While parents and students wait to find out what two schools in Conejo Valley Unified School District will be closing their doors in 2009, many are wondering what will happen to those neighborhood schools after they're shuttered. According to district officials, they fully intend to hold onto those facilities. More...

JOE BINOYA/Acorn Newspapers READY TO TAKE THE FIELD- - Timmy Valentine, 9, of the Cardinals delivers a few fives as his team is introduced during the 40th anniversary of Opening Day. Festivities were Saturday at Colina Middle School in Thousand Oaks. More than 600 kids between 4 and 18 will get physically fit and learn about teamwork and camaraderie while enjoying America's pastime, the game of baseball. More...

THURS., MARCH 6 Solo Artists "Singles Only" Moorpark College students perform monologues, music, dance, poetry. 7:30 p.m. tonight through Saturday, Studio Theatre, Moorpark College Performing Arts Center, 7075 Campus Road. For adults only. $8. (805) 378 1485, www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac. More...

For a parent, knowing one's children are safe, happy and emotionally sound is a concern. A parent would want to be the first to know if their child is being traumatized by something at school or worse. Persontoperson communication is important for a child to feel able to confide in his or her parents. More...

Thousand Oaks High sophomore Michelle Cruz gave her older sister, Nicole, an early graduation gift last Saturday night. More...

Lang Ranch Elementary School PTA is one of the top 250 earning groups nationally in the recent Vons 10 percent Back To Schools Program. As one of the top 250 groups, Lang Ranch Elementary PTA will earn an additional $1,000 from Vons. More...

LIKES CORN, CORNDOGS, CORNBREAD AND FREE HANDOUTS- Here's another stupendous Squirrel of the Month provided by Natalie Armstrong of Westlake Village. She said her husband, Jeff, made friends with an entire squirrel family. Apparently, some husbands lead lonely lives. Don't make Jeff feel like a loner. You, too, can befriend a squirrel or a whole famn damily of squirrels. Send your Squirrel of the Month photo as a jpg attachment to tonewstip@theacorn.com or mail a print to the address on page 4.You'll be glad you did. Probably. More...

Newbury Park A male, 45, was arrested on suspicion of spousal abuse at 7:04 a.m. Feb. 27 in the 4800 block of Via Estrella. On charges of possessing substances believed to be Ecstasy and marijuana, a male, 19, was arrested at 10:13 p.m. Feb. 25 on Old Conejo Road. More...

Support groups for those caring for an ailing family member or grieving after the loss of a loved one are not unusual. But recognizing the strong bond between people and their pets, members of North United Methodist Church in Madison, Ind., go a step further- reaching out to those dealing with the illness or death of four-legged friends. More...

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District will present a special performance on Fri., March 21 at the Camarillo Cafe, 515 Eubanks St. at the Camarillo Airport. Open stage/microphone begins at 8 p.m. Signup is required. The feature performers, The MacMammals and Southcoast, begin at 9:30 p.m. More...

Directed by: Peter Travis Starring: Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Matthew Fox MPAA rating: PG-13 (for adult language, violence) Running time: 91 minutes Best suited for: More...

Regarding Ms. Barker's letter to the editor of Feb. 28 ("Hospital is using scare tactics against the traffic initiative"), I'm pleased to clarify any misconceptions that any one of the proponents or opponents of the Traffic Congestion Initiative may have about my support of the Westlake Village initiative to bring a Lowe's home improvement center to the city of More...