area newsletter JANUARY 2018 • CONEJO VALLEY
20 18
Community News Country music festival expanding in 2018
Thousand Oaks to open bidding for pot dispensary
The OakHeart Country Music Festival, held each year at Conejo Creek South in Thousand Oaks, has been granted permission to sell an additional 1,000 tickets for the 2018 event, increasing the expected attendance to 8,000 people. OakHeart was founded in 2011 and has grown to become Ventura County’s largest outdoor music festival. Organizers have indicated they intend to invite two nationally known acts to headline in 2018 and are expecting tickets to sell out, as they did in 2017. Scaling up the size of the festival will require the use of the Conejo Creek West and Conejo Creek Northwest parking lots, increasing facility fees to $14,175. While officials have expressed concerns about the environmental impact of the festival, proponents point out that the 2017 festival generated $71,000 for Rotary Club charities and increased revenues for local business patronized by visiting music fans.
The City Council of Thousand Oaks recently approved a four-phase application process to become the city’s only two marijuana-related businesses. Following the passage of Prop 64 in November 2016, the city decided to permit a single medical marijuana dispensary and a single marijuana testing facility within city limits. The city has now formalized their application process, which will begin in mid-January and could last until late June. Interested entrepreneurs will be required to pay application fees during each step of the process, as well as undergo extensive background and business plan reviews. Despite related fees costing upwards of $20,000, competition for the dispensary permit is expected be fierce, as this would be the only dispensary in the Conejo Valley and could generate $2 million in annual revenue.
Community News State passes new rules to prevent wildfires
With wildfires still raging in various parts of the state, California’s Public Utilities Commission recently adopted regulations requiring utility companies to do a better job in reducing fire hazards near power lines. The new rules would require utilities to maintain clearances between power lines and vegetation in high-risk areas, which account for approximately 44% of California. The change in regulations follows allegations that the October fires in wine country, which killed 44 people, were caused by powerlines toppled by high winds.
Uber plans to bring flying taxis to LA Ride sharing pioneer Uber recently announced plans to bring a fly-on-demand rideshare service to the Los Angeles area by 2020. Named UberAir, the service would utilize electrical vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL’s) that would allow passengers to beat ground traffic by flying above it, travelling in four passenger vehicles that will take off and land at 20 rooftop bases around the city. With their proposed vehicles capable of flying 200 mph, the company estimates that a 1½ hour commute could be reduced to 30 minutes, for a cost similar what would be charged by an
UberX car for the same distance. Proponents of the project claim that short-distance aircraft will
reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as offer customers a transportation option that will reduce time spent on the road.
Rams have positive impact on local economy Local officials estimate that the return of the Los Angeles Rams has had a beneficial impact on the local Conejo Valley economy, particularly in the retail and real estate sectors. The Rams, who have a training facility in Thousand Oaks and corporate offices in Agoura Hills, moved back to Southern California in 2016, after spending over 20 years in St. Louis. An NFL team roster consists of 90 players at the beginning of training camp, before being narrowed down to 53 at the start of the season. With a minimum salary of $450,000, these new residents are certain to inject cash into the local economy, even if only during football season. Players and officials who make the Conejo Valley their permanent home also have a direct impact on the housing market, where the average home sells for $787,000. Experts indicate that the impact of an organization the size of the Rams is difficult to measure, but anecdotal evidence from local businesses reflect a positive influence on their bottom lines.
Restaurant
Spotlight
Little Calf Creamery
Tuscany il Ristorante
Café Firenze
652 East Janss Road Thousand Oaks
968 South Westlake Boulevard Westlake Village
563 West Los Angeles Avenue Moorpark
Little Calf Creamery and Café is a family restaurant serving artisan ice cream, sorbets and delicious salads, sandwiches, soups and burgers. Owners Scott and Jen Levin combined forces into a concept that would allow for families to enjoy a meal together with a sweet ending. The pair focuses on making ice cream from California happy, healthy cows. They serve 14 year-round flavors and approximately four seasonal/ rotational flavors. Little Calf Creamery Café is open Monday Sunday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
This family-run restaurant caters to those searching for a true dining experience. The polished Italian trattoria has a true upscale menu with flavors that linger on your palette, bringing you back for more. Popular entrees on the menu: baked polenta with mushrooms; spaghetti in cartoccio with seafood; and dry-aged New York strip. Whether you are interested in a quiet celebration or a business meeting, Tuscany’s versatile menu and award winning wine list can meet your needs. Tuscany il Ristorante is open Monday – Friday 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 5 – 10 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 5 – 10:30 p.m.
Moorpark’s Café Firenze has got Top Chef fame, amazing ravioli, wines and about everything else Italian under the sun. The upscale casual dining restaurant and martini lounge serves northern Italian style cuisine. When you walk into the restaurant you will experience the ambiance of a true Italian Villa with a large hearth fireplace and full leather sofas and booths. Its perfect location serves local Moorpark, Camarillo, Simi Valley, Ventura and other nearby communities. Moorpark Café is generally open Tuesday – Saturday from 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Sundays from 10:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 5 – 9 p.m. The restaurant also has wine tastings on Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m.– 8:30 p.m.
SIGHTS & SOUNDS in LOS ANGELES
Natural History Museum
LACMA
Annenberg Space for Photography
900 Exposition Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90007
5905 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
CURRENT EXHIBITION:
Tattoo November 19, 2017 – April 15, 2018
Painted in Mexico, 1700–1790: Pinxit Mexici November 19, 2017–March 18, 2018
Cuba Is September 9, 2017 – March 4, 2018
This exhibition focuses on Mexican paintings of the 18th century, a time that featured major stylistic advances as Mexican artists often sought to distinguish themselves from the European counterparts. LACMA has gathered over 100 works to display, including paintings that were previously unpublished, or were restored for the exhibition.
Cuba has long held the fascination of many Americans, and even as travel restrictions have decreased in recent years, few have seen what life is actually like on the island. This exhibit features over 120 photos depicting a wide range of Cuban subjects, as well as an original film documenting how the photographers captured the images.
Demonstrating 5,000 years of history, the Natural History Museum’s exhibition displays the cross-cultural impact of body art through the years and around the world. Featuring historic samples of tattoo art and the equipment used to create it, the museum also brings the experience into the present with a series of tattoo artists offering their services on-site during the exhibition.
2000 Avenue of the Stars #10, Los Angeles, CA 90067 CURRENT EXHIBITION:
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