Movie Train Cafe to Open in Fillmore on Friday, May 18th

UPDATE: CLOSED

Offering up "down home southern cooking," the Movie Train Cafe will be opening its doors on Friday, May 18th at 501 Santa Clara Street in Fillmore (previously occupied by the Double A Cafe). Restaurant is decorated with neat looking train movie prop decor!

Reviewing their Facebook page I detect the following examples of their specialties: Buttermilk biscuit with bacon inside topped with bacon gravy and fresh black pepper, garlic shrimp scampi, chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, chocolate heart shaped cheesecakes with fresh raspberries and sliced almonds, cinnamon roll pancakes, chicken and dumplings and much more.

Their phone is 805.524.2423. Visit www.facebook.com/Themovietraincafe for more information. Hours are 6am Wed through Sunday.

Thrifty Ice Cream Brings Me Memories of My Childhood

Update July 2013: No more Thrifty Ice Cream at the Las Posas Car Wash as they have gone upscale and now have gelato! lasposascarwash.com/convenience-store

I recently stopped by the Las Posas Car Wash, 100 South Las Posas Road, and noticed something new...Thrifty Ice Cream!

The last time I was there I believe they were serving up Haagen Dazs. Thrifty, which is also available at most Rite Aid Stores (and there are currently 16 of them in Ventura County and adjacent cities), is a local brand that goes back over 70 years. It was first produced in Hollywood in 1940 and since 1976 has been manufactured in El Monte. Mmmm...always loved Thrifty Ice Cream at Thrifty Drug Stores.

A single scoop at the car wash is $1.69, which is reasonable enough...though I seem to recall a scoop costing about a quarter or so back in the day. Am I getting old or what!

Qdoba Mexican Grill to Open in Simi Valley on Tuesday, May 29th

Qdoba Mexican Grill is celebrating the grand opening of its first location in Simi Valley, at 2091 Madera Road, Suite A, on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

To celebrate the new location, the first 100 guests who visit on Tuesday will receive one free entrée. Guests can enjoy Qdoba’s signature flavors, like its Mexican Gumbo™, 3-Cheese Queso or Ancho Chile BBQ burrito, or Qdoba’s Craft 2™ menu, which lets guests mix and match perfect portions of popular items, including a Naked Burrito®, Naked Taco Salad™, Mexican Gumbo™, 3-cheese nachos, two tacos, quesadilla or tortilla soup.

Continuing the grand-opening festivities into the weekend, the first 15 guests to dine at the restaurant on Saturday, June 2 and on Sunday, June 3 will receive burritos for a year (52 free entrees)!

Also, throughout the day on Sunday, Qdoba will be hosting a “Lil’ Foodies” event, where kids under 12 years old will receive one free Kid’s Meal, with purchase of a regular entrée. A balloon twister and face painter will also be at the Simi Valley Qdoba from noon until 3 p.m. that day to visit with the Lil’ Foodies.

This is the 14^th Qdoba location in Southern California, with another location scheduled to open in Temecula in early June. Guests can visit the Qdoba Southern California Facebook page to keep apprised of all of the promotions, events, etc. for the new Simi Valley and other SoCal Qdoba locations.

Qdoba Mexican Grill Simi Valley's phone is 805.955.0350. Hours are 10:30am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 10pm on Sunday.

Conejo Recreation and Park District is Finalist in National Gold Medal Program

Conejo Recreation and Park District chosen as a finalist for prestigious National Gold Medal Award

GREAT JOB CRPD! THANKS FOR ALL THAT YOU DO!

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) has selected the Conejo Recreation and Park District as a finalist in its 2012 Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.  The District is one of four finalists in the population category of 100,000 – 250,000 people. Other finalists in this category include: The City of Round Rock (TX) Parks and Recreation Department; Rockford (IL) Park District; and South Suburban Park and Recreation District, Centennial, CO.  

NRPA’s Gold Medal program honors agencies throughout the United States which demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, environmental stewardship, professional development, program development, and agency recognition.   Chosen for their considerable knowledge and experience in parks and recreation on both local and national levels, a panel of five park and recreation professionals from throughout the country review and judge the comprehensive applications. 

Jim Friedl, General Manager of the Conejo Recreation and Park District said, “To be selected as a Gold Medal finalist is recognition on a national level that we share a place with the best recreation and park agencies in the nation.  We are fortunate to have a solid board, great staff, supportive and active residents, and outstanding community partnerships.” 

The next step in the National Gold Medal process is submission of a brief video highlighting the District’s achievements and commitment to community service in the region.  Grand Plaque Award-winning agencies will be announced at the 2012 NRPA conference, held in October in Anaheim.

For further information about CRPD’s selection as a National Gold Medal finalist, please contact the District at (805) 495-6471. www.crpd.org

One Habit Burger is Not Enough for Simi Valley; 2nd Location Opening This Weekend

A second location of The Habit Burger is coming to Simi Valley this weekend at 2091 Madera Road next to Target. The other Habit is located on Tapo Canyon Road, just 5.5 miles away.

The official grand opening is next Wednesday, May 9th. But this Sunday, May 6th from noon to 2pm, the store will be open and all proceeds will benefit the Simi Valley YMCA!

This is the 8th Ventura County location for this fast-growing burger chain that originated in Santa Barbara in 1969. Other nearby locations are in Camarillo, Ventura (2), Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Oxnard.

I like The Habit for their very consistent quality and taste. And they have decent veggie burgers there too for those so inclined.

Visit www.habitburger.com for more information.

Hooters of Thousand Oaks "Moms Eat Free" Grand Opening Celebration on May 13th

We have received word that the new Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be making its premiere on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 13th. And in conjunction with that, they will be offering a Moms Eat Free deal that day. The flyer sent to me today indicates the Moms Eat Free deal is all day and applies to any menu item up to $9.99.

Hooters of Thousand Oaks will be open from 11am to 1am with the kitchen closing at midnight.

We've seen plenty of Kids Eat Free deals around town but this is the first Moms Eat Free special we've encountered! :>