As far as surprises go, Wood Ranch Elementary received a big one last Friday when State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell popped in for an unexpected visit just a few days after the school had been notified it had earned a National Blue Ribbon honor. More...

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging- the largest single funding source for senior and caregiver programs and services- announced recently it gave $1.8 million to 25 organizations for a variety of senior programs. More...

The Southern California Honda Dealers Association, the Honda Helpful Guys and Girls in Blue, announced the 2008 Honda Helpful Awards, a celebration that honors helpfulness among residents in Southern California. More...

Eighteen-year-olds aren't the only ones heading off to college. According to the U.S. Department of Education, 46 percent of Americans will sign up for continuing education classes this year. Lifelong learning is a growing phenomenon. More...

Heidi Buonauro doesn't know how the Marmonte League girls' volleyball standings will shake out, but she does know about the spirit of her team. During its own Royal Tournament, Royal High trailed Chaminade by eight points but fought its way back to a 25-17 victory on Sept. 29. More...

Animal Rescue Volunteers is a local nonprofit organization making a difference in the lives of hundreds of abused and abandoned animals. Visit them at PetSmart Simi Valley every Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. More...

A residential burglary was reported on Oct. 1 where $3,699 worth of personal property was stolen from a home on North Muirwood Court. A 23-year-old man was arrested on the corner of Los Angeles and Patricia avenues on Oct. 1 and charged with possession of a fake driver's license. More...

"If an idiot were to tell you the same story every day for a year, you would end by believing it." - Horace Mann That's my story and it's stickin' to me! Have you ever had an acquaintance tell you the same story about some trauma drama going on in their life every time you were around them? More...

Children's Bureau will offer an information meeting for adoptive parents from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30 at the Grant Brimhall/ Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks. Prospective caregivers are encouraged to attend. More...

YESSSSS!!!!!- Pamela Whiting of Newbury Park, left, Sally Tomniczak of Simi Valley and Nancy Rasmussen of Ventura play blackjack Sunday evening at the Moorpark Country Club in Moorpark. The games were part of the Las Vegas Cool event sponsored by the Thousand Oaks Rotary Foundation to benefit the Hospice of the Conejo. Wendy Pierro/Acorn Newspapers More...

This letter is being written on behalf of Simi Valley's Knights of ColumbusCouncil 5803 to express our concern about the proliferation of yet another antiChristian message. Organizers of San Francisco's Folsom Street Fair- sponsored by Miller Brewing Co. More...

Tuesday's deadly shooting spree wasn't the first time a gun has been used to kill an innocent bystander in the city of Simi Valley. Nor will it be the last. More...

The day David De Candia found a small box of tea-tasting cups was the day he discovered his spiritual side. The warehouse supervisor had only been working in The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf's Camarillo plant a short time when he found the specialty items tucked away in a corner. More...

FRI., OCT. 12 Networking Breakfast Thousand Oaks-Westlake Village Regional Chamber of Commerce Networking Breakfast of Champions, 7 to 9 a.m., Los Robles Greens Banquet Center, 299 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Registration 6:45 a.m., early bird drawing 7 a.m. Speaker Joseph Huggins gives tips on networking. At door: $27. More...

These days, what used to be the most forgotten room in the house is getting a lot of attention. One of the most popular trends in home improvement is to turn the bathroom into a luxurious getaway. But how do you do it? More...