Residents of Simi Valley may dispose of residential rubbish for free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 at the Simi Valley Landfill and Recycling Center, 2801 Madera Road. Appliances and clean materials, including concrete, asphalt, clean wood and green waste, will be accepted for recycling. More...

Over the past two years, there have been significant changes in contact lenses thanks to new technology. The new silicone materials which are now available allow much longer comfortable wearing time. The new higher oxygen materials are the greatest change since soft lenses came on the market in the early 1970s, superseding rigid or "hard" lenses. More...

It's safe to say Garlic Jim's Famous Gourmet Pizza aims to please everyone . . . except maybe vampires. Garlic Jim's, which opened last month at 131 Cochran St., uses gourmet toppings to set it apart from the area's more established carry-out and delivery chains, according to franchisee Tom Curiale. More...

Assemblymember Cameron Smyth fought the traffic on Interstate 5 and arrived at Simi Valley High School just in time. Smyth, who serves the 38th District, which includes parts of Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and the San Fernando Valley, was at the school for College and Career Day to speak to students about government and public service. More...

It's only been three years since the Royal High football team won a Marmonte League title and made the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs. After the Highlanders' tough start in '07, one might think the glory days were a lifetime ago. More...

On Oct. 9 a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with grand theft on the corner of Yosemite Avenue and E. Los Angeles Avenue. On the 1500 block of Deanna Avenue a 23-year-old man was arrested and charged with highway strongarm robbery and domestic battery Oct. 9. More...

Questions of faith (answered by Rabbi Gurary) What is the purpose of life? The Creator has given every one of us a specific purpose that leads to the universal goal of making the world a perfect and godly place. More...

Mike and Mr. Monster My favorite color is plain blue, I'm quite shy, one of my favorite dishes is cereal, I love the sound of stillness, and when I get to the Pearly Gates I'd love to hear God say that I did what I needed to do in life- I just existed. That's who I am. That's plain old boring Mike. More...

What if man had the power to create life from inanimate forms? Should he? The High Street Arts Center presents Alistair Faulkner's "Victor," a powerful play directed by Rolland Petrello that explores this question in a sequel of sorts to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein. More...

I would like the citizens of Simi Valley to know that their congressman, Elton Gallegly, voted against the recent bill that would have increased funding that gives babies and young children of the working poor health coverage. More...

Local residents and public officials who carry genuine concern for the environment let out a collective sigh of relief last week as Gov. More...

LOVING YOU- Carolyn Snyder of Simi Valley pays homage at Graceland, the home of her idol, Elvis Presley. She's in Memphis, Tenn. More...

After Willa Dobbs received her Humanitarian Award at the third annual Mayor's Dinner and Charity Auction last Friday, she made sure to share the honor with the rest of the community. "All of you are what made Care and Share what it is," Dobbs said. "It wasn't me. More...

FRI., OCT. 19 Swing It Big band dance at Pierce College, Woodland Hills. Woody James and his orchestra play 1920s-'40s swing music 8 to 10 p.m. Warm-up dance lesson 7 to 8 p.m. General admission $10. Seniors, Pierce students, staff $8. (818) 719-6425. More...

This Spanish Hills lot has more than 1 acre with about 1/3 acre flat usable. This lot, one of few available in the area, is private with views. Plans are available for a French chateau of more than 5,900 square feet. More...