Front Page | www.simivalleyacorn.com

February 8, 2008 / Front Page

City stunned by brutal killing

Simi woman stabbed to death by daughter, police say

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

A 41-year-old woman who the police department is describing as a transient was arrested this week after her mother was found stabbed to death at her Simi Valley home Tuesday afternoon. More...

A Chamber changing of the guard

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers BUSINESS LEADERS- Outgoing Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce board chair Dick Erbe is presented with an honorary gavel by incoming 2008 chair Karen Gabler during the Chamber's 55th annual Business Achievement Luncheon held More...

Health & Wellness

Proper screening prevents development of colon cancer

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Colorectal cancer, more commonly known as colon cancer, is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the Western world, claiming more than 50,000 lives in the United States each year. More...

Keep your heart healthy this Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day coming soon, it's a good time to take a look at the state of one's heart. More...

Drug store eyeglasses could damage your eyes

A peculiar change happens to most people after their 40th birthday. Newspapers, dictionaries and phone books become difficult to read. More...

Click here for all stories

Schools

An Acorn sitdown with Simi's school superintendent

Q&A

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Concerns about the California budget crisis continue to grow. The ripple effect of the crisis will perhaps have the greatest impact on public schools, including those in the Simi Valley Unified School District. More...

Local grads succeeding

•Christopher Edward Delaplane of Simi Valley has been admitted to practice law in the state of California. He is a graduate of Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu. More...

Click here for all stories

Sports

Pioneers still perfect

Boys' basketball team beats TOHS for league championship, improves to 13-0 in Marmonte League

By Stephen Dorman sdorman@theacorn.com

The pressure to stay perfect can be excruciating. Just ask the New England Patriots. More...

Royal claims girls' crown

With a 58-40 victory at Newbury Park High Wednesday night, the Royal girls' basketball team secured the Marmonte League title. RHS, a coleague champion last year, is 21-4 overall and 12-1 in league. They play at Simi Valley High tonight. More...

Highlander grapplers dominate league meet

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

In December, Royal High grappler Aaron Van Driessche was quoted in the Simi Valley Acorn as saying wrestling "was more than a sport- it's a way of life." Last weekend at the Marmonte League Wrestling Finals at Moorpark High, life was pr More...

Click here for all stories

Family

Snow Day for students at Grace Brethren

Photos by WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!- Grace Brethren Elementary student Stephanie Sakamoto, 6, left, sleds down a small hill during snow day last Friday. More...

Volunteering teaches teens

Many believe that volunteer work can be beneficial for young people's personal development and that their communities can benefit as well. More...

Ventura County Fair selects a theme for 2008

The board of directors of the Ventura County Fairgrounds has announced that the theme of the 133rd Ventura County Fair will be "Meet Me at the Fair." "'Meet Me at the Fair' is one of the best themes we have ever had," said Kenneth M. More...

Click here for all stories

Letters

Soldiers fight to protect your right to dissent

I am originally from your area, and while visiting with family we read with great interest the letter by Sgt. Waggoner and then the response by Ms. Kepple. I could not help but feel the urge to respond. Ms. More...

Freedom allows us the right to question authority

Hooray for Jody Kepple. Although I do not know Jody, I stand proudly beside her opinion. When did free speech in this country start to mean that if you don't agree with me, you can't have it? More...

Parent of U.S. Marine speaks out on Iraq War

First, I would like to thank Sgt. Jeremiah Waggoner for his service to this great country. As a proud parent of a United States Marine, I would also like to thank Sgt. More...

Click here for all stories

Neighbors

Take the right approach to Valentine's Day

By Dianne Meyer-Sasada Special to The Acorn

Do you have dreams of the perfect Valentine's Day? First he comes home with a dozen long-stem red roses, a box of chocolates and a bottle of Champagne. He grabs you around the waist and gives you a passionate kiss. More...

City agrees to chip in extra $10,000 to help cover cost of Rotary fireworks show

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

The city of Simi Valley will be contributing $20,000 to the local Rotary Club to help offset the costs of this year's 38th annual Fourth of July fireworks show at Rancho Santa Susana Park. More...

Click here for all stories

Real Estate

Features A Home Theater

This home has five bedrooms, five baths and approximately 3,400 square feet of living space. The downstairs bedroom has been converted into a home theater with 126 inch widescreen and DTS sound. More...

Click here for all stories

School district outlines possible budget cuts

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Rob Collins watched the presentation with his mouth agape. More...

Commercial real estate market holds strong in VC

By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

A slumping home real estate market has had little impact on Ventura County's commercial real estate, industry experts said last month. More...

Community

Man accused of torturing, assaulting ex-wife

Victim found near death by current husband

Louis Gonzalez, 30, of Henderson, Nev., was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and attempted murder of his former wife, age 33, of Simi Valley. A man arrived home on Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. More...

23 Freeway widening project ahead of schedule

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The $65-million 23 Freeway widening project is eight months ahead of schedule, said two local city officials last week. More...

Be on the lookout for rebate scams

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department is warning residents to be aware of current scams promising tax rebates or other government refunds. More...

Click here for all stories

Business

Keeping school shelves stocked

Simi book supplier sitting on a treasure trove of titles

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

A cache of books rivaling any mega-bookstore or county library can be found right here on Easy Street in Simi Valley. More...

Mall chocolate shop gearing up for big day

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at Simi Valley Town Center is gearing up for the store's biggest annual sale event, Valentine's Day. "It's one of the biggest lastminute holidays of the year. More...

805 Boot Camp

805 Boot Camp is where adults learn to love exercise. Randy and Sarita Shoemaker started the outdoor boot camp in June 2006 with 12 campers. Since then they have grown to the maximum capacity for the last three sixweek boot camps. More...

Click here for all stories

Pets

February is national 'Prevent a Litter' month

February is National "Prevent a Litter" Month, when the public is urged to spay or neuter their cats and dogs. More...

Pet of the Week

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers THE REAL- "McCoy" is a one-year-old male Chihuahua. He is always happy; he is friendly and very gentle. McCoy can be adopted at the Camarillo Animal Shelter; his animal ID is A433507. More...

Click here for all stories

Police

Blotter

A 22-year-old man was arrested Jan. 31 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, reckless driving and a narcotics misdemeanor. GPS and stereo equipment valued at $850 were reported stolen from a vehicle Jan. More...

Click here for all stories

Faith

The blessing of mistakes

One of the ways I try to affect people in a positive way is to write and send a free inspirational e-mail message each day to a list of subscribers. More...

Simi's Discovery Church turns 5

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

There were two surfboards, several decorated cakes and a live jazz band in the lobby of Discovery Church in Simi Valley last weekend as the congregation celebrated its fiveyear anniversary during Sunday services. More...

Click here for all stories

On The Town

"Cloverfield"

Directed by: Matt Reeves Starring: Michael StahlDavid, Mike Vogel, Jessica Lucas, Lizzy Caplan, Odette Yustman. T.J. More...

Santa Susana High presents 'Princess and the Pea'

First show on Valentine's Day

The Children's Theatre Department of Santa Susana High School will present "Princess and the Pea" at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Feb. 14 and 15., and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. More...

Moorpark College brings 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor'

Play will be interpreted for the deaf

Moorpark College's Performing Arts Department has announced that two performances of "Laughter on the 23rd Floor" by Neil Simon will offer American Sign Language interpreters for the deaf and hard of hearing. More...

Click here for all stories