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February 16, 2012 / Front Page

Health issues force Dennis Gillette off City Council

13 months into fourth term, veteran public servant says he’s retiring

By Kyle Jorrey
tonewstip@theacorn.com

Just a week removed from surgery, Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Dennis Gillette lay in a hospital bed surrounded by family, recovering but unable to walk. His doctors wanted him to rest. More...

New T.O. city attorney is familiar face around city hall

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

Tracy Noonan returns to Thousand Oaks next month as the city’s top legal counsel. Noonan, 43, replaces Amy Albano as Thousand Oaks’ city attorney on March 19. Her final day as city attorney for Simi Valley is March 9. More...

Health & Wellness

Sociologists to discuss reasons for self-injury

California Lutheran University’s Center for Equality and Justice and Pearson Library will feature “Self-Injury: The Silent Epidemic,” presented by sociologists Patricia A. and Peter Adler at 7 p.m. More...

Learn causes of autism

The Calvary Community Church’s Disability Ministry and the Children’s Counseling Center will present “If We’d Known Then What We Know Now: A Fresh Approach to Treating Root Causes of Autism and Other Learning and Behavioral He More...

Women’s heart health expo

The American Heart Association will feature a health expo at 11 a.m. and the “Ventura County Go Red for Women Luncheon” from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Hyatt Westlake Plaza, 880 S. Westlake Blvd. More...

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Bulletin Board

Calendar

THURS., FEB. 16 Pleasant Valley Garden Club 10:30 a.m. at Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3965 Las Posas Road, Camarillo. Donna Kashola of Tea Liteful speaks on “All Things About Tea.” Contact: Sandy. Phone: 805.484.5484. More...

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Schools

Parents ask for special education program at Westlake High

District officials say they will look at options

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Conejo Valley Unified School District may include a second high school in its special education program for intellectual disabilities. More...

Organizers hope recent tragedy can infuse life into parents’ promise

THE PLEDGE

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Local high school parents are being asked to promise to supervise kids gathered in their homes and keep them away from drugs and alcohol. More...

Art auction will fund Conejo Valley scholarships

The Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation will host an art auction to raise scholarship funds for graduating high school seniors from the Conejo Valley from 6 to 8 p.m. Thurs., March 29 at the Best Western Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W. More...

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Business

Dos Vientos Ranch residents buzzing about new neighborhood grocery

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

A stroll to the corner grocery store will finally be possible for residents of Dos Vientos Ranch this spring. Village Trader, a neighborhood market, is expected to open in a 6,400-square-foot space at The Village at Dos Vientos in late May. More...

EYE ON LOCAL AREA STOCKS

Company Name Symbol Feb. 15 Feb. 8 Feb. 1 Jan. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

GENTLE TOUCH—Raven, a petite female 4-year-old black shorthair, would shine in a quiet, easygoing household. She is very shy at first but playful and cuddly if you’re gentle with her. More...

Max and Ender inspire true friendship

Critter Tail

By Carla Ondrasik
Special to the Acorn

Max and Ender have been best friends since they were both 6 months old. They met at the park and have played together every day since. Max taught Ender how to not be afraid of other dogs and also how to fetch a ball. More...

Rally for Rescue helping dogs

A collection of old tennis balls for shelter dogs is taking place in Camarillo. Tennis balls for dogs at the Camarillo shelter can be deposited in Rally for the Rescue bins at tennis courts in Camarillo. More...

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Faith

The power of silence

“The Pause; that impressive silence, that eloquent silence, that geometrically progressive silence which often achieves a desired effect where no combination of words, however so felicitous, could accomplish it.” — Mark Twain More...

Mormon recording artist to perform

Alex Boye, who made a successful leap from rock band artist to gospel singer, will perform a show geared for youths at 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 18 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1201 Paseo Camarillo, in Camarillo. More...

Bridge has new ministry for seniors

Capstone Fellowship, a new ministry for those 55 and older, will have its first meeting tomorrow, Fri., Feb. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Bridge Church, 999 Rancho Conejo Blvd., Newbury Park. More...

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Letters

Deputy could have offered a warning

My son returned to Thousand Oaks on Dec. 21, fresh from earning his bachelor’s degree. He attended a Christmas party the next night, announcing “I’m probably going to be drinking, so I don’t want to drive. More...

Help to plan CRPD’s final park

The major purpose of the Conejo Recreation and Park District has always been to provide the best possible parks and programs. More...

Cooperation needed on T.O. Boulevard

I have visions for Thousand Oaks Boulevard. I want to work with property owners on finding businesses that residents want and the city to make it easier for them to locate downtown. More...

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Editorials

How to handle Gillette’s vacancy

The ink was still drying on Dennis Gillette’s retirement letter when critics of the current council majority began chirping about his potential replacement. It’s politics as usual in Thousand Oaks. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

Panhandling not prohibited at shopping centers

Guest opinion

By Sheriff Geoff Dean
Special to the Acorn

California’s trespassing laws are some of the most complex on the books. More...

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Some tough cats

Westlake Village resident Troy Ashton, above, splashes out of the mud pit during the Tuff Cat Run at Newbury Park High School on Saturday. At right, Newbury Park residents Zack Clark and Drew Idol, both 13, above, and Camarillo resident F.J. More...

BMX fans hope to see amenities at Lang Ranch Park

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

The park district won’t be alone in deciding what’s next for Lang Ranch Community Park. More...

Bennett exits race for Congress

By Daniel Wolowicz
camarillo@theacorn.com

Steve Bennett has bowed out of the race for the 26th Congressional District, a lastminute move that left the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee unable to endorse a candidate and opened the possibility that another Democrat may step into the More...

Community

Chinese culture finds a home in the Conejo

Organization helps immigrants maintain a link to their heritage, make new bonds

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

Though 7-year-old Aipeng St. Charles has spent nearly all her life in America, she still feels deeply connected to her native China. More...

Local couple help give wings to Casa Pacifica’s annual Angels Ball

By Michelle Knight
knight@theacorn.com

As she dashed through the lobby to a board of directors meeting at Casa Pacifica in Camarillo, Keets Cassar encountered a 14-year-old boy who, unprompted, wished her a nice day. “I stopped in my tracks,” Cassar said. More...

Angels Ball is Feb. 25

Casa Pacifica Angels will hold its 23rd annual Angels Ball at 6 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25 at the Sherwood Country Club, 320 W. Stafford Road, Thousand Oaks. More...

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Dining & Entertainment

Play tells African tale

Show is tomorrow at Scherr Forum Theatre in T.O.

Performances To Grow On will present “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” by the Dallas Children’s Theater at 7 p.m. Fri., Feb. 17 at the Scherr Forum Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. More...

Conejo native stars in ‘Young Frankenstein’

Show opens Tuesday at CAP

By Cate Brown
Special to the Acorn

The hottest ticket in town is for an event Tues., Feb. 21 through Sun., Feb. More...

Latin music fest comes to Camarillo

The Ventura Music Festival’s Sixth Latin Jazz Concert will feature the Spanish Harlem Orchestra at 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 18 at the Ventura High School auditorium, 2 N. Catalina St. More...

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Sports

La Reina has the hot hand

Basketball squad shares league title

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

Mel Brooks said it’s good to be the king. These days, it’s good to be a Regent. La Reina’s basketball team is on a five-game winning streak. More...

Postseason hoops has arrived

The Thousand Oaks High girls’ basketball team won its first Marmonte League championship since 1998. More...

Westlake’s season a tale of tragedy, triumph

By Eliav Appelbaum
eliav@theacorn.com

The Westlake High girls’ water polo team has pieced together one of the finest regular seasons in program history. It’s also been one of the toughest. More...

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Police

Thousand Oaks insurance agent accused of filing thousands in false applications

Defendant pleads not guilty in court

By Anna Bitong
annab@theacorn.com

A former Thousand Oaks insurance agent has been accused of submitting bogus insurance applications worth thousands of dollars in commissions. More...