Ceramics Studio in Oxnard is New; Ceramics Studio in Camarillo is Adieu

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Recently, Paintin' Place vacated its location at 330 N. Lantana in Camarillo in the Paseo Camarillo Shopping Center. Sorry to see them go. In the meantime, a new Color Me Mine Paint it Yourself Pottery location opened at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard last November. So net/net we are "even" in terms of paint-your-own-pottery places around town.

Click the image for a link to various ceramics studios in and around Ventura County.

Seven New Eateries Set to Open at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard in 2013

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The Collection at Riverpark outdoor shopping center in Oxnard has no less than seven new eateries set to open in 2013. In addition a new Menchie's Frozen Yogurt opened on February 9th.

In spring 2013, Gandolfo's New York Deli, Gen Korean BBQ and Famous Dave's BBQ are planning to open. Gandolfo's is indicating a grand opening date of March 28th. Additionally, a new Starbucks (hey they have food so you could consider that an eatery, right :).

More recently The Collection announced that that Yard House, Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana and Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will open later in 2013.

Yard House offers American fusion cuisine featuring appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches, street tacos, grilled burgers, individual-size pizzas, seafood, steaks and ribs. Yard House is also known for its wide selection of imported, craft and specialty ales and lagers—more than 100 different types on tap.

Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana will open its fifth location at The Collection. Settebello’s Pizzeria specializes in wood-fired Napoletana-style pizza, which is a softer crust pizza that cooks very quickly at high temperatures. Whenever possible, the ingredients are imported from the Napoli region of Italy, and when importing is not a possibility, they find the highest quality comparable American products.

Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill will bring its unique country vibe to the center, along with a guitar-shaped bar and “live music, whiskey girls, and beer in mason jars.” Toby Keith’s also offers a family friendly lunch and dinner menu, so feel free to bring the kids. Toby Keith’s also brings in live country-western bands, live-band karaoke and free line dancing lessons.

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Ventura County Animal Services Introduces Animal Foster Parenting Program

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Ventura County Animal Services introduces kitten and puppy foster parenting program

Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) recently launched a new animal foster parenting program that utilizes volunteer help to care for some of the smallest and most vulnerable wards at VCAS shelters – newborn kittens and puppies.

VCAS foster parent volunteers agree to care for and feed one, two or an entire litter of kittens or puppies until the animals are old enough and large enough to be put up for adoption at VCAS shelters. 

Foster parents provide the babies with frequent feedings – either by bottle or, if old enough, with solid food - and care for them in their homes until they are at least 8 weeks old and weigh 2 lbs.

“Kittens and puppies are cute and cuddly but need a high level of care,” said Donna Gillesby, VCAS interim director. “This program is a wonderful way for volunteers to help newborn animals gain the strength and size they need to become eligible for permanent adoption.”

In the past, VCAS has only allowed VCAS staff and county employees to take home and care for tiny animals. By opening up the program to the public, VCAS hopes to lower the euthanasia rate, increase the number of animal adoptions and move one step closer to becoming a no-kill facility.

Those who sign up to become a foster parent will receive mandatory training from VCAS veterinarian, Heather Skogerson. Once trained, they will commit to providing anima

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East Ventura County Sheriff Watch Update - January 2013

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Here is the latest "East County Sheriff Watch" alert from the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. This program is designed to target unincorporated neighborhoods in the area, such as Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Lynn Ranch, Casa Conejo and Lake Sherwood. If you would like these updates directly from him via email, click here for more information.

The following is a summary of recent crimes in the unincorporated areas surrounding Thousand Oaks.

Oak Park

5100 block of Churchwood Drive – Grand Theft from Residence

01-11-13 – Suspect(s), known to the victim, stole items from the victim’s residence.

6500 block of Maplegrove Street – Vehicle Vandalism

01-13-13 – Suspect(s) shattered the victim’s rear vehicle window with a small projectile consistent with a pellet gun.

200 block of Valero Circle – Theft from Residence

01-22-13 – Suspect(s) entered the victim’s unlocked residence and took items belonging to the victim.

300 block of Medea Creek Lane – Solicitors

01-24-13 – Two suspicious subjects were contacted in the area and identified as solicitors without the required paperwork necessary to solicit.  Subjects had been previously warned and were issued a citation for the violation during this contact.

5801 Conifer Street – Burglary from Structure

01-25-13 – Suspect(s) forced entry in

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Reminder About Super Bowl Parties From Thousand Oaks Police Department

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Be the MVP of Safe and Responsible Driving on Super Bowl Sunday

Driving Drunk Is a No-Win Situation

As one of America’s most anticipated and celebrated sporting events, the Super Bowl brings together families, friends and fans each year to enjoy the excitement of the big game. In many instances, fans will gather to watch the game at sports bars, restaurants or Super Bowl-themed parties. The California Office of Traffic Safety, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), National Football League and TEAM (Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management), have joined forces with law enforcement in the Avoid the 14 -Ventura County DUI Task Force to spread an important safety message to the public about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Before choosing to drink, choose a sober designated driver.  Avoid the unsportsmanlike conduct of driving drunk by handing off your keys so that you, your passengers and everyone on our roads can safely arrive home. Drunk driving is always preventable, and driving drunk could result in seriously injuring or killing yourself or someone else. Motorists can expect Police, Sheriff and CHP to have a visible presence and to stop anyone who makes the dangerous decision to drink and drive.”

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is partnering with the Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force and will be deploying a DUI specific patrol car on Sunday, February 3rd within the city, from 4:00 pm until 10:00 pm. The Deputy assigned to this car will be looking to stop and arrest drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs.  This patrol car is in addition to regularly scheduled patrol officers, all looking for the tell-tale signs of an intoxicated driver behind the wheel.

In California, 774 people were killed in DUI crashes, with over 24,000 injured. These drunk-driving fatalities accounted for 29 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatal

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Darryl's Couch Craft Beer Pub Opened in Camarillo in Late 2012

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Darryl's Couch Craft Beer Pub opened in the latter part of 2012. It is located at the bottom of the Conejo Grade off the the Camarillo Springs exit at 795 Camarillo Springs Road, Suite E, Camarillo. This is a craft beer lover's dream watering hole, featuring 11 rotating draft beers and another 30 or so bottled selections. While they don't serve food at the bar, you are welcome to bring your own or stop by the Village Greens Market next door.

Owner/manager Darryl Levi is a beer connoisseur who regularly treats customers to a new "Mystery Beer" that are subsequently shared on the bar's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/darryls.couch. Stop by and enjoy a relaxed environment and enjoy a game of pool. Visit www.darrylscouch.com or call 805.389.8947 for more information.