January 4, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

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Skateboard league flying high

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers ON THE FLIPSIDE- Sean Patton,14, of Simi Valley gets air at Skatelab during an all-night skateboarding event held Dec. 29 to benefit the National High School Skateboard Association, which was started last year. More...

Local woman suspected of setting apartment fire

Kelly Laser, 36, of Simi Valley was arrested Dec. 26 on suspicion of setting a fire that damaged or destroyed a carport, 12 vehicles, a motorcycle and a multiunit apartment building on Nov. 11. More...

Health & Wellness

Discover the YMCA of Ventura County during open house

Branches of the Southeast Ventura County YMCA will host a "Discover the Y" open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5. The free events will feature games and activities for the kids. More...

Understanding the consequences of osteoporosis

Eight million women have osteoporosis, and some may not even know they have it. This notoriously "silent disease" often goes unnoticed until a simple bump or fall causes a bone to break or fracture. More...

Massage Envy celebrates grand opening

Massage Envy Simi Valley will celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon cutting sponsored by the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Jan. 10 at 1263 Simi Town Center Way, Ste. H7. More...

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Sports

Tough to stick

Meet the surging Pioneers' versatile maninthe-middle
By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

For Michael Meza, New Year's Day wasn't about slouching on a couch, watching football and snacking on cholesterol-laden treats. It was about working for a Marmonte League title. More...

Runnin' Rebs hit Virginia Beach

WINNING TOGETHER- The Simi Valley Running Rebels Cross Country team competed as the Valley Striders at the AAU Cross Country National Championships on Dec. 1 in Virginia Beach, Va. More...

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Police

Blotter

On Dec. 24, a 41-year-old man was arrested on the 1400 block of Hilgard Avenue and charged with cultivation of marijuana. A Beretta pistol valued at $500 was reported stolen from a home on the 2100 block of First Street on Dec. 24. More...

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Family

Nothing like a good book

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers BOOK SHARE- Simi Valley's Andreolli family from left, Andy, Lynnette, Matthew, a senior at Royal High School, and Timothy, 8, Grace Brethren second-grader, read aloud from "The Mitten" at Barnes and Noble at the Promenade More...

Ferrier estate gives donation to Habitat for Humanity of Ventura

The estate of Margery H. Ferrier has donated $89,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County to help build affordable homes. Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County has served the county since 1983. More...

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Letters

Simi should harness the power of wind

Windmills in Simi Valley? What a great idea. I would like to see those windmills built in Simi Valley similar to the ones you see on the way to Palm Springs. What a great green resource that would add to our city. More...

Unhappy with inappropriate use of toilet paper

The homes of my neighbor and I were both TP'ed by children who drive. We reported the incident to Simi Police, and they refused to take a report, saying it is not vandalism. More...

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Editorials

One resolution worth keeping

As we get set to begin another year, some of us are thinking about making New Year's resolutions. But think back: How did those vows for 2007 turn out? Maybe a few people stopped smoking or drinking last Jan. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

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Datebook

Datebook

FRI., JAN. 4 Reservations Due Reservations due for Thousand Oaks Women's Connection monthly luncheon, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wed., Jan. 9, Naylor's Banquet Center at Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd. More...

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Real Estate

This Remodeled Five-Bedroom Home Has Mountain Views

This remodeled, 5bedroom, 3-bath home has mountain views. The elegant living room has a slab granite fireplace. The for mal dining room includes French doors and crown molding. More...

Mary Fealkoff

Top selling agent honors for October 2007 went to Mary Fealkoff at Prudential California Realty's North Ranch/Westlake Village office. She was also the top listing agent in May and June for the North Ranch office. More...

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Drivers urged to be cautious over rainy weekend

Fire captain predicting biggest storm in two years
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Ventura County residents should take extra precautions while driving on the road this weekend as weather officials are predicting a major storm system full of gusty winds and intense rainfall. More...

City awaiting state response to latest Runkle test results

By Kyle Jorrey kjorrey@theacorn.com

City staff continues to wait for an official response from two state agencies on the results of a soil test conducted in Runkle Canyon over a two-week period in September and October to measure for levels of strontium-90. More...

Safe place to stay just a start

Center offers what it can to help homeless families get back on their feet
By Carissa Marsh Special to the Acorn

Part 2 of a two-part series Toni Williams, 23, has been homeless for three years now. Three months ago, she gave birth to a baby boy, Alfred. More...

Community

Simi man dies in single-car accident

Evan Salgado, 22, of Simi Valley died in a one-car traffic accident at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 28. He was driving northbound on Madera Road near Vista Lago Drive when his vehicle drifted off the roadway and collided with a traffic signal pole. More...

High winds snap holiday tree at Town Center

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers TIMBER!- Workers dismantle the Christmas tree at the Simi Valley Town Center on Wednesday a couple days ahead of schedule after high winds caused the tree to snap in two at around 6 a.m. on New Year's Day. More...

Supervisor pledges to stick to his guns in '08

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

Ventura County Supervisor Peter Foy told the Acorn this week that he intends to continue his efforts to improve public safety, bring more county services to local residents and maximize fiscal efficiency in the new year. More...

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Schools

Santa Su High recognized by U.S. News and World Report

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Several local high schools have been recognized as the best in the country, according to the latest ranking by U.S. News and World Report . More...

Latin music contest seeks student applications

Entries must be received by Jan. 15

Organizers at the Ventura Music Festival will select one high school student to play on stage with Latin jazz legend Poncho Sanchez on Feb. 16 in the Student Jazz Competition. More...

Parents can schedule their children's car pool online

For millions of American parents who carpool their children to and from school, activities and points in between, creating car pool schedules can be a daunting task. More...

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Faith

ReJoice Ministries offers programs to help those who are hurting

Places of faith
By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

ReJoice Ministries Church 5924 E. Los Angeles Ave. Simi Valley (805) 584-1161 Pastor Fran Richards Assistant Pastor Lonnie Kumar Founded: 1993 Size of congregation: 40-50 Denomination: Pentecostal Service: Sunday, 10:30 a.m. More...

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On The Town

"Charlie Wilson's War"

Directed by: Mike Nichols Starring: Tom Hanks, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Julia Roberts MPAA rating: R (for adult language, brief nudity, drug use) Running time: 98 minutes Best suited for: More...

Comedy fundraiser returns

The Royal High School boys' soccer program will sponsor a Comedy Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 at the Grand Vista Hotel, 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley. More...

Teen artists sought for InnerSpark

The California State Summer School for the Arts (InnerSpark) invites high school-aged visual, literary, media and performing artists to apply for selection as California Arts Scholars. More...

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Vacation Photos

Take Your Simi Valley Acorn on Vacation

Follow these instructions if you'd like to see your photo published in the Simi Valley Acorn : 1. Send a color print depicting scenery, people and the front page of any edition of the Simi Valley Acorn. 2. More...

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Neighbors

Tortoise and the chair

Family nurses pet back to health with help of self-made device
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

King Arthur has been through a lot lately. But despite losing two of his legs after being attacked by a neighbor's dog on two separate occasions last year, the 40yearold California desert tortoise is proving to be very resilient . . . More...

Habitat for Humanity searching out its next crop of volunteers

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Several months after a September groundbreaking ceremony for Habitat for Humanity in Simi Valley, construction on three homes is about to start. More...

Don't let go!

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers GIVING A HAND- Megan Homenick, 13, and Catherine Bishop, 14, both of Simi Valley, zoom around the center of the rink at the Iceoplex Ice Arena's Winter Wonderland event last month. More...

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