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. Person-to-person communication is important for a child to feel able to confide in his or her parents.
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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.
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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. Please mail entries to: Take Your Acorn On Vacation, Simi Valley Acorn, 30423 Canwood St., Suite 108, Agoura Hills, CA 91301. Photos will be published randomly and/or entered into our annual contest happening in September. Please be patient as the paper receives a high volume of vacation photos.
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Discover how fun it can be to learn with your kids
Discovery Day returns
      The Moorpark College Child Development Center will host its semiannual fundraiser, Discovery Day, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 12 on the patios and grounds of the center on the campus at 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark.
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High-powered machinery
      My wife and I recently bought a new vacuum and I've since changed my attitude about the carpet cleaning chores around the house. Let me break down the model we bought. First of all, it's not your typical vacuum. This piece of high-powered machinery has D2.
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