Ribbon Cutting for Phase I of Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground in Thousand Oaks Took Place Today

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Working with the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Rotary Club of Thousand Oaks Sunrise has been working to raise $500,000 by 2016 to expand and refurbish the existing special needs playground at Old Meadows Park in Thousand Oaks. The Therapeutic Recreation Unit of CRPD provides special programs for residents with disabilities and is located at the park. The playground, available to special needs and all children, has been named the Rotary Dreamcatcher Playground.

Today the ribbon cutting for the $300,000 Phase I of the project took place. Phase I expands the size of the playground and contains mat surfacing, rolling turf hills, large shaded areas, tree log swings, seagull swings, harmony chimes, hammocks, pod seats, picnic tables and many other cool features.

Phase I was possible due to the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Rotary, CRPD and Play Conejo and with generous grants from the Tull Family Foundation, County of Ventura, Farmer’s Insurance, City of Thousand Oaks, the TO Rotary Club and the Rotary Foundation, Kenrose Kitchen Foundation, Verizon, CBC Federal Credit Union, and Harrison Industries.

Old Meadows Park is located at 1600 Marview Drive, Thousand Oaks, off of Erbes Road.

Phase I is done but the fundraising continues! Visit www.rotarydreamcatcher.org to learn more and to support the effort.

Al Mulino Eatalian Bakery & Bar Opening Soon in Thousand Oaks

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Al Mulino Eatalian

Al Mulino Eatalian Bakery & Bar is anticipated to open next week (UPDATE: Doors are open today, Friday, July 24th) in the Paseo Marketplace at 3709 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (in the former home of Bellavino Wine Bar).

The restaurant is owned by a group of friends, all from Italy, who have moved to the United States in recent years. The decided to open a restaurant that specialized in authentic Italian cuisine, including bakery items. freshly made pasta, fresh baked bread, Naples style pizza, gelato and other specialties.

The windmill, "mulino" in Italian,  grounds the grain into flour, the essential ingredient of bread, pasta and pizza.

Al Mulino will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will have broad selection of freshly made pastries and cakes as well as authentic Italian gelato.

To learn more and find out about their grand opening date, follow Al Mulino's Facebook page and website at www.almulino.net.

Los Agaves de Luna Restaurant Now Open at The Shoppes at Westlake

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Los Agaves WLV

Los Agaves de Luna Restaurant is now open at The Shoppes at Westlake. It is a family-owned and operated Mexican restaurant that originated in Santa Barbara in 2008 that has locations in Santa Barbara (two of them), Goleta and now Westlake Village. Los Agaves serves traditional family recipes hand crafted from the finest ingredients, with specialties that include Chiles Nortenos, Los Agaves Enchiladas, Mole, Ceviche and Sea & Earth Molcajete. 

Visit www.los-agaves.com for more information or call 818.874.0779. Open every day from 11 am to 9 pm at 30750 Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village on the 101 freeway side of The Shoppes.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit Westlake Village Opened Its Doors on Saturday, July 25th

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Dickey's Barbecue Pit Westlake Village announced it opened its doors on Saturday, July 25th. Location is the North Ranch Mall, 3825 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Westlake Village, in between Haagen Dazs and Western Bagel.

Dickey's is Texas based barbecue eatery that serves up beef brisket, pulled pork, ham, polish sausage, turkey breast and chicken, with an extensive array of home-style sides from jalapeño beans to macaroni and cheese. Buttery rolls are served with every meal along with  free ice cream and dill pickles. They also have a Kids Eat Free deal on Sundays.

More at www.facebook.com/DickeysBBQPitWestlakeVillage.

Simply Fish Grill in Agoura Opened in April

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Update: Simply Fish Grill closed in January 2019. Its new tenant will be the Cuckoo Rooster, serving up hot fried chicken and wings.

SimplyFishGrillAgoura

Simply Fish Grill at 5653 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills a few months ago. It is located next to the Italia Deli. Serves up fresh fish including salmon, mahi mahi, tilapia, mussels and more. No website or phone number handy but their Facebook page is www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Fish-Grill-Casual-Eatery/984214264936127.

Grand Opening of Disney Store at The Oaks Mall Thousand Oaks on Saturday, July 25th

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Disney Store Thousand Oaks Grand Opening

Melissa W of Thousand Oaks gave us the heads up that the grand opening of the Disney Store at The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks is on Saturday, July 25th. Opening ceremony at 10am and a free gift to the first 500 guests. Meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse from noon to 4 pm in the JC Penney Court. A great photo opp! Learn more about the Disney Store at www.disneystore.com.

Daphne's California Greek Recently Closed its Camarillo Location

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Daphne's California Greek recently closed its Camarillo location at 2390 Las Posas Road. Other Ventura County area locations still open are in Newbury Park and Simi Valley. 

Visit www.daphnes.biz for more information.

Camarillo residents, not to worry, you'll soon have other hummus and falafel options when Mama's Hummus opens its 2nd location near the Roxy Theater in the coming months.

Cal Lutheran's First Full-Time Pastor, Rev. Gerald Swanson, Passed Away on July 3rd

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The Rev. Gerald Swanson, a Thousand Oaks resident who taught and provided spiritual guidance to California Lutheran University students for three decades, has died. He died at his home in Thousand Oaks on July 3 at the age of 77.

Swanson became Cal Lutheran’s first full-time campus pastor in 1969. He played an important role in helping students through a time when the Vietnam War raged and social concerns heated up at home. He helped form Cal Lutheran’s student congregation, Lord of Life, and led ongoing discussions on the issues of the day. His contemplative spirit and compassionate counseling served students well. Swanson guided countless students on the path to ministry or other careers of service. While he was pastor, he also helped teach an honors humanities program, a role he relished because he loved the power of the written word.

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Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches Opening Soon in Camarillo and Moorpark

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Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches is opening two Ventura County locations this summer. I've never been to a Jimmy John's, but based on the initial reaction on the CVG Facebook page, it sounds like a great place:

    • "This is AMAZING news!! My husband and I are both from WI and absolutely love Jimmy Johns!"
    • "I lived in the Midwest for five years and Jimmy John's was my favorite!"
    • "My son goes all the time in Az. Sooo happy there will be one here!!"
    • "Oh thank goodness! Finally!"

      According to its website, "What makes Jimmy John's different from the rest is that it's honest, it's damn good, it's damn fast, at a decent price! Jimmy John's definition of fresh is worlds apart from everyone else's. Bread is baked in-house everyday and served fresh. Meat and veggies are sliced fresh in-house everyday. The turkey is real turkey, the roast beef is real roast beef – no additives, no vegetable-based fillers, no fake stuff. Nothing is delivered pre-sliced. Real Hellmann's mayo, real Grey Poupon, real olive oil and red wine vinegar – it's the best of the best."

      The Camarillo location will be at 5021 Verdugo Way across the parking lot from Roxy Stadium 11. The Moorpark location will be at the Moorpark Marketplace on New Los Angeles Avenue near Kohl's and Jamba Juice. Visit www.jimmyjohns.com for more information.

      UPDATE: Jimmy John's Camarillo opened July 7th and Jimmy John's Camarillo opened later this summer.