke with who ate at a pre-opening event tonight enjoyed everything they tried, including the cole slaw and potato salad. Sossy's also has about six draft beers available. Follow their Facebook page for updates.

Update 5/23/13: Sossy's will begin the hiring process in the next few weeks. Visit www.sossys.com/Contact to apply. Sossy's says they will be doing "soft" openings in late June and official opening to the public soon thereafter.

Originally Posted 1/31/13: Sossy's BBQ is slated to open at the location previously occupied by Burger Express at 2140 Newbury Road in Newbury Park.

Sossy's is pronounced like "Saucys." On its Facebook page, the owners indicate Sossy's name was inspired by a restaurant in Mexico that had was delicious and covered by a great sauce...and they blame the misspelling of the word "sauce" on the margaritas. Sounds like these guys have a great sense of humor.

On its LinkedIn profile "our Sossy's original bbq sandwiches are mouth-watering delicious. And yes we use only the finest quality ingredients. And yes we use USDA Choice meats and locally grown farm fresh vegetables."

Chris Harrison Named 2013 Honarary Chair of Thousand Oaks Arts Festival

Television host, Chris Harrison, of ABC's The Bachelor, has been named the 2013 Honorary Chair of the Thousand Oaks Arts Festival.  The two-day Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on September 21 and 22 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and The Lakes.

Chris Harrison began his television career by covering local sports in Oklahoma, but a visit to L.A. in 1999 ended in a permanent move and later that year Harrison landed the job as host of HGTV’s "Designer’s Challenge," consistently ranked as one of the network’s highest rated shows. In 2001 he became host of ABC’s hit romance/reality series The Bachelor and The Bachelorette.

Harrison will again co-host ABC’s live coverage of “The Miss America Pageant” in September 2013. Additional hosting credits include “Emmys Red Carpet Live” at the 2012 Primetime Emmys; ABC’s 2011 “American Music Awards Red Carpet”; ABC’s 2008 “American Music Awards Red Carpet Live!,” and “Road to the 60th Primetime Emmy® Awards.” In 2010 he announced the creation of his own production company, Harrison Productions, and that he will continue to host and executive-produce all of TV Guide’s red carpet shows.

The Festival features more than 60 local visual artists as well as a variety of local performing artists on two stages.  An interactive children’s area lets youngsters experience art on a personal level, and wine tasting offers adults a quiet respite during the weekend.  Visitors to the Arts Festival will also have the opportunity to meet Harrison in person.

Thousand Oaks Arts Festival admission and parking are free to the public.  Artist prospectus and application deadline is August 15 and performing artists’ applications are due August 1.  Both applications are available on the website, www.toartsfestival.com or call 818-991-6158.

Shave It Camarillo Opened to the Public on Saturday, July 13th

As previously indicated in April, the new Camarillo Shave It location opened this past Saturday, July 13th. This location is at 455 Carmen Drive, in the Carmen Plaza, conveniently and perhaps appropriately located next door to the 24 Hour Fitness! Their phone number is 805.445.4423 (4ICE).

Owner Arla tipped us off that this coming Saturday, July 20th, they will be hosting a grand opening event featuring the Chainsaw Chicks, as featured on America's Got Talent. Everyone is invited and the Ice Queen and her court will be performing 4 afternoon shows - at 1, 3, 5 and 7. The Chicks expertly carve giant blocks of ice with their chainsaws. Now this looks quite interesting!

Sprinkles Cupcakes Coming to The Promenade at Westlake in the Fall of 2013

Sprinkles Cupcakes Opens in Westlake Village This Fall

The Promenade at Westlake welcomes the world’s first cupcake bakery

Sprinkles Cupcakes at The Promenade at Westlake is scheduled to open its newest location at Caruso Affiliated’s The Promenade at Westlake in fall 2013.

Known for its mouth-watering treats and long lines of devoted fans, Sprinkles Cupcakes at The Promenade at Westlake will offer a sugar rush to shoppers and tourists looking to indulge in these gourmet treats.

Sprinkles will be located between Barnes & Noble and Brighton Collectibles, next to the popular outdoor fountain area.

For updates, visit www.sprinkles.com and www.shoppromenade.com.

About Sprinkles: Candace Nelson is the founder and pastry chef of Sprinkles Cupcakes, the world's first cupcake bakery. Started in Beverly Hills in 2005, Candace's sophisticated take on the classic American cupcake made Sprinkles an overnight bakery sensation. Today, Sprinkles has twelve locations nationwide, a traveling Sprinklesmobile – the world's first cupcake truck, and sells its cupcake mixes at over 250 Williams-Sonoma stores throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2012, Sprinkles debuted the world's first Cupcake ATM and continued its foray into classic American desserts with the launch of Sprinkles Ice Cream. Future expansion plans include a franchise agreement that will bring 34 Sprinkles Cupcakes bakeries to the Middle East beginning in 2013.

Thousand Oaks to Moorpark Metrolink Station Shuttle Service Begins July 15

In response to requests for commuter bus service between the City of Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Station, Thousand Oaks Transit (TOT) is partnering with Metrolink to operate weekday commuter shuttle service beginning July 15. Service is free to all riders from July 15 through August 16 from three convenient locations

• Thousand Oaks Transportation Center - 265 South Rancho Road
• Oaks Mall Bus Stop – Adjacent Mall at 350 West Hillcrest Drive
• California Lutheran University Bus Stops - Olsen Road and Mountclef Boulevard

The new service is funded in part by a $20,000 Federal Transit Administration grant. Service will operate between Thousand Oaks and the Moorpark Metrolink Train Station six times daily during peak morning and evening hours. The first shuttle departs at 5:15 a.m. from the Thousand Oaks Transportation Center and the last shuttle departs the Moorpark Metrolink Station at 7:55 p.m. Service is scheduled to connect with most Metrolink trains traveling between Moorpark and the Los Angeles area. 

After August 16th, the fare amount is $2.50 each way but service will remain free to Metrolink pass holders and passengers with a same day single-ride Metrolink ticket. Seniors, disabled persons, and Medicare cardholders ride for half of the fare amount. Transfers between the commuter shuttle and local TOT buses are free. The GoVentura Card is not accepted.

The weekday service will be operated by MV Transportation on 14 passenger vans powered by compressed natural gas. Vans are ADA accessible, equipped with bikes racks, and will have free Wi-Fi.  The Metrolink Commuter Shuttle Program schedule and times are available online at www.TOTransit.org. For the most current train schedule, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

Ventura County Animal Shelters Filled to Capacity Due to 4th of July Strays

Ventura County Animal shelters filled to capacity due to 4^th of July strays

The 4^th of July is one of the busiest days of the year at animal shelters due to the fact that household pets become frightened by fireworks and escape from their homes and yards.

According to Donna Gillesby, Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) interim director, VCAS operations are being pushed to the limit due to the fact that more than 140 stray dogs have been taken in at the Camarillo and Simi Valley animal shelters since July 3. Unfortunately, many of the animals were not properly collared, licensed or microchipped making owner identification challenging or impossible.

“Although it is typical to have an influx of strays after the 4^th of July holiday, this year it was like someone opened the floodgates,” said Gillesby. “We currently have hundreds of animals in our care and more continue to arrive each day.”

VCAS posts photos and descriptions of all animals on their website at www.vcas.us. If an animal is not reclaimed within the state-mandated stray holding period, it is put up for adoption.

The $125 adoption fee of includes:

• Certification of surgical sterilization
• Preliminary vaccination(s)
• First rabies vaccine
• Ventura County license
• Trovan microchip (already "installed" for permanent identification!)
• Free obedience classes
• Certificate for a free health exam at any participating Ventura County veterinarian

“Our hope is to reunite each one with its family or, for those that are not reclaimed, find them a loving adoptive family.” said Gillesby. “We urge the public to open their hearts and home to an animal in need.”

For more information, call VCAS at 1-888-223-PETS (7387), 805-388-4341 or visit www.vcas.us.

Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room Recently Opened in Thousand Oaks

Sunland Vintage Winery Tasting Room opened its doors in the Northstar Plaza, 1321 East Thousand Oaks Blvd., #108, Thousand Oaks on June 27th.

Sunland Vintage is a boutique winery featuring Giovinazzo Wines, a taste of old Italy. Featured wines include Barbera, Nebbiolo, Tre Ragazzi, Dolcetto, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Pinot Grigio and Muscat Canelli. I'll have to ask my Italian wife what all these mean...or better yet, check them out at www.sunlandvintagewinery.com.

The tasting room is open Thursday and Friday from 6-9pm, Saturday from 1-6pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. Learn more on their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SunlandVintageWineryTastingRoom. And according to that page they are hosting a grand opening celebration on August 3rd and 4th.

Thanks to The Wandering Wino for pointing this place out! Visit him and his local wine blog at wandering-wino.com.

Newly Launched Downtown-Harbor Ventura Trolley Will Make Travel a Breeze!

UPDATE MARCH 2019: Ventura Trolley no longer in service as of the end of March 2019.

VENTURA TROLLEY MAKES DOWNTOWN-TO-HARBOR TRAVEL A BREEZE

The "Downtown-Harbor Trolley" will run from Downtown Ventura to Ventura Harbor Village, making stops at coastal hotels, the Rhumb Line Restaurant and other partner locations, including the Amtrak platform outside the Ventura County Fairgrounds.

The route will include the ability to make flag stops along the way. Licensed and uniformed trolley drivers will be provided hands-free phone devices, with a phone number - 805-827-4444 - listed on signs at each pre-determined stop. Drivers also can be contacted for arrival estimates.

The trolley is the creation of the Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP). Operations will be funded through a unique partnership including the Ventura Port District, Ventura Harbor Village, Rhumb Line Restaurant, Ventura County Fairgrounds, City of Ventura, with additional support from Watermark Restaurant, NeedThree, Montecito Bank & Trust, City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability, Ventura Water, Island Packers, Andria's Seafood Restaurant & Market, Crown Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel, Ventura Visitors & Conventions Bureau, Ventura County Air Pollution Control District and Ventura County West.

With service beginning on July 3, the trolley will run 5 days a week, Wednesday through Sunday, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during the summer season, with the ability to adjust hours of operation and location stops. On weeks that involve major holidays, the trolley service will adjust accordingly by moving Wednesday's service to Monday.

The trolley will continue year-round! Learn more at www.venturatrolley.com.