Ventura County Fire Department opens new dispatch center
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com
      Rows of computer servers hum and whir in the airconditioned room on the first floor of the Ventura County Fire Communication Center. The powerful computers, linked to a stateoftheart satellite system, comprise the hub of the recently completed emergency dispatch center at the department's headquarters in Camarillo.
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For the record
      A caption on a photo last week incorrectly stated that a bagpiper led closing ceremonies at the funeral of Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia. The piper accompanied the casket as it was brought into the memorial park. Representatives of Ventura County were in Washington, D.C. lobbying for transportation funding last week, not this week.
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Remember Presidents Day
      Don't forget that all government offices, banks and schools will be closed on Mon., Feb.19 in observation of Presidents Day.
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Man killed in freeway crash
      Nicholas Samaniego, 21, died instantly when the car he was driving crashed into the trailer of a freight liner. At about 4 a.m. Sat., Feb. 10 Samaniego, a resident of San Pedro, was driving his 1997 Toyota Corolla northbound on the 101 Freeway south of Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.
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Woman pleads guilty to theft
      Gail Marie Bush, 39, formerly of Thousand Oaks, pleaded guilty to felony perjury and grand theft of more than $10,500 from the Housing Authority of the county of Ventura. Bush lived in housing subsidized under the HUD Section 8 program.
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Council wants more officers at schools
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      The City Council agreed 4-0 that the best use of police power would be to put three officers on duty at each of the main high schools and to add a detective to focus on Internet predators. After a year of research, protecting the city's youths from crime is what Thousand Oaks Police Chief Dennis Carpenter focused on when he asked the City Council on Feb.
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What do you think of The Oaks mall renovation?
     BOBBI TORO Thousand Oaks "I think it's going to be awesome, and I'm excited about Nordstrom. Now I go into the Valley to shop at Nordstrom because I love the live piano music that flows throughout the store. I'm hoping they have that here."
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CLU professor says hate crime targets not the only people victimized by racial bias
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      People who are aware they're unique or different may also know they might be victimized because of it. They may live in a world of hurt- even if they've never personally experienced a hate crime. That was one of the recent messages expressed by Helen Lim, PhD, an assistant professor of criminal justice at California Lutheran University.
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Mardi Gras Ball to help local charities
      The 15th annual Mardi Gras Ball, sponsored by Community Conscience, is scheduled for Sat., Feb. 24 at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza. The event is the organization's major annual fundraiser, which draws between 300 to 400 attendees. A champagne reception and silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. with gourmet dinner to follow at 7:30 p.m.
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      Airman Adam Patrick Ely has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and is now attending technical school at Lackland. Ely is a 2004 graduate of Thousand Oaks High School and the son of Sarah and Dave Ely of Thousand Oaks.
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Book Bag stays open
      The Book Bag, a local nonprofit bookstore, will remain open for business and has hired a director of community outreach to support its fundraising and community partnering efforts. Store founders and directors, Melissa Cook and Jeanne Johnson, concerned about the viability of the store, had made the decision to close its doors earlier this year.
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Free income tax help for seniors
      Free income tax assistance for people age 60 or older, or those with an income of $39,500 or less, is available from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays through April 13 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center, 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks.
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What's up with that?
      FREEWAY CONSTRUCTION CREATES MORE TRAFFIC ON CITY STREETS IN T.O.- This commercial bus exited the 23 Freeway at Avenida de Los Arboles and eventually went south on Westlake Boulevard before getting on the 101 Freeway. Motorists are choosing alternate routes on city streets to avoid the 23 Freeway construction zones. If you've seen something that interests you, send your "What's up with that?
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Zonta helps others
      PRETTY THINGS- Zonta Club member Kathleen Bradley of Westlake Village shows off jewelry she bought to Shirley Thomas of Westlake and her son, Gary, who's visiting from St. Louis. The Zonta Club of Conejo Valley, a women's organization, hosted a recent wine and cheese event with celebrity authors Paula Poundstone, Harley Jane Kozak and Mariel Hemingway.
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CSUCI center offers local lecture series
      The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Cal State Channel Islands will begin a lecture series at the CSUCI Extended Education Center, 501 Marin St. in Thousand Oaks. A series of eight different short courses, "Intellectual Buffet: A Taste of OLLI," will be on eight consecutive Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon, beginning March 31.
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Discussion group for new fathers offered at CLU
      The Community Counseling Services of California Lutheran University and Neighborhood for Learning will offer a free fourweek discussion group for firsttime fathers from 6 to 7:30 p.m. beginning Wed., Feb. 21 at 3259 Pioneer St., Thousand Oaks.
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      The Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library will present free programs in February. The library is at 1401 E. Janss Road and the website is www.toaks.org/library. For more information on any of the programs, call (805) 449-2660. Reference librarians will lead an informative tour of the library from 10:15 to 11 a.m. Wed., Feb. 21.
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Boy Scouts host Monopoly tournament
      Boy Scout Troops 718 and 799 of Thousand Oaks will host the first Monopoly Tournament in Ventura County on Sat., March 3 at St. Paschal Baylon Church, 155 E. Janss Road, T h o u s a n d Oaks. Registration begins at 8 a.m. The tournament will feature two 90minute rounds. The top six scoring players will move on to the final championship round.
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Newbury Park man becomes Master Mason
      Gregg Nelson of Newbury Park was raised to the degree of Master Mason on Jan. 30 at the Conejo Valley Masonic Lodge in Thousand Oaks. He entered the lodge 10 years ago. The three degrees of Masonry are the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft and Master Mason. The process of going through the degrees usually takes between six months to a year.
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'Survivor' producer Mark Burnett speaks at Oaks Christian symposium
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com
      Americans have lost their "sense of culture," according to reality TV producer Mark Burnett, who spoke during a recent daylong symposium at Oaks Christian School in Westlake Village. In relationships, Americans get right down to business rather than taking time to get to know others first, said Burnett, creator of the "Survivor" series.
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Curves Food Drive helps the hungry
      Curves, the 30minute workout and weight loss center, will sponsor the ninth annual "Curves Food Drive" to benefit local food banks. The drive will be held through the month of March at all 10,000 worldwide Curves locations and is responsible for bringing millions of tons of food to local food banks.
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Nature's signposts
      Driving down the road I am struck by the glaring signs communicating messages, some more significant than others: "Dead End," "Buy a Burger." These signs are brash- - direct and difficult to miss. But I am also aware of the subtle signs people leave, indicating their presence or activity.
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Hockey game, silent auction to help autistic boy
      Max Warren is a 4yearold boy from Agoura Hills who is in critical need of treatment and therapy for autism. His mother, Christina, has been diagnosed with inoperable liver cancer and recently had a kidney removed. She left her job to undergo chemotherapy. The family is facing financial difficulties with Christina's medical needs and Max's special needs.
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Garden Club hosts luncheon
      HAVING A GOOD TIME- The Westlake Village Garden Club hosted a recent lunch, "Camellia Symphony at the Inn." From left, club president Carol Amenta, event chair Helga Olsen and Connie Mercurio, along with other club members, are busy organizing the April 29 garden tour to raise scholarship money for local students.
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'Where the Heart Is' fashion show coming
      The Conejo Valley Chapter of the National Charity League Inc. will host a fashion show at 2 p.m. Sun., March 18 at the First Neighborhood Community Center, 31830 Village Center Road, Westlake Village. The theme is "Where the Heart Is." The models for the annual fundraiser are 10th and 12thgrade members of the league, a mother-daughter philanthropic organization.
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'A Garden of Hope' at Four Seasons
      The Centennial Guild of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles presents A Garden of Hope Fashion Show and Luncheon on Fri., March 9 at the new Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. The event begins at 10 a.m. with a boutique featuring more than 30 unique vendors from all over Southern California.
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ArtWalk '07 applications available
      Applications are available for ArtWalk '07, a fine arts and designer crafts outdoor exhibition which will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., June 2 and 3 on the grounds of Countrywide Bank, 225 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.
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