City seeks volunteers for youth, open space committees
      The city of Thousand Oaks is seeking residents to serve on city committees. There are eight openings on the Youth Commission and three openings on the Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee. Applicants for the Youth Commission must be city residents ages 13 to 19.
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Deadline approaches for CVD Parade entries
      The Conejo Valley Days Parade is coming in five weeks. If your group, club or business wants to participate, it's time to submit an application. The CVD Parade will take place Sat., May 5 along Thousand Oaks Boulevard from Duesenberg Drive to The Lakes Drive. It's organized by the Thousand Oaks Kiwanis Club.
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Nonprofit looks for support
      Arc Ventura County, a nonprofit organization that provides educational, vocational and residential services for people with developmental disabilities, will move from its Wagon Wheel facility, where it has been for the past decade, to a location better suited to serve its clientele.
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Small fee increase makes a big difference to family business
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      A $2-a-seat user fee might prevent Thousand Oaks residents from hearing renowned personalities like Whoopi Goldberg, Maya Angelou or Mikhail Gorbachev speak locally.
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County agencies unite to aid children affected by illegal drug users
      Several Ventura County public agencies have joined forces in an effort to protect and provide services to children whose lives have been endangered due to drug activity in their homes, including methamphetamine labs. The Drug-Endangered Child Program will host a press conference to educate the public about the new collaboration at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Fri.
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What do you think about the bus services in Thousand Oaks?
     ROSALIE BERGER Retired hair stylist "I ride the bus all the time. I don't drive. I'm very happy with the buses generally. The drivers are very courteous and you get where you want to go without a lot of effort. I'm a senior, so the price is a bargain."
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Fire department spokesperson Joe Luna dies at age 60
      Joe Luna, a firefighter and longtime spokesperson for the Ventura County Fire Department, died Mon., March 19 after a battle with cancer. He was 60 years old. Luna's career with the Ventura County Fire Department spanned more than 32 years. He began his career at the department managing a hand crew.
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Residents encouraged to use power discount plan
      Southern California Edison is encouraging customers to enroll in its Summer Discount Plan now so that they can be eligible for bill credits during the summer months, June through September, in return for allowing SCE to interrupt their air conditioner during power-supply
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Superior Court storing cases electronically
Small claims can be filed online
      The Ventura Superior Court implemented the first phase of the new California Case Management System on March 5. The system will be used for all small claims cases. Existing small claims cases have been transferred to the new system.
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County given funds for farmworkers hit by freeze
      The California Endowment announced its partnership with the Ventura County Community Foundation to expedite assistance to the region's farmworkers hit by this winter's crop freeze.
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Wellness Community appoints board officers
      Keith M. Gregory, Tom Crowell, Brian Layfield and Stephen L. Spector are the new officers of the board of directors for the Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura. "We are extremely fortunate to have this dynamic group of officers whose commitment and drive will help us sustain our ongoing programs and realize our goals for the future," said Suzanne Drace, president of the organization.
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Superior Court soliciting applications for commissioner
      The Ventura Superior Court is soliciting applications for the position of Superior Court Commissioner in anticipation of potential future openings. The recruitment will be used to establish a list of eligible candidates for vacancies, which may occur during the next 18 months.
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Teens find prom with higher standards more fun
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Spaghetti straps are banned, so don't even think about strapless. Slits are fine, but not past the knee line. Nothing above the knee is allowed to show. There is a prom where young ladies do not have cleavage. Boys act like gentlemen at all times. Freak dancing and grinding are forbidden.
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Last chance for Scout cookies
      The Girl Scouts will host one last cookie sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., March 31 in the parking lot of the Thousand Oaks Teen Center, 1375 E. Janss Road. Complimentary lemonade will be available. The sale will be in honor of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony C. Melia of Thousand Oaks, who was killed in combat in Iraq last January.
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Kids learn that science is fun
     IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers WHAT A RIDE- A Discovery Science Center teen volunteer pushes an enthusiastic John Monday, 8, of Thousand Oaks across the floor on a hovercraft during Science Sunday, an event for families held at the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks.
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Spring cleaning includes what is hiding in closet
      "It's easy to hide a mess behind closed doors," said author and personal organization expert Meryl Starr, owner of the New York-based Let's Get Organized. That's why Starr recommends removing closet doors. In her recently released book, "The Personal Organizing Workbook," Starr takes home decluttering even deeper by helping readers organize their personal lives.
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Church club honors police, firefighters
      The St. Paschal Baylon Men's Club and the Rev. Dave Heney will host the annual Police and Fire Awards Night Dinner at 6 p.m. Mon., April 2 in Thomas Aquinas Hall at the church, 155 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. The club holds annual events to honor the service and dedication to the community shown by police and firefighters.
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      Army Spc. John J. Duffy is an honor graduate after completing basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. He is the son of John and Suzanne Duffy of Thousand Oaks and a 2006 graduate of Cal State Northridge. Army Pvt. John D. Abker has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
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Westlake Village Rotary
Street festival provides family fun
     BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers NEW RECRUIT- Charlie Fairtlough, 4, of Westlake Village tries on a fireman's outfit with the help of Fernando Calderon of Simi Valley and Mike Canchola from Thousand Oaks. The three were attending the recent Westlake Village Rotary Street Festival.
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      The Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library will present free programs in April. The library is at 1401 E. Janss Road and the website is www.toaks.org/library. For more information on any program, call (805) 449-2660. If registration is required, go to the reference desk or call the library, ext. 204.
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Newbury Park library to tell toddler tales
      The Newbury Park Branch Library will present free story times for toddlers and their parents at 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, April 12 through May 3 at 2331 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. The program is designed for children 1 to 3 years old. Stories, songs, puppets and visual tales will be presented.
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'Ugly' bus in Newbury Park not in violation of law
      A large green bus has been parked on the streets around Maple Elementary School in Newbury Park on and off for more than a year. Its presence has caused residents to repeatedly call the sheriff's hotline, (805) 371-8379, to complain in hopes that the giant bus with no license plates is somehow out of compliance with the law. It has been described as an eyesore and creepy.
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Egg hunt coming to park
      The Conejo Recreation and Park District and Dilbeck Realtors Westlake Village will present the 24th Spring Eggstravaganza from noon to 3 p.m. Sat., March 31 at the Conejo Creek Soccer Fields in Thousand Oaks at the intersection of the 23 Freeway and Janss Road off-ramp.
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Get ready for the winning bid
      PET PONY- A horse-lovers basket is placed on display in the Wildwood Elementary School by Tracy Diestel, left, and Amanda Chenevert, co-chairs for the Wildwood Elementary PTA auction and dinner at the Stage Coach Inn on April 28, 6 to 10 p.m. Call (805) 492-8503.
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Candidates needed for CVD race
      Candidate registrations for the Conejo Valley Days Grand Marshal Race are being accepted through Fri., March 30. The races begin the following day. Winners will be announced at a Grand Marshal Race final countdown dinner and lastminute fundraiser on Fri., April 27 at the Goebel Senior Adult Center in Thousand Oaks.
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Easter Eggstravaganza coming to Janss
      An Easter Eggstravaganza will take place from noon to 3 p.m. Sat., April 7 at Janss Marketplace on the northwest corner of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest Drive.
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Butterflies spring free
      As I walk around the mountains I am in awe. The abundance of life springs forth from seemingly nowhere: grasses from barren sands, buds from dormant trees, colorful flowers from dry hillsides. Animal life is prolific as well, especially the butterflies.
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Sports leagues open for tiny tots
      The Triunfo YMCA, serving Westlake Village, Agoura Hills and Oak Park, will offer "IttyBitty" spring sports league for boys and girls ages 3, 4 and prekindergartners. Signups for players and coaches are underway. The season begins April 17 and runs for six weeks at Sumac Park, 6050 N. Calmfield Drive in Agoura Hills. League participants meet twice a week.
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Author comes home to promote book at library
      Jennifer Chiaverini, a Thousand Oaks High School graduate and previous employee of the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, will come back to the library to promote her new book "The Quilter's Homecoming" at 1 p.m. Sun., April 22 at 1401 E. Janss Road.
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