Front Page | www.simivalleyacorn.com

March 28, 2008 / Front Page

It's spring in Simi!

SIGNS OF THE SEASON- Young resident Sophia Laufer, 4, at left, samples a juicy, Ventura County-picked strawberry last Friday afternoon at the farmer's market at the Simi Valley Town Center. More...

Crosswalk sting nets 50 offenders in less than three hours

Simi Valley Police Department's Traffic Unit issued a total of 50 citations and warnings to drivers during a concentrated traffic enforcement detail at Cochran Street near Vista Elementary School on March 19. More...

Health & Wellness

Advocate speaks out on the need for foster care reform

By Michelle Knight knight@theacorn.com

Running forced laps in the hot Florida sun, being hit with a wooden spoon and living with 15 other children in a cramped 1,200squarefoot trailer are vivid childhood memories for Ashley Rhodes-Courter. More...

Free Clinic selects its next board president

Harry VanDyck, a certified public accountant and Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce's 2007 Business Person of the Year, has been selected to serve as president of the board of directors for the Free Clinic of Simi Valley. More...

Cancer camp

Cancer Hope Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to enhance the lives of people affected by cancer, is accepting applications for their Camp Keepsake weekend retreats in September and October. More...

Click here for all stories

Schools

Good weather brings kids outdoors

SPRING BREAK- Friends Dehlia Endres, Meghan and Michaela Taylor, and Ezra Averill (sitting on top) play in the caves and boulders in Santa Susana Park on Sunday. More...

There's no debating this dynasty

College forensics team wins fifth-straight state title

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

The Moorpark College forensics team won its fifth straight state championship with a narrow victory margin of 3.75 points over longtime rival Orange Coast College at a recent competition in Concord, Calif. More...

KCLU honored for broadcast excellence

KCLU received four 2008 Mark Twain Awards, including Reporter of the Year, for broadcast excellence among small stations in the western United States during ceremonies at Universal Studios Hollywood in March. More...

Click here for all stories

Pets

Fundraiser will benefit Agoura Hills horse rescue

A fundraiser for Canyon Creek Farm Horse Rescue Inc., "It's All About the Horses," is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 13 at The Canyon club, 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills. More...

Pet of the Week

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers A DARK DANDY- "Jackson" is a four-year-old, male labrador retriever. Jackson is happy and friendly, he doesn't jump and he knows basic commands. More...

Click here for all stories

Family

Effective communication tips for parents

For a parent, knowing one's children are safe, happy and emotionally sound is a concern. A parent would want to be the first to know if their child is being traumatized by something at school or worse. More...

4-H hosting nature photography contest

Winners will be on display at '08 county fair

The Ventura County 4H Program and the Ventura County Fair will conduct their "Kids, Cameras and Crops" photography contest Saturday, April 26 at the Hansen Agricultural Center. The contest is open to all county youth ages 9 to 18. More...

Take Your Simi Valley Acorn on Vacation

'OLD IRONSIDES'- Shirley and Lorrell Cooper of Simi Valley stand in front of the country's most famous warship, the USS Constitution, in Charlestown Shipyard, during a trip to Boston. More...

Click here for all stories

Editorials

It's time to end our obsession with crime rankings

Maybe Simi Valley would be better off if it had never ap peared on a list of "America's Safest Cities," a ranking trend that began in the mid-'90s and has continued to this day (Simi Valley was No. 25 in 2007). More...

Cartoon

Full Story

For the Record

The name of the Wood Ranch Elementary School student featured in last week's front page photo was misspelled in the caption. The student is fifth-grader Noah Warmbrand. The Acorn regrets the error. More...

Click here for all stories

Datebook

FRI., MARCH 28 Bella Vita Westlake Bella Vita Social Club meets for dinner, 6 p.m., parish hall, St. Jude's Catholic Church, 32032 W. Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Italian pasta dinner served. More...

Click here for all stories

Fund created to help children of murdered woman

Victim left behind 3 young boys

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Josefina Lanuza Gutierrez was on the quiet side, but she never thought twice about helping a friend in need. More...

Dog park project takes puppy steps

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

The initial phase of construction for Simi Valley's first dog park was approved last week when the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District board of directors unanimously voted to begin soliciting bids for the installation of a 600-foot More...

Community

School chiefs will address budget concerns at community forum

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

A volunteer community group called Californians Organized to Rescue Education (CORE) has joined forces with the 12th District Parent-Teacher Association to oppose Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed education budget cuts. More...

Ventura Co. inmates can earn earlier exits by furthering their education

Program aims to provide incentive for selfimprovement

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department is implementing a new program in which jail inmates may be eligible to receive credits for school, vocational training and substance abuse courses. More...

Resident convicted of filing forged documents

Simi Valley resident Aubulghasem Ahmadpour, 58, was recently convicted of seven felony counts of filing forged instruments, and passing forged instruments with intent to defraud. More...

Click here for all stories

Business

U. of La Verne hosts info sessions

The University of La Verne at Moorpark College has scheduled two information sessions for prospective students from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 and Thurs., April 24 at Fountain Hall, Moorpark College, 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark. More...

Simi gym gets new owner, name

Grand reopening set for April 19

Fun & Fit Imagymnation Gymnastics will host a grand reopening party with free gymnastics and refreshments at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at Unit 3-G, 4685 Industrial St., Simi Valley. More...

Honored for jewelry sales

Lia sophia recently announced top honors for its Excellent Beginnings Program Achievers for their outstanding sales accomplishments and professionalism. More...

Click here for all stories

Sports

Pioneer softball team off to a perfect start

Grace Brethren performing well, too

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

March couldn't have gone any better for the Simi Valley High softball team. With three wins on Tuesday, the Pioneers improved their overall record to 11-0. More...

Simi Eclipse to be honored by L.A. Galaxy

DOMINATING EFFORT- The Simi Valley Eclipse U-12 girls' soccer team won the California Spring Cup championship in Anaheim, outscoring their competition from Nevada and Arizona by a total score of 11-1. More...

Everyone's pitching in for Royal

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

After losing 10 seniors to graduation last spring, the Royal High softball team is young and inexperienced in 2008. Luckily for the Highlanders, nothing pulls a team together like an extrainning victory. More...

Click here for all stories

Police

BLOTTER

A 30-year-old man was arrested March 21 on the 1500 block of Jefferson Way and charged with making criminal threats and domestic assault. More...

Click here for all stories

Faith

Worship comes alive in the hills

Places of faith

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

Simi Hills Christian Church 4307 Walnut Ave. Simi Valley (805) 527-0123 Pastor Kevin Dieckilman Founded: early 1960s Size of congregation: 100 Denomination: nondenominational Service: Sundays, 9:30 a.m. More...

Click here for all stories

On The Town

Simi rock band releasing debut album

Tuesday's Rain is a labor of love for father and son

By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

Bob and Alex Hargrove are no strangers to hard work. During the week, the Simi Valley father and son duo spend their days operating a labor-intensive landscaping business. More...