Akash Cuisine of India Opened in Thousand Oaks in Late January

Update 8/25/18: Akash Cuisine recently closed its doors.

A tip from Ed G via the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page led me to the newly opened Akash Cuisine of India at 2130 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks at the Select Plaza, adjacent to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks. This is the space previously occupied by Cafe Provencal that closed its doors in March 2012. The sign indicates they specialize in Bangladeshi and Indian food. No website. Call 805.379.4849.

Hmm, in searching for what Akash means, I discovered it is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defense system in India. Yikes! In Hinduisum, Akasha, or Akash, means the basis and essence of all things in the material world. That sounds better. All righty then. In any case, I'm hungry for some good Indian food!

Team VFD to Participate in Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle on March 9th

Team VFD is a group of ten Ventura City Fire Department members determined to make a difference. Team VFD is preparing to participate in the Scott Firefighter Stairclimb in Seattle, a timed race up the stairs at the Columbia Center in Downtown Seattle.  They will dress in full fire gear and self contained breathing apparatus as they climb 69 flights of stairs, 1,311 steps and 788 feet of vertical elevation. The group is climbing to support two causes – The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and 11 year old Ventura resident Emma Bowles.

LLS is dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. The mission of LLS is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Every day, more than 347 LLS sponsored researchers come closer to the goal of finding a cure for leukemia and related blood cancers. Locally, LLS funds research in the Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo county areas. Your support and commitment to the mission of LLS enables us to continue this important work of saving lives and aids us in our ability to reach patients in our community

Honoree Emma BowlesEmma Bowles was diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) in August 2013. Emma is a very enthusiastic and positive girl who always looks at the glass as half full. Her favorite color is pink and for the last year she has been taking classical guitar lessons. Together with your help and participation Team VFD will climb for a cure and help Emma and her family in this difficult time.

To learn more and to donate to the cause, visit www.teamvfd.com. Team VFD will be hosting a fundraising event at Barrelhouse 101 in Ventura on March 1st and is selling wristbands and T shirts to support Emma. See video below to learn a bit more about Emma. Donate at www.teamvfd.com/donate.

US 101 / SR 23 Interchange Improvement Project Closures Begin February 10th

On Monday, February 10th, Southern California Gas Co. will begin performing utility relocation work in preparation for the start of construction on the US 101 / SR-23 Interchange Improvement Project. This work is expected to continue intermittently through mid-March 2014.

The following closures will be in effect for approximately the next two to three weeks, to facilitate this work:

• Southbound 101 Moorpark Rd. off-ramp will be closed between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., nightly, Monday through Friday, through mid-March.
• Northbound  traffic on Moorpark Rd. at the US 101 undercrossing, will be reduced to one lane only, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., nightly, Monday through Friday, through mid-March.
• Conejo School Rd. will be reduced to one lane only, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily, Monday through Saturday, through mid-March.  Flaggers will be on-site to direct traffic and maintain traffic flow.        

To avoid delays, please plan ahead and allow extra time to reach your destination if your trip involves any of these routes.

Additional lane reductions and/or closures will take place over the next few weeks as utility providers work to relocate their equipment before construction begins on the US 101 / SR-23 Interchange Improvement Project. The project team will make every effort to provide advanced notice of this work to assist the traveling public.

View Ramp/Lane Closures for Utility Relocation in a larger map

DISCLAIMER: Please be advised these dates and times are subject to change due to unforeseen operational factors or inclement weather.

Source: www.toaks.org/10123

Sign on Front Door of Brats Brothers Newbury Park Brings Sadness, Frustration

Update 5/21/14: Recently someone asked "will the newbury park store be opening again?" on the Brats Brothers Facebook page. Brats Brothers' response was "Unfortunately it won't be. We're definitely not happy about this, but the decision is out of our control. Please accept our apologies for the inconvenience!"

Brats Brothers opened its Newbury Park location in December 2012 with it unique combination of German fare, atmosphere and entertainment, with beer, gourmet sausages of all types, spaetzle, wiener schnitzel and other fare. This morning the following sign was on the front door.

I'm a positive thinker by nature and when I read this sign my initial inclination is to believe that Brats Brothers Newbury Park is closed "until further notice" or until some future point in time that they decide to re-open. On the other hand, many CVG Facebook followers don't show such surprise and sadness: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! - Whaaaaat?????? - I'm super bummed. - Oh this blows! - I'm shocked!! - No!!!! - Nnnnnooo!!! My favorite place!!!

Brats Brothers opened its first restaurant in Sherman Oaks in 2007. According to its website, the restaurant recently changed ownership and is in process of renewing their liquor license at that location. However, they continue to be open for food service.

No mention about the future of the Newbury Park location, however, on the Brats Brothers website, Facebook page or Twitter account. And there is no answer on the phone. So let's just keep our fingers crossed that we see something positive happen here in the future. Stay tuned.

55 Hour Closures of 118 / 23 Freeway Interchange February 7-10 and 21-24

55-HOUR CLOSURES OF SR-118/SR-23 INTERCHANGE PLANNED 2/7-2/10

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the northbound Moorpark Freeway (SR-23) connector to the eastbound Ronald Reagan Freeway (SR-118) at Los Angeles Avenue from 10 p.m. Friday, February 7 until 5 a.m. Monday, February 10.

The closure is required to implement emergency repairs of bridge joints on the Arroyo Simi Overhead structure.

Electronic freeway message signs will begin warning of the impending closure a week in advance. Caltrans is urging motorists to avoid the interchange if at all possible and to expect delays.

Eastbound SR-118 will be directed to exit northbound SR-23 at Tierra Rejada Road, travel eastbound and then turn left onto Madera Road to return to eastbound SR-118.

Motorists continuing on eastbound SR-118 from eastbound SR-118/Los Angeles Avenue will take southbound SR-23 to Tierra Rejada Road.

Work will take place around the clock and may generate noise and dust for residents adjacent to the freeway. Otherwise, the work is not expected to involve significant community impacts.

A second 55-hour closure will be required to perform the same work on the westbound Sr-118 connector to southbound SR-23, currently scheduled from 10 p.m. Friday, February 21 through 5 a.m. Monday, February 24. Additional information will be provided closer to that date.

Source: Caltrans District 7 www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/news

Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bar Coming to The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Early 2013

Updated 2/4/14: The Local Table opened at The Village today and as a result, Swirl decided to re-open today, hours noon to 9 pm every day.

Posted 12/3/13: Swirl opened in early 2013 but closed its doors in early December 2013 due to a lack of foot traffic. They indicate they may consider re-opening after a new restaurant opens at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch.

Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bar To Open Second Ventura County Store (posted 11/28/12)

Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bar will open its second Ventura County store at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park after signing a two year lease.

Swirl Frozen Yogurt Bar is a local, family run business offering self-serve all natural made yogurts, sorbets, ice blended drinks and their popular Swirl Fro-Yo pies, according to co-owner Jennifer McBain.

We fashioned ourselves after the old fashion ice cream parlor with the customer service and flavors you'd expect to find at a local shop, said McBain.    Swirl custom blends our own flavors such as German Chocolate Cake, Dutch Apple Cheesecake, Fruit Punch sorbet, Banana Cupcake, Rocky Road Mudpie and White Peppermint. These are flavors that you will not find anywhere else." We are also proud to offer more than 50 gourmet toppings that you can only find at Swirl such as mini cinnamon rolls, all natural brownie bites and homemade rice cereal treats.

Swirl's 1,000 square-foot store will be located directly across from La Cucina Di Venti near the Village's outdoor amphitheater.  According to McBain, the store is expected to open in mid-January or early February.  Swirl's original shop is located at the Village at the Park in Camarillo.

Since acquiring the 50,000-square-foot office and retail center in June 2011, Beverly Hills-based Paradise Capital Group has increased occupancy to 65 percent from 20 percent. Retail tenants include The Village Trader Market and Deli, Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria La Cucina di Venti, Red Coral Sushi; Boney Mountain Coffee, The Art Box, Paraiso Cleaners, Fitness Together; and Nati, a women's clothing boutique.

Speaking of frozen treats...here are over 80 frozen yogurt, gelato and ice cream places in Ventura County and adjacent areas! Mmmm!

The Local Table Opening at The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch in Newbury Park on Saturday, February 1st (CLOSED IN AUGUST 2023)

UPDATE 8/5/23: The Local Table had a great 10 year run but announced it was closing effective 8/6/23. A new eatery, Gema, subsequently opened in its place.

Update 2/4/14: The Local Table indicated via Facebook that there was a minor delay in alcohol permits that moved the grand opening from the 1st to TODAY, February 4th at 4pm.

Original post 1/13/14:

TOP CHEF FINALIST, CHEF DANIELLE KEENE & CHEF ROB BRACALIELLO JOIN THE TEAM FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF NEWBURY PARK'S NEW RESTAURANT, THE LOCAL TABLE!

Join us for the Grand Opening of The Local Table, 360 Via Las Brisas, No. 110, Newbury Park on February 1st, 2014!

The Local Table, Newbury Park's newest restaurant, was generated from the idea that great food and hospitality in an ideal and serene location can flourish with hard work, dedication and attention to detail. Our talented Chef Danielle Keene, a Top Chef: Just Desserts finalist and Chef Rob Bracaliello get top billing at The Local Table with their ardor and unique talents for baking and cooking. The Local Table's location serves Newbury Park, Moorpark, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ventura and other nearby communities.

For Danielle, making gourmet desserts and ice cream has been a passion, a career and a tradition. She grew up in a dessert loving home where her grandma decorated cakes and her mother made chocolate chip root beer floats and oatmeal cookies. "There's something special about dessert," Danielle says. "At any point, on any day, dessert can put a smile on your face. No matter what age you are, it can make you feel like a kid again."

Chef Rob brings a family friendly atmosphere with fresh local fare and a California twist.His cuisine is rooted in fresh, family style cuisine. He took an early interest in food, watching his mother and grandmother prepare meals for the family utilizing ingredients from local waters, woods and farms. Growing up in a rural farm community in New Jersey, Rob's appreciation for fresh food became ingrained.His family has an active farm and understands the benefits of ethically raising animals and sustainable farming.

For more information about The Local Table and the Grand Opening, visit www.thelocaltablenp.com or visit www.facebook.com/thelocaltablenp.

Camarillo International Supermarket & Restaurant Recently Closed Its Doors

The Camarillo International Supermarket & Restaurant that had been located at 1775 E. Daily Drive in the Camarillo Plaza recently closed its doors. This business originally opened in 2012 in the former Lazertag Extreme facility that closed its doors in March 2012 and subsequently changed ownership and relocated to the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley.

Sources indicate the bankrupt 74,000 sq ft Camarillo Plaza was sold to undisclosed buyers late last year. So let us see what the next occupant will be. There are several vacant spots in this plaza that is also home to the original Brendan's Pub, Presto Pasta, The Habit, Revolution Surf, Cafe India, Baja Fresh, Dougherty Laser Vision and other businesses.

The Camarillo International Supermarket website is no longer functional, the Facebook page does not exist and the phone number is shut off.