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May 12, 2011 / Front Page

Conejo Valley Days— what a ride!

HANG ON TIGHT—Niki Phillips, 12, of Visalia performs trick riding with the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls during Conejo Valley Days’ Fiesta Del Charro rodeo on Sunday. More...

Drivers asked to have patience during 101 Freeway repaving

By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com

Although major improvements on the 101 Freeway have only just begun, the work is already testing the patience of some Thousand Oaks drivers who are worried about how the repairs will affect their daily driving habits over the coming months. More...

Health & Wellness

Mail carriers collecting food for county’s less fortunate

On Sat., May 14, Ventura County letter carriers will participate in Stamp Out Hunger, a single-day food drive to benefit Ventura County’s regional food bank, FOOD Share. More...

Cancer support, education and hope

Photography by Wendy Pierro

The Wellness Community Valley/ Ventura hosted its 20th annual gala fundraiser on May 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village. Each year the nonprofit organization helps more than 2,800 individuals on their road to survival. More...

Don’t leave your colon unchecked

Screenings should start at 50

With advanced technologies in screening and treatment, colon cancer is considered one of the most preventable and curable diseases if detected early. More...

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Bulletin Board

Datebook

THURS., MAY 12 Woodland Hills Republican Women Federated 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Woodland Hills Country Club, 21150 Dumetz Road. Lunch served. Guest speakers comedian Mason Weaver and talk show host Kevin James. $22. RSVP requested. More...

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Schools

Longtime science teacher plans on testing the retirement waters

By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com

After 30 years of teaching science classes at Moorpark High School, Joel Tiefel is ready to call it a day. More...

FHA cooks up success in Fresno

Students from the Newbury Park High School FHA-HERO chapter attended and received awards at the 64th annual State Leadership Meeting in April in Fresno at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center. More...

CLU commencement ceremony is Saturday

California Lutheran University will honor 690 students receiving bachelor’s degrees at the undergraduate commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Sat., May 14 in Mount Clef Stadium at the Thousand Oaks campus. More...

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Business

New ordinance encourages city to buy from local vendors

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Thousand Oaks companies who do business with the city will have a leg-up on the competition when a new ordinance goes into effect tomorrow. More...

Local trash hauler recognized by county for efforts to reduce emissions

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors recently honored Harrison Industries with its third annual Climate Change Action Award for the steps the company is taking to measure its carbon footprint and to help its client cities meet anticipated tight fu More...

Fitness center expanding

M6 Fitness of Thousand Oaks has expanded to a new 5,500-square-foot location at 258 Lombard St. Known for its high-energy classes and club atmosphere, M6 Fitness blends cutting-edge fitness with urban dance movements. More...

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Police

Sheriff's Blotter

Newbury Park Two 18-year-old men were cited for trespassing in a flood control channel April 28 on Paseo de La Paz. An embezzler took more than $950 by wire transfer from the 100 block of Madonna Lane between April 28 and 29. More...

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Faith

Believers gather for prayer at city hall

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Adults, teens and children filled rows of white chairs under the shade of trees and tents last week for an hour’s pause from busy lives. The gathering commemorated the National Day of Prayer, a decades old U.S. spiritual tradition. More...

The Art of Being

What it’s really all about

“From a spiritual perspective, we have come here to have relationships. . . . More...

Faith-based networkers meet

The Vocare Networking Support Group is a faithbased networking group for those who are in transition and seeking career search advice as well as support in a spiritual surrounding. More...

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Motoring

A new direction for public transportation

Head of VCTC addresses local Chamber

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Faced with a lack of funding for mass transit, officials are developing a strategic countywide plan to overcome the challenges faced by public transportation in Ventura County. More...

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Columns

Ask the Arborist

Sycamore disease

Q: We have 12 large California sycamore trees on our property. Several, particularly those in the vicinity of our house, appear to be diseased. The leaves came out normally, as they usually do in the spring, but within days most of them fell off. More...

Green Scene

Debate over risks of fluoridated water has gone on for decades

Dear EarthTalk: So, what’s the story: Is it good that we have fluoride in our tap water or not? I’ve heard so many conflicting opinions over the years. —Benjamin P., Mission, Kan. More...

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Police called to Westlake High after coach, player squabble

Argument leads to accusation of battery

By Kyle Jorrey
tonewstip@theacorn.com

The Thousand Oaks Police Department is investigating a possible battery by a coach on a player after a May 3 Westlake High School softball game. The incident involved a student-athlete under the age of 18, said Dep. More...

Chase bank in T.O. robbed twice in one week

A Thousand Oaks bank was struck twice last week, and police are asking for help in identifying those responsible. Chase Bank at 148 W. Hillcrest Drive was robbed at 3:50 p.m. May 4 and 11:30 a.m. May 7. More...

Community

Public works director promoted to second-in-command at city hall

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Visitors to Thousand Oaks City Hall will see a familiar face in a new place next fall. Mark Watkins, veteran public works director, was recently promoted to interim assistant city manager by City Manager Scott Mitnick. More...

Members of conservancy board upset over deal struck with U2 guitarist

Rocker wants to build 5 luxury homes in the Santa Monica Mountains

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Local representatives on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy board are crying foul over the agency’s decision to stay quiet on a controversial plan to build a cluster of mansions in the mountains above Malibu. More...

Police make child porn arrest

A Thousand Oaks resident has been arrested on charges of possessing child pornography. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Helpful tips for planting in May

By Nordic Nursery
Special to the Acorn

Q: How can I grow happy citrus? More...

Janss summer concert schedule

Janss Marketplace will present its free outdoor Summer Concert Series from 6 to 8 p.m. from June 22 through Aug. 31 at the shopping center at Moorpark Road at Hillcrest Drive in Thousand Oaks. Attendees should bring folding chairs for seating. More...

Remember the golden days of radio

The Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library will host a program on the Good Old Days of Radio at 2 p.m. Sun., May 15 at the Grant Brimhall Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

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Sports

Private study sparks Title IX debate in the Conejo

Review says local HS female athletes have fewer resources than males

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

High schools in the Conejo Valley Unified School District have lower rates of female participation in sports compared to male participation, according to a report by the American Association of University Women’s Thousand Oaks branch. More...

Basketball, volleyball leagues open to adults

The Conejo Recreation and Park District Sports Office is accepting applications for the following 2011 adult sports leagues. Adult Coed Summer Volleyball League. More...

Westlake swimmers sink the competition at Marmonte League finals

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

QUINN WIN—Thousand Oaks freshman Anna Quinn took first place in the girls’ 200-yard freestyle in 1 minute, 54 seconds during the Marmonte League Swimming Championships last week. Todd Irmas will savor this victory. More...

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Pets

Young girl knits bandannas to help shelter dogs

Proceeds benefit Hogan Foundation

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Two years ago, fourth-grader Samantha Smart adopted a deaf mini poodle and named her Latte. Adopting a disabled animal inspired the Lang Ranch Elementary student to figure out a way to help other dogs find a home. More...

Different dog parks offer different choices for owners

By Linda Levine
Special to the Acorn

The sound of the hallway closet door opening and the jingle of leashes never fails to elicit howls of anticipation from my three dogs. More...

Pet of the Week

SWEET—Oreo is a 2-year-old pit bull mix. He is sensitive, loving and playful. If you would like to adopt Oreo ask for ID No. A4040354 at the Agoura Animal Shelter, 29525 Agoura Road. More...

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Family

DUI dandies honored by MADD

Cops with eyes for drunk drivers receive recognition

Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the Avoid the 14 DUI Task Force honored 79 law enforcement officers from 11 jurisdictions in Ventura County for their expertise in taking drunk drivers off the road. More...

T.O. Elks appreciate youths

The first week in May is Elks Grand Lodge Youth Appreciation Week. Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge No. 2477 will host its Youth Appreciation event on Fri., May 13 at the Elks Lodge, 158 N. Conejo Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

Naturalist program expands to include younger ages

Kids ages 5 to 12 can take part

Mountains Restoration Trust has expanded its Youth Naturalist Program to include children age 5 to 7. More...

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