New Italian Restaurant, La Cucina di Venti, Coming to Paraiso Town Center in Dos Vientos this November

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Update 12/10/11: La Cucina di Venti is slated to open on Monday, December 12, according to the restaurant's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaCucinadiVentinp.

Originally posted 8/2/11: Under new ownership, the beautiful Paraiso Town Center in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park recently announced that a new restaurant is planned to open this Fall. La Cucina di Venti is a family owned Italian/American Grill. They will serve Italian food and pizza. No additional details at this point but follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pages/La-Cucina-di-Venti/124312997662911?sk=wall for the latest updates. And of course while you're at it follow CVG's page for daily updates, contests and other tidbits

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Four Tailgate Thefts Reported to Camarillo Police Department Yesterday

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Last night (12/6/11), the Camarillo Police Department received calls from 4 victims who reported the tailgates on their trucks had been stolen. One of the trucks was a GMC and the other 3 were Dodges. The thefts occurred in the Mission Oaks area of Camarillo.
 
Stealing a tailgate can be done very quickly, especially if the tailigate is left down. A quick search of the internet can show anyone how to remove a tailgate in less than 15 seconds.
 
Tailgate thefts are a not a new crime, however with internet sites such as Craigslist and ebay, it is easier for thieves to sell the tailgates they steal.
 
If you are a truck owner, there are various companies that sell devices that can assist you in securing your taiigate. It can cost $1000 or more to replace a tailgate so making sure your tailigate is secure should be something for you to consider as a truck owner.

2011 Oxnard Tamale Festival Taste Test Winners Announced!

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The 4th Annual Oxnard Tamale Festival took place this past Saturday in Downtown Oxnard. Organizers of the event have announced the tamale taste test champions!

The 2011 Oxnard Tamale Festival Tamale Making Champion is...BG's Coffee Shop (805.487.0700) located at 428 South A Street, Oxnard

Savory Tamale Category Winners

First Place; Taco De Mexico of Ventura

Second Place; Sugarbeets Restaurant & Bar of Downtown Oxnard

Third Place; The Jolly Oyster of Ventura

Sweet Tamale Category Winners

First Place; BG's Coffee Shop of Downtown Oxnard

Second Place; Me Gusta Gourmet Tamales of Pacoima

Third Place; Nancy's Bakery #2 of South Oxnard 

This year's tamale tasting judges included:

Hon. Steven Hintz, Ventura County Treasurer/Tax Collector

Hon. Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk/Recorder,

Hon. Fred Bysshe, Ventura County Superior Court

John Ragan, ARC of Ventura County

Chef Gerard Turbush

Chef Paul Tavakoli

Ralph Herrera

Chef Henry Patey of the Oxnard College Culinary Arts Program.

For more information, call 805.766.4906 or visit www.oxnardtamalefest.com.

Lamppost Pizza Newbury Park Closing Its Doors December 4th

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Well this is sad news. One of the more popular venues for hanging out after kids' sports games will be closing its doors permanently on Sunday, December 4, 2011. Lamppost Pizza has been a Newbury Park mainstay for as long as I can recall (and I've been in the Conejo Valley for 18 years) but apparently the economy has taken its toll as they announced their closing on their Facebook page 2 days ago. I always enjoy(ed) Lamppost, even when I have to deal with kids nagging me for quarters for the little toy machines.

Lamppost Newbury Park will close its doors for good at 10PM that night, according to a worker there. Their address is 2160 Newbury Road. Phone is 805.499.0303.

But the owners said that the Oak Park location (corner of Lindero and Kanan) will remain open. I actually like that location better. Their number is 818.879.2195. 

There are now actually 28, well, soon to be 27, Lamppost locations in California and Reno, Nevada. Other Ventura County locations managed by other owners include Moorpark and Simi Valley.