City continues to struggle with sites for cellphone antennas
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
     The ongoing challenge of wireless communications installations continues as the Thousand Oaks City Council recently considered two applications, one from Cingular and one from Sprint.
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Deputy Sheriff's Association donates to many charities
     The Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's'Association recently announced that it gave more than $73,000 to charities in 2005 through its charitable trust fund. Donations included $23,000 to support youth in the community such as youth sports, academic, music, Boys & Girls Clubs and the
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Water questions answered at open house
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
     Alan and Rose Jeffery attended California Water Service's open house in Thousand Oaks last week to learn more about how water is delivered. They wanted to understand the treatment process and why the taste of water changes from time to time.
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Moorpark College students graduate
     Moorpark College recently graduated 32 new nurses in the Associate Degree Nursing Program at the campus Performing Arts Center. The graduates will be eligible to take the Registered Nursing examination.
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New superintendent says he's anxious to get to work
By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com
     School board members made their decision official last week, introducing Mario Contini as the next superintendent of Conejo Valley Unified School District.
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Chamber will present awards
     The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce will host on Fri., June 9 the fourth annual Spirit of Community Awards Celebration will be presented by Amgen and the Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Community Foundation from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. West
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Ground broken for freeway widening project
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
     The 23 Freeway widening project took another step forward recently when officials and political leaders gathered at Conejo Creek Park North to celebrate the start of construction.
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LarkNews writer takes satirical look at religion
By Claire Vereczky Malis Special to The Acorn
     "Don't believe everything you hear, and only half of what you see" is a country music favorite of the '50s that probably could apply to the writings of author Joel Kilpatrick. He admits he has a good time letting his imagination run wild and leaves it up to the reader whether or not to belie
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Learn how to launch a business
     The Ventura County Small Business Development Center will host a workshop, "Help! I Want to Start a Small Business" in English and in Spanish at several Ventura County locations. The cost is $15.
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Holiday home tour applicants sought
     Conejo Valley homeowners interested in showcasing their holiday dcor for the public are invited to participate in The Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura's 15th annual Holiday Homes tour scheduled for Dec. 2 and 3, as well as for future tours.
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Budding submariners?
     USING HEADS AND HANDS--Jonathon Kavanagh works with the water bottle, while Jordan Everett, left, and Blake Hamilton watch, along with Ian Seebach, standing, and his father, Steve. Known as the Atom Splitters team, the boys work to submerge and bring to the surface their submarine during Banyan Elementary School's Science Olympiad held last Friday. PATRICK SHELBY/Acorn Newspapers
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Love Run to help Meals on Wheels
     Hundreds of runners, joggers and strollers in the greater Conejo Valley are signing up for Senior Concerns' 13th annual Love Run to benefit Meals on Wheels on Sun., June 4 at 2801 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, in the parking lot opposite the Hyatt Westlake Plaza Hotel.
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Elks present plaques to young leaders
     EARNING RECOGNITION-The Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge No. 2477 has again honored local students for scholastics and for writing winning essays. The kids were honored at a spaghetti dinner. Top row, left to right: Garrett Spiegel of Oak Park High School (first place); John Schaffer of Oak Park High School (second place); Ryan Thorsen of Moorpark High School (third place); Elks scholarship chairman Rick Herrera; and Arti Desai of Westlake High School (second place). Bottom row: American essay winners Ashley Palaez, Jason Blank, Amanda Chou, Rickesh Patel and Jeffrey Zia. To learn more about the Elks and club activities, call (805) 496-2477.
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     Summer vacation is coming soon, but there is still time to squeeze in some volunteer work. Roll up your sleeves and lend a hand, whether helping to feed the homeless or repairing a park trail.
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Insurance agent a district leader
     John Harbourne has been named 2005 national district leader by Genworth Life Insurance Company's Long Term Care Insurance Division for his outstanding results in leading the Westlake Village district in growth, new agent placed production, lead efficiency and local marketing.
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Westlake students give families, friends a musical treat
By Steve Holt steve@theacorn.com
     Young people in the instrumental music program at Westlake High School gave an early and entertaining kickoff to the holiday weekend last Wednesday night with a delightful spring concert in the WHS Theater.
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Chabad of the Conejo to host annual banquet
     Chabad of the Conejo will host its annual gala banquet at 5:30 p.m. Wed., June 14 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.
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Basketry, native plant sales offered at Rancho Sierra Vista
     A series of special events will be presented Sat. and Sun., June 10 and 11 at the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa site, a unit of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, off Via Goleta from Lynn Road in Newbury Park.
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Saltwater fish subject of professor's book
     "The Ecology of Marine Fishes," Cal State Northridge biology department chair Larry Allen's monumental new reference work on the fishes that inhabit the eastern Pacific-especially those in the waters off the California and Baja California coastlines-is making waves as a first-of-its-k
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Learn about wildlife at fair
     The National Park Service and On the Edge invite the public to attend a free wildlife and community fair to learn more about their wild neighbors who live in communities on the urban/wilderness edge from 3 to 7 p.m. Sat., June 10 at the National Park Service Visitor Center, 401 W. Hill
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Borchard Park to host concert
     Newbury Park's Fireside Concerts, a nonprofit venue, will
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Two T.O. students, one from Newbury Park honored
     Viewpoint School in Calabasas recently inducted 19 students into the Cum Laude Society.
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Pesticides are poisoning wildlife, experts say
Toxic agents find their way into the food chain
By Michael Picarella pic@theacorn.com
     Pesticides will kill pests, but they can also hurt and kill wildlife.
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Showing support
     JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE-Thousand Oaks Mayor Dennis Gillette honors Kris Carraway-Bowman during the recent Ventura County Division of the American Heart Association's "Go Red for Women" luncheon at Ventura Farms in Thousand Oak. Carraway-Bowman works for Los Robles Regional Medical Center and previously served several terms as mayor and city council member in Westlake Village.
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Bible school coming to Westminster Presbyterian
     "Project Kid Build" is the theme of Vacation Bible School (VBS) at Westminster Presbyterian Church from 9 a.m. to noon, June 26 through 30, at 32111 Watergate Road, Westlake Village. Children age 4 through fifth grade are welcome.
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Skateboarders invited to compete
     The Conejo Recreation and Park District will present a skateboard contest from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., June 3 at Borchard Community Center, 190 N. Reino Road, Newbury Park. Registration is $7 on the day
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Bear trapped
     JANN HENDRYAcorn Newspapers HEADED BACK TO THE FOREST--A black bear, only about 2 years old, hides in a culvert near a construction site on Russell Ranch Road in the city of Westlake Village. Cindy Ward and Mike Stefanak of the California Department of Fish and Game reposition a fence in front of a culvert where the bear was hiding. The animal was eventually lured into a trap and captured without the use of tranquilizers. The bear, the second to visit suburbia this spring, was later released in the wilderness.
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Senior schedule full
     The Goebel Senior Adult Center has a wide variety of offerings this month. The center is at 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Call Rachel Cowen for reservations and/or more details on their schedule of events at (805) 381-2744. The following are some of June's special programs.
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Program for teens promotes peace and understanding
     Sixteen teenagers from Haifa, Israel will be attending a pilot program designed to create and promote peace and cultural understanding.
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Make job interviews successful
     Whether you are a first time job seeker or an old hand looking for a career change, the prospect of a job interview can be intimidating-especially since it can be the single most critical component in securing a job.
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Trike-athalon to benefit children
     Children's World will host its second annual Trike-athalon the morning of Fri., June 2 on the school campus at 917 Hampshire Road, Westlake Village. Students will be collecting pledge money to raise funds to donate to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Members of the city of Thou
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Variety of creative courses offered
     Roxanne Diesel, local drama instructor and owner of CATS (Creative Acting Theater School), offers a variety of summer camps in Ventura County.
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Garden Club grants scholarships
     Westlake Village Garden Club will introduce its scholarship recipients and new executive board during a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tues., June 6 at Boccaccio's Ristorante in Westlake Village.
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400 graduate from Moorpark College
     Nearly 400 students attended the Moorpark College Commencement on May 18 on the Campus Center Quad. The Commencement speaker was Ventura County District Attorney Greg Totten.
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Breeze bails out
     BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers 'WHERE'S THE WIND?'-Julien Stokes, 4, and his big brother Jalen, 6, try to launch their kites at last Friday's grand opening of Sycamore Canyon Park in Dos Vientos. Everyone liked the park, but several visitors commented on the lack of restrooms. A single toilet and sink would cost $60,000, according to a parks department official, but critics cite concerns about vandalism.
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First doctoral students graduate from CLU
     Thirteen doctoral candidates became the first to receive degrees through the Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership program at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks during commencement ceremonies on Sat., May 13.
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