New 'bells, whistles and thrills' promised at shopping center in Newbury Park
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Rumors are flying as residents try to guess what is going on with the shopping center reconstruction at 701 N. Wendy Drive and Old Conejo Road in Newbury Park. According to Don Kinder, executive vice president of property manager Toibb Enterprises, all the activity at the site is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year.
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Home Depot on agenda tonight
      The Westlake Joint Board of Homeowner Associations is sponsoring a public meeting tonight regarding the proposed Home Depot at the former Kmart site on Hampshire Road just south of the 101 Freeway. Home Depot representatives are scheduled to be present to answer questions and hear public comments. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Thurs., Feb.
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Here's how to reach your elected officials
                 V e n t u r a C o u n t y        B o a r d o f S u p e r v i s o r s District 2: Linda Parks (Serving Thousand Oaks, New- bury Park, Westlake Village,
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Shuttle to serve Kaiser patients over age 60
Senior citizens will get round-trip transportation to Kaiser's Woodland Hills facility for reduced fares on Tuesdays and Thursdays
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Seniors who need to see their doctors at Kaiser Permanente in Woodland Hills can save a lot on a round-trip ticket if they call and make a reservation before the end of March. To kick off the new shuttle program from Thousand Oaks to the Woodland Hills hospital, round-trip shuttle tickets will cost only $7.
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Former assemblyman calls California's pension plan a ticking time bomb
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com
      Former 38th District Assemblymember Keith Richman calls the rising costs of California's public employee pensions a ticking time bomb that could send the state into financial ruin. "I think people are generally surprised and don't know how bad the situation is," Richman said. "In fact, the majority of Californians still don't even know we have an issue.
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Gallegly bill would require IRS to report illegal aliens to Homeland Security
      Two new bills introduced by U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (RThousand Oaks) would require the Internal Revenue Service to report people suspected of working illegally in the United States to the Department of Homeland Security.
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Scouting goes international
      OBSERVING WORLD THINKING DAY- Teens from Girl Scout Troop No. 415 in T.O. are learning about other cultures. Girls from 17 troops, each representing a different country, discussed Scouting worldwide at St. Paschal Baylon Church. Feb. 22 is designated World Thinking Day.
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CHP warns residents about bogus fundraisers
      The California Highway Patrol is advising California residents to be aware of people soliciting donations on behalf of the department's members. Numerous residents over the past couple of weeks reported receiving letters and phone calls requesting donations to the "American Association of State Troopers" claiming to support CHP members.
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KCLU-FM wins Golden Mikes for five stories
      For the sixth year in a row, California Lutheran University's National Public Radio station, KCLU, won more "Golden Mike" awards than any smallmarket radio station in Southern California during ceremonies on Jan. 27 in Universal City.
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Book sale at N.P. Library
      The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library will sponsor a used book sale on Fri., March 2 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and Sat., March 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Newbury Park Branch Library, 2331 Borchard Road. Admission and parking are free.
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Teens, parents to shoot pool
      The Thousand Oaks Teen Center will present a Parent/ Teen Pool Tournament from 1 to 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 24 at 1375 E. Janss Road. The fee is $20 per team. A barbecue tri-tip lunch is included. The winners of the lowcompetition billiard tournament will receive a trophy.
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Seeing red at Reagan Library
      FIRST LADY IN RED- Nancy Reagan cuts the red ribbon, above, to officially open the First Ladies Red Dress Collection exhibit Friday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Looking on are the library's executive director, Duke Blackwood, left, TV host Larry King and National Heart Lung and Blood Institute director Elizabeth Nabel, MD.
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      On track with nature The written language is an amazing phenomenon and a practical tool. Historical texts follow the trails of people. Poems bring art. Stories create entertaining education. Articles deliver information. Signs give direction. Regardless the genre, the written word is a record of humanity. It leaves clues to our habits and lifestyles.
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Lots of love
      A BIG HEART, TO PUT IN MILDLY- Pete Thompson of Thousand Oaks went all out on Valentine's Day last week. He showed love for his wife, Jo, with this enormous greeting card on the inside of their garage door. Jo was incredibly impressed with his thoughtfulness. She described Pete as a "romantic genius.
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Museum of Ventura County opens exhibits at The Oaks
      The Museum of Ventura County will open its first satellite location at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks Sat., Feb. 24. Admission will be free. Museum executive director Tim Schiffer said, "Because of its historic location in Ventura, many East County residents are unaware that the museum's collection and mission are countywide.
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Crafting for the homeless
      A FIVE-STAR STUDENT- Seventh-grader Keilani Garcia carefully adds a star to a large bowl she's painting. La Reina students and staff in T.O. glazed 60 ceramic bowls last week for the Many Mansions Bowls of Hope fundraiser, a Sun., March 25 event at The Vineyards Simi. It will emphasize the need for affordable housing and promote the services and programs of Many Mansions.
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Audubon offers birding field trips for March
      The Conejo Audubon Society will offer the following birding field trips in March. For more information, call the leader for each trip. Hill Canyon, 8 a.m. Sat., March 3- Meet at the Santa Rosa Park. Birds expected are goldfinches, sparrows, hawks, ducks, wrens, Phainopeplas, yellowrump warblers. The leader is Jean Hulberg, (805) 491-2666.
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NFL calls local doctors
      Dr. Terry Weyman and Dr. Ed Green of the Westlake Village-based Chiropractic Sports Institute were invited to speak to National Football League team doctors at the NFL's scouting combine this week in Indianapolis. The combine evaluates player abilities and medical condition in preparation for the upcoming NFL draft.
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