May 2, 2008 RSS feed / Front Page

Summer school classes fall victim to budget crisis

No courses will be offered at middle, elementary schools

The budget crisis has again reared its ugly head, and this time it's summer school students- youngsters looking to get ahead or to improve a grade- who will suffer. More...

Health & Wellness

A new way of thinking

Local organization works with people who have developmental disabilities

Life for David Pisciotto changed for the better four years ago when he walked into Villa Esperanza's Westlake Village office looking for job training and help to live independently. More...

Business

Six tips for success in life

Theodore Carl Soderberg, author of the novel "Uncharted Waters," offers six tips for a successful life. •Identify what you want and when you want it. "Figuring out your dream can be the hardest part," said Soderberg. More...

Company hosts climbing competition

Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing will host a regional climbing competition starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 10 at 880 Hampshire Road, Ste. A, Thousand Oaks. Non-climbers are invited to come and watch. More...

Sports

Rule change allows high school coaches to work with players year-round

CIF-SS votes to eradicate 'Association Rule'

For the first time in 32 years the CIF-Southern Section will eliminate outofseason restrictions on coaches working with their student-athletes. More...

Pioneer softball team earns top billing

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers ON FIRE- Simi Valley High shortstop Sam Fischer tags out a Newbury Park's Nicole Checkie during a game last month. In the latest CIF-Southern Section Division I coaches' poll, Simi was ranked No. 1. More...

State championship football games staying in Los Angeles

The Home Depot Center in Carson will remain the host site for the 2008 and 2009 CIF State Football Championship Bowl Games, CIF Executive Director Marie M. Ishida has announced. All five games will be played over two days, Fri. More...

Police

Blotter

A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana for sale April 23 on the 1800 block of Duncan Street. More...

Faith

You cannot travel on the path until you become the path itself

As I departed the airplane and approached the terminal in Cusco, Peru, the faint echo of music wafted through the air. When I entered the terminal, something I never would have expected happened. My eyes welled up with tears. More...

On The Town

Sunny weather greets blues fans

SUMMERTIME FEELING- Blues rockers Jimmy Z and the Z Tribe, at left, perform at the third annual Write4Hope Blues Festival in Simi Valley's Oak Park on Saturday. More...

Cajun Fest needs sponsors

Popular event turns 19 this year

The Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise will host the 19th annual Cajun Creole Music Festival on May 24 and 25 at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park in Simi Valley. More...

What's new on DVD

Film and television author Randy Williams reviews the lat est movies, television shows, documentaries and music pro grams now available for purchase online and at retail stores. More...

Editorials

Spend those rebate bucks locally

If you're one of the millions of Americans who will be receiving a rebate check from the federal government in coming weeks, then chances are you've already given plenty of thought to how you're going to spend the money. More...

Cartoon

Full Story

Contact your area representatives

City Council *All council members can be contacted through the city manager's office: (805) 583 6701. Mayor Paul Miller E-mail: pmiller@simivalley.org Mayor Pro Tem Steve Sojka E-mail: ssojka@simivalley. More...

Real Estate

A Spacious Two Story Townhome Located Across From A Greenbelt

This twostory townhome with 3 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms has been upgraded and has more than 1330 feet. It is located across from a greenbelt, near guest parking and within walking distance of the community pools and spas. More...

Jordan Cohen

RE/MAX Olson & Associates congratulates Jordan Cohen, Estates Director for his March sales totaling over $8.2 million for the month. Cohen is not affiliated with any team, group or partnership. More...

Karen Reid

Karen Reid of the Coldwell Banker Westlake Village Regional office was congratulated by manager, Frances Lewis, as a Top Agent during a recent 30-day period with a total production of over $1.6 million. More...

Victims' rights bill will be on November ballot

Supporters of a new statewide initiative, which would create a bill of rights for crime victims and reform the parole system, turned in more than 1.25 million signatures to the Sacramento registrar's office this week to get the measure on the N More...

B of A puts mortgage headquarters in Calabasas

Bank merger moves forward

Bank of America said it will make Calabasas the national headquarters for its lending mortgage business following the acquisition of Countrywide Financial Corp. More...

Well-known Simi restaurateur succumbs to battle with cancer

Paul Joseph Molé was a pillar of strength. Most people in Simi Valley knew him best as the owner of Paul's Italian Villa- the restaurant that's been a community favorite for 43 years. More...

Community

Youth Council wants new members

Students can get their political feet wet

Simi Valley residents between the ages of 13 and 18 may apply for membership on the Simi Valley Youth Council. Applications are being accepted for oneyear terms of office with meetings beginning in September. More...

Youth Services Unit to launch juvenile diversion program for first-time offenders

The Simi Valley Police Department's Youth Services Unit is planning to launch a juvenile program next month aimed at giving firsttime offenders a chance at keeping their records clean. Sgt. More...

Simmons Award celebrates the spirit of philanthropy

Kiwanis honor named for community activist

Jack Simmons was a businessman who loved to give back to his community. The longtime Simi Valley resident, who died in 2002, was one of the original members of the Kiwanis Club of Santa Susana. More...

Schools

Let us entertain you

Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers PUTTING ON A SHOW- The entire cast of "Born to Entertain," the Simi Elementary School variety show, sings together in the final number on Friday evening. More...

Pioneer alum play in charity hoops game

Photos by IRIS SMOOT/Acorn Newspapers GLORY DAYS- Chris Mankey, with the Slammin' Jammin' Pioneers, jumps up to snatch the ball during a game with the Harlem Wizards basketball entertainment team on Friday evening. More...

Education foundation awards funds to Apollo and Sinaloa

Board members from the Simi Valley Education Foundation recently presented Matching School Fund Checks for the 2007-2008 school year to Apollo High School and Sinaloa Middle School. More...

Pets

Nominate a dog lover

The Hogan Family Foundation announces the creation of the Lifeline 4 Paws Award that will recognize Southern California residents who had demonstrated extraordinary acts of kindness toward dogs during the year. More...

Pet of the Week

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers CUTE KITTY- Callie is a 7-year-old domestic short hair kitty. She is declawed in the front and needs to be an inside cat. She is sweet but a little shy about unfamiliar places. More...

Family

Saving costs too much

I recently put $50 worth of gas in my car. I don't have a monster truck or a Hummer or an SUV. And I don't have two gas tanks in my car or some huge vessel that holds enough gas to last four months. More...

Wedding tips that take the cake

For some soontobemarried couples, choosing a wedding cake is becoming more important than deciding on an entree. More...

Letters

Drivers in Simi are like drivers everywhere- bad

I think that drivers in Simi Valley are the same as they are everywhere now- often distracted and in a hurry without concern for those in their way. More...

Crosswalk violations just part of the problem

Thank you for inviting comments about Simi Valley drivers. I have driven in this valley for many years and have noted a gradual deterioration in what might be considered reasonable driving habits. More...

Neighbors

Record numbers turn out for annual Arroyo Cleanup

Volunteers remove more than 3 tons of garbage in six hours

Hunter McClure and his friend Jacob Strellner ran along the upper edge of the Arroyo Simi on a recent warm and windy afternoon. "Mom, there's tadpoles out there! And baseball fields!" Hunter, 7, yelled to his mother, Kristina McClure. More...

Datebook

Datebook

FRI., MAY 2 Pet Benefit LIFE Animal Rescue hosts "A Pawsitively Purrfect Night at the Casino" fundraiser, 7 to 11 p.m., Sunset Hills Country Club, 4155 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. More...