'Solution for peace?'
     Louie Levy of Thousand Oaks was 15 years old on Dec. 7, 1941 and living in Brooklyn, N.Y. People came out of their homes after hearing radio reports about the Japanese attack in Pearl Harbor, Levy said. They knew that America was going to war, he said.
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      The city of Thousand Oaks will be conducting the following meetings this month, according to the city manager's office. All contact phone numbers are in the 805 area code. Mon., Dec. 11 /Planning Commission/6:30 p.m./Forum Theatre/John Prescott, 449-2311.
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Caller ID system expected to reduce false bomb threats
      As a result of a bomb threat in September, a caller ID system will be implemented throughout Conejo Valley Unified School District, according to Superintendent Mario Contini. "We've received a number of prank calls, including a bomb threat at Newbury Park High School," Contini said. "It's been highly disruptive.
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AIDS quilt for awareness
      AIDS MEMORIAL COMES TO T.O.-- California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks is hosting an exhibit of 23 sections of the AIDS quilt. Each section was handmade by friends and families of AIDS victims. The AIDS quilt is the largest ongoing community art project in the world. The exhibition coincides with the university's observance of World AIDS Day last Tuesday.
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Teen Center winter enrollment begins
      The Thousand Oaks Teen Center is taking registration for its winter programs. Most classes start the week of Jan. 15, 2007. Classes cost between $10 and $40, and run for either six or eight weeks.
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Potluck party
      Westlake Village After Breast Cancer support group will host a potluck holiday party from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 14 at Commercial Capital Bank, 973 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village. Included will be an exchange of gifts costing between $10 and $15.
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Perfect instrument for the season
      PREPARING TO PERFORM DIGITAL MAGIC- La Reina School seventh-grader Jordan Hisel, 12, of Thousand Oaks warms up her fingers before the start of a youth harp ensemble rehearsal at Westminster Presbyterian Church in the city of Westlake Village last week.
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Chamber event coming to Calamigos Ranch
      Calamigos Ranch will host a holiday reception for the Agoura/Oak Park/Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thurs., Dec. 14. There will be food, drinks and gifts as well as a special tribute to Patricia Soteras, former executive director of the Chamber.
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Westlake Women's Club event sparkles at Four Seasons
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      More than 500 women were greeted with sparkle and champagne last week when the brand new Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake opened its doors to the Westlake Women's Club 25th annual Holiday Fundraiser. The guests filled hallways displaying boutique items shimmering with gems and crystals.
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Jewelry designer to host show in The Promenade
      D. Joseph Bortoli, designer of Nagual jewelry, will host a showcase event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Dec. 9 in M. Fredric MAN at The Promenade, 180 Promenade Way, in the Westlake portion of T.O. Nagual meant "shaman" or "guide to spirit" for the Toltecs of ancient Mexico.
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A fitness fundraiser
      RUNNING FOR EXERCISE AND MONEY- Lang Ranch Elementary School third-grade teacher Kathy Turner and student Emily Demsetz run together during the school's recent annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser. Proceeds help school programs.
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Saluting a great season
      ADDING NEW TROPHIES- The Royal Classic Field Tournament Sweepstakes winner was the Thousand Oaks High School Band. From left to right are the drumline captains, Joey Martone and Nate Maxwell-Doherty; the drum majors, Kyle De Kreek and Abby Sassoon; and the color guard captains, Gillian Mellon and Ashley Evans. The TOHS marching band members expressed gratitude to band supporters and to Carl's Jr.
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Watch aging parents for signs of declining health during the holidays
      The holidays are a good time for family members to be alert for signs that elderly relatives may need physical, mental or financial help, according to Eldercare Link, a free eldercare referral service. The most important thing, it said, is to look for signs of change in mood, health and living conditions.
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Sharing a Christmas list
      A BUSY MAN- Sabrina Manzani of Newbury Park visits with Santa at Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks, a collection site for this year's Many Mansions' holiday gift drive for low income residents of the Conejo Valley. Free photos with Santa will continue--with donations of unwrapped gifts or gift cards--from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 17.
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Helping Hands pack lunches
      REACHING OUT- First- through eighth-grade students at Ascension Lutheran School in T.O. are participating in a program called Helping Hands. Organized by kindergarten teacher Cindy Johnson, more than 30 kids volunteer every Wednesday to make lunches for the homeless through Lutheran Social Services. For more information, call the school at (805) 496-2419.
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Boys & Girls Club gets new president
      Dianne McKay was named president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes following the resignation of June Aiello in October. A graduate of the Conejo school system, McKay's involvement in the community includes local PTAs, school site councils, and various advisory committees and commissions.
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Presidential library to host Hanukkah festival
      The public is invited to the Menorah of Freedom Kindling Ceremony at 5 p.m. Tues., Dec. 19 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley.
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Festival of Trees helps abused children
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com
      A child is abused every 10 seconds in the United States. Four children die every day from abuse. The true number, according to experts, may be three times as high since many incidents of child abuse are simply not reported and the death of a child is sometimes attributed to accidental causes.
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Vandals hit neighborhood mailboxes
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Mailboxes standing in a row like good little soldiers firmly planted in cement are being attacked with alarming frequency by vandals in the Meadow Wood and Symphony adjoining neighborhoods in Thousand Oaks. "For the last year it's been really, really bad, with four to eight mailboxes hit a week," said Gail Russell of Thousand Oaks.
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Rotary helps music programs
      HAPPY RECIPIENTS- Mark Jaffe, president-elect of the Rotary Club of Westlake Village, presents a trumpet to Bennie Glasner, 9, of Newbury Park, a member of the Manzanita school band. The Rotary Club donated 46 instruments to Manzanita and Acacia elementary schools.
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Kicking off the holidays
      SOUNDS OF THE SEASON- Alan Rose, director of the Westlake High School Choral Music program, conducts the school's talented young voices during the "Santa Unplugged" concert last week. Performances were presented Thursday through Saturday.
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