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August 22, 2008 / Front Page

End in sight for traffic backup at L.A. and Madera

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Commuters on the west end of town have recently been feeling the crunch, frustrated by construction on Los Angeles Avenue near Madera Road that slows traffic flow to a single-lane pace. More...

Police in midst of all-out effort against drug, property crimes

In conjunction with its ongoing education and prevention program, the Simi Valley Police Department began a maximum enforcement effort on July 1 to contact and arrest known criminal offenders, targeting those responsible for narcotics and property More...

Health & Wellness

Taking health to heart

Photos by WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers YOU GOTTA HAVE MILES AND MILES OF THIS—Answer: What is heart? Simi Valley resident Louise Bennion, above left,and P.K. More...

Blood donors have chance to win Prius

United Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 8:30 a.m. to noon Sat., Aug. 30 at the Ventura County Farmers' Market, Santa Clara and Palm Streets, in downtown Ventura. More...

Getting educated on kidney disease

The Simi Valley Senior Center in partnership with Simi Valley Hospital will offer a free educational program on kidney disease at 1 p.m. Tues., Aug. 26 at the senior center, 3900 Avenida Simi. Dr. More...

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Schools

Grant helps Santa Su add Law and Society Academy

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

Santa Susana High School prides itself on offering more than the average high school. This year, the Simi Valley magnet school will begin a Law and Society Academy, largely funded by a three-year, $200,000 grant. More...

Moorpark College welcomes several new faculty members

Fresh faces hope to bring fresh perspective

Moorpark College welcomes the following new faculty members for the 2008-09 academic year.• August Benassi, speech. Benassi has a master's degree in communications from Illinois State University. More...

At Simi Valley Adult School, the learning never ends

Variety, cost and flexibility keep students coming from across the county

By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

The high cost of college may be beyond the reach of many California families, but an alternative path to a successful career exists in the heart of Simi Valley. More...

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Pets

Pet of the Week

SOFT AS A FEATHER— Fluffy little Luna is a beautiful, curious girl who would love a new home. She is a grey, tan and white calico longhair with big green eyes. She is only 1 year old and likes kids, and other animals, too. More...

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Faith

Church seeking new pastor

By Angela Randazzo Special to the Acorn

The Rev. William Curtiss will be the interim pastor at OneSpirit Center for Conscious Living in Simi Valley. The announcement was made to the congregation during a recent Sunday service. More...

Nationwide church assembly needs volunteers

Christian Orthodox young adults are invited to apply to serve as stewards at the 2008 General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and Church World Service. More...

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On The Town

"Pineapple Express"

Think of this one as "Harold and Kumar Go to New Jack City." Loveable stoners meet brutal drug dealers with unexpected results. More...

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Letters

Businesses, not people, are to blame for illegal alien problem

I am aware of the toll exacted by criminal aliens in the United States. On June 17, 1999, my grandfather was killed by a drunk driver who just happened to be an illegal alien who was deported at least once prior to the accident. More...

Knolls residents can relate to Kadota-Fig

In sympathy and response to Bob Richards, who published a letter in last week's Simi Valley Acorn . I sympathize with Mr. Richards and his Kadota-Fig neighbors and wish them luck in keeping their rurally zoned neighborhood. More...

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Neighbors

A football family

Pigskin-loving pair will be honored at start of Vikings' 45th season

By Eliav Appelbaum eliav@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Vikings have fielded youth football teams for 45 years. Since almost the very beginning, Carl and Willa Dobbs have volunteered with the organization, doing everything from coaching to running the snack booth. More...

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Datebook

FRI., AUG. 22 The Long Run City of Westlake Village TGIF hosts concert by The Long Run: Tribute to The Eagles, Berniece Bennett Park, 31800 Village Center Road, Westlake Village. Concert 7 p.m. More...

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City considering changes to First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program

Only low-income applicants would still qualify

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Due to declining home prices, the city's affordable housing subcommittee has recommended that the city's First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program be converted to a new program. More...

A swinging good time

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers AROUND WE GO—Simi Valley resident Christiana De La Cruz swings her daughter, Julia Bruton, 3, while they dance to the sounds of The Savor, a Santana tribute band, last Saturday at Rancho Simi Community Park. More...

County beefing up oversight of food sales by nonprofits

By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com

To prevent food poisoning at local outdoor events, Ventura County has increased inspections of vendors who sell refreshments at fundraisers hosted by nonprofit groups. More...

Community

Sports bar can now serve later

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

After more than a year and a half of doing business near the intersection of Tapo and Alamo streets, Yankee Doodles has reached an agreement with the city that will allow it to remain open and serve alcohol past 11 p.m. More...

Council will discuss new Target store Wednesday

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

The Simi Valley Planning Commission on Aug. 6 unanimously approved a proposal to build a Target store at 51 Tierra Rejada Road, the former site of Kmart, which closed last year. More...

Addressing the city's eastern edges

Rethinking Simi Valley

By Carissa Marsh cmarsh@theacorn.com

Part six of a seven-part series The term "upzone" is a key word in the city's ongoing discussions to update the General Plan. More...

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Sports

And away they go

Marmonte League preview: Girls' cross country

By Thomas Gase tgase@theacorn.com

Slowly but surely, the gap is closing. More...

Fall sports preview schedule

During the next few weeks, the Acorn will feature Marmonte League previews for all high school fall season sports. Here's the schedule: • Aug. 22 — Girls' cross country • Aug. More...

Simi soccer squad nets tournament title

THEY'VE GOT GAME—The Simi Valley Eclipse U-13 girls' soccer team won the 20th annual San Luis Obispo North-South Classic. The Eclipse defeated the Coast Condors 2-0 in the championship. Pictured in the front row is Morgan Bertsch. More...

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Police

Blotter

On Aug. 12, a 32-year-old man was arrested in the 300 block of Country Club Drive and charged with battery. A 21-year-old man was arrested Aug. 12 and charged with forgery in the 3900 block of E. Cochran Street. More...

DUI checkpoint tonight

Four sobriety checkpoints are in the works for the next two weekends in Ventura County as Avoid the 14 cracks down on impaired drivers, according to Senior Officer Humberto Jimenez of the Oxnard Police Department and Avoid the 14 campaign More...

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Family

Area nonprofit blankets rescued animals with love

By Laura Davis Special to the Acorn

It seems that in almost every home there is one closet dedicated to storing old towels, sheets and blankets used only for the occasional sleepover or to clean up a mess. More...

Simi drop-offs

Acorn Bits

•Big Al's Pet Food Warehouse, 999 E. Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley, (805) 5849942 •Theresa's Country Feed & Pet Store, 1836 Erringer Road, Simi Valley, (805) 583-3599 More...

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