Five intersections to lose crossing guards next fall
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      There will no longer be school crossing guards at five elementary school crossings in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park because the locations don't meet the city's criteria for that service. Cutting the crossing guard services will save the city's general fund about $40,000 a year.
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Color your dad for Father's Day and submit them quickly
      Sun., June 15 is Father's Day, and the Thousand Oaks Acorn is inviting you to take out pen, pencil or crayon and draw a picture of dear old dad.
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Play golf, help a worthy cause
      The inaugural Mel Ashcraft Celebrity Golf Classic will raise money for Community Conscience of Thousand Oaks, which helps several worthy causes. Various prizes can be won, and admission includes dinner, a raffle, and live and silent auctions.
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Wise words may sound contradictory on Memorial Day
      Every Memorial Day my thoughts revert to a quote by retired Rear Adm. Gene Larocque of the U.S. Navy, who served during World War II: "For about 20 years after the war, I couldn't look at any film on World War II. It brought back memories I didn't want to keep around. I hated to see how they glorified war.
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Dial-a-Ride needs help from the city
      I'm writing to voice my concern about our Dial-a-Ride service to say that it needs a lot of improvement. 1. Wait times are too long. 2. We need more professional people answering the phones. 3.
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Races take shape after Tuesday's election
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
      Marta Jorgensen, a teacher from Solvang, pulled a surprise victory in Tuesday's Democratic primary for the 24th Congressional District. Longtime incumbent Elton Gallegly was an easy winner on the Republican side.
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Voter registration hits 16.1 million
      The number of registered voters in California exceeds 16 million for the first time in more than three years, according to the secretary of state's latest Report of Registration released recently. The state now has 16.1 million voters, an increase of more than 1 million voters since the close of voter registration before the statewide primary four years ago.
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The Lakes will add new eatery
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      The Lakes shopping center on Thousand Oaks Boulevard will have more room for dining now that the city's Redevelopment Agency (RDA) has approved changes in the Disposition and Development Agreement with the center's developer, Caruso Affiliated.
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Furniture and rug cost taxpayers $8,200
      Some might consider decorating by committee to be a hard way to go when choosing a sofa, four chairs and a rug, but Liz Perez, city facilities manager, said her group worked together well when they picked out the new orangecolored lobby furnishings for city hall.
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Four acts to be presented by Fireside Concerts
      Fireside Concerts presents four acts at 8 p.m. Fri., June 13 at Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. The musicians include Stan Cadranel, blues artist Bob Jones, flamenco guitarist Robby Longley, and music of the '20s and '30s performed by Dutch Newman and the Musical Melodians with Mikal Sandoval.
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Vandals with BB and paintball guns take aim at parked vehicles
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Police are looking for individuals responsible for late night paintball and BB gun attacks on cars in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. Officials believe the culprits are most likely teenagers.
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Construction begins on Fallen Firefighter Memorial
      Construction is underway on a memorial that will honor firefighters from the eight fire departments serving Ventura County who have died in the line of duty. The memorial will be on the east lawn of the Ventura County Government Center in Ventura. It is expected to be finished in time for this year's memorial ceremony and unveiling on Sat., Sept. 27.
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School district slices away at budget
By Joann Groff joann@theacorn.com
      School board members cut the Conejo Valley Unified School District budget the hard way, using a study session last week to delete funds line by line, and approving their cuts unanimously at yesterday's board meeting. The first task was to cut $1.
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Former T.O. teacher needs blood
      Several blood drives have been organized this month for a local teacher struggling at Los Robles Hospital. Simi Valley resident Skogi Baker, 64, who retired in 2004 after teaching in Conejo Valley Unified School District for 36 years, is recovering from acute pancreatitis with many complications.
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City Calendar
      The city of Thousand Oaks will be conducting the following meetings this month, according to the city manager's office. All contact phone numbers are in the 805 area code. Mon., June 9: 6:30 p.m.
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Symphony league holds fundraisers
      New West Symphony League will present a series of fundraising events from June 15 through Aug. 31. The events will include gourmet dinners in private homes, cooking lessons, hobby demonstrations, musical programs, gardening, a poker night, lectures and various specialty activities.
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CVD results still not in, but organizers hopeful for profit
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com
      Conejo Valley Days organizers still don't know attendance numbers or whether they made a profit this year, but event chair Marty Campbell said she's cautiously optimistic.
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Democrats to meet
      •The Democratic Club of Conejo Valley will hold a meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wed., June 11 at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road. The agenda will be "Planning to Take Action." The group will discuss plans and strategies for the November election and opportunities to canvas, voter registration, calling and fundraising.
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Enjoying a margarita
     IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers A TOAST TO FRIENDS- Thousand Oaks residents Wendy Caligiuri, left, and Tamara Larson toast at the annual Soroptimist International of the Conejo Margarita Mixoff in Thousand Oaks. At the event last Thursday evening, Alamo Bar and Grill in Newbury Park won the coveted People's Choice Award.
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Michael Doulton to sign fine china items
      Michael Doulton, ambassador for Royal Doulton, makers of fine china products, will meet with collectors and sign their pieces from noon to 4 p.m. Sun., June 8 at the Royal Doulton Company Store, Camarillo Premium Outlets, 740 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 530, Camarillo.
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Library announces T.O. Reads book selection
      The Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library has announced the selection for the second annual Thousand Oaks Reads- One City One Book program. Building on the success of last year's citywide reading initiative, featuring Jonathan Safran Foer's "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," members of the community are once again invited to read and discuss the same book.
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Humor writers come to Borders
      The Ventura County Writer's Club will host two humor writers at 7 p.m. Tues., June 10 at Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Local writer Billy Martin will discuss the publishing of his first short story and lessons he learned through the Writer's Club. He will also read his essay "3rd of July.
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Movie showing at T.O. Library
      The Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library will show the 2006 movie "Walk the Line" at 1 p.m. Mon., June 9 in the community room at the library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. The film, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, tells the life of musician Johnny Cash. Witherspoon won an Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash.
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Warming up
     READY TO RUN FOR WILDWOOD- Fourth-graders Chandler Niemann and Christina Benevento warm up for Wildwood Elementary School's Jog-athon. The recent event raised money for physical education, music and arts classes through the PTA. More than 300 students and staff participated, and more than 100 volunteers enjoyed lunch that was provided by Sharky's Woodfire Grill of Thousand Oaks.
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Winning Scottish dancers
     TROPHY TAKERS- - Devon, left, and Megan Watson show their awards. The two children, both students at Meadows Elementary School, competed in the 76th annual Scottish Highland Gathering over Memorial Day weekend in Costa Mesa. Kids participated in athletics, pipe bands, drumming and dancing. Megan, 8, placed second in dancing against kids from Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. She advances to the next level later this summer in Denver. Devon, 6, won first overall in the novice dancing division. Both children have been dancing since they were 3.
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Auto dealers offer kids safety day
      As part of the grand opening celebration for a new Mazda store, Neftin Westlake Car Company will sponsor a child safety event Fri. and Sat., June 13 and 14.
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Remembering elementary school
     JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers RELIVING MEMORIES- Thousand Oaks High School students, all of whom attended University Elementary School, get together on the University playground for one last playtime before the school closes. The informal reunion was last Sunday.
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Volunteer makes donation to hospice
      Hospice of the Conejo, a local volunteer, nonmedical hospice, recently received a donation of $1,600 through the efforts of Thousand Oaks resident Don Bielke along with a matching grant from Thrivent.
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No-fee program helps professionals return to work
By G.W. Griggs Special to the Acorn
      Matthew Gilling felt the magic had faded after more than a dozen years in the trucking business. So the Simi Valley man decided in March 2007 to quit his job in freight forwarding and transportation marketing and find a morefulfilling vocation.
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Thinking of a far away place
     WALKING FOR A CAUSE- The Stevens family of Thousand Oaks and the Black family of Oak Park park, members of Temple Adat Elohim in Thousand Oaks, participate in the Walk for Darfur on Sun., June 1 in West Hills. More than 100 temple congregants participated in the event. Rabbi Rebecca Dubowe was a guest speaker and congregants raised thousands of dollars for Jewish World Walk, the event's sponsor.
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Celebrating Thailand
     WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers CULTURAL DIVERSITY- Authentic Thai music and dance are performed at the Four Season Hotel's Celebration of Thailand luncheon. About 150 hotel guests and local residents gathered last Saturday to enjoy an elaborate Thai buffet, Thai massages and demonstrations of Thai crafts, including garland making and fruit carving.
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Help group for distressed homeowners to meet
      Moving Forward, a nonprofit peerbased support group for distressed homeowners, will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, Fri., June 6 at St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 1360 S. Wendy Drive, Newbury Park.
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Golf Classic Held
      Dilbeck Realtors & Associates Charitable Foundation recently held its sixth annual golf classic at the Oakmont Country Club in Glendale on Cinco de Mayo.
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