May 19, 2011 RSS feed / Front Page

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Be ready for road closures come race day

Tour of California hits town Sunday afternoon
By Kyle Jorrey
tonewstip@theacorn.com
Overcoming an early patch of bad weather in the High Sierra that led to the cancellation of the first day of competition followed by an abbreviated second day, racers in the sixth annual Tour of California are back on schedule and set to arrive in Th More...

Four students charged with vandalizing Westlake High

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Four Westlake High School students—all seniors, just weeks from graduation—were arrested this week for allegedly breaking windows at the school’s newly renovated theater and trashing a classroom, according to a Thousand Oaks police More...

Health & Wellness

When danger strikes

Former cop teaches self-defense to Conejo Valley women, kids
By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com

One night in January 2005, state police Officer Jodie King responded to a disturbance at the California State University Channel Islands student housing complex in Camarillo. More...

Breakaway from Cancer champion was given five months to live

By Jessica Chadbourn
Special to the Acorn

Cyclist Reine Wiley rides about 10,000 miles a year. At age 66, she refuses to let cancer slow her down. More...

Women’s conference at Thousand Oaks Library will focus on health and fitness

Vibrant Woman, a free women’s conference, will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sat., May 21 at the Grant Brimhall Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

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Bulletin Board

Datebook

THURS., MAY 19 Camarillo Newcomers Club Luncheon meeting at Secret Garden restaurant, 255 E. High St., Moorpark. Dr. Priscilla Partridge de Garcia, psychologist, speaks about aging brain. $20 members, $22 guests. RSVP requested. More...

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Schools

Teacher layoffs projected if state doesn’t approve tax extensions

Elementary school counseling set to be eliminated; 41 teachers receive pink slips
By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

More Conejo Valley school district teachers will lose their jobs next school year if Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to extend tax increases does not pass, school officials say. More...

Teachers protest outside Strickland’s district office

Educators upset Republicans won’t support tax extensions
By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

About 60 teachers from Simi Valley, Conejo Valley, Moorpark and Las Virgenes school districts gathered in front of state Sen. Tony Strickland’s Simi Valley office last week to protest further state budget cuts to education. More...

Dancers get dirty to clean up school

GROUP EFFORT—Westlake High School students Makayla Yoshimoto and Rachel Shaprio pull weeds during the Westlake High School Dance Team Booster community service project at Westlake High on May 1 More...

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Business

Expansion of Thousand Oaks Toyota will set precedent for future boulevard improvements

Auto dealer in dispute with watershed protection district
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

A recent meeting between Thousand Oaks Boulevard business owners and county officials might be the first step in resolving a problem that could threaten plans to beautify the city’s main thoroughfare. More...

New KCLU broadcast center about to go live

Dedication ceremony is tomorrow

A dedication for the new KCLU broadcast center is scheduled for 4 p.m. Fri., May 20 on Campus Drive on the California Lutheran University campus, on Olsen Road in Thousand Oaks. More...

Learn what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur

SCORE will present a seminar on “What You Need To Know to be a Successful Entrepreneur” from noon to 9 p.m. Wed., May 25 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard. The program is free but pre- registration is required. More...

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Faith

Church hosting flute recital

Toby Caplan-Stonefield will present flutists in recital from 6 to 8 p.m. Sun., June 5 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1 W. Avenida de Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks. More...

Church leaders head Haitian relief effort

Volunteers needed
By Sylvie Belmond
belmond@theacorn.com

For those who haven’t made summer plans yet, Claudine Schooley is proposing a different kind of holiday in the Caribbean. More...

Parking lot sales benefit local ministry

The Helping Hands Ministry of St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church will host an indoor parking lot sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., May 21 and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sun., May 22 at the parish hall, 2475 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. More...

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Motoring

Plan for bike lane approved for Lynn Road

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Despite protests from several area homeowners, the City Council approved last week a $2-million plan to add a bike lane to a 2.5-mile stretch of Lynn Road. More...

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Letters

The Caltrans weight-loss plan

I was disappointed reading the facts regarding the 101 Freeway repaving activity (“Drivers asked to have patience . . .” May 12, Acorn). More...

New path no help to horse riders

I have a few comments about Michelle Knight’s piece “Bike path will be dedicated today (April 28, T.O. More...

Big school projects fall on parents

I recently struck up a conversation with a woman in our local craft store. It was obvious she was buying supplies for a child’s school project. She sighed and stated, “Shouldn’t my child be doing this project? More...

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Editorials

Don’t miss the finish

It may not be the Super Bowl, World Series or World Cup, but Thousand Oaks residents should be plenty proud to play host to Amgen’s Tour of California cycling event. More...

Political Cartoon

Full Story

For the record

T.O. resident David Ross is one of 10 representatives on the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Board’s advisory committee; he is not on the conservancy board. More...

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City may flip the switch on another solar energy project

Project manager says bids came in too high
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Learning the hard way that “ going green” can cost too much green, the city of Thousand Oaks may pass on another solar energy opportunity—this time after spending $40,000 on design plans. More...

Middle-schoolers get jump on summer

GIDDY GLADIATORS—Seventh-graders Andie Smith,12, left, and Marissa Lee, 13, enjoy a friendly joust during Sequoia Middle School’s Beach Bash on Friday. More...

Community

Government is learning to live with lighter wallet

City budget report
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Part one of a two-part look at the 2011-12, 2012-13 city budget Thousand Oaks will maintain a balanced budget for the next two years by keeping positions vacant and halting pay raises. More...

Man allegedly pulled knife inside N.P. eatery

A 25-year-old man was arrested last week for allegedly brandishing a knife in a Newbury Park restaurant. More...

Cemetery hosting Memorial Day service

Pay tribute to fallen heroes at Pierce Brothers

Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park will present the 21st annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Mon., May 30 in the Garden of Valor at the cemetery, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

T.O.’s Concerts in the Park series starts next weekend

The 2011 Summer Concerts in the Park series will kick off on Memorial Day with The Platters at 5 p.m. Mon., May 30 in the natural amphitheater at Conejo Community Park, 1175 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks. More...

Teen who lost everything in fire takes lead role in ballet

‘Sleeping Beauty’ will be presented May 21 in T.O.

Four years ago, Matilda Sakamoto and her mom, Tamara Noland, lost everything they owned in a fire that swept through Malibu and claimed the homes of many neighbors in that small, tight-knit community. More...

‘King and I’ to hold court in Camarillo

Camarillo Community Theatre will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical “The King and I” May 27 through July 3 at the theater, 330 Skyway Drive, inside the Camarillo Airport. Show times are 8 p.m. More...

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Sports

League champs step up to the plate

Newbury Park draws Camarillo in a highly anticipated first-round game
By Stephen Dorman
sdorman@theacorn.com

The CIF-Southern Section baseball playoffs have sprung to life like sunflowers in South Dakota. These are the moments when local legends are hatched from bloopers, bunts and borderline calls. More...

Stueve resigns from TOHS job

Jimmy Stueve has resigned from his role as head coach of the Thousand Oaks High varsity baseball team. According to a press release from the school, Stueve’s job is taking him out of the area. Stueve spent three seasons leading the Lancers. More...

Standout swimmers secure section crowns

Armstrong, Peschke and Ryckman supply a splash at CIF-SS championships
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Swimmers work all season for one meet. Local teams and individuals excelled during last weekend’s CIF- Southern Section Swimming and Diving Championships at Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach. More...

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Pets

Picnic pays for horse rescue

An inaugural public event to benefit California Coastal Horse Rescue will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sun., June 5 at Bridlewood Arena Park, 13165 Santa Rosa Road, Santa Rosa Valley, Camarillo. More...

Protect your pets from the sun’s harsh rays

Pets and humans are prone to developing skin cancer. It is the most common form of cancer in people and dogs and the second most common in cats. Sunscreen on a furry coat doesn’t protect against cancercausing sun rays. More...

Pet of the Week

IRRESISTIBLE GUY—Dex, a 5-year-old silver-and-gray shorthair tabby, loves attention. He’s very shy at first but becomes an insatiable lap warmer after a little scratching. More...

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Police

Sheriff's Blotter

Newbury Park Jewelry was taken between April 1 and May 8 from a residence in the 100 block of Charro Avenue. A residential burglary occurred between May 5 and 8 in the 200 block of Edwards Road. More...

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Family

Youth clubs show growth in membership

By John Loesing
newstip@theacorn.com

Mark Elswick, president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Conejo & Las Virgenes, brought good news to his organization’s second annual Championships for Youth breakfast last week in Agoura Hills. More...

Healthy Competition

Kids compete during the Triunfo YMCA Healthy Kids Day & 2011 Soap Box Derby in Westlake Village on Sunday
Photos By Iris Smoot

DOWNHILL RACER— With the mohawk on her helmet blowing in the wind, Rachel Katz wins the heat for her team, West Navajo, in the team derby car during Sunday’s soapbox derby. More...

Hair-raising fun

FRUITS OF THEIR LABOR—Sequoia seventh-graders Hayley Taggart, 13, and Madison Douglas, 12, hang upside down on the spin ride during the Sequoia Middle School Renaissance Students Beach Bash on More...

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Columns

THE OTHER Side of 50

When seniors no longer drive

I remember when my fatherin law, Danny, bought his last car. Recently retired, he splurged on a new Lincoln Town Car that was far fancier than any car he’d owned in the past. He drove it around town with such pride. More...

The Acorn Epicurean

Howie’s Grill and Bar

One of the things I enjoy most about going to a new restaurant is looking over the menu and asking the server for any recommendations—not specials or specialties of the house but personal preferences. More...

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