Simi Valley Youth Employment Service Offers No-Cost Assistance to Local Businesses

Businesses interested in hiring youth and young adults, ages 16 to 22, are encouraged to utilize the Simi Valley Youth Employment Service (YES). YES is a non-fee service provided by the City of Simi Valley to assist youth in finding employment, as well as, providing basic employment services for employers to assist with their recruitment needs.

Employers are invited to post their job openings directly at www.simivalley.org/YESJobPosting, or to call (805) 522-HIRE (4473). YES Staff will refer youth based on the employers’ hiring requisites and preferences. Postings will remain active until the positions are filled. To assist local businesses, YES also hosts the annual Job and Career Expo, provides assistance with local labor market information, and refers to employment-related resources.

Additionally, youth, ages 16 to 22 seeking employment are encouraged to call (805) 522-4473 to schedule a one-on-one job coaching appointment. On average, appointments last 30 to 45 minutes and include interview skill assessments, job search techniques, appropriate interview etiquette, workplace professionalism to help retain employment, and referrals to employers currently hiring.

To register with the Youth Employment Service, businesses and youth should contact Kristin Tignac, Youth Employment Service Coordinator, at (805) 522-4473.

Lure Fish House in Camarillo is the Reel Deal

Lure Fish House opened in Camarillo in December 2010 in the Camarillo Town Center. You'd never know this used to be a Coco's when you walk in, with its open and airy feel.

I don't really like writing about eating out but Lure I'll make an exception for. Everything we've tried at Lure is great...the fresh fish, salads, clam chowder, oysters, hot bread, crab cakes, drinks and desserts.

My wife is a fan of oysters and with their oyster bar she is in 7th heaven.  I generally can give or take oysters but with the addition of a little horseradish and sauce, the oysters they served up at Lure were really fantastic.

On a recent Father's Day visit we were treated to outstanding, attentive service. I tried the salmon and my wife ordered me the quinoa salad and sweet potato fries for my sides while I entertained the kids. I'm thinking, she wasted one of my sides on quinoa salad!? What the!? Well I tried it and thoroughly enjoyed it. The fries were good too, as was the salmon.

The youngest kid enjoyed his chicken and rice pilaf while the other one wasn't really keen on the crabcakes my wife convinced him to try. But it worked out great...I enjoyed his crabcakes and he ate half of my salmon. He also tried the jumbo shrimp cocktail before the main course. The shrimp were so big I thought they may eat him.

The bread was served hot...crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. With a pat of butter inside, the kids would have dined solely on that had I not stopped them.

The clam chowder was served hot and delish in a cup. Substantial but not so filling so as to kill my appetite. Just the right amount.

In my multiple visits to Lure I have never been disappointed. I hesitate telling you this here because my wife wants me to keep this her "little" hidden gem. Well there's no hiding quality and Lure will continue "reeling" in customers with its high quality, yet reasonably priced, product.

Lure's street address is 259 W. Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo. Visit their website at www.lurefishhouse.com or call them at 805.388.5556.

Oh, you know, I almost forgot. The Key Lime Pie. To die for. We purchased one large piece to share and my kids ate that pie like they had been starved for 3 days. My 2 bites were memorable too.

Rock Nation School Opening New Location in Newbury Park This Month (Subsequently Closed)

UPDATE: Rock Nation subsequently closed its doors.

Rock Nation School is opening a new location at CVS/Trader Joe's strip mall at the corner of Reino and Borchard Roads in Newbury Park. This little strip mall is quite a bustling location with the Trader Joes, CVS, Newbury Park Athletic Club, 3 Amigos Mexican Grill, Cafe Topanga and other businesses.

With locations in Agoura Hills and Studio City, Rock Nation provides lessons, class, rehearsal studio and workshops to students of all ages looking to perform rock! Visit www.rocknationschool.com to learn more.

Grand Opening of the Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center in Calabasas on Saturday, June 9th

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, the new Interagency Visitor Center is opening its doors with an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Anthony C. Beilenson Interagency Visitor Center is nestled in the very heart of the mountains at King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas.

This Visitor Center is the first of its kind in the Santa Monica Mountains. In one building, you will be able to interact with staff and volunteers from the National Park Service, California State Parks, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. We'll be together, standing side by side, to guide you in building your visit to our parks.

The Visitor Center will also feature new exhibits and interactive displays, exhibits by local artists, tours of sustainable features, and a native plant garden to explore. Yet, the Interagency Visitor Center is only intended to be a launching point to your greater experience. Join us to find out more about the Santa Monica Mountains and to inform your future activities in the outdoors!

There are so many things to see and do within the Santa Monica Mountains. With the help of the new Visitor Center, you will be able to discover opportunities you may not have considered before. Or, perhaps you may be reminded of a favorite place you would like to visit again. No matter where you land along the spectrum, the Visitor Center staff and volunteers will be your resource for how to make that happen. Come ready to explore our new Visitor Center, but also all that our mountains have to offer.

Call 805-370-2301 or visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/visitor-center.htm (at a later date - this site is work in process).

East County Sheriff Watch Alert Re: Catalytic Converter Thefts

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.

A catalytic converter is part of the emission system on a vehicle.  It is located underneath, near the muffler.  Over the last month, there have been several thefts of catalytic converters in the Thousand Oaks area.   Thieves have primarily targeted Toyota trucks and Toyota SUV type vehicles.  These thefts have occurred in both residential and business areas, during the late night to early morning hours. 

The unincorporated area has also been affected by this trend.  During the early morning hours of 5/26/12, thieves stole a catalytic converter from a vehicle in the Casa Conejo neighborhood of Newbury Park.  

Be aware that it only takes minutes for this type of theft to occur.  It is possible the thieves work in pairs, having one act as the look out.  Investigators believe the catalytic converters are most likely being sold to recycling centers.

Crime Prevention Tips

Park your vehicle in the garage.  If your car is going to be parked for an extended period of time, for instance at a shopping center or commuter transit parking lot, park your car in a well-lit area.  Also, try to park near the entrance of the building or near an access road that is heavily traveled. 

Crime Stoppers

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for crimes.  The caller may remain anonymous.  The call is not recorded.  Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Great Clips Hair Salon Coming to Newbury Park on Saturday, June 2nd

In what used to be Unicuts, a new Great Clips hair salon is opening next to the Starbucks at 421 S Reino Road in Newbury Park on Saturday, June 2nd.

A web search for more information turned up a Thousand Oaks Acorn article that indicated the new store will be offering $4.99 haircuts for the entire month of June! Nice! No appointments taken. Call 805.498.9222 for more information. Open 7 days per week. www.GreatClips.com