January 6, 2011 RSS feed / Front Page

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Dean takes over new-look sheriff’s department

By Daniel Wolowicz
camarillo@theacorn.com
Ventura County has a new sheriff in charge. Geoff Dean was sworn in Monday before an audience of police, county and city officials at the county government center in Ventura. More...

T.O. newborn arrives seconds after midnight on Jan. 1

NEW YEAR’S BLESSING—Rocio and Elber Cerritos of Thousand Oaks treasure their new baby, Marilyn, who was born a few moments after midnight on Jan. More...

Health & Wellness

Los Robles selects new chief of staff

Dr. Lorne Label, an adult and pediatric neurologist, was recently elected new chief of staff for Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center. Ramesh Nathan, M.D., infectious disease specialist, will serve as vice chief of staff. More...

Cervical cancer preventable, easily detected

The California Medical Association Foundation has joined forces with other health advocates across the nation to promote Cervical Health Awareness Month in January. More...

Health Briefs

Healthy food demonstration A healthy food demonstration will be offered from 2 to 6 p.m. Mon., Jan. 17 at La Siesta Market, 1372 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. More...

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Schools

High School HI*LIGHTS

Newbury Park Panthers Mon., Jan. 10: Norton Simon Museum field trip/9 a.m. More...

Kids take classes in thrashin’

SKATE CAMP— Newbury Park residents Robbie McInerney, 11, and Michael Netka, 12, (inset) clear stacked skateboards during Fall Skateboard Camp at Borchard Community Center on Dec. 28. More...

Neighborhood for Learning presents two classes

Conejo Valley Neighborhood for Learning will present the following classes. The cost for either is $30, and space is limited. For more information, go to http://CVNFL.org. For reservations, call Karen Solis-Hernandez at (805) 496- 7341. More...

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Business

Be mindful of changes in the tax code for 2011

The State Franchise Tax Board has begun accepting 2010 state tax returns, and wants the public to know about the following law changes and filing services. Since Fri., April 15, is a legal holiday in Washington, D.C. More...

Cell provider installs new tower

AT&T has activated a new 3G cell site in Thousand Oaks, promising it will provide better coverage for its customers in the Conejo Valley. The tower is at the intersection of Pauling Drive and North Ventu Park Road. More...

Area Realtors pick top performer of 2010

BEST SELLER—Patti Hepple, center, accepts the Conejo Simi Moorpark Association of Realtors’ 2010 Realtor of the Year award from past winners Glen Scalise, left, and Nelson Carrillo. More...

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Police

Sheriff's Blotter

Newbury Park A 56- year- old man was arrested Dec. 25 for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs after being involved in a traffic collision at Newbury and Kelley roads. Tires on a vehicle were slashed Dec. More...

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Obituaries

Marvin Joel Betnun

Marvin Joel Betnun Passed on January 1, 2011. Marvin lived a very long, full life passing at the age of 92. More...

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Family

Teens ring in the new year safely

SODA ON TAP—Grayson Sillers, 13, of Thousand Oaks grabs an extra-festive umbrellaequipped soda served by Stephani Pradilla at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center’s New Year’s Eve dance on More...

Scout earns rank of Eagle

FUTURE LEADER—Nicholas “Nicky” Evans, a senior at Westlake High School, received his Eagle Scout award in a Court of Honor ceremony recently at Ascension Lutheran Church in Thousand More...

Sharing the warmth of the season

SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS—Girl Scout Troop 60772 of Madrona Elementary School in Thousand Oaks bring fleece blankets to Mary Health of the Sick, a convalescent and nursing hospital, last mon More...

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Columns

Ask the Arborist

Acorn storage Q: I took my kids to the park a few days ago. While they were playing, I was sitting under a really big oak tree and noticed that it had thousands of holes in the bark, many of which have acorns in them. More...

The Nature of Things

Climate extremes

It seems appropriate that the new year brings a deluge of rainfall. The rain washes away last year’s buildup of debris. Oncestagnant and dry creek beds flood with runoff and ensure the land is scoured. More...

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Vacation Photos

Take Your Thousand Oaks Acorn on Vacation

How to submit: E-mail your vacation photo as a .jpg attachment only to vacation@theacorn.com. Include name, address, phone number and a brief description of the scene. More...

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Missed deadline costs city thousands for solar

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

The future of solar energy at the Newbury Park Library just became a little dimmer. More...

Meetings on council compensation underway

Lifetime medical benefits at center of discussions
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Two City Council members are meeting with staff this week to review compensation for the council, namely a provision that guarantees lifetime medical coverage to council members who are over 50 and have served five years in office. More...

Community

Rent hearing for Thunderbird is Monday

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

The city’s Rent Adjustment Commission will hear arguments Monday from an attorney representing a mobile home park owner who wishes to raise rents and from residents who say they can’t afford it. More...

Accused doctor yet to enter plea

By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com

Ventura County sheriff’s detectives are investigating the possibility of additional victims in a sexual assault case involving a Thousand Oaks family practice doctor. They’re also looking into the background of the alleged victim. More...

Roadwork to begin soon on Lindero Canyon

Traffic signal will be improved so it can detect those waiting on bikes
By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com

Drivers who use the Lindero Canyon thoroughfare will soon have an easier commute. The city of Westlake Village will begin a new phase of work to improve traffic flow and safety on the road and at several intersections near the 101 Freeway. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

‘Die Hard’ actor does ‘Old Blue Eyes’

Robert Davi will perform “Davi Sings Sinatra: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, the Great American Songbook and America” accompanied by a 55-piece orchestra at 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. More...

Expect ‘Landslide’ in Agoura

Stevie Nicks tribute band to perform at The Canyon

Bella Donna—A Tribute to Stevie Nicks and Fleetwood Mac, and Desperado, an Eagles tribute band, will perform rock classics on Fri., Jan. 21 at The Canyon, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show begins at 8:30 p.m. More...

What’s New On DVD?

By Randy Williams
Special to the Acorn

Avatar-Extended Collector’s Edition, on Blu-ray (Fox)—Director James Cameron offers three versions of the film, including an all-new extended cut, and hours of never-before-seen material. More...

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Sports

Panthers inspired by coach’s comeback

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Gary Murphy knocked on heaven’s door—and he survived. The Newbury Park High wrestling head coach suffered a lifethreatening aneurysm in July. Murphy spent two months in a hospital while the community rallied around the gregarious coach. More...

Marmonte salutes top pigskin players

Nick Isham nearly led Westlake High’s football team to back-to-back CIF-Southern Section Northern Division titles. The senior quarterback was honored for his achievements by being named the Marmonte League’s MVP. More...

Free lacrosse instruction this weekend

There will be a pair of free lacrosse clinics Saturday in Westlake Village. Robert Steele, the strength and conditioning coach for USC’s men’s lacrosse team, will conduct the clinics for middle school and high school boys and girls. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers

EAGER TO PLEASE— Young chestnut-colored pit bull mix Chico loves frolicking in the grass, playing tug-of-war and getting treats. This smart pup knows basic commands, has excellent manners and plays well with other dogs. More...

Let us hear your ‘tails’

The Thousand Oaks Acorn invites you to send your favorite pet story for publication on the Critter Corner page. We love our pets and want to give them the recognition they deserve. More...

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Faith

Temple sponsors workshop on bullying

Temple Adat Elohim invites the community to a free educational parenting program on bullying at 7 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12 at the temple, 2420 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. More...

Jewish a cappella group coming to Temple Etz Chaim

By Cary Ginell
originjazz@aol.com

Recently, a cappella vocal groups have become all the rage at universities and colleges. One of these will make a local appearance when Shir Appeal comes to Temple Etz Chaim in Thousand Oaks on Mon., Jan. 10. More...

T.O. Christian women’s group to meet

Thousand Oaks Christian Women’s Connection will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 12 in the Tapas Banquet Room at the Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. More...

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Letters

Separate private, public prep teams

Thank you to sports editor Stephen Dorman and letter writer Dennis Ritterbush for their comments on transfers and recruiting in high school football. They both raised some excellent points. More...

Schools should play by same rules

I have been teaching in the Conejo Valley Unified School District for 31 years. I grew up in Simi Valley and attended Simi Valley High School and also CLU. To say the least I am what you would call a local boy in every way. More...

Law protects vets from unfair taxes

A few days ago I became aware of the start of an aggressive campaign to increase tax revenues for the cities of Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley. Two city officials, Mr. Scott of T.O. and Mr. More...

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Editorials

Death to lifetime benefits

It’s been nearly two months since the City Council—in response to voter outcry—agreed to look at the issue of lifetime health benefits, and officials are just now getting around to talking about it. More...

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Full Story

For the record

An erroneous headline was attached to a letter last week by Stuart Kline that read “There’s no native landscaping in T.O.” Kline was stating that there is no native landscaping in Westlake Village, not Thousand Oaks. More...

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