City of Calabasas to Host Delegation of Special Olympics Athletes in 2015

The City of Calabasas will serve as a host city for a delegation of Special Olympics athletes before the opening of the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles.

About 7,000 participants from 170 nations will compete in more than 20 sports between July 25 and Aug. 2 next year at arenas including USC and UCLA. Among the competitions are aquatics, gymnastics, kayaking, basketball and soccer.

Calabasas will be one of 100 Southern California cities participating in a four-day pre-games celebration— hailing athletes from around the globe.

Host towns are responsible for providing accommodations, meals, activities and local transportation for the athletes and their sponsors.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/special-olympics.html to find information about volunteering and  sponsorship opportunities.

The Latigo Kid Opened In New Location on Kanan Road in Agoura Hills

As mentioned in January, The Latigo Kid Retaurant & Cantina has completed its relocation from the Whizins Center to 5617 Kanan Road in the Agoura Meadows Shopping Center (cross street Thousand Oaks Boulevard). Its last day at the Whizins Center was March 15th. Latigo Kid is located in the former home of The Alamo Agoura Hills, which closed its doors on September 24, 2013. Visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Latigo-Kid/113259238703644.

Santa Paula Rotary Announces Cancellation of 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Paula Rotary recently announced the cancellation of the 2014 Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch "due to actions taken by the University of California and the Hansen Trust Advisory Board" Approximately 20,000 people visit the patch each year.

Hay mazes at the Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch in a previous year.

According to the press release, the Santa Paula Pumpkin Patch Committee attempted to work with the Hansen Trust to permit the Pumpkin Patch to run for an additional transitional year while a new venue was sought. But "UC chose to discriminate against the Rotary Club by establishing new conditions and barriers which are not uniformly applied to other UC campuses and property throughout the state, or even at the Hansen Trust, making it impossible for the Rotary operated Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch to continue" according to the Rotary. More background on the situation at www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com/information.html.

To justify its actions, UC/Hansen Trust stated that the professional exhibits provided by the Resource Conservation District, United Water Conservation District, Limoneira, CoLab, Calavo, the Cattleman’s Association, Rincon-Vitova Insectaries, Associates Insectary, FFA petting area & Briggs 4-H seed exhibit were of poor quality and no educational value. The educational hayride script and school program, developed by Hansen Trust staff, were also deemed educationally meaningless.  Interestingly, 63% of the people visiting the Pumpkin Patch last year (a significantly higher number than the total visiting the farm for the entire remaining 11 months of the year) said they learned something new about agriculture during their visit.

To learn more, visit www.faulknerfarmpumpkinpatch.com. The Rotary Club of Santa Paula encourages the public to share your thoughts about the actions taken by UC and the Hansen Trust with Ms. Janet Napolitano, President, University of California, Office of the President, 1111 Franklin St, Oakland, CA 94607 or President@ucop.edu.

New Wednesday Afternoon Farmers' Market to Premiere in Camarillo on May 21st

Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District (PVRPD) in collaboration with the Ventura County Certified Farmers' Market Association are teaming up to host a Wednesday afternoon Farmers' Market premiering May 21st. This new farmers' market will be located at the Camarillo Community Center parking lot at 1605 E. Burnley Street. Hours will be 3pm until dusk.

Offerings from local vendors will include fresh produce, baked goods, honey, nuts and more, as well as other items such as art, jewelry, pottery and more. Other prepared food vendors will also be on hand.

Along with the certified farmers’ market and crafters’ corner, there will be special PVRPD events for the whole family, including movie nights, music, kids' games and more.

Open year-round, rain or shine. SNAP/Cal-Fresh/EBT customers welcome. Redemptions will be authorized at Market Information Booth. Pets not allowed per California state health laws (except service animals).

Learn more at vccfarmersmarkets.com/pleasant-valley-camarillo or www.pvrpd.org/recreation/special_events/farmers_market_n_crafters_corner.asp.

Ben and Jerry's Coming to The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

On April 2nd, The Collection at Riverpark announced that a Ben and Jerry's will be opening a location sometime soon! Sweet news, both figuratively and literally!

For updates, visit www.thecollectionrp.com.

This will be the third Ventura County Ben and Jerry's location; there are two other locations in Ventura. And old timers might remember there was a Ben and Jerry's at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks for awhile back in the day.

For a list of over 80 Ventura County area ice cream, frozen yogurt, gelato and other sweet treat places, check out this compilation here on Conejo Valley Guide.

Vom Fass Announces it Will Be Opening a New Location in Ventura This June

Vom Fass, which closed its doors in Westlake Village on February 21st, announced it will be opening a new location in Downtown Ventura this June in the following Facebook post this past Wednesday:

We are thrilled to announce that VOM FASS Westlake Village will soon be relocating to the heart of Ventura's vibrant downtown at 451 E. Main St. We will only be a short and beautiful drive from our wonderful WLV clients and also have exposure to a great new customer population of both locals and tourists.  We have a lot to do to get our new space ready and set up our store, but we hope to be open in June 2014. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and a more definitive date for our opening. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks at our new location!

Vom Fass is a speciality grocery store that carries gourmet culinary condiments, fruit vinegars, exquisite oils, exotic liqueurs & fine rare spirits, all sold... and sampled... straight from the cask.

451 E. Main Street is on the north side of the main drag in Downtown Ventura, just west of California Street, directly across the street from Anacapa Brewing Company and the Busy Bee Cafe.

Follow the Vom Fass Westlake Village Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VomFassWestlakeVillage for additional updates about the Ventura store.

Ventura County Sheriff's 2014 "Dispatcher of the Year" Award Recipients Announced

Ventura County Sheriff’s Technical Communications Specialists Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer have been selected as the 2014 “Dispatcher of the Year” award co-recipients. They will be honored at the annual Dispatcher Awards Banquet in Ventura on April 10, 2014. Gloria and Jeff were selected by their peers and supervisors to receive this award, which is presented to the outstanding dispatcher for their exemplary work and contributions to public safety and the residents of Ventura County.

Gloria Nieves has been an employee with the Sheriff’s Office for over 35 years and Jeff Mercer has been with the department for over 29 years. During their time with the Sheriff’s Office, both Gloria and Jeff have become accomplished dispatchers and have established themselves as consummate team players. In addition to challenging and rapidly evolving situations in their primary assignments, they are also trainers for newly hired dispatchers.

Sheriff dispatchers answer, assess, and refer 9-1-1 calls, as well as business calls that come into the Sheriff’s Office. They are responsible for dispatching and coordinating patrol responses to calls for service and, at times, responsible for up to 70 patrol deputies in the field in Sheriff’s jurisdictions throughout Ventura County.

Dispatchers are among the first responders to emergency incidents and are often described as calm, professional, and proficient. Peers have noted that Gloria and Jeff are highly skilled due to their established experience and their outstanding critical communication skills. They are both exceptional in their everyday duties and play a big role in bringing substantial patrol incidents to safe and positive outcomes.

Congratulations to Gloria Nieves and Jeff Mercer as co-recipients of the 2014 Sheriff’s “Dispatcher of the Year” award.

Source: Ventura County Sheriff's Office via Nixle at local.nixle.com/alert/5172632/?sub_id=1449546.