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February 22, 2008 / Front Page

Public works director will step down in May

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

After almost 40 years of working in public service, Tim Nanson is eager to begin the next chapter of his life. More...

The soldiers left behind

Helping the homeless veterans of Ventura County

By Carissa Marsh Special to the Acorn

Part 1of a two-part series Of the 273 homeless who responded to a recent survey conducted by the Institute for Urban Initiatives and the Ventura County Homeless and Housing Coalition, 39 identified themselves as being veterans. More...

Health & Wellness

Weeklong event aims to bring awareness to eating disorders

Ventura County agencies join nationwide effort

March 1 will mark the 21st annual National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Sponsored by the National Eating Disorders Association, this is the nation's largest eating disorders outreach effort. More...

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Business

Hartfield named Ambassador of the Year

Michelle Bennett, chair of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Team, presented the Ambassador of the Year award to Thomas J. Hartfield during the 55th annual Business Achievement Luncheon at the Grand Vista Hotel. More...

Job search workshop begins next Friday

The Outstanding Professional Employment Network, a chapter of Experience Unlimited, offers a free, five-day job search workshop for unemployed professionals. The workshop is from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, Feb. More...

Workshop offers help on managing finances

Jan Meek, Meg Volk and Faye Miran will present a workshop titled "Take Control of Your Finances" from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Santa Susana Community Center, Recreation Room A, 5005 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. More...

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Sports

Simi's Barr backs down to no one

Senior grappler proves looks can be deceiving

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

It was when Chris Barr looked his worst that Simi Valley High head wrestling coach Guy Greene knew the grappler would eventually be one of his best. More...

Valiant effort from Grace Brethren

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers INTENSITY- Grace Brethren's Stella Ranieri, right, battles Calvary Murietta's Amanda Lammers for the ball during Wednesday's CIF-Southern Section Division VI second-round playoff game at GBHS. More...

More local wrestlers advance to Masters Meet

The CIF Masters Meet is today and Saturday at Wilmer Carter High in Rialto, and many local wrestlers have qualified for the prestigious event. More...

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Family

Family help line celebrates third anniversary

Many residents have turned to 211 for help

By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Johanna Cuadra had never met the woman on the other end of the phone, but there was something about the female caller's story that touched her. An operator for 211 Ventura County, Cuadra frequently talks to people who are down and out. More...

Simi Leo Club has strong showing

The Simi Valley Leo Club won first place in a teambuilding exercise at the ninth annual Lions Club International Youth Outreach Symposium in Modesto, Calif., on Feb. 1 and 2. More...

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Letters

Resident wants unsafe trees removed

I am sending this letter in regards to city trees in front of my home. These are magnolia trees, and I have called the city with concerns about the danger these trees pose because of the large pods that grow on them. More...

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Neighbors

Simi Valley police chaplain offers comfort during times of tragedy

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Frank Witman remembers the day when the first Simi Valley police officer was killed in the line of duty. It was Aug. More...

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Datebook

FRI., FEB. 22 World Wide Dancing West Valley Folk Dancers teach international folk dances, 7:15 to 10 p.m., Canoga Park Senior Center, 7236 Jordan Ave. Bulgarian line dance "Backovsko Oro" taught, Lebanse line dance"Ali Ali" reviewed. More...

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Gunman reportedly asked police to shoot him

Officer uses Taser to avoid potentially deadly situation

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Police used a Taser to subdue a Simi Valley man this week after he allegedly ignored commands by officers to drop a loaded handgun, officials said. More...

Learning to work, laugh together

IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers JOINING HANDS- Kylie LeBlanc, 18, left, Matthew Cianciullo, 15, and Lexi Gray, 17, attempt to untangle themselves during a team-building game of human knot at the 2008 Simi Valley Youth Summit on Thursday afternoon at More...

Community

County commission elects new officers

Public officials picked to serve on LAFCO

The Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission has announced its newly elected officers for 2008. John Zaragoza, council member for the city of Oxnard, was elected chair, and George Lange, More...

Environment-minded committee wants city to examine its internal practices

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

The Sustainable Simi Valley Committee held its firstever meeting on Feb. 12 in the city manager's conference room. More...

Ventura County Republicans to gather at Reagan Library

The Ventura County Republican Party will hold a mixer at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27 at the Ronald Reagan Library Air Force One Pavilion, 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley. More...

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Schools

Changing policies

With more children of baby boomers graduating from high school and applying to college than ever before, it's likely to be another year of intense competition for admission, especially at highly selective schools. More...

Rotary club offers $14,000 in scholarships to Simi seniors

The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise has applications available for its annual scholarship awards. More...

AP students to be honored at Royal

The Advanced Placement teachers of Royal High School will present the AP Honors Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 in the school multipurpose room, 1402 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers LOOKING FOR LOVE- Violet is a 3-year-old, female calico point Siamese mix. She has striking blue eyes, loves to be petted, is tolerant, sweet and friendly. Violet needs a home where she is the only cat. More...

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Police

Police Blotter

Two vehicle burglaries resulting in the loss of $2,077 and $870 worth of personal property were reported Feb. 13 from the 2600 block of Fallen Leaf Court. A 30-year-old man was arrested Feb. More...

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Faith

Surf's Up

"You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." - Anonymous Can you remember your first time at the beach when you stepped into the ocean and felt its awesome power in the form of the waves, swells and undercurrent? More...

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On The Town

The 80th Academy Awards

Remember "Four Weddings and a Funeral"? Oscar's picks this year in the Best Picture category might aptly be referred to as "Four Death Knells and a Birth." Man's darkly sinister inhumanity to man has a definitive thematic stranglehold. More...

Bob Dylan's early years chronicled in Skirball exhibit

By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

Bob Dylan's American Journey, 1956-1966, opened at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8. More...

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