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.
Agoura Wine & Beer Co. is under construction at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills. The sign can be seen from the back entrance off of Agoura Road. No other information at this time but they do have an Instagram account (@agourawine).for updates. (Thanks to Gregory L for the heads up.)
The Chakaa Tea Cafe sign is up in the Walmart/Walgreens center at 520 N. Ventu Park Road, Suite 140, Newbury Park, in the former home of Rave Organics Cafe. No other information at this point, so stay tuned.
Since June, the Camarillo Public Library has offered Curbside Pickup Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Curbside pickup works as follows:
Request materials online or by calling 805-388-5222.. Requests are limited to 10 items due to high demand.
Once you have been notified via email, phone or text, that your items are ready, park in a numbered space.
Call 805-388-5222, provide staff your name, library card number and parking space number.
Stay in your vehicle and your items will be delivered to you.
Items are due back in 3 weeks and must be returned using the drive-up book drops . Items will be quarantines for 4 days before being marked as returned (which will not result in late fines).
More information at camarillolibrary.org/content/curbside-service.
The Grant R. Brimhall Library in Thousand Oaks has been offering curbside pickup service, where you can pick up library materials that you placed a hold on on the library’s website or by phone. Anyone with a Thousand Oaks Library card can use the service.
The way it works is to log in to the library’s catalog at discover.tolibrary.org and request a hold on the items you want. You will be notified when the items are ready for pickup in your account, then have seven days to pick up your items. You may also request the hold by calling 805-449-2660 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Curbside pickup is available Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sat 10 a.m. to p.m. Not available Wed/Sun.
To pick up the items, follow the signs to the Greeter Station and place your library card, barcode side up, or your California driver’s license on the right side of your dashboard.
At the Distribution Station, library staff will place your items either in your trunk or your right rear passenger window.
DVDs and BluRay discs will be available for curbside checkout, fee free, during this period.
Items may be returned in the drive-up book drops and go through a one day quarantine period.
The Newbury Park Branch Library remains closed until further notice for both pickups and returns.
Today, the CIF Southern Section announced updates to the 2020-2021 sports season in response to COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Fall, Winter and Spring sports will be condensed this year into two seasons - Fall and Spring. Fall sports will include cross country, field hockey, football, gymnastics, competitive traditional cheer, volleyball and water polo. Spring sports will include badminton, baseball, basketball, competitive sport cheer, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming/diving, tennis, track and field and wrestling.
Sports calendars were announced as follows:
BOYS AND GIRLS CROSS-COUNTRY
First Contest – Saturday, December 26, 2020
SOP Date – Friday, January 29, 2021 (35 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, March 4, 2021 (70 days)
Last Allowable Contest – Friday, March 5, 2021
CIF Southern Section Prelims – Friday/Saturday, March 12/13, 2021
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 20, 2021
CIF State Championships – Saturday, March 27, 2021
FIELD HOCKEY
First Contest – Friday, December 18, 2020
SOP Date – Friday, January 22, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, February 26, 2021 (71 days)
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 27, 2021
11-MAN FOOTBALL
First Practice Date - Monday, December 14, 2020
Week 1 Contest Date – Friday, January 8, 2021
SOP Date – Monday, February 8, 2021 (32 days)
Week 10 Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Playoffs – March 19, March 26, April 2, 2021
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, April 9/10, 2021
CIF State Championships Bowl Games – Friday/Saturday, April 16/17, 2021
8-MAN FOOTBALL
First Practice Date - Monday, December 14, 2020
Week 1 Contest Date – Friday, January 8, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, February 5, 2021 (29 days)
Week 9 Contest Date – Friday, March 5, 2021 (57 days)
CIF Southern Section Playoffs – March 12, March 19, March 26, 2021
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, April 2/3, 2021
GYMNASTICS
First Contest – Monday, January 4, 2021
SOP Date – Wednesday, February 3, 2021 (31 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, March 5, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, March 6, 2021 (62 days)
TRADITIONAL COMPETITIVE CHEER
First Contest Date – No Established Date
SOP Date – Monday, November 16, 2020
Last Allowable Contest Date – No Established Date
CIF Southern Section Championships – Saturday, April 3, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, April 17, 2021
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
First Contest Date – Saturday, December 12, 2020
SOP Date – Tuesday, January 12, 2021 (32 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, February 11, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 13, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021
CIF Southern Regionals – March 15-20, 2021
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
First Contest Date – Saturday, December 19, 2020
SOP Date – Tuesday, January 19, 2021 (32 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, February 18, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 20, 2021 (64 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 12/13, 2021
CIF State Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
BOYS WATER POLO
First Contest Date – Monday, December 21, 2020
SOP Date – Monday, January 11, 2021 (31 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, February 18, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 20, 2021 (62 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 6, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
GIRLS WATER POLO
First Contest Date – Monday, December 28, 2020
SOP Date – Monday, January 18, 2021 (31 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, February 25, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, February 27, 2021 (62 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, March 13, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Finals – Friday/Saturday, March 19/20, 2021
BADMINTON
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 6, 2021
SOP Date – Saturday, April 10, 2021 (36 days)
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Regional Individual Qualifier – Wednesday/Thursday, May 26/27, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, May 29, 2021
BASEBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 19, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, April 23, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 18/19, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championship Finals – Saturday, June 26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, April 16, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 11/12, 2021
CIF State Championship Finals – Friday/ Saturday, June 18/19, 2021
COMPETITIVE SPORT CHEER
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 27, 2021
SOP Date – Monday, May 1, 2020 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Saturday, June 5, 2021 (71 days)
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, June 5, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS GOLF
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021
SOP Date – Saturday, April 24, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Individual Regionals – Monday, May 31, 2021
CIF Southern Section Team Championships – Monday, June 7, 2021
CIF-SS Individual Championship/Team Qualifier – Thursday, June 10, 2021
CIF/SCGA Southern Regional Championships – Thursday, June 17, 2021
CIF State Championships – Wednesday, June 23, 2021 (Note – CIF-SS Individual Championship/Team Qualifier, CIF/SCGA Regional Championships and CIF State Championships dates are subject to change, due to course availability.)
BOYS AND GIRLS LACROSSE
First Contest Date – Friday, March 12, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, April 16, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, May 20, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Saturday, June 12, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS SOCCER
First Contest Date – Saturday, February 27, 2021
SOP Date – Saturday, April 3, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, May 6, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 8, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, May 28/May 29, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Finals – Saturday, June 5, 2021
SOFTBALL
First Contest Date – Friday, March 19, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, April 23, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Thursday, May 27, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday/Saturday, June 18/19, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championship Finals – Saturday, June 26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS SWIMMING/ DIVING
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 13, 2021
SOP Date – Saturday, April 17, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 21, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 22, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Monday, May 24 – Saturday, May 29, 2021
CIF State Championships – Friday/ Saturday, June 4/5, 2021
BOYS TEAM TENNIS
First Contest Date – Monday, March 1, 2021
SOP Date – Monday, April 5, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 14, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday, May 28, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, June 5, 2021
GIRLS TEAM TENNIS
First Contest Date – Monday, February 22, 2021
SOP Date – Monday, March 29, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 7, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 8, 2021 (71 days)
CIF Southern Section Championship Finals – Friday, May 21, 2021
CIF Southern Regional Championships – Saturday, June 5, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD
First Contest Date – Saturday, March 20, 2021
SOP Date – Saturday, April 24, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Friday, May 28, 2021
Last Allowable Contest Date – Saturday, May 29, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Preliminaries – Saturday, June 5, 2021
CIF Southern Section Divisional Championships – Saturday, June 12, 2021
CIF Southern Section Masters Meet – Saturday, June 19, 2021
CIF State Championships – Friday/ Saturday, June 25/26, 2021
BOYS AND GIRLS WRESTLING
First Contest Date – Friday, March 5, 2021
SOP Date – Friday, April 9, 2021 (36 days)
Last League Contest – Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Last Allowable Contest – Saturday, May 15, 2021 (72 days)
CIF Southern Section Dual Meet Championships – Saturday, May 15, 2021
CIF Southern Section Individual Championships – Friday/Saturday, May 28/29, 2021
CIF Southern Section Masters Meet – Friday/Saturday, June 4/5, 2021
CIF State Championships – Thursday, June 10, 2021 – Saturday, June 12, 2021
More details at cifss.org.
Carol A. pointed out that the Taco Bell at 2900 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village in the Village Glen is closed. She’s absolutely right. After 26 years serving tacos, Quesaritos and Crunchwrap Supremes to the local community, it has packed its bags.
Other nearby Taco Bell locations in Thousand Oaks (corner of T.O. Boulevard and Rancho Road) and at 5589 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills as well as 791 N. Wendy Drive in Newbury Park.
Taco Bell was founded in 1962 by Glen Bell in Downey, California. Its first franchise opened in 1964 in Torrance. By 1967 it grew to 100 locations and in 1970 it went public with 325 restaurants. It was purchased by PepsiCo in 1978 and now is part of Yum! Brands.
Make you kind of wonder, if Glen’s last name was Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele, would he have called it Taco Keihanaikukauakahihuliheekahaunaele? Hmm.
Jen Brecker of Newbury Park snapped this shot of the soon to be T.J. Maxx store in Newbury Park, next to Home Depot in the former Staples location.
T.J. Maxx is a brand of The TJX Companies, which also owns Marshalls, HomeGoods and several others. T.J. Maxx was founded in 1976. TJX bought Marshalls in 1995. T.J. Maxx is called T.K. Maxx in Europe to avoid being confused with UK chain TJ Hughes. Origination of the name T.J. Maxx? I researched and researched but for the life of me can’t figure it out.
Grand opening date TBA.
Other local TJX branded stores in the local area include T.J. Maxx stores in Moorpark, Westlake Village and Oxnard, Marshalls stores in Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley and Oxnard and HomeGoods stores in Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard and Simi Valley.
Following the release of new state guidelines announced today by Governor Gavin Newsom, all Ventura County school districts and charter schools will begin the new school year using distance learning without bringing students back to their campuses. The new guidance comes a day after most Ventura County schools had already committed to beginning the year with distance learning in support of the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
According to the new state guidance, schools cannot reopen their campuses until the county in which they are located has been off the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list for 14 consecutive days.** Ventura County is one of 32 California counties currently on the list. The guidance applies to both public and private schools.
“We appreciate this confirmation from the Governor that bringing students back to campus in our current environment is too great of a risk to take,” said Ventura County Superintendent of Schools Stan Mantooth. “We know that distance learning can never fully substitute for the exchange of knowledge and social support that takes place in schools, but it is the most prudent way for us to provide education while the coronavirus continues to surge in Ventura County.”
Local schools are now focused on optimizing their plans to deliver high-quality distance learning. Since school campuses abruptly closed in March, local educators have been refining their distance learning offerings based on extensive feedback from students, parents and teachers. They’ve also been working to ensure that all students who need it have access to computers and connections to the internet. The Ventura County Office of Education is collaborating with school districts on curriculum development and technology support to maximize the effectiveness of distance learning for local students. Most Ventura County school districts intend to continue providing school meals while campuses are closed.
Ventura County school districts and charter schools will be providing additional details about their plans for the new school year to their communities. A list of school district websites is available here and a list of local charter school websites is available here.
For the latest updates on the impact of the coronavirus on Ventura County public schools, including distance learning resources and information about meal service and child care, please visit the Ventura County Office of Education website at www.vcoe.org.
All Ventura County school districts and charter schools will begin the 2020-2021 school year with only distance learning.
VENTURA COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS
Briggs School District
Conejo Valley Unified School District
Fillmore Unified School District
Hueneme Elementary School District
Las Virgenes Unified School District *
Mesa Union School District
Moorpark Unified School District
Mupu Elementary School District
Oak Park Unified School District
Ocean View School District
Ojai Unified School District
Oxnard School District (K-8)
Oxnard Union High School District
Pleasant Valley School District
Rio School District
Santa Clara Elementary School District
Santa Paula Unified School District
Simi Valley Unified School District
Somis Union School District
Ventura County Office of Education
Ventura Unified School District
VENTURA COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOLS
Architecture, Construction & Engineering Charter High School
Bridges Charter School
Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education
Golden Valley Charter School
Ivy Tech Charter School
Meadows Arts and Technology Elementary School
River Oaks Academy
University Preparation Charter School
Valley Oak Charter School
Ventura Charter School
Vista Real Charter High School
* Las Virgenes Unified School District is based in Los Angeles County, but serves a portion of Ventura County.
About the Ventura County Office of Education
The Ventura County Office of Education provides a broad array of fiscal, training and technology support services to local school districts, helping to maintain and improve lifelong educational opportunities for children, educators and community members. VCOE also operates schools that serve students with severe disabilities and behavioral issues, provides career education courses, and coordinates countywide academic competitions including Mock Trial and the Ventura County Science Fair. Learn more at: www.vcoe.org.
**County by county data monitoring of elevated disease transmission, increasing hospitalization and limited hospital capacity at www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/COVID19CountyDataTable.aspx
The Ventura City Council unanimously voted to remove and relocate two statues of Father Junipero Serra at a special public meeting on July 15, 2020.
"In recent weeks, the City of Ventura received thousands of emails, phone calls, and public comments about the Father Junipero Serra statue. Last night, the City Council reached a peaceful resolution to remove and relocate two Serra statues," commented Ventura City Manager, Alex D. McIntyre.
The decision will allow the bronze statue of Father Junipero Serra, located on public property in front of City Hall, to be put in storage with the goal of moving it to Mission San Buenaventura. The City Council also approved the removal of a wooden statue of Father Serra from inside City Hall and asked that it be moved into storage until an appropriate site is identified.
The Council voted 6-0 to remove the statutes with Mayor Matt LaVere absent. The Mayor recused himself from the public meeting to ensure that the community discussion was conducted free of bias after signing a joint statement in support of safely moving the statue with the Barbareño/ Ventureño Band of Mission Indians (Chumash) and the Mission San Buenaventura.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
