NAT STEIN Gardens of the World docent "I wish there were more restaurants open after 10 p.m. so I could get a cup of coffee and a piece of pie after a show at the Civic Arts Plaza." More...

I lost a good friend over the holidays. It happened very suddenly. He was 79, without any obvious health issues, active and engaged in the world, and he just didn't wake up one morning. Besides leaving behind me and many other friends, he left his wife of 28 years. More...

THURS., JAN. 18 Soroptomists Meet Inaugural meeting of Soroptimist, club for professional, business women. Lead service projects to benefit women, girls. 6:30 p.m., Mavericks Restaurant, 5225 Cochran St., Simi Valley. $10 includes hor d'oeuvres, drink, tax, tip. RSVP, the14health@sbcglobal. net. More...

A four-part seminar hosted by parent-teacher organizations in the Conejo Valley Unified School District will help parents identify and tackle behavioral disorders their children may exhibit. "What Parents Need to Know About Child and Adolescent Disorders" begins Tues., Jan. More...

A NEW PLACE TO PLAY A GAME OF FIVE-ON-FIVE--Players with the Westlake chapter of the National Junior Basketball Association are celebrating the dedication of new outdoor courts at Westlake High School last Friday. More...

The Ventura County affiliate of the National Human Resources Association will host guest speaker Ron Elsdon, PhD, at the organization's monthly membership meeting on Wed., Jan. 24 at the Los Robles Golf Course Events Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

'TAKE ME HOME'- Baby Kitty, a 10-year-old female gray and white cat, was surrendered by her owner. Baby Kitty can be adopted from the Agoura Animal Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road. To take Baby Kitty home, ask about identification No. A3619323. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so always call (818) 991-0071 first or visit animalcontrol.co.la.ca.us. More...

Thousand Oaks A home was burglarized Jan. 6 in the 200 block of Hodencamp Road. A vehicle was stolen Jan. 6 in the 600 block of W. Hillcrest Drive. Police responded to a fight Jan. 6 in the 600 block of Paseo Esmeralda. A vehicle was burglarized Jan. 7 at the intersection of E. Avenida de Los Arboles and N. Moorpark Road. More...

"Our most basic assumption is that we are the way we see our selves and the world is the way we see it. We are taught to believe life should be a certain way and we should be a certain way. More...

'WATCH OUT, KOBE'- Francesco Setola, 17, of Newbury Park practices layups at Borchard Community Center. Francesco plays with the Newbury Park Basketball Association Community League and comes to the center three times a week after school to practice and scrimmage. The center's hours are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 6 p.m.Saturday and Sunday. More...

Pianist Christopher O'Riley will perform with the New West Symphony for the fourth Masterpiece Series concert of the 200607 season. The concert is at 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 20 at the Countrywide Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. More...

After 20-plus years, my wife and I are leaving Thousand Oaks for a new chapter in our lives. We are moving to the great state of Texas--Austin to be exact. More...

In today's issue, we enthusiastically reintroduce Acorn Soundoff. It's on page 2. From the publisher and editor's perspective, it was a favorite feature of the Thousand Oaks Acorn in years gone by. You're probably asking, "If it was so popular, Big Shot, why did it die?" Good question. (And by the way, neither the publisher nor the editor considers himself a Big Shot. More...

This single-story home in Thousand Oaks features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It has been upgraded with true maple hardwood floors, base and crown molding, and recessed lighting. It is freshly painted and is in move-in condition. The home is located seconds away from the heart of Thousand Oaks and a few feet from mountain trails and views. More...