November 17, 2011 RSS feed / Front Page

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HONORING THE REAL HEROES

WE SALUTE YOU—Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Holstrom extols the sacrifices of America’s servicemen and women during the annual Thousand Oaks Veterans Day Ceremony last Friday. More...

County gets creative to adopt pets

Opens storefront at Janss Marketplace
By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Abandoned animals in Ventura County may soon have a better chance of finding a home. Rescued dogs and bunnies will be available at the Shelter Hope Pet Shop, opening tomorrow, Nov. 18 at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks. More...

Health & Wellness

Teens lend at hand for Children’s Hospital L.A.

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

“If you give a mouse a cookie . . .” reads Marissa Mackel to young patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. More...

Town hall meeting designed to help teenagers cope with recent tragedies

Deaths of young people hit community hard
By Sylvie Belmond
Belmond@theacorn.com

A mother is rallying to help teenagers cope with the pain and sorrow of the two local students who recently took their own lives. More...

Fundraiser nets $50,000 for free clinic

More than 106 golfers participated in the 23rd annual Golf Classic at the Moorpark Country Club, a benefit which raised approximately $50,000 in net revenue for the Conejo Free Clinic. More...

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Bulletin Board

Calendar

THURS., NOV. 17 Pleasant Valley Garden Club 9:30 a.m. at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3975 Las Posas Road, Camarillo. Pat Harris presents Thanksgiving Day floral demonstration. Free. Contact: June. Phone: 805.482.1572. More...

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Schools

Be inspired

Westlake High hosts TEDxYouth conference
By Dashiell Young-Saver
Special to the Acorn

What do a slam poet, a chemist, a taekwondo black belt and a high school history teacher have in common? Along with 12 other speakers, the four will attempt to inspire locals at the inaugural TEDxYouth@Conejo on Sun., Nov. More...

High School HI*LIGHTS

Newbury Park Panthers Fri., Nov. 18: JEA National Journalism Convention/8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Team Up for St. Jude bake sale/2 to 3:15 p.m. Marching band awards/cafeteria/ 4 p.m. More...

Local journalism teacher honored

Thousand Oaks resident Steve Ames, who taught college journalism and served as the faculty adviser to student publications for 38 years from 1971 to 2009, has received a College Media Advisers Lifetime Membership for his service to student media. More...

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Business

Janss mall property owners close to deal that would refinance ‘94 bonds

Majority owner wants to reduce property tax bill
By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

The majority owner of the Janss Marketplace wants to refinance. More...

Ventura County Leadership Academy introduces newest class

Cohort members learn about critical local issues

The Ventura County Leadership Academy recently welcomed 28 community leaders into its 17th cohort of participants. More...

Businesses can compete in Red Kettle Challenge

The Oxnard Police Department presents the Holiday Red Kettle Challenge from Nov. 19 through Dec. 24. More...

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Police

Sheriff's Blotter

Newbury Park Someone sent multiple annoying electronic messages to the 200 block of Via Mirabella between Oct. 8 and Nov. 11. A bicycle was stolen from a locked enclosure at an elementary school on Dina Drive between Oct. 25 and 27. More...

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Family

Deployed soldier surprises daughter on Vets Day

CALL HOME—At left, Capt. Brad “Brick” Connors, commanding officer at Naval Base Ventura County, turns Adrianna Moore towards the video screen to see her father, Col. More...

Finding the beat of his own drum

Blind student receives assistance from church youth
By Stephanie Sumell
Special to the Acorn

The schoolyard is a lonely place for 13-year-old Alex Stcyr, a blind middle school student from Thousand Oaks. His mother, Gloria Rodriguez, offers an example. More...

‘No Room at the Inn’ benefits local homeless

Exhibit is in Camarillo this year

The Padre Serra Catholic Church will host this year’s grand opening gala for “ No Room at the Inn” from 6 to 9 p.m. Fri., Dec. 2 in Serra Hall at 5205 Upland Road, Camarillo. More...

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Letters

Suicide hurts so many

Many members of our community have been affected by suicide, most recently by the suicides of local youths. Those left behind struggle for answers, while grieving the loss of someone they loved. More...

Pull over for emergency vehicles

I wouldn’t normally write a letter to a community paper, but I just can’t help myself this time. When did pulling over for emergency vehicles—ambulance, fire trucks and police—become an option? Does anybody know? More...

Hooters critic should hush up

My wife and I are proudly celebrating 25 years here in Thousand Oaks this month. More...

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Three charged with involuntary manslaughter in death of Griffen Kramer

2 from Agoura; 1 from Oak Park

Heroin, not alcohol, was responsible for the Oct. 30 death of 18-year-old Thousand Oaks High School senior Griffen Kramer, the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station reports. More...

Future boulevard buildings may be higher than 50 feet

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Future buildings on Thousand Oaks Boulevard may be allowed to rise above 50 feet, according to the language used in an ordinance adopted Tuesday by the City Council. More...

Verizon tech accused of sexually assaulting T.O. woman in her home

A service technician for Verizon was arrested last week, eight days after he allegedly sexual assaulted a 76-year-old woman while on a call at her Thousand Oaks apartment. Tony Betancourt, 56, of Thousand Oaks is currently out on bail. More...

Community

Nonprofit that aids domestic violence victims receives major funding blow

Interface Children and Family Services needs to raise $180,000 by June
By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com

Two out of every five women in California will experience physical violence from an intimate partner during their lifetime, according to the California Women’s Health Survey. For some women, it’s a push or a slap that just happens once. More...

New oak expected to thrive

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

An oak tree, newly planted where another had stood for hundreds of years in Thousand Oaks, is expected to thrive, a city official said this week. More...

Conejo food bank talking turkeys for annual Thanksgiving food drive

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

More than 600 families in need have already signed up to receive a Thanksgiving turkey from Manna, the Conejo Valley food bank, and help from residents is needed to make their holiday wish come true. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Singer brings feminine swagger to T.O. performance

Concert review
By Cary Ginell
originjazz@aol.com

One of the most engaging singers on today’s music scene came to Thousand Oaks when Lucy Woodward performed at the Scherr Forum Saturday night. More...

Malibu musical is dedicated to late American film director

Malibu Stage Company will present Blake Edwards’ musical “Victor/ Victoria” through Dec. 4 at the theater, 29243 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Shows are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays, except Nov. More...

Cronies Sports Grill

Long before the original owners of Cronies Sports Grill restaurants were business partners, they were friends. As teenagers, Chuck Diego and David Foldes worked together in Tarzana at a small deli owned by Diego’s father. More...

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Sports

48-minute man

Howell rarely leaves the field for Thousand Oaks
By Stephen Dorman
sdorman@theacorn.com

When it comes to football, Thousand Oaks High senior Blake Howell is a Swiss Army knife. Need a go-to wide receiver? Howell’s your man. Need a defensive back that can play cornerback or safety based on coverage schemes? More...

Distance runners continue push toward state meet

CIF-Southern Section cross country finals
By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Sarah Baxter is running wild again. Sports Illustrated has taken notice. A sophomore superstar for the Simi Valley High girls’ cross country team, Baxter is featured in the magazine’s Nov. More...

Westlake football team celebrates league crown, Benkert’s 200th win

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER— Westlake High head football coach Jim Benkert, above right, addresses his team following last week’s 35- 14 Warrior victory over St. Bonaventure at Moorpark College. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

LITTLE LOVER— Mona is a 1-year-old Chihuahua mix. She is engaging and people-oriented. She is loving, sweet and gives great kisses. More...

Pet Pantry hopes to fetch donations

Program provides pet food to families who can’t afford it

In these difficult economic times, one of the biggest reasons people turn in pets is because they can no longer afford to keep them. More...

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Faith

Knowing when to let go

“There seems to be a kind of order in the universe, in the movement of the stars and the turning of the earth and the changing of the seasons, and even in the cycle of human life.” — Katherine Anne Porter More...

Lessons offered in healing meditation

Guest speaker the Rev. Scott Sherman will teach new techniques in sacred healing meditation at the 10 a.m. service Sun., Nov. 20 at Unity of the Oaks Church, 1414 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Ste. 113, Thousand Oaks. More...

Three church choirs join forces for ecumenical service

A Thanksgiving ecumenical service will take place at 7:30 p.m. Mon., Nov. 21 at St. Julie Billiart Catholic Church, 2475 Borchard Road, Newbury Park. The service is open to the community and all faiths. More...

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Motoring

Extensive roadwork effort underway in Casa Conejo

Construction will inconvenience drivers

Construction crews broke ground this week on street and sidewalk improvements planned for the unincorporated area of Casa Conejo, south of Newbury Park. More...

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Columns

Is marriage overrated?

With so many marriages failing, we’re obviously not doing well at commitment, so why continue with this charade?

“You tied a strong knot, Reverend.” I overhead this from the grandmother of the bride as she crossed paths with the minister after a wedding ceremony. The young couple were in their late 20s and looked beautiful and happy together. More...

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Editorials

Let’s stock Manna’s shelves

The auto mall sign. Term limits. Hooters. Plenty of topics have been subjects of heated debate in Thousand Oaks this year. With 2012 on the horizon, here’s one thing we can all agree on: supporting Manna. More...

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