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December 22, 2011 / Front Page

Elks play elves to local families in need

BRINGING MORE THAN CHEER— Thousand Oaks residents David Raymond, 8, and brother Abraham, 4, jump up and down with excitement as they dig into the boxes of groceries and Christmas presents brought by Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge 2477 Exalted Ruler Steve More...

Wendy Drive bridge work will begin in January

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Newbury Park commuters tired of traffic tie-ups on the Wendy Drive bridge could see relief come June. Valenica-based C.A. Rasmussen Inc. More...

Health & Wellness

Free service started by local couple fills senior niche

Company provides referrals to assisted living facilities

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Last week a Simi Valley woman placed her husband of 36 years in a small assisted-living facility in Thousand Oaks. The decision was painful, but necessary. More...

What Medicare covers when you go to the hospital

By David Sayen
Special to the Acorn

One of Medicare’s most important benefits is helping to cover your expenses if you need to be hospitalized. But what exactly is covered, and how much do you pay? Medicare helps cover certain medical services and supplies in hospitals. More...

Free clinic receives $20,000 grant

The Conejo Free Clinic in Thousand Oaks has been awarded a $21,000 grant from the international Alcoa Foundation, representing Alcoa Fastening Systems in Newbury Park. More...

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Bulletin Board

Calendar

SAT., DEC. 24 Thousand Oaks Acoustic Music Club 6 to 10 p.m. at Thousand Oaks private home. Potluck dinner followed by song circle. Free. Call for address. Contact: Gary and Kathy Lynch. Phone: 805.523.2682. Hanukkah Family Dinner More...

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Schools

Kids can create creatures at robotics camp

The eighth annual Holiday Robotics Camp/Workshop will offers hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) curriculum Tues. to Thurs., Dec. 27 through 29 at Sumac Elementary School in Agoura Hills. More...

Dogs sniff out pot in WHS teacher’s car

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Drug-sniffing dogs searching the Westlake High School campus for illegal narcotics earlier this month caught a scent. It led them to a teacher’s car. More...

Community college district forced to dip into reserves

By Darleen Principe
darleen@theacorn.com

In the wake of Gov. More...

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Business

Message to shoppers: Protect your purses

Thieves are out in force at local malls

Shoppers are encouraged to guard their purses and backpacks and never leave them unattended while shopping. Purse snatching is often a crime of opportunity. Purses and backpacks can be taken from shopping carts if left unattended. More...

Lallo, Licata chosen as Chamber’s man, woman of the year

Honors will be presented during annual gala on Jan. 27

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce will host its 2012 Recognition Gala to honor the 2011-12 Man and Woman of the Year on Fri., Jan. 27 at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, Two Dole Drive. More...

More ‘Lunch and Learn’ business seminars coming in January to Chamber

Programs to cover social media, networking and harassment complaints

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the following Lunch and Learn business seminar series on Wednesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. starting Jan. 4 in the Janet Levett Conference Center, 600 Hampshire Road, Ste. 202, Westlake Village. More...

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Police

Police Blotter

Newbury Park A storage unit in the 3400 block of Old Conejo Road was burglarized between Nov. 18 and Dec. 8. A burglary occurred in the 1300 block of Newbury Road between Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. More...

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Obituaries

Harry Schellhorn

June 3, 1926 - December 13, 2011

Harry Schellhorn passed away peacefully on the morning of December 13th at Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California. More...

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Family

Make the holidays healthy

While for many the holiday season is a time filled with family gatherings and favorite foods, those who are cooking may be glad to learn meals can be healthier without sacrificing taste or fun. More...

Dear Santa

This year, I’d like my 8-year-old son to have the best Christmas ever, like the ones you gave me when I was a kid. More...

Colina club presents Christmas classic

SCROOGED—The classic Dickens tale “A Christmas Carol” came to life this month at the Colina Boys & Girls Club in Thousand Oaks in front of a full house. More...

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Columns

Eye on the Conejo

I don’t know about you, but I’m sick and tired of the same old people griping about Thousand Oaks. You know them. They write one letter per month to the Acorn, which is the maximum the Acorn will print from any one reader. More...

Holiday donations honor elderly loved ones

It’s a humbling experience to walk the halls of Senior Concerns during the holidays. Almost every day there is some act of kindness that catches your heart and makes you realize what a great community we live in. More...

The beautiful native shrub club

As the holidays approach, nature has a way of bringing color to our Southern California winter. There are some commonly found native shrubs of the Santa Monica Mountains that brighten local trails during winter as gaily as any holiday decoration. More...

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New arts director makes his debut

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Local fans of rock, jazz and other contemporary music may soon be enjoying big- name performers in their own backyard. On Feb. More...

Heroin confirmed as cause of student’s death

Toxicology results come back positive for deadly drug

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn

Toxicology reports have confirmed that Griffen Kramer, the Thousand Oaks High School senior found dead at a friend’s Agoura Hills home in October, died of a heroin overdose, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. More...

Community

Water survey incentives offered

California Water Service Company is conducting a survey to better understand customer attitudes, interests and preferred means of communication. More...

City hall will be closed next week

Thousand Oaks City Hall will go dark next week in an effort to save money. City hall will be closed for business beginning Friday and will reopen, Tues., Jan. 3. More...

Your home’s security could be jeopardized in 140 characters or less

Thieves monitor social networking sites to see if people are out of town

Lock the doors . . . check. Close all windows, upstairs and down . . . check. Leave a key with Bob next door . . . check. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Help raise funds for fireworks show

The Conejo Recreation and Park District is seeking new members to assist in marketing and raising funds for the 2012 Fireworks Spectacular slated for Wed., July 4 in Thousand Oaks. More...

Donors stuff symphony’s stockings

By Cate Brown
Special to the Acorn

The New West Symphony League dreamed big this year and asked Santa for the tens of thousands of dollars needed to fund its “Symphonic Adventures” programs for children. At the 23rd annual Poinsettia Ball on Dec. More...

Family author will discuss achievement versus learning

The Conejo Schools Foundation and the Open Classroom Leadership Magnet will present a talk with pare nting and education author Alfie Kohn on “Too Much Achievement, Too Little Learning” from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p. m. Tues., Jan. More...

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Sports

Team nets gifts for sick kids

SCORING FOR CHARITY—Players from the Valley Thunder Basketball Club based in Thousand Oaks show off the gifts they collected for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles during their holiday fundr More...

Winter chill can’t cool down area teams

COURT OF APPEAL—The Baseline To Baseline seventh- and eighth-grade boys’ basketball club won its division at the Ventura Heat Fall Classic. More...

Packing a punch on the pitch

Marmonte League girls’ soccer overview

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

There’s no such thing as a bad team in the Marmonte League for high school girls’ soccer. You’d have better luck finding Sasquatch sunbathing in Miami Beach with Crockett and Tubbs than uncovering a crummy Marmonte squad. More...

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