Inmates can get education credits while they're in jail
      The Ventura County Sheriff's Department is implementing a new program in which jail inmates may be eligible to receive credits for school, vocational training and substance abuse courses. These jail credits will be used to reduce their court sentences.
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For the record
      Contact information regarding the Las Flores Community Garden was incorrect in a photo caption last week. For details about renting space to plant your own garden, call (805) 497-7170.
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Air pollution district wins award
      The Public Information Division of the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District recently won the 200708 21st annual In ternational Mercury Communications Bronze Award of Excellence for their "Clean Air Today 2007 Global Climate Change" edition written by public information manager Barbara L. Page and designed by Elena Trevino Design.
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Former Westlake Village lawyer charged with passing bad checks
      Oxnard resident Scott B. Whitenack, 49, an attorney who practiced law in Westlake Village, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of writing and passing checks with non-sufficient funds. Whitenack allegedly wrote and passed three checks totaling $340 with insufficient funds in his business checking account between July 29, 2007, and Sept. 9, 2007.
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Workshops seek to reduce homelessness
      Representatives from the Conejo Affordable Housing Workgroup are asking those interested in fighting homelessness in the area to attend a series of meetings to discuss strategies. Subcommittee meetings will be held at Thousand Oaks City Hall at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in the Acorn Room and will take place the first Wednesday of every month.
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Former owner of fishing tackle store has a new home
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      When an elderly Thousand Oaks man faced an uncertain future, the community pulled together to help him. Larry Mack, 73, owned Conejo Custom Tackle, a fishing supply store on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, for 22 years.
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Assemblymember wants to end benefits for illegal immigrants
      State Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks) introduced two measures during the third extraordinary session that aim to end state taxpayer-funded benefits to illegal immigrants as a way to address the estimated $16-billion state budget deficit.
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Kiwanis select T.O. man as trustee
      Irish John Gore, 71, a 27 year member of the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks, has just been elected to a new office for the Cal-Nev-Ha District of Kiwanis International, which includes the states of California, Nevada and Hawaii.
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Young at heart
      OUTDOOR ELECTRONICS- Tom Hare, administrator of parks and planning for Conejo Recreation and Park District, enjoys a quick 47-second game of "Light Grabber" against Glenwood Elementary School student Kira Cusworth, 11. The newly installed Neos Outdoor Game System at Conejo Creek Park North officially opened on Saturday morning.
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Has hand-eye coordination
      NEW PLAYGROUND FEATURES UNEXPECTED FUN- Emiley Noonan, 10, of Wildwood Elementary School races to tag the button with the green light before Walnut Elementary student Josh Morales, 9, can hit a button lit in red. An eightplayer Neos Outdoor Game System tournament was played at Conejo Creek Park North on Saturday morning.
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Couple losing home organizes group to help others cope with foreclosure
      Moving Forward, a nonprofit peer-based support group for distressed homeowners, will meet from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Fri., April 4 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 1360 S. Wendy Drive, Newbury Park. The group meets on the first and third Friday of every month.
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Conejo Recreation and Park District has new brochure
      Conejo Recreation and Park District will mail its summer 2008 brochure to residents on Thurs., April 17. The brochure includes information about classes and activities for all ages. Brochures will also be available April 18 at community centers, Chamber of Commerce, Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library and other locations within the Conejo Valley.
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Toastmasters meet weekly
      Rhetorical Link of Toastmasters International meets weekly at 7:15 p.m. in the second floor conference room, Thousand Oaks Surgical Center, 401 S. Rolling Oaks Drive, Thousand Oaks. The club helps members im prove their public speaking skills and facilitates leadership development.
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Horse rescue fundraiser will feature auction, lunch and plenty of fun
      A fundraiser for Canyon Creek Farm Horse Rescue Inc., "It'sAll About the Horses," is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sun., April 13 at The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. The event will include silent auction, vendors, DVD presentation, lunch and live entertainment.
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Get your garden tour tickets soon
      Westlake Village Garden Club will present its 35th annual Garden and Patio Tour from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., April 27. The tour will showcase five outstanding gardens in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Tickets, which include a map, are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Children under 12 will be admitted free.
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Walk to Work Day set for tomorrow
      The fifth annual National Walk to Work Day is scheduled for tomorrow, Fri., April 4. Americans are encouraged to turn their commute into an opportunity for exercise and healthy living by walking to work. The event is endorsed by the U.S.
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Habitat for Humanity celebrates 25th anniversary
      Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County is celebrating 25 years of helping one family at a time realize the benefits of homeownership. Celebrations are planned throughout the year to commemorate the work that volunteers and supporters in the community have accomplished.
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Chumash Day coming to Malibu
      The 10th annual Chumash Day will be 11 a.m. Sat., April 19 and Sun., April 20 at Malibu Bluffs Park at the corner of Las Virgenes, aka Malibu Canyon Road, and Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The event is an intertribal gathering and powwow sponsored by the city of Malibu. The theme for this year's event is "Honoring the Island People and Ancestors.
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Literacy program needs tutors
      The Conejo Valley Adult School Literacy Program will offer a free literacy tutor workshop from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat., April 19 at the Conejo Valley Adult School, Room 5, 1025 Old Farm Road, Thousand Oaks.
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Seniors needed at Chumash Center
      The Conejo Valley Retired & Senior Volunteer Program is recruiting men and women, ages 55 and up, for the Chumash Interpretive Center in the following areas: •Education program assistants work with third- and fourthgrade students on a threehour education program.
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Website encourages reuse and recycling
      The county of Ventura sponsors the www.VCMAX.org "Donate, Reuse, Recycle" waste reduction website and invites all county residents and businesses to tour the program's virtual reuse warehouse, check out the items listed or place free "Wanted" or "Available" ads.
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Wades Wines presents Scotch tasting at Cafe 14
      Wades Wines presents a tasting event of Signatory single malt Scotch at 7 p.m. Mon., April 14 at Cafe 14, 30315 Canwood St., Agoura Hills. Signatory is an independent bottler of rare single malt Scotches. Ed Kohl, North American marketing manager for Signatory, will discuss single malt Scotches at the event.
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Kiwanis of T.O. seeks sponsors for golf tourney
      Sponsorships are available for the Kiwanis Club of Thousand Oaks' Inaugural Celebrity Golf Tournament. It's a fundraiser to support Community Conscience in Thousand Oaks, a nonprofit organization that helps other agencies serve the public without paying rent.
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Special event to help kids with disabilities
      PAUSE4kids presents the Keri Bowers movie "The Sandwich Kid: A Film About Siblings and Disabilities" Fri., April 11 at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. A silent art auction and event tables will be available starting at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening and awards presentation at 8 p.m.
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Community Garage Sale is coming
      The community is invited to sell items or shop at a Community Garage Sale from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., April 5 at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Ventura. The event is ideal for those who live in an apartment or other situation where having a yard sale is not possible or convenient.
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