A mysterious disappearance in 2006 may have been solved when a car was discovered in a canyon last weekend. It will take about a week for a coroner's report to positively identify what are likely the remains of Jeffrey Scott Howard of Thousand Oaks. The skeletal remains were inside Howard's car, which was discovered by hikers on Sunday. More...

After losing both of her grandmothers to Alzheimer's, Dina Sherman of Calabasas pledged to fight the disease. But with two young children and an acting career, she found it difficult to find time for her promise. More...

Humorous folk singersongwriter Jackie Morris of Carpinteria will perform at 8 p.m. Fri., April 10 at the Fireside Theatre in the Borchard Community Center, 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. Her original songs from her two recent CDs have been played on NPR radio stations nationwide. More...

THURS., APR. 2 Business & Professional Women's Club Meets at Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village, in lower lounge near bar. Set Wagerman, PhD, psychology professor, speaks on "Accuracy in personality judgment." Men, women welcome. More...

Leanne Neilson, PsyD., has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at California Lutheran University. Neilson has served as interim provost since April. She joined CLU's psychology faculty in 1993 and has taught in the undergraduate, graduate and adult degree evening programs. Neilson is chair of the United Way of Ventura County board of directors. More...

It's a good thing most track and field coaches carry a stopwatch because the race for a Marmonte League title in boys' and girls' track and field will be very close this spring. Thousand Oaks and Moorpark high schools both have solid boys' and girls' squads, while Simi Valley, Agoura and Newbury Park expect to be in the hunt on the girls' side. More...

The Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a "Pass the Mike" networking breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Fri., April 3 at the Los Robles Greens Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Each attendee will be given the opportunity to showcase their business with a 30-second commercial. More...

DESIGNER LOOK— Gucci, an 11-year-old female gray and brown shorthair cat can be adopted from the Agoura Animal Shelter at 29525 Agoura Road. To take Gucci home, ask about identification No. 3934048. Occasionally pets have already been adopted, so always call (818) 991-0071 first or visit animalcare.lacounty.gov. More...

An alleged elaborate shoplifting scheme at Best Buy in Thousand Oaks led police detectives to what could be a major credit card manufacturing ring. The investigation began when a security team at Best Buy, 390 N. Moorpark Road, suspected people were purchasing 22-inch TVs, leaving the store with them and giving the receipt to an accomplice. More...

The 88th annual Hollywood Bowl Easter Sunrise Service will take place from 5:30 to 7 a.m. Sun., April 12 in Hollywood. The theme is "Peace on Earth." Six multidenominational clergy will lead the service. Lesley Leighton, artistic director of the Los Robles Master Chorale, will lead the 240-voice choir. More...

Nearly 20 parents came together last week in Los Cerritos Middle School's multipurpose room to get advice on talking about sex with their children. "Sex and Sexuality, Your Teen" was led by guest speaker Brenda Hunter. Conejo Council Parent-Teacher Association hosted the free seminar. More...

I want to congratulate the Acorn on its March 26 editorial ("People who can, should buy things"). That's exactly what we all need to do- - go out and spend some money and on local businesses, too, and not wait for the government to waste more of our tax dollars on halfbaked social programs that will supposedly solve our financial woes. More...

BRAVE SQUIRREL- ''Apparently the threat of two cats and a small dog wasn't enough for this little one," wrote Karen Gebhardt and Bob Casady of Simi Valley. "She tried in vain to get into the house last night. In reality, we think she smelled the birdseed that we keep inside the bench she's climbing on. More...

The City Council in Thousand Oaks is again trying to promote decorum during its twice-per-month meetings. (See story on page 9.) Once upon a time, council meetings in Thousand Oaks were so contentious that they were sometimes called the "Tuesday Night Fights." To the credit of everyone, today's council meetings seem to have more civility than before. More...

Lora Martin and Michael Radonic won the award for Top Listing agents from Prudential California Realty's Thousand Oaks regional office for January 2009. Martin and Radonic earned Prudential's Leading Edge Society for 2008. More...